Thailand’s Gas Prices Spike By 90 Satang as Middle East Conflict Drives Up Global Oil Costs

Justice Babar Sattar has been directed to vacate his official residence in Islamabad after the cancellation of its government allotment following his transfer to the Peshawar High Court. According to an official notice issued by the Registrar of the Islamabad High Court, Justice Sattar has been given 30 days to hand over the residence. The notice states that the Estate Office cancelled the allotment of the government house on July 3 after his transfer from the Islamabad High Court to the Peshawar High Court. The document explains that the one-month notice period began on July 3, the same day the official accommodation was withdrawn. Justice Sattar has been instructed to vacate the residence within that period in accordance with government rules governing official housing for judges transferred to another high court. The move follows Justice Sattar’s transfer to the Peshawar High Court, where he is expected to perform his judicial duties after leaving the Islamabad High Court. Sources familiar with the matter said that after the transfer, Justice Sattar did not apply for or obtain an official residence in Peshawar. Instead, he reportedly decided to continue staying in the government house allotted to him in Islamabad. The notice highlights that the cancellation of the residence allotment was carried out by the Estate Office, making the continued occupation of the house subject to the expiry of the notice period. The registrar’s office formally communicated the decision to ensure compliance with the applicable administrative procedures. The development comes as part of the routine administrative process that follows the transfer of judges between high courts. Under the existing rules, official accommodation is generally linked to the judge’s place of posting, and transferred judges are required to vacate residences allocated at their previous station once the prescribed notice period expires.

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.

A police constable was martyred and another sustained injuries after unidentified gunmen opened fire on a police patrol in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat district on Sunday. The attack took place near the old police lines within the jurisdiction of Lakki City police station, where the officers were performing patrol duties as part of the City Rider Squad. Police officials said Constable Sajidullah received critical injuries during the firing. He later succumbed to his wounds. Constable Muhammad Waqas was also injured and was taken to a hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment. Following the incident, police teams immediately sealed off the area and launched a search operation to locate those responsible for the attack. Security personnel are also examining the crime scene and collecting evidence that could help investigators identify the attackers. Lakki Marwat District Police Officer Shehbaz Elahi visited the site and reviewed the situation with senior officers. He was briefed about the circumstances surrounding the attack and the steps taken by police following the incident. The DPO directed investigators to use modern forensic and investigative methods and mobilise all available resources to track down the suspects. He also ordered authorities to strengthen security arrangements to protect both law-enforcement personnel and civilians. Officials said attacks against police officers would not be tolerated and that every effort would be made to bring those behind the assault to justice. The latest incident comes amid a series of attacks against security personnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The province has witnessed a rise in militant violence in recent weeks, prompting security forces and police to intensify operations against armed groups. Earlier this month, several police personnel were killed in a suicide attack outside a police station in Swat. In separate incidents in Hangu and Dera Ismail Khan, police officers were also targeted in attacks. The continuing violence has increased concerns over the security situation across parts of the province, particularly areas close to the former tribal districts and the Afghan border. Security officials have maintained that intensified intelligence-based operations are being conducted to prevent militant attacks and dismantle networks involved in violence against law-enforcement agencies.

Police personnel in Bannu staged a protest on Tuesday against the transfer of seven Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police officials to other districts, with the dispute disrupting policing and traffic management in parts of the district. The protest was organised after the Police Peace Committee called on affected personnel to gather at the police lines and suspend their duties. Similar calls were reportedly made by peace committees in Lakki Marwat and Tank. The protesters are demanding that the transfer orders be reviewed or withdrawn. They have warned that the protest could be expanded if their demands are not addressed. Head of the Bannu Peace Committee Hazratullah said the boycott would continue until the transfer orders were cancelled. He said members of the peace committees had worked alongside police to maintain security and restore peace in Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Tank. The boycott reportedly affected security arrangements at several important government and sensitive locations. The absence of traffic personnel also caused congestion at various points in Bannu and Lakki Marwat, leaving commuters facing delays. The transfer orders were issued by the Peshawar Central Police Office on the directions of the Additional Inspector General. Seven personnel were moved to different districts and units. Under the orders, Head Constable Nisar Ali was transferred from Police Lines Lower Dir to PTS Swat. Constable Ghulam Abbas Khan was moved from Elite Force Peshawar to Haripur, while Constable Muhammad Arif was transferred from Elite Force Peshawar to Dera Ismail Khan. Constable Shafiullah was transferred from Investigation Bannu to Swat. Constable Muhammad Atif Khan was moved from Elite Force Bannu to Upper Chitral. Meanwhile, Constable Samiullah was transferred from Lakki Marwat to the Counter Terrorism Department in Peshawar, while Constable Khalid Rahman was moved from District Traffic Mobile Lakki Marwat to Shangla. Police personnel have argued that sudden transfers to distant districts could create difficulties for the affected officials and their families. They have called for the orders to be reconsidered. Authorities have so far not issued a detailed official response to the reported boycott or confirmed whether disciplinary action will be taken against personnel who stopped performing their duties. IGP transfer also under review The protest comes amid uncertainty over the appointment of a new K-P inspector general of police. The proposed transfer of IGP Zulfikar Hameed was put on hold a day earlier as the federal government sought further consultations over the candidates proposed for the post. Provincial government sources said the list of three senior police officers submitted for consideration could be revised. One name may be removed, while another officer could potentially be added before the appointment process resumes. A senior police official said the transfer of the current IGP was not being actively pursued for the moment because of the worsening security situation in the southern districts. The official said the provincial police chief was therefore likely to remain in his position temporarily while consultations between the federal and provincial governments continued.

Ten electric buses have been delivered to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) from Islamabad as part of a new public transport initiative for the region. The buses have been provided by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The initiative follows an announcement made by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif during a public gathering in Muzaffarabad. Nawaz Sharif had announced that electric buses would be provided to AJK to improve public transport facilities in the region. The arrival of the first 10 buses marks progress towards implementing that announcement. The new buses are expected to provide residents with a modern transport option. They are also aimed at improving the quality of public transportation and making daily travel more convenient for citizens. The electric buses were transported from Islamabad to Azad Kashmir. Their arrival is likely to support efforts to upgrade the region’s existing public transport system. The initiative is also significant because electric buses can help reduce dependence on conventional fuel-powered public transport. Their use can contribute to lower emissions and cleaner urban environments. The provision of the buses reflects cooperation between Punjab and the AJK administration in the transport sector. The initiative is expected to benefit commuters, particularly those who rely on public transport for work, education and other daily activities. The announcement was made during Nawaz Sharif’s address in Muzaffarabad, where he spoke about development and public welfare initiatives for Azad Kashmir. The arrival of the buses is expected to be followed by further steps to put them into service for the public. Authorities will determine their routes and operational arrangements. The initiative is being viewed as part of broader efforts to introduce modern and environmentally friendly transportation facilities in AJK.