ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday told the Senate that 12 reserved seats for refugees in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly would not be abolished, saying they represented families displaced from India-occupied Kashmir.

Responding to a point raised by the upper house’s opposition leader, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Sanaullah said the seats could not be abolished through executive orders.

He added that all political parties in AJK, its parliament and other constitutional for­ums supported retaining refugee representation within the constitutional framework.

The adviser said the government had accepted 37 of the 38 demands put forward by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).

“The government remained engaged with JAAC for several months,” he said, adding that a written agreement was signed after negotiations on 37 demands.

“The sole outstanding demand concerning refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly involved constitutional and legal complexities,” he told the House.

On June 5, the AJK government designated JAAC a proscribed organisation under anti-terrorism laws.

Sanaullah said JAAC had initially emerged in 2023 with demands relating to electricity tariffs and wheat subsidies.

He added that the government addressed the committee’s major demands by providing electricity at Rs4 per unit, subsidised wheat and a Rs23 billion relief package for the region. He alleged that certain elements sought to create instability ahead of the upcoming elections in AJK despite repeated offers of dialogue.

“They knew the polls are due before August 4 and gave a call for protest on June 9 back in January,” he said, adding that peace and stability in AJK would be maintained in accordance with the law.

‘Massive rigging’

Opposition leader Raja Nasir Abbas alle­ged “massive rigging” in Gilgit-Baltistan’s June 7 general elections, saying the results were “against the wishes of the people”.

He warned that “rigging weakened public confidence” and said “creating a distance between the people and the system” would have dangerous consequences. He also refer­red to recent unrest in AJK, saying political interference would bring further turbulence.

“The ban on information gives rise to rumours and turbulence,” he said, adding that the people of GB had concerns about the “oc­­cupation of land and minerals by outsiders”.

After Deputy Chairman Syedaal Khan Nasar did not allow the opposition leader to continue speaking on the issue, PTI members staged a protest walkout. The deputy chairman said the opposition leader should contact the GB Election Commission if he had complaints.

Fuel subsidy

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told the House that the government would continue efforts to protect low-income groups from higher fuel prices while maintaining economic stability.

Responding to a calling-attention notice by Senator Mohsin Aziz, he said Rs5.4bn had been disbursed so far under a targeted fuel subsidy programme, besides Rs4.61bn in support for small farmers amid rising international fuel prices.

He said an overall subsidy of Rs129bn was provided after tensions in the Middle East pushed up global oil prices. The government shifted from a general subsidy to a targeted programme for motorcycle owners, public transport users, transport operators and small farmers.

Around 800,000 motorcycle owners had benefited, while financial assistance ranging between Rs35,000 to Rs100,000 was provided to passenger and goods transport vehicle owners.

In the first phase, Rs3.5bn was distributed among more than 105,000 vehicle owners, while Rs1.9bn was disbursed among over 65,000 beneficiaries in the second phase through a transparent verification system.

The House unanimously passed five bills: the Motion Pictures (Amendment) Bill, the Travel Agencies (Amendment) Bill, the Pak­istan Tourist Guides (Amendment) Bill, the Pakistan Hotels and Restaurants (Amend­ment) Bill, and the Pakistan International Air­­lines Corporation (Conversion) (Repeal) Bill.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: PTI lawmakers in the National Assembly (NA) staged a protest against the alleged rigging in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections, as the government yet again offered the opposition to engage in dialogue on issues of national importance.

“I invited you on behalf of the government to come and sit together with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to have consultations on national issues,” said Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on the floor of the NA while replying to the allegations of the opposition leaders that the government had failed to perform. He said PM Shehbaz, at the outset of his government’s formation, offered the opposition to come to the dialogue table to sort out issues.

The law minister said the opposition needed to create an “enabling environment” to address such issues. Regarding the opposition’s demand to allow meetings between PTI’s incarcerated founder Imran Khan and his family members and party leaders, the law minister said the Constitution did not allow convicts to run parties, distribute tickets for legislative assemblies, and take part in politics.

About the GB polls, he said the opposition needed to provide proof for any kind of rigging. Earlier, PTI lawmaker Iqbal Afridi holding a banner against the GB election results staged a protest on the stairs of the speaker’s dais. He was also joined by another lawmaker for a demo that lasted a few minutes.

During his speech, Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai said the government had failed to run the country. He said the opposition had ended its boycott at the government’s request to show unity before a Chinese delegation that visited the National Assembly last month. However, Imran Khan was still not allowed to meet his family, friends, lawyers, and doctors.

During the previous session, Achakzai had announced the opposition parties would boycott the budget if Imran Khan was not allowed the court-mandated meetings with his family. The opposition leader also noted that Balochistan, Kashmir, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were burning due to alleged excesses of the security forces.

PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan said the government was asking provinces to collect more taxes and give them to the Centre because it had failed on all fronts.

The House also passed ‘The Inter-Boards Coordination Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2025’ and ‘The Islamabad Capital Territory Private Educational Institutions (Registration and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026’. Besides these bills, several reports from the standing committees were presented in the NA.

Responding to a question during the question hour in the House, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said Pakistani missions abroad have dedicated sections that provide necessary support to Pakistani prisoners, including legal and financial assistance, to ensure their welfare.

He said the mission representatives regularly visit the jails and ensure the well-being of all prisoners. The prisoners interact with the officers of the missions during jail visits and register their complaints regarding food, medicine and hygiene, which are immediately discussed with the jail authorities.

Dr Tariq Fazal said as soon as a Pakistani is apprehended by law enforcement agencies, the date of arrest and the charges levelled against them are communicated to the missions through the official communication channels of the host government. The missions tabulate the information and a comprehensive databank of the same is maintained, he said.

The minister added that every effort was being made to secure the release of Pakistani hostages held by Somali pirates. The minister claimed no targeted or selective action was being taken against Pakistanis in the UAE.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

LAHORE: Around 600 Sikhs from India arrived via Wagah Border on Wednesday to observe the death anniversary of Guru Arjun Dev Ji, known as Jore Mela.

Punjab Minister for Minorities Ramesh Singh Arora, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Additional Secretary (Shrines) Nasir Mushtaq and Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee officials welcomed the visiting pilgrims at Wagah.

Speaking on the occasion, Arora said Pakistan’s soil conveyed a message of peace, love and harmony. He said the government of Pakistan had issued visas to all Sikh pilgrims who applied to attend the commemorative events.

Nasir Mushtaq said such a large number of Sikh pilgrims had arrived in Pakistan for the occasion after a gap of 14 years. He said the death anniversary of Guru Arjun Dev Ji was observed in a spirit of unity and devotion.

He said comprehensive arrangements had been made for the pilgrims in accordance with the directions of ETPB Chairman Qamaruz Zaman, including medical facilities, security measures and quality transport services.

Special arrangements were also made to protect pilgrims from the intense summer heat, while CCTV cameras had been instal­led to ensure foolproof security.

Indian Sikh delegation leaders Sardar Gurmeet Singh Bohar and Parmjeet Singh said they regarded Pakistan as their second home and described the country’s Sikh religious sites as sacred to their faith.

