punjab governor ends
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Punjab Governor ends 19-year UAF research officers…

ByJustpaste.in

FAISALABAD: In a landmark decision expected to reshape the service structure of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Punjab Governor and UAF Chancellor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan has ordered the upgradation of the post of Research Officer with retrospective effect from April 25, 2007, bringing an end to what many describe as nearly two decades of discrimination against the university’s research cadre.

The decision came after the Chancellor accepted a representation filed by Muzaffar Hussain Salik, a Research Officer at the Office of University Books and Magazines (OUBM). Besides approving the upgradation, the Chancellor declared the post of Research Officer a “Teacher of the University,” making its holders eligible for all related service, financial, seniority and pensionary benefits in accordance with the law.

The dispute dates back to the implementation of the UAF Amended Service Statutes, 2007, introduced after the federal government’s policy to upgrade university teachers and teaching-equivalent positions with the concurrence of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). While several teaching and equivalent posts received the approved benefits, Research Officers and Senior Research Officers were allegedly left out despite performing comparable academic and research responsibilities.

According to the representation, the exclusion created a longstanding disparity, depriving the affected employees of promotions, financial benefits, and equal treatment under the approved statutory framework. It argued that the selective implementation of the service statutes resulted in years of professional and financial disadvantage for members of the research cadre.

After reviewing the legal and administrative record, the Chancellor ruled that the benefit of upgradation should be extended to Research Officers from the same effective date as Lecturers — April 25, 2007. The order effectively places the research cadre on par with other teaching-equivalent positions that had already been upgraded under the 2007 amendments.

University officials and academic observers believe the decision will benefit around 66 Research Officers, Senior Research Officers and other teaching-equivalent employees, providing them with long-awaited financial relief, revised seniority, pensionary benefits and formal recognition within the university’s teaching community.

The ruling has been widely welcomed by researchers, academics and legal experts, who describe it as one of the most significant service-related decisions in UAF’s recent history. They say the order reinforces the principles of equality, transparency and uniform implementation of statutory rights while setting an important precedent for public sector universities across Pakistan.

For petitioner Muzaffar Hussain Salik, the decision marks the successful conclusion of a long legal and constitutional struggle. Beneficiaries have hailed the ruling as a collective victory for justice, merit and the rule of law, expressing hope that similar disparities in higher education institutions will now be addressed through fair and consistent implementation of service statutes.

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    Karachi Court orders Mir Ali Raza’s exhumation

    ByJustpaste.in

    KARACHI: A judicial magistrate’s court in Karachi has approved a plea seeking the exhumation of businessman Mir Ali Raza’s body, directing the Sindh Health Secretary to immediately constitute a medical board to oversee the process. The Judicial Magistrate (East) announced the decision on Thursday after reserving its verdict following arguments from both sides. The court instructed the relevant authorities to complete the exhumation as soon as possible to facilitate a fresh medical examination. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner argued that the police had no legal grounds to object to the exhumation, maintaining that the procedure would be carried out under the supervision of the Police Surgeon and the Medical Legal Officer (MLO), as required under the law. The lawyer further informed the court that the Police Surgeon had identified several deficiencies in the initial post-mortem report. According to the submissions, no X-rays were conducted, the exact cause of death was not conclusively established, and the report was allegedly prepared on assumptions rather than comprehensive medical findings. The court questioned how such an order could be passed without first issuing notice to the investigating officer. In response, the government prosecutor stated that the prosecution had no objection to the exhumation, describing the matter as one involving the search for the truth in a human life. The petitioner’s counsel argued that notifying the investigating officer at this stage could unnecessarily delay the proceedings and affect the timely collection of forensic evidence. After noting the prosecution’s no-objection stance, the court accepted the family’s application and directed the Health Secretary to form a medical board without delay. The board will supervise the exhumation and carry out the necessary medical examination to help determine the cause of death more accurately. The case has drawn public attention following questions raised by the deceased’s family over the circumstances surrounding Mir Ali Raza’s death and the quality of the initial forensic investigation. The court’s decision is expected to pave the way for an independent medical review, with the findings likely to play a significant role in the ongoing investigation. Authorities are now expected to begin the legal and administrative process required to carry out the exhumation under official supervision.

