The meeting, chaired by Aleem, reviewed the NHA’s ongoing and proposed projects, revenue enhancement, road safety and developmental programmes.

The minister directed NHA officials to ensure road safety through improved engineering in the construction of new highways. He stressed that the protection of human lives must remain the top priority.

He expressed reservations about the design of the M-4 and other highways, saying that Pakistan’s roads should be green, safe, comfortable, and designed according to modern international standards.

To this end, he directed the NHA to engage foreign experts for improved road engineering and better highway design, noting that the authority’s engineering staff should adopt international best practices to develop motorways that were safer and more comfortable for motorists.

During the high-level meeting, Aleem said that the NHA had successfully achieved the revenue enhancement target set two years ago. He affirmed that going forward, the NHA would undertake the construction of new roads from the revenue generated from existing revenue streams.

Aleem also informed the meeting that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would inaugurate major road projects in the coming months, including the Lodhran–Multan Expressway, the Peshawar Northern Bypass and the expansion of the Pindi Bhattian–Faisalabad Motorway.

He said that work on the Sialkot–Kharian Motorway was progressing rapidly, while construction work had begun on the Karachi–Quetta–Chaman Pakistan Expressway (N-25).

Expressing concern over the poor condition of the Lahore–Gujranwala GT Road, he directed the NHA authorities to take immediate measures to improve the condition of the road and provide relief to travellers.

The federal minister was also briefed on the availability of funds for the M-6 Motorway, ongoing projects under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and NHA projects underway across all four provinces.

The meeting was informed that the NHA manages only 3.13 per cent of the country’s road network, yet more than 80pc of the country’s traffic moves on this network. It was also told that the authority would soon give PM Shehbaz a detailed presentation on its performance over the past two and a half years.

The federal secretary for communications, Ali Sher Mahsud, and NHA Chairman Sheheryar Sultan both briefed the meeting on the progress of ongoing and proposed projects.

It was decided during the meeting to contact the federal government to provide Rs108 billion in funding for NHA projects in Balochistan.

In February this year, the NHA was reported as the “largest loss-maker” for the government, operating on a “structural deficit model and reliant on budgetary support”, according to the Annual Aggregate Report on state-owned enterprises (SOEs) by the Central Monitoring Unit (CMU) of the Ministry of Finance for the year ended June 30, 2025, with accumulated losses of Rs2.074 trillion.

A spokesman for the City Traffic Police Murree said in a press release that, on the orders of District Police Officer Murree Raza Tanveer Sipra and Chief Traffic Officer Murree Munir Ahmed Hashmi, special squads of traffic wardens had been formed to ensure safety arrangements in public service vehicles, particularly those used to transport schoolchildren.

The squads have intensified vehicle checks at various highways and locations across the district. They are specifically checking the presence and usability of fire extinguishers in school vans, the spokesman said.

Mr Hashmi directed traffic wardens not to compromise on safety arrangements for vehicles carrying schoolchildren and general passengers. Drivers, vehicle owners and transporters have been asked to ensure that suitable and usable fire extinguishers are available in their vehicles.

The spokesman said the safety of children’s lives and property was the top priority, particularly in school transport. He said vehicles should be equipped with the necessary fire safety equipment.

According to the traffic police, in case of a vehicle fire caused by a sudden short circuit, fuel leakage, or other reasons, the first few moments are crucial.

A usable fire extinguisher can help control a fire at an early stage and reduce potential loss of life and property until Rescue 1122 and other emergency services arrive.

The special squads have been instructed to check not only the presence of fire extinguishers but also their serviceable condition and expiry dates during inspections of public service and school transport.

The City Traffic Police has also urged school administrations, parents, transporters and drivers to pay special attention to the safety arrangements of vehicles used to transport children. Parents and school administrations should ensure that necessary safety equipment is available and usable, the spokesman said.

The traffic police said checks on public service and school transport would continue, with special squads conducting inspections at various locations to ensure compliance with safety requirements.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2026

On the other hand, the Rawalpindi police have received forensic and the final postmortem reports which showed marks of torture and other crucial evidence.

According to sources, the Punjab Forensic Science Agency’s (PSFA) findings showed startling evidence of the domestic servant’s role in the gruesome murder of the woman.

After the PSFA’s findings, however, police authorities are waiting for the three-member team to arrive in Rawalpindi when the case file will be presented to them.

Police receive forensic and final postmortem reports which show torture, other crucial evidence

The committee constituted by the provincial government consists of Additional IG Crime Control Department (CCD) Sohail Chattha, DIG Lahore Shoaib Khurram Janbaz and SSP Investigation Rawalpindi Saifullah.

According to sources, the committee has been formed on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, which will be headed by Mr Chattha.

Sources said the committee will arrive in the city this week and will visit the crime scene and also review the investigation conducted by the local police so far.

Initial postmortem examination and police report had suggested that Ms Javed’s body was found lying in a washroom of her apartment on August 21, with signs of torture as there was “strangulation mark around her neck; injury below her right lip with her nose bleeding”.

The police found her body partially hanging from a washroom shower, with her hands tied behind her back and a wire noose around her neck.

Ms Javed, 45, had married Faisal Imam nine months ago and was his second wife.

According to sources, the committee has also contacted the family of the deceased, while the murder case was registered with Civil Lines police station.

The deceased’s husband, Mr Faisal, and domestic worker Zeeshan Arshad were nominated in the murder case and were sent to Adiala Jail on judicial remand.

The police had registered a murder case against the woman’s husband, who holds a doctorate degree (PhD).

Her father-in-law, 78, and the domestic servant were also nominated in the case on the complaint of the victim’s brother Fahad Javed, a resident of Westridge Bazaar, Peshawar Road.

It may be recalled that CPO Rawalpindi Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera had formed a special investigation team to investigate the high-profile case, but Ms Javed’s family had written letters to the Parliamentary Caucus Committee and the National Commission for Human Rights, expressing reservations about the Rawalpindi police investigation.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2026

He also called for strengthening geo-tagging, verification of land records and monitoring of housing schemes to improve enforcement and transparency.

A meeting was held at the RDA under the chairmanship of the Commissioner, Rawalpindi Division Salman Ghani to review matters relating to land use, illegal housing schemes and ongoing enforcement activities.

During the meeting, the commissioner directed the concerned officers to ensure effective monitoring and proper regulation of land use within the RDA’s controlled area.

He emphasised that strict action should be taken against illegal housing schemes, unauthorised development and other violations in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

The commissioner also directed RDA officers and officials to strengthen geo-tagging of relevant sites and development activities to improve monitoring, verification and transparency.

