Thai Embassy Seeks Clearance as Cambodia Blocks Thais from Returning Home

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has told the Federal Constitutional Court that no “PTI founder release force” was ever established, describing the initiative instead as a peaceful movement for the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan. Afridi submitted an eight-page response in the case through the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa advocate general. The response was filed after the Federal Constitutional Court sought his position on a petition challenging the alleged formation of the so-called release force. In his response, the chief minister said the actual initiative was the Release Peace Movement, which he described as peaceful, unarmed and voluntary. He maintained that the movement had no armed structure or military component. Afridi further argued that the constitutional petition was politically motivated and based on misrepresentation of facts. He said the petition was premature, hypothetical and therefore not maintainable. According to the chief minister, the petitioner had also failed to establish any violation of fundamental rights. Afridi said the Release Peace Movement was protected under Articles 16, 17 and 19 of the Constitution. These provisions relate to freedom of assembly, freedom of association and freedom of speech and expression. He also argued that Article 256 of the Constitution, which concerns private military organisations, had no relevance to the movement. The KP chief minister maintained that the Private Military Organisations Act, 1973 was also not applicable to the Release Peace Movement. He rejected allegations that the initiative posed a threat to public order. He described such claims as baseless and said comparisons between the movement and armed organisations of the past were misleading. Afridi asked the court to dismiss the constitutional petition at the preliminary stage. He also requested the court to declare the Release Peace Movement constitutional and lawful. The case comes amid political controversy over claims that the KP government or PTI supporters were preparing an organisation to campaign for Imran Khan’s release. Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had previously criticised the KP government over the issue, alleging that it could establish a release force for the PTI founder while remaining silent against militants. The Federal Constitutional Court has scheduled the next hearing of the petition for July 29.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of the failure to conduct a CT angiography (CTA) test at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) after PTI founder Imran Khan was taken to the hospital for a medical examination. The prime minister has formed an inquiry committee to investigate why the recommended cardiac test could not be performed and determine whether the required facilities were available at the hospital. The committee will be headed by the secretary of the Establishment Division and will include senior officials and medical experts from the National Health Services ministry, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) and PIMS. The inquiry will examine whether PIMS had the technical capacity to conduct CTA scans since 2022. It will also determine whether the necessary equipment, software and trained staff were available when the test was recommended. The committee will review hospital records to establish how many CTA procedures have been conducted at PIMS since 2022 and whether patients requiring the test were routinely referred to private medical facilities. The investigation will also examine coordination between the cardiology and radiology departments and determine whether administrative shortcomings contributed to the failure to conduct the test. According to hospital officials, Imran Khan was brought to PIMS in the early hours of Friday for a medical check-up. His CTA was recommended, but the test was not carried out and he was subsequently taken back to Adiala Jail. The issue has raised questions about the availability and use of diagnostic facilities at the public-sector hospital. Officials said a CTA machine in the cardiac centre had remained out of service for years, while another machine in the radiology department was reportedly operational. The inquiry will specifically determine whether hospital staff were aware of the functioning radiology facility and why the patient was not referred there for the required examination. The committee will also investigate whether poor coordination, mismanagement or a misunderstanding between departments caused the failure and whether any officials should be held responsible. It has further been tasked with examining referrals to private hospitals, including whether any particular private facility was repeatedly preferred and whether such referrals resulted in the diversion of patients and revenue from the public hospital. Prime Minister Shehbaz has directed the committee to conduct a comprehensive review of all relevant records and facts and submit its findings. Further action will be taken on the basis of the inquiry report and in accordance with the law.

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said the province played a leading role in the creation of Pakistan and will continue to contribute to the country’s progress. Speaking to the media after visiting Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi on Independence Day, Murad Ali Shah said he had paid his respects at the mausoleum along with the governor and members of the provincial cabinet. He said prayers were offered for Pakistan’s peace, stability and prosperity. The chief minister recalled Sindh’s contribution to the Pakistan Movement, saying the province had played an important role in the struggle for a separate homeland. He urged the nation to remain united and follow the principles and vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Murad Ali Shah also paid tribute to former prime ministers Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. He described Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as the founder of Pakistan’s nuclear programme, saying he faced death but refused to compromise. He said Benazir Bhutto also sacrificed her life but never allowed Pakistan’s sovereignty and integrity to be compromised. The chief minister praised PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for taking charge of the foreign ministry during a difficult period. He said the nation demonstrated unity when India attempted to threaten Pakistan. Murad Ali Shah called on young people and citizens from all walks of life to remain united and work together for the country’s development. He also condemned Israeli actions against Palestinians and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, urging the international community to take notice of the suffering caused by the ongoing violence.