oleh admin | Apr 3, 2025 | culture, entertainment, events and festivals, festivals, politics
The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) along with the Punjab government plans to organize the lively ‘Mela Baharan’ event along the historical Royal Trail from April 4 to 6, taking place each day from 6 PM to 11 PM.
The press release stated that this complimentary, family-friendly festival would convert the Royal Trail into an animated springtime tribute to Lahore’s heritage, starting at Delhi Gate and ending at Masjid Wazir Khan Chowk.
One of the main attractions of the event is the Shahi Guzargah Moasam-e-Bahar Parade, which will take place at 6:00 PM on both Friday and Saturday.
Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of features such as the impressively refurbished Khucha Hussain Shah, the vibrant Gali Surjan Singh featuring traditional music, the lively Sabeel Wali Gali displaying regional handicrafts and acts, along with the busy Wazir Khan Square hosting its Mena Bazaar.
The festival will include an array of performances, workshops, and exhibits, showcasing Punjabi Boliyan, Putli Tamasha, live music, and Dastangoi, as well as other forms of cultural expression. According to Kamran Lashari, the Director General of the Walled City of Lahore Authority, their objective is to restore Lahore’s historic legacy and the vanished tradition of fairs, alongside offering entertainment options for the community.
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oleh admin | Apr 3, 2025 | foreign policy, military, national security, politics, u.s. china relations
The visit of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to Asia has caused quite an uproar, with the blame falling squarely on the United States and its assertive approach. During his tour, he traveled to the Philippines and Japan—key U.S. allies that house many American military installations, likely positioning them as crucial players in any confrontation involving China. There, Hegseth seized the moment to heavily criticize Beijing and covertly bolster backing for Taiwan’s autonomy.
As a countermeasure, China carried out military exercises near Taiwan’s north, south, and east coast areas, serving as an explicit warning against secessionist tendencies. Additionally, Chinese authorities released a harsh critique labeling Taiwan’s leader as a ‘parasite.’ This action represents a significant intensification compared to earlier military practices, usually pre-announced and integrated into routine training schedules. In contrast, this recent move demonstrated Beijing’s immediate and unequivocal stance, indicating their readiness for prompt reprisals should provocative statements continue.
These events occur at a crucial time. U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs have estranged important partners such as Japan and South Korea, prompting them to seek increased economic collaboration with China in order to craft a coordinated strategy against Washington’s trade actions. The presumed solidarity within an anti-China coalition in Asia might prove weaker than what the United States expected, as local powers reconsider the hazards of aligning too tightly with America’s geostrategic objectives.
This is notably clear regarding Ukraine’s situation. Having once been a crucial Western partner, it has had its population and assets depleted, and has been utilized for its residual natural resources before being left behind. Aggressive moves by the United States will likely exacerbate divisions within the region and heighten the risk of unrest instead of solidifying the alliances they aim to preserve.
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oleh admin | Apr 3, 2025 | animals, asia, entertainment, money, zoos
The Punjab Senior Minister, Maryam Aurangzeb, responded to queries regarding the ticket costs at Lahore Zoo, affirming that the standard admission price stays at Rs. 100, which caters to approximately 98% of the facility.
She mentioned that extra features come with individual fees: ₹200 for the aquarium and ₹300 for the hologram experience, which adds up to a total of ₹500 for the complete offering.
Aurangzeb explained that some guests incorrectly believed there had been an increase in prices after buying bundled tickets.
To avoid mix-ups, distinct ticket counters have been established for the aquarium and hologram exhibits.
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oleh admin | Apr 3, 2025 | amusement, animals, tourist attractions, wildlife, zoos
Across the nation, zoos experienced a lively increase in visitors on Eid-ul-Fitr’s third day as families, particularly children, headed to the wildlife sanctuaries to mark the festive occasion with amusement park activities and thrill.
There was an electric atmosphere as children, along with their guardians, discovered the zoo’s wide array of exotic creatures and relished the calm, verdant surroundings.
A great many people flocked to the zoos in Peshawar, Lahore, Karachi, and various other major urban centers within the nation. The zoo in Peshawar stands out due to its extensive grounds, sprawling across 29 acres adjacent to the University of Peshawar, and houses the most comprehensive assortment of indigenous and foreign fauna in all of Pakistan.
Upon arrival, striking statues of an elephant and a giraffe at the entrance draw the eye of every visitor approaching via Rahatabad Road, igniting their interest. One such excited guest was Anaya Khan, a 9-year-old pupil hailing from the Nowshera district, whose delight knew no bounds following her inaugural visit to the zoo.
