‘Butcher of Bosnia’ Ratko Mladic dies at 84 in…

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced plans to visit Peshawar and Quetta to engage directly with business leaders and provincial authorities as the government steps up efforts to address security challenges affecting trade and investment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The announcement came during a meeting with a delegation of traders, industrialists, and representatives of chambers of commerce from both provinces. The delegation briefed the minister on the law and order situation and highlighted the security issues that continue to disrupt commercial and industrial activities. Naqvi said the government recognizes the difficulties faced by the business community and is committed to creating a safer environment for investment and economic growth. He assured participants that all available resources would be utilized to improve security and resolve issues affecting businesses. The interior minister said his upcoming visits to Peshawar and Quetta would include meetings with senior provincial officials, law enforcement agencies, and business representatives to develop practical and long-term solutions to security concerns. He emphasized that a secure business environment is essential for economic stability, adding that the success of traders and industrialists is closely linked to the country’s overall development. “The progress of the business community is the progress of Pakistan,” Naqvi said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and protecting commercial activities. The meeting followed a high-level discussion held a day earlier between Naqvi and President Asif Ali Zardari, during which they reviewed the country’s overall security situation, with particular focus on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Pakistan has witnessed a rise in militant violence in recent months, particularly in the two provinces. Security forces have intensified intelligence-based operations to counter militant groups responsible for attacks on civilians, security personnel, and public infrastructure. The deteriorating security environment has also affected workers and businesses. Earlier this week, six labourers who had been abducted in Balochistan’s Kech district were found dead, while several other attacks in recent weeks targeted police officers, judges, transport routes, and public facilities. The government believes improving security is essential not only for protecting citizens but also for restoring investor confidence and advancing major regional connectivity and infrastructure projects that have been affected by instability.

KARACHI: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned four Karachi residents for questioning over alleged defamatory content posted on social media against Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and his son. The inquiry was launched following a complaint submitted on behalf of Memon. The complaint relates to social media posts concerning the death of Karachi resident Mir Raza Ali. According to the notices issued by the agency, the respondents have been asked to appear at the NCCIA office in Karachi on August 13 at 11:30am. They have also been directed to bring their original identity cards and any documents or material they intend to use in their defence. The four individuals have also been asked to provide relevant digital devices and record their statements before the investigators. The agency warned that failure to appear could lead to further legal action. The development follows a complaint filed by Memon through his legal representatives. He had approached the cybercrime agency over what he described as false and malicious material being circulated online about him and his son. Memon has denied claims linking him to a guest house in Gulistan-i-Jauhar where Mir Raza Ali was allegedly subjected to violence. He also rejected allegations that his son travelled to London shortly after the incident and was later seen with security personnel. The senior minister said the allegations were not supported by facts or evidence. He alleged that the campaign was aimed at damaging his and his son’s reputation for political reasons. His legal counsel has requested that the agency identify those responsible and take action under applicable cybercrime laws. The complaint also seeks registration of a criminal case if sufficient evidence is found. The Mir Raza case has attracted significant public attention. Ali, who had studied at the Institute of Business Administration and owned a food business, was reported missing on July 28. His body was discovered the following day in bushes near Shahi Qila Ground in Gulistan-i-Jauhar. The investigation initially considered the possibility of suicide. However, Ali’s family consistently rejected that theory. They maintained that he had been kidnapped, assaulted and murdered. A second post-mortem examination later raised further questions about the circumstances of his death. The examination indicated that Ali had suffered a gunshot wound to the back, which challenged the earlier theory of suicide. The family’s lawyer, Jibran Nasir, called for changes to the investigation team. He also accused authorities of failing to properly pursue key aspects of the case. A new investigation team was assigned to the case on Sunday. Police also added a murder charge to the first information report.