National

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    Punjab drainage projects curb monsoon flooding: Ma…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said drainage projects carried out across the province have helped reduce the impact of monsoon rains. She said areas that previously remained submerged for days, weeks or even months were now seeing rainwater cleared within hours. The chief minister made the remarks during a meeting with Punjab Assembly members from Vehari. The meeting reviewed development schemes, political matters and initiatives aimed at improving public services in the district. Maryam said the Punjab Development Programme was promoting more balanced development across the province. She added that the government was focusing on projects designed to address long-standing problems faced by residents. According to the chief minister, improved drainage infrastructure had made a noticeable difference during the current monsoon season. She said the government was working to ensure that heavy rainfall did not cause prolonged water accumulation in populated areas. Maryam also highlighted several initiatives for farmers and students in southern Punjab. She said farmers were benefiting from the Kisan Card programme, while students were receiving laptops and Honhaar Scholarships. The Vehari lawmakers appreciated the government’s development work in the district. They particularly highlighted the reconstruction and expansion of the Vehari-Multan Road. The lawmakers said the previously narrow and deteriorated road had been transformed into a modern dual-carriageway. They described the project as an important development for the region. They said residents of several districts would benefit from improved connectivity between Vehari and Multan. The upgraded road is expected to facilitate travel, transportation and commercial activity in the area. The lawmakers also welcomed the launch of an electric bus service connecting Vehari with Burewala and Tibba Sultanpur. They said the service had provided residents with a new public transport option. Free travel facilities for students, women and senior citizens were also appreciated during the meeting. The MPAs further said development schemes worth around Rs21 billion had been initiated in Burewala, Mailsi and Vehari. They described the projects as a major step towards improving infrastructure and public facilities in the region. They also pointed to the beautification of Vehari Rail Bazaar, saying the project had helped improve the appearance and overall environment of the city. Separately, Maryam Nawaz praised security forces for their recent operation against militants in Balochistan. She commended the personnel for their efforts and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. According to the information shared by the chief minister, 15 terrorists were killed during the operation and a significant quantity of weapons was recovered.

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    Pakistan receives $3.6 billion in remittances in J…

    ByJustpaste.in

      KARACHI: Pakistan received $3.6 billion in workers’ remittances from overseas Pakistanis during July 2026, marking a significant increase compared with the same period last year, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The central bank reported that remittance inflows increased by 13% year-on-year in July and also recorded a 4.5% rise compared with the previous month. The latest figures highlight the continued importance of overseas Pakistanis in supporting the country’s foreign exchange position and overall economic stability. Saudi Arabia remained the largest source of remittances during the month, sending $913.9 million to Pakistan. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) followed with $737.3 million, while overseas Pakistanis in the United Kingdom contributed $555.5 million. The United States also remained an important source, accounting for $317.2 million in remittance inflows. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the increase and expressed satisfaction over the $3.6 billion received in July. In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, he said the 13% year-on-year increase in remittances was encouraging and reflected the continued contribution of overseas Pakistanis to the national economy. The prime minister also highlighted the 4.5% month-on-month growth, saying that the consistent financial support provided by overseas Pakistanis was playing an important role in strengthening Pakistan’s economy. He described overseas Pakistanis as a valuable and integral part of the country’s economic mainstream. The latest figures have also generated positive expectations regarding Pakistan’s remittance outlook for the ongoing financial year. Topline Research estimated that remittances could reach around $40.1 billion during FY27 if the current trend continues. Economist Dr Khaqan Najeeb said remittances were becoming increasingly important as a source of foreign exchange, particularly at a time when Pakistan’s export sector continued to face difficulties. According to him, the country’s weak domestic economic conditions, limited employment opportunities and significant differences between local and international wages were encouraging more Pakistanis to seek employment abroad. He noted that the movement of workers overseas was resulting in a corresponding flow of foreign exchange back into Pakistan. The economist said these inflows were helping the country manage its balance of payments and reduce pressure on its external accounts. However, he also warned that the growing dependence on remittances highlighted deeper structural weaknesses within the domestic economy. Dr Najeeb pointed out that Pakistan’s increasing reliance on overseas employment reflected the country’s inability to generate enough productive and well-paying jobs at home. While remittances provide valuable financial support and strengthen foreign exchange reserves, he argued that sustainable economic growth requires stronger domestic employment opportunities and a more competitive export sector. The July figures therefore present both an encouraging development and a broader economic challenge. Rising remittances are providing Pakistan with much-needed foreign exchange, but policymakers also face the task of improving domestic economic conditions so that overseas employment becomes a choice rather than a necessity for a growing number of Pakistanis.

