PCB issues NOCs to Pakistani cricketers for overseas leagues

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has unanimously rejected any reported move to separate Haripur and Abbottabad from the province and place them under the administrative control of Islamabad, warning that any such attempt would undermine provincial autonomy and constitutional rights. The resolution was adopted during Friday’s session after Provincial Minister Akbar Ayub presented a strongly worded motion opposing any proposal by the federal government to alter the status of K-P districts, particularly Haripur and Abbottabad. The House declared that all districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are an integral part of the province and cannot be separated under any circumstances. It maintained that changing provincial boundaries for administrative, political or economic purposes, or to gain control over natural resources, would violate the constitutional rights of the province and its people. The resolution specifically highlighted K-P’s water resources, hydropower facilities, mineral wealth, forests and other natural assets, stating that these resources belong constitutionally to the province and its people. Any attempt, directly or indirectly, to take control of these resources was described as unacceptable. The provincial legislature called on the federal government to immediately drop any proposal concerning the separation of the districts and respect the existing constitutional, geographical and administrative status of K-P. The House also urged political parties, lawmakers, constitutional bodies, lawyers, civil society, young people and the media to maintain a united position in protecting the province’s territorial integrity, autonomy and public interests. During the same session, PPP lawmaker Mehr Sultana raised concerns over the lack of effective rules requiring doctors to prescribe medicines using generic names rather than specific brands. She also called for computerized prescriptions to become mandatory, pointing out that unclear handwritten prescriptions can create difficulties for patients and increase the risk of errors. She urged the provincial government to introduce legislation or regulations addressing both issues, with the aim of improving prescription practices and protecting patients.

    ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan has announced the Pakistan Civil Awards 2026 honouring 372 Pakistani citizens, overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals for their outstanding achievements, services and acts of courage in various fields. The awards were announced on August 14, 2026 on the occasion of Independence Day, by the President of Pakistan. According to an official press release issued by the Cabinet Division, the honours recognise individuals who have demonstrated exceptional performance, excellence, dedication and bravery. The awards will formally be conferred at an Investiture Ceremony on Pakistan Day, March 23, 2027. The recipients come from diverse fields, including science, engineering, education, medicine, literature, arts, sports, journalism, social welfare, philanthropy and public service. A significant number have also been recognised for gallantry and sacrifices made while performing their duties. Among scientists, Dr Shahid Mahmud has been selected for the Hilal-i-Imtiaz in Science (I.T.), while Prof Dr Syed Zafar Ilyas and Prof Dr Mudassir Asrar will receive the Sitara-i-Imtiaz. Several other scientists, including Dr Sajjad Hussain, Prof Dr Aneela Zameer Jaffery and Dr Urooj Saeed, have been selected for the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz. Engineers Dr Muhammad Sadiq and Prof Dr Naeem-ul-Haq Tariq have also been named for the award. In education, Prof Sheikh Imtiaz Ali (late) has received the Nishan-i-Imtiaz posthumously. Lt Gen (retd) Moazzam Ejaz has been selected for the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, while other educators and researchers have been recognised with Sitara-i-Imtiaz and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz. The government has also honoured numerous doctors and health professionals. Prof Faisal Saud Dar has been selected for the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, while the late Prof Dr Tahir Shamsi has been awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz posthumously for his contributions to bone marrow transplantation. The arts category includes actors, singers, musicians, painters and theatre personalities. Sultana Siddiqi has been selected for the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, while Nisho Begum, Iftikhar Ahmed Thakur, Syed Fasih Uddin Soharwardhy, Shakir Hussain, Taranam Naz and Saira John Peter are among those receiving the Sitara-i-Imtiaz. Numerous performers and traditional artists have also been recognised through the Presidential Award for Pride of Performance and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz. Literary figures have also featured prominently. Asad Muhammad Khan has been selected for the Nishan-i-Imtiaz for his contributions to fiction, drama and poetry, while Ejaz Rahim and Muhammad Khurshid Ul Hasan Rizvi will receive the Hilal-i-Imtiaz. Sports personalities, including wrestler Bashir Bhola, shooter Kishmala Talat, squash player Noor Zaman, boxer Muhammad Waseem and cricketer Sadiq Muhammad, have also been recognised. Journalists Muhammad Saleh Zaafir and Haji Nawaz Raza have been selected for the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, while several other media professionals will receive Pride of Performance and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz awards. Public service remains one of the largest categories, with Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Mohsin Naqvi, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ahad Khan Cheema and Bilal Azhar Kayani selected for the Nishan-i-Imtiaz. The list also includes numerous military personnel, police officers and civilians recognised for bravery. Forty-three individuals have been named for the Sitara-i-Shuja’at, with many receiving the honour posthumously for sacrificing their lives in the line of duty. Several foreign nationals have also been honoured for their services to Pakistan. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak has been selected for the Nishan-i-Pakistan, while other international figures have been chosen for various civil awards. The government has separately recognised overseas Pakistanis for their contributions, with recipients selected for honours including the Nishan-i-Imtiaz, Hilal-i-Imtiaz, Sitara-i-Imtiaz and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz. The official notification was issued by Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal on August 14. The awards will be formally presented on March 23, 2027.

MULTAN: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested two passengers, including a woman, at Multan International Airport for their alleged involvement in a human trafficking network linked to sexual exploitation in Saudi Arabia. According to an FIA spokesperson, the passengers were intercepted during immigration clearance after officials noticed suspicious behavior. Both had reportedly travelled to Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas. During the subsequent examination of their mobile phones and digital communications, investigators allegedly found material indicating their possible involvement in a scheme involving commercial sexual exploitation. The FIA said its preliminary investigation revealed that an agent had arranged the passengers’ travel to Saudi Arabia under the pretext of performing Umrah. Investigators suspect that the actual purpose was to subject them to commercial sexual exploitation after their arrival in the country. The agency seized the passengers’ mobile phones and other relevant material for further investigation. The two suspects, along with the recovered evidence, were subsequently transferred to the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Multan. The FIA has expanded its investigation to trace the alleged agent and identify other individuals connected to the suspected trafficking network. Officials said legal action would be taken against all those found involved in the organized operation.