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Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
International Widows Day: Widows collective responsibility of civilized society: CM
LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif in her message on 'International Widows Day' said that the religion of Islam has persuaded its followers to give due respect to the widows as well as equal rights. She highlighted, 'The widows are a collective responsibility of a civilized society. Women who have become widows during wars in Kashmir, Gaza and Iran are a big question mark on the global conscience.' She outlined, 'The Punjab government is not only providing sympathy to the widows but due care and support as well. The widows or single mothers are being given foremost priority in the 'Apni Chhat, Apni Ghar' programme.' She emphasised, 'Children of widows are also being given priority while granting 'Honhaar' scholarships. The Women Protection Authority and the Social Welfare department are ensuring due support and care for the widows across Punjab.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Artificial lake along Route 47 to store rainwater
An artificial lake has been built along the 'CBD Route 47' road in Lahore to store five million gallons of rainwater. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif was informed during an early morning surprise visit to various city areas to inspect development projects that the route had been opened for traffic. She visited a new bridge being built on the Walton Road. Route 47 links Kalma Chowk to Walton. There is also a lane allocated for cyclists. Walkways have also been allocated for pedestrians and cyclists on the Walton Railway Crossing Flyover. Solar panels being installed on the flyover will be able to generate one megawatt of electricity. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said on the occasion, "Route 47 is another milestone towards attaining a bright and sustainable future for Punjab. It is not just a road but highlights a new chapter of smart development in Punjab." Meanwhile, the chief minister said in her message on International Widows Day that women who had become widows during wars in Kashmir, Gaza and Iran posed a big question mark on the global conscience. She outlined, "The Punjab government is not only providing sympathy to the widows but due care and support as well. The widows and single mothers are being given foremost priority in the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar programme." She said, "Children of widows are also being given priority while granting Honhaar scholarships. The Women Protection Authority and the social welfare department are ensuring due support and care for the widows across Punjab."
Business Recorder
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab ministers praise provincial budget
LAHORE: The provincial ministers have stressed that the Punjab Budget 2025-26 is not merely a collection of numbers but a concrete commitment to public welfare, prosperity and transparent governance; significant relief has been provided to the people in the Punjab Budget 2025-26 During a post-budget press conference here on Tuesday, Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman and Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb reiterated the Chief Minister's clear directives for the timely completion of every project, full transparency, and maximum benefit to the public. The total budget amounts to Rs 5,335 billion, with Rs 1,240 billion allocated specifically for development projects, they added. Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman said that, similar to last year, Punjab has once again presented a tax-free budget, with the development outlay amounting to 23 percent of the total provincial budget. He averred that no new taxes will be imposed in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26. He described the budget as a historic package for public services. He added that the budget is expected to set new records in development. He emphasised that the budget was prepared under the direct supervision of CM Maryam Nawaz, ensuring that the needs of all social classes were carefully considered. He further assured that no new taxes have been imposed on the public. 'Measures are underway to expand the tax net through the modernisation of the Punjab Excise and Taxation Department. Additionally, transparency is being enhanced through the implementation of e-governance, e-auctions, and e-tendering to curb corruption,' he added. Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb noted that this is the largest development budget in Punjab's history; the CM has introduced an unprecedented development budget, increasing it from Rs 832 billion (allocated in the 2024-25 budget) to Rs 1,240 billion. The Chief Minister has also brought all major development projects under public accountability, setting new standards for good governance, she added. According to her, significant allocations include Rs 81.1 billion for education, Rs 56.3 billion for healthcare and Rs 81.29 billion for agriculture. Special focus areas, based on the Chief Minister's priorities, include healthcare, education, agriculture, clean drinking water, sanitation and environmental protection. Moreover, as part of the 'Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar' initiative, 50,000 families have already received homes, with construction underway on an additional 100,000 housing units. On transport, she said that rapid progress is being made on the Automated Rapid Transport (ART) and e-bus projects in Lahore, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala. The Chief Minister has also directed that every city should have access to clean, quality public transport, with 1,100 new buses being added to the fleet this year; 24 electric buses are currently operating in Lahore. In the education sector, she said, Rs 40 billion is being utilised via school management councils to provide additional classrooms, IT labs and other facilities. Higher education will receive Rs 25 billion, the laptop scheme Rs 15 billion, scholarships for talented students Rs 15 billion, and the school meal programme Rs 7 billion, she added. 