Librarians’ Day observed at UoG’s Quaid-e-Azam Central Library

The DNA of Karachi businessman Mir Raza has matched samples collected from his parents, officials said on Tuesday. The development is part of the ongoing investigation into his death. Authorities have also expanded the investigation team handling the case. A notification has been issued for the appointment of two additional officers. According to the notification, DSP Sirajuddin and Inspector Muhammad Ali have been included in the investigation team. Their addition has increased the strength of the team to seven members. The latest appointments come as investigators continue to examine different aspects of the case. Police are also reviewing the available evidence as part of the probe. Meanwhile, the former investigation officer appeared before the Judicial Magistrate East in connection with the case. He requested additional time to submit the investigation report. The former officer told the court that the investigation was still in progress. He also informed the court that senior authorities had changed the officer responsible for investigating the case. He said the newly appointed investigation officer would appear before the court at the next hearing. The officer is expected to continue the investigation and submit the required report. The court accepted the request for more time. It directed the former investigation officer to submit the report by August 15. The court proceedings took place as investigators continued their efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding Mir Raza’s death. The DNA match with his parents has also provided an important development in the investigation. Authorities are now expected to continue examining other evidence and findings linked to the case.

President Asif Ali Zardari has stressed the need to protect trees and promote plantation across Pakistan. He said tree plantation is not only an environmental priority but also a national responsibility. In a message issued at the launch of the Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign 2026, the president said the campaign aims to plant 20 million saplings across the country. He urged people and relevant institutions to actively participate in the plantation drive. He said increasing the country’s tree cover is essential for protecting the environment and improving the quality of life. President Zardari said forests play an important role in preserving biodiversity, water resources and the natural environment. Forests also help reduce the harmful effects of climate change. He stressed that Pakistan needs greater efforts to protect existing forests and increase the number of trees across the country. According to him, a stronger and healthier forest cover can help the country deal with rising environmental challenges. The president called for collective efforts to build a green, clean and climate-resilient Pakistan. He said government institutions, communities and citizens all have a role to play in protecting the environment. He also highlighted the importance of planting trees for future generations. He said the trees planted today will help provide a healthier and better environment for coming generations. The president’s message comes as Pakistan continues to face environmental challenges linked to climate change, changing weather patterns and pressure on natural resources. He said tree plantation should not be limited to seasonal campaigns. Continuous efforts are needed to protect trees, expand forests and ensure the survival of newly planted saplings. President Zardari said protecting the environment is a shared responsibility. He called for greater public awareness and participation in plantation activities to make Pakistan greener and more sustainable.

The National Assembly Secretariat has suspended security assistant Waqas Ahmed over alleged misuse of official powers. According to an official notification issued by the National Assembly Secretariat, the security official has been removed from his existing duties and directed to report immediately to the Human Resources Management Branch. The notification did not provide detailed information about the specific incident or circumstances that led to the disciplinary action. However, it stated that the suspension was linked to the alleged misuse of authority. The development comes as the National Assembly Secretariat continues to enforce administrative and disciplinary measures among its employees to ensure compliance with official rules and regulations. Waqas Ahmed has been instructed to follow the directions contained in the notification and report to the designated HR branch without delay. Further action in the matter is expected after the relevant authorities examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged violation.

QUETTA: A wave of violence and tragic accidents swept across Balochistan on Tuesday, as authorities recovered six bullet-riddled bodies from four districts while eight more people, including two women, lost their lives in separate incidents of gunfire, a roadside explosion, a fuel tanker fire and a deadly road crash. According to police officials, the bodies of six unidentified men were recovered from Kalat, Mastung, Panjgur and Kharan, prompting multiple investigations into the killings. Three of the bodies were discovered in different areas of Kalat district. Two were found dumped in the Rej locality after local authorities received information from residents, while another body was recovered from the Chhapar area. All three were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital for identification, but officials said their identities had not yet been established. In Mastung, police recovered another unidentified man’s body from the Jungle area after receiving reports from local residents. Preliminary investigations suggest the deceased may have been a drug addict, though authorities said the exact cause and circumstances of his death are still being examined. The fifth body was found in Nowan Kur, Panjgur, where police believe the victim was shot dead by unidentified attackers before his body was abandoned. In Kharan, authorities recovered the body of a man who had reportedly been abducted by armed men two days earlier after they stormed his home. His body was later found on the outskirts of the city with bullet wounds. Separate incidents elsewhere in the province added to the death toll. In Kalat’s Mangochar area, unidentified gunmen opened fire on a family travelling from Zhob to Karachi after their driver allegedly failed to stop at a signal. Two women were killed in the attack, while a child sustained injuries and was taken to hospital. Meanwhile, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near the N-65 National Highway in Mastung, killing a driver and injuring five others. The explosion severely damaged an LPG tanker and two trailers. In Quetta, two people were burned to death after an oil tanker caught fire at a petrol pump near Sariab Customs. In another tragedy, three people were killed in a head-on collision between two vehicles on the Quetta-Karachi National Highway in the Surab area. Police have launched investigations into the shootings and explosions, while authorities continue efforts to identify the unidentified victims and determine those responsible for the attacks.