Dr. Lubna Zaheer meets Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb

Gold and silver prices continued their upward trend in both international and local markets, with gold reaching another historic level in Pakistan. The latest increase has pushed the price of gold per tola to a new record high, creating fresh concerns for buyers and investors. According to market data, the international bullion market witnessed another major rise on Wednesday, with gold prices increasing by $46 per ounce. Following the surge, the global gold price reached $4,114 per ounce, reflecting continued strength in the precious metals market. The impact of rising international prices was also seen in Pakistan’s local bullion markets. The price of 24-carat gold increased by Rs. 4,600 per tola, bringing the new rate to Rs. 433,836 per tola. This marks another significant jump in gold prices after gains were also recorded in the previous trading session. Similarly, the price of gold per 10 grams increased by Rs. 3,944, reaching Rs. 371,944 in local markets. The continuous rise has made gold increasingly expensive for consumers, particularly those planning weddings, investments, or savings through precious metals. Silver prices also recorded an increase alongside gold. The price of silver per tola rose by Rs. 7, reaching Rs. 6,403, while the price of 10 grams of silver increased by Rs. 6 to Rs. 5,489. Market analysts link the rise in precious metal prices to global economic factors, including investor demand for safe-haven assets, international market trends, and fluctuations affecting commodity prices. Gold is often considered a secure investment during periods of uncertainty, which can increase demand and push prices higher. The latest increase continues a trend of rising gold prices in recent days, with both global and local markets showing strong momentum. Traders and investors are closely monitoring international developments as further changes in global markets could influence gold and silver rates in Pakistan. With gold prices reaching unprecedented levels, consumers are advised to keep track of daily market updates before making major purchases. The bullion market remains sensitive to international price movements, currency changes, and economic conditions that can quickly impact local rates.

  A Karachi court has acquitted Anmol, alias Pinky, in three drug-related cases after accepting her applications seeking acquittal. The Additional District and Sessions Court South approved Anmol’s acquittal applications in all three cases. The cases against her had been registered at Guzri Police Station in 2020, 2021 and 2022. According to court proceedings, Anmol had remained a fugitive in connection with these cases. During the hearing, Anmol’s defence lawyer argued that two other accused persons nominated in the cases had already been acquitted by the court. The lawyer informed the court that co-accused Ali and Fahmida had been acquitted in 2024. The defence maintained that Anmol had been implicated in the cases primarily on the basis of statements given by her alleged co-accused. According to the lawyer, since the co-accused had already been acquitted, there was no reasonable possibility of securing a conviction against Anmol on the same evidence. The defence further argued that the prosecution’s case against Anmol was dependent on the statements of the co-accused. With those individuals having already been cleared by the court, the defence contended that there was insufficient evidence to establish Anmol’s involvement in the alleged offences. After hearing the arguments, the Additional District and Sessions Court South accepted the acquittal applications and acquitted Anmol alias Pinky in all three cases. The cases were registered at Guzri Police Station over a period of three years. The court’s decision brings an end to the proceedings against Anmol in these particular cases, although the order relates specifically to the three drug cases mentioned during the hearing.   Separately, Anmol alias Pinky had also been arrested by Garden Police in Karachi in May in connection with an alleged drug trafficking case. According to police officials, the woman was arrested during an operation in which law enforcement authorities claimed to have recovered a pistol, cocaine reportedly worth millions of rupees, chemicals and other narcotics from her possession. Following her arrest, Anmol was presented before a court without handcuffs, an aspect that had also drawn attention at the time. The latest court decision concerns the three cases registered against Anmol at Guzri Police Station in 2020, 2021 and 2022. The defence specifically relied on the acquittal of the co-accused in 2024, arguing that the same evidence could not reasonably be used to convict Anmol after those individuals had already been cleared. The court ultimately accepted the defence’s plea and granted Anmol relief in all three cases. The development marks a significant legal outcome for Anmol in the cases pending against her. However, the acquittal applies to the three cases before the Additional District and Sessions Court South and does not automatically determine the outcome of any separate case or investigation in which she may be involved. The ruling also highlights the importance of evidence in criminal proceedings, particularly when a prosecution case relies heavily on statements or allegations made by co-accused persons. In this instance, the defence successfully argued that the acquittal of the co-accused weakened the case against Anmol to the extent that her conviction was no longer considered likely. The court’s order followed arguments from both sides and brought the proceedings in the three specified cases to a close.

  Lahore, July 2026: HomeNet Pakistan, in partnership with AwazCDS/PDA, organized a high-level policy dialogue with Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs), including members of the Standing Committee on Local Government, to discuss legislative reforms aimed at promoting a stronger, more inclusive, and constitutionally compliant local government system in Punjab. The dialogue brought together parliamentarians, civil society representatives, and governance experts to exchange views on the future of local governance and explore ways to strengthen democratic institutions at the grassroots level. The session focused on ensuring political continuity, enhancing public participation, and improving the effectiveness of elected local governments.   Opening the event, Mr. Zia ur Rehman, Chief Executive of AwazCDS-Pakistan, highlighted the constitutional importance of Article 140A, which requires the devolution of political, administrative, and financial authority to elected local governments. He stressed that an effective local government system is essential for democratic governance and improved public service delivery. He urged the Punjab Assembly to introduce legal and institutional reforms that would safeguard democratic continuity, ensure the timely conduct of local government elections, and strengthen the autonomy of elected local bodies.   During the session, Ms. Ume Laila Azhar, Executive Director of HomeNet Pakistan, presented a set of policy recommendations designed to reinforce democratic governance at the local level. She emphasized the need for a stable and party-based electoral framework for local governments, noting that frequent legislative changes have weakened institutional continuity. She referred to the replacement of the Punjab Local Government Act 2022 with the Punjab Local Government Act 2025 as an example of policy shifts that have contributed to delays in restoring elected local governments across the province. She called for legal safeguards to prevent repeated delimitations and unnecessary postponements of local government elections. HomeNet Pakistan also recommended a transparent and representative mechanism for filling reserved seats allocated to women, youth, minorities, workers, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. According to the organization, such measures would promote broader democratic participation and ensure that local governments better reflect the diversity of society.   In addition, the organization emphasized the importance of returning key municipal responsibilities—including water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, and local infrastructure development—to elected local governments. It proposed that provincial and district administrations should primarily provide technical guidance and institutional support rather than directly managing these essential services. The dialogue was attended by Ms. Sumbal Malik Hussain, Ms. Fizzah Maimona Rao, Ms. Somia Atta, Ms. Rukhsana Kausar, Ms. Farzana Abbas, Ms. Nasreen Riaz, and Ms. Attia Hanif, alongside representatives from civil society organizations and governance experts. Responding to the recommendations, the participating MPAs appreciated the constructive engagement and acknowledged the importance of strengthening democratic local governance. They reaffirmed the Punjab Government’s commitment to transparency, institutional reforms, and democratic accountability, expressing confidence that these principles would continue to guide the ongoing local government reform process. The parliamentarians informed participants that the delimitation process had made substantial progress, with geographical boundaries largely finalized. They stated that the remaining objections were expected to be addressed by the end of July 2026. Following the completion of the statutory process, they expressed optimism that the election schedule would be announced, paving the way for timely local government elections. The MPAs also committed to sharing the recommendations emerging from the dialogue with the Honorable Speaker of the Punjab Assembly and pledged to advocate for legislative reforms that promote constitutional compliance, political continuity, and an empowered local government system capable of responding effectively to citizens’ needs. Concluding the event, HomeNet Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with parliamentarians, government institutions, and civil society partners to advance democratic governance, strengthen inclusive representation, and support the timely restoration of empowered elected local governments across Punjab.