Govt probes drug price hikes

Governor of Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan has said that those who had been supporting the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government in implementing its policies and defending its decisions had reached the limits of their endurance. Speaking to a delegation of the Pakistan English Media Association (PEMA) at the Governor’s House on Monday, he said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had now assumed the role of an opposition party and would continue to function as a genuine opposition until the next general elections, scheduled for 2029. PEMA Chairman Zulqernain Tahir and President Rameez Khan led the delegation, which also included Secretary General Ali Raza and members Mubashir Bokhari, Babar Dogar, Shahar Bano, Mubashar Hassan, Faisal Ali Ghumman and Samiullah Randhwa. He made it clear that the PPP would not return to the present coalition arrangement following the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections and would instead play the role of an effective opposition, particularly in Punjab. Mr Khan said the PPP had never favoured coalition governments as a means of running the country, even during the previous parliamentary term. Although the party was widely regarded as an ally of the PML-N-led government, he said it was, in practice, steadily moving into opposition. He maintained that those backing the present government appeared increasingly powerless in the face of poor governance and allegations of corruption. Responding to a question, the PPP leader said internal differences within the party had been resolved to enable it to function as a more effective opposition. Mr Khan also dismissed speculation over a power-sharing arrangement at the federal level, saying there was no written agreement under which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would serve for two and a half years before handing over office to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for the remainder of the term. He said there could be no disagreement that the people of Pakistan were grappling with rising unemployment and persistent inflation. The PPP, he added, would continue to raise these issues publicly to mobilise support while also exerting political pressure on the PML-N government to improve its performance and deliver meaningful relief to the public.

Police have made fresh progress in the investigation into the murder of 25-year-old Mir Raza, whose body was found in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar area. Investigators have recorded the statement of his fiancée and uncovered new details about his movements before his death. According to the investigation, Mir Raza left his home at approximately 4:02am on July 28. Before leaving, he reportedly left behind several personal belongings, including his wallet, house keys, and smartwatch. Police said he also transferred some money to his parents’ bank account before departing. Investigators have obtained more than 100 CCTV recordings from different locations and are reviewing the footage to trace Mir Raza’s final movements and identify any suspects or suspicious activity. Police also recorded the statement of Mir Raza’s fiancée as part of the investigation. She told investigators that he had not shared any concerns, fears, or personal problems with her before leaving home. She added that she repeatedly tried to contact him by phone on the morning of July 28 but received no response. According to the post-mortem report, Mir Raza died after suffering a gunshot wound to the chest, with excessive blood loss identified as the cause of death. Police recently recovered Mir Raza’s mobile phone from a location near the crime scene. The device has been sent for forensic examination to help investigators retrieve digital evidence and establish the circumstances leading to the killing. The investigation remains underway, with police examining CCTV footage, forensic evidence, and witness statements as they continue efforts to determine the motive behind the murder and identify those responsible.

Justice Babar Sattar has been directed to vacate his official residence in Islamabad after the cancellation of its government allotment following his transfer to the Peshawar High Court. According to an official notice issued by the Registrar of the Islamabad High Court, Justice Sattar has been given 30 days to hand over the residence. The notice states that the Estate Office cancelled the allotment of the government house on July 3 after his transfer from the Islamabad High Court to the Peshawar High Court. The document explains that the one-month notice period began on July 3, the same day the official accommodation was withdrawn. Justice Sattar has been instructed to vacate the residence within that period in accordance with government rules governing official housing for judges transferred to another high court. The move follows Justice Sattar’s transfer to the Peshawar High Court, where he is expected to perform his judicial duties after leaving the Islamabad High Court. Sources familiar with the matter said that after the transfer, Justice Sattar did not apply for or obtain an official residence in Peshawar. Instead, he reportedly decided to continue staying in the government house allotted to him in Islamabad. The notice highlights that the cancellation of the residence allotment was carried out by the Estate Office, making the continued occupation of the house subject to the expiry of the notice period. The registrar’s office formally communicated the decision to ensure compliance with the applicable administrative procedures. The development comes as part of the routine administrative process that follows the transfer of judges between high courts. Under the existing rules, official accommodation is generally linked to the judge’s place of posting, and transferred judges are required to vacate residences allocated at their previous station once the prescribed notice period expires.