Tag: Punjab

  • No extension in school holidays in Punjab but timings have been changed

    No extension in school holidays in Punjab but timings have been changed

    Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi has announced on X that school will resume on January 10, 2024, as planned.

    However, considering the ongoing winter wave, schools will start at 9:30 am from January 10 to 22nd. After the 22nd, it is expected that they will resume their regular school timings.

  • Why has load-shedding suddenly increased in Pakistan?

    Why has load-shedding suddenly increased in Pakistan?

    The electricity crisis has become more severe across the country with the start of the new year.

    Transmission systems were reportedly affected due to a technical fault at Guddu power plant and reduction in hydro power generation. Unannounced power outages in all power distribution companies (DISCOs), including LESCO, has made life difficult for people.

    The transmission system was affected by reduced power generation and heavy fog in the plains.

    Unannounced load shedding continues every hour in various areas of the LESCO region. Due to an increase in shortfall, the duration of load shedding in the city exceeded 12 hours.

    According to an INP from Kushmore, the breaker could not be repaired despite the passage of several hours after fire broke out in the switchyard of Guddu Thermal Power Plant following a technical fault. Sources claim that it may take 15 days to buy a new breaker.

    On the other hand, Powerhouse officials have said the alternate high transmission line also tripped due to heavy fog.

    Electricity supply to different areas of Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan remained suspended for more than five hours due to tripping of the alternative high transmission line. According to Guddu Thermal Power House officials, it is difficult to restore power from the alternate high transmission line until the sun comes out.

    Lack of electric supply for more than six hours has put a halt on businesses as well as shopkeepers, factory workers.

  • Winter school holidays extended in Punjab

    Winter school holidays extended in Punjab

    The caretaker government of Punjab has extended winter holidays till January 9 in all public and private schools in the province.

    Schools will now reopen on January 10.

    All colleges will also remain closed till January 10, however BS Honours programs will continue on normal schedules.

    The announcement has come as the province deals with intensifying cold and dense fog, reducing visibility greatly at night and early morning when most students are on their way to school.

  • PMLN says Peshawar High Court’s decision regarding PTI’s ‘Bat’ symbol is ‘pre-poll rigging’

    PMLN says Peshawar High Court’s decision regarding PTI’s ‘Bat’ symbol is ‘pre-poll rigging’

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has labeled the Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) recent decision about the iconic bat symbol of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as “pre-poll rigging”.

    Last week, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) nullified PTI’s internal elections and revoked their bat symbol. However, on Tuesday, the PHC suspended the ECP’s declaration, prompting strong reactions from PML-N leaders.

    “Keeping in view the urgency, that a political party has been denuded of its symbol, meaning hearby that aspirants from the general public who were willing to vote for the petitioners’ party were divested of their right to vote as per their choice,” Justice Kamran Hayat Miankhel ruled.

    PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, while addressing an event in Karachi on Thursday, called the PHC’s order “an attack” on the election commission’s authority.

    “How can the Peshawar High Court give an order that affects Pakistan? There are candidates, who are in some way, related to the judge. I believe that the judge should have recused himself from the bench based on his relationship,” he said.

    The scales of justice, the former prime minister said, were being titled for a “ladla” (blue-eyed boy). “The kind of decisions that are being issued are concerning for us. We expect justice from the judiciary.”

    Reacting to the PHC verdict, PML-N senior leader Rana Sanaullah accused the court of engaging in “pre-poll rigging and attack on the ECP,” asserting that the ruling violated the Election Act 2017. Sanaullah claimed that the judge’s cousin, a PTI candidate, influenced the decision.

    PML-N Senior Vice-President Maryam Nawaz condemned the PHC ruling, describing it as an attack on the constitutional powers of the ECP.

    “The [PHC] judge gave relief to his cousin’s party.”
    In her statement, PML-N Senior Vice-President Maryam Nawaz blasted the PHC ruling and termed the single bench verdict tantamount to an attack on the ECP’s constitutional powers.
    “Fake and fraudulent intra-party elections [of PTI] have been declared ‘halal’. The ruling is the victory of the selection but not the election.”
    Firing a fresh salvo at the incarcerated PTI founder, Maryam, who is also the party’s chief organiser, said: “Those who seek a level-playing field are not ready to give the same to anybody within their party.”

    Reacting to the PHC ruling, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman told journalists in Islamabad that an atmosphere of “judicial martial law” was created in the country.

    In a separate development, the ECP filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the PHC’s ruling on the appointment of a returning officer for a provincial assembly constituency. The ECP questioned whether the high court’s order interfered with its constitutional and statutory duties, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the election process.

    The PHC’s decision to suspend the appointment of a returning officer has sparked legal challenges, with the ECP urging the Supreme Court to set aside the order for the sake of justice and the electoral process.

  • Winter Vacations likely to be extended in Punjab

    Winter Vacations likely to be extended in Punjab

    Winter vacations in both public and private schools are drawing to a close but the weather is growing increasingly harsh. Media is speculating that a possible 10-day extension in winter break for schools in Punjab is being considered by the government, reports The News.

