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Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has promised a comprehensive development package for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), saying the region will receive modern infrastructure, improved healthcare and better public services if his party wins the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections. Addressing a public gathering in Muzaffarabad, Nawaz Sharif said AJK has not received the level of development it deserves despite its importance. He said many parts of Pakistan have witnessed major infrastructure projects, but similar progress has not reached Azad Kashmir. The former prime minister questioned why a modern highway connecting Kohala and Muzaffarabad had still not been completed. He said better road infrastructure is essential for economic growth, tourism and improved connectivity across the region. Nawaz recalled that during his previous government, a motorway project linking Mansehra, Muzaffarabad and Mirpur had been approved. He said the project would have transformed the region by improving transportation, encouraging investment and creating employment opportunities, but it remained unfinished after his government left office. He expressed regret over the delay in completing several development schemes initiated by the PML-N, saying valuable years had been lost. He pledged that if the party returns to power in AJK, all pending projects would be completed without delay. Nawaz also made a symbolic political statement by saying he would ask Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to appoint him as the prime minister of Azad Kashmir if the PML-N wins the elections, so he could personally supervise the region’s development projects. He added that even if he does not assume that role, he will regularly visit AJK to monitor progress and ensure that promises made to the public are fulfilled. The PML-N leader announced several development initiatives for the region. He said 10 green electric buses would soon begin operating in Muzaffarabad to improve public transport. He also announced that 15 mobile hospitals would be introduced to provide medical services to people living in remote and mountainous areas. He said no resident should have to travel long distances for basic healthcare. Better hospitals, schools, colleges and universities would remain among the party’s top priorities if elected. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who also addressed the gathering, promised to extend Punjab’s development model to Azad Kashmir. She said the PML-N government has introduced major reforms in public transport, healthcare, education and social welfare in Punjab, and similar initiatives would be launched in AJK. Maryam announced that electric buses, mobile hospitals and several welfare programmes would be introduced in the region. She also pledged support for low-income families, widows, persons with disabilities and young entrepreneurs through various public welfare schemes. She urged voters to compare the governance performance of different political parties before casting their votes. According to her, the development achieved in Punjab demonstrates the PML-N’s ability to deliver major public projects. The Punjab chief minister also criticised political opponents for failing to resolve the region’s long-standing problems despite being in government. She said the people of Azad Kashmir deserve better roads, modern healthcare, quality education and greater employment opportunities. During the rally, Nawaz Sharif also displayed party unity by inviting AJK PML-N President Shah Ghulam Qadir onto the stage and raising his hand before party workers and supporters. The gesture was widely viewed as a sign of confidence in the party’s leadership ahead of the July 27 AJK Legislative Assembly elections.

An Islamabad court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi after he repeatedly failed to appear in a case related to alleged misleading statements and defamatory remarks against state institutions. The court observed that the chief minister neither appeared personally nor sent legal counsel despite being summoned on multiple occasions. After noting his continued absence, the judge ordered law enforcement authorities to ensure his appearance at the next hearing. The court also warned that if Afridi fails to appear again on the next hearing, scheduled for September 3, legal proceedings could be initiated to declare him a proclaimed offender under the relevant provisions of law. The case was registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Investigators allege that the chief minister used electronic media to make misleading statements and defamatory remarks targeting state institutions. In another significant legal development, former senator and senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry has approached the Supreme Court after the Lahore High Court refused to suspend the sentence handed down to him by an anti-terrorism court. Chaudhry is currently serving his sentence at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail. He was convicted over his alleged involvement in meetings held before the violent incidents that followed the events of May 9, 2023. In his petition, Chaudhry argued that the conviction was based on weak and disputed evidence. He maintained that he was not originally nominated in the FIR and that his name was added later through supplementary statements. The petition also stated that no weapons, electronic devices, or other incriminating evidence were recovered from him. The petition further argued that police witnesses failed to present independent evidence linking him to the alleged conspiracy. It asked the Supreme Court to suspend his sentence and grant him bail until his appeal is decided. Meanwhile, Aleema Khan, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, alleged that her brother was being denied his basic rights in prison. Speaking to journalists outside Adiala Jail, she claimed he was facing mistreatment and said public support would be crucial for securing his release. Aleema said supporters from across the country were expected to participate in the PTI’s planned protest movement. She added that she was not concerned about possible legal action against herself and would continue campaigning for her brother’s release. Another sister of the former prime minister, Noreen Niazi, also criticised the judicial system and expressed hope that Imran Khan would soon be released.

