National

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    Government cuts petrol and diesel prices after lat…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The federal government has announced a reduction in petroleum prices, providing some relief to consumers across Pakistan. According to the latest notification issued by the Petroleum Division, the price of petrol has been reduced by Rs2.20 per litre, while high-speed diesel (HSD) has become cheaper by Rs1.50 per litre. After the reduction, petrol will now be available at Rs327.62 per litre, while the price of high-speed diesel has been revised to Rs380.86 per litre. The new prices will come into effect from August 8, 2026, according to the official notification. The government continues to impose taxes and duties on petroleum products, including Rs110 per litre on petrol and Rs96 per litre on high-speed diesel. These charges remain a significant component of fuel prices paid by consumers. The latest reduction follows changes in international oil market trends and fluctuations in global fuel prices. In recent months, petroleum rates in Pakistan witnessed major increases due to uncertainty in international markets, particularly after tensions and conflict-related developments in the Middle East affected oil supply concerns. High-speed diesel prices had reached a record level of Rs520.35 per litre on April 3, after rising from Rs281 per litre following the escalation of tensions between the United States and Iran. Similarly, petrol prices had climbed to Rs458.41 per litre during the same period after starting from around Rs266 per litre in early March. Earlier, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik announced that fuel prices would be adjusted more frequently, including possible daily revisions, due to rapid changes in international oil markets. The government assigned the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) the responsibility of determining fuel prices based on global trends. The decision to introduce daily fuel price adjustments faced opposition from the All Pakistan Dealers Association, which raised concerns and indicated that it may consider a protest strategy. Petrol remains one of the most widely used fuels in Pakistan, mainly powering private vehicles, motorcycles, rickshaws, and small transport vehicles. Any change in petrol prices directly affects household budgets, particularly for middle- and lower-income groups. High-speed diesel also plays a critical role in the economy as it is widely used in heavy transport, agricultural machinery, power generation plants, and industrial operations. Changes in diesel prices often influence transportation costs and can impact the prices of essential goods. The latest reduction is expected to provide limited relief to consumers, while future fuel prices will continue to depend on international crude oil markets, exchange rates, and government taxation policies.

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    Five Nepali climbers’ bodies reach Islamabad

    ByJustpaste.in

    The bodies of five Nepali climbers who died in an avalanche on Broad Peak have been brought to Islamabad. According to Deputy Commissioner Hamza Murad, the bodies were transported to Islamabad by air and have been placed in the morgue at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). He said the bodies would be sent to Nepal once the necessary travel documents had been completed. The avalanche struck Broad Peak about a week ago, leaving 10 climbers missing. According to the deputy commissioner, the bodies of eight climbers, including renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, have so far been recovered. The search for two missing climbers is still underway. They include Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi and a foreign female climber. Authorities are continuing efforts to locate the remaining climbers while arrangements are being made to repatriate the recovered bodies to their respective countries.

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    Nearly 2,000 child abuse cases reported in Pakista…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan recorded 1,914 reported cases of child abuse during the first six months of 2026, with child sexual abuse making up the largest share of incidents, according to a new report released by child rights organisation Sahil. The report, based on cases published in national and regional newspapers, revealed that 1,015 children were victims of sexual abuse between January and June. It also documented 558 abductions, 101 missing children, 35 child marriages and 98 cases involving child pornography linked to sexual abuse. In addition, 49 newborn babies were found abandoned in different parts of the country during the reporting period. Girls accounted for 58 percent of the reported victims, while children between the ages of 11 and 15 were identified as the most vulnerable group. The report also noted that children aged 16 to 18 and those between six and 10 years old were among the frequently affected age groups. According to Sahil, many victims were abused by people they knew. Acquaintances were identified as the alleged perpetrators in 43 percent of the reported cases, while strangers accounted for 34 percent. The findings further showed that nearly half of the abuse incidents occurred inside the victims’ homes, highlighting the hidden nature of child abuse. Other cases took place in the homes of the accused or at various public locations, while the location was not specified in several reports. Urban areas recorded a higher number of reported incidents than rural regions. Punjab accounted for around 80 percent of all reported child abuse cases nationwide, followed by Sindh with 15 percent. The remaining cases were reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad Capital Territory, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. The report also stated that police registered cases in 89 percent of the reported incidents. However, a small number of cases were either not reported to law enforcement or allegedly faced refusal in the registration of a First Information Report (FIR), while the registration status of some cases remained unknown.