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    Ammad Ali honoured with KP youth excellence award …

    ByJustpaste.in

      HARIPUR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has honoured Ammad Ali, founder and Chief Executive Officer of RankingGrow, with the Youth Excellence Award for his contributions to youth development, digital skills training and efforts to create greater opportunities for young people, particularly those living in underserved areas of the province. The award was presented by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Taj Muhammad Khan Tarand during a ceremony organised by the Directorate of Youth Affairs to mark International Youth Day. Ali founded RankingGrow, a digital marketing and IT services company that has been involved in initiatives aimed at equipping young people with practical digital skills and improving their access to professional training and employment opportunities. Through RankingGrow and other youth-focused initiatives, Ali has supported training programmes, workshops and community-based activities in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These programmes have particularly targeted areas where young people have fewer opportunities to access modern technology, professional education, career guidance and exposure to the digital industry. The training initiatives have focused on practical and market-oriented skills that can help young people become financially independent and participate in the growing digital economy. Areas covered by these programmes include digital marketing, search engine optimisation, social media marketing, graphic design, video editing, web development, artificial intelligence, freelancing and entrepreneurship. The programmes aim to bridge the gap between traditional education and the skills increasingly demanded by employers and clients in the digital marketplace. By providing young people with relevant technical and professional skills, the initiatives seek to help participants explore employment opportunities, start freelancing careers or establish their own businesses. Ali has also received recognition for his work on other occasions. He was previously awarded the Pride of Pakistan Award under the patronage of the President of Pakistan in acknowledgement of his services and contributions. In addition, he has received other recognitions for his efforts in youth empowerment, digital skills development and community-oriented initiatives. Speaking at the award ceremony, Ali said the recognition would encourage him and his team to expand their efforts to provide young people with skills that are relevant to the changing job market. He expressed his commitment to continuing initiatives that can help young people gain access to professional opportunities and participate more effectively in the digital economy. Ali emphasised the importance of ensuring that young people from smaller cities and underserved communities are not left behind as digital technology continues to transform the employment landscape. According to him, access to digital skills and professional opportunities should not be limited to young people living in major urban centres. The Youth Excellence Award also highlights the growing importance of cooperation between government institutions, private-sector organisations and community-led initiatives in addressing challenges related to youth employment, entrepreneurship and skills development. With Khyber Pakhtunkhwa having a large and growing youth population, initiatives focused on digital education and employable skills can provide young people with alternative pathways to employment and entrepreneurship. The recognition of Ali’s work reflects the contribution of such initiatives towards creating opportunities for young people and strengthening their participation in the province’s economic and social development.

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    Indian authorities suspend police constable over assault rifle deployment at student rally

    ByJustpaste.in

    Indian law enforcement authorities have suspended a police constable in the eastern state of Bihar after social media footage revealed him discharging an AK-47 assault rifle into the air to disperse a student demonstration in the city of Siwan. Senior Bihar police official Nilesh Kumar confirmed that the officer, who was carrying the weapon as part of a specialised intelligence unit, acted without justification or authorisation when firing live rounds above the crowd, adding that formal disciplinary proceedings have been initiated despite no injuries being reported. The incident marks the latest escalation in weeks of nationwide youth demonstrations sparked by question paper leaks in the NEET national medical entrance examination. Fueled further by broader anxieties surrounding high youth unemployment and technological job displacement, the persistent protests recently forced the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The police crackdown has drawn intense condemnation from opposition lawmakers and legal authorities alike. In parliament, Congress party chief Mallikarjun Kharge denounced the deployment of assault rifles against unarmed students as a grave assault on democratic norms and demanded clear governmental accountability. The harsh crowd-control measures also prompted rare public criticism from Supreme Court Judge Ujjal Bhuyan, who warned against the steady erosion of fundamental freedoms and the public space required for peaceful demonstration.

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    Investigators obtain mobile data and forensic repo…

    ByJustpaste.in

      Investigators have obtained the mobile phone data records and forensic report related to the death of Mir Raza Ali as the investigation into the mysterious case continues. According to officials involved in the inquiry, digital evidence collected from his mobile phone has provided important leads, although authorities say it is still too early to reach a final conclusion about the circumstances surrounding his death. According to the investigation team, Mir Raza Ali sent a message to one of his friends on the night of July 28. The content of this communication is being examined as part of the broader investigation to determine his state of mind and the events leading up to his death. Officials also stated that Mir Raza Ali’s complete medical report has not yet been received. His family has expressed dissatisfaction with the preliminary medical report, saying it does not fully address their concerns. The initial report identified the cause of death as a gunshot wound, but investigators emphasize that further medical findings are awaited before drawing any definitive conclusions. The family has alleged that Mir Raza Ali’s body bore signs of physical assault and burn marks, raising questions about whether additional injuries may have been inflicted before his death. Investigators have said that if the family requests a second medical examination or another post-mortem review, the authorities are prepared to facilitate it in order to ensure transparency and address all concerns. As part of the investigation, officials have recorded statements from 15 individuals including the online taxi driver who was reportedly connected to the case and the person who first informed authorities about the body. These statements are being cross-checked with forensic findings, digital evidence, and other available information to establish a clear timeline of events. Investigators stressed that they are carefully examining every aspect of the case to determine whether Mir Raza Ali’s death was a suicide or a homicide. They said no possibility has been ruled out, and all available evidence is being analyzed thoroughly before reaching a final conclusion. Mobile phone data has also revealed that Mir Raza Ali had contacted a friend requesting a loan of Rs. 30 million (3 crore). According to investigators, he reportedly told his friend that he was facing serious difficulties and was in urgent need of money. This information has prompted investigators to explore whether financial stress may have played a role in the events leading up to his death. Further examination of Mir Raza Ali’s mobile records suggests that he owed money to multiple individuals. Authorities are now reviewing his financial dealings, communications, and personal relationships to understand whether these debts could have contributed to the incident or whether they point toward another motive. Investigators also disclosed that Mir Raza Ali’s fiancée sent him continuous messages between 3:10 a.m. and 3:50 a.m. on the night in question. However, according to the mobile data, Mir Raza Ali did not respond to any of her messages. Officials are examining the timing of these communications alongside other digital evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events before his death. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities awaiting the final medical report and additional forensic analysis. Officials have reiterated that all evidence—including witness statements, forensic findings, mobile phone records, and financial information—will be carefully reviewed before determining the exact cause and manner of Mir Raza Ali’s death. They have assured the public that the inquiry will be conducted impartially and that every possible angle will be investigated to ensure the truth is established.

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    Govt moves SC against Imran’s hospital transfer

    ByJustpaste.in

    A request for an early hearing has been filed in the Supreme Court against its August 18 order concerning the transfer of PTI founder Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to a private hospital. The application was filed by the Islamabad Chief Commissioner, who has asked the Supreme Court to urgently hear a review petition challenging its earlier directions regarding Imran Khan. In the review petition, the petitioner has sought a review, amendment and withdrawal of the August 18 order. The petition specifically challenges the direction to transfer the PTI founder from Adiala Jail to a private hospital. The application also challenges the court’s directions concerning his medical examination and treatment by a medical panel. According to the petition, the matter is not limited to the provision of medical facilities. It also involves questions relating to the legal and constitutional jurisdiction of the court and the authorities concerned. The review petition raises legal questions regarding the scope of judicial jurisdiction following the 27th Constitutional Amendment. It also refers to Article 175(2) of the Constitution and relevant prison laws. The petitioner has argued that the Supreme Court’s August 18 order was subject to a specific timeline, making an early hearing of the review petition necessary. The Islamabad administration has therefore requested the apex court to take up the matter on an urgent basis and reconsider the directions concerning Imran Khan’s transfer, medical examination and treatment. The development comes as authorities seek legal clarification over the implementation of the Supreme Court’s directions concerning the PTI founder’s medical care while he remains in custody.

