Tag: Punjab government

  • Signing of declaration of finality of Prophethood (PBUH) for nikkah made mandatory in Punjab

    Signing of declaration of finality of Prophethood (PBUH) for nikkah made mandatory in Punjab

    The Punjab local government and community development department has issued updated Form-II of nikkahnama that makes it mandatory for the bride and groom to sign declaration on the belief of finality of Prophethood (PBUH) with immediate effect.

    The notification directs all the secretaries of union councils to provide the amended nikkahnama containing the declaration of finality of Prophethood (PBUH) to all nikkah registrars.

    The law states, “If any person to whom a licence has been granted under this rule contravenes any of the conditions of such license, he shall be punishable with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees or with both.”

    If a nikkah registrar does not use the updated Form-II, a disciplinary action will be taken against the concerned UC secretary.

    The Punjab cabinet approved the amendment in March this year. The amendment was approved in the 51st provincial meeting of former chief minister (CM) Punjab Usman Buzdar’s cabinet.

  • ‘Mai ne video banaayi hui hai, agar mujhe kuch hua toh public ko sab pata chal jayega’: Imran Khan

    ‘Mai ne video banaayi hui hai, agar mujhe kuch hua toh public ko sab pata chal jayega’: Imran Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Tuesday that he knows the names of those who were involved in the conspiracy to oust his government but said he is quiet for the sake of the country as he doesn’t want to harm Pakistan.

    Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Khan claimed that he has recorded a video that involves information about those who have committed “treason”. He said, “Mai ne video banaayi hui hai, agar mujhe kuch hua toh public ko sab pata chal jayega“, (I have recorded a video. If something happens to me, it will be made public). He added that if “they keep sidelining and harassing us, I will tell everything”.

    About the cases registered against Khan and his party members, he said this is being done to “shut them up”.

    “I have never seen such fascism in Pakistan, such a situation is leading Pakistan towards anarchy,” he said. Khan further added that the government can control the media but not social media. “Everyone has a voice now.”

    Khan also condemned the recent incidents of attacks on journalists. He posed a question, ” I ask the judiciary, has martial law been imposed? I ask them whether human rights have been suspended in the country?” Khan said that terrorism cases have been registered against them to keep them quiet.

    Criticising the incumbent government, the PTI Chairman said, “They will accept Israel as a state, will provide Pakistan’s bases to the United States, and will discard the Kashmiri people to establish better relations with India.”

    Moreover, Khan urged the public to come out to vote on July 17 in the Punjab by-elections. “PTI has to win the by-elections despite the election rigging,” adding that this is “jihad ” for the country.

    Khan said that Pakistan can only be saved from this crisis through transparent elections while saying that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) cannot be trusted.

  • Punjab govt announces exams schedule and summer vacations

    Punjab govt announces exams schedule and summer vacations

    The Punjab Education Department has announced the examination schedule and summer vacations on Monday. As per the notification, a new academic session 2022-2023 will commence from August 1.

    According to the notification, the examinations for classes 1-8 will be held in the month of May while students will get two months of summer vacations from June 1 to July 31.

    Similarly, the Sindh Education Department has also announced a new academic session from August 1.

    The provincial department also agreed to hold an annual examination of elementary classes (4-8) on May 2. The matriculation examination will be conducted from May 17 and the result will be announced on July 17.

    The examinations for intermediate will begin on June 15, 2022. The admission for Higher Secondary School will begin from July 1 to 31.

    The Sindh education steering committee announced the examination pattern, which will contain 40% Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and 60% of detailed questions.

  • Couples will have to testify their belief in the finality of Prophethood (PBUH) before marriage: Punjab cabinet

    Couples will have to testify their belief in the finality of Prophethood (PBUH) before marriage: Punjab cabinet

    The Punjab cabinet has approved an amendment to the West Pakistan Rules under Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961 and has included a new clause according to which couples planning to marry would have to take oath at the moment of nikkah to testify to their belief in the finality of Prophethood (PBUH).

    The amendment was approved in the 51st provincial cabinet meeting. The cabinet met with Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

    In October 2021, the Punjab Assembly unanimously passed a resolution to include ‘finality of Prophethood’ in the Nikkahnama (Marriage Certificate). The resolution was jointly tabled by Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) Khadija Omar, Bismillah Chaudhry, and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Maulana Ilyas Chinioti.

  • Supreme Court allows government to continue Ravi riverfront project

    Supreme Court allows government to continue Ravi riverfront project

    The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday suspended the ruling of the Lahore High Court (LHC) in the Ravi Urban Development Plan case and allowed the Punjab government to continue work on the project, reports The Express Tribune.