They said the spiritual peace they experienced upon arriving in Pakistan was beyond words and expressed hope that love, goodwill and peace would continue to flourish between the peoples of the two countries. The main ceremony will be held at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore on June 16.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

Justice Jawad Hassan heard the petition filed by the brewery under Article 199 of the Constitution, contending that the revised PEQS draft — uploaded on the EPA’s website but not yet formally notified — was arbitrary, lacked technical input, and violated fundamental rights including due process, freedom of business, and equality guaranteed under Articles 4, 10-A, and 25.

Appearing before the court, Malik Qamar Afzal, counsel for the petitioner, argued that the brewery had made substantial investments in environmental protection, including a thermophilic biomethanation wastewater treatment plant, zero-discharge practices, renewable energy adoption, and afforestation drives.

He maintained that the EPA’s coercive approach undermined the progressive compliance framework envisaged under the Punjab Environmental Protection Act 1997.

Court asks Punjab-EPA to explain delays in finalising standards for ethanol/distillery industry

However, the court noted that part of the petitioner’s challenge — seeking to set aside a Site Monitoring Report dated 24.08.2024 and an Environmental Protection Order (EPO) issued on Dec 19, 2025 — was already pending before the Punjab Environmental Tribunal, Rawalpindi. Justice Hassan ruled that constitutional jurisdiction could not be invoked simultaneously where a specialised statutory remedy had been availed under Section 22 of the Act.

On the primary relief concerning the proposed PEQS, the court examined a Chemical Analysis Test Report indicating that the brewery’s effluent had Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) at 953 mg/L and Sulphide concentration at 0.8 mg/L — prima facie within permissible limits under the draft standards.

“Environmental compliance is not a one-time exercise,” the judge observed, directing the petitioner to submit a comprehensive report on its effluent treatment plant, capital investments, ISO certifications, sustainability audits, and carbon reduction initiatives.

The court also took judicial notice of the brewery’s contribution to the national economy, citing its export earnings, tax payments, and employment generation. Referring to Saudi Pak Industrial and Agricultural Investment Company Limited versus Chenab Limited and Allah Ditta versus DCO, the judge underscored that economic realities cannot be ignored while enforcing environmental obligations.

Notices were issued to the respondents for June 22, with directions to file a comprehensive report and para-wise comments within ten days.

A senior officer from the EPA has been ordered to appear on the next hearing to explain the delay in notifying the revised PEQS.

The court refrained from any coercive action against the brewery for now, but warned that environmental compliance remains a non-negotiable obligation. The case has been adjourned until June 22.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

According to the FIR, an identified and some unidentified locals along with a man working with fishing contractor were found involved in the illegal hunting/killing of the flamingos, resting at the lake.

The act of illegal hunting/killing of flamingos is a serious crime as per provisions of Islamabad Nature Conservation and Wildlife Management Act 2024 and Fisheries Ordinance 1961.

An official of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) said that we also have evidence that poachers also killed other medium sized water birds such as the magnificent coots and moorhens.

Sighting of flamingos in the lake was rare in this season, and their killing is an ecological tragedy, the official said.

The police said that after registration of the case they started the investigation.

The complainant nominated two persons, one is a resident of the Banigala and the other was working with the fishing contractor.

Efforts are on to trace and arrest the nominated accused and the other unidentified locals who are involved in the hunting of the birds.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

A bench consisting of Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Faheem Wali directed secretary of the forest, climate change and wildlife department Junaid Khan to restore the original position of the forests in Galiyat by Sept 16 and produce a report.

It also directed him to hold a meeting with the officials of the Survey of Pakistan regarding the matter.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Galiyat Tahafuz Movement against multiple notifications issued by the last caretaker provincial government to appoint members of the GDA Board and the subsequent actions of the board and its DG, including facilitating construction of a high-rise building on a “disputed land” called Hilda Estate.

Directs forest secy to hold meeting with Survey of Pakistan officials on the issue

During the previous hearing on May 21, the court had summoned the secretary forest, director general of Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) and other officials as they had failed to comply with its earlier order of restoring forest boundaries in the Dunga Gali, Abbottabad.

Forest secretary Junaid Khan, GDA DG Mohammad Fawad, forest conservator Hayat Ali and other officials appeared in the hearing.

Justice Arshad Ali remarked that the number of hotels in Galiyat had increased so much that it had badly impacted the environment.

At the start of the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, Babar Khan Yousafzai, read out the order from the previous hearing.

The bench asked the forest secretary about progress on the matter.

The secretary submitted a report, saying he convened a meeting on June 8 to review the latest situation.

He said that the Survey of Pakistan had conducted a demarcation survey of the Gallies Reserved Forests measuring 307,424 kanals during the year 2015-16, wherein the 7616 kanals of encroached land was identified.

The secretary said that during an anti-encroachment campaign 6632 kanals were retrieved, while 984 kanals remained under encroachment. He added that a fresh survey was conducted in 2020-21, showing 1,017 kanal of encroached land. Out of that land, 744 kanals have been retrieved, with 243 kanal remaining under encroachment mostly due to litigation.

The secretary said that the anti-encroachment drive continued resulting in retrieval of an additional 58.3 kanals of land, reducing the remaining encroached area to 184.8 kanals.

He claimed that as of June 8, the total remaining encroached area stood at 159 kanals out of which 45.45 kanals were under litigation while 113.5 kanals represent discrepancies between the revenue and forest department records.

The secretary stated that the biggest problem in Galiyat was the revenue record; as according to some records, the land belonged to the forest department, while elsewhere the same land was shown as private ownership.

The bench observed that the secretary had the responsibility to review the alterations made to the records and formally raise the matter with the revenue department.

It added that it simply wanted the forest area identified according to the Survey of Pakistan maps from 2015 and 2016 to be restored to its previous status and action taken against encroachers.

The secretary told the court that they were working jointly with the GDA on this issue. He added that demarcation had been carried out, and three surveys had been conducted that identified various locations as part of the forest.

The bench observed that given the current situation of the forests in Nathiagali, it would turn from a healthy, pleasant place into a hot spot in the future due to the large-scale increase in hotels, which had impacted the environment.

Justice Arshad stressed the need to preserve these forests for the new generation and said that while the court could only issue orders, the administration had to do the work.

GDA DG Mohammad Fawad informed the court that no new NOCs were currently being issued.

He said new building rules had been framed under which NOCs and construction permits, spread over seven stages, would only be granted on non-forest land within GDA’s jurisdiction.

The bench inquired whether building hotels would develop Galiyat. It also pointed out hours -long traffic jams in Galiyat areas.

The DG responded that they were paying attention to this issue, and he was personally overseeing it and that their job was to make Galiyat safe and that no commercial building was being permitted on any GDA land.

When the bench asked the secretary how much time he needed to restore the forest boundaries, he replied that it was a technical task requiring at least three months.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

A total of 4,376 majalis and 757 processions will be held in Rawalpindi division, and arrangements have been completed in this regard.