The Muttahida Madaris Council Pakistan has publicly distanced itself from recent remarks made by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman regarding the Pakistan Army and the country’s martyrs. In an official statement, the council said religious seminaries across Pakistan have always stood with the country’s armed forces and fully respect the sacrifices made by military personnel in defending the nation. It stressed that no seminary or religious educational institution supports any narrative that could be interpreted as being against the armed forces. The council reaffirmed its commitment to national unity and expressed solidarity with Pakistan’s security institutions. It also paid tribute to the country’s martyrs, saying their sacrifices for national security and peace deserve the highest respect. The controversy began after Fazlur Rehman addressed a public gathering in Kasur, where he spoke about the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. During his speech, his comments about soldiers and martyrdom sparked widespread criticism from political leaders and members of the public. Several politicians described the remarks as inappropriate and called on the JUI-F chief to publicly clarify or withdraw his statement. They maintained that the sacrifices of soldiers should not become part of political debate and should always be treated with respect. Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan strongly criticised the remarks and urged Fazlur Rehman to issue a public apology. He also proposed the formation of a Senate committee to examine the issue and determine whether the veteran politician should be formally called to explain his comments. The matter has also entered the legal arena. A sessions court has issued a notice to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) regarding the registration of a cybercrime case linked to the controversial remarks. The agency is expected to submit its response during the legal proceedings. Legal experts say the court will review the available evidence before deciding whether further action is warranted under the relevant laws. The controversy has continued to dominate political discussions, with leaders from different parties expressing contrasting views over the issue. While critics insist that the remarks were disrespectful to the sacrifices of the armed forces, supporters of Fazlur Rehman have defended his right to express political opinions.

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has declined to suspend inquiry proceedings against former National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Director General Saleem Shehzad, allowing an investigation into his alleged unlawful appointment and promotion to continue. The decision came during a hearing of an appeal filed by Shehzad challenging a show-cause notice issued against him. He had requested the court to stay the inquiry until the case was decided, but the bench refused to grant interim relief. A two-member bench headed by Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi heard the appeal and directed the federal government to submit its response within three weeks before further proceedings. The case revolves around allegations that Saleem Shehzad’s appointment and subsequent promotion within the National Accountability Bureau were made in violation of applicable rules and procedures. Authorities had earlier issued him a show-cause notice seeking an explanation over the alleged irregularities. Before approaching the Federal Constitutional Court, Shehzad had challenged the notice in the Islamabad High Court. However, after his petition was dismissed, he filed an appeal before the FCC, seeking legal protection against the inquiry. During the hearing, the court did not interfere with the ongoing investigation, effectively allowing the relevant authorities to continue examining the allegations while the constitutional appeal remains pending. Legal experts say the ruling does not determine Shehzad’s guilt or innocence but indicates the court’s reluctance to halt administrative proceedings before hearing the case in detail. The federal government’s reply is expected to play an important role in the next stage of the proceedings. The case has attracted attention because it involves the appointment of a senior official in Pakistan’s top anti-corruption watchdog. Any findings from the inquiry could have broader implications for accountability, transparency and the process of appointments in public institutions. With the inquiry set to continue and the government directed to file its response within three weeks, the Federal Constitutional Court is expected to take up the matter again after reviewing the submissions of both sides. The outcome could shape the future course of the legal challenge brought by the former NAB official.

ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan, has recommended the appointment and confirmation of 13 judges for the Lahore High Court (LHC) and the Balochistan High Court (BHC), marking a significant step toward addressing judicial vacancies and strengthening the country’s higher judiciary. The recommendations were made during separate meetings of the Commission held at the Supreme Court building in Islamabad under Article 175A(2) of the Constitution. Alongside judicial appointments, the Commission also reviewed proposed amendments to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (Appointment of Judges) Rules, 2024. According to an official statement, the Commission decided that the proposed amendments to the appointment rules would be circulated among all remaining members of the Commission, including representatives of the Federal Shariat Court and the country’s high courts, for further consideration before final approval. For the Lahore High Court, the Commission, by a majority vote of its members, recommended the confirmation of Justice Tariq Mahmood Bajwa, who has been serving as an additional judge, as a permanent judge of the court. The JCP also approved the appointment of 10 additional judges for the Lahore High Court. The nominees include Amir Ajam Malik, Asad Ali Bajwa, Barrister Muhammad Usman Ghani Rashid Cheema, Ghulam Sarwar Nihang, Khalid Ibn-i-Aziz, Muhammad Ajmal Khan Zahid, Muhammad Amjad Pervaiz, Munawar Iqbal Duggal, Shireen Imran, and Syed Farhad Ali. All are senior advocates of the Supreme Court with extensive legal experience. For the Balochistan High Court, the Commission recommended the appointment of three additional judges against five vacant positions. The nominees are District and Sessions Judge Allah Dad Roshan, Senior Advocate Muhammad Rauf Atta, and District and Sessions Judge Abdul Qayyum Lehri. The Commission decided not to fill the remaining two vacancies at this stage, leaving the positions open for future consideration. The recommendations will now move through the constitutional appointment process before the judges formally assume office. Legal experts say the appointments are expected to help reduce the growing backlog of cases, improve judicial efficiency and strengthen the administration of justice in both Punjab and Balochistan. The JCP’s latest decisions come at a time when Pakistan’s judiciary continues efforts to enhance institutional capacity through timely appointments and procedural reforms. The proposed amendments to the Judicial Commission Rules are also expected to shape future judicial appointments by introducing greater clarity and consistency to the selection process.