Thaksin Shinawatra Set to Walk Free on Parole in May

At least 25 members of a family reportedly fell into the Muzaffargarh Canal and were swept away by the strong current, triggering an urgent rescue operation. According to the available information, rescue teams have so far managed to recover five people from the canal. Efforts to locate and rescue the remaining family members are continuing. The incident has raised concerns over the difficult conditions faced by rescuers, particularly because of the canal’s flowing water. Calls have been made to the authorities to immediately reduce or temporarily stop the water flow in the canal to facilitate the search operation. Local residents and concerned citizens have urged the government and relevant departments to take emergency measures. They said controlling the water flow could help rescue teams search the canal more effectively and improve the chances of locating those still missing. Rescue personnel are continuing their search while families and local residents remain at the scene. The exact circumstances that led to so many members of the same family falling into the canal have not yet been established. Authorities are expected to provide further information as the rescue operation progresses. The number of people rescued, missing or recovered may change as search teams continue their efforts. The incident has also prompted appeals for public support. Residents have been asked to assist the affected family and share verified information about the rescue operation.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Madinah during his visit to Saudi Arabia and paid his respects at Masjid-e-Nabawi ﷺ. The prime minister was accompanied by members of his delegation during his visit to the holy mosque. Prime Minister Shehbaz offered Nafl prayers at Riyaz-ul-Jannah. He also prayed for the peace, progress and prosperity of Pakistan and the well-being of its people. During his visit, the prime minister also had the honour of visiting Roza-e-Rasool ﷺ. He offered prayers and paid his respects at the sacred site. The visit to Madinah is part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ongoing engagement with Saudi Arabia. His visit also reflects the close and longstanding ties between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The prime minister’s presence at Masjid-e-Nabawi ﷺ was marked by prayers for the country’s stability, development and prosperity. He also prayed for the safety and well-being of the Pakistani nation. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has described the signing of the Makkah Agreement for Joint Defence between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye as a historic step towards strengthening peace, security and regional stability. In a post on X, the prime minister said he had the honour of signing the agreement alongside Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has set an ambitious target of planting 1.4 million saplings in a single day as part of its Independence Day celebrations. K-P Information and Public Relations Minister Shafi Jan said the large-scale plantation drive would be conducted across the province on August 14. He described the initiative as a major step towards expanding green cover and promoting environmental protection. The minister said extensive plantation activities would be carried out across a large area in Speen Khak, with teams taking part in the campaign to meet the record target. Shafi Jan, in his Independence Day message, said August 14 was a historic occasion that reminded the nation of the sacrifices made during the Pakistan Movement. He paid tribute to the leaders who struggled for the creation of Pakistan and those who sacrificed their lives for the country. He urged citizens to renew their commitment to building a stronger, stable, prosperous and sovereign Pakistan. According to him, national development requires collective responsibility, discipline and a continued commitment to the country’s future. The minister also highlighted the role of young people in national development. He said the younger generation should follow the ideals of Allama Iqbal and contribute towards making Pakistan more self-reliant and progressive. The provincial government has introduced a digital monitoring mechanism to improve transparency in the plantation campaign. The Ehsaas Shajarkari Web Portal will be used to identify suitable plantation locations through GPS technology. The portal will also help authorities monitor plantation activities and maintain a consolidated record of the saplings planted during the campaign. Officials will be able to track plantation sites and assess progress through the digital system. Shafi Jan said the initiative was being undertaken under the direction of K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. He expressed confidence that the province would achieve its target and establish a significant plantation milestone on Independence Day.

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.