US-Iran deal shifts to crucial next phase

The United States and Iran have formally brought into effect the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, a landmark agreement brokered through Pakistan's mediation that is being viewed as a major diplomatic breakthrough after months of intensive negotiations and repeated setbacks. The agreement was finalised through electronic signatures by the leaderships of the United States and Iran, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signing as the mediating party. The virtual signing replaced a formal ceremony that had been planned at the Burgenstock resort near Zurich, where senior representatives from all three countries were expected to attend. Reporting for Express 24/7 from Zurich, senior anchorperson Fahad Husain said that preparations for the high-profile event had been completed and advance teams from Pakistan, the United States and Iran had already arrived in Switzerland for the ceremony which was to feature US Vice President JD Vance, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. However, the leaders ultimately chose to sign the memorandum electronically, making the planned event unnecessary. Husain stressed that despite the cancellation of the ceremony, the most significant objective had already been achieved. "The agreement has been signed, entered into force and established a framework for future negotiations between Washington and Tehran," he said. He noted that Pakistan's role as mediator has been formally acknowledged in the document, reflecting Islamabad's contribution to bringing both sides to the negotiating table. The agreement marks the culmination of a diplomatic process that spanned more than three months and frequently appeared on the verge of collapse. According to Husain, many observers had opined that the effort would fail, but Pakistan continued to pursue dialogue despite mounting challenges and pressure from multiple sides. He said foreign diplomats and officials in Switzerland have openly recognised Pakistan's efforts, describing the outcome as the result of sustained diplomacy, perseverance and strategic engagement.

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Constable arrested for murder of Sikh couple in K-P's Mardan

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police on Thursday claimed to have solved the high-profile double murder of a Sikh couple in Baboo Mohalla, Mardan, after arresting a serving police constable who allegedly carried out the killings over a personal grievance stemming from his transfer from a gurdwara security assignment. Addressing a press conference, Mardan District Police Officer (DPO) Masood Ahmad Bangash said the suspect was arrested within 24 hours of the incident following an intensive investigation. According to police, the suspect allegedly shot dead Jagannath, a sevadar (caretaker) at a local gurdwara, and his wife, Asawanti, at their residence in Baboo Mohalla on Wednesday. Senior police officials attended the press briefing. Read More: Sikh caretaker couple gunned down in Mardan The DPO said investigators collected evidence from the crime scene and analysed CCTV footage, mobile phone records, and other technical data to identify and trace the suspect. Preliminary findings indicated that the suspect had previously been posted at the gurdwara but was transferred around three years ago. Police believe he harboured resentment over the transfer and allegedly committed the murders out of personal animosity and a desire for revenge. Bangash said the arrest was made possible through coordinated efforts by investigation teams, who examined all aspects of the case before apprehending the suspect. He added that further investigations were underway and assured that the case would be pursued strictly on merit. Police plan to submit a comprehensive charge sheet to the court to ensure the suspect was brought to justice. The killings had triggered widespread concern among members of the Sikh community and the wider public.

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Six major uplift projects shelved

Owing to a severe financial and economic crisis in Punjab, the government has excluded six major high-impact projects for Rawalpindi from the schedule of the new fiscal year despite repeated requests from the relevant departments. These projects have also been removed from the Punjab Annual Development Programme and the District Annual Development Programme. With their exclusion, the possibility of launching these projects before Dec 31, 2027, has effectively ended. The six projects include the Leh Expressway, a sewerage tunnel and water treatment plant project aimed at transporting city sewage through a major pipeline for treatment and reuse in gardening and vehicle washing, the Ghazi Barotha Water Supply Project intended to meet the water needs of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad for the next 100 years, construction of five commercial parking plazas, the Murree Road Signal-Free Corridor from Liaquat Bagh to Chandni Chowk, and the Mother and Child Hospital project. Their repeated exclusion from development programmes has sharply increased their estimated costs and diminished hopes of their early execution. The Leh Expressway, inaugurated by General Pervez Musharraf in 2007 at an estimated cost of Rs17 billion, has now reached an estimated cost of Rs100 billion after 19 years. The sewerage tunnel and water treatment plant project, initiated during the tenure of former chief minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at a cost of Rs30 billion, is now estimated at Rs75 billion. Similarly, the Ghazi Barotha Water Project, which was estimated at Rs17 billion in 2007, now carries an estimated cost of Rs110 billion. The five commercial parking plazas planned for Murree Road, Raja Bazaar Junction, Commercial Market and Banni Chowk to address parking issues were estimated at Rs25 billion and have now risen to Rs55 billion. The Mother and Child Hospital project, initiated by former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, was reportedly 95 per cent complete, with a four-storey building, 13 operation theatres, machinery, and recruited staff in place. An inauguration was scheduled for April 30, but after the change of government, funding was stopped. The project later fell into disrepair and has now been discontinued due to the financial crisis. The project to widen Murree Road by 30 feet on both sides and make it a signal-free corridor from Liaquat Bagh to Chandni Chowk has also been dropped. Although the Rawalpindi Development Authority had marked properties and issued notices, the Punjab government declined to provide funds. No new mega project funded through government resources will be launched in the Rawalpindi Division during the coming fiscal year. Priority will be given only to projects financed by the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, or other foreign development agencies. Officials of the Planning and Development Board and the Punjab Finance Department confirmed that the six major projects had been excluded from the new fiscal year's programme. They said the projects may be included in the 2027-28 fiscal year and funds may then be allocated. All road widening and signal-free corridor projects in Rawalpindi Division have also been removed from the budget due to the financial crisis. Development agencies have been directed to seek foreign funding and private-sector financing for future schemes.

