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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and Member of the National Assembly Iqbal Afridi has claimed that jailed former prime minister Imran Khan told him during their last meeting that members of the party were not following his instructions. According to a video statement shared on social media by PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan, Afridi said he met Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, where the former premier allegedly expressed frustration over the party’s internal affairs. Afridi claimed that Imran Khan told him, “Iqbal, the party is not listening to me. I say this with my hand on the Holy Quran.” The PTI lawmaker said he responded by expressing his loyalty to the party founder. Afridi claimed he told Imran Khan that anyone betraying him deserved the strongest condemnation, while referring to a political slogan from the past. Afridi further said that he never had another meeting with Imran Khan after that conversation. He claimed that if he had met him again and been told the names of those allegedly disobeying party instructions, the situation would have been different. In the video statement, Afridi also made controversial remarks, saying that if he is allowed another meeting and Imran Khan identifies individuals who are not following his directives, he would not spare them. He used threatening language while making the statement. The remarks have drawn attention on social media, although there has been no official response from PTI leadership or other party figures regarding Afridi’s claims. Imran Khan has also not publicly commented on the statements attributed to him.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has granted post-arrest bail to Muhammad Tahir, a suspect in the Libya boat tragedy case, ruling that investigations into international human trafficking cases must be supported by credible and legally admissible evidence rather than mere suspicion. Justice Amjad Rafiq issued a detailed 10-page written verdict explaining the reasons for granting bail. The court observed that allegations of human trafficking, being an international crime, require thorough and professional investigations based on concrete evidence. The court noted that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) should have obtained evidence from abroad and sought legal assistance from relevant international authorities during the investigation. It said cooperation with foreign agencies is essential in cases involving cross-border human trafficking. According to the written order, investigators should have collected digital and documentary evidence, including WhatsApp chats, call records, bank records, travel documents and other electronic data. The court stressed that such evidence is necessary to establish the active role of an accused in an alleged trafficking network. The judgment further stated that the standard of investigation must be strong enough to legally prove an accused person’s involvement rather than relying on assumptions or incomplete evidence. The court also highlighted the need for reforms to effectively combat human trafficking. It said stronger legislation, improved investigative methods and better law enforcement mechanisms are essential to tackle organised trafficking networks. The LHC ruled that the transfer of money into a person’s bank account alone cannot be treated as proof of involvement in human trafficking. It added that suspicion, speculation or banking transactions by themselves are insufficient to establish criminal liability in such cases. The court ordered the release of Muhammad Tahir on post-arrest bail against surety bonds of Rs500,000, subject to the conditions set by the court. The case will continue in accordance with the law while further investigation proceeds.

ISLAMABAD: A federal cabinet subcommittee has approved the prices of 52 newly registered life-saving medicines, including treatments for cancer, diabetes, haemophilia and Parkinson’s disease, in a move aimed at improving access to essential medicines across Pakistan. The meeting was chaired by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad. The committee reviewed pricing proposals for newly registered medicines and approved the prices for all 52 products. Officials said the approved medicines include several advanced treatments for serious and chronic illnesses. Among them is Keytruda, a modern immunotherapy drug used globally to treat more than 20 types of cancer. Other approved medicines include Nivolumab, Dasatinib, Meropenem and insulin, which are widely used to treat cancer, severe infections and diabetes. The pricing decision will now be sent to the federal cabinet for final approval. Once endorsed, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) will issue an official price notification, allowing the medicines to be legally marketed and sold in the country. Health Ministry officials said early approval of medicine prices was necessary to address the difficulties faced by patients. Delays in pricing had prevented several newly registered medicines from entering the local market, forcing many patients to rely on unregistered, smuggled or costly imported alternatives. Authorities believe the approval will improve the availability of high-quality medicines and reduce dependence on illegal supply channels. They said the move will also help ensure that patients have access to safe and regulated treatments through authorised healthcare providers. During the meeting, the finance minister stressed the importance of transparency and protecting the public interest in decisions related to medicine pricing. He called for a fair pricing mechanism that balances patient affordability with the availability of essential medicines.