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    Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye set for defence de…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye are expected to sign a joint defence agreement during a trilateral summit in Saudi Arabia, according to media reports. The proposed agreement comes as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran. The three countries are expected to discuss regional security, defence cooperation and efforts to promote stability. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday for a three-day visit. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also expected to join the summit. The Pakistani delegation was received in Jeddah by Makkah Deputy Governor Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz and Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley. Prime Minister Shehbaz and Field Marshal Munir also performed Umrah during their visit. The Foreign Office said the prime minister’s visit, scheduled from August 6 to 8, would focus on Pakistan-Saudi relations and major regional and international developments. During the visit, Shehbaz is expected to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Discussions are likely to cover bilateral cooperation, regional security and diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is also part of Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement in the region. Pakistan has been seeking a diplomatic solution to the conflict involving the United States and Iran. Islamabad has also been calling for dialogue and efforts to prevent the regional conflict from spreading further. The proposed trilateral defence arrangement would bring together three countries with longstanding military and strategic ties. It could also strengthen coordination on regional security at a time of heightened tensions. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia already have a separate mutual defence agreement signed in September 2025. Under that pact, aggression against either country is treated as aggression against both. The agreement further strengthened the two countries’ decades-old defence partnership. Pakistan has traditionally provided Saudi Arabia with military training, advisory support and other defence assistance. Saudi Arabia, in turn, has remained an important economic and financial partner for Pakistan and has provided support during periods of financial pressure. The reported trilateral agreement could expand security cooperation beyond the existing Pakistan-Saudi framework and create closer strategic coordination with Turkiye.

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    AJK election commission revises third-phase pollin…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission has revised the schedule for the third phase of the Legislative Assembly elections. Polling in Poonch and Sudhanoti districts has been postponed. The election commission has now decided to hold the third phase in Bagh and Haveli districts. Under the earlier schedule, polling was planned for August 10. Voting was expected to take place across 11 seats in four districts of the Poonch division. The election authorities have now changed the plan. The new schedule will cover constituencies in Bagh and Haveli. The first two phases of the AJK elections have already been completed. The first phase was held on July 27 in the Mirpur Division. The second phase took place on August 2 in the Muzaffarabad Division. The elections are being closely watched because of the political contest between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party. The PML-N has emerged as the leading party in the first two phases. Its leaders have claimed that the party has secured enough support to form the next AJK government. In the second phase, voting was held in 21 constituencies. Nine seats were located in the Muzaffarabad Division. Twelve seats were reserved for Kashmiri refugees settled in different parts of Pakistan. According to unofficial and provisional results, the PML-N won 15 of the 21 seats. The PPP secured the remaining six seats. The PML-N had also performed strongly during the first phase. Unofficial results showed the party winning nine constituencies. The PPP won four seats. The election process has also been accompanied by allegations of irregularities and violence. The PPP has questioned the fairness of the elections and accused the authorities of failing to ensure a transparent process. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has strongly criticised the election process. He described the polls as unfair and alleged that violence and irregularities affected the voting. Bilawal also said the PPP would continue its political struggle despite the party’s performance in the elections. He claimed that the federal government would face political challenges in the future. The PML-N has rejected the allegations. PML-N leader and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah challenged the PPP to present evidence of electoral irregularities before the election commission. He said accusations should be supported by evidence. He also accused the PPP of promoting allegations of rigging from the beginning of the election process. The revised schedule has now shifted attention towards Bagh and Haveli. The election authorities are expected to provide further details about polling arrangements and the dates for voting in the postponed constituencies.

