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ISLAMABAD: Senior Punjab Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has expressed confidence that the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) are firmly backing the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), saying recent public gatherings reflect growing support for the party ahead of the August 2 elections. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Aurangzeb said the people of Mirpur had demonstrated their trust in the PML-N during the visit of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on July 24. She described the enthusiastic public response as a clear indication of the party’s popularity in the region. She further stated that voters would reinforce this support through the ballot box by electing PML-N candidates under the party’s election symbol, the lion. According to Aurangzeb, the people believe that the progress and prosperity of Azad Jammu and Kashmir are closely tied to the PML-N’s development agenda. Referring to earlier political activity, she said Muzaffarabad had already conveyed its support for the party on July 21. Aurangzeb added that the people of Kashmir would make their final decision on polling day, August 2, by voting in favour of the PML-N.

KARACHI: A Rs65 million robbery at an Edhi Foundation centre in Karachi has sparked protests, with families of affected employees demanding the recovery of the stolen money and the immediate arrest of those responsible. The demonstration was held outside the Karachi Press Club on Sunday, where relatives of Edhi Foundation workers, labour representatives, civil society activists and citizens gathered to voice their anger. Protesters carried placards and chanted slogans calling for justice and the safe recovery of funds intended to pay workers’ salaries. Edhi Foundation Chairman Faisal Edhi joined the protest and expressed concern over the financial hardship faced by employees from low-income families. He said the money stolen from the foundation’s Sohrab Goth centre had been kept specifically for salary payments. According to Faisal Edhi, four armed men entered the centre, took the Rs65 million and escaped. He said no arrests had been made so far and urged Sindh Chief Minister to take immediate action to ensure the suspects were arrested and the stolen funds recovered. “These workers come from poor families, and their households have been left without financial support,” Faisal Edhi said, assuring employees that the foundation would stand by them during the difficult situation. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Chairman Asad Iqbal Butt also condemned the incident, saying the robbery at a humanitarian organisation raised serious concerns about security and law enforcement. He called on the Sindh government to provide immediate financial assistance to the Edhi Foundation and compensate it for the stolen amount. National Trade Union Federation Secretary General Nasir Mansoor, Pakistan Peoples Party Labour Bureau leader Habibuddin Junaidi and other representatives also attended the demonstration in support of the affected workers. Family members of the employees appealed to the provincial government to ensure that salaries were paid without further delay. They also demanded stronger security at Edhi Foundation centres across Karachi and called for the arrest and prosecution of the robbers. The protesters further questioned the Sindh police leadership over the lack of arrests and demanded an explanation for the delay in bringing the suspects to justice. The robbery has left many Edhi employees and their families facing immediate financial uncertainty, turning the incident into not only a major security concern but also a humanitarian issue for the workers who depend on their salaries to support their households.

  A nationwide strike planned by Pakistan’s petrol pump owners and fuel dealers has been postponed after successful negotiations with the government. Following the talks, both the Petrol Pump Owners Association and the Petroleum Dealers Association withdrew their strike calls after receiving assurances that their key concerns, particularly regarding profit margins, would be addressed. The Petrol Pump Owners Association had initially announced that the strike would begin at 12:00 midnight, while the Petroleum Dealers Association planned to suspend operations from 6:00 a.m.However, after reaching an understanding with government representatives, both organizations decided to call off the protest, ensuring that fuel supplies would continue without disruption. Speaking after the meeting, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik thanked the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association and various petroleum dealers’ organizations for their willingness to engage in dialogue. He appreciated their decision to postpone the strike in the interest of the public and emphasized the importance of resolving issues through consultation rather than confrontation. The minister acknowledged that the country has been facing economic and regional challenges, particularly since developments in the region earlier this year. He noted that the prevailing situation has created uncertainty and concerns for both businesses and the public. According to Ali Pervaiz Malik, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is fully aware of the hardships being faced by citizens and remains committed to minimizing the impact of economic pressures on the people. He further stated that the government has already provided subsidies worth several hundred billion rupees to protect consumers from rising fuel costs. The minister said a targeted subsidy mechanism has been developed to ensure that relief reaches those who need it the most. He also praised oil refineries and petroleum sector stakeholders for their continued cooperation and support during challenging times. Addressing the dealers’ primary demand, Ali Pervaiz Malik confirmed that the issue of increasing petroleum dealers’ profit margins would be resolved through mutual consultation. He announced that a summary regarding the proposed increase in dealer margins would soon be presented to the federal cabinet for approval. The government, he added, is committed to finding a fair solution that balances the interests of both consumers and fuel retailers. The petroleum minister also revealed that the recently introduced daily fuel pricing system would be reviewed after a two-week trial period. During this time, the government will closely monitor its implementation in consultation with petroleum organizations before making any long-term decisions. He emphasized that all stakeholders would continue working together to improve the system and address any operational concerns. Meanwhile, Nadeem Khan, Secretary Information of the Petrol Pump Owners Association, confirmed that the government had assured dealers that their commission and profit margin issues would be resolved. He expressed optimism that the matter would be settled within the next two weeks, allowing dealers to continue operating under more sustainable financial conditions. Nadeem Khan said the associations had decided to postpone their protest based on the government’s commitments. He expressed hope that the authorities would honor their promises and implement the agreed measures within the announced timeframe. He also welcomed the decision to review the daily fuel pricing mechanism on a trial basis, saying it would provide an opportunity to evaluate its impact before any permanent implementation. The successful negotiations have prevented a nationwide disruption in fuel supplies, offering relief to motorists, businesses, and the general public. Both the government and petroleum sector representatives expressed confidence that continued dialogue and cooperation would help resolve outstanding issues while ensuring a stable fuel supply across the country.

  Pakistanis have been exempted from the United States’ proposed US$20,000 visa bond requirement, after the country was left out of the list covered by the new policy. The United States has officially made its 2025 Visa Bond Pilot Program a permanent measure. However, Pakistan is not included among the countries subject to the financial guarantee requirement. Under the program, travelers from certain countries may be required to pay a visa bond of up to US$20,000 before entering the United States. The bond serves as a financial guarantee to ensure visitors comply with the terms of their visas, including departing the country before their authorized stay expires. According to the latest list released by US authorities, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and India are not among the countries included in the permanent visa bond program. As a result, Pakistani applicants seeking US visas will not be required to deposit the US$20,000 financial guarantee under this policy. The visa bond initiative was originally introduced as a pilot program in 2025 to reduce visa overstays and encourage compliance with US immigration laws. The program allows the US government to impose a refundable financial bond on visitors from selected countries that have high rates of visa overstays or other immigration concerns. With the program now becoming permanent, only nationals of the countries designated by the US government will be subject to the bond requirement. Since Pakistan has not been placed on that list, Pakistani travelers applying for US visas will continue to follow the standard visa application process without the additional financial bond. The decision is expected to provide relief to many Pakistani citizens planning to visit the United States for tourism, business, education, or family-related purposes, as the proposed bond could have posed a significant financial burden on applicants. While the visa bond requirement does not apply to Pakistan, all applicants must still meet the existing US visa eligibility criteria, including submitting the required documentation, attending a visa interview when necessary, and satisfying immigration officers that they intend to comply with the conditions of their visa.