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Three people, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), were martyred in separate attacks across Balochistan, officials said. The incidents were reported in Barkhan, Kech and Chagai districts. A truck driver was also injured during one of the attacks. Six labourers were abducted in Kech. Meanwhile, five trailers and two gas bowsers were set on fire in Chagai. In Barkhan, DSP Rakhni Murid Bugti was killed when armed men opened fire on his police vehicle. The incident occurred near Khatta Chowki on Tuesday evening. The DSP was reportedly patrolling the area when the attackers targeted his vehicle. Police, Frontier Corps (FC), Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel and other security forces reached the area after the attack. The security personnel launched a search operation to trace the attackers. Authorities also increased security around the area. Another deadly incident occurred near Kalatak in Turbat, the district headquarters of Kech. According to officials, armed men stopped a vehicle carrying seven labourers on Monday night. The attackers opened fire on the vehicle. Javed Khan, a resident of Swabi district in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, was killed in the attack. The attackers then abducted the other six labourers. Four of those abducted belong to Punjab, while two are from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. A passer-by was also caught in the crossfire. Abdul Razzaq, a resident of Solband, was killed in the incident. Police and security agencies launched a search operation after receiving information about the abduction. Efforts were underway to locate and recover the missing labourers. In another incident, armed men blocked the N-40 highway in Chagai during the same night. The highway connects Quetta with Taftan and is an important route in the region. The attackers reportedly blocked the road at Padag. They also opened fire outside a roadside hotel. The assailants later set five trailers and two gas bowsers on fire. A truck driver sustained injuries during the firing. Law enforcement personnel reached the area soon after the attack. Police and other security agencies launched a search operation to locate those responsible. Investigators also cordoned off the affected area and began collecting evidence.

Flooding has intensified in several parts of Ferozewala as hundreds of families remain stranded in submerged areas. The situation has become more concerning with another spell of monsoon rain expected across Punjab. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast widespread rain and thunderstorms across Punjab and other parts of the country from July 29 to August 5. Several districts could receive heavy to very heavy rainfall during this period. The new weather system may increase the risk of urban flooding, flash floods and landslides. Weather officials said monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are likely to enter upper and central parts of Pakistan. A westerly weather system affecting northern areas is also expected to strengthen from August 1. Several areas of northern and central Punjab are likely to receive rain with breaks until August 4. These include Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Sahiwal and surrounding districts. Southern Punjab is also expected to receive rainfall from July 31 to August 3. Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Vehari, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur are among the areas likely to receive rain. The Punjab Disaster Management Authority has directed provincial departments and district administrations to remain on high alert. Authorities have been warned about possible urban flooding in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Multan. Mountainous areas could face additional risks. Murree, Galliyat and nearby regions may experience landslides. Flash floods are also possible in local streams and nullahs. The threat extends to Kashmir, northeastern Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. Hill torrents may also affect Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern parts of Balochistan. Officials have been instructed to complete preparations before the next spell of rain. District administrations have also been asked to closely monitor rivers, streams and other vulnerable locations. Authorities warned that additional rainfall could increase water levels in eastern rivers and adjoining nullahs. Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain. People have also been asked to stay away from damaged buildings, mud houses, standing water and exposed electrical wires and poles. Parents have been urged to keep children away from flooded and low-lying areas. People have also been advised to move to safer places during thunderstorms. Water and sanitation authorities across Punjab have been directed to remain ready throughout the forecast period. Officials have been asked to keep drainage stations, pumps and machinery fully operational. Field teams are also expected to remain deployed during rainfall. Construction sites have been ordered to take additional safety measures. Open pits should be covered or properly cordoned off. Warning signs and barriers should also be installed. The weather warning comes as Ferozewala is already facing serious flooding. Dozens of villages and settlements have been submerged after an embankment along the seasonal Bhir Nullah was breached. The flooding has affected several residential communities. Water levels have continued to rise in some areas after further rainfall.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Punjab General Secretary Hassan Murtaza has accused the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of rigging in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. Murtaza said the election process was marred by serious violations of the electoral code of conduct. He alleged that the rules were repeatedly ignored during polling. He made these remarks while addressing a press conference in Lahore. Murtaza also criticised the role of the Election Commission during the elections. He alleged that the commission failed to perform its duties impartially. According to him, it appeared to be acting like an election agent instead of an independent institution. The PPP leader strongly criticised the PML-N over the election results. He accused the party of setting a new example of electoral manipulation. “You steal the mandate of whoever you want,” Murtaza said while criticising the PML-N. He also referred to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s statements about AJK. Murtaza said Sharif was now visiting Kashmir and calling for himself to be made prime minister. The PPP leader said the current political situation in AJK was also linked to the sacrifices and political role of the PPP. Murtaza said that if Nawaz Sharif was able to go to Kashmir today and demand the prime minister’s position, it was partly because of the PPP’s political contribution. The PPP leader also raised serious concerns over violence during the polling process. He said a PPP worker was killed on election day. Murtaza described the incident as a serious matter that would remain part of the political record. He said history would record what happened during the elections. It would also establish who was responsible for the violence and who lost his life. The allegations came after the PML-N emerged as the leading party in the first phase of the AJK elections. The party secured nine seats, according to the results cited in the report

A three-day curfew has been imposed in Nushki district of Balochistan due to the deteriorating law and order situation. The curfew has been enforced to maintain peace and prevent further unrest in the district. Residents have been directed to remain inside their homes during the curfew period. Movement in the district will remain restricted. According to a notification issued by the Balochistan Home Department, the curfew will remain in force until 8pm on July 31. The notification said the decision was taken because of the prevailing security situation in Nushki. Under the curfew restrictions, residents will not be allowed to leave their homes without permission. Unnecessary movement and travel will also be prohibited. Public gatherings will not be permitted during the curfew. Processions and other activities involving large groups of people will also remain banned. The restrictions are aimed at controlling the situation and ensuring public safety. The notification further stated that the deputy commissioner has the authority to grant exemptions to certain categories of people. Government employees may be allowed to move during the curfew if their duties require it. Medical staff will also be exempted from the restrictions. Rescue personnel and utility workers will also be permitted to perform essential duties. The authorities have warned residents against violating the curfew. According to the notification, strict legal action will be taken against anyone found violating the restrictions. The administration has urged citizens to cooperate with the authorities and remain indoors until the curfew is lifted. The development comes amid heightened concerns over law and order in Nushki. Authorities have imposed the restrictions as a precautionary measure to prevent further incidents and maintain stability. Officials are expected to monitor the situation closely during the curfew period. The restrictions could help security personnel maintain control and ensure the safety of residents.

The weather in Karachi is expected to remain hot and humid over the next 24 hours.The sky will remain partly cloudy during the period. According to the Meteorological Department, some parts of the city may receive light drizzle. The possibility of scattered drizzle has been forecast for the next 24 hours.The weather conditions are expected to remain largely warm despite the possibility of rain. The department said the maximum temperature in Karachi could rise to between 33°C and 35°C.Sea breezes are also continuing to blow across the city. Their speed has been recorded at around 18 kilometres per hour. The humidity level in Karachi has been recorded at 78 percent. The high humidity is likely to make the weather feel warmer and more uncomfortable. The Meteorological Department also reported the minimum temperature during the past 24 hours. The lowest temperature recorded in the city was 28.5°C.Meanwhile, weather experts have said that rainfall could begin in most parts of Sindh by August 2. The expected rain may bring some relief from the ongoing hot and humid conditions. However, weather conditions may vary across different parts of the province.Residents of Karachi are advised to remain prepared for changing weather conditions. People should also take precautions against the heat and high humidity, particularly during the warmer hours of the day. The weather department will continue to monitor the situation. Further updates are expected as the weather system develops.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in Islamabad on Wednesday. The two officials discussed the evolving situation in the Middle East. They also reviewed Pakistan-Kuwait relations and ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation. The Kuwaiti foreign minister is visiting Pakistan on an official trip. He arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday at the invitation of Ishaq Dar. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Dar and Sheikh Jarrah held a warm and productive meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides reviewed the full range of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Kuwait. They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the longstanding ties between the two countries. The officials described Pakistan and Kuwait as brotherly nations. Their relations are based on shared history, mutual trust and close cooperation. The meeting also focused on regional and international developments. The Middle East situation was a major part of the discussions. The two officials exchanged views on the rapidly changing regional environment. The visit comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East. Pakistan has continued to engage with regional countries on developments affecting peace and stability. The Kuwaiti minister’s visit is also expected to provide an opportunity for both countries to deepen diplomatic coordination. The Foreign Office said the visit reflects the close and longstanding relationship between Islamabad and Kuwait. The visiting minister was received at Islamabad International Airport after arriving in the capital on Tuesday. Zahid Hussain, an additional secretary at the Foreign Office, welcomed him. The Kuwaiti foreign minister is also expected to meet Pakistan’s senior leadership during his stay. The visit comes amid discussions between Pakistan and Kuwait on expanding cooperation in several areas. Pakistan has reportedly been negotiating a broader defence arrangement with Kuwait. Energy cooperation and investment are also part of the discussions. The proposed cooperation could further expand the strategic and economic relationship between the two countries. Both sides have maintained close ties for decades. Kuwait has also remained an important partner for Pakistan in the Gulf region. The latest meeting between Dar and his Kuwaiti counterpart highlights the importance Islamabad attaches to its relations with Kuwait. It also signals continued diplomatic engagement between the two countries on regional and international issues.