Tribunal rejects Elahi's election plea

An election tribunal has dismissed election petitions filed by PTI leader Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and his wife Qaisara Elahi against an ECP notification regarding victory of their nephew in elections at a Punjab Assembly constituency. The ECP had declared Chaudhry Salik Hussain the winning candidate at PP-32 constituency in Gujrat. Elahi, whose wife is the sister of Chuadhry Shujaat, had challenged the results of PP-32, nominating the ECP and Salik as respondents in the case. The petitioner had argued that the ECP wrongly issued a victory notification as according to Form-45, the declared winner had actually ranked third.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/NcZzlwe

5.9 magnitude quake jolts Punjab, K-P

A powerful 5.9 magnitude earthquake rattled Punjab, Islamabad and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Thursday, triggering panic as residents rushed outdoors when tremors shook multiple cities. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the quake was recorded at 9:56 p.m. at a depth of 111 km, with its epicentre in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region. Strong shocks were felt in Peshawar, Mansehra, Hangu, Abbottabad, Swat, Attock, Malakand, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Bilal Ahmad Faizi, spokesperson for Rescue 1122 Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, said tremors were also reported in Nowshera and surrounding areas. “Rescue 1122 staff have been placed on high alert,” he said, adding that no emergency calls had yet been received. #Earthquake 5.9@GovernmentKP @CSKPOfficial @infokpgovt @KhattakAsfand1 pic.twitter.com/WQxCJMejZs — PDMAKP OFFICIAL (@PDMAKP) September 4, 2025 The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa said there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. “Details are being collected from various districts, and we remain in contact with the NDMA,” the statement said. Separately, the PDMA in Punjab confirmed tremors across several districts, including Rawalpindi, but said no losses were reported. “Initial reports have been received from all districts of Punjab,” a PDMA spokesperson said, adding that the provincial control room and district emergency operation centres were on 24/7 alert. An earthquake originated on 04-09-2025 at 21:56 PST Mag: 5.9 Depth: 111 Km Lat: 35.12°N Long: 70.71 °E… pic.twitter.com/pZHz6gj8EZ — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) September 4, 2025 PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said building inspections were under way across the province. “No losses have been reported so far,” he said, urging the public to report any damage through the PDMA helpline at 1129. Earlier on Monday, a powerful earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale jolted Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree and several districts of K-P - including Peshawar, Mansehra and Abbottabad - in the early hours, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). The PMD reported that the Seismic Network of Pakistan Meteorological Department recorded the 6.0 magnitude earthquake at 12:08 on September 01, with its epicentre located in southern Afghanistan at a latitude of 34.82°N and longitude of 70.74°E. Soon after the tremors, residents in the affected areas rushed out of their homes in panic. No casualties or property damage have been reported so far.  

from Punjab News Updates and Insights - The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/re9TiUH

SCBA pushes for sweeping SC reforms

Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Mian Rauf Atta and senior Supreme Court lawyer Hafiz Ehsan Khokhar have submitted proposals for amending the Supreme Court Rules to facilitate the litigant people. The proposals include setting time limits for lawyers of both parties to present arguments, deciding every case filed in the Supreme Court within one year, issuing court orders the same day as hearings, and releasing reserved judgments within one month. The 12-page set of proposals has been submitted to the Supreme Court Registrar. References to the justice systems of Turkiye, China, France, Germany, and Norway were also included in the draft. The proposals called for withdrawing increase in the court fees, saying that the Supreme Court is not a revenue-generating authority and that higher fees contradict Article 37(d) of the Constitution, which guarantees inexpensive and prompt justice. They noted that only minimal fees are charged in Norway and Germany, and that access to justice should be available to all citizens, not just those who are financially strong. In the UK and India, they said, courts even sit in the evenings to hear urgent cases. It has been suggested that every appeal filed in the Supreme Court should be decided within one year, while civil appeals should be concluded within six months. Once a case is fixed in the cause list, it should not be delisted unless in extraordinary circumstances or emergencies. If a case is delisted, it should automatically be re-fixed on the next working day. They also recommended that short orders be issued on the same day of hearings, while detailed judgments should be released within one month. Appeals filed in the Supreme Court should be fixed for hearing within two months, and all cases should be disposed of within one year. The SCBA also proposed that the accountability body for judges — the SJC — should hold open proceedings. It further recommended that any complaint filed against a judge should be decided within six months.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/SUjDywH

