Phetchabun Authorities Monitor Receding Pa Sak River Levels Amid Ongoing Flood Impacts

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has announced that it will challenge the results of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections through legal and constitutional forums, alleging widespread rigging, voter manipulation and administrative interference during the electoral process. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, accompanied by senior PPP leader Chaudhry Yasin, accused the federal government, the AJK Election Commission and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of working together to influence the election outcome. He claimed the electoral process was neither transparent nor impartial and alleged that several complaints submitted by the PPP were ignored by the election authorities. Memon said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had repeatedly called for free, fair and transparent elections in AJK. He said Bilawal had urged all institutions to protect the democratic process and ensure that the interests of the Kashmiri people remained above political considerations. The PPP leader alleged that the AJK Election Commission failed to perform its constitutional responsibilities fairly. He claimed the commission did not take action on complaints submitted by the party during polling and questioned its impartiality throughout the election process. According to Memon, polling staff and election materials reached several polling stations late, affecting the voting process and creating unnecessary confusion among voters. He also questioned the postponement of polling in constituency LA-27, saying the decision was based on weather conditions despite what he described as clear circumstances. He further alleged that violence and intimidation were reported in several constituencies during polling. Referring to the killing of PPP worker Mukhtar Younis in LA-9 Nikyal, Memon claimed the incident reflected the deteriorating security situation on election day. He also alleged that attacks on PPP workers and political leaders were not properly investigated despite complaints to the relevant authorities. Memon accused authorities of failing to take action against those allegedly involved in election-related violence. He also claimed that PPP workers who reached certain polling stations after receiving reports of irregularities came under fire. The senior minister further alleged that ballot papers had reached some candidates before polling day and claimed there were serious violations during the voting process. He also alleged that voter turnout in one constituency exceeded 100 percent and called on the Election Commission to investigate the matter immediately. He said the PPP would continue to pursue all available legal and constitutional options to challenge the election results. The party, he added, would present evidence before the appropriate forums and seek action against those responsible for the alleged irregularities. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also criticised the conduct of the elections, saying the Election Commission had failed to address complaints raised after the first phase of polling. He maintained that the party reserved the right to demand re-elections in constituencies where it believed the electoral process had been compromised.

Security forces have killed five militants during an intelligence-based operation in Panjgur district of Balochistan, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The operation was conducted after security agencies received intelligence about the presence of militants in the area. Security personnel moved into the suspected location and carried out the operation. Five militants were killed during the operation, ISPR said. A significant quantity of weapons and ammunition was also recovered from the militants. The recovered weapons and ammunition were taken into custody. They were later destroyed by the security forces, according to ISPR. Following the operation, security personnel launched a clearance and search operation in the surrounding area. The search operation is aimed at checking the area for any remaining militants and possible hideouts. Security forces are also examining the area for additional evidence and material linked to militant activities. ISPR said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to eliminate terrorism from Balochistan. The military’s media wing said security forces remain determined to prevent militant groups from carrying out attacks. It further said efforts would continue against terrorism allegedly being carried out with foreign support and assistance. Security forces have intensified operations against militant networks in different parts of the province. Authorities have repeatedly stressed the need for intelligence-based operations to identify and target militant elements. The latest operation in Panjgur comes amid continued security efforts in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced Pakistan’s first Youth Employment Policy. He said the government is focusing on education, skills, employment and entrepreneurship for young people. Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad, Shehbaz said a significant amount of money had been allocated for youth development this year. He stressed the importance of equal educational opportunities. He said every child should have access to quality education.The prime minister said Pakistan could not achieve the vision of Quaid-e-Azam if quality education remained limited to wealthy families. He criticised the gap between privileged and poor students. He said elite institutions provide better facilities to children from affluent families. According to Shehbaz, this inequality has contributed to Pakistan’s weak performance in the education sector. He said his government had worked to bring students from remote and less-developed areas into the education system. The prime minister also highlighted the Daanish Schools programme. He said its network is being expanded beyond Punjab. New Daanish Schools are being established in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, he added. Shehbaz said young people must be given access to modern education and technology. He warned that Pakistan would fall further behind if its youth were not prepared for the changing global economy. 35% quota for women The prime minister announced important measures under the new employment policy. He said women would receive a 35% quota across the labour force.He also announced a 10% annual quota for startups. The measure is aimed at encouraging young entrepreneurs and creating new employment opportunities. Shehbaz said young people should not only look for jobs. They should also be encouraged to establish businesses and create employment for others. Daanish University in Islamabad The prime minister also announced progress on Daanish University in Islamabad.He said the university is being established to provide modern and quality education. Classes are expected to begin next year.Shehbaz said financial difficulties should not prevent talented students from pursuing higher education. He said students with strong academic results would be given opportunities even if they could not afford expensive education. The prime minister pledged that his government would take every possible step for youth development. He said higher education and employment would remain among the government’s key priorities. Shehbaz also highlighted the government’s laptop distribution programme. He said around 700,000 laptops had already been distributed among deserving students.According to the prime minister, the laptops were awarded strictly on merit. He recalled that the programme had faced criticism in the past. Some critics had accused the government of using laptops for political purposes.Shehbaz rejected the criticism and said deserving students received the devices based on their academic performance. He further announced that 250,000 students would receive Chromebooks this year.The devices will also be distributed on merit. The prime minister said investment in education and digital skills was essential for Pakistan’s future.He said young people represent the country’s biggest resource. Providing them with education, technology and employment opportunities, he added, would help build a skilled workforce and strengthen the national economy.The new Youth Employment Policy is therefore being presented as a broader government effort to connect education with employment and entrepreneurship.