MQM-P begins street movement for Karachi rights, seeks constitutional reforms

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Sunday launched the first protest demonstration of its announced street movement for Karachi's rights in Shah Faisal Town, with party leaders criticising the Sindh government over civic issues and demanding greater constitutional powers and administrative authority for the city. Senior MQM-P leaders, including members of the National Assembly and Sindh Assembly, attended the gathering, where senior leader and former Karachi mayor Syed Mustafa Kamal was welcomed by party workers. Addressing the rally, Kamal alleged that Karachi had been deprived of its due rights for years and accused the Sindh government of failing to address the city's worsening civic conditions. Read: MQM-P renews call for new provinces, announces street protests over Karachi rights "People in Sindh are facing genocide. This has been happening for 18 years," he claimed, adding that the time had come to decide whether the existing system, under which "our generations are being deprived of their rights", should continue. He said MQM-P was not speaking against Pakistan but was demanding constitutional rights for Karachi and its residents. "We want our rights according to the Constitution of Pakistan. We want rights for our children," he said. Kamal argued that Karachi's problems stemmed from governance rather than a lack of resources, claiming that the Sindh government had received Rs22,000 billion but had failed to spend the funds on the city. He also claimed that during his tenure as mayor, Karachi had ranked among the world's 12 developed cities after development spending of Rs300bn. Alleging that the federal government was not withholding funds for Karachi, he accused the Sindh government of failing to utilise the city's allocated resources. "We need a change in this system," he said, while adding that MQM-P's struggle would remain peaceful and aimed at securing constitutional rights. The former mayor criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), alleging that it had blocked local government-related constitutional amendments. He also called for a new constitutional amendment providing a mechanism for creating new administrative units. Read More: MQM-P steps up 'new province' push "A city that provides 70 per cent of the country's revenue should at least be provided with resources. If you can bring the 27th Amendment, then we also want the 28th Amendment," he said. Kamal described the current demonstrations as only the beginning of the party's movement. "This is only our net practice; the actual match has not started yet," he said. Addressing concerns over administrative reforms, he said MQM-P was not seeking to divide Sindh. "We are not talking about breaking Sindh; we are talking about saving Sindh," he said, likening the creation of new administrative units to adding rooms or floors to a house without dividing it. He announced that the party would continue holding protest gatherings over the next 30 days before issuing a final call for a larger movement. "In that final call, we will sit on the highways until our rights are given," he said. Provincial lawmaker Shariq Jamal also addressed the gathering, accusing the PPP of failing to resolve Karachi's civic problems and urging residents to continue peaceful protests. "There is no electricity, no healthcare and no education. Until people come out of their homes, these issues will not be resolved," he said. Senior MQM-P leader Anees Qaimkhani said the protest campaign would continue and warned that the party's movement would intensify in the coming weeks.

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Bilawal criticises PML-N over portraying public buses as personal gifts, urges AJK voters to back PPP

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday criticised the Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) for portraying publicly funded buses as personal gifts, as he made a final appeal to voters in Mirpur Division to support the party's 'arrow' symbol in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections held on Monday (tomorrow). "These buses are not anyone's gift; they are the people's right," Bilawal said in a special message issued from Islamabad on the eve of polling. Asserting that the PPP had delivered practical development rather than merely making promises, he criticised what he described as politically timed development announcements, saying projects financed through taxpayers' money should not be portrayed as personal gifts by political leaders. Launching a political attack on the PML-N, Bilawal said the people of "Kashmir and Kashmore, Mirpur and Mirpur Khas" shared the same spirit of defending their rights and would not allow anyone to undermine their claim over their land or future. Mian Sahib @NawazSharifMNS , bura na manain Magar Kashmir ho ya Kashmore, Mirpur ho ya Mirpurkhas, In ke sirf naam nahin milte; inka mizaj bhi milta hai, inki ghairat bhi milti hai aur apne haq ke liye kharay hone ka hausla bhi milta hai. Kashmore ho ya Kashmir koi apne… pic.twitter.com/egV52it88d — Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (@BBhuttoZardari) July 26, 2026 He claimed that just as the PML-N had been rejected by voters in previous elections in Kashmir and Kashmore, the electorate would repeat that verdict in the current polls. Bilawal described the election as a referendum on the rights, development and future of AJK. He urged voters to give the PPP a strong mandate, pledging that the party would not compromise on the rights of the people of AJK and would continue its struggle to secure what he described as the rights of sovereignty, ownership and employment for Kashmiris. کشمور ہو یا کشمیر - کوئی اپنے حق پر کسی کو ڈاکا نہیں ڈالنے دے گا، پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کے چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری کا ویڈیو پیغام#MirpurMainTeerChaleyGa pic.twitter.com/RdIDWupCJI — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) July 26, 2026 "The people of Mirpur sacrificed their homes and land for the Mangla Dam and it is because of those sacrifices that much of Pakistan was electrified," he said. "No one can deny that the people of AJK have an equal stake in the region's resources, decisions and future," Bilawal said, adding that Pakistan owed a debt to Mirpur for its sacrifices rather than doing it a favour. Read: Bilawal vows to protect AJK rights, accuses PML-N of pursuing 'anti-Kashmir' agenda He argued that the people of AJK should enjoy the same fundamental rights as every Pakistani citizen, including what he termed the rights of sovereignty, ownership and employment. Bilawal also called for the immediate establishment of a dedicated compensation fund for those affected by the recent violence, saying such measures would help restore public confidence and normalcy. He concluded by urging voters in Mirpur Division to stamp the arrow symbol and vote for development, prosperity and the protection of the rights of the people of Azad Kashmir.

