Schools in Sindh to open five days a week as govt reverses earlier step

The Sindh government on Wednesday approved a two-day weekend for all public and private schools across the province, with Saturday and Sunday to be observed as weekly holidays. The decision was approved by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah as part of the provincial government's austerity measures and efforts to ensure more efficient use of available resources. Under the revised schedule, schools will operate from Monday to Friday, with daily teaching hours extended by one hour to compensate for the additional weekly holiday and ensure that academic activities continue effectively. The move marks a shift from the earlier stance of Sindh Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah, who had stated that all government schools in the province would continue academic activities six days a week. -کالج ایجوکیشن سندھ- 📣 سندھ کے کالجوں میں ہفتے کے روز تعطیل کا فیصلہ، نوٹفکیشن جاری pic.twitter.com/ld3vYbXyfl — Minister Education & Literacy Government of Sindh (@MinisterEduGos) August 5, 2026 READ: Sindh announces six-day school week from August 1 The new schedule will apply to both government and private educational institutions across Sindh. Previously, the Sindh government announced that all public and private educational institutions in the province would operate six days a week after reopening on August 1 following the end of summer vacations. The decision came as schools reopened after a two-month summer break. 

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NAB claims record Rs5.41tr recoveries in first half of 2026

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday claimed to have made direct and indirect recoveries worth Rs2.45 trillion during the second quarter of 2026, taking its total recoveries for the first six months of the year to Rs5.41tr, which it described as the highest-ever six-month recovery in the bureau's history. In a statement, the anti-graft watchdog said a major component of the recoveries involved the retrieval of more than 1.07 million acres of state land across Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab and the Islamabad Capital Territory. According to the bureau, NAB Sukkur emerged as the top-performing regional office, recovering 853,678 acres of land belonging to the National Highway Authority, forest and irrigation departments, valued at Rs1.01tr, in collaboration with the Sindh Board of Revenue and the provincial forest secretary. Read: NAB recovers record Rs11.5tr in three years The statement said NAB Balochistan recovered 209,544 acres of land, including Hingol National Park and land belonging to the Gwadar Industrial Estate Development Authority, valued at more than Rs600 billion. It added that NAB offices in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad also made high-value recoveries involving thousands of acres of land worth more than Rs800b. According to the bureau, NAB Karachi retrieved 11,422 acres of illegally allotted state land and housing society leases valued at Rs467.11b, while NAB Lahore recovered 1,909 acres of state and PCBL land worth Rs288.29b. The statement said NAB Islamabad/Rawalpindi recovered 810 acres of Capital Development Authority amenity plots valued at Rs66.63b, while NAB Multan retrieved 920 acres of state land worth Rs2.76b. Beyond land recoveries, the bureau said it provided relief in housing and financial fraud cases by returning Rs43.303b in recovered assets and funds to more than 24,365 affectees. The statement also highlighted technological reforms within the bureau, saying NAB had fully transitioned to a paper-free e-office system and was undergoing a shift towards an AI-powered e-investigation regime. According to the bureau, the system used machine learning to detect patterns, prioritise high-risk cases and analyse oral and documentary evidence, to minimise human discretion and produce evidence-based, tamper-proof testimony. Also Read: Around 300 NAB cases under review after SC ruling The statement added that the Pakistan Anti-Corruption Academy had also been fully operationalised as a centre of excellence to train the bureau's workforce. NAB said its cumulative recoveries between March 2023 and June 2026 had reached Rs16.94tr and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy against corruption, pledging to continue its strategy of deterrence, prevention and public awareness to promote transparent governance.

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78 Lahore cops suspended after ASI's alleged sexual assault of mentally challenged woman in police station

