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Supreme Court bars fresh claims after final contra…

ByJustpaste.in

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that contractors cannot pursue additional financial claims or seek arbitration after voluntarily accepting a final settlement, reinforcing the binding nature of contractual agreements.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, alongside Justice Irfan Saadat Khan and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, dismissed a petition seeking permission to appeal against an earlier ruling of the Peshawar High Court. Justice Irfan Saadat Khan authored the judgment.

The dispute originated from a construction contract awarded in December 1993 for the Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar. During the project, the contractor sought additional payments, citing delays and funding shortages.

According to the judgment, the company later accepted Rs88.555 million as final payment and signed a No Demand Certificate, formally giving up its right to pursue further financial claims under the contract.

Despite the settlement, the contractor subsequently approached the courts seeking arbitration over additional demands. The trial court and the Peshawar High Court rejected the request, and the Supreme Court has now upheld those decisions.

The apex court clarified that once a party willingly accepts final payment and signs a No Demand Certificate, it cannot reopen financial claims or invoke arbitration unless it can establish that the settlement was secured through fraud, coercion or undue influence.

The court stressed that voluntarily concluded agreements must remain enforceable, particularly in public-sector development projects where contractual certainty is essential. It warned that allowing settled disputes to be reopened without evidence of wrongdoing could weaken confidence in contracts and create uncertainty in commercial dealings.

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    LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed authorities to intensify sanitation efforts across the province, ordering daily early-morning washing of major roads and improved cleanliness in housing societies, markets and residential areas. Chairing a review meeting on the Suthra Punjab programme, the chief minister instructed officials to ensure effective waste management in both cooperative and private housing societies. She also directed the introduction of uniform dustbins and garbage bags in commercial areas, along with fixed schedules for waste removal. Maryam ordered the daily washing and cleaning of main roads at 5am and stressed that sanitation efforts must extend beyond major thoroughfares to streets, neighbourhoods and vacant plots. Authorities were also told to ensure door-to-door garbage collection across Punjab. The chief minister directed that Suthra Punjab workers receive their salaries by the fifth of every month and called for monthly reports to verify timely payments. She also ordered the early clearance of contractors’ outstanding dues and warned of immediate action if delays in workers’ salaries occurred. Special attention was ordered for areas surrounding schools, colleges, universities and hospitals, as well as parks and green belts. Officials were directed to remove discarded bottles, juice boxes and other waste from these locations. Maryam further instructed authorities to improve sanitation around railway tracks in urban areas and ensure that the entry and exit points of cities are cleaned regularly. Deputy commissioners were asked to maintain close coordination with contractors and the managing directors of Water and Sanitation Authorities to monitor progress. The chief minister also called for uniform standards for field monitoring officers and directed that their motorcycles carry proper branding. Standard operating procedures are to be developed to evaluate sanitation performance at every level, from field workers to senior officers, with particular attention to cleanliness in fruit and vegetable markets. She directed that contractors violating sanitation standards should initially be given 24 hours to correct shortcomings before any financial penalty is imposed. “Imposing fines is not our objective; the focus should be on ensuring cleanliness,” she said, while calling for zero tolerance against persistent negligence. The chief minister also ordered regular cleaning of Suthra Punjab vehicles, waste containers and collection points. She praised sanitation efforts in Lahore, Khanewal, Okara, Attock, Kasur and Murree but directed teams in Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sheikhupura and other areas to improve their performance. Maryam Nawaz said the next review meeting would be held the following week to evaluate implementation of the directives and measure progress under the province-wide cleanliness campaign.