    The bench was hearing appeals against the annulment of the project, earlier declared “unconstitutional” by the Lahore High Court (LHC) on January 25 as the project lacked a master plan.

    The court allowed the provincial government to continue construction activity on plots of land for which dues have been cleared. However, the apex court restricted the Punjab government from continuing construction activity on plots for which dues are still pending.

    During today’s hearing, notices were also issued to the respondents in the case and stated that a review will be done to determine if it constitutes an intra-court appeal. If it is an intra-court appeal, the case will be referred back to the LHC, added to the bench.

    Earlier in the hearing, the apex court reprimanded the legal team of the Punjab government for appearing before the bench in the case unprepared.

    “You do not know what the case is?” asked Justice Ijazul Ahsan when AGP Owais was unable to answer the question. “It seems that you have not prepared.”

    The Punjab AGP replied that the provincial government was not a party to the case in the high court’s verdict. “Not being party to one of 18 petitions does not matter,” Justice Ahsan remarked, adding that the Punjab government had presented its position in the high court.

    The petitions were against the public hearing of the environment agency, AGP Punjab stated further.

    The justice replied that according to the records, acquisition of lands for the project was also challenged and added that the provincial government’s legal team should not misrepresent in court.

    Last week, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that the government would move to the Supreme Court after LHC nullified the Ravi Urban Development Project.

    The prime minister during his visit to Rakh Jhok forest said that the case would be presented in a better manner to appraise the court about the significance of the project in view of urban development and civic facilities, further saying that the case was not presented correctly in LHC.

  • 4 crore 91 lakh to be spent on Usman Buzdar’s office

    4 crore 91 lakh to be spent on Usman Buzdar’s office

    A hefty amount is to be spent on the renovation of Chief Minister Pubjab (CM) Usman Buzdar’s office, reports Dunya. A total of 4 crore and 91 lakh will be spent on Chief Minister’s office. In addition the offices of the staff appointed to him will also be renovated.

    CM’s office will have new air-conditioners and new carpets. In addition, the funds will also be spent to buy historic paintings for the office.

    As per the Punjab Revenue Department, The Communication and Construction Department has made an estimate and requested the release of funds from the Revenue Department. A summary has been sent to the Standing Cabinet Committee on Finance for the release of the supplementary grant. The funds will be issued after the approval of Cabinet.

    The additional grant required to meet the required expenditure of the government is called a supplementary grant.

    In January 2020, the Chief Minister’s office shared comparative details of expenditure claiming that Usman Buzdar had set an example of austerity by curtailing spending under different heads.

    Read more- Punjab Govt to buy 46 new cars for ministers

    Chief Minister Usman Buzdar in a statement said that the austerity policy was being strictly followed by the Punjab government. “Unnecessary expenditures are against public interest and a new tradition has been set by curtailing expenditures.”

    Earlier, this month Punjab government issued a formal order for the purchase of 46 new cars for provincial ministers and will make an advance payment to a car manufacturer in this regard. The Cabinet Committee has approved payment for purchasing news cars.

  • Board to examine Nawaz’s medical conditions, report in five days

    Board to examine Nawaz’s medical conditions, report in five days

    In line with the federal cabinet’s decision, the Punjab government on Friday has formed a medical board to examine Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif’s health reports submitted in Lahore High Court (LHC).

    Punjab government spokesperson Hassan Khawar confirmed that a notification has been issued in this regard, according to which the medical board comprises of Dr Mohammad Arif Nadeem, Dr Ghias-un-Nabi Tayyab, Dr Saqib Saeed, Dr Shahid Hameed, Dr Bilal S Mohi-ud-din, Dr Ambreen Hamid, Dr Shafiq-ur-Rehman, Dr Moona Aziz, and Dr Khadija Irfan.

    The board has been directed to submit its report/expert medical opinion to the specialised healthcare secretary within five days.

    Earlier this week the attorney general’s office asked the Punjab government to consider establishing a medical board or a committee that could determine the current status of Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

    In a two-page letter, addressed to Punjab Home Secretary Zafar Nasrullah Khan, the attorney general’s office wrote: “In order to initiate the process of verification in the light of the Nov 16, 2019, Lahore High Court order, the government of Punjab is requested to constitute a medical board/committee to examine the documents submitted as medical reports on behalf of the petitioner and Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif so that expert medical opinion regarding the physical condition of Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif and his ability to travel back to Pakistan is made available.”

