Lahore High Court issues landmark fair trial ruling in rent cases

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.

MULTAN: Subway Pakistan has initiated legal proceedings after one of its employees was allegedly assaulted by a customer at its Multan outlet, an incident that has sparked widespread outrage on social media. The altercation, captured on the restaurant’s CCTV cameras, quickly went viral online, prompting strong reactions from the public and renewed calls for better protection of frontline service workers. The employee, identified as Fazil, said the incident occurred while he was performing his duties and enforcing the restaurant’s policy prohibiting customers from consuming food purchased from outside the outlet. According to Fazil, a group of customers entered the restaurant carrying samosas. After an initial request from another staff member was reportedly ignored, he approached the group himself and politely explained the restaurant’s policy. He said he respectfully asked the customers to finish their food quickly to avoid disturbing others and to comply with the outlet’s operating procedures. Fazil alleged that the situation escalated unexpectedly when one of the customers, identified as Asad Khan, slapped him without warning. He claimed that even after stepping away to avoid further confrontation, the accused followed him and assaulted him again. The employee further alleged that he was grabbed by the neck, dragged across the restaurant and physically attacked by three individuals for several minutes. He said he sustained multiple blows to his face, back and other parts of his body despite offering no resistance. In an official statement, Subway Pakistan strongly condemned the incident, saying the safety, dignity and well-being of its employees remain a top priority. The company confirmed that it has referred the matter to the relevant legal authorities and is pursuing legal action against those allegedly involved. Subway also reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for both employees and customers at all its outlets.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has called for the creation of new administrative units and provinces, saying Pakistan’s current governance system has failed and requires fundamental reforms to meet the country’s future needs. Speaking at Pakistan’s first Economic Summit in Islamabad, Naqvi said the existing administrative structure could no longer effectively address the country’s growing challenges. He stressed that establishing new administrative units was essential for improving governance and ensuring sustainable development. “The system we are living under has collapsed,” he said. “New administrative units or provinces are the only way forward.” Naqvi said Pakistan would continue facing the same problems even a decade from now unless major structural reforms were introduced. He urged policymakers to focus on fixing the country’s basic governance framework instead of relying on temporary solutions. The interior minister also highlighted the concerns of Pakistan’s youth. He said young people are no longer satisfied with receiving laptops, scholarships or financial assistance alone. Instead, they want employment opportunities based on merit and a transparent system that guarantees fairness. He warned that growing frustration among young people should not be ignored. Referring to the younger generation, he said if they unite, they could bring significant political and social change. Naqvi also pointed to Pakistan’s financial challenges, saying the country continues to rely heavily on borrowing while its debt burden keeps increasing. He argued that meaningful economic improvement would remain difficult unless the overall governance system was reset. He praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s commitment to work, saying the prime minister spends long hours addressing national issues. However, he added that even working 18 hours a day would not be enough if the country’s underlying system remained unchanged. The interior minister said political parties must set aside their differences and work together to introduce reforms. He urged all major stakeholders, including the government and opposition, to sit together and develop a long-term national strategy. Later, while speaking informally with journalists, Naqvi said the country’s institutions and political leadership must improve the system if Pakistan is to achieve lasting progress. He said the efforts of the military leadership alone would not be sufficient without governance reforms. He also said all political parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), should participate in efforts to improve the country’s governance structure. Responding to a question about the PTI founder, Naqvi said the matter would be decided by the courts. He also dismissed speculation about becoming foreign minister, saying he would continue serving as interior minister.