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    Japanese influencer dies by suicide amid online trolling

    ByJustpaste.in

    A Japanese influencer living in South Korea reportedly died by suicide during a TikTok livestream, following intense online trolling and criticism. According to international media reports, Mina-chan was found dead at her residence in Seoul on August 5 after viewers alerted police during a livestream. Yongsan Police responded to the report and found her body at the scene. Mina-chan was a popular TikTok creator and a fan of K-pop group ENHYPEN. She had around 80,000 followers on the platform. Her younger sister later confirmed her death through a post on Instagram. Reports said Mina-chan had faced criticism on social media after an incident at an ENHYPEN concert in the United States last month. During the event, she reportedly asked the group’s member Sunoo to pass flowers she had brought to another Japanese member, Ni-ki. Following the incident, some fans accused her of crossing boundaries with the group members. She subsequently became the target of criticism and online trolling. On July 31, Mina-chan posted a lengthy apology on X. She said she believed she had taken advantage of Sunoo’s kindness and expressed regret over her actions. She also said that after attending several fan-sign events, she had mistakenly developed the impression that she was particularly close to the members of the group. Despite issuing an apology, reports said the online criticism and abusive comments against her continued.

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    Sharmila Faruqui warns of growing PPP-PML-N tensio…

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    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Sharmila Faruqui has warned that relations between the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have become increasingly tense following the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. Speaking to journalists outside Parliament, Faruqui said the situation between the two coalition partners was currently strained. She added that it was difficult to predict how the political situation would develop in the coming days. Her remarks came amid discussions over the political relationship between the PPP and PML-N and growing differences on several issues. Faruqui said the issue of creating new administrative units should be handled through Parliament. She opposed turning the matter into a debate primarily conducted through television channels. She said any proposal to create new administrative units should be formally brought before the National Assembly and the Senate. According to her, Parliament is the appropriate forum for discussing matters that could have major constitutional and administrative implications. The PPP leader stressed that such issues require detailed debate and consultation. She said lawmakers should have the opportunity to examine the proposals and discuss their possible political, administrative and constitutional consequences. Faruqui also highlighted the impact of the AJK elections on relations between the PPP and PML-N. She said the situation between the two parties had become “very tense” after the elections. She warned that the political developments could take different turns. Her comments indicate that differences between the coalition partners may become more prominent if the issues are not addressed through dialogue. The PPP and PML-N have remained key political partners at the federal level. However, differences between the two parties have surfaced on various political and administrative matters. Faruqui’s comments come at a time when the question of new administrative units has also generated political debate. The proposal has attracted attention because any major change in the administrative structure could have wider political and constitutional implications. The PPP lawmaker maintained that such a sensitive issue should not be settled through media discussions. She called for the matter to be brought before both houses of Parliament for a proper debate. Her statement also reflects the growing political uncertainty following the AJK elections, with questions emerging over the future course of relations between the PPP and PML-N.

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    Balochistan flood resilience project faces delays despite housing support progress

