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لکی مروت میں فائرنگ سے 3 افراد قتل، ایک زخمی

ویب ڈیسک: لکی مروت میں فائرنگ سے 3 افراد قتل جبکہ ایک شخص زخمی ہو گیا، ذرائع کے مطابق سرائے نورنگ کوٹکہ پریڈ میں مخالفین کی فائرنگ سے تین افراد جاں بحق جبکہ ایک زخمی ہو گیا۔ واقعہ کے بعد مزید پڑھیں The post لکی مروت میں فائرنگ سے 3 افراد قتل، ایک زخمی appeared first on Mashriq TV. http://dlvr.it/TBL9Fs

Met Office forecasts heavy monsoon showers across country from Aug 2 to 6

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted scattered heavy rainfall all over Pakistan, including major cities of Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, from August 2 to August 6 with “occasional gaps”. Pakistan experiences its monsoon season from July to August, typically receiving around 255mm of rain each month. Owing to the dangers of urban flooding and other rain-related incidents, PMD advised authorities to remain alert and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation. “Heavy downpour may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, Sahiwal, Nowshera and Peshawar from 2nd to 5th August,” the department said, adding that low-lying areas of Sindh will receive rains on August 4 and 5. It also warned of landslides causing road closures in vulnerable hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In Sindh, it predicted heavy showers in several areas incl

Six die, as many injured as monsoon rains batter Punjab

LAHORE: A child and five women were killed and six others injured due to heavy monsoon rains in various districts of Punjab during the last 24 hours. A Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) report available with Dawn states that six people, including a child and five women, were killed while six others injured due to heavy rains in the province during the last 24 hours. The report also revealed that 39 people died and 113 were injured due to the rains in the month of July while 61 houses were damaged and 39 animals were killed in the rainy season. According to the report, maximum rain 81 mm was recorded in Chaklala, 64 TT Singh, 46 mm Okara, 44 mm Sargodha, 32 mm Attock, 30 mm Mandi Bahauddin, 26 mm Jhang, 23 mm Murree, 18.4 mm Khanpur, 15.6 Noorpur Thal, 13.8 mm Bahawalpur, 12.1 mm Mangla, 10.8 mm Chakwal, 10.2 mm Faisalabad, 8 mm Sahiwal, 4 mm Hafizabad, 1.3 mm Joharabad, 1 mm Khanewal, 1 mm Narowal, 0.2 mm Jhelum, and 0.01 mm in DG Khan, Kasur, Lahore, Multan, and

Won't take 'no' for an answer, warns JI

Hafiz Naeem threatens to bring the country to a standstill, urges govt to tighten its belt to save billions http://dlvr.it/TBHvq4

Gulf employers not hiring Pakistanis due to ‘deplorable standard’

• Senate panel told Middle Eastern markets turning to Bangladeshis, other nationals for labour needs • Secretary paints bleak picture, says around half of crime rate among UAE labourers attributed to Pakistanis ISLAMABAD: The Senate Stand­ing Committee on Overseas Pakist­a­nis was informed about deplorable standard of Pakistani workforce, ma­­inly in the Gulf region, has led to the shif­ting of preferences by Gulf employers to hire workforce from other regional cou­ntries, such as Bangladesh, instead of Pakistan. The Senate committee meeting, chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, stressed that the government was ignoring the potentials available in this sector. After facing criticism from members of the committee regarding failure of the government to harness potentials of Pakistani diaspora, the secretary of Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource De­­velopment, Dr Arshad Mahmood, presented a bleak picture of the situation of Pakistan labour force in Gulf count

