US Deputy Chief of Mission Neeta Bhalla joined Lahore’s Holi celebrations, participating in the festivities alongside senior provincial minister Maryam Aurangzeb and other dignitaries. Bhalla donned traditional Holi colours to mark the occasion. During the event, Bhalla was educated on kite-flying and the vibrant decorations made for the festival.
The US diplomatic team, including the ambassador, consul general, and under secretary, participated in kite-flying and appreciated Lahore’s cuisine, culture, heritage, and hospitality. On the occasion, Maryam Aurangzeb stated that cultural activities are an effective tool for bringing nations closer, and Pakistan conveys a message of friendship through its traditions.
Aurangzeb further added that events like Holi highlight Pakistan’s positive and peaceful identity, while also introducing the US diplomatic team to traditional kite-flying. The senior provincial minister expressed that informal discussions with the US team played a vital role in fostering mutual trust and bilateral relationships.
In a separate development, Pakistan’s Minister of State for Energy, Awais Laghari, said that the country’s industrial electricity rates are now closer to those of other regional countries. Opposition leader and Senator, Raja Nasir Abbas, stated that the Islamabad Police and Ministry of Interior are responsible for the mosque blast.
Meanwhile, a meeting between World Bank Managing Director, Anna Bjerde, and Pakistan’s Finance Minister, Miftah Ismail, took place in the Saudi city of Al-Ula. JUI-F chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, stated that despite the law being passed, the eradication of interest from institutions has not commenced.
Separately, the Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, termed the recent wave of terrorism as “disturbing.” PTI’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief, Javed Akbar, declared that unfortunately, the current federal government has been imposed on us.
A member of the Pakistan Bar Council, Asad Bhoon, stated that some lawyers have taken unjust advantage of the 2007 movement. Meraj Ali Shah said that the Fire Brigade has been divided into different parts and they are being brought together. The administrator of Hafizabad, Hamdullah, said that five municipal committee officials have been dismissed due to corruption.
The Karachi Police has taken into custody several leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami, including Sindh Assembly member Muhammad Farooq and the party’s deputy leader in Karachi, Pervez. Senior PML-N leader Zahid Khan stated that the PTI should learn a lesson from today’s call.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Fawad Chaudhry, said he has never seen a situation where Pehli Dafaa Jam Hoga Hai. The meeting between the Pakistan Cricket Board, the Emirates Cricket Board, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board is ongoing.