He instructed the concerned officers to thoroughly check and verify official records relating to land use, housing schemes and development activities. All records should be properly maintained, updated and verified, while timely action should be taken wherever violations, discrepancies or unauthorised activities are identified.

The commissioner further directed the officers to regularly review the status of approved and unapproved housing schemes and ensure that no unauthorised development or marketing activity was allowed in violation of applicable rules.

He stressed the need for prompt action against violations and directed that enforcement measures should be properly documented and followed up.

The commissioner also emphasised effective coordination among relevant directorates for proper land-use management and controlling illegal development within the authority’s jurisdiction.

He directed the officers to improve coordination and information-sharing regarding land use, planning approvals, site inspections and enforcement actions.

The commissioner said accurate and updated records, effective field monitoring, geo-tagging and the use of modern technological tools would help improve management of development activities and facilitate timely action against violations.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2026

“This avoidable duplication is causing confusion and anxiety in G-13/14 residents,” says Ambassador Javed Hafeez who has lived in the sector since 2010. Mr Hafeez said the situation reflected total lack of coordination between the two organisations of the same government.

Another resident said there are several precedents in the country that police and other government departments over a little doubt on boundaries were seen contesting each other over jurisdiction of an area, union councils, towns by saying that a particular area does not fall in their limit.

But, here in Islamabad both FGEHA and MCI for the sake of collection of taxes claim jurisdiction, he said, adding that, “this is strange, we wish all government organisations work with the same spirit and principle for providing facilities to residents”.

Former envoy says situation reflects lack of coordination between both organisations

Several residents shared copies of property tax notices issued by the MCI and FGEHA.

G-13 and G-14 sectors of Islamabad were developed by the erstwhile Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation two decades ago. The foundation was elevated to the status of authority in 2020 and started collecting property tax from residents.

Residents said a turf war had started between the CDA ,which previously collected this tax, and FGEHA.

According to the residents, both Islamabad High Court and Wafaqi Mohtsib were of the opinion that the housing authority could collect property tax since it performed municipal functions in these sectors. For the last six years, the residents have paid the tax to the FGEHA. And now the MCI, which is an offshoot of CDA, is demanding the same tax.

“We are confused and bewildered,” said a government officer living in sector G-13.

Another resident objected to double taxation. He said services provided by the housing authority are totally inadequate. The law abiding residents were paying taxes to the municipal services provider. He particularly referred to water scarcity and housing authority’s non-serious attitude. “As a result, the tanker mafia was reaping huge profits,” he said.

A senior resident, who has been pursuing court cases, said the residents, most of them senior citizens, were tired of shuttling between government offices and courts to resolve problems not created by them.

When contacted, an officer of FGEHA, Faiz Umer Sial, told Dawn that both sectors belonged to FGEHA and “we provide all types of municipal services and thus we are supposed to collect taxes”. He said there is a litigation in this regard and FGEHA is pleading this case vigorously.

CDA/MCI director revenue Kashif Niaz said Local Government Act empowers MCI to levy property taxes.

He said provision of services had nothing to do with the property tax, as there are other charges levied for them.

To a query, he said as per his knowledge, Federal Ombudsman Office had given flexibility to

residents, stating that if they [residents] want to deposit tax with MCI they can and if they opt for FGEHA, it’s their choice.

It is relevant to note here that the CDA owned majority of sectors of Islamabad while FGEHA owns six sectors – G-13, G-14 (developed), under developed F-14 and F-15 while two other sectors undeveloped F-12 and G-12 also belong to this authority.

Since MCI, which was established in 2015-16, is an offshoot of CDA, many erstwhile directorates were placed under its administrative control. Both CDA and MCI share the revenue directorate which deals with taxes.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2026

A total of nine development schemes of the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC), worth Rs1.6 billion, and nine development schemes worth Rs4.8 billion for the district council are being executed by the Punjab Highway Department, while the RMC and district council will provide funds for the road projects.

A meeting was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, presided over by Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Nasir, to review the progress of ongoing development schemes under the Punjab Development Programme. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Social Services) Fazail Mudassir, the Deputy Director (Development), Managing Director (MD) of Wasa and other relevant officials attended the meeting.

The meeting conducted a detailed review of schemes being implemented under the Punjab Development Programme, with a particular focus on water supply, sewerage and other development projects.

Wasa Managing Director Azizullah Khan briefed the meeting on ongoing water supply and sewerage schemes, while the Deputy Director (Development) apprised the participants of the details, progress and approval status of other development projects.

According to the briefing, a total of 21 schemes had been identified for Rawalpindi district, with a combined cost exceeding Rs6.5229 billion. Of these, 18 schemes had already been approved.

The approved schemes include projects for the rehabilitation, construction, improvement and widening of roads in various areas.

Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Nasir directed officials to ensure the timely, transparent and high-quality completion of all development schemes. He said no compromise on quality would be tolerated in development projects and instructed officials to regularly monitor the pace of work.

He further directed that effective action be taken, in accordance with rules and regulations, against contractors who failed to execute work according to the prescribed standards and timelines.

“Unnecessary delays in development schemes are unacceptable under any circumstances,” he said, directing the relevant departments to ensure continuous monitoring of projects and tangible progress on the ground.

The deputy commissioner said he would personally visit the sites of ongoing development schemes in the coming days to assess the quality and pace of work.

He directed the concerned officers to immediately resolve any issues identified during these field visits so that the public could benefit from the development projects in a timely manner.

The development schemes include the rehabilitation and improvement of various roads, including Khayaban-i-Sir Syed, Bokra Road, Fifth Road, Rawal Road, the stretch from Chandni Chowk to Commercial Market, Railway Workshop Road and Gordon College Road, as well as roads in Taxila, Gujar Khan, Kallar Syedan and Kahuta.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2026

The relief scheme for owners of motorcycles, rickshaws and vehicles of up to 800cc was rolled out across the country on Sept 17. PM Shehbaz Sharif had announced the subsidies to ease the public’s burden amid rising fuel prices due to the Middle East situation.

On Tuesday, DPM Dar chaired a meeting of the National Steering Committee on Fuel Subsidy to review the implementation of the scheme, his office said.

The deputy premier noted that the information, IT and petroleum ministries, as well as the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and all provinces, had made “concerted” efforts for the scheme.

“Dar stressed the need for continued coordination to facilitate beneficiaries and ensure smooth service delivery across the country,” the statement said.

It noted that to date, around 7.60 million registrations have been successfully made, and the token redemption process has entered the second week. Moreover, 7.71m tokens have been redeemed.

The meeting was attended by IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to PM (SAPM) on DPM Office Tariq Bajwa, the federal and provincial secretaries, and officials from SBP, Ogra, National Information Technology Board, and Pakistan Digital Authority.

