Thai Woman Molested by Pakistani Man on Dubai-Bangkok Flight

The Supreme Court has ordered authorities to submit the complete medical record of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan and provide detailed information about his meetings with his sisters over the past three years. A three-member bench led by Justice Shahid Waheed heard petitions concerning Imran’s access to his family, personal doctors and medical records. During the hearing, the court was informed that Imran’s sisters had met him 48 times during the last three years. The judges sought the complete record of these meetings. The court also asked authorities to provide details of telephone calls between Imran and his children. Justice Shahid Waheed questioned why Islamabad High Court orders concerning meetings with Imran had not been implemented. The court summoned why  officials from Adiala Jail and directed them to explain the situation at the next hearing. The court was particularly concerned about Imran’s medical information. Justice Waheed directed the Islamabad advocate general to submit the complete medical record instead of a summary. The judge questioned why the full record could not be provided to the court. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan also raised questions about a recommendation for Imran to undergo angiography. He asked whether the procedure could be carried out while Imran remained in jail. The Islamabad advocate general replied that the procedure could be performed at a hospital outside the prison. Justice Waheed expressed concern over the medical reports presented before the court. He observed that the reports indicated problems with Imran’s pulse and heart and suggested that some of his vital organs could be affected. The court also discussed the importance of family meetings for Imran’s health. Justice Waheed made it clear that meetings with Imran’s sisters should not be treated as a concession. “Meeting his sisters is not a favour; it is their fundamental right,” the judge observed. Imran’s sister, Uzma Khanum, was present during the proceedings. However, Justice Afghan stopped her from addressing the court directly and advised her to speak through her lawyer. Her counsel, Uzair Bhandari, assured the court that Imran’s sisters would not hold a media briefing outside Adiala Jail after meeting him. He also requested that Imran’s personal physician, Dr Asim Yusuf, and Uzma Khanum be allowed to meet the PTI founder. The court further sought comprehensive details about the legal cases against Imran. Authorities were asked to clarify the number of cases in which he is facing trial, the cases resulting in convictions and those in which his sentences have been suspended. The proceedings came after a medical board recommended greater interaction between Imran and his immediate family. The board said regular family contact could help manage his anxiety and blood pressure. According to the medical information presented to the court, Imran has experienced fluctuating blood pressure, palpitations, headaches, restlessness and anxiety. A cardiologist at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences examined him on August 1. His blood pressure was recorded at 140/100mmHg. The doctor recommended measures to reduce mental stress, including increased family interaction and access to reading material. A four-member medical board examined Imran again on August 10. His blood pressure was recorded at 140/80mmHg. The board recommended daily walking and relaxation. It also suggested more frequent interaction with his immediate family and spouse to help control his anxiety and blood pressure. The medical report stated that Imran had undergone at least 39 medical examinations since his imprisonment. Jail doctors were also reportedly checking him three times a day. The report said his ECG was normal. It also stated that his eyesight had improved significantly after treatment for an eye condition. The PTI has challenged the completeness and authenticity of the medical information. The party has demanded examinations by Imran’s personal doctors, Dr Asim Yusuf and Dr Faisal Sultan, as well as an independent medical board. The government, however, has rejected allegations that Imran is being denied proper medical care. Government officials maintain that he is receiving treatment from qualified specialists and that his medical care and meetings are being managed according to the law and court orders.

