Grenade blast kills three in Lakki Marwat

LAHORE: Pakistan’s monsoon death toll has risen to 107 after 10 more people were killed in rain-related incidents across Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa during the past 24 hours. According to the latest figures released by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), seven people died in Punjab while three lost their lives in K-P. The deaths were reported between the previous afternoon and 1pm on Sunday. Punjab recorded fatalities in several districts. Gujrat and Okara reported two deaths each, while Sargodha, Narowal and Sialkot each reported one death. In K-P, two people died in Hangu and another was killed in Shangla. Officials said the latest casualties were caused by incidents including house collapses, electrocution and drowning as heavy rainfall continued to affect several parts of the country. The recent rains also injured 50 people. Punjab accounted for 47 of the injured, while three people were injured in Hangu. K-P has recorded the highest number of deaths since the beginning of the current monsoon season, with 55 fatalities. Punjab follows with 36 deaths. Seven people have died in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, six in Balochistan, two in Sindh and one in Gilgit-Baltistan. Overall, the monsoon has injured 297 people and damaged 447 houses across the country. At least 269 livestock have also been killed. Rescue authorities have carried out 130 operations since the start of the rainy season. These efforts have helped rescue 3,841 people from flooded and other dangerous areas. The rains have also caused significant damage to roads and other infrastructure. Landslides, flash floods and rising water levels have disrupted transportation in parts of K-P and Gilgit-Baltistan. The mountainous region has suffered particularly heavy damage. The Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority said 184 houses have been damaged, while nine bridges have been destroyed. Nearly eight kilometres of roads have also been washed away. Astore has reported the highest number of damaged homes, while Diamer has suffered major destruction from several weather-related incidents. Skardu has recorded the greatest number of damaged bridges. Relief activities are continuing in affected communities. Authorities are distributing food, tents and other essential supplies, while road crews are working to reopen important routes.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has announced that he has received a response from the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) regarding his proposal to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address the ongoing crisis in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). He said the response marked an important step towards finding a peaceful and institutional solution to the unrest. In a statement issued on Saturday, Bilawal said the committee had shown willingness to consider the proposed commission. He welcomed the response and said it reflected support for resolving the dispute through dialogue rather than confrontation. He added that the proposal had already been endorsed by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. The PPP chairman said the loss of every life during the recent unrest was a national tragedy. He stressed that his foremost priority was to help restore peace, reduce tensions, and bring normal life back to the people of AJK as soon as possible. Bilawal said the next stage would involve consultations with AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore. He explained that the prime minister would hold discussions with the federal government and other relevant stakeholders to determine whether sufficient consensus exists to move forward with the proposed commission. According to Bilawal, these consultations are necessary before any final decision is taken. He expressed hope that all parties would work together to develop a mutually acceptable framework capable of addressing the concerns raised during the recent protests. The proposal comes after weeks of political tension between the AJK government and the Joint Awami Action Committee. The dispute intensified over the committee’s demand to abolish the 12 seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir who settled in Pakistan after 1947. The disagreement led to widespread demonstrations across the region and increased political uncertainty. Bilawal has repeatedly called for the establishment of an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission over the past month. He believes such a body could impartially investigate the recent violence, determine the facts surrounding the unrest, and help create conditions for meaningful dialogue between the government and protesters. Speaking at a public gathering in Muzaffarabad earlier this week, Bilawal said maintaining peace, fairness, and transparency was essential during the election period. He argued that resolving the crisis should not be viewed as a political victory or defeat for any party but as a national responsibility aimed at protecting the future of Kashmir and safeguarding Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir issue.

An Islamabad court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi after he repeatedly failed to appear in a case related to alleged misleading statements and defamatory remarks against state institutions. The court observed that the chief minister neither appeared personally nor sent legal counsel despite being summoned on multiple occasions. After noting his continued absence, the judge ordered law enforcement authorities to ensure his appearance at the next hearing. The court also warned that if Afridi fails to appear again on the next hearing, scheduled for September 3, legal proceedings could be initiated to declare him a proclaimed offender under the relevant provisions of law. The case was registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Investigators allege that the chief minister used electronic media to make misleading statements and defamatory remarks targeting state institutions. In another significant legal development, former senator and senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry has approached the Supreme Court after the Lahore High Court refused to suspend the sentence handed down to him by an anti-terrorism court. Chaudhry is currently serving his sentence at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail. He was convicted over his alleged involvement in meetings held before the violent incidents that followed the events of May 9, 2023. In his petition, Chaudhry argued that the conviction was based on weak and disputed evidence. He maintained that he was not originally nominated in the FIR and that his name was added later through supplementary statements. The petition also stated that no weapons, electronic devices, or other incriminating evidence were recovered from him. The petition further argued that police witnesses failed to present independent evidence linking him to the alleged conspiracy. It asked the Supreme Court to suspend his sentence and grant him bail until his appeal is decided. Meanwhile, Aleema Khan, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, alleged that her brother was being denied his basic rights in prison. Speaking to journalists outside Adiala Jail, she claimed he was facing mistreatment and said public support would be crucial for securing his release. Aleema said supporters from across the country were expected to participate in the PTI’s planned protest movement. She added that she was not concerned about possible legal action against herself and would continue campaigning for her brother’s release. Another sister of the former prime minister, Noreen Niazi, also criticised the judicial system and expressed hope that Imran Khan would soon be released.