  • A Long War Ahead: Diplomacy, Nerves, and a Region …

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Middle East appears to be entering a prolonged phase of strategic tension—one defined not only by the possibility of conflict, but by a high-stakes battle of nerves accompanied by intense diplomatic maneuvering. The American Centcom has briefed the president about the next phase of attacks that Centcom thinks will decaptilze the Iranian power. They warn that they will target the Iranian power plants and with meeting Israeli pm natanyahu also assured and second the trump decision. In response the Iranian also ready to attack in Israeli power plants and in Gcc American bases. So a long war ahead. At the center of this evolving landscape stands Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), whose regional vision and leadership now face one of their most critical tests.   Over the past decade, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), under Saudi Arabia’s influence, aligned itself closely with the United States. This alignment brought undeniable short-term gains: an influx of multinational corporations, the emergence of technology hubs, ambitious infrastructure projects like NEOM, and a rebranding of the Gulf as a global tourism and investment destination. These developments projected an image of modernity and economic diversification—an intentional shift away from rigid conservatism.   However, beneath this transformation lies a deeper geopolitical calculation. The United States sought not only economic engagement but strategic positioning in the Middle East, particularly in the context of its long-standing rivalry with Iran. By encouraging normalization with Israel through frameworks like the Abraham Accords, Washington aimed to consolidate a regional bloc that could counterbalance Tehran.   This strategy, while effective in shaping alliances, also came at a cost. Iran was increasingly portrayed in Western narratives as rigid, anti-modern, and resistant to democratic values. Whether accurate or exaggerated, this portrayal contributed to its diplomatic isolation. Yet, Iran has not remained passive. Instead, it has adopted a dual-track approach—maintaining a posture of resistance while keeping diplomatic channels open. This calculated balance has allowed Tehran to assert its relevance in any future regional order.   Recent developments suggest that the initial cohesion within the GCC may be more fragile than it appeared. Trust built over decades can erode rapidly under pressure, and shifting geopolitical realities have exposed underlying vulnerabilities. If Iran successfully convinces regional actors that its inclusion is essential for stability, it could reshape the Middle Eastern power structure in its favor.   Meanwhile, other key players—Pakistan, Qatar, and Turkey—have attempted to position themselves as mediators. However, their efforts have been slow and, at times, constrained by their own strategic dependencies. Qatar has shown willingness to facilitate dialogue, but Turkey’s independent stance and Pakistan’s cautious approach—often influenced by its ties with Washington—have limited the effectiveness of a unified diplomatic front.   The question, then, is whether diplomacy can still alter the trajectory. Iran’s willingness to engage, even while projecting strength, indicates that a negotiated outcome remains possible. If Tehran can compel regional actors, including Saudi Arabia, to broaden the dialogue and incorporate Turkey into a more inclusive framework, it may shift the balance away from confrontation.   For the United States, the situation presents no clear path to victory. Military escalation risks triggering a wider, multi-stage conflict that could engulf the entire region, placing GCC states in a precarious position. What may have once been framed as a strategic contest could evolve into a prolonged struggle driven by perceptions of credibility and prestige.   In this volatile environment, the risk is not just war—but a drawn-out cycle of escalation and retaliation. Iran, despite sustained pressure, appears increasingly resilient, with its strategic resolve hardening over time. Conversely, the Gulf states must reassess whether their current alignments serve long-term stability or merely short-term gains.   Ultimately, the region stands at a strong moment. The path forward will depend not only on military power but on the success of diplomacy in bridging deep-seated divides. There remains a possibility—however uncertain—that actors like China and Russia could play a crucial role in de-escalation. But trump also hinted that both assured him their neutrality during Iran war. The drones however allegedly counter thinks a Russian help under the war table. If such efforts succeed, they may prevent the Middle East from sliding into a conflict whose consequences would extend far beyond its borders.

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