The Lahore police on Tuesday suspended the entire staff of Ghaziabad Police Station over administrative lapses and poor supervision after an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) was arrested for allegedly raping a mentally challenged woman on the premises. On August 3, a first information report (FIR) was registered at the Ghaziabad Police Station under Sections 376 (punishment for rape) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and 155C (penalty for certain types of misconduct by police officers) of the Police Order 2002 against an ASI on the complaint of the victim’s father. On the same day, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Investigation Syed Zeeshan Raza took notice of the incident and ordered the arrest of the suspect. The complainant said that his approximately 19–20-year-old mentally challenged daughter left the house on Sunday around 1pm. "When she did not return for a considerable time, Faisal Yousaf, son of Muhammad Yousaf, informed us that a policeman, who was in plain clothes, had taken our daughter away.” He said he immediately went to the police station, but upon reaching there he was informed that the girl had already returned home. “We all returned home, where my daughter was crying. I asked her the reason, and she told me that a policeman ... had taken her [to the police station] and forcibly raped her,” he said. Read: Rape brutality The complainant requested legal action against the suspect. According to suspension orders available with The Express Tribune, 78 staff posted at the police station were suspended and directed to report to the Police Lines till further orders. The cops suspended for “poor supervision and negligence” included the station house officer (SHO), two sub-inspectors, eight ASIs, front desk staff and other officials, bringing the total number of suspended personnel to 78. According to an official statement shared by Lahore police on X, DIG (Operations) Faisal Kamran noted that maintaining the overall discipline and environment of the police station was the primary responsibility of every officer, including the SHO. غازی آباد واقعہ: ڈی آئی جی آپریشنز کا بڑا ایکشن، ایس ایچ او سمیت تھانے کی تمام نفری معطل غازی آباد واقعے پر سخت نوٹس لیتے ہوئے ڈی آئی جی آپریشنز نے ناقص سپرویژن اور غفلت برتنے پر ایس ایچ او، 2 سب انسپکٹرز، 8 اے ایس آئیز اور فرنٹ ڈیسک عملے سمیت تھانے کے تمام 78 اہلکاروں کو معطل… — Lahore Police Official (@Lahorepoliceops) August 4, 2026 The DIG also said, “Poor oversight or irresponsible behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstances, and there will be no compromise on professional discipline.” He vowed that the process of accountability would be ensured at the “police station level” to establish a public-friendly and responsible police culture. The statement further revealed that Ali Zafar Dastagir was appointed as the new SHO of the Ghaziabad Police Station. Punjab Women Protection Authority chairperson Hina Parvez Butt condemned the incident, saying that "the rape of a woman by the ASI in Lahore is regrettable." لاہورمیں اے ایس آئی کی لڑکی سے زیادتی کا واقعہ افسوسناک ہے۔ڈی آئی جی آپریشنز نے فوری نوٹس لیتے ہوئے ایس ایچ او غازی آباد تھانے کو تمام نفری کے ہمراہ معطل کر دیا pic.twitter.com/jj08igThyP — Hina Parvez Butt (@hinaparvezbutt) August 4, 2026 The police said the investigation was under way, adding that further legal and departmental action would be taken in light of its findings.

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CDF Munir underscores disaster preparedness, inter-agency coordination amid floods, monsoon season

Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Tuesday emphasised the importance of preparedness, effective inter-agency coordination and swift response to safeguard lives and critical infrastructure amid flooding and monsoon rain in the country, the military's media wing said. He also reassured the civil administration and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of the armed forces' full support in relief, rescue and rehabilitation operations. The remarks came during his visit to the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) at the headquarters of the NDMA, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. During the visit, Field Marshal Munir received a briefing on Pakistan's disaster preparedness and coordinated response arrangements for the ongoing monsoon season. Read: Flood threat grows as monsoon intensifies The NDMA chairman briefed the chief of defence staff on the operational capabilities of the NEOC and its technology-enabled response mechanisms, including "Disaster Lens 2026", which presented the prevailing monsoon situation and multi-hazard monitoring mechanisms. Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir visited NDMA headquarters to review Pakistan's monsoon preparedness. He stressed readiness, effective coordination and swift response, reaffirming the Pakistan Armed Forces' commitment to supporting… pic.twitter.com/pbruStFTSe — Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) August 4, 2026 According to the ISPR, Field Marshal Munir commended the NDMA's efforts to strengthen Pakistan's national disaster management capacity and reiterated the importance of preparedness, effective inter-agency coordination and swift response to safeguard lives and critical infrastructure. The military's media wing said he also reassured the civil administration and the NDMA that the Pakistan armed forces remained fully prepared to assist in relief, rescue and rehabilitation operations. Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the establishment of a national emergency response mechanism to intensify preparations for the monsoon season. At its latest meeting on Sunday, the committee directed authorities to maintain maximum preparedness and accelerate relief and rehabilitation efforts as fresh rain was forecast for northern and central Pakistan, with isolated showers also expected in southeastern Sindh. Officials warned that rain is expected to persist over northern and central parts of the country in the coming days, while isolated showers are also likely in parts of southeastern Sindh. Also Read: Flood situation, relief efforts reviewed The warning came after the NDMA said water levels in Pakistan's major rivers were expected to rise significantly between Aug 2 and 4, prompting flood alerts across several regions. According to the NDMA, streams linked to the Jhelum, Chenab, and Ravi rivers could experience medium-to-high flows. In contrast, water levels in the Ravi and Sutlej rivers would depend on releases from Indian reservoirs. The authority also cautioned about the risk of flash floods in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, as well as seasonal streams in central and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Balochistan.

