Four Chinese Nationals Arrested In Thailand On Fraud Charges

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met a US Congressional delegation in Islamabad on Tuesday. The two sides discussed ways to strengthen relations between Pakistan and the United States. The delegation included US Representatives Ryan Zinke and Michael Baumgartner. Dar welcomed the lawmakers and said Pakistan-US relations were gaining positive momentum. The meeting focused on several areas of mutual interest. These included trade, investment, information technology and energy. Both sides discussed opportunities to expand cooperation in these sectors. They also explored ways to increase economic and commercial engagement between the two countries. Dar stressed the importance of regular parliamentary exchanges. He said continued contact between lawmakers could help build mutual trust and improve understanding between Pakistan and the US. The foreign minister also highlighted the importance of stronger institutional links. He said regular engagement could help both countries develop closer and more productive relations. The visiting US lawmakers praised the role of the Pakistani community in the United States. They acknowledged the diaspora’s contributions to the US economy and society. The Pakistani community was also described as an important bridge between the two countries. Its role can help promote stronger people-to-people and economic ties. Regional and international issues were also discussed during the meeting. The two sides exchanged views on developments affecting regional peace and security. The US delegation appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability. Pakistani officials said Islamabad remained committed to dialogue and peaceful solutions to regional challenges. The meeting comes as Pakistan seeks to expand its economic engagement with the United States. Islamabad has been encouraging greater investment and cooperation in emerging sectors. Trade and investment remain key areas of focus in the evolving relationship. Pakistan is particularly interested in attracting US investment in technology, energy and other high-growth sectors.

Polling has begun for the by-election in Sindh Assembly constituency PS-30 Khairpur. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Barrister Asfandyar Khan Kharral is contesting the election against seven independent candidates. The constituency has a total of 254,980 registered voters. The Election Commission has established 164 polling stations for the by-election. Officials have classified several polling stations as sensitive due to security concerns. A total of 64 polling stations have been declared highly sensitive. Another 68 polling stations have been classified as sensitive. Security arrangements have been strengthened at these locations. Around 2,500 police personnel have been deployed across the constituency. They have been assigned duties at polling stations and other important locations. Security personnel are also monitoring the polling process to prevent any untoward incident. Authorities have directed officials to ensure a peaceful environment for voters. The by-election was necessitated by the death of PPP MPA Naeem Kharral. His death left the PS-30 Khairpur seat vacant. The contest is being closely watched because the PPP candidate is facing multiple independent candidates. Voters in the constituency will decide who will represent them in the Sindh Assembly. Polling officials have been instructed to facilitate voters and ensure that the electoral process remains orderly. Security personnel will remain deployed throughout the polling process. Authorities have also taken measures to protect polling staff and voters.

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.