US Measles cases hit highest level in 35 years, CD…

Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has rejected Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s claim about the death of a party worker during the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. Rana Sanaullah said Bilawal Bhutto had not received complete information about the incident. He said the PPP worker was killed during an exchange of fire between two groups. He also clarified that the PML-N candidate was not present at the scene when the firing took place. The incident occurred in the Nikyal area of Kotli during the first phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections. Rana Sanaullah said tensions had already existed between the two sides in the area. He said the dispute was not limited to election day. He recalled an earlier incident involving a PML-N election rally. According to him, the rally had come under fire. One PML-N worker was killed in that incident, while four others were injured. Rana Sanaullah said another firing incident during polling resulted in one death and injuries to several people. He described the incidents as isolated. He said no major incident had been reported across AJK apart from the Nikyal incident. The PML-N leader also praised the overall election arrangements. He said authorities had made satisfactory preparations to facilitate polling and maintain security. The comments came after Bilawal Bhutto expressed concern over the death of a PPP worker in Nikyal. Bilawal had questioned the authorities over the incident. He also asked where the relevant officials were and demanded action over the death of his party worker. The incident added to political tensions during the first phase of the AJK elections. Political parties had already raised concerns about alleged disruptions and security issues at some polling stations. Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said the people of AJK had rejected calls for unrest. She said voters had chosen the democratic process instead. According to Bukhari, polling was taking place despite attempts to create disorder. Bukhari also highlighted the performance of the Punjab government. She said the provincial government’s development work was being discussed among voters in AJK. She referred to the government’s response to heavy monsoon rains in Punjab. Bukhari said Lahore received several hours of continuous rainfall. She claimed that underpasses were cleared within a few hours. She also said government officials and administrative teams remained present in the field during the rain. The minister said monsoon rains had also caused rising water levels in Punjab’s rivers. She said authorities were monitoring the situation continuously. According to Bukhari, a central digital control room has been established for round-the-clock monitoring. She said the system was being used to track the situation and coordinate the government’s response. Bukhari also spoke about the Punjab Beautification Programme. She said plans were being made to shift hanging utility wires underground. The programme is aimed at improving the appearance and infrastructure of urban areas, according to the minister. The political statements came as vote counting began after polling ended in the first phase of the AJK elections. The first phase covered 13 constituencies in Mirpur Division. The constituencies are spread across Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber. Election authorities have said that security arrangements were put in place to protect voters and election staff.

LAHORE: Pakistan’s monsoon death toll has risen to 107 after 10 more people were killed in rain-related incidents across Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa during the past 24 hours. According to the latest figures released by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), seven people died in Punjab while three lost their lives in K-P. The deaths were reported between the previous afternoon and 1pm on Sunday. Punjab recorded fatalities in several districts. Gujrat and Okara reported two deaths each, while Sargodha, Narowal and Sialkot each reported one death. In K-P, two people died in Hangu and another was killed in Shangla. Officials said the latest casualties were caused by incidents including house collapses, electrocution and drowning as heavy rainfall continued to affect several parts of the country. The recent rains also injured 50 people. Punjab accounted for 47 of the injured, while three people were injured in Hangu. K-P has recorded the highest number of deaths since the beginning of the current monsoon season, with 55 fatalities. Punjab follows with 36 deaths. Seven people have died in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, six in Balochistan, two in Sindh and one in Gilgit-Baltistan. Overall, the monsoon has injured 297 people and damaged 447 houses across the country. At least 269 livestock have also been killed. Rescue authorities have carried out 130 operations since the start of the rainy season. These efforts have helped rescue 3,841 people from flooded and other dangerous areas. The rains have also caused significant damage to roads and other infrastructure. Landslides, flash floods and rising water levels have disrupted transportation in parts of K-P and Gilgit-Baltistan. The mountainous region has suffered particularly heavy damage. The Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority said 184 houses have been damaged, while nine bridges have been destroyed. Nearly eight kilometres of roads have also been washed away. Astore has reported the highest number of damaged homes, while Diamer has suffered major destruction from several weather-related incidents. Skardu has recorded the greatest number of damaged bridges. Relief activities are continuing in affected communities. Authorities are distributing food, tents and other essential supplies, while road crews are working to reopen important routes.