Holiday Road Carnage: Speeding and Drunk Driving Claim Dozens in Thailand

QUETTA: A wave of violence and tragic accidents swept across Balochistan on Tuesday, as authorities recovered six bullet-riddled bodies from four districts while eight more people, including two women, lost their lives in separate incidents of gunfire, a roadside explosion, a fuel tanker fire and a deadly road crash. According to police officials, the bodies of six unidentified men were recovered from Kalat, Mastung, Panjgur and Kharan, prompting multiple investigations into the killings. Three of the bodies were discovered in different areas of Kalat district. Two were found dumped in the Rej locality after local authorities received information from residents, while another body was recovered from the Chhapar area. All three were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital for identification, but officials said their identities had not yet been established. In Mastung, police recovered another unidentified man’s body from the Jungle area after receiving reports from local residents. Preliminary investigations suggest the deceased may have been a drug addict, though authorities said the exact cause and circumstances of his death are still being examined. The fifth body was found in Nowan Kur, Panjgur, where police believe the victim was shot dead by unidentified attackers before his body was abandoned. In Kharan, authorities recovered the body of a man who had reportedly been abducted by armed men two days earlier after they stormed his home. His body was later found on the outskirts of the city with bullet wounds. Separate incidents elsewhere in the province added to the death toll. In Kalat’s Mangochar area, unidentified gunmen opened fire on a family travelling from Zhob to Karachi after their driver allegedly failed to stop at a signal. Two women were killed in the attack, while a child sustained injuries and was taken to hospital. Meanwhile, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near the N-65 National Highway in Mastung, killing a driver and injuring five others. The explosion severely damaged an LPG tanker and two trailers. In Quetta, two people were burned to death after an oil tanker caught fire at a petrol pump near Sariab Customs. In another tragedy, three people were killed in a head-on collision between two vehicles on the Quetta-Karachi National Highway in the Surab area. Police have launched investigations into the shootings and explosions, while authorities continue efforts to identify the unidentified victims and determine those responsible for the attacks.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called for an impartial and independent investigation into reports of deaths and injuries during clashes between protesters and law enforcement personnel in Rawalakot. The violence was reported during the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections on July 27. The HRCP said it was deeply concerned by reports that several people had been killed and many others injured during the clashes. It stressed that the reported casualties must be investigated without political pressure. Videos showing unrest and violence have circulated on social media. However, the details and casualty figures shown in the reports could not be independently verified. The HRCP said authorities have a responsibility to maintain public order. However, that responsibility must not undermine the right to life or peaceful assembly. The rights body urged authorities to immediately stop further violence. It also called for restraint while dealing with protesters. The HRCP said anyone found responsible for unlawful use of force should be held accountable. It also stressed the need to restore public confidence ahead of the remaining phases of the AJK elections. AJK Prime Minister Faisal Rathore also commented on the situation. He said the “blood of innocent Kashmiris” had been spilled and blamed the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) for escalating tensions. The opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP) also condemned the reported violence. It alleged that protesters had faced excessive force during demonstrations. The alliance said tensions in AJK had remained high for several weeks. It described the protesters’ demands as being linked to democratic rights, justice and the rule of law. According to TTAP, protesters had been demonstrating over issues including inflation and unemployment. The alliance claimed that efforts by political figures to engage with protesters and find a peaceful solution had faced restrictions. TTAP also referred to videos circulating online. It claimed that some footage showed unarmed people fleeing on roads amid gunfire. These claims could not be independently verified. The opposition alliance condemned what it described as violations of democratic and human rights principles. It called on political parties and citizens to oppose violence and support peaceful political engagement.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that the widow of a deceased retired employee is the lawful recipient of the employee’s pension and post-retirement benefits, clarifying that siblings cannot claim such benefits solely on the basis of being legal heirs. The ruling was issued in a detailed four-page written judgment authored by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi. The decision provides important legal clarification on the distribution of pension and retirement benefits after the death of a retired government employee. According to the judgment, pension is not treated as inherited property that can automatically be divided among all legal heirs. Instead, the court held that pension payments are governed by the relevant laws, service rules and institutional regulations. The Supreme Court stated that the widow of a deceased retired employee has the primary legal right to receive the pension and related benefits. It further observed that if a person has been legally nominated under the applicable rules, that nominee would also be entitled to receive the benefits. The court made it clear that brothers and sisters cannot claim a deceased employee’s pension merely because they are legal heirs under inheritance laws. It explained that pension rights arise from specific statutory provisions and are separate from the general rules governing inheritance. The judgment emphasised that all pension payments must be made strictly in accordance with the applicable laws and the regulations of the concerned institution. Authorities responsible for disbursing pensions must follow these legal provisions while determining the rightful beneficiary. The case reached the Supreme Court after the siblings of a deceased employee of the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) challenged an earlier court ruling and sought a succession certificate to claim pension-related benefits. After reviewing the case, the apex court dismissed the appeal and upheld the decision of the Peshawar High Court, which had ruled that the siblings were not entitled to receive the deceased employee’s pension. The Supreme Court observed that pension is a statutory benefit and cannot be distributed under ordinary inheritance principles unless specifically permitted by the relevant legal framework.

MULTAN: Flight operations at Multan International Airport have increased, with the airport recording a new daily high of 37 flights on Wednesday. According to the flight schedule, 449 flights were operated across Pakistan during the past 24 hours, while 68 flights were cancelled and 112 flights faced delays of up to seven hours. Of the 37 flights operated at Multan airport, 18 arrived and 19 departed, marking the highest number of daily flight operations recorded at the airport. The schedule showed that 135 flights were operated from Karachi, 118 from Islamabad, 105 from Lahore, 17 from Peshawar, 15 from Sialkot and 12 from Faisalabad. Flight delays were also reported at several major airports. Karachi recorded delays involving nine flights, while Lahore and Islamabad each reported 33 delayed flights. Multan had eight delayed flights, Peshawar six, Sialkot eight, Faisalabad nine and Quetta six. A number of flights were also cancelled during the same period. Karachi recorded 20 cancellations, Lahore 21, Islamabad 12 and Multan three. Peshawar, Faisalabad and Sialkot each recorded two cancelled flights, while six flights were cancelled at Quetta airport. The latest figures indicate increased flight activity at Multan International Airport, with the 37-flight total setting a new daily record for the southern Punjab city’s airport.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought responses from the federal government and the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports over the reported non-renewal of the passport of Arshad Khan, popularly known as “Arshad Chaiwala.” Justice Umair Majid Malik heard the petition filed by Arshad Khan, with Barrister Umar Ejaz Gilani representing him in court. The petitioner’s counsel told the court that Arshad Khan is an entrepreneur who has promoted Pakistani culture internationally. According to the counsel, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) verification board has already cleared Arshad Khan’s identity. His Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) is also active. The court was informed that Arshad had applied for renewal of his passport on August 20, 2025. However, despite the passage of nearly a year, the renewed document had allegedly not been issued. The lawyer said Arshad had repeatedly contacted the office of the interior secretary to resolve the matter but had not received a satisfactory response. He also informed the court that a legal notice had been served on the interior secretary. Despite the notice, no response was reportedly received. Arshad has asked the high court to direct the authorities to issue his renewed passport without further delay. His petition also seeks a declaration that the continued failure to issue the passport is unlawful and violates his fundamental rights. During the hearing, Justice Umair Majid Malik observed that the court would first obtain the position of the relevant government authorities before examining the matter further. The IHC subsequently issued notices to the Director General Immigration and Passports and the federal government through the interior secretary.