National

  Lahore: A deeply unfortunate, alarming, and unacceptable incident occurred today at Punjab University when the young daughter of a university professor was attacked by stray dogs roaming freely on the university campus. The brutal attack left the child with approximately fifteen deep bite wounds on different parts of her body, requiring immediate medical attention. The tragic incident has caused immense shock, grief, and concern among the victim’s family as well as the entire university community. The Academic Staff Association (ASA) and the Joint Action Committee stated that they have repeatedly raised concerns over the growing stray dog population on the campus through both written communications and verbal representations over the past several months. According to the associations, they had consistently warned the university administration that the increasing number of stray dogs posed a serious threat to the lives and safety of students, faculty members, university employees, and their families. Despite numerous complaints and repeated demands for action, the administration allegedly failed to address the issue with the seriousness it deserved, displaying what the associations described as criminal negligence, indifference, and a lack of responsibility. They maintained that today’s tragic incident is a direct consequence of this continued inaction. The Academic Staff Association and the Joint Action Committee expressed profound disappointment over what they described as the misplaced priorities of the current university administration. Instead of focusing on resolving the institution’s fundamental issues, ensuring campus security, and protecting the welfare of the university community, the administration has allegedly remained preoccupied with retaliatory actions, harassment of faculty and employees, and unnecessary administrative conflicts. The associations argued that when an administration neglects its basic legal and administrative responsibilities, such unfortunate incidents become inevitable, and responsibility for the consequences rests with the concerned authorities. Strongly condemning the incident, the Academic Staff Association (ASA) and the Joint Action Committee have put forward the following demands: An immediate, transparent, and impartial inquiry should be conducted to determine responsibility for the incident and hold those accountable. The injured child and her family should be provided with every possible medical, administrative, and financial assistance. A comprehensive, effective, and permanent operation should be launched on an emergency basis to make the entire Punjab University campus safe from stray dogs. A clear, practical, and sustainable campus safety policy should be developed and implemented to ensure the protection of students, faculty members, employees, and their families. The Academic Staff Association and the Joint Action Committee further warned that if the university administration fails to take immediate and effective measures to permanently resolve the stray dog issue, and if any similar incident occurs in the future, they will reserve the right to pursue all available legal remedies against those responsible. These measures may include the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) and other legal proceedings against the relevant authorities for negligence. The associations urged the university administration to set aside personal preferences, retaliatory attitudes, and unnecessary disputes, and instead devote its full attention to addressing the university’s core challenges. They stressed that ensuring campus security and safeguarding the lives and property of students, faculty members, employees, and their families must remain the administration’s highest priority. The statement concluded by emphasizing that the protection of human life is the foremost responsibility of any institution, and any further negligence in fulfilling this duty would be entirely unacceptable.

Gold prices in Pakistan witnessed a significant decline on Thursday, providing relief to buyers as rates fell in line with the downward trend in the international bullion market. According to the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association, the price of one tola of gold decreased by Rs. 1,800, bringing the new rate down to Rs. 432,036 per tola. The price of 10 grams of gold also recorded a decline of Rs. 1,543, settling at Rs. 370,401 across the local market. The drop in domestic gold prices follows a decline in international bullion rates. In the global market, the price of gold fell by $18 per ounce, reaching $4,096 per ounce. Gold prices in Pakistan are influenced by fluctuations in international markets as well as movements in the exchange rate. Market analysts say changes in global demand, investor sentiment, and economic developments continue to impact bullion prices on a daily basis. Traders expect gold prices to remain sensitive to international market trends in the coming days, with further fluctuations possible depending on global economic data and investor activity.

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of violating the election code of conduct ahead of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. Speaking at a press conference after a Sindh cabinet meeting in Karachi, Memon claimed that the ruling party was using its government position to influence the electoral process. During the briefing, Memon also announced that the Sindh cabinet had approved a six-month extension of the health insurance program for employees of the Governor House and Chief Minister House. He added that travel allowances for government employees from Grade 1 to Grade 16 had also been increased. Commenting on the recent heavy rainfall, the provincial minister said several districts in Punjab had been severely affected. He claimed that recent rains resulted in casualties in both Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and criticized what he described as limited media attention to the situation. Turning to the political situation, Memon alleged that senior leaders of the federal and Punjab governments were focused on campaigning in Azad Kashmir instead of addressing public issues. He expressed confidence that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would secure a convincing victory in the upcoming AJK elections. The minister also criticized what he described as governments formed through “manufactured mandates,” saying that true political legitimacy comes through public support. He reiterated that the PPP is not part of the federal coalition government and said the party had only extended support to strengthen the democratic process. Memon further alleged that infrastructure development has been concentrated in Punjab while Sindh has not received similar attention, particularly in the construction of major motorways. His remarks drew criticism from Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari, who defended the Punjab government’s development record and rejected the allegations. She argued that provincial resources are being spent on the welfare of Punjab’s residents and questioned the Sindh government’s own performance. Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique also responded, saying critics should first examine the condition of their own provinces. He defended Punjab’s drainage system, claiming rainwater in Lahore is cleared within hours, unlike in parts of Sindh where waterlogging often persists for days. The exchange of statements highlights the growing political rivalry between the PPP and PML-N as campaigning for the AJK elections intensifies.