The district administration has banned the entry of 169 religious leaders and zakirs into the district and issued gagging orders for 83 clerics during Muharram. As many as 312 people have been placed on the Fourth Schedule in Rawalpindi.

This was stated during a meeting of the Punjab Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, which visited Rawalpindi on the instructions of the Punjab chief minister to review Muharram security arrangements on Wednesday.

The committee held an important meeting at the Commissioner’s Office in Rawalpindi. Provincial Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee Khawaja Salman Rafique, Provincial Minister and Co-Chairman Bilal Yasin, Provincial Ministers Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharth and Bilal Akbar Khan were present.

Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi, Additional IG CTD Waseem Sial, Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre (PIFTAC) Chief Coordinator Brigadier Asjad Ali, DIG Special Branch Sajjad Manj and DG Auqaf Hafiz Anisur Rehman also attended the meeting.

Commissioner Abdul Aamer Khattak and RPO Babar Sarfaraz Alpa briefed the participants on the arrangements. Deputy commissioners and DPOs from Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal also attended and gave briefings.

Speaking on the occasion, Khawaja Salman Rafique said that, on the instructions of the Punjab chief minister, the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order was visiting all divisional headquarters to review arrangements.

He said that the administration and local police would ensure the best possible security arrangements for Muharramul Haram. He stressed that a zero-tolerance policy should be adopted for violations of the Muharram code of conduct and urged procession organisers to ensure punctuality in processions and gatherings.

He said that strict security arrangements would be made in inter-provincial and inter-district border areas.

Provincial minister Bilal Yasin said that the severity of the weather should also be kept in mind during the arrangements. He urged all organisers to connect with law enforcement agencies through the Public Safety application.

“For a safe Muharram, it is mandatory to strictly implement the SOPs issued by the Home Department,” said Punjab Minister Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharth, adding that procession routes should be monitored with the help of Safe City cameras.

Punjab Minister Bilal Akbar Khan said that all traditional processions and gatherings should be secured in accordance with the SOPs. He also urged all schools of thought to encourage their followers to avoid unrest on social media.

The Punjab home secretary said that strict action would be taken against sectarian and hateful content on social media. He directed that cyber patrol cells be established in all districts on the lines of the Home Department.

Later, the Punjab Cabinet Committee on Law and Order met with the Divisional Peace Committee and ulema and mashaikh.

The Divisional Peace Committee and ulema and mashaikh expressed satisfaction with the Muharram arrangements.

“Friday will be celebrated as Unity Day,” Khawaja Salman Rafique stated during the meeting. He paid tribute to the role of religious scholars in promoting unity among the Muslim Ummah.

He said that the administration and peace committees were making effective arrangements through mutual understanding.

Other speakers said that the positive and constructive role of religious scholars always contributed to the reform of society. They said that all schools of thought would observe Muharram peacefully and with religious devotion and respect.

They added that the mutual respect and affection among scholars set an example for the whole society. Maintaining peace and order was a collective responsibility necessary for the stability of the country.

At the end of the meeting, prayers were offered for the country’s development, prosperity and a peaceful Muharram.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

A bench consisting of Justice Wiqar Ahmad and Justice Farah Jamshed directed the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) and other authorities to act on the matter in accordance with the law and earlier court judgements.

It will release the detailed order later.

The petitioners had sought directives of the court for Nadra and other authorities to issue them documentary evidence regarding the status of their respective applications submitted for cancellation of their ACCs or PoR cards.

Asks authorities to act on matter in accordance with law, court judgements

The petitions were filed by individuals who claimed that they had applied for the cancellation of their ACCs and other refugee-related documentation in order to seek recognition of their Pakistani nationality and obtain Pakistani identity documents.

Saifullah Muhib Kakakhel, Malik Shehbaz, Faheem Marwat, Mohammad Irfan and several other lawyers appeared for the petitioners and said that their clients were not being provided with any written acknowledgment, token, receipt, or documentary evidence indicating whether their applications were pending, under process, accepted, or rejected.

They contended that the absence of such documentation created uncertainty and prevented applicants from effectively pursuing their legal remedies.

During the hearing, some Nadra officials appeared before the court and produced a detailed report regarding the processing of applications for the cancellation of ACCs and other related documentation.

They said that more than 24,000 applications had been received for issuance of certificate of clearance under the Citizenship Act and cancellation of ACCs.

The officials said that around 2,200 applications had been approved, while more than 6,000 applicants did not pursue their cases after filing their applications.

They said a substantial number of applications had been rejected on the ground that the applicants were unable to establish their claim to Pakistani nationality.

Advocate Saifullah Kakakhel said that applicants should be provided with documentary proof reflecting the status of their cases, including whether an application was pending, under consideration, approved, or rejected.

He argued that the absence of any written acknowledgment undermined transparency and created serious difficulties for affected individuals seeking to protect their legal rights.

Moreover, discussion arguments also took place on multiple petitions related to issuance of Pakistan Origin Card (POC) to Afghan spouses of Pakistani nationals and the availability of grievance redressal mechanisms in nationality and identity-related cases.

The bench inquired about the functioning of the Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) and the procedure available to affected persons for lodging complaints.

The lawyers for the petitioners claimed that there was no practical and accessible mechanism through which applicants could directly approach the Committee or pursue grievances relating to delays, refusals, or other issues.

They suggested that at the very least, an official email-based complaint mechanism be introduced to enable affected individuals to submit complaints and supporting documents directly to the relevant authorities.

Various legal and factual issues concerning citizenship, identity rights, verification procedures, administrative transparency and the processing of nationality-related claims were also discussed during the proceedings.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

The main Miramshah-Bannu Road witnessed limited traffic, while mobile phone and internet services remained suspended, leaving residents struggling to maintain contact with relatives and business associates.

Local residents also reported difficulties in obtaining food and other basic necessities in some areas.

Official sources said security forces were continuing operations in and around Miramshah and that restrictions imposed under Section 144 would remain in place until the security situation improved.

Government and private educational institutions in Miramshah have remained closed for more than a week, affecting thousands of students. A teacher at a government school, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that academic activities and examinations had been severely disrupted.

“Practical examinations and papers for grades 11 and 12 are being cancelled or postponed. Students are losing valuable academic time. Educational opportunities are already limited in the region, and a prolonged closure will further affect their studies,” he said.

A teacher at a private school said the suspension of internet services had also eliminated the possibility of online learning.

“In major cities, students at least have access to online classes during disruptions. Here, both mobile and internet services are unavailable, leaving students completely disconnected from education,” he said.

Local traders said business activity had declined sharply due to communication restrictions and reduced public movement.

“Markets are open, but business is almost at a standstill. People are staying indoors and customers from surrounding areas are unable to reach the town,” said a shopkeeper in Miramshah Bazaar.

Another trader said the internet shutdown had disrupted digital transactions and banking-related activities.

“Many payments and business transactions now depend on mobile applications and online systems.

“The absence of internet connectivity has created additional difficulties for traders,” he said.

Residents of Palangzai village on the outskirts of Miramshah reported shortages of essential food items, including flour, sugar and vegetables, due to restricted movement and disruptions in supply chains.

