Hundreds rescued as flash floods hit Sulaiman Range

Heavy monsoon rains in the Sulaiman Mountain Range triggered flash floods in seasonal streams around Sakhi Sarwar and adjoining areas, leaving tourists, travellers and residents of tribal regions stranded as they attempted to return from popular recreational spots. The district administration launched a rescue operation after Deputy Commissioner and Senior Commandant Dera Ghazi Khan Muhammad Usman Khalid took notice of the situation. Under the supervision of Political Assistant Koh-e-Sulaiman Amir Taimur, the Border Military Police (BMP) deployed personnel and vehicles to flood-hit routes to assist those trapped by swollen streams. Rescue teams safely evacuated stranded tourists, travellers, women, children and tribal residents, along with their belongings, to secure locations. BMP personnel also helped private vehicles and motorcycles cross flooded crossings, while at several locations they carried motorcycles and luggage on their shoulders to help people reach safety. Officials said valuable belongings and vehicles belonging to stranded travellers were also safely recovered during the operation. In one emergency, the Border Military Police transported a pregnant woman in labour to hospital in an official vehicle after she was unable to cross the flooded route.

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Nawaz promises Punjab-style development for AJK, tells Bilawal not to take politics personally

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif on Friday took aim at Pakistan People's Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari while unveiling an ambitious development agenda for Azad Jammu and Kashmir, urging his political rival not to take election rhetoric personally and promising to replicate Punjab's governance model in the region if his party is voted to power. Addressing a massive election rally in Mirpur, around 258 kilometres from Muzaffarabad, alongside Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, he said political competition should remain healthy and free of personal hostility. "Bilawal should not take political remarks personally. This is Kashmir, not Kashmore, and this is Mirpur, not Mirpurkhas," he remarked in an apparent response to recent speeches made by the PPP chairman during his election campaign across AJK. میں نے مانسہرہ سے مظفرآباد اور پھر میرپور تک دریائے جہلم کے ساتھ موٹروے کا منصوبہ بنایا تھا، مگر وہ مکمل نہ ہو سکا۔ یہ منصوبہ آزاد کشمیر کی تقدیر بدل سکتا تھا۔ عوام نے موقع دیا تو اسے مکمل کریں گے۔ طلبہ کو لیپ ٹاپ، کسانوں کو سستی کھاد و بیج اور مستحق مریضوں کو مفت ادویات بھی… pic.twitter.com/N62tIDWfT4 — PMLN (@pmln_org) July 24, 2026 With just days remaining before polling, Nawaz sought to portray the PML-N as the party with the strongest development record in the region, pledging a "new era of development, prosperity and modern infrastructure" for AJK. He said every major development project undertaken in the region under a future PML-N government would reflect the party's vision, adding that his government would focus on modern transport, quality education, healthcare, urban infrastructure and public welfare. "The people of Mirpur deserve the same standard of facilities available in Punjab," Nawaz said. "If electric buses can run in Lahore and Islamabad, there is no reason why the people of AJK should be deprived of similar services." He pledged to personally supervise major development projects in AJK, saying the region's future would remain one of his top priorities. MIRPUR BHI SHER KA🐅#MirpurSherKa pic.twitter.com/yc6HYkCaTN — PMLN (@pmln_org) July 24, 2026 Nawaz also announced that every deserving student in AJK would be provided with a laptop to