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Islam Mustafa has been appointed as flood emergency officer of irrigation department

BAHAWALPUR(PR)Executive Engineer Operation, irrigation department, Bahawalpur, Islam Mustafa has been appointed as flood emergency officer of irrigation department, Bahawalpur zone. He would supervise flood emergency centre, irrigation zone Bahawalpur during the flood season. His contact Numbers are: - Office: 062-9250265 and Fax: 062-9250263.

Ghulam Jafar has prohibited the riding of 3 persons on Motorbike for the safety of the passengers in the jurisdiction of beat no. 20 in Bahawalpur

BAHAWALPUR(PR)SSP highways and Motorways Police Ghulam Jafar has prohibited the riding of 3 persons on Motorbike for the safety of the passengers in the jurisdiction of beat no. 20 in Bahawalpur district. He has directed patrolling officers to launch a stringent drive in this regard", SPO Asim Arshan said.

4 day Mehfil-e-Shabina would be held under the office of Zonal Auqaf Bahawalpur from 26th to 29th of Ramzan-ul-Mubarik

BAHAWALPUR(PR)A 4 day Mehfil-e-Shabina would be held under the office of Zonal Auqaf Bahawalpur from 26th to 29th of Ramzan-ul-Mubarik at Jama Masji Al-Sadiq, Bahawalpur. This was stated by Zonal Khatib Auqaf Bahawalpur, Muhammad Ayyub.

Heavy rush of people in 318 Ramadan bazaars set up in the province due to availability of essential items at subsidized rates.

LAHORE(By our Bureau Chief)There is a heavy rush of people in 318 Ramadan bazaars set up in the province due to availability of essential items at subsidized rates. Sale of flour, sugar, rice and other edible items has exceeded 90 lakh kilogram. Due to availability of daily use items at cheaper and subsidized rates, the trend of people is increasing towards Ramadan bazaars. Lakhs of persons purchased flour, sugar, fruits, vegetables, pulses and daily use commodities in Ramadan bazaars, the other day. According to Ramadan Monitoring Report, 102716 flour bags of 10kg each were sold on subsidized rate of Rs. 290 in Ramadan bazaars while 11948 flour bags of 10kg each were sold for Rs. 310 per bag in open market and 178633 flour bags of 20 kg each were sold at subsidized rate of Rs. 620. As much as 449475 kg sugar was sold on subsidized rate of Rs. 55 per kg in Ramadan bazaars while 7243238 kg sugar has been sold during last 21 days. In Ramadan bazaars, the rate of eggs was Rs. 68 per dozen. Punjab government is providing chicken for 10 rupees per kilogram below the market rate in Ramadan bazaars and 110379 kilogram chicken was sold at subsidized rate of Rs.189. There has been a record sale of 9093581 kilogram of 16 edible items during last 21 days. 185486 persons including 172878 men and 12608 women benefitted from 1985 Madni Dastarkhwans set up in the province. 

Price Control Magistrates have accelerated crackdown against the traders and shopkeepers involved in profiteering, hoarding and adulteration and other violations in 36 districts of the province

LAHORE/MULTAN(By our Correspondents)On the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister, Price Control Magistrates have accelerated crackdown against the traders and shopkeepers involved in profiteering, hoarding and adulteration and other violations in 36 districts of the province. According to Ramadan Monitoring Report, maximum fine of more than two lakh 92 thousand rupees was recovered from District Multan while minimum fine of Rs. 7100 was imposed in District Rajanpur. As many as 1386 raids were conducted in district Lahore and a fine of Rs. 84000 was received. Moreover, 121 FIRs were registered and 204 traders arrested. 1756 Price Control Magistrates checked 2128 markets of different cities and conducted raids on 9977 shops. As many as 1963 traders and shopkeepers faced legal action for overcharging. 124 shopkeepers and traders were found involved in adulteration and other violations of law, upon which, Price Control Magistrates took legal action and got registered 251 FIRs. 433 traders and shopkeepers were arrested and a fine of Rs. 2384104 was imposed. Similarly, 2164 shops were inspected for checking weights and measures and violation of law was detected at 254 places. 151 traders and shopkeepers were arrested for short weighting. Inspectors of Labour Department have started legal action against traders and shopkeepers.