A local elder said stocks of basic commodities at some shops were rapidly diminishing.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

According to local sources, all the affected individuals developed health complications shortly after consuming the dairy product. They were rushed to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Tangi, where doctors provided emergency treatment and continued to monitor their condition.

Following the incident, the Tangi assistant commissioner, accompanied by officials of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority, conducted a raid on the shop from where the milk product had reportedly been purchased.

Food authority officials collected samples and launched an investigation to determine the cause of the suspected food poisoning. Authorities said laboratory tests would ascertain whether the milk was contaminated or unfit for consumption.

Officials added that further investigations were under way and legal action would be taken against those found responsible if any violation of food safety regulations was established.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

They stressed the need for immediate and coordinated efforts to restore peace and security in the volatile region, which, they said, had witnessed a steady rise in insecurity over the last one and a half years.

The jirga was held in Rustam Bazaar of Wana, bringing together all local political leaders, tribal elders, members of civil society, religious scholars, youth representatives, social activists, and members of various schools of thought.

The speakers observed that the worsening security situation had created a sense of fear, uncertainty and insecurity among residents. They said people in Wana and surrounding areas were increasingly concerned about their safety due to the growing number of violent incidents.

Calls for coordinated security measures without delay

According to participants, continued deterioration of law and order has severely affected public confidence and disrupted normal life across the district.

The speakers noted that the impact of insecurity extended beyond public safety and had significantly damaged economic and commercial activities in the region. Traders, labourers, students and ordinary citizens were facing growing difficulties in carrying out their daily routines.

They said business activity had declined considerably, while unemployment was increasing as investors and entrepreneurs remained reluctant to engage in economic ventures under prevailing security conditions.

Participants further stated that recurring incidents of violence had placed additional burdens on local communities.

They warned that prolonged instability was negatively affecting educational opportunities, social development and the future prospects of young people. Parents, they said, were increasingly worried about the safety and education of their children, while students often faced difficulties travelling to educational institutions.

The jirga emphasised that sustainable development, prosperity and social progress could not be achieved without lasting peace. Speakers stressed that peace was a prerequisite for economic growth, educational advancement and the overall well-being of society. They urged all stakeholders to work collectively to address the challenges confronting the region.

Several proposals aimed at promoting peace and long-term stability were presented during the gathering. Participants agreed that broader public consultation was essential for building consensus and strengthening community engagement in peacebuilding efforts. They proposed the formation of delegations comprising tribal elders, religious leaders, political representatives and youth activists to visit various localities and engage directly with residents.

The purpose of these consultations, participants said, would be to listen to public concerns, gather recommendations and formulate a comprehensive strategy for peace through collective decision-making. They emphasised that any sustainable solution must include the participation and support of all segments of society.

The jirga also expressed concern over the large number of security-related incidents reported during the past year, stating that these events had further deepened the sense of insecurity among residents.

The participants maintained that ensuring the protection of citizens’ lives and property was a fundamental responsibility of the state and called upon relevant authorities to fulfil their constitutional obligations effectively.

The gathering urged the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments, security forces and law enforcement agencies to adopt an effective and comprehensive strategy to ensure durable peace in Lower South Waziristan.

Participants said that people of the region could no longer afford continued violence, bloodshed and uncertainty.

They called for decisive action against elements involved in destabilising the area and demanded enhanced security measures to protect civilians.

Concluding the jirga, participants reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace, social harmony and unity among all sections of society.

They expressed hope that the government, district administration, police and relevant institutions would take the concerns of local residents seriously and implement practical measures to restore peace and stability in the district.

Among those who addressed the gathering were MNA Zubair Wazir, MPA Ajab Gul Wazir, tribal elders, religious scholars and political and social leaders.

The speakers called for urgent, sincere and effective steps to address the security challenges facing Lower South Waziristan district and ensure a peaceful environment conducive to development and prosperity.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

QUETTA: Unidentified armed men attacked police installations in Qila Abdullah, Pishin and Duki districts of Balochistan, martyring a policeman and injuring two others, police said on Wednesday.

Officials said a group of armed men riding motorcycles reached the Dolangi area of Qila Abdullah district and attacked the Gilo police check post with heavy weapons. They later set the check post on fire.

“The armed men launched the attack early in the morning,” confirmed Qila Abdullah Superintendent of Police Athar Rasheed, adding that no casualties were reported in the incident.

He said the assailants took away two AK-47 rifles, a private car parked at the police check post and a motorcycle.

The check post was badly damaged, with records and furniture completely gutted in the fire. Officials said a heavy contingent of police and security forces rushed to the area, but the attackers had escaped before their arrival. He added that a search operation was underway.

In a separate attack in Pishin’s Saranan area, assailants targeted the Sultan police station. According to reports, the attackers seized weapons from police personnel and later destroyed the building after planting explosives. Later, security forces launched a search operation in the area.

Officials further said a police station in the Duki area was also attacked by unidentified men on Tuesday night. A heavy exchange of fire took place between police and the assailants, resulting in the death of a police official identified as Syed Hassan Zarkoon.

Two other policemen, Muhammad Wali Zarkoon and Baloch Khan Luni, were injured in the attack.

Separately, police officials said armed men intercepted a convoy of six gas bowsers in the Mal area of Nushki district on Wednesday. After stopping the convoy, the assailants torched all six bowsers, which were empty and travelling to Taftan from where they were supposed to return to Iran.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

The SHC noted the police officer has, without any justification, blatantly violated the privacy of a female suspect while arresting her among others.

The single-judge bench of the SHC, headed by Justice Omar Sial, also observed that brave and valiant officers of the Sindh police were sacrificing their lives to protect the lives and property of the people in Sindh, but officers like the SI in question were tarnishing the reputation of the police force.

The applicant in the case, Rehana, had moved the SHC through her counsel after the trial court dismissed her post-arrest bail application in March in a case about allegedly running a brothel at Gulshan-i-Hadeed.

SHC moved against sub-inspector for violating privacy of applicant’s home during raid

The counsel for the applicant argued that the applicant was framed by SI Mohammad Hasan, the complainant in the case, “for not fulfilling an undue demand” and that the allegations did not attract the offences/provisions invoked in the FIR.

The lawyer also contended that the police party, which raided applicant Rehana’s house, had violated the provision of Section 103 (Search to be made in presence of witnesses. Occupant of place searched may attend) of the Criminal Procedure Code. Moreover, there was no complaint from neighbours about the alleged offences while the applicant has no criminal record, added the lawyer.

The bench in its order said that the complainant, SI Hasan, was asked under what authority he entered not only a private home but also the bedroom of a couple.

“Neither he, nor the learned additional prosecutor general [APG] was able to justice his action, apart from a weak and feeble claim that spy information was received that the house is a brothel,” it added.

However, it also noted that APG did attempt to justify the action of the police officer by stating that the FIR had wrongly said that he had entered into the house as in reality the applicant was arrested outside the house.

The order further said, “There is not an iota of doubt in my mind that SI Hasan has blatantly violated the proverbial ‘chadar and chaar deewari’ without any justification”.

