National

Senator Muhammad Abdul Qadir has expressed serious concern over the rising cost of living in the country. He said inflation is increasing at a rate of 9.66 percent, while ordinary people are struggling to meet their daily needs. In a statement, the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence Production said the continued rise in the prices of essential commodities was creating additional pressure on households. He said prices of 23 basic items had increased, making it difficult for people to manage their monthly expenses. According to the senator, the rising prices of food and other necessities are directly affecting families with limited incomes. Senator Abdul Qadir urged the government to take immediate steps to control inflation. He said effective measures were needed to provide relief to the public and prevent further increases in the prices of essential commodities. He also raised concerns over the role of profiteers and powerful market mafias. He alleged that some groups were artificially increasing the prices of essential goods for their own benefit. The senator said such practices were adding to the financial difficulties faced by ordinary citizens. He stressed that there should be strict monitoring of markets to identify those involved in illegal profiteering and price manipulation. Senator Abdul Qadir called for effective and indiscriminate action against profiteers and mafias. He said no individual or group involved in artificially increasing prices should be allowed to exploit consumers. He further emphasized that controlling inflation required coordinated efforts from the government and relevant authorities. Regular market inspections, effective price monitoring and strict enforcement of laws, he said, were essential to protect consumers. The senator maintained that immediate action was necessary to ease the burden on the public. He urged the government to make controlling inflation a priority and take practical measures to stabilize prices across the country.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan has rejected reports about the meeting between party founder Imran Khan and Noreen Niazi. He said several fabricated reports were being circulated about what was discussed during the meeting. Speaking about the matter, Barrister Gohar said he contacted Noreen Niazi by phone after her meeting with Imran Khan. However, he said she did not share details of the conversation or explain what had taken place during the meeting. According to Barrister Gohar, Noreen Niazi had made it clear that she would not discuss the meeting outside. She had also decided not to speak publicly about the details of her interaction with Imran Khan. Barrister Gohar said there was no truth in reports claiming that Imran Khan had spoken against PTI leadership. He specifically clarified that the PTI founder had not made any remarks against Sohail Afridi or other members of the party leadership. He said the reports being circulated about the meeting were misleading and should not be treated as factual. Barrister Gohar maintained that the details being attributed to the meeting did not reflect what had actually been discussed. The PTI chairman also said Noreen Niazi appeared to be happy after meeting Imran Khan. However, he noted that there were certain matters discussed during the meeting that could not be shared publicly. He said some information remained private because of the nature of the meeting. Barrister Gohar therefore urged people not to rely on unverified reports or speculation regarding the interaction between Imran Khan and Noreen Niazi.

First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari has called on the Punjab government to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into the murder of Hina Javed in Rawalpindi. Aseefa expressed deep sorrow over the killing and conveyed her condolences to Hina’s family. She said those responsible for the crime must be identified and brought to justice. Hina Javed was found dead inside the bathroom of her apartment in Askari Apartments, Lal Kurti, on Thursday evening. Police said the initial examination indicated signs of violence and a mark around her neck. Aseefa urged the provincial authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the case. She stressed that the circumstances surrounding Hina’s death must be fully established and that no aspect of the investigation should be overlooked. She said the perpetrators must face the law and called for strict action to ensure that such incidents are not repeated. The First Lady also expressed concern over increasing incidents of violence against women in Pakistan. She called for stronger measures to protect women and prevent violence against them. According to the first information report registered at Civil Lines Police Station on August 20, Hina’s brother, Fahid Javed, accused her husband, father-in-law and a domestic servant of being involved in her death. Fahid told police that he received a call from Hina’s father-in-law at around 6:53pm on Thursday. He was informed about an emergency at the apartment. He then reached the residence with other family members at around 7:23pm. The complainant said he found his sister’s body in the bathroom. He alleged that Hina had been subjected to severe violence and mistreatment. He also raised suspicion that she may have been given a poisonous substance before her death. The FIR was registered under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The complaint states that Hina married the main suspect in November 2025. An initial postmortem examination reportedly found a strangulation mark around her neck, an injury below her right lip and bleeding. Police have detained Hina’s husband and a domestic servant in connection with the murder. Her father-in-law is also being questioned as part of the investigation.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has announced that a major road in Duki district will be renamed after Dr Mahnoor Nasir, a female doctor who survived a severe acid attack earlier this year. The decision has been taken to honour Dr Mahnoor’s courage, resilience and dedication to her profession. The chief minister said her determination and commitment to duty had made her an example for women across Balochistan. Under the notification issued by the provincial government, Haji Amanullah Masjid Road near Damani Chowk in Duki will now be known as Dr Mahnoor Nasar Road. The new name will take effect immediately. Dr Mahnoor, a 29-year-old doctor at Civil Hospital Quetta, was seriously injured in an acid attack in June. She suffered extensive burns to her face, chest, legs and other parts of her body. According to police, the alleged attacker was a hospital employee identified as Humayun Shah. Law enforcement officials later traced him while he was attempting to escape on a bus. Police said he was killed during an encounter. Chief Minister Bugti praised Dr Mahnoor for continuing to demonstrate courage despite the severe injuries she suffered. He said recognising citizens who show bravery and remain committed to their responsibilities was a duty of the government. The acid attack triggered strong condemnation across Balochistan. Members of the medical community, government officials and other sections of society called for strict action against those responsible. Doctors in Quetta also staged a strike following the incident. They demanded a transparent investigation and stronger measures to ensure the safety of medical professionals, particularly women working in hospitals. The case also came amid wider legal and social concern over acid attacks in Pakistan. In a significant ruling issued days after the incident, the Supreme Court described acid violence, or vitriolage, as a particularly heinous offence and said its gravity could exceed that of homicide. The renaming of the road is being presented by the Balochistan government as a public tribute to Dr Mahnoor’s resilience. Officials said the initiative is also intended to highlight the importance of recognising women who continue to serve their communities despite facing serious challenges.

Two separate videos showing alleged harassment of women on the streets of Karachi have surfaced, raising concerns about women’s safety in public places. In the first incident, a motorcyclist allegedly harassed a woman who was walking along a road in Orangi Town. The suspect reportedly approached the woman, committed the alleged act and fled the scene. According to the footage, the incident took place at around 9am. The video has circulated widely and reportedly shows the suspect’s face clearly enough to assist with his identification. A similar incident was reported in the Al-Falah area of Malir. In that case, a motorcyclist allegedly harassed a woman while she was walking on the road. CCTV footage of the incident surfaced a day earlier. The two incidents have sparked concern over the safety of women in Karachi. The circulation of the videos has also prompted calls for authorities to identify the suspects and take appropriate legal action. No suspect has been arrested in either case so far. There is also no confirmed report of a formal complaint being registered by either of the affected women. Authorities have yet to provide further details about the incidents or confirm whether investigations have been formally launched.