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Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Eid-ul-Azha: over 1.1m animals sold across Punjab
LAHORE: Over 1.1 million sacrificial animals were sold across 292 livestock markets in Punjab during Eid-ul-Adha whereas a total of 1.5 million animals were brought to markets throughout Punjab. Moreover, during an uninterrupted 72-hour sanitation operation, the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) collected and safely disposed of 88,927 tons of animal waste in the Lahore Division. According to the Punjab Local Government Department on Monday, the figure relating to the sales of sacrificial animals involved all nine administrative divisions of the province, which highlights the thriving Eid animal trade. Lahore topped the list of divisions with the highest sales, recording the sale of 665,000 animals, which included 443,000 small animals (goats and sheep) and 222,000 large animals (cows and bulls). In Faisalabad, 112,000 animals were brought to market and 88,000 were sold. The Bahawalpur Division also displayed significant activity, with over 100,000 animals sold; in contrast, DG Khan had more modest sales figures, with 38,000 small animals and just 30,000 large animals sold. Moreover, Rawalpindi saw 84,000 animals brought into the markets, with 46,000 sold while Sahiwal recorded 47,000 animal sales and Sargodha impressively posted 94,000 animals sold. In Gujranwala, around 10,000 animals were bought and sold, and Multan experienced trade involving 16,000 animals. The Local Government Department noted that the livestock markets across the province remained largely organised, with improved facilities and management contributing to the smooth conduct of buying and selling activities. Meanwhile, Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq remained active during the Eid holidays to monitor the Eid Grand Operation launched on Eid-ul-Azha. On the first day, he reviewed the areas of Lahore, Kasur, Pattoki and Okara districts, while on the second day, the provincial minister went to Faisalabad, Gojra and Toba Tek Singh. In Lahore, Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq, Special Assistant Zeeshan Malik, Commissioner Lahore Zaid Bin Maqsood and Focal Person Suthra Punjab Asim Mehmood jointly visited the Safe City Authority and reviewed the monitoring of waste disposal with the help of Safe City cameras. Later, the Local Minister went to Laxmi Chowk and Mall Road awareness camps and checked the record of waste bags there. He also inspected the ongoing operation at the Baba Ground Dumping Site while visiting the suburbs of Shahi Qila and took feedback from the citizens. While talking to the media, the Minister said that the workers cleaning the roads and streets in the scorching heat are our heroes; ideal arrangements have been made for cleaning in the entire Punjab, including Lahore. 'About 130,000 staff were engaged in cleaning and they have broken their previous year's record of cleaning. There is a team in every city and every village and we will ensure that the set targets are achieved,' he added. On the second day of Eid, he visited Faisalabad city; on this occasion, Deputy Commissioner Faisalabad Nadeem Nasir and CEO of FWMC Rauf Ahmed gave a briefing. Rafiq reviewed the ongoing Grand Eid operation in different areas of Faisalabad and visited the control room and awareness camp at Chowk Ghanta Ghar. He expressed satisfaction with the overall cleanliness arrangements in Faisalabad. Meanwhile, the LWMC said that this Eid-ul-Adha, the Lahore Division witnessed exemplary cleanliness arrangements, breaking all previous records in waste management across the Division. It not only achieved unprecedented success in Lahore city but also set new benchmarks in Kasur, Sheikhupura, and Nankana Sahib. The comprehensive and uninterrupted 72-hour sanitation operation resulted in the environmentally safe disposal of 88,927 tons of animal waste, it added. Breaking down the figures, the LWMC successfully removed 54,888 tons of waste from Lahore, 15,543 tons from Sheikhupura, 12,066 tons from Kasur, and 6,430 tons from Nankana Sahib. 'These efforts surpassed all previous benchmarks, reflecting an exceptional level of preparedness and coordination. Throughout the three days of Eid, the Lahore Division addressed and resolved 20,268 complaints promptly,' the LWMC said. It averred that to prevent illegal dumping of waste into streams, drains, and canals Safe City and drone cameras monitored the situation continuously. The enforcement wing took actions that included the registration of 20 FIRs, seizure of three vehicles, and fines exceeding Rs 300,000. Moreover, for eco-friendly waste disposal, 2.4 million biodegradable bags were distributed throughout the Lahore Division. Moreover, the clean-up infrastructure included 651 service delivery camps, 254 temporary collection points, and 34 dumping sites. More than 24,000 sanitary heroes worked in three shifts using over 5000 pieces of machinery to ensure the success of the Suthra Punjab programme during Eid. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab CM announces up to 40pc relief in power tariffs
