DC, DPO receive central Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession in Gujrat

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned journalist Asad Ali Toor for questioning over allegations of spreading false or misleading information online. According to the notice issued by the agency, the state has been named as the complainant in the case. The inquiry relates to allegations of the dissemination, transmission or public display of information described as false or fake. The proceedings have been initiated under Section 26A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016, which deals with the dissemination of false and fake information. The NCCIA has directed Toor to appear before its Cybercrime Reporting Centre in Islamabad at 11am on July 31. The notice warned that failure to appear without a lawful reason could result in the inquiry continuing in his absence. The agency said non-compliance could also lead to action under Section 174 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which concerns failure to attend when ordered by a public servant. Toor confirmed receiving the summons through a post on X. He shared an image of the notice and accompanied it with verses by revolutionary poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. The development has also raised concerns among journalist organisations over press freedom and the treatment of journalists facing legal proceedings. The National Press Club (NPC) in Islamabad criticised the notice and expressed concern over what it described as growing pressure on the media. The press club said freedom of expression is protected under the Constitution. It argued that journalists should not face legal pressure or retaliation simply for carrying out their professional responsibilities or expressing critical views. The NPC called on relevant institutions to perform their duties within the framework of the law, the Constitution and fundamental rights. It also stressed that free, responsible and safe journalism is essential for a healthy democratic system. The press body urged authorities to withdraw the notice and ensure that journalists’ constitutional and legal rights are protected. It also warned that measures restricting press freedom could create further insecurity among members of the journalist community. This is not the first time Toor has faced legal action under cybercrime laws. He was arrested in 2024 in a case registered under Peca over allegations of running a campaign against state institutions. His arrest at the time prompted criticism from sections of the journalist community. He was subsequently released.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has strongly condemned the killing of party worker Mushtaq Shah in LA-31 during the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections. In a statement, Bilawal expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and said the incident was deeply tragic. He prayed for the deceased and extended sympathy to his relatives. Bilawal alleged that the earlier attack on senior PPP leader Chaudhry Latif Akbar, followed by the killing of Mushtaq Shah, reflected what he described as the intentions of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) during the election process. He further claimed that if the elections were influenced through rigging, it would undermine public confidence in state institutions. According to Bilawal, the use of violence, intimidation and coercive tactics to influence voters was unacceptable. The PPP chairman also accused the PML-N of attempting to influence the electoral process in Azad Kashmir through force and pressure. He called for a transparent, peaceful and fair election, urging the relevant authorities to ensure that every voter could exercise their democratic right without fear. Polling is currently underway for the second phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections, covering nine general constituencies in Muzaffarabad Division and 12 refugee constituencies located across different parts of Pakistan. Election authorities have deployed security personnel at polling stations to maintain law and order as voting continues across the constituencies. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a transparent electoral process and taking action against any violations of the election code of conduct.

MQM-Pakistan Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of creating an ethnic divide in Sindh. He said the province had not simply been divided into urban and rural areas. Instead, he claimed that a linguistic and ethnic division had been created. Speaking at a public gathering in Hyderabad, Siddiqui said Muhajirs were settled in 21 cities across Sindh. He said his party had always preferred political and peaceful struggle over confrontation. Siddiqui warned that if the people participating in the political movement were directed towards the Chief Minister’s House, the situation could reach a decisive point. However, he stressed that MQM-P had never called for fighting. He said the party wanted different communities to recognise and respect each other. The MQM-P chief said the cities of Sindh belonged to the descendants of people who had contributed to the creation of Pakistan. He said they had brought their share of Pakistan with them and had continued to remain committed to the country. Siddiqui also spoke about abandoned properties in Sindh. He claimed that the Muhajir community had not received even 10 per cent of what he described as its rightful share. He said the community’s love for Pakistan and desire for peace should not be considered a weakness. He said MQM-P would continue raising the rights of the people regardless of the number of votes it received. Siddiqui claimed that the party was bigger than the assemblies and said its presence represented Pakistan. The MQM-P chairman also urged the federal government to take the party’s demands seriously. He said one of the party’s major demands was the establishment and empowerment of effective local governments. Siddiqui argued that strong local governments were necessary to solve problems at the grassroots level. He said people should have greater control over decisions affecting their cities and communities. The MQM-P leader also demanded a fair and accurate population census in Sindh. He said every person must be properly counted to ensure fair political representation and distribution of resources. Siddiqui warned that those responsible for failing to count people accurately would eventually have to answer for it. He claimed that two sections of society were currently contributing to the state’s economy in Sindh but were not receiving proportionate representation. He argued that a transparent population count could resolve many of the grievances surrounding political representation. According to Siddiqui, if the people of Sindh were properly counted, the demand for a separate province would no longer remain necessary. His remarks come amid an ongoing political debate in Sindh over population figures, ethnic representation, local government powers and the distribution of resources. The MQM-P has repeatedly called for stronger local governments and greater representation for urban areas. The party maintains that accurate population data is essential for determining political representation and ensuring a fair share of development resources.

KHANEWAL: The sudden death of a 25-year-old newlywed woman in Khanewal has taken a disturbing turn after police arrested her father and two relatives over allegations that she was strangled days after marrying a man of her choice. The woman, identified as Iqra, died in Mehr Shah, an area falling within the jurisdiction of Sadar Khanewal Police Station. Police said her family initially attempted to present the death as an electrocution incident. According to the police and the FIR, Iqra had married Sohail three days before her death despite opposition from her family. Her husband alleged that her father, angered by the marriage, brought her back from her in-laws’ home on the pretext of formally sending her off from her parental house. Investigators allege that after bringing her home, Iqra was strangled with the assistance of her uncle and brother. Police are also examining claims that the family later staged the scene to make the death appear accidental. The case has now triggered a formal murder investigation, with authorities focusing on the circumstances surrounding the young woman’s death. Police arrested Iqra’s father, Falak Sher, and registered a case. Her body was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Khanewal for a post-mortem examination, which is expected to help establish the exact cause of death. Sadar police SHO Ramzan Gul said Falak Sher was in custody and that investigators were waiting for the post-mortem report before drawing final conclusions. The officer said preliminary findings suggested that Iqra’s father could be the main suspect, while investigators were questioning other family members and examining the alleged strangulation and reported attempt to disguise the circumstances of her death. Police said the investigation would proceed further once the medical findings are received. Until then, the allegations remain under investigation, while authorities continue to determine what happened to Iqra after she returned to her family home.