National

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    PML-N wins top AJK Assembly posts with clear major…

    ByJustpaste.in

    MUZAFFARABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has secured both key parliamentary positions in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, with Chaudhry Tariq Farooq elected speaker and Ahmed Raza Qadri chosen as deputy speaker. Both PML-N nominees secured 32 votes each in the 53-member assembly during separate elections held on Tuesday. For the speaker’s position, PML-N Secretary General Chaudhry Tariq Farooq faced Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) nominee Qasim Majeed. A total of 46 lawmakers participated in the voting. Farooq received 32 votes, while Majeed secured 13. One vote was declared invalid. Following the result, outgoing Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar administered the oath to Farooq. He subsequently handed over charge of the assembly to the newly elected speaker. Farooq then chaired the election for the deputy speaker’s office. The PML-N nominated Ahmed Raza Qadri, while the PPP fielded Amir Abdul Ghaffar Lone. The voting pattern remained unchanged, with 46 lawmakers casting ballots. Qadri secured 32 votes against Lone’s 13, while one vote was declared invalid. Farooq administered the oath of office to the newly elected deputy speaker after the announcement of the result. The successful elections give the PML-N control of the two most important parliamentary offices in the AJK Assembly. The party emerged as the largest political force in the recent AJK elections. Polling was held in three phases between July 27 and August 10. The PML-N won 25 of the 38 directly contested seats, while the PPP secured 12. The lone elected member of the Awami Dast-o-Bazu later joined the PML-N, further strengthening its position in the assembly. Members of the newly formed assembly congratulated Farooq and Qadri after they took charge of their respective offices. They expressed hope that the new leadership would ensure effective parliamentary proceedings and strengthen the functioning of the legislative institution.

  • 9 Armed Forces officers recommended for civil services in CSS 2025

    ByJustpaste.in

    Islamabad – The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has recommended nine officers from the Armed Forces for allocation to various civil service groups under the CSS Competitive Examination 2025. According to a press release issued by the FPSC, the psychological assessment and viva voce process of the candidates was completed. Following the process, the successful officers were recommended for allocation to different service groups based on merit and the available seats. Nine officers recommended for civil services The officers recommended for civil services include personnel from the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy. Captain Syed Atiq-ur-Rehman — Pakistan Army, Sindh (Urban), Merit No. 1 — Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) 2. Captain Syed Shehryar Khan — Pakistan Army, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Merit No. 2 — Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) 3. Captain Usama Mujtaba — Pakistan Army, Punjab, Merit No. 3 — Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) 4. Captain Haider Ali — Pakistan Army, Punjab, Merit No. 4 — Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) 5. Flight Lieutenant Asifa Ali Masood — Pakistan Air Force, Punjab, Merit No. 5 — Foreign Service of Pakistan (FSP) 6. Captain Shiraz Ahmed — Pakistan Army, Punjab, Merit No. 6 — Foreign Service of Pakistan (FSP) 7. Captain Syed Taimur Ali — Pakistan Army, Punjab, Merit No. 7 — Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) 8. Flight Lieutenant Usama Ahmed — Pakistan Air Force, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Merit No. 12 — Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) 9. Lieutenant Ayaz Hussain — Pakistan Navy, Sindh (Rural), Merit No. 16 — Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) How many officers were allocated to each service group? According to details released by the FPSC, the distribution of Armed Forces officers among the service groups is as follows: Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS): 5 officers Police Service of Pakistan (PSP): 2 officers Foreign Service of Pakistan (FSP): 2 officers The FPSC said that every possible precaution was taken to ensure accuracy and transparency in the preparation of the results. However, the Commission reserves the right to correct any errors or omissions at any time. CSS process for Armed Forces Officers Under the existing rules, personnel serving in the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy are eligible to join the civil services through the CSS Competitive Examination. Successful candidates like other applicants are required to go through the written examination, psychological assessment and viva voce stages. The inclusion of Armed Forces officers in the civil services also aims to benefit from their military experience, discipline and administrative capabilities in areas such as civil administration, policing and diplomacy.