LAHORE: Punjab Cabinet, which met here Tuesday with the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in the chair, accorded approval for reduction in tariffs of Quaid-e-Azam Thermal Power Private Limited and Punjab Thermal Power Private Limited. The Chief Minister also announced to reduce power tariffs in order to reduce electricity bills so as to provide maximum relief to the people. The Chief Minister approved to reduce the tariffs of Punjab's power companies. On the direction of Chief Minister, the tariffs may be reduced by 30 to 40 percent. Punjab became the first province to voluntarily reduce electricity tariffs. The Chief Minister said that people repose their complete trust in the leadership and government of PML-N. The provincial cabinet extended congratulations to the CM on party's win in the by-election at Sambrial. It was apprised that the victory gained with a huge majority in 80 percent rural provincial constituencies is a manifestation of farmers' complete confidence in the policies of Chief Minister Punjab. A large number of youth and women cast their votes in the Sambrial by-election. The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of Provincial Minister Zeeshan Rafique and Special Assistant Zeeshan Malik. Minister Zeeshan Rafique informed the cabinet that the people voted in large numbers due to public welfare initiatives and projects of Chief Minister Punjab. Special Assistant Zeeshan Malik said that people came out of their homes in a large number and voted for PML-N. The Chief Minister congratulated the Minister for Health, Minister for Communications and relevant secretaries for ensuring improvements in the conditions of hospital and roads in Layyah. She directed to take necessary steps for the establishment of a medical college in Layyah. The cabinet approved a grant-in-aid of Rs 400 million to the Punjab Journalist Housing Foundation. The PJHF will pay RUDA for the land of Lahore Press Club Housing Scheme Phase II. The CM said that a huge package is going to be given to the wheat farmers. It was informed in the meeting that the payment of Rs 5,000 per acre subsidy has been completed to 514,000 wheat farmers in Punjab. The payment will be made after the verification process of another 500,000 wheat farmers is completed. An amount of Rs. 63 billion was provided in the second phase through Kisan Card and farmers have purchased fertilizer worth Rs 18 billion. The cabinet approved the Chief Minister Wheat Program 2025. The establishment of Punjab's first 'Air Punjab Private Limited Company' was also approved. The CM set a target of starting 'Air Punjab' within one year. She directed to take immediate steps for closing vaping centres in the province. She directed to ensure 'safety gear' for labourers and workers and assigned the Labour Department a target of implementing safety SOPs for workers within a month. The provincial cabinet approved ration cards for workers and miners registered with the Labour Department. The meeting also approved the provision of electric buses in nine divisions of Punjab. The CM directed to establish charging stations in all major cities as soon as possible. The meeting approved the Punjab Autism School and Resource Centre Lahore Act 2025. The CM directed to admit all sick children to the autism centre without any discrimination. The cabinet approved the transfer of land to establish Pakistan's first Nawaz Sharif Medical District in Lahore. The medical District will have blood diseases, bone marrow and all other specialized centers on a five thousand kanals of land. Parks, hotels, food court, play area and urban forest will be established in the Nawaz Sharif Medical District. A globally renowned institution has contacted for the establishment of a children hospital in the Nawaz Sharif Medical District. The Chief Minister set a target of providing essential facilities in all schools across Punjab. Classrooms, toilet blocks, furniture and laboratories will be built in every school worth Rs. 40 billion. The provincial cabinet approved the provision of 1100 interest-free electric taxis in Lahore. The meeting approved Punjab's first child protection policy to determine the responsibilities of institutions to ensure the safety of children. Special grant-in-aid was approved for the heirs of those killed in the attack in the Attock District Courts. Eco-tourism projects were approved in Changa Manga Wildlife, Lal Sohanra National Park. The cabinet approved the construction, repair and upgradation of bus shelters in Lahore. Approval was also given to build depots for electric buses at Thokar Niaz Baig and Railway Station. The meeting approved an Rs 100 billion Chief Minister Punjab Special Financing Facility to assist flour mills and food grains