Under the relief scheme, owners of two- and three-wheeled vehicles were to receive a subsidy of Rs100 per litre on a monthly quota of 20 litres, while those owning vehicles of up to 800cc were to receive the same subsidy on a monthly quota of 30 litres.

On Sept 17, the government also reintroduced austerity measures in an effort to conserve fuel, setting 9pm as the time for closing markets and reducing fuel provision for official vehicles by 50pc for a period of three months.

Today, DPM Dar also chaired a meeting of the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Conservation and Additional Austerity Measures.

“The committee reviewed progress on the austerity and conservation measures,” the Dar-led Foreign Office (FO) said.

Discussions focused on ensuring fiscal discipline and the prudent use of public resources, it added.

The deputy premier directed all ministries and divisions concerned to “fully and effectively implement the decisions taken at previous meetings”.

The meeting was attended by Khawaja, Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik, SAPM on Foreign Affairs and the cabinet secretary, as well as officials from the interior, finance, foreign affairs, commerce, law, and climate change ministries.

Fuel prices amid Mideast conflict

Renewed hostilities in the Middle East, which have resulted in the disruption of major oil supply routes, have caused fuel prices to rise over the past two months.

In addition to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Iran war, trade via Bab al-Mandab — which has become a vital route for Saudi oil exports in recent months — is also facing a rising threat from Houthi rebels.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has said that global oil supply and demand will fall further than previously thought this year, as a lack of progress in ending the Iran war delays the return of normal Middle East flows into 2027 and sends fuel prices soaring.

In July, the government announced that fuel prices would now be fixed on a daily basis due to fluctuations in international market prices.

Prior to this, the government had been announcing weekly revisions to fuel prices since early March, alongside measures for the conservation of fuel. The federal government had also announced targeted relief measures in April to provide subsidised fuel.

Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar was hearing petitions filed by Nasir Azeem, Nasir Mujahid and Dr Mohammad Iqbal.

Additional Attorney General Rashid Hafeez, appearing on behalf of the federation, told the court that the responses of the respondents had not yet been submitted.

When the chief justice pointed out the delay, the law officer sought two to three weeks’ time, saying that the inquiry into the matter was nearing completion and orders from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif were awaited.

Law officer says inquiry is nearing completion, orders from PM are awaited

He assured the court that the complete inquiry report and the Federation’s response would be submitted after the process was concluded. The court accepted the request and directed the respondents to submit their para-wise comments by the next hearing.

The proceedings were subsequently adjourned for two weeks.

The August 26 fire at a nursery in Pims’ Mother and Child Hospital had claimed the lives of 14 newborns. The incident raised concerns over fire safety measures and sparked calls for accountability with criminal action being ordered against eight hospital officials.

The inquiry committee formed to probe the deadly fire incident later found “systemic and institutional failure” and determined that an electrical failure was the most likely cause of the blaze.

Headed by former interior secretary Shahid Khan, the committee had been formed on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and it presented its findings and recommendations in a 43-page report on September 15.

The committee comprised retired Maj Gen Dr Khurshid Uttra, Establishment Division Secretary Dr Barrister Nabeel Awan, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon, and Dr Rashid A. Chotani (co-opted member).

The committee had submitted an interim report on August 29 after which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the suspension of eight officials, including the executive director of Pims, and directed that criminal proceedings be initiated against them.

The prime minister specifically directed that those identified by the inquiry committee face not only departmental action but also criminal proceedings under the relevant laws.

He also ordered that criminal proceedings be initiated against those responsible without discrimination and approved action against the company tasked with providing security at the hospital and its officials.

The committee in its final report has concluded that “systemic and institutional failure is established, while individual responsibility varies with the strength of the evidence”.

It added that Pims and its “senior management bear the principal institutional responsibility for failing to convert known risks, prior warnings and assigned duties into an effective safety system”.

“Administrative, disciplinary, contractual and criminal responsibility must attach only where the relevant duty, omission and causal consequence are proved,” the report said.

“The electrical spark explains how the fire began; the institutional system explains why it became a catastrophe.

“Fourteen newborns were lost not because one safeguard failed, but because too many safeguards were absent, weak, delayed or never verified to be working,” the report has declared.

The report pointed out a “history of known but incompletely closed risks”, citing prior warnings.

These included earlier correspondence by the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the Federal Ombudsman’s 2015 findings, Pims’ own 2025 acknowledgement of ageing fire safety infrastructure, and especially the July 6, 2026 Nursing Hostel fire, which had already highlighted deficiencies in detection, alarms, electrical inspection, evacuation, firefighting equipment, drills and emergency planning.

“Yet those warnings had not been converted into a comprehensive, time-bound and independently verified corrective programme before the Nursery fire,” the report regrets.

The committee said its conclusions were based on a structured 52-task investigation drawing upon forensic evidence, CCTV, call records, engineering and maintenance documents, clinical and casualty records, duty and attendance material, witness statements, contracts, regulatory records, and earlier inquiries.

The report said the record disclosed “prima facie grounds for administrative and E&D proceedings against officers where a defined duty, prior knowledge or foreseeability, authority and corresponding act or omission indicate negligence, inefficiency, misconduct, unauthorised absence, failure of supervision or non-performance of assigned safety responsibilities”.

It stressed that final guilt must be determined through due process.

According to the committee, the evidence was “not equally mature against all officers”.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2026

Through the joint statement, the organisations demanded that the government ensure that any continued deprivation of liberty is subject to a clear legal basis and rigorous, independent judicial scrutiny.

“Drop all charges based on the legitimate exercise of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, human rights advocacy, and the lawful performance of their professional duties as lawyers. Disclose the factual and legal basis for their re-arrest and ensure rigorous judicial scrutiny of the arbitrary use of the Anti-Terrorism Act in the latest proceedings,” the statement read.

It called for “guaranteeing their full fair-trial rights, including access to counsel of their choosing, adequate time and facilities to prepare their defence, their physical presence during proceedings, the ability to challenge prosecution evidence, and decisions through reasoned judicial orders.”

The organisations demanded that the government ensure the safety and dignity of Mazari-Hazir and Chattha while they are detained, including confidential and unrestricted access to legal counsel, appropriate medical care, contact with their families, and protection from torture or other ill-treatment.

“End any pattern of reprisals, intimidation or persecution through judicial processes against Mazari-Hazir and Chattha and other lawyers and human rights defenders for carrying out legitimate professional work, including human rights work,” the statement read.

It further called on the government of Pakistan to “ensure that all lawyers in Pakistan can carry out their professional functions independently and safely, including representing unpopular or politically sensitive clients, without being associated with their clients’ causes or subjected to retaliation”.

