Thaksin Shinawatra Set to Walk Free on Parole in May

At least 10 people lost their lives and several others were injured after a three-storey residential building collapsed in Lahore’s Baghbanpura area late Wednesday night, prompting a large-scale rescue operation. Emergency teams rushed to the scene shortly after the incident and recovered 16 people from beneath the debris. Six victims were pronounced dead at the site, while the remaining injured were shifted to nearby hospitals. Four more later died from their injuries, raising the death toll to 10. Rescue officials said four people remain in critical condition and are receiving treatment, while two injured victims have been discharged after medical care. Search teams continued clearing the rubble to ensure no one remained trapped. According to preliminary findings, the roof of the ageing building collapsed at around 10:15pm, causing the entire structure to cave in. Members of an extended family living on different floors were inside the building when the collapse occurred. Police and rescue workers immediately launched a coordinated operation, using heavy machinery and manual equipment to search for survivors. Authorities said the exact number of people inside the building at the time of the collapse is still being determined. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed grief over the loss of lives and directed senior officials to monitor the rescue and relief efforts. The city commissioner visited both the accident site and the hospital to review the situation and meet the injured survivors. Local lawmakers also visited the area and assured affected families that all possible assistance would be provided during the rescue operation and rehabilitation process. The latest tragedy has renewed concerns over the safety of old and deteriorating buildings in Lahore. It comes only weeks after a deadly roof collapse at a private tuition centre in Kahna claimed the lives of 14 children. Following that incident, provincial authorities had ordered safety inspections of educational institutions and other ageing structures.

Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir have already made their political choice in favour of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). In a statement, Aurangzeb said Mirpur had given its verdict in favour of the PML-N on July 24. She linked the decision to the visit of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and party leader Maryam Nawaz to the city. According to Aurangzeb, the response from the people of Mirpur showed their support for the PML-N leadership. She said the people had made their choice clear through their political support. Aurangzeb said the PML-N’s electoral symbol, the lion, had also received strong support. She claimed that by voting for the lion symbol, the people had formally expressed their belief that the development of Azad Jammu and Kashmir was connected with the PML-N. She said the party was committed to the progress and development of the region. Aurangzeb maintained that the public response in different areas was an indication of growing support for the PML-N. The senior provincial minister also referred to the situation in Muzaffarabad. She said the people of Muzaffarabad had already announced their decision on July 21. Aurangzeb said the political choices made in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad reflected the direction of the election campaign. She suggested that the response from voters in both areas had strengthened the PML-N’s position. She further said August 2 would be an important day for the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. According to her, voters would use the lion symbol to formally announce their decision through the ballot. Aurangzeb urged Kashmiris to vote for the PML-N and support its leadership. She presented the party as a force for development and progress in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The statement comes amid the ongoing electoral activity in the region. Political parties are campaigning to win the support of voters ahead of the final voting process. Aurangzeb’s remarks underline the PML-N’s focus on development as a central theme of its campaign. She said the people’s vote would determine the future political direction of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The minister expressed confidence that voters would reaffirm their support for the PML-N on August 2 by voting for the lion symbol.

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.