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UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the deadly suicide bombing in Swat, describing the attack as “heinous and cowardly” as Pakistan renewed its warning that terrorist groups continue to operate from alleged safe havens inside Afghanistan. The attack took place outside a police station in Kabal, Swat, on August 2, killing at least 16 Pakistani nationals, mostly civilians, and leaving dozens injured, according to the UN statement cited by Pakistan’s Dawn. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the bombing. In a statement issued through the office of the UN secretary general’s spokesperson, Security Council members expressed deep sympathy to the families of those killed and wished the injured a speedy recovery. The council also stressed that those behind the attack must be held accountable, calling for perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorism to be brought to justice. The UN body reiterated its longstanding position that terrorism, regardless of its motivation, location or perpetrators, remains a serious threat to international peace and security. It also urged member states to cooperate with Pakistan in accordance with international law and relevant Security Council resolutions. Pakistan Raises Alarm Over Afghan Sanctuaries The condemnation came shortly after Pakistan raised concerns at a UNSC briefing over what it described as the growing threat from terrorist organisations operating from Afghan territory. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar, said several groups continue to maintain safe havens inside Afghanistan and pose an increasing threat to Pakistan and regional security. He specifically named the banned TTP, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its Majeed Brigade, Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K), East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), and Al Qaeda affiliates. Pakistan urged the international community to ensure that Afghan soil is not used to launch terrorist attacks against neighbouring countries, while calling for stronger international cooperation to counter cross-border terrorism. The latest developments have added fresh pressure to an already sensitive security relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan. They also came after the fourth US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue in Washington, where officials from both countries reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorist organisations. For Pakistan, the UNSC condemnation provides international recognition of the seriousness of the Swat attack, while Islamabad continues to push for stronger action against militant networks it says operate across its western border.

The Punjab government has taken a major step towards holding long-delayed local government elections, approving Rs12.52 billion for the polls that could finally restore elected local councils across the province after an 11-year gap. The decision was taken during the 36th meeting of the Punjab Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The allocation signals that the provincial government is preparing for a fresh local election process after years of political, legal and administrative delays. Punjab last held local government elections in 2015, during the tenure of former chief minister Shehbaz Sharif. Polling was conducted in phases between October and December that year, while elected councils formally assumed office in 2017 following indirect elections for mayors and chairpersons. However, the local government system subsequently faced repeated disruptions. The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government dissolved the elected local bodies in April 2019 before their scheduled completion. Although the Supreme Court later ordered their restoration, the councils eventually completed their term on December 31, 2021. Under Article 140A of the Constitution and the Elections Act, local government elections are required within 120 days after the expiry of local councils. This meant Punjab’s next elections were due in April 2022. Yet successive governments repeatedly changed local government laws, forcing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to restart key preparations. Polls Could Be Held by November The latest development has raised hopes that Punjab may finally see local elections later this year. PILDAT President Ahmad Bilal Mehboob welcomed the cabinet’s decision to allocate funds, describing it as a positive indication that the electoral process could move forward. He said the ECP had completed the demarcation and delimitation process and dealt with objections, making it possible for the commission to announce an election schedule after August 17. According to Mehboob, if there is no “unseen factor”, local government elections could be held in Punjab by November 2026. The move could also have wider political implications. Asked whether the PML-N government’s decision might ease pressure surrounding demands for the creation of new provinces, Mehboob said provincial restructuring remained a complex issue. However, he noted that holding local elections could, to some extent, reduce the pressure for new provinces by strengthening grassroots representation. For millions of Punjab residents, the key question now is whether the latest budget allocation will finally translate into polling stations, elected councils and a functioning local government system after years of waiting.

The exhumation of Mir Ali Raza’s body has been postponed for Friday, his father’s lawyer Jibran Nasir said. Nasir spoke to the media and raised serious concerns over the medical board formed for the case. He said a third notification regarding the medical board had been issued. According to Nasir, the first and second medical boards were merged to form a new third board. However, he said the family does not accept the latest notification. He said Mir Raza’s parents had already recorded their statements before the investigating officer. Nasir said the family would not allow the exhumation to take place under the supervision of what he called a disputed medical board. He described the exhumation as a sensitive legal process. He said the court had directed the police surgeon and police to take necessary action. A medical team was formed after the court’s directions. However, Nasir alleged that the medical board was changed overnight. He said the sudden change had raised serious questions for the family. He questioned why doctors from Karachi were not included in the new board. He also questioned the removal of doctors who had been part of the earlier medical board. Nasir asked why a new board was formed without first withdrawing the previous notification. He also questioned why the new notification was issued during the night. He questioned the role of the Director General Health in Hyderabad. He asked under which law the official became the supervising officer of the medical board. Nasir also questioned how the orders of the Karachi police surgeon were superseded. He asked which order of the health secretary was referred to in the letter issued from Hyderabad. He said the family would not accept any alternative arrangement. They would only recognize the previously constituted eight-member medical board. Nasir also raised questions about the investigation into Mir Raza’s death. He said the investigating officer could not recover a bullet casing for eight days. According to him, the casing was recovered only after the family approached the court. He questioned how important the casing could be without the recovery of the pistol allegedly used in the incident. Nasir also alleged that the investigating officer had not properly inspected Mir Raza’s room. He said the family had lost a young member and wanted the case to be investigated with complete seriousness. He stressed that an exhumation was not an ordinary procedure. Meanwhile, preparations for the exhumation had been completed at the PECHS cemetery in Karachi. A police team had also reached the cemetery.