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KARACHI: The father of young Karachi resident Mir Raza has expressed confidence in the newly formed investigation team. He said he felt, for the first time in 13 days, that the investigation was moving in the right direction. Mir Raza’s parents, lawyer Jibran Nasir and members of the new investigation team visited locations connected to the case. The visit was aimed at reviewing important points and gathering information that could help investigators understand what happened. Jibran Nasir said the family had identified several important locations on its own. These locations were later shown to the police. He said Mir Raza’s parents were cooperating fully with the investigators and answering their questions. Nasir said the investigation team was waiting for the results of samples collected during the post-mortem examination. He said additional samples obtained after the exhumation had also been sent to a forensic laboratory. The lawyer said the family now believed that an honest and serious officer was handling the investigation. He said the family had earlier faced difficulties in getting the matter investigated properly. Mir Raza’s father, Mir Hussain, said the family still wanted clear answers about his son’s death. He said the exact circumstances surrounding the incident had not yet been established. According to him, the initial investigation should have been more effective. He said timely and proper action at the beginning could have taken the case to a different stage. Mir Hussain said the new investigation team was listening to the family’s concerns. He said investigators were considering the information provided by the parents. The family, he added, now had greater confidence in the process. He said the main objective was to establish what happened to Mir Raza and how the incident took place. The family wanted every aspect of the case to be examined. Mir Hussain said Mir Raza’s kitchen was located around half a kilometre from the site of the incident. He also said information about three suspicious individuals had already been shared with the police. The victim’s father further alleged that the previous investigation team had not properly shared details of the inquiry with the family. He hoped the new team would maintain transparency and investigate the case from all possible angles. The family said it would continue cooperating with investigators. Mir Hussain said they would pursue the case as far as necessary to uncover the truth and obtain justice for Mir Raza. Investigators are now expected to examine forensic evidence, statements and other available information. The reports from the forensic laboratory could also play an important role in determining the circumstances surrounding the case.

KARACHI: The forensic examination of a shirt belonging to Karachi youth Mir Raza has been completed. The report has been received by the police and is now being examined as part of the investigation. According to investigative sources, traces of hydrochloric acid were reportedly detected on the shirt during the chemical analysis. The sources also said that substances associated with a sedative were found in a blood sample taken from Mir Raza. The chemical examination was conducted to determine whether the shirt contained any material that could help investigators understand the circumstances surrounding the incident. The findings are expected to be considered along with other forensic evidence collected during the investigation. Investigators also reported the presence of gunshot residue (GSR) on the waist area of Mir Raza’s shirt. Sources said the concentration of GSR was higher around the waist section. They said this finding could provide investigators with important information about the direction and circumstances of the shooting. However, the forensic findings are expected to be assessed alongside other evidence before investigators reach any final conclusion. Police are also examining other aspects of the case to establish what happened. Meanwhile, further shortcomings in the investigation have reportedly emerged. Investigative officials said several important steps had not been completed despite days having passed since the incident. According to officials, geofencing of the crime scene has not yet been carried out. Geofencing could help investigators identify mobile devices that were present in or around the area at the relevant time. Officials also said that Mir Raza’s mobile phone data had not been obtained. The phone record could potentially help investigators establish his movements and identify contacts or activities around the time of the incident. Another issue raised by investigators concerns Mir Raza’s smartwatch. Officials said its forensic examination had also not been conducted. Such devices can sometimes contain information about movement, activity and other data that may assist an investigation. The latest findings have added new elements to the case. Investigators are now expected to examine the forensic report along with other available evidence. The police are also facing questions over why some investigative procedures were not carried out earlier. The family has previously called for a thorough investigation and answers about what happened to Mir Raza.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Salman Akram Raja has called for meetings between the party’s founder, Imran Khan, and his sisters and medical team. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Raja said PTI representatives had met the Registrar of the Supreme Court. During the meeting, they requested that the cases involving the party founder be taken up for hearing without further delay. The PTI leader also demanded that Imran Khan be allowed to meet his sisters. He said access to his doctors should also be restored so that his health can be properly monitored. Raja said the party had been assured that the pending cases would be scheduled for hearing next week. He added that the relevant cause list would also be issued. He expressed concern over the long gap between Imran Khan and his doctors. According to Raja, the PTI founder has not been able to meet his medical team for around one and a half years. Raja questioned the reason for preventing regular medical consultations. He said the issue was particularly important because of concerns about Imran Khan’s health. The PTI leader also discussed the former prime minister’s political activities. He said Imran Khan had the right to express his political views. However, Raja said the party was prepared to ensure that political discussions did not take place if they could affect Imran Khan’s health. He said the priority at present was his medical well-being and access to proper healthcare. Raja said the matter would be taken before the court next week. He indicated that the party would seek judicial intervention on meetings with family members and doctors. The PTI has repeatedly raised concerns over access to Imran Khan and his medical care. The latest demand comes as the party awaits hearings in several cases involving its founder.

