Mountaineer missing after Swat peak GLOF

A search operation was underway on Saturday to trace a mountaineering guide who went missing after a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) affected seven people trekking Falak Sar Peak in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Swat district, Rescue 1122 said. "Swat's legendary mountaineer Mian Syed Ali Shah was climbing Falak Sar Peak when his safety rope snapped, causing him to fall from the summit. He has since gone missing, and a search operation is underway to find him," Swat Rescue 1122 District Emergency Officer Syed Shoaib Mansoor told The Express Tribune. He said the mountaineer went missing in the Matiltan area located in Upper Swat at around 7pm last evening. "Six expedition members have been rescued by the service," he added. Mansoor further said that of the six rescued trekkers, Swat Rescue 1122 medical teams moved three injured people from the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Kalam to Central Hospital Saidu Sharif in Swat. According to Rescue 1122, the injured were identified as Hawar Hussain, 40, Haris, 22, and Haroon, 27, all residents of Rawalpindi. The rescue officer also said that the remaining three people affected by the glacier burst were safe. He said that the incident took place in an "extremely remote and difficult-to-access area", which was hampering the search operation. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued nationwide alerts for flash floods, urban flooding and landslides from July 18 to 23 in several parts of the country, including Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Islamabad and north eastern Balochistan. Authority urges citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and take precautionary measures, according to an advisory issued by its National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) on Saturday. The NEOC said the prevailing weather conditions are in line with its earlier forecast and it is continuously monitoring potential hazards while ensuring the timely dissemination of information to all relevant authorities. Heavy rainfall may trigger flash floods in local streams, seasonal waterways and mountainous regions. Medium to high level flooding is expected in rivers and streams across Gilgit Baltistan. In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, upper and central districts face the risk of flash floods and surging flows in hill torrents and seasonal streams. The NDMA has also issued a landslide alert for Azad Jammu and Kashmir from July 19 to 24.Continuous rainfall may trigger landslides in Neelum, Haveli, Poonch, Muzaffarabad and Bagh districts. Moderate risks also exist in the hilly areas of Kotli, Sudhnoti, Mirpur and Bhimber.Roads in Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Kahuta and Bhimber may be affected by falling debris and landslides, disrupting traffic movement.The authority warned that water levels may rise significantly in the Neelum, Jhelum and Poonch rivers and their tributaries in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Separately, NDMA has issued flood alerts for Punjab and north eastern Balochistan from July 17 to 23. Heavy rains may cause flash floods in seasonal streams and hill torrents across both regions.

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NCCIA summons Imran’s sister Noreen Niazi for controversial remarks on Maarka-e-Haq

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on Saturday summoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan’s sister Noreen Niazi for an inquiry after an interview of her went viral on social media, leading to allegations of disseminating “false, offensive, and inflammatory” content. According to a notice issued by the NCCIA Cyber Crime Reporting Centre, Noreen has been directed to appear before the agency on Monday to record her statement in connection with the inquiry. The notice, issued under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, stated that the NCCIA was conducting proceedings in the matter. The agency said the “gist of allegations” was that Noreen had allegedly disseminated “false, offensive, and inflammatory social media content to defame state institutions and spread fake narratives”. The notice directed her to appear in person at the NCCIA Cyber Crime Reporting Centre in Islabad to record her statement. It warned that non-compliance would mean “that you have nothing to present or state in your defence” and would be punishable under Section 174 of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860. The notice was issued after Noreen made remarks regarding Maarka-e-Haq and the Pakistan Army during an interview on a YouTube channel. In the interview, Noreen alleged that Maarka-e-Haq was a collaboration between the Pakistan armed forces and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She further claimed that India refrained from attacking Pakistan at Israel’s request because Pakistan was moving towards recognising Israel. “Modi could have fixed them in two minutes if he had wanted to. Why did Modi stop? What was he afraid of? India is such a large country. Look at that country and then look at yourselves,” she said. She also alleged that Israel was “behind” the developments and claimed that Pakistan was being prepared to join countries that had established diplomatic relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords. The comments were criticised by politicians and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