    Despite the absence of an official decision or announcement from the School Education Department (SED) Punjab regarding an extension in the winter break, a notification issued by the Literacy & Non-Formal Education Department Punjab regarding the winter break for its non-formal educational institutions has started discussions.

    It is important to mention here that the Literacy & Non-Formal Education Department of Punjab adheres to a distinct winter break schedule of its own. The Literacy & Non-Formal Education Department has now notified the winter vacations in all Non-Formal Education Institutions in Punjab from Jan 1, 2024 to Jan 10, 2024.

    Originally, winter break for schools in Punjab commenced on December 18, 2023, and is scheduled to conclude on January 1, 2024. However, as temperature drops and winter conditions intensify, there is a growing debate about the potential extension of the annual winter break which if approved by the government will also be adopted by SED.

  • ‘Those who have dissociated from PTI through press conferences will not be granted election tickets,’ Barrister Gohar Khan

    ‘Those who have dissociated from PTI through press conferences will not be granted election tickets,’ Barrister Gohar Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan made a significant announcement on Wednesday, stating that PTI leaders who have dissociated from the party through press conferences will not be granted election tickets.

    Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Barrister Gohar emphasized the party’s firm decision not to award tickets to individuals involved in such public disassociations, regardless of the number of people involved.

    Highlighting the directives of PTI founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Barrister Gohar mentioned, “Imran Khan has instructed the party to gear up for general elections 2024.”

    In response to the recent Supreme Court order on senior PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the PTI chairman emphasized the Election Commission’s responsibility to ensure its implementation.

    He revealed that the commission had requested the party to submit an application concerning Qureshi and other incidents where PTI leaders and activists were targeted.

    Barrister Gohar informed the media about the Peshawar High Court (PHC) order and urged the Election Commission to upload the certificate of PTI’s intra-party elections, assuring that the commission would conduct an investigation. He asserted that if a party’s election symbol is revoked, it is equivalent to its dissolution, and only the Supreme Court holds the authority to make such decisions.

    Earlier on December 26, PTI Punjab Acting President Hammad Azhar commented on the issue, stating that the fate of PTI leaders who held press conferences and parted ways with the party would be decided by Imran Khan on a case-to-case basis.

    Azhar mentioned that many individuals who had dissociated through press conferences wished to return to the party, and Imran Khan would personally decide on their return.

    He also demanded release of all political workers, “Stop turning the criminal justice system into a joke. Release all political prisoners. My colleagues have languished in jails for more than 7 months despite being innocent. I myself have been falsely nominated as an accused in dozens of Fake FIRs despite being not present on any single incident mentioned (one overly imaginative mind even listed me as chucking petrol bombs on mall road). End this madness and release all. Stop rearresting ppl after bail. Stop booking ppl in fake cases after arbitrarily arresting them for holding political association with PTI. Let the people of Pakistan decide who will govern them.”

  • Dhund nay kar dia safar mushkil

    Dhund nay kar dia safar mushkil

    A thick blanket of heavy fog has descended on different parts of Pakistan, severely impacting visibility and causing widespread transportation disruptions.

    Adverse weather conditions have compelled authorities to take precautionary measures, resulting in the closure of main highways and affecting air travel.

    The impact of the fog extends beyond Lahore, spreading as far as Mandi Bahauddin, Pindi Bhatian, Kot Addu, and Uch Sharif.

    Residents and commuters in these regions are urged to exercise caution and adhere to any instructions issued by local authorities.

    Sialkot and its surrounding regions, including Pasrur, Daska, and Sambrial, are grappling with reduced visibility levels, significantly disrupting traffic flow. Commuters are advised to stay informed about the latest weather updates and road closures to ensure their safety.

    The fog has not only affected ground transportation but has also disrupted air travel. Multiple flights have been canceled, and others delayed, impacting cities in Sindh and Punjab.

    The closures of major motorways, including the M2, M3, M4, M5, and M11, further compound transportation challenges.

    In addition to the transportation disruptions, the air quality in Lahore has deteriorated, earning the city the unfortunate distinction of being the most polluted in the world.

    Meanwhile, dense fog in various cities of Sindh and Punjab has led to operational challenges for flights. The Pakistan International Airliner (PIA) spokesperson emphasizes the importance of obtaining flight information from the PIA Call Centre before heading to the airport, considering the potential disruptions caused by the fog.

    Over the past week, a total of 32 flights destined for Faisalabad, Multan, Lahore, and other Punjab airports had to be redirected to Islamabad International Airport due to the prevailing fog conditions.

    “Severe fog ongoing in the country has affected PIA flights from Lahore, Multan and Sialkot airport,” the airline’s spokesperson, Abdullah Khan, said in a statement, adding the PIA apologized for any inconvenience caused due to these operational challenges.

