تازہ ترین

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    Sindh extends Section 144 for one more month

    The Sindh government has extended Section 144 across the province for another month, keeping several restrictions in place to maintain law and order. According to a notification issued by the Sindh Home Department in Karachi, the renewed restrictions will come into effect on August 1 and will remain enforced for the next month. The notification states that wall chalking, public rallies, demonstrations and the display of weapons in public places will continue to remain prohibited throughout the province. The government said the measures have been taken as part of efforts to preserve public peace and prevent any activities that could disrupt law and order. Authorities have directed law enforcement agencies to ensure strict implementation of the restrictions. Officials said action will be taken against anyone found violating the provisions of Section 144 during the enforcement period. The notification also clarified that only security guards employed by registered private security companies will be permitted to carry weapons while performing their official duties. No other individuals will be allowed to display or carry weapons in public unless authorised under the law. Section 144 is a legal provision that empowers district administrations to impose temporary restrictions on public gatherings and certain activities in the interest of public safety. It is often enforced during periods of heightened security concerns or to prevent possible disturbances.

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    Russia extends fuel export ban until January 2027

    Russia has extended its ban on diesel and petrol exports until January 31, 2027, as the government seeks to stabilise domestic fuel supplies and curb rising prices. In a statement, the Russian government said the export restrictions will remain in force until the end of January next year. The move is aimed at ensuring adequate fuel availability in the domestic market amid continued pressure on the country’s energy sector. The latest decision follows an earlier temporary ban on diesel exports that was imposed from July 8 to July 31. Russia has also previously restricted exports of petrol and jet fuel in an effort to address supply shortages at home. According to reports, the export curbs come after repeated Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, which have disrupted refining operations and reduced fuel production in several regions. The attacks have contributed to fuel shortages and rising domestic prices, prompting authorities to prioritise local demand over exports. The government believes extending the restrictions will help ease pressure on consumers and maintain stability in the country’s fuel market. Russia is one of the world’s leading exporters of refined petroleum products, and any changes to its export policy are closely monitored by global energy markets. Analysts say prolonged export restrictions could influence regional fuel supplies and international energy prices if they remain in place for an extended period. The government has not indicated whether the ban will be lifted before the January deadline, saying it will continue to monitor domestic fuel availability and market conditions.

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    AJK gears up for second phase of elections

    Preparations are in full swing for the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, with polling scheduled for August 2 across Muzaffarabad Division and 12 refugee seats. The second phase will cover the three districts of Muzaffarabad Division—Muzaffarabad, Neelum and Jhelum Valley—as well as 12 constituencies reserved for Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan. According to election authorities, a total of 890,621 registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad Division. Of these, 427,955 are male voters, while 381,666 are female voters. To facilitate polling, 1,483 polling stations have been established across the division. District Muzaffarabad, which has five constituencies, will have 1,205 polling stations. District Neelum, comprising two constituencies, will have 278 polling stations, while 328 polling stations have been set up in the two constituencies of Jhelum Valley. A total of 208 candidates are contesting the nine seats in Muzaffarabad Division, making the second phase a closely watched electoral contest. Meanwhile, Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan will also cast their votes for 12 refugee constituencies, evenly divided between six Jammu seats and six Valley seats. The Jammu refugee constituencies include LA-34 Jammu-I through LA-39 Jammu-VI, while the Valley refugee constituencies comprise LA-40 Valley-I through LA-45 Valley-VI. The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission will announce the results of all 12 refugee constituencies after the completion of polling. Authorities have said all necessary arrangements have been finalised to ensure a peaceful, transparent and orderly voting process during the second phase of the elections.

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    Punjab launches Green Bus Service in seven more di…

    Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has inaugurated the Green Bus Service in seven additional districts, expanding the provincial government’s public transport network. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the chief minister said the Green Bus project has received an overwhelmingly positive response from the public by providing affordable, comfortable and high-quality transportation services. She said the Punjab government is gradually expanding the service and plans to introduce more buses across every district of the province in phases to improve public mobility. According to Maryam Nawaz, the Green Bus Service has officially started operations in seven districts, including Gujrat, Narowal, Kasur and Sheikhupura. The remaining newly covered districts were also included in the latest expansion under the provincial transport programme. The chief minister said all buses are fully air-conditioned and equipped with free Wi-Fi to provide passengers with a modern travel experience. She added that special facilities have also been introduced for senior citizens, women and students to make public transport more accessible and convenient. Maryam Nawaz said the expansion reflects the government’s commitment to improving public transport infrastructure and providing safe, reliable and economical travel facilities for residents across Punjab. The provincial government expects the expanded Green Bus network to improve daily commuting, reduce travel difficulties and encourage greater use of public transport throughout the province