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Nurse blamed for infant's thumb loss

A fact-finding committee has held a female nurse responsible after a 23-day-old baby girl lost her thumb at Holy Family Hospital and recommended departmental action against her under the PEEDA Act. The nurse has also been directed to report to the department in Lahore. According to details, the 23-day-old daughter of Attock-based carpenter Qaiser Mahmood was under treatment in the paediatric nursery of Holy Family Hospital when her right thumb was mysteriously severed. Following the incident, Medical Superintendent Dr Ejaz Butt constituted a three-member fact-finding committee headed by Paediatrics Department Head Dr Hina Sattar, with Dr Nadeem Malik and the Nursing Superintendent as members. In its report, the committee termed the incident a case of negligence, carelessness and dereliction of duty, holding nurse Neelam Siddiq responsible and recommending departmental proceedings against her under the PEEDA Act. She has also been directed to report to the department in Lahore. Dr Butt termed the incident highly unfortunate, saying that while the nurse found responsible would face disciplinary action, every effort would be made to prevent such incidents in future. He said strict instructions had been issued to all hospital departments to perform their professional duties in accordance with standard operating procedures. Meanwhile, local police have registered a case on the complaint of Qaiser Mahmood.

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Property registration resumes after hiatus

Property registrations for residential and commercial properties have resumed across Rawalpindi Division after remaining suspended for a month. The new deputy commissioner has retained the previous financial year's property valuation rates for 2026-27, a move welcomed by property dealers. Property registrations in Rawalpindi city, cantonment and adjoining areas have resumed through biometric verification and the online system using the existing official rates. However, advance tax, capital gains tax and registration processing fees have been increased. Officials estimate that the month-long suspension of property registrations caused the government a loss of around Rs1.5 billion. Under the revised fee structure, stamp duty remains one per cent of the property's total value, corporation tax one per cent, cantonment board tax three per cent, Punjab Land Revenue Authority services tax Rs3,800, registration fee Rs1,000, comparison fee Rs500, advance tax 10.5pc for non-filers and 1.25pc for filers The new structure requires capital gains tax of 11.5pc for non-filers and 2.75pc for filers, property record issuance fee Rs800, express property record fee Rs3,500, mutation fee Rs1,100, express mutation fee Rs11,200, and certified copy of a registered deed Rs1,300. Biometric verification of both buyer and seller has been made mandatory. The upgraded online registration system will become fully operational from Monday, July 27. Stamp Vendors Union Patron Waheed Awan and Secretary General Mudassar Sheikh said the DC rates had been issued without any increase over last year's valuation. They said buyers would benefit from unchanged official property values, although increases in taxes, Green Property Certificate charges and processing fees would raise registration expenses by Rs30,000 to Rs50,000 for residential properties and Rs50,000 to Rs125,000 for commercial properties. Property registration offices and tehsil offices have regained activity with the resumption of registrations.   box   Excise yet to prepare property tax bills OUR CORRESPONDENT RAWALPINDI. The Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department has yet to prepare property tax bills for the 2026-27 fiscal year despite July nearing its end, delaying the dispatch of bills to taxpayers across Rawalpindi Region. The department has already increased property tax rates by 10 to 15 per cent, but officials said the bills could only be prepared after receiving the deputy commissioner's valuation rates. While DC rates are usually issued between July 2 and 5, they were released only recently and had still not reached the department by Saturday, July 25. Officials said the new rates are expected on Monday, after which preparation of the bills will require another 10 to 15 days. Property tax bills for residential and commercial properties in Rawalpindi city and cantonment are expected to be dispatched after Aug 14. box Complaint prompts transfer of staff   OUR CORRESPONDENT RAWALPINDI. Rawalpindi district administration has ordered the immediate transfer of registry clerks and assistant clerks posted at property registrar offices across Rawalpindi city, district council, cantonment and tehsil offices after taking notice of complaints alleging corruption in the property registration process. The transferred officials have been directed to relinquish charge immediately. The sudden transfers caused unrest in registry offices, while several influential officials reportedly approached political leaders and lawmakers in an effort to have the orders reversed. New registry clerks and assistants will assume charge from Monday. According to the report, many of the transferred officials had remained posted in the same offices for three to three-and-a-half years and had been the subject of numerous complaints from the public, property dealers and stamp vendors.