improve access to modern education and digital technology, describing youth empowerment as a central pillar of the party's agenda. Recalling his longstanding association with Mirpur, the former premier said he was delighted to return to the city after many years and praised the enthusiasm of the gathering, describing the affection of Mirpur's people as unmatched. Highlighting his party's performance in previous governments, the former prime minister challenged political opponents to identify any administration that had carried out more development work in AJK than the PML-N. "Wherever you see major development projects in Azad Kashmir, you will find the imprint of the PML-N," he asserted. CM Maryam, making one of her most prominent campaign appearances in AJK, described herself as a "daughter of Kashmir", saying both her paternal and maternal grandparents belonged to the region. "I consider myself Kashmiri by heart and soul," she said. "Some people criticised me for saying this, but I am proud of my Kashmiri identity." میں شہباز شریف صاحب سے کہوں گا کہ میرپور میں بین الاقوامی ایئرپورٹ، کوٹلی نکیال روڈ کی ڈوئلائزیشن، گھروں تک سوئی گیس اور صاف پانی کی فراہمی کو ترجیح دی جائے۔ لوہار گلی اور لیپا ویلی میں ٹنلز تعمیر کی جائیں، جبکہ آزاد کشمیر کے ہونہار طلبہ و طالبات کے لیے خصوصی اسکالرشپس بھی دی… pic.twitter.com/Wc2g4ZqvnB — PMLN (@pmln_org) July 24, 2026 Expressing concern over Mirpur's civic infrastructure, Maryam said she was saddened by the deteriorating condition of roads and argued that Kashmiris, who had made immense contributions to Pakistan's economy and development, deserved far better public facilities. She announced that a future PML-N government in AJK would provide 10 modern electric buses for Mirpur and reiterated Nawaz's pledge to establish an international-standard airport in the city. "Nawaz Sharif has always honoured the promises he has made to the people," she said. The Punjab chief minister also promised to extend Punjab's flagship welfare programmes to AJK, including modern hospitals, mobile healthcare services, free medicines delivered to households, ration cards, social protection schemes and other public welfare initiatives. آج میں میرپور نہیں آئی، آج مریم نواز شریف اپنے باپ دادا کے گھر آئی ہے۔ میرا والد بھی کشمیری، میری والدہ بھی کشمیری، میرے دادا، دادی، نانا اور نانی بھی کشمیری ہیں۔ یہ صرف نسبت نہیں، خون کا رشتہ ہے۔ آج جس محبت سے میرپور نے استقبال کیا ہے، وہ ثابت کر رہا ہے کہ میں اپنے ہی لوگوں،… pic.twitter.com/itXyIATQ8G — PMLN (@pmln_org) July 24, 2026 Without naming Bilawal, Maryam criticised rival political parties for making grand promises during election campaigns but shifting responsibility for governance to the federal government after coming into office. She also claimed that many of the highways and roads used by supporters to reach the Mirpur rally had been constructed during previous PML-N governments. میرے کشمیری بھائیو اور بہنو چالیس سال سے جتنی سازشیں نواز شریف اور مسلم لیگ (ن) کے خلاف ہوئیں، اگر اللہ تعالیٰ کا فضل اور آپ کی محبت ساتھ نہ ہوتی تو ہمارا نام مٹ چکا ہوتا۔ آج بھی آپ کی محبت اس خدمت کی گواہی دے رہی ہے۔ کشمیر میں وسائل اور جذبے کی کمی نہیں، کمی جدید انفراسٹرکچر،… pic.twitter.com/LSKJwYMUwc — PMLN (@pmln_org) July 24, 2026 Reaffirming the party's election manifesto, Maryam said a PML-N government would ensure that the people of AJK enjoyed the same development opportunities and public services as citizens in Punjab. Earlier, AJK PML-N President Shah Ghulam Qadir, Senior Vice-President Tariq Farooq and other party leaders addressed the gathering, urging voters to support the party in the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections and promising accelerated development across the region under a PML-N government.

