Washington WWII memorial vandalised with soap and …

Authorities in Murree have imposed Section 144 to maintain law and order during the Independence Day celebrations. According to an official notification, the restrictions came into effect on August 10 and will remain in place until August 16, 2026. The decision has been taken ahead of August 14 celebrations. Murree is expected to receive a large number of visitors during the holiday period. Officials have therefore introduced restrictions to manage crowds and prevent any situation that could affect public safety. Under the notification, access to key areas of the hill station will also be regulated. Only families will be allowed to visit Mall Road and GPO Chowk during the restriction period. Mall Road is among Murree’s busiest areas and usually attracts large crowds during public holidays. GPO Chowk is also a major gathering and commercial point. Limiting access to these locations is expected to help authorities control movement and reduce overcrowding. Security personnel will remain alert during the Independence Day period. Visitors have been advised to cooperate with law-enforcement personnel and follow the restrictions announced by the authorities. The administration is also expected to monitor the situation closely as visitor numbers increase. Any further measures required for crowd management and public safety may be taken during the restriction period.

KARACHI: An Additional District and Sessions Court in Karachi has acquitted Anmol alias Pinky in three drug cases registered at Gizri Police Station. The court announced the decision on Thursday after hearing arguments from the defence. Pinky was arrested by Karachi police in May during a joint operation with a civil agency at an apartment in the Garden area. Police had accused her of operating an organised narcotics supply network in Karachi. Investigators alleged that the network was involved in processing and distributing cocaine and had links with other major cities, including Lahore and Islamabad. According to police, the three cases against Pinky were registered at Gizri Police Station in 2020, 2021 and 2022. She had remained a fugitive in the cases before her arrest. During Thursday’s hearing, Pinky’s defence counsel argued that two other accused persons in the cases had already been acquitted. The lawyer told the court that co-accused Ali and Fehmida were acquitted in 2024. He argued that Pinky had subsequently been implicated on the basis of statements attributed to the acquitted co-accused. The defence maintained that after the acquittal of the two co-accused, there was insufficient legal basis to convict Pinky in the cases. The court accepted the defence arguments and acquitted her in all three cases. Before her acquittal, investigators had made several allegations about Pinky’s alleged role in the narcotics trade. Police claimed she supplied drugs to customers in affluent areas of Karachi, including DHA and Clifton. Investigators also alleged that she personally prepared cocaine and used female riders and online platforms to facilitate deliveries. Police further claimed that her alleged network extended beyond Karachi to cities including Lahore and Islamabad. During interrogation, investigators attributed statements to Pinky regarding the quality and sale of cocaine. Police alleged that two categories of cocaine were being sold through the network at different prices. Pinky, however, made separate allegations during interrogation. She claimed she was being pressured to name politicians and members of the entertainment industry. She also alleged that she had been subjected to physical mistreatment during questioning and accused an investigation officer of threatening her.

LAHORE: More than 317,000 Pakistanis travelled abroad for employment during the first half of 2026, as economic pressures, unemployment, inflation and limited professional opportunities continue to push workers towards international job markets. Official figures show that 317,436 Pakistanis left the country for employment between January and June. Saudi Arabia remained the most popular destination, attracting 183,951 Pakistani workers during the six-month period. The United Arab Emirates ranked second with 50,773 workers, followed by Qatar with 34,025. Bahrain received 13,329 Pakistani workers, while 4,673 travelled to Türkiye for employment. Several other countries, including Cyprus, Greece, the United Kingdom and Malaysia, also attracted Pakistani workers. Of the total number, 316,848 workers completed their overseas employment registration through the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE). Another 588 workers secured employment through the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC). The overseas workforce includes professionals from a wide range of sectors. Doctors, engineers, IT specialists, software developers, technicians and paramedical workers are among those seeking better employment prospects abroad. Experts say the continuing outflow could have both positive and negative consequences for Pakistan. Remittances sent by overseas workers provide an important source of foreign exchange and support millions of families in Pakistan. However, the departure of skilled professionals could also create challenges for sectors already facing shortages of qualified workers. Economic difficulties are being cited as a major factor behind the growing trend. Rising living costs, unemployment, heavy taxation and limited career opportunities have encouraged many young professionals to consider leaving the country. Experts have also expressed concern over Pakistan’s technological infrastructure. They argue that inadequate digital facilities, slow or disrupted internet services and limited research opportunities make it harder for professionals and businesses to compete internationally. The high cost of higher education is another concern. Young people seeking advanced qualifications often face significant financial pressure, while limited employment opportunities after graduation can encourage them to seek careers overseas. Thousands of additional Pakistanis are reportedly preparing to leave for employment and are currently completing documentation and other formal requirements through government offices. Workers travelling abroad have also reported difficulties during the departure process at airports in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and other cities. The trend is not limited to blue-collar workers. A significant number of highly qualified professionals and students are also considering international opportunities. Some Pakistani students who travelled to Canada, Europe and the United States on scholarships have expressed a desire to return after completing their studies. However, they say their decision will depend on whether employment, research and professional opportunities improve in Pakistan.