Deadly Fire at Popular Bangkok Pub Kills at Least 27 People, Prime Minister Visits Scene

President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the conferment of the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on General Syed Aamer Raza, the newly appointed Commander of the National Strategic Command (NSC). The announcement was made by the President’s Secretariat through a post on X, stating that the country’s highest civilian office had endorsed the prestigious military honour for General Raza in recognition of his distinguished service. General Raza has previously received the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) and the Sitara-i-Basalat, reflecting a career marked by operational leadership and professional excellence. His latest recognition comes shortly after his promotion to the rank of four-star general and appointment as Pakistan’s first Commander of the National Strategic Command. The position was created as part of the sweeping reforms introduced under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which reshaped the country’s higher defence structure. Under the new framework, the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee was abolished and replaced by the position of Chief of Defence Forces, a role currently held concurrently by Field Marshal Asim Munir as Chief of Army Staff. The National Strategic Command serves as the unified operational headquarters for Pakistan’s strategic forces, bringing together the strategic commands of the Army, Navy and Air Force under one command. Despite this restructuring, the National Command Authority, chaired by the prime minister, remains the country’s highest decision-making body on nuclear policy and strategic employment. General Raza was appointed to the post by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the recommendation of the Chief of Defence Forces. As provided under the amended Army Act, the appointment carries a three-year tenure. Before assuming his new responsibilities, General Raza served as Chief of General Staff, where he supervised key operational planning and played a central role in implementing military reforms introduced after the constitutional changes. He also oversaw organisational restructuring following last year’s conflict with India, including the establishment of the Army Rocket Force Command. Commissioned into the 6th Lancers in 1988 after graduating from the Officers Training School (OTS), General Raza has held several important command and staff appointments throughout his military career. These include commanding an armoured regiment, an armoured brigade, an infantry brigade in South Waziristan, an infantry division and Lahore’s IV Corps. He has also served as Chairman of Heavy Industries Taxila, Director General Weapons and Equipment, and Chief of Staff at II Corps.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has decided to hold a full court reference on August 7 to honour the judicial services of Justice Musarrat Hilali ahead of her retirement from the country’s apex court. An official notification has been issued announcing the ceremony, which will pay tribute to Justice Hilali’s contributions to Pakistan’s judiciary and recognise her years of service on the bench. The full court reference will be attended by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi, all judges of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General for Pakistan, representatives of the Pakistan Bar Council, office-bearers of the Supreme Court Bar Association, and members of the legal fraternity. The event is a longstanding judicial tradition held to acknowledge the professional achievements and public service of retiring judges. During the reference, senior judges, law officers and representatives of the legal community are expected to deliver speeches highlighting Justice Hilali’s legal career, commitment to the rule of law and contributions to the administration of justice. Justice Musarrat Hilali has served in several key judicial positions during her career and has been recognised for her role in strengthening Pakistan’s judicial system. The reference will mark the formal conclusion of her tenure at the Supreme Court while providing an opportunity for colleagues and members of the legal profession to express their appreciation for her dedication and service. The ceremony will take place at the Supreme Court of Pakistan on August 7, where members of the bench and bar will gather to bid farewell to the retiring judge and acknowledge her lasting contribution to the country’s judiciary.

CHAKWAL: Three minors were allegedly subjected to sexual abuse in separate incidents reported in Chakwal district, with police registering cases against the suspects and arresting three men, including a mosque imam, while two others were taken into custody after an alleged exchange of fire. The incidents, reported in the jurisdictions of Wanhar and Kallar Kahar police stations, have caused concern among residents and prompted calls for effective protection of children and swift action against those found responsible. In the first case, a 10-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by a local mosque imam after other children attending Quran lessons had left the mosque, according to the complaint lodged by her father with Wanhar police. The complainant said his two daughters regularly went to a nearby mosque in Mohallah Bawa Khan Baig to learn Quranic recitation. On the day of the alleged incident, the imam allegedly sent the 5years younger sister home early and dismissed the other children after hearing their lessons. According to the complaint, the suspect then allegedly called the 10-year-old girl into a room and sexually assaulted her. The girl was allegedly threatened with a knife and warned that she would be killed if she disclosed the incident to anyone. Police registered a case against the imam and launched an investigation. The suspect was subsequently arrested in an injured condition during an operation in the Manara area, police said. According to police, a raid on Wasnal Road, Manara, to arrest the suspect when he allegedly attempted to flee after seeing the police party. Police said the suspect stumbled and fell while fleeing, causing a pistol allegedly concealed in his waistband to discharge. He sustained a gunshot wound and was arrested before being shifted to the Trauma Centre in Kallar Kahar for medical treatment. The suspect was identified as Maulvi Saqlain Hussain, son of Nazar Hussain, a resident of Manara. In a separate incident within the jurisdiction of Kallar Kahar police station, a 16-year-old boy was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man who was staying at a local mosque in Shamsabad, near Khai village. According to the complaint filed by the boy’s father, who is a prayer leader at the mosque, the suspect allegedly assaulted his son and later attempted to assault him again. The complainant said the boy had initially remained silent about the alleged earlier incident out of fear. However, when he went to serve food to the traveller staying at the mosque, a commotion was heard after some time. The mosque caretaker and the boy’s father allegedly reached the spot and saw the suspect attempting to assault the boy, prompting the suspect to flee, according to the complaint. The boy later informed his father about the alleged earlier incident as well. In the third incident, two men allegedly involved in the sexual assault of a Class 10 student were arrested in an injured condition following an alleged exchange of fire in Chak Nagri, an area falling within Wanhar police jurisdiction. According to police, the suspects and two unidentified accomplices had allegedly taken the student to a nearby forest several days earlier, subjected him to severe physical assault and sexually assaulted him. Police alleged that the suspects recorded the incident and subsequently used the video to blackmail and intimidate the student. A police team later raided the suspected hideout to arrest the accused, police said. The suspects allegedly opened fire on the police party along with their two unidentified accomplices. During the ensuing exchange of fire, the two wanted suspects sustained gunshot wounds, allegedly after being hit by firing from their own accomplices, according to police. The two unidentified men escaped under the cover of darkness and the forest terrain. The injured suspects were arrested and shifted to a medical facility for treatment. Police said further investigation and legal proceedings were under way. The three cases have highlighted concerns over the vulnerability of children to sexual violence and exploitation. Residents have called for prompt investigation of the allegations, protection of the victims and strict action against suspects if the charges are established in court. Police officials said investigations into all the cases were continuing and that further action would be taken in accordance with the law.