The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Peshawar Zone has arrested five suspects during raids against alleged illegal foreign currency exchange and Hawala/Hundi operations in Timargara Bazaar, Lower Dir. According to FIA officials, the suspects were allegedly operating unauthorized currency exchange and money transfer businesses without the required licences. Separate cases have been registered against the arrested individuals under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA). During the raids, investigators recovered Pakistani and foreign currency worth millions of rupees. The seized cash included Rs49.336 million in Pakistani currency, 158 million Iranian rials, 20,521 Saudi riyals, 3,000 UAE dirhams and 700 Polish zloty. The FIA said the suspects were allegedly involved in unauthorized foreign exchange dealings and illegal transfer of funds through Hawala/Hundi networks. Such activities violate Pakistan’s laws governing foreign exchange and financial transactions. The latest action forms part of the FIA Peshawar Zone’s ongoing crackdown on unauthorized currency dealers and illegal money-transfer networks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Officials said such operations are aimed at curbing activities linked to money laundering, currency smuggling and other financial crimes. The agency has launched further investigations to determine the source and intended destination of the recovered funds. Investigators are also working to identify other people who may be connected with the alleged illegal operations.

At least 11 people have died and 25 others have been injured in rain-related incidents across Pakistan during the past 24 hours. The latest casualties have pushed the nationwide monsoon death toll to 97 since June 26. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said 297 people have been injured during the same period. Punjab recorded the highest number of casualties in the latest 24-hour period. Seven people were killed and 20 others were injured. Sindh reported two deaths and two injuries. One person died and three others were injured in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Another death was reported in Gilgit-Baltistan. House collapses were the main cause of deaths. The NDMA said they accounted for more than half of the fatalities during the latest reporting period. Drowning and lightning strikes were also among the major causes. The continuing rains have damaged homes and infrastructure in several areas. The NDMA said 22 houses were damaged during the past 24 hours. Seventeen suffered partial damage, while five were completely destroyed. Eight livestock were also lost during the latest spell. Since June 26, a total of 447 houses have been damaged across the country. Of these, 338 were partially damaged and 109 were completely destroyed. The number of livestock killed has reached 269. Heavy rain and landslides have also affected roads in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. Around 0.9 kilometres of roads were damaged during the latest period. Traffic has been disrupted at several locations. Authorities are working to restore affected routes. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast more rain, strong winds and thunderstorms in several parts of the country during the next 24 hours. The department has warned of possible flash floods in hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern Balochistan. Urban flooding is also possible in parts of southeastern Sindh. Rain and thunderstorms are expected in the upper catchments of major rivers. Islamabad, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan may also receive showers. Parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan are also likely to experience unsettled weather. The Met Office said flood-generating rainfall is not expected until July 28. However, another monsoon spell could begin from July 29. The expected system may affect upper river catchments, Islamabad, upper Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Authorities have continued relief and rescue work in affected areas. The NDMA said 386 relief items were distributed during the past 24 hours. Rescue teams also carried out five operations. Eight people were rescued. Since the beginning of the monsoon season, authorities have conducted 130 rescue operations. A total of 3,841 people have been rescued across Pakistan. Karachi may receive more rain Karachi is expected to remain mostly cloudy, hot and humid over the next two days. The Met Office has forecast light rain and drizzle at isolated locations. Strong winds may also occur in some areas. The city is expected to remain partly cloudy and humid on Monday and Tuesday. Occasional drizzle is also possible. A low-pressure system over southwest Rajasthan and nearby areas is currently affecting weather conditions. The system is expected to weaken by Monday. However, strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea continue to move towards southern and central Pakistan. These conditions may keep the weather unsettled. Several districts of Sindh are expected to receive thunderstorms and rain. Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Sanghar and Matiari may receive moderate rainfall. Heavy rain is also possible at isolated locations. Ghotki, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Larkana and Khairpur are also likely to receive rain. Naushahro Feroze, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Jamshoro, Shaheed Benazirabad and Hyderabad may also experience showers, strong winds and thunderstorms. The Met Office has warned that lightning and strong winds could damage weak buildings and other vulnerable structures. Heavy rain may also cause urban flooding in low-lying and vulnerable areas. Residents have been advised to remain alert. People in vulnerable locations have been urged to follow official weather updates and take necessary precautions during thunderstorms. Karachi received its first major monsoon spell of the season on Friday. Rain was recorded across several parts of the city. The rainfall began in areas including Gulshan-e-Maymar, Surjani Town, Ahsanabad and Manghopir. It later spread to several other parts of the city. Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Johar, Nazimabad, Jamshed Road and DHA also received rain. Several commercial and central areas were also affected. The rainfall brought relief from the heat and humidity. However, authorities remain concerned about water accumulation if another heavy spell hits the city. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had placed the province on high alert ahead of the forecast. He directed local government bodies, the Water Board and district administrations to remain operational around the clock

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has rejected the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. The party has described the July 27 polls as unacceptable and demanded a judicial inquiry into the violence reported in the region. PTI leaders also called for the cancellation of the remaining two phases of the elections. They demanded fresh elections across AJK in a single phase under an independent and impartial election commission. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan appeared alongside former AJK prime minister Sardar Qayyum Niazi. The leaders strongly criticised the violence reported in Rawalakot, Mirpur and other areas. Multiple reports of deaths and injuries have emerged since Monday. Videos showing unrest have also circulated on social media, although the reported casualties could not be independently verified. Both security agencies and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) have reported casualties during clashes. Niazi said Kashmiris were facing what he described as unprecedented oppression. He said the situation was particularly concerning because Kashmiris had historically supported the cause of accession to Pakistan. He claimed protesters had attempted to resolve their grievances through negotiations. According to him, the situation deteriorated after their demands were not addressed. Niazi maintained that the protesters were peaceful. He questioned the use of force against them and urged authorities to avoid further escalation. He also criticised the decision to conduct the AJK elections in three phases. Niazi argued that the region has a relatively small population and questioned why the elections could not have been held on a single day. He said the ongoing violence was damaging Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir issue. According to him, AJK is considered an important base for the wider Kashmir cause. Niazi warned that the unrest could send a negative message internationally. He said Pakistan had previously highlighted alleged human rights violations in Indian-administered Kashmir at international forums. He argued that developments in AJK could make it difficult for Pakistan to effectively present its position on Kashmir before the international community. The former AJK prime minister also rejected the portrayal of protesters as terrorists. He said the same people had previously been engaging with authorities through negotiations. Niazi called for dialogue and urged the government to avoid further use of force. He proposed the establishment of a national government in AJK until conditions returned to normal. He said free and transparent elections should then be held across the region, with PTI participating in the process. Gohar also strongly criticised the July 27 elections. He alleged that the polls had failed to reflect the will of the people. The PTI chairman said using force to silence protesters could not resolve political and public grievances. He argued that listening to citizens was a fundamental part of democracy. Gohar criticised both the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for turning the election dispute into a political contest. He said political parties should focus on the violence and reported casualties rather than exchanging allegations over electoral gains and losses. The PTI leader also pointed to the low voter turnout. He claimed that the limited participation represented public dissatisfaction with the existing political system. Gohar said the Kashmir issue was extremely sensitive and should not be used for political interests. He urged all stakeholders to act responsibly and resolve the crisis through dialogue. PTI has now formally demanded a judicial investigation into the reported violence. The party also wants the remaining election phases, scheduled for August 2 and August 10, cancelled. The party has further called for the resignation of the AJK government and the formation of a national government to manage the situation. PTI wants fresh elections to be held across AJK in a single phase. It has called for the process to be conducted under the supervision of an independent and impartial election commission. The party says dialogue should be prioritised to address public grievances and restore normalcy before a fresh electoral process begins.