Govt reduces petrol price by Rs3.19, HSD by Rs1.50 for August 7

The federal government on Thursday reduced the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs3.19 and Rs1.50 per litre, respectively, for August 7. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum, the price of petrol has been fixed at Rs329.82 per litre, while HSD will now cost Rs382.36 per litre. The latest revision comes a day after the government increased petrol by Rs4.45 while decreasing HSD by Rs2 per litre for Aug 6. Read: Govt increases petrol price by Rs4.45, decreases HSD by Rs2 for August 6 On July 17, the government introduced a daily fuel price review mechanism amid volatility in global oil prices following renewed hostilities in the Middle East. The daily fuel prices are based on a seven-day average of international market rates to align with international standards. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25, petroleum products constitute one of the country's largest import categories, making the economy highly vulnerable to changes in global crude oil prices. Domestic refineries satisfy only part of national demand, while the remainder is met through imports of crude oil and refined petroleum products. Consequently, every increase in international oil prices raises Pakistan's import bill, pressures foreign exchange reserves, and contributes to inflation. Pakistan previously exercised significant government control over petroleum pricing through subsidies and administrative interventions. While these measures temporarily protected consumers, they imposed substantial fiscal costs. During periods of elevated global oil prices, successive governments delayed passing price increases to consumers, creating financial pressures for oil marketing companies, refineries, and the national budget. Large fuel subsidies widened fiscal deficits, increased public borrowing, and weakened macroeconomic stability. Global geopolitical developments continue to pose significant risks. International oil prices are influenced by decisions taken by OPEC+, conflicts in the Middle East, sanctions on oil-producing nations, and disruptions in critical shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. Any interruption in these supply chains can immediately increase crude oil prices and freight costs. Since Pakistan imports the majority of its petroleum requirements, these developments quickly translate into higher domestic fuel prices.  Also Read: Proposed Hormuz deal would give Iran control of inbound traffic, sources say The revision came as oil prices rose by more than $3 a barrel on Thursday following reports that an Iranian parliamentary committee was reviewing a bill to ban US and Israeli vessels from the Strait of Hormuz and fine violators up to one-fifth of the value of their cargo.  Brent crude futures gained $3.09, or 3.89 per cent, to $82.54 a barrel by 12:37pm EDT, while US West Texas Intermediate futures rose $2.49, or 3.31pc, to $77.71.  "Crude traders remain focused on the US-Iran agreements, and the longer the delays, the more prices will move higher," said Dennis Kissler, senior vice-president of trading at BOK Financial.  Before the Iran conflict began in late February, about one-fifth of global daily oil and liquefied natural gas supplies flowed through the Strait of Hormuz.

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AJK observes Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir

Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday observed Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir to mark seven years since India revoked the special constitutional status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), with rallies, protest demonstrations and public gatherings held across the region. The main event was held in Muzaffarabad, where participants took out a protest rally and chanted slogans against India. Demonstrators also set an Indian flag on fire during the protest. Similar programmes, including rallies, protest gatherings and walks, were organised in Neelum, Jhelum Valley, Bagh, Haveli, Poonch, Sudhnoti, Kotli, Mirpur and Bhimber by political, religious and social organisations. The participants expressed solidarity with the people of IIOJK and condemned India's August 5, 2019, decision to revoke the region's special status. They called on the international community to play an effective role in securing the right to self-determination for the Kashmiri people. Addressing the main gathering, the speakers said India's decision was an attempt to deprive the Kashmiri people of their political, constitutional and fundamental rights. READ: Youm-e-Istehsal: Civil, military leadership reaffirm support for Kashmiris in IIOJK, call for UN-backed resolution They maintained that India could not suppress the voice of the Kashmiri people through force and urged the international community to take notice of alleged human rights violations in IIOJK. The speakers also called for a resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Rallies and protest gatherings were also held in different parts of Neelum, Jhelum Valley, Bagh, Haveli, and Dhirkot. Political and social organisations organised rallies in Kotli and Mirpur, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) organised a programme followed by a rally in Bhimber. Addressing the PML-N event at the party's district secretariat in Bhimber, Chaudhry Zaheeruddin Babar, Chaudhry Jameel Sultan, Chaudhry Abrarul Haq Advocate, Chaudhry Umar Saeed and Bhimber Municipal Committee Chairman Chaudhry Altaf Ibrahim said the Kashmiri people's struggle would ultimately reach its logical conclusion. They urged the international community to take notice of what they described as Indian atrocities in IIOJK and play its role in enabling the Kashmiri people to exercise their right to self-determination. The event in Bhimber concluded with a rally through the city, with party workers participating on foot, motorcycles and vehicles. Participants chanted slogans including “Pakistan Zindabad”, “Kashmir Banega Pakistan”, “Azad Kashmir Zindabad” and “Pak Army Zindabad”. The programmes held across AJK reaffirmed AJK's political, moral and diplomatic support for the people of IIOJK and pledged to continue highlighting the Kashmir dispute at the international level. Meanwhile, PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir said the people of AJK stood firmly with their brethren in IIOJK and would continue to extend political, moral and diplomatic support to their just struggle. He added that India's August 5, 2019, decision had further exposed what he described as its policy of suppressing the political and fundamental rights of Kashmiris. He urged the international community, particularly the United Nations, to fulfil its responsibility towards resolving the Kashmir dispute and ensuring the IIOJK people's right to self-determination. He said the Kashmir issue could not be settled through force or unilateral measures.