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has dismissed a petition filed by a contract employee of the Zulfiqarabad Development Authority seeking permanent employment, ruling that the request was not maintainable at the preliminary stage. The constitutional bench held that a contract employee does not acquire a legal right to permanent employment merely by serving for a long period. The court observed that contractual appointments remain subject to the terms and conditions agreed upon at the time of hiring. According to the court, the petitioner’s employment contract expired in 2024 after completing its specified term. Since the contract had already ended, the petitioner could not claim permanent status solely on the basis of continued service. Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon observed that employment on a contractual basis does not automatically create a legal entitlement to permanent appointment. He noted that permanent regularisation can only be granted if there is a relevant law or an approved policy issued by the competent authority. The court ruled that, in the absence of such legal provisions or an authorised policy, the petition seeking permanent employment had no legal basis. Consequently, the constitutional bench declared the petition inadmissible at the initial stage and dismissed it.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ruled that illness, physical weakness, old age or disability can serve as valid legal grounds for granting post-arrest bail, issuing an important judgment on bail applications filed on medical grounds. Justice Amjad Rafiq issued a detailed written verdict while deciding the post-arrest bail petition of Dr Iftikhar Ahmed, who is suffering from Parkinsonism, a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and physical independence. The court observed that if a prison medical report confirms that an accused is physically weak, there is no need to separately assess the severity of the illness. It held that physical weakness itself may be sufficient to justify consideration for bail. According to the judgment, illness and physical weakness are separate legal grounds for granting bail. The court noted that imprisonment can cause greater hardship for elderly, physically weak and disabled individuals, and the justice system should protect them from unnecessary physical suffering. The LHC further stated that the bail application had not been filed on the merits of the criminal case but solely because of the accused’s deteriorating physical condition. The prison medical report confirmed that Dr Iftikhar Ahmed was suffering from Parkinsonism, a disease that gradually limits a person’s physical abilities and independence. Rejecting the prosecution’s argument, the court ruled that the mere fact an accused is receiving medical treatment in prison cannot, by itself, be used as a reason to deny bail. The judgment also referred to principles of Islamic law and international judicial precedents, stating that sick, elderly and vulnerable individuals are entitled to special legal protection and humane treatment. The Lahore High Court granted post-arrest bail to Dr Iftikhar Ahmed against surety bonds of Rs1 million. The court directed the accused not to influence prosecution witnesses, to surrender his passport and not to leave the court’s jurisdiction without prior permission. Dr Iftikhar Ahmed has been in jail since March 2025 in a case registered at Sabzazar Police Station, where he is accused of administering an incorrect injection to a citizen’s son. The criminal proceedings will continue in accordance with the law.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has assured foreign investors of full government support, saying Pakistan is ready to facilitate investment and provide opportunities across different sectors. Naqvi made the remarks during a meeting with British House of Lords member Lord Zamir Choudrey in Islamabad on Saturday. The interior minister said Pakistan has significant investment potential and that the government wants to create an environment where foreign investors can operate with greater confidence. He assured investors that all possible facilities would be provided to support their business activities in the country. The discussion also covered regional peace and stability. Naqvi said Pakistan was continuing its efforts to promote lasting peace in the region. He expressed optimism that the country’s diplomatic and peace initiatives would produce positive results. Lord Zamir Choudrey appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to contribute to regional stability. He also praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for their efforts to promote peace. Choudrey said the government’s policies were helping create new opportunities for investment in Pakistan. The meeting comes as Islamabad seeks to strengthen economic ties with international partners while promoting Pakistan as an attractive destination for foreign investment. Pakistan has also been increasing cooperation with China on security and counterterrorism matters. Earlier this month, Naqvi met Chinese Minister of State for Public Security and Special Service Bureau chief Ling Zhifeng at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in internal security. Their discussions included border management, illegal immigration and efforts against drug trafficking. Meanwhile, security concerns surrounding Chinese nationals working in Pakistan remain a major issue. The CPEC Secretariat has decided to purchase a new bulletproof vehicle costing Rs95 million to strengthen security arrangements for Chinese citizens. The vehicle will reportedly be a 3,500cc Toyota Land Cruiser. It will be added to the existing fleet of security vehicles used for the protection of Chinese nationals. Government departments have also acquired or are seeking additional bulletproof vehicles and helicopters for security purposes. Officials have said Chinese citizens face significant security risks in Pakistan. As a result, they are generally restricted from travelling in ordinary, non-bulletproof vehicles. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the protection of Chinese nationals is a key responsibility of the Pakistani government. The purchase also highlights the security challenges linked to major China-Pakistan economic projects. The government is balancing efforts to attract more foreign investment with measures aimed at improving the security of international investors and workers.