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SBP caps fuel station card fee at Re1

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has moved to address the stubbornly slow adoption of digital payments at fuel stations compared with other segments of the retail sector by introducing temporary fee caps to reduce the cost of accepting card transactions. Through PSP&OD circular issued on Monday, the central bank directed all banks, microfinance banks, electronic money institutions, payment system operators and payment system providers to implement the new limits until January 31, 2027. The circular builds on earlier instructions issued in 2023. By combining lower payment acceptance costs with a renewed push for Raast QR, the SBP aims to narrow the digital payments gap in one of Pakistan's most cash-intensive retail sectors. Under the new arrangement, the merchant discount rate (MDR) for all card-present transactions at fuel stations involving the purchase of fuel and related products has been capped at Rs1 per litre, while the interchange reimbursement fee (IRF) has been limited to Rs0.20 per litre. The measures apply to all payment cards issued in Pakistan and take immediate effect. The SBP said the initiative is intended to facilitate digital payment acceptance at fuel stations and accelerate the deployment of interoperable Raast QR-based payment solutions. Regulated entities have also been directed to actively engage fuel station merchants to enable and promote Raast QR acceptance during the implementation period. The central bank said it would review the policy around the end of January 2027 in light of the market response. Fuel stations have long lagged behind other retail categories in adopting electronic payments, often citing high acceptance costs and operational challenges. By fixing transaction fees on a per-litre basis rather than as a percentage of the transaction value, the SBP aims to make card and QR-based payments more commercially viable for fuel retailers. Financial and banking analyst Ibrahim Amin said the reduction in MDR and IRF should encourage fuel stations to install more POS terminals and QR codes. Reducing the fees will positively impact their petroleum product sales; "hence, it is a win-win situation for all stakeholders," he said. Amin added that fuel station owners should pass on the benefits of lower acceptance costs to customers while ensuring robust security features to build consumer confidence. He also stressed the need for staff training so that digital payment options are actively promoted across fuel station networks. According to SBP data, Pakistan has approximately 248,000 POS terminals and 2.5 million QR-enabled merchants, while 68.3 million payment cards are currently in circulation. Despite this growing infrastructure, cash remains the dominant mode of payment at many fuel stations, particularly outside major urban centres. Former Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) secretary general Shahid Anwar described the decision as a positive step that could significantly promote digital payments. However, he emphasised that the focus should extend beyond reducing card fees. "The main focus should not rely solely on lowering card fees; it must also focus on rapidly promoting Raast QR payments," Anwar said. IT expert Dr Noman Said said the wider use of payment cards and QR codes would improve convenience for consumers. He called for the facility to be expanded beyond major cities to tier-2 and tier-3 urban centres. "Retail shops and fuel stations should also provide this facility of payment to customers not only in selected cities but this option should be made available in tier 2 and tier 3 cities," he said. While welcoming the SBP's decision, All Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (APPDA) spokesperson Hassan Shah said, "the revised MDR cap of Rs1 per litre remains higher than economically justified". A POS terminal costs around Rs30,000 with monthly expenses of about Rs5,000, costs that can be recovered without such a charge given transaction volumes. Dealers earn only Rs8.64 per litre after withholding tax and must cover salaries, rent, electricity and other overheads. As fuel is an essential commodity, digital acceptance costs should be kept as low as possible to promote financial inclusion. For Raast QR, lower or zero MDR, free onboarding, staff training, reliable instant payments and consumer incentives will accelerate adoption. "We value the SBP's consultative approach and urge institutionalised engagement with the APPDA before future policy changes."

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Swat mourns Kabal Police Station suicide bombing

The atmosphere across Swat remained heavy with grief on Monday, the second day after the suicide bombing at the main gate of the Kabal Police Station. Funeral prayers for the ordinary citizens and police personnel who attained martyrdom in the tragic incident were offered in their ancestral areas, including Kabal Marchaki, Kabal village, Gul Jaba and other localities. Poignant scenes unfolded during the burials as every eye was filled with tears and the entire region sank into deep mourning. Large numbers of political and social figures, along with ordinary citizens, attended the funerals and prayed for the elevated ranks of the martyrs and for patience for the bereaved families. Read More: Suicide blast hits Swat police station In a show of solidarity with the affected families and to condemn the attack, the trader community called for a complete shutter-down strike in Kabal and the surrounding areas on Monday. Kabal Bazaar, all major and minor markets, shopping malls, superstores, medical stores and other commercial centres remained fully closed, leaving the streets deserted. Trader leaders strongly denounced the incident and declared that the peace of Swat would not be allowed to be disturbed under any circumstances.

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PTI plans next phase of struggle

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Information and Public Relations Minister Shafi Jan has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) exhausted every constitutional, legal and democratic avenue to secure the release of its founder Imran Khan from what it calls unlawful detention. With justice still denied, the party will now launch the next phase of its peaceful political struggle through public support. The future plan of action will be presented at a public gathering in Peshawar on August 5. Addressing a political gathering organised on the occasion of Aleema Khan's visit to Kohat, as well as corner meetings in Jungle Khel, College Town, Bangash area and Kachai, Shafi Jan said three years have passed since Imran Khan's arrest, yet he has been denied justice, proper medical facilities and basic human rights. He said the prolonged detention of an elected former prime minister raises serious questions about the rule of law and human rights. "We approached the courts and adopted every constitutional and legal path, but justice was not delivered. Now the people will decide," he remarked.

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