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Sikh caretaker couple gunned down at Mardan gurdwara

A Sikh couple serving as caretakers at a local gurdwara in the Baboo Mohalla area of Mardan were shot dead by unidentified assailants on Wednesday, police officials said. The victims, identified as Jagannath and his wife, were residing within the gurdwara premises, where they had been performing caretaker duties for several years. According to police, armed attackers opened fire on the couple before fleeing the scene. Authorities were alerted immediately after the incident, prompting a swift response from law enforcement agencies. Read: Three terrorists killed in CTD operation in Mardan Minority lawmaker Suresh Kumar, District Police Officer Masood Bangash, and SP Investigation Maria Mustafa visited the crime scene alongside a heavy police contingent to oversee the initial investigation and review evidence collection efforts. Personnel from Rescue 1122 shifted the bodies to a nearby hospital for post-mortem examination. A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against unidentified suspects at the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police station based on the complaint of Amarjeet Lal, the brother-in-law of the deceased. Police said the FIR includes charges of murder as well as provisions under anti-terrorism laws, with investigators treating the incident as an act of terrorism. Officials said special investigation teams have been formed, and inquiries are underway from multiple angles to establish the motive behind the killings and identify those responsible. No arrests had been made at the time of filing this report.

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Centre to fund 100MW G-B solar project: PM

The federal government would bear the cost of a 100-megawatt solar power project for Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday while chairing a review meeting in Islamabad on the initiative, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The prime minister directed officials to accelerate work on the project and ensure its completion at the earliest possible date. He also ordered independent third-party validation at all stages of implementation to ensure transparency. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Power Minister Awais Leghari, Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs Amir Muqam, and senior government officials attended the meeting. During the meeting, officials briefed the prime minister on the progress of the federal government's solar energy initiatives in G-B. According to the briefing, an 18-megawatt (MW) solar energy project was being implemented for government buildings across the region. The solarisation of government buildings in the Gilgit and Diamer divisions is expected to be completed by December 2026, while work in the Baltistan division is scheduled to be completed by October 2026. Officials also informed the meeting that work was underway on an 82MW solar energy project for households in Gilgit, Skardu, Chilas, and Khaplu. Natural resources The premier reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to tackling land degradation, desertification and drought, and emphasized the need for collective action to protect and restore the country's natural resources in the face of growing climate challenges. In a message issued on the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, observed this year under the theme "Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore", the prime minister said Pakistan joined the international community in renewing its resolve to address environmental degradation and promote sustainable land management. He noted that rangelands play a crucial role in ensuring food security, conserving biodiversity, strengthening climate resilience, managing water resources and supporting sustainable agricultural livelihoods. The prime minister described Pakistan's vast rangelands as valuable natural assets that support livestock-based livelihoods and the rural economy while contributing to biodiversity conservation and ecological balance. Highlighting the country's vulnerability to climate change, he said rising temperatures, prolonged dry spells, water scarcity and land degradation posed significant threats to agricultural productivity and national food security. "The Government of Pakistan is fully committed to addressing these challenges through a comprehensive strategy focused on land restoration, sustainable rangeland management, afforestation, ecosystem restoration initiatives, drought mitigation and the active participation of local communities," he said. Shehbaz also highlighted the federal government's "Zarkhaiz Scheme," launched to strengthen and modernize the agricultural economy. Under the initiative, farmers are being provided interest-free loans to help improve and protect the productivity of agricultural land. He said substantial resources had been allocated under the scheme to benefit millions of small farmers across the country. In addition to financial assistance, the programme offers subsidies on agricultural machinery aimed at enhancing productivity while encouraging sustainable land management practices. The prime minister urged federal and provincial governments, relevant institutions, academia, civil society organizations, the private sector and local communities to intensify collaboration for the protection, restoration and sustainable management of land resources. He said that through afforestation, collective action and close cooperation, Pakistan could strengthen its resilience to climate change and secure a stable and prosperous future for coming generations. The prime minister concluded by urging all stakeholders to renew their commitment to safeguarding and restoring the country's fertile lands, forests and natural rangelands.