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    Achakzai urges PM to appoint new chief election co…

    ByJustpaste.in

      ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to initiate the process of appointing a new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and fill the vacant positions of two Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) members from Sindh and Balochistan. Achakzai made the request in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on August 10. The opposition leader, who also heads the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) and serves as chairman of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, asked the premier to give immediate attention to what he described as an important constitutional responsibility concerning the composition of the country’s electoral watchdog. According to Achakzai, the official terms of the Chief Election Commissioner and the ECP members representing Sindh and Balochistan expired on January 26, 2025. He stressed that the vacant positions should be filled without further delay to ensure the commission continues to function effectively. The opposition leader argued that the timely appointment of officials to these constitutional positions was essential for maintaining the ECP’s operational continuity, institutional independence and credibility. In his communication, Achakzai referred to relevant provisions of the Constitution that outline the procedure for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and members of the Election Commission. He cited Article 213(2A) under which the prime minister is required to consult the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly before forwarding three candidates for the post of CEC to a parliamentary committee. The committee then considers the proposed names before making the appointment through the constitutional process. Achakzai also referred to Article 218(2)(b), arguing that the appointment of ECP members from the provinces is subject to the same constitutional principle of consultation between the prime minister and the opposition leader. The opposition leader consequently called on Prime Minister Shehbaz to hold a formal meeting with him so that both sides could consult and agree on suitable candidates for the vacant constitutional positions. The demand comes against the backdrop of a prolonged delay in completing the composition of the electoral body. It is worth recalling that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had previously invited former National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub for consultations regarding the appointment of a new Chief Election Commissioner. The invitation was extended in June last year as part of the constitutional process for filling the position. However, the parliamentary situation subsequently changed after the National Assembly removed Omar Ayub and several other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed leaders from important parliamentary positions. The move followed their disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan in connection with the May 9 cases in August last year. As a result, the consultation process concerning appointments to key positions within the ECP remained stalled. Achakzai’s latest letter has brought renewed attention to the issue, with the opposition leader emphasising that the vacant positions should be filled through the constitutional procedure and without further delay. The appointment of a CEC and provincial ECP members is considered crucial for ensuring the electoral watchdog remains fully functional and retains public confidence. Achakzai has therefore sought an immediate consultation process with the prime minister to resolve the matter and complete the appointments in accordance with the Constitution.

  • Only 7% government school students enter top colleges

    ByJustpaste.in

    Karachi – The standard of education in Karachi’s government schools has declined to a worrying level with only 7 percent of students admitted to top government colleges this year coming from government schools. Questions are being raised over the quality of education in Karachi’s government schools. Sources in the Education Department have revealed that the admission rate of government school students in top government colleges is extremely low. As many as 93 percent of admissions in Karachi’s government colleges were secured by students from private schools. According to Education Department sources, a total of 13,211 students were admitted to Karachi’s top 10 government colleges. However, only 947 students among them came from government schools. According to the sources, at Adamjee Government Science College, only 28 government school students were admitted out of a total of 613 admissions. At DJ Sindh Government Science College, only 44 government school students secured admission out of 1,258 admissions. Similarly, Delhi Government Science College admitted 801 students of whom only 28 were from government schools. At Government Boys College Nazimabad, only 60 government school students were admitted out of a total of 1,317 admissions.

