Lahore Metro Bus Service to suspend operations from August 11

Karachi police have registered a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act following a violent clash between rival groups at the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) headquarters in Bahadurabad that left several people injured and spread panic in the surrounding area. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the case has been registered by the state at New Town Police Station under multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including rioting, attempted murder, causing injuries and unlawful assembly, along with Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. Police have nominated two suspects, identified as Azhar alias Lumba and Zeeshan Habib, while 20 to 25 unidentified individuals have also been named in the case. Investigators said police received reports on the evening of August 2 that two groups had clashed near Choti Market in Bahadurabad. During the violence, a man identified as Amir sustained a bullet injury to his arm, while two others, Asad and Kashir Ali, were also injured. All three were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for treatment. The FIR states that both groups allegedly exchanged gunfire and fired into the air, creating fear among residents and disrupting public order. Authorities also noted that Section 144 was in force at the time, prohibiting the display of weapons and public disorder. Police said the suspects fled the scene before law enforcement personnel arrived. The incident reportedly occurred during a party meeting at MQM-P’s central office. According to police, tensions escalated after the meeting ended, leading to a confrontation between supporters of different party factions. Officials said workers belonging to one faction allegedly assaulted members of the rival group and forced them out of the party headquarters. Heavy gunfire was also reported from inside the premises, causing alarm among nearby residents.

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday declined to recognise veteran politician Mahmood Khan Achakzai as the head of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, citing the party’s failure to conduct mandatory intra-party elections, while also delisting four political parties for violating election laws. A five-member bench, headed by the Chief Election Commissioner, heard proceedings related to PkMAP’s non-compliance with legal requirements, including the absence of intra-party elections, amendments to the party constitution, and objections concerning its financial accounts. During the hearing, the commission questioned the validity of the power of attorney submitted by the party’s legal counsel. The lawyer informed the bench that the document had been signed by the party chairman, Mahmood Khan Achakzai. However, the Chief Election Commissioner observed that the party currently had no officially recognised chairman because it had failed to hold intra-party elections as required under the law. The commission, therefore, refused to recognise Achakzai as the party’s head for the purpose of the proceedings. The ECP stated that while the power of attorney would be placed on record, a separate order would determine whether it would be formally accepted. At the request of PkMAP’s counsel, the commission granted additional time to prepare arguments and adjourned the case until August 19. In a separate development, the ECP intensified its enforcement of election regulations by removing four more political parties from its official register. The delisted parties include Technology Movement Pakistan, Awami Jamhoori Party Pakistan, Hum Awam Pakistan Party, and Pakistan Reform Party. According to official notifications, the parties were delisted for failing to conduct intra-party elections, submit annual financial statements, and comply with other mandatory legal obligations. The latest decisions underline the ECP’s continued push to ensure transparency, financial accountability, and internal democracy within Pakistan’s political parties as it strengthens enforcement of the country’s electoral laws.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has urged the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to accept its defeat in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections instead of making allegations of rigging. In a video statement, Maryam responded to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s criticism of the election results. She said the PPP should accept the outcome “with an open heart” and focus on its political responsibilities. Maryam said complaints and accusations would not change the election results. She also advised the PPP to concentrate on governance rather than questioning the electoral process. Her statement came after Bilawal strongly criticised the PML-N and raised questions about the conduct of the AJK elections. Speaking at a workers’ convention in Muzaffarabad, Bilawal questioned whether the situation in AJK could be described as genuine democracy. Bilawal claimed that PPP candidates had received strong public support and suggested that the party’s performance did not reflect the votes and expectations of the people. He also questioned whether political interests were being prioritised over the wider interests of AJK. The remarks triggered a political exchange between the two parties following the completion of polling in the first phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections. According to unofficial and provisional results, the PML-N emerged as the leading party by winning nine of the 13 constituencies contested in the first phase. The PPP secured the remaining four seats across the Mirpur division. The results prompted celebrations among PML-N workers and supporters, while the PPP raised concerns over the electoral process. The first phase covered constituencies in Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber. Voting was held on July 27, with polling time extended by one hour after the scheduled closing time. The electoral contest has intensified political competition between the PML-N and PPP in AJK.