Cambodia Protests Pm Anutin’s Border Visit, Citing Sovereignty Violation

MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly will elect the new prime minister on August 27, with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in a strong position to secure the top office. The election schedule was issued on Wednesday, setting out the timeline for nomination papers, scrutiny, withdrawal and polling. Under the schedule, candidates will submit their nomination papers between 9:30am and 10:30am. The scrutiny process will take place from 10:30am to 10:45am. The list of candidates will be displayed at 11am. Candidates will have 30 minutes, from 11am to 11:30am, to withdraw their nominations. The final list of candidates will be issued at noon. Polling for the office of prime minister will begin at 12:30pm in the Legislative Assembly. The newly elected prime minister is scheduled to take the oath between 4pm and 5pm on the same day. The PML-N has nominated party president Shah Ghulam Qadir for the position. Based on the current strength of the assembly, he is considered the leading candidate for the office. The recent AJK elections were conducted in three phases between July 27 and August 10. Polling was held in 38 of the 45 directly contested constituencies. The PML-N emerged as the largest parliamentary group by winning 25 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secured 12 seats. The PML-N’s position was further strengthened after the lone elected member of the Awami Dast-o-Bazu party joined the ruling alliance. The PML-N currently has the backing of 32 members, compared with 14 members supporting the PPP. The numbers give the PML-N a clear advantage ahead of the prime ministerial election. The political balance was also reflected in the recent elections for the assembly’s top offices. PML-N AJK Secretary General Chaudhry Tariq Farooq was elected speaker with 32 votes. Ahmed Raza Qadri also secured 32 votes to become deputy speaker. PPP nominee Qasim Majid received 13 votes in the speaker’s election, while PPP candidate Amir Abdul Ghaffar Lone secured 13 votes in the deputy speaker’s contest. One PPP vote was declared invalid. The new assembly formally began its parliamentary term on August 24, when 46 newly elected members took their oaths. Outgoing Speaker Latif Akbar administered the oath during the inaugural sitting.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed deep grief over the deaths of newborn babies in the fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad. Bilawal said mothers carry their children for nine months and never expect them to become victims of negligence after birth. He described the deaths of the newborns as one of the most tragic incidents and said the parents, whose hopes were extinguished shortly after their children were born, were now seeking justice. “Those parents whose hopes were extinguished as soon as they were lit are helplessly demanding justice,” Bilawal said. He also criticised the government over what he described as failures in administration and management, saying innocent citizens were paying the price for institutional shortcomings. The tragedy occurred after a fire broke out in the nursery area of PIMS, resulting in the deaths of 15 newborn babies. The incident has triggered widespread grief and calls for accountability. According to an initial report prepared by the PIMS administration, an oxygen-related device near an incubator in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) reportedly burst, causing oxygen to catch fire. The report said the fire generated heavy smoke, which entered the babies’ breathing system through connected pipes. It stated that the infants died due to a combination of oxygen interruption, smoke exposure and burns. The initial findings indicated that the fire was initially limited but spread rapidly. However, officials have given different preliminary accounts regarding the cause of the fire. Rescue authorities and hospital officials initially said the blaze was linked to an air-conditioner compressor, while the hospital’s preliminary report pointed to an oxygen-related device. The presence of oxygen cylinders and equipment in the intensive care area reportedly contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. One newborn was reportedly rescued from the affected area. The tragedy has also raised questions about emergency response and the presence of staff in the nursery. Parents and eyewitnesses alleged that staff members were absent when the fire broke out and claimed that doors were closed, making evacuation more difficult. They also questioned the response time of rescue services. PIMS Executive Director rejected the allegation that staff were absent from the intensive care unit. He said two doctors, four nurses and other staff members were present in the ICU when the incident occurred. He also maintained that the hospital had an adequate fire safety system. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) also said its rescue teams reached the hospital promptly after receiving information about the fire. According to the authority, the teams brought the blaze under control and shifted the affected children to the intensive care unit. Meanwhile, the bodies of the infants who died in the tragedy have been handed over to their families. The incident has prompted authorities to launch a formal investigation. The district administration has constituted an eight-member inquiry committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the fire. The committee has been directed to submit its findings within 24 hours. Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has also offered himself for accountability over the incident and said no person found responsible for negligence would be spared. The conflicting preliminary accounts about the cause of the fire, along with allegations concerning staffing and emergency response, are expected to be examined by the inquiry committee.

President Asif Ali Zardari has directed all federal, provincial, and local authorities to strengthen emergency preparedness and speed up rescue and relief operations as heavy monsoon rains continue to affect several parts of Pakistan. The president issued the instructions as the country enters a critical phase of the monsoon season. Weather experts have warned that continued rainfall could increase the risk of flash floods, river flooding, urban flooding, landslides, cloudbursts, and glacial lake outburst floods in vulnerable regions. Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives and the destruction caused by recent rains, President Zardari extended his condolences to the affected families. He also expressed concern over the damage to homes, roads, public infrastructure, agricultural land, and other property caused by the ongoing severe weather. The president instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), district administrations, and other relevant agencies to maintain close coordination throughout the emergency. He said all institutions should work together to ensure a timely and effective response to any weather-related incident. He directed authorities to issue early weather warnings without delay and ensure that information reaches people living in high-risk areas. He stressed that advance warnings can help communities take precautionary measures and reduce the loss of lives and property. President Zardari also ordered continuous monitoring of rainfall, river flows, reservoirs, and water levels, especially in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where heavy rains have increased the possibility of flash floods and landslides. He instructed authorities in downstream districts to complete all necessary preparations for possible flooding. The president further directed emergency agencies to deploy rescue teams, heavy machinery, medical staff, and relief supplies in vulnerable areas before conditions worsen. He also called for special measures to protect tourists, travellers, and local residents in mountainous regions where landslides, flash floods, and glacial lake outburst floods pose serious risks. He emphasised that all government departments must remain on high alert and respond immediately wherever human lives, homes, or critical infrastructure are threatened. He said protecting citizens should remain the highest priority during the ongoing monsoon season. President Zardari also appealed to the public to follow official weather advisories and avoid unnecessary travel to areas facing heavy rainfall or flood warnings. He urged citizens to cooperate with rescue teams and local authorities during emergency operations. The president appreciated the efforts of rescue workers, emergency personnel, volunteers, and officials who continue to assist affected communities despite difficult weather conditions. He also prayed for the safety of people across the country. The ongoing monsoon spell has caused widespread destruction in several provinces. At least 37 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents, while many others have been injured. Heavy rainfall has triggered flash floods and landslides, damaging houses, roads, bridges, crops, livestock, and public infrastructure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab.