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Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Monday inaugurated the National Press Club’s (NPC) new website and announced the establishment of a modern digital lab at the club within the next two months to enhance journalists’ digital skills. Addressing the launch ceremony, Tarar said digital transformation had become essential for media institutions and stressed the need for journalists to equip themselves with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), digital media and modern reporting techniques. He said the government was committed to addressing journalists’ welfare issues, including job security, timely payment of salaries, housing, restoration of health cards and other welfare initiatives. He also announced efforts to partner with an academic institution to provide professional digital skills training for media professionals. The minister said the government was aware of the financial challenges facing the media industry and emphasized the need for a comprehensive policy to protect journalists’ jobs and livelihoods. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to media freedom and pledged continued support for strengthening the country’s print and electronic media. NPC President Abdul Razzaq Sial welcomed the minister and urged the government to resolve longstanding issues faced by journalists, including housing quotas, health cards, special grants and pending dues. NPC Secretary Dr. Furqan Rao said the newly launched website would digitalize members’ records, improve transparency and enable journalists to update their professional profiles online. During the ceremony, the National Press Club awarded Tarar honorary membership and the minister distributed certificates among participants who completed a month-long digital training programme organized by the club.

LAHORE: Police have made significant progress in the investigation into the murder of former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ticket-holder Abdullah Tahir, who was shot dead in Lahore on July 29. Investigators say fresh evidence has led to changes in the direction of the probe, while efforts are underway to arrest all those allegedly involved in the killing. According to police officials, the investigation has been reassigned after the suspected shooters were identified during the inquiry. The case was initially being handled by the Investigation Wing of Ghalib Market Police Station. However, investigators decided to revise the probe after obtaining new information about the suspects and their alleged roles in the incident. Police said the alleged main facilitator, Arsalan Jatt, played a key role in the planning and execution of the attack. Investigators claim he transported the suspected shooters from Gujranwala to Lahore in a vehicle before the murder took place. Authorities believe this journey was part of a pre-planned operation carried out before the attack on Abdullah Tahir. Officials further stated that the prime suspect accused of masterminding the murder, identified as Gogi Butt, is currently outside Pakistan. Police said legal proceedings have been initiated to secure his return to the country. Authorities plan to seek the issuance of an international Red Notice to facilitate his arrest and extradition through the relevant international law enforcement agencies. Investigators are also working to trace the remaining suspects believed to have participated in the crime. Police teams are analysing evidence, questioning witnesses and reviewing available records to establish the complete sequence of events and identify everyone involved in the planning and execution of the attack. Police officials said the investigation is continuing on multiple fronts and further arrests are expected as more evidence is collected. Authorities have expressed confidence that all individuals responsible for the murder will be brought before the courts. Abdullah Tahir, a former PTI ticket-holder, was killed in a shooting incident in Lahore on July 29.

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has launched a province-wide street mobilisation campaign from Khyber district ahead of the September 27 long march. Addressing a rally in Khyber, Afridi said the campaign had formally begun from the historic Bab-e-Khyber and would continue across the country before culminating in Islamabad. The movement has been given the name “Long March Bil-Qist — A Long March for Justice.” According to the chief minister, its stated objectives include seeking the release of PTI founder Imran Khan through constitutional and peaceful means, demanding equal application of the law and calling for accountability for those responsible for alleged injustice and oppression. Afridi urged young people across Pakistan to participate in the September 27 march, saying the youth had an important role in determining the country’s political future. He said the mobilisation launched in Khyber would gradually be expanded to other parts of the country and continue until the movement achieved its declared objectives. The chief minister praised residents of Khyber for their participation in the campaign. He said rally participants had travelled around 30 kilometres while demonstrating enthusiasm and commitment to the movement. Afridi claimed that preparations were under way to mobilise two million people for the September 27 march. He said more than 100,000 participants from Khyber district alone were expected to join the Islamabad-bound movement. He also claimed that membership of the campaign seeking Imran Khan’s release had reached 520,000, with Punjab currently having the largest number of members. The chief minister expressed confidence that large numbers of people from different parts of Pakistan would participate in the march. Speaking about the role of young people, Afridi said frustration with the existing political and governance system was growing among the younger generation. He called on the youth to remain determined despite political and other challenges. He argued that if young people demonstrated their strength and determination collectively, the movement could become a major political force. Afridi also criticised those he accused of contributing to Imran Khan’s imprisonment, weakening democratic institutions and affecting the country’s governance system. He maintained that the movement would remain peaceful and constitutional while pursuing its political demands. The chief minister described September 27 as a potentially significant day for Pakistan, saying participants would seek to influence the country’s political direction and play a role in determining its future.

The federal government has decided to keep the 2023 and 2024 ad hoc relief allowances unchanged for its employees, maintaining the existing rates while also outlining the allowance structure for newly appointed staff. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Finance, the Ad Hoc Relief Allowance-2023 will remain frozen at the level applicable on June 30, 2023, and will not be revised until further instructions are issued. Under the current arrangement, employees in Grades 1 to 16 will continue to receive an allowance equal to 35% of their basic pay, while officers in Grades 17 to 22 will receive 30% of their basic pay under the 2023 relief allowance. The ministry has also announced that the Ad Hoc Relief Allowance-2024 will remain frozen at the rates applicable on June 30, 2026. Employees in Grades 1 to 16 will continue to receive 25% of their basic pay, whereas those in Grades 17 to 22 will receive 20% of their basic pay. The decision means there will be no increase in these allowances until further notice, although eligible employees will continue receiving them at the existing rates. The notification also provides guidance on the applicable allowance rates for newly recruited federal government employees, ensuring uniform implementation across government departments. The Finance Ministry said the revised pay and allowance framework will remain effective unless amended through a future government notification.