GB election: 664 candidates file papers

A total of 664 candidates have filed nomination papers for the Gilgit-Baltistan general elections scheduled for June 7, 2026. The candidates will contest elections on 24 constituencies across the region. Constituency Gilgit-2 has attracted the highest number of candidates, with 58 contenders, while Diamer-4 has the lowest, with 11 candidates in the race. In Gilgit district, 34 candidates have filed papers from Gilgit-1, 58 from Gilgit-2, and 32 from Gilgit-3. In Nagar, 38 candidates are contesting from Nagar-1 and 30 from Nagar-2. Hunza's lone constituency has drawn 38 candidates.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/SCfLO31

PM Shehbaz reaffirms commitment to eradicate polio as cases drop sharply in 2026

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed the government’s resolve to completely eradicate polio from Pakistan, noting encouraging progress as only one case has been reported so far in 2026. Chairing a high-level review meeting on polio eradication at the Prime Minister’s House, the premier appreciated the tireless efforts of anti-polio teams working across the country and reiterated that eliminating the disease remains a national priority. The prime minister emphasised that sustained coordination between federal and provincial authorities, frontline workers, and partner organisations would remain essential to achieving the goal of a polio-free Pakistan. During the briefing, the meeting's participants were informed that only a single polio case had been reported this year from Sujawal district, compared with 74 cases in 2024 and 31 cases in 2025, reflecting a significant downward trend. No cases have been reported so far in 2026 from Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, or Azad Jammu and Kashmir. وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیرِ صدارت انسدادِ پولیو پر اہم جائزہ اجلاس اجلاس کے شرکاء سے گفتگو کرتے ہوئے وزیراعظم نے کہا کہ وہ ملک سے پولیو کے موذی مرض کے مکمل خاتمے کے لیے پُرعزم ہیں۔ اجلاس کو بتایا گیا کہ 2024 میں پولیو کے 74 کیسز اور 2025 میں 31 کیسز رپورٹ ہوئے۔ خیبر… pic.twitter.com/cx9obbnrD5 — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) April 22, 2026 The officials further informed the meeting's members that the number of polio-affected districts declined from 67 in the first quarter of 2025 to 23 in the first quarter of 2026. National household coverage during anti-polio campaigns remained consistently high at 98%. The participants were told that improved access and enhanced vaccination efforts in the southern districts of KP had significantly reduced the number of children missing polio drops. A substantial decline in local transmission of the poliovirus was also recorded in the Quetta Block. Read More: Lingering threat of polio In Karachi, encouraging environmental surveillance results showed that poliovirus was not detected in 10 out of 12 environmental samples collected in March. Similarly, no polio case has been reported in Dera Ismail Khan district since September 2025, while the number of high-risk union councils in Bannu dropped sharply from 62 to just six. The members were also informed that a strategy was being finalised to integrate the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) with the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) at the federal and provincial levels. Efforts were also underway to link certain interventions of the Benazir Income Support Programme with anti-polio measures to further strengthen outreach. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for National Health Services Mustafa Kamal, Minister of State for National Health Services Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, and Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq, along with senior officials, attended the meeting. Despite significant progress in recent years, Pakistan remains one of the few countries in the world where polio is still crippling children, with health authorities warning that continued vigilance and public cooperation are essential to stopping transmission.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/YS3sGfT