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Police detain PTI workers after Karachi protest against 3 years of Imran's imprisonment

The police and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers clashed near the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Wednesday as the party staged a protest demanding the release of its founder, Imran Khan, on the third anniversary of his arrest. Authorities sealed key roads with shipping containers to prevent demonstrators from reaching the venue, triggering traffic disruptions and confrontations that ended with tear gas shelling and multiple arrests. Imran has remained in prison since August 2023 after his conviction in a corruption case and has since faced multiple convictions and prosecutions in other cases, including allegations relating to corruption, disclosure of official secrets and marriage laws. He and his party reject all allegations, maintaining that the cases are politically motivated and intended to keep him out of politics. Police blocked roads leading to the KPC and surrounding areas by placing containers at key intersections, causing severe traffic congestion and making access difficult for commuters as well as journalists. When PTI workers gathered near Fawara Chowk, police used tear gas to disperse the crowd and detained several protesters, including PTI Sindh Secretary General Dr Masroor Siyal. Tear gas also affected traders, shoppers and women in nearby Zainab Market and adjoining commercial areas. کیا پاکستان میں پُرامن احتجاج کرنا جرم ہے ؟ کراچی میں عمران خان صاحب کی گرفتاری کو تین سال مکمل ہونے کے خلاف یومِ سیاہ کے موقع پر پرامن احتجاج روکنے کے لیے پولیس گردی افسوسناک ہے شرم آنی چاہیے جمھوریت کا راگ الاپنے والی پیپلز پارٹی اور سندھ حکومت کو pic.twitter.com/qyyW6c11pV — Haleem Adil Sheikh (@HaleemAdil) August 5, 2026 Read: PTI stages nationwide protests to mark three years of Imran Khan's imprisonment The clashes and police action disrupted normal activity in the area, while traffic remained gridlocked on surrounding roads for several hours before authorities removed the containers and restored traffic following the end of the protest. According to a PTI statement, the party observed a nationwide "Black Day" on August 5 to mark three years since the arrest of its founder. The party said demonstrations were held across Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah, Umerkot, Mithi, Nangarparkar, Kunri, Khipro, Sanghar, Shahpur Chakar, Pano Aqil, Ghotki, Kandhkot, Kashmore, Larkana, Shahdadkot, Dadu, Sukkur, Rohri, Daharki, Badin, Tando Muhammad Khan, Kotri, Jamshoro, Jacobabad, Border Farm and several other towns across Sindh. The PTI said protesters demanded Imran's immediate release, restoration of constitutional rule, relief from inflation, the return of what it described as the public mandate and the restoration of democracy. The party said PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh, Karachi President Raja Azhar, Dr Siyal, Karachi Secretary General Arsalan Khalid and other leaders led workers towards the KPC before police blocked their route with containers. It alleged that police later used tear gas and baton charges against what it described as peaceful demonstrators on Zeb-un-Nisa Street and around Fawara Chowk, injuring several workers. The party claimed that more than 10 workers, including Dr Siyal, were arrested in Karachi, while six workers were detained in Pano Aqil and 15 in Kandhkot, where criminal cases were also registered against them. کراچی اپنے کپتان کے لیئے سڑکوں پر ! شدید پولیس گردی فسطائیت کے باوجود کپتان عمران خان کی ناحق قید کے خلاف ایک بار پھر کراچی کی عوام سڑکوں پر نکل آئی۔#KhanIllegallyJailed3Year pic.twitter.com/gTr3xwpqEQ — PTI (@PTIofficial) August 5, 2026 Addressing protesters, Sheikh said the turnout across Sindh demonstrated public support for Imran. He demanded the immediate release of all detained PTI workers and accused the Sindh government of suppressing constitutional rights. Sheikh further alleged that Imran's imprisonment three years ago had paved the way for governments formed on a "fake mandate", contributing to the country's political and economic challenges. He maintained that Pakistan could overcome its crises only through the release of political prisoners and the holding of free, fair and transparent elections. He also accused police of unlawfully sealing the KPC with containers, using force against peaceful protesters, including women, and violating citizens' constitutional right to peaceful assembly. The PTI said it had sought official permission for the demonstration and called for the release of all detained workers and the withdrawal of cases registered against them. کراچی آج پوری شدت کے ساتھ گونج اٹھا , جئے عمران، جئے عمران کے نعرے شہر کی فضا میں دھڑکن بن کر پھیل گئے۔ کپتان کے چاہنے والے بڑی تعداد میں سڑکوں پر نکل آئے، اپنے جذبے، عزم اور وفاداری کو بے خوف انداز میں ظاہر کرتے ہوئے۔ عوام کا یہ جوش اس حقیقت کی گواہی دیتا ہے کہ نظریے کی آواز… pic.twitter.com/nX5k5JStoZ — PTI (@PTIofficial) August 5, 2026 PTI protest snarls traffic across Karachi The protest triggered widespread traffic congestion across Karachi, leaving commuters stranded for hours as major arteries in the city's old quarters, including II Chundrigar Road, MA Jinnah Road, Saddar and adjoining areas, remained choked. Journeys that would normally take a few minutes stretched into hours. Traffic disruption was also reported from several other parts of the city, including Hasan Square, Gharibabad, Jamshed Road, Metroville, Nazimabad and other areas, adding to the ordeal of office-goers and other commuters returning home. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took immediate notice of severe traffic congestion in several parts of Karachi and directed the police authorities to restore traffic flow without delay. A view of traffic congestion near Karachi's Zainab Market after police sealed roads during a PTI protest on Wednesday. Photo: Express According to a statement, the chief minister instructed the inspector general of police and the additional inspector general of Karachi to ensure the immediate restoration of traffic. He directed authorities to clear traffic from Saddar, the Old City Area, MA Jinnah Road and Zainab Market on a priority basis. Murad also ordered the deployment of additional traffic police personnel on roads and sought a report on the measures taken. "We must ensure the uninterrupted flow of traffic on the city's roads under all circumstances," Murad was quoted as saying.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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SBP caps fuel station card fee at Re1

