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Business Recorder
11-08-2025
- Business Recorder
Urs celebrations of Data Ganj Bakhsh to begin tomorrow
LAHORE: The three-day 982nd Urs celebrations of great saint Syed Ali Abul Hasan bin Usman Hajveri, popularly known as Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA) will be held in Lahore from August 13 to 15. Special food stalls have been set up at designated places of the shrine for the general public attending the Urs celebrations. Food would be doled out round-the-clock among the visitors and devotees during the three-day celebrations. Milk sabeel has also been set up. The police have put in place strict security arrangements for the annual Urs. The police personnel have been deployed on nearby rooftops to keep an eye on any suspicious activity and the vehicles of Dolphin Squad and Police Response Unit would conduct patrolling in areas nearby to deal with any untoward incident. The devotees would be allowed to enter the shrine through walk through gates and their checking by metal detectors at the entry points. Provincial Minister for Auqaf and Religious Affairs, Chaudhary Shafay Hussain told media that the shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA) is the largest spiritual centre where devotees from all over the world have the honour of visiting. Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA) played a vital role in promoting the teachings of the Holy Quran, he said, adding: 'On the instructions of the chief minister Punjab, arrangements for this year's Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh have been made better than ever before, ensuring the best facilities for devotees. He stated that the expansion project of the shrine will be completed this year, in which Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has played a significant role. Chaudhary Shafay Hussain stated that foolproof security arrangements have been made for the Urs. On the chief minister's instructions, the best possible facilities have been ensured for the devotees. He said that 'cleanliness is half of faith,' therefore, special instructions have been issued to the Secretary Auqaf and DG Religious Affairs to improve cleanliness conditions in mosques and shrines. Moreover, during the Urs of Data Sahib, uninterrupted electricity and gas supply will be ensured through coordination with the relevant departments. The minister further said that a plan is being devised to prevent corruption in the donation boxes installed at shrines, and efforts are being made to establish small branches of the Bank of Punjab at major shrines. He said that during the previous governments before the caretaker setup, 80 percent of Auqaf's land was illegally occupied. An action plan has been formulated to retrieve illegal occupation on Auqaf's land, and a high-powered committee is working for this purpose. Work has also been initiated to bring barren Auqaf land into productive use, he added. The provincial minister said that Rs three billion have been allocated in the current fiscal year's budget for the renovation of shrines and mosques. Considering the growing population, new mosques will also be built. The complete digitization of the Auqaf Department is underway, he added. Chaudhary Shafay Hussain said that four months ago, he was given the additional charge of the Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department, and he has taken concrete steps to improve the department's affairs. He said that Islam is a religion of peace, which has no place for terrorism. 'We must work together to make our beloved homeland a cradle of peace and security.' Answering a question, the minister said that we attained true independence on August 14, 1947, and now everyone must work hard for the country's progress. He remarked that one political party has been in power in KPk for many years, yet has failed to establish even a single general hospital there. Those who call Punjab's Metro Bus a costly project have spent far more resources on similar projects in their own province. Politicians should refrain from making statements that they cannot fulfill, he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Section 144 to remain in place across Punjab during Muharram
Listen to article The Punjab government has decided to enforce Section 144 across the province in view of Muharram-ul-Haram, as part of efforts to maintain law and order and prevent sectarian unrest. The ban will be in effect from the 1st to the 10th of Muharram and will prohibit the display of weapons, fireworks, and any material likely to incite sectarian or religious tensions in public spaces without prior permission from authorities, Express News reported. Double riding will be banned on Muharram 9 and 10, though senior citizens, women, and law enforcement personnel will be exempt from this restriction. Authorities have clarified that no new processions or changes in traditional Majalis routes will be permitted. Public statements or content that promote sectarian or ethnic hatred, whether through devices or social media platforms, are also banned under the order. Read: Strict Muharram security promised Additionally, residents are prohibited from building structures such as posts or collecting stones, bottles, or debris on rooftops along procession routes. Spectators will not be allowed to gather on rooftops or shop ledges during the processions. Apart from the double riding ban, all other restrictions will remain effective throughout the first ten days of Muharram. Meanwhile, security has been ramped up in the provincial capital. The Dolphin Squad and Police Response Unit have been placed on high alert to ensure safety during Muharram activities. In a recent operation, Dolphin Force recovered firearms from a suspicious black-tinted vehicle on Multan Road, arresting five suspects. Recovered items included two rifles, three pistols, dozens of bullets, and magazines. According to SP Dolphin Arslan Zahid, the suspects—Kashif Ali, Muhammad Rahat, Azeem Anwar, Muhammad Mansab, and Basharat Ali—have been handed over to the Chuhang police station for further legal proceedings. Previously, the Punjab government has rolled out a comprehensive security plan for Muharram, incorporating digital surveillance, inter-agency coordination, and infrastructure safety measures to ensure peaceful religious observances across the province. According to the Home Department, Muharram is likely to begin on June 26 or 27, subject to moon sighting. A digital portal has been activated to monitor majalis, procession routes, and sensitive sites, with deputy commissioners instructed to upload relevant data within five days. The system will be managed by Kamran Taj from the Home Department's MIS section. To bolster security, the department has formally requested the deployment of Pakistan Army and Punjab Rangers, asking for location and duration details within a week. The request also includes mobile signal jamming in specific high-risk zones. To prevent sectarian unrest, the government has directed that non-Shia religious gatherings remain physically separate from Shia events.