“The independence of lawyers is an essential component of the right to a fair trial and of the rule of law itself. Judicial remedies cannot be meaningful if a grant of liberty by one court is followed immediately by detention through another proceeding without compelling and independently scrutinised justification,” the statement read.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2026

The mother was found buried in a ditch, while her two young daughters were recovered alive by the police.

The City Police Officer (CPO) formed special police teams, and raids were carried out to apprehend the other accomplices of the main accused, whose arrest led to the recovery of the woman’s body.

The station house officer leading the investigation into the kidnapping case said the case had been converted into a murder case after the recovery of the body of the victim, 28, who was allegedly shot dead by her husband’s brother and buried in a ditch dug along the Soan River in the Chontra area.

“The victim, when she realised that she was going to be killed, locked herself and her two daughters in a room for the whole night. But when she unlocked the door the next morning, she was allegedly shot dead by her brother-in-law, who later wrapped her body in a plastic bag with the help of his brothers and drove to Chontra to bury her,” he told Dawn.

He added that the woman was shot dead at her in-laws’ house, which is located close to Adiala Jail. After burying her body, all the family members, including the main accused, his two brothers, mother and sister, escaped with the deceased woman’s two daughters after locking the house.

Police said the motive behind the murder was the lust for property that had been transferred to her name by her husband, who was also on the police wanted list and was at large.

The brother of the deceased woman told Dawn that his sister, who had been missing since Sept 17, 2026, was recovered by the police after the arrest of her brother-in-law, Wasim.

He said his four-year-old niece had recorded her statement with SP Saddar, in which she revealed that her mother was murdered by her uncle and his brothers. She also disclosed that she had met her father, who was at large.

He said that since his sister’s husband had been on the run, she was subjected to torture by her in-laws due to their lust for property. He added that he would take his sister’s body to his native town, Kahuta, after the postmortem.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2026

The prolonged closure has disrupted the studies of hundreds of students, raising concerns among parents and teachers over the loss of valuable classroom time at a critical stage of the academic year.

According to district education authorities, 21 boys’ and girls’ high schools in Hazro, nine in Hassanabdal, seven in Fatehjang and two each in Attock and Jand tehsils have been affected.

The institutions have been earmarked to provide temporary accommodation and resting facilities to security personnel arriving from different parts of Punjab.

A large contingent of police has been deployed in Attock as part of security arrangements.

Sources said that 30,700 police personnel including officials from elite force, special branch, Punjab highway patrolling police from six districts had been deployed in Attock, while additional forces were accommodated in schools and other buildings.

The PTI has postponed its September 27 march to October 4, but educational institutions have yet to resume academic activities.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2026

Sources in the Ministry of Housing and FGEHA told Dawn that plots for a hospital, dispensaries and a school, located in sectors G-13 and G-14, would be outsourced to private firms under a joint venture model.

They said four such plots were currently available for a joint venture under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis.

An FGEHA official said that at a recent meeting of the FGEHA board, the issue was taken up and, after detailed deliberation, the board allowed FGEHA “to proceed with outsourcing the identified plots in sector G-13 and G-14, through a PPP/JV/Revenue Sharing/Profit Sharing/Rental mode on DBFOT basis for initial concession period of 20 years (extendable by 10 years).”

Sites reserved for health, education facilities to be offered under public-private partnership model

“The board further authorised the invitation of Expression of Interest (EOI), Request for Proposals (RFP) through open competitive bidding in accordance with applicable rules,” read the board decision.

The source said that before the decision, the matter had been discussed in detail by the board. The board was informed that 4,813 square yards had been earmarked for a hospital in G-14 Markaz, 4,813 square yards for a dispensary in G-14/3, 67 square yards for a dispensary in G-14/4 and 333 square yards for a school in G-14/3.

Another 1,838 square yards were located within populated and developing sectors and possessed “significant [potential] to provide essential social infrastructure while generating revenue for FGEHA.”

Sources said the board was further informed that, in order to “woo private investment, operational expertise, and modern educational/medical standards, it is proposed that these sites be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP)/Joint Venture Revenue Sharing/Profit Sharing/Rental agreement on DBFOT basis and under this agreement FGEHA will contribute land as equity while the selected private partner will be responsible for DBFOT of the facilities,” said a source.

FGEHA told the board that the proposed arrangements would include an initial concession/lease period of 20 years, extendable for another 10 years on existing modified terms at FGEHA’s discretion.

The board was told that during the concession period, the private partner would operate the facilities in accordance with the terms of the concession agreement.

“The private partner will bear all investment, construction, operational and maintenance costs while FGEHA retains the title of ownership of the land. Upon expiry of the concession period, the developed immovable infrastructure will revert to FGEHA,” FGEHA told the board.

“The financial model aims to secure a continuous risk-free revenue stream for FGEHA. The transaction structure may comprise a revenue-sharing model or any other suitable hybrid framework. Qualified partners will be invited through an open, transparent and competitive procurement process,” FGEHA pleaded its case.

Making the case for FGEHA, sources said the FGEHA director for joint ventures stated that the authority had so far handed over 13 school plots to the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) for the development of schools and colleges. However, he stated that FDE had utilised only two plots to date due to the non-provision of sufficient funds from the government exchequer.

Sources said that during the meeting, the CDA representative asked whether there was any fixed ratio for such amenity plots to be distributed between relevant government departments, such as the FDE or health departments, and the private sector.

The director for joint ventures responded, “The Executive Board, FGEHA has not fixed any rigid ratio, and allocation is determined on a need basis,” the board was told.

Sources said the FGEHA Executive Board approved the summary in principle and authorised FGEHA to proceed with outsourcing the four identified plots.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2026

In the video, the person on the bonnet is seen holding on to the sides of the vehicle and the motorcycle being dragged along the road, having been caught under the car’s fender.

According to the first information report (FIR), a copy of which is available with Dawn, the case was registered at New Town police station on the complaint of New Town Traffic Police Inspector Wahid Ikhlaq.

The FIR invoked Sections 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way) and 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The account detailed in the FIR involves two cars, a black vehicle and a white one, identified as a Honda Civic.

The FIR quoted the complainant as saying that he came across the video of the incident. After a probe, it was revealed that the clip was from Sept 25.

The findings revealed that at around 11:25pm, the black vehicle hit the white one. Then, with the white car’s driver on the black car’s bonnet, the latter hit a motorcycle, dragging it along the road, the FIR said.

The white car’s driver has not been identified, and neither has the driver of the black vehicle, against whom the case has been registered.

No arrest has been made so far.

