PSB, ACTIVIT sign MoU to promote sports, health and youth development

A US publication has praised Pakistan’s efforts to modernise its financial system, saying the country is steadily strengthening its position in the global digital financial landscape through reforms and technological innovation. The article highlighted Pakistan’s initiatives to promote digital transformation and said the country has the potential to play a meaningful role in the evolving global digital economy. It also commended the vision of Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) Chairman Bilal Bin Saqib, stating that Pakistan must actively position itself within the international digital financial system to benefit from emerging technologies and new economic opportunities. According to the publication, the future will belong to countries that make swift decisions and implement reforms without delay. It noted that Pakistan has the opportunity to emerge as a leader in the digital economy by embracing innovation and adopting forward-looking policies. The article further stated that governments can no longer rely solely on traditional bureaucratic systems. Instead, they must adopt the speed, flexibility and innovation-driven approach of technology startups to remain competitive in a rapidly changing global environment. It added that digital assets are becoming the foundation of the future financial infrastructure and countries investing in digital finance today will be better positioned for long-term economic growth and global competitiveness. The publication’s remarks come as Pakistan continues to promote digital payments, financial technology and cashless transactions as part of its broader strategy to modernise the economy and expand financial inclusion.

KOT ADDU: The body of the last person missing after the tragic Muzaffargarh Canal accident has been recovered near Head Kallo, bringing the search and rescue operation to an end. The body was recovered during a continued search operation launched to locate people who went missing following the accident. Rescue teams had been conducting searches at different points along the canal, including Head Kallo, day and night. According to officials, water was released into the canal following a request from the families of the victims. Due to the flow of water, the missing person’s body surfaced near Head Kallo. Rescue personnel deployed at the location immediately responded and recovered the body. The search operation continued despite the release of water into the canal. Teams from the district administration, Rescue 1122 and other relevant departments remained engaged in the operation under the direction of Kot Addu Deputy Commissioner Bilal Saleem and the supervision of Assistant Commissioner Kot Addu Farrukh Mahmood. Rescue teams were deployed at multiple locations along the canal. They maintained continuous surveillance and carried out searches in different sections to locate all missing persons. With the recovery of the latest body, officials said that all people reported missing in connection with the Muzaffargarh Canal accident have now been found. The rescue teams are completing the necessary procedures following the recovery. The body will be handed over to the relevant authorities for identification and other legal formalities. The district administration and rescue teams used all available resources throughout the operation. Officials also provided possible assistance and cooperation to the affected families during the search. The recovery of the last missing victim marks the completion of the search for those reported missing after the tragic canal accident.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ruled that illness, physical weakness, old age or disability can serve as valid legal grounds for granting post-arrest bail, issuing an important judgment on bail applications filed on medical grounds. Justice Amjad Rafiq issued a detailed written verdict while deciding the post-arrest bail petition of Dr Iftikhar Ahmed, who is suffering from Parkinsonism, a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and physical independence. The court observed that if a prison medical report confirms that an accused is physically weak, there is no need to separately assess the severity of the illness. It held that physical weakness itself may be sufficient to justify consideration for bail. According to the judgment, illness and physical weakness are separate legal grounds for granting bail. The court noted that imprisonment can cause greater hardship for elderly, physically weak and disabled individuals, and the justice system should protect them from unnecessary physical suffering. The LHC further stated that the bail application had not been filed on the merits of the criminal case but solely because of the accused’s deteriorating physical condition. The prison medical report confirmed that Dr Iftikhar Ahmed was suffering from Parkinsonism, a disease that gradually limits a person’s physical abilities and independence. Rejecting the prosecution’s argument, the court ruled that the mere fact an accused is receiving medical treatment in prison cannot, by itself, be used as a reason to deny bail. The judgment also referred to principles of Islamic law and international judicial precedents, stating that sick, elderly and vulnerable individuals are entitled to special legal protection and humane treatment. The Lahore High Court granted post-arrest bail to Dr Iftikhar Ahmed against surety bonds of Rs1 million. The court directed the accused not to influence prosecution witnesses, to surrender his passport and not to leave the court’s jurisdiction without prior permission. Dr Iftikhar Ahmed has been in jail since March 2025 in a case registered at Sabzazar Police Station, where he is accused of administering an incorrect injection to a citizen’s son. The criminal proceedings will continue in accordance with the law.

A case has been registered against a female passenger over alleged misconduct and resistance towards immigration officials at Islamabad International Airport. The case was registered against the passenger, identified as Rabia, following a complaint filed by the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) immigration authorities. According to police, the woman was scheduled to travel to the United Arab Emirates on a private airline under a family visit visa. She was stopped during the immigration process for further verification of her travel documents. Officials said the passenger was travelling on a paper-based visa, for which the airline was required to obtain an OK-to-Board (OKTB) verification before allowing her to travel. The airline staff reportedly took her boarding pass for the required verification process. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the passenger allegedly misbehaved with immigration officials and resisted their instructions during the process. The FIR further alleges that she attempted to take back her passport and other documents from the immigration staff and issued threats to officials. The incident was also reportedly recorded on video, which was later uploaded to social media. Police said the passenger was offloaded from the flight because of her alleged non-cooperation and resistance during the immigration procedure. Following the incident, she was taken to the police station at Islamabad International Airport for further legal proceedings. Authorities also took several items into custody, including her passport, mobile phone, Rs17,000 in cash, handbag and trolley bag. Police said further investigation into the incident was under way and the allegations would be examined as part of the legal process.