National

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has set an ambitious target of planting 1.4 million saplings in a single day as part of its Independence Day celebrations. K-P Information and Public Relations Minister Shafi Jan said the large-scale plantation drive would be conducted across the province on August 14. He described the initiative as a major step towards expanding green cover and promoting environmental protection. The minister said extensive plantation activities would be carried out across a large area in Speen Khak, with teams taking part in the campaign to meet the record target. Shafi Jan, in his Independence Day message, said August 14 was a historic occasion that reminded the nation of the sacrifices made during the Pakistan Movement. He paid tribute to the leaders who struggled for the creation of Pakistan and those who sacrificed their lives for the country. He urged citizens to renew their commitment to building a stronger, stable, prosperous and sovereign Pakistan. According to him, national development requires collective responsibility, discipline and a continued commitment to the country’s future. The minister also highlighted the role of young people in national development. He said the younger generation should follow the ideals of Allama Iqbal and contribute towards making Pakistan more self-reliant and progressive. The provincial government has introduced a digital monitoring mechanism to improve transparency in the plantation campaign. The Ehsaas Shajarkari Web Portal will be used to identify suitable plantation locations through GPS technology. The portal will also help authorities monitor plantation activities and maintain a consolidated record of the saplings planted during the campaign. Officials will be able to track plantation sites and assess progress through the digital system. Shafi Jan said the initiative was being undertaken under the direction of K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. He expressed confidence that the province would achieve its target and establish a significant plantation milestone on Independence Day.

The Supreme Court has scheduled five petitions concerning access to jailed former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan for hearing on August 18. A three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed will hear the petitions. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim are also part of the bench. The cases were previously being heard by a bench headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar. The bench has now been reconstituted after Justice Mazhar became unavailable at the Supreme Court’s principal seat. The petitions seek permission for Imran Khan’s family members, personal doctors and legal team to meet him in prison. The applicants have also requested access to his medical records and proper arrangements for his medical treatment. The petitions gained renewed attention after PTI lawyers and lawmakers gathered outside the Supreme Court earlier this week, protesting over the continued delay in fixing the cases. A delegation led by PTI lawyer Salman Akram Raja subsequently met the apex court registrar. According to Insaf Lawyers Forum chief organiser Intezar Panjutha, the registrar assured the delegation that five petitions relating to restrictions on meetings with Imran would be listed for hearing. The cause list was expected to be issued ahead of the proceedings. One of the petitions was filed by Imran’s sister, Uzma Khan. She has sought his transfer to Shifa International Hospital, arguing that he requires proper treatment and continuous medical monitoring for an eye-related condition and other health complications. The Supreme Court had earlier directed that details of meetings held by Imran and his wife, Bushra Bibi, with family members, lawyers and party leaders in prison be submitted. The newly constituted bench has attracted attention because of the legal positions previously taken by its members in politically sensitive matters. Justice Afghan has been associated with dissenting opinions on several major constitutional and legal issues. He had opposed the constitutionality of trying civilians in military courts and had also dissented in a case involving the transfer of judges between high courts. He has previously granted post-arrest bail to PTI leaders facing cases related to the May 9 violence. Justice Ibrahim was part of a Supreme Court judgment that overturned an earlier order concerning Imran’s right to defend himself in a defamation case filed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court is separately hearing petitions concerning the alleged solitary confinement of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. The dispute over access to Imran has remained a major issue for the PTI, which maintains that his family, lawyers and doctors should be allowed regular meetings. The government has continued to face pressure over the prison arrangements surrounding the former prime minister.

The restoration of the historic chandelier at Mazar-e-Quaid and measures to improve facilities for visitors were discussed at a meeting of the Quaid-e-Azam Mazar Management Board on Thursday. Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture and board chairman Aurangzeb Khan Khichi chaired the 102nd meeting, where officials reviewed several proposals concerning the preservation and management of the national monument. The meeting examined a proposal to restore the historic chandelier and subsequently shift it to the National Museum. Officials also discussed plans to introduce a shuttle service at Bagh-e-Quaid to provide visitors with easier access to the mausoleum. Khichi directed the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) to approach the restoration project as a matter of national heritage and service rather than treating it purely as a commercial undertaking. He said the historic chandelier had been removed from its original position in 2016. Its restoration has since faced repeated delays because of financial and administrative issues associated with the proposed project. The minister stressed the importance of preserving historical artefacts associated with the country’s founder and called for efforts to ensure that the restoration work moved forward without further unnecessary delays. The meeting also reviewed ways to improve the experience of people visiting Bagh-e-Quaid and the mausoleum. The proposed shuttle service is aimed at making transportation within the premises more convenient, particularly for visitors who may face difficulties covering the distance on foot. Khichi also acknowledged the cooperation extended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to the Quaid-e-Azam Mazar Management Board. He said the provincial government’s support had contributed to the maintenance of Mazar-e-Quaid and helped the board manage its affairs in Karachi. The discussions underscored the need to protect the country’s historic heritage while upgrading facilities at one of Pakistan’s most important national landmarks.

