فیچرڈ

  The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued a detailed written order directing that officers of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) must not be prevented from carrying out their official duties. The court also maintained its earlier stay order restraining the authorities from taking any disciplinary action against the petitioning employees until further proceedings. The written order was issued by Justice Azam Khan following the hearing of a petition filed by the affected officers. The petitioners, who are contractual employees of the NCCIA, have approached the Islamabad High Court seeking regularization of their employment. They argue that they have been serving the organization for an extended period and should be granted permanent status in accordance with the law. According to the court’s written order, counsel representing the NCCIA authorities requested additional time to submit their formal response to the petition. The court noted that the respondents sought an extension to file their reply before the next hearing. However, the petitioners’ legal representatives strongly opposed the request for further delay. They argued that the respondents had already been given several opportunities to submit their response since the first hearing of the case on February 13. Despite multiple chances, the authorities had failed to place their reply on record within the time provided by the court. The petitioners’ counsel further informed the court that at nearly every hearing, the respondents had sought adjournments on one pretext or another. According to the lawyers, these repeated delays were causing irreparable harm to the petitioners, who continued to face uncertainty regarding their employment and professional responsibilities. Taking note of these submissions, the Islamabad High Court granted the NCCIA authorities one final opportunity to submit their written reply. The court directed that the response must be filed before July 30. The written order clearly states that if the respondents fail to submit their reply by the specified deadline, the court will proceed to decide the case on the basis of the available record without granting any further extensions. The court also made important observations regarding the professional role of the petitioning officers. Justice Azam Khan remarked that it would be unfair to prevent such highly educated and experienced individuals from performing their official duties. The written order emphasized that qualified professionals should not be obstructed from carrying out work assigned to them, particularly while legal proceedings remain pending. Furthermore, the court instructed all concerned parties to ensure that the petitioning officers are allowed to perform their duties strictly in accordance with the law. It directed the respondents not to create any obstacles in the officers’ work or interfere with their lawful responsibilities until the matter is finally decided. In addition, the High Court reaffirmed that the interim stay order protecting the petitioners from disciplinary action will remain in force until the next hearing. This provides temporary legal protection to the employees while the court continues to examine the merits of their petition seeking regularization of service. After issuing these directions, the Islamabad High Court adjourned further proceedings in the case until July 30. The next hearing is expected to determine whether the respondents have complied with the court’s instructions and may also shape the future course of the contractual employees’ plea for permanent employment within the NCCIA.

  Azma accuses PPP of disrespecting elders as Bilawal faces sharp attack. PPP’s Lahore convention plans halted after govt denies approval. Punjab’s ruling PML-N and the Pakistan Peoples Party appeared to be on a collision course on Friday, as a sharp verbal attack by a senior provincial minister coincided with the sudden halting of PPP convention preparations in Lahore, leaving the two parties at odds on multiple fronts. Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari strongly criticised PPP spokespersons, saying they should choose their words carefully and learn to respect their elders. She said it was ironic that people she described as coming from a “blackmailing mandate” were now taunting others.  Bokhari said PPP leaders repeatedly mock a person old enough to be their father by making faces and chanting “Raiwind, Raiwind.” She asked whether PPP leaders did not consider it disrespectful when their own leader ridicules someone of a father’s age. She said PPP leaders had turned Raiwind into a subject of mockery and routinely insult senior figures through their gestures and remarks.The minister warned that if such language continued, it would be met with an appropriate response. She said Bilawal Bhutto was not a figure beyond criticism. She further accused him of repeatedly naming Punjab’s cities in his speeches to spread what she called falsehoods and misleading propaganda, questioning whether his conduct was serious at all. The sharp exchange came on the same day that preparations for a PPP workers’ convention at Greater Iqbal Park were halted. The Lahore district administration said the party had not secured formal written permission for the event, even though a stage and other arrangements were already in place. The convention had been planned for July 25, ahead of celebrations marking President Asif Ali Zardari’s birthday on July 26.  District authorities questioned why preparations had begun without official approval and asked PPP leadership to explain. Lahore PPP President Faisal Mir said the party had moved ahead after receiving verbal assurances from the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office that there was no objection to the event. He said preparations were made in good faith, but officials later stepped in and stopped the work.Mir criticised the administration, saying access to the venue had been restricted and vehicles carrying chairs and other equipment had been blocked from reaching the site. He said the party remained committed to holding the convention peacefully and said he was ready to face arrest if needed.The Chief Minister’s Office did not comment on claims that approval had been given through the chief minister’s principal secretary. PPP leaders shared videos on social media showing workers, the stage and seating arrangements already prepared, signalling the party’s intent to proceed regardless.Party sources admitted that written permission had not been obtained but argued that verbal approval was enough to begin preparations. They said local police had been informed of the gathering in advance.The convention was expected to feature PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressing workers through video link, along with senior leaders including Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Hassan Murtaza and Qamar Zaman Kaira. Officials said permission could still be granted if formalities were completed, but noted that approving the event without standard procedure could complicate similar requests from other parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which is seeking permission for a Lahore gathering next month.Taken together, the harsh words from Bokhari and the administrative roadblock facing PPP’s convention point to a provincial government and opposition party growing increasingly hostile toward one another, with neither side showing signs of backing down.

