Author: Faizan Khan

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: The Punjab government has urged the public to strictly follow safety measures to ensure peaceful and secure Basant celebrations in Lahore. In a media statement, Home Department Punjab Secretary Ahmad Javed Qazi said comprehensive administrative and security arrangements had been put in place across the city ahead of the festivities. Qazi added that all relevant government departments were on high alert and actively performing their duties to safeguard the public. He emphasized that these measures were aimed at preventing accidents, maintaining order, and ensuring that citizens could celebrate the festival without risk to life or property.…

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced on Friday that all her Basant-related activities scheduled for Saturday had been cancelled following a deadly blast in Islamabad that killed at least 31 people. In a post on X, Punjab Chief Minister said the mega Basant show planned at Liberty Square would not take place in the wake of the suicide bombing at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra in the Tarlai area of the federal capital. “It is imperative that the nation remains united against the Khawarji [terrorists] menace and their ‘sympathizers’, shows them no mercy, and stands shoulder to shoulder…

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: After nearly 20 years, Lahore was once again awash in the colors of Basant as the three-day kite festival officially kicked off at midnight. Punjab Information Minister, Azma Bukhari, inaugurated the festival by flying the first kite, setting the tone for the celebrations across the city. Lahore’s skies were soon filled with hundreds of brightly colored kites, while rooftops buzzed with kite flying and lively chatter. Enthusiastic young people took to the streets to watch the soaring and falling kites, adding to the festive spirit. Women were prominent participants in the celebrations, adorning their hands with…

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: Acting on instructions from the Punjab chief minister, senior provincial minister Maryam Aurangzeb conducted a surprise visit to central Lahore and Liberty Chowk to review preparations for the Basant festival. During her visit, Aurangzeb inspected Basant arrangements in densely populated areas including Mochi Gate, Liberty Chowk, and surrounding neighborhoods. Residents, including women and children, took selfies with the minister, while local citizens welcomed her with traditional shawls and praised the revival of the festival after a 25-year hiatus. Aurangzeb also sampled Lahore’s famous traditional sweets during her tour. He checked the sizes of kites with QR…

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: The Basant festival began in Lahore shortly after midnight on Thursday as Punjab formally lifted a 19-year ban, with authorities enforcing strict safety measures to prevent accidents linked to kite flying. The three-day festival will continue until 8 February. The ban, imposed in 2007 after deaths and injuries caused by sharp kite strings and celebratory gunfire, was lifted last week through new legislation. Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari arrived at Delhi Gate in Lahore to inaugurate Basant by flying a kite. “The wait is finally over. The festival is about to begin,” she said. Speaking from…

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan, saying the perpetrators have no connection to Islam or Baloch identity. In a statement, she praised the security forces for foiling the attacks in a timely manner, adding that the nation takes pride in its brave defenders. She said Balochistan is an inseparable part of Pakistan, and Pakistan, in turn, belongs to Balochistan. “Every Pakistani loves Balochistan and its people,” she said. Maryam Nawaz warned that any hand raised against Balochistan would be dealt with firmly and that anti-state elements would not…

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has described the recent Lahore incident, in which innocent lives were lost, as a crime rather than an accident, saying it had left her “deeply ashamed”.In a strongly worded statement, the chief minister said the loss of lives in the heart of Lahore could not be dismissed as a mishap. “This was not just an accident. It was a crime, and it has bowed my head in shame,” she said.Maryam Nawaz criticized attempts to distort facts instead of accepting responsibility, accusing officials of trying to conceal incompetence. She said officers who…

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: In a historic first, Punjab’s cabinet ministers have begun an official training program on artificial intelligence (AI), personally led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The workshop, titled “Empowering Punjab with AI”, was attended by all ministers and marked the launch of a new initiative aimed at integrating digital technology into governance and public service. During the session, ministers were briefed on the practical use of AI tools such as GEMINI, policy frameworks, operational policymaking, sectoral reforms, and other areas where AI can support decision-making. Experts from Google for Education outlined a comprehensive plan, including master training…

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the “Ramzan Nighban” package, under which 4.2 million deserving families across the province will receive PKR 10,000 each during the holy month of Ramadan. The decision came during a meeting in Lahore chaired by the Chief Minister, focused on Ramadan preparations and public relief measures. Under the program, the government will issue Nighban cards to underprivileged citizens, enabling access to cash and essential goods. The scheme also includes ration cards, Nighban dining arrangements, “Sehoolat Bazaars” (facilitated markets), and other administrative measures. District authorities will distribute Nighban cards house-to-house, while…

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: The Punjab cabinet, in a meeting in Lahore on Friday, approved a series of public welfare and development initiatives, including the launch of the “Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar Program.” Under the new scheme, the government will allocate agricultural land to 50,000 landless farmers across the province. The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, also approved plans to expand electric bus services to the tehsil level. One thousand green buses with a cashless payment system will be procured to support the expansion. Cabinet members sanctioned hundreds of new posts across departments including Crime Control, Excise,…