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ISLAMABAD: Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani is set to be elected as the 17th Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) today, August 28, after the AJK Legislative Assembly issued a revised schedule for the election. Gilani’s nomination by PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif has placed the party’s central leadership at the centre of the government-formation process in AJK, where the PML-N and its allies hold a comfortable majority in the 53-member Legislative Assembly. Election Schedule According to the revised schedule issued by the AJK Legislative Assembly, nomination papers will be filed from 9:30am to 10:30am, followed by scrutiny from 10:30am to 10:45am. The candidate list will be displayed at 11:00am, while candidates will be allowed to withdraw their papers until 11:30am. The final list will be issued at noon. The election for the prime minister is scheduled for 2:00pm, after Friday prayers, followed by the oath-taking ceremony at 4:00pm at the Presidency. PML-N Holds Numbers The PML-N and its coalition partners currently command 32 seats in the 53-member assembly, including support from JUI and Awami Dast-o-Bazu. The PPP has 14 members and has nominated Mukhtar Ahmed Abbasi and Bazal Naqvi for the prime ministerial contest. With the coalition holding a clear majority, Gilani is widely expected to secure the required votes and become the next AJK premier. Nomination Sparks Internal Reservations Despite the coalition’s numerical strength, Gilani’s nomination has reportedly exposed differences within the PML-N’s AJK chapter. Sources familiar with the matter told Minute Mirror that PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir and former AJK prime minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan expressed reservations during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad on Wednesday in the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Qadir was also reportedly opposed to the nomination and indicated that he would neither vote for Gilani nor attend Friday’s assembly session. The extent of internal dissent became evident when only 26 of the 32 lawmakers supporting the coalition attended a dinner hosted by AJK Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq on Thursday night. PML-N leader and Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed Gilani’s nomination on X, saying the decision was taken following consultations within the party leadership. Gilani’s Political Career Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani became a member of the AJK Legislative Assembly in August 2026 on a technocrat seat. He previously served as an assembly member from October 2011 to August 2021, giving him considerable experience in AJK politics. Speaker, Deputy Speaker Elected The latest developments follow the election of Chaudhry Tariq Farooq as Speaker of the AJK Legislative Assembly on August 24. He secured 32 votes. Ahmed Raza Qadri was elected Deputy Speaker with the same number of votes. A small cabinet is also expected to take oath after the new prime minister assumes office. Nawaz Sharif’s Role The latest nomination marks another significant turn in the PML-N’s efforts to form the government in AJK. Following the party’s victory in the AJK elections, held in three phases between July 27 and August 10, Nawaz Sharif initially nominated Shah Ghulam Qadir for the top office. The subsequent nomination of Barrister Iftikhar Gilani has therefore introduced an unexpected twist to the government-formation process, while raising questions about whether the PML-N leadership can resolve internal differences before the new government takes shape.

ISLAMABAD: Former Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz Sharif held a series of meetings with current and former parliamentarians at the Prime Minister’s House, where regional issues and youth development initiatives came under discussion. Hamza Shehbaz met Saira Afzal Tarar, Jamal Shah Kakar and Hafizur Rehman Drishak, while former MNA Murtaza Javed Abbasi, Khurram Dastgir and former Senator Behramand Tangi also called on him. During the meetings, the participants discussed issues affecting their respective regions. Hamza Shehbaz assured the lawmakers that matters requiring government attention would be taken up on a priority basis. Focus on youth skills and employment Hamza Shehbaz also chaired a meeting on the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, attended by its Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan. The former Punjab chief minister directed officials to expand access to modern technical and vocational training for young people, particularly those from Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, South Punjab and smaller cities. He stressed the need to ensure that young people from less-developed areas are not left behind in emerging skills and employment opportunities. The meeting also discussed providing monthly stipends to participants during their technical training to help them complete their courses. Hamza Shehbaz said the government should fully support technical education and focus on connecting trained youth with employment opportunities in the market. The initiative aims to strengthen skills development while creating practical pathways from training to employment for young people across the country.

ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday withdrew the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, from the Senate amid concerns raised by opposition lawmakers and stakeholders in the telecom sector. The withdrawal motion was moved on the Senate floor by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on behalf of the Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication. The proposed legislation sought to introduce amendments to the existing legal and regulatory framework governing Pakistan’s telecommunications sector. However, the bill had faced criticism in recent weeks, with opposition members and industry representatives expressing reservations over several of its provisions. No specific reason for withdrawing the bill was disclosed during the Senate proceedings. However, government sources indicated that the legislation could be brought back before Parliament after further consultations with relevant stakeholders and consideration of their concerns. The Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act provides the legal framework for the structure, licensing and regulation of the country’s telecom sector. With the bill withdrawn, the existing telecom regulatory framework will remain unchanged for the time being.

KARACHI: The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Karachi has arrested a key suspected member of a militant network during an intelligence-based operation, officials said on Thursday. According to a CTD spokesperson, Syed Mehdi Nabvi Abidi, who was listed among the top 10 most-wanted suspects on the MQM-L death squad list, was taken into custody over alleged involvement in planning terrorist activities in Karachi and other parts of the country. Officials said the suspect was wanted in several terrorism-related cases registered in Karachi. During preliminary interrogation, he allegedly disclosed that following the arrest of two of his associates, he and other members of the network had planned attacks in Karachi and other cities. The CTD said the suspect had been nominated in multiple cases dating back to 2004 and 2005, including cases involving the killings of religious scholars and the alleged possession of explosives and other prohibited material. A hand grenade and a loudspeaker were reportedly recovered from his possession during the operation. Following the arrest, CTD Karachi registered two new cases against the suspect. One was registered under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, read with Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, while the second was registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The department said further interrogation of the suspect is underway. Special teams have also been formed to trace and arrest other alleged facilitators and members of the network based on information obtained during the investigation. The CTD maintained that operations against the network would continue as investigators work to establish the full extent of the suspect’s alleged activities and connections.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has made it clear that the government will not allow anyone to undermine peace and public order, while reaffirming that citizens have the right to hold peaceful protests within the limits of the law. Speaking during a visit to the Frontier Corps (FC) Training Center in Shabqadar, Naqvi said peaceful demonstrations were a legitimate democratic right and would not be opposed as long as they remained lawful. However, he stressed that protests could not be used as a pretext for violence, vandalism or activities that threaten public safety and disrupt law and order. During the visit, the minister reviewed the training standards and operational preparedness of FC personnel stationed at the facility. He also received briefings on the security situation and challenges facing the region, along with measures being taken to protect citizens and maintain stability. Naqvi praised the Frontier Corps for its contribution to maintaining peace and security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and acknowledged the role of its personnel in dealing with security challenges. The Interior Minister reiterated that maintaining peace and protecting public safety remained a priority, adding that lawful political and public activity would be respected while any attempt to disturb the peace would be dealt with according to the law.

ISLAMABAD: A high-level investigation committee constituted by the Prime Minister visited the Fire Brigade Headquarters on Thursday as part of its inquiry into the response to a recent fire incident. During the visit, the committee recorded statements from officers and staff of Capital Emergency Services who participated in the rescue operation. Officials provided details about the sequence of events and the measures taken after the fire was reported. Sources said the investigators examined the timeline of the incident, including the period between the outbreak of the fire and the arrival of emergency response teams. The committee also assessed the fire brigade’s response and reviewed the actions taken by personnel during the operation. The investigators sought information about difficulties and operational challenges encountered by the emergency teams while carrying out rescue and firefighting efforts. The committee is headed by retired Federal Secretary Shahid Khan and includes Major General (retd) Dr Khursheed Uttra, Dr Barrister Naeem Ahmed Awan and the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad. According to sources, the committee is scheduled to submit an interim report to the Prime Minister today. A comprehensive investigation report, along with recommendations based on its findings, is expected to be submitted within five days. The inquiry is aimed at determining the sequence of events, assessing the emergency response and identifying areas requiring improvement in the city’s firefighting and rescue arrangements.

