lahore mass transit
|

Lahore Mass Transit Authority phases out tokens and legacy transit cards for digital payments

The Lahore Mass Transit Authority (LMTA) has officially discontinued tokens and legacy transit cards across its public transport network, including the Orange Line Train, Speedo buses, and Metro Bus services.

Under the new system, commuters must switch to digital payment methods, which include the official T-Cash Card, the LMTA mobile application, or standard bank ATM cards. LMTA In-charge Uzair Shah confirmed that existing balances on old cards will not be refunded, though passengers can return their physical cards to designated transit stations to claim their security deposit.

The sudden shift has drawn criticism from local commuters, who reported being instructed to recharge the legacy cards shortly before the change and cited a lack of advance public notice.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    90,000 rubber ducks race through Chicago river in …

    CHICAGO: The Chicago River turned bright yellow on Thursday as around 90,000 rubber ducks were released into the water for the annual Chicago Ducky Derby, a colorful charity event that draws thousands of spectators and raises funds for Special Olympics Illinois. The unusual race began when the huge collection of rubber ducks was dropped into the river from one side of a partially opened bridge. Within moments, the water was covered with thousands of small yellow ducks, creating a striking spectacle for people gathered along both sides of the river. The ducks remained in the water for roughly 15 minutes as they floated and moved with the river’s current. Organizers then retrieved the ducks from the water to determine the winning entries and ensure that the river was cleared of the race participants. Thousands of people attended the event, turning the annual derby into a lively festival. Spectators gathered along the riverbanks to watch the race, take photographs and support the charitable cause. Many participants and visitors also wore colorful T-shirts featuring rubber duck designs. The Ducky Derby is organized to support Special Olympics Illinois, helping raise thousands of dollars for programs and activities for athletes with intellectual disabilities. One of the highlights of this year’s event came when 13-year-old Special Olympics athlete and Ducky Derby ambassador Becky Cavanaugh selected the winning duck. Her announcement was met with cheers from enthusiastic crowds gathered along the river. Cavanaugh said one of the things she values most about being involved with the Special Olympics is the opportunity to meet and build friendships with other people. The Chicago Ducky Derby has become a popular annual tradition, combining entertainment, community participation and fundraising. The event gives spectators a memorable experience while contributing to programs designed to support Special Olympics athletes across Illinois.

  • | |

    Rosie O’Donnell names Mounjaro as part of why sh…

    Rosie O’Donnell is opening up about a major change in her health journey, revealing that Mounjaro has played a role in helping her feel healthier and more comfortable at 64. The comedian and former talk-show host discussed her experience during a recent appearance on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang with Amy Poehler podcast. O’Donnell said she has reached a point where she feels better than she ever has, while reflecting on how her health has changed in recent years. (Business Insider⁠) O’Donnell’s unexpected weight-loss experience O’Donnell explained that her doctor initially prescribed Mounjaro about three years ago to help manage her diabetes. According to the actress, weight loss was not the reason she was given the medication. She said her doctor was focused on improving her health numbers rather than changing her appearance. However, O’Donnell soon noticed a significant change in her appetite and weight. The weight loss happened quickly enough to surprise her. O’Donnell recalled losing 12 pounds within two weeks without intentionally changing her lifestyle. The sudden change initially concerned her, and she said she even worried that an underlying illness could be responsible. For O’Donnell, the experience was particularly unexpected because she had struggled with losing weight in the past, even when she was actively trying. Feeling healthier at 64 While discussing her current health with Poehler, O’Donnell said she has never felt better. She acknowledged that it took until age 64 to reach this point, adding that Mounjaro was one part of the change. Her comments highlight how her experience with the medication began as part of diabetes care rather than a cosmetic weight-loss plan. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide and was approved by the FDA for treating type 2 diabetes in 2022. The same active ingredient was later approved for chronic weight management under the brand name Zepbound. (Business Insider⁠) A personal health conversation O’Donnell is among several public figures who have spoken publicly about their experiences with GLP-1 medications. However, responses to these medications can vary, and they can cause side effects including gastrointestinal problems. For O’Donnell, the discussion was less about a dramatic transformation and more about how she feels today. Her conversation with Poehler offered a personal look at a health journey that began with diabetes treatment and unexpectedly affected her weight as well. At 64, O’Donnell says she feels more comfortable and healthier, describing this period of her life as one in which she has finally found a better sense of well-being.

