Shagufta Ejaz surprises fans with ziplining adventure at 55

The Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has strongly rejected allegations that security forces opened fire on protesters or were responsible for civilian deaths during the recent unrest in Rawalakot, describing the claims as false, unverified and part of an organised disinformation campaign. Responding to a report by the BBC on the recent incidents, the AJK government said armed members of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee opened fire on security personnel in Rawalakot, resulting in the deaths and injuries of several officers. It also alleged that the attackers set multiple vehicles on fire during the violence. According to the government, security forces acted only to maintain law and order and enforce the law, insisting that civilians were not deliberately targeted during the operation. The AJK government cited information from the police spokesperson, who said seven security personnel were killed and 143 others were injured in firing allegedly carried out by armed members of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee. It further claimed that the banned group has a history of violent activities. According to the statement, attacks carried out in 2024 and 2025 resulted in the deaths of four security personnel and left hundreds of others injured. The government also said two individuals arrested on July 28 and 29 were under investigation. It alleged that one of the suspects claimed a reward of Rs10 million had been offered for the killing of each Ranger, raising questions about the possible funding of the group. According to the statement, verified videos show armed individuals linked to the banned Joint Awami Action Committee using modern weapons and firing during the unrest. The AJK government maintained that law enforcement agencies carried out their constitutional responsibilities with restraint and professionalism. It insisted that no action was taken against peaceful civilians and that operations were conducted solely to restore public order. The government also categorically denied allegations of indiscriminate firing, the use of snipers or claims that bodies of victims were withheld from their families. It further alleged that the banned Joint Awami Action Committee had previously been involved in blocking roads, stopping or burning cargo vehicles and disrupting the supply of essential goods. According to the statement, law enforcement agencies made efforts to keep roads open and ensure the uninterrupted movement of essential supplies. The AJK government added that the Joint Awami Action Committee has been declared a banned organisation under the Anti-Terrorism Act and said all legal proceedings against the group are being carried out in accordance with the law.

“Start With Punjab”: Saeed Sarbazi Calls for Pilot Model Karachi: Once again, the demand for new administrative units and provinces has been sparked — this time from within the government itself. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s recent statement has reignited the debate, raising questions about governance, service delivery, and political intent. Coming at a time when the current setup is widely described as a “hybrid system,” Naqvi is seen by many as representing the other partner in that arrangement. His call therefore carries weight beyond routine political rhetoric, forcing both parliament and the public to ask: is this about bringing the state closer to the people, or about redrawing Pakistan’s political map? MQM-P Backs Demand: “Engine of Pakistan’s Economy” The debate found immediate backing from MQM-Pakistan, which has once again strongly supported the idea of separating Karachi from Sindh. The party argues that the city, which generates the bulk of Pakistan’s revenue, should have control over its own resources so that what is earned in Karachi is spent on Karachi. Calling it the “engine of the entire Pakistan economy,” MQM-P maintains that an independent administrative setup for the metropolis is the only way to fix its decades-old issues of infrastructure, water, transport and governance. Sindh Government Rejects: “Dangerous Precedent” However, the Sindh government has strongly opposed the idea. Provincial leaders and ministers like Sharjeel Memon, Saeed Ghani and Nasir Hussain argue that carving out Karachi from Sindh will only deepen existing fault lines and promote hate and division among communities. They maintain that Karachi is an integral part of Sindh’s history, culture, and economy, and that separating it administratively would set a dangerous precedent for the federation. For them, the solution lies in better governance and resource allocation within the existing provincial structure, not in division. PML-N Opposition: “Will Never Be Approved” The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has also come out in opposition to the proposal. A senior PML-N minister and veteran politician, Rana Sanaullah, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, stated in a TV talk show that any legislation aimed at dividing provinces into units would “never be approved” in the National Assembly. He also asserted that such proposals were never discussed in cabinet or in parliament. The party argues that such moves risk destabilizing national harmony, and that the focus should remain on strengthening local government systems within provinces rather than redrawing administrative boundaries. MQM-P Counter: Parliamentary Precedent Cited Commenting on PML-N’s remarks, MQM-Pakistan head Mustafa Kamal fired back, saying those who want to reorganize Pakistan into smaller administrative units have the political strength to do so. He argued whether the 26th or 27th amendment bills were discussed in cabinet before they were floated for approval in parliament. He disclosed that both the bills were presented on the day of passing and were passed unanimously even before discussion. “If a bill for new provinces is brought to the floor of the National Assembly, it would be passed — just as the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments were,” Kamal said. His statement signals MQM-P’s confidence that with the right backing, even a contentious legislative move can sail through parliament. Saeed Sarbazi’s Expert View: Ill-timed Debate, Governance Needed, Not Division Talking to this correspondent, senior journalist, news editor at a reputable daily and former president of the Karachi Press Club, Saeed Sarbazi said raising such a subject at this critical stage was ill-timed. With the country going through a severe economic meltdown amid the Iran-US conflict, he argued, separating Karachi from Sindh would not serve any purpose. Sarbazi pointed out a key administrative fact: “More than 65 percent of Karachi belongs to cantonment areas. So blaming the Sindh government for the state of 34 percent of the infrastructure is not fair.” For him, the debate distracts from the real issue of joint responsibility and better coordination between all stakeholders. Federal Responsibility: Revenue vs Investment Gap Sarbazi, a seasoned union worker turned leader, also highlighted the federal government’s obligations in the debate. “If Karachi is mini Pakistan, where the country’s most important ports are located and the entire Pakistan benefits from its structure and institutions, then it is obligatory on the Federal government to provide monetary support,” he stated. He cited the example of the National Highway M9 — a key CPEC project — which still remains a single lane in parts despite years of promises. “Till to-date the federal government has not completed the double lane highway,” Sarbazi said, arguing that Karachi generates the most revenue but gets the least direct federal investment in return. “Start With Punjab”: A Pilot Model Suggested by Sarbazi The former KPC president further added that the discussion should not be limited to Sindh alone. “Punjab Assembly has already passed a resolution to divide Punjab into South and Central Punjab,” Sarbazi noted. “If those who aspire to see how administrative units will function and become a model, then it should start from Punjab. If it presents a good governance model, then perhaps Sindh will follow.” His remarks suggest that instead of confrontation, a pilot model in Punjab could set the tone for the rest of the country. Power Politics and PPP’s Role in Sindh Saeed Sarbazi, who holds the unprecedented record of being elected unopposed along with his entire panel to the Karachi Press Club, stated that such tactics of creating more administrative units are often ignited by power corridors as a tool for arm-twisting political parties. “Though democratically elected governments have flaws, these can only be corrected through good governance,” he said. “Such arm-twisting only brings political instability in Pakistan.” Sarbazi emphasized that the role of the Pakistan Peoples Party in the Sindh government should not be underplayed. “It is serious about improving infrastructure in the province — by providing people with good transport, water at their doorstep, and by improving the sewage and drainage system.” The Way Forward: Merits, Concerns, and Alternatives As the debate over new provinces resurfaces, both merits and concerns demand attention. Proponents argue that smaller administrative units