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Judicial commission formed to probe Ziarat incident: CM Bugti

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Saturday said the provincial government had constituted a judicial commission to investigate the Ziarat incident, a day after an agreement between the government and protesters ended a days-long sit-in staged in response to the terrorist attack in Ziarat's Mangi area. At least 30 people, including 27 police personnel, were martyred while fighting terrorists identified by the state as the Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan during the attack in the Ziarat area of Balochistan. Bugti confirmed the development during a meeting with Pakistan People's Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari at Zardari House in Islamabad, where he briefed the party chief on the province's administrative and political situation, as well as the recent security situation. Read: Sit-in ends as Balochistan govt, Ziarat committee strike judicial inquiry deal During the briefing, the chief minister said he had played a full role in consoling the bereaved families affected by the Ziarat incident and in fulfilling their demands. He said a judicial commission had been established on the demand of the bereaved families to investigate the incident. Bugti also announced that an all-parties conference would soon be convened on the restoration of peace in Balochistan, adding that political parties outside parliament would also be invited to participate. اسلام آباد: پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کے چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری سے بلوچستان کے وزیراعلی سرفراز بگٹی کی زرداری ہاؤس میں ملاقات اسلام آباد: چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری کو بلوچستان کے وزیراعلی سرفراز بگٹی نے صوبے کی انتظامی اور سیاسی صورت حال سے آگاہ کیا اسلام آباد: چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو… pic.twitter.com/jZNvCR474o — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) July 18, 2026 During the meeting, Bilawal paid tribute to the personnel of the army, Frontier Corps and police who were martyred in the recent wave of terrorism. “I can feel the pain of the bereaved families of those martyred in the recent terrorist incidents,” the PPP chairman said. He also praised Bugti for the successful negotiations with the protesters and his efforts to address the concerns of the bereaved families. Also Read: Nation mourns as Quetta bids farewell to Ziarat attack martyrs “You have played a positive role in healing the pain of the bereaved families of the Ziarat incident and making the negotiation process successful,” Bilawal said. Thanking the opposition parties for their role in making the negotiations successful, the PPP chairman said political dialogue remained the only solution to Balochistan's political issues. “The Pakistan People's Party believes in political dialogue with political parties, whether they are in power or in the opposition,” he said. Reiterating the country's long-standing stance on terrorism, he said the nation stood like “a wall of steel” against terrorism.

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Danyal calls out ‘selective lectures’ for Pakistan on minority rights

Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Danyal Chaudhry on Friday called out “selective lectures” directed at Pakistan regarding minority rights during its GSP+ assessment. “Pakistan’s GSP+ assessment has once again become a platform for selective lectures on minority rights,” the parliamentary secretary stated in a post on X, highlighting religious tolerance and inter-faith harmony in the country. Pakistan's GSP+ assessment has once again become a platform for selective lectures on minority rights. Pakistan with a 97% Muslim population has got 2,189 churches (1 per 1,206 Christians), 732 temples (1 per 5,669 Hindus) and 58 gurdwaras (1 per 159 Sikhs). UK has one mosque for… — Danyal Chaudhry (@DanyalChaudhary) July 17, 2026 “Pakistan, with a 97% Muslim population, has got 2,189 churches (1 per 1,206 Christians), 732 temples (1 per 5,669 Hindus) and 58 gurdwaras (1 per 159 Sikhs),” he said, contrasting this with the UK, which, he noted, has one mosque for every 2,249 Muslims. In Pakistan, neither the state nor society discriminated against religious minorities, he added. The parliamentary secretary emphasised that special measures were undertaken by federal and provincial governments for the celebration of minority religious occasions, alongside the maintenance and protection of their holy places. He also questioned the tolerance levels of other nations, pointing to France, where a hijab ban was imposed in 2004, a face veil ban in 2011, and an abaya ban in schools in 2023. Danyal also noted face-covering restrictions in Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. “Yet the EU continues to recycle narratives sourced from agenda-driven NGOs while ignoring Pakistan’s constitutional guarantees, legal reforms, and sustained efforts to protect minorities,” he remarked.

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Ring Road land scam case collapses

The Rawalpindi Ring Road land scam case took a dramatic turn after the petitioner withdrew his petition along with all objections and allegations, effectively bringing the case to an end. A division bench of the Lahore High Court's Rawalpindi Bench, comprising Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan and Justice Sardar Akbar, accepted the request to withdraw the petition challenging the cancellation notice of a land NOC. The court disposed of the main petition as well as the intra-court appeals filed by the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), the District Petrol Pump Approval Committee and the Ring Road Project Director after they became ineffective. With petitioner Muzaffar Raheem withdrawing his petition and objections against the authorities, the earlier single bench verdict also ceased to have effect. Allegations against the RDA, commissioner, deputy commissioner and revenue officials regarding misuse of authority and backdated issuance of the NOC also fell through. The RDA's notice suspending the NOC granted to the petitioner for construction of a petrol pump, mosque and service roads on both sides of the Ring Road over 102 kanals and 14 marlas was restored. According to the petitioner, Rs178.413 million had been paid in fees and duties for the NOC. The case had earlier led to the removal of five officials, including the commissioner, deputy commissioner, DG RDA and an additional deputy commissioner (revenue), and an inquiry was initiated. With the petition withdrawn, the way has also been cleared for their appointments to new positions. During the hearing, the petitioner's counsel stated that they wanted to end the matter for the time being and withdraw the petition with all objections, while reserving the right to approach the court again if necessary. Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan observed that the petitioner had the right to withdraw the case and accepted the request. The petitioner also acknowledged that the single bench had ruled in his favour without obtaining the RDA's reply. According to the original petition, the RDA had allotted Muzaffar Raheem 102 kanals and 14 marlas of land alongside the Ring Road for construction of a petrol pump, mosque, tourist benches and service areas.

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Court extends remand of three suspects in foreign women assault case

A judicial magistrate on Thursday granted police a further four-day physical remand of three suspects allegedly involved in the abduction and rape of two foreign women, accepting the investigating agency's request to complete the recovery of weapons and other case property. Judicial Magistrate Azhar Mahmood passed the order after Defence-C Police produced suspects Rizwan, Nawaz and Nasir before the court on the expiry of their previous five-day physical remand. During the hearing, the court asked the prosecution what recoveries had been made from the suspects during the previous remand. Read: LHC seeks SHO report over suspect's detention in foreign women case The state prosecutor informed the court that weapons had been recovered from suspects Rizwan and Nasir. The investigating officer stated that the weapon allegedly used by suspect Nawaz had yet to be recovered. The investigating officer further submitted that the police also had to recover cash, jewellery, and a wristwatch allegedly linked to the offence and sought additional custody of the suspects to complete the investigation. After hearing the arguments, the court allowed the prosecution's request and handed the three suspects over to police on a further four-day physical remand. The suspects are facing charges in a case registered over the alleged abduction and rape of two foreign women. The case The case was registered at Defence-C Police Station after two foreign women alleged that they had been abducted and sexually assaulted. The victim said that the women travelled to Pakistan after being invited by an acquaintance they had met in Singapore in October 2025. She added that on June 29, they were abducted by an acquaintance and four accomplices, who demanded money for their release. The complaint further contained allegations of repeated sexual assault, threats with weapons, physical abuse, and extortion. A statement from the Lahore police said an emergency call was received through the Punjab Emergency Helpline after the father of one of the women, who was in the Netherlands, reported the alleged kidnapping. Following directions from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Lahore police launched an operation, using Safe City surveillance to trace the suspects. The statement added that the two women were recovered within approximately two hours, while four suspects were arrested. Police said raids were continuing to apprehend the remaining suspects. Also Read: Lahore court grants five-day physical remand of four in alleged foreign women assault case Lahore Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Faisal Kamran said that at around midnight on July 1, the Safe City Authority received information from a man identified as Carlos, who reported that his daughter had been abducted in Pakistan and that he had received a ransom demand. Kamran said investigators traced the family tree of a suspect and carried out raids at various locations. "During one such raid, residents of a house informed police that the suspect's family had previously lived there as tenants and was believed to have links with the deputy prime minister. The suspect was later identified as Mohammad Raza Dar," he added. He said police verified the information with the suspect's family, obtained his phone number, and began tracing his location. "The family would certainly have asked the suspect to surrender," he said. He added that investigators were also examining the possibility that a gang, rather than a single individual, was involved in the incident. According to the DIG, the suspect was driving the two women to the airport when an altercation broke out inside the vehicle near Bhatta Chowk. "During the scuffle, the vehicle collided with an object, after which the women jumped out and sought refuge at a nearby filtration plant, from where police recovered them safely," he added. The DIG said police contacted the embassies of Spain and the Netherlands after recovering the women. The Spanish embassy informed investigators that one of the women was a Venezuelan national. Following consultations with the embassies, the women agreed to undergo medical examinations and later consented to recording their statements before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Kamran said the embassies had also requested that the women be repatriated at the earliest, adding that police were continuing to investigate all aspects of the case.

