Mental health issues on the rise in youth

A prominent psychiatrist Saturday asserts that the prevalent influence of smartphones and social media on young people's lives is exacting a devastating impact on their mental health, prompting an urgent call for collective action from parents, policymakers, and youth themselves to mitigate the damage. The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Department of Psychiatry Associate Professor Dr Nargis Asad in an interview with a news channel stressed that the alarming rise in mental health issues among young people is directly linked to excessive smartphone use and social media addiction. "The consequences of unchecked smartphone use and social media addiction are devastating," Dr warned. "We are seeing a surge in anxiety, depression, cyber-bullying, and sleep disorders among youth. We must take collective responsibility to mitigate these risks," she asserted. Dr Asad urged parents, educators, policymakers, and mental health professionals to join forces in promoting healthy digital habits among young people. "We need to educate youth about responsible smartphone use, set boundaries, and encourage offline activities," she said. She called for advocating policies that regulate social media companies and protect young users from harmful content. By working together, Dr Asad believes in creating a safer digital environment that supports the mental well-being of our youth. "The time for action is now," she emphasized. Excessive screen time has been linked to a decrease in children's attention spans, she said.

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Reshuffle targets May 9 judges in Punjab

In a major reshuffle, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has transferred and posted 48 lower court judges across the province, including several judges who were handling cases related to the May 9, 2023, incidents. District and sessions judges adjudicating May 9 cases in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sargodha, and Gujranwala have been replaced. The prosecution had accused these judges of being biased in favor of the alleged May 9 rioters—mostly PTI leaders and workers. The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) judge in Rawalpindi, Malik Ejaz Asif, has also been transferred to La-hore. He was presiding over 14 cases related to the May 9 incidents, and the prosecutors had raised objections to him. He was ordered to relinquish his charge immediately. However, a new judge for the Rawalpindi ATC has not yet been appointed. The district and sessions judges of Attock, Jhelum, and Chakwal have also been transferred. Sargo-dha's District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Abbas, who had written a letter to the LHC's former chief justice, Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan, about the alleged interference of some officials of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in court matters, has also been transferred. The LHC had initiated contempt proceedings based on the reports shared with the LHC registrar by Abbas and issued notices to all respondents, including the ISI Sargodha sector commander. Lahore's District and Sessions Judge Syed Ali Imran has been transferred to Rahim Yar Khan. A notification was issued following the approval of LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum. Judge Khalid Arshad, who was hearing the May 9 cases, has also been removed from his position and ordered to report to the LHC immediately. A notification in this regard has been issued, and Naseem Ahmed Virk has been appointed as the Sessions Judge of Lahore. Director General District Judiciary Sarfaraz Akhtar has been appointed as the Sessions Judge of Bahawalpur. Anti-Corruption Court Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta has also been removed from his position and ordered to report to the LHC immediately. Mianwali's District and Sessions Judge Qaisar Butt has also been ordered to report to the LHC. District and Sessions Judge Raja Ghazanfar Ali has been transferred from Jhelum to Okara.

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Govt considers shift to Thar coal for Chinese power plants to cut costs

The Ministry of Energy has established a four-member committee to explore the feasibility of transitioning Chinese-operated power plants in the country from imported coal to locally sourced coal from the Thar region. An energy ministry’s notification earlier this week announced the formation of a committee led by the additional secretary of the power division.  The committee’s tasks include preparing technical and financial feasibility studies for converting the power plants to use Thar coal, assessing the logistics for transporting coal from Thar mines to the plant sites, and developing a comprehensive implementation plan if the conversion proves feasible. Under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), China has invested over $20 billion in energy projects across Pakistan. Since 2017, three coal-fired power plants, each with a capacity of 1,320 megawatts, have been built—one in Sahiwal, one in Port Qasim, Karachi, and another in Hub, Balochistan.  Currently, these plants operate using imported coal, which incurs an annual cost of over $1.5 billion, as reported by a recent National University of Sciences and Technology study. Electricity generated from imported coal costs Rs20.02 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), whereas using indigenous coal would reduce this cost to Rs14.19/kWh.  The country’s total electricity generation capacity is approximately 41,268 megawatts, with nearly 47% of its power coming from imported fuels, including Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG), coal, and furnace oil. In February, the energy ministry had outlined plans to significantly increase domestic coal-fired electricity production and avoid new gas-fired plants.  According to Energy Minister Awais Leghari, this transition could potentially save Pakistan over Rs200 billion annually in import costs, reducing electricity prices by up to Rs2.5 per unit. Energy experts have noted that while converting the plants to use local coal is technically possible, it will require two to three years due to current limitations in coal supply.  Farhan Mahmood, head of research at Sherman Securities, explained that local coal, priced around $50 per ton, is significantly cheaper than imported coal, which costs about $120 per ton. However, the imported coal is of higher quality and efficiency with lower carbon emissions. Pakistan currently extracts about 7.6 million tons of coal per year from Thar and aims to increase this to 11 million tons within the next three years. Mahmood emphasised the need to enhance mining capacity to meet the demand for power plants and reduce reliance on costly imports.

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Federal cabinet approves talks with China for major ML-1 railway project

The federal cabinet has given the green light to initiate negotiations on the Financial Commitment Agreement between Pakistan Railways and China, aiming to upgrade the long-anticipated Mainline-1 (ML-1) project, a vital part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). During a cabinet meeting in Islamabad on Friday chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, it was decided that the final agreement for this advanced railway project would be brought back to the cabinet for approval. The ML-1 project, a key infrastructure development initiative, is set to proceed following the federal government’s approval of the annual budget plan for 2024-25 in June, which marked the beginning of CPEC’s second phase.  The government’s focus under this plan includes enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors such as industrial development, agricultural modernisation, socioeconomic growth, scientific research, infrastructure, and energy. Spanning 1,726 kilometres, the ML-1 railway project will be executed in three phases. Upon completion, it is expected to significantly boost Pakistan's logistics capabilities.  The Chinese government has committed to providing financial support for the project, potentially including loans on favourable terms. The financing details will be finalised through negotiations between the relevant departments of both countries. The upgraded ML-1 is planned to support train speeds of up to 160 km/h on its new tracks with an operational speed set at 120 km/h. This upgrade will increase the line's capacity from 34 to 120 trains per day, accommodating future population growth with a long-term perspective.  The improvements will ensure a combination of speed, reliability, and enhanced capacity in rail transport. The project aims to dramatically increase the ML-1's passenger handling capacity from the current 29 million to 170 million annually, while its freight capacity will rise from 8 million to 43 million tons. The envisioned upgrade of ML-1 is designed to meet the country’s passenger and freight needs for the next 25 to 30 years. However, some concerns have been raised by relevant ministries.  Notably, the current PC-I for ML-1 does not account for the cost and scope of rolling stock and security infrastructure. A separate PC-I, estimated at around Rs36 billion, is being processed to address the security aspects of the project.

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Provinces 'should' mirror Punjab power relief

The federal government wants the provinces to replicate the Punjab government's initiative, led by the PML-N, to allocate funds for providing relief to power consumers using up to 500 units. While welcoming the relief package announced by the Punjab government, the cabinet in a recent meeting urged other provinces to follow suit and provide similar relief to the less privileged consumers. The cabinet was informed that to replicate the Punjab government's initiative, Sindh would need to allocate around Rs10 billion, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Rs8 billion, and Balochistan Rs500 million. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif asserted during the meeting that the government was committed to providing every possible relief to the common man. Elaborating on the recent measures, the premier stated that a sum of Rs50 billion had been diverted from the PSDP 2024-25 to provide relief to consumers using up to 200 units of electricity per month for three months, starting from July 2024. He welcomed the relief package offered by the Punjab government, which diverted Rs45 billion to provide relief for two months to electricity consumers using up to 500 units. The prime minister further informed the cabinet that the federal government, in partnership with the Balochistan government, had launched a project worth Rs70 billion to convert 28,000 tube wells in Balochistan from electric power to solar energy. He stated that Rs50 billion would be contributed by the federal government, while the remaining Rs20 billion would be provided by the Balochistan government. In a similar vein, the prime minister assured the allocation of Rs28 billion for the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to provide relief from rising electricity prices. The cabinet members, Ministry of Finance, and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) were asked to formulate a workable solution to raise resources that could be utilized to provide further relief to the common man. The prime minister highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to stabilize the economy, drawing parallels to its success in averting default in 2022. He described the agreement with the IMF as a positive indicator for the economy but warned that the conditions related to taxation imposed by the money lender would be demanding and must be addressed. The premier expressed satisfaction with the government's efforts, noting a drop in inflation from 38 per cent three years ago to the current rate of 11.5 per cent. He also expressed satisfaction that revenue generation had made a significant leap, exceeding Rs9 trillion in FY 2023-24, with an estimated Rs13 trillion expected in FY 2024-25. He highlighted rising Foreign Direct Investment, increasing foreign remittances, and growth in agricultural and information technology exports as positive indicators of economic progress. He expressed hope that the positive momentum in key economic indicators, combined with prudent fiscal policies, would establish a solid foundation for sustained growth.

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Kundi meets senior PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has expressed his desire to unite all political forces in the province in his efforts to secure the province's rightful share of resources and rights. "A strong, democratic, and stable federation was also the vision of [PPP chairperson and former prime minister] Benazir Bhutto Shaheed," Kundi, who is a member of the PPP, said on Thursday. The governor made these remarks while speaking to journalists after a meeting with senior PPP leader Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan in Punjab's provincial capital. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the political situation in both the country and the K-P. Later, Kundi described individuals like Aitzaz Ahsan, "who uphold democracy and principles," as assets to the country. He said it was important to hold "consultation and seek guidance from the party's senior leadership." Aitzaz Ahsan also congratulated Kundi on his appointment as the K-P governor. He praised Kundi's role in advocating for the province's rights within the federation, calling it commendable.

