Pakistan women spinners back team to shine in Asia Cup, Asian Games

Prices of several essential commodities have increased significantly across Pakistan over the past year, putting additional pressure on household budgets. According to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), major increases were recorded in the prices of several food items and fuel products. Onion prices recorded the highest increase among the commodities listed by the statistics agency. The price of onions rose by 132.52% in one year. Tomato prices also increased sharply by 93.21%, while flour became 62.25% more expensive during the same period. Fuel prices also witnessed substantial increases. According to the PBS, LPG became 51.69% more expensive over the year. Diesel prices increased by 33.08%, while petrol became 27.65% more expensive. The rise in fuel prices can also affect transportation and the cost of goods and services. Several meat and fruit prices also increased during the year. The price of bananas rose by 17.66%, while mutton became 15.98% more expensive. Beef prices increased by 13.54%, adding to the cost of commonly consumed food items. However, some essential commodities became cheaper during the same period. Potato prices declined by 30%, while sugar became 19.10% cheaper. Chicken prices also decreased by 17.68%, providing some relief to consumers. The statistics also showed a decline in the prices of eggs and pulses. Egg prices fell by 17.41% over the year, while chana dal became more than 13% cheaper. Masoor dal prices declined by 12.29%, while jaggery became 6% cheaper. The latest figures show mixed price trends in the country. While consumers received some relief from lower prices of potatoes, sugar, chicken, eggs and pulses, sharp increases in onions, tomatoes, flour and fuel continued to add pressure to household expenses. The data highlights the significant changes in the prices of everyday necessities over the past year.

A 45-year-old woman was found dead inside an apartment in Rawalpindi’s Lalkurti area, with her hands tied behind her back and a wire around her neck. The woman, identified as Hina Javed, was discovered in the bathroom of a second-floor apartment at Askari Apartments on Thursday morning. According to the police complaint, the incident came to light after Hina’s father-in-law contacted her brother, Fahad Javed Malik, and informed him that an emergency had occurred at the residence. Malik and other family members then reached the apartment and found Hina dead. The family told police that Hina’s hands had been tied with cloth and that her mouth was gagged. A wire was also found around her neck and connected to the bathroom shower. Police collected evidence from the scene as part of the investigation. Hina’s relatives have accused her husband, Faisal Asghar Imam, his domestic worker Zeeshan Arshad and his father, Asghar Ali Fayyaz, of being involved in the alleged killing. Police have not yet established the responsibility of any suspect, and the allegations remain part of the ongoing investigation. Hina had married Faisal in November 2025. Her brother told police that she had previously complained about domestic violence and alleged that she had faced repeated physical and psychological abuse after her marriage. The family also alleged that Hina’s husband had previously subjected another wife to abuse, which they believe may be relevant to the case. Hina was employed by a semi-government organisation, while her husband had reportedly faced periods of unemployment, according to her family. Police registered a murder case under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Section 302 deals with murder, while Section 34 concerns acts carried out by multiple people with a common intention. The woman’s body was shifted to Benazir Bhutto Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Police said evidence from the apartment was being examined and efforts were underway to locate the suspects. Civil Lines police said the investigation was continuing and that no arrests had been made at the time of reporting. Authorities said further action would depend on the findings of the investigation and forensic examination. The complainant also alleged that Hina had faced severe physical violence and torture during her marriage. He further claimed that her husband had allegedly abused his previous wife, who later obtained a divorce. Police registered the case at Civil Lines police station under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The provisions relate to murder and acts allegedly committed by several people with a common intention. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding Hina’s death. Police are expected to rely on forensic evidence, the post-mortem examination and statements from family members and other witnesses to determine the actual cause of death and establish responsibility. The case has once again highlighted concerns over violence against women and domestic abuse in Pakistan. Rights advocates have repeatedly called for stronger protection mechanisms and timely action when women report threats or violence within their homes.