The complainant termed the incident “clear proof of negligence, carelessness and causing harm”. He added that this act was a “clear violation of the law and intentionally damaging a vehicle”.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) recorded 33mm of rain at Saidpur village on Monday morning. Golra, near E-11, received 25mm of rain, while Pirwadhai and Gawalmandi recorded 28mm and 27mm, respectively. According to PMD data, 23mm of rain was recorded in H-8, 22mm in I-12 and 29mm in Shamsabad.

In its update, the PMD advised residents to stay away from Nullah Lai.

“Nullah Lai is being continuously monitored, and the public is being kept informed in a timely manner,” Rawalpindi Commissioner Salman Ghani said.

The water flow is currently normal, according to the authorities.

The water level in Nullah Lai stands at 5.5 feet at Katarian and 2 feet at Gawalmandi.

In a post on X, the Islamabad Traffic Police said its officers were ensuring a smooth flow of traffic and urged residents to adhere to traffic advisories and cooperate with the police.

Heavy rain caused two flight diversions, Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said.

A Pakistan International Airlines flight from Paris to Islamabad was diverted to Multan airport, where it landed at 5:44am, later departing for Islamabad at 8:21am, PAA said.

Furthermore, an AirSial flight from Jeddah to Islamabad was diverted to Peshawar due to “bad weather”, landing at 10:25am, PAA said.

Drainage operations were under way in the twin cities, while the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Rawalpindi had deployed staff and heavy machinery in low-lying areas.

Heavy machinery had been stationed at Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk Underpass, Murree Road, Dhok Khabba, Circular Road and low-lying areas of Sadiqabad.

Citizens were urged to contact the district administration or the Wasa helpline in case of an emergency.

For the rest of the week, the PMD has forecast mainly dry weather in most parts of the country, while partly cloudy weather with isolated rain, wind and thunderstorms is expected in the northern hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The National Disaster Management Authority has, meanwhile, released a report detailing casualties and damages recorded in rain-related incidents between June 26 and Sept 28.

According to the report, 751 casualties, including 199 deaths, were recorded during this period from across the country.

Among the deaths, 80 were reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 70 from Punjab, 19 from Sindh, seven from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and two from Islamabad.

Moreover, 623 properties were fully damaged and 1,216 partially damaged in rain-related incidents across the country.

M-1, sections of M-14 (Islamabad-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway) and the GT Road (N-5) were closed to traffic last week for an indefinite period amid government pushback ahead of PTI’s long march towards Islamabad — initially scheduled for September 27, but later postponed to October 4.

According to a Motorway Police spokesperson, restoration work remained underway on the M-14 motorway between Hakla and Kundal and on the loop connecting the M-1 motorway with the Hazara Motorway.

Traffic travelling from Islamabad to Abbottabad via the M-1 can exit at Burhan Interchange, use the GT Road via Hasan Abdal and rejoin the Hazara Expressway at Jhuri Kas Interchange, the spokesperson said.

The N-5, or GT Road, between Islamabad and Peshawar has also been reopened to all traffic, the spokesperson said.

In a statement issued later, the spokesperson said M-14 had been reopened from Hakla to Kot Belian and from Isa Khel to Yarik. Meanwhile, restoration work on the section between Kot Belian and Isa Khel was still under way, the spokesperson added.

In its Sept 22 directives, the motorway police announced that the M-1 was closed to all traffic in both directions between the Islamabad Toll Plaza and Chhachh Interchange, while the M-14 was closed between Hakla and Kundal. The GT Road was also closed at Attock Khurd.

Security arrangements were also intensified in Attock, with containers and sandbags placed at key bridges and security tightened at major entry and exit points as authorities prepared for the PTI protest.

However, on Sept 25, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said PTI’s long march towards Islamabad would now commence from Peshawar on Oct 4.

The party was set to hold a nationwide protest and march towards Islamabad to press for the release of its founder, Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail.

Ahead of the protest, the Punjab government imposed a ban on gatherings across the province for 13 days and prohibited inciting people to “unlawful assembly”. A similar ban under Section 144 has been enforced in Islamabad for two months.

The Punjab government also sent a letter to the interior ministry requesting mobile and internet services at specific locations in Rawalpindi and Attock to be downgraded or jammed on Sept 27. The federal government also approved the deployment of Rangers in Islamabad and several districts of Punjab from Sept 20 to Oct 5.

Under a special security plan, 160 police personnel, including three sections of Elite Force and one team from the Dolphin Force, are patrolling around the jail to ensure foolproof security.

The Adiala jail is the most sensitive location where dangerous suspects have been detained and an attempt to free them may be made because of the current state of security across the country and the surge in terrorism cases.

The district administration and police have been directed to remain on high alert round the clock and take extra security measures. The police have been instructed to ensure that no legal violations occur and to promptly report any such violations to the relevant police station and senior officers.

As part of the tightened security, other than the government vehicles, all private vehicles transporting wheat/other goods will be subjected to complete search. Police officials performing duty at police pickets will be wearing bulletproof jackets and helmets. One of the police officials will be equipped with G-3, the other will be having an SMG and the third will be keeping a semi-automatic gun.

In the outer cordon, one section of Elite Force and Dolphin Force will be patrolling around the jail in line with the SOP while police deployed at pickets established outside the jail’s gate No 1 will be equipped with anti-riot tools and will perform duty from 7am to 3pm and from 3pm to 11pm.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2026

The case was registered on the complaint of an ASI, who said he and other police personnel were deployed at the bridge when a crowd of around 250 people approached from the Peshawar side.

According to the FIR, the crowd, comprising people believed to be from the nearby Khairabad and Jahangira areas, was allegedly carrying sticks and iron rods and chanting provocative slogans. Police alleged that the gathering turned into an unlawful assembly and that participants threatened personnel and pelted them with stones in an attempt to force them to abandon their posts.

The complainant alleged that barriers and other logistical equipment installed at the bridge to maintain law and order were damaged and removed. Some items were allegedly thrown into the river, while others were allegedly taken away.

Police said attempts were made to persuade the crowd to disperse, but the alleged violence continued. The gathering was subsequently dispersed and the situation brought under control, the FIR said.

The police have also relied on video footage of the incident to identify those involved. Although the FIR names no individual suspect, it says people from the adjoining areas could be identified if brought before the complainant.

The case has been registered under Sections 379, 427, 186, 353, 506, 188, 148 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code, covering alleged theft, damage to property, obstruction and assault against public servants, criminal intimidation, disobedience of a lawful order and rioting.

Police also invoked Section 188 in connection with the alleged violation of restrictions imposed under Section 144 in the district.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2026

CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf said the establishment of the sports arenas at D-12/1, G-11/3 Markaz and F-8 Markaz would provide citizens with state-of-the-art sports facilities.

