ISLAMABAD
Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani in a meeting with Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mr. Timothy Kane, at Parliament House
ISLAMABAD
Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani in a meeting with Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mr. Timothy Kane, at Parliament House
ISLAMABAD
Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani introduces his grandson, Mohammad Asfandyar Gilani, to Australian High Commissioner Mr. Timothy Kane at Parliament House
ISLAMABAD
Wastewater treatment plant’s groundbreaking to be performed shortly: WASA MD
FAISALABAD, Dec 01 (APP):The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has achieved a significant milestone with the upcoming groundbreaking of Punjab’s largest and first-ever wastewater treatment plant, with a capacity of 33 million gallons per day.
To review the arrangements for the project, Provincial Secretary Housing Noorul Amin Mengal visited the proposed site on Monday, accompanied by Managing Director of WASA, Sohail Qadir Cheema.
According to official sources, the project, which is being developed in collaboration with Denida Sustainable Infrastructure Finance (DSIF) and the Punjab government, will cost a total of Rs 56 billion. Of this amount, Rs 53 billion will be provided by Denida through a tie loan and grant, while Rs 3 billion will be funded by the Punjab government.
This mega project will be constructed under the Design, Build and Operate (DBO) mode and is expected to be completed by September 2028.
The scope of the project includes the construction of the wastewater treatment plant, rehabilitation of the main channel 4, installation of a trunk sewer line from the terminal point of channel 4 to the treatment plant, and construction of a main force to discharge treated water into the Gogera branch canal. The project will also generate up to 3 megawatts of electricity from biogas to meet the plant’s energy requirements.
MD WASA Sohail Qadir Cheema stated that the project aligns with the vision of Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif and is the first of its kind, aimed at treating sewage and making it suitable for agricultural use. He further added that the project would enhance sewage disposal services and help control pollution, providing better drainage facilities for the citizens of Punjab.
Dry, cold weather continues in Lahore
LAHORE, Dec 01 (APP): Lahore experienced dry and cold weather on Monday, and similar conditions are expected to continue on Tuesday. MET officials said most parts of the country would remain under the influence of continental air, while a shallow westerly wave persisted over the extreme northern areas.
They forecast cold and dry weather across most regions, with very cold conditions in the hilly areas during morning and night hours. Smog and patchy fog may develop over the plains of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the same period.
Officials added that a further drop in daytime and nighttime temperatures is expected in northern regions in the coming days, while foggy conditions over the plains of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are likely to intensify gradually.
Skardu recorded the lowest minimum temperature on Monday at –10°C, while Lahore’s minimum temperature stood at 11°C.
Multan’s 100-bed cancer hospital nears completion as Commissioner reviews progress
MULTAN, Dec 01 (APP): The 100-bed cancer hospital under construction at Nishtar is approaching a critical phase of completion, with its five-storey grey structure already finished.
However, an estimated Rs 260 million is still needed to complete the project, which is being built at a total cost of Rs 755 million. If funds are released on time, the facility is expected to be operational by June 2026, officials briefed Commissioner of Multan Division Aamir Karim Khan during his detailed visit on Monday.
According to the briefing, the summary for staff appointments has already been submitted, and timely approval is deemed essential to ensure the cancer hospital is functional soon after its completion.
During the visit, Commissioner Aamir Karim Khan also inspected the PET-Scan building, where he was informed that the PET-Scan machine is available, and the service will be operational by March 2026. This will mark the launch of Punjab’s second PET-Scan facility and South Punjab’s first-ever service of this kind.
Earlier, the commissioner visited the Emergency Ward of Nishtar Hospital, interacted with patients and attendants, and reviewed the availability of medicines and staff performance. Patients expressed satisfaction with the conduct of doctors and the uninterrupted provision of essential medicines. While cleanliness in the ward was generally good, the commissioner noted that further improvement was still necessary.
The commissioner then inspected the Gynecology OPD, where patient flow was well-managed, and consultants were available. Patients expressed satisfaction with the services, but the commissioner expressed dissatisfaction with the cleanliness and ordered immediate improvements. He also directed the deployment of volunteers outside the OPD pharmacy to manage queues and assist the public.