Islamabad: A controversy over a motorway incident involving a couple’s video and growing concerns over delayed road projects dominated the Senate Standing Committee on Communications meeting, where lawmakers questioned the role of motorway police and raised serious concerns over incomplete highways due to funding problems. The committee was informed that the motorway police officer involved in the incident had been suspended and an inquiry was underway after officials clarified that moral policing is not part of the department’s official duties. Inspector General Motorway Police told the committee that the incident took place on 16 July when motorway police found a vehicle parked on the roadside. He said an argument developed when the vehicle moved away. The IG informed lawmakers that stopping people for moral reasons is not included in the motorway police’s standard operating procedures. He assured the committee that action had been taken against the officer involved and the inquiry would be completed soon. The Senate Standing Committee on Communications, chaired by Senator Pervaiz Rashid, also reviewed major road development issues and questioned delays in important infrastructure projects. During the meeting, lawmakers raised concerns over the incomplete Kuchlak to Zhob N50 Highway project, which covers around 298 kilometres. Officials informed the committee that the project remains unfinished because of a shortage of funds. Senator Zameer Hussain Ghumro questioned why new development plans are considered when existing projects are still waiting for completion. The Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Communications informed the committee that no new projects had been started during the current year. The committee stressed that incomplete projects increase public difficulties and may also increase costs because delays often create additional financial pressure. Members discussed improving the National Highway Authority’s funding system so road projects can continue without stopping due to delayed payments. The committee recommended that project funds should be released every three months to ensure contractors receive payments on time and construction work continues smoothly. Officials also discussed creating a bridge financial system to prevent road projects from being affected by temporary funding shortages. The committee was briefed about financial matters related to development loans and agreed that funding mechanisms should be discussed separately to create better policies for future projects. Senator Muhammad Abdul Qadir also raised concerns about the distribution of development funds and pointed out differences in allocation for road projects. He said that out of Rs116 billion approved for Balochistan, around Rs100 billion was allocated for the N25 Highway project. The committee said better planning was needed to ensure development funds are distributed effectively and important routes receive timely attention. Several questions related to road projects in Chitral and Balochistan, including CPEC related highways and the Karachi Bela Road, could not be discussed because the members who had submitted the questions were not present.

MUZAFFARABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party is leading in two constituencies in the third phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is ahead in one seat. An independent candidate has also secured victory in another constituency, according to unofficial results. Polling was held in four constituencies of Bagh and Haveli districts in the Poonch division. However, voting could not take place at several polling stations because of unrest and security concerns. In LA-15 Bagh-2, PPP candidate Zia Qamar was leading after results from most polling stations were received. PML-N candidate Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas was in second place. PML-N candidate Sardar Mir Akbar Khan was leading in LA-16 Eastern Bagh. He was ahead of PPP candidate Sardar Qamar Zaman Khan, making the constituency the strongest prospect for the PML-N in the third phase. In LA-17 Haveli-Kahuta, PPP candidate and AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore was ahead of PML-N candidate Chaudhry Mohsin Aziz in the closely contested race. An unexpected result emerged from LA-14 Western Bagh. Independent candidate Sardar Sajid Iqbal Abbasi defeated former AJK prime minister and Muslim Conference leader Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan in his home constituency. The AJK Election Commission has also announced re-polling at 23 polling stations. The exercise will take place on August 15. According to Election Commission officials, voting will be repeated at nine polling stations in LA-16 and 14 stations in LA-15. Polling at these locations could not be conducted during the earlier round because of unrest. Elections in five constituencies of Poonch and two constituencies of Sudhnoti have been postponed. The authorities are expected to announce new dates after reviewing the security situation. Meanwhile, PML-N candidate Mohsin Aziz has demanded a recount in LA-17 Bagh-4. His request was rejected by the Returning Officer, prompting PML-N workers to stage a sit-in outside the RO office. Aziz said the protest would continue until the votes were recounted. The demand has added another layer of uncertainty to the closely contested election process. The PPP has also raised allegations of electoral irregularities. Party leaders have accused authorities of disrupting polling and creating difficulties for voters and polling agents. PPP representatives have called for an impartial review of complaints. They said the Election Commission should examine allegations of irregularities to ensure that the voters’ mandate is protected. PPP Senator Sherry Rehman had earlier raised concerns over delays in polling. She also alleged that party polling agents were stopped from entering some polling stations. The PML-N has rejected the allegations of widespread rigging. Senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah said the PPP was using the rigging narrative to cover what he described as an electoral setback. He also called for an end to protests and sit-ins. Sanaullah said legitimate demands would be considered by the government, while warning that violence and armed activity would be dealt with according to law. The PML-N remains in a strong position overall after the first two phases of the AJK elections. It won nine of 13 seats in the Mirpur division during the first phase. In the second phase, the party secured 15 seats from the Muzaffarabad division and refugee seats. The PPP won four seats in the first phase and six in the second. The PML-N has so far secured 24 seats across the first two phases, while the PPP has won 10. The ruling party has said it needs only a few additional seats to reach a two-thirds majority in the AJK Assembly.