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    Tarar proposes mentors for young actors

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has proposed launching a mentorship programme for young actors following the controversy surrounding the alleged disrespectful treatment of veteran actor Mohammed Ahmed by fellow actor Fahad Sheikh. In a statement shared on X, Tarar described the reported incident as “highly deplorable” and said respect for senior artists must remain a core value of Pakistan’s entertainment industry. The minister said the proposed initiative would allow emerging actors to learn professional ethics, discipline and acting skills from experienced performers. He suggested that Mohammed Ahmed, given his decades-long contribution to television, would be well suited to lead the programme, or that a council of senior actors could oversee the initiative. Tarar also announced that he would soon convene a meeting of television artists and industry stakeholders to seek recommendations on establishing the mentorship programme. The controversy began after Mohammed Ahmed, during a recent podcast interview, recalled being mocked and humiliated by a younger lead actor while working on a television production. He described incidents in which the actor allegedly ridiculed him in front of colleagues and behaved disrespectfully during filming. Although Ahmed did not initially identify the individual, videos circulating on social media later linked actor Fahad Sheikh to the allegations. Responding to the criticism, Sheikh issued a public apology, saying that incomplete accounts of the incident had created a misleading narrative. He maintained that he had already apologised to Mohammed Ahmed privately before the issue gained widespread attention online. Sheikh also offered another public apology, acknowledging Mohammed Ahmed’s seniority and expressing hope that the veteran actor would accept his apology. He insisted that he had never intended to insult a senior colleague.

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    Injury clouds Masood’s future ahead of second test match

    Pakistan’s plans for the second Test against West Indies have hit a snag. Top-order batter Shan Masood has been ruled out due to a finger injury. The setback also raises doubts over whether he will be fit in time for the England tour. Masood, who is 36, injured the index finger on his left hand during the first Test. The injury occurred while he was batting. He went on to top-score for Pakistan, finishing with 109 runs in the first innings. Despite the pain, he still walked out to bat at number eight during the second innings. The Pakistan Cricket Board shared an official update confirming the situation. According to the board, Masood underwent a scan followed by a clinical assessment. He is now being treated by the team’s medical staff. The board also addressed his chances of playing against England. That series begins on 19 August in Leeds. Whether Masood takes the field will depend entirely on how well he recovers over the coming weeks. Until then, he will stay with the squad and continue his rehabilitation alongside the team. This injury adds to a growing list of concerns for Pakistan’s touring squad. Just before the first Test kicked off in the Caribbean, the team lost Abdullah Faftzal to a back injury. As a result, Faftzal has been ruled out of both the West Indies and England legs of the tour entirely. To fill the gap left by Masood, Pakistan has brought in two replacements. Saud Shakeel and Abdullah Shafique have both been added to the squad. Shafique did not need to travel far, since he was already in the Caribbean playing in the ongoing Global Super League 2026. Attention now turns to the second Test, which starts on 2 August in Port of Spain. West Indies currently hold a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, putting extra pressure on Pakistan heading into the contest. With injuries piling up before a crucial away assignment, Pakistan’s management will be hoping for good news on the fitness front soon. The coming days will be crucial, not just for the ongoing series, but also for shaping the squad Pakistan eventually takes into their high-stakes tour of England next month.

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    Heatwave pushes UK death toll towards 2022’s grim record

    Britain is edging dangerously close to matching one of its deadliest summers on record, and the peak heat month of August hasn’t even fully arrived yet. The UK Health Security Agency reported that an estimated 2,877 people have already died from heat-related causes this year. That number is nearly twice the total seen throughout all of 2025, and it’s steadily approaching the historic high recorded back in 2022. This latest update comes as the country deals with its fourth heatwave of the year. A string of unusually intense hot spells has already driven temperatures to record-breaking levels in parts of Britain during May and June. The extended dry spell has also worsened conditions on the ground, contributing to a rise in wildfires across several regions. Breaking the numbers down further, most deaths occurred across two distinct periods. Late May accounted for 753 fatalities, while a particularly severe June heatwave saw that number jump sharply to 2,124, prompting authorities to issue a rare red heat-health alert. Even though these figures only cover a two-month window, they already surpass the total number of heat-related deaths recorded across the entire previous year. Experts studying the data believe that roughly 42 percent of these deaths can be traced back to the effects of human-driven climate change. That estimate has reignited concern among scientists and public health officials, who warn that healthcare systems and at-risk populations are facing mounting pressure as extreme heat becomes more frequent. The crisis is not confined to the UK alone. Neighboring countries have also been hit hard, with wildfires sweeping through parts of France, Spain, and Greece. These fires have claimed the lives of several firefighters, forced thousands of residents to evacuate, and caused major disruptions to businesses and travel throughout the affected areas. France’s national health agency confirmed on Wednesday that the country recorded 5,764 excess deaths between June 17 and July 2 alone. Germany has faced a similarly troubling situation, with its national health body, the RKI, reporting on Thursday that around 9,800 people have died from heat-related causes so far this year. As temperatures remain stubbornly high across Europe, health officials continue urging caution, particularly for elderly individuals and those with existing health conditions who face the greatest risk during prolonged heat events.

