“We broke wall of fear today”: Swat peace rally defies suicide attack

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Aamir Muqam has extended an offer of dialogue to protesters staging a sit-in in Rawalakot, urging demonstrators to engage in peaceful negotiations while distancing the federal government from recent controversial remarks about the region. Speaking during a televised interview, Muqam said the people of Rawalakot have always been, and will continue to remain, Kashmiris, emphasizing their historical identity and longstanding contributions to Pakistan. “The people of Rawalakot are Kashmiris, have always been Kashmiris, and will remain Kashmiris,” the minister said, stressing that the government values the sacrifices made by the residents of Poonch and other parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. His remarks came amid growing political tensions following comments attributed to Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, which sparked criticism and prompted strong reactions from political leaders and residents in the region. Muqam clarified that Khawaja Asif’s statement reflected his personal opinion and should not be interpreted as the official position of either the federal government or the ruling party. “The statement does not represent government policy,” he said, adding that the people of Rawalakot had rendered immense sacrifices for Pakistan during critical periods of history and deserved respect and recognition. Addressing the ongoing sit-in, the minister appealed to protesters to choose dialogue over confrontation. He said the government believes the majority of those participating in the demonstration are patriotic citizens with genuine concerns rather than individuals pursuing unlawful objectives. “I do not consider everyone at the sit-in to be terrorists,” Muqam said. “Most participants are loyal Pakistanis. They should distance themselves from elements with negative agendas and come forward for meaningful talks.” The minister reiterated the government’s willingness to resolve issues through negotiations, saying constructive engagement remained the most effective path toward restoring calm and addressing public grievances. His appeal comes as authorities continue to monitor the evolving situation in Rawalakot, where demonstrations have drawn national attention amid heightened political debate and security concerns. Political observers believe Muqam’s conciliatory tone signals an effort by the federal government to ease tensions and prevent further escalation through dialogue rather than confrontation. His reassurance regarding the identity and sacrifices of the people of Rawalakot is also being viewed as an attempt to rebuild trust following the controversy surrounding recent public statements. The government’s next steps, including any formal negotiations with protest representatives, are expected to shape developments in the coming days as officials seek a peaceful resolution to the standoff.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will travel to the United Kingdom on an official visit from August 24 to 28, where he is scheduled to hold talks with senior British officials and meet members of the Pakistani community. According to the Foreign Office, Dar will meet UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and FCDO Minister of State for Pakistan Stephen Doughty during his visit. He is also expected to hold discussions with other senior British government officials. A key focus of the visit will be the situation of Pakistani sailors held by Somali pirates. Dar is scheduled to meet the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organisation to discuss efforts to secure the release of the hostages. The MT Honour 25 oil tanker was hijacked near Somalia’s Puntland region on April 21. The vessel was carrying 17 crew members, including 10 Pakistani nationals. The prolonged captivity has raised concerns among the families of the crew, who have called for urgent efforts to secure their safe release. The Foreign Office has reaffirmed that the government remains committed to bringing the Pakistani nationals home safely. During his UK visit, Dar will also meet Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. His schedule includes engagements with British parliamentarians and representatives of the British-Pakistani community. The visit comes as Pakistan and the UK continue to strengthen cooperation on security, migration and law enforcement. Earlier this year, the UK announced an additional £8 million in funding for joint efforts with Pakistan to tackle crime and illegal migration. The funding is intended to improve border and visa systems and strengthen law enforcement against human smuggling and trafficking networks. It will also support the return of people who do not have the legal right to remain in the UK and finance community-based programmes aimed at addressing factors contributing to irregular migration.

FAISALABAD: In a landmark decision expected to reshape the service structure of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Punjab Governor and UAF Chancellor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan has ordered the upgradation of the post of Research Officer with retrospective effect from April 25, 2007, bringing an end to what many describe as nearly two decades of discrimination against the university’s research cadre. The decision came after the Chancellor accepted a representation filed by Muzaffar Hussain Salik, a Research Officer at the Office of University Books and Magazines (OUBM). Besides approving the upgradation, the Chancellor declared the post of Research Officer a “Teacher of the University,” making its holders eligible for all related service, financial, seniority and pensionary benefits in accordance with the law. The dispute dates back to the implementation of the UAF Amended Service Statutes, 2007, introduced after the federal government’s policy to upgrade university teachers and teaching-equivalent positions with the concurrence of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). While several teaching and equivalent posts received the approved benefits, Research Officers and Senior Research Officers were allegedly left out despite performing comparable academic and research responsibilities. According to the representation, the exclusion created a longstanding disparity, depriving the affected employees of promotions, financial benefits, and equal treatment under the approved statutory framework. It argued that the selective implementation of the service statutes resulted in years of professional and financial disadvantage for members of the research cadre. After reviewing the legal and administrative record, the Chancellor ruled that the benefit of upgradation should be extended to Research Officers from the same effective date as Lecturers — April 25, 2007. The order effectively places the research cadre on par with other teaching-equivalent positions that had already been upgraded under the 2007 amendments. University officials and academic observers believe the decision will benefit around 66 Research Officers, Senior Research Officers and other teaching-equivalent employees, providing them with long-awaited financial relief, revised seniority, pensionary benefits and formal recognition within the university’s teaching community. The ruling has been widely welcomed by researchers, academics and legal experts, who describe it as one of the most significant service-related decisions in UAF’s recent history. They say the order reinforces the principles of equality, transparency and uniform implementation of statutory rights while setting an important precedent for public sector universities across Pakistan. For petitioner Muzaffar Hussain Salik, the decision marks the successful conclusion of a long legal and constitutional struggle. Beneficiaries have hailed the ruling as a collective victory for justice, merit and the rule of law, expressing hope that similar disparities in higher education institutions will now be addressed through fair and consistent implementation of service statutes.