Latest news with #Eid-ul-Azha
Business Recorder
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
100,000 sanitary workers to get reward money
LAHORE: Reward money announced by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz will be distributed among more than 100,000 workers of the Suthra Punjab Programme on June 21 (today) for their performance during the grand operation on Eid-ul-Azha. In this regard, a ceremony will be held at the tehsil level across Punjab in which the workers will be invited. This decision was taken during a meeting that was chaired by Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq on Friday. Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Special Secretary Asia Gul, Additional Secretary Ahmer Kaifi, Deputy Commissioners and chief officers of municipal bodies were also present. The Minister said that instead of calling all the workers on the same day, if necessary, the reward money can be distributed among the remaining people on the next day. He said the Chief Minister had announced the reward of Rs 10,000 each for over 100,000 workers who worked hard and with commitment during the hot weather on the Eid days. 'The workers worked hard during the scorching sun, and thus we saw exemplary cleanliness on Eid-ul-Azha. Hence, the Punjab government announced the reward to recognise the hard work put in by the workers,' he added. He directed the officials concerned to invite elected representatives to the ceremonies, observing that public representatives also played a full role in the awareness campaign during the grand operation. On this occasion, the Secretary said that bank drafts will be transparently given to the workers, adding that no worker of the Clean Punjab Programme should be deprived of the prize money. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
‘Nation applauds Field Marshal's meeting with Trump': minister
LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said that while Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is launching modern air ambulances to serve the people of Punjab, the KP government, by contrast, has merely introduced rickshaws — a clear reflection of the priorities of the two administrations. Commenting on the recent meeting between Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump, she said the encounter has rattled Modi's government and the 'Fitna' group, but brought pride and joy to the people of Pakistan. She added that world leaders are accorded respect on the global stage based on their national contributions, integrity, and service — as was clearly demonstrated by the warm reception given to Field Marshal Asim Munir in the United States. Speaking on Punjab's rapid development, Azma Bokhari noted that under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's leadership, the province is experiencing an unprecedented era of progress. As part of recent initiatives, 911 vehicles have been inducted into the 'Clinic on Wheels' fleet to ensure timely medical assistance for the public, she said. Highlighting the provincial budget 2025-26, Bokhari said it is a balanced, tax-free, and people-friendly financial plan that truly reflects a commitment to public welfare. She emphasized that the budget not only offers relief to salaried individuals but also lays the foundation for strengthening the economy by expanding the tax net. Efforts are underway to bring non-filers into the tax system, aiming to promote transparency and accountability. While addressing a joint press conference at DGPR alongside Provincial Minister for Labour and Sports, Malik Faisal Ayub, the minister information further stated that the Punjab government is making substantial investments in education, healthcare, sanitation, and transport. Under the 'Clean Punjab' campaign, exemplary cleanliness arrangements were made during Eid-ul-Azha, and soon, 1,100 eco-friendly buses will be operational across the province. Azma Bokhari praised Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's vision, noting that she considers every public rupee a sacred trust and is steering Punjab toward sustainable growth through transparent governance. Concluding the press conference, Bokhari reiterated the government's resolve to continue working for the development and welfare of every segment of society. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
India.com
14-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
Bank Holiday Alert: Are Banks Open Or Closed Today, June 14? Find Out Here
New Delhi: Wondering if banks will be open on Saturday, June 14? The answer is no. Banks across India will remain closed as the day falls on the second Saturday of the month, which is a regular holiday according to the Reserve Bank of India's guidelines. As per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday calendar, banks in India stay closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, along with all Sundays. In June 2025, this means banks will be shut on June 14 and June 28. However, June 7 and June 21 fall on the first and third Saturdays, so banks will remain open on those days. Next Scheduled Bank Holiday The next bank holiday falls on Sunday, June 15, 2025. After that, banks in Bhubaneswar and Imphal will remain closed on Friday, June 27, 2025, for the festivals of Ratha Yatra and Kang. Bank Holidays in June 2025 – Full List Here's a quick and reader-friendly summary of all the bank holidays in June 2025: - June 1 (Sunday): Weekly holiday – Banks closed nationwide - June 6 (Friday): Eid-ul-Azha – Banks closed in Kerala - June 7 (Saturday): Bakrid (Eid-uz-Zuha) – Banks closed across the country - June 8 (Sunday): Weekly holiday – Banks closed nationwide - June 11 (Wednesday): Sant Guru Kabir Jayanti / Saga Dawa – Banks closed in Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim - June 14 (Saturday): Second Saturday – Banks closed nationwide - June 15 (Sunday): Weekly holiday – Banks closed nationwide - June 22 (Sunday): Weekly holiday – Banks closed nationwide - June 27 (Friday): Rath Yatra / Kang – Banks closed in Odisha and Manipur - June 28 (Saturday): Fourth Saturday – Banks closed nationwide - June 29 (Sunday): Weekly holiday – Banks closed nationwide - June 30 (Monday): Remna Ni – Banks closed in Mizoram
Business Recorder
14-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Sustainable growth: ‘Agri experts should come up with doable policy interventions'