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    SC fixes Sept 16 hearing on Imran’s medical tran…

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has fixed September 16 for hearing a contempt petition filed by Uzma Khanum, sister of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, over the alleged non-implementation of the court’s order regarding his medical treatment. The petition was submitted after the government took Imran Khan to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) instead of shifting him to Shifa International Hospital, as directed by the Supreme Court in its August 18 order. The court had also directed arrangements for regular meetings between Imran Khan and his family. PTI had challenged the government’s decision and filed a contempt petition through Uzma Khanum. The petition was returned after the Supreme Court registrar raised certain objections. The party later resubmitted it after addressing the objections. Speaking outside the Supreme Court, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan said the party wanted the matter to be heard at the earliest. He said the PTI founder’s health remained the party’s primary concern. Gohar urged the authorities to facilitate meetings between Imran Khan and his family members. He maintained that the Supreme Court’s August 18 order had not been implemented in its original form. Uzma Khanum also submitted an application seeking an early hearing. She expressed concern over what she described as a deterioration in Imran Khan’s health and argued that further delay could have serious consequences. The application alleged that the government had failed to follow the Supreme Court’s directions. It maintained that if authorities required clarification about the order, they should have approached the court instead of taking a different course of action. The government, meanwhile, has filed a review petition challenging the August 18 order. It has described the directive as discriminatory and sought its reconsideration. Imran Khan was taken to PIMS on August 21 for a medical examination and was later returned to Adiala Jail after doctors declared him medically fit. The government has maintained that security concerns prompted the decision to use PIMS instead of Shifa International Hospital. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the security situation involving PTI workers affected the planned transfer. The Supreme Court had also declined an immediate hearing of petitions seeking contempt proceedings and review of its August 18 order. The government’s review petition is therefore expected to be heard according to the court’s schedule. Gohar said PTI wanted Imran Khan’s sister, Dr Uzma, and his personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, to be included in the medical board. He also called for the medical tests recommended by Imran Khan’s doctors to be conducted. The PTI chairman said the party was currently focusing on Imran Khan’s health rather than political matters. He described the issue as a humanitarian concern and urged the authorities to implement the Supreme Court’s directions. Gohar also questioned the detention of Imran Khan’s physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, who was taken to Shifa International Hospital. He asked why the doctor was detained for several hours while Imran Khan was not transferred to the same facility. He reiterated that a Supreme Court order should be followed unless the court itself modifies, reviews or suspends it. Gohar said PTI also recognised the importance of security arrangements and did not want any violation of security protocols. However, he claimed the party had not been informed in advance that security concerns would prevent Imran Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital.

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    Pakistan rejects Taliban allegations over Badakhsh…

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has rejected allegations by the Afghan Taliban that Pakistani forces were involved in or supported armed opposition groups during violence in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province. The Ministry of Information dismissed the allegations as baseless and said no credible evidence had been presented to support the claims. The ministry issued the response after Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid alleged in an interview with Aamaj News that Pakistani authorities were physically involved in the unrest in Badakhshan. Pakistan strongly rejected the assertion and said the claim did not reflect the facts on the ground. According to the Ministry of Information, the situation in Badakhshan is linked to Afghanistan’s own internal security and governance challenges. It maintained that there was no evidence establishing Pakistani involvement in the violence. The ministry said independent reports had described the clashes as an armed conflict involving opposition to what it called the Taliban’s non-inclusive and oppressive rule. It added that such reporting had not established any Pakistani role in the fighting. Pakistan also reiterated its stated position that it wants peace and stability in Afghanistan. The ministry said Islamabad had no interest in destabilising its neighbouring country. It urged the Afghan Taliban authorities to focus on addressing the challenges emerging from their own governance rather than attributing Afghanistan’s internal problems to Pakistan. The ministry stressed that allegations unsupported by evidence could not replace established facts. Pakistan has repeatedly called for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and has maintained that instability inside the neighbouring country should be addressed through political and internal measures.

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    Pakistan MPs get highest salaries in South Asia

    ByJustpaste.in

    Islamabad – According to a comparative review of parliamentary salaries in South Asia, Pakistani lawmakers receive the highest monthly salaries in the region while Pakistan’s per capita income remains lower than that of several countries in the region. According to data released under the title “Parliamentarians’ Salaries and Benefits vs. Per Capita Income in the Region,” the monthly salary of a Pakistani parliamentarian stood at $3,530 as of July 2026, the highest in the region. The data shows that an Indian parliamentarian receives a monthly salary of $2,813 while the figure is $1,400 in Bangladesh, $1,100 in Sri Lanka and $600 in Nepal. According to the report, Pakistan’s annual per capita income stands at $1,500, compared with $2,954 in India, $3,037 in Bangladesh, $4,000 in Sri Lanka and $1,400 in Nepal. The report states that the monthly salary of a Pakistani parliamentarian is nearly six times higher than that of a Nepalese parliamentarian and more than twice that of a Bangladeshi parliamentarian. Gap between public income and Parliamentary salaries The data highlights a significant gap between the salaries of Pakistani lawmakers and the per capita income of ordinary citizens, sparking debate over financial priorities and the benefits provided to public representatives. Critics argue that such a wide gap between the income of public representatives and the economic conditions of ordinary citizens is a matter of concern. Supporters however, say parliamentary salaries take into account expenses related to electoral constituencies, security, travel facilities and legislative responsibilities. The report states that the figures were compiled based on the official salary structures as of July 2026 and per capita income estimates from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