KARACHI: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned four Karachi residents for questioning over alleged defamatory content posted on social media against Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and his son. The inquiry was launched following a complaint submitted on behalf of Memon. The complaint relates to social media posts concerning the death of Karachi resident Mir Raza Ali. According to the notices issued by the agency, the respondents have been asked to appear at the NCCIA office in Karachi on August 13 at 11:30am. They have also been directed to bring their original identity cards and any documents or material they intend to use in their defence. The four individuals have also been asked to provide relevant digital devices and record their statements before the investigators. The agency warned that failure to appear could lead to further legal action. The development follows a complaint filed by Memon through his legal representatives. He had approached the cybercrime agency over what he described as false and malicious material being circulated online about him and his son. Memon has denied claims linking him to a guest house in Gulistan-i-Jauhar where Mir Raza Ali was allegedly subjected to violence. He also rejected allegations that his son travelled to London shortly after the incident and was later seen with security personnel. The senior minister said the allegations were not supported by facts or evidence. He alleged that the campaign was aimed at damaging his and his son’s reputation for political reasons. His legal counsel has requested that the agency identify those responsible and take action under applicable cybercrime laws. The complaint also seeks registration of a criminal case if sufficient evidence is found. The Mir Raza case has attracted significant public attention. Ali, who had studied at the Institute of Business Administration and owned a food business, was reported missing on July 28. His body was discovered the following day in bushes near Shahi Qila Ground in Gulistan-i-Jauhar. The investigation initially considered the possibility of suicide. However, Ali’s family consistently rejected that theory. They maintained that he had been kidnapped, assaulted and murdered. A second post-mortem examination later raised further questions about the circumstances of his death. The examination indicated that Ali had suffered a gunshot wound to the back, which challenged the earlier theory of suicide. The family’s lawyer, Jibran Nasir, called for changes to the investigation team. He also accused authorities of failing to properly pursue key aspects of the case. A new investigation team was assigned to the case on Sunday. Police also added a murder charge to the first information report.

KARACHI: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has served a legal notice on former Federal Board of Revenue chairman Shabbar Zaidi. The party is seeking Rs1 billion in damages over remarks it says harmed its reputation. The notice relates to allegations made by Zaidi about the political party and its role in public protests. JI said the former FBR chief made the remarks during a podcast and later repeated them on different social media platforms. According to the party, the notice was issued on July 27 through Advocate Tahir Iqbal Malik. It was sent on the instructions of JI Karachi General Secretary Taufiquddin Siddiqui. JI has accused Zaidi of making serious and damaging claims. The party says the allegations suggested that it had received money to weaken or suppress public protests and political issues. The party also objected to comments in which Zaidi allegedly described JI as an “establishment firewall”. According to JI, the remarks created an impression that the party was working to dilute public concerns and protests. The legal notice claims that the statements included allegations of secret funding, bribery, corruption and political misconduct. It also alleges that the remarks suggested coordination between the party and state institutions. JI has demanded that Zaidi provide evidence to support his claims. The party has asked him to identify the person who allegedly made the payment and the individual who supposedly received it. The notice also seeks details about the alleged amount, including when and where the payment was made. JI has asked for information about the method of payment and any bank records or financial documents linked to the allegation. The party has further demanded evidence concerning the alleged protest or public issue. It has asked for the names of witnesses and any documents, recordings or other material that could support the claims. JI also wants Zaidi to disclose the source of the information on which his allegations were based. The party has said the claims should be backed by verifiable evidence. When approached for a response, Zaidi said he had forwarded the legal notice to his lawyer. He said he would seek legal advice on the matter. The dispute could now move into a legal phase if the former FBR chairman does not respond to the notice in the manner demanded by the party.

MUZAFFARABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party is leading in two constituencies in the third phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is ahead in one seat. An independent candidate has also secured victory in another constituency, according to unofficial results. Polling was held in four constituencies of Bagh and Haveli districts in the Poonch division. However, voting could not take place at several polling stations because of unrest and security concerns. In LA-15 Bagh-2, PPP candidate Zia Qamar was leading after results from most polling stations were received. PML-N candidate Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas was in second place. PML-N candidate Sardar Mir Akbar Khan was leading in LA-16 Eastern Bagh. He was ahead of PPP candidate Sardar Qamar Zaman Khan, making the constituency the strongest prospect for the PML-N in the third phase. In LA-17 Haveli-Kahuta, PPP candidate and AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore was ahead of PML-N candidate Chaudhry Mohsin Aziz in the closely contested race. An unexpected result emerged from LA-14 Western Bagh. Independent candidate Sardar Sajid Iqbal Abbasi defeated former AJK prime minister and Muslim Conference leader Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan in his home constituency. The AJK Election Commission has also announced re-polling at 23 polling stations. The exercise will take place on August 15. According to Election Commission officials, voting will be repeated at nine polling stations in LA-16 and 14 stations in LA-15. Polling at these locations could not be conducted during the earlier round because of unrest. Elections in five constituencies of Poonch and two constituencies of Sudhnoti have been postponed. The authorities are expected to announce new dates after reviewing the security situation. Meanwhile, PML-N candidate Mohsin Aziz has demanded a recount in LA-17 Bagh-4. His request was rejected by the Returning Officer, prompting PML-N workers to stage a sit-in outside the RO office. Aziz said the protest would continue until the votes were recounted. The demand has added another layer of uncertainty to the closely contested election process. The PPP has also raised allegations of electoral irregularities. Party leaders have accused authorities of disrupting polling and creating difficulties for voters and polling agents. PPP representatives have called for an impartial review of complaints. They said the Election Commission should examine allegations of irregularities to ensure that the voters’ mandate is protected. PPP Senator Sherry Rehman had earlier raised concerns over delays in polling. She also alleged that party polling agents were stopped from entering some polling stations. The PML-N has rejected the allegations of widespread rigging. Senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah said the PPP was using the rigging narrative to cover what he described as an electoral setback. He also called for an end to protests and sit-ins. Sanaullah said legitimate demands would be considered by the government, while warning that violence and armed activity would be dealt with according to law. The PML-N remains in a strong position overall after the first two phases of the AJK elections. It won nine of 13 seats in the Mirpur division during the first phase. In the second phase, the party secured 15 seats from the Muzaffarabad division and refugee seats. The PPP won four seats in the first phase and six in the second. The PML-N has so far secured 24 seats across the first two phases, while the PPP has won 10. The ruling party has said it needs only a few additional seats to reach a two-thirds majority in the AJK Assembly.

