Shubman Gill returns to No.1 in ICC ODI batting rankings

Police have stepped up investigations into the abduction and murder of 25-year-old businessman Mir Ali Raza, whose body was found in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar after he disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Investigators are pursuing multiple leads and examining digital evidence as they work to identify those responsible for the killing. According to the investigation, Raza returned home from his business on the night of July 28. A short while later, he left again after telling his family that he would return within 10 minutes. When he failed to come back, his family became concerned and later reported the matter to the police. CCTV footage collected by investigators shows a white vehicle arriving outside Raza’s residence at around 4am. The footage allegedly shows the businessman getting into the rear seat of the vehicle before it drove away. Police are trying to trace the vehicle and identify everyone who was inside at the time. The businessman’s body was later recovered from bushes in Block 1 of Gulistan-e-Jauhar. A preliminary investigation found that he had been subjected to torture before being shot once in the chest. Officials also clarified that rumours claiming acid had been used were incorrect. They said the condition of the body resulted from decomposition after it had remained at the location for more than 30 hours. Investigators discovered that before his disappearance, Raza had booked an online taxi and travelled to the kitchen facility used for his dessert business in Gulistan-e-Jauhar. The taxi driver confirmed dropping him off at the location. Police believe the kidnapping and murder occurred after he left the premises. One of the biggest challenges in the investigation is the disappearance of the victim’s mobile phone. Police have requested technical assistance from telecom authorities to obtain his call records, location history and other digital data. Investigators are also examining the people he had recently contacted to determine whether any connection exists between those communications and the crime. Authorities are also investigating the sudden deactivation of Raza’s social media accounts shortly before his body was discovered. Investigators are trying to establish whether the accounts were deactivated by the businessman himself or by someone who gained access to his phone after the incident. Police have questioned employees working at the kitchen on the night of the incident, along with staff members employed at his restaurants. Several people have been interviewed as part of the investigation, but officials have not disclosed further details, saying the inquiry is still ongoing. Investigators continue to analyse CCTV footage collected from nearby houses, shops and streets in an effort to reconstruct the victim’s final movements. However, officials say the absence of a citywide surveillance system and the poor quality of many privately installed cameras have made the investigation more difficult.

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of the low attendance of lawmakers during parliamentary sessions. Speaking to the media outside the National Assembly on Tuesday, Sadiq said some federal ministers had raised the issue of members’ absence with the prime minister. He said the government and lawmakers were now paying attention to improving attendance. The speaker’s comments came after a session of the National Assembly witnessed a low presence of members, with a large number of seats remaining vacant during proceedings. Sadiq said maintaining the required quorum was not solely the responsibility of the speaker. He said both the government and opposition benches had a duty to ensure that their members attended parliamentary proceedings. He expressed hope that attendance would improve when the next session is held, which is expected to take place later this week. According to the speaker, the government had conveyed that it recognised the seriousness of the issue and intended to improve lawmakers’ presence in future sessions. Sadiq urged members from both sides of the House to remain present during proceedings. He said parliamentary sessions provided limited time for debate, questions, discussions and legislation, and lawmakers should make full use of the opportunity. He noted that poor attendance affected both sides of the House. The government could not properly complete its legislative agenda, while opposition members also lost the opportunity to raise issues and scrutinise government policies. The speaker also commented on Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s intention to adopt a more active approach towards legislation. Sadiq welcomed the move, saying stronger opposition participation could improve parliamentary accountability. He said constructive pressure from opposition parties could also encourage the government to introduce reforms. Regarding resignations submitted by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members from standing committees, the speaker said he had not accepted any of the resignations. He said parliamentary committees were continuing to function and could perform more effectively if opposition members regularly participated in their meetings. Asked about the possibility of the united opposition moving a no-confidence motion against him or Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Sadiq said it was a constitutional and democratic right of the opposition. He said the National Assembly would facilitate the opposition if it decided to exercise that right. Sadiq also spoke about efforts to reduce political tensions between the government and opposition. He said several attempts had been made to bring the two sides to the negotiating table. He said he, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the law minister and Rana Sanaullah had repeatedly offered dialogue.