Latest news with #HassanWaqarCheema
Express Tribune
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Patriotic marches fill Pindi streets
People from all walks of life, including businessmen, gather to celebrate the success of Operation Marka-e-Haq against India, observing Friday as Youm-e-Tashakur. PHOTO: EXPRESS In celebration of the success of the Operation Marka-e-Haq against India and the Day of Gratitude, 10 rallies were held in Rawalpindi on Friday. Rallies were also held by various organisations such as WASA, RDA, PHA, universities and the BISE, alongside flag-hoisting ceremonies. Patriotic songs were performed during the events. Prior to the rallies, flag-hoisting ceremonies took place, followed by the "Long Live Pakistan" rallies. Throughout the rallies, slogans like "Long Live Pakistan Armed Forces" and "Long Live the Air Force Shaheen" echoed in the air. The rallies were attended by Commissioner Aamir Khattak, Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema, Regional Police Officer (RPO), City Police Officer (CPO), Station Commander, MNAs, Senator Tahir Orangi Zaib, Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry, Nasir Butt, Abdullah Hamid Gul, and Khan Mohammad Khan, President of Tehreek Jawan-e-Pakistan and Chairman of the Rawalpindi Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education. The central event took place at the Post Graduate Girls' Waqar-un-Nisa College, where a Civil Defence contingent presented a Guard of Honour to the guests. Participants in the rallies included officials from the Education Board, Railway Workers Union, Corporation Union, and Sanitary Workers from APCA. A large rally was also led by Shirjeel Mir from the Traders' Association. The day in Rawalpindi began with Quran Khawani. The main ceremony was attended by the Commissioner, RPO, and DC Rawalpindi, along with administrative officers. Ulama, students, teachers, and individuals from all walks of life participated in the event. A flag-hoisting ceremony was held, and MNA Tahira Orangi Zaib, said, "Today, the entire nation is thankful to Allah for granting us victory over the enemy.
Express Tribune
28-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Zakat beneficiaries won't get 'Eidi' for the first time
The Rawalpindi district Zakat office has approved an increase in financial assistance for deserving individuals, raising the monthly subsistence allowance by Rs500 and the dowry fund for underprivileged girls by Rs75,000. Despite this increase, for the first time in Punjab's history, 10,000 deserving individuals in the Rawalpindi Division will not receive financial aid on Eidul Fitr, dampening their festive celebrations. As a result, the monthly aid for widows and destitute families has been increased from Rs1,500 to Rs2,000, while the dowry fund has been raised from Rs25,000 to Rs100,000. The district Zakat office and 1,166 local Zakat committees in Rawalpindi have informed beneficiaries that Eid gifts will not be distributed this year. Many who had been visiting Zakat offices in anticipation of receiving Eid assistance have been left disappointed. According to the Zakat Committee Administrator, Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema's office, funds amounting to Rs2.4 billion have been allocated for Rawalpindi's deserving families. However, due to time constraints, it is impossible to distribute the Eid gifts before Eidul Fitr. Instead, all beneficiaries will receive a lump sum of Rs24,000 per family for the entire year under the newly increased Rs2,000 monthly allowance. The lists of eligible recipients have been finalized, and the distribution of these funds will begin from April 7 to April 14. Additionally, visually impaired individuals across the district will also receive Rs24,000 annually, disbursed at Rs2,000 per month.