PAKISTAN KISAN ITTEHAD HOLDS A CEREMONY IN HONOR OF CHIEF MINISTER

LAHORE (PR)Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, first time in the history of the country, has announced an excellent package for the welfare of farmers and increasing agri production. He said that Punjab government has also given a historic package of Rs. 100 billion for the prosperity of farmers and development of agriculture. He said that due to these packages, the agriculture will be promoted in Pakistan and the country will become prosperous. Now it is responsibility of farmers to work hard round the clock for increasing agri production and produce grain for the country, he added. He said that package of billions of rupees for the welfare of the cultivators is not a favor but our responsibility and we will continue to take steps for the progress and prosperity of farmers in future as well. He expressed these views while addressing a function held in his honour by Pakistan Kissan Ittehad with regard to taking exemplary steps for farmers at a local hotel, today. He congratulated the farmers that today they are meeting at Mall Road in a peaceful atmosphere instead of protest and the problems of the farmers are being discussed in a pleasant environment. Had they did not protest, perhaps farmer package was far more better than this, he added. He said that this package has been reduced due to their protest. The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister has recovered due to blessings of Allah and prayers of crores of Pakistanis and farmers. One day ago his operation, he held meetings with regard to budget and economic council through video link at Pakistan High Commission in Britain, he added. Shehbaz Sharif said that during budget meeting, he was also present in the High Commission. Prime Minister directed Federal Minister for Finance and cabinet members in his presence as well as the presence of others and directed to take special steps for facilitating the farmers as farmers of Pakistan are facing difficulties and great loss has been caused to them. He directed to reduce the prices of agri implements, fertilizers and electricity. He said that Punjab government has put its 50 percent share in the package announced by federal government and will cooperate and put its share in future as well. He said that federal government has given five thousand rupees per acre as compensation to rice and cotton cultivators of 12.5 acre and Punjab government had put its 50 percent share in it but unfortunately no one other put share in it. He expressed the hope that this time other provinces will also put their share. He said that Punjab government has also evolved a programme of provision of interest free loans to farmers having up to 12.5 acre land and hundred percent markup on these loans will be borne by Punjab government. He said that five billion rupees have been allocated for cotton research while billions of rupees earmarked for agri implements. He said that Punjab government will spend 50 billion rupees in 2016-17 and 50 billion more rupees during next financial year under Kissan Package. He said that an agri commission is being set up for resolving problems of the farmers in the province which will include representatives of farmers and with their consultation, steps will be taken for the development of agriculture and welfare of farmers. The Chief Minister said that he will be the head of agri commission. He said that government is fully aware of difficulties of farmers and the damage caused to crops of cotton and rice during last two years. He said that sugarcane growers have been ensued payment of compensation in Punjab. He said that sugarcane cultivators have been made payments at the rate of Rs. 180 per maund in Punjab while the price of sugarcane was brought to Rs. 150 in Sindh. He said that former president of Pakistan caused a great loss to the farmers in Sindh. We were also under pressure but we ensured payment to the farmers, he added. He said it is lamentable that Agriculture University and research institutions did not discharge their duties with regard to agri research and now these institutions will have to give results. He said that seeds of crops giving maximum production will have to be produced so that Pakistan could become prosperous and become able to export its agri produce. He said that Pakistan is an agrarian country but it has to import cotton during previous year. He said that national development has reduced one percent due to destruction of cotton crop. He said that farmers will be given their rights and provided relief in interest free loans, fertilizers, agri implements and under other heads. Shehbaz Sharif said that issue of arrears of electricity bills will be resolved with federal government with their consultation but they will have to promise that decision in this regard will be implemented in letter and spirit and no delaying tactics will be used. He said that soon he will talk to federal government along with their representative delegation. He said that no one is in favor of trade with India but farmers will have to increase production through work hard. The Chief Minister said he considers that if farmers increase production then there will be no need of importing anything from India. He said that he is also against trade with India. He said that at present it is not proper to talk with regard to agri income tax but expressed the hope that this problem will be resolved amicably. Shehbaz Sharif warned sugar mills, as could not pay dues of sugarcane to the farmers despite clear orders; to make payments to the farmers within 15 days otherwise they will be sent to jail. He said that he will not allow anyone to usurp the right of farmers and the sugar mill owners failing to make payments to the farmers will also celebrate in Eid in jail. Rana Sanaullah said that some elements tried to instigate farmers against government but Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have won the hearts of farmers by resolving their problems and said that today farmers are praising them and this ceremony has also been held for them. President Kissan Ittehad Khalid Khokhar said the steps announced for the prosperity of farmers in the federal and provincial budget due to the personal efforts of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif is a proof to the fact that Shehbaz Sharif loves farmers. Provincial Ministers Farrukh Javed, Yawar Zaman, MNA Iftikhar Nazir, Chairman Pakistan Kissan Ittehad Chaudhry Muhammad Akram and a large number of farmers were present on the occasion.

05 PERSONS DIE IN 564 ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

LAHORE(By our Bureau Chief)Total 564 road traffic accidents were reported in Provincial Monitoring Cell of Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) in all 36 Districts of Punjab during the last 24 hours; in which 05 lives were lost and 470 serious injured were shifted to different hospitals of relevant districts. However, some 212 victims, who sustained minor injuries, were discharged on the spot after provision of first aid by Emergency Medical Teams.

          According to the data, 257 drivers, 22 underage drivers, 101 pedestrians and 329 passengers were among the victims of these road traffic crashes. The statistics show 127 RTAs were reported in Lahore Control Room, which affected 142 persons placing the Provincial Capital at top of the list followed by 47 RTAs in Faisalabad with 54 victims and Multan remained at third position with 40 RTAs and 51 victims.

          The details further show that total 687 in victims were affected by road traffic crashes including 566 males & 121 females, while age group of the victims show that 101 were under 18 year of age, 422 were between 18 and 40 years and rest of the 164 victims were reported above 40 years of age. According to the data, 463 motorbikes, 84 auto rickshaws, 54 motorcars, 31 vans, 06 passenger buses, 26 trucks and 65 other types of auto vehicles and slow moving carts were involved in aforesaid road traffic accidents