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

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Swat mourns Kabal Police Station suicide bombing

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

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PTI plans next phase of struggle

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

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Iranian envoy hails deepening Pakistan-Iran ties, says bond cannot be weakened by challenges

Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam on Sunday said relations between Iran and Pakistan had withstood the test of time and continued to strengthen, describing the bilateral ties as standing "as high as the majestic peaks of Damavand and K2". In a statement shared on X, the ambassador said the relationship between the two countries was rooted in centuries of shared history, civilisation, faith and culture. "The historical relations between Iran and Pakistan have proudly withstood the test of time," Moghadam said, adding that the bond between the two nations remained "strong and enduring". Iran-Pakistan Ties Stands as High as the Majestic Peaks of Damavand and K2 pic.twitter.com/vHGSP1rkF2 — Reza Amiri Moghadam (@IranAmbPak) August 2, 2026 He said Iran was the first country to recognise Pakistan, while Pakistan was the first country to recognise the Islamic Republic of Iran, describing the milestones as a reflection of the exceptional nature of bilateral ties. "The relationship between Iran and Pakistan has entered a new and unique era incomparable to the past," he said. Moghadam said the strengthening of ties, particularly over the past two years, was visible across various areas and reflected the depth of friendship between the two countries. "The representatives of the parliaments of Iran and Pakistan, as the voices of their respective nations, have consistently stood together in support and solidarity with one another," he said. Read: Pakistan, Iran agree to boost cooperation on counter-terrorism, border security Highlighting parliamentary support, the ambassador said Pakistani parliamentarians had issued a resolution in support of Iran on the first day of what he described as aggression by the Israeli regime. "In the presence of the president, members of the Iranian Parliament chanted 'Pakistan Tashakur', while the people of Iran echoed the same sentiment in the streets, proudly waving the flags of Iran and Pakistan side by side," he said. Moghadam also referred to Iran’s new supreme leader’s first Nowruz message, saying it highlighted the importance of relations with Pakistan. He said exchanges of high-level visits over the past two years, including visits by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Pakistan, visits by the Pakistani prime minister to Iran, and interactions involving Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir and other senior officials, demonstrated the depth of bilateral relations. "These exchanges demonstrate the depth of friendship, brotherhood, solidarity and mutual support between our two countries at every level," he said. The ambassador said President Pezeshkian’s visit to Islamabad in June 2026 conveyed the gratitude of the Iranian government and people to Pakistan, while Pakistan’s participation in a ceremony held to pay tribute to Iran’s martyred supreme leader reflected solidarity and mutual respect. Also Read: Pakistan-Iran trade revival faces hurdles "Today, by the grace of Almighty Allah, the brotherly relations between Iran and Pakistan have reached a level where no challenge, phenomenon or external factor can weaken the love, friendship and brotherhood between our nations," Moghadam said. He expressed the belief that the friendship between Iran and Pakistan could serve as a model of mutual respect, good neighbourliness and cooperation for the region. "I firmly believe that the friendship and brotherhood between Iran and Pakistan can serve as a role model of sincere brotherhood, mutual respect and the spirit of 'We Can Do It' for the entire region," he said. Moghadam also expressed hope that regional countries would work together in an atmosphere of peace, stability and security to build a future of development and prosperity for their people.

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110 more students return from Afghanistan

Another 110 Pakistani students stranded in Afghanistan due to Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions have returned home through the Torkham border, while authorities also allowed 592 Pakistani cargo trucks to re-enter the country. Border security sources said 70 Pakistani students had also been repatriated about a month ago. They said the phased return of students and cargo vehicles was made possible through the efforts of prominent industrialist and ANP Khyber district president Haji Shireen Khan Afridi, with support from diplomatic staff and border security officials of both countries.

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'Better late than never': Khawaja Asif supports Naqvi's call for system overhaul

