National

  Two suspected criminals, identified as Fayyaz Butt and Rehan Butt, were killed during an exchange of fire with police in Sheikhupura. A case has been registered at Muridke Police Station in connection with the incident, according to police officials. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the two deceased suspects were allegedly involved in a previous attack in Lahore in which three police personnel were killed and three others were injured. The FIR includes charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act, possession of explosives, murder and attempted murder. The incident occurred after three armed suspects allegedly entered the house of a citizen identified as Abdul Hafeez. According to the FIR, the suspects took the family hostage at gunpoint after forcibly entering the residence. The FIR stated that Abdul Hafeez’s wife and their three children were among those held hostage by the armed men. The situation prompted police to launch an operation to secure the house and rescue the hostages. Police surrounded the house and announced that the suspects should lay down their weapons and surrender. However, according to the FIR, the suspects did not surrender and an exchange of gunfire subsequently took place between the police and the armed men. During the exchange of fire, the police vehicle was also damaged. Police personnel remained positioned around the house while attempting to control the situation and prevent the suspects from escaping. According to the details contained in the FIR, the firing eventually stopped. When police officers entered the premises and inspected the area, they found two bodies lying in the courtyard of the house. Weapons were also found near the bodies. The deceased suspects were subsequently identified as Fayyaz Butt and Rehan Butt. Police officials said the two suspects had allegedly fled from Lahore after the deadly attack on police personnel. The FIR registered in Muridke includes several serious charges, reflecting the nature of the allegations against the suspects. The charges include provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act, along with sections relating to murder, attempted murder and possession of explosive material. The case will now form part of the investigation into the suspects’ alleged activities and their involvement in the earlier Lahore incident. The hostage situation also raised concerns regarding the safety of the family inside the residence. According to the FIR, the police operation was carried out after the armed suspects allegedly took the family members hostage and refused to surrender. The authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the encounter, including the sequence of events leading to the exchange of fire and the deaths of the two suspects. The incident highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies when dealing with armed suspects accused of serious crimes. Police personnel are required to respond quickly in such situations, particularly when civilians are being held hostage. Further details regarding the identities and alleged criminal backgrounds of the suspects, as well as the investigation into the Lahore attack, may emerge as authorities continue their inquiry. The case registered at Muridke Police Station will provide the legal basis for investigating the incident and the allegations against the deceased suspects. Police officials will also examine the weapons recovered from the scene and other available evidence to establish the exact circumstances of the encounter. Authorities have yet to provide further details regarding the condition of the hostages following the operation. The investigation is expected to determine the full sequence of events and establish the suspects’ alleged links to the earlier attack on police personnel in Lahore.

  HARIPUR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has honoured Ammad Ali, founder and Chief Executive Officer of RankingGrow, with the Youth Excellence Award for his contributions to youth development, digital skills training and efforts to create greater opportunities for young people, particularly those living in underserved areas of the province. The award was presented by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Taj Muhammad Khan Tarand during a ceremony organised by the Directorate of Youth Affairs to mark International Youth Day. Ali founded RankingGrow, a digital marketing and IT services company that has been involved in initiatives aimed at equipping young people with practical digital skills and improving their access to professional training and employment opportunities. Through RankingGrow and other youth-focused initiatives, Ali has supported training programmes, workshops and community-based activities in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These programmes have particularly targeted areas where young people have fewer opportunities to access modern technology, professional education, career guidance and exposure to the digital industry. The training initiatives have focused on practical and market-oriented skills that can help young people become financially independent and participate in the growing digital economy. Areas covered by these programmes include digital marketing, search engine optimisation, social media marketing, graphic design, video editing, web development, artificial intelligence, freelancing and entrepreneurship. The programmes aim to bridge the gap between traditional education and the skills increasingly demanded by employers and clients in the digital marketplace. By providing young people with relevant technical and professional skills, the initiatives seek to help participants explore employment opportunities, start freelancing careers or establish their own businesses. Ali has also received recognition for his work on other occasions. He was previously awarded the Pride of Pakistan Award under the patronage of the President of Pakistan in acknowledgement of his services and contributions. In addition, he has received other recognitions for his efforts in youth empowerment, digital skills development and community-oriented initiatives. Speaking at the award ceremony, Ali said the recognition would encourage him and his team to expand their efforts to provide young people with skills that are relevant to the changing job market. He expressed his commitment to continuing initiatives that can help young people gain access to professional opportunities and participate more effectively in the digital economy. Ali emphasised the importance of ensuring that young people from smaller cities and underserved communities are not left behind as digital technology continues to transform the employment landscape. According to him, access to digital skills and professional opportunities should not be limited to young people living in major urban centres. The Youth Excellence Award also highlights the growing importance of cooperation between government institutions, private-sector organisations and community-led initiatives in addressing challenges related to youth employment, entrepreneurship and skills development. With Khyber Pakhtunkhwa having a large and growing youth population, initiatives focused on digital education and employable skills can provide young people with alternative pathways to employment and entrepreneurship. The recognition of Ali’s work reflects the contribution of such initiatives towards creating opportunities for young people and strengthening their participation in the province’s economic and social development.