  The Directorate of College Education Karachi has announced a comprehensive ban on the use of tobacco products and narcotics in all public colleges across the city. The decision aims to create a healthier, safer, and drug-free educational environment for students, teachers, and other staff members. According to an official notification issued by the Directorate of College Education Karachi, the prohibition covers a wide range of tobacco and nicotine products. These include cigarettes, electronic cigarettes (vapes), nicotine pouches, pan (betel quid), and gutka. The use, consumption, or possession of these products within college premises is now strictly prohibited. The notification states that the ban has come into effect immediately and must be implemented without delay. College administrations have been instructed to ensure full compliance with the new policy and take all necessary steps to maintain a tobacco-free and drug-free environment within their institutions. Under the new directives, principals of all colleges have been assigned the primary responsibility for enforcing the ban. They are required to ensure that students, faculty members, administrative staff, and visitors strictly adhere to the rules. Principals have also been instructed to monitor college premises regularly and adopt preventive measures to discourage the use of tobacco products and illegal substances. The Directorate emphasized that educational institutions should remain places that promote learning, discipline, and healthy lifestyles. The use of tobacco products and drugs not only affects the health of individuals but can also negatively influence the academic environment and the well-being of students. By implementing this ban, the department hopes to protect young people from developing harmful addictions and encourage healthier habits. In addition to restricting tobacco and drug use inside college campuses, the Directorate has also taken steps to address the issue beyond institutional boundaries. According to the notification, official letters have been sent to Deputy Commissioners across Karachi, requesting their cooperation in preventing the sale and use of tobacco products and narcotics in areas surrounding colleges. The involvement of district administrations is intended to strengthen enforcement efforts and reduce students’ access to tobacco and drug products near educational institutions. Local authorities are expected to work with law enforcement agencies and other relevant departments to monitor vendors operating close to colleges and ensure compliance with applicable laws  and regulations. The Directorate believes that collaboration between educational institutions and district authorities is essential for creating a secure and healthy environment for students. By limiting the availability of tobacco products and narcotics around colleges, officials hope to reduce the risk of substance abuse among young people and reinforce public health initiatives. The decision reflects growing concerns about the increasing use of smoking products, vaping devices, and other addictive substances among students. Educational authorities have reiterated their commitment to safeguarding students’ physical and mental well-being while fostering an atmosphere that supports academic excellence and personal development. With the immediate implementation of the ban, college principals are expected to take proactive measures to ensure compliance and raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco and drug use. The Directorate of College Education Karachi has made it clear that maintaining drug-free campuses is now a priority, and all stakeholders are expected to cooperate in achieving this objective for the benefit of students and the wider educational community.