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Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has staged sit-ins in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar against the petroleum levy, rising fuel prices and inflation. In Karachi, a JI rally led by Karachi chief Munim Zafar reached Fawara Chowk. The party had announced a sit-in outside the Governor House to protest the petroleum levy. JI workers are moving towards the Governor House from the Sindh High Court. Party activists have been raising concerns over the impact of the petroleum levy and rising fuel prices on the public. Following the sit-in at Fawara Chowk, the road leading towards the Press Club and Arts Council remains open for traffic. Police personnel have also been deployed near the Governor House to maintain security and manage the situation. In Lahore, JI workers staged a sit-in at Faisal Chowk on Mall Road, near the Chief Minister’s House. JI Pakistan chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also reached the protest site and joined the demonstrators. The protest in Lahore was led by JI Punjab chief Javed Kasuri and other party leaders. The protesters are demanding relief from rising petroleum prices and the petroleum levy. The party has also criticised the increasing burden of inflation on ordinary citizens. JI leaders have called for measures to reduce the financial pressure faced by the public. In Peshawar, JI workers staged a sit-in outside the Governor House. The protest has resulted in the closure of the road up to the Sadar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Chowk. JI Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch is scheduled to address the protesters in Peshawar. Party leaders are expected to highlight their demands regarding petroleum prices, the levy and inflation. The demonstrations are part of JI’s wider campaign against the petroleum levy and rising prices. The party has announced protests in different cities to pressure the government to provide relief to consumers. JI leaders have argued that increases in petroleum prices affect the prices of transport, food and other essential goods. They have demanded that the government reconsider the petroleum levy and take steps to control inflation.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to take the first three-year leadership of a new secretariat established under the defence agreement signed by Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia in Makkah on Aug 7, giving Islamabad a prominent role in coordinating the emerging regional security framework. According to Turkish and international media reports, the secretariat will serve as the central mechanism for implementing decisions taken by the three countries and coordinating their growing defence cooperation. After Pakistan’s initial three-year term, leadership is expected to pass to Saudi Arabia and then Türkiye. The agreement is built around a collective-security principle under which an armed attack against one member would be regarded as an attack against all three. However, unlike NATO’s automatic response mechanism, the pact leaves the nature of any response to be determined according to the circumstances and the request of the affected country. A high-level council comprising foreign and defence ministers as well as military chiefs is also expected to oversee the arrangement. The council is expected to meet twice a year, while cooperation could range from intelligence sharing and logistics to direct military assistance when required. The partnership also places a strong emphasis on defence technology. The three countries plan to expand cooperation in unmanned systems, electronic warfare and artificial intelligence, alongside joint military exercises designed to improve coordination among their armed forces. Joint defence production, research and technology transfer are also part of the broader framework. For Pakistan, the first leadership term could prove strategically significant. Islamabad already maintains longstanding defence ties with both Ankara and Riyadh, and its role at the secretariat could give it greater influence in regional security diplomacy. Türkiye has stressed that the agreement is defensive and is not directed against any particular country. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the pact is intended to strengthen regional security rather than replace existing alliances. With the Middle East facing continued instability, the new arrangement could become an important test of how effectively three regional powers can turn political solidarity into practical defence cooperation.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have won one seat each in Bagh district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), according to unofficial and preliminary results. The results came after repolling was held at 23 polling stations in two constituencies. Voting was conducted on Saturday from 8am to 5pm. The repolling was ordered after voting could not take place at some polling stations during the earlier election process. In LA-16 Bagh, PML-N candidate Mir Akbar Khan emerged victorious. According to unofficial results from all 186 polling stations, he received 20,793 votes. His main rival, PPP candidate Qamar Zaman Khan, secured 16,964 votes. Akbar Khan defeated Qamar Zaman by 3,829 votes. The result gave the PML-N an important victory in the constituency. The party candidate maintained a clear lead after counting was completed at all polling stations. In the other constituency, LA-15 Bagh, the PPP secured victory. Its candidate Zia Qamar received 17,019 votes, according to unofficial results from all 213 polling stations. PML-N candidate Mushtaq Minhas stood second with 15,127 votes. Zia Qamar defeated Minhas by a margin of 1,892 votes. The two results mean that the PPP and PML-N have secured one constituency each in Bagh district. Repolling at the 23 polling stations continued for the full voting period. Voters were allowed to cast their ballots between 8am and 5pm. The polling stations had previously faced disruptions. In some areas, election material had not reached the polling stations on time. Voting was also suspended at some locations because of unrest and security concerns. The Election Commission arranged the fresh polling to complete the voting process at the affected stations. The exercise was conducted under heightened attention because of the importance of the two constituencies. The latest results are still unofficial and non-final. The relevant election authorities will formally verify the results before declaring the final outcome.