Simultaneously, the APG also informed the bench that bail had already been granted to the applicant by the trial court and the current bail application had become infructuous and was disposed of as such.

The order stated, “I am saddened to see that on the one hand, brave and valiant officers of the Sindh police are giving their lives to protect the life and property of Sindh citizens while on the other hand, officers like SI Hasan, tarnish the force reputation.

“The inspector general of police, Sindh is requested to conduct an enquiry to determine whether disciplinary action should be initiated against SI Hasan. The reputation of the Sindh police must be protected at all costs”, it concluded.

Earlier, the prosecution had submitted that police had raided a house in Gulshan-i-Hadeed in February after receiving information that a brothel was being run there and arrested the applicant along with a man named Ramzan and a woman, Shabana.

A case was lodged under Sections 371-A (selling a person for purposes of prostitution, etc.), 371-B (buying a person for purposes of prostitution, etc.) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code at the Steel Town police station.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

Rescue and recovery teams immediately reached the crash site. “All personnel on board embraced martyrdom. There were no survivors,” the ISPR said in a statement.

“A board of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the exact technical cause of the accident,” the military’s media affairs wing said.

Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, along with all ranks of the army, expressed “deep grief over the tragic loss of precious lives and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families”, the ISPR said.

The army’s aviation wing began operating Russian-made Mi-17 transport helicopters in the late 1990s. Mi-17s are considered reliable workhorses of Pakistan Army Aviation.

The helicopter can perform utility, transport and combat roles. It carries a crew of three and has space for up to 24 troops or four tonnes of cargo.

Over the years, the United States has helped Pakistan refurbish and overhaul 22 Mi-17 helicopters.

Condolences

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the helicopter crash, state-run APP reported.

In separate statements, the president and the prime minister extended their heartfelt sympathies to the families of those martyred in the accident.

“The entire nation pays tribute to the great sacrifice of the martyrs and shares the grief of the bereaved families,” President Zardari said.

Paying tribute to the personnel who embraced martyrdom in the crash, PM Shehbaz said that the entire nation salutes the brave soldiers for their sacrifices.

Both leaders prayed for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks and for strength and patience for the bereaved families.

Deputy PM Ishaq Dar said he was “deeply saddened by the tragic crash”.

“We salute their service, courage and sacrifice in the line of duty. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families during this hour of grief,” he said in a post on X.

The deputy PM prayed for the highest ranks of the martyrs and for strength and patience for their loved ones.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also expressed his grief, commending the martyrs as the “pride of the nation who sacrificed their lives for the country’s security and defence”.

Bugti extended his tribute to the martyred personnel and prayed for the bereaved families.

The Senate also offered fateha for those who lost their lives in the incident, with Senator Maulana Attaur Rehman leading the special prayer.

Past crashes

In the last such crash reported, five personnel had died in September 2025 after an army helicopter crashed in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district after a “technical fault”.

In August 2025, a rescue helicopter of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government crashed in the Mohmand district due to bad weather, killing two pilots and three crew members.

The second half of 2022 saw two crashes of army helicopters.

On August 2, the wreckage of a Pakistan Army helicopter was found in Balochistan’s Lasbela district a day after it went missing. All six people on board, including Commander 12 Corps Lieutenant General Sarfraz Ali, embraced martyrdom in the incident.

The next month, six army officials, including two majors, were martyred after a helicopter crashed during a mission near Khost in Balochistan’s Harnai.

In December 2021, two pilots lost their lives after an army aviation helicopter crashed at Siachen in GB’s Ghanche district.

A year before that, four personnel embraced martyrdom when an army helicopter crashed due to technical reasons during a casualty evacuation in GB’s Astore district.

A 2015 crash of a military helicopter near KP’s Mansehra claimed the lives of all twelve on board.

The order partially amends a notification issued on June 3.

Under the notification issued on June 3, all grocery stores were required to close at 9pm. In the fresh notification, their closing time has been extended by one hour, from 9pm to 10pm.

The notification, issued by the office of the district magistrate, stated that, in continuation of its June 3, 2026 notification and in light of the ongoing austerity measures, revised closing times had been notified for specified business and commercial establishments.

According to the notification, shops, markets, shopping malls, bazaars and departmental stores shall close at 9pm throughout the week, including Saturdays and Sundays. Grocery stores, marriage halls, marquees and all other commercial venues where festive events are held will be closed by 10pm.

Restaurants, cafes and fruit and vegetable shops shall close at 11pm. However, takeaway and home delivery services are exempt from the restriction.

Hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories, pharmacies, bakeries, tandoors and dairy shops are exempt from the restrictions.

In addition, fuel and CNG stations, electric vehicle charging stations, gyms, sports facilities, padel courts, IT companies and call centres are also exempt from the restrictions.

The order came into effect on Wednesday and will remain in force until further orders.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

Taking notice of the incident, the Punjab housing secretary ordered immediate action against the officials concerned. Police registered a case against three Wasa officials, including the managing director, and departmental proceedings were initiated against them.

According to an official handout, the tragedy occurred on Tuesday night when Wasa employee Wasim Masih and a private helper, Ikram Dogar, descended into a sewer line for cleaning work and fell unconscious. Upon receiving information, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ashraf rushed to the spot and shifted the workers to the DHQ Hospital, Lodhran, where both were pronounced dead.

Sources said the workers had entered the main sewer line without proper safety gear and equipment. The DC ordered an inquiry into the incident and the alleged negligence of Wasa officials.

City Lodhran police, on the complaint of deceased worker Wasim Masih’s father Salim Masih, registered a first information report under Section 322 of the PPC against Wasa Managing Director Javed Akhtar, Site In-charge Roshan Rehan and Supervisor Ali Raza. None of the suspects had been arrested till the filing of this report.

The handout further stated that the managing director had been suspended from service and an inquiry under the Peeda Act had been initiated against the three officials.

FIRE: A major fire damaged around eight acres of forest land worth millions of rupees in the Meeranpur forest area near Jallah Arian on Multan Road late on Tuesday night.

According to Rescue 1122 Media Coordinator Muhammad Safdar, firefighting teams and ambulances were dispatched immediately after receiving an emergency call following Maghrib prayers. Firefighters found the blaze spreading at two locations in the forest and, with the assistance of forest department officials, battled the flames for more than two hours before bringing the fire under control.

However, extensive damage had already been caused to the forest area. The exact cause of the fire could not be determined, though officials suspect that a lit cigarette thrown by a passerby may have ignited the dry vegetation. The forest department authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the cause of the fire.

MURDER: A man was allegedly shot dead at his house in Basti Balochan, Mauza Arian, near Channigoth Bypass on Wednesday.

Police said Ali Akbar had an old enmity with Hamza, a resident of the same village. The suspect allegedly entered Akbar’s house while he was asleep and opened fire before fleeing the scene.

The injured man was shifted to the Rural Health Centre (RHC), Channigoth, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Channigoth police reached the scene, shifted the body for postmortem examination and registered a case against the suspect, who remained at large.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

After being suspended by the FIA zonal director, the two ASIs and a constable had fled to avoid arrest.

