National

The federal Ministry of Industries and Production has allowed the export of imported sugar at a lower price, a decision that could cause billions of rupees in losses to the national exchequer, according to ministry sources. Sources said the government has permitted the export of 100,000 tonnes of sugar. However, a decision on exporting 250,000 tonnes of cheaper locally produced sugar has not yet been taken. The sources described the decision to allow the export of only 100,000 tonnes as disappointing. They said the move could create financial losses because the sugar being exported was imported at a comparatively higher cost. The sources further warned that the decision could also affect sugarcane procurement in the country. According to them, sugar mills may face difficulties in purchasing sugarcane from farmers if the current situation persists. Sugar mill owners had already informed the Ministry of Industries and Production about the issue, sources said. They had reportedly warned the ministry that the limited export decision could make it difficult for mills to manage their stocks and purchase the upcoming sugarcane crop from farmers. The government is now facing a challenge in balancing sugar exports, domestic prices, the interests of farmers and the financial impact on the national exchequer. Sources said further decisions regarding the export of locally produced sugar are expected after reviewing the market situation and available stocks.

Karachi: At least 603 people have lost their lives in different traffic accidents across Karachi this year, according to data released by Rescue authorities. Thousands of others have suffered injuries in road crashes, highlighting the continuing traffic safety challenges faced by the city. According to Rescue officials, 7,467 people were injured in traffic accidents during the year. The victims include people from different age groups and both genders. Of the 603 people who died in road accidents, 463 were men, 73 were women and 67 were children. The figures show that men made up the majority of fatalities, while women and children also suffered significant losses in road crashes. Rescue authorities said heavy vehicles were involved in a considerable number of fatal accidents. A total of 184 people were killed in accidents involving heavy vehicles during the year. According to the available data, 12 people lost their lives after being hit by dumpers. Trailer-related accidents claimed the lives of 84 people, making trailers one of the major contributors to fatalities involving heavy vehicles. Water tankers were also involved in several deadly accidents. Rescue officials reported that 46 people were killed in accidents involving water tankers during the year. Meanwhile, 18 people died in accidents involving mini-trucks, while 24 people were killed in accidents involving buses. The injury figures are also significant. Of the 7,467 people injured in traffic accidents, 5,649 were men, 1,322 were women and 496 were children. The data underscores the scale of road safety concerns in Karachi, where busy roads, increasing traffic and the movement of heavy vehicles have contributed to serious accidents. The high number of fatalities and injuries has renewed concerns about traffic management and road safety measures in the city.

