Netanyahu reacts to Trump’s Saudi deal condi…

Pakistan security forces have foiled a suicide attack on a checkpost in South Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing four terrorists, including the suicide bomber, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. According to a statement issued by the military’s media wing, terrorists attempted to attack a security forces checkpost by driving an explosives-filled vehicle toward the installation. However, the attack was stopped due to the quick and effective response of security personnel. The ISPR said that the explosives-laden vehicle was engaged and destroyed before it could reach the checkpost, killing the suicide bomber inside. The failed attack caused no damage to the security installation and no casualties were reported among security forces. Following the initial attack attempt, troops engaged other militants who tried to enter the area. According to the statement, three terrorists were forced into a nearby compound and were later killed during a targeted clearance operation carried out by security forces. The military said a sanitisation operation was also launched in the surrounding area to search for any remaining militants and ensure the security of the region. The ISPR reiterated that counter-terrorism operations under the “Azm-i-Istehkam” initiative will continue with full commitment to eliminate terrorism and prevent attacks against the country. The operation is part of ongoing efforts by security forces and law enforcement agencies to tackle militant threats. The incident comes a day after a terrorist attack on a joint police checkpost in Tank district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa resulted in the deaths of 15 people, including security personnel. Officials said the attack highlighted the continuing security challenges faced by the province. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has witnessed an increase in militant activities over the past year, with security forces conducting frequent operations against armed groups operating in the region. Security officials have stated that intelligence-based operations and targeted actions will continue to counter militant networks and protect civilians and security personnel. The latest operation in South Waziristan reflects the ongoing security efforts aimed at preventing attacks and maintaining stability in areas affected by terrorism.

Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court has issued a detailed written judgment in a land dispute that has remained unresolved for nearly five decades. The ruling addresses a long-standing legal conflict over land ownership and tenancy rights, overturning previous decisions and restoring the legal status of the land as it existed before 1996. The court declared the 2008 judgment of the Lahore High Court null and void. It also set aside the orders issued by the Federal Land Commissioner in 1996, ruling that those decisions were not legally sustainable. The verdict marks a significant development in one of the country’s oldest land-related legal disputes. Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan authored the 25-page judgment, outlining the legal reasoning behind the court’s decision. The ruling carefully reviewed the history of the case, the relevant land laws, and the constitutional principles governing property rights and administrative authority. According to the judgment, the legal status of the disputed land has been restored to what it was before the Federal Land Commissioner’s 1996 orders. The court held that the rights of tenant farmers, commonly referred to as muzareen, must remain protected in accordance with the Land Regulations of 1972. These regulations were introduced to safeguard the lawful rights of tenants and regulate land that had been taken into government custody. The court emphasized that once land disputes have been finally decided through due legal process, they cannot be reopened or reconsidered without a valid legal basis. The judgment stated that the principle of finality in judicial decisions is essential for maintaining certainty and stability in the legal system. The ruling explained that under the 1972 Land Regulations, various pieces of land had been taken into government possession. Decisions regarding those acquisitions had already attained final legal status after being decided by the competent authorities and courts. However, in 1996, approximately twenty years after those decisions had become final, the Federal Land Commissioner declared the earlier government acquisition orders invalid. The Constitutional Court held that the commissioner lacked the legal authority to reopen and overturn matters that had already reached finality under the law. The judgment also noted that the Lahore High Court, in its 2008 decision, had upheld the Federal Land Commissioner’s orders. After reviewing the legal record, the Constitutional Court concluded that the High Court’s decision was based on an incorrect interpretation of the law and therefore could not be allowed to stand. By restoring the pre-1996 legal position, the court reaffirmed the protection of tenant farmers’ rights under the 1972 regulations while reinforcing the importance of respecting final judicial and administrative decisions. Legal experts believe the ruling could influence the resolution of similar land disputes involving historical claims and government-acquired property. The case was heard by the Federal Constitutional Court following the enactment of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, under which the matter came within the jurisdiction of the newly established court. The judgment is expected to serve as an important legal precedent for future constitutional and land-related cases, particularly those involving administrative powers, property rights, and the principle that finalized legal disputes should not be reopened without lawful justification.

  The Sindh provincial cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, has approved the imposition of a toll tax on heavy commercial vehicles using the Mehran Highway. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting as part of the provincial government’s broader strategy to establish a sustainable financial system for the maintenance and development of road infrastructure across Sindh. According to the cabinet’s decision, the toll tax will apply exclusively to heavy and commercial vehicles traveling on the 135-kilometer-long Mehran Highway. Private passenger vehicles will not be subject to the new toll under the current policy. Officials stated that commercial transport vehicles place greater pressure on road infrastructure due to their size and weight, making it appropriate for them to contribute to the highway’s maintenance through toll payments. During the meeting, cabinet members received a detailed briefing on the ongoing development of the Mehran Highway. Officials informed the cabinet that the project to expand the highway into a dual carriageway is currently underway at an estimated cost of Rs41 billion. The project is intended to improve road safety, increase transportation efficiency, reduce travel time, and accommodate the growing volume of traffic, particularly heavy commercial vehicles that regularly use the route for the movement of goods. The briefing also highlighted the expected financial benefits of the toll collection system. It was estimated that the toll tax would generate approximately Rs2.14 billion in annual gross revenue. After deducting operational and administrative expenses associated with collecting the toll, the government expects a net annual income of around Rs1.48 billion. These funds are intended to support the regular maintenance, repair, and future upgrading of the highway, ensuring that it remains in good condition for years to come. The cabinet further approved a schedule of toll charges based on different categories of vehicles. Under this system, toll rates will vary according to the type, size, and classification of each vehicle. Heavy trucks, trailers, buses, and other commercial transport vehicles will be charged according to predetermined rates. Officials explained that this category-based approach is designed to make the toll system fair and proportionate, with larger vehicles contributing more because of the greater wear and tear they cause to road infrastructure. In another significant administrative decision, the Sindh cabinet approved the restoration of the traditional name of the provincial department responsible for road construction and public infrastructure. The department, which had previously been renamed the Works and Services Department will once again be known as the Communication and Works Department. The government stated that the name change is intended to align Sindh’s administrative structure with that of the federal government and other provinces, where the department is commonly known by the same title. Speaking after the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah emphasized that the Sindh government is committed to introducing a self-sustaining financial model for the long-term maintenance of highways and road networks. He said that relying solely on government budget allocations is not sufficient to meet the increasing costs of maintaining modern transportation jobs infrastructure. According to him, the introduction of toll collection on major highways will provide a stable source of revenue that can be reinvested directly into road maintenance and improvement projects. The Chief Minister added that better roads are essential for economic growth, trade, and public safety. By ensuring a reliable funding mechanism for highway upkeep, the government aims to enhance transportation services, reduce infrastructure deterioration, and improve connectivity throughout the province. The approval of the toll tax and the continuation of the Mehran Highway expansion project represent important steps toward achieving these long-term development objectives while promoting a more efficient and financially sustainable road network in Sindh.