  QUETTA: Independence Day celebrations continued across different parts of Balochistan as people from various communities came together to mark the country’s Independence Day with enthusiasm and national spirit. A number of rallies and public events were organised at different locations across the province, attracting large participation from citizens. People from different backgrounds joined the celebrations to express their love for Pakistan and reaffirm their commitment to national unity. Rallies were organised in Turbat, Kharan, Taftan and several other areas of Balochistan. The processions were decorated with Pakistani national flags, while participants carried flags and displayed them on vehicles and along the routes of the rallies. The celebrations reflected a strong sense of national pride, with citizens participating in activities designed to mark the significance of Independence Day. Participants raised slogans in support of Pakistan and expressed their commitment to the country’s peace, stability and development. In Turbat, residents took part in an Independence Day rally, with people gathering in different parts of the city before joining the procession. National flags were prominently displayed, creating a festive atmosphere across the area. Similar celebrations were also held in Kharan, where citizens participated in a rally to commemorate the occasion. Participants carried national flags and expressed their solidarity with the country. Families, young people and other members of the community took part in the celebrations. In Taftan and surrounding areas, Independence Day activities also continued throughout the day. National flags were displayed at public places, vehicles and buildings, while residents participated in rallies and other activities organised to mark the national occasion. The rallies provided an opportunity for citizens to express national unity and remember the historical significance of Pakistan’s independence. Participants highlighted the importance of maintaining unity, harmony and cooperation among people from different communities and regions. Independence Day is observed across Pakistan every year on August 14 to commemorate the country’s independence in 1947. The occasion is traditionally marked by flag-hoisting ceremonies, rallies, public gatherings and cultural activities. Across Balochistan, citizens used the occasion to celebrate the country’s independence while also expressing hopes for peace and prosperity. The widespread display of national flags added to the festive atmosphere, while the participation of people in different cities demonstrated their enthusiasm for the national event. Local communities also used the celebrations to promote messages of unity and collective responsibility. Speakers and participants at various gatherings stressed that national development requires cooperation and active participation from citizens. The celebrations in Balochistan were part of nationwide Independence Day activities taking place across Pakistan. From major cities to smaller towns and remote areas, people organised events to commemorate the country’s independence and celebrate their national identity. The rallies in Turbat, Kharan, Taftan and other parts of the province brought together citizens who wanted to mark the occasion collectively. The participants’ display of national flags and expressions of solidarity reflected the importance attached to Independence Day across the province. As the celebrations continue, various parts of Balochistan remain decorated with national flags and other Independence Day decorations. Citizens are expected to continue participating in events throughout the day, with celebrations aimed at highlighting national unity, patriotism and hopes for a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) has declared the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) a public body under the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017, and directed it to provide within 15 days information sought regarding lawyers’ degrees, licence cancellations, government grants and governing body proceedings. The order was issued in appeal titled Saddia Mazhar vs Pakistan Bar Council, by Chief Information Commissioner Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui and Information Commissioner Ijaz Hassan Awan. The applicant had sought eight categories of information, including province-wise numbers of PBC members or licence holders; those who had submitted attested degrees; lawyers whose licences were cancelled for failing to submit attested educational documents; and those whose licences were cancelled over fake degrees. She also sought copies of circulars and notifications concerning degree attestation, details of federal and provincial government grants received since 2020, including amounts and dates, and a copy of the latest minutes of the PBC Governing Body meeting. In its reply to the Commission, that the PBC maintained that it was an autonomous statutory body generating its own funds and did not fall within the definition of a public body. Its