Senate slams 20-year delay in gas supply to Ghotki villages

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Akmal Khan Bari has approached the Lahore High Court (LHC), accusing the Punjab Police of political victimisation and unlawful harassment, while seeking constitutional protection for himself and his family against what he alleges are repeated illegal actions by law enforcement authorities. The constitutional petition was filed through senior lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa, with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab and other relevant officials named as respondents. The petition urges the court to intervene, alleging that police actions have exceeded legal limits and infringed upon the petitioner’s constitutional rights. According to the plea, police officials allegedly raided Akmal Khan Bari’s residence at around 10:00 p.m. on July 27. The petitioner claims that officers entered the premises without lawful justification and subjected his family members to intimidation and harassment during the late-night operation. The petition further states that Bari had previously been arrested in what he describes as a fabricated criminal case. It argues that the latest police action is part of a broader pattern of political victimisation aimed at pressuring him because of his affiliation with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. The petitioner maintains that no criminal allegation currently justifies repeated police raids or coercive measures against him or his family. He contends that such actions violate the fundamental rights guaranteed under Pakistan’s Constitution, including the rights to personal liberty, dignity, privacy, and equal protection before the law. According to the petition, law enforcement agencies are legally bound to operate within the framework of the Constitution and cannot exercise their authority arbitrarily or for political purposes. It alleges that the conduct of the respondents is mala fide, unlawful, and inconsistent with constitutional safeguards designed to protect citizens from abuse of power. Bari has requested the Lahore High Court to issue directions restraining the Punjab Police and other respondents from taking any unlawful coercive action against him. He has also sought specific orders preventing police officials from harassing, intimidating, or interfering with members of his family. Additionally, the petition asks the court to direct all respondents to perform their duties strictly in accordance with the Constitution and applicable laws, ensuring that no individual is subjected to harassment without legal grounds. The Lahore High Court is expected to take up the constitutional petition for preliminary proceedings, where it will determine whether notices should be issued to the respondents and what further legal steps, if any, are warranted. The Punjab Police had not issued an official response to the allegations at the time this report was filed.

Islamabad: The government has stopped providing the Pakistan Remittance Initiative subsidy, which reached Rs120 billion, saying the country’s financial difficulties make it impossible to continue the support under the current budget. Banks have agreed to absorb the related costs themselves to keep overseas Pakistanis sending money through official channels. The development puts the spotlight on the future of Pakistan’s remittance system, which depends heavily on money sent home by Pakistanis working abroad. The government had previously used subsidies to help banks facilitate these transfers, but curtailed that support last year. The Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan informed the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue that the government had initially provided subsidies to banks under the Pakistan Remittance Initiative to facilitate remittances from overseas Pakistanis. The total subsidy provided by the government reached Rs120 billion. However, the financial pressure on the government has now made it difficult to continue paying this amount. The subsidy could not be continued in the current budget because of prevailing fiscal constraints. Instead, banks have decided to bear the costs linked to facilitating remittances from their own resources. The decision means that banks will continue providing the service to overseas Pakistanis even though the government can no longer provide the previous level of financial support. The Pakistan Remittance Initiative was discussed by the committee during its meeting at Parliament House in Islamabad on August 25, 2026, under the chairmanship of Senator Saleem Mandviwalla. The committee considered the government’s decision important because remittances sent by Pakistanis living and working abroad are a major source of foreign currency for the country. The State Bank told the committee that banks decided to continue bearing the associated costs so that the flow of remittances would not be disrupted. The committee appreciated the banks’ decision but also decided to examine their actual performance. Selected banks will therefore be invited to the committee’s next meeting to explain their performance and contribution to the remittance sector. The move comes at a time when the government is facing tight financial conditions and has been forced to reduce or reconsider spending commitments. The end of the Rs120 billion subsidy raises an important question about how the remittance system will operate in the longer term if banks continue to carry the costs without government support. For millions of Pakistanis working overseas, remittances are an important way of supporting families at home. These transfers help families pay for everyday needs and also bring foreign currency into Pakistan. The government’s decision does not mean that the remittance service has stopped. Instead, banks have agreed to continue facilitating transfers while paying the related costs themselves. The Senate committee has now moved to check whether banks are fulfilling this responsibility effectively and whether overseas Pakistanis are receiving proper services. The next meeting is expected to provide the committee with a clearer picture of how banks are handling the change after the withdrawal of the government subsidy. The key issue remains whether banks can continue carrying the financial burden while maintaining an efficient and reliable remittance system for overseas Pakistanis. The Rs120 billion figure also shows the scale of government support previously used to encourage and facilitate remittances through the formal banking system.