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    Nirmal Purja feared missing in Pakistan avalanche

    World-renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja is among 10 climbers feared missing after a powerful avalanche struck an expedition on Broad Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range. According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, the avalanche hit the team around midday on Thursday while they were attempting to climb the 8,047-metre peak. Since the incident, all members of the expedition have reportedly lost communication, raising serious concerns about their safety. The missing group is said to include climbers from Pakistan, Oman, China and the United States. Rescue officials are working to gather more information as efforts continue to establish contact with the team. The Alpine Club stated that it is coordinating closely with government authorities and relevant agencies to launch an urgent search and rescue operation. Helicopter support and other emergency resources are being arranged, although rescue efforts may depend on weather conditions and access to the remote mountain. Nirmal Purja, a Nepal-born climber, is widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest high-altitude mountaineers. He gained global recognition in 2019 after becoming the first person to climb all 14 of the world’s mountains above 8,000 metres in just over six months, a record-breaking achievement that earned international acclaim. Broad Peak, located near K2 in northern Pakistan, is one of the world’s 14 highest mountains and is known for its challenging terrain and unpredictable weather. Avalanches and harsh conditions have made it one of the most dangerous climbing destinations in the region. Authorities have not yet confirmed the fate of the climbers. Search teams remain on standby, hoping for improved weather conditions to begin a full-scale rescue mission. The mountaineering community is closely monitoring developments as hopes remain that the missing climbers will be found safely.

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    Death toll in Quetta coal mine blast rises to 34

    QUETTA: The death toll from a deadly coal mine explosion near Quetta has climbed to 34 after rescue teams recovered the bodies of eight more miners from the site. The incident occurred at a coal mine in the Sorange area, where dozens of workers were underground when a powerful methane gas explosion ripped through the mine. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), a total of 42 miners were trapped following the blast. Rescue teams have managed to recover 34 bodies so far, while efforts continue to locate the remaining workers. Officials said the operation is being carried out under difficult conditions, with emergency personnel working around the clock to reach those still inside the mine. The mine owner confirmed that 42 labourers were present in the mine at the time of the explosion. Preliminary findings suggest that methane gas accumulated inside the mine, triggering the deadly blast. Balochistan Chief Minister has ordered an immediate report on the incident and directed authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. He warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible if negligence or safety violations are established. Coal mining accidents remain a recurring concern in Balochistan, where hazardous working conditions and poor safety standards have claimed numerous lives over the years. The latest disaster has once again raised questions about the enforcement of mine safety regulations and the protection of workers in the province’s mining sector. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities continue their search for the miners who remain unaccounted for.

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    Pakistani journalist Murtaza Ali Shah assaulted du…

    Pakistani journalist Murtaza Ali Shah was assaulted and injured while covering a protest march in central London. According to reports, Shah was attacked while reporting on a march organised by supporters of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which began at Hyde Park and proceeded towards the Pakistan High Commission. A large number of British Kashmiris gathered at Hyde Park before the march to express concern over the deteriorating situation in Azad Kashmir. Protesters called for an end to violence, the restoration of fundamental rights, and the resumption of dialogue. Eyewitnesses and videos showed that Shah came under attack as the march approached the Pakistan High Commission. While reporting from the scene, he was allegedly kicked and punched from both the front and behind by at least three individuals. A crowd quickly surrounded the journalist, escalating tensions until Metropolitan Police officers, protest organisers, and other participants intervened to prevent the situation from worsening. Police later escorted Shah away from the crowd and ensured his safety. According to reports, when Shah returned to the Pakistan High Commission to continue his reporting, members of the same group allegedly attempted to harass him again.