300 children die daily due to poor healthcare: Mus…

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has accused international broadcaster Al Jazeera of presenting a misleading picture of the recently held Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, alleging that its coverage selectively portrayed the electoral process. In an official statement, the ministry said the broadcaster reported from selected polling stations in Muzaffarabad and relied on carefully chosen interviews and timings that did not accurately reflect the overall conduct of the elections. It claimed the reporting created a distorted impression of the voting process and failed to represent the broader electoral environment. The ministry further alleged that such coverage appeared aimed at undermining the credibility of the elections and ignoring what it described as the democratic will expressed by voters across the region. It maintained that the people of AJK had exercised their right to vote despite political tensions. Alongside its criticism of the coverage, the ministry reminded foreign media organisations operating in Pakistan that reporting assignments outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi require prior approval under the country’s External Publicity Guidelines. It urged all foreign correspondents to comply with the regulations governing reporting in other parts of the country. The AJK elections, however, remained under intense scrutiny after allegations of irregularities and isolated incidents of violence emerged during polling. Opposition parties accused authorities of interfering in the electoral process, while the ruling coalition exchanged allegations of rigging and misuse of state resources. Human rights organisations also expressed concern over reports of deaths and injuries linked to election-related unrest. They called for transparent and independent investigations into the incidents and stressed that maintaining public order should not come at the expense of fundamental rights, including peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. The elections were held against the backdrop of political unrest that has continued in AJK since last year’s protests over governance reforms and constitutional issues. The controversy surrounding reserved refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly also remained a major political issue during the campaign.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Peshawar Zone has arrested five suspects during raids against alleged illegal foreign currency exchange and Hawala/Hundi operations in Timargara Bazaar, Lower Dir. According to FIA officials, the suspects were allegedly operating unauthorized currency exchange and money transfer businesses without the required licences. Separate cases have been registered against the arrested individuals under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA). During the raids, investigators recovered Pakistani and foreign currency worth millions of rupees. The seized cash included Rs49.336 million in Pakistani currency, 158 million Iranian rials, 20,521 Saudi riyals, 3,000 UAE dirhams and 700 Polish zloty. The FIA said the suspects were allegedly involved in unauthorized foreign exchange dealings and illegal transfer of funds through Hawala/Hundi networks. Such activities violate Pakistan’s laws governing foreign exchange and financial transactions. The latest action forms part of the FIA Peshawar Zone’s ongoing crackdown on unauthorized currency dealers and illegal money-transfer networks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Officials said such operations are aimed at curbing activities linked to money laundering, currency smuggling and other financial crimes. The agency has launched further investigations to determine the source and intended destination of the recovered funds. Investigators are also working to identify other people who may be connected with the alleged illegal operations.

Pakistan’s water reserves have improved significantly, with the country’s major reservoirs now filled to 72% of their total storage capacity, according to official data released on Sunday. The latest figures show that the combined water storage in the country’s key reservoirs has reached 9.466 million acre-feet (MAF), compared with a total storage capacity of 13.149 million acre-feet. Officials said the improvement follows a substantial increase in water inflows across the Indus River system, with inflows significantly exceeding outflows. The higher inflow has helped replenish major dams and strengthen the country’s water reserves. The increase in reservoir levels is expected to support irrigation needs, improve water availability for agriculture and enhance overall water management during the current season. Authorities continue to monitor inflows and reservoir levels as the monsoon season contributes to rising water storage across the country’s major dams.

The Federal Constitutional Court has issued an important ruling in favour of corporate taxpayers. The court has declared the adjustment of tax credits against super tax legally valid. It has also overturned an earlier decision of the Islamabad High Court. Justice Amir Farooq authored the six-page detailed judgment. The court accepted the appeals filed by a private mobile phone company. The case relates to the adjustment of tax credits against super tax. The company had challenged a demand raised by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The FBR had issued a notice to the private company. The notice required the company to pay super tax. The company approached the Islamabad High Court after receiving the notice. It argued that its available tax credit should be allowed to adjust against the super tax liability. The Islamabad High Court rejected the company’s petition. The company then challenged that decision before the Federal Constitutional Court. The Federal Constitutional Court has now accepted the company’s appeals. It has declared that tax credits available to a taxpayer can be adjusted against super tax. The court referred to the relevant provisions of the tax law. It observed that the tax credit available under Section 168 is a separate and legally recognised right. According to the judgment, a taxpayer should not be prevented from using this credit for adjustment. The court said forcing a taxpayer to seek only a refund would not be consistent with the intention of the law. The judgment also addressed the interpretation of financial and tax laws. The court observed that such laws should be interpreted in a manner that facilitates taxpayers. The court emphasised that taxpayers should be able to exercise rights provided to them under the law. A legal right to a tax credit cannot be unnecessarily restricted through an interpretation that creates additional difficulties for taxpayers. The court also issued directions to the FBR. The FBR has been directed to examine the taxpayer’s claim for adjustment. The department must consider the claim in response to the tax notice. The FBR will now have to decide the matter according to the applicable law and the court’s ruling. The judgment provides an important clarification for corporate taxpayers. It establishes that an eligible tax credit can be considered for adjustment against a super tax liability. The ruling may also have wider implications for companies facing similar tax demands. Businesses with legally available tax credits may now rely on the court’s interpretation when seeking adjustments against their tax liabilities. By setting aside the Islamabad High Court’s decision, the Federal Constitutional Court has clarified the legal position on the issue. The case also highlights the continuing dispute between taxpayers and the FBR over the interpretation and application of tax laws.