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Imran firm on PTI's Sept 8 rally

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Thursday urged the people of the country to attend the party's rally in Islamabad on September 8. He called on supporters to defy any obstacles that might be created to prevent them from participating in the event. Talking to reporters during the hearing of the £190 million case inside the Adiala Jail, Imran said that he condemned terrorism because it was harming the country. He denied report that he had directed the party leaders, who had gone into hiding, to resurface. Imran said that the PTI rally in Islamabad would take place as per schedule. "Now there will be a gathering in Islamabad on September 8. I am asking the entire nation to come out on September 8. Do not tolerate any kind of obstruction on that day," he said. The PTI founder denied reports that he had directed the party leaders, who were in hiding, to resurface. "The leaders in hiding are advised not to come out yet. If our people come out, they will be picked up. We are not afraid of jail, but the problem is that our people are kidnapped," he charged. Imran reiterated that peace could be restored through transparent elections. He mentioned the rejection of his plans for introducing the electronic voting machines (EVMs) by the then army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). "On February 8, they stole our mandate. Our people won by 60,000-70,000 votes. If four constituencies are opened, their theft will be caught. People don't trust the rulers. The country has been made a banana republic," he claimed. He accused the government of conspiring with the chief justice of Pakistan to steal the PTI's mandate. The results of those four constituencies would be opened after the retirement of Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa and then this government would fall, Imran claimed. Imran said that he condemned terrorism because it was harming the country. He proposed a dialogue with the Afghan Taliban government to stop terrorist acts, stressing that terrorism in the country could not end without the cooperation of the Kabul regime. "I suggest that we have to talk to Afghanistan to end terrorism from Pakistan," he told reporters. "We [the then PTI government] talked to an anti-Pakistan government of [former Afghan President] Ashraf Ghani, so the problem of terrorism could be solved," he added. He also mentioned the increasing incidents of terrorism in Balochistan, attacks in the Katcha areas and street crimes. He added that the government had failed in its efforts to contain this menace. "You send Afghan refugees back, did the terrorism end? Terrorism has not ended, but hatred has increased."

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Pakistan awards $2 billion KKH contract to China

Pakistan on Thursday relaxed bidding rules to directly award a $2 billion contract to China for the construction of a strategically important road and also approved Rs78 billion in incentive package for its banks and exchange companies to boost foreign remittances. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb-led Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet approved to invoke a special rule to exempt the requirement for the international competitive bidding to award a contract to Chinese firms for the construction of a section of the Karakoram Highway. The Thakot-Raikot section of the highway is critical to keep China-Pakistan connected through the land route. The ECC considered a summary of the Ministry of Communications regarding the Execution of Framework Agreement between China and Pakistan on Realignment of KKH (Thakot-Raikot) under CPEC, according to a statement by the Ministry of Finance. After detailed discussions and deliberations, and in order to comply with the codal requirements, the ECC allowed the Ministry of Communications and National Highway Authority to proceed with provisions of the Framework Agreement in accordance with provisions of rule-5 of Public Procurement Rules, 2004 for procurement of construction of realignment of KKH (Thakot-Raikot Section 241 KM) project under CPEC (Phase-II), it added. Pakistan had signed the framework agreement for the construction of Thakot-Raikot section of Karakoram Highway in June this year during the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Beijing. China will give a $2 billion loan for the project. The existing road portion will be submerged due to the construction of the Diamer-Basha, Dasu, Azad Pattan and Thakot dams along the road. Pakistan's highest project approval authority has already given clearance to the 13.1 billion Chinese Yuan or $2 billion worth project. According to the framework agreement, the Chinese companies will be responsible for the engineering design, procurement and construction (EPC) and supervision work. The identification of the Chinese companies for the project will culminate in selection of one company or a consortium after due negotiations on all technical and financial considerations with the Pakistani institutions responsible for the project, according to the agreement. China will provide a list of the recommended Chinese companies and Pakistan will select one of those for the construction work. Pakistan will use Chinese equipment for the construction of the project. The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority law binds the government to give contracts through competitive bidding. However, the PPRA rule 5 states that whenever these rules are in conflict with an obligation or commitment of the federal government arising out of an international treaty or an agreement with a state, or any international financial institution the provisions of such international treaty or agreement shall prevail to the extent of such conflict. The ECC also approved to relax competitive process conditions for hiring of foreign consultants for the construction of Chakdara-Timergara road connecting Peshawar with Chitral. The Export-Import Bank of South Korea has given a $49 million loan for the project but on the condition that the consultants will be hired as per its desire. The Chairman ECC Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb directed that in future no foreign loans should be taken for those road projects, which cannot generate enough revenues to pay off these liabilities. Pakistan's external financing position remains thin and the government took a couple of incentives to ease pressure on the foreign exchange reserves. The government on Thursday banned the payment of pensions to retired pensioners residing abroad in foreign currency. The condition will be applicable on those who were recruited after January 1959. The ECC also approved a Rs78 billion incentive package for the commercial bank and foreign exchange companies to attract foreign remittances. The ECC approved revisions in incentives for the Reimbursement of Telegraphic Transfer (TT) Charges scheme and Incentive Scheme for Exchange Companies. It approved a Rs68 billion package to the commercial banks and another Rs10 billion for the exchange companies. The total benefit that the ECC approved to give these incentives amounted to Rs78 billion. The remittances grew 10.7% last fiscal year to $30.3 billion, which the Finance Ministry attributed to its Remittances Initiative Scheme. The telegraphic transfer incentive was increased from Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR) from 20 to SAR 30 in the last fiscal year. The ECC approved the flat reimbursement rate of SAR to be divided into fixed and variable components. The variable incentive is linked with the incremental rise in the home remittances. The fixed incentive will be SAR 20 for all eligible transactions of $100 or more. For showing up to 10% increase in remittance the bank will get the benefit of additional SAR 8. For showing more than 10% growth, the bank will get the incentive of another SAR 7, taking his total additional benefit of SAR 15 or 50%. The total benefit per $100 transaction to a bank would be in the range of SAR 28 to SAR 35. The ECC approved to also increase the benefits of the exchange companies and divided the benefits into fixed and variable charges. On submission of 100% foreign exchange, the exchange companies are currently receiving Rs1 additional against each dollar mobilized. The ECC approved increasing the fixed benefit of a company for per $100 surrender from Rs1 to Rs2. Likewise, the exchange company will get Rs3 per $100 for showing 5% increase or $25 million whichever is lower. For showing over 5% increase the dealer will get Rs4 per every $100.

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PML-N keeps mum on Nawaz's London trip

With the speculations rife that PML-N President Nawaz Sharif is gearing up for a medical trip to London in the coming weeks, the party has remained tight-lipped, neither confirming nor denying the reports. According to media reports, the former prime minister is expected to jet off to London in September for a checkup cum treatment, with plans to stay for over two weeks for routine medical evaluations. However, two senior party leaders flatly refused to comment on the matter, asserting they were in the dark about Nawaz Sharif's travel itinerary. Senator Irfan Siddiqui, known as a close confidant of the PML-N chief, remarked that Nawaz undergoes medical checkups periodically. He added that if Nawaz does indeed travel to London, it would be a routine visit—though he, too, claimed no knowledge of any specific travel plans. Following the PML-N's rise to power in Islamabad and Punjab, a feat allegedly facilitated by the establishment, Nawaz has largely remained in the shadows, making only rare and carefully orchestrated media appearances. His most recent appearance, which ignited controversy, involved a pre-recorded and edited address where he announced a two-month electricity subsidy exclusively for Punjab. The address, disguised as a press conference, left even beat journalists baffled and pondering over the motive behind such a deceptive presentation. The government's tight grip on public advertising – and its arsenal of punitive measures against media outlets at its whims – has severely restricted the space for pointing out factual errors in its narrative. Nawaz's attempt to revive his worn-out "why was I ousted" narrative in his last appearance was seen by many as a bid to re-enter the political area. However, the move proved to be a grave miscalculation by political pundits. In reality, political analysts have been speculating about Nawaz Sharif's formal return to national politics since he reclaimed the party's leadership from his younger brother, Shehbaz Sharif, the current Prime Minister of Pakistan, earlier this year. In hindsight, it appears this move was aimed at consolidating power within Jati Umrah. Many within the party believe Nawaz is reluctant to be perceived as a beneficiary of the current setup, which is why he often reminisces about his past hardships. At this point, however, Nawaz Sharif is left with little room for manoeuvre to play the victim card, given that his party, at least on paper, controls the federal government and Punjab, the country's most crucial province. Speculation abounds that his strategy of maintaining an ambiguous stance is a calculated effort to keep all his options open.