According to details, Faisalabad FIA ASIs Khalil Ahmed and Alam Sher and Constable Azam Kaleem became candidates for promotion to the next scale without requesting NOC from higher authorities.

They also allegedly performed duties as supervisors in the running test of other candidates held at the FDA City.

Their alleged fraud was identified when FIA officials examined the footage of the running test on which the zonal director suspended them.

After the suspension, they reportedly fled to avoid arrest.

On the complaint of FIA Assistant Director Kashif Nazir, three separate cases were registered against the accused officials by the FIA.

ACCIDENT: A Lahore Police ASI died and his wife was critically injured after their car was rear-ended by another car on the M-3 motorway near the Jaranwala Interchange.

Police said ASI Amjad Ali, posted at the Gulberg Police station, was returning to his home in Jaranwala by car.

When he reached near Chak 628 GB Lundianwala, another speeding car coming from behind hit his car.

As a result, Amjad and his wife Surayya Bibi were seriously wounded. They were being shifted to the Jaranwala THQ Hospital but Amjad succumbed to his injuries on the way.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

Adviser to the Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad shared the revised budget schedule in a post on X.

He added that the Pakistan Economic Survey for the outgoing FY2025–26 would be launched at 2:20pm on Thursday by Aurangzeb.

Budget sessions of the National Assembly and Senate have already been summoned by President Asif Ali Zardari.

The National Economic Council (NEC), the highest economic decision-making forum of the federation, met earlier on Wednesday to finalise federal and provincial development plans ahead of the budget presentation.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who chaired the meeting, said the Centre held consultations with the provinces on all matters “with extreme seriousness, and we made decisions in the best interest of Pakistan”.

The NEC finally met after being delayed three times, as negotiations had continued over the freezing of provincial shares in the federal divisible pool under the National Finance Commission (NFC) award.

The budget presentation in the parliament had earlier been set for June 10.

The federal government, its coalition partners and provincial governments had been struggling to reach a consensus over the Centre’s demand for more than Rs1 trillion for strategic needs.

However, the ruling PML-N and its major ally, the PPP, on Monday reached a consensus on the broad framework of the federal budget.

They reached a broad agreement on cutting development and other expenditures at all tiers of the federation to cover around Rs800 billion revenue shortfall this year and jointly create similar, but higher, fiscal space next year for additional “strategic needs”.

Under the agreement, provincial shares from the federal divisible pool would stay frozen at the current fiscal year’s position. Any increase in the targeted revenue next year on top of the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) collection in the current year would be retained by the Centre, informed sources said.

The sources said the additional amount being discussed for next year to be given up by the provinces was not fixed but dynamic, depending on FBR revenue collection, and could range anywhere between Rs1.3tr and Rs1.7tr.

Interestingly, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were not part of the deal so far.

Under tight International Monetary Fund (IMF) oversight, the government has trimmed allocations for most sectors in the next federal development programme to create additional fiscal space for the PML-N’s trademark national highways, a new Rs87 billion share for coalition partners and a Rs70bn allocation for ruling party lawmakers’ schemes.

Yet, the government has unveiled a record national development programme of Rs4.715tr.

The overall deve­l­opment portfolio comprises the largest share of provincial annual development plans (ADPs) at Rs3.138tr (up 9.6pc), followed by the federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) of Rs1.126tr, up 12.6pc from the current year, and Rs451bn from state-owned enterprises (SOEs), up 27pc from Rs355bn in the current fiscal year.

PM Shehbaz has said that the government was taking measures to bring the informal economy into the tax net.

The government last week unveiled the ‘Fixed Tax Asaan Scheme’ to bring small traders and shopkeepers into the tax net, with an annual turnover of up to Rs200 million.

The government is also considering relaxing the remittance cap in the upcoming budget as overseas Pakistanis in several countries face difficulties in protecting their investments and liquid assets abroad, according to sources in the financial industry.

The proceedings, chaired by Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, began two hours and 26 minutes behind schedule.

During the Question Hour, in which written queries of the lawmakers related to the irrigation department were taken up, treasury member Ahsan Raza Khan expressed his concern over water shortages in the siphon project and the collapse of a canal that reportedly affected thousands of acres of crops.

Responding to the concern, Irrigation Minister Kazim Pirzada said the siphon project has been included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) and measures are being taken to improve water supply.

The speaker observed that the need for the siphon system’s repairs had long been felt and termed its inclusion in the ADP an important step forward.

The House also discussed allegations of illegal occupation of canal land in Dipalpur tehsil of Okara district.

Later, opposition member Ijaz Shafi criticised the government over issues relating to wheat prices, fertiliser costs, diesel prices and agricultural taxation, saying farmers are facing severe hardships.

The assembly then moved to legislative business, where tensions flared during debates on various bills.

Ministers objected to a lengthy speech by opposition lawmaker Imtiaz Sheikh. Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman remarked that legislation should follow proper parliamentary procedures.

Speaking on the walled city legislation, Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb regretted that the opposition did not fully understand the purpose of the bill, adding that the government was committed to the restoration and development of the walled city of Lahore.

Information Minister Azma Bukhari at one point announced she would leave the chamber rather than continue listening to the lengthy debate, while treasury member Tariq Gill folded his hands in front of the speaker’s dais in an apparent attempt to persuade the opposition member to conclude his speech. It drew laughter from treasury members, as well as Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channar, who was in the chair at that time.

The House subsequently approved eight bills, including the Punjab Public Utilities Infrastructure Protection Bill 2026, the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Bill, the Public Sector Medical Universities (Amendment) Bill 2026, the Punjab Trusts (Amendment) Bill 2026, and the Aga Khan Properties (Succession and Transfer) Bill 2026, through a majority vote.

After completion of the agenda, Channar adjourned the session for an indefinite period.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

A press release issued by the PMD said a western disturbance is likely to approach the upper parts of the country on June 11 and persist until June 13. It added that moist currents from the Arabian Sea are also likely to penetrate the upper and central parts of the country from June 11.

Scattered dust and windstorms, and rain and thunderstorms — along with isolated heavy falls and hail — are expected in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Okara, Kasur, Khushab, Sargodha, Noor Pur Thal, Bhakkar, Layyah, Mianwali, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Kot Addu from June 11–13, with occasional gaps.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, similar conditions are expected in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Bajaur, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Mohmand, Khyber, Waziristan, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Hangu and Kurram.

Scattered rain, wind and thunderstorms, with some hail, are also expected in Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur; and in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar.

Dust and windstorms, and rain and thunderstorms, are expected in the northeastern parts of Balochistan, specifically Zhob, Sherani, Ziarat, Qilla Saifullah, Barkhan and Dera Bugti. Dust and windstorms are also expected in upper Sindh’s Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Dadu, Ghotki, Kashmore, Shikarpur and Shaheed Benazirabad.

The PMD warned that strong winds, hail and lightning may damage weak structures such as solar panels, electric poles and billboards. It also warned of urban flooding caused by heavy rains in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Lahore and Faisalabad.

Further, it said landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper KP, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir from June 11–13.

