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RAWALPINDI: A rain emergency has been declared in Rawalpindi and Islamabad after heavy rainfall hit the twin cities. The authorities have stepped up preparations to deal with any possible emergency. Teams and heavy machinery have been deployed in several low-lying areas. According to the Managing Director of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), water levels in Nullah Lai have increased following the rainfall. The water flow at Kattarian has reached 10.5 feet. At Gawalmandi, the level has been recorded at 8.5 feet. Officials are closely monitoring the situation along Nullah Lai. Emergency teams have been placed on alert to respond quickly if water levels rise further. Shamsabad recorded the highest rainfall in Rawalpindi. Around 116 millimetres of rain was recorded in the area. The heavy downpour has raised concerns about urban flooding in vulnerable parts of the city. WASA staff have been deployed in low-lying areas to manage the situation. Heavy machinery has also been positioned at several key locations. These include Liaquat Bagh, the Committee Chowk Underpass and low-lying areas along Murree Road. Equipment has also been deployed in Dhok Khaba, Circular Road and Sadiqabad. Officials said the deployment of machinery would help clear rainwater and keep important roads accessible. Emergency personnel are also monitoring areas that are vulnerable to water accumulation. The authorities have urged relevant departments to remain alert as further rainfall could increase pressure on the city’s drainage system. WASA teams are continuing to monitor Nullah Lai and other vulnerable points. Officials said immediate action would be taken if water levels rise or flooding occurs.

The Supreme Court has ordered authorities to submit the complete medical record of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan and provide detailed information about his meetings with his sisters over the past three years. A three-member bench led by Justice Shahid Waheed heard petitions concerning Imran’s access to his family, personal doctors and medical records. During the hearing, the court was informed that Imran’s sisters had met him 48 times during the last three years. The judges sought the complete record of these meetings. The court also asked authorities to provide details of telephone calls between Imran and his children. Justice Shahid Waheed questioned why Islamabad High Court orders concerning meetings with Imran had not been implemented. The court summoned why  officials from Adiala Jail and directed them to explain the situation at the next hearing. The court was particularly concerned about Imran’s medical information. Justice Waheed directed the Islamabad advocate general to submit the complete medical record instead of a summary. The judge questioned why the full record could not be provided to the court. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan also raised questions about a recommendation for Imran to undergo angiography. He asked whether the procedure could be carried out while Imran remained in jail. The Islamabad advocate general replied that the procedure could be performed at a hospital outside the prison. Justice Waheed expressed concern over the medical reports presented before the court. He observed that the reports indicated problems with Imran’s pulse and heart and suggested that some of his vital organs could be affected. The court also discussed the importance of family meetings for Imran’s health. Justice Waheed made it clear that meetings with Imran’s sisters should not be treated as a concession. “Meeting his sisters is not a favour; it is their fundamental right,” the judge observed. Imran’s sister, Uzma Khanum, was present during the proceedings. However, Justice Afghan stopped her from addressing the court directly and advised her to speak through her lawyer. Her counsel, Uzair Bhandari, assured the court that Imran’s sisters would not hold a media briefing outside Adiala Jail after meeting him. He also requested that Imran’s personal physician, Dr Asim Yusuf, and Uzma Khanum be allowed to meet the PTI founder. The court further sought comprehensive details about the legal cases against Imran. Authorities were asked to clarify the number of cases in which he is facing trial, the cases resulting in convictions and those in which his sentences have been suspended. The proceedings came after a medical board recommended greater interaction between Imran and his immediate family. The board said regular family contact could help manage his anxiety and blood pressure. According to the medical information presented to the court, Imran has experienced fluctuating blood pressure, palpitations, headaches, restlessness and anxiety. A cardiologist at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences examined him on August 1. His blood pressure was recorded at 140/100mmHg. The doctor recommended measures to reduce mental stress, including increased family interaction and access to reading material. A four-member medical board examined Imran again on August 10. His blood pressure was recorded at 140/80mmHg. The board recommended daily walking and relaxation. It also suggested more frequent interaction with his immediate family and spouse to help control his anxiety and blood pressure. The medical report stated that Imran had undergone at least 39 medical examinations since his imprisonment. Jail doctors were also reportedly checking him three times a day. The report said his ECG was normal. It also stated that his eyesight had improved significantly after treatment for an eye condition. The PTI has challenged the completeness and authenticity of the medical information. The party has demanded examinations by Imran’s personal doctors, Dr Asim Yusuf and Dr Faisal Sultan, as well as an independent medical board. The government, however, has rejected allegations that Imran is being denied proper medical care. Government officials maintain that he is receiving treatment from qualified specialists and that his medical care and meetings are being managed according to the law and court orders.

