تازہ ترین

Medical board sources have revealed that injection marks were found on the arm and wrist of one of the two women who died at Township Police Station in Lahore. According to sources, around three and a half hours passed between the time the women were brought to the police station and their deaths. The sources said there was no significant difference in the post-mortem reports of the two women. The exact cause of death, however, has not yet been established. Police sources said the two women were not searched after being brought to the police station. They added that no female police personnel were present when the women were brought to the station. According to sources, both women were brought to the police station following a call made to emergency helpline 15. They reportedly remained seated near the station’s muharrir for around two hours. The muharrir was preparing to send the women to the female lock-up when the situation changed, sources said. Police officials said a case had been registered and the women were subsequently handed over to the investigation wing. They were reportedly being prepared for transfer to jail when both women collapsed. Sources further said there was no CCTV camera installed in the room of the investigation wing where the women were present. Police said female officers assigned to the station were deployed on duty at Data Darbar at the time. Officials maintained that women are searched before being placed in the female lock-up. Meanwhile, medical experts have suggested that the women may have died after consuming or being given a poisonous substance. Experts said the actual cause of death can be determined through forensic examination of samples collected during the investigation. The deaths have raised questions about the circumstances in which the women died while in police custody. Authorities are expected to rely on forensic evidence, post-mortem findings and other available evidence to establish the exact cause of death.

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah chaired a high-level meeting on the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), where officials reviewed the province’s security situation, operational performance, investigations, infrastructure and future requirements. Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Home Secretary, Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho, Additional IG CTD Zulfiqar Larik and other senior officials attended the meeting. The meeting was informed that banned militant and insurgent organisations continue to pose a security challenge to Sindh. However, officials said terrorist incidents in the province had declined significantly during 2026. According to Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Sindh reported 37 terrorism incidents in 2025. The number fell to nine in 2026, representing a decline of around 76 per cent. The Sindh police chief told the meeting that seven of the nine terrorism cases reported this year had been traced and their investigations completed. Officials said the CTD conducted 918 intelligence-based operations across the province during 2026. These operations resulted in the arrest of 87 suspected terrorists, while four militants were killed in separate encounters. The briefing said the CTD had dismantled several militant networks allegedly involved in attacks on police personnel and sensitive installations. During a follow-up operation in Karachi, the department arrested a key suspect and an associate. Weapons and explosive material were also recovered from their possession. The suspects are allegedly wanted in several cases involving the targeted killing of police officers. According to the IG Sindh, more than 2,000 kilograms of explosive material were recovered during operations against militant networks. Four militants affiliated with banned insurgent organisations were also killed in encounters. The home minister said several planned attacks on law enforcement agencies and important installations had been foiled. He added that the CTD had also dismantled a network allegedly involved in attacks on railway tracks in northern Sindh. The operation helped prevent planned acts of sabotage, officials said. The meeting also reviewed progress in the investigation into the Karachi Training Centre attack. The police chief told the chief minister that nine suspects had so far been arrested in the case. A Joint Investigation Team has also been formed to conduct a detailed probe. Officials said several investigative sessions had been held during the inquiry and a number of alleged facilitators had been identified. The investigation is still under way. The meeting was also briefed on the performance of the CTD Fusion Centre. Officials said the centre had significantly improved the collection and analysis of intelligence as well as digital investigations. Hundreds of social media accounts allegedly linked to extremist activities have also been blocked or reported, according to the briefing. The Sindh home minister proposed additional resources for modern intelligence software and digital forensic tools. He also called for strengthening crime analytics platforms and systems equipped with artificial intelligence to improve the department’s ability to identify and respond to emerging security threats. The meeting was further informed that major projects for the development of CTD infrastructure across Sindh were under way. Officials said construction of a separate CTD complex in Sukkur had also begun under the province’s Annual Development Programme.

Thirty-three Pakistani scholars are set to pursue fully funded postgraduate studies at universities across the United Kingdom under the prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth scholarship programmes. The scholars were selected for their academic performance, leadership abilities and commitment to contributing to society. They will enrol in master’s and other postgraduate programmes in fields considered important for Pakistan’s development. Their areas of study include global health, education, governance, human rights, media and development, climate action, development economics, business, diplomacy, innovation and entrepreneurship, and biological robotics. The scholars will study at universities in several UK cities, including London, Bristol, Sheffield, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The British High Commission in Islamabad hosted a pre-departure reception for the selected scholars. During the event, they were briefed on academic life, living arrangements and other aspects of studying in the UK. British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott said the scholarship programmes were a strong example of cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. She said the programmes support talented individuals with leadership potential and a desire to contribute to positive change. Marriott expressed hope that the scholars would return to Pakistan with new knowledge, professional networks and ideas that could contribute to the country’s development. The British High Commission said the latest group represents the diversity of Pakistan’s talent. The scholars come from different regions and professional backgrounds. The commission also highlighted the growing participation of Pakistani women in the scholarship programmes. After completing their studies, the scholars will join an expanding alumni community in Pakistan. According to the High Commission, the country has nearly 2,000 Chevening alumni and more than 1,500 Commonwealth alumni. The alumni are working in a wide range of sectors, including education, health, governance, business, climate action and civil society. The British High Commission said it was working with Pakistani partners to create additional scholarship opportunities in areas linked to national priorities. Previous collaborations have helped increase access to UK education in fields such as heritage, climate studies, sports and business.

