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  ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to initiate the process of appointing a new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and fill the vacant positions of two Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) members from Sindh and Balochistan. Achakzai made the request in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on August 10. The opposition leader, who also heads the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) and serves as chairman of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, asked the premier to give immediate attention to what he described as an important constitutional responsibility concerning the composition of the country’s electoral watchdog. According to Achakzai, the official terms of the Chief Election Commissioner and the ECP members representing Sindh and Balochistan expired on January 26, 2025. He stressed that the vacant positions should be filled without further delay to ensure the commission continues to function effectively. The opposition leader argued that the timely appointment of officials to these constitutional positions was essential for maintaining the ECP’s operational continuity, institutional independence and credibility. In his communication, Achakzai referred to relevant provisions of the Constitution that outline the procedure for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and members of the Election Commission. He cited Article 213(2A) under which the prime minister is required to consult the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly before forwarding three candidates for the post of CEC to a parliamentary committee. The committee then considers the proposed names before making the appointment through the constitutional process. Achakzai also referred to Article 218(2)(b), arguing that the appointment of ECP members from the provinces is subject to the same constitutional principle of consultation between the prime minister and the opposition leader. The opposition leader consequently called on Prime Minister Shehbaz to hold a formal meeting with him so that both sides could consult and agree on suitable candidates for the vacant constitutional positions. The demand comes against the backdrop of a prolonged delay in completing the composition of the electoral body. It is worth recalling that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had previously invited former National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub for consultations regarding the appointment of a new Chief Election Commissioner. The invitation was extended in June last year as part of the constitutional process for filling the position. However, the parliamentary situation subsequently changed after the National Assembly removed Omar Ayub and several other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed leaders from important parliamentary positions. The move followed their disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan in connection with the May 9 cases in August last year. As a result, the consultation process concerning appointments to key positions within the ECP remained stalled. Achakzai’s latest letter has brought renewed attention to the issue, with the opposition leader emphasising that the vacant positions should be filled through the constitutional procedure and without further delay. The appointment of a CEC and provincial ECP members is considered crucial for ensuring the electoral watchdog remains fully functional and retains public confidence. Achakzai has therefore sought an immediate consultation process with the prime minister to resolve the matter and complete the appointments in accordance with the Constitution.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has rejected reports that its CT scanning facility was unavailable after former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan was unable to undergo a recommended heart scan during his recent visit to the hospital. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the hospital administration said the CT machine installed in 2022 “remains functional” and continues to provide diagnostic services. Imran, who is currently incarcerated at Adiala Jail, was taken to Pims last week for an eye-related procedure and other medical examinations. Doctors had reportedly recommended a CT coronary angiography (CTA), a diagnostic test used to examine the coronary arteries and identify possible blockages. However, the test was not performed before he was returned to jail. The development prompted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order an inquiry into reports that the required facility at Pims was not operational. An inquiry committee was subsequently constituted to establish the facts surrounding the missed examination. Pims clarified that medical imaging procedures are carried out according to clinical assessments, specialist recommendations, patient-safety requirements and established medical protocols. The administration also cautioned against interpreting the use or non-use of a particular imaging procedure outside its medical context. A senior Pims doctor, speaking on condition of anonymity, said approximately a dozen CT coronary angiographies had been performed at the hospital before the latest statement was issued. The controversy has also intensified demands from PTI leaders for Imran to be transferred to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad. The Supreme Court had directed on August 18 that he be shifted to the facility. PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram has questioned why the recommended examination was not carried out. He said a government-appointed medical board examined Imran on August 10, while a Pims cardiologist had recommended the cardiac scan earlier due to reported fluctuations in blood pressure, palpitations, headaches and restlessness, along with concerns related to his age and prolonged incarceration. Akram alleged that the test was considered medically necessary but was not conducted when Imran was brought to Pims. He further claimed that hospital officials cited the unavailability of the facility despite the presence of a functioning CT scanner. The conflicting accounts have placed renewed attention on Imran’s medical care and the circumstances surrounding the recommended cardiac examination, with the government-ordered inquiry expected to clarify whether the test was withheld for medical reasons or because of an operational issue.

ISLAMABAD: The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has officially named Pakistan’s first lunar rover “Jinnah-1,” marking a significant milestone in the country’s space exploration journey. The name was selected through a nationwide competition that attracted more than 4,000 suggestions from people across Pakistan. The title “Jinnah-1” was proposed by seven participants, with the final winner chosen through a draw. Seventeen-year-old Tayyab Karim from Bahawalnagar was declared the winner after submitting the name. SUPARCO said the name pays tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and represents Pakistan’s ambition, progress and determination to explore new frontiers in space. The rover is scheduled to travel to the Moon in 2029 as part of China’s Chang’e-8 mission. Once deployed, Jinnah-1 will carry out scientific research in the lunar south polar region, contributing to Pakistan’s growing role in international space exploration. The mission is expected to provide Pakistani scientists and researchers with valuable opportunities to participate in lunar scientific studies and advance the country’s capabilities in space technology.

The federal government has increased the price of petrol by Rs4.45 per litre, despite a reported decline in international petroleum prices, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Energy. The revised fuel prices will come into effect from August 6, 2026. The latest notification states that the new prices have been determined in line with the pricing mechanism recommended by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and approved by the federal government. Under the revised rates, the price of petrol has increased from Rs328.56 to Rs333.01 per litre, representing an increase of Rs4.45 per litre. The decision comes only a day after the government had announced lower fuel prices for August 5. In contrast, the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) has been reduced by Rs2.00 per litre. Following the reduction, the retail price of diesel has declined from Rs385.86 to Rs383.86 per litre, providing limited relief to transport operators and commercial users who rely heavily on diesel. According to government sources, the increase in petrol prices is linked to adjustments in the petroleum levy. The government has reportedly increased the petroleum levy on high-speed diesel by Rs1.44 per litre, raising it from Rs70.86 to Rs72.30 per litre. Officials say such adjustments form part of the government’s broader fiscal strategy while maintaining the petroleum pricing framework. The announcement has drawn attention because global crude oil prices have softened in recent weeks, leading many consumers to expect a reduction in domestic fuel prices. However, local retail fuel prices are influenced by several factors in addition to international oil prices, including exchange rate fluctuations, taxes, petroleum levy, transportation costs, and other government-imposed charges. The revised fuel prices are expected to affect transportation expenses, logistics costs, and overall inflation, as petrol remains a key commodity for private motorists and commercial activities across Pakistan. The government had previously announced reduced prices for August 5, lowering petrol by Rs3.39 per litre and high-speed diesel by Rs4.07 per litre. However, the latest notification revises those rates, resulting in a fresh increase in petrol prices while providing only a modest reduction in diesel prices. The new pricing structure will remain in effect until the government announces its next scheduled review of petroleum product prices.