The statement advised farmers to manage their crops in line with prevailing weather conditions and urged tourists and travellers to exercise caution, advising them to avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period.

“All concerned authorities are advised to remain ‘vigilant’ and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period,” it added.

In an advisory, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Punjab requested all district administrations and line departments to ensure sufficient round-the-clock staffing at District Emergency Operations Centres (DEOCs) for effective coordination, and to coordinate with the PDMA and other relevant departments to ensure a unified and prompt response.

Authorities have also been directed to deploy additional staff and resources to high-risk areas, and to ensure timely and accurate dissemination of safety information and evacuation plans via electronic and social media.

The PDMA also requested situation reports (SitReps) to regularly cover major developments, along with data collection and reporting for post-flood analysis and improvements.

The Motorway Police have been directed to ensure regular traffic advisories, timely updates on road conditions, and guidance on safe travel. Rescue 1122 has been directed to remain alert and pre-position search and rescue teams and necessary equipment.

According to a NCCIA spokesperson, “The agency carried out an operation against an illegal call centre in Block-12 of Gulistan-i-Jauhar and arrested seven suspects for deceiving individuals through hacking and unauthorised access to their bank accounts and credit cards information.”

The held suspects were identified as Raheel Naurus, Leonard Edgar Dean, Joshua Harrison, Leon Samson Dean, Edison Aftab, Hamza Shaikh and Arnold Dean.

During the search, digital equipment including five CPUs, one laptop, nine mobile phones, two vehicles and important documents were seized.

The spokesperson said that a case under relevant sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016 and Pakistan Penal Code had been registered against the seven held persons.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

KARACHI: The Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), already under intense public criticism over a water supply crisis that has persisted for nearly three months in several parts of the city, is now facing another challenge as its employees took to the streets on Wednesday to demand the resolution of longstanding grievances.

The elected KWSC CBA and the Muttahida Workers Federation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan organised the protest outside the Karachi Press Club against the management of the water utility.

The demonstrators carried banners and placards highlighting various issues faced by water utility employees and demanding immediate action from the authorities.

Among their key demands were the restoration of the medical facility, approval of the Charter of Demand submitted by the Muttahida Workers Front CBA and an increase in employees’ salaries. The protesters also called for the immediate payment of dues to retired employees, those who had resigned, and the families of deceased workers.

Restoration of old medical policy, pay raise among key demands; MQM-P lawmakers assure to raise employees’ issues in Sindh Assembly

In his address, CBA Chairman Irshad Khan made a startling allegation regarding the outsourcing of KWSC’s medical services to a private insurance company. He claimed that the owner of the insurance company is a brother of senior Pakistan Peoples Party functionary.

“The employees’ welfare and their future are compromised to benefit the company. Despite the medical department having an allocated budget of Rs340 million, payments amounting to Rs740 million were made to the insurance at the behest of the KWSC chairman. We have documentary evidence of these transactions and can share with anyone who wants to challenge us.”

He also issued a strong warning to the KWSC administration, saying that any attempt to abolish or curtail employees’ medical facilities would be met with strong resistance. He said that recent changes to the medical system had caused serious difficulties for employees and their families, adversely affecting their access to healthcare services.

The KWSC employees, Khan said, serve as the backbone of the city’s water supply and sewerage system, yet their legitimate rights and welfare concerns have been ignored for years. The soaring inflation, he said, has placed workers under severe financial pressure, making salary increases and enhanced benefits an urgent necessity.

The protest was also attended by members of the Sindh Assembly belonging to the MQM-P, including Abdul Waseem, Qurrat-ul-Ain, Muhammad Dilawar, Engineer Usman and Aamir Siddiqui. Also present were MQM-P central office-bearers Masood Mahmood, Abdul Haseeb, Ashraf Ali, Labour Division In-charge Arshad Ansari and a large number of KWSC employees.

In their addresses, the MQM-P leaders expressed full support for the employees’ demands and assured protesters that their concerns would be raised forcefully in the Sindh Assembly and before the relevant authorities.

They emphasised that safeguarding workers’ rights and addressing their problems is the responsibility of both the government and public institutions, adding that continued neglect of these issues is unacceptable.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

Yesterday, the Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission ordered re-polling on polling stations in Skardu-II (GBA-8), Astore-I (GBA-13), Diamer-I (GBA-15), Diamer-II (GBA-16) and Diamer-III (GBA-17) and directed that the results of the June 7 election must not be consolidated until re-polling in five constituencies is completed.

Supporters of PPP candidate Attaullah from GBA-16 Diamer-II staged a protest outside the district returning officer’s office in Chilas, blocking the Karakoram Highway and demanding the counting of postal ballots and the announcement of the constituency’s final result without delay, as well as the cancellation of re-polling at three polling stations.

The Karakoram Highway has remained closed to all traffic for the third day. Travellers between Gilgit-Baltistan and other parts of the country faced difficulties and used Babusar Road and other alternative routes. However, on Wednesday, protesters temporarily reopened the highway for two hours to allow stranded passengers to pass.

Protesters said the protest would continue until the official results were issued “transparently”.

Speaking to the media, PPP candidate Attaullah said polling was held on June 7 in the presence of all agents and that Form 45 was issued.

“Form 47 was also prepared on the basis of Form 45; now only the counting of postal ballots remains,” he said.

He said that ordering re-polling by delaying the counting of postal ballots was “unacceptable” under any circumstances.

Attaullah alleged that an attempt was being made to snatch the public mandate in GBA-16 Diamer-II.

According to Form 47, independent candidate Imam Malik’s votes were shown to be 24 more than those of the PPP candidate. However, according to official figures, Imam Malik has 180 postal votes while Attaullah of the PPP has 473 postal votes.

The protesters claimed that, according to the clear record of Form 48, Attaullah had won the election by 269 votes.

They said the Election Commission had withheld Form 48 and issued a notification for repolling at three polling stations in the constituency.

They said the Commission’s decision for repolling was a “complete excess and robbery” of the public mandate.

The protesters also staged demonstrations outside the Election Commission’s secretariat in Gilgit, blocking Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam and demanding the announcement of GBA-16 results after the counting of postal ballots, without conducting re-polling at three stations.

Likewise, the PPP candidate for GBA-20 Ghizer-II also protested against the returning officer’s decision to announce the final result without conducting a recount.

Addressing supporters, PPP candidate and Speaker of the GB Assembly Nazir Ahmed Advocate alleged that election authorities had announced the official results without conducting a recount, despite the commission’s order.

He claimed that officials changed their position after deciding not to implement the recount order issued by the commission.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission withdrew its earlier notification ordering a re-poll at 10 polling stations in constituency GBA-08 Skardu-II.

According to a notification issued on June 10, the commission reviewed a fact-finding report submitted by the district returning officer, Skardu, following objections raised over the basis of the re-poll order issued on June 8.

The report concluded that polling at the concerned stations was conducted “peacefully and in accordance with the law, with no evidence of violence, intimidation, polling station capture, tampering of election material or any other irregularity” that could have materially affected the transparency, fairness or result of the poll.