German Consul General Thomas E Schultze has extended Independence Day greetings to the people of Pakistan, praising the long-standing friendship between Pakistan and Germany and calling for stronger bilateral relations. In his message marking Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day, Schultze said the occasion was a time to celebrate the country’s creation while recognising the resilience, diversity and ambitions of its people. He noted that Pakistan and Germany will complete 75 years of diplomatic relations on October 15. He described the anniversary as an important milestone in the history of relations between the two countries. Schultze said economic links between Pakistan and Germany predated the establishment of formal diplomatic relations. He recalled that Siemens opened its first office in Lahore in 1922. According to the German diplomat, the relationship between the two countries rests on reliability, trust and sustainability. He said these principles had helped create lasting cooperation and opportunities that benefit both sides. Schultze highlighted the importance of economic ties between the two countries. He said Germany is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and the biggest importer of Pakistani products within the European Union. He also pointed to the significance of the EU’s GSP+ trade arrangement for Pakistan. Around 90 per cent of Pakistan’s exports to the European Union benefit from the scheme and enter the bloc’s market without customs duties, he said. The German consul general also highlighted the role of Pakistani women in the country’s future. He said women across Pakistan were making contributions in leadership, education, entrepreneurship and community development. Their efforts, he added, were helping create opportunities and inspiring younger generations. Schultze also spoke warmly about his experience in Pakistan. Having served in the country since last year, he praised the hospitality and warmth of the Pakistani people. He said Pakistan had gained a special place in his heart and expressed his appreciation for the relationship between the two countries. The German diplomat said he looked forward to working toward further strengthening Pakistan-Germany relations in the years ahead.

RAWALPINDI: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was stopped from meeting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail on Thursday. Afridi reached the Medicine Factory checkpoint on Adiala Road with several PTI leaders and lawmakers. Police stopped the delegation from moving towards the prison. The chief minister was accompanied by Mena Khan, Shafi Jan, Ahad Shah, Abdul Salam Afridi and Shahid Khattak. Police had earlier blocked Adiala Road from Gorakhpur towards the jail. Traffic was diverted to alternative routes. Afridi questioned the SHO Saddar Beroni about the restrictions. He also asked what instructions had been issued to the authorities. The chief minister remained at the checkpoint until the scheduled meeting time ended. He and the accompanying PTI leaders were not allowed to meet Imran. After the delegation left, police removed the barriers. Traffic on Adiala Road was restored. Speaking to the media, Afridi announced a protest call if he was not allowed to meet the PTI founder. He said PTI workers would come out across the country at 10pm. He urged them to gather at major intersections while carrying the national and party flags. Afridi also asked workers to stay focused on the party’s planned march towards Islamabad on September 27. He claimed that the PTI planned to bring two million people to Islamabad. He said the number could be even higher. The chief minister said the authorities should allow a meeting with Imran before September 28 if they wanted to reduce political tensions. Afridi also criticised the treatment of Imran and PTI since 2022. He accused the authorities of pushing the country towards instability because of political differences and stubbornness. He further criticised other political parties and questioned their role in the country’s political situation. The latest incident comes amid growing concern within PTI over Imran’s health and access to him. The party has repeatedly demanded that its founder be allowed to meet family members, lawyers and party leaders. Imran has remained incarcerated at Adiala Jail since 2023. His wife, Bushra Bibi, is also imprisoned. The PTI founder has faced several legal cases during his imprisonment. He and Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 17 years in prison in the Toshakhana-II case in December 2025. PTI has also raised concerns over Imran’s eyesight and medical treatment. Earlier this year, doctors from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences examined him at the jail. PIMS later confirmed that he had received an anti-VEGF injection for a condition affecting his right eye. A later medical examination indicated improvement in his eyesight following treatment. Imran’s sisters and PTI supporters have also held regular gatherings outside Adiala Jail on designated meeting days. However, access to the former prime minister has remained restricted in recent months. Afridi’s unsuccessful visit on Thursday is likely to further intensify the political confrontation between PTI and the authorities.