National

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has resumed hearing a case seeking the cancellation of bail granted to 49 suspects allegedly linked to the suicide attack on Chinese engineers in Bisham. A prosecution appeal has been filed before the top court. It seeks the cancellation of bail granted to the suspects in the case. During the hearing, Justice Naeem Akhtar asked whether the suspects were regularly appearing before the trial court. The judge also asked whether the suspects wanted to engage lawyers to represent them in the proceedings. The court directed the suspects to appear at the next hearing with their lawyers. It made it clear that failure to comply with the order could result in the cancellation of their bail. The court did not cancel the bail at the latest hearing. Instead, it gave the suspects an opportunity to ensure their appearance and legal representation. The Supreme Court then adjourned the proceedings until August 20. The case relates to the suicide attack in Bisham, where Chinese engineers were targeted. The incident had raised serious security concerns and prompted investigations into those allegedly involved in the attack. The prosecution has challenged the bail granted to 49 suspects and wants the Supreme Court to overturn the relief provided to them.

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has urged the people of Mirpur to actively participate in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. Bilawal issued a video message along with his sister, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari. He addressed voters as polling continued across Mirpur Division. Bilawal asked Kashmiris to come out of their homes and cast their votes. He said the people should use their democratic right to decide their future. He urged voters to support PPP candidates by voting for the party’s arrow symbol. Bilawal said the PPP believes that boycotting elections has never produced successful results. He therefore called on voters to take part in the electoral process instead of staying away from polling stations. The PPP chairman said voters should participate if they want their rights to be protected. He specifically mentioned the right to governance and ownership. He also called for the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission for Azad Kashmir. Bilawal said the PPP wanted the people of Kashmir to have a strong voice in decisions affecting their future. He again urged voters to support the party and ensure their participation in the elections. Meanwhile, polling is continuing in the first phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections. Voting began at 8am and is scheduled to continue until 5pm. The first phase covers 13 constituencies in Mirpur Division. The constituencies are located in the districts of Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber. Polling has started at most stations. However, voting could not begin at polling stations 36 and 37 in Aghar Colony, Kotli, because voters had not arrived. Officials are monitoring the polling process across the division. Authorities have also urged citizens to exercise their right to vote peacefully. Mirpur Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz and Deputy Inspector General Kamran Ali visited wards 16 and 17 of LA-3. They reviewed the polling arrangements and assessed the situation at the polling stations. Speaking to journalists, the commissioner said polling had been proceeding peacefully across all three districts since the morning. He appealed to voters to leave their homes without fear and participate in the elections. The commissioner assured citizens that the administration had made security and other necessary arrangements. He said voters would be provided with a peaceful environment to cast their ballots.

The Sindh government has announced a province-wide public holiday on Wednesday, July 29, to mark the annual Urs of renowned Sufi poet and mystic Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. The decision was announced through an official notification issued by the Sindh Information Department on Monday. The holiday will apply to provincial government offices and institutions operating under the administrative control of the Sindh government. It will also cover autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, government corporations and local councils across the province. However, essential services will remain operational during the holiday. Employees working in services considered necessary for public safety and welfare will continue their duties. The Urs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai is observed every year at his shrine in Bhit Shah, Matiari district. The event attracts thousands of devotees from different parts of Pakistan. Visitors gather at the shrine to pay tribute to the Sufi poet and reflect on his teachings, poetry and spiritual message. Special religious and cultural activities are traditionally held during the Urs. Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai is regarded as one of the most influential figures in Sindhi literature and Sufi tradition. His poetry is known for themes of love, spirituality, peace and human dignity. The provincial holiday is expected to facilitate devotees and residents participating in Urs-related activities across Sindh.

Karachi is expected to remain hot and humid over the next three days. The weather is likely to stay partly cloudy. Light drizzle is also possible in some parts of the city. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Karachi’s maximum temperature is expected to remain between 34°C and 36°C during the next three days. The weather department said most parts of Sindh will experience hot and humid conditions today. However, some areas could receive rainfall. Tharparkar district may receive light rain accompanied by thunderstorms. Residents have been advised to remain cautious during periods of strong winds and thunderstorms. August could bring more rain A private weather forecasting organisation has also issued a longer-range outlook for August. It said low-pressure systems could develop over the Bay of Bengal during the first 10 days of August. These weather systems could increase the chances of rain across several parts of Pakistan. Northern areas of the country may experience a strong spell of rainfall. Sindh and Balochistan could also receive one or two rain spells during the period. Karachi may see rainfall during the first week of August if favourable weather systems develop. The forecast comes as Pakistan continues to experience monsoon weather. Rainfall in different regions has already affected temperatures and local weather conditions. However, meteorologists have stressed that the August forecast is based on long-range weather models. Such forecasts can change as new weather data becomes available.

Voting was suspended at a polling station in Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Bhimber district after a clash broke out between workers of two political parties during the first phase of the AJK elections. The incident took place at the Darbar Baba Shadi Shaheed polling station in constituency LA-6 Bhimber. Following the confrontation, polling was halted temporarily. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Abdul Razzaq Chaudhry alleged that workers of an opposing political party started the fight at the polling station. District Returning Officer (DRO) confirmed that a clash had taken place at one of the polling stations at Darbar Baba Shadi Shaheed. According to the official, miscreants snatched a ballot box and set it on fire. The DRO said the ballot box contained 232 votes when it was set ablaze. Returning officials and security personnel are currently present at the polling station. The DRO said legal action would be taken against those involved in disrupting the polling process. Officials have yet to decide whether polling will be held again at the affected polling station. The DRO said a decision on re-polling would be taken later in accordance with the relevant election rules. Apart from the affected polling station, polling is continuing normally at all other polling stations across the constituency. Meanwhile, the DRO also said that former AJK prime minister Anwar-ul-Haq had raised a complaint regarding polling arrangements in constituency LA-7. Officials visited the polling stations where complaints had been received and found that the relevant polling agents were present there.