Two Thai Students Killed in Hit-and-Run in Miami

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has introduced an evening shift for consular services to make it easier for citizens to access essential facilities outside conventional office hours. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced the new arrangement on Monday. Under the revised schedule, consular services will now remain available from 8am to 8pm, Monday through Friday. The extended hours are aimed at improving access to services and making the process more convenient for applicants who cannot visit government offices during normal working hours. The Foreign Office said the initiative is part of its broader effort to improve public service delivery and make consular facilities more citizen-friendly. Previously, consular services were generally available during standard government office hours. This created difficulties for people with work commitments and for overseas Pakistanis who needed to visit the ministry for documentation and other consular matters. The new evening shift will provide applicants with additional time to complete their requirements and access relevant services. The ministry has also issued a public notice outlining the revised working hours and arrangements for consular services. The Foreign Office said the initiative reflects its focus on improving efficiency, accessibility and the overall experience of citizens seeking consular assistance.

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.

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.