Data Darbar revamp to be completed before next Urs…

Peshawar: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has changed the venue for its August 5 public rally, with party leaders announcing that the gathering will now take place at an open ground near the Peshawar Motorway instead of the previously planned location. The decision was made during a PTI parliamentary party meeting held at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar. The meeting was chaired by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sualeh Afridi and attended by members of the National Assembly and the Provincial Assembly. Addressing the meeting, Afridi said preparations for the rally were in full swing and responsibilities had been assigned to party lawmakers to ensure the event’s success. He described the August 5 rally as a “semi-final” and a decisive gathering, saying the party would present its future political strategy to the public. According to the chief minister, the venue was shifted to an open ground near the Peshawar Motorway to improve public access and accommodate a larger number of participants. Afridi also reviewed the party’s political efforts since October 15, 2025, stating that PTI had pursued constitutional and legal avenues to resolve political issues through dialogue. He said the party leadership had sought meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan through legal channels, including approaching the Islamabad High Court and the Supreme Court, but those efforts had not produced the desired outcome. He reiterated that PTI remained committed to peaceful political activity and maintained that peaceful protest was the party’s final constitutional option. Afridi also called for better access to Imran Khan by his family, sisters, and personal doctors, while urging authorities to ensure he receives appropriate medical care. The meeting, however, was not without internal disagreements. According to party sources, several lawmakers expressed concerns over the timing of the rally and suggested holding a workers’ convention before launching the movement. Some members argued that the main protest should be organized in Punjab rather than Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to increase political pressure on the federal government. The reported differences led to a heated exchange during the meeting, with some dissatisfied lawmakers leaving before it concluded. Party sources said the chief minister assured members that their concerns would be addressed. The August 5 rally is expected to be one of PTI’s most significant political events in recent months as the party seeks to outline its next phase of political action.

The head of the Awam Pakistan Party, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, has criticized the government over the country’s worsening economic and political situation, saying that even government representatives have now started raising concerns about the state of affairs in Pakistan. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Abbasi said that the interior minister had realized after four to five years that the country was facing serious governance challenges, while ordinary Pakistanis had been expressing similar concerns for years. “The people of Pakistan have been saying the same thing for the past four to five years,” Abbasi stated, adding that government ministers should raise such issues directly during cabinet meetings instead of discussing them publicly. The former prime minister stressed that Pakistan urgently requires meaningful reforms and warned that temporary or superficial measures would not solve the country’s deep-rooted problems. He argued that the country has repeatedly experimented with short-term solutions every year, but what is needed is a fundamental change in the system. “We need to change the system and establish the rule of law,” Abbasi said, emphasizing that strong institutions and equal application of laws are necessary for long-term stability. Abbasi also criticized political divisions and the practice of using accountability cases against opponents. He called for an end to the cycle of imprisoning political rivals, questioning how the country could progress if every politician was accused of corruption. “If all politicians are corrupt, then who will run the country?” he asked. The Awam Pakistan Party leader claimed that two major stakeholders currently play a dominant role in running the country, but instead of working together, both sides continue to blame each other for national problems. Discussing the economic situation, Abbasi said that the income of Pakistani citizens has declined significantly over the past six years. He claimed that household purchasing power has fallen by approximately 14 percent, leaving many families struggling financially. “Every household in Pakistan has become poorer,” he said, adding that unemployment has reached its highest level in 21 years. Abbasi also highlighted the increasing tax burden on citizens, stating that the average Pakistani now pays around Rs60,000 in taxes annually. He said that taxes that were previously around Rs30,000 have doubled in recent years, while poverty continues to rise across the country. The former prime minister argued that Pakistan is struggling to attract investment because of inconsistent policies and uncertainty. He accused the government of relying heavily on taxation rather than creating conditions that encourage economic growth. “There is no certainty about when new taxes will be imposed,” Abbasi said, claiming that unpredictable policies discourage businesses and investors from operating in Pakistan. He also raised concerns about public health and food security, stating that thousands of children in Pakistan are affected by HIV and that the government has started importing wheat despite the country being an agricultural economy. “A country known for agriculture is now purchasing wheat from abroad,” he remarked. Abbasi further criticized rising costs of essential services, including electricity, gas, petrol, and diesel. He said that ordinary citizens are facing increasing financial pressure because of continuous price increases. According to Abbasi, Pakistan’s current situation reflects a broader governance failure, and without major reforms, improvements in economic conditions will remain difficult. He called for political cooperation, institutional reform, and policies focused on economic stability rather than short-term measures.

A 4.0-magnitude earthquake struck Rakhni and nearby areas in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan on Wednesday, causing tremors that were felt across the region. According to seismic monitoring authorities, the earthquake originated at a depth of 37 kilometres below the surface. The moderate tremor was felt in Rakhni and surrounding localities, prompting residents to leave their homes and workplaces as a precaution. There were no immediate reports of casualties, injuries, or significant property damage following the earthquake. Local authorities are monitoring the situation and assessing whether the tremor caused any structural damage in affected areas. Earthquakes of moderate intensity are relatively common in Balochistan due to the province’s location along active tectonic fault lines. The region lies near the boundary where the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate interact, making it one of Pakistan’s most seismically active areas. Although a magnitude 4.0 earthquake is generally considered moderate, its impact can vary depending on factors such as the depth of the quake, the distance from the epicentre, and local geological conditions. Shallow earthquakes are often felt more strongly than deeper ones, even if their magnitude is relatively low. Emergency management officials have advised residents to remain alert for any possible aftershocks, although no additional seismic activity had been reported immediately after the initial tremor. Citizens are also encouraged to follow official safety guidelines and avoid spreading unverified information on social media. Pakistan frequently experiences seismic activity because of its geographical location on the collision zone of major tectonic plates. While many earthquakes are minor and cause little or no damage, stronger tremors have historically resulted in significant destruction, particularly in mountainous regions. Disaster management authorities continue to monitor seismic developments and will provide updates if further activity is recorded or if any damage assessments reveal new information. Residents in the affected areas have been urged to report any structural damage to local authorities and to remain cautious until the situation is fully assessed. The latest earthquake serves as a reminder of the importance of earthquake preparedness in vulnerable regions, including adherence to building safety standards and public awareness of emergency response procedures.