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Lahore: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, formally inaugurated the 983rd Annual Urs of Hazrat Ali Hajveri (RA), widely revered as Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA), by performing the traditional Chadar Poshi ceremony and inaugurating the ceremonial Sabeel-e-Doodh. On this auspicious occasion, he also unveiled the Punjab Auqaf & Religious Affairs Department’s special publication, “Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA) – Kamalaan Raa Rahnuma,” and reaffirmed that Pakistan was founded upon the eternal principles of Islam and the sovereignty of Almighty Allah, ideals that were magnificently exemplified and disseminated by the great Sufi saints through their scholarship, spirituality, and exemplary character. He observed that the timeless teachings of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA), centred on compassion, tolerance, justice, fraternity, piety and selfless service to humanity, continue to illuminate the path towards peace, national cohesion and social harmony. The ceremony was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Punjab Ali Dar, Provincial Minister for Housing Bilal Yasin, Provincial Minister for Finance Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Senior Member Board of Revenue Nabeel Javed, Secretary Excise Masood Mukhtar, Commissioner Lahore Nauman Yousaf, Secretary/Chief Administrator Auqaf Punjab Dr. Ehsan Bhutta, Director General Religious Affairs Hafiz Anees-ur-Rehman, Director Administration Auqaf Muhammad Shakir Sandhu, Director Projects Auqaf Rafiq Noor Wattoo, Deputy Commissioner Lahore Ali Ijaz, Administrator Data Darbar Muhammad Ali Khan, GM NESPAK Adil Nazir, and senior officers of the Auqaf Department, civil administration, law enforcement and security agencies. The annual Chadar Poshi ceremony was gracefully conducted by Maulana Mufti Kashif Jameel as Naqeeb-e-Mehfil, while the honour of Qur’anic recitation was bestowed upon Qari Syed Sadaqat Ali and Qari Ghulam Fareed Al-Hassani. Renowned Naat Khawans—Qari Muhammad Anas Mukhtar, Dr. Sarwar Hussain Naqshbandi, Hafiz Muhammad Waseem Abbas, Hafiz Noor Sultan Siddiqui, Marghoob Ahmad Hamdani, Abdul Razzaq Jami and Habib-ur-Rehman Bhatti—presented heartfelt tributes in praise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), while Umar Chishti Group and Riaz Hussain Group presented soul-stirring Manqabat and Salaam. Floral tributes were offered at the sacred shrine, distinguished guests were ceremonially honoured with traditional turbans, and special collective prayers were led by Allama Mukhtar Ahmad Nadeem, Khateeb of Jamia Masjid Data Darbar. Following the ceremony, the Deputy Prime Minister officially launched the commemorative publication and received an extensive briefing from officials of the Communication & Works Department and NESPAK regarding the Data Darbar Expansion Project. Commending the Government of Punjab for its exceptional arrangements, Senator Ishaq Dar described the service of millions of devotees as a profound religious obligation and a matter of immense privilege, while paying rich tribute to the comprehensive security architecture, sanitation, healthcare, traffic management and public facilitation measures, and especially acknowledging the outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication of Dr. Ehsan Bhutta and his entire team. Advisor to the Chief Minister Punjab Ali Dar remarked that the shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA) remains an enduring symbol of spirituality, peace and interfaith harmony across the Subcontinent, adding that under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, every possible resource has been mobilised to ensure a secure, dignified and spiritually enriching experience for pilgrims. Dr. Ehsan Bhutta further stated that, under the continuous supervision of the Chief Secretary Punjab, all Urs arrangements had been completed well in advance and to the highest professional standards, with special emphasis on security, Langar, Sabeel, medical services, cleanliness, parking, traffic management, control rooms and guidance centres. Multi-tier security measures were implemented throughout the shrine complex in close coordination with law enforcement agencies, including comprehensive search operations, deployment of armed personnel on surrounding high-rise buildings and stringent surveillance protocols, while additional personnel from the Tourism Department were also deployed to facilitate visitors. The inaugural day of the Urs witnessed an extraordinary influx of devotees from across Pakistan who thronged the sacred shrine to offer chadars, floral tributes and prayers, as the atmosphere resonated with devotional fervour, traditional drum performances and the continuous distribution of Langar. The first day also featured four prestigious spiritual and scholarly gatherings, including a Mehfil-e-Husn-e-Qira’at, an academic and educational session at Jamia Hajveria, a scholarly discourse titled “The Life and Legacy of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA)”, and a grand Mehfil-e-Naat, while the three-day Urs celebrations will continue with the inauguration of the traditional Mehafil-e-Samaa on 3 August at 10:00 a.m. at Rashid Events Complex, Chowk Sardar, Chappal Factory, Bilal Ganj, Lahore, where some of Pakistan’s most distinguished Qawwals will participate in the revered musical assemblies.

Islamabad: Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Raja Nasir Abbas, has accused the government of lacking genuine commitment to political engagement, saying it is not serious about holding meaningful talks to resolve the country’s ongoing political challenges. Speaking to private media, Abbas said the opposition has consistently advocated dialogue and political engagement as the best way to address national issues. He stressed that the opposition remains ready for constructive negotiations and urged the government to take practical steps toward initiating the process. Referring to recent efforts aimed at opening communication channels, Abbas said senior politician Mahmood Khan Achakzai had proposed a meeting in Parliament’s Constitution Room and had even suggested that discussions could take place at the residence of government representative Rana Sanaullah if needed. According to Abbas, these proposals reflected the opposition’s willingness to find common ground. Currently in Iraq to attend Arbaeen commemorations, Abbas said he is prepared to return to Pakistan immediately if meaningful negotiations are scheduled. He reiterated that the opposition is willing to meet the prime minister and the government’s negotiating team at any time to pursue a political settlement. Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai also questioned the government’s intentions, arguing that recent actions contradict its public calls for dialogue. He said that if the government were genuinely interested in negotiations, it would not have registered terrorism-related cases against opposition members. Yousafzai maintained that successful negotiations require a positive political environment, alleging that government actions have instead deepened tensions. He further claimed that meaningful talks would have included facilitating meetings between opposition leaders and jailed PTI founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, adding that even family members have reportedly faced restrictions on meeting him. The latest statements highlight the continuing deadlock between the government and the opposition, with both sides publicly expressing support for dialogue while accusing each other of creating obstacles to meaningful political negotiations.

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Policy and Business Development Think Tank, founded by former Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, Gohar Ejaz and Sir Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera, hosted a policy session showcasing the Republic Policy Governance Model, a proposed federal and democratic framework aimed at reforming Pakistan’s existing system of governance. The session brought together policy leaders and prominent figures to discuss four books authored by Republic Policy: Fixing the Executive, Fixing the Legislature, Fixing the Judiciary, and The Bureaucratic Coup. A New Federal Democratic Governance Model According to Republic Policy, the proposed model seeks to establish a governance framework aligned with Pakistan’s federal constitutional structure, democratic representation, parliamentary supremacy and principles of effective public administration. The think tank said the initiative goes beyond criticism of the existing governance system and seeks to offer a practical alternative based on constitutional supremacy, democratic accountability, federalism and stronger parliamentary institutions. The model also addresses longstanding debates surrounding decentralisation, bureaucratic influence and the balance of power among the executive, legislature and judiciary. Reform Agenda Draws Appreciation Sources attending the event said the governance model and the four books received appreciation from participants, including former Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, Gohar Ejaz and Sir Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera. A representative of Republic Policy said fundamental reforms in Pakistan’s governance system would need to become a central part of the national debate on the country’s future. “The encouragement we received is immensely encouraging for us,” the representative said, stressing the importance of continuing discussions on structural governance reforms. Focus on Constitutional Governance The Economic Policy and Business Development Think Tank was established to promote policy dialogue on economic and governance issues in Pakistan. The presentation of the Republic Policy Governance Model adds a new dimension to discussions on institutional reform, decentralisation, bureaucratic overreach and parliamentary empowerment. Republic Policy maintains that strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring governance within the framework of the Constitution are essential for improving the effectiveness and accountability of the Pakistani state.