    The letter was written in line with the federal cabinet’s instructions to the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed Khan to initiate proceedings against the Sharif family.

    The letter pointed out that Nawaz Sharif’s “apparent present physical condition was available in the media”.

    “Given the fact that he had left the country claiming to be in extreme critical condition which prima facie improved significantly after his arrival in London and the fact that he has apparently never been hospitalised and his political, social and other recreational activities have continued uninterrupted… indicate that severe ailment, if any, that may have existed in [the] past is no longer evident or [constrains] his activities,” the letter said.

    Nawaz Sharif had left for the United Kingdom (UK) in November 2019 after the Lahore High Court granted him a four-week bail for his treatment.

  • ‘Never been hospitalised, activities uninterrupted’: Attorney General wants committee on Nawaz’s health

    ‘Never been hospitalised, activities uninterrupted’: Attorney General wants committee on Nawaz’s health

    The attorney general’s office on Wednesday asked the Punjab government to consider establishing a medical board or a committee that could determine the current status of Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, reports Dawn.

    In November 2019,  Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s supreme leader was granted one-time permission by a bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC).

    In a two-page letter, addressed to Punjab Home Secretary Zafar Nasrullah Khan, the attorney general’s office wrote: “In order to initiate the process of verification in the light of the Nov 16, 2019, Lahore High Court order, the government of Punjab is requested to constitute a medical board/committee to examine the documents submitted as medical reports on behalf of the petitioner and Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif so that expert medical opinion regarding the physical condition of Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif and his ability to travel back to Pakistan is made available.”

    The letter was written in line with the federal cabinet’s instructions to the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed Khan to initiate proceedings against the Sharif family.

    The letter pointed out that Nawaz Sharif’s “apparent present physical condition was available in the media”.

    “Given the fact that he had left the country claiming to be in extreme critical condition which prima facie improved significantly after his arrival in London and the fact that he has apparently never been hospitalised and his political, social and other recreational activities have continued uninterrupted… indicate that severe ailment, if any, that may have existed in [the] past is no longer evident or [constrains] his activities,” the letter said.

    “This is further reinforced by the public statements made and reported in the media by his close family members including Shehbaz Sharif and other political associates, who recently met Nawaz Sharif in London,” the letter recalled.

    Earlier this week, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, while addressing a press conference after a cabinet meeting, said that Nawaz Sharif was not seeking medical treatment for the past 17 months.

    “Shehbaz Sharif was the guarantor of Nawaz Sharif,” said the minister.

    “The drama of Nawaz Sharif’s health was created here,” said Fawad, adding that Nawaz went out of Pakistan through fraud.

    “[PML-N President] Shehbaz Sharif is involved in this fraud. According to his statement, Shehbaz Sharif should take steps to bring Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan,” said Fawad.

    “The Federal Cabinet has decided to approach the High Court on the false affidavit of Shehbaz Sharif,” said the minister.

  • Punjab Govt to buy 46 new cars for ministers

    Punjab Govt to buy 46 new cars for ministers

    The Punjab government has issued a formal order for the purchase of 46 new cars for provincial ministers and will make an advance payment to a car manufacturer in this regard. The Cabinet Committee has approved payment for purchasing news cars.

    The Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) has issued a final order in this regard. According to reports, the provincial government has released a total of Rs 210 million for the purchase of vehicles. The existing vehicles will be preserved in the transportation pool.

    Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) Sunday said that the PTI government the provincial government’s spending have been drastically decreased, under the leadership of Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar.

  • Transgenders to get Rs. 3000 per month financial assistance from Punjab government

    Transgenders to get Rs. 3000 per month financial assistance from Punjab government

    A Punjab government has officially launched a monthly financial aid programme called ‘Masawaat Programme’ for the welfare of the transgender community across the province under the support of the Punjab Social Protection Authority.

    In this programme, transgenders who are over 40 years old will receive financial aid of Rs 3,000 per month from the government whereas transgenders who are aged between 18 and 40 with special needs will receive Rs 2,000 monthly.

    The government also asked the transgender community to get themselves registered with NADRA under the category of ‘transgender’ to avail financial assistance. Those with ‘special needs’ are asked to produce the authentic certificate of disability for registration purposes.

    The Punjab Social Protection Authority emphasised to need to immediately register to avail benefits from the programme as the last date of registration is January 31. Financial assistance will be received on registered mobile numbers of the beneficiaries of the Masawaat Programme.

    The authority further added that they would assist transgender persons in finding employment.