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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed serious displeasure over the use of a ceremonial horse-drawn buggy by Islamabad’s chief commissioner and inspector general during the August 14 Independence Day celebrations. An official advisory issued by the Establishment Division said the incident had attracted widespread public criticism and prompted the Prime Minister to take a serious view of the conduct. The advisory was issued to Islamabad Chief Commissioner Lt (retd) Sohail Ashraf and Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi. According to the advisory, the prime minister believed that the display of pomp and show created an impression of privilege, ostentation and personal glorification, which was contrary to the principles of public service. It stressed that government officials entrusted with public offices were expected to demonstrate humility, restraint, dignity and sound judgment. The Establishment Division warned that such conduct could weaken public confidence in government institutions and fall short of the standards expected from senior officials. The two officials were advised to exercise greater care in carrying out their duties and ensure that similar incidents did not happen again. The controversy emerged after images and videos of the officials travelling in the ceremonial buggy during the Independence Day event circulated widely on social media, drawing criticism from the public. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi subsequently defended the officials, saying they were not responsible for the decision to use the buggy. He explained that the vehicle had originally been arranged for the chief guest, while he and the chief guest were delayed because of a meeting involving the president and prime minister. Naqvi said the two officials had initially been reluctant to begin the programme in the absence of the chief guest and the minister but were instructed to proceed to avoid inconvenience to the public. Despite the clarification, the incident continued to attract attention, ultimately leading to the formal advisory from the Establishment Division.

MIRPURKHAS: Authorities in Mirpurkhas have uncovered the alleged fraudulent recruitment of six secondary school teachers, prompting action by the Sindh Education Department. District Education Officer Mir Fazal Talpur said a formal request had been sent to the District Accounts Officer to suspend the salaries of the six individuals. The department has also approached the IT Data Center to remove their biometric records from the system. A departmental inquiry has been launched against the Director of Education, the district education officer and two taluka education officers to determine how the alleged irregular appointments were processed. Talpur said he had never met or even seen the individuals involved and alleged that his signature and official seal, along with those of other education officials, had been forged to facilitate their appointments. The DEO said the department acted promptly after receiving a complaint from taluka officials. The salaries were stopped and the officials concerned were directed to submit their responses before the inquiry committee. The investigation is expected to establish how the fraudulent appointments were made and identify those responsible for the alleged forgery and irregular recruitment.

ISLAMABAD: The extension of the tenure of Professor Dr Nusrat Shah, Vice Chancellor of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU), Larkana, has reportedly prompted vice chancellors of several public-sector universities across Sindh to seek extensions as their first terms approach completion. According to sources, the first four-year terms of vice chancellors at eight government universities are set to expire over the coming months. Almost all of the serving VCs, except one, are reportedly seeking second terms. Nusrat Shah’s extension case reaches CM House Sources in the Sindh Chief Minister’s House said that a summary seeking an extension for Dr Nusrat Shah has been forwarded to the Chief Minister of Sindh. Dr Nusrat Shah’s current four-year term is scheduled to expire on January 1, 2027. She is the daughter of former Sindh chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah. Sources said her extension case has gained considerable attention and may receive approval. The development has reportedly encouraged other vice chancellors whose terms are also nearing completion to pursue extensions. One extension approved so far The Sindh government has so far approved an extension only for Dr Amjad Siraj Memon, Vice Chancellor of Jinnah Sindh Medical University. Sources said extension cases of Dr Khalid Iraqi and Dr Farooq Hassan have been rejected. Other VCs seeking second terms   Several other vice chancellors are also approaching the end of their first terms: Dr Ikramuddin Ujan — Vice Chancellor, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro. His term expires on January 1, 2027. His extension case is reportedly complicated by allegations concerning the awarding of multiple gold medals to his son at the university. Dr Zahid Hussain Khand — Vice Chancellor, Aror University of Art, Architecture, Design and Heritage, Sukkur. His term expires on January 19, 2027. Arbela Bhutto — Vice Chancellor, Shaheed Allah Buksh Soomro University of Art, Design and Heritages. Her term expires on January 19, 2027. Dr Asif Sheikh — Vice Chancellor, IBA Sukkur. His term expires on January 19, 2027. Dr Taha Hussain — Vice Chancellor, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology. His term is due to expire in mid-March 2027. Tahmina Nangraj — Vice Chancellor, Begum Nusrat Bhutto Women University, Sukkur. Her term expires on January 19, 2027.  Dr Samreen Hussain — Vice Chancellor, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi. Her term expires in January 2027. Sources said summaries seeking extensions for several of these vice chancellors are expected to be forwarded to the Chief Minister’s House in the coming weeks. Test for Sindh government The growing number of extension requests is likely to pose a fresh challenge for the Sindh government and the Chief Minister, who exercises an important role in the appointment and continuation of leadership at public universities. The decisions are expected to be closely watched, with the candidates’ performance, administrative record, political affiliations and any controversies surrounding their tenures likely to come under scrutiny. The outcome of these cases could also shape the leadership of Sindh’s public-sector universities for the next several years.