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Rains keep civic services on the toes

A fresh spell of monsoon rain swept across Lahore and several other districts of Punjab on Saturday, bringing cooler weather, reducing humidity and improving air quality for some time. However, the heavy rain also caused waterlogging and traffic jams, putting emergency services and hospitals on high alert to deal with related problems. Rain with thunderstorms was recorded in Lahore, Narowal. Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Rawalpindi and Chakwal. Several other districts also received moderate to heavy rainfall. Rainwater pooled in hospitals and on nearby roads in Lahore. Job aspirants also faced problems as Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) examinations continued in various districts despite the rain. Many people found it difficult to reach their workplaces, including health workers and hospital employees. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast that the current weather system will remain active over the coming days with more rain expected in many parts of the province. A large number of citizens visited parks and other public places to enjoy the pleasant weather. A spokesperson said all district hospitals had been advised to prepare for the rainy season and they were providing the best treatment facilities. However the rain also created civic problems as water accumulated on roads and in many low-lying areas. The traffic flow on major roads remained slow as several underpasses and residential areas were flooded, forcing commuters to use other routes. Officials said field staff remained deployed across the city to clear blocked sewer lines as quickly as possible. District authorities also advised people to avoid unnecessary travel through flooded roads until the water level receded. Similar conditions were reported in other cities where heavy rain disrupted business activities and affected traffic. Hospital emergency departments in Lahore remained on alert to treat victims of injuries caused by road accidents, slipping on wet roads and shocks caused by exposed electric wires. Doctors said hospitals were also preparing for an increase in seasonal diseases that usually appeared after heavy rain, including viral fever, diarrhoea, gastroenteritis and mosquito-borne ailments. Medical experts advised people to drink boiled or filtered water, avoid stagnant water and seek immediate care if they develop dehydration or persistent fever. They warned that standing rainwater could become a breeding place for mosquitoes if drainage was delayed. They stressed that proper sanitation during and after the monsoon season was essential to reduce the risk of dengue fever. Environmental experts described the rainfall as a natural way of cleaning polluted air. "The showers significantly reduced dust particles and suspended pollutants that had accumulated during the recent dry weather. Real-time air quality monitoring indicated that Lahore's Air Quality Index (AQI) improved to the moderate category with readings generally ranging between 100 and 120 on Saturday," said an official, Sajid Bashir. This was a significant improvement compared with the high pollution levels usually seen during long dry periods.

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ECC approves Rs4.2b PASSCO package

The government has approved a Rs4.188 billion severance package for employees of the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco), linking its implementation to the disposal of wheat stocks and third-party validation as part of plans to wind up the state-owned entity. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet approved the severance package with the stipulation that the entire process would be validated by an independent third party and completed by December 2026. During discussions at the ECC meeting, Special Assistant to the PM on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan stressed the importance of third-party validation of the winding-up process. He also emphasised that Passco's wheat stocks should be disposed of as early as possible to facilitate the timely implementation of the severance package. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research assured the committee that the process would be completed by December 2026. The ministry briefed the ECC that the PM's Office, through a directive issued on August 26, 2025, had assigned the finance minister to lead the winding-up process of Passco in consultation with the ministry. Following the directive, a meeting chaired by the finance minister on September 11, 2025 decided that a severance package should be formulated for Passco employees with the approval of the corporation's board of directors, in line with the package approved for employees of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC). The ministry informed the ECC that the Establishment Division had advised that Passco, being a company limited by shares, was competent through its board of directors to offer a compensation package to its employees in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations. It also recommended that the package be aligned with the Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) approved for USC employees. Accordingly, PASSCO's Board of Directors, in its 156th meeting held on September 23, 2025, approved the aligned and amended severance package for its employees. The ministry further recalled that the ECC, in its meeting on December 9, 2025, had approved the proposal for winding up Passco and establishing a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) named the Wheat Stock Management Company (WSMC) Public Limited. The decision was subsequently ratified by the federal cabinet on December 23, 2025. According to the ministry, the proposed package covers regular, contractual and daily-wage employees and includes both severance compensation and terminal benefits. The terminal benefits comprise leave encashment aligned with the USC methodology, a farewell grant, house rent ceiling and maintenance grants to widows and retired employees from Passco's Benevolent Fund. The total financial implication of the package has been estimated at approximately Rs4.188 billion, including Rs3.967 billion for severance compensation and terminal benefits for Passco employees, and Rs221 million in maintenance grants for 38 widows and 236 retired employees.

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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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