Punjab to support students from other provinces, Education Minister

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has highlighted a series of ongoing and planned infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity, boosting trade and promoting tourism across Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. Speaking at a ceremony held to honour police martyrs, the minister said the proposed extension of the Murree Expressway to Muzaffarabad will provide modern travel facilities, while the MNJC Motorway will offer an alternative route to the Karakoram Highway, strengthening Pakistan’s strategic road link with China. He said the Sialkot-Kharian-Rawalpindi Highway will reduce the distance between Islamabad and Lahore by around 100 kilometres and cut travel time by more than an hour. In Karachi, he noted that the M-10 and Lyari Expressway are improving cargo movement from the city’s port, while construction on the M-6 Motorway is expected to begin soon. Aleem Khan added that work is progressing on the Guru Nanak Expressway, which will connect Kartarpur with Nankana Sahib to promote religious tourism and facilitate Sikh pilgrims from around the world. He also said infrastructure development is advancing on tourist routes in Gilgit, the N-25 Highway is expected to be completed next year, and the M-8 Motorway projects in Balochistan will strengthen regional connectivity and cross-border trade with Iran. Paying tribute to police martyrs, the minister described their sacrifices as a lasting symbol of courage and praised the Motorway Police for their professionalism. He announced plans to establish modern police stations, dedicated parking areas and emergency ambulance services near toll plazas to improve the safety of patrolling officers. Aleem Khan also highlighted the National Highway Authority’s financial progress, saying its revenue has increased from Rs66 billion in 2024 to more than Rs127 billion in 2026. He said the improved financial position has enabled Pakistan to expand its motorway and highway network using domestic resources without relying on external funding. Inspector General of Motorway Police Sultan Ahmad Chaudhry also paid tribute to the fallen officers, reaffirming the department’s commitment to supporting the families of martyrs and honouring their sacrifices.

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has assured the family of murdered businessman Mir Raza that the investigation will be conducted fairly and that those responsible for any police or medico-legal lapses will face action once the case is concluded. Speaking to reporters at the Arts Council Karachi on Tuesday, the chief minister said the proposed judicial commission was not meant to investigate the murder itself. He explained that the police were responsible for probing the killing, while the commission was intended to examine shortcomings in the handling of the case by police and medico-legal authorities. Murad said the provincial government had initially discussed the commission with Mir Raza’s parents through the home minister and Karachi mayor, and the family had agreed to the proposal. However, after the family later withdrew its support, the government respected their decision. Meanwhile, investigators have received the chemical analysis report from Mir Raza’s first post-mortem, which reportedly detected traces of acid on his shirt. The report also found gunshot residue on the rear side of the shirt’s perforation, identified as the entry wound. Further samples were collected during a second post-mortem after the body was exhumed. So far, investigators have received the DNA report, which confirmed that the remains belonged to Mir Raza. The investigation team is also preparing to conduct geofencing around different locations near the crime scene in Gulistan-i-Jauhar to establish the movements of people in the area around the time of the incident. Call data records from Mir Raza’s mobile phone will also be obtained as part of the probe. At the request of the family’s lawyer, Jibran Nasir, DSP Siraj Lashari and Inspector Mohammed Ali have been added to the investigation team headed by DIG Amir Farooqui. Mir Raza, an IBA graduate and owner of the food business Wafflix, went missing on July 28. His body was discovered the following day in bushes near Shahi Qila Ground in Gulistan-i-Jauhar. In a related development, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned four people over alleged defamatory social media content concerning Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and his son in connection with the murder case. Syed Abdullah, Amin Qureshi, Bilal Warsi and Obaid Qureshi have been directed to appear before the NCCIA’s Karachi office on August 13. The notices were issued following a complaint filed on Memon’s behalf, alleging that fabricated and defamatory material had been circulated through digital platforms. Memon had approached the cybercrime agency after claims circulated online alleging that he owned a guest house in Gulistan-i-Jauhar where Mir Raza was allegedly tortured and killed. Other posts claimed that Memon’s son had travelled to London immediately after the incident and was later seen accompanied by a security guard. The latest developments come as investigators continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding Mir Raza’s disappearance and death, while authorities face growing pressure to ensure that every aspect of the case is thoroughly examined.