Karachi man shot dead in dalmia; CCTV footage of k…

Islamabad: A controversy over a motorway incident involving a couple’s video and growing concerns over delayed road projects dominated the Senate Standing Committee on Communications meeting, where lawmakers questioned the role of motorway police and raised serious concerns over incomplete highways due to funding problems. The committee was informed that the motorway police officer involved in the incident had been suspended and an inquiry was underway after officials clarified that moral policing is not part of the department’s official duties. Inspector General Motorway Police told the committee that the incident took place on 16 July when motorway police found a vehicle parked on the roadside. He said an argument developed when the vehicle moved away. The IG informed lawmakers that stopping people for moral reasons is not included in the motorway police’s standard operating procedures. He assured the committee that action had been taken against the officer involved and the inquiry would be completed soon. The Senate Standing Committee on Communications, chaired by Senator Pervaiz Rashid, also reviewed major road development issues and questioned delays in important infrastructure projects. During the meeting, lawmakers raised concerns over the incomplete Kuchlak to Zhob N50 Highway project, which covers around 298 kilometres. Officials informed the committee that the project remains unfinished because of a shortage of funds. Senator Zameer Hussain Ghumro questioned why new development plans are considered when existing projects are still waiting for completion. The Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Communications informed the committee that no new projects had been started during the current year. The committee stressed that incomplete projects increase public difficulties and may also increase costs because delays often create additional financial pressure. Members discussed improving the National Highway Authority’s funding system so road projects can continue without stopping due to delayed payments. The committee recommended that project funds should be released every three months to ensure contractors receive payments on time and construction work continues smoothly. Officials also discussed creating a bridge financial system to prevent road projects from being affected by temporary funding shortages. The committee was briefed about financial matters related to development loans and agreed that funding mechanisms should be discussed separately to create better policies for future projects. Senator Muhammad Abdul Qadir also raised concerns about the distribution of development funds and pointed out differences in allocation for road projects. He said that out of Rs116 billion approved for Balochistan, around Rs100 billion was allocated for the N25 Highway project. The committee said better planning was needed to ensure development funds are distributed effectively and important routes receive timely attention. Several questions related to road projects in Chitral and Balochistan, including CPEC related highways and the Karachi Bela Road, could not be discussed because the members who had submitted the questions were not present.

Thirty-three Pakistani scholars are set to pursue fully funded postgraduate studies at universities across the United Kingdom under the prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth scholarship programmes. The scholars were selected for their academic performance, leadership abilities and commitment to contributing to society. They will enrol in master’s and other postgraduate programmes in fields considered important for Pakistan’s development. Their areas of study include global health, education, governance, human rights, media and development, climate action, development economics, business, diplomacy, innovation and entrepreneurship, and biological robotics. The scholars will study at universities in several UK cities, including London, Bristol, Sheffield, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The British High Commission in Islamabad hosted a pre-departure reception for the selected scholars. During the event, they were briefed on academic life, living arrangements and other aspects of studying in the UK. British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott said the scholarship programmes were a strong example of cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. She said the programmes support talented individuals with leadership potential and a desire to contribute to positive change. Marriott expressed hope that the scholars would return to Pakistan with new knowledge, professional networks and ideas that could contribute to the country’s development. The British High Commission said the latest group represents the diversity of Pakistan’s talent. The scholars come from different regions and professional backgrounds. The commission also highlighted the growing participation of Pakistani women in the scholarship programmes. After completing their studies, the scholars will join an expanding alumni community in Pakistan. According to the High Commission, the country has nearly 2,000 Chevening alumni and more than 1,500 Commonwealth alumni. The alumni are working in a wide range of sectors, including education, health, governance, business, climate action and civil society. The British High Commission said it was working with Pakistani partners to create additional scholarship opportunities in areas linked to national priorities. Previous collaborations have helped increase access to UK education in fields such as heritage, climate studies, sports and business.

Former Sindh Assembly member Ghulam Rasool Unar has accused his former wife of allegedly deceiving him through artificial intelligence-generated images. The case was heard by the Additional District and Sessions Court South in Karachi. During the hearing, the former MPA’s ex-wife opposed the petition filed by Unar. Her lawyer rejected several claims made in the petition. He said the former MPA’s claim that he had established contact with the woman through social media was not correct. The lawyer also told the court that the applicant had accepted certain conditions before the marriage. He said these conditions were acknowledged through an affidavit signed before the couple’s marriage. The dispute relates to allegations about photographs allegedly shared before the marriage. A few days earlier, Ghulam Rasool Unar had approached the court with his allegations. In his petition, he claimed that he had communicated with the woman through social media before their marriage. According to the former MPA, photographs were shared with him during their communication. He claimed that the woman appeared different in those photographs. Unar alleged that he saw his former wife in person for the first time after the marriage. He claimed that her appearance was completely different from the photographs he had received before the marriage. The former lawmaker alleged that the photographs had been manipulated or generated using artificial intelligence. He said the difference between the images and the woman’s actual appearance led him to distance himself from her. Unar further told the court that he stopped maintaining contact with the woman after seeing her in person. He also stated in his petition that he divorced her on August 9. The divorce followed the dispute over the alleged differences between the photographs and her actual appearance, according to his account. The former wife’s lawyer, however, disputed the allegations. The defence maintained that the claims made by the former MPA should not be accepted without proper legal examination. The court proceedings have brought attention to the growing legal questions surrounding AI-generated and digitally manipulated images. Such technology can create highly realistic photographs and has raised concerns about identity, consent and online deception. The case is still being heard. The allegations made by the former MPA have not been established by the court, while his former wife has challenged his claims through her legal counsel.