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A district and sessions court in Islamabad has ruled in favor of Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal in a long-running defamation lawsuit, ordering former federal minister Murad Saeed to pay Rs2.5 million in damages for making corruption allegations that the court found to be unsubstantiated. The judgment was delivered by Additional Sessions Judge Hakim Khan, who concluded that the statements made by Murad Saeed had harmed Ahsan Iqbal’s reputation and amounted to defamation under the law. According to the court’s ruling, Murad Saeed failed to prove his public allegations that Ahsan Iqbal had been involved in corruption worth Rs70 billion. The court held that the accusations, which included claims of corruption, misuse of authority, and receiving illegal commissions, were not supported by evidence and therefore constituted defamatory statements. The case originated from remarks made by Murad Saeed in 2019, when he accused Ahsan Iqbal of financial irregularities in connection with the Multan–Sukkur Motorway Project, one of Pakistan’s major infrastructure developments. Ahsan Iqbal strongly denied the allegations and subsequently filed a defamation suit seeking Rs10 billion in damages. In its written judgment, the court acknowledged that Ahsan Iqbal had claimed Rs10 billion as compensation but determined that the amount sought was excessive in light of the evidence presented during the proceedings. Instead, the court awarded Rs2.5 million in damages, describing the sum as appropriate compensation for the reputational harm caused by the false allegations. The judgment stated that Murad Saeed’s controversial statements had damaged Ahsan Iqbal’s public image, honor, and dignity. It further observed that the allegations created a negative perception of the federal minister among members of the public, affecting his credibility and standing. According to the court, the accusations amounted to a direct attack on Ahsan Iqbal’s integrity, character, and professional reputation. Since the allegations involved serious claims of corruption and abuse of public office, the court found that they had the potential to undermine public confidence in him without any factual basis. The ruling also noted that Murad Saeed neither appeared before the court to defend his statements nor presented any evidence to substantiate the corruption allegations. His failure to support the claims played a significant role in the court’s decision to rule in favor of Ahsan Iqbal. The verdict reinforces the legal principle that individuals making public allegations of corruption must be prepared to provide credible evidence to support their claims. In the absence of such proof, the court held that the statements amounted to defamation and entitled the affected party to compensation. The decision marks the conclusion of a legal dispute that has remained pending since 2019 and highlights the growing use of defamation proceedings in Pakistan to address reputational damage arising from political statements. While the court reduced the amount of compensation sought by Ahsan Iqbal, it nevertheless concluded that Murad Saeed’s allegations were unfounded and had caused measurable harm to the minister’s reputation. As a result, the former federal minister has been directed to pay Rs2.5 million in damages in accordance with the court’s judgment.

ISLAMABAD: Almost three years after the caretaker federal government proposed appointing officers from the Pakistan Army Medical Corps to lead the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Federal Government Polyclinic (FGPC), the proposal remains unimplemented. Following the August 26, 2026 fire in the PIMS Mother and Child Health (MCH) Ward that claimed the lives of several newborns, questions are being raised over whether prolonged administrative delays contributed to weaknesses in   hospital management On October 9, 2023, the Ministry of National Health Services approached the Ministry of Defence seeking BS-21 officers from the Army Medical Corps for three-year deputations as Executive Directors of PIMS and FGPC. The ministry cited vacant executive positions and a shortage of eligible officers in the relevant cadre as reasons for seeking experienced hospital managers. The proposal was described as an interim measure intended to improve the management and service delivery of two of Islamabad’s busiest public hospitals. The proposal faced opposition from sections of the medical community. On October 30, 2023, the Islamabad chapter of the Pakistan Medical Association criticized the plan, arguing that bringing military officers into civilian hospitals could undermine the role of civilian doctors. Legal complications subsequently emerged. The Islamabad High Court restricted the appointment of outside deputationists as permanent heads, pushing authorities toward appointments from within the existing health system. The health ministry also maintained that appointments would ultimately be made according to established procedures and merit. Nearly three years later, the absence of permanent leadership at the hospitals has renewed criticism of the government’s handling of the issue. A senior health-sector observer argued that timely implementation of the original proposal might have improved management, reduced financial leakages and strengthened oversight of procurement, medicines, machinery, construction and renovation projects. PIMS has already faced concerns over staffing and expenditure. Figures cited in the debate include Rs22 billion allocated over three years, an alleged Rs670 million over spend against a budget of Rs6.84 billion last year, and 949 vacant positions out of 2,451 sanctioned posts at PIMS. More than 1,470 posts are reportedly vacant across four federal hospitals in Islamabad. The August 26 fire has intensified these concerns. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the incident, while Health Minister Mustafa Kamal was directed to submit a report. Health Secretary Aslam Ghauri was suspended and a high-powered inquiry was ordered. The controversy has now moved beyond the question of who should manage federal hospitals to whether those responsible for prolonged administrative shortcomings should be held accountable. Critics are questioning whether officials who managed billions of rupees in public funds should face consequences if negligence or poor oversight is established. They have also warned against allowing the inquiry to end with routine transfers, suspensions or committees without meaningful reforms. Supporters of the original proposal point to the management of military-run Combined Military Hospitals (CMHs), arguing that they demonstrate stronger discipline, cleanliness and operational management. However, opponents maintain that civilian healthcare institutions should be strengthened through transparent, merit-based appointments rather than relying on military deputations. With legal restrictions and opposition to military appointments, the government may need to move quickly toward permanent, merit-based leadership for PIMS and FGPC. The recent tragedy has made the issue more urgent. The central question is no longer simply whether the 2023 proposal should have been implemented, but whether years of administrative uncertainty contributed to systemic weaknesses. Ultimately, an independent inquiry must determine the causes of the fire and establish responsibility based on evidence. The priority now should be ensuring that Islamabad’s major public hospitals have competent leadership, adequate staffing, effective safety systems and transparent financial oversight. August 25, 2023: Health ministry stresses merit-based appointments. October 9, 2023: Defence ministry approached for Army Medical Corps officers. October 30, 2023: PMA Islamabad opposes the proposal. Late 2023–2024: Legal restrictions emerge over outside deputations. August 26, 2026: Fire breaks out in PIMS MCH Ward, resulting in multiple deaths.

  At least three people were killed and four others sustained injuries in a shooting incident near Charsadda Adda in Peshawar, according to local police authorities. The tragic incident, which occurred following a heated domestic dispute, has shocked residents of the area and prompted an immediate police investigation. Police officials stated that the shooting took place after an argument between two groups of relatives escalated into a violent confrontation. What initially began as a disagreement over family matters quickly turned deadly when firearms were used. The exchange of gunfire resulted in the deaths of three individuals at the scene, while four others were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. The condition of the injured has not yet been officially disclosed. Law enforcement authorities responded swiftly after receiving reports of the incident. Police teams reached the crime scene, secured the area, and began collecting evidence. The bodies of the deceased were shifted to a hospital for legal formalities and post-mortem examinations, while investigators interviewed witnesses to determine the exact sequence of events. According to the police, a formal case has been registered at Faqirabad Police Station, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest those responsible for the shooting. Authorities have launched a search operation to locate the suspects, who reportedly fled the scene immediately after the incident. Police officials expressed confidence that those involved would soon be brought to justice. Preliminary investigations indicate that both groups involved in the incident are closely related. Police believe the violence stemmed from a long-standing domestic dispute that escalated beyond control. Although the exact nature of the disagreement has not been officially revealed, investigators are examining all aspects of the family conflict to establish the motive behind the shooting. Family disputes turning violent remain a serious concern in various parts of Pakistan, where disagreements over property, inheritance, financial issues, or personal matters can sometimes escalate into deadly confrontations. Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly urged citizens to resolve conflicts through legal and peaceful means rather than resorting to violence. The incident has created an atmosphere of fear and sadness among local residents, many of whom expressed concern over the increasing use of firearms in personal disputes. Community members have called on authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and to strengthen measures aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future. Police officials emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages and that additional details will be made public as evidence is collected and witness statements are recorded. Authorities are also reviewing forensic evidence from the crime scene to support the investigation. The tragic shooting serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of unresolved family conflicts and the dangers associated with the misuse of weapons. As the investigation continues, the families of the victims await justice, while local authorities remain committed to apprehending the suspects and uncovering the full circumstances surrounding the incident. The police have assured the public that every effort is being made to complete the investigation promptly and transparently. Further updates are expected as the search for the accused continues and more information becomes available through the ongoing inquiry.