  Lahore, July 23: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Secretary General Ameerul Azeem was laid to rest on Thursday following funeral prayers at Mansoorah, Lahore, attended by thousands of mourners from across the country. The funeral prayer was led by JI Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, who paid rich tribute to the late leader, describing him as a committed worker of Islam who devoted his entire life to religious, political and organizational service. A large number of senior Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, politicians, religious scholars, lawyers, journalists, teachers, traders, representatives of labour and farming communities, civil society members and party workers attended the funeral. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, former Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, former Federal Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani, former Lahore Mayor Khawaja Ahmad Hassan, JUI-F leader Maulana Muhammad Amjad Khan, PML-N leaders Hafiz Nauman and Mian Marghoob, Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith chief Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer, along with several senior Jamaat-e-Islami office-bearers and district emirs from across Pakistan, were among those present. Representatives of minority communities, including Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora and members of the Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, also attended to offer condolences. Addressing the gathering, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said Ameerul Azeem spent his entire life striving for the establishment of Islamic values and remained an example of sincerity, discipline and dedication. He said the late leader was deeply compassionate toward party workers and always remained accessible to every member of the organization. Despite suffering from cancer, he continued fulfilling his organizational responsibilities with determination and never allowed his illness to affect his commitment to the party. The JI chief said Ameerul Azeem believed Jamaat-e-Islami had entered a crucial phase in its struggle and consistently encouraged workers to remain steadfast in pursuing the party’s mission. He prayed that Allah Almighty grant the departed leader the highest place in Jannah and bless his family with patience. Senior JI leader Liaqat Baloch also paid tribute, recalling his more than five-decade association with Ameerul Azeem. He said the late leader’s journey from student politics to one of the party’s highest offices reflected his unwavering dedication, adding that his services would continue to inspire generations of workers. Ameerul Azeem passed away on Wednesday night after a prolonged battle with cancer. Throughout his illness, he remained active in party affairs and continued serving the movement until his final days. Born in Lahore in 1958, Ameerul Azeem earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of the Punjab. He began his political journey through Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT), serving as Nazim of IJT Lahore before becoming Nazim-e-Aala of IJT Pakistan. During General Zia-ul-Haq’s rule, he led the movement for the restoration of student unions, endured imprisonment, and was elected Nazim-e-Aala while in jail. He also served as president of the Punjab University Students Union. After transitioning from student politics, he held several important positions within Jamaat-e-Islami, including Emir of Lahore, Emir of Central Punjab, Central Information Secretary and Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan on two occasions. In 2019, then JI Emir Sirajul Haq appointed him Secretary General of the party. Remembered for his humility, integrity and organizational abilities, Ameerul Azeem also played a prominent role in the Lawyers’ Movement for the restoration of the judiciary and remained a strong advocate of constitutional supremacy, democratic values and the rule of law. Widely respected across political, social and media circles, he leaves behind a legacy of principled leadership and dedicated public service.

  ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has suspended 211 senior officials and removed another 32 officers from key positions over integrity concerns during the past two years, according to official figures. The move is part of a comprehensive accountability campaign aimed at eliminating corruption, improving transparency, and restoring public confidence in the country’s tax administration. The disciplinary actions, covering the period from August 2024 to mid-2026, represent one of the largest internal crackdowns in the history of the FBR. The institution, responsible for collecting taxes and customs duties, has often faced criticism over allegations of corruption, misuse of authority, and lack of accountability. According to the official data, 211 officers belonging to grades 16 to 21 of the Inland Revenue Service (IRS), the FBR’s domestic tax collection wing, were suspended during the two-year period. Officials noted that previous annual averages for suspensions stood at around 33 cases, highlighting the significant increase in disciplinary measures under the current leadership. The number of major penalties imposed on officers also showed a steady rise. Cases increased from 38 during the 2023-24 fiscal year to 49 in 2024-25, before reaching 75 in 2025-26. Authorities say the increase reflects stricter monitoring and a stronger commitment to enforcing accountability rather than a rise in misconduct alone. In addition to suspensions, the FBR identified 32 officers as being of “questionable integrity” by April 2026. These included 14 officials from the Inland Revenue Service and 18 from Pakistan Customs. Most of the officers held senior positions in grade 20 or above and were removed from operational assignments to ensure greater transparency in tax administration. The accountability drive has coincided with investigations by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which has arrested several senior tax and customs officials in separate corruption-related cases. These actions have reinforced the government’s broader efforts to strengthen oversight and address misconduct within public institutions. Official figures indicate a significant improvement in integrity levels among officers serving in sensitive positions. In the Inland Revenue Service, the proportion of officers considered to have low integrity dropped from 74 percent in July 2023 to just 11 percent by June 2026. Similarly, in Pakistan Customs, the figure declined from 71 percent to 9 percent over the same period. The FBR has also tightened its promotion process by introducing more rigorous screening measures. The number of officials placed on a performance watch list increased from around 2 percent in 2023 to nearly 40 percent by 2025, reflecting greater emphasis on ethical conduct, financial transparency, and professional performance. Officials say these reforms are part of a long-term institutional strategy rather than isolated disciplinary actions. Regular peer-review mechanisms have achieved completion rates of more than 97 percent, demonstrating improved compliance with internal evaluation procedures. As part of its modernization efforts, the FBR has also introduced a faceless income tax assessment system designed to reduce direct interaction between taxpayers and tax officials, thereby minimizing opportunities for corruption. Additionally, the board has implemented an integrity-based rating system that ranks officers from “A” to “D” based on their ethical standards and professional conduct. By June 2026, officers rated “A” or “B” occupied nearly 90 percent of critical positions in both Inland Revenue and Customs departments. Officials believe these reforms will help improve tax collection, strengthen governance, enhance investor confidence, and support Pakistan’s ongoing fiscal reform agenda.