MULTAN: Two workers of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) lost their lives after suffocating while cleaning a sewer line near BCG Chowk in Multan, according to rescue officials. The incident occurred late at night when the two employees were carrying out cleaning work inside the sewer. Rescue sources said the workers became unconscious due to a lack of oxygen and were unable to escape. Local residents later retrieved the bodies from the sewer and handed them over to the families. Police said the workers had been performing the hazardous task without proper protective equipment, raising fresh concerns about the safety measures provided to sanitation workers engaged in sewer-cleaning operations. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine why the workers were allowed to enter the sewer without adequate safety gear.

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Policy and Business Development Think Tank, founded by former Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, Gohar Ejaz and Sir Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera, hosted a policy session showcasing the Republic Policy Governance Model, a proposed federal and democratic framework aimed at reforming Pakistan’s existing system of governance. The session brought together policy leaders and prominent figures to discuss four books authored by Republic Policy: Fixing the Executive, Fixing the Legislature, Fixing the Judiciary, and The Bureaucratic Coup. A New Federal Democratic Governance Model According to Republic Policy, the proposed model seeks to establish a governance framework aligned with Pakistan’s federal constitutional structure, democratic representation, parliamentary supremacy and principles of effective public administration. The think tank said the initiative goes beyond criticism of the existing governance system and seeks to offer a practical alternative based on constitutional supremacy, democratic accountability, federalism and stronger parliamentary institutions. The model also addresses longstanding debates surrounding decentralisation, bureaucratic influence and the balance of power among the executive, legislature and judiciary. Reform Agenda Draws Appreciation Sources attending the event said the governance model and the four books received appreciation from participants, including former Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, Gohar Ejaz and Sir Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera. A representative of Republic Policy said fundamental reforms in Pakistan’s governance system would need to become a central part of the national debate on the country’s future. “The encouragement we received is immensely encouraging for us,” the representative said, stressing the importance of continuing discussions on structural governance reforms. Focus on Constitutional Governance The Economic Policy and Business Development Think Tank was established to promote policy dialogue on economic and governance issues in Pakistan. The presentation of the Republic Policy Governance Model adds a new dimension to discussions on institutional reform, decentralisation, bureaucratic overreach and parliamentary empowerment. Republic Policy maintains that strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring governance within the framework of the Constitution are essential for improving the effectiveness and accountability of the Pakistani state.

Pakistani pensioners can now obtain their Proof of Life certificate free of charge without having to visit a bank or pension office, thanks to a new digital and nationwide service introduced by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). The facility is available through the Pak ID mobile app, NADRA Registration Centres, Union Councils, e-Sahulat franchises and NADRA’s mobile services across Pakistan. The initiative has been introduced on the special directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control Ministry of Defence Controller General of Accounts (CGA) and Military Accountant General (MAG). The service is particularly aimed at helping elderly bedridden and differently abled pensioners who may find it difficult to travel repeatedly to banks or pension offices to fulfil the Proof of Life requirement. How to Get Proof of Life from Home The easiest option for eligible pensioners is the Pak ID mobile app. Pensioners can complete the required identity verification process through the app and obtain their Proof of Life certificate from home. Pensioners who cannot use the Pak ID app themselves can also receive assistance from a family member. A family member may use their own Pak ID account to complete the prescribed identity verification process for the pensioner. For those who require in-person assistance, the service is available free of charge at more than 5,000 e-Sahulat franchises across the country. Pensioners can also visit more than 988 NADRA Registration Centres and around 500 Union Councils, where priority services are being provided without requiring them to wait in the regular queue. Pensioners who cannot easily travel to a service point can use NADRA’s mobile registration vans, biker services and main pack services. National Pensioners Register The Proof of Life facility is part of a wider reform initiative under which NADRA has established a National Pensioners Register. In its first phase pensioners administered by CGA and MAG have been included in the database. The digital register provides pension authorities with a reliable source for verifying a pensioner’s identity and life status. It can also reduce the need for families to repeatedly report the same information to different government departments. If a pensioner’s death is reported through NADRA’s death notification system or recorded in the Civil Registration Management System, the relevant pension controller can receive a digital notification. NADRA has also introduced a verification service for authorized banks, allowing them to directly check a pensioner’s Proof of Life status through the National Pensioners Register. The new system is expected to make pension verification easier while reducing paperwork, repeated physical visits and inconvenience for elderly pensioners.