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Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said that the groups holding sit-ins had attempted to disrupt the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections but failed to achieve their objective. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Rana Sanaullah said the people of Azad Kashmir had exercised their right to vote and given a mandate to their chosen representatives. He said the process of government formation in Azad Kashmir would begin after the completion of the third phase of the elections. Rana Sanaullah expressed hope that the groups staging protests would now recognise the situation and end their sit-ins. He said the government was willing to review the legitimate demands of the protesters. However, he warned that individuals who take up arms or act against the state would have to face legal action. The adviser also rejected allegations of widespread election rigging. He said those making such claims had so far failed to present evidence to support their allegations. Rana Sanaullah accused the Pakistan Peoples Party of using allegations of rigging to cover up what he described as its electoral defeat. He said the PPP was still raising concerns about alleged rigging, but the intensity of its claims had decreased compared with earlier stages of the election. He expressed hope that PPP leaders would eventually accept the results and congratulate the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on its performance. Polling in the third phase of the Azad Kashmir elections was continuing, while authorities reported that the overall voting process remained peaceful. Rana Sanaullah said elements that had attempted to prevent people from casting their votes had failed in their efforts. He maintained that voters were freely exercising their democratic right and choosing their representatives through the ballot. The prime minister’s adviser also expressed confidence about the formation of the next government in Azad Kashmir. He claimed that the results available so far indicated that the PML-N was on course to form the government with a two-thirds majority. Rana Sanaullah described the elections as free, fair and transparent. He said the democratic process had allowed the people of Azad Kashmir to give a clear mandate to their representatives. He added that the government would focus on addressing public issues after the elections. According to Rana Sanaullah, the completion of the third phase will pave the way for the formal process of government formation in Azad Kashmir. The remarks came amid political tensions surrounding the elections and protests. The government has repeatedly called for the continuation of the democratic process, while opposition groups have raised concerns over the conduct of the polls.

Two government officials were martyred and another was seriously injured after terrorists attacked a government vehicle at a joint security check post near the Kohat Toll Plaza on the Indus Highway late Thursday night, officials said. According to police, unidentified armed men opened fire on a customs enforcement vehicle that was carrying out routine anti-smuggling duties at the joint check post. The intense firing caused the vehicle to catch fire, resulting in heavy damage. The officials martyred in the attack were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Sajjad-ul-Islam of the Kohat Excise Office and Customs Enforcement Constable Jawad Ahmed of the Peshawar Collectorate. Both officers lost their lives while performing their official duties. Another Customs official, Basirullah, suffered serious injuries during the attack. Rescue teams reached the scene shortly after receiving an emergency call, provided first aid and shifted the injured official to the District Headquarters Hospital in Kohat for further treatment. Rescue personnel also recovered the body of the customs constable from the burnt government vehicle, while firefighters extinguished the blaze to prevent it from spreading further. Soon after the incident, police and security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace the attackers. Authorities have started an investigation to determine how the attack was carried out and identify those responsible. Officials said the attack created panic in the area, prompting additional security measures along the highway and surrounding locations. Funeral prayers for ASI Sajjad-ul-Islam were offered near his residence in Kohat. Senior officials from the Excise Department, law enforcement agencies and other government institutions attended the funeral and paid tribute to his services. The Excise Department described him as a dedicated and professional officer who served the department with commitment and courage. Officials expressed solidarity with his family and prayed for the elevation of his rank. Funeral prayers for Customs Constable Jawad Ahmed were also offered at the Custom House in Peshawar. Customs officials, colleagues and family members attended the funeral to pay their final respects. The Customs Department expressed deep sorrow over the loss of its officer, stating that he embraced martyrdom while carrying out his national duty. The department honoured his sacrifice and extended condolences to his family. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack and expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of the two officials. He offered condolences to their families, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured officer and directed the relevant authorities to arrest those behind the attack. The prime minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating terrorism, saying operations against militant groups would continue until peace and stability are fully restored across the country.

The Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court has ordered the compulsory retirement of Senior Civil Judge Ayaz Ali after corruption allegations against him were found to be proven following a departmental inquiry. According to the inspection team, the inquiry established misconduct on the part of the senior civil judge. The investigation was carried out in detail by Inquiry Officer Justice Shamsuddin Abbasi, who examined the allegations and submitted his findings after completing the proceedings. The inspection team said the competent authority had initially recommended the judge’s dismissal from service. However, after conducting the final hearing and reviewing all available facts and evidence, the Chief Justice decided to impose the penalty of compulsory retirement instead of outright dismissal. Officials said the decision was made after completing all legal and administrative procedures related to the disciplinary case. The punishment was finalized following a comprehensive review of the inquiry report and the recommendations submitted by the relevant authorities. The inspection team further stated that the Sindh High Court’s order has come into immediate effect. As a result, Senior Civil Judge Ayaz Ali has been compulsorily retired from judicial service in accordance with the court’s disciplinary decision. The action reflects the judiciary’s internal accountability process, under which complaints of misconduct against judicial officers are investigated through formal inquiries before disciplinary measures are taken. The latest order concludes the proceedings against the senior civil judge and has been enforced with immediate effect.