“Today, seeing wild creatures such as the cobra, lions, falcons, and giraffes up close became a reality,” exclaimed Anaya, her face lit up with joy. “I owe a huge thanks to my father for making this long-held wish of mine from childhood come true.” Similar to many visitors, Anaya was impressed by how the zoo had created environments resembling their natural habitats for the animals, along with the clean and organized visitor amenities.
The extensive collection of exotic animals at the zoo was the main attraction, drawing children and families who were enthralled by the lions, bears, tigers, giraffes, and the regal falcons.
Tourists arrived from distant areas like Khyber, Kohat, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mardan, Mohmand, and Swabi, along with the event’s location, Peshawar. They were cordially welcomed by wildlife specialists who offered informative details about the creatures present.
Established by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department, this zoo houses a wide variety of creatures including animals and birds hailing from different parts of Pakistan.
The zoo’s attractions, like the expansive eagle habitat where you can see both brown and black eagles flying, draw many guests. Additionally, it features zebras, camels, deer, ducks, pheasants, along with an array of birds that captivate visitors.
For visitors looking to see the zoo more quickly, a safari bus is offered, and a restaurant is on hand to provide meals.
Moreover, the zoo provides complimentary rides on swings, camels, and a small train — all adding to a delightful time for kids. Professor Sundas, who accompanied her child from Nowshera, commended the zoo as a blessing for the citizens of Peshawar, boosting not only the area’s aesthetics but also improving the quality of life for its inhabitants.
Previously, I used to travel to Islamabad and Lahore just to visit their zoos. But this year, I didn’t have to venture elsewhere since the Peshawar Zoo became an excellent substitute,” she mentioned.
Sundas highlighted how her children had a special attraction to the falcons at the zoo, underlining its significant educational benefits.
“It serves not only as a venue for fun but also as an essential resource for learning and study for young people interested in animals and zoology,” she said additionally.
Nevertheless, she highlighted aspects that require enhancement, including adequate shelters, shading solutions, and an increased number of trees for the animals’ benefit, along with improved healthcare infrastructure for their treatment.
She proposed setting up a testing lab onsite to avoid future health issues for the animals and also recommended reviewing the zoo’s entry fees, suggesting that young children should not have to pay.
The experts at the zoo likewise encouraged visitors to act responsibly and advised them not to throw stones or tease the animals.
Zoo authorities highlighted the significance of keeping everything clean and asked visitors to work together with employees so that the zoo stays an inviting and secure spot for all.
With the conclusion of the Eid festivities, the zoo emerged as a beacon of enjoyment, learning, and connection—not only for the residents of Peshawar but also for tourists hailing from all over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and further afield.
It’s evident that the Peshawar Zoo has transcended being merely a wildlife sanctuary; it has become an essential component of the area’s cultural and social landscape.
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oleh admin | Apr 3, 2025 | agriculture, commerce, commodity markets, economics, farming
Jhapa, April 3 -– In Mechinagar Municipality, Dipesh Dangal cultivates approximately 300 crates (each weighing 25 kilograms) of tomatoes every week on one and a half bighas of land. He carries out this process two times per week.
Since the 1990s, he has been involved in farming, earning recognition from his neighbors and peers for his success as a cultivator. However, behind this achievement lie various undisclosed narratives. When factoring in expenses such as labor and transport, his profit amounts to just Rs5 per kilogram of tomatoes after covering all costs.
What’s the point of cultivating tomatoes? They have no market demand and hold little worth,” stated Dangal. “I doubt I’ll recoup my costs this time around.
To finance the labor for harvesting and moving tomatoes, he takes out a loan. Hoping to solidify his position in farming, he secured a bank loan to initiate his tomato cultivation venture.
Growing tomatoes on one-and-a-half acres set him back approximately Rs 600,000. Nevertheless, after starting production, he couldn’t sell the tomatoes. The bank from which he borrowed the funds is now urging him for repayment.
“He continually gets reminders from the bank about the loan, and he worries that his property could be sold at an auction,” he said additionally.
The collected tomatoes should be transported either to the agricultural market in Charali or Birtamod. Transporting them incurs a fee of Rs50 per crate. Furthermore, unloading fees amount to Rs10 per crate, and the market takes a 10% commission from all sales. Separately, labor costs for picking the tomatoes come into play; approximately 20 workers are required weekly, with each worker earning Rs500 daily.
Even with such high expenses, tomatoes are priced at merely Rs 200-250 per crate.
