CS for speeding up uplift projects

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Secretary Capt (r) Zahid Saeed has directed all the departments to speed up work on development projects and get approved next fiscal year's uplift schemes in June, says a press release.

He was presiding over a meeting of Administrative Secretaries' Committee at Civil Secretariat yesterday. The participants of the meeting prayed for the early recovery of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Addressing the meeting, Capt (r) Zahid Saeed ordered that all development projects be completed on time, adding that delay in completion of uplift schemes would not be tolerated.  He directed the heads of departments to devise a mechanism for addressing public complaints.

He said that all departments should extend full cooperation to Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission for resolving problems of Pakistani expatriates. The chief secretary ordered special measures for improving security of schools, colleges, educational institutes, parks, hospitals and other public places.

The chief secretary also issued instructions to continue anti-dengue campaign in a vigorous manner besides ensuring implementation of directions issued in this regard. He said that peoples cooperation is vital in controlling dengue, adding that awareness in this regard be enhanced.

Inayat Hussain Bhatti remembered

LAHROE: Renowned film director, singer and actor Inayat Hussain Bhatti 17th death anniversary was observed in the city yesterday.

Uch Shareef Trust organised a ceremony on Tuesday in which Uch Shareef Trust director culture Muzaffar Hussain Bhatti along with people from all walks of life participated and remembered the deceased actor.

Uch Sahreef Trust’s secretary general Abbas Raza Bukhari addressing the said that Inayat in last five years of 20th century contributed a lot in the promoting culture of the country. Speakers highlighted Inayat Hussain promoted Sufi poets’ message in his life and spread the message of love, peace and harmony. Special prayers were offered for the deceased actor and singer.

Inayat Hussain Bhatti (1928–1999) was multifaceted icon of Pakistan and he had contributed in industry as a singer, actor, producer, director, script writer, social worker, columnist. He has tremendous contribution in the development of Punjabi language and literature.–Staff Reporter

Punjab unsafe for women: Sarwar

LAHORE: Punjab has become unsafe for women due to increasing crimes against them, claimed PTI provincial leader Chaudhary Sarwar.

Addressing a party’s women convention yesterday, Sarwar claimed more than one thousand cases of rape and over hundred cases of gang rape had been reported over a span of one year in Punjab, which made the province an unsafe place for women.

The provincial government said that it had made record legislation to protect the women but Punjab witnessed more violence and rape against the women than any other province, he added. The ruling party should take proactive measures to protect women instead of propagating legislation over the serious issue, the PTI leader demanded.–Staff Reporter

Weather turns hot again

LAHORE: After one day relief from the sizzling heat, the weather turned hot yesterday owing to abundance of sunshine and lack of rains, winds.

With no significant rain giving system approaching the country during the current week, experts are expecting gradual increase in the intensity of heat wave.–Staff Reporter

Dadu and Larkana remained the hottest places in the country where mercury rose as high as 49 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature in Sibbi and Moenjodaro was recorded 48C, Padidan and Shaheed Benazirabad 47C and Jacobabad 46C. Maximum and minimum temperature in Lahore was recorded 40C and 22C respectively. Relative humidity in the evening was recorded 26 per cent.

Due to the intense heat, people avoided unnecessarily coming out, reducing traffic at otherwise busy roads at noon and in the afternoon.

According to the experts, seasonal low lies over north Balochistan and adjoining areas. Continental air is likely to prevail over most parts of the country during next 48 hours.

Local meteorological department has forecast mainly hot and dry weather for most parts of the country including Lahore during the next couple of days.

Mirpurkhas, Sukkar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Hyderabad, Quetta divisions and south Punjab (Multan, Bahawalpur, DG Khan divisions) will remain in the grip of intense heat. Dust raising winds are also expected in Multan, Bahawalpur, Quetta, Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad divisions.