Sniffer Dogs Permanently Deployed at Suvarnabhumi to Fight Drug Smuggling

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.

Three Chinese nationals arrested in a case involving the alleged illegal sale of human organs have approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking post-arrest bail. The bail petitions were heard by IHC Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir. The petitioners include Li Gang Chai, Ping Fei Guo and Wang Bao. The three suspects are facing a case registered by the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Corporate Crime Circle. A trial court had earlier rejected their bail applications. Appearing on behalf of the petitioners, Barrister Yawar Qureshi requested the court to transfer the cases to another bench. He told the court that petitions involving similar circumstances were already pending before a different bench. The lawyer requested that the three cases also be transferred to the bench of Justice Muhammad Azam Khan. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir observed that Justice Muhammad Azam Khan was currently on summer vacation and transferring the cases could delay the proceedings by around a month. However, following the lawyer’s insistence, the court accepted the request for consideration of the bench change. The court directed that the case file be sent to the Chief Justice’s Office for a decision regarding the transfer of the petitions.

Women parliamentarians in Balochistan have strongly condemned the killing of a mother and daughter in Nushki. The victims were reportedly killed after militants entered their home. The lawmakers described the incident as deeply tragic. They said the attack was also against Baloch traditions and social values. They expressed concern over the targeting of civilians, especially women. Speaking at a press conference in Quetta, Balochistan government adviser Meena Majeed said the victims were identified as Bibi Hanifa and Hafsa. She alleged that the two women were killed by militants linked to what the authorities describe as Fitna al-Hindustan. Majeed questioned why the mother and daughter were targeted. She asked what their crime was. She said ordinary Baloch citizens were now facing threats from militants. She also expressed concern about the targeting of women. Majeed said the government and security forces were continuing operations against militants in the province. She assured that those involved in the Nushki attack would be identified and brought before the law. She said the government would continue efforts to protect civilians. Balochistan Assembly Deputy Speaker Ghazala also condemned the incident. She said women parliamentarians would not remain silent over the killing of the mother and daughter. Ghazala stressed that women must be protected everywhere. She said their safety should remain a priority under all circumstances. Provincial Education Minister Raheela Durrani also expressed strong concern over the incident. Durrani questioned the message being sent about Balochistan when women were targeted and killed. She said such incidents damage the image of the province and create fear among local communities. The women lawmakers said violence against civilians could not be tolerated. They called for effective action against those responsible for the killings. They also stressed the need for stronger security measures to protect women and other vulnerable citizens. The lawmakers expressed solidarity with the victims’ families. They said the government and security institutions must ensure that those responsible for the attack face justice.

ISLAMABAD: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is considering discontinuing the Rs10 currency note as part of plans to introduce redesigned banknotes with enhanced security features, officials told the Senate Standing Committee on Finance. The committee met in Islamabad, where SBP Deputy Governor Dr Inayat Hussain briefed members on the proposed changes to the country’s currency notes. According to the deputy governor, the central bank is considering withdrawing the Rs10 note because its production cost has increased. He said the Rs10 denomination had been targeted for discontinuation twice in the past, but the attempts were unsuccessful. He clarified that the Rs10 note would be discontinued when the new series of currency notes is issued. Committee Chairman Senator Saleem Mandviwalla said the committee had previously asked the State Bank to replace all currency notes. Dr Inayat Hussain said the existing currency series had been in circulation since 2005. Officials told the committee that new banknotes would carry improved security features. The matter had been discussed twice by the federal cabinet. A committee formed by the cabinet had also proposed certain changes to the designs. The issue of the process used to select the company for designing the new notes also came under discussion. Chairman Saleem Mandviwalla questioned the decision to award the design work to the same company whose consultant had already been hired. He said no bidding process had been conducted before the design contract was awarded. Mandviwalla said the State Bank was an autonomous institution, but it still had to follow relevant rules and procedures. A State Bank executive director told the committee that the company associated with the consultant would carry out the entire assignment. The committee also questioned claims regarding the circulation of counterfeit currency in Pakistan. Dr Inayat Hussain said the circulation of counterfeit currency in the country was low. Mandviwalla asked the State Bank to provide data supporting the claim. The deputy governor further said public preference regarding banknote designs was also being taken into consideration. Senator Anusha Rehman remarked that people generally liked currency notes regardless of their design. Senator Shahzaib Durrani, however, said personal likes and dislikes should not be a factor in deciding currency designs. Dr Inayat Hussain told the committee that a subcommittee of the federal cabinet was currently reviewing the proposed new banknotes. He said the cabinet had made significant changes to the designs. The deputy governor said the new notes could only be introduced in the market after the proposed changes were finalised and approved. He also informed the committee that the proposed currency designs had been sent to the Ministry of Finance about a year ago.