PAAM opposes DRAP’s proposed alternative medicine rules 2026

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has expressed confidence that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will emerge victorious in the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections. In a statement, Azma Bukhari said political opponents alleging electoral rigging would continue to make such claims, but the people would keep placing their trust in the PML-N through the democratic process. She maintained that the party’s candidates were expected to secure victories with comfortable margins. The minister said polling during the second phase of the AJK elections was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere, with voters actively participating and exercising their democratic right across the constituencies. Azma Bukhari claimed that many voters were supporting the PML-N because they appreciated the performance of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. She said the provincial government’s development initiatives had strengthened public confidence in the party and encouraged voters to support its candidates. Criticising the opposition, she said parties raising allegations about the electoral process had failed to gain significant public support. According to her, such criticism did not reflect the overall mood of the electorate. Highlighting the party’s development agenda, Azma Bukhari said the people of Azad Kashmir also deserved modern infrastructure and public welfare projects. She referred to improved road networks, electric bus services, and the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar housing programme as examples of initiatives that could also benefit the region.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) over its recent political gathering in Lahore. She also extended birthday wishes to former president and PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari. In a statement, Bukhari said Zardari should be thankful that he had been spared the embarrassment of another poorly attended gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan. Her remarks came after the PPP announced a Lahore gathering to mark Zardari’s birthday. Bukhari questioned the decision to organise the event in Lahore. She said holding a gathering with a large number of empty chairs would be disrespectful to Zardari. She also criticised those who advised the PPP leadership to hold the event in Lahore. She said the party should review the advice it receives from its provincial leadership. Bukhari claimed that the Governor House Punjab had a large number of empty chairs during the gathering held the previous night. She claimed around 2,000 chairs had been arranged for the event. However, she alleged that only around 150 people were present. The minister used the reported attendance to question the PPP’s political standing in Punjab. She said the party’s poor position in the province was partly linked to the information being provided to its leadership. According to Bukhari, some party leaders are giving senior leadership inaccurate reports about the party’s popularity and political strength. She said such reporting could prevent the PPP leadership from understanding the actual situation on the ground. Bukhari also criticised the PPP’s Punjab leadership for what she described as misplaced priorities. She alleged that the provincial leadership was more focused on the Punjab government than on strengthening the PPP itself. The minister said the party should focus on expanding its political presence and improving its organisational structure in Punjab. She argued that greater attention to party affairs could have prevented the PPP from reaching its current political position in the province. Bukhari’s comments reflect the continuing political rivalry between the ruling Punjab setup and opposition parties in the province. The PPP has traditionally maintained a political presence in Punjab. However, its influence in the province has faced challenges from major political parties. The latest exchange also highlights the importance of public gatherings for political parties. Large rallies are often used to demonstrate public support and organisational strength. Bukhari’s criticism focused heavily on the reported attendance at the Lahore event. She suggested that the number of participants did not match the scale of the arrangements. The PPP has yet to publicly respond to all of Bukhari’s allegations.

A proposed NADRA counter at the Pakistan Embassy in Tokyo, expected to benefit nearly 30,000 to 35,000 Pakistanis living in Japan, has remained stalled for the past three to four months due to delays in the issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC), despite receiving formal approval from NADRA. According to official documents, NADRA granted in-principle approval for the establishment of the counter on April 22, 2026, and requested the relevant authorities to issue the required NOC without delay. The documents stated that the counter would become operational immediately after the NOC is issued. The delay has prevented the project from moving forward, leaving thousands of overseas Pakistanis in Japan facing continued difficulties in accessing essential identity and registration services. Sources said the initiative was made possible through the persistent efforts of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) Chairman Syed Qamar Raza Shah. During his visit to Japan in April, he met members of the Pakistani community, listened to their concerns, and identified the absence of NADRA services as one of their most pressing issues. After returning to Pakistan, Shah reportedly pursued the matter with the relevant departments and raised it at senior government levels, resulting in NADRA’s formal approval for establishing the counter at the embassy. Under the approved plan, NADRA agreed to provide biometric machines, fingerprint devices, cameras, technical support, and staff training. The Pakistan Embassy in Tokyo is responsible for providing office space, computers, internet connectivity, furniture, and other administrative facilities. Officials said all technical and administrative arrangements have already been finalised. However, the project remains on hold because the required NOC has yet to be issued by the concerned ministry. As a result, Pakistani nationals living in Japan continue to face significant challenges in obtaining or renewing national identity cards, completing family registration, biometric verification, and accessing other NADRA-related services. Members of the Pakistani community in Japan have praised Syed Qamar Raza Shah for his efforts, saying the project would likely not have reached the approval stage without his personal involvement. They urged the relevant authorities to demonstrate the same commitment by removing the remaining administrative hurdles and ensuring that the approved project is implemented without further delay. The community has also appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar to personally intervene and direct the concerned authorities to issue the pending NOC so that the NADRA counter can be established at the Pakistan Embassy in Tokyo as soon as possible, providing long-awaited relief to thousands of overseas Pakistanis.

A low-level flood has been recorded in the Ravi River near Kamalia after water levels increased at the Mil Fatyana point. Authorities have stepped up monitoring and emergency preparations as floodwater continues to move downstream. According to the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Irrigation, around 50,000 cusecs of water is flowing through the Mil Fatyana section of the Ravi River. Officials are closely monitoring the river to assess any further rise in water levels and to ensure timely action if conditions worsen. The district administration has established flood relief camps in several vulnerable areas. The camps have been set up in Mil Fatyana, Kot Pathana, Adda Kalaira, Mauza Tara, Haveli Mai Safuran, Kot Karam Shah and Dedi. These facilities are intended to provide temporary shelter, food and emergency assistance to residents if evacuations become necessary. As part of efforts to improve disaster preparedness, Punjab has launched drone-based flood monitoring for the first time. The technology is being used to monitor river conditions, identify vulnerable locations and issue early warnings before floodwaters reach populated areas. Officials believe the system will help improve response times and reduce the impact of flooding. The rising water has already affected nearby agricultural land. Standing crops in Mil Fatyana, Khan Da Chak, Jhalar Sigla, Shahabal Shah, Basti Peepal Wala and Mauza Darsana have been submerged, raising concerns about crop losses and the financial impact on local farmers. The Irrigation Department has urged people living along the river belt to remain alert and cooperate with local authorities. Residents in low-lying areas have been advised to move to safer locations as a precaution against any further increase in water levels. Officials said surveillance of the Ravi River will continue around the clock. Rescue teams and local administration remain on standby to respond quickly if the flood situation intensifies. Authorities have also appealed to the public to follow official advisories and avoid unnecessary movement near the river until conditions become safe.

The alleged murder of a young woman’s fiancé, uncle and father in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district over a marriage dispute echoed in the Balochistan Assembly, where lawmakers demanded the immediate arrest of the main suspect. During the assembly session chaired by Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, Provincial Minister Ali Madad Jatak informed the house that the suspect allegedly killed the woman’s fiancé after his marriage proposal was rejected. He said the victim’s uncle was also murdered, while the woman was allegedly abducted before being recovered by police. According to the minister, the woman’s father was later shot dead after her video statement highlighting security threats surfaced on social media. Jatak told the assembly that despite two days having passed since the father’s killing, a first information report (FIR) had not yet been registered. He expressed concern over the delay in legal proceedings and called for immediate action against the accused. Opposition Leader Younis Zehri warned that if the suspect was not arrested, the provincial chief minister and the home minister would be held responsible. In protest over the lack of progress, both Zehri and Provincial Minister Ali Madad Jatak staged a walkout from the assembly. Member of the Provincial Assembly Maulana Hidayatur Rehman also voiced serious concern over the incident and demanded the resignation of the provincial home minister. He claimed that those responsible for the crime were widely known and criticised the prevailing law and order situation in the province. Responding to the criticism, Home Minister Zia Langove assured lawmakers that the government was in contact with the affected family and that police had been directed to arrest the suspect without delay. The speaker instructed the Inspector General of Police, the Deputy Inspector General and the Khuzdar district police chief to ensure the suspect’s arrest within two days. He also sought daily progress reports on the investigation before adjourning the assembly session until August 28.