Thailand Issues Urgent Warning to Travelers: Avoid Cannabis Smuggling Risks Amid Surge in Airport Arrests

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) has announced the results of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Part-I and Part-II First Annual Examination 2026, revealing strong overall performance while introducing artificial intelligence (AI) in the paper-marking process for the first time. The results were officially declared during a ceremony in Islamabad, where Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui inaugurated the announcement. Addressing the event, FBISE Chairman Prof Dr Ikram Ali Malik highlighted the Board’s efforts to ensure smooth and transparent examinations. He said a total of 292,831 students appeared in the SSC examinations this year, with 1,006 examination centres established across the country. To oversee the process, 2,012 supervisory staff members and 6,996 invigilators were deployed. The chairman also revealed that more than 10,700 teachers applied to assess examination papers, while 4,855 examiners were selected for the task. He described the introduction of AI-assisted marking as a major step towards improving accuracy and efficiency in the evaluation process. During the examination period, 86 cases involving the use of unfair means were reported. According to the results, SSC Part-I recorded an overall pass percentage of 59.77 per cent, with 88,646 students passing out of 150,077 candidates. SSC Part-II achieved a significantly higher success rate of 91.33 per cent, as 128,070 of the 141,653 candidates cleared the examinations. In the Science Group, Afeera Ijaz secured the top position with 1,089 marks. Amna Nauman claimed second place with 1,088 marks, while Huzaifa Haider finished third with 1,086 marks. Among Humanities students, Fatima Zahra emerged as the overall topper with 1,037 marks. Muhammad Maaz and Manaal Zahid shared second position after each scoring 1,031 marks, while Aneesa Nisar secured third place with 1,023 marks. The Board said the introduction of AI-assisted marking reflects its commitment to modernising Pakistan’s examination system while maintaining transparency and fairness in the assessment process.

  The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has launched an investigation into an alleged social media campaign aimed at damaging the reputation of Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and his son. According to NCCIA officials, the agency has received a formal complaint from Sharjeel Inam Memon regarding the alleged defamatory content circulating on various social media platforms. The complaint was received by the Deputy Director of the NCCIA’s Karachi Zone, who has initiated the process of investigating the matter. Officials said the agency is currently working to identify individuals allegedly involved in operating social media accounts, creating content and disseminating posts that are claimed to have harmed the reputation of the senior provincial minister and his son. The investigation will focus on tracing the origin of the posts, identifying the people responsible for creating and publishing the material, and determining how the content was circulated and amplified across social media platforms. NCCIA officials said the agency has contacted around 10 major social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, X, and Instagram, as part of its investigation. The platforms have reportedly been asked to provide relevant information about the accounts and individuals involved in spreading the alleged defamatory posts. The agency has also sought details of accounts that allegedly played a role in making the posts viral. Investigators are attempting to determine whether the content was originally posted by a particular account and subsequently shared or promoted by other users. In addition, the NCCIA has requested data relating to social media accounts from which the allegedly objectionable posts were later deleted. Officials are seeking information that could help investigators identify the users behind such accounts, even where the original content is no longer publicly available. The development comes amid growing concerns over the use of social media platforms to circulate unverified, misleading or allegedly defamatory material against public figures. With social media allowing information to spread rapidly across multiple platforms, cybercrime investigators increasingly rely on digital records and platform data to trace the origins of online content. The NCCIA’s investigation is expected to examine the digital trail associated with the alleged campaign, including the accounts involved in creating, sharing and circulating the material. Investigators may also examine the extent to which the content was distributed and whether multiple accounts were coordinated in spreading it. The complaint reportedly alleges that the social media campaign was intended to damage the honour and reputation of Sharjeel Inam Memon and his son. However, the allegations remain part of the ongoing investigation, and any responsibility for the content will ultimately depend on the findings of the relevant authorities. The agency’s request for information from social media platforms is aimed at obtaining additional evidence that could assist in identifying the people behind the accounts and determining the circumstances surrounding the creation and distribution of the posts. The NCCIA has not yet disclosed the identities of any suspects or announced arrests in connection with the case. Further action is expected after investigators receive and analyse the requested information from the social media platforms. The case highlights the increasing role of cybercrime authorities in addressing complaints involving online harassment, defamation and the alleged misuse of social media. The investigation will determine whether the content in question violated relevant laws and whether those responsible can be identified and proceeded against under the applicable legal framework.

