Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Friday made the scheme of providing motorcycles to students subject to environmental NOC.

In the Lahore High Court, a hearing was held on the petitions related to remedial smog, Justice Shahid Karim heard the petitions of citizen Haroon Farooq and others.

During the hearing, the court remarked related to the scheme of providing motorbikes to the students by the Punjab government that it is a criminal offense not getting environmental NOC before the project.

The court made Punjab government's scheme of distribution of motorcycles among students subject to environmental NOC.

Justice Shahid Karim said that pollution is a serious problem which cannot be ignored.

The High Court while ordering all the parks of the city to be completely restored and made safe, remarked that fines should also be imposed to restore and make the parks safe.

Lahore High Court has ordered to submit report on restoration of seven sports complexes of Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and cutting of trees.

Later, the court sought a detailed report from the Punjab government regarding the bike supply scheme by May 27.

Islamabad: A Chinese company MCC Tongsin Resources Friday expressed deep interest in increasing its investment in the mineral and mining sector of Pakistan.

The interest was expressed by Chairman of MCC Tongsin Resources Wang Jicheng during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.       

The company gave a detailed briefing to the Prime Minister regarding the construction of a mineral park in Pakistan and informed about the further investment plan.

Welcoming the Chinese company, the Prime Minister said the government is taking steps on priority basis to increase foreign investment in the country.

The premier invited the Chinese company to invest in the mineral sector in Pakistan from mining to the production of export goods. He said: “The investment will be extended full facilitation for extraction of minerals, their processing and export of their products in order to enhance the country's exports”.

Shehbaz Sharif directed the concerned federal ministers and officers to consult with the Chinese company. He also directed to include the Chief Minister of Balochistan and relevant departments and stakeholders of the province in the consultation process.

He stated that China is Pakistan's long-standing friend and important partner in development. China helped Pakistan in difficult times, for which the entire Pakistan nation, is grateful to the Chinese leadership and people.

Lahore: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Friday granted bail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Dr. Yasmin Rashid and Umar Sarfraz Cheema in the Jinnah House attack case.

Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Arshad Javed heard the bail applications of Dr. Yasmin Rashid and Umar Cheema.

It is pertinent to note that the PTI leaders were arrested on the charges of attack on Jinnah House in Lahore and arson and encirclement and a case has been registered against the accused in Sarwar Road police station. Both leaders are in police custody.

Notably on March 1, 2024, the Lahore ATC had granted bail to Dr. Yasmin in the Gulberg arson case on May 9, ordering her release against the bond of Rs0.5 million.

It should be noted that after the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) premises in the Al-Qadir Trust case on May 9, there was a nationwide protest by the PTI, during which soldiers, Civil and private installations were set on fire. Public and private property was severely damaged while at least eight people were killed and 290 injured.

The protesters also stormed the Corps Commander's residence in Lahore, also known as Jinnah House, and broke a gate of the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

Subsequently, 1,900 people involved in fighting, vandalism and arson were arrested across the country with law enforcement agencies, while cases were also registered against Imran Khan and his party workers.

Dr Yasmin Rashid, along with other leaders and activists, was named in First Information Report (FIR) registered with the Sarwar Road police on charges of terrorism and other charges for the alleged attack on the Corps Commander's House.