    “Low visibility and intensity of fog pose difficulties in flight operations,” he added. “Flights from Lahore, Multan, and Sialkot may be canceled, changed or delayed due to fog.”

    Khan noted that flight operations were usually affected in these cities in winter.

    “All passengers are urged to obtain information about their flights from the PIA call center before heading to the airport,” he added.

    Unusual Winter Conditions Across Northwest India:

    Meanwhile, across Northwest India, including Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, a thick blanket of fog has descended, impacting visibility levels. Despite the fog, winter temperatures are milder than usual for this time of the year.

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that night temperatures in north-western states remain higher than normal, with at least 2-3°C above-normal readings in several regions. Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 7.8°C, one degree above normal, with daytime temperatures reaching 22°C.

    Meteorologists attribute the warmer winter to the absence of strong western disturbances, traditionally responsible for winter rainfall over North India. Additionally, global warming is increasingly influencing weather patterns throughout the year, delaying the onset of winter and reducing the intensity of cold waves.

  • Pneumonia spreading fast in Punjab as province waits for rain

    Pneumonia spreading fast in Punjab as province waits for rain

    The head of the Provincial Public Health Lab, Dr. Hasnain Javed, has said that pneumonia is spreading in Punjab as dry cold and smog persist.

    In a conversation with Geo News, Dr. Hasnain Javed said that viral and bacterial pneumonia are spreading through the people, adding that patients affected by pneumonia are crowding emergency rooms and OPDs. heart, kidney, diabetes, and liver patients are more susceptible as they have weaker immune systems.

    Dr. Hasnain Javed said that Pakistan is among the 13 countries where pneumonia occurs every year, asking citizens to immediately get chest X-rays and blood tests for breathing problems.

    The interim health minister Dr. Jamal Nasir says that pneumonia has spread more this time than last year, stressing that so far many patients of pneumonia have come to the hospitals and gotten treatment in time.

    Meanwhile, medical experts say that both children and the elderly are suffering from pneumonia, such people should stay in a warm room.

  • Punjab is under security threat in upcoming elections, IG Punjab warns

    Punjab is under security threat in upcoming elections, IG Punjab warns

    Punjab Inspector General (IGP) Dr. Usman Anwar has said that there is a serious threat to the law and order situation in the upcoming general elections, set to take place on February 8, Samma reported on Wednesday.

    The IGP talked to media after the inauguration of an art exhibition at Alhamhra Art Gallery, where he said that the police maintained the law and order situation during the festivities of Muharram and Christmas.

    “Many terrorist activities were foiled due to the conviction of the police,” he said.

    Usman Anwar stated that the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) is working on threats in Punjab, adding that police arrested 60 per cent of people last year who were involved in the May 9 riots.

    The IGP also claimed that the transfers and postings in the police department are being done at the direction of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

  • Kya PTI leaders mein larai chal rahi hai?

    Kya PTI leaders mein larai chal rahi hai?

    As Pakistan gears up for the upcoming general elections, internal tensions have surfaced within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), notably between leaders Taimur Khan Jhagra and Sher Afzal Marwat.

    The disagreement revolves around Marwat’s decision to enter the electoral race in Peshawar.

    Jhagra, a prominent PTI leader hailing from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has expressed objections to Marwat’s choice to contest the elections scheduled for February 8 next year from the NA-32 constituency in Peshawar.

    During a recent statement, Jhagra emphasized, “It would be more fitting if a leader from Peshawar contested from that constituency.”

    He underscored that the party, rather than individual leaders, should determine the candidates’ election constituencies.

    In response to these objections, Marwat, in an interview with Geo News, stated that he has no personal interest in participating in the elections.”The PTI founder has directed me to contest elections from Peshawar,” he added.

    Marwat, who has already submitted his nomination papers, reiterated his commitment to contesting elections from Peshawar as per Imran Khan’s instructions.

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reported a significant influx of nomination papers, receiving a total of 28,626 submissions from aspiring candidates across the country vying to participate in the upcoming polls.

    As per the ECP’s data seen by Geo News, 7,242 men and 471 women have filed nomination papers for national assembly seats (general), whereas for provincial assemblies, the number stands at 17,744 and 802, respectively.

    The ECP is currently scrutinising the nomination papers filed by the candidates with the stage set to culminate on December 30 (Saturday).

    Meanwhile, appeals against the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers can be submitted by January 3, and decisions on these appeals will be made by January 10.

    The top electoral body will issue the list of candidates on January 11, with candidates having the option to withdraw until January 12 i.e., before the ECP allots electoral symbol on January 13.

    As per the data shared by the ECP, a total of 459 and 1,365 nomination papers have been received by the electoral body for the reserved seats for national and provincial legislature, respectively.

    Meanwhile, on the reserved seats for non-muslims, 361 men and 32 women have submitted their nomination papers for provincial assemblies. For national assembly seats, the number stands at 140 and 10, respectively.

    A total of 7,713 people have submitted their nomination papers for national assembly seats (general), with the number standing at 18,546 for provincial assemblies (general).