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid is likely to be replaced, according to official sources. The provincial government has reportedly initiated the process of appointing a new police chief. Three names have been forwarded to the federal government for consideration. The federal government will review the proposed names before making a final decision. Sources said the appointment of the new IG is expected within the next few days. The change, if approved, would bring a new leadership at the top of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police. The provincial police chief is responsible for overseeing law enforcement operations across the province. The federal government has the authority to make the final appointment after considering the names forwarded by the provincial government. Officials have not yet publicly announced the names of the three candidates. No formal notification regarding the replacement of Zulfiqar Hamid has been issued so far. The development comes amid continued security and law-and-order challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The new police chief, once appointed, will be responsible for strengthening policing, improving security measures and coordinating operations across the province.

Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has strongly criticised the government over rising fuel prices, heavy taxation and electricity costs. Addressing participants at the party’s sit-in in Lahore, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said the government was putting an increasing financial burden on ordinary citizens. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the recent increase in petrol and diesel prices. He said the petroleum levy had no direct connection with the actual price of petrol. He questioned the justification for repeatedly increasing fuel prices and said the government was making life more difficult for the public. “The government drops a petrol bomb on us every day,” he said. Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also criticised the government’s policies regarding independent power producers (IPPs). He alleged that successive governments had entered into unfair agreements with IPPs in the name of ending load-shedding. According to him, the government was now passing the cost of its own shortcomings on to the people through higher taxes. He said citizens were already struggling with expensive electricity and gas bills. The Jamaat-e-Islami leader said heavy taxes were being imposed on electricity and gas bills. He argued that such charges were increasing household expenses and adding to the difficulties faced by ordinary consumers. Hafiz Naeemur Rehman further said the government had shut down five of the 27 IPPs. He referred to the government’s own claim that the move would provide a benefit of Rs3,360 billion to the national exchequer. He questioned why similar measures could not be taken to provide lasting relief to consumers. He said the government should focus on reducing electricity costs instead of continuously increasing taxes and other charges. The Jamaat-e-Islami emir also criticised the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). He alleged that corruption within the tax collection system remained widespread. He called for greater transparency and accountability in government institutions. He said economic policies should be designed to provide relief to the public rather than increase their financial difficulties.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the government to take coordinated and effective steps to expand employment opportunities for young Pakistanis under the National Youth Employment Policy. Chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday to review progress on the policy, the prime minister said providing decent jobs to the country’s skilled and talented youth remained a key priority of the government. He called for a comprehensive strategy involving relevant ministries and institutions to ensure the policy delivers practical employment opportunities. He also stressed the need to focus on skills development, particularly for young women, so they can compete for emerging jobs in both Pakistan and international markets. The prime minister directed authorities to give special attention to employment opportunities for young people in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Officials briefed the meeting on reforms introduced in the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA). The reforms are aimed at connecting Pakistan’s skilled workforce with the changing requirements of local industries and international employers. NAVTTC is working to help Pakistani workers obtain internationally recognised certifications and improve their language skills for overseas employment. Training programmes are also being aligned with market demand to increase the chances of young people securing jobs abroad. The meeting was informed that the Digital Youth Hub is providing information about employment opportunities in Pakistan and overseas through a single platform. Youth Development Cells are also being established in educational institutions to offer career counselling, guidance and information about skills and employment opportunities. Shehbaz Sharif ordered the launch of an awareness campaign so that young people can better understand the benefits and opportunities available under the National Youth Employment Policy. Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood briefed the meeting on progress made under the government’s directives. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and other senior officials also attended. The government has recently increased its focus on preparing young Pakistanis for a changing labour market through technical education, information technology, artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship. The prime minister has also stressed greater access to quality education and skills training, particularly for disadvantaged youth. Under the youth employment policy, the government has set a target for women to make up 35 per cent of the labour force, while at least 10 per cent of the allocation is intended for startups.

