Aaliya Hamza allegedly attacked inside Kot Lakhpat…

By MIR Hunbal Birmani   DG Khan: Heavy rains in the Sulaiman Range have caused flash flooding in several small and large hill torrents in Sakhi Sarwar and adjoining areas, creating difficulties for tourists returning from Mubarki, Yakbai and other tourist destinations, as well as travellers and residents of tribal areas, in crossing the waterways. Taking notice of the situation, Deputy Commissioner and Senior Commandant Dera Ghazi Khan Muhammad Usman Khalid directed an immediate rescue operation under the supervision of Political Assistant Koh-e-Sulaiman Ameer Taimoor. The Border Military Police (BMP) mobilised its personnel and vehicles and reached various routes affected by the hill torrents to rescue stranded tourists, travellers, women, children and residents of tribal areas, along with their belongings, and shift them to safe locations. On the instructions of Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Usman Khalid, BMP personnel also helped private vehicles and motorcycles cross the flooded hill torrents. At some locations, motorcycles and luggage were carried on their shoulders to help people reach safer places. During the rescue operation, the valuable belongings and vehicles of tourists and travellers were also safely moved to secure locations. The BMP team also transported a woman who was on her way to hospital for delivery in an official vehicle. Due to the timely actions of the district administration and the BMP, hundreds of tourists, travellers and local residents were rescued from difficulties caused by the flash floods and shifted to safe places Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Usman Khalid said that, in accordance with the special instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, all necessary arrangements had been completed in view of the monsoon rains. Teams of the district administration, Border Military Police, Baloch Levies and other relevant departments had been deployed at important routes near the hill torrents to ensure an immediate response to any emergency situation. He urged citizens and tourists to avoid going near hill torrents during rainfall and to follow the instructions issued by the administration. “The protection of the lives and property of the people is the top priority of the district administration,” he said. While on other hand , Senior officials on Thursday visited hill torrent structures and flood-prone areas in Rajan pur district to review the situation and preparedness measures. The visit was conducted by commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan ch.Ashfaq , Chief Engineer Irrigation, Dera Ghazi Khan, the Superintending Engineer Irrigation, Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Rajan pur, Assistant Commissioners of Jam pur and Rajan pur, the In-charge of Rescue 1122, and other relevant officials. The officials inspected the Kaha Hill Torrent siphon at RD-145 and Pull Pathan Camp at Tayyab Drain. According to officials, a peak discharge of 40,000 cusecs was recorded at Darrah, the originating point of the Kaha Hill Torrent, yesterday. However, a major portion of the floodwater dissipated during its passage, and only around 2,000 cusecs had reached RD-145 so far. The Irrigation Department has established eight camps in the area, equipped with the necessary machinery, equipment and manpower to deal with any emergency situation. Teams of the District Administration Rajan pur, Irrigation Department and Rescue 1122 are actively monitoring the situation and remain vigilant.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi held a telephone conversation on Tuesday to discuss the worsening humanitarian and security situation in the Palestinian territories, expressing deep concern over the continued escalation of violence in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the two leaders reviewed the latest developments, focusing on the ongoing Israeli military operations, intensified airstrikes, ground offensives, and the deteriorating conditions faced by Palestinian civilians. They emphasized the urgent need for international efforts to reduce tensions and prevent further loss of life. During the discussion, both foreign ministers strongly condemned repeated incursions by Israeli settlers and far-right groups into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem. They also criticized restrictions imposed on Palestinian worshippers, describing such measures as a violation of the sanctity and religious significance of one of Islam’s holiest sites. Dar and Safadi agreed that actions affecting the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound not only inflame tensions on the ground but also undermine regional stability and diminish prospects for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict. They stressed the importance of respecting the historical and legal status of the holy site and ensuring freedom of worship for Palestinians. The conversation also focused on diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing the crisis. The Jordanian foreign minister briefed Ishaq Dar on Jordan’s proposal to convene a meeting of Arab and Islamic countries to review the rapidly evolving situation and coordinate a collective diplomatic response. The proposed gathering is expected to explore ways to strengthen international engagement, promote humanitarian assistance, and support efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement. Both leaders agreed that close coordination among Muslim and Arab countries remains essential in responding to the ongoing crisis. They emphasized the importance of maintaining diplomatic momentum to encourage dialogue and prevent further escalation in the region. Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi acknowledged Pakistan’s consistent role in advocating for regional peace and stability. He appreciated Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts and expressed hope that ongoing international initiatives would contribute to reducing tensions and creating conditions conducive to lasting peace. During the call, Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. He reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing position that a just, comprehensive, and durable peace can only be achieved through a negotiated political solution based on international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. Dar once again emphasized Pakistan’s support for the two-state solution, calling for the establishment of an independent, sovereign, contiguous, and viable Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders. He said East Jerusalem, referred to by Muslims as Al-Quds Al-Sharif, should serve as the capital of the future Palestinian state. The deputy prime minister also stressed the need for the international community to intensify diplomatic efforts to end the violence, protect civilians, and facilitate humanitarian assistance for those affected by the conflict. He underscored that meaningful dialogue and respect for international law remain essential for achieving lasting peace and stability in the Middle East. The telephone conversation reflected the close cooperation between Pakistan and Jordan on issues concerning Palestine and highlighted their shared commitment to supporting diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the conflict. Both countries reaffirmed their determination to continue working with regional and international partners to promote peace, safeguard holy sites, and uphold the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.

  ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Iqtidar Wali Khan has launched a strong criticism of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), accusing members and supporters of the party of placing former prime minister Imran Khan above Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and questioning their commitment to the country’s founding principles. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Iqtidar Wali Khan alleged that some PTI supporters consider Imran Khan a leader greater than Quaid-e-Azam and do not accept the Two-Nation Theory. He questioned how figures such as Barrister Gohar, Ali Zafar, Umair Niazi and Asad Qaiser, whom he described as patriotic individuals, could remain associated with the party while it was allegedly pursuing such politics. The prime minister’s aide accused PTI activists of repeatedly becoming part of what he called anti-state movements and attempting to continue the events of May 9. He also criticised slogans associated with PTI supporters, including “No Khan, No Pakistan,” and alleged that they compared Imran Khan with Quaid-e-Azam while making fun of Allama Iqbal’s vision for the country. Iqtidar Wali further criticised the PTI’s previous government and levelled serious allegations regarding its administration. He claimed that during the party’s tenure in power, the second floor of the Prime Minister’s House had allegedly been turned into a dance floor, where he alleged that drinking and dancing gatherings were held. He also made allegations about the presence of practices related to black magic within the government setup. He further accused the PTI leadership of making statements that, according to him, undermined the country’s defence capabilities during periods of tension with India. He claimed that when a conflict or Indian attack arose, some PTI figures would say that there was not even enough fuel available for Pakistan’s tanks. The special assistant also criticised PTI supporters for holding protests on Independence Day. He questioned why anyone would choose the national day for political demonstrations, arguing that such actions could cause concern among Pakistan’s enemies rather than contribute to national unity. He appealed to political parties to carefully consider PTI’s political conduct before forming alliances or cooperating with its leadership. Referring to comments attributed to Maulana Naseem Shah about the difficulties faced by Pakistan decades after Allama Iqbal’s dream, he urged political forces to examine what he described as the party’s actions before extending political cooperation. Iqtidar Wali also targeted the PTI-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He claimed that the party had governed the province for around 15 years while repeatedly promoting slogans such as “Riyasat-e-Madina” and “Naya Pakistan.” He alleged that, despite these claims, individuals involved in drug trafficking, smuggling and the ice-drug trade had gained influence in the province. He further alleged that some people who previously lacked sufficient resources even for basic expenses had become owners of high-end hotels after gaining political influence. The remarks by Iqtidar Wali Khan come amid continued political tensions between the government and PTI. His statements reflect the sharp political divide between the two sides, with the government repeatedly accusing PTI of undermining state institutions, while PTI has consistently rejected such allegations and maintained that its political struggle is aimed at protecting democratic rights and securing political justice.

A renewed debate over the creation of new provinces in Pakistan has gathered political momentum after two major coalition partners publicly endorsed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s proposal to restructure the country’s administrative system. However, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has yet to officially comment, fueling speculation over its stance on the sensitive issue. The discussion began after Naqvi argued that Pakistan’s existing administrative framework had become ineffective and called for a national consensus on establishing smaller provinces to improve governance and public service delivery. His remarks quickly drew support from coalition allies, including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP). Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal described the proposal as an urgent national necessity rather than a political choice, stressing that decentralizing administrative powers was essential for effective governance. The MQM-P has long advocated the creation of an additional province in Sindh, making the party one of the strongest supporters of the initiative. Privatization Minister Abdul Aleem Khan of the IPP also endorsed the proposal, suggesting that each of Pakistan’s four existing provinces could eventually be divided into three administrative regions. He argued that smaller provinces would bring government closer to the people and reduce the hardships faced by citizens traveling long distances to provincial capitals. Despite growing support from coalition partners, the proposal faces significant constitutional and political challenges. Any change to provincial boundaries requires a two-thirds majority in the affected provincial assembly, making consensus difficult to achieve. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which governs Sindh and is also part of the federal coalition, has expressed strong reservations, warning that such a move could create more problems than solutions. Opposition leaders have also criticized the proposal, arguing that the government lacks the political mandate for such a major constitutional change. They insist that strengthening democratic institutions and improving governance should take priority over redrawing provincial boundaries. Political analysts have offered differing views on the initiative. Some believe creating new provinces could deepen ethnic and regional divisions, while others see the debate as an attempt to shift public attention away from pressing national issues, including recent unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and ongoing security challenges in Balochistan. Many experts argue that empowering local governments under the 18th Constitutional Amendment would be a more practical and effective way to improve governance without altering provincial boundaries. Mustafa Kamal also acknowledged that stronger local governments are essential regardless of whether new provinces are eventually created. With the PML-N maintaining silence and key coalition partners taking opposing positions, the proposal has opened a fresh political debate that is likely to remain at the center of Pakistan’s national discourse in the coming months.