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has called for political tolerance, saying political rivalry is a normal part of democratic politics but differences should never turn into personal or political enmity. Addressing a PML-N meeting in Murree on Saturday, Nawaz Sharif said he was surprised by the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) objections regarding the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. He noted that the PPP had previously been in power in AJK and said the political situation that emerged during the elections was a matter of concern for all political stakeholders. Nawaz said the situation had developed because previous governments had failed to properly fulfil their responsibilities. He stressed that political parties should respect democratic differences and avoid creating an atmosphere of hostility. The PML-N president said his party had always treated its political opponents with respect. He urged all political forces to demonstrate patience and tolerance and keep political disagreements within the limits of democratic debate. Nawaz Sharif said the PML-N had secured a simple majority after the first two phases of the AJK elections. The party has won 24 seats, while the PPP has secured 10 seats in the first two phases. The third phase of the election process is yet to be completed, with final results expected after the remaining polling process. Nawaz expressed confidence that the PML-N would form the government in AJK. He said the party would work to fulfil the commitments made to voters during the election campaign. He congratulated PML-N leaders and workers on their electoral performance and appreciated their efforts during the election campaign. Nawaz Sharif called for maximum financial resources to be provided to Azad Kashmir. He said improving the lives of the people and accelerating development should remain the government’s top priority. He claimed that the people of AJK were looking towards Punjab for development and better public services. Nawaz said development work had been initiated during Shehbaz Sharif’s tenure in Punjab and later expanded under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He pledged that the PML-N would seek to replicate its development model in AJK. “The way we transformed Punjab, we will transform Azad Kashmir as well,” Nawaz said, while stressing that failing to deliver on promises made to voters could result in public disappointment. The PML-N president also praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his team for their efforts to address Pakistan’s economic and administrative challenges. He said the government inherited an extremely difficult situation but was now working to improve the country’s overall position. According to Nawaz, economic conditions were gradually improving and efforts were underway to put Pakistan on a stronger and more sustainable footing. He said the government was also seeking to reduce Pakistan’s dependence on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and move the country towards greater economic self-reliance.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has praised the services of Pakistan’s former military personnel. He said their experience and guidance remain a valuable institutional asset for the country. The army chief made the remarks while hosting a reception in honour of ex-servicemen on Pakistan’s Independence Day. A large number of retired officers and personnel attended the event. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Field Marshal Asim Munir paid tribute to the former servicemen for their contributions to Pakistan’s defence. He also recognised their role in strengthening national resilience. He said the services of retired military personnel continued to hold importance even after their formal retirement from the armed forces. Field Marshal Asim Munir said Pakistan was facing a complex and changing security environment. He noted that the experience of former servicemen could help the country better understand and respond to emerging security challenges. He described their knowledge, experience and guidance as an important institutional resource. He said the contribution of veterans could support efforts to strengthen national security and resilience. The army chief also acknowledged the sacrifices and services rendered by former members of the armed forces during their years of service. The ex-servicemen, in turn, expressed confidence in the leadership of the Pakistan Army. They reaffirmed their support for the armed forces in dealing with emerging security challenges. The retired personnel also pledged to continue playing their role in strengthening national unity. They expressed their commitment to supporting peace and prosperity in the country. The gathering provided an opportunity to recognise the continued connection between serving and retired military personnel. It also highlighted the importance of preserving institutional experience and benefiting from the knowledge of veterans.