National

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    Polling resumes at 23 stations in AJK’s Bagh

    ByJustpaste.in

    BAGH: Voting is underway at 23 polling stations in two constituencies of Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Bagh district as authorities conduct re-polling following the suspension of results from the earlier phase. Polling began at 8am and is scheduled to continue until 5pm. Security arrangements have been strengthened around the polling stations to ensure voters can cast their ballots without fear or disruption. The re-polling covers parts of LA-15 Bagh Central and LA-16 Eastern Bagh. Voting had earlier failed to take place at nine polling stations in LA-15 and 14 stations in LA-16. The AJK Election Commission subsequently withheld the results of both constituencies and ordered voting at the affected stations. In LA-15, Pakistan Peoples Party candidate Sardar Ziaul Qamar had secured 16,637 votes in the polling that took place earlier. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas was second with 15,015 votes, while Jamaat-i-Islami candidate retired Brigadier Dr Muhammad Khan received 12,259 votes. In LA-16, PML-N’s Sardar Mir Akbar was leading on the basis of votes already counted. He had obtained 19,515 votes and held a lead of 3,225 votes over PPP candidate Sardar Qamaruz Zaman. The contest in both constituencies has remained tense. Candidates have levelled allegations of large-scale rigging against their political opponents. AJK Chief Election Commissioner retired Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said adequate security had been deployed at the polling stations. He said sufficient police and other law-enforcement personnel were available to provide voters with a secure environment. The re-polling is part of the third phase of the AJK elections, which has been conducted amid concerns over law and order in parts of the region. The third phase was initially scheduled across Poonch Division, covering 11 constituencies in Bagh, Haveli, Poonch and Sudhnoti districts. However, the Election Commission limited polling to Bagh and Haveli because of security concerns. Polling was held earlier in both districts, but the commission withheld the results of two Bagh constituencies after voting could not be conducted at the 23 affected stations. The commission had already announced the result of LA-14 Bagh-I, commonly known as Dhirkot. Jammu Kashmir Awami Dast-o-Bazu Party candidate Sajid Iqbal Abbasi won the seat by securing 40,522 votes. Another closely watched contest was LA-17 Haveli, where AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore was a candidate. The constituency became embroiled in controversy after the returning officer declared Rathore the winner. PML-N candidate Engineer Mohsin Aziz challenged the result and claimed that an assurance had been given that the result would not be announced before his complaint was considered. The AJK chief election commissioner heard arguments from both sides and later reserved his decision.

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    Riyadh Air begins operations in Pakistan with inaugural Islamabad flight

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s newly established national airline, has officially started flight operations to Pakistan, strengthening direct air connectivity between the two countries. The airline’s first flight to Pakistan, RX-660, arrived at Islamabad International Airport from Riyadh on Friday evening, marking Riyadh Air’s debut in the Pakistani aviation market, according to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA). The inaugural flight carried 69 passengers on arrival and received a ceremonial water salute as it approached the airport terminal. The traditional welcome marked the beginning of a new chapter in commercial air links between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Air is scheduled to operate seven flights a week between Riyadh and Islamabad, giving passengers an additional option for direct travel between the two countries. The new service is expected to facilitate business travel, tourism, family visits and other passenger movements between Pakistan and the Kingdom. An inauguration ceremony was subsequently organised at Islamabad International Airport to formally mark the launch of the airline’s operations. Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Bin Said Al-Malki attended the ceremony as the chief guest. The event was also attended by Pakistan Airports Authority Director General Air Vice Marshal Zeeshan Saeed, senior government officials and representatives of Riyadh Air. Addressing the ceremony, the Saudi ambassador underscored the importance of the new air service in strengthening the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. He noted that improved aviation links could contribute to closer people-to-people contacts and greater economic and commercial engagement between the two countries. PAA Director General Air Vice Marshal Zeeshan Saeed welcomed Riyadh Air’s entry into the Pakistani market, describing the new route as a significant development for bilateral air connectivity. He highlighted the role of expanded flight operations in improving passenger mobility and creating opportunities for greater cooperation in the aviation sector. The launch also reflects growing links between the two countries across tourism, trade, investment and other areas. The inauguration ceremony featured a ribbon-cutting and cake-cutting ceremony, formally commemorating Riyadh Air’s first scheduled service to Pakistan. Representatives of Riyadh Air also outlined the airline’s broader expansion ambitions and expressed interest in developing its presence in the Pakistani market. The airline’s entry is expected to provide passengers with greater choice while contributing to increased competition and capacity on the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia air corridor. Following the ceremony, flight RX-660 departed from Islamabad International Airport at 9:56 p.m., carrying 272 passengers on its return journey to Riyadh. The launch comes against the backdrop of longstanding and extensive travel ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Large numbers of Pakistani citizens travel to Saudi Arabia each year for employment, business, religious pilgrimage and family-related purposes, making reliable and frequent air connections between the two countries particularly important. With daily operations planned between Islamabad and Riyadh, Riyadh Air’s arrival is expected to further expand available passenger capacity and strengthen links between the two capitals.

