Thailand Faces Surge in Business Closures as Economic Pressures Widen

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan observed Kashmir Exploitation Day on Wednesday with political leaders across party lines renewing their support for the people of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, while condemning India’s constitutional changes of August 5, 2019, as unlawful and contrary to international law and United Nations resolutions. Messages of solidarity were issued by senior government officials, provincial leaders, parliamentarians and political parties, all reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. Rallies, public gatherings and awareness events were also held in different parts of the country to mark the occasion. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan would continue extending its political, diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmiri people until they were able to exercise their internationally recognised right to self-determination. He described India’s unilateral decisions of August 5, 2019, as illegal and urged New Delhi to reverse all measures that altered the disputed territory’s constitutional status. Pakistan’s Foreign Office Pakistan’s Foreign Office also reaffirmed the country’s unwavering support for Kashmiris, paying tribute to what it described as their courage, resilience and sacrifices. A spokesperson said Pakistan would continue highlighting the Kashmir issue at regional and international forums and called on the global community to uphold international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz paid tribute to the families of those who lost their lives during the Kashmir conflict and appealed to the United Nations and international human rights organisations to take notice of alleged human rights violations in the region. She said August 5, 2019, represented an attack on the identity and rights of the Kashmiri people and maintained that Pakistan would continue raising its voice on their behalf. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also termed India’s constitutional changes a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. He urged the international community to play an effective role in ensuring the protection of human rights in Indian-administered Kashmir. Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani strongly criticised India’s actions, saying attempts to alter the demographic composition of the disputed territory and undermine the identity of the Kashmiri people were unacceptable. He stressed that the Kashmir dispute should be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of its people and relevant UN resolutions. Governor Faisal Karim Kundi In Peshawar, a solidarity rally led by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi marched from the Civil Secretariat to the Governor House. Government employees, civil society representatives and citizens participated in the event, carrying Pakistani and Kashmiri flags while expressing support for the Kashmiri cause. Addressing participants, Kundi said Pakistan would continue standing with Kashmiris and expressed confidence that the people of the region would eventually determine their own future according to their wishes. Sindh Interior and Law Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar Sindh Interior and Law Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar said force and restrictions could not suppress the desire for freedom among Kashmiris. He alleged that India had violated international law and reiterated Pakistan’s solidarity with the people of Kashmir. Sindh Assembly Speaker Awais Qadir Shah Sindh Assembly Speaker Awais Qadir Shah also urged the United Nations to play a more active role, saying Kashmiris had been facing serious human rights challenges for several years. Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said the Kashmiri freedom movement would continue until the dispute was resolved in line with United Nations resolutions. He described the revocation of Kashmir’s special constitutional status as a challenge to international law and the UN system. Senator Sherry Rehman Senator Sherry Rehman praised the determination and resilience of the Kashmiri people, saying their struggle had continued despite years of political uncertainty. She maintained that India’s constitutional changes were aimed at ending the region’s special status. Federal Minister Amir Muqam At a separate rally in Islamabad, Federal Minister Amir Muqam said Pakistan marks August 5 every year to express solidarity with Kashmiris and condemn India’s actions. He alleged that demographic changes were being introduced in the disputed territory through settlement policies. PPP Parliamentarians Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari said the revocation of Kashmir’s special status had failed to weaken the freedom movement. He warned that policies pursued by the Indian government could further undermine regional peace and stability. The observance of Kashmir Exploitation Day concluded with renewed calls from Pakistan’s political leadership for greater international engagement on the Kashmir dispute. Leaders urged the United Nations and the global community to work towards a peaceful resolution of the issue in accordance with international law and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

QUETTA: The Balochistan government has imposed a ban on the transportation of nitrogen-based fertilizers across the province for 15 days over concerns that such materials could be misused for sabotage and terrorist activities. According to an official notification issued by the Directorate General of Agriculture Balochistan, the decision was taken in view of the prevailing law and order situation and to ensure the safety of lives and property across the province. The order states that the sale, purchase, supply and distribution of nitrogen-based fertilizers have been suspended with immediate effect. Authorities said the restriction aims to prevent the possible use of these fertilizers in the manufacture of explosive materials and other unlawful activities. The banned products include urea, calcium ammonium nitrate, ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate. Officials said the restrictions will remain in force until further orders. The notification also directs all dealers, distributors and suppliers to maintain a complete record and inventory of their existing fertilizer stocks. Authorities warned that compliance with the order would be closely monitored and that legal action could be taken against those found violating the restrictions. The provincial government said the temporary measure is part of broader efforts to strengthen security and prevent the misuse of materials that could pose a threat to public safety.

Islamabad: A representation submitted before the President of Pakistan has requested an early decision in a workplace harassment case involving Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan and Dr. Ayesha Khan, after the applicant claimed the matter remained pending despite the completion of hearings. The application was addressed to the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan through the Secretary to the President, seeking directions for an early decision on Representation No. 18/WO/2026 pending before the Consultant to the President. According to the application, the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace (FOSPAH) issued an order on 13 February 2026, dismissing Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan’s complaint and ordering his removal from service. The applicant later filed a representation under Section 9 of the Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2010. The representation states that both parties appeared before the Consultant to the President and presented their arguments. After hearing the matter, the Consultant reserved the decision on 12 May 2026, but according to the application, the final decision has not yet been announced. The applicant argued that unnecessary delay in deciding the representation is increasing difficulties and hardship, requesting that the matter be decided without further delay according to legal principles of timely justice. The case relates to proceedings under the workplace harassment law involving Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan and Dr. Ayesha Khan. The President Secretariat had earlier issued hearing notices regarding the representation against the FOSPAH order dated 13 February 2026 in Complaint No. FOH HQR H/0341/2025. The President Secretariat scheduled hearings before Mr. Justice (Retired) Irfan Qadir, Consultant Legal Affairs to the President, first on 2 April 2026 and later refixed the matter for 12 May 2026. The notices stated that the matter would be decided on the basis of available record. The dispute has attracted attention because the representation challenges a previous order passed by FOSPAH, while the final decision on the pending matter remains awaited. The available record shows that filing a representation does not itself establish innocence or final relief. The matter remains subject to examination under the applicable legal process, and the final outcome depends on the decision of the competent authority.