  • |

    KP launches digital transformation policy & roadmap 2030 to accelerate e-governance

    PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Suhail Afridi has officially launched the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Digital Transformation Policy and Roadmap 2030, describing it as a landmark initiative aimed at establishing transparent governance, improving public service delivery, and building a sustainable digital economy across the province. Speaking at the launch ceremony at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, the chief minister said the policy is among Pakistan’s most comprehensive digital transformation frameworks and provides a long term roadmap for modernising governance through innovation, technology, and digital reforms. He said the provincial government is committed to implementing the vision of “Digital Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” and praised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IT Board and other stakeholders for preparing the roadmap through extensive consultations, international best practices, and future-oriented planning. The Digital Transformation Policy and Roadmap 2030 is built on five strategic pillars, nine core objectives, 32 thematic domains, and 915 strategic interventions. It includes clear implementation timelines, institutional responsibilities, and a comprehensive monitoring framework to ensure effective and sustainable execution. The chief minister said the introduction of paperless governance and digital reforms would significantly improve transparency, accountability, efficiency, and service delivery. He added that reducing human intervention in administrative processes would strengthen merit, transparency, and accountability. Under the roadmap, public services will be digitised in phases and made citizen centric, enabling people to access government services and information through a single digital platform. The initiative is also expected to reduce unnecessary visits to government offices, particularly benefiting residents of remote areas. Highlighting the importance of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, Afridi said the government would equip more than 100,000 young people with AI and advanced digital skills, creating new opportunities in employment, freelancing, entrepreneurship, and investment while strengthening the provincial economy. He added that digitisation would not only improve governance but also reduce government expenditure, ensure more efficient use of public resources, minimise paper consumption, and contribute to environmental protection through greener administrative practices. Referring to the province’s fiscal performance, the chief minister said the government collected Rs150 billion in revenue during the previous fiscal year against a target of Rs129 billion, without imposing any new taxes. For the current fiscal year, the revenue target has been set at Rs180 billion, with expectations of reaching Rs200 billion through improved governance and financial management. During a detailed briefing, officials informed participants that the policy also includes measures to promote green ICT procurement, environmentally sustainable digital infrastructure, carbon footprint reduction, and the establishment of a carbon credit registry to support Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s transition towards a modern and environmentally responsible digital economy. In line with the policy’s digital-first approach, the roadmap has not been issued as a printed publication. Instead, all policy documents have been made available through a QR code, demonstrating the government’s commitment to digital accessibility and paperless governance.