Even as Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders criticised Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for his remarks on the country's political system, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif came out in support of his call for reforms on Saturday, while urging him to raise the matter in parliament and the federal cabinet. Earlier this week, Naqvi called for the creation of additional administrative units or provinces to overhaul what he described as the country's outdated governance system. Addressing the Pakistan Economic Summit 2026 in Islamabad, he argued that Pakistan's existing governance model had effectively "collapsed" after decades of failing to deliver and said decentralisation was essential to improve public services, ensure timely justice and create opportunities for young people. Read: Governance system has collapsed: Naqvi His remarks drew mixed reactions, with several PML-N leaders criticising him and describing him as one of the beneficiaries of the existing system. Among them was PML-N leader and Prime Minister's aide Rana Sanaullah, who questioned how Naqvi could criticise the current political system after rising to the office of interior minister through the same system in just three and a half years. However, Asif took a different position from his party colleague, saying he largely agreed with the interior minister's assessment. "Mohsin Naqvi Sahib expressed his views on the system's shortcomings. Personally, I largely agree with these views," the defence minister said in a post on X. محسن نقوی صاحب نے سسٹم کی کسمپرسی پہ اپنے خیالات کا اظہار کیا۔ میں ذاتی طور پہ ان خیالات سے کم و بیش اتفاق کرتا ھوں ۔ نقوی صاحب تو ماشا ءاللہ خود ایک پاور ھاؤس ھیں میں بھی بحثیت ایک سیاسی ورکر شدت سے محسوس کرتا ھوں سسٹم کا ارتقائ عمل یا evolution کا پراسیس دہائیوں سے گروہی و… — Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) August 1, 2026 Describing Naqvi as "a powerhouse in his own right", Asif said that as a political worker he believed the country's political system had, for decades, evolved under the influence of group and personal interests and needed to be freed from them. He, however, said that if the objective was to strengthen the system and bring about fundamental change, the appropriate forum for such a debate was parliament — of which Naqvi is a member — or the federal cabinet. "This will strengthen these institutions and the system, and the change will go through the constitutional process," he said. Calling Naqvi "a highly respected and credible member" of the cabinet, Asif said discussions on such far-reaching reforms would carry greater weight if held in the relevant constitutional forums rather than before "a captive audience" of businessmen. He noted that Naqvi had occupied some of the country's most influential positions over the past three and a half years and could have raised or pursued the issue of systemic reform during that period. "Well, better late than never," Asif remarked. Referring to the National Action Plan (NAP), the defence minister said the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations had recently referred to its 13 points. He said implementation of the point assigned to the armed forces was being carried out through sacrifices, whereas implementation of the remaining 12 points, which fell under the Ministry of Interior's responsibility, had yet to take place. Addressing the interior minister directly, Asif said: "Naqvi Sahib, begin the change of the system with the implementation of the National Action Plan. Begin the change in the system from your own ministry. Not just our respected business community, the entire nation is with you."

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JAAC responds to Bilawal’s letter, shows willingness to join truth commission talks

The protesting Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee on Saturday expressed its willingness to engage with the proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission as it responded to a letter written by Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on the initiative. The development came after the JAAC wrote a letter to Bilawal on July 14, to which the PPP chairman responded by reiterating his proposal to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission with the consent of all stakeholders. In response to the letter, the JAAC conveyed its willingness to consider the proposed commission as a possible way forward to address the recent violence and political crisis in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. “I have received JKJAAC’s response to my letter proposing the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, together with their accompanying proposal,” Bilawal said in a post on X. I have received JKJAAC’s response to my letter proposing the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, together with their accompanying proposal. Every loss of life is a national tragedy. My immediate priority is to help end the present crisis, bring relief and… — Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (@BBhuttoZardari) August 1, 2026 Describing every loss of life as a national tragedy, the PPP chairman said his immediate priority was to help end the crisis, provide relief and restore normal life for the people of AJK as quickly as possible. “I welcome their willingness to engage with the proposed commission as a possible institutional path forward, one now endorsed by the AJK Legislative Assembly, and will study their proposal carefully,” he added. Bilawal said he would also consult the AJK prime minister, who would approach the federal government and other relevant stakeholders to seek their initial views and assess whether sufficient common ground existed to move forward with a consensus proposal. Read: Bilawal pitches truth and reconciliation commissions for AJK Last month, while addressing PPP office-bearers and election candidates in Muzaffarabad, Bilawal had proposed the establishment of an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission to help resolve the ongoing political crisis in the region. He had suggested that the commission should have a broad mandate to examine the prevailing situation, establish facts, consider grievances and positions of all sides, review outstanding political, legal and administrative issues, and recommend a fair and lasting way forward. He had warned that maintaining the status quo in AJK could harm both the Kashmir cause and Pakistan’s international reputation, urging all stakeholders to seek a political solution. Earlier this week, the AJK Legislative Assembly passed a resolution calling for the establishment of an independent truth commission to investigate the recent unrest, examine deaths, injuries and property losses, and recommend relief measures and reforms. The resolution followed clashes between law enforcement personnel and JAAC protesters in Rawalakot, with reports of deaths and injuries. Both security forces and the JAAC claimed casualties during the unrest. The assembly resolution urged peaceful protesters, political workers, traders and young people to distance themselves from “armed, violent, subversive and law-breaking elements”. Also Read: AJK assembly passes resolution seeking truth commission into recent unrest The unrest drew condemnation from political parties and rights groups following reports of casualties during the protests. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan expressed concern over the reports, stressing that maintaining public order should not come at the expense of the right to life or the freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression. It called for a prompt, impartial and independent investigation into the reported deaths and injuries. Opposition parties also criticised the violence. The PTI called for an immediate, independent, transparent and impartial judicial investigation, describing the reported deaths and injuries as an attack on human rights, democratic values and civil liberties. The Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-AJK Pakistan condemned what it described as the use of excessive force against protesters. At the same time, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman termed the firing on civilians as “open terrorism”. The recent unrest follows a period of political tensions in AJK, where the JAAC had previously led protests over demands for constitutional and governance reforms. The committee’s charter of demands included ending privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite, abolishing 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees in the AJK Legislative Assembly and ending the quota system. Following earlier unrest, the government and JAAC had reached an agreement covering 12 core and 13 additional points. Under the accord, both sides agreed to establish a high-level committee to examine the issue of refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly. The issue remains unresolved, with the JAAC calling for the abolition of the reserved seats while the government has rejected the demand.