  • 25 million children out of school as teacher shortage grows in Pakistan

    ByJustpaste.in

    Islamabad – Pakistan’s education crisis has become increasingly serious with around 25 million children out of school. A large number of these children are in Punjab and Sindh, the country’s most populous provinces. According to figures revealed in a recent assessment, a severe shortage of teachers in the public education system along with a lack of basic facilities in schools has raised concerns about the future of millions of children. Severe teacher shortage in Punjab The shortage of teachers in government schools in Punjab has become a major issue. According to the figures, 62 percent of permanent teaching positions in the province are vacant. The large number of vacant positions is placing an additional workload on the existing teaching staff raising concerns that the provision of quality education to students may also be affected. Fewer teachers, rising student numbers in Sindh The education situation in Sindh is also alarming where the number of teachers is declining while student enrollment is increasing. According to the report, 1,561 teachers in Sindh’s schools have not even passed matriculation meaning they do not meet the basic educational qualification required for teaching. Questions over education quality Education experts say that the shortage of teachers, untrained or underqualified teaching staff and the growing number of students have created a serious gap in the basic education system. Punjab and Sindh account for more than 60 percent of the country’s total population meaning that the education crisis in these two provinces also has a significant impact on the country’s overall education system. Education experts say that without effective measures for the immediate recruitment and training of teachers and improvements in educational standards, it will be difficult to achieve the goal of providing basic education to all children in the country. So far, the provincial governments have not announced any comprehensive province-wide plan to fully fill vacant teaching positions. However, demands for measures to improve the number of teachers and the quality of education in government schools are growing stronger.

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    Petrol and diesel prices increased again in Pakist…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The government has increased the prices of petroleum products once again announcing new rates for petrol and high-speed diesel. The revised prices will remain effective for two days. According to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) revised petroleum prices under the pricing mechanism approved by the federal government. The price of high-speed diesel has increased by Rs1.11 per litre taking its new price to Rs371.80 per litre. Diesel was previously priced at Rs370.69 per litre. Meanwhile, the price of petrol has risen by Rs1.12 per litre. Following the latest increase petrol will now cost Rs343.10 per litre compared with the previous rate of Rs341.98 per litre. The latest increase comes as petroleum prices continue to put pressure on household budgets and transportation costs. Higher petrol and diesel prices can also affect the cost of transporting goods and may contribute to increases in the prices of essential commodities. The government has issued the latest notification for only two days. Petroleum prices could therefore be reviewed again after the current period depending on international oil prices and other factors used in the pricing formula. The repeated changes in fuel prices are being closely watched by consumers transport operators and businesses because of their potential impact on inflation and the overall cost of living. For motorists, the latest increase means another rise in the cost of filling their vehicles. Transport and logistics businesses may also face higher operating expenses if fuel prices remain elevated.

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    Children’s fight turns deadly as gunfire erupts …

