Thailand Honors King Bhumibol on Father’s Day and World Soil Day

Authorities in Murree have imposed Section 144 to maintain law and order during the Independence Day celebrations. According to an official notification, the restrictions came into effect on August 10 and will remain in place until August 16, 2026. The decision has been taken ahead of August 14 celebrations. Murree is expected to receive a large number of visitors during the holiday period. Officials have therefore introduced restrictions to manage crowds and prevent any situation that could affect public safety. Under the notification, access to key areas of the hill station will also be regulated. Only families will be allowed to visit Mall Road and GPO Chowk during the restriction period. Mall Road is among Murree’s busiest areas and usually attracts large crowds during public holidays. GPO Chowk is also a major gathering and commercial point. Limiting access to these locations is expected to help authorities control movement and reduce overcrowding. Security personnel will remain alert during the Independence Day period. Visitors have been advised to cooperate with law-enforcement personnel and follow the restrictions announced by the authorities. The administration is also expected to monitor the situation closely as visitor numbers increase. Any further measures required for crowd management and public safety may be taken during the restriction period.

The Jaffar Express operating from Quetta to Peshawar will remain suspended for one day due to railway track maintenance. Railway authorities in Quetta said the service would be suspended tomorrow to allow repair and maintenance work on the track. The authorities also said the Jaffar Express travelling from Peshawar towards Quetta would operate only up to Jacobabad instead of continuing to Quetta. Passengers have been advised to keep the temporary change in the train schedule in mind while planning their journeys. Railway officials said the suspension is a temporary measure linked to repair work. Normal train operations are expected to resume after the maintenance is completed.

Pakistan is continuing diplomatic efforts to bring the United States and Iran back to the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a bid to ease regional tensions and promote dialogue, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Thursday. Speaking at the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Pakistan remains actively engaged with all relevant parties to encourage the implementation of the Islamabad MoU and the Pakistan-Qatar joint understanding aimed at reducing tensions. He said negotiations are continuing to restore stability, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, and to support efforts for de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy. The spokesperson noted that although the region had witnessed a brief period of relative calm, the security situation remains fragile. He said Pakistan hopes the reduction in hostilities will pave the way for a lasting ceasefire and meaningful negotiations. Reaffirming Islamabad’s position, Andrabi said dialogue and diplomacy remain the only practical solution to the ongoing crisis. He added that Pakistan welcomes every initiative aimed at resuming talks between Iran and the United States and will continue to play a constructive role in regional peace efforts. He urged all sides to exercise maximum restraint and honour their commitments to resume technical-level discussions under the Islamabad MoU. Highlighting Pakistan’s recent diplomatic engagements, Andrabi said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman agreed to continue close coordination for regional peace, stability and the uninterrupted movement of lawful maritime trade through the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. He said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also held separate telephone conversations with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. The discussions focused on the evolving regional situation, diplomatic cooperation and efforts to maintain peace and stability. The spokesperson said Pakistan and Kuwait also reaffirmed their longstanding partnership and agreed to expand cooperation in trade, investment, energy, information technology, agriculture, education and healthcare. He added that Kuwait’s ratification of the Pakistan-Kuwait Defence Cooperation Agreement would further strengthen defence collaboration between the two countries. Andrabi also highlighted Pakistan’s participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, where Islamabad reaffirmed its commitment to regional connectivity, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative while expressing readiness to assume the SCO chairmanship for 2026-27. On Pakistan-US relations, he said Ishaq Dar recently met a visiting US congressional delegation and an American business delegation, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation through stronger parliamentary, economic and people-to-people engagement. Addressing the situation in Palestine, Andrabi said Pakistan joined several Arab and Islamic countries in condemning Israeli actions in Jerusalem and called on the international community to uphold international law, protect Palestinian rights and preserve the historical and religious status of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi confronted a police officer after his security staff were stopped at the Supreme Court gate on Tuesday. The incident occurred when an Islamabad police officer asked members of the chief minister’s security team to have their bags checked before entering the premises. The staff initially attempted to proceed without getting the bags scanned. The police officer stopped them and insisted that the security check be completed. The exchange between the police officer and the chief minister’s staff turned into a verbal argument. The situation caught the attention of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who turned back after noticing the dispute. Afridi then spoke directly to the police officer. During the conversation, the chief minister questioned whether police personnel were taught humanity during their training. The police officer maintained that the security staff were required to have their bags checked. Following the officer’s insistence, the chief minister’s staff eventually complied and had their bags scanned. The incident took place amid heightened security arrangements at the Supreme Court. Security personnel routinely check visitors, staff and belongings before allowing entry into sensitive government premises. The brief confrontation ended after the required security screening was completed.