National

LAHORE: The Provincial Management Service (PMS) Officers Association has strongly opposed the Punjab government’s proposal to create 101 new Additional Assistant Commissioner (AAC) posts, describing the move as unnecessary and harmful to the existing administrative structure. The association argued that the AAC posts had been abolished years ago and their revival was not justified, particularly after the establishment of the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA), which was created to strengthen enforcement and regulatory functions across the province. During an executive committee meeting chaired by Association President Qamar Zaman Qaisrani, members unanimously decided to raise their concerns with senior government officials. A delegation of the association is expected to meet the Punjab services secretary and the additional chief secretary to seek a review of the proposed decision. The association warned that if its concerns remain unaddressed, PMS officers across Punjab will begin a province-wide protest campaign. As part of the first phase, officers plan to wear black armbands while performing official duties to register their protest against the government’s decision. PMS officers believe the creation of the new posts would place a significant financial burden on the provincial treasury. According to the association’s estimates, establishing one Additional Assistant Commissioner post, including official facilities, office infrastructure, staff, transport and operational expenses, would cost approximately Rs46.8 million. They claim that creating all 101 posts would require nearly Rs4.73 billion initially, in addition to recurring expenditures on salaries, allowances and other administrative costs. The association further expressed concerns over what it described as long-standing issues within the provincial bureaucracy. These include delays in promotion boards, alleged discrimination in transfers and postings, and the appointment of junior officers to positions traditionally reserved for senior officials. Former administrative secretary Yawar Mehdi also commented on the proposal, saying that efforts to improve public service delivery were welcome if they genuinely strengthened governance. However, he stressed that introducing additional administrative positions should not weaken the existing civil service structure or negatively affect the career progression of Provincial Management Service officers.

LAHORE: Police have made significant progress in the investigation into the murder of former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ticket-holder Abdullah Tahir, who was shot dead in Lahore on July 29. Investigators say fresh evidence has led to changes in the direction of the probe, while efforts are underway to arrest all those allegedly involved in the killing. According to police officials, the investigation has been reassigned after the suspected shooters were identified during the inquiry. The case was initially being handled by the Investigation Wing of Ghalib Market Police Station. However, investigators decided to revise the probe after obtaining new information about the suspects and their alleged roles in the incident. Police said the alleged main facilitator, Arsalan Jatt, played a key role in the planning and execution of the attack. Investigators claim he transported the suspected shooters from Gujranwala to Lahore in a vehicle before the murder took place. Authorities believe this journey was part of a pre-planned operation carried out before the attack on Abdullah Tahir. Officials further stated that the prime suspect accused of masterminding the murder, identified as Gogi Butt, is currently outside Pakistan. Police said legal proceedings have been initiated to secure his return to the country. Authorities plan to seek the issuance of an international Red Notice to facilitate his arrest and extradition through the relevant international law enforcement agencies. Investigators are also working to trace the remaining suspects believed to have participated in the crime. Police teams are analysing evidence, questioning witnesses and reviewing available records to establish the complete sequence of events and identify everyone involved in the planning and execution of the attack. Police officials said the investigation is continuing on multiple fronts and further arrests are expected as more evidence is collected. Authorities have expressed confidence that all individuals responsible for the murder will be brought before the courts. Abdullah Tahir, a former PTI ticket-holder, was killed in a shooting incident in Lahore on July 29.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has granted bail to an Afghan national, who is married to a Pakistani woman, against surety bonds worth Rs20,000 in a case registered under the Foreign Act. During the hearing, the government lawyer informed the court that the accused had been arrested under the Foreign Act. He argued that the man did not possess a marriage certificate proving his marriage to the Pakistani woman at the time of his arrest. The prosecution further stated that the marriage certificate was obtained in 2024, although the accused claimed to have married in 1993. The lawyer also told the court that the man had no documentary evidence of his entry into Pakistan and was not carrying an Afghan passport. Justice Hashim Kakar questioned the prosecution’s arguments, observing that in many rural areas marriages are conducted without immediately registering a formal marriage certificate. The defence counsel told the court that the couple had married in 1993 and only later obtained official documentation. Justice Kakar also noted that two high courts had already directed authorities to issue the man a domicile, adding that the government itself had allowed Afghan nationals to enter Pakistan in the past. He remarked that they had even been provided ration support. The judge further questioned the prosecution, asking what additional proof of marriage was required when the couple had two children together. He also asked how the authorities had concluded that the accused was an Afghan citizen if he allegedly had no identification or official documents. After hearing the arguments from both sides, the Supreme Court approved the Afghan national’s bail, subject to the submission of surety bonds worth Rs20,000.

The Lahore district administration has declared Tuesday, August 4, as a public holiday across the district to facilitate devotees attending the annual Urs celebrations of the revered Sufi saint Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh. According to an official notification, the holiday will remain effective only within the limits of Lahore district, allowing worshippers to participate in the religious events without disruption. The 983rd annual Urs officially commenced with a traditional chadar-laying ceremony and the inauguration of a milk sabeel at the shrine. The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, who paid tribute to the great Sufi saint and highlighted his enduring message of peace, tolerance, and unity. The Urs is observed over three days and attracts thousands of devotees from across Pakistan. Religious scholars, spiritual leaders, and followers gather at the shrine to offer prayers, recite the Holy Quran, and take part in various religious and spiritual activities held throughout the celebrations. Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh, also known as Hazrat Ali Hajveri, was an 11th-century Persian Sufi scholar born in Ghazni. He later settled in Lahore, where he dedicated his life to spreading the teachings of Islam, compassion, and brotherhood through Sufism. His shrine has since become one of the most significant spiritual landmarks in the region. Data Darbar is widely regarded as South Asia’s largest Sufi shrine and receives millions of visitors every year.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has decided to hold a full court reference on August 7 to honour the judicial services of Justice Musarrat Hilali ahead of her retirement from the country’s apex court. An official notification has been issued announcing the ceremony, which will pay tribute to Justice Hilali’s contributions to Pakistan’s judiciary and recognise her years of service on the bench. The full court reference will be attended by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi, all judges of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General for Pakistan, representatives of the Pakistan Bar Council, office-bearers of the Supreme Court Bar Association, and members of the legal fraternity. The event is a longstanding judicial tradition held to acknowledge the professional achievements and public service of retiring judges. During the reference, senior judges, law officers and representatives of the legal community are expected to deliver speeches highlighting Justice Hilali’s legal career, commitment to the rule of law and contributions to the administration of justice. Justice Musarrat Hilali has served in several key judicial positions during her career and has been recognised for her role in strengthening Pakistan’s judicial system. The reference will mark the formal conclusion of her tenure at the Supreme Court while providing an opportunity for colleagues and members of the legal profession to express their appreciation for her dedication and service. The ceremony will take place at the Supreme Court of Pakistan on August 7, where members of the bench and bar will gather to bid farewell to the retiring judge and acknowledge her lasting contribution to the country’s judiciary.