JICA delegation visits Literacy Centres in Lahore

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has distanced the party from recent remarks made by Imran Khan’s sister, Noreen Niazi, stating that her comments reflected her personal opinion and should not be viewed as the official position of PTI. Speaking to journalists outside Adiala Jail on Tuesday, Gohar said he had been informed that the interview in question was recorded nearly three months ago. He emphasized that Noreen Niazi holds no office within the party and is not involved in PTI’s political decision-making process. Highlighting national security, the PTI chairman described Pakistan’s recent success in Marka-e-Haq as a matter of national pride and credited it as a blessing for the country. He said Pakistan’s response to external threats had demonstrated its strength before the world and warned that any future aggression would be met with an even stronger reaction. Gohar also appealed to political leaders and the public to avoid making controversial statements about the armed forces or the country’s martyrs, stressing that such sensitive issues should remain above political disagreements. Reaffirming PTI’s position on terrorism, he said the party fully supports decisive action against terrorist elements and called for a united national strategy to eliminate the threat through collective efforts and available state resources. On the political front, Gohar confirmed that PTI’s boycott of parliamentary standing committees and the Judicial Commission remains unchanged. Discussing the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections, he said the party had received reports that the electoral process had been rescheduled into three phases. Although some members had proposed reconsidering the boycott, no agreement had been reached, and the party’s decision to stay away from the polls remains in force. Separately, prison sources confirmed that former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were allowed to meet inside Adiala Jail. The meeting reportedly took place in the prison’s conference room and lasted around 30 minutes. Meanwhile, Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan called on PTI lawmakers and senior leaders to actively participate in the party’s anti-government campaign instead of leaving the responsibility to a limited number of workers and family members. Expressing concern over the lack of updates regarding her brother’s condition, she questioned how long the movement could continue without stronger support from the party’s elected representatives and leadership.

  Lahore, July 23: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Secretary General Ameerul Azeem was laid to rest on Thursday following funeral prayers at Mansoorah, Lahore, attended by thousands of mourners from across the country. The funeral prayer was led by JI Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, who paid rich tribute to the late leader, describing him as a committed worker of Islam who devoted his entire life to religious, political and organizational service. A large number of senior Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, politicians, religious scholars, lawyers, journalists, teachers, traders, representatives of labour and farming communities, civil society members and party workers attended the funeral. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, former Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, former Federal Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani, former Lahore Mayor Khawaja Ahmad Hassan, JUI-F leader Maulana Muhammad Amjad Khan, PML-N leaders Hafiz Nauman and Mian Marghoob, Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith chief Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer, along with several senior Jamaat-e-Islami office-bearers and district emirs from across Pakistan, were among those present. Representatives of minority communities, including Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora and members of the Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, also attended to offer condolences. Addressing the gathering, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said Ameerul Azeem spent his entire life striving for the establishment of Islamic values and remained an example of sincerity, discipline and dedication. He said the late leader was deeply compassionate toward party workers and always remained accessible to every member of the organization. Despite suffering from cancer, he continued fulfilling his organizational responsibilities with determination and never allowed his illness to affect his commitment to the party. The JI chief said Ameerul Azeem believed Jamaat-e-Islami had entered a crucial phase in its struggle and consistently encouraged workers to remain steadfast in pursuing the party’s mission. He prayed that Allah Almighty grant the departed leader the highest place in Jannah and bless his family with patience. Senior JI leader Liaqat Baloch also paid tribute, recalling his more than five-decade association with Ameerul Azeem. He said the late leader’s journey from student politics to one of the party’s highest offices reflected his unwavering dedication, adding that his services would continue to inspire generations of workers. Ameerul Azeem passed away on Wednesday night after a prolonged battle with cancer. Throughout his illness, he remained active in party affairs and continued serving the movement until his final days. Born in Lahore in 1958, Ameerul Azeem earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of the Punjab. He began his political journey through Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT), serving as Nazim of IJT Lahore before becoming Nazim-e-Aala of IJT Pakistan. During General Zia-ul-Haq’s rule, he led the movement for the restoration of student unions, endured imprisonment, and was elected Nazim-e-Aala while in jail. He also served as president of the Punjab University Students Union. After transitioning from student politics, he held several important positions within Jamaat-e-Islami, including Emir of Lahore, Emir of Central Punjab, Central Information Secretary and Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan on two occasions. In 2019, then JI Emir Sirajul Haq appointed him Secretary General of the party. Remembered for his humility, integrity and organizational abilities, Ameerul Azeem also played a prominent role in the Lawyers’ Movement for the restoration of the judiciary and remained a strong advocate of constitutional supremacy, democratic values and the rule of law. Widely respected across political, social and media circles, he leaves behind a legacy of principled leadership and dedicated public service.

  ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken serious notice of the use of a ceremonial horse-drawn buggy by Islamabad’s Chief Commissioner and Inspector General of Police (IGP) during an official function held on August 14, according to official documents. The incident occurred during the Independence Day celebrations in Islamabad, when Chief Commissioner Lt. (Retd.) Sohail Ashraf and IGP Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi travelled to the event in the ceremonial buggy. The display later drew criticism on social media and prompted the government to issue an advisory to both senior officials. According to documents, a formal advisory was issued on Monday by Establishment Division Joint Secretary (Discipline) Syeda Shafaq Hashmi to the Islamabad IGP and Chief Commissioner. The advisory stated that the prime minister had expressed “disappointment and displeasure” over the incident and had taken a serious view of the matter. The document noted that the use of the ceremonial vehicle had attracted considerable public criticism and created an impression of excessive pomp and privilege. It said such a display was inconsistent with the values and responsibilities associated with public service. The advisory reminded the officials that civil servants and public office holders serve the people and are expected to maintain humility, restraint, dignity and sound judgment while performing their duties. According to the Establishment Division, conduct that conveys an impression of ostentation or personal privilege can negatively affect public confidence in government institutions. The advisory stressed that senior government functionaries are expected to maintain high standards of propriety, discipline and responsible governance. The officials were directed to exercise greater caution in the discharge of their responsibilities and ensure that such an incident does not happen again. The instructions were issued for “strict compliance” in both letter and spirit. The controversy gained wider attention after photographs and videos of the two officials using the buggy circulated on social media during the Independence Day celebrations. The incident prompted Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to clarify the circumstances surrounding the officials’ use of the ceremonial vehicle. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi defended the Islamabad police chief and chief commissioner, saying that neither official should be blamed for using the buggy. In a statement posted on X on August 15, Naqvi acknowledged that the situation had not unfolded as intended but said the two officials were not responsible for the decision. Naqvi explained that the ceremonial buggy had originally been arranged for the chief guest. However, the chief guest and the interior minister were delayed because of a meeting involving President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He said the two Islamabad officials had initially been reluctant to begin the programme in the absence of the chief guest and the interior minister. However, they were specifically instructed to proceed with the event so that members of the public would not face unnecessary inconvenience. “The buggy was arranged for the chief guest but, unfortunately, due to unavoidable circumstances, it was used by the officers,” Naqvi explained. The minister further said that both officials had initially resisted proceeding without the dignitaries but ultimately followed the instructions given to them. Naqvi also thanked Islamabad residents for participating in the August 14 celebrations and helping make the Independence Day event successful. The episode has since sparked discussion about appropriate conduct, public perception and the standards expected from senior government officials, with the prime minister’s advisory stressing the importance of maintaining humility and public trust.

An eight-member medical exhumation board has confirmed that Mir Raza Ali suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the back alongside multiple severe pre-death injuries, drastically shifting the trajectory of the high-profile investigation. The four-page preliminary report, issued following an court-ordered grave exhumation at Karachi’s Rehmanial Masjid Graveyard, reveals extensive physical trauma sustained prior to death. Pathologists identified a 0.8-centimeter entry wound on the left side of the upper back, which fractured the sixth rib and tore through the heart before exiting the right side of the upper chest. Forensic examiners confirmed the presence of extravasation of blood in the underlying tissues, answering affirmatively that these injuries were inflicted while the victim was still alive. Beyond the firearm damage, the post-mortem detailed significant blunt-force trauma across the victim’s head, face, and neck. Doctors documented deep bruising on the skull, fractures to the nasal bone, tissue congestion over the maxilla, and a diastatic fracture running along the posterior sutures of the skull filled with congealed blood. Discoloration was also noted around the hyoid bone, though advanced decomposition hindered complete soft tissue analysis. While the medical board has verified antemortem bleeding and severe skeletal fractures, a final determination on the official cause of death remains reserved. Pathologists have submitted collected skin, muscle, hair, and bone samples for detailed chemical, forensic, and gunshot residue testing. The findings provide critical scientific evidence that redefines the ongoing investigation from a missing person query into a detailed homicide inquiry.