Islamabad: The federal government has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court challenging its interim order directing the transfer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital. In its petition, the government described the Supreme Court’s interim order as an overreach of legal authority. It argued that the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978, clearly prescribe the procedure for providing medical treatment to prisoners. According to the government, a prisoner can be shifted to a government civil hospital or a district headquarters hospital when necessary. However, it said there is no provision in the law for transferring a prisoner to a private hospital. The government also maintained that prison laws and the Prisons Act do not give a prisoner the right to receive treatment from a private doctor of his choice. The petition stated that Imran Khan’s case had been fixed for hearing for the first time and that he had not even been issued a notice. Despite this, the court issued an interim order regarding his medical treatment and transfer. The government argued that the court appeared to have reached the conclusion that Imran Khan’s health was deteriorating on the basis of a medical report. However, according to the petition, the report did not clearly indicate any such deterioration. It further stated that a medical board had examined Imran Khan several times. The government maintained that expert medical opinions should have been sought before making a decision on such a medical matter. The petition also challenged the use of Section 561-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, arguing that the provision cannot be used to interfere in matters falling within the jurisdiction of prison authorities. The government further objected to the relief granted to Imran Khan at the interim stage. It said four requests were effectively granted through the interim order, including his transfer to Shifa International Hospital, access to personal doctors, meetings with family members, and provision of medical reports to his lawyers. According to the government, such relief at the interim stage amounted to granting final relief without completing the regular legal proceedings. The petition also warned that allowing a special facility for Imran Khan at a private hospital could set a precedent for other prisoners. It argued that other inmates could make similar demands under prison laws, potentially creating a large number of such requests. The government maintained that providing such special treatment would also conflict with the principle of equal treatment of prisoners.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will travel to the United Kingdom on an official visit from August 24 to 28, where he is scheduled to hold talks with senior British officials and meet members of the Pakistani community. According to the Foreign Office, Dar will meet UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and FCDO Minister of State for Pakistan Stephen Doughty during his visit. He is also expected to hold discussions with other senior British government officials. A key focus of the visit will be the situation of Pakistani sailors held by Somali pirates. Dar is scheduled to meet the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organisation to discuss efforts to secure the release of the hostages. The MT Honour 25 oil tanker was hijacked near Somalia’s Puntland region on April 21. The vessel was carrying 17 crew members, including 10 Pakistani nationals. The prolonged captivity has raised concerns among the families of the crew, who have called for urgent efforts to secure their safe release. The Foreign Office has reaffirmed that the government remains committed to bringing the Pakistani nationals home safely. During his UK visit, Dar will also meet Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. His schedule includes engagements with British parliamentarians and representatives of the British-Pakistani community. The visit comes as Pakistan and the UK continue to strengthen cooperation on security, migration and law enforcement. Earlier this year, the UK announced an additional £8 million in funding for joint efforts with Pakistan to tackle crime and illegal migration. The funding is intended to improve border and visa systems and strengthen law enforcement against human smuggling and trafficking networks. It will also support the return of people who do not have the legal right to remain in the UK and finance community-based programmes aimed at addressing factors contributing to irregular migration.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has announced a nationwide shutter-down strike after 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal, as the party continues its protests against rising petroleum prices and the government’s petroleum levy. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Sunday, Hafiz Naeem said the JI’s sit-ins in provincial capitals had entered their eighth day and would continue until the government practically implemented the party’s demands. He rejected the idea of ending the protests solely on the basis of government assurances, saying the party wanted concrete action rather than promises. Hafiz Naeem called for a reduction in petroleum product prices and criticised what he described as excessive government expenditure. He also raised concerns over rising prices of essential commodities, saying flour and sugar mafias were making life difficult for ordinary citizens while farmers were struggling with expensive fertiliser. The JI chief said the nationwide shutter-down strike would be launched after Eid Milad-un-Nabi, which falls on August 26 this year. He warned that the party’s protest movement would not be called off until its demands were implemented. According to Hafiz Naeem, negotiations would no longer be based on requests for protesters to end their sit-ins in exchange for verbal commitments. JI workers have been holding demonstrations since August 16. Sit-ins are being staged outside the Punjab chief minister’s residence in Lahore and at governor houses in Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar. The protests come as consumers face growing pressure from fuel costs, inflation and high electricity bills. The government has also faced criticism following repeated increases in petroleum prices. The situation has become more challenging amid fluctuations in international oil prices linked to renewed tensions in the Middle East. Authorities have also moved from a 15-day fuel price review to a daily mechanism. The fuel price issue has triggered separate concerns among transporters and petroleum dealers. Earlier this week, the All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance suspended a nationwide strike for 40 days after receiving assurances from the federal and Sindh governments regarding several demands, including petroleum pricing. The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association has also pressed the government to resolve outstanding issues and honour previous commitments.

Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during which the two officials discussed the evolving situation in the region. According to Iranian media, the conversation took place a day earlier and focused on regional developments and matters of mutual interest. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that Field Marshal Asim Munir is scheduled to visit Iran on Monday. Baghaei described the visit as part of Pakistan’s continued efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. He said the visit would also provide an opportunity to further strengthen relations between Pakistan and Iran. During his visit, the Pakistani Chief of Defence Forces is expected to meet senior Iranian officials and hold discussions on bilateral ties as well as regional developments. The upcoming visit comes amid heightened regional tensions and growing diplomatic efforts by countries in the region to promote dialogue and stability. The telephone conversation between Field Marshal Munir and Araghchi ahead of the visit is expected to provide further momentum to bilateral engagement between Islamabad and Tehran. Pakistan and Iran share close geographical, economic and security ties, with both countries regularly discussing border security, regional developments and broader cooperation.