Hun Sen Denies Reports of Foreign Troops in Cambodia

LAHORE: At least eight people lost their lives after the roof of a house collapsed in Lahore’s Harbanspura area late Wednesday night, prompting a major rescue operation by emergency teams. Rescue 1122 personnel, assisted by the district administration, rushed to the scene and began clearing the debris in search of people trapped beneath the rubble. Lahore Deputy Commissioner Capt (retd) Muhammad Ali Ijaz visited the site and supervised the ongoing rescue efforts. Heavy machinery was deployed to speed up the operation and ensure the safe recovery of survivors. Officials said rescue workers continued searching through the debris as fears remained that more people could still be trapped. The deputy commissioner directed all relevant departments to use every available resource to complete the rescue operation as quickly as possible. He also ordered an inquiry to determine the cause of the roof collapse. The latest tragedy comes weeks after another roof collapse at a tuition centre in Lahore claimed the lives of 14 children. Authorities had registered a case against the building owners and contractor after investigators found that excessive weight placed on the damaged roof had caused it to cave in. Earlier this year, four children were also killed and around 20 others injured when the roof of a classroom at a private school in Dera Ghazi Khan collapsed during construction work. An official investigation concluded that construction material placed on the roof had exceeded its load-bearing capacity, leading to the collapse.

The federal government has announced a public holiday across Pakistan on the occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the holiday for 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal. The government has also issued an official notification confirming the decision. According to the notification, Wednesday, August 26, 2026, will be observed as a public holiday across the country. Government offices and institutions covered by the notification will remain closed on the day. The holiday will allow people to observe Eid Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ and participate in religious gatherings and other activities. Eid Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ is observed every year on 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Special religious programmes, processions and gatherings are held in different parts of Pakistan on the occasion. The announcement of the public holiday comes as preparations for the religious occasion continue across the country. Authorities are also expected to make security and traffic arrangements for major gatherings and processions.

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Monday granted police a three-day physical remand of former senator Mushtaq Ahmad and his associate, Daniyal, in a case linked to a protest over the recent unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The suspects were presented before Duty Judge Rukhsanda Shaheen after their arrest. During the hearing, the prosecution requested a 30-day physical remand, arguing that investigators needed additional time to recover a vehicle and alleged weapons connected to the case. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court approved a three-day remand instead of the longer period requested by the prosecution and directed police to continue their investigation. The case has been registered at Islamabad’s Shalimar Police Station. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the protest and the allegations associated with it. The development comes days after Mushtaq Ahmad’s supporters claimed he had been detained for more than 24 hours after security personnel stopped him from entering Azad Jammu and Kashmir. According to his team, the detention was linked to his public support for protests taking place in the region. Following his release, Mushtaq Ahmad addressed a press conference in Islamabad, where he announced plans to hold a condolence, solidarity and peace gathering in support of the people of AJK. He invited students, journalists, civil society members and Kashmiri residents of Islamabad to participate in the event at F-10 Markaz. Earlier, Mushtaq Ahmad had stated that he was travelling to AJK carrying white flags as a symbol of peace and solidarity with families affected by the recent violence. He said security officials stopped him at Azad Pattan Bridge and prevented him from entering the region, after which he recorded a protest message and began returning to Islamabad. His team further alleged that Punjab Police later intercepted his vehicle in Kahuta and took him into custody.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has welcomed the Supreme Court’s order directing the transfer of party founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment. The party described the decision as an important step toward protecting Imran’s health and ensuring his constitutional and legal rights. PTI also welcomed the court’s direction allowing him to meet his family once a week. According to the court’s order, Imran will be shifted to the hospital for treatment for the next few days. A medical board will examine him and assess his condition. The board will include specialists in eye care, general medicine and cardiology. PTI said the involvement of Imran’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, and his sister, Dr Uzma Khan, would help ensure a comprehensive review of his medical history and current condition. The party said concerns over Imran’s health had increased in recent weeks. It maintained that he should receive treatment under the supervision of specialist doctors and have access to his personal physicians. PTI also appealed to its workers and supporters not to gather outside Shifa International Hospital after Imran’s transfer. The party urged them to maintain a peaceful environment and cooperate with authorities so the court’s directions could be implemented without disruption. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also welcomed the Supreme Court decision. He said the order for Imran’s hospital transfer and weekly family meetings should be implemented without delay. Afridi said PTI had repeatedly demanded medical treatment and examinations under the supervision of Imran’s personal doctors. He argued that the decision should have been taken earlier but said the party would respect the court’s directions. Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser described the ruling as an important development for Imran’s fundamental, constitutional and legal rights. He called for the decision to be implemented fully and without delay. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said obtaining reliable information about Imran’s health and ensuring his recovery remained the party’s primary concern. He also reminded supporters of the commitment given to the Supreme Court that workers would not gather outside the hospital. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan similarly urged the government to implement the order. Speaking outside Parliament, he said Imran had spent a prolonged period in detention and should now receive the medical care ordered by the court. Former federal minister Asad Umar also welcomed the ruling while questioning why similar action had not been taken earlier. He referred to previous concerns over Imran’s eyesight and said the decision was better late than never. Imran’s international affairs adviser, Zulfikar Bukhari, also welcomed the development, saying that when courts perform their constitutional role, the country benefits. He expressed hope that there would be no unnecessary obstacles to implementation. Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan chief and opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai also backed the ruling. He said prisoners, regardless of the charges against them, retain basic rights to medical treatment, family contact and legal representation. The Supreme Court’s decision followed reports concerning Imran’s health and recommendations for increased contact with his immediate family. A medical board and the Adiala Jail superintendent had earlier submitted reports to the court regarding his condition and access to family members and doctors. A three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed heard matters relating to Imran’s access to his sisters, personal physicians and medical records. The court directed that Dr Faisal Sultan be allowed to examine Imran and ordered the formation of the new medical board. Dr Uzma Khan will also be associated with the board. The court further directed Imran’s family to bear the cost of his treatment at the hospital. It also ordered that his family and lawyers refrain from sharing his medical reports with the media. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan directed that Imran’s medical report be kept confidential.