فیچرڈ

LAHORE: Lahore High Court ( LHC) Justice Ghulam Sarwar Nihang has recused himself from hearing the post-arrest bail petition of a suspect allegedly linked to the Libyan boat tragedy. The case involving accused Shafaqat Ali was taken up by the Lahore High Court, where Justice Nihang informed the court that he had previously served as a member of the commission formed to investigate the Libya shipwreck. Given his previous involvement with the commission, the judge said he did not consider it appropriate to hear the bail petition concerning the same matter. The case record was subsequently referred to the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court for further proceedings. During the hearing, the defence counsel argued that bail had already been granted to suspects in several similar cases and requested that Shafaqat Ali also be released on bail until the trial court reaches a decision. The case is part of investigations launched following the Libyan boat accident. The Federal Investigation Agency’s Mandi Bahauddin office has registered cases against suspects allegedly connected to the incident. In a related development, another accused, Muhammad Tahir, has also been granted post-arrest bail in the Libya boat tragedy case.

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, during which the two sides discussed recent regional developments and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation. According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two foreign ministers agreed that dialogue and diplomacy remain the most effective means of addressing regional challenges and advancing peace and stability. The conversation comes as Pakistan continues diplomatic efforts to help ease tensions surrounding the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Islamabad has stepped up engagement with key international and regional partners and has offered its platform for dialogue between Washington and Tehran. Dar has recently held discussions with senior diplomatic representatives from the United States, United Kingdom and China, as well as Pakistan’s ambassador-designate to Sweden, focusing on developments in the region. He has repeatedly emphasised the importance of implementing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as a pathway towards lasting peace and security. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide also recently praised Pakistan’s role in facilitating diplomatic efforts during the conflict, describing Islamabad’s contribution as important and constructive. The latest Dar-Fidan conversation also comes against the backdrop of growing security cooperation among Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. On August 7, the three countries signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, a trilateral framework aimed at strengthening collective deterrence, expanding military cooperation and supporting regional stability. The agreement builds on the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia last year, under which aggression against either country is to be regarded as aggression against both. The latest diplomatic contacts underline Pakistan and Türkiye’s shared emphasis on dialogue, cooperation and diplomatic engagement as tools for managing regional tensions and promoting stability.

GENEVA: Pakistan is set to assume the presidency of the United Nations Conference on Disarmament on Monday, taking on a key diplomatic role in international efforts to advance arms control and global security. Tahir Andrabi, Pakistan’s representative, has arrived in Geneva to take charge of the presidency and will chair important sessions of the Conference during his tenure. He will continue performing his responsibilities as spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs alongside his new assignment. As president, Andrabi will be responsible for steering the Conference’s proceedings in an organised, balanced and consensus-driven manner. Pakistan is expected to focus on facilitating dialogue among member states and helping move discussions forward on key disarmament issues. During his tenure, Andrabi will also oversee the preparation of the Conference’s annual report, which will be presented to member states for consideration and approval. Diplomatic sources said Pakistan will subsequently engage in negotiations aimed at securing agreement on a resolution based on the annual report. The resolution is expected to be taken up by the UN General Assembly for approval in November. Pakistan’s presidency provides Islamabad with an opportunity to play a prominent role in international discussions on disarmament while promoting dialogue, consensus and multilateral cooperation on global security challenges.

KARACHI: Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has announced a significant hydrocarbon discovery at its operated Sarani Block in Sindh’s Sujawal district, opening fresh prospects for exploration in the country’s shallow offshore and swampy onshore regions. The discovery was made at the Dolphin X-1 exploratory well, where PPL identified hydrocarbons in the Chiltan Formation of the Lower Indus Basin. The company described it as the first reported hydrocarbon discovery from the Jurassic-age Chiltan Formation in the basin. PPL said the find could expand exploration opportunities in adjoining shallow offshore areas and strengthen the hydrocarbon potential of Pakistan’s low-depth marine zones. The region had remained largely unexplored for years because of its challenging geological and geographical conditions. Drilling of Dolphin X-1 began on April 17, 2026, with the well reaching a measured depth of 3,850 metres to evaluate the hydrocarbon potential of the Chiltan Formation. Analysis of drilling results and wireline logs subsequently identified a hydrocarbon-bearing zone. During testing, the well produced gas from the Chiltan Formation at a rate of 0.942 million standard cubic feet per day. The gas recorded a heating value of 1,000 British thermal units per standard cubic foot, with a wellhead flowing pressure of 211 pounds per square inch gauge through a 64/32-inch choke. PPL holds a 75 per cent working interest in the Sarani Block and serves as its operator, while Government Holdings (Private) Limited owns the remaining 25 per cent stake. The company said the well was drilled and tested using the expertise of its technical teams. The results have led to the identification of a new hydrocarbon play within the Chiltan Limestone, potentially providing a foundation for further exploration in the surrounding onshore and shallow offshore areas.

  ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah has said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is expected to secure a two-thirds majority in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly after elections for the reserved seats. Speaking about the political situation in Azad Kashmir, Rana Sanaullah said that PML-N would form its government in the region with a clear majority. He stated that the party had secured victory on 25 seats and would achieve a two-thirds majority once the elections for reserved seats were completed. The prime minister’s adviser also expressed his appreciation for Sajid Iqbal, who was elected from LA-14. He thanked the newly elected lawmaker for deciding to support PML-N and said that Sajid Iqbal would work alongside the party for the development and improvement of Azad Kashmir. Rana Sanaullah said that the people of Azad Kashmir had given PML-N a mandate to improve the situation in the region and address the issues faced by its people. He emphasized that the party would fulfill the commitments it had made during the election campaign and would work to bring positive changes to the lives of citizens. He further said that the AJK Legislative Assembly would be allowed to function with its full constitutional powers. According to him, the new government would focus on governance, development and resolving the problems of the people instead of engaging in political confrontation. Commenting on the ongoing protests and sit-ins in Azad Kashmir, Rana Sanaullah said that the citizens participating in the demonstrations were their brothers and should not be viewed as opponents. He stressed that the people of Azad Kashmir were as much owners of Pakistan as citizens living in other parts of the country. However, he claimed that only a very small portion of the protesters, estimated at around one to one-and-a-half percent, might be influenced by elements attempting to create unrest or provoke violence. He maintained that the majority of the people participating in the protests were ordinary citizens expressing their concerns. Rana Sanaullah’s remarks come amid heightened political activity in Azad Kashmir following the recent elections. The expected formation of a PML-N government, along with the possibility of the party securing a two-thirds majority through reserved seats, could significantly strengthen its position in the AJK Legislative Assembly. The PML-N leadership has indicated that its priority will be to address governance and development-related challenges in Azad Kashmir. Rana Sanaullah reiterated that the party would honor its election commitments and work toward improving the region’s overall situation. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining unity between Azad Kashmir and Pakistan, saying that the people of the region have an equal stake in the country. His comments appeared aimed at reassuring protesting citizens while also distinguishing them from what he described as a small number of potentially disruptive elements. With the reserved-seat elections still to be completed, the final composition of the AJK Assembly will determine whether PML-N achieves the two-thirds majority claimed by the prime minister’s adviser. The party is nevertheless confident that it has secured sufficient political support to form the government and pursue its legislative and development agenda in Azad Kashmir.

  KARACHI: Details have emerged surrounding the discovery of the body of young Karachi businessman Mir Raza, with investigative sources revealing several alleged delays and irregularities in the initial response to the incident. According to investigative sources, information about Mir Raza’s body was received at around 12:36 p.m. on July 29. The body reportedly remained at the scene until approximately 1:45 p.m., before rescue personnel shifted it to Jinnah Hospital shortly before 2 p.m. The sources said that the Crime Scene Unit did not reach the location on the day the body was discovered. Instead, the unit reportedly received information about the body through social media at around 3:11 p.m. According to the initial investigation, the Crime Scene Unit had allegedly been instructed not to visit the location on the day of the incident. The team eventually arrived at the scene the following day. Investigators have raised questions over the delay, particularly because preserving a crime scene is crucial for collecting physical evidence and determining what may have happened. The delay in reaching the location could have affected the availability or condition of potential evidence. Sources further said that personnel responsible for tracking or searching for the device associated with the case were informed approximately 15 minutes after the discovery of the body. However, they reportedly did not reach the location at that time either. The Crime Scene Unit has since visited the site five times as part of the ongoing investigation. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body and attempting to establish a clear timeline of events. The investigation has also revealed another development concerning the police response before the body was discovered. According to investigative sources, police had received information about a robbery in Gulistan-e-Johar before receiving information regarding the body. Sources said that instead of being directed toward the location where the body was eventually found, police personnel were instructed to remain at the reported robbery site in Gulistan-e-Johar Block 7. The initial investigation suggests that the absence of local police personnel at the location where Mir Raza’s body was found may have contributed to the loss or disturbance of important evidence. Investigators are now examining whether the police response and the delay in the arrival of relevant units affected the collection of forensic material. The sequence of events has raised questions about the handling of the case during the crucial early hours. The period immediately following the discovery of a body is particularly important because physical evidence can be disturbed, removed or contaminated if the area is not properly secured. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mir Raza’s death. Investigators are also working to determine why the Crime Scene Unit was not present at the scene on the day the body was found and why the relevant personnel allegedly failed to reach the location after being informed. The repeated visits by the Crime Scene Unit indicate that investigators are continuing their efforts to gather evidence and reconstruct the events surrounding the case. Meanwhile, questions surrounding the police response and the alleged delays remain an important part of the investigation. Officials will need to establish the reasons behind the instructions given to various teams and determine whether any procedural failures contributed to the loss or disturbance of evidence. The final cause of Mir Raza’s death and the circumstances leading to it will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation, forensic examination and other available evidence.