Sahibzada Farhan’s fifty in vain as Kandy Ro…

Sindh’s Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon chaired a meeting of the Transport and Mass Transit Department, where officials approved the launch of an electric vehicle (EV) taxi service in September and the induction of 50 double-decker buses in October as part of efforts to modernize public transport across the province. According to a spokesperson for the Transport Department, the meeting also decided to introduce 1,000 electric buses in phases by the end of the current year. The initiative aims to expand environmentally friendly public transport and improve commuting facilities for residents. The meeting further approved new routes for the Peoples Bus Service, connecting Larkana to Qambar and Qambar to Shahdadkot, to improve transport links in northern Sindh. Officials briefed the provincial minister on the progress of various transport and mass transit projects during the meeting. Sharjeel Memon directed authorities to complete the construction of all depots for the Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project within the scheduled timeline. He also instructed officials to ensure the early operational launch of the new Peoples Bus Service routes between Larkana, Qambar and Shahdadkot. The minister confirmed that the Sindh government’s EV taxi service will begin operations in September. He added that the planned fleet of 1,000 electric buses will be introduced gradually to strengthen the province’s public transport network. He also announced that 50 new double-decker buses are expected to arrive in Karachi in October, providing commuters with improved and modern travel facilities.

ISLAMABAD: A legal challenge to Punjab’s recently enacted law criminalising marriages involving individuals under the age of 18 has moved forward after the Federal Shariat Court cleared procedural objections and directed that the petition be fixed for hearing. The petition, filed by Mufti Muhammad Aslam through his counsel Mudassar Chaudhry Advocate, questions key provisions of the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act 2026. The Governor of Punjab, through the provincial secretary, and other relevant authorities have been named as respondents in the case. According to the petition, Sections 2(d), 2(c) and other provisions of the law are inconsistent with the Constitution and Islamic principles. The petitioner argues that declaring marriages involving individuals under the age of 18 as a criminal offence is contrary to Shariah and contends that the state has no authority to interfere in matters governed by Islamic law. The petitioner has requested the court to declare the provisions prescribing criminal penalties for under-18 marriages unlawful and strike down the disputed sections of the Act. The plea also seeks a stay on the implementation of the law until the Federal Shariat Court reaches a final decision. The case had initially faced a procedural objection because it challenged an ordinance that has since been passed by the Punjab Assembly and enacted as law. After the legislation was formally approved, the petitioner amended the plea to challenge the Act instead of the ordinance and resubmitted it before the court. Following the amendment, the Registrar of the Federal Shariat Court removed the objection and ordered that the matter be scheduled for hearing before the bench. The upcoming proceedings are expected to attract significant legal and public attention, as they concern the interpretation of child marriage laws, constitutional provisions and Islamic jurisprudence. The court’s eventual ruling could have important implications for the implementation of the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act 2026 and the broader debate surrounding the legal age of marriage in Pakistan. Until the court hears the matter, the law remains in force unless a stay order is granted during subsequent proceedings.

MUZAFFARABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Shah Ghulam Qadir has been nominated as the next prime minister of AJK. The decision was taken by PML-N President Nawaz Sharif after consultations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Party sources confirmed on Tuesday that Qadir would take oath as AJK prime minister on Thursday at 5pm at the High Court Ground in Muzaffarabad. The nomination follows the recent AJK elections, which were held in three phases between July 27 and August 10. The PML-N emerged as the largest parliamentary party after securing 25 of the 38 directly contested seats. The Pakistan Peoples Party won 12 seats, while one member of the Awami Dast-o-Bazu joined the PML-N. Qadir is a veteran politician with more than three decades of political experience. He has held several important parliamentary and ministerial positions in AJK. He has served as finance, planning and development minister and also held the food ministry. He was elected speaker of the AJK Legislative Assembly twice. He currently serves as PML-N AJK president and leader of the opposition. Qadir entered politics as a student leader and later became involved with the All-Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference. He eventually served as its secretary general during Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan’s leadership. His electoral career began with his election from the Kashmiri refugees constituency, Kashmir Valley-IV. He went on to win seven elections to the AJK Legislative Assembly. Throughout his political career, Qadir has highlighted the issues of Kashmiri refugees and advocated the right to self-determination for the people of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. He has also represented Kashmir at international forums, including the United Nations General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council. Qadir was among the founding figures of the PML-N in AJK. He played a significant role in strengthening the party’s organisational structure and political presence in the region before becoming its AJK president. During his tenure as assembly speaker, he focused on parliamentary discipline, constitutional governance and legislative oversight. As opposition leader, he continued to call for stronger democratic institutions and accountability. Qadir is known for maintaining political contacts across different parties and is regarded as an experienced parliamentary leader. He is also fluent in Kashmiri and has maintained links with various Kashmiri political circles. His nomination comes after the new AJK Legislative Assembly began its parliamentary term. Forty-six newly elected members took oath during the inaugural session, which was presided over by Assembly Speaker Latif Akbar. The new 53-member assembly has a clear PML-N majority. According to the initial proceedings, 31 PML-N members and one Awami Dast-o-Bazu member took oath, while 14 PPP lawmakers were also sworn in.

Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langau has praised security personnel for successfully foiling an attack on his security squad in Mastung. Speaking at a press conference in Quetta, Langau said Mastung police confronted the attackers and forced the terrorists to flee, preventing the attack from succeeding. He said five police personnel were injured during the incident. The minister praised the police officers for their courage and said their response prevented a potentially serious attack. Langau said the people of Balochistan had endured violence and conflict for a long time. He urged those involved in armed activities in the mountains to realise that the conflict was futile and would not achieve its objectives. He appealed to both Baloch and Pashtun communities not to fall victim to what he described as terrorist propaganda. “Protect your children’s future from terrorists,” he said, urging families and communities to reject violence and militant activities. The provincial minister also alleged that terrorists were receiving support from India and Afghanistan. He said the government and security forces would continue efforts to counter terrorism and protect citizens. The attack took place in Mastung as security personnel accompanying the provincial home minister came under fire. Security forces responded to the attack, while several personnel were wounded.

Pakistan’s Counsellor at the United Nations, Saima Saleem, strongly criticised India during a meeting of the UN Security Council. She accused New Delhi of violating international law, ignoring UN Security Council resolutions and pursuing policies that threaten regional peace and stability. In her address, Saleem said it was contradictory for India to present itself as a supporter of peace while, according to Pakistan, it continues to violate international law and fail to implement UN Security Council resolutions related to the Kashmir dispute. She also alleged that India has pursued aggressive policies toward neighbouring countries and has been involved in activities that undermine regional security. The Pakistani diplomat highlighted what she described as a clear difference between the situations in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). She said people in AJK enjoy political freedoms, while residents of IIOJK continue to face restrictions, arrests and alleged human rights violations. Saleem said the denial of basic rights in the disputed territory cannot be ignored. She stressed that political freedom and the suppression of civil liberties cannot be viewed as the same. According to her, the people of Jammu and Kashmir continue to possess an inalienable right to self-determination under relevant UN resolutions. She further stated that Jammu and Kashmir is not an integral part of India and cannot be treated solely as its internal matter. She said India’s position does not change the internationally recognised status of the dispute and called for implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The Pakistani representative also said that India had originally taken the Kashmir issue to the United Nations and is now distancing itself from the resolutions adopted by the Security Council. She maintained that the dispute remains on the UN agenda and requires a peaceful resolution in accordance with international law. Referring to the Indus Waters Treaty, Saleem criticised India’s decision to suspend the agreement. She said the move violates international legal obligations and warned that water should never be used as a political or military tool. She described the Indus River system as a lifeline for millions of people and stressed that international agreements must be respected. She also alleged that terrorism networks linked to India have expanded beyond the region. In addition, she claimed that the rise of Hindutva ideology has contributed to increasing Islamophobia in India and accused the Indian government of promoting discriminatory policies against Muslims.