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FCC fixes Imran's 'release force' case

As the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) prepares to launch an agitation campaign demanding the release of former prime minister Imran Khan, the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has fixed for hearing two separate cases: one challenging the formation of the "release force" by the PTI founder, and the other contesting the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government's decision to withdraw cases related to the May 9 riots. A three-judge bench led Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan will take both petitions on July 29. First constitution petition has been filed under Article 175 E of the Constitution by Islamabad-based advocate Malik Zaheer Ahmed through Advocate Ali Nawaz Kharal. The petition seeks a declaration that the formation or mobilisation of the so-called "Imran Khan release/rihai force" is prohibited, and that any attempt to constitute, organise, or mobilise such a private force or militia would be illegal, unconstitutional and in violation of articles 5, 17, and 256 of the Constitution, as well as the Private Military Organisations (Abolition and Prohibition) Act, 1973. The same bench on April 1 sought a response from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi within ten days regarding the formation of PTI founder Imran Khan's "release force". Now the matter is listed for hearing after almost three months. According to the petition, the K-P chief minister on February 18 made a public statement widely circulated in print, electronic, and social media announcing the intention to form a force described as the "Imran Khan Release Force", also referred to as the "Imran Khan Rehai Force", aimed at securing the PTI founder's release, who is incarcerated in connection with various criminal cases and has convictions upheld by competent courts. The petitioner expressed concern that similar terminology used in the past by political parties had led to the emergence or at least the perception of militant wings linked to them, including groups such as the Al-Zulfiqar Organization historically associated with the Pakistan Peoples Party, and militant elements previously attributed to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. The petition contends that Article 5 of the Constitution imposes a fundamental duty on every citizen including public office holders to remain loyal to the state and abide by the Constitution and the law, and any action contrary to this is ultra vires the Constitution. A senior law officer believes that both the FCC and petitioner misunderstood the Imran Khan's "release force". Actually, it is Imran Khan's "release force movement" and there is no intention to establish a militia force for this purpose, he adds. He clarified that it has no link with the provincial government. Meanwhile, the same bench will also take up petition filed by the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), seeking the transfer of the criminal case regarding the attack on Radio Pakistan Peshawar from K-P to a competent anti-terrorism court in Federal Capital Territory Islamabad or any other province, in the interest of justice, in view of the alleged political pressure and executive interference that have undermined the prospects of a fair trial. The FCC while hearing Radio Pakistan's petition on March 24, passed a restraining order regarding the withdrawal of the May 9 cases. A senior official in the K-P Law Department, speaking to The Express Tribune, expressed surprise that the FCC passed a restraining order when the K-P government has yet to move an application in the ATC, adding that there should first be a cause of action. "It would have been better if the FCC had heard the K-P Prosecution Department before passing the restraining order," he added. Regarding the K-P cabinet's decision on withdrawing all May 9 cases, he stated that the cabinet only decided to withdraw "politically motivated cases" and cases lacking clear evidence against the accused. He also said there were a total of 29 terrorism-related cases in the K-P, of which 23 have already been decided. Likewise, 319 cases related to the May 9 incidents were filed in ordinary courts, of which 285 have already been decided. On the transfer of ATA cases from one province to another, the official contended that it is the domain of the chief justice concerned to pass such an order under the law. He said that the mechanism regarding the transfer of cases from province to other is already provided in the law. Lawyers are questioning the Federal Constitutional Court's (FCC) decision to seek replies from the respondents without first deciding the maintainability of the petitions. In the past, the Supreme Court was criticised for exercising public-interest jurisdiction without deciding the maintainability of petitions. The SC was also being questioned over its involvement in political controversies. Interestingly, there is no official notification regarding Imran Khan's "release force". Dozens of PTI-related cases have been transferred from the Supreme Court to the FCC. However, these cases have yet to be fixed for hearing. The Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act is still applicable in the Supreme Court to ensure transparency in the chief justice's powers regarding case fixation and bench formation. On the other hand, the chief justice is the master of the roster in the FCC. The chief justice's powers to fix cases and form benches are not regulated in the FCC. Interestingly, two-member benches are hearing cases related to the interpretation of law and the Constitution. Earlier, political parties had raised concerns over the lack of representation from every province on benches hearing constitutional matters. Despite a case pendency of 22,746, only seven judges are currently serving in the FCC. The FCC judges are also facing a "battle of perception" since they were appointed by the federal government, which is expected to be the primary litigant before the court. The challenge now confronting the judges is to demonstrate that they are not "executive-minded" and will dispense justice "without fear and favour". Superior bars which challenged the 26th Constitutional Amendment are not interested in filing petitions against the 27th Amendment.

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Internet services partially restored in parts of AJK after 48 day suspension

Internet services were partially restored in parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir AJK on Thursday after remaining suspended for 48 days following restrictions imposed in the wake of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee's (JAAC) long march and sit-in call in Rawalakot on June 5. Internet services were restored in Mirpur city, Afzalpur, Chakswari, Mangla Hamlet, Islamgarh, Kotli and Bhimber on Thursday evening. However, connectivity remained unavailable in other parts of AJK, where restoration is expected to be carried out in phases before the general elections. The prolonged suspension severely disrupted communication, online banking, business activity and public services, leaving thousands of consumers without internet access. Businesses dependent on digital payments suffered financial losses, while students, freelancers, government offices and professionals faced difficulties in carrying out routine work. Although connectivity resumed in parts of the AJK, users continued to report intermittent disruptions and slow internet speeds. The 48-day suspension triggered widespread frustration among residents, many of whom said the shutdown had hampered communication, delayed financial transactions and affected routine official work. The disruption also underscored the region's dependence on digital connectivity and raised concerns over the vulnerability of AJK's communication infrastructure. Officials said internet restoration would continue in phases, with services expected to be resumed in the Muzaffarabad Division during the next stage of the process. Earlier, Pakistan Peoples Party AJK President Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin wrote to AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice Retired Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, urging the authorities to restore internet services across AJK. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also raised the issue during his election public meetings in AJK, calling on the authorities to immediately restore internet services to facilitate businesses, students and the general public. انٹرنیٹ کی بندش سے اجتماعی سزا کا پیغام دیا جا رہا ہے، عوام تک آواز نہ پہنچ سکے تو کشمیر میں انتخابات کی ساکھ کیا رہ جائے گی: بلاول بھٹو زرداری@BBhuttoZardari @BBCUrdu https://t.co/oH0uyYjXnv — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) July 22, 2026 READ: Bilawal promises greater constitutional rights, urges restoration of internet in AJK Residents and members of the freelance community welcomed the partial restoration but urged the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and service providers to waive internet charges for June and July, arguing that consumers should not be billed for services that remained unavailable during the prolonged suspension. Following the restoration of internet services in Mirpur Division, Bilawal thanked the concerned authorities and Mughal, and urged the PTA to enhance the internet speed across AJK. I’m grateful to the AJK PPP for their efforts & the election commission of AJK for their intervention. I’m hearing internet and digital connectivity will be restored in Mirpur AJK soon. I’m hopeful our requests for Muzaffrabad and other areas are also accepted as soon as… — Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (@BBhuttoZardari) July 23, 2026  

