International Youth Day marked in Peshawar, Youth achievers recognised

LAHORE: The deaths of two young women in police custody have raised fresh questions after their autopsy reports revealed black spots on their lungs and blood clots in their hearts, while failing to find visible signs of physical assault or torture. The two women, identified as Amina and Anmol, died while in the custody of Lahore’s Township police. According to sources, their post-mortem examinations found no external injuries or marks suggesting physical violence. Samples of their blood and internal organs have now been sent for histopathological testing, which is expected to help establish the final cause of death. The autopsies were conducted two days after the deaths and the reports were finalised after the medical board reached a consensus. Doctors found the women’s livers, kidneys and stomachs to be in normal condition, while black spots were observed on both sets of lungs and clots were detected in their hearts. The findings have not yet provided a definitive explanation for the deaths. Authorities are waiting for the histopathology results before determining the final cause. The families of the deceased have meanwhile called for an independent and transparent investigation. Tajamul Hussain, the father of one of the women, rejected the police version that the deaths were linked to a medical condition. He questioned how both women could have suffered fatal heart problems while in custody and alleged that they were killed. Police have denied the allegations. SSP Investigation Naveed Ahmed said the women had previous criminal records and were arrested after a passerby contacted Police Emergency 15 and reported that they had allegedly snatched an earring. The officer also claimed that the women used drugs but firmly rejected allegations that they were tortured or mistreated during their detention. With the histopathology reports still awaited, the investigation is expected to focus on the women’s medical condition, their treatment while in custody and the circumstances leading up to their deaths.

  A Karachi Additional District and Sessions Court has granted interim bail to Abdullah, the brother of the business partner of young trader Mir Raza Ali, in connection with the businessman’s murder case. The court approved Abdullah’s interim pre-arrest bail until September 1, providing him temporary protection from arrest while the investigation into the case continues. Abdullah had approached the court seeking bail before arrest after being allegedly linked to the investigation surrounding Mir Raza Ali’s death. During the hearing, the court also issued notices to the investigating officer and the complainant in the case. The judge directed the applicant to submit surety bonds worth Rs100,000 as part of the conditions attached to the interim bail. According to Abdullah’s lawyer, there was no basis for treating his client as a suspect in the murder. The lawyer informed the court that Abdullah had a business-related connection with Mir Raza and used to supply chocolates to him. The defence further explained that Abdullah had spoken to Mir Raza by telephone on the night when the young trader left his home. According to the lawyer, the phone conversation took place at around 3:30am. The lawyer argued that the late-night phone call should be viewed in the context of their regular business dealings rather than being treated as evidence of involvement in the alleged crime. The defence also accused the police of harassing Abdullah during the investigation. His lawyer told the court that law-enforcement officials were repeatedly troubling the applicant despite the absence of any established evidence connecting him directly to the murder. The lawyer maintained that communication between Abdullah and Mir Raza at around the same time was not unusual. He explained that after completing his work, Mir Raza would generally speak with the applicant around that time. The defence therefore requested the court to provide Abdullah with protection from arrest while the authorities continued investigating the circumstances surrounding Mir Raza Ali’s death. After hearing the arguments, the court granted interim bail until September 1 and directed the relevant parties, including the investigating officer and complainant, to respond to the bail application. The applicant was also ordered to submit the required surety bonds. The court’s decision does not amount to a final determination regarding Abdullah’s involvement in the case. The interim bail merely prevents his immediate arrest while the matter is considered further by the court. The murder investigation remains ongoing, and the police are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding Mir Raza’s death, including his final movements, communications and interactions with people connected to him. The late-night telephone conversation between Mir Raza and Abdullah is among the details that investigators may consider while establishing a timeline of events. However, the defence has maintained that the conversation was consistent with their normal business-related communication. The case has attracted attention because of the young trader’s death and the subsequent investigation into people associated with him. Abdullah’s decision to seek pre-arrest bail indicates that he feared possible arrest during the investigation. The court’s issuance of notices to the investigating officer and complainant means that the prosecution and police will have an opportunity to present their position regarding the allegations and the bail request. For now, Abdullah remains protected by the interim bail order until September 1, subject to the conditions imposed by the court. Further proceedings are expected to determine the next legal steps in the case and whether the investigating authorities have sufficient evidence to proceed against him.

  Karachi: Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced that the Sindh Cabinet has approved an increase in the conveyance allowance for provincial government employees. The revised allowance will apply to employees in Grades 1 to 16, providing financial relief in light of rising transportation costs. Addressing a press conference following the Sindh Cabinet meeting, Memon said the cabinet had taken several important decisions covering governance, public welfare, economic development, and disaster preparedness. He stated that the meeting approved a six-month extension of the health insurance program for employees working at the Governor House and Chief Minister House to ensure continued access to medical facilities. The provincial minister further announced the establishment of multiple task forces to strengthen governance in key sectors. According to him, specialized task forces have been formed to focus on the economy, investment, finance, and water resources. In addition, the cabinet approved the creation of dedicated task forces on climate change and artificial intelligence to address emerging challenges and explore opportunities for technological and environmental development in the province. Memon also revealed that the Sindh Cabinet has approved a strict crackdown against the production, sale, and distribution of gutka and mainpuri, both of which are widely consumed forms of smokeless tobacco. He said the Department of Narcotics Control would be responsible for taking legal action against those involved in the illegal trade of these products. He added that the provincial government is also working on new legislation to further strengthen enforcement and curb the menace of hazardous tobacco products. Speaking about the agriculture sector, Memon emphasized that the Sindh government does not want farmers to suffer losses. He claimed that existing laws prohibit restrictions on the transportation of wheat, but alleged that Punjab has blocked the movement of wheat by sealing border points. He condemned the restrictions, arguing that they were negatively affecting the free movement of agricultural produce. He further stated that this year’s wheat harvest had been exceptionally good but acknowledged that some individuals in Sindh had engaged in wheat hoarding. To stabilize wheat supplies and discourage hoarding, Memon announced that the Sindh government plans to import 500,000 metric tons of wheat. He added that the province would also purchase wheat from the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO). According to him, these measures would ensure sufficient wheat availability in the market while causing significant financial losses to those involved in hoarding. The minister also announced plans to establish a 400-acre truck terminal on Karachi’s Northern Bypass. He said the project would improve transport infrastructure, facilitate logistics operations, and help reduce traffic congestion within the city.   Highlighting preparations for the ongoing monsoon season, Memon said that all relevant provincial departments and emergency response agencies had been placed on high alert. Referring to recent heavy rains across the country, he expressed concern over the loss of lives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, claiming that these incidents had not received adequate attention in sections of the media. He stated that both urban and rural areas of Punjab had been severely affected by heavy rainfall and that widespread destruction had occurred across the country due to the ongoing monsoon. According to Memon, 17 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Punjab, while 20 people were killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Commenting on the ongoing elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Memon alleged that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was violating the election code of conduct during the electoral process. He urged all political parties to respect democratic principles and ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.