  MUZAFFARABAD: At least two people were killed and several others injured when gunfire broke out during the funeral prayers of victims of an earlier clash in Kot Tralla, near Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir. According to Azad Kashmir Police, the incident occurred during the funeral prayers being held for two people who had been killed in a firing incident between two groups a day earlier. The latest shooting turned the funeral gathering into another scene of violence, resulting in further casualties. Police confirmed that two people had been killed in a clash between two groups in Kot Tralla the previous day. Following the incident, funeral prayers for the deceased were arranged in the area. However, while family members, relatives and other mourners had gathered to attend the prayers, another firing incident took place. According to police officials, the latest exchange of fire resulted in the deaths of two more people, while several others sustained injuries. The injured were shifted to nearby medical facilities for treatment. The exact number and condition of those injured were not immediately available. The incident has caused concern among local residents, particularly because the violence occurred during a funeral gathering. Such gatherings normally bring together large numbers of family members, relatives and community residents, making any outbreak of violence especially dangerous. Police teams reached the area following the shooting and began efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities are investigating whether the latest firing was connected to the dispute that had led to the earlier clash between the two groups. The motive behind the initial confrontation has not yet been disclosed. Police officials are expected to investigate the cause of the dispute and identify those responsible for both incidents. Further action will be taken once the circumstances of the shootings and the identities of the suspects are established. The latest incident has also raised questions about security arrangements during funeral gatherings, particularly in areas where tensions exist between rival groups. Authorities may increase security measures in the area to prevent further violence and maintain law and order. Residents have expressed concern over the escalation of violence, as the dispute has now resulted in deaths on two consecutive days. The fact that the second shooting occurred during funeral prayers has further intensified fears of additional clashes. Police officials have urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement agencies. They are also expected to take steps to prevent any further confrontation between the two groups. The bodies of the victims are being handled according to local procedures, while the injured are receiving medical treatment. Families of those killed and injured are facing another tragedy following the earlier deaths in the area. Authorities have not yet released complete details about the weapons used, the identities of the attackers or the exact circumstances that led to the latest shooting. An investigation is underway, and additional information is expected as police gather evidence and question witnesses. The incident highlights how disputes between rival groups can quickly escalate and affect innocent people, particularly when violence occurs in crowded public gatherings. The authorities’ immediate priority is to restore peace in Kot Tralla, provide security to local residents and ensure that those responsible for the shootings are brought to justice. Further developments are expected as the investigation continues and officials release more information about the casualties and the circumstances surrounding the two incidents.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s disaster management authorities have issued a fresh flood alert as intensified monsoon rains continue to push water levels higher in major rivers, raising concerns over flooding in several parts of the country. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said river flows are expected to increase significantly between August 2 and 4, urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable areas and remain alert to changing weather conditions. According to the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), high flooding has been observed in the Lehri River at Head Gogi, while Nullah Palkhu near Wazirabad is experiencing medium-level flooding. The Indus River is currently witnessing low-level flooding at Kalabagh, Chashma, Guddu and Sukkur, while similar conditions have been reported at Head Nari on the Nari River. The NDMA warned that the Chenab River is likely to experience high water flows at Marala, with low to medium flooding anticipated at Khanki and Qadirabad. Water levels are also expected to rise in the Jhelum, Ravi and Kabul rivers and their tributaries as monsoon activity intensifies. Officials cautioned that streams connected to the Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi rivers could swell to medium or high levels. Meanwhile, water flows in the Ravi and Sutlej rivers will largely depend on releases from reservoirs across the border. The authority also expressed concern over the possibility of flash floods in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, as well as seasonal streams in central and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Balochistan. In addition, urban flooding and waterlogging remain a serious threat in several cities, including Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera, Hyderabad, Badin, Thatta and other parts of Sindh due to continued heavy rainfall. The NDMA advised residents to avoid crossing flooded roads and waterways, monitor weather updates before travelling, and follow safety instructions issued by local authorities. It also encouraged the public to use the official Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application for real-time weather warnings and emergency information. Separately, the Prime Minister’s Emergency Response Committee (ERC) held its 10th consecutive daily review meeting to assess the country’s monsoon situation. The meeting, chaired virtually by Planning Minister Prof Ahsan Iqbal, brought together federal ministries, provincial governments, disaster management authorities and senior administrative officials. During the briefing, the NDMA presented the latest updates on weather conditions, casualties, infrastructure damage, rescue operations and rehabilitation efforts. Officials informed the committee that deputy commissioners in all high-risk districts had already been directed to remain fully prepared for any emergency. The committee was told that recent heavy rains had caused flooding in multiple regions, with coordinated rescue and relief operations continuing through federal, provincial and district authorities. Weather experts also forecast more rainfall across northern and central Pakistan in the coming days, while isolated showers are expected in southeastern Sindh. The NDMA highlighted that relief activities are being carried out with the support of both national and international humanitarian organisations. Officials further noted that most monsoon-related fatalities this season resulted from the collapse of unsafe and poorly constructed buildings, underscoring the need for stricter enforcement of building safety regulations and greater public awareness. The ERC commended the efforts of government institutions, provincial administrations, district authorities, the armed forces and rescue teams for their ongoing response. It directed all relevant departments to strengthen coordination, maintain maximum preparedness, accelerate relief and rehabilitation work, and take preventive measures to minimise the impact of future weather emergencies.