Trump says US controls Strait of Hormuz

The Islamabad High Court has declared admissible the petitions seeking suspension of sentences of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chatha, who were convicted by a trial court in the controversial tweets case. Justice Muhammad Azam Khan of the Islamabad High Court issued a reserved verdict, rejecting a miscellaneous application filed by the prosecution challenging the admissibility of the petitions. The court had reserved its decision yesterday after hearing arguments from both sides. The prosecution had argued that the petitions for suspension of sentence filed by Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chatha were premature. It is pertinent to mention that Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka had sentenced both Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chatha to a total of 17 years in prison each under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Both convicts have approached the Islamabad High Court seeking suspension of their sentences. Earlier, The Islamabad High Court on Friday reserved its decision on whether petitions seeking the suspension of prison sentences awarded to lawyers and human rights activists Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha can proceed. The petitions relate to the couple’s convictions in a case involving alleged controversial social media posts under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The hearing was conducted by Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, who considered preliminary arguments from both the prosecution and the defence before reserving his ruling on the maintainability of the petitions. During the proceedings, lawyers representing the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) argued that the requests for suspension of sentence had been filed too early. They maintained that the court should first decide the prosecution’s objection challenging the admissibility of the petitions before considering any request for relief

KARACHI: A cycle ambulance service in Karachi has gained widespread attention on social media after videos of the emergency response initiative went viral, sparking both criticism and appreciation online. Several users mocked the pedal-powered ambulance, comparing it with advanced emergency services used in other countries. Some social media posts also incorrectly linked the launch of the initiative to Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab. However, the cycle ambulance programme was introduced in May 2025 by the Sindh Integrated Emergency and Health Services (SIEHS-1122) as a pilot project. It was designed to provide faster medical assistance in densely populated areas of Karachi where narrow streets and heavy traffic can delay conventional ambulances. The specially equipped bicycles allow trained emergency responders to reach patients quickly and provide immediate medical support before a regular ambulance arrives. Each cycle ambulance carries essential medical equipment, including first-aid supplies, oxygen masks, nebulisers and blood sugar testing devices. Responders use the equipment to stabilise patients and provide initial care during emergencies. The initiative also involved trained female volunteers, aiming to improve access to emergency healthcare services and encourage women’s participation in community rescue operations. While the project became the subject of online jokes and criticism, supporters highlighted its practical value, especially in crowded neighbourhoods where traditional ambulances may face difficulties reaching patients on time. Officials and supporters of the programme said the cycle ambulance service is not intended to replace standard ambulances but to act as a rapid-response solution for immediate assistance in areas with access challenges.

Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that Sialkot urgently needed a medical city. He said the project would help improve healthcare facilities for people in the city and nearby areas. Addressing the inauguration ceremony of Sialkot Medical City, Khawaja Asif praised the business community for supporting the project. He also appreciated the role of the Sialkot Chamber in making the initiative possible. The minister said Sialkot had been facing a major healthcare gap. He said patients often had to travel to Lahore when serious medical emergencies occurred in the city. According to Khawaja Asif, the new medical city will help reduce the need for patients to travel to Lahore. It will also provide better healthcare services closer to the people of Sialkot. He said the project was an important development for the city. He hoped that the medical facilities would further improve the quality of healthcare available to local residents. Khawaja Asif also spoke about major road projects in the region. He said another lane would be added to the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway. He said the Kharian Motorway would be completed before the other project. He added that better road links would further improve connectivity between Sialkot and other parts of Punjab. The defence minister recalled that he had received a positive response when the motorway proposal was presented. He said major road networks had connected several cities and towns with each other. He said the route from Shahdara to Rawat had created stronger links between different urban centres. Such projects, he added, were important for trade, travel and economic activity. Khawaja Asif also highlighted the growing importance of Sialkot International Airport. He said the airport was no longer serving only the people of Sialkot. He said people from Jhelum and Gujrat were also using the airport. Residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir were also travelling through the facility, he added. The minister credited Sialkot’s business community for many of the city’s major development projects. He said local traders and industrialists had made significant contributions to the city’s growth. Khawaja Asif said the Sialkot business community had established high standards. He added that these standards were recognised internationally. He said the success of Sialkot showed what could be achieved through cooperation between the business community and public institutions. He stressed that continued development could further strengthen the city’s position as an important economic and industrial centre.

The Islamabad administration has announced the closure of several popular hiking trails in the Margalla Hills for Thursday, August 13. According to the administration, Trails 2, 3, 4 and 5 will remain closed to the public throughout the day. The decision applies to visitors, hikers and other citizens who regularly use these trails for recreational activities. Officials also confirmed that the trail located behind Saidpur Village will remain closed on August 13. Citizens have been advised to avoid attempting to access the closed routes and to follow instructions issued by the local administration. The Margalla Hills trails attract a large number of residents and visitors, particularly in the morning and evening hours. The temporary closure is expected to affect routine hiking and recreational activities in the designated areas. The administration has urged citizens to cooperate with officials and avoid entering restricted locations until the trails are reopened.