BAGH: A total of 199 polling stations have been established for the election in LA-17 Bagh-4 Haveli, with 10 security personnel to be deployed at each polling station. According to a notification issued by the Returning Officer’s office, 117,514 registered voters will be eligible to cast their ballots in the constituency. Polling will take place across 12 union councils and a town committee. Election officials have also completed arrangements for transporting election materials to remote areas, including Bheedi, Halla and Kairni. Haveli has been divided into 16 sectors to facilitate the distribution of election materials and manage polling arrangements. Of the 199 polling stations, 50 have been classified as sensitive and 25 as highly sensitive. Ten security personnel will be deployed at every polling station to maintain security during polling. Preparations have also been completed for the third phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections, with polling scheduled in four constituencies across Bagh and Haveli districts of the Poonch Division. The transportation of election materials to polling stations is currently underway. Elections in five constituencies of Poonch and two constituencies of Sudhanoti have been postponed. The upcoming electoral contest also features three former prime ministers among the candidates. Former AJK prime ministers Sardar Attique Khan and Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, who lead the Muslim Conference and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party respectively, are contesting the elections. AJK Prime Minister Faisal Rathore is also taking part in the electoral contest. Authorities have stepped up security and logistical preparations ahead of polling to ensure a peaceful voting process across the constituency.

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) continues to enjoy strong public support in Punjab, across Pakistan and in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, attributing the party’s popularity to its development agenda and governance. She made the remarks during a meeting with Members of the Punjab Assembly, Asif Malik and Zafar Abbas Khan, who discussed political developments, constituency matters and ongoing development projects in Khushab. During the meeting, the lawmakers briefed the chief minister on issues being faced by residents of their constituency. Maryam assured them that the provincial government would take steps to resolve public problems and continue implementing development initiatives across the district. The lawmakers congratulated the chief minister on the party’s performance in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and appreciated the Punjab government’s decision to introduce electric bus services in Khushab. They also thanked her for providing electric buses to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, saying the initiative had improved public transport and benefited thousands of commuters. Maryam said Punjab was leading the country in development and governance, adding that improvements had been made in multiple sectors, including public services and law and order. She expressed confidence that the province and the country would continue progressing under the leadership of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif. The lawmakers praised the provincial government’s development record, saying the electric bus service had become a popular facility for daily passengers travelling between General Bus Stand Khushab, Garot Chowk, Mitha Tiwana and Mangwal. Separately, on the occasion of Police Martyrs Day, the chief minister paid tribute to police personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. She praised their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, extremism and crime, and acknowledged the courage and resilience of their families. Maryam said the Punjab government was committed to supporting the families of fallen police officers by providing educational opportunities, healthcare, housing and other welfare facilities for their children. She added that the government was strengthening the Punjab Police by providing modern weapons, improved communication systems, protective equipment and bulletproof vehicles to enhance law enforcement capabilities.

Sindh Senior Minister for Transport Sharjeel Inam Memon has said that 80 to 85 per cent of the work on the corridor along Karachi’s University Road has been completed. He said the remaining work is expected to be finished by September 15, after which the road project will be fully completed. Sharjeel Memon made the remarks during a visit to the BRT Red Line project. He reviewed the ongoing construction work and the traffic situation along University Road. The minister said traffic is currently moving smoothly on the road and that there are no major disruptions to the flow of vehicles. He also announced that a large number of double-decker buses are expected to arrive in Karachi next month. Electric vehicles will also be introduced as part of efforts to improve the city’s public transport system. According to the minister, the Sindh government has already approved 500 electric buses. He added that Pink Scooties would soon be made available for women as part of initiatives aimed at improving mobility and transportation options. Sharjeel Memon said the provincial government was working on several public service projects across different sectors. He maintained that the Pakistan Peoples Party comes to power through the public mandate and focuses on completing development and welfare projects after assuming office. Speaking about Thar, the minister said the region has extensive coal reserves that can be used to generate relatively inexpensive electricity. He said Thar coal could also be utilised to meet the energy requirements of power plants across Pakistan. He further highlighted what he described as the Pakistan Peoples Party’s contribution to the country, including its role in Pakistan’s development as a nuclear power. Discussing the performance of the Sindh government, Memon said work was continuing around the clock in different departments. He said significant progress had been made on a housing programme aimed at constructing 2.1 million homes, with a large number of houses already completed. The minister described the housing initiative as one of the largest projects of its kind in the world. He also referred to the Shahrah-e-Bhutto, saying heavy traffic on the newly constructed road demonstrated its importance and success. He claimed Sindh was the only province focusing on practical development rather than political propaganda. On Karachi’s transport needs, Memon said public transport services would be expanded across the city without discrimination. He said voters could support any political party, but the government would continue to provide transport facilities in every part of Karachi. The minister also highlighted developments in Sindh’s healthcare sector. He said the provincial government was providing free and modern medical facilities and had introduced several initiatives before similar measures were adopted elsewhere. Memon also pointed to the province’s air ambulance service, saying the facility had already been operational for some time.