The father of young Karachi businessman Mir Raza has raised serious questions over the investigation into his son’s murder. He alleged that the case was being influenced. He claimed that signs of interference by the Sindh government were visible in the investigation. Lawyers protested at the City Court on Tuesday over the failure to arrest the suspects in the case. Mir Raza’s father, Mir Hussain, also spoke during the protest. He questioned the removal of Dr Usama from the case. According to Mir Hussain, Dr Usama was removed so that he would not be able to answer questions about the matter. He also questioned the preparation of the post-mortem report. He asked why the report was allegedly prepared on the basis of photographs. Mir Hussain questioned whether any pressure was involved in the preparation of the report. He demanded that the circumstances surrounding the post-mortem be properly examined. The victim’s father further criticised the police investigation. He said the police’s alleged incompetence in his son’s case was now evident. The protest was held as the suspects in the murder case remained at large. The lawyers demanded progress in the investigation and the arrest of those responsible. Mir Hussain called for transparency in the investigation. He said the family wanted answers regarding every aspect of the case.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has said the government will continue to take responsibility for the health and medical care of PTI founder Imran Khan. Speaking to the media, the minister said the government was already providing the former prime minister with the best available healthcare facilities. He said these facilities were provided without the PTI having to make any formal appeal. Chaudhry said the government was also praying for Imran Khan’s good health. He stressed that the state would continue to fulfil its responsibility regarding his medical treatment. The minister said the government would implement the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Imran Khan in letter and spirit. The Supreme Court has ordered that Imran Khan be shifted to a private hospital for medical treatment. Chaudhry also criticised what he described as the PTI’s changing position on the judiciary. He said it was encouraging to see PTI members praising the courts. However, he questioned the party’s approach to judicial decisions. He said the judiciary was praised when verdicts went in the PTI’s favour, but faced criticism when decisions went against the party. He maintained that Pakistan’s judiciary was independent and was delivering decisions on merit. The federal minister said the courts remained the legal route for obtaining relief and securing release. He noted that people had received relief through judicial decisions in the past. According to Chaudhry, the prime minister could not use executive authority to act against a court order. He said the government was bound to respect and implement judicial decisions. The minister also spoke about ongoing political contacts with the opposition. He said the opposition leaders involved in the process were not members of the PTI. However, they had the confidence of Imran Khan, according to him. Chaudhry said the government had made its position clear. The opposition leadership taking part in talks should have the confidence of the PTI leadership. He said the government did not want a situation in which it was engaged in negotiations while PTI leaders continued issuing statements against the process. The minister welcomed the PTI parliamentary party’s expression of confidence in the opposition leadership involved in the talks. He further said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was expected to respond to the opposition leader’s letter within one or two days. After the response is sent, the venue for a joint meeting will be decided, he added.

MUZAFFARGARH: Police have arrested five suspects in connection with a major robbery involving 18 kilograms of silver worth Rs17.5 million. All of the stolen silver has been recovered. Police also seized illegal weapons allegedly used during the robbery. District Police Officer (DPO) Syed Ghazanfar Ali Shah shared the details during a press conference at the district police office. According to the DPO, the robbery took place in the jurisdiction of City Muzaffargarh police station. The incident occurred near Darbar Piran Shah in Mahmood Kot, close to Thermal Road. The complainant was travelling by truck from Pishin towards Multan when six armed men allegedly intercepted the vehicle. The suspects took the silver at gunpoint and fled from the scene. Police registered a case against six unidentified suspects based on the complainant’s statement. Investigators then began tracing the vehicle allegedly used in the crime. Police identified the car and found that it was registered in the name of the brother of one of the suspected main perpetrators. This breakthrough helped investigators move closer to the suspects. After the arrest of the key suspect, police traced other people allegedly involved in the robbery. Police teams conducted raids in different areas as the investigation progressed. Five suspects were eventually arrested. During the operation, police recovered the entire 18 kilograms of stolen silver. The recovered silver was valued at Rs17.5 million. Illegal weapons allegedly used in the robbery were also seized from the suspects. DPO Ghazanfar Ali Shah said the case was solved through professional investigation and the use of modern information technology. He praised the police team of City Muzaffargarh for its efforts. The team worked under the supervision of SDPO City Circle Muhammad Zafar Wattoo. The DPO also appreciated the role of the Special Branch Muzaffargarh and Crime Control Department (CCD) officials. He said their assistance was important in tracing the suspects and recovering the stolen property. Police officials said further investigation into the case is continuing. The DPO announced that the police personnel involved in solving the case would receive cash rewards and certificates of appreciation.