Govt enforces strict water conservation measures
In response to directives from the Lahore High Court, the Punjab Environmental Protection Department has announced stringent measures to curb water wastage across the province.
Under the new regulations, washing cars at home using a hosepipe will result in a fine of Rs10,000, while illegal service stations will face immediate action.
A special committee has been formed to oversee the implementation of these measures, comprising Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, Secretary Environment Raja Jahangir, and Director General Environment Imran Hamid Sheikh. The committee will ensure strict enforcement of the Lahore High Court's orders. According to DG Environment Punjab, all service stations in the province must install water recycling systems by February 28. Non-compliant stations will be fined Rs100,000. Additionally, a complete ban has been imposed on washing vehicles with oil-based products, and the use of groundwater at construction sites has also been prohibited under the Punjab Environmental Act.
Officials emphasised that Punjab has witnessed a 42% decline in rainfall over the past five years, exacerbating water shortages.
These new measures are aimed at conserving the dwindling water resources and preventing further wastage.
The Environmental Protection Department has urged the public to comply with the new regulations, warning that violators will face strict legal consequences.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
8 hours ago
- Business Recorder
KCCI, transporters announce July 19 strike against Finance Act provisions
The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), joined by goods transport associations from across Pakistan, has announced a nationwide wheel-jam strike on July 19 in protest against the Finance Act 2025, warning the government of a complete halt in economic activity if controversial fiscal measures are not suspended immediately. Addressing a press conference at KCCI on Monday, President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani reiterated the business community's firm rejection of five key measures and 32 anomalies introduced in the Finance Act. He demanded that the federal government issue a formal notification suspending these provisions as a precondition for any dialogue. 'The entire business and transport community stands united,' Bilwani said, flanked by transport leaders from Karachi, Lahore, and other regions. 'No vehicle will move on July 19. This is not just a strike, it's a call for economic survival.' Bilwani called for the immediate withdrawal of Sections 37A and 37B of the Sales Tax Act, which empower FBR officials to arrest without warrant; Section 21(S), which penalizes cash transactions of Rs200,000 or more; SRO 709 mandating digital invoicing; Section 40C regarding e-Bilty; and restoration of the Final Tax Regime for exporters. He noted that although the Ministry of Finance had reached out to KCCI for talks, no written assurance or official notification had been issued so far. 'We have made it clear; unless these provisions are formally held in abeyance, there will be no dialogue and no postponement of the strike,' he stated. Transporters, including representatives from the Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance and multiple carrier associations, declared full solidarity with the KCCI, confirming that all goods movement will be suspended nationwide. Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) Zubair Motiwala, also present at the press conference, stated: 'Strikes are not our preference, but the government's indifference has left us with no choice. This is now a question of economic survival.' Responding to a question on national unity, Bilwani said more than 50 trade and industrial associations from across Pakistan have formally endorsed KCCI's stance. He criticised the FBR's enforcement record and called for accountability within the Finance Ministry. 'The country cannot afford these anti-business policies. We urge the government to act before the damage becomes irreversible,' Bilwani concluded. With both business and transport sectors firmly aligned, the July 19 strike is expected to cause significant disruption to supply chains and commercial operations nationwide. Separately, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has also announced a countrywide strike on July 19 against Section 37AA of the Income Tax Ordinance, taxes on bank transactions, and Punjab's proposed labour policy, which the LCCI has termed 'anti-business.' At a press conference at LCCI headquarters, President Mian Abuzar Shad warned that the recent fiscal measures would severely hurt businesses, increase unemployment, and shake investor confidence. He condemned the extraordinary powers granted to FBR officials and criticised economic policymaking without consultation with business stakeholders. The LCCI demanded the immediate withdrawal of the proposed measures and an end to what it called the 'economic victimisation' of the business community. Business chambers and trade associations from across the country have expressed support for both KCCI and LCCI, setting the stage for a widespread shutdown of commercial and transport activity on July 19.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
K-P spending plan long on promises
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has presented a Rs363 billion education budget for the upcoming fiscal year, marking an 11 per cent increase from last year. Critics, however, have argued that the budget is high on claims and low on credibility. Despite a barrage of promises, from school renovations to new colleges and expanded health coverage, opposition parties have dismissed the budget as a "paper exercise" detached from the dire on-ground realities of a province grappling with economic mismanagement, institutional decay, and widespread corruption. The government's education plan boasts allocations for classroom repairs in 32,500 schools, provision of teaching materials, and extracurricular activities for over 5.9 million students. It also includes Rs1.59 billion for hiring female teachers in girls' community schools, Rs8.54 billion for free textbooks, and Rs855 million for restoring ten historic schools. Additionally, it promises to enroll half of the province's out-of-school children and address teacher shortages through a Rs1 billion allocation to parent-teacher councils. Higher education spending has been increased to Rs50 billion, while Rs2.77 billion has been set aside to convert public colleges into centers of applied sciences and Rs3.5 billion for five new colleges. The budget for public universities has jumped from Rs3 billion to Rs10 billion, alongside a Rs1.24 billion top-up in the scholarship endowment fund. In the health sector, the government has raised the Sehat Card Plus budget from Rs28 billion to Rs35 