Imran signals willingness to sit down with military

• Lays down three preconditions, including return of PTI’s ‘stolen mandate’ • Urges military to nominate its representatives for talks, says Achakzai will represent them • Voices support for JI’s stance on soaring utility bills, backs Baloch activists’ protest • Marriyum says ‘self-proclaimed revolutionary’ now pleading for talks with army • Tarar labels Imran’s call ‘a conspiracy’ ISLAMABAD: After days of speculation about a possible softening of his stance against the establishment, incarcerated former PM Imran Khan categorically said on Tuesday that his party was ready for talks with the military establishment. Speaking to reporters at Adiala jail, the PTI founder laid down three preconditions: the return of his party’s ‘stolen mandate’, the release of all detained party workers and the holding of transparent elections. Last week, Mr Khan had raised eyebrows when he tasked his sister Aleema and party leader Omar Ayub with ‘conveying messages’ to army chief Gen As

Imran Khan seeks post-arrest bail in dozen May 9 cases

PTI founder Imran Khan on Tuesday sought post-arrest bail from an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore over a dozen cases related to the May 9 riots, for which the high court had set aside his physical remand. The already incarcerated former prime minister was “arrested” in these cases on July 15 — just a day after he and his wife, Bushra Bibi, had been apprehended in a new Toshakhana case, following their acquittal in the Iddat case. The new arrest, however, had left his chances of being free from jail hanging in the balance. Given his repeated apprehensions, Tuesday’s petition — filed through Barrister Salman Safdar and a copy of which is available with Dawn.com — moved the court to grant a post-arrest bail to the former premier. “[…] The petitioner being aggrieved from a malicious and politically motivated attempt of the complainant to frame him in this frivolous FIR, craves for the kind indulgence of this honourable court for the grant of ‘post arrest’ bail”, it read.

IHC reserves decision on PTI secretariat de-sealing, calls for consultation between parties

IHC directed Metropolitan Corporation to consult with PTI, noting that political party's office should not be sealed http://dlvr.it/TBFkDr

National Assembly meets today

Assembly to discuss Election Act amendment bills, constitutional amendment bill http://dlvr.it/TBFNCQ

ECP notifies 93 lawmakers as PTI MPAs

ECP notifies 93 lawmakers as PTI MPAs http://dlvr.it/TBF7Qb

President wants more women in govt jobs

Zardari underscores need for enhancing outreach of BISP http://dlvr.it/TBF7Dj

Miftah vows to move court against sky-high electricity tariff, overbilling

KARACHI: The newly launched Awam Pakistan party staged its first public show in the metropolis on Sunday by organising a protest outside the headquarters of the K-Electric. Speaking at the demonstration, former finance minister and one of the party founders Miftah Ismail demanded that the KE be stopped overbilling. He said that electricity tariff had been increased by 350 per cent since 2015. He hinted at moving court against the power utility. Awam Pakistan party stages demonstration outside KE head office He also questioned the competence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif government and its key ally Pakistan Peoples Party as they placed the burden of “ruling elites’ failures” on ordinary citizens. He took a jibe at the PPP which had pledged to provide 300 units of free electricity, but the reality has been starkly different. “You [government] have increased the electricity prices by 350 per cent over the years, but can you share the details that

LoC truce tested by IIOJK unrest

As many as 11 Indian soldiers were killed this year in attacks in the disputed region http://dlvr.it/TBBwk1

Pak swimmers Durrani, Jehanara fail to impress in 200m freestyle event

Young Durrani vows to qualify directly for 2028 Games http://dlvr.it/TBBwSN

LHC halts FIA's inquiry against FBR officials in tax refund case

The court has issued a notice to the FIA, directing it to submit a written response by August 13. http://dlvr.it/TBBgqb

ضلع کرم میں کشیدگی برقرار، جاں بحق افراد کی تعداد44 ہوگئی

ویب ڈیسک: فائر بندی کے باوجود ضلع کرم میں کشیدگی برقرار رہی، رات گئے فائرنگ سے مزید 8 افراد جاں بحق ہو گئے جس کے بعد جاں بحق افراد کی مجموعی تعداد 44 ہو گئی۔ کرم قبائل فائرنگ فائربندی خلاف مزید پڑھیں The post ضلع کرم میں کشیدگی برقرار، جاں بحق افراد کی تعداد44 ہوگئی appeared first on Mashriq TV. http://dlvr.it/TBBggk

