Pakistan holds first National Self-Care Dialogue on health

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has rejected allegations of electoral rigging raised by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) following the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Bukhari said the people of Kashmir had made their decision through their votes. She claimed that voters had preferred the performance of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Bukhari said the election results reflected the choice of the people. She dismissed the PPP’s allegations and defended the performance of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The provincial minister also criticised PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. She said political pressure appeared to be increasing within a particular party. She further claimed that Bilawal had attempted to imitate another political leader during his election speech. Bukhari also criticised the PPP’s performance in Sindh. She said the party often used the name of Raiwind to target the PML-N and its leadership. She challenged the PPP to present its performance record from the past 18 years. She also questioned the condition of Karachi, Sindh’s largest city. Bukhari said voters should compare the performance of Punjab under Maryam Nawaz with the situation in Sindh under the PPP. “Look at Maryam’s Punjab and Bilawal’s Sindh,” she said while comparing the two provinces. The minister argued that a government unable to improve roads in its own areas could not claim that it would transform roads in Kashmir. She also highlighted differences in public services between Punjab and Sindh. Bukhari said Punjab had introduced air ambulance services to provide emergency medical assistance. She claimed that Sindh, by comparison, had introduced a bicycle ambulance service. She used the comparison to criticise the PPP’s governance record and defend the PML-N’s performance in Punjab. Bukhari also discussed the education initiatives introduced by the Punjab government. She said Maryam Nawaz believed that every child should have access to educational opportunities. According to Bukhari, students should be able to receive laptops and scholarships regardless of their background. She said such programmes were aimed at supporting young people and helping them continue their education. The minister contrasted these initiatives with the situation in Sindh. She claimed that students in the province were protesting to demand better educational facilities and opportunities. Bukhari’s remarks came after the PPP questioned the credibility of the first phase of the AJK elections and alleged irregularities. The first phase covered 13 constituencies in the Mirpur division. The PML-N emerged as the leading party, winning nine seats. The PPP secured four seats. The election results have triggered a political dispute between the two parties. The PML-N has defended its victory and rejected claims that the results were manipulated. Bukhari’s latest comments further intensified the political exchange. She presented the results as an endorsement of the PML-N’s performance and Maryam Nawaz’s governance model. The remaining phases of the AJK elections are expected to keep the political competition intense. Both parties are likely to continue highlighting their respective performance records as campaigning moves forward.

Traffic was disrupted across several major parts of Karachi on Friday as Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) workers staged sit-ins against the federal petroleum levy. The protests were part of a nationwide campaign announced by the party. JI had said it would hold demonstrations at hundreds of locations across the country by blocking major roads. Karachi traffic police issued an advisory warning motorists about congestion, temporary diversions and partial road closures in several areas. Major routes affected included areas around Mazar-i-Quaid, Numaish Chowrangi, Saddar, Sharea Faisal, Shahrah-i-Pakistan, UP Mor, Power House Chowrangi, Defence Housing Authority, Sea View, Shahrah-i-Orangi, Hub River Road, Super Highway and National Highway. The traffic police advised citizens to avoid the protest-hit areas where possible and use alternative routes. Commuters were also asked to allow additional time for their journeys. According to updates shared by JI Karachi, protesters blocked the road connecting Sharea Faisal with Natha Khan. The Super Highway and Hub River Road were also affected. Another road connecting the Sharea Faisal Nursery Bus Stop with the airport was reportedly blocked as protesters gathered at the designated locations. The demonstrations prompted criticism from the Sindh government. Provincial government spokesperson Sadia Javed said the petroleum levy was a federal issue and questioned why Karachi’s residents were facing difficulties because of the protest. She accused the JI of using the demonstrations for political gains instead of addressing public issues through relevant constitutional forums. Javed said road blockades were affecting the daily lives of millions of Karachi residents and raised concerns about the movement of ambulances and patients during the disruptions. She urged the party to raise its objections in Parliament and other relevant forums rather than blocking roads. The government spokesperson also warned protesters against damaging public property or taking the law into their own hands. The demonstrations were not limited to Karachi. JI workers also gathered in Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta and Peshawar as part of the nationwide campaign. In Islamabad, protesters reportedly blocked Srinagar Highway near Golra Mor while attempting to march towards Chungi 26. Several locations across Sindh also witnessed demonstrations, including Thatta, Matiari, Tando Allahyar and Shikarpur.

The Lahore district administration has declared Tuesday, August 4, as a public holiday across the district to facilitate devotees attending the annual Urs celebrations of the revered Sufi saint Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh. According to an official notification, the holiday will remain effective only within the limits of Lahore district, allowing worshippers to participate in the religious events without disruption. The 983rd annual Urs officially commenced with a traditional chadar-laying ceremony and the inauguration of a milk sabeel at the shrine. The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, who paid tribute to the great Sufi saint and highlighted his enduring message of peace, tolerance, and unity. The Urs is observed over three days and attracts thousands of devotees from across Pakistan. Religious scholars, spiritual leaders, and followers gather at the shrine to offer prayers, recite the Holy Quran, and take part in various religious and spiritual activities held throughout the celebrations. Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh, also known as Hazrat Ali Hajveri, was an 11th-century Persian Sufi scholar born in Ghazni. He later settled in Lahore, where he dedicated his life to spreading the teachings of Islam, compassion, and brotherhood through Sufism. His shrine has since become one of the most significant spiritual landmarks in the region. Data Darbar is widely regarded as South Asia’s largest Sufi shrine and receives millions of visitors every year.