Tinted car windows may soon be legal in Pakistan

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan’s mother has passed away. Gohar Khan confirmed the news through a post on his social media account. He shared the information with his followers and expressed grief over the death of his mother. According to the PTI chairman, his mother’s funeral prayers will be offered on Saturday at 4pm. The prayers will be held in Dagar village in Buner district. Gohar Khan also informed people about the location of the funeral so that relatives, friends and well-wishers could attend. The death of his mother comes as a personal loss for the PTI leader. Political figures, party colleagues and supporters are expected to extend their condolences to him and his family. Gohar Khan has remained active in national politics and is among the prominent leaders of the PTI. He has represented the party on several important political and legal matters. The funeral prayers will be held in Dagar at 4pm on Saturday. Family members and local residents are expected to attend the funeral. Further details about the burial arrangements have not been shared so far.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has accused international broadcaster Al Jazeera of presenting a misleading picture of the recently held Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, alleging that its coverage selectively portrayed the electoral process. In an official statement, the ministry said the broadcaster reported from selected polling stations in Muzaffarabad and relied on carefully chosen interviews and timings that did not accurately reflect the overall conduct of the elections. It claimed the reporting created a distorted impression of the voting process and failed to represent the broader electoral environment. The ministry further alleged that such coverage appeared aimed at undermining the credibility of the elections and ignoring what it described as the democratic will expressed by voters across the region. It maintained that the people of AJK had exercised their right to vote despite political tensions. Alongside its criticism of the coverage, the ministry reminded foreign media organisations operating in Pakistan that reporting assignments outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi require prior approval under the country’s External Publicity Guidelines. It urged all foreign correspondents to comply with the regulations governing reporting in other parts of the country. The AJK elections, however, remained under intense scrutiny after allegations of irregularities and isolated incidents of violence emerged during polling. Opposition parties accused authorities of interfering in the electoral process, while the ruling coalition exchanged allegations of rigging and misuse of state resources. Human rights organisations also expressed concern over reports of deaths and injuries linked to election-related unrest. They called for transparent and independent investigations into the incidents and stressed that maintaining public order should not come at the expense of fundamental rights, including peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. The elections were held against the backdrop of political unrest that has continued in AJK since last year’s protests over governance reforms and constitutional issues. The controversy surrounding reserved refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly also remained a major political issue during the campaign.

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Akmal Khan Bari has approached the Lahore High Court (LHC), accusing the Punjab Police of political victimisation and unlawful harassment, while seeking constitutional protection for himself and his family against what he alleges are repeated illegal actions by law enforcement authorities. The constitutional petition was filed through senior lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa, with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab and other relevant officials named as respondents. The petition urges the court to intervene, alleging that police actions have exceeded legal limits and infringed upon the petitioner’s constitutional rights. According to the plea, police officials allegedly raided Akmal Khan Bari’s residence at around 10:00 p.m. on July 27. The petitioner claims that officers entered the premises without lawful justification and subjected his family members to intimidation and harassment during the late-night operation. The petition further states that Bari had previously been arrested in what he describes as a fabricated criminal case. It argues that the latest police action is part of a broader pattern of political victimisation aimed at pressuring him because of his affiliation with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. The petitioner maintains that no criminal allegation currently justifies repeated police raids or coercive measures against him or his family. He contends that such actions violate the fundamental rights guaranteed under Pakistan’s Constitution, including the rights to personal liberty, dignity, privacy, and equal protection before the law. According to the petition, law enforcement agencies are legally bound to operate within the framework of the Constitution and cannot exercise their authority arbitrarily or for political purposes. It alleges that the conduct of the respondents is mala fide, unlawful, and inconsistent with constitutional safeguards designed to protect citizens from abuse of power. Bari has requested the Lahore High Court to issue directions restraining the Punjab Police and other respondents from taking any unlawful coercive action against him. He has also sought specific orders preventing police officials from harassing, intimidating, or interfering with members of his family. Additionally, the petition asks the court to direct all respondents to perform their duties strictly in accordance with the Constitution and applicable laws, ensuring that no individual is subjected to harassment without legal grounds. The Lahore High Court is expected to take up the constitutional petition for preliminary proceedings, where it will determine whether notices should be issued to the respondents and what further legal steps, if any, are warranted. The Punjab Police had not issued an official response to the allegations at the time this report was filed.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has inaugurated the Green Bus Service in seven additional districts, expanding the provincial government’s public transport network. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the chief minister said the Green Bus project has received an overwhelmingly positive response from the public by providing affordable, comfortable and high-quality transportation services. She said the Punjab government is gradually expanding the service and plans to introduce more buses across every district of the province in phases to improve public mobility. According to Maryam Nawaz, the Green Bus Service has officially started operations in seven districts, including Gujrat, Narowal, Kasur and Sheikhupura. The remaining newly covered districts were also included in the latest expansion under the provincial transport programme. The chief minister said all buses are fully air-conditioned and equipped with free Wi-Fi to provide passengers with a modern travel experience. She added that special facilities have also been introduced for senior citizens, women and students to make public transport more accessible and convenient. Maryam Nawaz said the expansion reflects the government’s commitment to improving public transport infrastructure and providing safe, reliable and economical travel facilities for residents across Punjab. The provincial government expects the expanded Green Bus network to improve daily commuting, reduce travel difficulties and encourage greater use of public transport throughout the province