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CPEC 2.0: Govt to start work on five new economic corridors

Pakistan and China will start work on five new economic corridors with the backing of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a joint civil-military body established by Pakistan last year to attract foreign investment, as reported by Radio Pakistan on Wednesday. This initiative marks the beginning of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a central component of China's Belt and Road Initiative. Pakistan has reported completing over 50 CPEC projects valued at $25 billion, with an additional $65 billion pledged for further infrastructure development in the country. The new economic corridors are set to include the Innovation Corridor, Livelihood Corridor, Green Energy Corridor, Regional Development Corridor, and Employment Creation Corridor, according to the report.  However, these projects have faced challenges, particularly from militants in Balochistan, where China is developing the Gwadar deep-sea port and managing a gold and copper mine.  On Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif indicated that recent attacks by separatist militants in Balochistan, which resulted in over 50 deaths, were aimed at disrupting CPEC development efforts in the province. Beijing has previously expressed concerns about the safety of its nationals involved in projects in Pakistan, especially in Balochistan.  In March, six Chinese engineers working on a dam project in northwest Pakistan were killed, and Balochistan’s Gwadar port, operated by China, has also been targeted.

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'Largest bank robbery in Islamabad in a decade': Robbers loot Rs30m in daylight heist

A major heist, the largest in a decade in Islamabad, occurred at a private bank in Shehzad Town, involving a robbery worth Rs30 million. Armed robbers attacked the bank during daylight, resulting in the death of one security guard and severe injuries to another. According to police sources, three unidentified armed robbers arrived in an Alto car at the Allied Bank branch in 17 Mile Jhangi Syedan. As the bank's cash collection vehicle was transferring cash, the robbers opened fire indiscriminately. Suleiman, a security guard from a private security company, was killed on the spot, while Tariq, another guard, was critically injured and taken to the hospital. Police have stated that this is the largest bank robbery in Islamabad in the past 10 years. In response, Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi has ordered the formation of special investigation teams under DIG Syed Ali Raza. The teams will include the SSP Operations, SP Organised Crime Unit, and other relevant SPs. The IGP emphasised that the police teams are working to apprehend the suspects as quickly as possible.

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Govt fails to secure $9b loan rollovers

An official report on disbursement of foreign loans confirmed on Tuesday that the government was unable to secure $9 billion in debt rollovers last month, receiving only $426 million from international lenders in July. The Ministry of Economic Affairs published its monthly disbursement report, revealing that no loans were secured from foreign commercial banks or bilateral creditors—sources the government is urgently trying to tap for the necessary foreign funding to stay afloat. The rollover of Chinese, Saudi Arabian, and United Arab Emirates cash deposits, along with raising new loans from foreign commercial banks, are prerequisites for the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) approval of a $7 billion bailout package. The Ministry of Economic Affairs has listed $5 billion in Saudi Arabian debt and $4 billion in Chinese debt as part of the federal government's rollover plan. However, the $3 billion UAE deposit is accounted for on the central bank's balance sheet. The report noted that no disbursements were made against these loans last month. The IMF had initially scheduled the approval of the $7 billion programme for August 30 but deferred it due to the government's inability to secure the necessary rollovers. This marks the first official confirmation of the failure to materialise these transactions. The IMF's new Extended Fund Facility (EFF) assumes that Pakistan will remain current on its external and domestic debt repayments. The $12 billion cash deposit rollover and $4 billion commercial loan are integral to the IMF's debt sustainability plans, yet both the IMF and the government have avoided addressing the pressing need for debt restructuring. Sources indicated that if Pakistan and Saudi Arabia finalise the sale of 15% shares in the Reko-Diq mining project by early September, Saudi Arabia might expedite Pakistan's $5 billion rollover request and approve an additional $1.2 billion oil financing facility. For the current fiscal year, the government has not included the $1.2 billion oil financing facility in its annual $19.2 billion total borrowing plan. However, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has already requested the facility from Saudi Finance Minister Muhammad Al-Jadaan. Last week, the finance minister stated that the IMF might approve the new package in September, though he did not specify a date. Any further delay in the $7 billion IMF deal approval could complicate matters for the federal government. Despite imposing a record Rs1.8 trillion in new taxes, the government now faces the additional challenge of an anticipated shortfall in Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) tax collection. If the IMF approval is delayed until October, the lender might demand a mini-budget before approving the loan package to cover any tax collection shortfalls. The government has set a Rs898 billion tax collection target for the FBR this month. As of Tuesday, the FBR has collected only Rs575 billion, leaving Rs323 billion to be collected in just four days—an average of Rs81 billion per day. Internal FBR assessments suggest a possible shortfall of around Rs80 billion, which the FBR is now trying to cover by taking advances from commercial banks, according to sources. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed his trusted officer, Rashid Langrial, as the new FBR chairman. This will be the first major test for Langrial to meet the target and fulfill the expectations of the PM's Office. The Ministry of Economic Affairs report also highlighted that the World Bank provided a $132.4 million loan last month, with $11 million allocated to the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC), $80 million for two flood-related projects in Sindh, and $26 million for a Punjab agriculture project. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) disbursed $52 million for multiple schemes, while China provided $97 million for the Pakistan Multi-Mission Satellite project. Additionally, the country received $128 million from the Naya Pakistan Certificates, which come at a high cost. However, there were no disbursements against the annual projected budget estimates of $3.8 billion from foreign commercial banks. Pakistan also plans to borrow $1 billion through sovereign bonds this fiscal year, including $300 million through Chinese Panda bonds and $700 million through Green bonds.

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Imran alleges assassination plots

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan claimed on Monday that conspiracies were hatched twice in the past to assassinate him, and said that his jail cell was hot like an oven but despite that he did not want any relief for himself. Talking to reporters during the hearing of £190 million case in Adiala Jail, Imran said that his staff at the jail cell had been changed for the fourth time, including the person who tested his food. He also said that there was problem of rats in cell of his wife, Bushra Bibi. The PTI founder said that cricket was a popular sport in Pakistan but they [government favourites] had destroyed the game. "Our team did not reach the first four and 8 teams in the T20 World Cup. Yesterday, Pakistan lost to Bangladesh," Imran said. "After [Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman] Mohsin Naqvi's surgery, we also lost to Bangladesh," he added. He recalled that only two and a half years ago, Pakistan team had defeated India by 10 wickets [in 2021 T20 World Cup]. "What happened in two and a half years," he asked The PTI lamented a poor law and order situation in the country. "The law and order situation in Balochistan and the country is in front of everyone. People are martyred every day in K-P [Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa] and Balochistan. Policemen were martyred in Punjab," he said. "On the other hand, a Form-47 government is imposed on the country, which could neither bring reforms, nor reduce government expenditures. Only a government with public mandate can do this," he said. "All their money and property are [stashed] abroad." The PTI founder was asked about reports that party leader Azam Swati had met him in jail after Mohsin Naqvi's contact with K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. Imran replied that this whole government was running on lies. "I have no connection with the establishment. If we talked to the establishment, it would only be for the country and the Constitution. I don't want any relief for myself," he said. He said that government did not want the people to talk about even the internet disruption.

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Court extends Orya Maqbool Jan's remand in cybercrime case by four days

A local court on Monday extended the physical remand of Orya Maqbool Jan by another four days in connection with a cybercrime case. Earlier, the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing presented Jan before a judicial magistrate at the district courts, seeking an extension of his remand to continue their investigations.  The investigating officer reported that substantial material had been recovered from Jan’s social media accounts.  He stated that a WhatsApp group had been identified in which anti-state activities, including comments against high-ranking state officials, were observed. Jan was said to have spoken extensively against the state in these posts. The FIA’s prosecutor informed the court that anti-state posts targeting the judiciary and senior officials were found on Jan’s social media accounts.  He explained that these posts were shared from a WhatsApp group, suggesting that Jan acted under a specific agenda.  The prosecutor also mentioned that notices had been issued to two other members of the group and pleaded with the court to extend Jan’s remand to complete the investigation. Jan’s counsel, however, opposed the request, urging the court to discharge his client. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved its decision for a short time. Later, in its announced verdict, the court extended Jan’s physical remand for an additional four days and ordered his reappearance on August 30. The FIA has charged Jan with spreading religious hatred and making statements against state institutions.

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NDMA forecasts more rains from today

The National Emergency Operations Centre of the NDMA has anticipated more rains and thundershower in Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, AJK and Gilgit Baltistan from August 26 to 29. "Heavy rainfall may trigger landslides in hilly areas and flood may also occur in low laying areas of Gujranwala Division, Lahore Division, Sahiwal Division, twin cities , Attock, Murree, Galliyat, Chakwal, Tala Gang, Jhelum, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Rahimyar Khan; Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Muzaffargarh; Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot and Multan," the NDMA said in a statement on Sunday.

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SC issues written order on vote recounting appeal

Supreme Court has issued the written verdict about rejection of PMLN candidate's appeal for recounting of votes in NA-97. A five-page order was written by Naeem Akhtar Afghan. According to the verdict, the applicant filed a request for the recounting of votes. After the rejection of the request by the returning officer, he filed a petition in the High Court and then ECP. The court verdict stated no date was mentioned on Gohar Ali Khan's request nor did it carry his signature. As per record, the final results were announced on February 10. In view of the facts, the ECP could not have given an order for recounting.

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PM Shehbaz directs swift transition to paperless offices, warns against delays

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday instructed the Ministry of Information Technology and other relevant departments to implement the e-office system in all government offices.  He emphasised the importance of transitioning to a paperless work environment within the next month and warned that any delays would not be tolerated. “There should be no file work conducted without the e-office system starting next month,” the PM stated. He highlighted that the e-office implementation is a top priority for increasing transparency and efficiency within the government. All government officers are required to ensure that file work is conducted through the e-office system. Following the PM's directive, the staff at the PM Office has already completed their e-office training, according to a notification. PM Shehbaz described the e-office initiative as a significant step towards enhancing governance and promoting digitisation in the country. He also directed that a progress report on the e-office implementation be presented within the next two weeks.