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to intensify relief efforts and ensure maximum assistance for people affected by ongoing monsoon rains and floods. The prime minister issued the instructions during a meeting with NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik in Islamabad on Saturday. He ordered authorities to utilise all available resources to support flood-hit communities and provide immediate relief to those facing difficult conditions. Shehbaz also stressed close coordination between the NDMA, provincial governments and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) to ensure relief operations remain effective and reach affected populations without delay. During the meeting, the NDMA chairman briefed the prime minister on the latest weather conditions and the flood situation resulting from heavy monsoon rainfall. He also provided an update on relief operations and ongoing measures to rehabilitate people displaced or affected by the flooding. According to the briefing, federal authorities are supporting relief activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Rescue and assistance operations in these areas will continue with the cooperation of the federal government. The prime minister also praised the NDMA’s use of artificial intelligence and modern technology at the National Emergencies Operation Centre, saying advanced systems could strengthen disaster monitoring and response. The latest figures show the growing impact of monsoon-related incidents across the country. The NDMA reported that at least 155 people have died and 460 others have been injured in rain-related incidents between June 26 and August 14. Pakistan’s monsoon season generally lasts from June to September and plays an important role in replenishing water resources. However, intense rainfall can also cause flash floods, river flooding, landslides and displacement, particularly in vulnerable communities. The situation could remain challenging in the coming days. The Flood Forecasting Division of the Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned of possible high-level flooding in storm-water channels connected to the Chenab and Ravi rivers between August 15 and 21 as water levels continue to rise.

The Islamabad Police has received 30 new vehicles for 27 police stations in the federal capital after a gap of 14 years, in a move aimed at improving police mobility and reducing emergency response times. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry handed over the vehicle keys to police officials during a ceremony at Police Lines on Saturday. Speaking at the ceremony, Naqvi said modern policing could not be achieved without providing police with functional and adequate transport. He said the newly provided vehicles would help officers respond to emergencies more quickly and perform their duties more effectively. The interior minister said the government was making efforts to provide Islamabad Police with the resources required to improve public safety and maintain security in the capital. He also said work was underway on the construction and upgrading of police stations across Islamabad. According to him, the projects would be completed soon and would improve the working environment and operational capacity of the force. Naqvi highlighted the inclusion of electric vehicles in the government’s efforts to promote environmentally friendly policies. He said the use of electric vehicles would also help reduce expenditure on petroleum products. Tallal Chaudhry said the new vehicles had been distributed among all 27 police stations in Islamabad. He pointed out that police personnel had previously been operating vehicles that were around 14 years old, creating difficulties for effective field operations. The minister of state said rehabilitation and construction work at the capital’s 27 police stations was also in progress and was expected to be completed by the end of the year. He further disclosed that around 9,000 new personnel were being recruited to address the shortage of manpower in Islamabad Police. He said the recruitment process would be conducted strictly on merit.

President Asif Ali Zardari has praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for strengthening Pakistan’s strategic ties with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye through a landmark joint defence agreement. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met President Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday and briefed him on the trilateral agreement reached at the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit on August 7. The prime minister also conveyed Independence Day greetings to the president. Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be considered an attack against all three. The arrangement is aimed at deepening defence cooperation and strengthening collective security among the allied nations. President Zardari expressed hope that the agreement would be implemented effectively and contribute to regional peace, stability and security. He said closer cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye could also reinforce unity and security across the Muslim world. The president also acknowledged the capabilities and sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies in combating terrorism and confronting security threats. He reiterated the state’s determination to eliminate terrorism and ensure lasting peace across the country. During the meeting, the economic challenges facing the people were also discussed. President Zardari stressed the need for practical steps to provide relief to citizens amid the difficult regional environment. He called for uninterrupted supplies of essential commodities and efforts to keep their prices within reach of the public. The president further expressed optimism that Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives for regional and international peace would enhance the country’s standing globally. He said stronger diplomatic relations and strategic partnerships could eventually have a positive impact on the national economy and improve the lives of ordinary citizens.