US House approves $1.15 trillion defense budget package

RAWALPINDI: Commandant Sihala Police College Ashfaq Ahmad Khan has called upon police officers to adopt a compassionate, respectful and impartial attitude towards victims of rape and sexual violence. He was addressing sub-inspectors who successfully completed the one-month SSIOU course at Sihala Police College, Rawalpindi. Speaking at the concluding ceremony, Ashfaq Ahmad Khan said that rape victims, particularly women, children and girls, are already in a highly vulnerable situation, and it is the responsibility of police officers to protect their dignity and self-respect throughout the investigation process. He stressed that investigations into rape cases must be conducted professionally, sensitively and impartially. The identity and personal information of victims must be kept strictly confidential so that their dignity and reputation in society are not compromised. The Commandant urged the newly trained officers to ensure that every stage of an investigation is carried out while respecting the privacy and dignity of victims. At the same time, he said, investigations must be thorough, transparent and evidence-based so that perpetrators can be brought to justice and face the consequences of their crimes under the law. Ashfaq Ahmad Khan said the police have a crucial responsibility to provide victims with justice, protection and confidence. He added that a compassionate approach, combined with professional investigation, would help ensure that victims are treated with dignity while criminals are brought to justice. make it proper title

Lahore: The Punjab government has approved comprehensive martyr compensation packages for the families of 14 police personnel who lost their lives while performing their duties, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the families of fallen law enforcement officials. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Punjab Minister for Law Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan at the Home Department. The meeting was attended by Home Secretary Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi, Additional Inspector General Imran Arshad, Additional Secretary (Police) Kanwar Anwar Ali Khan, DIG Welfare Mehboob Rashid and other senior officials. The minister directed the relevant authorities to ensure that all financial dues, housing benefits and other entitlements are provided to the families of the martyrs without delay. Approval was granted under three different martyr packages based on the circumstances of service and sacrifice. Package-1 was sanctioned for police personnel martyred in encounters with terrorists in Bhakkar and Layyah, including Constables Muhammad Shehbaz, Muhammad Faheem and Muhammad Asad Naseer. Under this package, the families of martyred constables will receive Rs10 million, a five-marla house and other benefits. Package-2 was approved for police officials who embraced martyrdom during duty in Bahawalnagar, Sargodha, Rajanpur, Faisalabad and Gujrat. The beneficiaries include Sub-Inspectors Shahid Parvez and Amir Rizwan, Constables Muhammad Nasir and Mirza Umar Aftab Baig, and Driver Constable Iftikhar Ahmed. Under this package, the families of martyred constables will receive Rs4 million, a five-marla house and additional benefits, while the families of martyred Assistant Sub-Inspectors will receive Rs5 million, a seven-marla house and other incentives. Package-3 was approved for police personnel martyred while on duty in Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan and Sahiwal. The approved beneficiaries include Sub-Inspector Muhammad Zaman Zia, Assistant Sub-Inspector Muhammad Bashir, Constables Muhammad Bismillah, Muhammad Ramzan, Tahir-ul-Zaman Siddiqui and Muhammad Waris. Under this package, the families of martyred constables will receive Rs3.5 million and other benefits, while the families of martyred Assistant Sub-Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors will receive Rs4 million along with additional concessions. Addressing the meeting, Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan said the welfare and protection of the families of martyrs remains one of the Punjab government’s highest priorities. He pledged that no martyr’s family would be deprived of its rightful benefits, describing the fallen officers as the pride of the nation and the country’s true heroes who laid down their lives in the line of duty. The minister also vowed that terrorists responsible for killing police personnel would be brought to justice in accordance with the law. The meeting concluded with prayers for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs.

  Lahore: Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari has said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is fully aware of why the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) harbors resentment toward Punjab, adding that the province’s rapid development has become difficult for its political opponents to accept. Responding to recent statements made by PPP spokespersons in Lahore, Bukhari said that the Punjab government is utilizing public funds for the welfare and development of the people of Punjab, which, according to her, is the real source of the PPP’s criticism. She remarked that the “Nawabs of Larkana” are unable to digest the fact that Punjab’s resources are being spent on improving the lives of its citizens. The Punjab information minister also addressed PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, urging him to refrain from promoting what she described as politics of hatred and division. She said that as the chairman of a major political party, Bilawal should be mindful of the responsibilities associated with his position and avoid making statements that could deepen political polarization. Bukhari questioned why PPP representatives from Sindh rarely highlight the performance of their own provincial government. Instead of criticizing Punjab, she suggested, they should focus on informing the public about the achievements and governance record of the Sindh administration, which has remained under PPP leadership for several years. Highlighting the performance of the Punjab government, Bukhari said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ensured that development projects and public resources are distributed across the province without discrimination. According to her, the government has extended development initiatives from Attock in northern Punjab to Rahim Yar Khan in the south, and from Rawalpindi to Vehari, ensuring that all regions benefit equally from provincial resources. She stated that the current administration is committed to improving public services, infrastructure, and the overall quality of life for people across Punjab. Bukhari added that those who are envious of Punjab’s progress and prosperity would continue to criticize, but such criticism would not hinder the government’s commitment to development.   Referring to the PPP’s political standing in Punjab, Bukhari claimed that the party currently ranks fourth in terms of public support in the province. She said this was not the fault of the PML-N but rather a reflection of the people’s confidence in the performance of the provincial government. According to her, Punjab’s residents continue to express satisfaction with the governance and development initiatives undertaken by the PML-N administration. In her remarks, Bukhari also referred to Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, saying that when he visited Lahore to learn from the city’s governance and development model, the Punjab government welcomed him openly. She added that the same level of development, progress, and prosperity witnessed in Punjab should also be achieved in Sindh for the benefit of its people. The minister concluded by reaffirming that the Punjab government remains focused on serving the public through transparent governance and equitable development. She maintained that political criticism would not distract the administration from its objective of ensuring sustained progress and improving living standards throughout the province.