CM sets up clean drinking water camps for flood victims

Former Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Sadia Sohail Rana remained safe after unidentified individuals allegedly attacked her vehicle in Lahore, police said. According to police officials, the incident occurred when unknown suspects targeted her vehicle and pelted it with stones. The attack caused damage to the vehicle, but the former lawmaker was not injured. Police said Sadia Sohail Rana safely escaped the incident and immediately informed the authorities. Officers reached the scene soon after receiving the report and began collecting evidence. The former MPA has submitted an application requesting the registration of a criminal case against the unidentified attackers. Police said legal proceedings are being initiated in light of her complaint. Investigators have launched an inquiry to determine the motive behind the attack. Officials are examining all available evidence and questioning witnesses who may have seen the incident. Police are also reviewing CCTV footage from cameras installed in the surrounding area to identify the suspects and trace their movements before and after the attack. Authorities said efforts are underway to arrest those responsible. They added that action will be taken in accordance with the law once the attackers are identified.

The Sindh government has approved the introduction of a Facial Recognition Attendance Monitoring and Evaluation System (FRAMES) in public schools as part of a broader effort to improve governance, transparency and accountability in the education sector. The decision was taken during a meeting of the School Education Department chaired by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. The meeting was attended by Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah, the chief secretary and other senior government officials. During the meeting, the education minister gave a detailed briefing on the proposed system and informed participants that all technical preparations for its implementation have been completed. He said the project is designed to introduce data-driven governance and improve monitoring of teachers and non-teaching staff across government schools. According to the briefing, the first phase of the project will begin in six districts, with one district selected from each division of Sindh. Registration of teachers and non-teaching employees in these districts has already been completed, paving the way for the system’s launch. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced that the new attendance system will become operational in the selected districts from August 17. If the pilot phase is successful, it will be expanded gradually to all districts across the province. Under the FRAMES system, attendance of teachers and school staff will be recorded through facial recognition technology. Officials said the system will automatically record employees’ arrival and departure times, creating a secure, accurate and tamper-proof attendance record. The education department also informed the meeting that geo-tagging of government schools has been completed. Officials said the system has been designed to function effectively even in remote areas with weak internet connectivity, ensuring uninterrupted monitoring throughout the province. Murad Ali Shah said improving teachers’ attendance is essential for raising educational standards and ensuring quality education for students. He said every child has the right to receive quality education, and achieving that goal requires teachers and school staff to perform their duties regularly and responsibly. The chief minister emphasized that the use of modern technology would strengthen accountability and improve discipline within the education system. He said digital monitoring would help eliminate irregularities, increase transparency and provide education authorities with reliable data for decision-making. He directed officials to establish an effective support and monitoring mechanism during the initial implementation phase. He also instructed the education department to provide schools with all necessary technical assistance and training to ensure the smooth operation of the new system. Officials said information collected through the facial recognition platform will help education authorities evaluate attendance patterns, improve administrative oversight and identify areas requiring further reforms. They added that the initiative is expected to enhance institutional discipline, strengthen governance and improve the overall performance of public schools.

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the deadly suicide bombing in Swat, describing the attack as “heinous and cowardly” as Pakistan renewed its warning that terrorist groups continue to operate from alleged safe havens inside Afghanistan. The attack took place outside a police station in Kabal, Swat, on August 2, killing at least 16 Pakistani nationals, mostly civilians, and leaving dozens injured, according to the UN statement cited by Pakistan’s Dawn. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the bombing. In a statement issued through the office of the UN secretary general’s spokesperson, Security Council members expressed deep sympathy to the families of those killed and wished the injured a speedy recovery. The council also stressed that those behind the attack must be held accountable, calling for perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorism to be brought to justice. The UN body reiterated its longstanding position that terrorism, regardless of its motivation, location or perpetrators, remains a serious threat to international peace and security. It also urged member states to cooperate with Pakistan in accordance with international law and relevant Security Council resolutions. Pakistan Raises Alarm Over Afghan Sanctuaries The condemnation came shortly after Pakistan raised concerns at a UNSC briefing over what it described as the growing threat from terrorist organisations operating from Afghan territory. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar, said several groups continue to maintain safe havens inside Afghanistan and pose an increasing threat to Pakistan and regional security. He specifically named the banned TTP, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its Majeed Brigade, Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K), East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), and Al Qaeda affiliates. Pakistan urged the international community to ensure that Afghan soil is not used to launch terrorist attacks against neighbouring countries, while calling for stronger international cooperation to counter cross-border terrorism. The latest developments have added fresh pressure to an already sensitive security relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan. They also came after the fourth US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue in Washington, where officials from both countries reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorist organisations. For Pakistan, the UNSC condemnation provides international recognition of the seriousness of the Swat attack, while Islamabad continues to push for stronger action against militant networks it says operate across its western border.