representatives argued that the government exercised neither financial nor administrative control over it, while acknowledging that the Attorney General for Pakistan is its ex officio member. The Commission rejected the PBC’s position, holding that it is a statutory organisation established under the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Act, 1973, and performs important public functions relating to legal education, recognition of law degrees and regulation of legal practitioners. It also observed that Bar Councils receive public funds or government grants and their offices are located in public buildings. The PIC ruled that the PBC falls within the definition of a public body under Section 2(ix)(g) and (h) of the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017. It further held that none of the eight information requests attracted an exemption under the law. The Secretary, Pakistan Bar Council, was consequently directed to provide the requested information within 15 days of receiving the order. The case was adjourned until September 2, 2026.

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan’s pharmaceutical exports have reached a 20-year high of $457 million, stressing that the pharmaceutical industry must establish a clear contribution towards the country’s ambitious target of generating more than $100 billion in exports by 2035. Speaking at a roundtable conference in Islamabad organised to facilitate pharmaceutical exports under the government’s Uraan Pakistan initiative, the federal minister said the industry needed to adopt a long-term strategy to expand its presence in international markets. Ahsan Iqbal called on representatives of the pharmaceutical sector to hold consultations over the next month and prepare a comprehensive roadmap for the industry’s development through 2030 and beyond. He said Pakistan’s objective should be to transform the country into a global hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing and exports. The minister emphasised that Pakistan needed to secure a significant position in the international pharmaceutical market by improving the competitiveness and quality of locally manufactured products. He said cooperation between the government and private sector could help the industry compete more effectively at the global level. According to the minister, continuity in government policies and the creation of a business-friendly environment are essential for the sustainable growth of the pharmaceutical sector. He stressed that investors and manufacturers require predictable policies and a supportive regulatory framework to make long-term investments in production, research and exports. Ahsan Iqbal also highlighted the need to reduce Pakistan’s dependence on imported pharmaceutical inputs and increase domestic manufacturing capacity. He said approximately 85 percent of the raw material used by the pharmaceutical industry is currently imported, creating challenges for the sector and increasing its exposure to international supply disruptions and currency fluctuations. He called for strengthening the local pharmaceutical value chain so that a greater proportion of raw materials, intermediate products and finished medicines could be produced within Pakistan. The minister said enhancing domestic production would not only reduce the country’s import bill but could also improve the competitiveness of Pakistani pharmaceutical companies in international markets. A stronger local supply chain could help manufacturers reduce production costs, improve efficiency and develop products that meet international standards. He further stressed the importance of developing a coordinated strategy involving government institutions, pharmaceutical manufacturers, researchers and other stakeholders. Such cooperation, he said, would be necessary to identify the major obstacles facing the sector and develop practical solutions. The roundtable conference was held as part of efforts under Uraan Pakistan to promote exports and strengthen productive sectors of the economy. The initiative aims to improve Pakistan’s economic performance by encouraging investment, increasing exports and promoting sustainable industrial development. Ahsan Iqbal said the pharmaceutical industry had significant potential to contribute to Pakistan’s export growth if its structural challenges were addressed. He urged industry representatives to use the consultation process to develop realistic targets and identify measures that could help Pakistan increase its share in the global pharmaceutical market. The minister’s remarks come as Pakistan seeks to diversify its export base and reduce dependence on traditional export sectors. He said the pharmaceutical industry could become an important contributor to this effort by improving domestic production, investing in innovation and expanding access to international markets. The government, he added, would continue working with the private sector to create conditions that encourage investment and promote the long-term growth of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry.