HSA VC dismissal upheld in harassment case

President Asif Ali Zardari has directed all federal, provincial, and local authorities to strengthen emergency preparedness and speed up rescue and relief operations as heavy monsoon rains continue to affect several parts of Pakistan. The president issued the instructions as the country enters a critical phase of the monsoon season. Weather experts have warned that continued rainfall could increase the risk of flash floods, river flooding, urban flooding, landslides, cloudbursts, and glacial lake outburst floods in vulnerable regions. Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives and the destruction caused by recent rains, President Zardari extended his condolences to the affected families. He also expressed concern over the damage to homes, roads, public infrastructure, agricultural land, and other property caused by the ongoing severe weather. The president instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), district administrations, and other relevant agencies to maintain close coordination throughout the emergency. He said all institutions should work together to ensure a timely and effective response to any weather-related incident. He directed authorities to issue early weather warnings without delay and ensure that information reaches people living in high-risk areas. He stressed that advance warnings can help communities take precautionary measures and reduce the loss of lives and property. President Zardari also ordered continuous monitoring of rainfall, river flows, reservoirs, and water levels, especially in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where heavy rains have increased the possibility of flash floods and landslides. He instructed authorities in downstream districts to complete all necessary preparations for possible flooding. The president further directed emergency agencies to deploy rescue teams, heavy machinery, medical staff, and relief supplies in vulnerable areas before conditions worsen. He also called for special measures to protect tourists, travellers, and local residents in mountainous regions where landslides, flash floods, and glacial lake outburst floods pose serious risks. He emphasised that all government departments must remain on high alert and respond immediately wherever human lives, homes, or critical infrastructure are threatened. He said protecting citizens should remain the highest priority during the ongoing monsoon season. President Zardari also appealed to the public to follow official weather advisories and avoid unnecessary travel to areas facing heavy rainfall or flood warnings. He urged citizens to cooperate with rescue teams and local authorities during emergency operations. The president appreciated the efforts of rescue workers, emergency personnel, volunteers, and officials who continue to assist affected communities despite difficult weather conditions. He also prayed for the safety of people across the country. The ongoing monsoon spell has caused widespread destruction in several provinces. At least 37 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents, while many others have been injured. Heavy rainfall has triggered flash floods and landslides, damaging houses, roads, bridges, crops, livestock, and public infrastructure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab.

Heavy monsoon rains lashed Lahore on Thursday, causing widespread flooding, traffic disruptions and severe inconvenience for residents. Torrential downpours submerged roads, streets and underpasses, bringing routine life in many parts of the provincial capital to a standstill. According to official data, Lahore received 343 millimetres of rainfall over the past 48 hours. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) warned that the second spell of monsoon rains could increase the risk of urban flooding in different parts of the city. Rainwater accumulated at more than 130 locations, affecting both residential and commercial areas. Several major roads, intersections and low-lying neighbourhoods remained submerged for hours, making it difficult for motorists and pedestrians to move around the city. The worst-hit areas included DHA Phases 1 to 5, where standing water disrupted traffic on several important roads. Water also collected on routes connecting Defence Mor, LUMS Road, Main Boulevard DHA, Watain Chowk and Ghazi Chowk, resulting in long traffic jams and slow vehicle movement. Authorities temporarily closed the Ghazi Underpass and Masjid Chowk Underpass after they were flooded. Traffic police diverted vehicles to alternative routes to prevent accidents and reduce congestion. Waterlogging was also reported in Harbanspura, Mall Road, Cooper Road, Lakshmi Chowk and Chouburji Chowk, where drainage teams continued water removal operations. The heavy rainfall exposed weaknesses in the city’s drainage system as rainwater entered houses in several low-lying areas. Residents complained that they were forced to remove water from their homes themselves because drainage operations were unable to reach many affected neighbourhoods quickly. The rain also damaged road infrastructure. Large sinkholes appeared on Canal Road, Johar Town Main Boulevard, Bhekay Wala Mor and Khayaban-e-Firdousi. Traffic police immediately cordoned off the affected sections, diverted vehicles and called in repair teams to secure the damaged roads. PDMA said rain-related incidents across Punjab have so far claimed 21 lives during the ongoing monsoon season, while 154 people have been injured. Most fatalities resulted from building collapses, while others were caused by lightning strikes, electrocution and drowning. Authorities also reported damage to dozens of houses across the province. Following the latest spell of rain, district administrations were directed to remain on high alert and prepare for possible urban flooding and emergency situations. Officials advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain, stay away from electricity poles, exposed wires and weak buildings, and follow official safety instructions. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) activated emergency drainage operations across Lahore. Disposal stations continued operating at full capacity, while dewatering pumps, heavy machinery and additional staff were deployed to remove rainwater from flooded roads and underpasses. Emergency control rooms also monitored conditions around the clock to coordinate the response.