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said the province played a leading role in the creation of Pakistan and will continue to contribute to the country’s progress. Speaking to the media after visiting Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi on Independence Day, Murad Ali Shah said he had paid his respects at the mausoleum along with the governor and members of the provincial cabinet. He said prayers were offered for Pakistan’s peace, stability and prosperity. The chief minister recalled Sindh’s contribution to the Pakistan Movement, saying the province had played an important role in the struggle for a separate homeland. He urged the nation to remain united and follow the principles and vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Murad Ali Shah also paid tribute to former prime ministers Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. He described Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as the founder of Pakistan’s nuclear programme, saying he faced death but refused to compromise. He said Benazir Bhutto also sacrificed her life but never allowed Pakistan’s sovereignty and integrity to be compromised. The chief minister praised PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for taking charge of the foreign ministry during a difficult period. He said the nation demonstrated unity when India attempted to threaten Pakistan. Murad Ali Shah called on young people and citizens from all walks of life to remain united and work together for the country’s development. He also condemned Israeli actions against Palestinians and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, urging the international community to take notice of the suffering caused by the ongoing violence.

Independence Day celebrations were held across Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday, with political leaders, judges and government officials highlighting national unity, development, democracy and the sacrifices made for Pakistan. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, in her Independence Day message, said the occasion was a day for the younger generation to renew its commitment to the country’s future. She said she wanted to see young people equipped with books, pens and laptops, stressing that genuine development would only be achieved when no section of society was left behind. Lahore High Court Chief Justice Justice Aalia Neelum, addressing a flag-hoisting ceremony, said love for the homeland was part of faith. She said every citizen had a responsibility to work tirelessly for the country’s progress and added that the Punjab judiciary was striving to ensure the effective delivery of justice. Independence Day celebrations were also held at King Edward Medical University in Lahore. Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique attended the ceremony as chief guest, cut the Independence Day cake and led prayers for the country’s security and prosperity. He said every citizen must play a role in Pakistan’s development. A flag-hoisting ceremony was also organised at the Sports Board Punjab. The secretary sports, director general sports and other officials and employees attended the event. The national flag was hoisted and participants observed a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Pakistan. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said Independence Day should also serve as an opportunity to reflect on the objectives and sacrifices behind the creation of Pakistan. He said the country was established in 1947 on the principles of unity, discipline and firm faith, but 79 years later the nation had still not fully achieved national cohesion. Fazlur Rehman called for overcoming regional, linguistic and group-based divisions and urged people to move forward as one Pakistani nation. He said the objectives of Pakistan’s creation included an Islamic system, a prosperous economy and stable democracy. Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said Pakistan was created on the basis of the Two-Nation Theory but the country had yet to fully realise the objectives for which it was established. He criticised successive governments for making people’s lives difficult and said the implementation of the Quran and Sunnah was essential to achieving Pakistan’s true destination. In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi hoisted the national flag at Governor House. Iran’s Consul General Ali Banafsheh Khah also attended the ceremony. Prayers were offered for Pakistan’s development, prosperity and stability, while Kundi and the Iranian consul general jointly cut the cake marking the country’s 79th Independence Day. K-P Adviser on Finance Muzammil Aslam said the province had witnessed significant improvements and called for greater efforts to strengthen the region. He said the provincial government had faced serious financial difficulties when it took office but the situation had subsequently improved. Aslam said officials should set clear targets for what they wanted to achieve before the next Independence Day. He also stressed the need for collective efforts to eliminate terrorism from the province. K-P Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah said the objectives behind the creation of Pakistan would be fulfilled. He said the people would not hesitate to make sacrifices for the country and would continue working towards its progress and stability. Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja also congratulated the nation on Independence Day. She paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives defending the country and described the armed forces as guarantors of peace and development. She said Pakistan’s growing international standing reflected the efforts of its political and military leadership. According to her, Pakistan is increasingly recognised globally for its commitment to peace, development, defence and its vision of a digital future.

ISLAMABAD: Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghaddam has extended heartfelt greetings to the Pakistani government and people on the country’s 79th Independence Day. In his message, the Iranian envoy described Pakistan as a great friend, neighbour and brotherly country. He praised the Pakistani people’s resilience, unity and achievements, saying Iran deeply valued their determination. Amiri Moghaddam said Iran attached great importance to its longstanding ties with Pakistan, based on friendship, mutual respect and cooperation. He said the commitment demonstrated by the leadership of both countries had opened the way for a new phase in bilateral relations. The ambassador said Iran-Pakistan relations were passing through an important turning point, with a new era of engagement and cooperation beginning between the two neighbouring countries. He said Iran wished continued prosperity, peace, security, development and wellbeing for the people of Pakistan. Amiri Moghaddam reaffirmed Iran’s desire to further strengthen the historic friendship between the two countries. He said Tehran remained committed to deepening bilateral relations in a manner that served the mutual interests of the Iranian and Pakistani peoples.