Swedish DJ Axwell to headline Karachi’s first electronic music event

Two US lawmakers met Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Monday. Ryan Keith Zinke, a member of the US House of Representatives from Montana, and Michael James, a member of the House of Representatives from Washington state, held talks with the military leadership. The meeting covered several areas of mutual interest. Regional security, defence cooperation and economic ties between Pakistan and the United States were also discussed. The talks focused on ways to strengthen bilateral relations. Both sides explored opportunities for closer cooperation in the defence and economic sectors. Field Marshal Asim Munir highlighted Pakistan’s economic potential during the meeting. He said long-term regional stability depends heavily on economic growth, increased trade and stronger regional connectivity. The army chief also briefed the visiting lawmakers on Pakistan’s ongoing economic reforms. He said the reforms are aimed at creating a business-friendly environment and encouraging foreign investment. The Pakistani military leadership also stressed the importance of expanding economic cooperation. Greater trade and stronger links between the private sectors of both countries were discussed as potential areas for future collaboration. The US delegation acknowledged Pakistan’s importance in maintaining regional stability. The lawmakers also recognised the country’s role in promoting economic resilience in the region. Both sides discussed opportunities for increasing bilateral trade. They also considered greater private-sector partnerships and broader economic engagement between Pakistan and the United States. The visiting lawmakers thanked Pakistan’s military leadership for the hospitality extended to them during their visit. The meeting concluded with a shared emphasis on strengthening relations between the two countries. Both sides expressed interest in developing deeper economic, commercial and institutional links. The discussions come as Pakistan continues efforts to attract foreign investment and expand international trade. Strengthening economic cooperation with the United States could provide further opportunities for businesses and investors in both countries

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has announced a sit-in outside the Governor House in Sindh today against the government’s decision not to reduce the petroleum levy. The party has also prepared a 15-day schedule for the protest campaign. JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said an increase in petroleum product prices leads to higher costs across the country and puts additional pressure on ordinary citizens. He criticised what he described as an unequal tax system, saying the country’s elite class was not paying its fair share of taxes while poor people continued to struggle with rising expenses. Naeemur Rehman also alleged that privileged groups enjoyed various benefits without paying their due share, while taxes were not being properly collected from the incomes of owners of independent power producers (IPPs). Meanwhile, JI Karachi chief Munim Zafar said the government had already collected around Rs100 billion more than its targeted revenue from the petroleum levy. He accused the government of turning the petroleum levy into a major source of revenue after failing to achieve its broader tax collection targets. The JI has also announced a protest sit-in in Lahore against the petroleum levy. The demonstration will be held at Charing Cross on The Mall. The party has been demanding a reduction in the petroleum levy, arguing that lower fuel-related charges could help ease inflationary pressure on households and businesses. JI leaders said their protests would continue until the government addressed their concerns and provided relief to citizens facing rising living costs.

LAHORE: A judicial magistrate has initiated an inquiry into the deaths of two underage girls who died while in police custody in Lahore on August 4. The inquiry was launched after the families of the deceased girls demanded an impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths. The girls were identified as Amina and Anmol. They had reportedly remained in police custody for more than two hours before emergency services were called to the Township police station. The circumstances leading to their deaths have not yet been fully established. Proceedings have been initiated under Section 176 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The provision empowers a magistrate to examine deaths that occur in police custody or under other suspicious circumstances. The magistrate can record statements from relevant individuals during the inquiry. Witnesses may also be examined under oath. The law further allows the magistrate to order the exhumation of a body if a postmortem examination is considered necessary to determine the cause of death. The judicial proceedings are expected to focus on what happened while the two girls were being held at the police station. Authorities are likely to examine the circumstances surrounding their arrest, the period they spent in custody and the events that took place before Rescue 1122 was contacted. The timing of the emergency call has also become an important part of the inquiry. The families have sought clarity over the events inside the police station and called for the matter to be investigated independently. The deaths have raised concerns about the treatment of minors in police custody and the responsibility of officials overseeing detainees. The magistrate’s inquiry is expected to establish the sequence of events and determine whether any negligence or wrongdoing contributed to the deaths. Further action will depend on the findings of the judicial inquiry and other available evidence.