    ByJustpaste.in

    A young man was killed in Lahore after a dispute between children reportedly escalated into a violent confrontation involving adults and gunfire in the city’s Ghaziabad area. According to police and local reports, the incident took place within the jurisdiction of Ghaziabad Police Station. The trouble reportedly began when children got into an argument while playing. What initially appeared to be a minor dispute soon intensified after adults from the two sides became involved. The disagreement reportedly escalated rapidly with the opposing sides allegedly pulling out firearms. Gunshots were then fired during the confrontation leaving a young man seriously injured. Police said the victim suffered critical injuries in the shooting. He was immediately taken to Services Hospital in Lahore, where doctors attempted to save his life. However, his condition remained critical and he eventually died while receiving treatment. Following the incident, police launched an investigation and took suspects allegedly involved in the shooting into custody. Authorities said legal proceedings have been initiated against those arrested while investigators are working to establish the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation. Police also completed the necessary legal procedures regarding the victim’s body before handing it over to his family. The incident has highlighted the serious consequences that can arise when minor disagreements turn into violent disputes. What reportedly began as a quarrel between children eventually escalated into an armed confrontation, resulting in the death of a young man. Authorities are expected to investigate whether the weapons used in the incident were legally held and determine the exact role of each suspect. Further details may emerge as the investigation progresses. Residents in the area have expressed concern over the escalation of disputes into armed violence. Such incidents can pose serious risks not only to those directly involved but also to nearby residents and bystanders. Police have urged citizens to avoid taking the law into their own hands and to contact authorities when disputes become serious. Officials said those responsible would face legal action according to the law. The case remains under investigation, while the arrest of the suspects is expected to help authorities determine what triggered the shooting and how the confrontation escalated so quickly.

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    PM “Apna Ghar” housing scheme sees 52%…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The number of applicants for Pakistan’s Prime Minister Apna Ghar Housing Scheme has increased by 52%, according to the Ministry of Finance, reflecting growing demand for housing finance across the country. The development was discussed during a meeting of the Steering Committee on Access to Finance chaired by Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Tuesday. The meeting reviewed progress in several priority sectors, including housing, agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), exports, information technology and renewable energy. According to officials housing finance increased from Rs294 billion at the end of June to Rs307 billion by mid-August. Applications under the Prime Minister Apna Ghar programme have risen by 52% since June, reaching approximately 139,000 applications. The number of approved applications also increased by 84%, exceeding 46,000. Officials said approved financing under the programme has nearly doubled rising from Rs144 billion to Rs279 billion. The number of loans disbursed through the Apna Ghar programme increased by 59% to more than 7,600 loans, with the total amount disbursed exceeding Rs38 billion. The meeting also reviewed regulatory and legal measures aimed at expanding access to housing finance. These include revised prudential regulations introduced by the State Bank of Pakistan. Under the updated framework housing finance includes a 90:10 loan-to-value ratio a 65% debt-burden ratio and new procedures for assessing informal income. Officials also discussed measures to simplify property valuation and documentation, expand digital processing and make long-term housing finance more accessible. The approval of the Financial Institutions (Recovery of Finances) Amendment Act 2026 was described as an important legal reform for improving the recovery and enforcement framework for mortgage-based lending. The government has also set ambitious targets for agriculture and SME financing. It aims to increase financing in these sectors to Rs1.5 trillion by June 2027 and Rs2 trillion by June 2028. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stressed the need to direct the financial sector toward productive investment, business expansion, home ownership, agricultural productivity and export-led economic growth.The number of applicants for Pakistan’s Prime Minister Apna Ghar Housing Scheme has increased by 52%, according to the Ministry of Finance, reflecting growing demand for housing finance across the country.

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    Rs2.68bn loan default at Bank of Punjab raises rec…

    ByJustpaste.in

    An internal report has revealed that 268 borrowers have defaulted on loans worth more than Rs2.68 billion at the Bank of Punjab (BOP), raising questions about the recovery of outstanding loans at the province’s government-owned bank. According to the report, each of the 268 borrowers has outstanding liabilities exceeding Rs1 crore. The list reportedly includes individuals, firms and companies with significant loan defaults. Sources familiar with the matter claimed that some prominent political and business figures may also be included among the borrowers. However, the identities and details of the alleged defaulters have not been independently verified. The reported figures have renewed concerns over the bank’s loan recovery mechanisms and lending practices. Large loan defaults can affect a financial institution’s liquidity and its ability to extend credit to other customers, particularly when recovery remains delayed. The Bank of Punjab is a major government-owned financial institution in Punjab and conducts both commercial and government-related banking operations. The Punjab Provincial Cooperative Bank is another state-owned financial institution, but its activities are primarily focused on the cooperative sector. Banking experts have called for stronger monitoring of large loans, improved recovery mechanisms and greater transparency in lending by state-owned banks. They say timely recovery of defaulted loans is essential to protect public resources and maintain confidence in the banking system. The report has also raised questions about the circumstances under which the loans were approved and the steps taken by the bank to recover the outstanding amounts. The Bank of Punjab management has so far not issued an official statement confirming or rejecting the figures contained in the report. Further verification of the reported list, including the identities of the borrowers and the status of recovery proceedings, would be necessary before any individual or company can be held responsible for the alleged defaults.