Meteorological Department Issues Storm Alert For Multiple Regions

The father of deceased businessman Mir Raza Ali has decided to seek a second post-mortem examination, saying he is not satisfied with the initial medical report or the progress of the investigation into his son’s death. Mir Hussain said he will move the court to request a fresh medical examination. He believes the first post-mortem did not fully explain the circumstances of his son’s death and has called for a transparent and impartial investigation. Mir Raza Ali, an IBA graduate and businessman, went missing on the night of July 28 after leaving his home. According to his family, he told them he would return within a few minutes. However, he did not come back. His body was found the following day in bushes in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar area. The victim’s father has rejected the theory that his son died by suicide. He insists that Mir Raza was murdered and claims attempts are being made to present the incident as a suicide. He alleged that his son’s body showed signs of violence, including burns to the face, body and fingerprints. He also claimed that Mir Raza was shot from behind and questioned why the initial medical report focused only on the gunshot injury without mentioning other visible injuries. Mir Hussain further questioned what happened to his son during the nearly 24 hours between his disappearance and the recovery of his body. He said Mir Raza had spoken to his sister before leaving home and appeared to be in a normal mood. According to the family, the taxi driver who dropped him off also told investigators that the businessman seemed cheerful and was singing during the journey. Preliminary medical findings indicated that the victim died from a gunshot wound. The report estimated that the body was between 24 and 36 hours old when examined. Medical officials also noted facial injuries and marks on one of his hands. The bullet’s path suggested it entered from the back and exited through the front. To ensure a thorough inquiry, Karachi police have constituted a three-member special investigation team. The team has been directed to examine every aspect of the case, identify those responsible and submit daily progress reports to senior police officials. Investigators have also reviewed the victim’s mobile phone records and forensic evidence. According to officials, the data indicates that Mir Raza had been facing financial difficulties. Authorities said he had reportedly sent a message to a friend shortly before his death requesting a loan of Rs30 million. Police have recorded statements from 15 individuals, including the taxi driver who last transported the victim and the person who first informed authorities about the body.