Express Tribune
02-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pindi traders reject new official price list
The Rawalpindi district administration has announced new rates for grocery items, milk, yogurt and meat and issued the official notification. However, the Grocers Merchant Association, Butchers Union, and Fresh Milk Association have rejected the new rates, stating that they cannot sell expensive items at lower prices. They have demanded that Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema disclose the wholesale market where such low-cost items are available. The announcement of the new rates has sparked a fresh dispute between the associations and the district administration. Four days after a meeting of the district price control committee, new rates were issued, and immediate enforcement was ordered. A warning was issued that those selling overpriced goods would face legal action. According to the notification, white chickpeas are priced at Rs300 per kg, black chickpeas at Rs280 per kg, gram flour at Rs300 per kg, split chickpeas at Rs295, green gram beans at Rs380, red lentils at Rs260, black gram at Rs435, and basmati rice at Rs260. Loose milk will be sold at Rs190 per litre, yogurt at Rs200 per kg, bread at Rs14, mutton at Rs1,600 per kg, and beef at Rs800 per kg. The associations have rejected these rates, stating that the rates agreed upon in the meeting were not implemented and are unacceptable. The Grocers Merchant Association President Saleem Pervez Butt said that they cannot sell expensive pulses and rice at lower prices. He added that these rates are three years old, with pulses, rice, milk, and yogurt priced much higher at that time. Butchers Union Vice President Naeem Qureshi said that mutton and beef prices are currently much higher than the new rates. The traders' leaders stated that they would not sell any items at these rates, and if fines were imposed, they would stop selling those products. They demanded that new rates in line with the market be issued immediately or face protests. The district administration has declared that the new rates are to be implemented immediately, and violators will face heavy fines and could even face jail time for up to 72 hours. Capital sets up six Ramazan bazaars The district administration in the federal capital has established six affordable Ramazan bazaars and 17 fair-price shops to provide food items at lower prices. The Ramazan bazaars have been set up in Sector G-6, H-9, G-11, I-8, Bhara Kahu, and Pakistan Town. The fair-price shops will offer 15 items of vegetables and fruits at lower prices. These shops are located in G-9, I-8, F-8, and E-11, with additional ones in F-10, F-11, G-13, Barah Kaho, Bari Imam, Bani Gala, Pakistan Town, F-7, and F-6. Furthermore, affordable shops have also been set up in G-6, G-7, Lehtrar Road, and I-11/4. DC Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Minhas has instructed all assistant commissioners to visit the stalls regularly.
Express Tribune
20-02-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Dengue larvae discovery worries health authority
The discovery of dengue larvae at various locations during the winter season has worried health authorities in Rawalpindi. The district administration and health department have finalised a new "Dengue Control Plan" for this year. In response to the larvae findings, dengue prevention activities have been intensified, and 2,000 new sanitary patrol workers have been recruited. Under the new plan, all flood workers will be provided with Android mobile phones for field duty monitoring. A summary has been sent to the Punjab health department's director general for approval. Previously, mobile phones had been provided to field staff but were withdrawn after they broke. This year, the health department has decided to reissue phones to workers and in-charges. Although dengue is currently off-season in Rawalpindi, substantial larvae have been found in the Chak Jalal Din area, prompting the deputy commissioner to initiate early dengue control measures. The new plan divides the Rawalpindi district into four zones, eight sectors, and 36 cluster centres, each with a dedicated in-charge. Special focus will be placed on construction sites, tyre shops, and scrap yards, as well as areas that reported dengue cases in 2024. Inspections will be monitored rigorously, and third-party surveys will be conducted. If dengue larvae are found, departmental action will follow. Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema has directed that dengue meetings be held, and the full campaign will begin on April 1, 2025, when the Dengue Control Act will also be enforced. The district administration has emphasized the importance of community involvement in the dengue control efforts. Awareness campaigns will be launched to educate residents on preventive measures, such as eliminating standing water around homes and using mosquito repellents. Health teams will also distribute informational pamphlets and hold public meetings to ensure that residents actively participate in reducing mosquito breeding sites.
Express Tribune
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pindi launches CCTV surveillance for exams
The Rawalpindi Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) has decided to directly monitor the annual matriculation examination, starting from March 4, through live CCTV surveillance of all 165 sensitive exam centres from the board's office. Overall, CCTV cameras will be installed at all 396 exam centres to ensure transparency in the examinations. To ensure the integrity of the exams, the BISE chairman, the BISE secretary, the controller, the Rawalpindi commissioner and deputy commissioner, mobile squads, special squads, MNAs and ministers will conduct surprise raids and checks at the centres. Additionally, under Section 144, DC Hassan Waqar Cheema has imposed a ban on students, teachers, non-teaching staff, and exam personnel bringing mobile phones to the exam centres. Entry of all unauthorised persons within a 100-metre radius of the exam centres will also be prohibited. The possession of weapons and any form of cheating material, including notes, books, registers, summaries, and calculators, will also be strictly banned. In accordance with the Punjab Chief Minister's directives, a focal person will also be appointed by the DC to ensure exam transparency. Police personnel will be deployed at each exam centre for additional security. A spokesperson for the Rawalpindi BISE, Arslan Cheema, says this year's matriculation and intermediate exams will feature the strictest measures to ensure transparency. The board has vowed to eliminate the "booti mafia completely," and any involvement in cheating will lead to arrests and legal action, he further says and adds live monitoring will take place at all the declared sensitive exam centres.
