Govt offices to have Zuhr break, says CM

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has said that the government has decided to make mandatory a break in all its offices from 1pm to 2pm for Zuhr prayers.

Speaking to religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jamil at the Chief Minister Office, he said religious scholars were the guardians of the ideological frontiers of the country.

He lauded the religious scholars for always providing prudent guidance to the nation on important occasions.

The chief minister said the government offices and important places had been decorated with verses from the Holy Quran.

He said the government had decided to make mandatory a break in all its offices in the afternoon to offer Zuhr prayers.

"We have also done legislation with regard to usury and fixed punishment of upto 10 years for those doing usury business privately. By the grace of Allah Almighty, we have succeeded in incorporating the Khatm-e-Nabuwat affidavit in the marriage certificate," the chief minister said, adding that no woman or family would be deceived over the issue in future.

British HC calls on CM

United Kingdom High Commissioner Dr Christian Turner met Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi at the Chief Minister’s office and discussed matters of mutual interest.

Both agreed to promote cooperation in various fields, including health and technical education. The British high commissioner expressed his regret over the loss of life and property in the recent floods and vowed to continue cooperating with the Punjab government in education, health and other sectors.

The CM termed Pakistan and the UK strong partners and appreciated the UK’s contribution to help flood victims. The provincial government valued British cooperation in pursuing improvements in peace, security and social sectors, he said, expressing the desire to expand bilateral relations in different fields.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th, 2022.