فیچرڈ

A man has been arrested in Lahore after allegedly killing his mother and a neighboring woman during a domestic dispute in the Harbanspura area. The incident also left two girls injured, prompting a swift response from police and forensic investigators. According to police, the attack took place in Kotli Pir Abdul Rehman, a locality in Harbanspura, where the suspect allegedly assaulted multiple people using a screwdriver. Authorities said the victims suffered serious injuries during the attack, resulting in two fatalities and two injuries. The deceased have been identified as 70-year-old Kaneez Fatima, the suspect’s mother, and 52-year-old Sultana Imran, a neighboring resident. Police said both women died after sustaining multiple injuries during the incident. Two girls, identified as 23-year-old Aqsa and 13-year-old Arifa, were also injured in the attack. They were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital, where they received medical treatment. Officials have not yet released further details about their current condition. Police officers, forensic experts, and investigators arrived at the scene shortly after receiving reports of the incident. The area was secured while evidence was collected to assist in the investigation. Authorities also documented the crime scene and interviewed witnesses to determine the sequence of events. Law enforcement officials confirmed that the suspect was arrested at the scene along with the alleged weapon used in the attack. The accused has been identified as Aurangzeb, and investigators have begun formal legal proceedings. Police stated that the motive appears to be linked to a domestic dispute, although the exact circumstances remain under investigation. The bodies of the deceased were transferred to a hospital for medico-legal procedures and post-mortem examinations, while investigators continue to gather evidence and record witness statements. Officials said additional details will be released as the inquiry progresses. Incidents of domestic violence remain a serious concern, with authorities emphasizing the importance of early intervention in family disputes and improved access to conflict resolution and mental health support where appropriate. Police have urged the public to report threats or violent behavior promptly to help prevent similar tragedies. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are expected to present the suspect before the relevant court in accordance with legal procedures. As with all criminal cases, the allegations against the accused remain subject to investigation and judicial determination.

  At least three people were killed and four others sustained injuries in a shooting incident near Charsadda Adda in Peshawar, according to local police authorities. The tragic incident, which occurred following a heated domestic dispute, has shocked residents of the area and prompted an immediate police investigation. Police officials stated that the shooting took place after an argument between two groups of relatives escalated into a violent confrontation. What initially began as a disagreement over family matters quickly turned deadly when firearms were used. The exchange of gunfire resulted in the deaths of three individuals at the scene, while four others were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. The condition of the injured has not yet been officially disclosed. Law enforcement authorities responded swiftly after receiving reports of the incident. Police teams reached the crime scene, secured the area, and began collecting evidence. The bodies of the deceased were shifted to a hospital for legal formalities and post-mortem examinations, while investigators interviewed witnesses to determine the exact sequence of events. According to the police, a formal case has been registered at Faqirabad Police Station, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest those responsible for the shooting. Authorities have launched a search operation to locate the suspects, who reportedly fled the scene immediately after the incident. Police officials expressed confidence that those involved would soon be brought to justice. Preliminary investigations indicate that both groups involved in the incident are closely related. Police believe the violence stemmed from a long-standing domestic dispute that escalated beyond control. Although the exact nature of the disagreement has not been officially revealed, investigators are examining all aspects of the family conflict to establish the motive behind the shooting. Family disputes turning violent remain a serious concern in various parts of Pakistan, where disagreements over property, inheritance, financial issues, or personal matters can sometimes escalate into deadly confrontations. Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly urged citizens to resolve conflicts through legal and peaceful means rather than resorting to violence. The incident has created an atmosphere of fear and sadness among local residents, many of whom expressed concern over the increasing use of firearms in personal disputes. Community members have called on authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and to strengthen measures aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future. Police officials emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages and that additional details will be made public as evidence is collected and witness statements are recorded. Authorities are also reviewing forensic evidence from the crime scene to support the investigation. The tragic shooting serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of unresolved family conflicts and the dangers associated with the misuse of weapons. As the investigation continues, the families of the victims await justice, while local authorities remain committed to apprehending the suspects and uncovering the full circumstances surrounding the incident. The police have assured the public that every effort is being made to complete the investigation promptly and transparently. Further updates are expected as the search for the accused continues and more information becomes available through the ongoing inquiry.

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has approved a Rs13 billion supplementary grant to help Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) overcome its worsening financial difficulties, while also authorizing sovereign guarantees worth Rs34.6 billion for the Sialkot–Kharian Motorway project. The decisions were made during a virtual meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had requested Rs20 billion to cover PTV’s salaries, allowances, utility bills, and other essential operational expenses. However, the ECC approved Rs13 billion, which will be released in quarterly installments of approximately Rs3.25 billion. PTV, which operates under the Pakistan Television Corporation Act and is headed by Information Secretary Ashfaq Ahmed Khokhar as its Managing Director, has been facing mounting financial challenges. According to the Ministry of Finance’s latest report, the broadcaster’s revenue declined by 22 percent during fiscal year 2024-25, falling to Rs14.3 billion. The corporation also recorded a net loss of Rs639 million, placing it among Pakistan’s 20 largest loss-making state-owned enterprises. The ECC also cleared sovereign guarantees totaling Rs34.6 billion for the 69-kilometre Sialkot–Kharian Motorway project. The motorway is being developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and was awarded in September 2021 to Sialkot Kharian Infrastructure Management (Private) Limited, a subsidiary of the Frontier Works Organization (FWO). The approved guarantees include Rs17.4 billion for Capital Viability Gap Funding, Rs10.3 billion to facilitate commercial borrowing, and nearly Rs7 billion for Operational Viability Gap Funding. In addition, the Ministry of Finance confirmed that the ECC authorized Rs27.62 billion in fresh sovereign guarantees and approved the rollover of Rs6.94 billion in existing operational viability funding to help the project achieve financial close under its revised financing structure. The government had already revised the PPP agreement for the motorway in February this year, requiring the concessionaire to complete financial arrangements within six months. Rising construction costs, inflation, higher interest rates, and design modifications prompted a restructuring of the project’s financial framework. As part of the revised agreement, the concession period has been extended from 25 years to 29 years. During the first year of operations, toll rates are expected to start at Rs4.1 per kilometre for cars, around Rs10 for minibuses, Rs13.7 for large buses, and Rs23 per kilometre for heavy trucks. The Ministry of Finance estimates that new sovereign guarantees worth Rs683 billion will be issued between April 2026 and June 2027 for various public projects and state-owned entities. Pakistan’s total sovereign guarantees currently stand at Rs4.4 trillion and are projected to exceed Rs5 trillion by June next year. More than Rs2.4 trillion of these guarantees support the power sector, while Rs895 billion have been allocated for commodity procurement and storage operations.

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the people of Kashmir on Kashmir Exploitation Day, urging the international community to play a more active role in resolving the longstanding dispute. In his message, President Zardari said lasting peace in South Asia depends on a peaceful and just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir issue. He stated that India’s actions cannot alter the internationally recognized status of the dispute or weaken the determination of the Kashmiri people, adding that Pakistan will continue to stand firmly with them. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the measures introduced by India since August 2019 have led to increased repression and restrictions on fundamental freedoms in the region. He also accused India of attempting to alter the demographic composition of the occupied territory. The prime minister called on the international community to move beyond expressions of concern and play a responsible role in achieving a fair and lasting resolution to the Kashmir dispute. He also urged India to end alleged human rights violations in the occupied valley and reverse the unilateral measures introduced in August 2019.