“The Sports Arenas will feature a diverse range of modern facilities, including indoor swimming pools, branded indoor gyms, futsal courts, cricket cages, indoor and outdoor padel courts, basketball facilities, multipurpose sports halls, indoor kids’ play areas, health bars and administrative facilities, along with landscaping, parking and dedicated tracks,” says a press release issued by the CDA on Sunday.

The chairman stated that providing modern sports infrastructure is an important component of CDA’s vision for a healthier, more vibrant and citizen-friendly Islamabad.

He said citizens should have access to quality sporting facilities in different parts of the city, enabling them to pursue sports, fitness and recreational activities in a modern, safe and conducive environment.

The financing of these projects will be through CDA’s own resources, with execution through open competitive bidding under PPRA Rules.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2026

The police have registered a case on the complaint of the brother of the deceased under Section 322 PPC, which deals with qatl-bis-sabab (unintentional causing of death), and started an investigation.

Shahzad Yousuf Abbasi, brother of the deceased Adnan Yousuf, lodged an FIR with the police saying that his younger brother Adnan Yousuf, 34, father of three, had been doing a private job.

He said that he was at his home in Abbottabad when he received a phone call on Saturday night that the body of his younger brother Adnan Yousuf was lying in the private society’s hospital.

According to the FIR, a man stopped Adnan Yousuf from picking up the bottles and called the security staff of the private housing society.

The man allegedly punched Adnan in the face and then tortured him in the presence of the security team, he said in the FIR.

As a result, Adnan fell to the ground and bleeding started from his nose and mouth. However, the security staff intervened and rescued Adnan.

The FIR said that the security staff made Adnan Yousuf sit in a vehicle and asked those accompanying him to reach the police post in Phase VII.

The security staff of the housing society later claimed that Adnan Yousuf jumped from a moving vehicle in the presence of the supervisor while being transferred to the police post. As a result, he fell on the road and died of injuries.

Police said that the deceased was badly injured due to torture and while jumping from the vehicle and subsequently died. The body was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital for postmortem.

The complaint alleged that the alleged assailant and the security staff of Bahria Town were responsible for Adnan Yousuf’s death and sought legal action against them.

According to the police, blood was flowing from Adnan Yousuf’s nose and mouth, and there were signs of violence and friction on his head and arms.

Adnan’s postmortem has been conducted and the real circumstances in which he died will be revealed after the forensic report is received.

Police officials further said that a case of unintentional murder had been registered under Section 322 PPC and an investigation had been started.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2026

The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Azam on a petition moved by the daughter of the woman, seeking the recovery of her mother.

According to the petition, the victim was allegedly brought from Peshawar to Officers Colony, Wah Cantonment, by two persons on the pretext of arranging a well-paid job for her. The petitioner alleged that her mother was subsequently handed over to a man residing in Bajar village and that a purportedly forged nikahnama (marriage contract) was also prepared.

On receipt of the petition, the additional sessions judge directed the station house officer of Wah Cantonment police station to recover the woman and produce her before the court.

Police subsequently recovered the victim and produced her before the court in compliance with the judicial direction.

During the proceedings, counsel for the petitioner submitted that the recovered woman should be allowed to return to Peshawar with her daughter. The counsel requested the court to facilitate her return to her family.

After hearing the submissions and considering the matter before it, the court ordered that the woman be sent to Peshawar along with her daughter.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2026

GBS is a federal paramilitary force responsible for security, border protection and supporting civil administration across the region.

According to a statement issued by the chief minister secretariat, a patrol vehicle of the 116 GBS wing came under fire from the mountain side near Sher Nallah. A GBS soldier and two SSU policemen, who sustained injuries in the attack, were rushed to the Bashidas FWO Hospital where they were given medical treatment before being referred to the RHQ Hospital in Chilas.

CM orders investigation, arrest

Seeking investigation report of the shooting, Chief Minister Amjad Hussain directed the police and other law enforcement agencies to immediately track down and arrest attackers, planners, and facilitators using all available resources.

Stating that attacks on security personnel challenge state authority and would not be tolerated, he ordered strengthened security, surveillance, and search operations in Bashidas, Sher Nallah, and surrounding areas.

He also instructed the Diamer authorities to ensure provision of the best medical care to them.

No group or individual claimed responsibility for the attack.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2026

In a statement on Sunday, the Foreign Office (FO) said the first meeting of the SCO Council of National Coordinators (CNC) will be convened under Pakistan’s chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) for 2026-27.

The meeting would be chaired by the national coordinator of the SCO for Pakistan and attended by their counterparts from SCO member states, along with representatives of the SCO Secretariat.

“The national coordinators would discuss a wide range of issues relating to SCO cooperation and coordination, including the programme of activities under Pakistan’s chairmanship, preparations for upcoming SCO meetings and events, and other matters on the agenda of the organisation.”

As the chair of the SCO CHS for 2026-27, Pakistan would seek to advance the group’s objectives under the theme “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity”.

“Pakistan’s chairmanship would focus on promoting greater connectivity, fostering innovation, enhancing economic cooperation, and strengthening people-to-people contacts, with a view to translating the shared vision of member states into practical and mutually beneficial initiatives,” FO noted.

It added that Pakistan would work closely with all member states and the SCO Secretariat to “advance these priorities and further strengthen cooperation within the SCO”.

“The meeting marks an important initial engagement under Pakistan’s chairmanship and would contribute to preparations for various high-level engagements and activities to be undertaken during the chairmanship, including the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State to be hosted by Pakistan in August 2027.”

Pakistan assumed the chairmanship of the SCO CHS for 2027 during an annual summit held in Kyrgyzstan in September.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had proposed an “excellent plan that will prioritise key sectors, including IT and AI, energy development, poverty reduction, disaster management, health, culture and sports”.

He called for turning the SCO vision into action and its promises into progress, advocating for greater regional connectivity.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has invited bids for the upgradation of Jinnah Convention Centre, besides construction of a new block for the SCO summit next year.

CDA was also making all-out efforts in August to ensure the availability of 4,000 top-class hotel rooms in Islamabad for the SCO moot.

CDA officials said that although various hotels had more than 4,000 rooms available, around 1,000 did not meet international standards. Therefore, CDA had decided to encourage the hotel industry to construct new rooms, complete ongoing hotel construction projects early and start work on new hotels.

In July, Pakistan hosted the 12th meeting of the Heads of Border Services of the Competent Authorities of the SCO. Islamabad also chairs SCO’s Reg­ional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO-RATS), a role it assumed last September.

The SCBA elections are scheduled for Oct 29, with the Independent Group, also known as the Asma Jahangir Group, fielding Syed Amjad Ali Shah as its presidential candidate, while the Professional Group, led by Hamid Khan, has nominated Sardar Aman Khan for the slot.