ATC grants interim bail to PTI's Basharat

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday granted interim bail to PTI leader and former provincial minister Raja Basharrat in November 26, protest and riots case. The court stopped the police from arresting the petitioner till next date in the case registered by Karachi Company Police Station against him. ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sapra heard the case wherein Raja Basharrat appeared before court along with his legal team. The court approved the interim bail against surety bonds worth Rs5,000 and served notices to respondents for comments. The court adjourned hearing of the case till September 8.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/u4TYkDR

Five killed, 29 injured in Quetta explosion

At least five people were killed and 29 others injured in a powerful explosion near a public rally organised by the Balochistan National Party (BNP) in Quetta on Tuesday. According to reports, the blast occurred near Shahwani Stadium after BNP-M’s gathering, held to observe Sardar Attaullah Mengal’s 4th death anniversary. Balochistan’s Minister for Health, Bakht Muhammad Kakar, confirmed the casualty figures. "We have received five bodies and 29 injured so far," he said. Also Read: Six soldiers martyred, five terrorists killed in Bannu attack: ISPR According to police officials, initial reports indicate that the explosion targeted BNP chief Akhtar Mengal and his convoy, however, Mengal remained unharmed in the incident. Law enforcement agencies and security forces swiftly cordoned off the area following the blast, while emergency responders transported the injured to nearby hospital. The condition of several victims is reported to be critical. Speaking to the media, BNP spokesperson Sajid Tareen claimed that 13 party workers had been martyred in the attack. “The moment Akhtar Mengal’s vehicle passed by, a loud explosion occurred,” he said. Investigators are working to determine the nature of the explosion and whether it was through an improvised explosive device (IED) or a suicide attack. Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti strongly condemned the attack, calling it a ‘cowardly act by the enemies of humanity’. He added, “Such acts of terrorism are meant to destabilise the province and spread fear among innocent citizens.” Read: 881 dead as Pakistan reels in devastating floods Bugti directed authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care and called for a high-level investigation into the incident. He also instructed law enforcement agencies to arrest those responsible, at the earliest. A special investigation committee has been formed and tasked with submitting a report as soon as possible. Security has been beefed up in and around Quetta in the aftermath of the explosion. No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing so far.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/6CO4WhV