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah contacted the provincial Health Secretary and directed him to conduct a comprehensive review of security and safety arrangements at hospitals across the province. During the discussion, it was also decided to establish monitoring teams to inspect and assess safety measures at hospitals. The teams will be tasked with checking whether hospitals are adequately prepared to deal with emergencies and whether the required safety protocols are being properly implemented. According to sources in Peshawar, the monitoring teams will include officials from several departments, including Civil Defence, the Health Department, Rescue services, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), and other relevant departments. The involvement of multiple departments is aimed at ensuring a coordinated assessment of hospital safety arrangements. Sources said the monitoring teams will particularly examine fire safety arrangements and other precautionary measures at hospitals. The teams will assess whether hospitals have adequate arrangements to prevent and respond to fire incidents and other emergencies. The move comes as the provincial government focuses on strengthening safety standards in healthcare facilities and ensuring that hospitals are properly equipped to deal with any untoward incident. The Health Department has also called a meeting to discuss safety arrangements at hospitals across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to sources, the meeting will review the preparations in place to deal with any untoward incident or emergency situation at healthcare facilities. Officials will also examine existing safety procedures and identify areas where improvements may be required. The meeting is expected to focus on ensuring that hospitals follow appropriate safety protocols and that relevant departments are prepared to respond quickly in case of an emergency. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Secretary Fayyaz Ali Shah said that standard operating procedures (SOPs) would be developed for all hospitals across the province. He stressed the importance of ensuring proper safety arrangements at healthcare facilities and said that negligence regarding fire safety measures would not be tolerated. The Health Secretary further made it clear that hospital administrations would be expected to comply with the safety requirements and take all necessary precautions to protect patients, attendants, doctors, nurses and other hospital staff. The provincial government’s decision to establish monitoring teams is expected to provide a mechanism for regularly assessing safety arrangements and identifying shortcomings at hospitals. The teams will inspect facilities and report on the condition of fire safety systems and other emergency preparedness measures. The inclusion of Civil Defence, Rescue, PDMA and other departments in the monitoring process is also intended to improve coordination between institutions responsible for emergency response and disaster management. The government has directed the Health Department to ensure that safety standards are implemented effectively across all hospitals in the province. The development of province-wide SOPs is expected to provide hospitals with clear guidelines regarding fire prevention, emergency preparedness and response procedures. Officials have reiterated that no negligence will be tolerated when it comes to fire safety arrangements in hospitals. The upcoming inspections and departmental meeting will help determine whether existing measures are sufficient and what additional steps may be required to improve safety. The initiative reflects the provincial government’s efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness and ensure safer healthcare facilities throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