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LHC introduces transport monetisation policy, allows judicial officers to buy vehicles at depreciated rates

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has rolled out a Transport Monetisation Policy, enabling judicial officers serving in the district judiciary across Punjab to purchase their officially allotted vehicles at depreciated rates. The policy has been enforced with retrospective effect from July 1, 2026. As part of the new arrangement, judicial officers will no longer be entitled to official fuel, maintenance or driver facilities for personal use. Read: Punjab judges to get subsidised cars In place of these benefits, they will receive a monthly transport monetisation allowance, the amount of which will be fixed by the competent authority and revised from time to time in accordance with fuel prices and prevailing economic conditions. According to a notification issued by the LHC registrar, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum approved the policy in line with the decisions of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) and the Punjab cabinet. A major component of the policy allows judicial officers to purchase the official vehicles presently allotted to them by paying a depreciated lump-sum amount. Those opting not to purchase the vehicles will have to surrender them immediately to their respective district and sessions judges. The notification provides that the depreciated price will be worked out by applying depreciation at the rate of 15 per cent during the first year and 10 per cent for every subsequent year on the vehicle's original purchase cost. The policy requires the entire purchase amount to be paid in a lump sum through a pay order or demand draft in favour of the LHC registrar. It further stipulates that the sale price will not be less than Rs200,000 for vehicles up to 1000cc and Rs250,000 for vehicles with an engine capacity of 1300cc or above. Officers intending to purchase their allotted vehicles will also have to furnish a written undertaking accepting the prescribed terms and conditions. Also Read: Punjab Police seek Rs238m for bulletproof vehicles for ATC judges After the purchase, the vehicles must be registered as private vehicles. Government registration numbers and green number plates will have to be surrendered, while all expenses relating to re-registration, transfer, and applicable taxes will be borne by the purchasing judicial officer. The notification makes it clear that the facility is available only to judicial officers who have been officially allotted vehicles by the Lahore High Court. It also extends the option to the widow or spouse of a judicial officer who dies during service, allowing them to purchase the allotted vehicle at the depreciated price, subject to the prescribed procedure and approval. Judicial officers facing disciplinary proceedings, as well as those who have already surrendered their official vehicles, will generally not be entitled to avail themselves of the scheme. However, probationary judicial officers may benefit from the policy, subject to the applicable conditions. The notification further directs every district to maintain a centralised pool of official vehicles solely for official and protocol purposes, while any surplus vehicles arising from the implementation of the monetisation policy are to be reported to the Lahore High Court without delay.

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