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Khawaja Asif claims PTI cancelled rally over inability to achieve desired impact

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has alleged that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally was cancelled because it was failing to achieve its intended impact. Speaking to the media at his residence on Sunday, Asif claimed that if the rally had been successful, PTI founder Imran Khan would never have called it off, attributing the cancellation to PTI's inability to draw the expected crowds. Asif also criticised the recent public appearance of PTI leader Azam Swati, who he claimed had been missing for an extended period but reappeared in jail early in the morning, posing as a false representative of the establishment. "The discussions between Azam Swati and Imran Khan will eventually come to light. The establishment had no role in the cancellation of the rally," Asif asserted. He added that discussions in jails are not kept secret, citing the presence of 16 cameras in his own cell as evidence. The defence minister expressed scepticism about PTI's narratives, suggesting that the party's rhetoric about being poisoned was unfounded and aimed at creating another crisis akin to the events of May 9. He accused PTI of promoting a narrative of rebellion against the state. He also criticiced international media coverage of Pakistan, noting that 130 articles had appeared criticising the country, which he described as part of a Zionist agenda, or what some call "Operation Goldsmith." He said these plans were designed to undermine and destroy Pakistan. He further condemned the delay in justice for those involved in the May 9 events, noting that while similar cases in the UK are swiftly resolved, the accused in Pakistan have yet to face penalties even after 1.5 years. Asif raised questions about the masterminds behind the May 9 incidents and the scriptwriters of the events, hinting that new revelations are emerging. He mentioned the conversations of PTI members Aleema Khan and Raoof Hasan as indicative of a broader Zionist conspiracy, suggesting that while PTI's popularity is waning in Pakistan, their foreign agenda continues unabated. The defence minister concluded by affirming a strong defence of Pakistan's unity against external agendas. He criticiced certain PTI members, including Ali Amin Gandapur, for internal conflicts and corruption within the party, labelling the entire leadership from its founder to its current members as corrupt.

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Utility Stores face potential shutdown

A senior government official on Friday informed a parliamentary panel that the government is considering shutting down the Utility Stores Corporation (USC), a chain of stores across the country that provides grocery items at subsidized rates. At a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on the Ministry of Industries and Production, the secretary of industries and production stated that the federal government may close the USC as part of a right-sizing initiative. "The decisions of the right-sizing committee will be forwarded to the cabinet. The Ministry of Industries will provide an action plan for the closure. A package for employees is being developed, as the government is pursuing privatization due to financial difficulties," he said. Speaking to The Express Tribune, USC General Manager Inayatullah Dola said a formal plan will be prepared for shutting down this government-owned enterprise. "The decision regarding the employees of the USC will be made according to the plan, and the right-sizing committee will provide recommendations to the government on the matter," he added. The USC is a state-owned enterprise in Pakistan, established with the primary goal of providing essential commodities to the public at subsidized rates. Operating a vast network of retail outlets across the country, the USC aims to ensure the availability of basic food items and household goods at affordable prices, particularly for lower-income groups. Officials also briefed the Senate Standing Committee on the government's auto policy. They revealed that fewer than 1 million cars are produced annually in Pakistan. Forty-five licenses have been issued for the manufacturing of electric motorcycles and rickshaws. Currently, 13 car brands are operating in the country, and Pakistan has the capacity to produce 5 million cars. Last fiscal year, the government earned Rs300 billion in taxes from car sales. Senator Saleem Mandviwalla remarked that Toyota vehicles were exported from Sri Lanka, whereas cars manufactured in Pakistan are of such low quality that they cannot be exported. However, officials noted that tractors and rickshaws are being exported. Committee Chairman Senator Aon Abbas Buppi asked whether there was under-invoicing in the import of MG vehicles. Mandviwalla responded that the matter had been resolved by the court. Officials further stated that the 4% export target for vehicles was not met this year because companies did not secure export orders and obtained court stays. The government had not provided any incentives for exports. Ministry of Industries and Production officials also stated that the demand for warehousing in the country is increasing, and a summary to classify warehousing as an industry is under consideration by the federal cabinet. The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet has already approved granting industry status to warehousing. The committee fully supports the warehousing policy.

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Monsoon spell predicted, flood alert issued

The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an alert for more monsoon rains across the province. The new spell of monsoon rains is expected to begin on Sunday and continue till August 29. The rains are expected in Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Sahiwal and Gujrat divisions. Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan and Bahawalpur divisions are at risk of flash flooding due to heavy rains. Due to heavy downpour in the Sulaiman and Kirthar range, there is a fear of flood in the hill torrents. The PDMA issued instructions to commissioners, DCs, WASA, irrigation department, rescue, civil defence and other departments to remain alert. PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said an alert has been issued to the administration across the province regarding the weather situation. He said the administration should take special measures in view of possible monsoon rains on the occasion of Chehlum, avoid gatherings at dilapidated rooftops and buildings.

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Suspect arrested for posting offensive content against judges, intelligence agencies

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing has arrested a suspect for allegedly uploading offensive content against judges, sensitive agencies, and government officials on social media. According to an FIA spokesperson, the suspect, Abdul Waheed, was apprehended during a raid in Sialkot. Authorities also recovered a mobile phone and other related materials from his possession. The FIA has taken control of the social media accounts used by the suspect, including his Facebook account and other platforms. The spokesperson stated, “The accused was sharing offensive and fabricated content related to judges, sensitive institutions, and the government on social media. He has been presented in court, and physical remand has been obtained for further investigation.”

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$3.7m project completed with Japan's help

The UNDP has successfully completed the $3.7 million project 'Strengthening Tsunami and Earthquake Preparedness in Coastal Areas of Pakistan' with the support of the Japanese government. According to a press release issued on Friday, the projected was completed in partnership with the Economic Affairs Division and the PDMAs of Sindh and Balochistan. Through the project, the UNDP addressed a critical development challenge in the coastal districts of Malir, West/Keamari in Karachi, and Gwadar by reducing tsunami risks and their potential impact on the coastal communities in Pakistan.

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K-P health authorities shut down medical lab over irregularities in GCC worker tests

Health authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) sealed a medical laboratory in Peshawar on Friday following a surprise inspection of facilities approved by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for conducting medical tests required by Pakistani workers seeking employment in Gulf countries. The GCC countries play a vital role in supporting Pakistan’s economy by providing jobs to a large number of Pakistani workers, who send billions of dollars in remittances back home annually. As part of the recruitment process, these workers must undergo medical examinations at GCC-authorised labs. During the recent inspections, K-P health officials identified 'discrepancies' in the medical tests conducted at the Medical Diagnostic Centre in Peshawar. The findings led to the immediate closure of the facility. "The inspection team thoroughly reviewed the laboratory's facilities, verified records, and assessed staff qualifications," as reported by APP, adding, "Irregularities in the lab results were uncovered, prompting the decision to seal the centre." Following the discovery, a corruption case has been referred to the provincial health care commission for further investigation and legal proceedings, APP added. Peshawar and its surrounding regions are key departure points for Pakistani labourers, including drivers and construction workers, who seek employment opportunities in the GCC. 

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Congo virus case confirmed in Balochistan amid global mpox alert

Health authorities in Balochistan confirmed a new case of the Congo virus on Friday as the country remains on high alert due to the ongoing global mpox outbreak. The virus, known scientifically as Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), carries a fatality rate ranging from 10% to 40%, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). This means that out of every 100 people infected, between 10 and 40 could die, depending on the timeliness of treatment, the quality of healthcare, and the patient's overall health condition. CCHF is primarily transmitted through tick bites or contact with the blood or tissues of infected animals. The virus is endemic in several regions, including parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia. In the latest case, a 14-year-old boy named Siraj Ahmed from Khanozai, a town 77 kilometres from Quetta, tested positive for the virus, according to a senior doctor at Quetta’s Fatima Jinnah Chest Hospital. The patient is currently receiving treatment in the hospital's dedicated Congo isolation ward. Dr Zubair Mandokhail, the deputy medical superintendent at the hospital, mentioned that another suspected case is under observation, with confirmation pending. Balochistan has reported 23 cases of Congo fever so far this year, resulting in five deaths since January. Medical professionals in the region note that the incidence of Congo fever typically spikes during the summer, particularly around Eid Al-Adha, an Islamic festival where large numbers of animals are slaughtered. The festival season often sees an influx of Afghan patients with the virus seeking better medical care in Quetta, further straining local healthcare facilities. Dr Ali Ahmed Reki, the medical superintendent at Fatima Jinnah Chest Hospital, revealed that nearly 45 suspected cases have been handled this year, with 23 confirmed as positive. "We regularly receive suspected Congo virus patients, but the numbers tend to increase around Eid Al-Adha when many people visit cattle markets to purchase sacrificial animals," Dr Reki informed.