The commission stated that the allegations supporting the request for a re-poll remained unsubstantiated and that the legal conditions required under Section 9 of the Elections Act, 2017, for ordering a re-poll had not been met.

The commission therefore withdrew the June 8 notification directing a re-poll and instructed the returning officer for GBA-08 Skardu-II to proceed with the remaining election process, including the consolidation of results, in accordance with the law.

Following the commission’s order, the returning officer for GBA-08 declared Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen’s (MWM) candidate, Kazim Mesum, the winner.

In another development, the commission ordered an investigation into polling irregularities and alleged corrupt and illegal practices in constituency GBA-09 Skardu-III.

An order issued by the commission to the returning officer GBA-9 said, “Application submitted by Wazir Muhammad Saleem be sent to the DRO, Skardu, for inquiry and report; whether the allegations levelled in the applications are correct? In the meantime, Form-48 will remain suspended till completion of the inquiry.”

“In view of the above directions of the Chief Election Commissioner, Gilgit-Baltistan, you are requested to examine the allegations raised in the applications and ascertain whether the polling process was obstructed, interrupted, suspended, prematurely terminated, or captured by any person or group of persons; whether it was affected by violence, disorder or unlawful interference; whether any ballot box, ballot papers or election material were snatched, stolen, tampered with or unlawfully removed; and whether polling staff or polling agents were prevented from performing their lawful functions, which may have materially affected the transparency, fairness or result of the poll,” the order read.

It urged the district returning officer (DRO) to provide clear findings and recommendations on an immediate basis for submission.

KARACHI: While the maximum temperature recorded in Karachi on Wednesday was 37.4 degrees Celsius, the feels-like temperature surged to 54°C, the Met Office data showed.

According to the data, the feels-like temperature gradually soared from 49°C at around 1pm to 54°C at 3pm.

It showed relative humidity was 79pc and 65pc in the morning and evening, respectively. The minimum temperature was 30°C.

Other districts of Sindh also experienced harsher weather conditions with mercury soaring to 49.5°C in Jacobabad followed by Dadu 49°C, Paddidan and Sukkur 47°C, Mohenjo Daro, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad 46.5°C, Rohri 46°C, Khairpur 45.5°C and Sakrand 45°C.

“We are expecting relief after Friday (tomorrow). The high pressure area developed over the region will gradually subside and the temperature will drop to 36°C to 34°C. But, there are no chances of rain in coming days in Karachi,” Chief Meteorologist Ameer Hyder Laghari told Dawn.

According to him, the highest ever recorded temperature of Karachi in the month of June is 47°C, which was recorded on June 18, 1979.

Preventive measures

Speaking about prevention from heat-related illnesses, Dr Nadeemullah Khan, Professor and Chair Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, said that staying hydrated was the most important preventive step people need to take to protect themselves.

“Avoid sugary drinks, caffeinated beverages, tea, coffee and alcohol, which accelerate fluid loss. Avoid the hottest hours and use air conditioning or cooling spaces, if possible. Evidence shows that time in air-conditioned environments is among the strongest protective factors against heat death. Fans alone are insufficient when ambient temperature exceeds body temperature,” he told Dawn.

“Heavy protective gear and dark clothing significantly increase heat absorption. Women whose cultural dress limits heat dissipation are at elevated risk and should take extra precautions.

“Workers must be given adequate water, shade and rest breaks. New workers and those returning from leave require gradual acclimatisation. Heavy work should not be assigned to elderly or high-risk workers during extreme heat.”

About any special precautions needed for children and the elderly, he said they were the two highest-risk groups and required specific protective strategies.

“Children have a higher surface area-to-body mass ratio, meaning they absorb heat from the environment faster than adults. Their sweat rates are slower, they have a higher temperature threshold before sweating begins, and they produce more dilute sweat, all of which impair heat dissipation,” he added.

Children, he emphasised, must never be left in parked vehicles, temperatures inside can be fatal within minutes. “Outdoor sports and play should be restricted to early morning or evening. Frequent water breaks are mandatory.”

The elderly, he said, were vulnerable because of their diminished cardiovascular reserve, which meant reduced ability to increase heart rate and redirect blood to the skin for cooling.

“Their reduced mobility, immobility and loss of heat-shock proteins increase vulnerability. Many elderly patients live alone, in poorly ventilated homes, without electricity or air conditioning, a critically dangerous combination during heat waves.

“Community health workers and family members should conduct twice-daily welfare checks on elderly individuals during extreme heat events,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

The strike, called by the Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal), drew a strong response from business community, with major commercial centres and malls staying closed in Quetta.

Similar closures were witnessed in other towns and cities, including Khuzdar, Kalat, Wadh, Dalbandin, Kharan, Sibi, Dera Murad Jamali, Turbat, Panjgur, Pasni, Jaffarabad, Nall, Basima, Jiwani, Washuk, Lasbela, and Hub.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

The organiser of the alliance, Professor Abdul Quddus Kakar, said the province-wide protest would begin on Thursday (today). He added that a sit-in would be staged on June 15.

He criticised the government for what he described as its “failure to address the concerns of workers and ordinary citizens”.

The alliance demanded that the minimum wage be linked to inflation and raised significantly. It also called for the elimination of salary disparities between federal and provincial employees. The alliance further demanded equal pay and benefits for employees in the same grades.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026

“I invited you on behalf of the government to come and sit together with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to consult on national issues,” Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said on the NA floor, while replying to allegations by the opposition that the government had failed to perform.

Referring to the opposition’s demand to allow incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan to meet other party leaders, the law minister said the Constitution did not allow a convict to run a political party, distribute tickets for legislative assemblies, or actively participate in politics.

Meanwhile, regarding the recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, he stated that the opposition had to provide proof of any alleged rigging that took place there.

Tarar said that the recent protest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir was due to the backing of a neighbouring country.

Earlier in the session, the opposition lamented that the government had failed to run the country in the right way.

Achakzai noted that the opposition had ended its previous boycott at the government’s request to demonstrate unity before a Chinese delegation that visited the National Assembly last month.

In May, the opposition said it would boycott the upcoming budget session to protest the denial of medical care to the former premier.

Responding to a question during the question hour in the House, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said Pakistani missions abroad have dedicated sections that provide necessary support to Pakistani prisoners, including legal and financial assistance, to ensure their welfare.

He said mission representatives regularly visit jails and ensure the well-being of all prisoners. During these visits, prisoners interact with mission officials and register complaints regarding food, medicine and hygiene, which are then promptly taken up with the relevant jail authorities.

Fazal apprised the House that as soon as a Pakistani was apprehended by law enforcement agencies, the date of arrest and the charges levelled against them were communicated to the missions through official communication channels of the host government.

He said the missions tabulate this information and maintain a comprehensive databank. At times, Pakistanis arrested from police stations are released due to the timely intervention of the missions.

Answering another question, the minister said every effort was being made to secure the release of Pakistani hostages held by Somali pirates.

Replying to another question, the minister claimed no targeted or selective action was being taken against Pakistanis in the United Arab Emirates.

The House will now meet tomorrow at 11am.