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Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) senior leader Dr Farooq Sattar has called for the creation of more provinces, saying Pakistan cannot be effectively governed through the existing four provinces or by the influence of a few political families. Speaking after arriving at the party’s Bahadurabad headquarters in Karachi, Sattar said the country needs a more inclusive and participatory federal structure with additional provinces to ensure balanced governance and fair representation. He said the movement for administrative reforms would continue until the establishment of more provinces across the country. According to Sattar, creating new provinces is essential for improving governance, strengthening the federation and addressing regional disparities. The MQM-P leader also praised the country’s leadership for demonstrating resilience during challenging times. He commended Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the nation for showing determination and courage. Sattar reiterated that constitutional and administrative reforms are necessary to build a stronger and more representative Pakistan, adding that decentralisation would help improve public service delivery and promote national unity.

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has rejected a proposed deduction of Rs6.4 billion from the province’s federal financial transfers. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the federal government had sought an additional amount from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa before the provincial budget. The provincial government had linked the release of the additional funds to a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan and his approval. Afridi said the KP government neither approved nor agreed to the proposed deduction of Rs6.4 billion. He said the additional federal grant had also not been included in the provincial budget for the 2026-27 financial year. The chief minister said the matter was not merely a political dispute but concerned the province’s constitutional and financial rights. He maintained that Article 164 of the Constitution does not give the federal government the authority to unilaterally deduct money payable to a province. According to Afridi, any such deduction requires a clear constitutional or legal basis as well as the consent of the provincial government. He said the Finance Department had clearly conveyed its disagreement with the proposed deduction in a letter issued on August 13. Written instructions were also issued that no deduction should be made without the province’s consent. Afridi said Finance Adviser Muzammil Aslam immediately met the relevant officials of the Accountant General KP. The Accountant General of Pakistan Revenues was also directed not to record or implement any transaction without the clear consent of the provincial government. The chief minister said the provincial government had decided to prepare a summary and ordinance under the 7th National Finance Commission (NFC) after the province did not receive its share for six months. He said the provincial government did not sign the memorandum of understanding concerning the additional amount because a meeting with the PTI founder was not arranged. Afridi said the KP government had already approached the Federal Constitutional Court to seek its constitutional rights under the National Finance Commission. He made it clear that the provincial government would not compromise on its NFC rights. The chief minister further said the federal government had no authority to unilaterally deduct money on the basis of an unapproved memorandum of understanding. He vowed that the provincial government would use every legal and constitutional avenue to protect its rights and defend every rupee of its financial share. Afridi also said that if the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) achieved its Rs15.26 trillion tax collection target, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s share would amount to approximately Rs175 billion. He added that providing the merged districts with their rightful share under the 11th NFC was also one of the provincial government’s conditions.

Punjab Police suspended 78 officials of Lahore’s Ghaziabad Police Station after an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a mentally challenged young woman inside the police station. The action followed the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the accused under rape provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code and relevant sections of the Police Order 2002. Senior police authorities immediately took notice of the incident and ordered the arrest of the suspect. According to the complaint filed by the victim’s father, his 19 to 20-year-old daughter, who has a mental disability, left home on Sunday afternoon and did not return for some time. During the search, a local resident allegedly informed the family that a policeman in plain clothes had taken the girl away. The complainant said he rushed to the Ghaziabad Police Station, where he was told that his daughter had already been sent home. After returning home, he found her in distress. He alleged that she told him a police official had taken her to the station and sexually assaulted her. Following the complaint, police registered a case and arrested the accused ASI. Authorities also launched both criminal and departmental investigations into the matter. As part of disciplinary action, 78 police personnel, including the station house officer (SHO), sub-inspectors, assistant sub-inspectors, front desk officials and other staff members, were suspended over alleged negligence, poor supervision and failure to maintain discipline at the police station. All suspended officials have been directed to report to Police Lines until further orders. Police officials said maintaining discipline and ensuring a safe environment at police stations is the responsibility of every officer. They warned that negligence or irresponsible conduct would not be tolerated and pledged strict accountability at the police station level. A new SHO has been appointed to take charge of Ghaziabad Police Station while the investigation continues. Punjab Women Protection Authority Chairperson Hina Parvez Butt strongly condemned the incident, describing it as deeply disturbing and calling for strict legal action against those responsible. Police said further legal and departmental proceedings will be carried out after the investigation is completed.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has urged Arab and Islamic countries to stand together to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque and defend the rights of the Palestinian people amid the worsening situation in occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank. Speaking at a ministerial meeting on Jerusalem in Amman, Jordan, Dar said Muslim nations must adopt a united and coordinated approach to preserve the sanctity of Jerusalem’s holy sites. He stressed that immediate action is needed to stop violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque and maintain the site’s historical and legal status. Dar said the international community must ensure unrestricted access to Jerusalem’s holy places and prevent any attempts to alter their religious or historical character. He added that continued Israeli actions threaten regional stability and undermine prospects for a lasting peace. The foreign minister strongly opposed Israeli settlement expansion, annexation efforts, forced displacement of Palestinians and demographic changes in the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem. He said such measures violate international law and several United Nations Security Council resolutions. He also called for the complete implementation of the Gaza peace plan and all relevant UN resolutions. Dar welcomed diplomatic efforts by the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye, expressing hope that all parties would honour their commitments and move the peace process forward. Referring to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Dar said the ceasefire had brought limited relief, but conditions remained critical. He noted that millions of Palestinians continue to face severe food shortages, displacement and insecurity despite recent progress. Dar urged Muslim countries to strengthen diplomatic efforts to ensure international protection for Palestinians and hold those responsible for violations of international law accountable. He said justice and respect for international law are essential for achieving sustainable peace. Reaffirming Pakistan’s longstanding support for Palestine, Dar said Israel has no sovereignty over occupied East Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites. He reiterated Pakistan’s support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. The minister also warned that continued attacks on religious sites could inflame tensions across the Muslim world and increase the risk of wider regional conflict. The ministerial meeting concluded with a joint declaration by Arab and Muslim foreign ministers announcing the creation of a permanent mechanism to document Israeli violations in Jerusalem and at its Islamic and Christian holy sites. The mechanism will include a media platform to record incidents involving worshippers and religious sites and present documented evidence before international organisations and the global community. The declaration reaffirmed that East Jerusalem remains an occupied territory and rejected all unilateral measures aimed at changing its legal or demographic status. It also stressed that a two-state solution remains the only viable path to lasting peace in the region. On the sidelines of the meeting, Dar held separate discussions with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Türkiye, Jordan and Somalia. The meetings focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, reviewing regional developments and coordinating diplomatic efforts on the Palestinian issue.