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JI links Karachi woes to poor governance, announces protests against petroleum levy next week

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi chief Monem Zafar Khan on Friday blamed poor governance, rising inflation and administrative failures for the city's worsening conditions, demanding the abolition of the petroleum levy and announcing nationwide protests against the tax next week. Addressing a press conference at Johar Park in Delhi Mercantile Society, Khan said citizens had been denied any relief despite a decline in international oil prices. "The petroleum levy is nothing but an extortion tax. It must be abolished, and petrol prices should be reduced," he said. He said JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman had called for countrywide protests on August 7 against the levy, adding that demonstrations would also be held across Karachi. As part of the campaign, the party's women's wing will organise a march on Shahrah-e-Quaideen on August 3 afternoon, where Rehman is scheduled to address participants. Read: JI Chief mocks Maryam-Bilawal exchanges as 'political theatre' Khan also criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party, accusing it of failing to provide basic civic facilities and maintain law and order in Karachi. Commenting on the interior minister's remarks about the country's deterioration and the failure of the system, Khan said the system had effectively collapsed when the mandate of Karachi's residents was “stolen”. He said the PPP had ruined Karachi, adding “corruption and incompetence are synonymous with the party”. The JI Karachi chief said corruption and misgovernance had left residents without essential services, while incidents of kidnapping, murder, robbery and street crimes were common. Citing official figures, he claimed that around 40,000 street crime cases had been reported during the first six months of the year. During the speech, the JI leader also announced the launch of the party's annual Green Karachi tree plantation campaign. He said the party's nine town administrations had restored 278 parks over the past three years and introduced the concept of urban forests. This year, each JI-led town would establish another urban forest and install water harvesting systems. Read more: Climate change and public health Stressing the importance of green cover, Khan urged the citizens to not only plant trees but also to look after them. Warning about the impact of climate change, Khan said extreme weather events were becoming increasingly common across the world, causing thousands of deaths. Recalling 2015 and 2016 heatwaves in the city, he said the extreme weather took the lives of thousands of people, and therefore there is an urgent need to prevent such a tragedy in the future. امیر جماعت اسلامی کراچی منعم ظفر خان آو اپنا کراچی سر سبز بنائیں ۔۔ شجر کاری مہم کے سلسلے میں پریس کانفرنس سے خطاب کررہے ہیں جبکہ اس موقع پر اپوزیشن لیڈر کے ایم سی سیف الدین ایڈوکیٹ ، گلشن ٹاؤن کے چیئرمین ڈاکٹر فواد احمد جناح ٹاؤن کے چیئرمین رضوان عبدالسمیع اور جماعت اسلامی حلقہ… pic.twitter.com/e2jKBdfCiK — Jamaat e Islami Karachi (@KarachiJamaat) July 31, 2026 “Government incompetence and corruption have turned Karachi into a concrete jungle.” The JI leader alleged, “8-storey structures are being erected on plots measuring only 60 square yards.” He further said unchecked multi-storey construction and large-scale tree cutting for infrastructure projects, including the Red Line and Green Line bus corridors, were responsible for the urban dilemma. Also Read: JI rejects daily fuel price mechanism He claimed the city currently had only around two per cent green cover despite requiring between 25 and 30 per cent to meet environmental needs. Quoting international standards, he said there should be one tree for every seven people and urged residents to plant and protect trees. "Our resolve is to make Karachi green and prosperous, and despite limited resources and restricted powers, we will continue our journey of development and public service," he concluded. A day earlier, Rehman had described the recent exchange of allegations between Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and PPP Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari as "political theatre", saying both parties were exposing each other over the issues of Form 47. He was addressing a press conference at the JI headquarters in Lahore’s Mansoora when he raised concerns about the legitimacy of elections recently held in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as well as those held in the past across Pakistan. Rehman had also called on the people to participate in nationwide protests against inflation and bad governance planned on August 7 while hinting at the government to engage in dialogue with him to resolve outstanding issues.

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Viral Kashmir visuals. One media blackout: what an investigation found

The situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir created an environment ripe for mis- and disinformation to spread freely from all sides, with old or doctored visuals or allegations against each other. Conditions such as the suspension of connectivity and curbs on reporting access created significant challenges for fact-checking efforts at times when it was most urgently needed to dispel falsehood and misleading information. iVerify Pakistan investigated two narratives about visuals from the recent violence and found that the truth is not always what everyone is saying it to be, yet conclusively determining it is not always possible. An image said to be AI-generated was found to be apparently real, while a video being used as evidence of a “staged” stunt does not appear to be the case. On July 28, just a few hours after polling in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) kicked off, a video began doing the rounds on social media, particularly X. The clip shows bloodied bodies lying in the middle of a road in the Mirpur district. “Exposed,” read the caption of the post, shared by an X user whose account features pro-state content. “They were just lying down with red liquids thrown over them for a photo session. When the police neared and kicked, they got up. Fraud unveiled,” it added. The video quickly crossed 100,000 views, with shares multiplying by the thousands every hour. Several fact-checking accounts that are considered to be aligned with the state’s narrative also shared the clip with similar captions. Most of them alleged the clip was staged. At the same time, an image, said to be showing the same incident, also began circulating on X, with the claim that the visual was AI-generated. The accounts sharing it alleged that the image was being spread to portray a false picture of the situation in AJK. When iVerify Pakistan was alerted to the video and the image, both were already being contested from multiple directions, accused of being staged, AI-generated, or both, largely by accounts aligned with the state’s narrative. Untangling that took two separate lines of inquiry. On the image, the trail led backwards. Several fact-checking accounts had pointed to visual distortions — blurred objects, odd number plates — as proof the photo was AI-generated. But a search turned up an earlier, blurrier version of the same image, circulating nearly half an hour before the viral one, shared by several users, including PTI’s official account and its chapters such as PTI Faisalabad, PTI Mardan and PTI West Punjab. Running that older image through a set of AI-detection tools returned no indication it was synthetic, and a check for Google’s SynthID watermark came back clean. When iVerify ran the older image through an AI enhancement tool, the output matched the sharper, more “suspicious” version that had gone viral — down to the same distorted details fact-checkers had cited as proof of fabrication. In other words, the image wasn’t AI-generated evidence of a staged protest; it was a real photo that had likely been run through an enhancement tool, which introduced its own artefacts along the way. The video, meanwhile, took a different route. A keyword search surfaced the same clip published by BBC Urdu on July 29, described as clashes in Rawalakot and Mirpur amid “conflicting claims regarding casualties”.         View this post on Instagram                       A reverse image search then turned up a clearer version of the same moment, along with footage of the same incident from other angles. None of it showed what the “fraud unveiled” caption described: no one stood up and ran off when police approached. Instead, officers could be seen dragging two people toward a police vehicle, both visibly limping and unable to walk unassisted. Other angles picked up the sound of gunshots and people fleeing in panic, with one clip showing a police vehicle positioned in the direction the crowd was running from. Taken together, the visual evidence points away from the “staged” narrative that crossed 100,000 views. میرپور نہتی عوام پر سیدھی گولیاں pic.twitter.com/Xx8MsHvMgj — The Power Of PTI (@ThePowerOfPTI) July 28, 2026 میرپور میں پرامن مارچ پر فورسز کا کریک ڈاؤن کشمیریوں کی لاشیں اور جھنڈے سڑکوں پر پڑے ہوئے ہیں 😭 pic.twitter.com/Ib2o0EW9om — AtharIshtiaq (@AtharSb12) July 28, 2026 آزاد کشمیر میں پاکستان سے آئے ہوئے پنجابی دہشت گردوں نے آج پھر قتلِ عام کیا۔ میرپور میں سڑکوں پر درجنوں لاشیں بکھری پڑی ہوئی ہیں۔ کشمیر کا پاکستان کے ساتھ رشتہ اب ہمیشہ کے لیے ختم ہو گیا ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/stuh5DdmWw — Pakistan Walli (@pakistanwalli) July 28, 2026 None of this amounts to a full account of what happened in Mirpur that day because restablishing whether the visuals actually show what was claimed requires something forensics alone can’t provide: confirmation from someone who was there. At iVerify, a key element of the investigation that goes into any and every fact-check involves confirmations, testimonies, and on-the-ground reportage, especially in times of conflict. This time, though, the team was unable to reach a single source inside Mirpur to confirm the authenticity of the video and the claim. Two days later, we are still struggling to get hold of any information at all. This footage shows armed men in civilian clothing moving alongside security forces. The presence of armed civilians operating alongside security personnel raises serious questions about their identity, role, and the circumstances surrounding their deployment. We call on the… pic.twitter.com/BMiIt95izb — JKJAAC (@JKJAAC_) July 29, 2026 For over a month, it has been challenging to reach locals or correspondents in the region; WhatsApp messages to correspondents are on a single tick, and calls are barely getting through. As it votes in its most “contested” election in years, AJK has also been cut off from the outside world — a combination that has turned fact-checking from a routine editorial task into something closer to a rescue mission. The government has not addressed the allegations or reports of casualties at substantive length as well, while it accuses the JAAC of instigating the violence and harming security personnel. The Mirpur video is one of several claims iVerify Pakistan has been unable to verify since polling began — each testing the limits of what fact-checking can do when a region goes dark. Another example is videos appearing to show civilians in AJK opening fire on police. Some claimed they showed members of the now-proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee — a socio-political coalition at odds with the government since before the elections. Meanwhile, others alleged the men opening fire were security personnel dressed to look like ordinary citizens. بلیک میل ایکشن کمیٹی کے دہشت گرد دیکھ لیں جو پولیس پر فائرنگ کر رہے ہیں اسکے جواب میں پولیس فائرنگ نا کرے تو کیا انکا پھولوں کے ہار پہنائے ؟ pic.twitter.com/8ELxIi45n1 — Muzamil (@muzamil_45) July 29, 2026 کشمیر کی یہ وڈیو دیکھیں ان سول کپڑوں میں لوگوں کو پولیس والے بندوقیں ہتھیار دیتے ہیں عوام میں شامل کر کے پھر میڈیا والوں کو وڈیوز بھجتے ہیں کہ دیکھو یہ شرپسند عوامی ایکشن کمیٹی والے ہیں یہی انہوں نے نو مئی کو پی ٹی آئی کے ساتھ کیا تھا اب کشمیر میں یہی گندہ کھیل کھیل رہے ہیں pic.twitter.com/M2ULmT0xHu — Erum Jaffri (@ErumJavaid) July 29, 2026 Both claims rest entirely on interpreting the same footage, and neither can be tested without someone on the ground to say who the men in the videos actually were. The claim remains unverified, not because iVerify hasn’t tried, but because the tools of open-source verification run out exactly where testimony would need to begin. Fortunately, not every claim iVerify has encountered since polling began has run into the same wall. Some have been resolvable without a single call to the ground, serving as a reminder that the blackout, as severe as it is, hasn’t stopped fact-checking entirely; rather, it has just narrowed what kind of fact-checking is still possible. An image circulating widely on X claimed to show a large number of bullet casings recovered after security forces opened fire on peaceful protesters in Rawalakot. We did not require a source in the district to take it apart. A closer inspection of the clip revealed that several of the people in the frame had anatomically implausible hands — missing or extra fingers, unnatural shapes — and one face appeared partially melted, a distortion common in AI-generated crowd scenes. The bullet casings themselves were oddly oversized and inconsistent in scale relative to the people around them, more like props than spent shells from small-arms fire. Taken together, the artefacts were consistent enough with AI generation that the image could be assessed on forensic grounds alone, without anyone on the ground to vouch for it. Similarly, a video claiming to show Punjab Police firing on citizens in Kashmir followed a similar pattern, though by a different route. It wasn’t new: iVerify had already fact-checked the same clip once before, tracing it back to a police clash with protesters near the US consulate in Karachi in March 2026. Its reappearance now, recontextualised as footage from Rawalakot, showed that old material can be recirculated to fit a new crisis, and that a claim debunked once doesn’t stay debunked in the timeline. Given the nature of the unrest, this information isn’t just circulating — it’s actively feeding a divisive narrative on either side of an already polarised online discourse. In such a climate, there is no shortage of actors with a reason to keep the information war going, and every unresolved claim becomes fuel for both. Verification, in this environment, isn’t a formality; it’s the only thing standing between a claim and its unchecked spread. But as these cases show, it is also becoming harder to do at exactly the moment it matters most, with the ground truth cut off by a blackout. Until that access is restored, the responsibility shifts to the people encountering this content before anyone else does. If a claim’s authentication is dubious — if it cannot be traced, confirmed, or corroborated — it should not be shared. This explainer was originally published by iVerify Pakistan — a project of CEJ-IBA and UNDP.  