Commissioner Aamir Karim Khan emphasized that the timely completion of ongoing projects, particularly the cancer hospital and PET-Scan facility, will significantly enhance healthcare services in the region and provide advanced diagnostic options to thousands of patients each year.
Robber held in encounter with police
MULTAN, Dec 01 (APP): A suspected robber was arrested in an injured condition after an exchange of gunfire with police near Pul Bagh Wala, Saleh Mahay, within the jurisdiction of DHA Police Station late on the night of November 30.
According to police reports, a patrol team was conducting routine checks and crime prevention duties at a checkpoint when three suspects riding two motorcycles approached from the opposite direction. Finding their behavior suspicious, the police signaled the suspects to stop.
Instead of complying, the suspects dismounted from their motorcycles and opened indiscriminate fire on the police team. The officers took cover behind their vehicle and returned limited fire in self-defense.
When the gunfire stopped, police advanced and found one suspect lying injured on the ground, having been hit in the right leg by gunfire from his own accomplices. A pistol was recovered from him.
The injured suspect, identified as Rashid s/o Abdul Hameed, a resident of Manda Chowk, Alipur Road, Muzaffargarh, was taken into custody. His two accomplices, however, managed to escape under the cover of darkness, continuing to fire as they fled.
Rescue 1122 was called to the scene, and the injured suspect was transported to Nishtar Hospital for treatment.
Initial checks revealed that Rashid was wanted in several cases involving narcotics, illegal weapons, and robberies.
Police have launched a search operation to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Mayor inaugurates newly constructed modern swimming pool at the KMC Sports Complex
KARACHI, Dec 01 (APP): Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Monday inaugurated the newly constructed modern swimming pool at the KMC Sports Complex on Kashmir Road, built at a cost of 150 million rupees.
Addressing a press conference on the occasion, Mayor Murtaza Wahab said that he is deeply saddened and distressed by the tragic incident that occurred yesterday.
He expressed heartfelt condolences and sympathy with the affected family and assured that strict action will be taken against those responsible.
Mayor Wahab said that the state-of-the-art swimming pool constructed at the KMC Sports Complex is equipped with the highest quality technology.
A modern electronic filtration system has been installed to keep the water consistently clean and safe.
Additionally, an automated purification system for water cleaning and treatment has also been installed, which functions according to international standards.
He further stated that a digital water-quality monitoring system has been activated for continuous monitoring of the pool’s water quality, while an advanced drainage and skimming system has also been introduced to ensure a safe and high-quality facility for citizens.
Challans issued for 3067 smoky vehicles
LAHORE, Dec 01 (APP): To combat smog and environmental pollution, the Transport and Mass Transit Department has intensified its operations against vehicles emitting smoke, with a full-scale crackdown running across the province, particularly in Lahore, from November 1 to 30.
According to Transport Department sources, 21,788 vehicles were inspected in Lahore alone, resulting in 3,067 vehicles being challaned for emitting smoke and operating without a fitness certificate. In addition, 1,831 vehicles were stopped for violations, and 2,476 goods transport vehicles were challaned for overloading.
A total of Rs 30 million in fines was imposed during the operations. Furthermore, 460 FIRs were registered, and 413 drivers were arrested for various offenses.
The department also conducted fitness inspections on 11,000 vehicles in Lahore throughout November, issuing fitness certificates to 7,000 vehicles that met the standards.
Minister for Transport and Mass Transit Bilal Akbar Khan has directed the department to further tighten actions against vehicles in poor condition or emitting smoke. He emphasized that no leniency will be shown towards individuals or entities that endanger public health.
The Minister warned citizens that any vehicles operating in poor condition or emitting harmful smoke will face strict action and urged them to ensure their vehicles are properly repaired before taking them onto the roads.
Smoggy conditions persist in Lahore
LAHORE, Dec 01 (APP): Smoggy conditions persisted in the provincial capital on Monday as the average Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 171.
Data from IQAir showed that the air quality remained in the “unhealthy” category, with PM2.5 levels recorded at 16.8 times higher than the World Health Organization’s annual guideline.