Ebola outbreak becomes Congo’s deadliest, death …

Seven professors of the Federal Urdu University’s Gulshan Campus in Karachi have been issued notices in connection with an attempted attack on the university’s security in-charge. Police said the notices were issued under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The professors have been asked to appear and record their statements regarding the incident. Police clarified that none of the seven professors has been nominated as an accused in the case. The development has, however, triggered a protest among university teachers. Faculty members objected to the inclusion of the seven professors in the investigation. They said the professors hold positions in the teachers’ association representing both campuses of the university. According to the protesting teachers, the professors have been actively raising issues concerning employees’ rights for several months. The teachers said their campaign focuses on unpaid salaries, housing ceiling allowances and pension-related matters. They alleged that the professors were being targeted because they had raised their voices over these issues. The protesters rejected any attempt to link the teachers’ rights campaign with the attack case. They demanded that the investigation should remain fair and should not be used to pressure university employees. The teachers also said their struggle for pending financial benefits would continue. They specifically referred to 27 months of housing ceiling allowances, along with salary and pension-related demands. The faculty members called for the matter to be handled according to law. They also urged authorities to ensure that teachers are not unnecessarily harassed during the investigation. Police, meanwhile, maintained that the notices were issued only to record statements related to the incident. The issuance of notices does not mean that the professors have been formally accused in the case. The investigation into the attack on the university’s security in-charge is continuing. Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether further action is required. The dispute has also highlighted ongoing tensions between university employees and the administration over unresolved financial and service-related matters.

British-Pakistani filmmaker Seemab Gul’s award-winning film Ghost School has been denied certification by the Sindh Board of Certification, preventing its theatrical release in the province where the film is set. The decision has sparked discussion about artistic expression, girls’ education and the portrayal of social issues through cinema. Gul has appealed to the Sindh Board to reconsider its decision. She said the film was made from a child’s perspective and aims to encourage audiences to think about education and the challenges faced by children. The filmmaker said she had asked the board to explain the reason for refusing certification but had not received an explanation. Despite the decision in Sindh, Ghost School has already gained recognition at several international film festivals. The film won the Best Director award at the UK Asian Film Festival. It also premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it received a nomination in a major competition category. It was later screened at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah. The film also received an honourable mention at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles and secured a special award at the Asian, African and Latin American Film Festival. The film follows 10-year-old Rabia, who tries to understand why the only school in her rural village has stopped operating. Through the young girl’s journey, the story examines barriers to girls’ education, resilience and problems within publicly funded schools. The film focuses on the issue of so-called “ghost schools”. These are schools that exist officially but are no longer functioning properly as educational institutions. Gul explained that some such schools were never fully completed. They may lack basic facilities such as doors, windows, water, electricity or gas. In other cases, she said, schools were completed and teachers initially worked there, but operations eventually stopped. The filmmaker described the issue as a serious challenge in Pakistan, where millions of children remain outside the formal education system. Gul said the film was not intended simply to highlight a problem. Instead, she wanted to tell the story through a child’s eyes and encourage discussion about access to education. The refusal to certify the film in Sindh has therefore raised broader questions about whether filmmakers should be able to explore sensitive social issues through cinema. Gul has urged the provincial certification authority to review its decision and allow audiences to watch the film.

Two government officials were martyred and another was seriously injured after terrorists attacked a government vehicle at a joint security check post near the Kohat Toll Plaza on the Indus Highway late Thursday night, officials said. According to police, unidentified armed men opened fire on a customs enforcement vehicle that was carrying out routine anti-smuggling duties at the joint check post. The intense firing caused the vehicle to catch fire, resulting in heavy damage. The officials martyred in the attack were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Sajjad-ul-Islam of the Kohat Excise Office and Customs Enforcement Constable Jawad Ahmed of the Peshawar Collectorate. Both officers lost their lives while performing their official duties. Another Customs official, Basirullah, suffered serious injuries during the attack. Rescue teams reached the scene shortly after receiving an emergency call, provided first aid and shifted the injured official to the District Headquarters Hospital in Kohat for further treatment. Rescue personnel also recovered the body of the customs constable from the burnt government vehicle, while firefighters extinguished the blaze to prevent it from spreading further. Soon after the incident, police and security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace the attackers. Authorities have started an investigation to determine how the attack was carried out and identify those responsible. Officials said the attack created panic in the area, prompting additional security measures along the highway and surrounding locations. Funeral prayers for ASI Sajjad-ul-Islam were offered near his residence in Kohat. Senior officials from the Excise Department, law enforcement agencies and other government institutions attended the funeral and paid tribute to his services. The Excise Department described him as a dedicated and professional officer who served the department with commitment and courage. Officials expressed solidarity with his family and prayed for the elevation of his rank. Funeral prayers for Customs Constable Jawad Ahmed were also offered at the Custom House in Peshawar. Customs officials, colleagues and family members attended the funeral to pay their final respects. The Customs Department expressed deep sorrow over the loss of its officer, stating that he embraced martyrdom while carrying out his national duty. The department honoured his sacrifice and extended condolences to his family. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack and expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of the two officials. He offered condolences to their families, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured officer and directed the relevant authorities to arrest those behind the attack. The prime minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating terrorism, saying operations against militant groups would continue until peace and stability are fully restored across the country.

The first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections is being held today across the Mirpur division, with authorities completing extensive arrangements for polling and security. The first phase covers Mirpur, Bhimber and Kotli districts. Officials said all polling material has been delivered to the designated polling stations ahead of voting. AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan and Election Commission Secretary Raja Muhammad Shakeel said the authorities were committed to ensuring free, fair and transparent elections. They urged voters to exercise their democratic right peacefully. They also warned that strict action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt polling or create a law and order situation. Officials advised voters and political workers to avoid spreading or believing unverified information circulating on social media. They said all stakeholders must follow the election code of conduct. The AJK elections are being conducted in three phases. Polling in the Mirpur division is taking place today. The second phase will be held in Muzaffarabad on August 2, followed by the third phase in Poonch on August 10. Security has been significantly increased across the three districts. Mirpur police authorities said a detailed security plan has been prepared to protect voters, election staff and polling stations. Mirpur SSP Khurram Iqbal said security forces have adopted a three-layer strategy. Polling stations have been divided into highly sensitive, sensitive and normal categories. Security personnel and resources have been assigned according to the level of risk. The district has also been divided into 56 security sectors. Each sector is being supervised by a deputy superintendent of police. Monitoring and rapid-response teams will remain active throughout the voting process. Authorities have also prepared additional contingency arrangements to deal with emergencies. A second response force will be available if required, while a third security layer will operate under zonal commanders. More than 1.4 million registered voters are expected to participate in the first phase across 13 constituencies. Authorities have established 2,454 polling stations containing 3,701 polling booths. Around 3,500 election officials have been assigned duties for the polling process. Voting will take place from 8am to 5pm. The 13 constituencies include four in Mirpur district, three in Bhimber and six in Kotli. Of the total polling stations, 1,965 have been classified as sensitive or highly sensitive. More than 19,000 security personnel have been deployed across the division. The force includes around 17,000 police officers, while approximately 2,100 army personnel will remain available as a backup force. A total of 288 candidates are contesting the 13 seats. The main political competition is expected to involve the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Peoples Party and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, along with several influential independent candidates. Authorities have appealed to voters, candidates and political workers to cooperate with security personnel and maintain peace throughout polling.