billion, and earmarked Rs6 billion for extending health coverage to the merged districts. New projects include neonatal care centers in five districts, satellite cardiology units in Mardan and Bannu, and a nursing college in Chitral. Funds have also been set aside for health facility upgrades in Orakzai and Kurram. However, the opposition has branded the budget a farce, with PPP MPA Ahmed Karim Kundi calling it "laughable" and accusing the government of manipulating figures to create the illusion of a Rs157 billion surplus. "They present a Rs416 billion budget but cannot even spend Rs100 billion effectively. The Sehat Card program, touted as a flagship initiative, disproportionately benefits the rich, with 80 per cent of users coming from wealthier segments of society. Public hospitals are in shambles, no new basic health units have been built, and health indicators are declining," he said. Critics also pointed to a crumbling education sector. Over 500,000 children remain out of school, and while the government announces new projects each year, implementation remains minimal. Universities face a crippling financial crisis, with the government reportedly selling off institutional land to manage expenses. Opposition lawmaker from the Awami National Party Nisar Baz accused the PTI-led provincial government of reducing education and health to mere slogans, while failing to build even a single major hospital or university in the last 15 years. "Security conditions in some districts are so poor that teachers can't even reach their schools," claimed an MPA from the ANP. Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association K-P Chapter President Professor Dr Dilnawaz Khan revealed that they were demanding Rs50 billion fund from the provincial government. "Only Rs10 billion has been announced for universities, which is insufficient. The federal government will allocate Rs65 billion for higher education, even though after the 18th amendment it is the responsibility of the provincial government. Universities in K-P are facing a financial loss of Rs20 billion," said Dr Khan. Leader of the opposition, Dr Ibad Khan was more scathing in his assessment, claiming that the budget reflected a governance model built on corruption. "The only thing this government is serious about is looting public funds. From the Chief Minister to his ministers, corruption runs deep," lambasted Dr Ibad, while accusing the ruling party of betraying public trust by using promises of better education and health to win votes while delivering only stagnation and administrative failure.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Pink salt's export potential remains untapped
Beneath Karachi's blistering sun, a salt farmer harvests shimmering sea crystals in a coastal area — a backbreaking labour that yields just Rs1,000 a day. Each grain tells a story of toil, endurance, and the quiet dignity of labour. PHOTO: ONLINE Even though India's ban on Pakistani pink salt has opened up new opportunities for local traders in other international markets, the true potential of the profitable sector remains untapped since Pakistan, till date, has not been able to develop a value-adding system for processing and rebranding what many consider to be the world's healthiest salt. A local salt exporter, Muhammad Riaz, revealed that even in the past, governments were advised to export Pakistan's unique salt with value addition, but none took serious steps while India continued to market Pakistani salt as its own across global markets. "Indian traders are currently obtaining salt through Dubai. During the tenure of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, a proposal had been made for Pakistan to export salt directly to other countries rather than allowing India to benefit from it. Presently, Pakistani salt exporters are again emphasizing that salt should not be exported as a raw material but instead should be processed and branded, enabling Pakistan to boost exports and earn valuable foreign exchange," noted Riaz. Sources indicate that the ongoing political tensions between Pakistan and India have severely affected trade, pushing traders on both sides to adopt new strategies. From November 2023 to October 2024, Pakistan remained a major exporter of pink salt. During this period, 3,789 shipments of Himalayan salt were exported, marking a 10 percent increase compared to the previous year. In 2023, India had imported 462 metric tons of Himalayan pink salt from Pakistan, which increased to 642 metric tons in 2024. However, these numbers are still significantly lower compared to 2018 (74,457 metric tons) and 2019 (72,631 metric tons). After India imposed a direct ban on the import of Pakistani salt in 2019, trade was completely halted. As a result, India lost access to the inexpensive pink salt it used to source from Pakistan. However, Indian traders continue to import this salt through other countries, rebrand it, and sell it under their own labels. Although the volume of trade has decreased, indirect exports of Pakistani salt to India are still ongoing. For years, India earned substantial profits by purchasing this salt at low prices and selling it for much more. Previously, India used to receive cheap salt via the Wagah land route, but now it has to pay significantly more to acquire it. Since the complete suspension of trade through Wagah following the Pahalgam incident, relations between the two countries have become increasingly strained. In the meantime, Indian traders have started importing Pakistani pink salt via third countries. In this way, Indian companies are continuing to trade Pakistani salt through indirect means and earning profits through value addition. After the Pulwama attack in 2019, India imposed a 200 per cent tariff on Pakistani goods, which drastically reduced trade. As a result, exports of Pakistani pink salt to India became negligible. In 2025, a complete ban was enforced on salt trade, and now it is expected that even indirect trade through third countries may come to a halt. Due to the halt in the import of Pakistani Himalayan pink salt, local prices in India have surged. Salt that was previously sold for 45 to 50 Indian rupees per kilogram is now priced at up to 150 Indian rupees per kilogram. Hence, India is now looking towards countries like the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Iran, Australia, and Afghanistan to meet its salt requirements. In the meanwhile, during the first five months of 2025, Pakistan's salt exports to China increased by 38 per cent. Exporters say that in Punjab, the Mines and Minerals Department is actively extracting salt from mines, and salt reserves have been leased to the private sector. This has enabled private companies to play a more active role in increasing exports. "The government needs to stop the export of raw salt entirely and focus on value-added products," implored Riaz.