Meanwhile, Mr Safdar has announced the formation of his own group, the Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah Group, and invited lawyers to join it.

He said his group also intended to contest the SCBA elections.

Talking to media persons, Mr Safdar alleged that the law degree of one of the candidates for the SCBA presidency was fake and demanded its verification.

He also called for verification of the degrees of prominent lawyers, including Ahsan Bhoon, a close associate of Federal Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar.

Mr Bhoon, a former SCBA president, is currently a member of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan and heads the Independent Group.

Mr Safdar further alleged that some prominent lawyers charged their clients on a “done basis”, a term used for arrangements in which lawyers allegedly demand hefty fees while assuring clients of a 100pc favourable court decision.

He said such practices needed to be stopped and lawyers with dubious credentials should be removed from the legal profession.

Pakistan Bar Council member Shafqat Chohan, who belongs to the Professional Group, endorsed Mr Safdar’s demand, saying those seeking to hold office in the SCBA should possess valid law degrees.

Senior lawyer Muhammad Siddique Awan, a prominent member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Lawyers Forum, also called for verification of the degrees of candidates contesting the SCBA elections from both groups.

He said the SCBA had around 5,000 members and suggested that the degrees of all its members should eventually be verified.

Mr Awan pointed out that several lawyers had previously been found to possess invalid or fake degrees.

He also referred to the recent removal of Islamabad High Court judge Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri over an issue concerning the validity of his law degree.

However, Independent Group presidential candidate Syed Amjad Ali Shah described Mr Safdar’s allegations as stemming from a personal grudge.

Mr Shah alleged that Mr Safdar had wanted him to represent a party in a property dispute in Mansehra involving the brother of a former Supreme Court judge. He said he declined to become counsel in the matter because he lived in the same area as Mr Safdar and the judge’s brother and did not want to become involved in a dispute between local parties.

According to Mr Shah, Mr Safdar interpreted his refusal as an act of disobedience and subsequently targeted him.

He said that if Mr Safdar genuinely wanted his law degree verified, he should have adopted the proper legal and institutional procedure instead of making allegations through the media.

Mr Shah also claimed that Mr Safdar’s alleged indifferent behaviour had caused resentment among local notables in Mansehra, adding that, in his view, this was among the factors that contributed to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s failure to win a National Assembly seat from the district.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2026

Police and hospital sources said that an official of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Dera Ghazi Khan identified as Zulfiqar Ali, who was deployed on Jhari Kass checkpost on Hassanabdal-Haripur Road bordering Hazara, died of a cardiac arrest.

Separately, constable Zain Abbas Bosal from Mandi Bahauddin, who was deployed on Kotkay bridge on Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) drowned in Ghazi Barotha water channel. Police said that the cop went to fetch drinking water and accidentally slipped and fell into the channel and drowned. His body had not been retrieved till Saturday evening.

Barricades and containers have been placed on all entry points from KP to Punjab including M-1 at Chachh Interchange, Burhan interchange, Brahma-Bhattar interchange as well as GT Road (N-5) at Attock Khurd.

Two minors buried alive

Two minors were buried alive due to a mudslide in Saqqaabad village in the limits of Attock Police station on Saturday, police and rescue sources said.

Police said Ashar Ali, 8, along with five-year-old Naylian Zahura was digging a mound of soil when it collapsed and fell over them. Rescue teams reached the spot and shifted them to district headquarters hospital where they were pronounced dead.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2026

Although the PTI has postponed its long march from September 27 to October 4, the government has not yet released the water tankers and staff deployed in Taxila to return to Rawalpindi and resume the water supply service.

According to an official, more than 43,200 police personnel have been deployed to deal with the PTI march. Of these, 30,700 personnel have been deployed in Attock, 10,600 in Rawalpindi district and 1,976 in Jhelum, Murree and Chakwal.

As many as 35 schools in the district have been vacated in Rawalpindi city and cantonment for the stay of the police officials. In and around Taxila, five government schools, one private school and a college have been vacated and tankers deployed to arrange water for the policemen.

Tankers will remain in Taxila till presence of force deployed to counter PTI long march, says Wasa chief

Earlier, the district administration asked Wasa to send all its 22 water tankers with staff to meet the water requirement of the police personnel.

A senior official of the district administration told Dawn that 35 schools selected for lodging the policemen had been closed for students.

When contacted, Wasa Managing Director Azizullah Khan confirmed that the civic agency had sent water tankers to Taxila and surrounding areas to meet the water requirement of the police.

He said the tankers will remain there till the presence of the force. He said to meet the requirement of the garrison city water was being supplied through the supply system.

He said that there were some areas where water was being supplied through tankers. He said that water supply time had been increased in the areas so there would be no water shortage.

On the other hand, residents of the garrison city expressed resentments over the suspension of water tanker service. They said that private water tankers had increased their charges to cash in on the situation from Rs4000 to Rs5000.

“Wasa provided water tanker on lower rates compared to private tankers and suspension of the service has created problems in many areas including residential colonies around the old Airport Road,” said Mohammad Anwar, a resident of Shah Khalid Colony.

He said that Wasa failed to improve the water supply system and people were faced with water scarcity. He said that water supply through the supply line was not sufficient as many people have installed water sucking machines and the civic agency failed to take action against them.

Malik Raza, a resident of Satellite Town, said that he required a water tanker but Wasa officials informed him that there would be no water tankers till October 6.

“The government should arrange private water tanker for the police personnel instead of sending all tankers from the city areas,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2026

Chairman Sohail Ashraf visited Sector E-12 and reviewed the overall situation and progress of development activities in the sector.

During the visit, the chairman was briefed on the clearance of approximately 750 kanals of acquired land that had remained under unauthorised occupation and constituted a major impediment to the planned development of Sector E-12.

The clearance of 750 kanals marks a significant milestone in the CDA’s efforts to remove longstanding impediments to the development of the sector and restore the acquired land to its intended purpose.

The cleared land will enable the CDA to move forward with development activities in accordance with approved plans and facilitate the planned expansion and development of Sector E-12, Islamabad.

According to a statement, on the direction of Federal Minister for Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, the CDA, in collaboration with the Islamabad administration, has been conducting clearance operations across Islamabad as part of its broader efforts to make the federal capital free from encroachments, protect acquired and public land, and address longstanding issues that have affected the development of various sectors.

“During the visit, the Chairman CDA reviewed the progress of ongoing development works and directed the concerned officers to accelerate development activities in the cleared areas. He emphasised that the pace of work should be increased through coordinated efforts and that all development activities must be executed in accordance with approved plans, prescribed standards, and applicable rules and regulations,” the statement said.

The officers also apprised the chairman that, following verification of claims and completion of the requisite legal and procedural formalities, allotment letters had been handed over to genuine and bona fide affectees whose claims were found admissible under the applicable rules.

During detailed ground verification and assessment of the acquired land, the CDA identified unauthorised structures and occupation of acquired state land. Relevant information regarding such structures, their occupants and persons allegedly involved in their construction and subsequent renting has been collected by the CDA.

The CDA made it clear that protection of acquired and public land was an institutional responsibility of the Authority. Appropriate action, strictly in accordance with law and after completion of the prescribed legal process, would be taken against individuals involved in unauthorised construction, occupation and commercial exploitation of acquired state land.

It is worth mentioning that Sector E-12 was launched in 1989, but despite the passage of 37 years, development work could not be completed.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2026

According to the police, the two suspects had been arrested in connection with a robbery committed on August 30 within the jurisdiction of Koral police station. A case was registered under Section 392 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) on the complaint of Adib Ali.

In the robbery, two motorcycle riders allegedly intercepted Adib at Sharifabad at gunpoint and snatched his motorcycle, two mobile phones and Rs374,000 cash.

Police arrested two suspects and after obtaining their physical remand from the court questioned them. During the interrogation, the suspects offered to assist in recovering the stolen motorcycle and mobile phones.

A six-member police team took the suspects, who were handcuffed, to their hideout in Sharifabad. After recovering the motorcycle and a mobile phone, the team was returning to the police station when four men riding two motorcycles intercepted the police vehicle.

Police claimed that the attackers opened fire on the police team and asked the detained suspects to flee.

The police personnel took cover behind their official vehicle and responded with aerial firing. During the exchange of fire, the two handcuffed suspects sustained bullet injuries from the firing by the attackers. The four gunmen later escaped from the spot. The injured suspects were shifted to hospital.

A case regarding the incident has been registered at the Koral police station.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2026

PTI had been gearing up for a nationwide protest and march towards Islamabad to press for the release of its founder, Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail. However, the party announced a day ago that the march has been postponed to Oct 4.

Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) had also launched a march towards Islamabad against the petroleum levy, but it postponed the move at the request of PM Shehbaz Sharif, pending a meeting with him.

“If anyone needs to protest, they can do so in Faisalabad, Hyderabad, Karachi, Peshawar, or Multan. This practice needs to end,” Sanaullah said on Geo News programme ‘Jirga’.

He pointed out that the ban on protests in Islamabad did not apply only to the PTI. Gatherings in the capital without prior permission are also banned under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024, which had been rushed through the National Assembly ahead of a PTI gathering that month.

“Peaceful protest is everyone’s constitutional and legal right, but they need to minus Islamabad from that,” Sanaullah stated. “It is everyone’s right, but minus attacks on Islamabad. This must be ensured.”

He highlighted that a message had been sent that no protests would be allowed within Islamabad, as foreign diplomats were present in the federal capital and demonstrations would send a “bad message”.

The PML-N leader accused PTI of aiming to overthrow the government, alleging that their goal is to “erect ladders next to the walls of Adiala jail and break in to meet Imran Khan”, who has been incarcerated there since an Aug 5, 2023 conviction.

“How is this peaceful?” Sanaullah asked.

“Party leaders have been threatening to overthrow the government or free someone from jail and then go back,” he outlined. “Permission for a long march will not be granted if this is their intent.”

The PM’s aide stressed that no streets in Islamabad, besides those in the Red Zone and the M-1 Motorway, were shut for traffic. He clarified that containers had only been placed “at the corners” of the city’s roads for “safety”.

“There are containers on every corner of Islamabad, but as we speak right now, no roads have been closed with them,” he said, explaining that containers have been placed at those points so they can be deployed as and when needed.

“The situation in Islamabad is not as it is being described in the media,” he asserted, noting that some were referring to the capital as a “container city”.

The PM’s aide stressed that PTI also did not submit any application to the Islamabad administration seeking permission for a gathering, nor inform it of its expected time and duration.

Sanaullah added that PTI should approach the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and provide their “required guarantees”, contending that they did not intend to do that.

Asked if the authorities’ response to any march would be similar to the Nov 26, 2024 crackdown on PTI’s ’Final Call’ protest, Sanaullah said he did not want to “say any such thing” as there were fellow Pakistanis, friends and colleagues in the party.

However, he warned that PTI “should not hold such a march at any cost that would attempt to push back law enforcement agencies and move towards D-Chowk”.

“Under no circumstance will they be granted access,” Sanaullah warned, cautioning PTI supporters against using force, noting that such an action, in the wake of IHC’s recent ruling, would provide authorities with “legal backing” to respond.

Hearing a plea against the planned march, the IHC on September 14 ruled that no political party or its leadership has the “lawful right to occupy public roads, highways, interchanges, toll plazas and buildings in Islamabad”.

Meanwhile, in the Rawalpindi Division and the federal capital territory, security measures and preparations to deal with any emergency situation remain in place despite the postponement of the march.

Punjab had already imposed a ban on gatherings across the province until Oct 5 and prohibited inciting people to “unlawful assembly”. A similar ban under Section 144 has been enforced in Islamabad for two months.

The federal government has also approved the deployment of Rangers in Islamabad and several districts of Punjab from Sept 20 to Oct 5.

The ordinance aims to protect Safe City cameras and surveillance systems from damage and ensure compensation for any damage caused to them.

Under the ordinance, financial penalties may be imposed for damaging Safe City cameras and surveillance infrastructure, as well as for inciting or encouraging such damage.

The President’s Office announced the approval in a post on X, saying the ordinance was titled the Islamabad Capital Territory Safe City Camera and Surveillance Infrastructure Protection and Damage Compensation Ordinance.

In case of damage, a fine of up to Rs2 million may be imposed for each camera or piece of infrastructure. If the damage occurs during a public meeting, procession, sit-in, protest, strike or gathering, the organisers may also be held responsible, the Presidency added.

The amount of the fine and the cost of the damage will be determined by an authorised officer after providing the person concerned with an opportunity to be heard.

It further said the person concerned would have the right to appeal against the determination of the fine or cost of the damage before the District and Sessions Judge, Islamabad, within 30 days.

In case of non-payment of the prescribed fine or compensation, the amount may be recovered as arrears of land revenue. The amount recovered in the form of fines and compensation will be spent on the repair and replacement of Safe City cameras and surveillance infrastructure, it added.

The move to protect the infrastructure of the capital comes after the PTI deferred its planned protest to Islamabad until Oct 4 for the release of its founder, Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail.

During the 2024 protest by PTI, the protesters damaged 441 cameras of Safe City Authority, according to the officials.