Court Upholds Dismissal of Former Deputy Police Chief ‘Big Joke’ Surachate

Independence Day celebrations were held across Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday, with political leaders, judges and government officials highlighting national unity, development, democracy and the sacrifices made for Pakistan. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, in her Independence Day message, said the occasion was a day for the younger generation to renew its commitment to the country’s future. She said she wanted to see young people equipped with books, pens and laptops, stressing that genuine development would only be achieved when no section of society was left behind. Lahore High Court Chief Justice Justice Aalia Neelum, addressing a flag-hoisting ceremony, said love for the homeland was part of faith. She said every citizen had a responsibility to work tirelessly for the country’s progress and added that the Punjab judiciary was striving to ensure the effective delivery of justice. Independence Day celebrations were also held at King Edward Medical University in Lahore. Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique attended the ceremony as chief guest, cut the Independence Day cake and led prayers for the country’s security and prosperity. He said every citizen must play a role in Pakistan’s development. A flag-hoisting ceremony was also organised at the Sports Board Punjab. The secretary sports, director general sports and other officials and employees attended the event. The national flag was hoisted and participants observed a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Pakistan. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said Independence Day should also serve as an opportunity to reflect on the objectives and sacrifices behind the creation of Pakistan. He said the country was established in 1947 on the principles of unity, discipline and firm faith, but 79 years later the nation had still not fully achieved national cohesion. Fazlur Rehman called for overcoming regional, linguistic and group-based divisions and urged people to move forward as one Pakistani nation. He said the objectives of Pakistan’s creation included an Islamic system, a prosperous economy and stable democracy. Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said Pakistan was created on the basis of the Two-Nation Theory but the country had yet to fully realise the objectives for which it was established. He criticised successive governments for making people’s lives difficult and said the implementation of the Quran and Sunnah was essential to achieving Pakistan’s true destination. In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi hoisted the national flag at Governor House. Iran’s Consul General Ali Banafsheh Khah also attended the ceremony. Prayers were offered for Pakistan’s development, prosperity and stability, while Kundi and the Iranian consul general jointly cut the cake marking the country’s 79th Independence Day. K-P Adviser on Finance Muzammil Aslam said the province had witnessed significant improvements and called for greater efforts to strengthen the region. He said the provincial government had faced serious financial difficulties when it took office but the situation had subsequently improved. Aslam said officials should set clear targets for what they wanted to achieve before the next Independence Day. He also stressed the need for collective efforts to eliminate terrorism from the province. K-P Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah said the objectives behind the creation of Pakistan would be fulfilled. He said the people would not hesitate to make sacrifices for the country and would continue working towards its progress and stability. Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja also congratulated the nation on Independence Day. She paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives defending the country and described the armed forces as guarantors of peace and development. She said Pakistan’s growing international standing reflected the efforts of its political and military leadership. According to her, Pakistan is increasingly recognised globally for its commitment to peace, development, defence and its vision of a digital future.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott has assured Pakistan that the issue of delays in student visas will be addressed. Marriott gave the assurance during a meeting with Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar. The meeting was held as concerns grow over delays faced by Pakistani students seeking to travel to the United Kingdom for higher education. During the meeting, Tarar raised the issue of delayed visa processing with the British envoy. He conveyed the government’s concerns over the difficulties being faced by Pakistani students. The minister said hundreds of Pakistani students could lose their academic year because of the delays. Many students require timely visa decisions to join their universities and begin their studies according to the scheduled academic calendar. Tarar stressed the importance of resolving the issue at the earliest. He said unnecessary delays could create serious academic and financial difficulties for students and their families. The British High Commissioner assured the minister that efforts would be made to address the matter. The two sides also discussed broader issues of mutual interest. They exchanged views on strengthening institutional communication and cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. The meeting highlighted the importance of maintaining effective coordination between the relevant institutions of both countries. Better institutional engagement could help resolve issues affecting students and other Pakistani citizens seeking services in the UK. The assurance comes amid concerns among Pakistani students about securing timely visas for their higher education programmes.

MULTAN: Flight operations at Multan International Airport have increased, with the airport recording a new daily high of 37 flights on Wednesday. According to the flight schedule, 449 flights were operated across Pakistan during the past 24 hours, while 68 flights were cancelled and 112 flights faced delays of up to seven hours. Of the 37 flights operated at Multan airport, 18 arrived and 19 departed, marking the highest number of daily flight operations recorded at the airport. The schedule showed that 135 flights were operated from Karachi, 118 from Islamabad, 105 from Lahore, 17 from Peshawar, 15 from Sialkot and 12 from Faisalabad. Flight delays were also reported at several major airports. Karachi recorded delays involving nine flights, while Lahore and Islamabad each reported 33 delayed flights. Multan had eight delayed flights, Peshawar six, Sialkot eight, Faisalabad nine and Quetta six. A number of flights were also cancelled during the same period. Karachi recorded 20 cancellations, Lahore 21, Islamabad 12 and Multan three. Peshawar, Faisalabad and Sialkot each recorded two cancelled flights, while six flights were cancelled at Quetta airport. The latest figures indicate increased flight activity at Multan International Airport, with the 37-flight total setting a new daily record for the southern Punjab city’s airport.