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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Four bodies, including missing security personnel, recovered in Quetta

Police on Wednesday recovered four bodies from the Shaban area of Quetta, including those of missing security personnel and a police officer who had been abducted nearly a month ago. According to sources, the victims were identified as Airport Security Force (ASF) Inspector Zubair Ahmed Shahwani, former Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) corporal Syed Khalilur Rehman, retired Pakistan Army Havaldar Sadiq, and Police Constable Farid, who was previously reported to have been abducted from the Mangi Dam area. Police authorities moved the bodies to a local hospital for the necessary legal formalities and final identification procedures. Read: Forces rain wrath on terrorists in Balochistan The recovery ends the search for Inspector Shahwani and his friend, former CTD corporal Rehman, both of whom had gone missing on June 21 after leaving Shahwani's residence in the Killi Barat area of Jinnah Town. Meanwhile, Constable Farid had been missing since his alleged abduction from the Mangi Dam area, while retired Havaldar Sadiq had also been unaccounted for before the discovery. Security forces cordoned off the area to collect forensic evidence and launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Official statements on the incident are still awaited from the authorities.

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Italy rejects relatives' appeals in Pakistani teen Saman Abbas honour killing case against life sentences

Italy's Supreme Court of Cassation — the country's highest appeals court — rejected appeals against the life sentences handed down to the relatives of Saman Abbas, the 18-year-old Pakistani teenager who was murdered in 2021 after refusing an arranged marriage, Italian media outlets reported on Wednesday. Read: Pakistani couple sentenced to life in Italy for killing daughter Abbas was living in Novellara, near Bologna, when she disappeared in May 2021 after rejecting her family's demand the previous year that she marry a cousin in Pakistan. She had reported her parents to the police, after which social workers placed her in a shelter in November 2020. However, she returned to visit her family in April 2021 to collect her passport and begin a new life with her boyfriend, whom her family disapproved of. She disappeared soon afterwards. Police, alerted by her boyfriend, raided the family home in May, but her parents had already left for Pakistan. According to surveillance camera footage, Abbas was believed to have been killed on the night between April 30 and May 1. The footage showed five people leaving the family home carrying shovels, crowbars and buckets before returning about two and a half hours later. Also Read: Father extradited from Pakistan to Italy in 'honour killing' case Her body was discovered a year later in an abandoned farmhouse with a broken neck. Her father, Shabbar Abbas, was arrested in Pakistan and extradited to Italy in August 2023. In 2024, her mother was arrested in Azad Kashmir after remaining on the run for three years. Her uncle, Danish Hasnain, was handed over by French authorities, while her cousins were arrested in Spain. The couple was sentenced to life imprisonment by an Italian court in 2023, while Hasnain was sentenced to 14 years in prison after accepting a plea bargain. He was later sentenced to 22 years. Her two cousins were initially acquitted in the case, which shocked Italy. Il Sole 24 Ore reported that the Court of Cassation rejected the appeals filed by the parents and cousins against their life sentences and by the uncle against his 22-year sentence, making the convictions final. According to the report, prosecutors argued that Abbas was murdered for "opposing an arranged marriage and for adopting a lifestyle her family considered "incompatible" with its traditions. L'Unione Sarda reported that the defendants were "found to face the aggravating circumstances of premeditation and frivolous motives". It quoted Maria Teresa Manente, head of the legal department at Differenza Donna — an Italian feminist non-governmental organisation — and the association's civil defence attorney, as saying: "This ruling represents a turning point on a social level, even before a legal one. The Court of Cassation definitively crystallises what we have argued in every court: Saman was killed because she was a woman who rebelled against patriarchal rules, punished for escaping the subordinate role the family order imposed on her. "Her death was not an excess, an impulse, an 'accident' from a distant cultural context: it was, as the trial documents themselves reveal, a punishment. The plan to kill her was born the very moment Saman dared to assert her right to choose who to love, whether to study, how to dress, how to live. Her freedom was her 'crime' in the eyes of her family; her life was its punishment." Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed the development, saying that "a painful judicial saga comes to a close." She added: "No verdict can bring her life back, but it is right that those responsible for this barbaric crime have been definitively convicted. In Italy, there is no room for those who presume to deny, in the name of supposed cultural or religious justifications, a woman's freedom, dignity, and life. These are non-negotiable principles from which we will never retreat." Con la sentenza definitiva per l'omicidio di Saman Abbas si chiude una dolorosa vicenda giudiziaria. Saman, giovane di origine pakistana in Italia, è stata uccisa dai suoi genitori e da alcuni familiari dopo essersi opposta a un matrimonio forzato e aver rivendicato il diritto… pic.twitter.com/nFrH3QyoId — Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) July 15, 2026  

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