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Five-year-old boy dies after falling into uncovered manhole in Lahore's Sundar area

A five-year-old boy died after falling into an uncovered manhole in Lahore's Sundar area on Tuesday, officials said. The victim, identified as Hassan Amir, was playing in a street near Rana Town, behind a mosque, when he accidentally fell into a drainage pit, according to police and the child's father. Residents rushed to the scene and managed to pull the child out before shifting him to the hospital. However, doctors could not save his life. Read: Child falls into manhole The boy's father, Amir Jameel, lodged a first information report (FIR) at Sundar Police Station under Section 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which pertains to qatl-bis-sabab (manslaughter). “At about 6pm, my son Hassan Amir, aged five, while playing in the street, fell into a pit,” the victim’s father said in the FIR, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune. He said the child was rescued with the help of residents and taken to Indus Hospital, but later succumbed to injuries from the fall. “The responsible parties for my son’s death are the concerned administration, the Atomic Energy Society (Maraka) administration, and A&B Construction Company management,” the complainant said, demanding legal action and justice. Meanwhile, police said an investigation had been launched to determine responsibility for the child's death and whether safety measures had been ignored. Saddar Division Superintendent of Police Shah Rukh Khan visited the site of the incident and offered condolences to the bereaved family. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Lahore Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Mohammad Faisal Kamran said investigations were underway from multiple angles and that those found responsible would be proceeded against in accordance with the law. The incident prompted residents to demand immediate measures to cover uncovered manholes, saying they had become a persistent threat to the lives of citizens, particularly children. Also Read: Manhole victims' family in Punjab declines to pursue case Residents said valuable lives were being lost due to the negligence of the relevant authorities and called for immediate and effective steps to prevent such incidents from recurring. The tragedy revived memories of a similar incident in January this year, when a woman and her child died after falling into a manhole near Bhati Gate in Lahore. A similar incident was reported a month later in the city’s Raiwind area, where a two-and-a-half-year-old child died after falling into an open manhole. The incidents were not limited to Punjab’s capital, as such occurrences have frequently taken place in Karachi, leading to the deaths of several individuals, especially children. One of the worst incidents was reported in Karachi last year, when three-year-old Ibrahim fell into an open manhole near the Nipa Flyover in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. His body was recovered 15 hours later from a manhole near Sir Syed University on University Road, triggering widespread outrage.

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Five-year-old boy dies after falling into uncovered manhole in Lahore's Sundar area

A five-year-old boy died after falling into an uncovered manhole in Lahore's Sundar area on Tuesday, officials said. The victim, identified as Hassan Amir, was playing in a street near Rana Town, behind a mosque, when he accidentally fell into a drainage pit, according to police and the child's father. Residents rushed to the scene and managed to pull the child out before shifting him to the hospital. However, doctors could not save his life. Read: Child falls into manhole The boy's father, Amir Jameel, lodged a first information report (FIR) at Sundar Police Station under Section 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which pertains to qatl-bis-sabab (manslaughter). “At about 6pm, my son Hassan Amir, aged five, while playing in the street, fell into a pit,” the victim’s father said in the FIR, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune. He said the child was rescued with the help of residents and taken to Indus Hospital, but later succumbed to injuries from the fall. “The responsible parties for my son’s death are the concerned administration, the Atomic Energy Society (Maraka) administration, and A&B Construction Company management,” the complainant said, demanding legal action and justice. Meanwhile, police said an investigation had been launched to determine responsibility for the child's death and whether safety measures had been ignored. Saddar Division Superintendent of Police Shah Rukh Khan visited the site of the incident and offered condolences to the bereaved family. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Lahore Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Mohammad Faisal Kamran said investigations were underway from multiple angles and that those found responsible would be proceeded against in accordance with the law. The incident prompted residents to demand immediate measures to cover uncovered manholes, saying they had become a persistent threat to the lives of citizens, particularly children. Also Read: Manhole victims' family in Punjab declines to pursue case Residents said valuable lives were being lost due to the negligence of the relevant authorities and called for immediate and effective steps to prevent such incidents from recurring. The tragedy revived memories of a similar incident in January this year, when a woman and her child died after falling into a manhole near Bhati Gate in Lahore. A similar incident was reported a month later in the city’s Raiwind area, where a two-and-a-half-year-old child died after falling into an open manhole. The incidents were not limited to Punjab’s capital, as such occurrences have frequently taken place in Karachi, leading to the deaths of several individuals, especially children. One of the worst incidents was reported in Karachi last year, when three-year-old Ibrahim fell into an open manhole near the Nipa Flyover in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. His body was recovered 15 hours later from a manhole near Sir Syed University on University Road, triggering widespread outrage.

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