SCO condemns terrorist attacks in Balochistan

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday condemned the terrorist attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan province in March and May, as well as the assault on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). In a joint statement, the Council of Heads of Member States of the 10-member Eurasian political, economic and security bloc cautioned against double standards in the fight against terrorism and urged consensus on a global convention to counter the menace. The SCO summit was held in the Chinese city of Tianjin under the chairmanship of President Xi Jinping. It was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, President Vladimir Putin of Russia, President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, President Sadyr Zhaparov of Kyrgyzstan, President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. The leaders adopted the joint statement condemning the Jaffar Express train hijacking on March 11 in Balochistan and the bombing of a school bus in Khuzdar on May 21. It also condemned the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, a tourist hotspot in IIOJK. The member states strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stressed that double standards in the fight against terrorism were unacceptable. They underscored the importance of adopting by consensus a comprehensive convention on international terrorism, the statement said. According to the statement, the leaders expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the deceased and the wounded, stating that perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of such attacks must be brought to justice. While reaffirming their firm commitment to the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism, the leaders stressed "the inadmissibility of attempts to use" terrorist, separatist and extremist groups for mercenary purposes. They recognised the leading role of sovereign states and their competent authorities in countering terrorist and extremist threats and emphasised the importance of multilateral cooperation in combating terrorism and terror financing. "Member States reaffirm their determination to continue the joint fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism, as well as against the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, arms smuggling and other forms of transnational organised crime," the statement said. The joint statement said that the SCO member states vowed to step up joint efforts to prevent the spread of radical ideologies, religious intolerance and xenophobia, aggressive nationalism, and ethnic and racial discrimination. "They adopted the Programme of Cooperation of Member States in Countering Extremist Ideology in the SCO Area for 2026-2030, aimed, inter alia, at the implementation by the participating States of the SCO Convention on Countering Extremism (Astana, 9 June 2017)," it added. Chaos and conflicts The statement noted that geopolitical confrontation, challenges and threats to security and stability, including in the SCO region, were intensifying. The global economy, especially international commodity and financial markets, was experiencing serious turmoil. "There is a growing desire to create a more just, equitable and representative multipolar world order that opens up new prospects for the development of states and mutually beneficial international cooperation," it said. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a more representative, democratic, just and multipolar world order based on the principles of international law and the UN Charter and respect for cultural diversity, and mutually beneficial and equal cooperation between states. The member states adhered to a line that excludes bloc and confrontational approaches to solving international and regional development problems. They emphasised that cooperation within the SCO could serve as a basis for the formation of an architecture of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia. The member states committed to ensuring sustainable international peace and called for joint efforts to counter traditional and new security challenges and threats. In order to further improve the activities of the SCO, the member states adopted the SCO Development Strategy until 2035. Gaza and Iran Reiterating their deep concern over the continuing escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the member states strongly condemn the actions that have led to numerous casualties among the civilian population and a catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. They stressed the need for ensuring an immediate, complete and sustainable ceasefire, access to humanitarian aid, and intensified efforts to achieve peace, stability and security for all residents of the region, the joint statement said. The SCO condemned the military strikes by Israel and the US against Iran in June. They said that such aggressive actions against civilian targets, including nuclear energy infrastructure, which resulted in the death of civilians, were a gross violation of the international law and the UN Charter. "They noted that the physical nuclear safety and security of nuclear facilities must be ensured on a permanent basis, including during periods of armed conflict, in order to protect the population and the environment from harm," said the joint statement. The statement emphasised the nation's right to develop research, production and use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, and stressed that unilateral restrictive measures in this area were contrary to international law and are unacceptable. While reaffirming the commitment to diplomatic initiatives aimed at the peaceful resolution of the issues, the SCO leaders called for the resumption of constructive dialogue between the parties involved, and for a focus on jointly seeking solutions that would prevent further escalation of the situation. Reaffirming their commitment to the establishment of Afghanistan as an independent, neutral and peaceful state, free from terrorism, war and drugs, the member states stressed the formation of an inclusive government with broad participation of representatives of all ethno-political groups. The SCO summit noted plans to hold the 'SCO-Plus Dialogue on Security Issues' in Tashkent; the proposal to prepare and sign an agreement on confidence-building measures in the military sphere and backed further deepening practical cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking. The SCO said that a country's attempts to ensure security at the expense of the security of other countries were unacceptable. They warned that the unilateral and unrestrained development of global anti-missile defence systems had a negative impact on international security and stability. According to the statement, the member states, excluding India, reaffirmed their support for China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The summit also adopted a statement on support for the multilateral trading system and the initiative to develop an agreement on trade facilitation within the SCO. The leaders called for the initiative to establish a 'Greater Eurasian Partnership' and expressed their readiness to develop dialogue between the SCO, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Saarc), as well as other interested states and multilateral associations. Reaffirming the importance of establishing an SCO Development Bank, the interested member states decided to establish it and intensify consultations on a range of issues related to the functioning of this financial institution. The member states sought to deepen cooperation in the field of sport, noting the importance of removing barriers to participation in sporting competitions. They stressed that major international sporting events should be organised in a spirit of peace and friendship without any discrimination. The SCO chairmanship will pass to the Kyrgyz Republic and will be held under the slogan "25 years of the SCO: together towards sustainable peace, development and prosperity". The next meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the SCO will be held in 2026 in the Kyrgyz Republic.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/NGqtQFW

Gandapur terms Kalabagh Dam 'essential for state'

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said on Monday that construction of Kalabagh Dam was ‘essential for the state’ and urged that concerns over the controversial project should be addressed through dialogue. Speaking to reporters after a party meeting at K-P House in Islamabad, Gandapur blamed the absence of large dams for the devastation caused by rains and floods. “We are afraid to even name some dams. Kalabagh Dam is necessary for the state, and if there are reservations, they should be addressed through talks,” he said. “We are ready to contribute our share in its construction, and other provinces should also play their part so the project can be realised.” بریکنگ وزیر اعلی خیبر پختونخوا علی امین گنڈا پور نے کالا باغ ڈیم کی حمایت کر دی pic.twitter.com/g4okUppvDx — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) September 1, 2025 The chief minister admitted that delays in building dams had led to the disasters. He said his provincial government was taking independent steps, having completed six dams last year, including Gomal, which reduced flood losses. “We are constructing dams in various districts to minimise risks in future,” he added. Gandapur said a new Jabba Dam was being built to protect Peshawar, while a protective wall had been erected in Budhni to protect the city against floods. He also addressed recent flash floods in Buner, saying they were the result of a cloudburst and not deforestation. “Cloudbursts occur due to rising heat in the atmosphere and can happen anywhere. To block rocks carried by floods, nets will be installed on the Swiss model,” he said.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/iEmeona