Russian Embassy Denies Mercenary Allegations in Thai-Cambodia Border Conflict

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has urged the people of Mirpur to actively participate in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. Bilawal issued a video message along with his sister, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari. He addressed voters as polling continued across Mirpur Division. Bilawal asked Kashmiris to come out of their homes and cast their votes. He said the people should use their democratic right to decide their future. He urged voters to support PPP candidates by voting for the party’s arrow symbol. Bilawal said the PPP believes that boycotting elections has never produced successful results. He therefore called on voters to take part in the electoral process instead of staying away from polling stations. The PPP chairman said voters should participate if they want their rights to be protected. He specifically mentioned the right to governance and ownership. He also called for the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission for Azad Kashmir. Bilawal said the PPP wanted the people of Kashmir to have a strong voice in decisions affecting their future. He again urged voters to support the party and ensure their participation in the elections. Meanwhile, polling is continuing in the first phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections. Voting began at 8am and is scheduled to continue until 5pm. The first phase covers 13 constituencies in Mirpur Division. The constituencies are located in the districts of Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber. Polling has started at most stations. However, voting could not begin at polling stations 36 and 37 in Aghar Colony, Kotli, because voters had not arrived. Officials are monitoring the polling process across the division. Authorities have also urged citizens to exercise their right to vote peacefully. Mirpur Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz and Deputy Inspector General Kamran Ali visited wards 16 and 17 of LA-3. They reviewed the polling arrangements and assessed the situation at the polling stations. Speaking to journalists, the commissioner said polling had been proceeding peacefully across all three districts since the morning. He appealed to voters to leave their homes without fear and participate in the elections. The commissioner assured citizens that the administration had made security and other necessary arrangements. He said voters would be provided with a peaceful environment to cast their ballots.

A railway bridge near Mission Caller on the Sheikhupura-Lahore section was damaged after a strong flood surge hit the area, disrupting train services between Lahore and Faisalabad. Railway authorities said train operations on the Lahore-Faisalabad section have been temporarily suspended due to damage to the bridge. Trains travelling from Lahore towards Karachi via Sheikhupura and Faisalabad are being diverted through Sahiwal as an alternative route. Officials said the Badr Express and Ghouri Express have been cancelled due to the disruption. The Shalimar Express and Karakoram Express will operate via Raiwind and Sahiwal, while the Mianwali Express, which normally runs between Lahore and Mianwali, will be diverted through Lala Musa. Several other trains operating on the affected route have also been cancelled. Some services have been shifted to alternative routes to minimise disruption to passengers. According to railway officials, the flood surge that hit the area last night caused 30 of the bridge’s 110 pillars to collapse. Repair work has begun on the damaged structure. Railway authorities are working to restore the track and resume normal train operations as soon as possible. The flooding has also affected nearby communities. Residents said several settlements, including Hadiala Warkan village, were inundated after the flood surge entered the area during the night. The floodwaters have also caused significant damage to standing crops. Local residents expressed concern over losses to agricultural land and crops following the sudden rise in water levels.