Austrian Expatriate Sentenced To 1,673 Years In Thailand

Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has criticised the country’s elite class, saying ordinary Pakistanis are struggling under rising costs while privileged groups continue to enjoy extensive benefits without paying their fair share of taxes. Speaking at a press conference at Jamaat-e-Islami headquarters in Mansoorah, Lahore, Hafiz Naeem said increases in petroleum prices have a direct impact on the prices of essential goods and place the greatest burden on middle- and lower-income families. He said access to quality healthcare and education remained inadequate for a large section of the population, adding that ordinary citizens were being deprived of basic facilities. Hafiz Naeem also said Jamaat-e-Islami had not ended its protest sit-in but had only postponed it. He criticised what he described as a political system dominated by a self-serving political class. He said many Pakistanis were taking significant risks to travel abroad in search of employment, while educated young people were also leaving the country because of limited job opportunities. The Jamaat-e-Islami leader further alleged that owners of independent power producers were not being adequately taxed despite earning substantial incomes. At the same time, he said, people across the country were facing prolonged power outages while additional charges were being collected from consumers. Hafiz Naeem accused the ruling class of failing to deliver meaningful relief because of what he described as corruption and poor governance. He questioned the reported purchase of an aircraft worth around Rs11 billion for the Punjab chief minister. He also criticised government officials for defending the expenditure, saying public funds should not be used for expensive official vehicles and other privileges. The Jamaat-e-Islami emir urged authorities to reduce unnecessary government spending and focus resources on providing relief to ordinary citizens.

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.