فیچرڈ

KHYBER: Representatives of families affected by the situation in Tirah Valley will convene a grand jirga on August 20 at Bara Press Club to discuss their return, financial assistance and a future strategy for pursuing their demands. The gathering is being organised by Tehreek Mutasireen Tirah following a consultative meeting held on Sunday. A 24-member committee, along with elected representatives and a special representative of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, has been invited to attend the jirga. Participants will review the difficulties faced by Tirah affectees and discuss arrangements for a safe and dignified return to their areas. The provision of financial assistance and other longstanding demands will also be taken up during the meeting. The jirga is expected to determine the group’s next course of action and decide how to press the government to address the concerns of affected families. During the earlier consultation, community leaders, political representatives, traders, doctors and tribal elders called on the government to ensure a secure and dignified return for the affected population and provide immediate financial support. Tehreek Mutasireen Tirah spokesman Sohbat Afridi said the group would pursue its demands through peaceful means, stressing that any future protest strategy would reflect the wishes of the affected residents and the wider community.

  The United Madaris Council has clarified that the recent statement made by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman reflects only the political position of his party and should not be regarded as the stance of the council. In an official statement, the United Madaris Council emphasized that Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s remarks represent his personal and political viewpoint as the leader of his political party. The council stressed that it does not endorse or represent the views expressed in his statement and should not be associated with them. Council spokesperson Mir Asif Akbar Qadri stated that the United Madaris Council does not speak on behalf of any political party and remains an independent platform representing religious seminaries. He reiterated that the council’s primary focus is on educational, religious, and social matters concerning madaris rather than political affairs. The spokesperson further said that the sacrifices made by the martyrs and veterans of the Pakistan Armed Forces are a source of national pride and respect. He described the country’s martyrs and decorated military personnel as national heroes whose courage and dedication have played a vital role in safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty and security. Mir Asif Akbar Qadri added that any negative narrative against the sacrifices of the martyrs is unacceptable. He stressed that honoring those who laid down their lives in defense of the country is a collective national responsibility and that their services should always be acknowledged with dignity and respect. The United Madaris Council also rejected any attempts to associate religious seminaries, mosques, scholars, or students with activities that are considered anti-state. According to the spokesperson, madaris and religious institutions have no connection with actions that undermine the interests of the state or threaten national stability. He explained that religious seminaries across Pakistan are dedicated to providing Islamic education, promoting moral values, and serving society through peaceful means. The council believes that these institutions play an important role in educating students, strengthening ethical values, and fostering religious harmony. The spokesperson also expressed concern over the use of the names of madaris, mosques, religious scholars, and students in political campaigns or partisan debates. He stated that involving religious institutions in political controversies is unfair and creates unnecessary misunderstandings about their role in society. According to the council, religious seminaries should not be drawn into political disputes, as doing so can damage their reputation and distract them from their educational and religious responsibilities. The organization urged all political stakeholders to avoid using the names of religious institutions to advance political narratives. The statement reaffirmed that the United Madaris Council remains committed to promoting peace, unity, religious education, and national harmony. It also reiterated its support for the rule of law, constitutional values, and the stability of Pakistan. The council concluded by emphasizing that while individuals and political parties are free to express their own opinions, those views should not be attributed to religious institutions or the United Madaris Council unless officially endorsed. It called for responsible public discourse and urged all segments of society to work together for national unity, mutual respect, and the country’s continued peace and progress.

Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court has issued a detailed written judgment in a land dispute that has remained unresolved for nearly five decades. The ruling addresses a long-standing legal conflict over land ownership and tenancy rights, overturning previous decisions and restoring the legal status of the land as it existed before 1996. The court declared the 2008 judgment of the Lahore High Court null and void. It also set aside the orders issued by the Federal Land Commissioner in 1996, ruling that those decisions were not legally sustainable. The verdict marks a significant development in one of the country’s oldest land-related legal disputes. Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan authored the 25-page judgment, outlining the legal reasoning behind the court’s decision. The ruling carefully reviewed the history of the case, the relevant land laws, and the constitutional principles governing property rights and administrative authority. According to the judgment, the legal status of the disputed land has been restored to what it was before the Federal Land Commissioner’s 1996 orders. The court held that the rights of tenant farmers, commonly referred to as muzareen, must remain protected in accordance with the Land Regulations of 1972. These regulations were introduced to safeguard the lawful rights of tenants and regulate land that had been taken into government custody. The court emphasized that once land disputes have been finally decided through due legal process, they cannot be reopened or reconsidered without a valid legal basis. The judgment stated that the principle of finality in judicial decisions is essential for maintaining certainty and stability in the legal system. The ruling explained that under the 1972 Land Regulations, various pieces of land had been taken into government possession. Decisions regarding those acquisitions had already attained final legal status after being decided by the competent authorities and courts. However, in 1996, approximately twenty years after those decisions had become final, the Federal Land Commissioner declared the earlier government acquisition orders invalid. The Constitutional Court held that the commissioner lacked the legal authority to reopen and overturn matters that had already reached finality under the law. The judgment also noted that the Lahore High Court, in its 2008 decision, had upheld the Federal Land Commissioner’s orders. After reviewing the legal record, the Constitutional Court concluded that the High Court’s decision was based on an incorrect interpretation of the law and therefore could not be allowed to stand. By restoring the pre-1996 legal position, the court reaffirmed the protection of tenant farmers’ rights under the 1972 regulations while reinforcing the importance of respecting final judicial and administrative decisions. Legal experts believe the ruling could influence the resolution of similar land disputes involving historical claims and government-acquired property. The case was heard by the Federal Constitutional Court following the enactment of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, under which the matter came within the jurisdiction of the newly established court. The judgment is expected to serve as an important legal precedent for future constitutional and land-related cases, particularly those involving administrative powers, property rights, and the principle that finalized legal disputes should not be reopened without lawful justification.

Islamabad: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a nationwide flood and landslide alert until July 24, warning residents of possible flash floods, rising river levels, and dangerous weather conditions caused by ongoing monsoon rains. According to the NDMA spokesperson, heavy rainfall is expected to increase water flow in rivers, seasonal streams, and mountain channels across several parts of the country. Authorities have advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from flood-prone areas, and follow official safety instructions. The alert highlights a significant risk of flash flooding in Gilgit-Baltistan, particularly in the districts of Hunza, Shigar, and Ghanche. Rivers including Shimshal, Hunza, Chapursan, Shigar, Shyok, and Hushe are expected to experience a rapid rise in water levels. In Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), water levels may increase in the Jhelum, Neelum, Poonch, and Mahl rivers, as well as Betar Nullah, Bhimber Nullah, Kanshi River, and several tributaries connected to the Jhelum and Poonch river systems. The NDMA has also warned of possible flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, affecting the Chitral, Kabul, Swat, and Panjkora rivers. Local streams in Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Kohat, Bannu, Karak, Hangu, Lakki Marwat, North and South Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Mansehra, Buner, and Swabi are also at risk due to intense monsoon rainfall. In Punjab, flood threats remain high in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, the Soan River, and the Potohar region. Similar conditions are expected in northeastern Balochistan. The NDMA further warned of high-level flooding in the Chenab River near Marala and the upper reaches of the Jhelum River near Mangla. Several seasonal streams, including Dora, Dota, Dwara, Bhimber, Halsey, Aik, Plakhoo, Bein, Basantar, Dek, and Sukhi Nullah, may also experience sudden increases in water flow. The authority also noted that any release of water from India’s Thein, Pong, and Bhakra dams could significantly increase water levels in the Ravi and Sutlej rivers, potentially worsening flood conditions downstream. The NDMA has urged citizens to stay informed through official weather updates, avoid crossing flooded roads or streams, and cooperate with local authorities to ensure public safety during the ongoing monsoon season. This version is optimized for search engines while remaining clear, informat