Twenty Road Fatalities on First ‘Dangerous Day’ of Songkran Holidays

The Sindh High Court has expressed concern over delays in the trial of Mustafa Amir’s murder case. The court has sought the complete case record from the trial court. Mustafa Amir’s mother approached the high court against what she described as slow progress in the case. During the hearing, the court questioned why the proceedings had not moved forward. The court also asked whether Section 302 had been added to the case. The complainant’s lawyer said several cases were pending against suspect Armaghan. He alleged that different delaying tactics were being used to slow the proceedings. According to the lawyer, the defence had given several reasons for the delays. At times, disagreements reportedly occurred between the suspect and his parents. On other occasions, the defence lawyer did not appear in court. The suspect had also expressed a lack of confidence in the trial court. The court questioned why the cases were not proceeding despite the suspect being in jail. It observed that continued delays could keep him behind bars for years if he failed to secure bail. The complainant’s lawyer said the case was highly important. However, he claimed that the proceedings were mainly resulting in new hearing dates. The court said the trial should move forward quickly if the accused was using delaying tactics. It said the trial court and prosecution would be given directions to ensure the case proceeds without unnecessary delays. Justice Abdul Rahman also asked whether a medical board had been formed to conduct a psychological examination of the suspect. The complainant’s lawyer said the board had not yet been constituted. Justice Iqbal Kalhoro asked whether charges had been formally framed in the case. The court also directed the complainant to file an application seeking an early trial. The judges warned that prolonged delays could affect the evidence of witnesses. They said witnesses could forget important details if the proceedings remained pending for a long period. Meanwhile, CIA police have also started investigating the alleged drug-related aspect of the Mustafa Amir murder case. The complainant’s lawyer told the court that an application had already been submitted. He said the relevant material was available in the case diary. The court directed the authorities to submit a report at the next hearing. The report will include details of the case’s progress and the adjournments that have taken place. Speaking outside the Sindh High Court, Mustafa Amir’s mother said the case had been delayed for around one and a half years. She alleged that unnecessary delays were affecting the proceedings.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and Member of the National Assembly Iqbal Afridi has claimed that jailed former prime minister Imran Khan told him during their last meeting that members of the party were not following his instructions. According to a video statement shared on social media by PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan, Afridi said he met Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, where the former premier allegedly expressed frustration over the party’s internal affairs. Afridi claimed that Imran Khan told him, “Iqbal, the party is not listening to me. I say this with my hand on the Holy Quran.” The PTI lawmaker said he responded by expressing his loyalty to the party founder. Afridi claimed he told Imran Khan that anyone betraying him deserved the strongest condemnation, while referring to a political slogan from the past. Afridi further said that he never had another meeting with Imran Khan after that conversation. He claimed that if he had met him again and been told the names of those allegedly disobeying party instructions, the situation would have been different. In the video statement, Afridi also made controversial remarks, saying that if he is allowed another meeting and Imran Khan identifies individuals who are not following his directives, he would not spare them. He used threatening language while making the statement. The remarks have drawn attention on social media, although there has been no official response from PTI leadership or other party figures regarding Afridi’s claims. Imran Khan has also not publicly commented on the statements attributed to him.

Sindh Additional Inspector General (AIG) Azad Khan has told the Senate Standing Committee on Interior that a bank account allegedly linked to drug case suspect Anmol alias Pinky received around Rs300 million within a year. Briefing the committee, Azad Khan said one transaction involving the account amounted to Rs290 million. He added that financial data involving transactions worth around Rs1 billion had so far emerged during the investigation. The briefing was given at a meeting of the Senate Sub-Committee on Interior, chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro. According to the Sindh police official, 10 people have been challaned in connection with the Anmol alias Pinky case. He said two individuals were allegedly operating accounts linked to the suspect and were running their activities from Lahore. The AIG also identified a suspect named Sameer as an alleged associate of Anmol. Azad Khan said another suspect, identified as Aqib, was allegedly running the network in Karachi. He added that two women were also allegedly part of the network and worked as riders for Pinky. According to the briefing, some African nationals allegedly supplied cocaine to the network. The Sindh police official further said investigators had identified 25 riders allegedly associated with the network. He said investigations were continuing into accounts allegedly held in the names of other individuals but believed to be linked to Anmol. Azad Khan also commented on the scale of the alleged drug network. He said media attention had created significant public discussion around the case, but claimed that Anmol was not among the largest drug suppliers. During the meeting, Senator Saifullah Abro questioned the AIG about statements made by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry regarding the case. Abro asked whether the minister had contacted the Sindh police in connection with Anmol alias Pinky. Azad Khan replied that the Minister of State for Interior had not contacted the police regarding the matter. The committee also discussed other issues related to law enforcement and ongoing investigations in Sindh. Senator Abro raised concerns over alleged corruption involving provincial ministers and referred to several major development projects, including the Yellow Line and Blue Line projects. He also mentioned the arrest of Zameer Abbasi during the discussion.

The first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections is being held today across the Mirpur division, with authorities completing extensive arrangements for polling and security. The first phase covers Mirpur, Bhimber and Kotli districts. Officials said all polling material has been delivered to the designated polling stations ahead of voting. AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan and Election Commission Secretary Raja Muhammad Shakeel said the authorities were committed to ensuring free, fair and transparent elections. They urged voters to exercise their democratic right peacefully. They also warned that strict action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt polling or create a law and order situation. Officials advised voters and political workers to avoid spreading or believing unverified information circulating on social media. They said all stakeholders must follow the election code of conduct. The AJK elections are being conducted in three phases. Polling in the Mirpur division is taking place today. The second phase will be held in Muzaffarabad on August 2, followed by the third phase in Poonch on August 10. Security has been significantly increased across the three districts. Mirpur police authorities said a detailed security plan has been prepared to protect voters, election staff and polling stations. Mirpur SSP Khurram Iqbal said security forces have adopted a three-layer strategy. Polling stations have been divided into highly sensitive, sensitive and normal categories. Security personnel and resources have been assigned according to the level of risk. The district has also been divided into 56 security sectors. Each sector is being supervised by a deputy superintendent of police. Monitoring and rapid-response teams will remain active throughout the voting process. Authorities have also prepared additional contingency arrangements to deal with emergencies. A second response force will be available if required, while a third security layer will operate under zonal commanders. More than 1.4 million registered voters are expected to participate in the first phase across 13 constituencies. Authorities have established 2,454 polling stations containing 3,701 polling booths. Around 3,500 election officials have been assigned duties for the polling process. Voting will take place from 8am to 5pm. The 13 constituencies include four in Mirpur district, three in Bhimber and six in Kotli. Of the total polling stations, 1,965 have been classified as sensitive or highly sensitive. More than 19,000 security personnel have been deployed across the division. The force includes around 17,000 police officers, while approximately 2,100 army personnel will remain available as a backup force. A total of 288 candidates are contesting the 13 seats. The main political competition is expected to involve the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Peoples Party and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, along with several influential independent candidates. Authorities have appealed to voters, candidates and political workers to cooperate with security personnel and maintain peace throughout polling.