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    PTI leadership backs Sept 27 long March as KP CM r…

    ByJustpaste.in

    PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership and the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) alliance are fully supporting the planned long march towards Islamabad on September 27. Afridi said the date for the protest was finalised after consultations among PTI’s central and provincial leadership as well as its allied group. He stressed that the decision had been taken collectively and that the party’s leadership across the provinces was on board with the plan. Afridi’s comments came after reports that Aleema Khan, the sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, had questioned why the long march was scheduled for September 27 instead of an earlier date. Responding to the concerns, Afridi described Aleema as a non-political person who was speaking in her capacity as Imran Khan’s sister. He said he was confident that he could satisfy her concerns by explaining the reasons and circumstances behind the decision. The KP chief minister also rejected allegations made by some PTI leaders based abroad that he had agreed to the September 27 date as part of a secret deal with the government. Afridi said those making such accusations should have contacted him directly before discussing the matter publicly. He said such allegations could mislead PTI supporters and create unnecessary confusion. According to Afridi, individuals who were genuinely sincere with Imran Khan and the party should first seek clarification before making accusations against fellow party leaders. Responding to a specific allegation that he had met Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and another government official on August 4 before announcing the date of the long march, Afridi categorically denied the claim. He described the allegation as completely baseless and said he had been present at the KP House in Islamabad from noon until around 4:30pm that day. Afridi explained that he had been attending meetings related to the province’s Pado KP and telemedicine initiatives during that period. He also rejected the suggestion that the alleged meeting had taken place in Peshawar, reiterating that he was in Islamabad at the time. The controversy comes as PTI prepares for what its leaders describe as a major mobilisation aimed at securing the release of Imran Khan. A day earlier, PTI leader Shafi Jan said the party had no option left except to launch the long march, which he described as its “last option”. Jan said PTI workers were protesting because they believed their concerns were not being heard. He claimed that the party would march from Peshawar towards Islamabad with around two million people and said the demonstration would have an impact across the country. Imran Khan, 73, has remained in prison since August 2023 following convictions in several cases. PTI has repeatedly rejected the allegations against its founder and described the legal proceedings as politically motivated. Since his removal from office through a no-confidence vote in April 2022, Imran Khan has faced numerous legal cases, including those involving state gifts and his marriage. Although some of his convictions have been suspended or overturned, several appeals are still pending before higher courts. Imran Khan and PTI continue to deny any wrongdoing and maintain that the cases against him are politically driven.

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    Zoe Saldaña reveals plans to step behind the came…

    ByJustpaste.in

      Zoe Saldaña has built an impressive career in Hollywood, achieving milestones that only a small number of actors can claim. From becoming an Academy Award winner to appearing in some of the world’s most successful film franchises, the actress has established herself as one of the industry’s most recognisable stars. However, Saldaña now appears ready to explore a completely different side of filmmaking by considering a move into directing. During an appearance at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, Saldaña spoke about her desire to eventually take control behind the camera. Addressing the festival audience, the actress said she believed there would come a point when simply watching other directors work would no longer be enough for her. Saldaña joked that after observing directors for so long, she might eventually feel compelled to take over the camera herself. Her comments reflected her growing interest in expanding her creative role within the film industry and exploring storytelling from a director’s perspective. The actress also expressed confidence in her own instincts, particularly when discussing women and their ability to recognise what they believe is right. With a humorous tone, she suggested that women often feel confident in their opinions because they are correct a significant amount of the time. For Saldaña, directing could provide an opportunity to test those instincts and prove what she can accomplish outside her established acting career. Her remarks came as she was being honoured at the prestigious Locarno Film Festival. Saldaña received a Special Honorary Pardo at the event, recognising her contribution to cinema and her successful career across a wide range of projects. During her appearance, the actress also reflected on her childhood and the experience of growing up between different cultures. Born in the Dominican Republic, Saldaña said her background and experiences of feeling like an outsider have played an important role in shaping the way she approaches acting and develops her characters. She recalled the challenges of being separated from a New York environment where she had been exposed to people from different backgrounds and cultures. According to Saldaña, living in a diverse environment allowed her to encounter different perspectives and understand the world beyond a single cultural identity. She later moved to a much smaller and more culturally homogeneous island, an experience she described as difficult during her formative years. The transition brought significant challenges, particularly because she encountered a society with a more unified religious and cultural identity. Despite the difficulties, Saldaña believes those experiences ultimately became valuable to her as an actor. She explained that the challenges of growing up between different cultural environments helped her develop a broader understanding of people and identities. That perspective, she suggested, became particularly useful when portraying some of her most famous characters, including Neytiri in the Avatar franchise and Gamora in the Guardians of the Galaxy films. For Saldaña, growing up between cultures provided both struggles and opportunities for personal development. She believes being exposed to different ways of life enriched her understanding of human experiences and gave her additional emotional depth as a performer. Now, after years of success in front of the camera, Saldaña appears interested in turning those experiences into a new creative challenge. Her potential move into directing could mark an important new chapter in her career, allowing her to bring her perspective, cultural experiences and storytelling instincts to filmmaking from behind the camera.