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    Islamabad Bar raises alarm over Imaan Mazari’s h…

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Bar Association has expressed concern over the reported deterioration in the health of human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, while they remain in custody. The association has urged the chief justices of the Islamabad High Court and the Supreme Court to take immediate notice of their reported medical condition. IBA Acting President Iram Rashid and Secretary Raja Khawar Dhaniyal conveyed the concerns in a letter addressed to the chief justices of both courts. The bar association said Mazari was facing serious health problems in jail and required regular medical care. It also raised concerns about Chattha’s condition and called for appropriate medical attention for him. The IBA stressed that access to timely and adequate healthcare is a fundamental right of every prisoner. It said authorities responsible for detainees must ensure that inmates receive necessary medical treatment and facilities. The association called for urgent attention to the matter, particularly in view of the reported health concerns of the two detainees. The IBA maintained that a person’s detention should not prevent them from receiving essential medical care. It urged the relevant authorities to take appropriate steps to protect their health and wellbeing.

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    Heavy rain floods twin cities

    ByJustpaste.in

    RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD: Heavy rain early Friday inundated low-lying areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, disrupting daily life and causing concern among residents. Nullah Leh and all 15 major rainwater drains recorded medium-level flooding, while water up to three feet deep covered roads and streets in several low-lying neighbourhoods. Several underpasses across the twin cities also filled with rainwater, making roads difficult to navigate. The downpour brought cooler weather but also forced water into homes and shops, affecting routine activities. Dense black clouds, thunder and lightning continued as rain lashed the cities. The Meteorological Department recorded 65 millimetres of rain in Saidpur, 17mm in Golra, 8mm in Bokra, 19mm at PMD, 17mm in Shamsabad, 7mm in Kacheri, 11mm in Pirwadhai, 9mm in Gawalmandi and 13mm in New Katarian. WASA Managing Director Azizullah Khan said heavy rain had continued since early morning and that the authority had placed the twin cities on high alert and declared a rain emergency. WASA teams and heavy machinery moved into vulnerable areas to clear rainwater and keep roads open. Machinery was deployed at Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk underpass, Murree Road and low-lying parts of Sadiqabad.

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    Girl killed by brother after choosing to marry, ac…

    ByJustpaste.in

    RAWALPINDI: A young woman was allegedly shot dead by her brother in Gujar Khan after she had married a man of her choice, police said on Saturday. The accused, who allegedly killed his sister two days ago, has been arrested by police. A case has also been registered at Gujar Khan Police Station on the complaint of the victim’s father. According to the family, the woman had left home in January during her leave and married a man of her choice. She had subsequently been living with her husband in Karachi. Police said the woman’s brother recently brought her back to the family home from Karachi after reconciliation between the two sides. Her father later alleged that his son shot and killed his daughter over her decision to marry according to her own choice. Further investigation into the incident is underway.

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    Punjab launches Integrated Safe City network

    ByJustpaste.in

    LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Friday formally inaugurated the Punjab Integrated Safe City Network, describing it as a major step towards protecting citizens and reducing crime across the province. Punjab has become the first province in the country to establish an integrated Safe City network covering all 41 districts and two tehsils. Officials said coordinated efforts by the police, Crime Control Department (CCD) and Safe Cities Authority had contributed to an estimated 80 per cent decline in crime. Safe Cities Authority Managing Director Ahsan Younas briefed the chief minister on the province-wide smart surveillance system. He said artificial intelligence (AI) was strengthening monitoring and enabling authorities to respond more quickly to potential threats. The network combines intelligent surveillance, Emergency Helpline 15, traffic management, real-time command and control, and predictive policing. It also offers services through the Virtual Women Police Station, Child Safety Centre and Blood Bank, along with traffic and environmental monitoring facilities. The government plans to install another 1,500 panic buttons across Punjab and equip every police station with the facility. Smart screens will also be installed at public locations. AI-powered cameras will support facial identification and weapon detection, helping law-enforcement agencies improve surveillance and respond to security threats. Maryam Nawaz said the government would expand the Safe Smart Cities project to every union council in Punjab. She said the province had made significant progress in technology, smart policing and predictive policing. The chief minister said the government had transformed every district into a Safe City within the past two and a half years. She termed the ability to monitor the entire province through a single system a major achievement. She said AI-based surveillance and predictive policing were helping authorities identify developments early and take timely action. Speaking about the security situation, Maryam Nawaz said more than 70 areas of Punjab had previously been considered no-go zones, where people avoided travelling after sunset. She claimed that the government had now eliminated such areas across the province, including the riverine belt. She added that the riverine region had recorded no serious crime or kidnapping for ransom for nearly 10 months. The administration also recently organised a cricket tournament there, which she described as a sign of improving law and order. The chief minister said the provincial government would spend Rs30 billion on development projects in the riverine belt, including healthcare and other facilities, with the aim of bringing the area closer to the development standards of Punjab’s cities.