Cambridge International has released the results of its June 2026 examination session, with more than 100,000 students across Pakistan receiving their AS and A-Level results. Students from more than 850 schools in Pakistan took part in the examination session. The results were announced globally on Tuesday, with nearly 368,000 students worldwide receiving their Cambridge International AS and A-Level results. In Pakistan, thousands of students appeared for examinations in a wide range of subjects. Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Business and Computer Science remained among the most popular choices. Cambridge officials congratulated students on completing their examinations and acknowledged the challenges faced by some candidates during the preparation period. Cambridge Pakistan Country Director Uzma Yousuf said this year’s results were particularly significant because some students had prepared for their examinations amid regional tensions, uncertainty and disruptions. She congratulated the students and praised teachers, parents and school communities for supporting candidates throughout the academic year. Yousuf said education should not be viewed only through examination grades. She stressed the importance of developing knowledge, confidence and practical skills that can help young people succeed in higher education, employment and their future lives. Cambridge International also said it was continuing to develop its assessment system. The organisation is working on digital examination initiatives and flexible assessment options aimed at giving students greater choice and accessibility. Cambridge qualifications are accepted by universities and educational institutions in many countries. The organisation said its international qualifications provide students with pathways to higher education both in their home countries and abroad. According to Cambridge, recent UK university application data showed that 98% of Cambridge International A-Level students who applied to British universities during the 2025 admissions cycle received at least one university offer. The organisation said its qualifications are designed to provide students with internationally recognised academic credentials while allowing them to study within their own countries. The latest results have also been announced amid concerns surrounding examination security in Pakistan during the 2026 examination cycle. Earlier this year, allegations emerged that Cambridge Mathematics examination papers had been circulated before scheduled tests. One A-Level Mathematics paper was cancelled and candidates were required to sit a replacement examination. A separate AS-Level Mathematics paper was also cancelled following reports of a leak. Further claims regarding the circulation of another Mathematics paper were later raised by students. The incidents led to calls for stronger examination security and prompted education authorities to seek investigations into the allegations. Cambridge has previously said it investigates reports concerning examination integrity and has urged students and parents to follow information released through its official channels. Meanwhile, students who appeared for the June 2026 IGCSE and O-Level examinations are expected to receive their results on August 18.

KARACHI: Petrol pump dealers across Pakistan have announced an indefinite closure of fuel stations from August 15. The decision comes amid an ongoing strike by goods transporters. Talks between the government and transport representatives have failed to resolve their differences. The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association announced the decision on Tuesday after a meeting of representatives from different parts of the country. Association Chairman Malik Khuda Baksh said dealers had given the government 72 hours to address their concerns. He warned that petrol stations would remain closed until the dealers’ demands were accepted. The dealers are mainly seeking an increase in their commission on petrol sales. They are demanding an 8% margin on petrol, saying the existing rate is no longer sufficient to cover rising operating costs. Baksh said the association represents around 14,000 dealers and that members were under growing financial pressure. He said dealers had previously postponed their strike after receiving assurances from the government that their concerns would be addressed. According to the association, the government was given additional time to resolve the issue, but the deadline passed without a satisfactory outcome. The dealers had earlier agreed to delay a planned nationwide shutdown following talks with Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik. At the time, government representatives assured the dealers that their longstanding concerns would be considered. However, the latest announcement indicates that no final agreement has been reached. The dealers have also raised concerns over the mechanism used to determine fuel prices. They have called for greater clarity and timely implementation of decisions concerning petroleum margins. The announcement comes as the country’s goods transport sector remains affected by a separate strike. Transporters have continued their wheel-jam protest after talks with federal and provincial authorities failed to produce a breakthrough. The overlapping disputes could create additional pressure on the country’s fuel supply and transport network if the shutdown goes ahead.