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    Imran Khan’s sister secures transit bail in cybe…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday granted transit pre-arrest bail to Noreen Niazi, sister of incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, in a case registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016. The court directed Niazi to approach the relevant Islamabad court by August 20 for further legal proceedings. Her protective relief will remain effective until that date. Justice Arshad Ali heard Niazi’s petition. Her legal team included Ali Zaman, Amir Zeb and Barrister Sarwar Muzaffar Shah. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered the case in Islamabad on July 27. Niazi has been accused of making allegedly derogatory and inflammatory remarks about state institutions during a podcast and in video clips later circulated on social media. Her lawyers rejected the allegations and maintained that she had been falsely implicated. They argued that the case was politically motivated and that the authorities had not presented substantial evidence linking her to the alleged offences. The defence further claimed that attempts were being made to arrest and harass Niazi. The lawyers said the statements cited in the case had been taken out of context and wrongly interpreted. In its order, the PHC observed that the request for transit bail deserved consideration. The court subsequently granted interim protection subject to bail bonds of Rs80,000 and two sureties. Niazi later spoke to reporters and said she became aware of the case after arriving in Peshawar. She claimed that remarks she had made privately were allegedly passed on to authorities and subsequently became the basis of the case. She also alleged that several cases had been registered against members of Imran Khan’s family. Niazi questioned the allegations against her, saying she had never visited Peshawar and therefore had no involvement in matters concerning the province. The case emerged after the NCCIA summoned Niazi on July 20 over allegations involving the dissemination of what the agency described as false, offensive and inflammatory content concerning state institutions. The action followed the circulation of a video interview in which Niazi discussed the Pakistan-India military confrontation of last year. She made allegations about the circumstances surrounding the conflict and questioned the motives behind it. She also made claims involving Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Israel and US President Donald Trump.