FAISALABAD: In the face of deteriorating agriculture growth depicted in the Economic Survey of Pakistan, agricultural experts should come up with doable policy interventions for sustainable agricultural growth, said Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali, Vice Chancellor, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Addressing the concluding session of four-week Agricultural Policy Capacity Building Workshop on 'Exploring Perspectives, Analytical Tools, Emerging Trends and Effective Communication in Agriculture' at the Center for Advanced Studies (CAS) Auditorium, Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali said that the researchers should devise the policies recommendation with the special focus on productivity enhancement, crops diversification, soil health and nutrition, climate smart agriculture, sustainable markets structure, and revitalization of farmers cooperatives, to benefit the farming community and ensure food security. He said that recent Economic Survey has presented the grim picture of the sector that needs immediate attention of the scientists, industry and other stakeholders. Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairperson, Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, said that declining agriculture growth would provoke deep crises that must be addressed with research-based intervention and solid policy measures and its implementation that are crucial to feed the ever-increasing population and alleviate poverty. He called for greater role of the Universities in generating sound evidence and policy recommendations for all sectors of the economy. He quoted some social media reports of very low okra price in Kamalia on Eid-ul-Azha due to low demand compared to supply. He attributed this to lack of value addition options compared with the advance countries and emphasized on the need for research to translate into goods, services and solutions to societal issues. He said that PHEC is committed for the transformation of education and research with special focus on academic opportunities and challenges in age of Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation. Dr Muhammad Ejaz Qureshi, faculty at the Australian National University, said that the workshop is aimed at enhancing analytical, communication, and leadership capabilities in agricultural policy research; strengthen policy design and implementation skills; improve the quality of research proposals and competitive grants aligned with national development agendas; promote strategic communication through policy briefs and evidence-based storytelling; encourage an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to agricultural policy reform. Dr Qureshi appreciated the initiative of the University management for arranging such useful activities for the faculty and the students. He stressed upon the need to transfer these ideas into actions by working together to improve agriculture policies through policy research and generating evidence. Bangladesh Agriculture University Prof Dr Mohammad Jahangir Alam spoke on agribusiness and food policy, particularly addressing value chain development and nutrition security in emerging economies. He said to improve food security in developing countries, we need to build strong value chains in agriculture. Connecting farmers to the markets can help increase income and ensure better nutrition for communities. Dr Sumaira Ejaz Qureshi, faculty at University of Canberra in Australia, discussed about translating complex data into sound policy decisions through a case study of student and faculty feedback to enhance quality of education. Dr Zeena Alsamarra'I, University of Canberra explained that future of education in the era of AI and digital transformation. She focused on institutionalizing Generative AI and making sound policies so that the academic community can get benefit from positive side of AI driven technological disruption. She emphasized capacity building of faculty and the students in age of digital transformation. Prof Dr Asif Kamran, Director of Agriculture Policy and Outreach, explained that the Agriculture Policy, Law and Governance Center at UAF is committed to continuous engagement with policy think tanks and policy makers and to build the capacity of the students and faculty to conduct policy research and craft sound policy recommendations based on their research. Prof Kamran acknowledged funding support from Endowment Fund Secretariat, USDA; Pak Korea Nutrition Centre (PKNC), Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR) under CSIRO implemented project entitled 'Climate resilient and adaptive water allocation in Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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First Post
13-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
How Bangladesh elections without the Awami League will be a democratic farce
Without the Awami League, the upcoming elections will not be a celebration of democracy but a cautionary tale of how 'revolutions', even though born in the name of reform, can lose their way read more The boat is the political symbol of the Awami League, which is the largest and the founding party of Bangladesh. Image: AFP The political future of Bangladesh hangs in the balance, and not because elections have been announced. Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate turned interim leader, declared during his Eid-ul-Azha address that national elections will take place in the first half of April 2026. On the surface, it sounds like a democratic milestone in a country recovering from mass protests and a regime change. But scratch beneath the surface, and a far more troubling picture emerges—one in which the absence of the Awami League, Bangladesh's most historically significant party, raises urgent questions about the legitimacy and intent behind this proposed democratic exercise. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Shadow of 1971 The Awami League is more than just a political party. It is inseparable from the very founding of Bangladesh. It was under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, its founding leader, that Bangladesh was born in 1971 after a brutal liberation war against Pakistan. To ban such a party outright—no matter how controversial its recent leadership—undermines the entire premise of inclusive democratic politics in the country. When Yunus's interim government invoked the Anti-Terrorism Act to outlaw the Awami League and cited the deaths of over 1,400 people during the 2024 protests as justification, the move drew international condemnation and domestic concern. Even more troubling is the expansion of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act (ICT Act) to allow entire political entities to be held collectively accountable. Such legal overreach sets a dangerous precedent and calls into question whether the rule of law is being used for justice—or for political vengeance. Yunus's Promises vs Political Realities Yunus came to power in August 2024 amidst chaos: the ouster of long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, violent crackdowns on student-led protests, and public fury over a job reservation system perceived as nepotistic. Initially hailed as a technocrat with integrity, Yunus promised a three-point agenda—reform, justice, and elections. He accused past governments of running 'fascist regimes' and declared that flawed elections were responsible for Bangladesh's cyclical crises since independence. But his critics argue that these high-minded goals are being used to mask a consolidation of power. There has been a consistent delay in announcing a clear electoral roadmap, and his administration has taken controversial foreign policy positions—such as backing the Chittagong-to-Rakhine corridor project, opposed by the army and most major parties. These distractions seem to deviate from what should be the interim government's singular mission: holding credible, timely elections and transferring power. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Army's Red Line and Political Fracturing Pressure is mounting from all sides, especially the military. In an unprecedented move, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman issued a public ultimatum, demanding elections be held by December 2025. He accused Yunus of interfering in military matters, attempting to engineer leadership changes within the armed forces, and delaying elections for personal or external agendas. Tensions boiled over during a Durbar meeting where Waker, flanked by officers in combat uniform, questioned Yunus's democratic mandate and commitment to national security. The military's growing impatience is echoed by almost all major political players. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), seen as the frontrunner if elections are held soon, has accused Yunus of stalling. Even the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and the newly formed National Citizens Party (NCP)—despite its proximity to the interim regime—expressed conditional support for the April 2026 timeline, contingent on the implementation of key reforms outlined in the 'July Charter' and 'July Declaration'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Risk of a 'King's Party' The rise of the National Citizens Party, a student-led movement that was at the forefront of Hasina's ouster, initially energised youth politics. But its close alignment with the interim regime has earned it the label of 'king's party'. Tensions between the BNP and NCP have already resulted in dozens of deaths in street clashes. Moreover, the NCP's willingness to cooperate with the government even as the Awami League remains banned raises concerns about selective inclusivity and manufactured consent. Furthermore, the NCP's alliance with radical Islamist student groups and its push to replace Bangladesh's secular 1972 Constitution have alarmed the military and moderate political actors alike. The army, which identifies deeply with the legacy of the Liberation War, has made clear that any deviation toward Islamist or authoritarian rule is a red line. Foreign Policy Missteps and Internal Discontent Yunus's foreign policy gaffes have only compounded his domestic troubles. His comment in China suggesting that Northeast India is 'landlocked' and that Bangladesh serves as its 'guardian of the ocean' provoked a diplomatic backlash. His support for Chinese investment and controversial infrastructure projects like the Rakhine Corridor have further alienated India and emboldened internal critics who accuse him of compromising national sovereignty. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Even more awkward was his personal request to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prevent Sheikh Hasina from speaking publicly while in exile—a request Modi reportedly declined. His subsequent comments attacking Indian media for allegedly spreading 'fake news' have not helped ease tensions. Legitimacy in Question For any election to be legitimate, it must be inclusive, transparent, and timely. The announced April 2026 timeline fails on at least two of those fronts. It is not timely—dozens of parties, including the BNP and CPB, have demanded elections by December 2025. And it is not inclusive—the exclusion of the Awami League renders the entire process questionable at best, a sham at worst. Yunus's promise of holding 'the most beautiful election ever' rings hollow in the face of these exclusions and delays. The notion that the Awami League is no longer a 'political party' but a criminal organisation, as Yunus claims, is not a legal or moral argument—it is a political one, and a dangerous one at that. It shuts the door on reconciliation, pluralism, and democratic norms. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What Lies Ahead Bangladesh stands at a crossroads. Either the interim government course-corrects and ensures an inclusive, fair election before the military's deadline of December 2025, or the country risks a deeper descent into instability. If Yunus persists in sidelining key political players, alienating the military, and engaging in geopolitical adventurism, he may find himself not the harbinger of reform but the architect of yet another failed transition. A truly democratic Bangladesh cannot be built on the exclusion of its founding political party, however flawed its recent leadership might appear to be. Legitimacy cannot be proclaimed—it must be earned through action, transparency, and inclusion. Without the Awami League, the upcoming elections will not be a celebration of democracy but a cautionary tale of how 'revolutions', even though born in the name of reform, can lose their way. The author is Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies & Analyses (MP-IDSA). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