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    QUETTA: Implementation of a major World Bank-backed flood resilience programme in Balochistan is facing significant delays, with slow progress on infrastructure, climate services and housing reconstruction raising concerns about the project’s ability to meet its targets before the scheduled completion date. The Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project (P180323), launched in the aftermath of the devastating 2022 floods, has seen mixed results. While more than 74,000 affected households have received the first tranche of financial assistance for housing reconstruction, several key components of the project remain substantially behind schedule. According to the World Bank’s latest Implementation Status and Results Report, overall implementation progress has been downgraded to “Moderately Unsatisfactory”, while the project’s development objective continues to carry a “Moderately Satisfactory” rating. The overall risk associated with the project remains high. The programme was approved in May 2023 with the broader objective of helping flood-affected communities restore livelihoods, regain access to essential services and strengthen their ability to withstand future climate-related disasters. Infrastructure work gains momentum The project includes several major components covering community infrastructure, resilient housing, hydro-meteorological and climate services, as well as institutional strengthening and project management. The World Bank reported some improvement in the community infrastructure component following the appointment of a dedicated project director and the strengthening of the Project Implementation Unit. Detailed engineering designs and bidding documents are now close to completion, while procurement activities have begun. Despite these developments, the project has yet to achieve any of the three development-objective-linked output indicators associated with the component. The gap reflects the difference between preparatory work and actual delivery of infrastructure on the ground, with authorities still required to translate procurement and planning progress into completed projects for flood-affected communities. Climate services remain behind schedule Progress has also been reported in the climate-services component following the appointment of a new deputy project director and the award of a contract for Automatic Weather Stations (AWS). However, several critical steps remain outstanding. The onboarding of the system integrator has yet to be completed, while a number of important procurement activities are still pending. The project aims to strengthen Balochistan’s ability to monitor weather conditions and provide timely warnings to communities exposed to floods and other climate-related hazards. Under the programme, the authorities are targeting the installation of 110 Automatic Weather Stations and the operationalisation of four weather radars. As of July 2026, none of the targeted weather radars had become operational. One positive development has been the establishment of a hydrological modelling-based early warning system for hill torrents in Balochistan, which could improve preparedness in areas vulnerable to sudden flooding. Housing component performs better The strongest performance has been recorded under the resilient housing component. More than 74,000 households have received the first tranche of housing assistance, providing financial support to families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the 2022 floods. However, the World Bank has identified several risks that could affect further progress. These include a decision by the Project Steering Committee to limit beneficiary coverage, a funding shortfall affecting other eligible households, unresolved complaints and grievances, and communication difficulties with beneficiaries. The World Bank warned that these issues could undermine confidence in the programme and affect its ability to reach the intended beneficiaries. The physical reconstruction figures also show that considerable work remains. By July 2026, only 30,226 housing units had been restored or reconstructed against the project’s target of 97,000 homes by December 2028. This means authorities will need to significantly accelerate reconstruction during the remaining implementation period if the target is to be achieved. Essential services target remains distant The project also aims to restore access to essential services for flood-affected communities. By July 2026, around 214,217 people had regained access to at least one essential service. However, the eventual target is 1.5 million people, indicating a substantial gap between current achievements and the programme’s planned outcome. Similarly, the project has yet to register progress against its target of improving climate resilience for 1.8 million people. The figures suggest that while financial assistance and preparatory activities have moved forward, the broader resilience-building objectives are yet to translate into measurable results on the required scale. Irrigation and flood protection work yet to deliver The restoration of flood-damaged irrigation systems is another major area where implementation remains slow. The project has a target of restoring irrigation infrastructure covering approximately 50,000 hectares. A similar target has been set for improving flood-protection infrastructure over an area of 50,000 hectares. However, as of July 2026, no achievement had been recorded against either target. The lack of progress is particularly significant given the importance of irrigation to livelihoods in Balochistan, where agriculture and livestock remain major sources of income for many communities. Restoring damaged irrigation networks is also critical to rebuilding economic activity in areas affected by the 2022 floods. Financing constraints add pressure Financial challenges are adding another layer of difficulty to implementation. The project has a revised allocation of approximately $214.03 million under the IDA-73330 facility. Of this amount, around $113.97 million, equivalent to 62.61%, has been disbursed, while approximately $68.05 million remains undisbursed. In addition, a separate $32 million IDA-78980 facility remains completely undisbursed. The financing position means authorities have both resources and time constraints to manage as they seek to accelerate implementation. Bridging funding gaps for eligible beneficiaries and ensuring timely utilisation of available financing will be crucial to maintaining momentum during the remaining project period. Grievances and communication concerns The World Bank has also highlighted unresolved grievances and communication shortcomings as risks to the housing component. For a project involving thousands of flood-affected households, effective communication is essential to ensure beneficiaries understand eligibility criteria, payment arrangements, construction requirements and complaint-resolution procedures. Unresolved grievances could not only delay implementation but also create dissatisfaction among communities that expected assistance following the 2022 floods. Authorities will therefore need to strengthen communication channels and grievance mechanisms alongside accelerating physical reconstruction. Limited time remains The Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project is scheduled to close on December 31, 2028.

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    Blue Bloods and The X-Files director Ralph W. Heme…