Business Recorder
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Christian worship and prayer services Punjab police remain on high alert
LAHORE: Punjab Police remained on high alert during Christian worship and prayer services held at churches across Lahore and the province. Earlier, IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar had issued directives to RPOs and DPOs to enhance security arrangements at churches. IG Punjab emphasized that supervisory officers must personally inspect security at churches and key locations. Additional police personnel and snipers were deployed at sensitive churches. Dolphin Squad, PRU, and Elite teams ensured effective patrolling around the officers and personnel on duty were instructed to remain extremely vigilant and keep a close watch on suspicious elements. Search and sweep operations around churches, Christian neighbourhoods, and sensitive areas continued as part of the security measures. IG Punjab further said that religious scholars, members of the Christian community, and peace committees should work together to promote interfaith harmony. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Child workers driven toward education: CM
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that Punjab is ensuring the protection of children's rights by establishing the first Virtual Child Safety Station. She stated in a message on the World Day Against Child Labour, "The Punjab government is taking effective measures against child labour. Children are being freed from forced labour and driven towards attaining education." According to a statement, a team of experts in the virtual centre is tasked with carrying out search operations for missing children, getting in touch with their families and verifying their credentials. The centre has proven effective in bringing back home not only missing children but also elderly people. A helpline has been activated for missing children and citizens of other provinces as well. At least 59,635 people have so far contacted the Virtual Safety Centre to complain about missing persons, of which 53,542 cases have been resolved. The chief minister highlighted, "Whether children belong to Punjab or any other province, they are all dear to us." She maintained, "In case of disappearance, we are determined to fulfill our responsibility of bringing every child home safe and sound. Every citizen of the country can benefit from Pakistan's first Virtual Centre for Child Safety." She outlined, "We are ready to utilise all available state resources for the safe return of missing children." On the other hand, only 37 per cent of the total 895 cases of child labour reported across the country in 2024 resulted in convictions. This was revealed in the Sustainable Social Development Organisation's (SSDO) annual report. Punjab reported the highest number of cases at 450, followed closely by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa with 426. In contrast, Sindh and Balochistan showed alarmingly low reporting rates. SSDO Executive Director Syed Kausar Abbas said that child labour is not just a legal violation but a moral crisis that endangers the very fabric of the society. He said child labour is a crime that extinguishes the hopes and potential of future generations. "It is a stain on our conscience and we cannot move forward as a nation while allowing our children to be trapped in cycles of exploitation." He emphasised the urgent need for the government to strengthen child protection institutions and implement a cohesive national strategy to address the root causes of child labour. "We need a coordinated, inter-provincial policy framework, backed by modern technology to identify risks early and ensure timely intervention," he added. He also called for greater investment in education and social welfare to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow in a safe and nurturing environment. Meanwhile, the Dolphin Squad rescued a teenage girl who had been kidnapped from Ravi Road and arrested the suspected abductor. According to a spokesperson, an operation was conducted in the Kot Kamboh area, where the squad rescued the girl and apprehended the suspect. According to the police, the girl had been kidnapped on May 23 by 25-year-old Junaid from Sham Pura. The kidnapping case was registered at Ravi Road police station. "The Dolphin Squad conducted a targeted operation based on intelligence reports and traced the victim to Kot Kamboh," said the spokesperson. The team informed the girl's parents about her recovery and transferred her to Nawan Kot police station for legal proceedings regarding the case. The arrested suspect will be presented before a magistrate and the investigation is ongoing.
Business Recorder
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Christian worship, prayer services held: Punjab Police remain high alert
LAHORE: Punjab Police remained on high alert while performing duties during Christian worship and prayer services held in churches across Lahore and the province. Earlier, IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar issued orders to RPOs and DPOs to enhance the security arrangements of churches. IG Punjab said that supervisory officers should personally inspect the security arrangements of churches and important locations. Additional police personnel and snipers should be deployed at sensitive churches. Dolphin Squad, PRU, and Elite teams should ensure effective patrolling around churches. On-duty police officers and personnel must remain highly alert and keep a close watch on miscreants. Search and sweep operations should continue around churches, Christian localities, and sensitive places. Dr. Usman Anwar further said that religious scholars, the Christian community, and members of peace committees should promote interfaith harmony. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
