Latest news with #KhawajaSalmanRafique
Express Tribune
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Rs500m to be spent on curbing river erosion
The Punjab Cabinet Committee on Disaster Management has approved six schemes worth Rs500 million to curb river erosion in the province. Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said while presiding over a meeting on Thursday that schemes had been approved to protect vulnerable areas from river erosion, including settlements in Mandi Bahauddin, Layyah and Jhang. PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia briefed the participants on anti-erosion measures and strengthening of river embankments.
Express Tribune
13-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Rains spur fruit, veg prices
Ongoing monsoon rains have severely impacted the supply chain of perishable commodities across the provincial capital, triggering sharp price hikes in fruits, vegetables and poultry. Citizens are grappling with soaring prices as traders continue to overcharge in open defiance of government rate lists. Market visits reveal widespread non-compliance with official price notifications. Consumers remain at the mercy of street vendors, greengrocers, and shopkeepers who are selling essential food items well above officially sanctioned rates. Poultry prices have seen a steep rise this week. The official rate for live chicken stood between Rs384 and Rs398 per kilogramme, but vendors charged between Rs450 and Rs480. Chicken meat, officially priced at Rs577 per kg, was being sold at Rs650 to Rs690, while boneless chicken exceeded Rs1,050. Vegetables have also recorded significant price surges. Potatoes, saw A-grade soft skin varieties fixed at Rs80-85 per kg but sold at Rs140150. B and C-grade were priced at Rs70-75 and Rs60-65, respectively, while mixed quality was available at Rs120-130 per kg. The sugar-free variety ranged from Rs35 to Rs65 per kg but was being sold well above the notified rates. Onions and tomatoes followed similar trends. A-grade onions, fixed at Rs45-50, were being sold at Rs80-100. Tomatoes, with official prices set at Rs70-75 for A-grade, were sold at nearly double. Garlic and ginger prices fluctuated, with local garlic selling for Rs280-300 per kg despite an official rate of Rs190-200. Imported ginger varieties such as Thai and Chinese were sold between Rs600-700, well above the Rs400-475 rate ceiling. Other vegetables like brinjal, bitter gourd, spinach, zucchini, pumpkin, ladyfinger, arum, and capsicum all witnessed significant price gains — often ranging from Rs20 to Rs80 per kilogramme above official notifications. Peas peaked at Rs500 per kg, while beetroot was being sold at Rs400. Fruit prices were similarly inflated. Apples, officially fixed between Rs240 and Rs450 per kilogramme depending on variety, were being sold at up to Rs800. Bananas ranged from Rs90 to Rs210 per dozen officially, but were sold at Rs150 to Rs350. Mangoes, papayas, peaches, grapes, cherries, and plums also saw price hikes of Rs20 to Rs60 per kg, with litchis sold at up to Rs1,000 per kg despite being fixed at Rs535-560. Several consumers expressed frustration over the unchecked profiteering and urged authorities to restore price control mechanisms before the situation worsens. Meanwhile, Punjab Cabinet Committee on Disaster Management Chairman Khawaja Salman Rafique visited the PDMA head office and reviewed the weather situation. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority has issued an alert to the administration across Punjab regarding monsoon rains. Cloudy and humid weather prevailed in Lahore on Sunday, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasting similar conditions and chances of scattered rain over the next 24 hours. The PMD issued a warning for heavy-to-very-heavy rains overnight and on Monday possibly triggering flash floods in local streams and hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, northeastern Punjab and other regions. Urban flooding is also likely in low-lying areas of Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Nowshera, and Peshawar. According to the PMD, monsoon currents from both the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are entering the country, and a strong westerly wave is also expected to hit upper and central parts of the country. With additional input from APP
Express Tribune
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PA passes multiple resolutions amid quorum crisis
The Punjab Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution urging the international community to take immediate steps to end Israel's aggression against Palestine and Iran, drawing parallels with its past role in facilitating ceasefires between Pakistan and India. The resolution, presented by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawas (PML-N) lawmaker Khawaja Salman Rafique, called on the federal government to mobilize its diplomatic channels to convene an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) aimed at halting Israel's actions and condemning its aggression. The House expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine and Iran and offered prayers for those killed in the recent Iranian attacks, including military leaders Major General Muhammad Baqeri, Major General Hussain Salami, six nuclear scientists, and others. In another unanimous move, the PA approved a resolution on ineffective tree plantation efforts. Proposed by Treasury MPA Mansab Ali Dogar, the resolution recommended allocating funds to farmers for targeted plantation based on land and environmental suitability to counter climate change. Separately, PML-N MPA Imran Javed raised the issue of biogas access, claiming that while milkmen provide buffalo dung for gas production, local communities have not received any gas. Parliamentary Secretary for Energy Mansoor Azam responded that supply would begin once production capacity improves. Tensions flared during the session when Opposition MPA Sardar Muhammad Ali Khan objected to the lack of consideration for his resolution on wheat prices, prompting a verbal exchange with PML-N's Rana Muhammad Arshad.
Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Action taken over use of expired stents in 2021-22: minister
Provincial Specialised Healthcare Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that departmental action has been taken against all those responsible for the use of expired stents in the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) during 2021-22 as pointed out in a recent report of the auditor general. He said the treatment of each patient at the institute is monitored by the chairman of the board of management, executive director and medical superintendent. They minister stated that the patients area using the treatment facilities with full trust as guaranteed stents are used in the PIC. According to sources, corruption of around Rs260 million was also exposed in the report that stated that the hospital administration had used completed expired and substandard stents during heart surgeries and had avoided submitting a reply about the matter. The sources said corruption in the purchase of surgical instruments and medicines had also been pointed out. A large number of heart patients from across Punjab and other provinces seek treatment in the PIC because of the best available facilities. "According to the auditor general's report, 22 patients were affected by the use of expired stents in 2021 and 2022," an official of the PIC said. He said some officials suspected of being involved in corruption had retired, were some were still serving in the health department. The auditor general had sought a reply about the alleged corruption and mismanagement but it was not submitted. Corruption was allegedly done in the main store of the PIC during the purchase of surgical instruments and medicines, while tampered bills caused loss to the institution. The official said the auditors had thoroughly examined the documents of the patients and the hospital. A health department spokesperson, Sayed Hamad Raza, said it was a follow-up report of the auditor general and the previous government of the PTI was responsible for it.
Express Tribune
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Punjab to establish Forensic Science Authority
LAHORE: The Punjab government has introduced the Punjab Forensic Science Authority Act 2024 in the provincial assembly, aiming to enhance forensic investigations across the province. The new bill seeks to upgrade the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) into an autonomous authority, with the Punjab Chief Minister serving as its Chairperson. According to the Punjab Home Department, the Provincial Cabinet has already approved the bill, which has now been referred to the Punjab Assembly's Special Committee on Home Affairs for further deliberation. The proposed authority will comprise senior officials, including the Home Secretary, Finance Secretary, Law Secretary, Planning & Development Secretary, Public Prosecution Secretary, Punjab Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Forensic Science Authority. Additionally, experts in audio-visual analysis, computer forensics, criminology, molecular sciences, and pathology will be part of the technical panel. Equipped with modern forensic tools and technologies, the new authority aims to bring scientific investigations in Punjab up to international standards. A dedicated fund will be established to support forensic research and development. The bill also mandates that forensic experts provide professional opinions and reports in courts and tribunals. Once enacted, the Punjab Forensic Science Authority Act 2024 will repeal the Punjab Forensic Science Agency Act 2007. Meanwhile, the Punjab Cabinet Committee on Law and Order convened to review security arrangements for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and Raiwind Tablighi Ijtima, ensuring comprehensive measures for these major events. During the committee's 22nd meeting, chaired by Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, officials discussed security preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the Raiwind congregation. Punjab Home Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal provided a detailed briefing on the province's security situation, while the committee reviewed joint security audit reports of Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Officials were directed to implement fool-proof security measures. To strengthen security, the deployment of five Army companies and one Rangers wing was approved for the Champions Trophy.