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    Peshawar court rejects asylum pleas of ex-Afghan o…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Peshawar High Court has rejected asylum petitions filed by two former Afghan military officers seeking temporary protection and permission to remain in Pakistan. The petitioners, Abdul Mujeeb Ghairat and Baryalai Sharifi, had approached the court after expressing fears for their safety if they were forced to return to Afghanistan. They requested permission to stay in Pakistan temporarily. They also sought extensions of their visas and protection from arrest, harassment and deportation. The former Afghan servicemen argued that returning to Afghanistan could expose them to serious threats to their lives because of their previous positions in the Afghan security establishment. According to court documents, Ghairat had worked as a special agent with the protective service of the former Afghan president. Sharifi had served as a general in the former Afghan National Army. The two petitioners submitted Afghan passports and other documents to support their requests. They also referred to their need for emergency medical treatment and temporary residence in Pakistan. Ghairat told the court that he had already submitted an online application seeking an extension of his Pakistani visa. After examining the petitions, the court ruled that the applicants had not established any violation of their fundamental constitutional rights. The court observed that fears about possible threats after returning to Afghanistan, without sufficient supporting evidence, could not by themselves justify intervention under Article 199 of the Constitution. The court also clarified that decisions concerning the stay of foreign nationals in Pakistan fall within the authority of the relevant government departments. It said matters involving the issuance, extension or cancellation of visas and immigration status are governed by applicable laws and are primarily handled by the executive authorities. The court therefore declined to grant the requested relief to the two former Afghan officers.

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    JI launches countrywide protests against inflation

    ByJustpaste.in

    Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) is holding nationwide demonstrations on Friday against the petroleum levy, rising fuel prices and inflation. The party has announced protests and sit-ins in major cities and districts across the country. Demonstrations are scheduled to begin at 4pm. According to the party, protests will be held along hundreds of major roads and highways in around 170 districts. Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, Peshawar, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi are among the cities where demonstrations have been planned. Several major locations have also been selected for sit-ins. These include Qurtaba Chowk in Lahore, Stop No. 26 in Islamabad, Mian Ghundi Chowk in Quetta and the Toll Plaza in Peshawar. Other protest points include Bosan Road in Multan, the Indus Highway in Karak, CPEC Chowk in Bannu and the Chakdara interchange. JI leaders have warned that the protest campaign could be expanded if authorities attempt to prevent the demonstrations. The party said the number of roads and highways involved could increase significantly. In Karachi, JI leaders said protest caravans would begin moving from several locations at 4pm. These include Shahrah-e-Pakistan, Hub Road, National Highway, Super Highway, Orangi, Korangi, Pakistan Chowk and Sher Shah. The caravans are expected to gather at Mazar-e-Quaid before moving towards Shahrah-e-Faisal. Karachi JI chief Monem Zafar Khan said the demonstrations would continue until the petroleum levy was withdrawn. He said roads along some protest routes could remain closed during the demonstrations. He added that emergency vehicles, including ambulances, would be allowed to pass. JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman had called for the nationwide action a day earlier. In a video message, he urged citizens to join the peaceful demonstrations and asked motorists to park their cars and motorcycles on roads at 4pm. The JI leadership has criticised the government over fuel-related taxes and the rising cost of essential goods. The party says ordinary citizens are facing increasing financial pressure because of higher fuel prices and indirect taxation. Hafiz Naeem also claimed that prices of several food items had increased over the past month. He said motorcycle users and other low-income citizens were particularly affected by higher fuel costs. The JI chief argued that people who do not fall within the formal income-tax system are also paying taxes through fuel levies and other indirect charges. He claimed the government collected around Rs1.9 trillion through the petroleum levy during the past year. The party has warned that further taxation could increase the burden on households if the government does not reconsider its policies. JI leaders are calling on citizens to participate in the protests and press the government to withdraw the petroleum levy

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    Transporters announce nationwide wheel-jam strike

