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The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday reserved its verdict on the maintainability of a petition challenging the delay in the approval of judicial appointments for high courts across the country. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir heard the petition filed by advocate Luqman Zafar Chaudhary through his counsel Zahid Asif Chaudhry. The petitioner requested the court to direct President Asif Ali Zardari to approve a summary forwarded by the prime minister for the appointment of 19 additional judges and the confirmation of five judges in the Islamabad, Lahore, Sindh, Balochistan and Peshawar high courts. During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer argued that the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) had recommended the appointments during its meetings held on July 20 and 21. He said the summary was later sent to the president for approval, but no decision has been made despite the passage of more than two weeks. The counsel maintained that the delay is affecting the functioning of the superior judiciary. He informed the court that the tenure of an additional judge of the Sindh High Court has already expired, while the terms of four additional judges of the Peshawar High Court are expected to end within the coming days. The lawyer also told the court that reports suggest the government may issue notifications regarding the appointments within the next 48 hours. Justice Tahir repeatedly questioned whether a constitutional petition could legally be maintained against the president. He asked the petitioner’s counsel to cite any previous court ruling in which a writ had been issued against the president regarding the exercise of constitutional powers. The court observed that the judgments presented by the petitioner did not support the argument that courts could direct the president in matters governed by Article 48 of the Constitution. Justice Tahir asked whether any legal precedent existed requiring the president to act on such matters through a judicial order. The petitioner’s counsel argued that Article 48 requires the president to act on the advice of the prime minister or the cabinet. He maintained that the president has no independent authority to indefinitely delay judicial appointments once the Judicial Commission has completed its recommendations. The lawyer further argued that the Ministry of Law is the competent authority to issue appointment notifications after the completion of the constitutional process. He claimed that the president’s role in the appointment process is largely formal and that unnecessary delays should not hinder the functioning of the judiciary. The petitioner requested the court to seek responses from the federal government, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Law regarding the status of the pending summary. However, the court declined to issue notices at this stage.

Pakistan has taken a significant step toward joining the global lithium supply chain after the discovery of high-grade lithium in Sindh’s Khairpur district, a development that could pave the way for the country’s first domestic lithium industry and strengthen its ambitions in clean energy and advanced manufacturing. The breakthrough comes as the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) signed a strategic agreement with the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH) to develop technology capable of extracting lithium from geothermal brine on a commercial scale. The agreement follows the successful identification of high-quality lithium in water produced from a well in Khairpur, raising hopes that Pakistan could eventually reduce its dependence on imported battery materials while creating a new high-value industrial sector. Officials familiar with the project said the collaboration will focus on designing an efficient and commercially viable extraction process. If successful, the initiative could lay the foundation for a local lithium value chain, supporting industries involved in electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy storage systems, and other high-tech applications. The discovery is also expected to attract interest from investors looking to capitalize on the rapidly growing global demand for lithium, a critical mineral used in rechargeable batteries that power electric vehicles, smartphones, laptops, and grid-scale energy storage systems. In another major development, authorities have expanded lithium exploration across Sindh. Plans are underway to investigate eight to ten additional wells in search of further lithium-rich geothermal brine deposits, increasing the likelihood of identifying commercially viable reserves. Energy experts believe Pakistan’s emerging lithium potential could diversify the country’s mineral resources, generate export opportunities, and create skilled employment if exploration results continue to be positive and commercial production becomes feasible. While further scientific studies and economic assessments are still required before large-scale production begins, the Khairpur discovery marks a milestone in Pakistan’s pursuit of critical minerals. Industry observers say sustained investment in research, technology, and infrastructure will be essential to transform the discovery into a competitive domestic lithium industry capable of supporting the country’s long-term energy transition and industrial growth.

A police constable was martyred and another sustained injuries after unidentified gunmen opened fire on a police patrol in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat district on Sunday. The attack took place near the old police lines within the jurisdiction of Lakki City police station, where the officers were performing patrol duties as part of the City Rider Squad. Police officials said Constable Sajidullah received critical injuries during the firing. He later succumbed to his wounds. Constable Muhammad Waqas was also injured and was taken to a hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment. Following the incident, police teams immediately sealed off the area and launched a search operation to locate those responsible for the attack. Security personnel are also examining the crime scene and collecting evidence that could help investigators identify the attackers. Lakki Marwat District Police Officer Shehbaz Elahi visited the site and reviewed the situation with senior officers. He was briefed about the circumstances surrounding the attack and the steps taken by police following the incident. The DPO directed investigators to use modern forensic and investigative methods and mobilise all available resources to track down the suspects. He also ordered authorities to strengthen security arrangements to protect both law-enforcement personnel and civilians. Officials said attacks against police officers would not be tolerated and that every effort would be made to bring those behind the assault to justice. The latest incident comes amid a series of attacks against security personnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The province has witnessed a rise in militant violence in recent weeks, prompting security forces and police to intensify operations against armed groups. Earlier this month, several police personnel were killed in a suicide attack outside a police station in Swat. In separate incidents in Hangu and Dera Ismail Khan, police officers were also targeted in attacks. The continuing violence has increased concerns over the security situation across parts of the province, particularly areas close to the former tribal districts and the Afghan border. Security officials have maintained that intensified intelligence-based operations are being conducted to prevent militant attacks and dismantle networks involved in violence against law-enforcement agencies.