Govt issued Rs68bn income tax refunds during July, says finance minister

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced on Sunday that the government has returned approximately Rs68 billion in income tax refunds since the process began on July 1. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the finance minister said that if the government wants to expand the tax net and take it to 13 percent, then it also has to focus on the deliverables, stating, “It takes two to tango,” meaning that cooperation is required from the government, citizens, and industrial sectors to achieve the goals. According to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), taxpayers can reclaim excess taxes paid to the FBR if their tax liability is lower than the amount they have paid. The process involves filing an electronic tax return, followed by an application through the FBR’s Iris system. Refunds must be claimed within two years from the date of filing or payment as late filings may affect eligibility. “The determined sales tax, […] income tax refunds, and duty drawbacks are being proc

Supreme Court gets two ad hoc judges

Ministry of Law issued notification regarding appointment of Justice Tariq and Justice Mazhar as ad hoc judges http://dlvr.it/TB976B

Karachi likely to receive thundershowers

The city is likely to experience strong winds and thundershowers on July 29 and 30 due to strong monsoon winds http://dlvr.it/TB96xw

Cambridge cancels AS Level Maths paper after leak

CIE announced students will be assessed based on their performance in the second AS Level Maths paper and other exams http://dlvr.it/TB8xq5

14 injured as BYC convoy comes under fire in Mastung

QUETTA: Fourteen people were injured when supporters of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), who were on their way to Gwadar to attend a rally on Sunday (today), came under fire in Mastung on Saturday. While the BYC accused security forces of opening fire at their convoy, the deputy commissioner of Kalat in a press note stated that participants of the BYC march attacked a Levies checkpoint near Mastung. BYC leader Bebarg Baloch alleged that personnel of “a law enforcement agency opened fire on our supporters” in Mastung when they were heading towards the Quetta-Karachi highway. “At least 14 people were injured in the firing,” Bebarg said. Five of the injured were in critical condition, according to a hospital spokesperson. BYC, administration accuse each other of opening fire; govt places ban on rallies; Mahrang says over 200 people arrested Mr Baloch said he himself was in the convoy when it was stopped at the Thana Sona Khan area and not allowed to travel to Mastu

Yumna Zaidi discusses 'relationship status' in viral video

Replying to a fan’s question, Yumna reveals the reasons behind her relationship status. http://dlvr.it/TB8Qp9

FIR over Bugti clan bloodbath in Karachi lodged on behalf of state

KARACHI: An FIR was registered on behalf of the state on Friday in connection with a gunfight between the two groups of the Bugti family that left five people dead and two others injured on both sides in DHA late on Thursday night, police said. South DIG Asad Raza said the case had been registered through a police officer under terror and murder charges. When asked why the case was registered on behalf of the state, the DIG said, “We want to give a strict message to both sides that such an act is not acceptable.” He explained that if a case had been allowed to be registered by any of the two sides, they would have possibly reached a compromise. However, he added, versions of both sides had been included in the FIR. DIG says case has been registered under terror and murder charges; versions of both sides mentioned in FIR According to the FIR lodged by Sub-Inspector Mohammed Saleem Brohi of Darakhshan Police, nine to ten armed men from both sides (led by Fahad Bugti and

AI policy to be presented before cabinet next month

ISLAMABAD: Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Friday said the final draft of the Artificial Intelligence policy would be presented to the federal cabinet for approval in August. Addressing a meeting of the Special Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, he directed the quarters concerned to complete the consultation process with all stakeholders as soon as possible. He highlighted the importance of AI in the modern era. “Artificial Intelligence is not the future but the present reality in the world,” he said, terming it an essential tool for advancement in multiple fields. The minister recalled that it was the PML-N government that had established the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence in 2017 and the National Task Force on Artificial Intelligence in 2023. “We have created National Centres for Excellence in Advanced Technologies under Vision 2025 and linked each centre to engineering labs in eight to ten universities.” He said the world was developing rapid