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PML-N, PPP at breaking point?

With the trading of barbs between the two allies in the federal government becoming increasingly intense, political pundits believe the PPP and the PML-N are dangerously close to a point of no return, as the gravity of the allegations they have hurled at each other could leave them with little moral justification to continue the alliance, even if both sides wished to do so. The leaderships of both the PPP and the PML-N need to step in forthwith and agree on some code of ethics, said senior analyst Mujeebur Rehman Shami. He said the ever-growing bitterness in their statements would make reconciliation increasingly difficult between the PML-N and the PPP. In theory, this storm would settle after the Kashmir elections, but given the nature of the allegations, both sides would have no moral justification to continue the alliance, especially if the trading of barbs continued with the same intensity. This time, however, the PML-N has adopted a more cautious approach from the outset by keeping its criticism largely reactionary, while also advising its allies to remain civil, reflecting the same pattern as before. However, what analysts question is how both sides, after accusing each other of stealing mandates and being massively corrupt, can later sit together under the pretext of a larger national interest. Shami further said that the PPP is trying to cash in on the PTI's misfortune in AJK by appealing to its supporters to vote for the PPP. "If the PPP and Bilawal had any concerns, he should have raised his voice when PTI was being pushed out of the electoral arena in Kashmir. After all, the AJK chapter of PTI is different from the rest of the party in Pakistan." He said this opportunism was not going to gain any traction in AJK. "The guns will fall silent as soon as the dust settles on the Kashmir elections," former caretaker Punjab chief minister and senior analyst Hasan Askari said. "But under what justification will they continue with this alliance is beyond my comprehension. Somebody who steals elections should not be allowed to rule the country. So how can both parties bury these recent allegations and move on, as they have done with all the dirt they hurled at each other in the past?" He said the on-again, off-again rivalry was more akin to shadow boxing, but that this time both parties had gone too far. A PPP leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the party was likely to de-escalate immediately after the Kashmir elections. He said that since policy decisions were made at the very top, there was little that middle-tier leaders could do about them. He said walking on both sides of the aisle was not going to win the party any swing votes in Punjab, even in future elections.

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SC upholds strict limitation law

The Supreme Court has held that a party guilty of unnecessary delay, negligence and abuse of the judicial process is not entitled to equitable relief, observing that the law of limitation is not a mere technicality but a substantive legal framework designed to ensure timely and final resolution of disputes. A three-member bench comprising Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali issued the unanimous judgment, authored by Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan, dismissing Civil Appeal No. 2555 of 2016 while upholding the concurrent judgments of the Lahore High Court and the subordinate courts. The court held that the appellants had failed to file their appeal within the prescribed limitation period and were unable to provide any satisfactory explanation for the delay. It observed that an applicant seeking condonation of delay must furnish a reasonable, convincing and bona fide explanation for each day of delay; otherwise, the court cannot interfere with rights that have accrued upon the expiry of the statutory limitation period. The judgment noted that the record showed the appellants had been granted several opportunities but failed to pursue the case diligently and, through their own negligence, lost the opportunity to seek legal redress. The Supreme Court further observed that although courts generally prefer to decide cases on their merits, a thorough examination of the record in the present matter revealed no evidence that the impugned order had been obtained through fraud or any unlawful means. It held that the findings of the subordinate courts were fully supported by the evidence and the law, leaving no justification for interference. Terming the appellants' conduct an abuse of the judicial process, the court imposed costs of Rs200,000, directing that the amount be paid within 30 days, failing which it would be recovered as arrears of land revenue in accordance with the law.

