FIFA World Cup visitors in Canada file 175 Asylum …

Punjab Police suspended 78 officials of Lahore’s Ghaziabad Police Station after an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a mentally challenged young woman inside the police station. The action followed the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the accused under rape provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code and relevant sections of the Police Order 2002. Senior police authorities immediately took notice of the incident and ordered the arrest of the suspect. According to the complaint filed by the victim’s father, his 19 to 20-year-old daughter, who has a mental disability, left home on Sunday afternoon and did not return for some time. During the search, a local resident allegedly informed the family that a policeman in plain clothes had taken the girl away. The complainant said he rushed to the Ghaziabad Police Station, where he was told that his daughter had already been sent home. After returning home, he found her in distress. He alleged that she told him a police official had taken her to the station and sexually assaulted her. Following the complaint, police registered a case and arrested the accused ASI. Authorities also launched both criminal and departmental investigations into the matter. As part of disciplinary action, 78 police personnel, including the station house officer (SHO), sub-inspectors, assistant sub-inspectors, front desk officials and other staff members, were suspended over alleged negligence, poor supervision and failure to maintain discipline at the police station. All suspended officials have been directed to report to Police Lines until further orders. Police officials said maintaining discipline and ensuring a safe environment at police stations is the responsibility of every officer. They warned that negligence or irresponsible conduct would not be tolerated and pledged strict accountability at the police station level. A new SHO has been appointed to take charge of Ghaziabad Police Station while the investigation continues. Punjab Women Protection Authority Chairperson Hina Parvez Butt strongly condemned the incident, describing it as deeply disturbing and calling for strict legal action against those responsible. Police said further legal and departmental proceedings will be carried out after the investigation is completed.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday rejected the recently concluded Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, alleging that the electoral process lacked transparency and calling for an independent investigation into the killings and violence reported during the polls. Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and former AJK prime minister Sardar Qayyum Niazi accused the authorities of suppressing public opinion and said the events surrounding the elections had damaged both democracy and the Kashmir cause. Niazi said the people of Kashmir had a long history of supporting Pakistan and deserved to have their voices heard through a free and fair electoral process. He alleged that peaceful protesters had faced excessive force despite demonstrating without violence. “They remained peaceful even while facing bullets and batons,” he said, adding that the government should have engaged in dialogue rather than confrontation. Questioning the decision to conduct polling in three phases, Niazi argued that AJK’s relatively small population did not justify such an arrangement. He contrasted the process with Pakistan’s nationwide elections, saying the phased schedule had raised serious questions among voters. PTI Chairman Gohar described the July 27 elections as “a fraud” and maintained that democracy could not function if citizens were prevented from expressing their views through peaceful protest. He said public grievances should be addressed through dialogue instead of force. The PTI chief also criticised major political parties, accusing them of politicising the post-election situation instead of focusing on the concerns of the people. According to Gohar, the low voter turnout reflected growing public dissatisfaction with the existing political system. He further claimed that the election results had failed to inspire public confidence and urged all stakeholders to prioritise transparency, accountability and democratic values. Calling for an impartial inquiry, PTI demanded that those responsible for the reported killings and use of force be identified and held accountable. Party leaders said an independent investigation was necessary to establish the facts, ensure justice for affected families and restore public trust in democratic institutions. The party concluded by urging authorities to avoid further escalation and resolve political disputes through dialogue, warning that prolonged instability in AJK could undermine both democratic credibility and Pakistan’s longstanding position on the Kashmir issue.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has welcomed the Supreme Court’s order directing the transfer of party founder Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment. The party described the decision as an important step toward protecting Imran’s health and ensuring his constitutional and legal rights. PTI also welcomed the court’s direction allowing him to meet his family once a week. According to the court’s order, Imran will be shifted to the hospital for treatment for the next few days. A medical board will examine him and assess his condition. The board will include specialists in eye care, general medicine and cardiology. PTI said the involvement of Imran’s personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan, and his sister, Dr Uzma Khan, would help ensure a comprehensive review of his medical history and current condition. The party said concerns over Imran’s health had increased in recent weeks. It maintained that he should receive treatment under the supervision of specialist doctors and have access to his personal physicians. PTI also appealed to its workers and supporters not to gather outside Shifa International Hospital after Imran’s transfer. The party urged them to maintain a peaceful environment and cooperate with authorities so the court’s directions could be implemented without disruption. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also welcomed the Supreme Court decision. He said the order for Imran’s hospital transfer and weekly family meetings should be implemented without delay. Afridi said PTI had repeatedly demanded medical treatment and examinations under the supervision of Imran’s personal doctors. He argued that the decision should have been taken earlier but said the party would respect the court’s directions. Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser described the ruling as an important development for Imran’s fundamental, constitutional and legal rights. He called for the decision to be implemented fully and without delay. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said obtaining reliable information about Imran’s health and ensuring his recovery remained the party’s primary concern. He also reminded supporters of the commitment given to the Supreme Court that workers would not gather outside the hospital. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan similarly urged the government to implement the order. Speaking outside Parliament, he said Imran had spent a prolonged period in detention and should now receive the medical care ordered by the court. Former federal minister Asad Umar also welcomed the ruling while questioning why similar action had not been taken earlier. He referred to previous concerns over Imran’s eyesight and said the decision was better late than never. Imran’s international affairs adviser, Zulfikar Bukhari, also welcomed the development, saying that when courts perform their constitutional role, the country benefits. He expressed hope that there would be no unnecessary obstacles to implementation. Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan chief and opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai also backed the ruling. He said prisoners, regardless of the charges against them, retain basic rights to medical treatment, family contact and legal representation. The Supreme Court’s decision followed reports concerning Imran’s health and recommendations for increased contact with his immediate family. A medical board and the Adiala Jail superintendent had earlier submitted reports to the court regarding his condition and access to family members and doctors. A three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed heard matters relating to Imran’s access to his sisters, personal physicians and medical records. The court directed that Dr Faisal Sultan be allowed to examine Imran and ordered the formation of the new medical board. Dr Uzma Khan will also be associated with the board. The court further directed Imran’s family to bear the cost of his treatment at the hospital. It also ordered that his family and lawyers refrain from sharing his medical reports with the media. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan directed that Imran’s medical report be kept confidential.