No military operation in KP, Gandapur tells Bannu rally

LAKKI MARWAT/ ISLAM­ABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has announced that no military operation will be allowed in any part of the province, though he asked police to go after armed groups across the province. However, the PML-N-led federal government slammed the KP chief minister for what it called “misguiding” the people on the issue of Azm-i-Istehkam campaign against terrorism. While addressing a public rally in Bannu on Friday, CM Gandapur said: “From past experiences we have learnt that the operations were of no benefit and added to the sufferings of people by vacating their homes.” He said the KP residents offered sacrifices in the war on terror, faced displacements from their native areas, adding that people had reservations over the treatment meted out to them. Centre slams CM for ‘misguiding’ people over Azm-i-Istehkam The chief minister thanked the Bannu people, especially the elders, who held successful talks with the local administrat

Aleema Khan holds out another ‘olive branch’ to army chief

RAWALPINDI: A day after Omar Ayub surprised many by conveying a ‘friendly’ message from his party’s founder to the army chief, Imran Khan’s sister also came out with a similar narrative, leaving many to wonder how the PTI came to have a change of heart regarding the military. The apparent change in the PTI’s stance — which has held the powerful military establishment responsible for the party’s recent misfortunes — comes days after some material against the army chief was posted on the party’s official website. This led to a number of arrests, with party spokesperson Raoof Hasan and some members of the PTI social media team being held in a crackdown. Speaking to reporters after meeting her brother in Adiala jail on Friday, Aleema Khan requested Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir to “become neutral”. Says Imran ‘requests’ Gen Munir to become neutral; calls for identifying May 9 suspects through CCTV Quoting Imran Khan, she said that CCTV footage should be used to identi

17 people from Bugti clan arrested after bloody clash in Karachi’s DHA

Karachi police on Friday said they have so far arrested 17 suspects after five people were killed and two others were critically injured in a shootout between members of the Bugti clan last night. Two groups, led by Fa­­had Ahmed Nawaz Bugti and Ali Haider Bugti, had engaged in a gunfight on late Thursday night near the former’s residence in Defence Housing Authority’s (DHA) Khayaban-i-Nishat. The clash resulted in the killing of 50-year-old Fa­­had — a nephew of slain Balo­­ch chieftain Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti — while Ali Haider, also a maternal ne­p­hew of the Bugti chieftain, was injured. Stating that four others were also killed, Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) South, Asad Raza, told Dawn.com that two people were injured, not three as previously reported. “Earlier today, police took action in DHA, detaining 17 individuals belonging to the Bugti clan, including two gunmen, DIG Raza said. He added that the suspects belonged to both supposed rival gangs within the Bugti f

Beleaguered Imran wins major relief in May 9 cases

LHC overturns physical remand of PTI founder http://dlvr.it/TB55Lw

Pakistan to establish cybersecurity authority

Body to foil cyber attacks on national institutions http://dlvr.it/TB553S

K-IV remains a dream for ‘water-starved’ city years after launch

KARACHI: The completion of multibillion-rupee Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme, commonly known as K-IV, remains a distant dream even after its formal launch in 2011 as authorities on Thursday disclosed that despite groundbreaking of the project 13 years ago, only less than 50 per cent of construction is done. The officials expect that first phase of the project could be completed in 2025 and that too “is subject to timely provision of funds”. These details emerged during a briefing given to chairman of Water & Power Development Authority (Wapda) retired Lt-Gen Sajjad Ghani, who visited the K-IV construction site and reviewed the progress on various areas of the project. A statement issued by Wapda said that the chairman visited the sites, including intake works, pumping stations, pressurised pipeline, access road, project offices and project colony. Phase-I of the project is expected to be completed by Dec 2025 at the cost of Rs126bn General Manager (