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15 cops martyred as kutcha dacoits ambush police

As many as 15 policemen lost their lives when the riverine dacoits ambushed two police mobile vans in Rahim Yar Khan on Tuesday. The police sources said around two-dozen police personnel were deployed at Machka Camp 2 in the riverine area. They were returning to Rahim Yar Khan in two police mobile vans for weekly holiday when one of their vehicles broke down due to stagnant floodwater in the area. Seeing policemen trapped in the rainwater, the riverine dacoits fired rockets at the police party, leaving 15 of them dead. Two policemen sustained injuries in the attack while four were missing. Police reinforcements were dispatched to the riverine area immediately after the incident and security personnel were put on high alert across the province. The Punjab government declared emergency at Shaikh Zaid Hospital and THQ Hospital Sadiqabad. Additionally, doctors' holidays have been cancelled and they have been directed to report to duty. Taking notice of the incident, Chief Minister Punjab Marriyum Nawaz Sharif and IG Punjab Dr Usman Anwar sought report from RPO Bahawalpur and DPO Rahim Yar Khan. Meanwhile, a police spokesman confirmed the deaths of nine policemen in the attack, adding four others were injured. Condemnations pour in President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the attack on a police convoy by riverine area dacoits in Rahim Yar Khan. A press release from the President's House stated that the president extended his condolences to the families of the police officers, who were martyred in the attack. The president emphasized the need for strict action against criminals in the Kacha area and warned that attacks on personnel of police and law enforcement agencies would not be tolerated. He paid tribute to the martyred policemen and prayed for their elevated ranks. He also wished for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident. Punjab Chief Minister Marriyum Nawaz condemned the attack on policemen and expressed condolences with the bereaved families. Deputy Commissioner Khurram Parvaiz expressed grief over the deaths of policemen in the outlaws' attack. He said the perpetrators of the heinous attack will be made an example. He added that such cowardly actions could not shake the morale of the government and the law-enforcement personnel. The lawyers' fraternity announced a day of mourning. A press release issued by the District Bar Association said the lawyers' community will observe a day of mourning over the incident. The lawyers expressed solidarity with the police and described the incident as a cowardly act.

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SC expunges disputed paras from Mubarak Sani case verdict

In an unprecedented move, the Supreme Court on Thursday amended its February 6, 2024 order and July 24 verdict in the Mubarak Sani case, expunging all controversial paragraphs. The apex court accepted the federal government's miscellaneous application for amendments in the case's review decision. The court ruled that the expunged paragraphs cannot be used as judicial precedent in the future. Religious scholars, including JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Mufti Taqi Usmani and others urged the court to remove paragraphs 7, 42, and 49-C from the verdict, citing concerns over the interpretation of proselytisation. The Mubarak Sani case pertains to an Ahmadi man who was granted bail on February 6, 2024 by a three-member bench of the apex court led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa. Sani had been accused of an offence in 2019 and subsequently convicted under the Punjab Holy Quran (Printing and Recording) (Amendment) Act, 2021. The bench noted that the offence with which the defendant was charged had not been criminalised until 2021. As a result, Sani was granted bail, and his immediate release was ordered. Following this decision, a campaign was launched against Chief Justice Isa, despite the Supreme Court issuing a clarification regarding the order. The Punjab government quickly filed a review petition against the February 6 order, arguing that paragraph 9 of the order, which pertained to Article 20 of the Constitution, needed modification to clarify that the rights of citizens, as envisaged in the Constitution, are not absolute but are subject to law, public order, and morality. On July 24, the Supreme Court accepted the Punjab government's review petition and declared that the right to profess religion and religious freedom, as guaranteed by the Constitution, was subject to laws, morality, and public order. However, some religious and political parties remain unsatisfied and initiated protests against the order. The Council of Islamic Ideology also raised concerns, urging the court to reconsider its decision. On August 18, federal government approached the Supreme Court, seeking removal of certain portions from its July 24 order in the case. In its application, the federal government argued that some observations and findings in the judgment appear to be accidental errors, contrary to the precedents set by the court in its judgment in the titled criminal review petition. "Therefore, these portions of the judgment in the titled criminal review petition merit correction by this court," the application stated. The court had sought the assistance of religious scholars, including Mufti Taqi Usmani and Maulana Fazlur Rehman, on the matter. The chief justice asked the scholars to identify errors in the decision. The scholars requested either a revision of the ruling or its annulment. On Thursday, a three-member bench led by chief justice, and comprising Justice Aminud Din Khan and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan heard the federal government's appeal. Mufti Taqi Usmani forwarded his recommendations via video link from Turkiye while Maulana Fazl and other religious scholars were present in the court. At the outset of the hearing, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan informed the court that the federal government had filed the miscellaneous application on the directives of the prime minister. Fazl requested the court to limit its role to granting bail. On one occasion, when one of the respondents, Jawad Ali Naqvi, who appeared via video link from Lahore, said that judges should not take decision under pressure, the top judge responded that the "day I feel I pressured I will go home". Senior lawyer Latif Khosa then appeared before the court and requested that his and Sunni Ittehad Council chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza's names be added to the list of respondents as well. "We are representing the parliamentary committee and the Parliament," Khosa said. "Khosa sahib, parliament has a great authority. Parliament can even strike down court orders. You can even get the decision struck down by the parliament," the top judge said. Another respondent, Hafiz Ahsaan Khokhar, who appeared before the court on behalf of Prof Sajid Mir, said that instead of expunging the paragraphs, the court should issue a new order. He noted that further confusion would be created if any of the paragraphs were not expunged, adding that the court should begin correcting the Mubarak Sani case from its initial decision. Supporting Hafiz Ahsaan's point of view, Fazl took the rostrum and stated that it would be appropriate for the court to annul both verdicts in the case. The JUI-F chief stated that he did not want anyone to exploit the ambiguity in the court's decision, adding that all the ulema would agree on this point. In his arguments, Fazl noted that the court was now having a second review of its decision. The top judge replied that it was not a second review to which the JUI-F chief replied that then it would be a "review". "Now at the age of 72, I am standing before a court for the first time," Fazl said, noting that God had kept him "safe from courts". "We are not that bad," the chief justice quipped in response. "Your father, Mufti Mahmood, visited our house to offer condolences on the death of my father." Fazl then lamented that despite parliament establishing a committee in 1974 to declare Ahmadis non-Muslims, the committee's decision has yet to be published on parliament's website. The chief justice replied that it would be an "interference" if he said anything to the Parliament. Later, the apex court issued a short written order in the case. The order stated that the federal government had filed a miscellaneous application for amending the court's July 24 verdict, noting that a unanimous resolution had also been passed for this purpose in parliament. The ulema expressed reservations on several paragraphs of the impugned judgment. The short order said that the court, amending the February 6 order and July 24 verdict, expunged the impugned paragraphs. The court ordered that the expunged paragraphs not be used as judicial precedent in the future. It further said that the trial court should decide this case in accordance with the law without being affected by these paragraphs. The apex court stated that it would issue a detailed verdict in the case later.

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Bilawal expresses discontent with PM over lack of progress in Punjab agreement

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday expressed disappointment to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif regarding the lack of progress on an earlier agreement addressing issues faced by two allied parties in Punjab. Bilawal stressed that the absence of consultation on key matters was straining the alliance. During a meeting at the PM House, Bilawal voiced his concerns about inflation and issues in the power sector, particularly the provision of relief only to Punjab, despite the entire country facing inflated power bills. He emphasised that the federal government must play a crucial role in addressing national issues. "PPP has expressed its concerns that it is not being consulted or taken into confidence on key issues," PPP spokesperson Shazia Marri told The Express Tribune. She noted that the PPP felt sidelined, particularly in Punjab, with the party's proposals being ignored. Marri highlighted that the PPP had been consistently sidelined, particularly during the budget preparation, which she said violated the agreement reached between the two parties post-elections. She added that earlier agreements concerning Punjab had not yet been addressed. In return for supporting the PML-N on budgetary and other issues, the PPP had linked its support to receiving a greater share in Punjab's administration and development budget. The PPP also demanded that local bodies' elections be held without delay and that ongoing development schemes continue to receive funding. "Greater consultation is required on all issues," Marri emphasised, adding that the PPP believes in sustainable solutions over temporary relief. She argued that equality in dealing with crucial issues, like providing relief in power bills, is essential. The meeting between Bilawal and PM Shehbaz comes amid ongoing tensions between the PPP and PML-N over government policies, with leaders from both parties recently exchanging heated remarks. However, a PML-N leader revealed that crucial legislation is expected in the coming days, with further discussions scheduled for a meeting between coordination committees from both parties at Lahore's Governor House by Sunday. An official statement following the meeting confirmed that Bilawal and the PPP delegation met with PM Shehbaz and other PML-N leaders to discuss the country's overall political situation. PM Shehbaz reiterated that the PML-N is working together with allied parties for the country's development and prosperity. Key attendees included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar, and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah.

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PM Shehbaz directs improvement of facilities at national airports

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed the improvement of facilities for passengers, tourists, and overseas Pakistanis at the country's airports.  He also called for an increase in the number of counters for international flights to reduce long wait times for passengers. Chairing a review meeting on aviation sector reforms, the prime minister urged the swift completion of the safety audit for the current calendar year.  He reminded attendees that during his previous tenure as head of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government, an Aviation Act was enacted to facilitate reforms in the sector, according to a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Office. PM Shehbaz emphasised the need to fully implement all policy measures and reforms outlined in the Aviation Act, noting that these reforms had put Pakistan’s aviation sector on the right track.  To promote tourism, the prime minister stressed the importance of providing top-notch facilities for passengers at Skardu International Airport and called for a detailed action plan to expand both Skardu International Airport and Gilgit Airport. He expressed satisfaction with the positive progress in the aviation sector, highlighting the installation of automatic immigration gates under the automated border control system as a significant convenience for passengers. During the meeting, a detailed briefing was given on the ongoing reforms in the aviation sector.  It was noted that the separation of the Airport Management Authority and Civil Aviation under the Act was highlighted as a key measure ensuring more efficient execution of operator and regulator duties. Third-party validation for all new projects and initiatives was also being ensured. At Lahore Airport, the number of counters had been increased, and the waiting room expanded to enhance passenger convenience.  The meeting was informed that work on the feasibility report for expanding Skardu Airport would commence shortly, and a request for proposal had been received for the installation of automated border control systems at airports.  Additionally, suggestions were discussed regarding enhancing passenger facilities at airports nationwide and expanding private company flights for tourists within Pakistan. The prime minister instructed that these measures be completed within a designated timeframe, emphasising the importance of transparency throughout the process. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Khan Cheema, and other high-ranking officials.

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ECP party list omits PTI chief's name

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has released an updated list of 166 registered political parties in the country. However, the list omits the name of the new PTI chairman, Gohar Ali Khan. According to the list, Nawaz Sharif is now the president of the ruling PML-N, while Hafiz Naeemur Rehman is mentioned as the new chief of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). Asif Ali Zardari remains the president of the PPP-Parliamentarian, with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari serving as the chairman of the PPP. Mahmood Khan is listed as the chairman of PTI-Parliamentarian. Asfandyar Wali continues as the president of the Awami National Party (ANP). Interestingly, the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP), which had merged with the MQM-P last year, remains a registered party in the ECP's records. PTI founder Imran Khan, after his conviction in the Toshakhana case last year, became ineligible to hold the position of the party chairman. On December 2, the PTI held intra-party elections and chose Gohar Ali Khan as the new party chairman. However, the ECP annulled the intra-party polls due to irregularities in their conduct. Later, on January 14, the Supreme Court upheld the ECP's order. After the general elections, the PTI conducted intra-party elections again on March 3, 2024, to choose Gohar Ali Khan as its chief for the second time. However, the ECP has not listed his name as the new party chairman.

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PTA admits setting up firewall to manage social media

The country's telecom regulator has finally admitted to installing a National Firewall System (NFS) to manage social media content but insists that recent internet service disruptions are due to a fault in the submarine cable. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (retired) Hafeez Ur Rehman appeared before the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom on Wednesday amid rising concerns over persistent internet disruptions in Pakistan. Responding to the committee's queries, Rehman acknowledged that an NFS had been installed as part of a government decision from the PTI era. However, he attributed the recent disruptions to a fault in the submarine communication cable—a cable laid on the seabed between land-based stations to carry telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean and sea. "We have received a letter stating that the fault will be cleared by August 27," he added. When asked about the losses caused by these disruptions, he stated that the telecom sector incurred a loss of Rs300 million, excluding the undocumented losses in the IT sector. The PTA chairman said the firewall is being upgraded for the third time in the country, with approval granted in October 2020 during the PTI's rule. However, due to financial issues, the project was not undertaken at that time. Committee members expressed concerns about the national firewall, which is being installed as part of an aggressive web management strategy to control social media content. PTI's Omar Ayub suggested that the firewall might be causing the internet slowdown, sparking a debate with other officials who insisted that the firewall had not yet been fully deployed and therefore was not responsible for the current disruptions. The PTA chairman reassured the committee that the firewall's installation is in line with directives from the federal cabinet to control social media and enhance national security. Ayub questioned the potential impact of such a system on digital freedom in the country, stressing that any actions taken should be transparent and accountable to parliament. The meeting also addressed concerns about the potential for government agencies to intercept private communications, with Omar Ayub questioning the extent of their capabilities. The committee reiterated its opposition to any restrictions that might hinder progress and called for clarity on the impact of firewalls on citizens' lives. The PTA chairman clarified that the web management system had been upgraded twice before, and the decision to upgrade it in March 2019 led to the introduction of the National Firewall System. He stated that the current government is continuing the previous administration's decisions and that the PTA is bound to implement cabinet directives. During the meeting, a heated exchange occurred between Omar Ayub and PML-N member Zulfiqar Bhatti, with Bhatti accusing Ayub of blaming agencies for actions authorized by his own government. Ayub emphasized the importance of strengthening parliament, stating, "If parliament is strong, we are strong." Members also noted that some areas have been without internet service for the last three years, and mobile signals remain weak in interior Sindh. The committee expressed dissatisfaction with the PTA's responses, questioning whether citizens in these areas are being treated equally. The committee called for a detailed report on the damage caused by these internet issues and urged the PTA to improve its quality of service. The PTA chairman responded that a quality-of-service mechanism is already in place and that companies are fined when service falls short. "The PTA conducts regular surveys, and each mobile operator is required to install 455 new towers annually to enhance coverage," he added. Meanwhile, the PTA informed the Lahore High Court (LHC) that there have been four reasons for the recent internet service disruptions. It claimed that while the internet speed was affected by a fault in the submarine cable, a mistake by an internet company on July 31 also caused a reduction in speed. The PTA noted that on August 15, a cyberattack occurred on Indian National Day, which further slowed down the internet. "The excessive use of VPNs also affects internet speed," it added. The LHC is currently hearing a petition filed against unannounced internet service disruptions.

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SC rejects military’s claim over Margalla National Park land

The Supreme Court has thrown out the claim of the military over the ownership of the Margalla National Park land. In January 2022, the then Islamabad High Court Chief Justice, Athar Minallah, had also declared that the claim of the Remount, Veterinary and Farms Directorate of Pakistan Army, regarding 8,068 acres of land in the notified National Park area is in violation of the Ordinance of 1979 read with the Ordinance of 1960 and the Master Plan. "The RV&F Directorate, QMG Branch, GHQ’ (Remount, Veterinary and Farms Directorate, Quarter Master General Branch, General Headquarters of Pakistan Army) the Directorate is not a legal entity. The Directorate bypassed the Government of Pakistan and directly took up the matter with the CDA. It stated that through notification No.266 dated 23 April 1910 land was being ‘utilised by Military Farm Rawalpindi for production of hay for Army animals. “Permitting the use of land does not confer its ownership, nor could ownership have been conferred on the Directorate, a non-legal entity. It also escaped the attention of the personnel of the Directorate that the only concerned statutory entity was the Wildlife Board," says a 25-page detailed judgement authored by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa in the Monal restaurant lease case. The judgement notes that the directorate and its director-general asserted rights to the land of the National Park on the tenuously improbable premise that in the year 1910, the Veterinary, Remount and Farms unit of the British Army was allowed to use some land of the National Park for fodder. Major General Muhammad Samrez Salik, was the Director-General of the Directorate, who had affixed his signature and official stamp on the RV&FD Lease, through which Luqman Ali Afzal ( Monal restaurant's owner) was bestowed the favour of a seventeen-year lease by the Directorate. "The Federal Government was correct in disabusing Major General Muhammad Samrez Salik and the Directorate of their fanciful notion that a 110-year-old permission to collect fodder did not nor could bestow ownership rights to such land. It said that the application was filed by the federal government wherein it stated in writing that the RV&FD Lease was void ab initio’, and that no record is available to show ‘that the Federal  Government has given any approval to execute the said Lease Agreement,’ that is, the RV&FD Lease. However, Mr Afzal continued to assert the purported rights of the Directorate" CJP Isa noted that a lessee cannot unilaterally discard his lessor, substitute it with another and then become the lessee of the latter, but this is what Mr Afzal did. He unilaterally cast aside CDA, his Lessor, and the CDA Lease and elected to become the purported lessee of the Directorate under the RV&FD Lease. Mr Afzal had obtained the possession of the property from CDA pursuant to the CDA Lease and had agreed to pay rent to CDA, but then he stopped paying rent to CDA and had the temerity to seek the refund of the rent already paid to the CDA. “Nonetheless, Mr Afzal retained the possession of the property which he had got from CDA under the CDA Lease while he put up his untenable contention. Rarely such audaciousness, and complete disregard of the law has been witnessed," read the judgement. "Afzal apparently cultivated and developed relationships with the powerful, and his brother was in the bureaucracy who then rose to the highest position in it. Therefore, he may have deluded himself in assuming that he was above the law. He violated the law for years and went on expanding his restaurant by encroaching into and destroying the National Park. The protected status of the National Park was of no consequence to him and to the government servants who supported him." "Money, connections, influence and/or nepotism supplanted the law and the protected status of the National Park, first by getting CDA to execute the CDA Lease and then the Directorate to execute the FV&FD Lease. Every opportunity was given to Mr Afzal to comply with the law, which he had been continuously flouting for eighteen years. Probably it finally dawned that this Court would ensure the law is abided by and that it would also ensure that the National Park is protected which made him and the other restaurant owners pause and reflect." During the hearing of these cases and earlier too frequent fires had erupted in the National Park. The Court was informed that the cause of these fires could also be that Monal, La Montana and Gloria Jeans were popular venues and daily attracted thousands of customers and any of whom could carelessly throw a lit match or a cigarette, without first extinguishing it, which would ignite the dry grass and twigs lying on the forest floor of the National Park. These blazes are difficult to put out and require considerable manpower and resources, including repeated sorties by helicopters carrying water to throw on the fires. The owner of La Montana and Gloria Jeans, namely, Dr. Muhammad Amjad, was also issued a notice by this Court, but he elected not to disclose how he managed to get possession on the mountain ridge next to Mr. Afzal’s restaurant and who, if anyone, granted him permission to construct and run his establishments. However, it is unimaginable that without having connections with those at the power centre of the country he would have been able to raise illegal buildings and to do so by disregarding the laws of Pakistan. He too had connections with General Pervez Musharraf, who after his retirement had made Dr. Muhammad Amjad his political party’s Chairman. When personal contacts with the paid servants of the State, trump the laws of Pakistan, and bureaucrats come to serve the interest of lawbreakers it is an abomination. "The priciest land in Islamabad is the land facing the Margalla Hills; prices start reducing the further one moves away from this natural wonder. Resultantly, every profiteer has set his eyes on this unbuilt real estate which probably is the most expensive land in Pakistan. The National Park land has over the years been encroached upon, which could only have happened with the involvement of the officers of CDA and other senior bureaucrats. "The National Park land is under grave and imminent danger. The rich, powerful and well-connected want to wrest it away for their personal use and/or gain. This must stop. The people cannot be deprived of the National Park, its flora and fauna, and of the benefits of this amazing national asset. Government servants who collude with land grabbers also need reminding that it is the people who pay their salaries and it is them who they serve, and whose interest they must protect. Those who forget this fundamental truth are a drain on the public exchequer. Private interests and those marauding public lands must not be allowed to deprive the people of Pakistan and future generations of it. If we lose the National Park the adverse effects of greenhouse gases, deforestation, soil erosion, pollution and climate change will be exacerbated to the detriment of the people and future generations" “The fundamental right to life, and to live it with dignity (respectively Articles 9 and 14 of the Constitution) is to live in a world which has an abundance of all species. It has by now been scientifically well established that if the earth becomes bereft of birds, animals, insects, trees, plants, clean rivers, unpolluted air, soil it will be the precursor of our destruction, and scientific research establishes that nothing in nature is without value and purpose,” says CJP Isa.