Balochistan sees revival of 3,700 closed schools

The Balochistan government on Tuesday said it was making headway in education by bringing out-of-school children back into classrooms and reopening long-closed institutions. Speaking at an event at the Chief Minister's Secretariat, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, along with senior officials, shared progress on the ongoing campaign. Education Minister Rahila Hamid Durrani and Secretary Lal Jan Jaffar were also in attendance. Officials said more than 3,700 previously closed schools have been made functional, with around 100,000 children enrolled—offering many a renewed chance at education. The chief minister said over 12,000 teachers have been recruited on merit, underscoring the government's commitment to ending the practice of selling jobs. He acknowledged past setbacks in the education sector but said reforms are now gaining traction. Despite these gains, significant challenges persist. Officials noted that nearly 58% of children in the province remain out of school, many of them now beyond the typical school-going age. Earth Day Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Tuesday said that Earth Day reminds us of the fact that the protection and survival of the natural environment is a shared responsibility of all of us, for which collective awareness and practical measures are indispensable. In his message on the occasion of Earth Day, he said that Balochistan is a province rich in natural resources and diverse ecosystems, where there are important natural assets from coastal mangroves to juniper and chilgoza forests in high mountainous areas, which play a key role in climate protection, water resource stability and public employment. He said that however, challenges such as climate change, prolonged drought and land degradation are affecting the province, which requires urgent and collective measures to address. The Chief Minister stated that the Balochistan government is committed to promoting sustainable development, expanding forest areas, and protecting biodiversity. He urged the people to play a full role in planting trees, conserving water and protecting natural resources. The CM expressed satisfaction that Alhamdulillah Balochistan is the first province of Pakistan to have established its own Climate Endowment Fund and has also formulated a regular policy for its transparent and effective use, which is a significant step towards addressing climate challenges. He reiterated the resolve that joint efforts would continue to build a green, strong and sustainable Balochistan so that a safe and better environment could be provided to the coming generation.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/BzqvuHg

FIA books suspects in Rs6.6 billion fraud case

The Federal Investigation Agency has registered a first information report (FIR) against multiple individuals, including company directors and bank officials, over an alleged fraud involving more than Rs6.6 billion. According to the FIR, the accused allegedly opened benami bank accounts using the identities of individuals and routed sales proceeds of a private company, Biscuits Manufacturing Private Limited Company, through these accounts to evade taxes. Investigators revealed that funds were initially deposited into accounts at one commercial bank and later transferred to accounts at another, where large cash withdrawals were made. Read: Four hawala, crypto suspects detained The inquiry found that proxy signatures were used to operate accounts despite genuine biometric verification, while a bank official allegedly played a key role in opening and managing these accounts. The FIA stated that the scheme caused significant losses to the national exchequer through tax evasion. An FIR has been registered under multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, and further investigation is underway to determine the involvement of other officials. FIA claimed that the banker has been arrested and further investigations are underway.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/oX9i7J6

Agricultural tax notifications declared unlawful

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has declared recent government notifications revising agricultural income tax rates as unlawful and ordered an immediate halt to their enforcement, assessments and collections. The ruling came during the 41st session of the Punjab Assembly on a privilege motion moved by MPA Zulfiqar Ali Shah. The Speaker held that the notifications lacked legal validity as they were not presented before the Assembly in accordance with statutory requirements. He directed the Excise and Taxation Department to suspend implementation of the revised rates and instructed the government to place the relevant notifications before the House within 15 days, along with a detailed report explaining the lapse. The matter has also been referred to the Committee on Law Reforms and Delegated Legislation to fix responsibility and submit findings within one month. The issue stems from notifications issued on March 5, 2025, revising agricultural income tax rates, followed by another notification on September 10, 2025, seeking retrospective application from July 1, 2025. The mover of the motion argued that these were not laid before the Assembly at the time of the 2025–26 budget, as required under Section 11(2) of the Punjab Agricultural Income Tax Act, 1997. In his ruling, the Speaker emphasized that taxation powers rest with the legislature under the Constitution and any delegated authority must strictly follow legal procedures. He observed that failure to place such notifications before the Assembly renders them ineffective and without lawful basis. The Speaker also termed the omission a breach of parliamentary privilege and reiterated the importance of legislative oversight in taxation matters. He cited relevant judicial precedents, including rulings of superior courts, to support the requirement of presenting tax notifications before the legislature. He further directed that all future changes to agricultural income tax rates must be introduced before the Assembly during the annual budget session to be enforceable. The ruling clarified that taxpayers affected by the now-void notifications may seek relief through appropriate legal forums regarding any recoveries made under the revised rates.

from Punjab News Updates and Insights - The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/tBax1mI

