PML-N secures AJK majority, says Sanaullah

The Sindh government has announced a province-wide public holiday on Wednesday, July 29, to mark the annual Urs of renowned Sufi poet and mystic Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. The decision was announced through an official notification issued by the Sindh Information Department on Monday. The holiday will apply to provincial government offices and institutions operating under the administrative control of the Sindh government. It will also cover autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, government corporations and local councils across the province. However, essential services will remain operational during the holiday. Employees working in services considered necessary for public safety and welfare will continue their duties. The Urs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai is observed every year at his shrine in Bhit Shah, Matiari district. The event attracts thousands of devotees from different parts of Pakistan. Visitors gather at the shrine to pay tribute to the Sufi poet and reflect on his teachings, poetry and spiritual message. Special religious and cultural activities are traditionally held during the Urs. Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai is regarded as one of the most influential figures in Sindhi literature and Sufi tradition. His poetry is known for themes of love, spirituality, peace and human dignity. The provincial holiday is expected to facilitate devotees and residents participating in Urs-related activities across Sindh.

Karachi Police Chief Azad Khan has said that investigations into the death of Mir Raza are continuing from every possible angle, adding that recovering the missing weapon could be crucial in determining what happened. Speaking to the media, Azad Khan said the initial medical report was prepared by a doctor working under the police surgeon. The medico-legal officer (MLO) examined the body and submitted the report to the police surgeon, who kept it for two days before it was released. He questioned why any concerns regarding the report were not addressed immediately. According to the police chief, the police surgeon neither personally examined the body nor conducted the medical examination, and any reservations about the findings should have been communicated to investigators without delay. Azad Khan said police based their early investigation on the preliminary medico-legal report provided by the MLO. He added that confirmation of gunpowder residue on the deceased’s hands was also essential to the investigation. The police chief said the Crime Scene Unit collected evidence from the scene and handed all relevant material over to the medical team. He also questioned why the medical team did not visit the crime scene, noting that in many countries medical experts inspect the scene themselves, particularly in high-profile cases. He said that if Mir Raza’s family requests it, another medical examination can be conducted. Meanwhile, investigators are looking into the disappearance of the weapon believed to be linked to the case. Azad Khan also confirmed that police are searching for a waste collector seen in a video recorded near the scene. He said locating the missing weapon could help investigators resolve key questions surrounding Mir Raza’s death. The investigation remains ongoing, with police continuing to gather evidence and examine all possible leads.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain accompanied by thunderstorms in Karachi from Saturday afternoon or evening until August 3 as a weather system continues to influence parts of Sindh. According to meteorologists, the intense low-pressure system that had developed over southern Madhya Pradesh has weakened further. It is now located near Rajasthan as a well-marked low-pressure area and is expected to weaken further over the next 24 hours. Despite weakening, the system continues to draw monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal into the upper and central parts of Pakistan. At the same time, a westerly weather system is also affecting the country’s northern regions, creating favourable conditions for rainfall in several areas. The Met Office said Karachi is likely to receive rain with thunderstorms from Saturday afternoon or evening through August 3 under the influence of the weather system. Weather experts also forecast intermittent rain accompanied by dust storms and thunderstorms in Tharparkar, Umerkot and Mithi until August 3. Similar weather conditions are expected in Sanghar, Hyderabad and surrounding districts during the same period. The PMD warned that heavy rainfall could lead to urban flooding in low-lying areas of Sukkur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Hyderabad, Badin, Sanghar, Khairpur, Matiari, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Tando Muhammad Khan and Tando Allahyar. The department also cautioned that heavy rain, strong winds and lightning could damage weak structures. Farmers have been advised to plan their agricultural activities according to the changing weather conditions to avoid potential losses. For Karachi, the Met Office said the sky is expected to remain mostly cloudy during the next 24 hours. The maximum temperature is likely to reach around 36 degrees Celsius. During the past 24 hours, the minimum temperature recorded in the city was 29.5 degrees Celsius.