Iconic French actress Brigitte Bardot dies at age 91

The Supreme Court has scheduled five petitions concerning access to jailed former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan for hearing on August 18. A three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed will hear the petitions. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim are also part of the bench. The cases were previously being heard by a bench headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar. The bench has now been reconstituted after Justice Mazhar became unavailable at the Supreme Court’s principal seat. The petitions seek permission for Imran Khan’s family members, personal doctors and legal team to meet him in prison. The applicants have also requested access to his medical records and proper arrangements for his medical treatment. The petitions gained renewed attention after PTI lawyers and lawmakers gathered outside the Supreme Court earlier this week, protesting over the continued delay in fixing the cases. A delegation led by PTI lawyer Salman Akram Raja subsequently met the apex court registrar. According to Insaf Lawyers Forum chief organiser Intezar Panjutha, the registrar assured the delegation that five petitions relating to restrictions on meetings with Imran would be listed for hearing. The cause list was expected to be issued ahead of the proceedings. One of the petitions was filed by Imran’s sister, Uzma Khan. She has sought his transfer to Shifa International Hospital, arguing that he requires proper treatment and continuous medical monitoring for an eye-related condition and other health complications. The Supreme Court had earlier directed that details of meetings held by Imran and his wife, Bushra Bibi, with family members, lawyers and party leaders in prison be submitted. The newly constituted bench has attracted attention because of the legal positions previously taken by its members in politically sensitive matters. Justice Afghan has been associated with dissenting opinions on several major constitutional and legal issues. He had opposed the constitutionality of trying civilians in military courts and had also dissented in a case involving the transfer of judges between high courts. He has previously granted post-arrest bail to PTI leaders facing cases related to the May 9 violence. Justice Ibrahim was part of a Supreme Court judgment that overturned an earlier order concerning Imran’s right to defend himself in a defamation case filed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court is separately hearing petitions concerning the alleged solitary confinement of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. The dispute over access to Imran has remained a major issue for the PTI, which maintains that his family, lawyers and doctors should be allowed regular meetings. The government has continued to face pressure over the prison arrangements surrounding the former prime minister.

Bahria Town founder Malik Riaz Hussain has appealed to senior Pakistani officials for intervention over the ongoing actions against his company and family. In a detailed appeal, Riaz raised concerns over the freezing, seizure and auction of Bahria Town properties. He claimed that assets worth around Rs238.6 billion have already been auctioned or taken into possession. He further alleged that some properties are currently facing auction and sale proceedings. According to the appeal, development projects worth approximately Rs372 billion have also been suspended. Riaz expressed concern over what he described as the forced takeover of Bahria Town assets. He alleged that several properties were being sold at prices far below their actual market value. He maintained that legal proceedings related to several properties and other actions are still pending before the relevant courts and forums. Despite this, he alleged that some Bahria Town assets were being taken over and sold before the legal disputes had been fully resolved. The Bahria Town founder also raised concerns over alleged threats against him and members of his family. He claimed that a person accused of threatening him and his family with serious consequences, including death threats, remains free. According to Riaz, an FIR was registered against the alleged individual. He also said that the matter later came before the High Court. However, he claimed that despite the FIR and court intervention, the accused person has not been taken into custody. Riaz urged senior officials to take notice of the situation. He asked them to review the actions being taken against Bahria Town and its properties. He warned that continued freezing, seizure and auction of the company’s assets could have wider economic consequences. The appeal also highlighted the potential impact on ongoing development projects. Riaz claimed that projects worth billions of rupees have been affected by the current situation. He argued that prolonged uncertainty could affect workers, contractors, investors and other parties associated with the projects. Riaz further alleged that the valuation of some assets did not reflect their actual market worth. He claimed that properties were being sold at unusually low prices. He called for the relevant legal procedures to be followed before any further action is taken against the company’s assets. The appeal comes amid ongoing legal and financial disputes involving Bahria Town and its properties. Riaz has asked the authorities to intervene and examine the allegations raised in his appeal.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has assured foreign investors of full government support, saying Pakistan is ready to facilitate investment and provide opportunities across different sectors. Naqvi made the remarks during a meeting with British House of Lords member Lord Zamir Choudrey in Islamabad on Saturday. The interior minister said Pakistan has significant investment potential and that the government wants to create an environment where foreign investors can operate with greater confidence. He assured investors that all possible facilities would be provided to support their business activities in the country. The discussion also covered regional peace and stability. Naqvi said Pakistan was continuing its efforts to promote lasting peace in the region. He expressed optimism that the country’s diplomatic and peace initiatives would produce positive results. Lord Zamir Choudrey appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to contribute to regional stability. He also praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for their efforts to promote peace. Choudrey said the government’s policies were helping create new opportunities for investment in Pakistan. The meeting comes as Islamabad seeks to strengthen economic ties with international partners while promoting Pakistan as an attractive destination for foreign investment. Pakistan has also been increasing cooperation with China on security and counterterrorism matters. Earlier this month, Naqvi met Chinese Minister of State for Public Security and Special Service Bureau chief Ling Zhifeng at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in internal security. Their discussions included border management, illegal immigration and efforts against drug trafficking. Meanwhile, security concerns surrounding Chinese nationals working in Pakistan remain a major issue. The CPEC Secretariat has decided to purchase a new bulletproof vehicle costing Rs95 million to strengthen security arrangements for Chinese citizens. The vehicle will reportedly be a 3,500cc Toyota Land Cruiser. It will be added to the existing fleet of security vehicles used for the protection of Chinese nationals. Government departments have also acquired or are seeking additional bulletproof vehicles and helicopters for security purposes. Officials have said Chinese citizens face significant security risks in Pakistan. As a result, they are generally restricted from travelling in ordinary, non-bulletproof vehicles. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the protection of Chinese nationals is a key responsibility of the Pakistani government. The purchase also highlights the security challenges linked to major China-Pakistan economic projects. The government is balancing efforts to attract more foreign investment with measures aimed at improving the security of international investors and workers.