license holders. The implementation of the Electronic Warehouse Reset System (EWR) was approved to facilitate farmers. The cabinet approved the presentation of the annual report of the Punjab Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (P-TEVTA) for 2022-23 in the Punjab Assembly. The proposal to delegate the powers of sub-registrars to Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars was also approved. The formation of agencies to be established under the Punjab Road Safety Authority Act 2023 was approved. The cabinet approved the Measurement Book in the Public Works Department. The Punjab Senior Citizens Welfare Bill 2025 was also approved. Amendments to the Punjab Motor Vehicle Rules 1969 were approved for the provision of reflective number plates. Approval for issuance of Personalized Vanity Plates (PVP) in Punjab/ Reserve Price and Transfer Fee was approved. The provincial cabinet approved the registration of electric vehicles in Punjab. Reward system for officers/ officials and informers of the Excise Taxation and Narcotics Department was approved. Amendments to the Punjab Price Control of Essential Commodities Act, 2024 were approved. The meeting approved the Mines and Minerals Act, 2025, to harmonize the regulatory framework of the mineral resources sector. A service level agreement for technical assistance between the Punjab Information Technology Board and the Higher Education Department was approved. The Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Services Bill, 2025 was approved. The dissolution of the Board of Management of the Punjab Institute of Mental Health, Lahore and the formation of an Administration Committee under the Punjab Medical and Health Institutions Act, 2003 were approved. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt to enforce ban on road digging
The Punjab government has decided to strictly enforce a ban on road and street excavation without obtaining a no-objection certificate (NOC) from relevant authorities, as part of efforts to streamline development work and prevent repeated damage to newly completed infrastructure. The decision was made during a steering committee meeting of the Lahore Development Programme (LDP), chaired by Punjab Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique. The CM's Special Assistant on Political Affairs Zeeshan Malik emphasised that no excavation would be permitted after construction is completed and warned of zero tolerance for sub-standard work. He said that the steering committee should be kept regularly updated on all developments. Divisional Commissioner Zaid Bin Maqsood assured the committee that all departments concerned are working in coordination to ensure the timely execution of the LDP projects. Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza confirmed that following the completion of LDP schemes, no road or street would be disturbed without prior approval through an NOC. He noted that the Lahore Metropolitan Corporation and the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) are jointly implementing the programme in line with the guidance of the steering committee and the chief minister's directives. The committee reviewed the progress of development projects across the provincial capital and directed officials to strictly adhere to timelines, with an emphasis on minimising public inconvenience and completing excavation work before the monsoon season. Minister Zeeshan Rafique underscored the importance of ensuring alternative routes for citizens during construction activity. He urged the public to cooperate with the administration in maintaining newly developed infrastructure. He also noted that with the recent expansion of WASA's jurisdiction in Lahore, the agency's operational capacity must be enhanced, and various proposals in this regard are under consideration at the government level. He added that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is monitoring the progress by visiting project sites and her directives must be followed in all schemes. Information Minister Azma Bukhari emphasised the need for long-term planning, particularly in the installation of street lights and sewerage infrastructure. She said that systems should be designed to meet the city's needs for the next 30 years. She also called for accelerating the pace of work immediately after the Eidul Azha holidays and reiterated that the LDP includes plans for the restoration of public parks and improvements to cemetery facilities. Local Government Additional Secretary Ahmer Kaifi and WASA Managing Director Syed Ghufran Ahmed also attended the meeting. Meanwhile, the district administration registered six FIRs, sealed 12 properties and demolished over 4,000 encroachments during an operation on Monday. During the action, 36 truckloads of encroachment material were also seized. Unauthorised banners, posters and streamers were removed in large numbers to improve the urban landscape. With additional input from APP