Protective embankments inspected at Head Sidhnai, Mai Safura, Kund Sargana and Fazil Shah as Ravi and Chenab water levels remain under continuous surveillance Khanewal: Deputy Commissioner Khanewal Hena Arshad has issued a pre-emptive alert to all relevant departments, directing them to maintain complete operational preparedness for any possible flood emergency in the district. The alert comes as Punjab faces an evolving monsoon and river-flood situation. According to the latest official update, moderate flooding has been recorded in the River Chenab at Khanki, Qadirabad and Chiniot Bridge. Low-level flooding has also been reported at Trimmu on the Chenab and at Balloki and Sidhnai on the River Ravi. The Deputy Commissioner visited Head Sidhnai, the Mai Safura Bund Breaching Section, Kund Sargana and Fazil Shah Bund, where she inspected flood-protection infrastructure and reviewed emergency response arrangements. Officials of the Irrigation Department briefed her on the prevailing water situation in the Ravi and Chenab rivers, the structural strength of protective embankments, vulnerable riverine areas, evacuation planning and precautionary measures being taken to minimise possible losses. Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Fazal Abbas, Assistant Commissioner Kabirwala Muhammad Haroon and officers representing the Irrigation Department, Rescue 1122, Revenue Department and other concerned agencies accompanied the Deputy Commissioner during the inspection. At Head Sidhnai, Hena Arshad inspected the Mai Safura Bund Breaching Section, surrounding flood embankments and the railway bridge. She reviewed the condition of the protective infrastructure and the safety measures being implemented around vulnerable locations. The Deputy Commissioner directed the Irrigation Department, Kabirwala tehsil administration, Rescue 1122, Revenue Department and other agencies to remain fully alert and maintain uninterrupted coordination. She stressed that machinery, rescue boats, emergency equipment, personnel and transportation resources must remain available for immediate deployment. Any weakness detected in an embankment or protective structure should be repaired without delay, she added. Earlier, while chairing a flood-preparedness meeting at Head Sidhnai, the Deputy Commissioner said that the district administration had completed the necessary arrangements to respond effectively to a possible emergency. She ordered the immediate strengthening of flood embankments, removal of encroachments from waterways and vulnerable locations, and implementation of all remaining precautionary measures. During her visits to Kund Sargana and Fazil Shah Bund, Hena Arshad instructed officials to prepare for the timely and safe evacuation of residents from low-lying riverine settlements whenever water conditions require such action. She directed the administration to identify vulnerable populations in advance, maintain updated evacuation lists and ensure the availability of transport for families, livestock and essential belongings. The Deputy Commissioner also ordered that flood-relief camps and facilities established by the Health and Livestock departments remain fully operational. These camps must be prepared to provide shelter, medicines, drinking water, food, veterinary assistance and other essential services immediately after an emergency is declared. Punjab authorities have intensified flood monitoring across rivers, headworks and barrages. Drone surveillance has also been conducted at Head Sidhnai and other strategic locations to monitor water flows, riverbank erosion and possible incoming flood waves. The wider provincial situation remains sensitive. More than 4,300 residents have already been evacuated from vulnerable settlements along the Chenab in Chiniot district following an increase in water levels, illustrating the speed with which river conditions can affect downstream communities. The National Disaster Management Authority has also issued a weather advisory covering July 25 to July 30, warning of further monsoon activity and associated flooding hazards. Hena Arshad said water levels and river conditions across Khanewal district were being monitored continuously. She instructed all departments to remain vigilant and respond immediately to any rise in water levels, weakening of embankments or other emergency situation. “The protection of citizens’ lives, property and livestock is the district administration’s foremost priority,” the Deputy Commissioner said, reaffirming that negligence or delays in flood-preparedness measures would not be tolerated. Residents of low-lying areas near the Ravi, Head Sidhnai and adjoining riverine belts have been advised to remain attentive to official announcements, avoid approaching rivers and flood channels, and cooperate with the administration if precautionary evacuation becomes necessary. Citizens may contact Rescue 1122 during an immediate emergency or call the Provincial Disaster Management Authority’s disaster helpline 1129 to report flood-related risks and seek assistance.

A Senate committee has directed Islamic banks not to force female employees to wear abayas and instructed all banks to adopt a modest dress policy without making any specific attire compulsory. The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, discussed complaints regarding dress code policies at banks, particularly those offering Islamic banking services. During the meeting, Senator Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur said some female employees had complained that they were being required to wear abayas while male staff were not subject to similar restrictions. Senator Sherry Rehman said no employee should be compelled to wear a particular dress. She said Pakistan already has a recognised national dress and a modest dress code should apply equally to everyone, regardless of gender. State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad informed the committee that similar guidelines had been issued previously and communicated to all banks. The committee clarified that it supported a decent and professional dress code but opposed making any specific clothing mandatory. It directed all banks to submit their dress code policies and instructed the SBP to issue fresh guidelines to ensure employees are not subjected to unnecessary restrictions. The committee also reviewed complaints about charges imposed on ATM withdrawals, Visa card transactions and SMS banking alerts. Members expressed concern over customers being charged for SMS alerts even when they did not request the service. Senator Abdul Qadir claimed that banks were collecting significant amounts through SMS charges. The SBP governor explained that SMS charges were collected by telecom operators rather than banks. However, committee members questioned the level of charges imposed on customers. The panel directed that SMS notifications should only be provided to customers who choose to receive them and unnecessary alerts should be discontinued. The committee also sought details about dollar-denominated charges on ATM and Visa card transactions and asked the relevant authorities to review the matter. Separately, lawmakers discussed taxes collected through electricity bills. Some members argued that electricity consumers were paying a heavy tax burden, making household bills increasingly difficult to afford. Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial said most of the tax collected through electricity bills consisted of sales tax, which is applied under the country’s taxation system. He added that several exemptions were already available for electricity consumers.