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    Veteran television director, writer, and producer Ralph W. Hemecker, best known for his work on acclaimed series including Blue Bloods, The X-Files, Once Upon a Time, and The Flash, has died at the age of 65. Hemecker passed away at his home in Glendale, California, on July 10, according to his family. A cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.  The news has sparked an outpouring of tributes from actors, filmmakers, and fans who worked with the respected television director throughout his more than three-decade career. Among those paying tribute was actress Lana Parrilla, who starred in Once Upon a Time. She described Hemecker as “one of the kindest, most generous souls” she had ever known, praising both his talent behind the camera and his warmth as a friend.  Born on June 12, 1961, Hemecker studied English at Bucknell University, where he discovered a passion for filmmaking while creating short films. He later honed his craft by studying filmmaking at New York University before launching a career in production and post-production. His early experience behind the scenes eventually led him to directing television, where he quickly earned a reputation for his creative storytelling and strong visual style.  Hemecker’s breakthrough came in 2000 when he directed the television movie Witchblade, which later evolved into a successful TV series. He went on to serve as the show’s executive producer, writer, and showrunner for two seasons, cementing his status as one of television’s most versatile creative talents.  Over the years, Hemecker built an impressive résumé, directing episodes of numerous hit series, including Blue Bloods, The X-Files, Millennium, Ghost Whisperer, Numb3rs, Nikita, The Vampire Diaries, The Flash, and Once Upon a Time. His ability to move effortlessly between crime dramas, science fiction, fantasy, and action made him one of the industry’s most sought-after television directors.  In addition to directing, Hemecker founded Mythic Films in 2000, expanding his work into producing and developing original projects. His most recent directorial effort was the 2025 feature film Breed of Greed, demonstrating that his passion for storytelling remained as strong as ever.  Hemecker is survived by his father, sister, brother, two stepdaughters, nieces, nephews, and extended family. A celebration of his life is expected to be announced at a later date.  Ralph W. Hemecker leaves behind a remarkable television legacy defined by creativity, professionalism, and unforgettable storytelling. His work entertained millions across generations, and his influence will continue to be felt through the iconic series and memorable episodes he helped bring to life.

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    Met Gala 2027 to honour British fashion designer

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    The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced that celebrated British fashion designer John Galliano will be the focus of its Spring 2027 Costume Institute exhibition, titled John Galliano: Horizons. The exhibition will also serve as the inspiration for the Met Gala 2027, making Galliano only the third living designer to receive a solo exhibition at the museum. The announcement marks a significant milestone in Galliano’s career. Before him, only Yves Saint Laurent in 1983 and Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons in 2017 had been honoured with individual exhibitions while still alive. The Costume Institute exhibition will officially open on May 9, 2027, with the Met Gala serving as its traditional fundraising event before remaining on display until January 9, 2028. According to the museum, John Galliano: Horizons will explore the designer’s extraordinary career, tracing his creative evolution from his acclaimed 1984 graduation collection at Central Saint Martins to his work at Givenchy, Christian Dior, his own label, and Maison Margiela. The exhibition will feature garments, sketches, research books and archival material drawn from the Costume Institute’s extensive collection. Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who has long admired Galliano’s work, praised the designer while announcing the exhibition. “There is no one more deserving of an exhibition of this scale than John Galliano,” Wintour said in a statement. She continued, “His body of work, at Dior, Givenchy, Margiela, his namesake label and more, combines erudition and creativity, darkness and light, the past, the present, the future all smashing together in a brilliant way.” The exhibition has been curated by Andrew Bolton, who explained the philosophy behind the project and why Galliano’s career remains an important subject in contemporary fashion. Bolton described the exhibition as treating “fashion as a form of cartography, mapping not territories but affinities, tensions, and transformations.” He further explained that the exhibition would examine “how Galliano has remapped the world through fashion and how his conduct, its consequences, and changing cultural values have reshaped our understanding of his work.” Organisers have also confirmed that the exhibition will not avoid one of the most controversial chapters of Galliano’s life. In 2011, the designer was dismissed from both Christian Dior and his own fashion label after making racist and antisemitic remarks. He was later convicted by a Paris court for public insults based on race, religion and ethnicity. According to The New York Times, the museum’s decision to move forward with the exhibition followed a private meeting held in May between Galliano, Andrew Bolton, Anna Wintour and several Jewish community leaders in New York. Rather than overlooking the controversy, the exhibition aims to place it within the broader context of Galliano’s life and career, examining both his artistic achievements and the consequences of his actions. With John Galliano: Horizons, the Metropolitan Museum of Art hopes to present a comprehensive look at one of fashion’s most influential and debated designers, while the Met Gala 2027 is expected to celebrate his lasting impact on the global fashion industry.

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