K-IV project delay, NA committee summons Sindh officials

Torrential rainfall has caused widespread disruption in Upper Dir, where flash floods and overflowing streams have damaged roads, washed away infrastructure, and stranded travelers across several parts of the district. According to rescue officials, the continuing downpours have significantly affected transportation and raised concerns about public safety. Rescue 1122 reported that floodwaters near the Inkar Madrasa area swept across the main highway, forcing authorities to close the road to all types of traffic. The closure resulted in long queues of vehicles, leaving commuters and tourists stranded while waiting for conditions to improve. Emergency responders have been monitoring the situation and coordinating relief efforts in the affected areas. The heavy rains also washed away a connecting bridge and damaged multiple roads, disrupting access between nearby communities. Rising water levels in seasonal streams have further complicated rescue and recovery operations, making travel difficult and increasing the risk for people living near flood-prone areas. According to rescue officials, one vehicle was swept away by floodwaters in a rain-fed stream. However, no fatalities had been reported at the time of the latest updates. Authorities continue to assess the extent of the damage while emergency teams remain on standby to respond to any additional incidents caused by the severe weather. Officials have urged residents, tourists, and motorists to avoid unnecessary travel until weather conditions improve. They have also advised the public to stay away from rivers, streams, and flood channels, where rapidly rising water levels can pose a serious threat to life and property. Heavy monsoon rains frequently trigger flash floods and landslides in northern Pakistan, disrupting transportation and damaging critical infrastructure. Authorities are continuing to monitor weather conditions closely and have appealed to the public to follow official advisories and cooperate with rescue teams. Travelers planning to visit Upper Dir are encouraged to check road conditions before departing and remain alert for further weather updates as rescue and restoration efforts continue.

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.