  GILGIT-BALTISTAN: Pakistani travel vlogger and mountaineer Dr Asma Mushtaqhas died during an expedition to Spantik Peak in Gilgit-Baltistan, while rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate and recover her body. Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar said in a statement that a rescue team has reached the location where Dr Asma’s body is believed to be present. According to the minister, the search operation has become increasingly difficult because of the vast area and heavy snowfall recorded in the region over the past two days. The intense snowfall has reportedly covered the body completely under snow, making recovery a challenging task for the rescue personnel. Atta Tarar said that the rescue team had been searching for Dr Asma for several hours, but her body had not yet been recovered. He added that the operation remains underway and teams are continuing their efforts to locate her. Dr Asma Mushtaq reportedly died while returning from the summit of Spantik, a prominent mountain located in the Shigar district of Gilgit-Baltistan. Born on February 7, 1992, Asma was known within the mountaineering community for her passion for adventure, mountains and natural landscapes. She also gained recognition as a travel vlogger, sharing her interest in Pakistan’s scenic destinations and outdoor adventures. Recently, Asma had joined an expedition to climb Spantik Peak, which stands at an elevation of approximately 7,027 metres and is located in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range. The mountain is considered one of the country’s notable climbing destinations and attracts mountaineers seeking challenging high-altitude expeditions. According to reports, Asma successfully reached the summit of Spantik along with her guide, Ali Akbar. At the time of reaching the summit, her health was reportedly stable and she was able to complete the ascent successfully. However, problems reportedly arose during the descent. After leaving the summit, Asma allegedly developed symptoms associated with high-altitude sickness, a potentially serious condition that can affect people at extreme elevations because the body receives less oxygen at high altitude. Her guide, Ali Akbar, reportedly provided her with initial medical assistance after her condition deteriorated. Despite the efforts to help her, she could not survive. The incident has highlighted the risks associated with high-altitude mountaineering, particularly during difficult weather conditions. Climbers face several hazards during such expeditions, including extreme cold, heavy snowfall, reduced oxygen levels, exhaustion and rapidly changing weather. The recovery operation is now focused on locating Asma’s body in an area affected by significant snowfall. Rescue teams are reportedly facing difficult conditions as they search through snow-covered terrain. Officials have said that the operation will continue until the body is located and recovered. The difficult terrain and heavy snowfall have made the search more complicated, while rescuers are working in challenging mountainous conditions. Asma’s death has been mourned by those familiar with her work and passion for mountaineering and travel. Her journey into Pakistan’s mountainous regions reflected her strong interest in adventure and the country’s natural beauty. The rescue authorities are continuing their efforts, while further details about the recovery operation are expected as the search progresses.

ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas has described the PIMS Hospital incident as an extremely painful and unbearable tragedy, expressing deep concern over the loss of lives and the suffering of affected families. Speaking to the media after arriving at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Raja Nasir Abbas criticized the government’s response to the incident and questioned whether removing a health secretary could be considered an adequate action in response to such a serious tragedy. He said that simply removing a senior health official would not address the underlying issues that led to the incident. According to him, the government must look beyond administrative changes and take practical measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. “Do you think that by removing one health secretary, you have done your job?” he questioned while speaking to the media. The Senate opposition leader also expressed sympathy for the families who lost their children in the incident. He asked people to imagine the pain and suffering of parents whose children were burned to death. “What must the parents whose children were burned to death have gone through?” he asked, while condemning what he described as the actions and handling of the situation by the authorities. Raja Nasir Abbas said that such incidents raise serious questions about the quality of public services and the government’s responsibility toward citizens. He stressed that people rely on state institutions for essential services, particularly healthcare and education, and expect these institutions to provide safe and reliable facilities. The opposition leader also drew a comparison between the public education and healthcare systems and the growing reliance on private institutions. He said that when government schools fail to meet people’s expectations, families are often forced to turn toward private educational institutions. Similarly, when people do not receive satisfactory treatment or adequate medical facilities at government hospitals, they are compelled to seek treatment from private hospitals. He argued that this trend places an additional financial burden on ordinary citizens, particularly families who cannot afford expensive private healthcare or education. Raja Nasir Abbas emphasized that government institutions should be strengthened so that citizens can receive essential services without having to depend on private alternatives. He suggested that authorities need to identify weaknesses within public-sector institutions and take effective steps to improve their performance. His comments came during his visit to PIMS, where he spoke about the incident and the concerns surrounding the hospital’s safety and management. The tragedy has prompted questions about safety arrangements, institutional accountability and the government’s responsibility for protecting patients and their families. The opposition leader’s remarks also highlighted the broader issue of public confidence in government institutions. When public hospitals fail to provide adequate care or safe facilities, people who cannot afford private treatment are particularly vulnerable. He called for greater accountability and better management of public-sector institutions, arguing that administrative decisions alone cannot resolve systemic problems. The incident has intensified debate over hospital safety and emergency preparedness, with calls for authorities to investigate what happened and determine whether negligence or shortcomings contributed to the tragedy. Raja Nasir Abbas maintained that the government must take meaningful measures rather than limiting its response to the removal of individual officials. He stressed that improving public hospitals and ensuring the safety of patients should remain a priority. He further expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and condemned the circumstances surrounding the deaths, saying that the suffering of parents who lost their children could not be ignored.