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4 terrorists killed, two explosives-laden vehicles destroyed in Khuzdar IBO: ISPR

Security forces on Thursday neutralised four terrorists and destroyed two explosives-laden vehicles during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan's Khuzdar district, the military's media wing said. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation was conducted on the reported presence of terrorists belonging to the "Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan". Fitna al-Hindustan is the term used by the state for terrorists belonging to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other armed groups operating in the province. Read: Nine policemen martyred, 28 injured in terror attack on police checkpost in K-P's Hangu The ISPR said the security forces intercepted the movement of two explosives-laden vehicles along with the terrorists operating them. "After swift and prompt action by security forces, both vehicles were successfully destroyed," the statement said, adding that four attackers operating the vehicles were killed during the operation. The military said sanitisation operations were continuing in the area "to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorist found in the area". Reaffirming its commitment to counterterrorism, the ISPR said the "relentless counterterrorism campaign under the vision 'Azm-i-Istehkam' by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country." President Asif Ali Zardari commended the security forces for their "timely success" in thwarting the terrorists' plan, adding that it was a "manifestation of the security forces' high professional capability". He said that operations should continue until the complete eradication of "terrorism being carried out in the country under foreign patronage". صدر آصف علی زرداری نے بلوچستان کے ضلع خضدار میں فتنۂ الہندوستان کے دہشت گردوں کی کارروائی کو بروقت ناکام بنانے پر سیکیورٹی فورسز کو خراجِ تحسین پیش کیا ہے۔ صدر مملکت نے کہا کہ بھارتی سرپرستی میں سرگرم فتنۂ الہندوستان کے دہشت گردوں کی بارود سے بھری دو گاڑیوں کو تباہ کرنا سیکیورٹی… pic.twitter.com/fk2iEsaK0v — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) July 30, 2026 Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded the security forces for carrying out the operation, saying their timely action had foiled a major terrorist plot. The prime minister praised the forces for killing four militants and destroying two explosives-laden vehicles during the operation. "Every malicious attempt to spread terrorism in Pakistan will be thwarted," he said. He added that operations by the security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue with full force until terrorism was completely eradicated from the country. Also Read: Two dead as methane blast collapses coal mine in Balochistan's Sorange, traps over two dozen miners "The entire nation stands with its brave security forces and values their sacrifices for the peace, stability and security of the country," the prime minister said. وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف نے بلوچستان کے ضلع خضدار میں بھارتی سرپرستی میں سرگرم فتنہ الہندوستان کے دہشت گردوں کے خلاف کامیاب انٹیلی جنس بیسڈ آپریشن پر سیکیورٹی فورسز کو خراجِ تحسین پیش کیا ہے۔ وزیراعظم نے آپریشن کے دوران چار دہشت گردوں کو ہلاک کرنے اور بارودی مواد سے بھری دو… pic.twitter.com/zKydIQVRMj — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) July 30, 2026 Terrorism has increased significantly in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, in recent months. Although K-P has borne the brunt of the violence, Balochistan has also remained a major target of what the state describes as Indian proxies, which have often targeted civilians and military installations in the province. In one such attack on the last day of last year, terrorists targeted civilians in Gwadar and Kharan districts, where 18 people, including women, children, the elderly and labourers, were martyred. Security forces and law enforcement agencies immediately responded and, according to the military, thwarted the "evil designs" of the terrorists, killing 92 militants. Fifteen security personnel were also martyred during the operation. The forces continued operations across the provinces against what the state describes as Indian-sponsored terrorists and their proxies, but despite these efforts, the groups have continued to target civilian and defence installations. Earlier this month, at least 30 people, including 27 police personnel, were martyred when terrorists identified by the state as the Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan ambushed police personnel deployed in the Kach Mangi Phase III area of Ziarat, triggering hours-long gun battles. The attackers also abducted several civilians and police personnel after the assault. In the aftermath of the attack, the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan Police launched a joint operation, which remains underway, with forces intensifying action against terrorists across the province.

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Karachi waffle chain owner found dead in Gulistan-e-Jauhar after alleged kidnapping

A 25-year-old man who was allegedly kidnapped from Karachi's PECHS Society was found dead in the bushes near a wedding hall in Gulistan-e-Jauhar on Wednesday, with police suspecting that he was tortured before being shot dead. The victim, identified as Mir Raza Ali, son of Mir Hassan Ali, was a resident of PECHS Block 2 and owned waffle dessert chain “Wafflix” near Bahadurabad Chowrangi. His body was recovered from the bushes near Shadi Qila wedding hall in Gulistan-e-Jauhar Block 1 and was taken to Jinnah hospital for post-mortem examination. According to police, the body appeared to be one to two days old and had signs of burns in some areas, making identification difficult. The victim was identified by his father through his clothes. Police said a mark on the victim’s back was also found, while the exact cause of death would be determined after the post-mortem report. Read: Three suspects arrested in Dr Akash murder case killed in firing by their accomplices: police Station House Officer Kamran Qureshi said initial findings suggested that the victim was tortured before being shot. He added that police were collecting CCTV footage from cameras installed around the wedding hall to trace the suspects involved in the kidnapping and murder. A kidnapping case was registered at Ferozabad Police Station on Tuesday on the complaint of the victim’s father. According to the first information report, on the night between July 27 and 28, Raza returned home from his shop in his car and informed his mother at around 4am that he would step outside his house for 10 minutes. He did not return. His mother later called his mobile phone, but it was switched off. The family searched for him and also contacted Madadgar 15 before registering a kidnapping case against unidentified suspects at the police station. Police are continuing their investigation. Condemnations and condolences poured in on social media from those who knew the young entrepreneur as the authorities were criticised for the security situation of the city.

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