Shan Masood resumes batting ahead of England Tests

KARACHI: Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has announced that Regal Chowk will officially be renamed Khatm-e-Nabuwwat (PBUH) Chowk. The decision was announced during his visit to the historic intersection along with the Municipal Commissioner and members of the City Council. The mayor said the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) would carry out extensive renovation and beautification work at the site before the start of Rabi-ul-Awwal. He said the project aims to improve the appearance of the area while reflecting the significance of the holy month. Barrister Murtaza Wahab said the city administration had already started preparations for Rabi-ul-Awwal. He added that special arrangements would be made across Karachi to facilitate religious gatherings and ensure that citizens could observe the month in a peaceful and clean environment. He said a comprehensive cleanliness campaign would be launched throughout the city. Sanitation staff would remain active in all districts to maintain hygiene around mosques, religious processions and public places. Waste collection and disposal operations would also be intensified during the month. The mayor announced that decorative lighting and beautification work would be carried out on major roads, intersections and important public buildings. He said these measures were intended to create a festive atmosphere during Rabi-ul-Awwal. He recalled that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation had successfully managed civic arrangements during Muharram-ul-Haram. According to him, similar planning would be implemented during Rabi-ul-Awwal to provide better services to the public. Barrister Murtaza Wahab said all relevant civic departments, including sanitation, engineering, municipal services and emergency response teams, would remain on high alert throughout the holy month. He directed officials to ensure uninterrupted public services and respond promptly to any issues.

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.

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Friday said Pakistan’s security depends on effective governance, stressing that terrorists must either surrender under the Constitution and the law or face continued military action. Speaking at a media briefing in Rawalpindi, the military spokesperson said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s recent remarks about the country’s governance system reflected his personal opinion and declined to comment further. However, he emphasized that good governance remained essential for ensuring national security and long-term stability. The DG ISPR said the National Action Plan continued to enjoy consensus among all major political parties and noted that most of its objectives, including countering extremism, disrupting terror financing and strengthening institutions, relied on strong governance. He added that Pakistan’s growing population made administrative efficiency more important than ever and said citizens had the right to effective governance. Over 40,000 Counterterrorism Operations Conducted Providing an update on security operations, Lt Gen Chaudhry said security forces had carried out 40,348 intelligence-based operations across Pakistan so far in 2026. He said 2,084 confirmed terrorists had been killed during these operations, averaging nearly 194 operations and 10 militant deaths every day. He added that the highest number of operations had been conducted in Balochistan, while 1,971 operations were carried out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the military spokesperson, 819 people, including security personnel and civilians, embraced martyrdom during counterterrorism efforts this year, while 28 suicide attacks were recorded nationwide. He also alleged that Afghan nationals were involved in recent terrorist attacks in Tank and Karachi. No Negotiations With Armed Militants The DG ISPR made it clear that there would be no negotiations with armed militant groups. He said militants had only two options: surrender under the Constitution and the law or face continued action by security forces. Explaining the concept of a “hard state,” he said it did not refer to military rule but rather to a country where every individual is equal before the law and all matters are resolved through constitutional and legal mechanisms. Balochistan Facing Coordinated Propaganda Addressing the security situation in Balochistan, Lt Gen Chaudhry said a deliberate campaign was underway to create a false perception that the province was in crisis. He said the Constitution required every citizen to remain loyal to the state and argued that rights should always be accompanied by responsibilities. The DG ISPR alleged that certain elite groups and tribal leaders opposed social progress because they wanted to preserve the existing power structure. He said the state would continue engaging directly with the people of Balochistan instead of those seeking to obstruct development. Highlighting development initiatives, he said Gwadar now had modern healthcare facilities, educational institutions, industrial free zones and major infrastructure projects. He added that Balochistan’s per capita budget allocation exceeded Rs75,000, making it the highest among Pakistan’s provinces. He also said terrorists deliberately targeted labourers, teachers and development projects to slow the province’s progress. Missing Persons and Regional Security On the issue of missing persons, the military spokesperson said the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances had received 10,901 cases, of which 9,372 had already been resolved. He stressed that every reported case required proper identification and verification. The DG ISPR further claimed that following what he described as Pakistan’s success during Operation Marka-e-Haq, hostile elements had shifted their focus toward destabilising Balochistan. He alleged that India and the Afghan Taliban regime shared an agenda of supporting terrorism against Pakistan.