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    PPP accuses PML-N of rigging Azad Kashmir election…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Pakistan Peoples Party has accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz of electoral irregularities during the Azad Kashmir elections. PPP leaders made the allegations during a press conference in Islamabad on Monday. PPP leader Sharmila Faruqui alleged that the PML-N was attempting to form a government in Azad Kashmir through rigging. She questioned claims that migrant seats had already been secured by the ruling party. Faruqui also criticised the Punjab government over its spending priorities. She questioned the concentration of development funds in Lahore and asked what had been done for other parts of the province. She said the PPP had avoided politicising incidents involving collapsed roofs in Punjab. However, she called for stronger measures to protect women and children. Faruqui also raised concerns about crime and law enforcement in Punjab. She referred to an alleged incident involving a girl with a mental disability in Lahore and criticised the police response. She further alleged that the Crime Control Department had carried out hundreds of encounters. According to her, the department had conducted around 670 encounters. Faruqui questioned whether the government was giving sufficient importance to courts and due process. She also claimed that a large majority of reported child abuse cases had occurred in Punjab. The PPP leader questioned the effectiveness of governance in cities where children and vulnerable citizens do not feel safe. Another PPP leader, Shahla Raza, also accused the PML-N of manipulating the Azad Kashmir election process. Raza claimed that the PML-N had entered the elections expecting to secure around 12 seats. She alleged that irregularities were reported in several constituencies because the party feared an outcome similar to the political situation in Gilgit-Baltistan. Raza said the alleged incidents demonstrated serious concerns about the credibility of the electoral process. She claimed that the Election Commission had received 26 complaints before 1pm on election day. She also alleged that election-related material was taken from police personnel and that gunfire occurred during the incidents. Raza further claimed that a PPP member of the National Assembly was shot. The PPP leaders called for greater transparency in the electoral process. They also urged authorities to investigate complaints submitted during polling. PPP leader Palwasha Khan said her party remains an ally of the PML-N at the federal level. However, she stressed that the PPP would not remain silent if it believed that the government was taking an incorrect step. Khan said the president has constitutional powers regarding official summaries and can act according to the law. She made it clear that the PPP considers itself a political partner rather than a subordinate of the PML-N. She warned that the government could face difficulties in achieving its political objectives if it ignored concerns raised by its allies. The allegations have added to political tensions surrounding the Azad Kashmir elections. The PPP and PML-N are coalition partners at the federal level. However, differences between the two parties have emerged over the election process and political developments in Azad Kashmir. The allegations made by PPP leaders have not, by themselves, established that electoral fraud occurred. The claims are expected to be examined by the relevant electoral and legal authorities.

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    Seven professors questioned in attack case at Fede…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Seven professors of the Federal Urdu University’s Gulshan Campus in Karachi have been issued notices in connection with an attempted attack on the university’s security in-charge. Police said the notices were issued under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The professors have been asked to appear and record their statements regarding the incident. Police clarified that none of the seven professors has been nominated as an accused in the case. The development has, however, triggered a protest among university teachers. Faculty members objected to the inclusion of the seven professors in the investigation. They said the professors hold positions in the teachers’ association representing both campuses of the university. According to the protesting teachers, the professors have been actively raising issues concerning employees’ rights for several months. The teachers said their campaign focuses on unpaid salaries, housing ceiling allowances and pension-related matters. They alleged that the professors were being targeted because they had raised their voices over these issues. The protesters rejected any attempt to link the teachers’ rights campaign with the attack case. They demanded that the investigation should remain fair and should not be used to pressure university employees. The teachers also said their struggle for pending financial benefits would continue. They specifically referred to 27 months of housing ceiling allowances, along with salary and pension-related demands. The faculty members called for the matter to be handled according to law. They also urged authorities to ensure that teachers are not unnecessarily harassed during the investigation. Police, meanwhile, maintained that the notices were issued only to record statements related to the incident. The issuance of notices does not mean that the professors have been formally accused in the case. The investigation into the attack on the university’s security in-charge is continuing. Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether further action is required. The dispute has also highlighted ongoing tensions between university employees and the administration over unresolved financial and service-related matters.

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    Azad Kashmir enters final counting phase

    ByJustpaste.in

    Polling has ended in the third phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections. The vote-counting process has now begun. Polling was held in four constituencies of Bagh and Haveli. These included LA-14 Bagh-1, LA-15 Bagh-2, LA-16 Bagh-3 and LA-17 Bagh-4 Haveli. The polling process started at 8am and continued until 5pm. Voters were allowed to cast their ballots throughout the scheduled polling hours. With polling now concluded, election officials have started counting the votes. The results will determine the outcome of the remaining constituencies in the third phase. The first two phases had already produced a lead for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. In the first phase, polling was held for 13 seats in the Mirpur Division. The PML-N won nine of these seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party secured four. The second phase covered nine seats in the Muzaffarabad Division and 12 seats reserved for refugees. The PML-N won 15 seats in the second phase, while the PPP secured six seats. The third phase is being closely watched as the counting process will complete the voting process across the remaining constituencies. Election authorities are expected to announce results after the completion of counting and the required verification process. The outcome of the third phase will also determine the final balance of seats and pave the way for the formation of the next government in Azad Kashmir.