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    Dead lizard found in teapot, 5 Multan family membe…

    ByJustpaste.in

    MULTAN: Five members of a family were hospitalized after allegedly suffering food poisoning following the consumption of tea in Multan, rescue officials said on Saturday. The incident occurred near Godam Chowk, where the affected family members reportedly became ill after drinking tea. According to the family, a dead lizard was later discovered inside the teapot, raising concerns that it may have contaminated the drink. Rescue personnel reached the scene and provided initial medical assistance to the victims. Following a preliminary examination, all five patients were shifted to Nishtar Hospital for further treatment. Authorities are expected to investigate the incident and determine how the lizard ended up in the teapot.

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    Mir Raza’s father seeks suspension of police off…

    ByJustpaste.in

    KARACHI: The father of slain businessman Mir Raza Ali has called for the suspension of Karachi East DIG Dr Farrukh Ali and other police officials, accusing them of delaying the investigation and allegedly concealing crucial evidence in his son’s murder case. Speaking to reporters, Mir Hussain said the police had mishandled the investigation and urged authorities to take action against the Ferozabad SHO and other officers allegedly involved in the case. He claimed that officials had “played a game” with the grieving family. Twenty-five-year-old Mir Raza Ali, an IBA graduate and businessman, went missing on July 28 and was found dead in Gulistan-e-Jauhar the following day. While the initial investigation considered suicide as a possibility, his family consistently maintained that he had been abducted, tortured and murdered. The case took a new turn after a fresh post-mortem reportedly identified a gunshot wound to Ali’s back along with other injuries. A chemical examination also detected acid particles and gunshot-residue elements on his shirt, while police said sedatives were found in his blood and DNA testing matched his parents. Meanwhile, the family has requested that Ali’s smartwatch be examined by the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA), rather than the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). Family lawyer Jibran Nasir expressed concern that the device had remained with a former investigation committee head for several days before being handed to the NCCIA, raising fears of possible tampering. The newly formed investigation team, headed by DIG Amir Farooqi, has written to the NCCIA seeking forensic analysis of the smartwatch as well as information concerning Ali’s social media and other digital accounts. Investigators have also revisited the crime scene, interviewed nursery staff and collected additional evidence. The team has been tasked with examining outstanding aspects of the case, including geofencing, mobile-data records and digital evidence. Authorities have set August 15 as the deadline for submission of the investigation report. Meanwhile, a medico-legal officer who conducted the initial post-mortem was removed following an inquiry that identified serious lapses in the examination.

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    PM Shehbaz orders urgent flood relief nationwide

    ByJustpaste.in

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to intensify relief efforts and ensure maximum assistance for people affected by ongoing monsoon rains and floods. The prime minister issued the instructions during a meeting with NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik in Islamabad on Saturday. He ordered authorities to utilise all available resources to support flood-hit communities and provide immediate relief to those facing difficult conditions. Shehbaz also stressed close coordination between the NDMA, provincial governments and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) to ensure relief operations remain effective and reach affected populations without delay. During the meeting, the NDMA chairman briefed the prime minister on the latest weather conditions and the flood situation resulting from heavy monsoon rainfall. He also provided an update on relief operations and ongoing measures to rehabilitate people displaced or affected by the flooding. According to the briefing, federal authorities are supporting relief activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Rescue and assistance operations in these areas will continue with the cooperation of the federal government. The prime minister also praised the NDMA’s use of artificial intelligence and modern technology at the National Emergencies Operation Centre, saying advanced systems could strengthen disaster monitoring and response. The latest figures show the growing impact of monsoon-related incidents across the country. The NDMA reported that at least 155 people have died and 460 others have been injured in rain-related incidents between June 26 and August 14. Pakistan’s monsoon season generally lasts from June to September and plays an important role in replenishing water resources. However, intense rainfall can also cause flash floods, river flooding, landslides and displacement, particularly in vulnerable communities. The situation could remain challenging in the coming days. The Flood Forecasting Division of the Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned of possible high-level flooding in storm-water channels connected to the Chenab and Ravi rivers between August 15 and 21 as water levels continue to rise.

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    Dr Nigat Shah clarifies JPMC contract extension

    ByJustpaste.in

    Professor Dr Nigat Shah, head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), has clarified that her contract-based employment extension will not affect the posting or promotion of any associate professor. Speaking to the media, Dr Shah said several gynaecology units at JPMC had remained closed since 2013. She said one of the closed units was revived in 2022 to expand medical services and provide treatment to patients. She added that the department is continuing patient care alongside postgraduate training and research. According to Dr Shah, the hospital needs more specialised doctors, and she has no objection to the appointment of any qualified medical professional. Dr Shah stressed that her objective was not to create obstacles for another doctor’s appointment or career progression. She said her contract extension should not be viewed as an attempt to block the posting or promotion of any associate professor. The clarification comes after senior associate professors at Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) reportedly raised concerns over Dr Shah’s reappointment. Several affected professors wrote to the Sindh chief minister, Sindh health minister and the federal ombudsman, expressing reservations about the decision. In their letter, the professors claimed that the second paragraph of a Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) notification issued on May 19 had been overlooked. They further maintained that the reappointment could affect the promotions of six associate professors who are awaiting advancement to higher positions. The professors have sought the authorities’ attention to the matter and called for the relevant rules and regulations to be considered while deciding appointments and promotions.