July’s buck moon peaks this week, and wildfire smoke may turn it orange

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has reportedly directed party leaders to avoid reacting to recent remarks made by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, stressing that national unity and institutional harmony are essential in the current political and security environment. According to sources, Nawaz Sharif described coordination between the federal government and state institutions as a critical national requirement at a time when Pakistan is facing significant economic, political, and security challenges. He reportedly advised party leaders to exercise restraint and refrain from making statements that could create the impression of differences between the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The development comes after Mohsin Naqvi’s recent remarks regarding the country’s political system reportedly prompted concerns within sections of the PML-N leadership. Senior party members are said to have conveyed their reservations to Nawaz Sharif during internal consultations. Sources said Nawaz Sharif instructed party leaders to ignore the statement and avoid escalating the matter publicly. He emphasised that the country’s national interest requires maintaining close cooperation and mutual understanding among all state institutions. According to the sources, the PML-N president believes that unnecessary public controversy over individual statements could undermine confidence at a time when the country is confronting multiple internal and external challenges. Nawaz Sharif reportedly maintained that preserving institutional harmony is essential for political stability, effective governance, and addressing the country’s economic and security priorities. He also urged party leaders to remain focused on governance and public service rather than engaging in political disputes that could create perceptions of divisions within the state structure.

A police constable was martyred during an ongoing operation against suspected terrorists in Swat’s Kabal tehsil, police said on Wednesday. The operation is being carried out in the Shalkho Sar area. Security forces launched the action after receiving information about the presence of terrorists in the region. According to Swat police, Elite Force Constable Gulfam embraced martyrdom while fighting the militants on Tuesday night. Police said he showed courage during the operation and sacrificed his life in the line of duty. The operation is being conducted jointly by the Counter-Terrorism Department, Swat Police and Upper Swat Police. Senior police officials are supervising the operation. The Malakand regional police officer and the district police officers of Swat and Upper Swat are overseeing the security action. Police said security personnel have surrounded the area where the terrorists are believed to be present. The suspects have reportedly been confined to the Shalkho Sar area. Officials also reported that the operation may have caused heavy casualties among the terrorists. However, further details about the number of casualties were not immediately available. The security forces continue to search the area as the operation remains underway. Officials are taking measures to prevent the suspects from escaping. Swat District Police Officer Umar Khan said the police force remains committed to maintaining peace in the region. He said law enforcement personnel would continue their efforts to protect the public. He also stressed that police would remain prepared to make sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. The latest incident comes as security concerns continue to affect parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Reports in recent months have pointed to the presence of militants in Kabal and Matta tehsils of Swat. Security forces have increased operations in areas where militant activity has been reported. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has remained one of the major regions affected by militant violence. Law enforcement agencies have continued conducting intelligence-based and targeted operations to counter terrorist threats. A security assessment released in June by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies also highlighted the worsening security situation. The assessment said Pakistan’s security environment had deteriorated significantly in May after showing improvement during the previous two months. According to the assessment, the increase was largely linked to rising militant violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

KARACHI: An initial medical report has reportedly indicated that businessman Mir Raza Ali sustained a gunshot wound from behind, while several signs of physical violence were also found on his body following his exhumation for a fresh post-mortem examination. According to investigation sources, the preliminary report has addressed all 14 questions raised by police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed during the medical examination. The findings reportedly include a gunshot injury to the rear of the body, fractured ribs and multiple injuries to Ali’s head and face. The report also noted marks of violence on different parts of the deceased’s body. However, investigators have yet to officially receive the medical findings. SSP SIU Samiullah Somroo, who is leading the police investigation, said the investigation team had not been informed about the report or its findings. The exhumation process lasted around three hours and was conducted under the supervision of forensic experts. During the procedure, 17 samples were collected from the body for further examination. Four samples were preserved for DNA testing, while the remaining samples were collected for chemical analysis. Two additional reference samples were obtained from Ali’s parents to assist with DNA matching. Investigators said the collected samples have been preserved and will be submitted to the forensic laboratory at the University of Karachi on Monday. The chemical and DNA examination reports are expected to be available within three to four days. Ali’s body was exhumed earlier as part of efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding his death. After the medical examination was completed, his remains were reburied at a graveyard near Tariq Road. Ali, an IBA graduate and businessman, had returned home from his shop on the night of July 28. He later left the house again, telling his family that he would return within 10 minutes. He did not return, and his body was subsequently recovered from Gulistan-e-Jauhar. His father, Mir Hussain, has maintained that his son was murdered and rejected suggestions that he died by suicide. During the latest proceedings, members of the medical board collected various samples from Ali’s grave as part of the renewed examination. His family members and their lawyer, Jibran Nasir, were present at the graveyard, while a heavy police contingent was deployed to maintain security. The authorities had restored the original eight-member medical board responsible for supervising the exhumation after the family objected to the replacement of the panel with a five-member board. The disagreement had earlier prevented officials from carrying out the scheduled exhumation. Mir Hussain later said he was satisfied with the latest proceedings. He expressed hope that the fresh examination would provide clarity about what happened to his son. The family has also alleged that a fake audio recording attributed to Ali was circulated in an attempt to influence the case and create confusion around the circumstances of his death. The family’s lawyer had earlier raised concerns about changes to the medical board and questioned the decision to replace the original panel. He later said the family was satisfied with the renewed proceedings, which were conducted in the presence of the judicial magistrate, investigation officer and members of the medical team.