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Karachi police kill suspect in alleged encounter over six-year-old girl's murder

The police on Thursday killed a man suspected of kidnapping and murdering a six-year-old girl in an alleged encounter in Karachi's Jackson area. The girl, identified as a resident of Baba Bhit Island, had gone missing a day ago. Her body was found in the bushes near Kachhi Line in Manora today According to police, investigators obtained CCTV footage from multiple locations during the probe into the kidnapping and murder. The footage allegedly showed the suspect wearing a red cap, a black-and-white shirt and blue jeans while carrying a sack on his shoulder at the jetty. Read: Girl found dead in tuition centre washroom Police said the footage also showed him boarding a launch with the sack, which allegedly contained the girl's body. Jackson Station House Officer (SHO) Inayatullah Marwat said the suspect was identified through the CCTV footage, after which police launched a search operation. He said police later received information from intelligence sources that a man matching the suspect's description was present near Mubarak Masjid Street along the seafront. A police party reached the spot, where the suspect allegedly opened fire after seeing the officers. Police returned fire, critically injuring the suspect, who later died. A weapon was recovered from his possession, according to the SHO. He added that a team was summoned from the Crime Scene Unit to collect evidence before taking the body to Civil Hospital Karachi for legal formalities. SHO Marwat said a separate case had been registered over the alleged encounter, while legal and forensic proceedings were under way. The investigation into the girl's kidnapping and murder was continuing in light of CCTV footage, medico-legal, forensic, technical and other available evidence, he added. Also Read: Child's brutal rape, murder shakes the city Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar praised the Keamari police for making progress in the investigation and for killing the absconding suspect in the alleged police encounter. According to a spokesperson, the home minister commended Keamari Senior Superintendent of Police Singhar Ali Malik and his team for their efforts. Lanjar said crimes against innocent children were highly condemnable and directed authorities to utilise all available resources to bring those responsible to justice in accordance with the law. He also directed investigators to complete the probe on merit by examining all available evidence, including CCTV footage, medico-legal findings, forensic evidence, technical data and other material. The home minister said the possible involvement and role of the deceased suspect in the kidnapping and murder case should be determined based on concrete evidence.

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Malaika, Balochistan 1st female summiteer

In a historic achievement for Pakistan's mountaineering community, 14-year-old student Malaika Khilji from Balochistan has become the first woman from the province to summit Khosar Gang Peak. The expedition, organised under the auspices of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, marks a significant milestone in the country's climbing history, said a statement issued here. After successfully reaching the summit, Malaika Khilji hoisted Pakistan's green and white flag, a gesture symbolizing her love for the country and the determination of Pakistani youth. The Alpine Club of Pakistan congratulated Balochistan's "proud daughter" Malaika Khilji and her family on this historic accomplishment. Malaika Khilji's success sends a powerful message to the world that the true identity of Balochistan lies in its talented, courageous, and hopeful young people.

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Petrol up Rs6.39, HSD Rs7.83 for July 23 under daily pricing

The federal government on Wednesday increased the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs6.39 and Rs7.83 per litre, respectively, for July 23. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum, the price of petrol has been fixed at Rs327.12 per litre, while HSD will now cost Rs375.04 per litre. The latest revision came hours after the government and the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association reached an agreement to postpone the association's planned nationwide shutdown for two weeks following successful negotiations with Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, who assured dealers that their long-pending concerns would be addressed. Read: Nationwide petrol pump strike postponed for two weeks after govt assurances This is the third consecutive day the government has revised the prices of petrol and HSD after deciding last week to switch to a daily fuel price review mechanism amid volatility in global oil prices following renewed hostilities in the Middle East. Under the new system, daily fuel prices are based on a seven-day average of international market rates to align with international standards.

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