  • | |

    Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz reportedly embra…

    Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz are reportedly redefining how they celebrate their marriage by marking the anniversary of their 2025 vow renewal instead of the date of their lavish 2022 wedding. According to new reports, the couple no longer looks back fondly on their original Palm Beach wedding and have decided to make their private vow renewal the milestone they celebrate each year. The reported shift has sparked fresh speculation about the reasons behind the change, especially amid ongoing rumors of family tensions involving the Beckham family. (hellomagazine.com⁠ and people.com⁠) Sources claim that Brooklyn, 27, and Nicola, 31, see their 2025 vow renewal as a more meaningful reflection of their relationship. Unlike their star-studded wedding, which attracted global media attention, the renewal ceremony was reportedly a quiet and deeply personal occasion attended by only a small group of loved ones. An insider told The Sun that the couple now considers the vow renewal to be the true celebration of their marriage. According to the source, the original wedding has become associated with difficult memories, while the intimate ceremony allowed them to focus solely on each other and their commitment. (thesun.co.uk⁠) Brooklyn and Nicola tied the knot in April 2022 at the Peltz family estate in Palm Beach, Florida. The lavish event made headlines around the world but was later overshadowed by reports of disagreements within the Beckham family, particularly involving Brooklyn’s mother, Victoria Beckham. Although members of the family have repeatedly dismissed claims of a lasting feud, speculation has continued to follow the couple over the years. (people.com⁠) Neither Brooklyn nor Nicola has publicly commented on the latest reports about their anniversary tradition. However, the pair have consistently shared affectionate tributes to one another on social media, often describing each other as best friends and expressing gratitude for their marriage. The reported decision reflects a growing trend among some couples who choose to celebrate meaningful milestones beyond their wedding day. For Brooklyn and Nicola, the vow renewal is said to represent a fresh chapter in their relationship, free from outside pressures and public scrutiny. Despite ongoing rumors surrounding family dynamics, those close to the couple say they remain focused on building their future together. Brooklyn has frequently spoken about his admiration for Nicola, while she has publicly supported his personal and professional endeavors. As neither the Beckham nor Peltz families have addressed the latest claims, the reports remain unconfirmed. Still, the story has generated significant interest among fans, many of whom have praised the idea of celebrating the moment that feels most meaningful rather than simply following tradition. Whether or not the reports prove accurate, Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz continue to show that they are determined to define their marriage on their own terms. If the vow renewal has indeed become their new anniversary tradition, it marks another example of the couple choosing personal meaning over public expectation as they continue their journey together.

  • | |

    Medical colleges lower passing marks as seats rema…

    ISLAMABAD: A proposal to reduce the passing threshold for medical college admissions to 50 percent has emerged amid concerns over vacant seats despite efforts to lower merit requirements. The matter was discussed during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Health Services, chaired by MNA Mahesh Kumar. The committee also examined complaints alleging that some medical colleges were charging fees above the permitted limit. Committee Chairman Mahesh Kumar said medical colleges are allowed to charge annual fees of up to Rs1.8 million. He directed officials to provide details of institutions allegedly collecting higher fees from students. The chairman also questioned why seats were still remaining vacant after merit requirements had already been relaxed. He suggested that the passing marks could be set at 50 percent and that the proportion of difficult questions in the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s entrance examination could also be reviewed. Federal Health Minister said 61 medical colleges had applied for permission to increase their fees. However, he clarified that colleges cannot raise fees independently and that only 35 of the 61 institutions had fulfilled the required conditions for a fee increase. Colleges failing to meet the prescribed criteria would not be permitted to charge higher fees. The President of the PMDC informed the committee that notices had been issued to medical colleges against which complaints of excessive fee collection had been received. Committee member Mustafa Kamal said vacant seats were also a concern for the authorities, but argued that high fees alone could not explain the situation. He pointed out that colleges charging around Rs3.5 million had not faced vacant seats, suggesting that other factors may also be contributing to the problem. The PMDC president further informed the committee that 468 additional seats had been approved for government medical colleges in Punjab, while 315 seats had been added for students from the former FATA region. When the committee chairman asked about an increase in medical seats in Sindh, the PMDC president said no additional seats had been allocated because the province had not submitted an application for an increase.

  • |

    EU calls emergency meeting following mass migrant crossings into Ceuta

    The European Union has convened an emergency meeting after 22 member states issued a joint letter demanding coordinated action to strengthen the bloc’s external borders following the arrival of 60,000 migrants in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta. The influx has triggered severe political friction within the EU, leading Italy, Finland, and Denmark to suspend or question passport-free Schengen travel arrangements with Spain. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the unilateral measures as unlawful and selfish, maintaining that border control was fully restored within 48 hours and preventing onward movement into continental Europe. EU officials confirmed the death toll from the crossing attempt has risen to at least 67 while the vast majority of individuals who entered the enclave have since returned to Morocco. The joint letter addressed to EU leadership stresses that uncoordinated responses risk creating a perception that illegal entry into the bloc is possible, which would encourage further crossing attempts across member states. In response to the crisis, Spanish authorities have installed floating security barriers off the Ceuta coastline while working alongside international partners to secure the border perimeter.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *