Black Oil-Like Slicks Wash Ashore at Jomtien Beach; Tourists Temporarily Avoid Swimming

Lahore Police have launched a large-scale operation against illegal moneylenders and their facilitators as part of an intensified effort to protect citizens from financial exploitation, harassment, and intimidation. Authorities have directed police across the city to register cases without discrimination against individuals involved in illegal lending practices, particularly those accused of threatening, blackmailing, or harassing borrowers. The campaign aims to curb predatory lending and ensure strict legal action against offenders. DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said there would be zero tolerance for moneylenders who recover amounts far exceeding the original loans through coercive and unlawful means. He emphasized that no concessions would be granted to those exploiting financially vulnerable people. To strengthen access to justice, Lahore Police have also partnered with the Lahore Bar through a newly signed memorandum of understanding. Under the agreement, deserving and financially disadvantaged citizens will be referred, with their consent, to a panel of lawyers who will provide free legal representation in civil cases. Faisal Kamran added that legal experts have also been engaged to assist in disputes involving inheritance, the return of dowry items, and financial transactions. He assured that police would continue to monitor such cases closely to ensure that victims receive timely justice and legal protection. The initiative reflects Lahore Police’s broader commitment to tackling financial crimes while expanding legal support for vulnerable members of society.

  A spokesperson has confirmed that Justice Shahid Karim is currently ranked sixth on the seniority list of judges serving at the Lahore High Court. His position on the seniority roster reflects his extensive judicial experience and years of service within Pakistan’s higher judiciary. According to the spokesperson, Justice Shahid Karim has been hearing cases related to smog prevention and environmental pollution for the past several years. During this period, he has presided over numerous hearings concerning environmental protection, air quality, and measures aimed at reducing the harmful effects of smog, particularly in Punjab. His courtroom has become a focal point for addressing environmental issues that have increasingly affected public health and the quality of life in the province. Justice Karim has been widely recognized for taking an active interest in environmental matters. Under his supervision, various government departments have been directed to implement policies and practical measures to tackle air pollution and improve environmental standards. His hearings have often involved officials from environmental agencies, local governments, industries, and other stakeholders responsible for ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. The issue of smog has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges in Pakistan, especially during the winter months, when air quality deteriorates significantly due to industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, crop residue burning, and unfavorable weather conditions. Through his judicial oversight, Justice Shahid Karim has consistently emphasized the need for coordinated action among government institutions to protect public health and reduce environmental degradation. The spokesperson further stated that Justice Shahid Karim’s retirement will create another vacancy in the Lahore High Court. Following his retirement, the total number of vacant judicial positions at the court will rise to 21. This increase in vacancies is expected to place additional pressure on the existing judges, who already manage a heavy workload involving thousands of pending civil, criminal, constitutional, and administrative cases. Judicial vacancies are a matter of concern because they can contribute to delays in the disposal of cases and increase the burden on the remaining members of the bench. Legal experts have frequently stressed the importance of filling vacant judicial positions promptly to ensure timely access to justice and maintain the efficient functioning of the court system. The retirement of a senior judge such as Justice Shahid Karim is also significant because of the experience and expertise he brings to the judiciary. Over the years, he has handled a wide range of important legal matters, but his role in environmental litigation has particularly distinguished his judicial career. His decisions and observations have highlighted the importance of environmental conservation, sustainable development, and government accountability in addressing pollution-related challenges. With his departure from the bench, authorities are expected to initiate the process of appointing new judges to fill the growing number of vacancies in the Lahore High Court. These appointments will be important in ensuring that the court continues to function effectively and that the backlog of pending cases does not increase further. Justice Shahid Karim’s retirement marks the end of an important chapter in the Lahore High Court’s judicial history. His contributions, particularly in the field of environmental justice and smog control, have had a lasting impact on legal and policy discussions surrounding environmental protection in Pakistan. As the Lahore High Court prepares for this transition, the appointment of qualified judges will be essential to maintaining the efficiency, credibility, and effectiveness of the judicial system.

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of violating the election code of conduct ahead of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. Speaking at a press conference after a Sindh cabinet meeting in Karachi, Memon claimed that the ruling party was using its government position to influence the electoral process. During the briefing, Memon also announced that the Sindh cabinet had approved a six-month extension of the health insurance program for employees of the Governor House and Chief Minister House. He added that travel allowances for government employees from Grade 1 to Grade 16 had also been increased. Commenting on the recent heavy rainfall, the provincial minister said several districts in Punjab had been severely affected. He claimed that recent rains resulted in casualties in both Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and criticized what he described as limited media attention to the situation. Turning to the political situation, Memon alleged that senior leaders of the federal and Punjab governments were focused on campaigning in Azad Kashmir instead of addressing public issues. He expressed confidence that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would secure a convincing victory in the upcoming AJK elections. The minister also criticized what he described as governments formed through “manufactured mandates,” saying that true political legitimacy comes through public support. He reiterated that the PPP is not part of the federal coalition government and said the party had only extended support to strengthen the democratic process. Memon further alleged that infrastructure development has been concentrated in Punjab while Sindh has not received similar attention, particularly in the construction of major motorways. His remarks drew criticism from Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari, who defended the Punjab government’s development record and rejected the allegations. She argued that provincial resources are being spent on the welfare of Punjab’s residents and questioned the Sindh government’s own performance. Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique also responded, saying critics should first examine the condition of their own provinces. He defended Punjab’s drainage system, claiming rainwater in Lahore is cleared within hours, unlike in parts of Sindh where waterlogging often persists for days. The exchange of statements highlights the growing political rivalry between the PPP and PML-N as campaigning for the AJK elections intensifies.

ISLAMABAD: A proposal to reduce the passing threshold for medical college admissions to 50 percent has emerged amid concerns over vacant seats despite efforts to lower merit requirements. The matter was discussed during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Health Services, chaired by MNA Mahesh Kumar. The committee also examined complaints alleging that some medical colleges were charging fees above the permitted limit. Committee Chairman Mahesh Kumar said medical colleges are allowed to charge annual fees of up to Rs1.8 million. He directed officials to provide details of institutions allegedly collecting higher fees from students. The chairman also questioned why seats were still remaining vacant after merit requirements had already been relaxed. He suggested that the passing marks could be set at 50 percent and that the proportion of difficult questions in the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s entrance examination could also be reviewed. Federal Health Minister said 61 medical colleges had applied for permission to increase their fees. However, he clarified that colleges cannot raise fees independently and that only 35 of the 61 institutions had fulfilled the required conditions for a fee increase. Colleges failing to meet the prescribed criteria would not be permitted to charge higher fees. The President of the PMDC informed the committee that notices had been issued to medical colleges against which complaints of excessive fee collection had been received. Committee member Mustafa Kamal said vacant seats were also a concern for the authorities, but argued that high fees alone could not explain the situation. He pointed out that colleges charging around Rs3.5 million had not faced vacant seats, suggesting that other factors may also be contributing to the problem. The PMDC president further informed the committee that 468 additional seats had been approved for government medical colleges in Punjab, while 315 seats had been added for students from the former FATA region. When the committee chairman asked about an increase in medical seats in Sindh, the PMDC president said no additional seats had been allocated because the province had not submitted an application for an increase.