'In healthcare, Rs 181 billion has been allocated, including Rs 14.5 billion for the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research in Lahore, and Rs 8 billion for a new state-of-the-art children's hospital in Rawalpindi. Centres of excellence in nursing will be established in Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi, with an allocation of Rs 23 billion,' she stated. According to her, under social protection, Rs 40 billion has been allocated for a ration card programme, along with prioritised schemes such as Himmat Card, Minority Card and Labour Card to provide immediate relief to vulnerable segments of society. Moreover, the CM Punjab Parwaaz Programme continues to offer technical training and respectable employment opportunities for youth. Aurangzeb further highlighted that improving the environment has become a mission for the Chief Minister, with Rs 795 billion allocated for this purpose. 'Funds have been designated for the installation of 25 air quality monitoring stations, climate observatories, and the creation of an environmental protection force.' In a move to revive the film industry, a Rs 7 billion fund has been established. For the welfare of journalists, a Rs 1 billion Journalist Endowment Fund and Rs 400 million for the Journalist Housing Foundation have been allocated, she said, adding that the Punjab Higher Education Commission will allocate Rs 18 billion to universities this year. Rs 40 billion has been earmarked for advanced IT laboratories in schools. Additionally, Aurangzeb mentioned that the School Nutrition Programme will be expanded to eight districts, with an investment of Rs 148 billion in health and education. 'Rural Health Centres (RHCs) and Basic Health Units (BHUs) will be transformed into Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics. The first Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital is also under construction in Lahore. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Public welfare projects maligned through misinformation: Azma
LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has termed the opposition's criticism regarding public sector advertisements as baseless and detached from reality. She stated clearly that 'the claims made by the opposition were rooted solely in fake posts — and we cannot shape policy based on misinformation.' Azma Bokhari said, 'If I wanted, I could spin tales of rivers of milk and honey flowing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — but we speak from the ground realities, not from fabricated images.' She pointed out that some individuals are deliberately misleading the public by portraying every government advertisement as political propaganda. 'There is a clear difference between political publicity and social awareness campaigns,' she emphasised. In a pointed remark, she said, 'For them, posting pictures with dogs is considered social publicity, but when we promote our 'Apna Ghar, Apni Chhat' housing scheme, it becomes political?' The minister stated that the government cannot send out drummers to spread awareness of public welfare initiatives, nor can it hang messages around pigeons' necks. 'This bill is solely intended to ensure that information about government initiatives reaches the public effectively.' She acknowledged that some journalist friends have raised objections to the bill, and said those are welcome. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Network of uplift projects laid across Punjab: CM
LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif said on Monday that a network of development projects has been laid across Punjab and the government is working on important sectors comprising health, education, infrastructure and environmental pollution. She said this during a meeting with the Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan in which Members Punjab Assembly Sardar Muhammad Asim Sher Maken and Khurram Khan Virk were also present. Matters pertaining to mutual interest, political situation, public welfare projects along with national as well as political affairs, budget and development projects were discussed in the meeting. The Chief Minister said, 'History bears witness that whenever PML-N government comes into power, all the problems and grievances of the people are redressed promptly.' She vowed, 'The journey of providing public service will be further accelerated across the province.' The CM said the price of bread in the entire province is lower as compared to other provinces. The incumbent government is resolving the problems of farmers on a priority basis, she added. The Chief Minister appreciated Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan for conducting affairs of the Punjab Assembly in a nice manner. The Speaker Punjab Assembly congratulated Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for building a record number of houses under 'Apni Chhat, Apni Ghar' program. He appreciated Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's initiatives for granting 'Honhaar' scholarships and laptops to the talented students across Punjab. Member Punjab Assembly Sardar Muhammad Asim Sher Maken appreciated Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's vision of launching Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology project. He paid tribute to her for launching record development projects in a short span of time in the province. He acknowledged that Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology project being launched in Sargodha is an example of its own. Khurram Khan Virk MPA extolled that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif by launching record development projects in the province has refreshed the memories of Quaid PML-N Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif. Both the MPAs lauded Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's preference to hold consultation while launching development projects across Punjab. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