Farmers struggle with climate shifts

Punjab is called the food basket of Pakistan. Major crops such as wheat, rice, sugarcane, maize, and cotton are grown here. However, over the past 15 to 20 years, Punjab's climate has changed rapidly. Rainfall patterns have become irregular, heat has intensified, and winters are becoming shorter and less cold, putting farmers under stress and significantly reducing crop yields. According to seasonal outlook reports from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the average temperature in Punjab has been rising since 2000, while rainfall has become unpredictable. Heat intensity and duration have increased, and winters have shortened, disrupting the natural crop cycles. Research by the University of Agriculture Faisalabad and the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council shows that rising temperatures are shortening the growth period of crops. The study indicates that an increase of 1 to 4 degrees Celsius could reduce wheat production by 9 per cent to 30 per cent. According to the International Food Policy Research Institute, more than 80 per cent of farmers in Punjab are experiencing the effects of climate change. Rainfall patterns in central Punjab have become unstable, with some years seeing heavy rains and others facing severe drought. Unexpected rains in April have affected wheat harvesting, while heavy rains in July and August pose risks to cotton and rice crops. Dr Anjum Ali, Executive Member of the Punjab Agriculture Research Board, said that climate change in Punjab has now taken the form of a "climate shift," where the traditional monsoon cycle has changed and rainfall is occurring in shorter but more intense periods. He added that changing temperature and rainfall patterns are also altering cropping trends, especially in central Punjab, where water-intensive crops like sugarcane, rice, and maize are increasing, while cotton cultivation is declining. To address these challenges, several changes are being introduced in the agricultural system. Short-duration seed varieties, modern breeding programs, and the use of micronutrients and potash are being promoted to help crops withstand harsh climatic conditions. He also noted that pest attacks are increasing due to higher temperatures accelerating their reproduction. Dr Buttar recommended promoting digital agriculture, providing farmers with timely information, and adopting cluster farming models. He also emphasized the need for better water management, storage infrastructure, and investment in research and development. On the other hand, progressive farmer Aamir Hayat Bhandara said that climate change has severely affected sowing and harvesting times. Unexpected rains in March and April delay wheat harvesting, affecting yields. Similarly, sudden temperature increases cause crops to ripen prematurely, increasing the risk of reduced production. "Heatwaves, floods, and droughts together are disrupting the agricultural system. Year-to-year temperature fluctuations are becoming more noticeable, affecting the entire crop growth cycle. Farmers must adjust crop selection and planting schedules according to climate risks. At the same time, the government should provide financial protection, access to climate information, and modern agricultural technologies," said Bhandara. Khalid Mahmood Khokhar, President of Pakistan Kisan Ittehad, stated that climate change has already caused farmers losses worth billions of rupees. He warned that if immediate action is not taken, farmers may stop cultivating wheat next year. "Climate change has devastated us. The government is spending billions of dollars on imports while ignoring local farmers."

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/61Q5LPB

Love-marriage couple alleges police abuse

A couple who entered into a love marriage has allegedly fallen victim to police excesses, with claims of coercion, unlawful detention and mistreatment surfacing six months after their court marriage. A theft case was registered at Waris Khan Police Station in Rawalpindi on the application of the groom's father, leading to the groom's arrest within 24 hours of the bride's formal departure (rukhsati). The couple allege that police officials repeatedly pressured them to seek a divorce, while private individuals were permitted to assault the groom at the police station. The affected couple has appealed to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for justice. Muhammad Usman, 23, a resident of Amarpura, contracted a court marriage with 20-year-old Maimoona on September 17 last year. The couple stated that following the nikah, the bride's family reconciled to the marriage; however, the groom's father remained opposed. The bride's rukhsati took place on March 29, 2026. They allege that despite the marriage having taken place six months earlier, Waris Khan Police registered a theft case on March 16, 2026. Initially filed against unidentified persons on the complaint of the groom's father, Muhammad Ramzan, the case was later amended to nominate his two sons, Farhan and Usman, as well as his daughter-in-law, Maimoona. Speaking to The Express Tribune, the couple alleged that the investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Iftikhar, included the bride's salami (customary gift money) as "recovered" property in the case. The groom was placed on an eight-day physical remand, during which he claims he was subjected to violence at the police station by private persons, allegedly with police acquiescence. He further alleged that during remand, the investigating officer exerted severe pressure, including physical coercion, to force him to divorce his wife. The bride stated that she was made to remain at the police station until 2am without the presence of female police personnel, and that both were subjected to intense pressure to separate. The couple also alleged that police personnel carried out mistreatment in the presence of the groom's father. A local court granted bail to the groom on April 18, while the bride had already secured interim bail. Responding to the allegations, Sub-Inspector Iftikhar maintained that recoveries, including jewellery, had been made from the bride, and that the complainant had identified the items.

from Punjab News Updates and Insights - The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/sukxtyn