He asked how we can repay our loans and wages for the workers when we only receive Rs5 per kilogram at the wholesale market after covering all expenses.
Although tomatoes are sold for Rs 25 per kg in retail markets, farmers receive only Rs 10 per kg.
The issue at hand is not exclusive to Dangal. Many tomato growers in Mechinagar, Buddhashanti, and surrounding regions face similar challenges. Particularly in northern Mechinagar, numerous farmers have ventured into large-scale tomato cultivation.
Bimala Bhujel has formally registered the Pathibhara Agricultural and Vegetable Farm and planted tomatoes across two bighas, with an investment of approximately Rs 800,000.
Bhujel mentioned that they needed to apply pesticides, employ laborers to stake the plants, and purchase fertilizers and seeds. However, when their harvest fails to find buyers, they are pushed away from farming.
While visiting the field, four women were observed harvesting tomatoes, with others carrying them away. Meanwhile, some laborers were securing fallen plants to stakes for additional support.
The plants sag due to the burden of abundant fruits. While this yield is impressive, contemplating the marketplace fills me with dread,” Bhujel remarked. “It would be immensely comforting if the government could secure a market for us.
She thinks that the surge in imported Indian tomatoes hinders the sale of locally grown produce. She argues that restricting these imports would significantly help the farmers.
“Our investments are already gone. We may now be forced to sell our land to settle these debts,” she sighed. In the north of Mechinagar, specifically in the Bahundangi region, farmers grapple with aggressive elephant invasions. These farmers continually battle to safeguard their harvests.
“We fret over elephants consuming our crops. Despite surmounting many obstacles to cultivate tomatoes, we discover no buyers. Will anyone heed the farmers’ concerns?” Bhujel asked.
In this area, farmers additionally cultivate betel nut trees around the perimeters of their tomato fields, beautifying the scenery.
Purna Bahadur Khadka from Boudha Mode, Mechinagar, invested Rs400,000 in growing tomatoes on an area of one bigha. With over two decades of experience in commercial farming starting from 2000, he is currently contemplating shifting away from agriculture as a profession.
Today, if you mention wanting to travel overseas, people are willing to lend you funds. However, if you express interest in farming, they decline. Society has lost all hope for the agricultural sector,” he sighed while harvesting tomatoes.
After putting in so much effort, there seems to be no market. Who has control over this market?” As he explains, once all costs are accounted for, farmers make only about Rs 5 per kilogram.
“Disregard the expenditure on seeds, pesticides, and stakes. The total expense for each plant from sowing to harvest comes out to be Rs35. On average, one plant yields between 3 to 4 kilograms of tomatoes. However, once you subtract costs such as those for harvesting, transporting, paying market commissions, and covering unloading charges, we find ourselves needing to take loans just to cover labor wages,” he explained.
The Buddhasanti Rural Municipality stands out as a frontrunner in commercial vegetable cultivation, engaging numerous farmers in this activity. At the Shantinagar Agricultural Cooperative, tomato production takes place across three bighas of land, with majority membership focusing on growing tomatoes. Nonetheless, these efforts fail to generate profits for the cooperative.
The cooperative’s president, Dilnath Kafle, mentioned that over 80 bighas dedicated to tomato cultivation can be found in wards 5 and 6 of Buddhashanti. The main trading hubs for these tomatoes are Birtamod and Charali. Nonetheless, many growers frequently end up returning home with leftover stock because they transported them using hired transport.
“Tomatoes from India are abundant in the market, leaving no space for our own crops. The Indian government offers various subsidies to their farmers, which makes their tomatoes more affordable. However, local farmers do not get this kind of assistance. As a result, our farmers struggle to compete with these imported tomatoes. Restricting imports could provide an opportunity for our farmers to thrive,” stated Kafle.
For the last three years, farmers have had to sell their crops at a loss during the prime harvest time, making it extremely difficult for them to recoup their investment. The Agriculture Knowledge Center reports that tomato cultivation spans 1,100 hectares in Jhapa, yielding approximately 22 tons per hectare on average.
Chet Raj Bhandari, an information officer at the center, stated that due to the peak tomato season and abundant production, local markets find it difficult to accommodate the surplus.
Nevertheless, he proposed that prices could increase when the rainy season starts. In the meantime, even though there isn’t much demand for local tomatoes, substantial amounts keep being brought in from India.
As reported by the Mechi Customs Office located at Nepal’s eastern frontier, the nation had imported goods valued at Rs 42.7 million in tomatoes from India by the conclusion of February.
