Thai Navy Boosts Patrols After Repeated Incursions by Foreign Fishing Vessels Off Trat

The federal cabinet meeting scheduled to be chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been postponed due to his official visit to Saudi Arabia, according to government sources. The meeting was expected to discuss important national and administrative matters. However, it has been deferred as the prime minister is leaving for a two-day official visit to the Kingdom. Sources said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will depart for Saudi Arabia later today. During the visit, he is expected to hold a high-level meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders are likely to review the strong and longstanding relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Discussions will focus on expanding bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including trade, investment, energy and economic collaboration. Regional and international developments will also feature prominently in the talks. Both leaders are expected to exchange views on the evolving situation in the Middle East and other issues of mutual concern. They will also discuss ways to enhance coordination on matters affecting regional peace, stability and security. The visit reflects the close strategic partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The two countries maintain strong political, economic and defence ties, while Saudi Arabia has remained one of Pakistan’s key allies and economic partners. Officials said the federal cabinet meeting will be rescheduled after the prime minister returns from Saudi Arabia. A new date for the meeting is expected to be announced in due course.

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has rejected a proposed deduction of Rs6.4 billion from the province’s federal financial transfers. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the federal government had sought an additional amount from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa before the provincial budget. The provincial government had linked the release of the additional funds to a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan and his approval. Afridi said the KP government neither approved nor agreed to the proposed deduction of Rs6.4 billion. He said the additional federal grant had also not been included in the provincial budget for the 2026-27 financial year. The chief minister said the matter was not merely a political dispute but concerned the province’s constitutional and financial rights. He maintained that Article 164 of the Constitution does not give the federal government the authority to unilaterally deduct money payable to a province. According to Afridi, any such deduction requires a clear constitutional or legal basis as well as the consent of the provincial government. He said the Finance Department had clearly conveyed its disagreement with the proposed deduction in a letter issued on August 13. Written instructions were also issued that no deduction should be made without the province’s consent. Afridi said Finance Adviser Muzammil Aslam immediately met the relevant officials of the Accountant General KP. The Accountant General of Pakistan Revenues was also directed not to record or implement any transaction without the clear consent of the provincial government. The chief minister said the provincial government had decided to prepare a summary and ordinance under the 7th National Finance Commission (NFC) after the province did not receive its share for six months. He said the provincial government did not sign the memorandum of understanding concerning the additional amount because a meeting with the PTI founder was not arranged. Afridi said the KP government had already approached the Federal Constitutional Court to seek its constitutional rights under the National Finance Commission. He made it clear that the provincial government would not compromise on its NFC rights. The chief minister further said the federal government had no authority to unilaterally deduct money on the basis of an unapproved memorandum of understanding. He vowed that the provincial government would use every legal and constitutional avenue to protect its rights and defend every rupee of its financial share. Afridi also said that if the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) achieved its Rs15.26 trillion tax collection target, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s share would amount to approximately Rs175 billion. He added that providing the merged districts with their rightful share under the 11th NFC was also one of the provincial government’s conditions.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi has announced that Women Facilitation Centres will be established in courts across the country to make the justice system more accessible, supportive and efficient for women. The announcement was made during a meeting with representatives of the Sindh High Court Bar Association and the Karachi Bar Association at the Supreme Court’s Karachi Registry. The meeting focused on improving facilities for women litigants and addressing challenges faced by female lawyers in the legal profession. During the discussion, the chief justice said the proposed centres are part of broader judicial reforms aimed at creating a more welcoming and convenient environment for women seeking legal assistance. He stressed that women should have easier access to courts and receive the support needed to pursue their cases without unnecessary difficulties. Justice Yahya Afridi said the Women Facilitation Centres would provide a wide range of services under one roof. In addition to offering legal guidance, the centres would include mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) facilities to help settle suitable cases quickly and reduce the burden on courts. He added that the centres would also provide psychological counselling and connect women with relevant government departments and support organisations whenever required. The initiative is intended to ensure that women receive both legal and social assistance throughout the judicial process. The chief justice informed the delegation that the judiciary has already selected the three best designs for the proposed centres. These model designs will be shared with all high courts to ensure a uniform system is introduced across Pakistan. The representatives of women lawyers welcomed the initiative and thanked the chief justice for giving priority to the needs of female litigants. They also highlighted several issues affecting women in the legal profession, including workplace challenges and barriers to equal opportunities within the justice system. Justice Afridi assured the delegation that the concerns raised during the meeting would be addressed on a priority basis. He said the judiciary would work closely with the relevant high courts and other institutions to develop practical solutions and improve facilities for women across the country’s judicial system.