Hafiz Naeem warns govt against blocking Islamabad sit-in amid police crackdown

Several Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and workers arrested in various parts of Punjab on eve of protest http://dlvr.it/TB4Rlf

ECP notifies 39 returned MNAs as PTI lawmakers after SC order

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has notified 39 returned MNAs as PTI lawmakers after the Supreme Court ordered the body to do so in its verdict on the reserved seats case, it emerged on Thursday. The notification for the 39 MNAs was issued on Wednesday. In a unique majority verdict, the Supreme Court on July 12 declared the PTI eligible to receive reserved seats for women and non-Muslims in the national and provincial assemblies, giving it a new lease on life in the legislature by declaring it to be a parliamentary party. Despite an 8-5 split, all 13 judges declared the PTI a parliamentary party. The majority judgement explained that 39 out of the 80 MNAs, shown by the ECP as PTI candidates, belonged to the party. The rest of the 41 independents would have to file duly signed and notarised statements before the commission within 15 days, explaining that they contested the February 8 general elections as a candidate of a particular political party. The ECP ha

Public support for 'Form-47 govt' is waning

. http://dlvr.it/TB2fV6

Arrests in Bannu following govt-jirga agreement

LAKKI MARWAT: Police detained over a dozen armed suspects during a grand clean-up operation targeting “good Taliban” in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district on Wednesday. The development comes as the provincial apex committee is set to meet today (Thursday) to address the demands of a 40-member jirga. Simultaneously, a sit-in continued for the fifth consecutive day in the southern district of Bannu, with demonstrators calling for the restoration of peace and indiscriminate action against armed groups. A police official said the operation began after sub-divisional police officers and station house officers were given the green signal to crack down on armed men in their jurisdictions. “Law enforcement raided three locations in the southern district, rounding up 17 suspects,” the official said, adding that police seized arms and ammunition and impounded their vehicles. The suspects, along with their weapons and vehicles, have been shifted to local police stations for interroga

Energy ministry calls for framework to deregulate fuel prices

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Energy has instructed the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to finalise the framework for transferring the responsibility of determining petroleum prices to the oil industry. In a letter issued on Wednesday, the ministry directed the Ogra chairman to convene a meeting today (Thursday) to discuss the analysis, implications, and way forward for deregulating petroleum products. The letter referenced Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directive to delegate pricing responsibilities to oil marketing companies, but notably, the two main stakeholders — OMCs and dealers — have not been invited to the meeting. Currently, four of the eight petroleum fuels consumed in the country — jet fuels for air force and airliners, hi-octane, and furnace oil — are deregulated, while regulated products include petrol, high-speed diesel, light diesel oil, and kerosene. Directs Ogra chief to convene meeting today; two key stakeholders not invited The Oil Compa

Pakistani passport ranked 4th worst in world for fourth straight year

For the fourth straight year, the Pakistani passport has been ranked the fourth worst by this year’s Henley Passport Index, a ranking of the world’s 199 passports according to the number of destinations their owners can access without a prior visa. In the latest ranking issued on Tuesday, Pa­­kistan’s travel docum­ent (100th place — tied with Yemen) is only ranked higher than those of Iraq (101), Syria (102) and Afghanistan (103) — same as last year. Pakistan and Yemen’s passports permit visa-free access to 33 states, Iraq’s allows travel to 31, Syria’s gives access to 28 destinations and Afghanistan’s travel document only affords the bearer access to 26 destinations. “Afghanistan remains firmly entrenched as the world’s weakest passport, losing access to yet another destination over the past six months, leaving its citizens with access to only 26 countries visa-free — the lowest score ever recorded in history of the 19-year-old index,” a press release said. The top spot ye

Coalition partners take Imran to task over May 9 ‘admission’

