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The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has set an ambitious target of planting 1.4 million saplings in a single day as part of its Independence Day celebrations. K-P Information and Public Relations Minister Shafi Jan said the large-scale plantation drive would be conducted across the province on August 14. He described the initiative as a major step towards expanding green cover and promoting environmental protection. The minister said extensive plantation activities would be carried out across a large area in Speen Khak, with teams taking part in the campaign to meet the record target. Shafi Jan, in his Independence Day message, said August 14 was a historic occasion that reminded the nation of the sacrifices made during the Pakistan Movement. He paid tribute to the leaders who struggled for the creation of Pakistan and those who sacrificed their lives for the country. He urged citizens to renew their commitment to building a stronger, stable, prosperous and sovereign Pakistan. According to him, national development requires collective responsibility, discipline and a continued commitment to the country’s future. The minister also highlighted the role of young people in national development. He said the younger generation should follow the ideals of Allama Iqbal and contribute towards making Pakistan more self-reliant and progressive. The provincial government has introduced a digital monitoring mechanism to improve transparency in the plantation campaign. The Ehsaas Shajarkari Web Portal will be used to identify suitable plantation locations through GPS technology. The portal will also help authorities monitor plantation activities and maintain a consolidated record of the saplings planted during the campaign. Officials will be able to track plantation sites and assess progress through the digital system. Shafi Jan said the initiative was being undertaken under the direction of K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. He expressed confidence that the province would achieve its target and establish a significant plantation milestone on Independence Day.

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.

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has urged the people of Mirpur to actively participate in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. Bilawal issued a video message along with his sister, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari. He addressed voters as polling continued across Mirpur Division. Bilawal asked Kashmiris to come out of their homes and cast their votes. He said the people should use their democratic right to decide their future. He urged voters to support PPP candidates by voting for the party’s arrow symbol. Bilawal said the PPP believes that boycotting elections has never produced successful results. He therefore called on voters to take part in the electoral process instead of staying away from polling stations. The PPP chairman said voters should participate if they want their rights to be protected. He specifically mentioned the right to governance and ownership. He also called for the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission for Azad Kashmir. Bilawal said the PPP wanted the people of Kashmir to have a strong voice in decisions affecting their future. He again urged voters to support the party and ensure their participation in the elections. Meanwhile, polling is continuing in the first phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections. Voting began at 8am and is scheduled to continue until 5pm. The first phase covers 13 constituencies in Mirpur Division. The constituencies are located in the districts of Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber. Polling has started at most stations. However, voting could not begin at polling stations 36 and 37 in Aghar Colony, Kotli, because voters had not arrived. Officials are monitoring the polling process across the division. Authorities have also urged citizens to exercise their right to vote peacefully. Mirpur Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz and Deputy Inspector General Kamran Ali visited wards 16 and 17 of LA-3. They reviewed the polling arrangements and assessed the situation at the polling stations. Speaking to journalists, the commissioner said polling had been proceeding peacefully across all three districts since the morning. He appealed to voters to leave their homes without fear and participate in the elections. The commissioner assured citizens that the administration had made security and other necessary arrangements. He said voters would be provided with a peaceful environment to cast their ballots.

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) continues to enjoy strong public support in Punjab, across Pakistan and in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, attributing the party’s popularity to its development agenda and governance. She made the remarks during a meeting with Members of the Punjab Assembly, Asif Malik and Zafar Abbas Khan, who discussed political developments, constituency matters and ongoing development projects in Khushab. During the meeting, the lawmakers briefed the chief minister on issues being faced by residents of their constituency. Maryam assured them that the provincial government would take steps to resolve public problems and continue implementing development initiatives across the district. The lawmakers congratulated the chief minister on the party’s performance in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and appreciated the Punjab government’s decision to introduce electric bus services in Khushab. They also thanked her for providing electric buses to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, saying the initiative had improved public transport and benefited thousands of commuters. Maryam said Punjab was leading the country in development and governance, adding that improvements had been made in multiple sectors, including public services and law and order. She expressed confidence that the province and the country would continue progressing under the leadership of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif. The lawmakers praised the provincial government’s development record, saying the electric bus service had become a popular facility for daily passengers travelling between General Bus Stand Khushab, Garot Chowk, Mitha Tiwana and Mangwal. Separately, on the occasion of Police Martyrs Day, the chief minister paid tribute to police personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. She praised their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, extremism and crime, and acknowledged the courage and resilience of their families. Maryam said the Punjab government was committed to supporting the families of fallen police officers by providing educational opportunities, healthcare, housing and other welfare facilities for their children. She added that the government was strengthening the Punjab Police by providing modern weapons, improved communication systems, protective equipment and bulletproof vehicles to enhance law enforcement capabilities.

Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir have already made their political choice in favour of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). In a statement, Aurangzeb said Mirpur had given its verdict in favour of the PML-N on July 24. She linked the decision to the visit of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and party leader Maryam Nawaz to the city. According to Aurangzeb, the response from the people of Mirpur showed their support for the PML-N leadership. She said the people had made their choice clear through their political support. Aurangzeb said the PML-N’s electoral symbol, the lion, had also received strong support. She claimed that by voting for the lion symbol, the people had formally expressed their belief that the development of Azad Jammu and Kashmir was connected with the PML-N. She said the party was committed to the progress and development of the region. Aurangzeb maintained that the public response in different areas was an indication of growing support for the PML-N. The senior provincial minister also referred to the situation in Muzaffarabad. She said the people of Muzaffarabad had already announced their decision on July 21. Aurangzeb said the political choices made in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad reflected the direction of the election campaign. She suggested that the response from voters in both areas had strengthened the PML-N’s position. She further said August 2 would be an important day for the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. According to her, voters would use the lion symbol to formally announce their decision through the ballot. Aurangzeb urged Kashmiris to vote for the PML-N and support its leadership. She presented the party as a force for development and progress in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The statement comes amid the ongoing electoral activity in the region. Political parties are campaigning to win the support of voters ahead of the final voting process. Aurangzeb’s remarks underline the PML-N’s focus on development as a central theme of its campaign. She said the people’s vote would determine the future political direction of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The minister expressed confidence that voters would reaffirm their support for the PML-N on August 2 by voting for the lion symbol.