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Pakistan committed to terror fight: Zardari

President Asif Ali Zardari paid homage on Tuesday to all those who have fallen victim to terrorism in Pakistan, including civilians, security forces, and law enforcement personnel. In a message on the occasion of the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to Victims of Terrorism, the president stressed the deep pain and suffering endured by the families who lost their loved ones to terrorist acts. He highlighted this year's theme, "Victims of Terrorism as Peace Advocates and Educators," as a reminder of the crucial role survivors play in promoting peace and raising awareness about the devastating impact of violent extremism. Reflecting on Pakistan's two-decade-long battle against terrorism, President Zardari noted the heavy toll it has taken on the nation. Thousands of civilians and security personnel have lost their lives, including former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who was martyred by terrorists. He also pointed to the significant financial losses incurred due to terrorism, which has cost Pakistan billions of dollars. Anti-Pakistan forces, he said, have supported and financed terrorism, sending militants to carry out attacks within the country. Despite these challenges, President Zardari praised the resilience and determination of the Pakistani people. He stated that Pakistan remains the only country in the world to have successfully contained terrorist forces and has been fighting this war for over twenty years. The nation's efforts have gained global recognition, and Pakistan remains committed to contributing to international counter-terrorism initiatives. He acknowledged the ongoing efforts of Pakistan's security forces and law enforcement agencies, who continue to take targeted actions against terrorist elements, often at the cost of their lives.

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Google partners with Tech Valley to launch digital journalism programme in Pakistan

Google has announced a new initiative designed to enhance the digital journalism skills of Pakistani reporters, launching a program called 'Digital Sahafat' in collaboration with the local social enterprise Tech Valley.  This initiative, which falls under the broader Google News Initiative (GNI), aims to empower 1,000 journalists across Pakistan with the necessary tools, training, and resources to create accurate and compelling digital stories. The GNI, known for its global efforts to combat misinformation and foster innovation within the news industry, is bringing this programme to Islamabad on September 4.  The launch event will feature speakers including Kate Beddoe, Managing Director of APAC News Partnerships at Google, and representatives from Tech Valley. Google's partnership with Tech Valley is part of its ongoing commitment to support journalism globally. The GNI has been active since 2018, collaborating with thousands of news organisations in over 100 countries.  Through various tools, programmes, and workshops, the GNI aims to help publishers worldwide enhance their readership and revenue as they adapt to the evolving media landscape. Tech Valley, founded in 2015, works to connect Pakistan's public and private sectors, focusing on the intersection of academia, industry, and government through the promotion of technology and innovation.

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SUV accident on Karachi's Karsaz road claims lives of father, daughter

In a tragic incident near Karsaz on the service road, a woman driving an SUV lost control of the vehicle and ran over a bike killing a man and his daughter and injuring another person. The SUV overturned and a large crowd gathered fuming with anger to punish the driver. However, police and Rangers intervened, controlled the crowd and shifted the errant driver to the Bahadurabad police station in a police mobile. A traffic police crane towed the SUV to the police station. According to SHO Bahadurabad, Naeem Rajput, the woman driver in custody has been identified as Natasha. The accident destroyed two motorcycles and a car, leading to the death of the father and daughter on the motorcycle. The deceased have been identified as 62-year-old Imran Arif and his 23-year-old daughter, Amna, residents of Yasir View Apartments in Gulzar Hijri Scheme 33. Another person, 55-year-old Abdul Salam, was injured and is receiving medical treatment. The police, after completing legal formalities, handed over the bodies to the family. The woman driver was found in possession of a foreign driving license. SSP East stated that the woman was in a state of shock, and a medical examination was being conducted to clarify the situation further. The news of the accident caused an uproar in the deceased's home, with women collapsing in grief and a large number of neighbours gathering to express their condolences and sorrow over the tragic incident.

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PIA slashes fares by 30% for Karachi to Jeddah, Madinah flights

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced a significant 30% reduction in fares for its flights from Karachi to the Saudi Arabian cities of Jeddah and Madinah, the airline's spokesperson confirmed on Monday. With this fare reduction, a one-way ticket from Karachi to either Jeddah or Madinah is now priced at Rs56,000, inclusive of taxes. A return ticket to either of these cities will cost Rs88,000, also inclusive of taxes. The revised fares have already been implemented, it was maintained. According to the PIA spokesperson, these discounted tickets will be available for purchase until August 31, with travel allowed up to September 30. The fare reduction comes during the ongoing Umrah season, which started in July.  In an effort to further facilitate pilgrims, PIA recently launched direct Umrah flights to Jeddah from Quetta and Faisalabad. These flights commenced on August 6, expanding travel options for pilgrims from different regions of Pakistan. This move by PIA is expected to ease the financial burden on travellers during the Umrah season, encouraging more Pakistanis to undertake the pilgrimage to the holy sites in Saudi Arabia.

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Rulers alienating S Arabia, China: Fazl

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has criticized the rulers for their flawed policies, which, according to him, have alienated Pakistan's trusted allies. "Our friends like Saudi Arabia and China no longer trust us. Why is there this trust deficit? It's because of our attempts to please the United States," Fazl said on Sunday while addressing a large public rally in Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) province. According to the JUI-F chief, the country's economy is in disarray, and it is also facing setbacks on other fronts due to the rulers' misguided policies. He noted that India's foreign exchange reserves have surpassed the $500 billion mark, while Pakistan's reserves stand at only $10 billion. He said Afghanistan, despite emerging from a 40-year-long civil war, has also a more stable currency than the Pakistani Rupee. Fazl claimed that Western powers aim to destabilize Pakistan's economy. He also questioned on whose orders the rulers are rolling back Chinese projects in the country. "They are assuring the United States of shutting down CPEC [China-Pakistan Economic Corridor] while extorting money from China in the name of building it," he alleged. The Maulana also warned the government against targeting religious seminaries, which, he said, are now struggling to get registered. "We provided protection to schools and colleges, so why can't these people protect the madrasas?" he asked. The JUI-F chief vowed to protect religious seminaries, insisting that the rulers would never be able to eliminate these institutions. "We have led movements in this country, and now global powers want to erase the religious identity of my nation," he stated. He also warned the government against its alleged attempts to seize control of mineral resources in the southern districts of K-P. "They are paving the way to take over minerals in the southern districts. We will never accept the occupation of our resources. We cannot allow anyone to take over our children's resources and rights. We will not back down from protecting our resources," he declared. Addressing the rulers, establishment, armed groups, and bureaucracy, he said the people, particularly those from the former tribal districts, are not satisfied with their actions. "We supported the establishment and the army, and they gave us unrest," he said. He urged the establishment to stop its "so-called" war against terrorism. "The United States does not want to end terrorism; it is, in fact, the creator of terrorism," he claimed. Referring to his visit to Kabul earlier this year, he said he had achieved success during talks with the Taliban leadership, but that success was turned into failure. "Despite that, we are still ready to hold talks with the Afghan Taliban again. However, the rulers must first prepare themselves for them," he said. He lamented that Israel has killed over 40,000 people, mostly children, in Gaza since October 2023, yet the rulers of the Muslim world are watching all this as silent spectators.    