    ByJustpaste.in

    A nationwide wheel-jam strike is set to begin on August 8 after transporters’ associations announced a complete suspension of freight operations in protest against rising operational costs, frequent fuel price revisions and what they described as unfair treatment by authorities. The Pakistan Mini Mazda Association and the All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association said the strike could bring cargo movement across the country to a standstill, warning that imports and exports may face serious disruptions if the government fails to address their concerns. Addressing a joint press conference in Lahore, Pakistan Mini Mazda Association Central President Tanveer Jatt urged the government to hold immediate talks with transport representatives. He demanded that petroleum prices be revised on a monthly basis instead of daily and called for relief from toll taxes and excessive traffic fines, arguing that current policies have placed an unbearable financial burden on transport operators. All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association President Chaudhry Owais Gujjar stressed that axle-load regulations should be enforced strictly according to the law and alleged that corruption had become widespread during implementation. He also claimed that transporters, despite paying billions of rupees annually in toll taxes, continue to face poor road infrastructure, which contributes to accidents. Gujjar further accused officials of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Secretariat and the Highway Patrol Police of routinely harassing transporters on highways, urging the authorities to focus on their official responsibilities instead of creating difficulties for drivers. Transport leader Khalid Arain said the government’s policies had left transporters with no option but to protest. He maintained that transport operators in Pakistan receive little support despite paying advance taxes and claimed that no compensation had been provided to vehicle owners whose trucks were destroyed in militant attacks. He also criticized the heavy use of traffic fines, saying overloading rules should be enforced through consultation rather than punitive measures. Arain expressed hope that the dispute could be resolved quickly if meaningful negotiations were held between the government and transport representatives before the strike begins.

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    Mass HIV screening detects 141 positive cases afte…

    ByJustpaste.in

    A large-scale HIV screening campaign launched after the emergence of cases at Karachi’s Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital has identified 141 HIV-positive individuals, prompting authorities to intensify investigations and strengthen preventive measures across Sindh. Speaking at a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Regulation and Coordination, Sindh Labour and Human Resources Minister Saeed Ghani said more than 10,500 people were screened in and around Valika Hospital. Of them, 120 tested positive for HIV, including 81 children of registered Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) workers, while the remaining 39 had no affiliation with the institution. Ghani said the provincial government has assumed responsibility for providing treatment to all affected children and is working to ensure they receive the best possible medical care. He added that a panel of leading healthcare experts and hospitals is being formed to oversee the treatment process. As part of precautionary measures, HIV screening was also expanded to Landhi Hospital and surrounding areas. More than 7,500 people were tested, with 21 additional HIV-positive cases confirmed. According to the minister, these individuals had no previous record of treatment at the hospital, suggesting that some infections may have originated from other sources. The minister also revealed that final show-cause notices had been issued to 37 doctors, paramedics and hospital officials following inquiry committee recommendations into the Valika Hospital incident. He warned that anyone found responsible for criminal negligence would face both departmental and legal action. To support affected families, Ghani announced that a Rs2 billion endowment fund has been established under SESSI. The fund will be managed by an independent body to ensure transparency and provide long-term assistance to those impacted by the outbreak.

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    Dallas conference backs UN-led Kashmir settlement

    ByJustpaste.in

    DALLAS: A conference in Dallas, Texas, has called for a peaceful and lasting settlement of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions. The conference was organised by Friends of Kashmir to mark the anniversary of India’s 2019 decision to revoke the special constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir. Members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora, community leaders and representatives of Sikhs for Justice attended the event. Pakistan’s Consul General in Houston, Aftab Chaudhry, was the chief guest. Friends of Kashmir International Chairperson Ghazala Habib presided over the gathering. Speakers expressed solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). They also voiced concerns about the situation in the region following the revocation of Article 370 and Article 35A. Addressing the participants, Chaudhry said Pakistan would continue providing diplomatic, political and moral support to the Kashmiri people. He said India’s decision to revoke the region’s special status had added further complexity to the long-running Kashmir dispute. Ghazala Habib urged the international community to pay greater attention to the concerns and rights of Kashmiris. She also highlighted cooperation between Kashmiri and Sikh communities in raising issues related to justice and human rights. Other speakers, including Aftab Siddiqui, Syed Fayaz Hasan, Ghulam Jahangra and Dr Fareeha Qazi, called for stronger international efforts to address the Kashmir dispute through peaceful means. Gurvinder Singh, who represented the Sikh community, stressed the importance of involving younger generations in campaigns focused on justice and human rights. At the conclusion of the conference, participants adopted a resolution calling for an internationally supported and peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue in line with relevant UN resolutions. The resolution also urged the international community to help protect the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people and maintain attention on the disputed region.