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Members of the ruling alliance on Tuesday lashed out PTI founder Imran Khan over what they saw as a confession that he had ordered his supporters to gather outside the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on May 9 last year, in case he was arrested. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday called for strict action against the PTI, citing national interest and security, and accused former prime minister Imran Khan of orchestrating the May 9 riots. “Strict action against this evil anarchist group, following the Constitution and law, is a requirement of national security and national interests,” she said in a statement. “The May 9 culprit (Imran Khan) has confessed to planning and masterminding the May 9 riots,” Ms Sharif said, adding that the PTI was not a party but an anarchist group aiming to harm the state through mischief. PTI goes on the defensive, says founder was referring to ‘peaceful protests’ She claimed that Imran Khan’s Za

Measles outbreak in Khanewal: CM approves action against four health officials under Peeda Act

LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved action under Peeda Act against four senior health officers of BPS-18 and BPS-19 including the then chief executive officer (CEO) of the Khanewal district health authority (DHA) in the wake of the death of six children due to measles attack. The action was proposed in the light of the findings of an initial inquiry wherein they were held guilty of criminal negligence and incompetence, which led to the death of children during the outbreak at Village 3-Kassi of Kabirwala tehsil, Khanewal, in May. All these children under five years of age died of measles from May 5 to 22. There were reports that the outbreak had started weeks before the death of the children but no one from these officers bothered to take precautionary measures to protect the lives of the children. The officers found guilty of charges were the then DHA CEO Dr Abdul Majeed, District Health Officer (preventive services) Dr Fazalur Rehman Bilal, Kabirwala DHO Dr A

Sindh govt extends summer vacation for all schools till Aug 14

KARACHI: The Sindh government has extended summer vacation for all public and private schools across the province till August 14. The decision was taken by the Sindh School Education and Literacy Department in view of the heatwave and expected monsoon rains. However, it was said that the co-curricular activities regarding Independence Day on August 14 shall carry on in schools as usual. Earlier, the summer vacations that commenced from June 1 were to end on July 31, as decided by the sub-committee of the steering committee during its meeting on January 25. Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2024 http://dlvr.it/T9zzj4

Four picnickers drown, as many rescued at Karachi beaches

• Two people each saved from drowning at Turtle Beach, Seaview • Mauripur police arrest nine picnickers for violating swimming ban KARACHI: Four people, including two women, drowned in separate incidents while swimming in the sea at Turtle Beach and Seaview respectively on Tuesday, police and rescue services officials said. In the first incident, a man and two women drowned while two other women were rescued at the Turtle Beach. Keamari SSP Faizan Ali told Dawn that a family from the Liaquatabad area went for picnic at the Turtle Beach. They were swimming in the sea when strong waves took them further into the sea. As a result, a Naureen Shera, 30, and a man, Arshad, 40, drowned while three women were rescued who had become unconscious. They were taken to the Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi where one of them, Asma Karim Bux, 40, also died during treatment. Remaining two women, Sobia Bashir, 30, and Zaiban Rais, 45, were admitted for treatment, added the SSP. He sai

President Zardari reaffirms equal rights for minorities

Announces intention to request government to enhance job quotas for minorities in departments such as police and FIA http://dlvr.it/T9zbyT

Two die, five injured from snakebite in Shakargarh

NAROWAL: Snakebites in Shakargarh claimed two lives and left five others injured over the past four days. Tanveer Ahmed and Muhammad Bashir, both farmers, died after being bitten by poisonous snakes while working in their fields. Rescue 1122 provided first aid to Tanveer, but he succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital. Muhammad Bashir died instantly. Hospital sources say five others, including Faisal Abbas, Khizr Hayat, Adnan Zafar, Hania Ejaz, and Sakhawat Ali, were also bitten by snakes and are undergoing treatment at local hospitals. Residents urged the district administration to take immediate action to control the growing snake population by spraying insecticides. Residents urge district administration to check growing snake population Chief Executive Officer of the District Health Authority Dr Naveed Haider has assured that snake bite vaccines are available at all public hospitals and that patients are receiving treatment. Citizens demand