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Another 9/11 could 'originate from Afghanistan'

A top Pakistani diplomat handling Afghan diplomacy has sounded the alarm, cautioning that another 9/11-style attack could originate from Afghanistan, a war-torn country he says the world has all but forgotten. "Afghanistan has almost been forgotten. There is no doubt about it and this was in fact highlighted during the Doha 3 session in June. Humanitarian assistance is not up to the mark. Even last year only one-third of the commitments were fulfilled," remarked Pakistan's special representative on Afghanistan Ambassador Asif Durrani during a talk at the Ambassadors' Lounge. He said after the Ukraine war and Palestinian genocide, the priorities of the international players changed. "In fact, Afghanistan is no more in the news. Forget about front or back pages, even in the inner pages Afghanistan is absent." "I think it can push back Afghanistan to pre-9/11 conditions and which in fact then give birth to 9/11," Durrani warned. He said 97 per cent of the current Afghan population lives below the poverty line. "Of which 52 per cent of the population is actually dependent on international humanitarian assistance," he added. "And if the economic situation continues to deteriorate, I think our concern should be that people in Afghanistan would start leaving the country and their most favourite destination is Pakistan. This is something we should be sensitive about and the international community should know their responsibilities," he added. The special envoy on Afghanistan also warned that the presence of different terrorist groups, including Daesh Khorasan, is a major challenge for the region and beyond. "My worry is that ISKP is gaining ground inside Afghanistan and that should be a source of concern for everyone in the region and beyond because of their actions in Iran, their actions in Moscow and also many operations inside Pakistan. If that can happen here it can happen elsewhere." "So it should be a concern for everyone." The Afghan Taliban recently celebrated their three years in power. When asked to give his assessment on the Taliban rule and their possible international acceptance, Durrani was of the view that they were moving in that direction. "We should not forget that they are faced with tremendous challenges. Number 1, they are not recognised by any country, secondly, when they came to power, their coffers were empty, thirdly, they were not expecting of a meltdown of Ashraf Ghani government." "On the balance, if you look at it during the past 3 years, I think the security situation in Afghanistan has improved, there is less corruption, which is internationally acknowledged," he further said. Since coming to power, the Afghan Taliban have enforced strict rules, claiming to be in conformity with Islam. The Taliban regime, despite earlier promises, banned girls' education, something that greatly impacted their chances of getting international legitimacy. Durrani said the Taliban's actions might suit their own conditions but those couldn't be called Islamic. "The Afghan Taliban have also implemented certain rules and regulations which in fact may suit the Afghan conditions but certainly do not fit into the Islamic tenets which they claim they have implemented," he said. The relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has only gone from bad to worse under the Taliban regime as they refused to neutralise the TTP threat. "For Pakistan peace in Afghanistan is welcome, we have been telling this to the Taliban. But at the same time, our complaint is that their peace has become a problem for us because of the TTP. TTP attacks have increased by 70 per cent in Pakistan," Durrani said. When asked about Pakistan's options to deal with TTP, Durrani was adamant that diplomacy was working. He was confident that Pakistan would resolve the TTP issue despite the Taliban's reluctance to take action against terrorist sanctuaries.  

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Imran tasks Marwat with leading rallies

PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat has announced that his differences with other party leaders have been resolved following a meeting with party founder Imran Khan. Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail on Saturday, Marwat said that after a courtroom conversation with Imran, he decided to bury the hatchet in line with the leader's instructions. Marwat clarified that he holds no grudge against any leader, stating, "The matter has been settled after Imran Khan's assurance." The politician, who had recently been shown the door from his basic party membership for breaching party discipline, declared that only the PTI founder could pull the plug on his party affiliation. Marwat also issued a mea culpa for his remarks targeting PTI leaders. Marwat said that in the presence of other party leaders, Imran tasked him with the responsibility of a rally on August 22 as well as overall duties of protests across the country. "I told him that people are ready to come out. Just give me the responsibility then whatever the consequence would be, they would be on us. Because we want to take out the people for your sake." Marwat further announced: "On Khan's instructions, I have ended any reservation I had against the [party] leadership. I have forgiven everyone from my end. The matter is now buried after talking with Khan." On questions about returning to the party, Marwat said he was never removed and the notification of his membership's cancellation was "fake". Marwat said he also Imran to which the PTI founder agreed that any future complaints and concerns be put before Barrister Gohar or K-P CM Ali Amin Gandapur to investigate and determine. The PTI maverick also rubbished the media hype over his alleged removal from the party and questioned how it all ended, terming the entire episode a "drama" while using his catchphrase of "war gaya" (went bust).He further conveyed that PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan had sent a clear signal that internal rifts should be kept under wraps, and unity among leaders was now the order of the day. The outspoken politician of the beleaguered former ruling party has faced backlash from fellow leaders numerous times due to his candid and controversial statements.

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‘Spiritual bond’: Startling new details expose Imran-Faiz-Bushra nexus

Shocking new details have emerged in an ongoing investigation into the relationship between former ISI Director-General Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, Imran Khan. According to sources, Gen Faiz maintained contact with Khan through Bushra Bibi, Khan's wife. It is alleged that Hameed would provide Bushra Bibi with information in advance, which she would then convey to Imran Khan, presenting it as divine inspiration. When the information later proved accurate, it reportedly reinforced Khan's belief in Bushra Bibi's spiritual prowess, though the information was actually coming from Hameed. The investigation took a surprising turn following Hameed’s arrest and the discovery of an iPhone in Chakwal, which reportedly unveiled the details of his relationship with Khan. Sources further revealed that Bushra Bibi’s patience is reportedly wearing thin. There are indications that she might be considering cooperating with authorities, potentially offering testimony in exchange for immunity, distancing herself and her close associate, Farah Gogi, from the ongoing controversies. Earlier in the day, Imran Khan said that he did not feel intimidated by the arrest of Gen Faiz Hameed. Speaking informally with journalists at Adiala Jail, Khan stated that if he were afraid, he would not have called for the formation of a judicial commission on the matter.

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The oldest roadway of freedom

After the declaration of independence in 1947, caravans of Muslims from India entered Pakistan from Wagah, the last village on the eastern border of the country. On August 17, 1947, Wagah was given the status of an international border under the Radcliffe Boundary Award. In commemoration of the great migration of the world, Bab-e-Azadi was built at Wagah. In February 2024, Punjab's caretaker government started a project to beautify, upgrade and expand the Bab Azadi Wagah border, which is still in progress. Due to construction work, ordinary citizens were not allowed to participate in the special parade of Pakistan Rangers Punjab personnel and flag hoisting ceremony at the Wagah border on the Independence Day this year. According to sources, a limited number of guests witnessed the parade and flag hoisting ceremony. The administration has informed the citizens about the restriction through a banner. The border is named after the last village on the eastern border of Pakistan. A teacher at the Government College University, Lahore, Dr Kalyan Singh, said Wagah is a combination of two words, Wahe and Guru. With time, the name has become well known as spoken. From 1947 to 2007, both Pakistan and India used to call the border Wagah. However, in September 2007, India changed the name of the area on its side from Wagah to Attari border. Attari is a border village in India. In 1947, when caravans were migrating from India to Pakistan and Sikhs and Hindus were going to India from Pakistan, a central camp was established at Wagah. There was transport arrangement in the camp, through which the refugees were transported to their destinations. The Grand Trunk Road starts from Afghanistan and goes to India through Wagah. Travellor between Pakistan and India are allowed to cross the border through this route. Wagah has seen many changes in the past 77 years. Initially, a small checkpoint was established at Wagah. However, now there is a magnificent gate-like building called Bab Azadi. The image of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, adorns the building's side facing India. Scenes of the migration have also been depicted on the walls. In 1959, the border forces of both countries started a joint parade at the place at the time of the lowering of the flag. Thousands of people come to see the parade. On August 13, 2017, the largest national flag of Pakistan was hoisted at the Wagah border. The flag with a height of 400 feet, width of 120 feet and breadth of 80 feet can be seen from miles away. In February this year, the caretaker government of Punjab approved the Bab-e-Azadi and stadium upgrade project, which is now under way. Under the project, Bab-e-Azadi will be constructed on the pattern of Alamgiri Gate of Shahi Qila in Lahore, while large LCDs will be installed to show the parade. The seating capacity of the parade ground will increase to around 18,000 after the upgradation and the height of the Bab-e-Azadi will be around 120 feet.

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Senate body calls for modernisation of Pakistan Railways

The Senate Committee on Railways stressed the critical importance of modernising and enhancing the railway system to ensure the nation's long-term well-being and prosperity. The meeting, chaired by Senator Jam Saifullah Khan on Thursday, focused on various issues, including corruption control within the railway system and the accountability of officials involved in corruption over the past five years. Senator Shahadat Awan urged the Ministry of Railways to provide comprehensive details on instances of fraud within the department. He argued that attributing the entire financial loss to pension-related issues is unjustifiable. Khan recommended that the ministry deliver a detailed briefing on the issues raised by Senator Shahadat Awan, specifically concerning theft, corruption, monetary losses, and the actions taken against those responsible. The secretary of the Ministry of Railways assured the committee of the ministry's strict adherence to a zero-tolerance policy for corruption. He added that the ministry is fully prepared to investigate matters as thoroughly as the committee deems necessary.  He emphasised that audit reports would be thoroughly reviewed under the committee's guidance and that all decisions would be made in strict accordance with the rules and regulations. The committee also engaged in an in-depth discussion on the ML-1 project. Senior officials provided a briefing on the project's operations, key milestones, and the status of existing railway lines. Senator Kamil Ali Agha inquired about the disruption of railway tracks following recent floods. It was reported that despite the challenges posed by the floods, the ML-1 design incorporates environmental resilience. Officials affirmed that the project is transformational for the Railways. The chairman recommended that the ministry ensure the project loan is cost-effective, reduces travel time, and has positive environmental impacts. In response, the secretary reiterated that the project is cost-effective and includes favourable loan repayment conditions. He also mentioned that private-sector investment is being sought for the project. Senator Agha also suggested that the ministry present the original plan for the ML-1 project and review the reasons for changes in its financial cost and structural design.  He further recommended that the ministry brief the committee on the steps taken to incorporate measures addressing climate change, considering the heavy rains and floods in the country. 

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