The Islamabad High Court on Friday reserved its decision on whether petitions seeking the suspension of prison sentences awarded to lawyers and human rights activists Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha can proceed. The petitions relate to the couple’s convictions in a case involving alleged controversial social media posts under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The hearing was conducted by Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, who considered preliminary arguments from both the prosecution and the defence before reserving his ruling on the maintainability of the petitions. During the proceedings, lawyers representing the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) argued that the requests for suspension of sentence had been filed too early. They maintained that the court should first decide the prosecution’s objection challenging the admissibility of the petitions before considering any request for relief. The prosecution submitted that hearing the suspension petitions before deciding its objection would make its legal challenge ineffective. It therefore requested the court to first determine whether the petitions were legally maintainable. Counsel for Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha opposed the objection and said he was ready to argue the prosecution’s application immediately. He suggested that both the objection and the suspension requests should be heard together to avoid unnecessary delays in the proceedings. The judge advised the defence to fully prepare its arguments, observing that doing so would better protect the legal rights of the convicted lawyers. However, the defence maintained that it was prepared to proceed without delay and formally waived any request for additional preparation time. After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Azam Khan stated that the court would first determine whether the petitions seeking suspension of sentence were legally maintainable. Only after resolving that issue would the court consider the merits of the requests for suspension of the sentences. At the end of the hearing, the Islamabad High Court reserved its decision on the prosecution’s objection. The ruling will determine whether the petitions can move forward for further consideration. Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were convicted by a sessions court earlier this year and received a combined sentence of 17 years’ imprisonment on multiple charges under PECA

KARACHI: The father of young Karachi resident Mir Raza has expressed confidence in the newly formed investigation team. He said he felt, for the first time in 13 days, that the investigation was moving in the right direction. Mir Raza’s parents, lawyer Jibran Nasir and members of the new investigation team visited locations connected to the case. The visit was aimed at reviewing important points and gathering information that could help investigators understand what happened. Jibran Nasir said the family had identified several important locations on its own. These locations were later shown to the police. He said Mir Raza’s parents were cooperating fully with the investigators and answering their questions. Nasir said the investigation team was waiting for the results of samples collected during the post-mortem examination. He said additional samples obtained after the exhumation had also been sent to a forensic laboratory. The lawyer said the family now believed that an honest and serious officer was handling the investigation. He said the family had earlier faced difficulties in getting the matter investigated properly. Mir Raza’s father, Mir Hussain, said the family still wanted clear answers about his son’s death. He said the exact circumstances surrounding the incident had not yet been established. According to him, the initial investigation should have been more effective. He said timely and proper action at the beginning could have taken the case to a different stage. Mir Hussain said the new investigation team was listening to the family’s concerns. He said investigators were considering the information provided by the parents. The family, he added, now had greater confidence in the process. He said the main objective was to establish what happened to Mir Raza and how the incident took place. The family wanted every aspect of the case to be examined. Mir Hussain said Mir Raza’s kitchen was located around half a kilometre from the site of the incident. He also said information about three suspicious individuals had already been shared with the police. The victim’s father further alleged that the previous investigation team had not properly shared details of the inquiry with the family. He hoped the new team would maintain transparency and investigate the case from all possible angles. The family said it would continue cooperating with investigators. Mir Hussain said they would pursue the case as far as necessary to uncover the truth and obtain justice for Mir Raza. Investigators are now expected to examine forensic evidence, statements and other available information. The reports from the forensic laboratory could also play an important role in determining the circumstances surrounding the case.