Islamabad: A three year old promise to build an important access road for the PHA Officers Residencia Kurri Road has still not been fulfilled, leaving residents dependent on a narrow 12 foot road and a small bridge where rainwater can overflow and enter nearby homes. The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works has now given the Capital Development Authority a fresh deadline of three months to build the 400 metre access road, after officials were confronted over why a commitment made in 2023 had not been implemented. The issue became heated during the committee meeting when the PHA Kurri Road representative told senators that the CDA had given a written commitment in May 2023 to construct a dual 100 foot wide road extending towards the Head Start School. Three years have passed since that commitment, but the road has not been built. The PHA representative further told the committee that the CDA later informed the court in writing that the road would be constructed within five months. That promise also remained unfulfilled. According to the briefing, the existing road is only about 12 feet wide, and a small bridge along the route creates another serious problem during heavy rain. Water can overflow onto the bridge and, when wood and other material become trapped, the water flow can be blocked and pushed towards nearby houses. The committee chairman Senator Nasir Mehmood questioned the CDA representative about why the authority had not acted on its own written commitment. The CDA Member Planning and Finance, Muhammad Umair, said the authority’s rules required the sponsors of a housing scheme to provide a 100 foot wide access approach. He described the matter as disputed but said the road was about 400 metres long and that the authority could review the issue and work towards a final decision. The committee was not satisfied with the explanation. The chairman ordered the CDA to construct the road within three months and provide the committee with a written commitment. The chairman also made it clear that the committee would return to the CDA after three months to check whether the road had actually been built. The dispute became more serious when the Secretary Housing challenged the CDA’s interpretation of its own rules. He argued that the road existed before the PHA scheme and therefore represented the CDA’s existing right of way. He said that if there had been no road at all before the housing scheme was developed, PHA would have been responsible for acquiring land and constructing one. But, he argued, this was an existing CDA road. The Secretary Housing also pointed out that the road leads towards a Head Start School used daily by children and their parents. He told the CDA that even if the authority did not want to build the road for PHA, it should consider the needs of the school and the families using the route. He described the required road as only 400 metres long. The CDA representative also raised the authority’s financial problems. He told the committee that the CDA had a salary bill of about Rs24 billion and faced major financial constraints. He warned that if the CDA began constructing roads on the rights of way of different private societies, other societies could also demand similar work. The chairman rejected the delay and told the CDA that continued explanations could result in another six months passing without any work. He ordered the authority to complete the road within three months and submit its commitment in writing. The road dispute is only one part of a much larger problem at the PHA Officers Residencia Kurri Road project. According to the Housing Secretary’s briefing, residents have been facing nine different issues, including problems involving a community centre, school, commercial shops, streetlights, water supply, encroachment, access roads and the creation of new plots. The representative of PHA Officers Residencia told the committee that many of these problems had remained unresolved for about 10 years. The Housing Secretary personally visited the project despite heavy rains and examined the problems. On the community centre, the Housing Ministry said there was no major obstacle to providing the required plot once the terms and conditions were agreed. A school plot is also being processed. The ministry said documents had been prepared and a party would be brought in to operate a primary school at the site because a Head Start facility already exists nearby. The commercial shops in Block C also faced a problem because no buyers came forward at the offered price. The Housing Secretary said the price would be revised, and the shops would be put up for auction again. Streetlights remain another concern, with the ministry acknowledging financial problems but saying repairs would be carried out. Water supply is also being tested. Under the arrangement explained to the committee, the contractor will operate the tube well for two weeks. If water reaches the houses properly, the system will be taken over. Any leakage found during the process will have to be repaired by the contractor. The ministry expects this process to be completed within one month. The project also has a nine kanal illegal encroachment issue, but that matter is currently before the court. Another major issue involves proposals to create new plots in green areas. PHA needs money to clear its liabilities, but the Housing Secretary said there was no desire to sell green areas simply to raise funds. Instead, he said his team would sit with PHA officials and find another way to clear the liabilities while protecting the green space. The committee also discussed who should maintain the housing scheme once it is fully developed. PHA officials said the authority was already paying property tax and conservancy charges but lacked a proper maintenance arrangement for the society. They requested that the CDA take over the scheme so that it would not be left without proper management. The Housing Secretary said government housing schemes are normally maintained by their own

KARACHI: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has served a legal notice on former Federal Board of Revenue chairman Shabbar Zaidi. The party is seeking Rs1 billion in damages over remarks it says harmed its reputation. The notice relates to allegations made by Zaidi about the political party and its role in public protests. JI said the former FBR chief made the remarks during a podcast and later repeated them on different social media platforms. According to the party, the notice was issued on July 27 through Advocate Tahir Iqbal Malik. It was sent on the instructions of JI Karachi General Secretary Taufiquddin Siddiqui. JI has accused Zaidi of making serious and damaging claims. The party says the allegations suggested that it had received money to weaken or suppress public protests and political issues. The party also objected to comments in which Zaidi allegedly described JI as an “establishment firewall”. According to JI, the remarks created an impression that the party was working to dilute public concerns and protests. The legal notice claims that the statements included allegations of secret funding, bribery, corruption and political misconduct. It also alleges that the remarks suggested coordination between the party and state institutions. JI has demanded that Zaidi provide evidence to support his claims. The party has asked him to identify the person who allegedly made the payment and the individual who supposedly received it. The notice also seeks details about the alleged amount, including when and where the payment was made. JI has asked for information about the method of payment and any bank records or financial documents linked to the allegation. The party has further demanded evidence concerning the alleged protest or public issue. It has asked for the names of witnesses and any documents, recordings or other material that could support the claims. JI also wants Zaidi to disclose the source of the information on which his allegations were based. The party has said the claims should be backed by verifiable evidence. When approached for a response, Zaidi said he had forwarded the legal notice to his lawyer. He said he would seek legal advice on the matter. The dispute could now move into a legal phase if the former FBR chairman does not respond to the notice in the manner demanded by the party.