52 new life-saving drugs await cabinet approval, Senate told

Polling has begun for the by-election in Sindh Assembly constituency PS-30 Khairpur. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Barrister Asfandyar Khan Kharral is contesting the election against seven independent candidates. The constituency has a total of 254,980 registered voters. The Election Commission has established 164 polling stations for the by-election. Officials have classified several polling stations as sensitive due to security concerns. A total of 64 polling stations have been declared highly sensitive. Another 68 polling stations have been classified as sensitive. Security arrangements have been strengthened at these locations. Around 2,500 police personnel have been deployed across the constituency. They have been assigned duties at polling stations and other important locations. Security personnel are also monitoring the polling process to prevent any untoward incident. Authorities have directed officials to ensure a peaceful environment for voters. The by-election was necessitated by the death of PPP MPA Naeem Kharral. His death left the PS-30 Khairpur seat vacant. The contest is being closely watched because the PPP candidate is facing multiple independent candidates. Voters in the constituency will decide who will represent them in the Sindh Assembly. Polling officials have been instructed to facilitate voters and ensure that the electoral process remains orderly. Security personnel will remain deployed throughout the polling process. Authorities have also taken measures to protect polling staff and voters.

The federal government has approved the deployment of three companies of the Pakistan Army in Rawalpindi. The troops will perform sensitive security duties in the city. The deployment will remain in place for six months. The decision was taken after a request from the Punjab Home Department. The Interior Ministry issued the deployment order on August 21. The order said the army personnel would help prevent any undesirable situation. They will also assist the civil administration in dealing with any unexpected security challenge. The deployment has been authorised under Article 245 of the Constitution. The provision allows the armed forces to assist the civil administration when required. The troops will perform their duties according to the requirements of the district administration. Their presence is intended to strengthen security arrangements and improve the authorities’ ability to respond to emergencies. The government has given the deployment immediate effect. The three army companies can therefore begin their assigned security responsibilities without delay. The order did not provide details about the exact locations where the troops will be stationed. It also did not specify particular operations or threats that prompted the deployment. The decision places additional security resources at the disposal of the Rawalpindi administration. Civil authorities can seek the assistance of the deployed personnel when required during the six-month period. The deployment is part of the government’s broader security arrangements. The use of military personnel under Article 245 is intended to support civilian authorities while they carry out their responsibilities.

The Muttahida Madaris Council Pakistan has publicly distanced itself from recent remarks made by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman regarding the Pakistan Army and the country’s martyrs. In an official statement, the council said religious seminaries across Pakistan have always stood with the country’s armed forces and fully respect the sacrifices made by military personnel in defending the nation. It stressed that no seminary or religious educational institution supports any narrative that could be interpreted as being against the armed forces. The council reaffirmed its commitment to national unity and expressed solidarity with Pakistan’s security institutions. It also paid tribute to the country’s martyrs, saying their sacrifices for national security and peace deserve the highest respect. The controversy began after Fazlur Rehman addressed a public gathering in Kasur, where he spoke about the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. During his speech, his comments about soldiers and martyrdom sparked widespread criticism from political leaders and members of the public. Several politicians described the remarks as inappropriate and called on the JUI-F chief to publicly clarify or withdraw his statement. They maintained that the sacrifices of soldiers should not become part of political debate and should always be treated with respect. Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan strongly criticised the remarks and urged Fazlur Rehman to issue a public apology. He also proposed the formation of a Senate committee to examine the issue and determine whether the veteran politician should be formally called to explain his comments. The matter has also entered the legal arena. A sessions court has issued a notice to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) regarding the registration of a cybercrime case linked to the controversial remarks. The agency is expected to submit its response during the legal proceedings. Legal experts say the court will review the available evidence before deciding whether further action is warranted under the relevant laws. The controversy has continued to dominate political discussions, with leaders from different parties expressing contrasting views over the issue. While critics insist that the remarks were disrespectful to the sacrifices of the armed forces, supporters of Fazlur Rehman have defended his right to express political opinions.

Authorities have removed Medico-Legal Officer Dr Osama from his post following an inquiry into serious shortcomings in the initial post-mortem examination of businessman Mir Raza Ali. Officials said the doctor has been directed to appear before the relevant authorities as part of an inquiry into the alleged procedural lapses. The action comes after questions were raised over the accuracy and completeness of the initial medico-legal examination. The case came under renewed scrutiny after a dispute emerged between police investigators and the Karachi police surgeon over shortcomings in the original medico-legal report. The family subsequently approached a Karachi court, seeking a fresh examination of the body. The court later permitted the exhumation of Mir Raza Ali. A second autopsy conducted after the exhumation reportedly found evidence indicating that the businessman had sustained a gunshot injury to the back. The new medical examination identified two gunshot holes in his clothing, along with several other injuries. Medical findings also reportedly included marks of violence, injuries to the feet, a fracture and a roughly 12-centimetre injury to the right thigh, as well as a deep injury and fracture around the jaw. A separate chemical examination has also added new dimensions to the investigation. According to the report, particles consistent with acid were detected on the victim’s shirt, while material associated with gunshot residue was also found. The report further indicated that efforts may have been made to conceal the victim’s identity and that fingerprints were not detected on his hands. Family lawyer Jibran Nasir has previously raised questions about the initial investigation, including the absence of an X-ray and the failure to establish the cause of death in the first examination. He has also alleged that acid burns may have damaged the victim’s face. The family has urged investigators to examine CCTV footage, digital records and other forensic evidence. Questions have also been raised over the handling of the victim’s mobile phone, smartwatch and surveillance recordings from locations linked to the case. Investigators are now examining additional evidence and locations connected to the death. Authorities have also moved to obtain the victim’s mobile data records and conduct geofencing around the relevant crime scene. The new probe team is also coordinating with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency to determine whether Mir Raza had received threats before his death. Mir Raza’s family has said it is cooperating with investigators and has provided information about several suspicious individuals and locations. His father, Mir Hussain, has expressed hope that the newly constituted investigation team will establish the facts and take the case to its logical conclusion.