The Notam said flight arrivals and departures could be delayed because of “operational” reasons from 10:45am to 12:15pm on May 8 and between 8pm and 9:15pm on May 9 and 10.

It further stated that flights arriving at the Islamabad airport had been asked to “bring sufficient holding fuel to cater to the delay”.

The PAA had issued a similar Notam for the airport in the federal capital in March as well. It said flight operations at Islamabad airport would be suspended for two hours on March 17 due to “operational reasons”.

The arriving aircraft were advised to “bring sufficient holding fuel to cater for delay” back then as well.

PIA reinstates weekly flights from Muscat

Separately, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced on Friday that it would reinstate flights from Oman to Islamabad, Lahore, and Multan, starting May 13.

The Pakistan embassy in Oman, in a post on X, said, “This [is] to inform the community that Pakistan International Airline (PIA) has officially reinstated its flight operations to Islamabad, Lahore and Multan from the Sultanate of Oman, effective from May 13, 2026”.

It added that the weekly flights would operate from Muscat to Lahore on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from Muscat to Multan on Wednesdays and Saturdays and from the Omani capital to Islamabad on Fridays.

The airline had announced the suspension of flights to the Gulf countries, with the exception of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in early April, citing a rise in jet fuel prices. A PIA spokesperson had said at the time that the flights were to remain suspended until the end of April.

The meeting, chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, was attended by the Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, CEO of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap), Executive Director of NIH, and the PMDC president.

Senator Amir Chishti said that he did not want any conflict of interest in the process. The subcommittee will be headed by Senator Anusha Rahman, while Senators Agha Shahzaib Durrani, Rahat Jamali, and Sarmad Ali will be its members.

Mustafa Kamal informed the committee that, following the committee’s directions, arrangements were being made to conduct the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) at the earliest.

He noted that educational boards have separate examination schedules, adding that the final FSc examinations will conclude on July 20, while the MDCAT will be held on Aug 16.

The minister further stated that the government aimed to eliminate the “MDCAT preparation mafia” and ensure a transparent examination system.

The committee members criticised the sharp increase in medicine prices across the country. During the briefing, officials informed the committee that medicine prices were deregulated during the caretaker government in 2024, allowing pharmaceutical companies to independently determine prices.

It was further revealed that prices of various medicines had increased by up to 100 percent over the past two years.

Officials explained that under the current law, Drap can regulate prices only for essential life-saving medicines. The minister clarified that the health ministry has no direct role in increasing or decreasing medicine prices.

The committee directed the head of Drap to formulate a clear pricing mechanism for medicines and also decided to summon officials from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics in the next meeting.

Committee members remarked that the pharmaceutical business appeared to be among the most profitable sectors in Pakistan and stressed that giving pharmaceutical companies unrestricted authority to determine medicine prices was unacceptable. They emphasised the need to review the existing law.

During the briefing, Drap Chief Dr Obaidullah Malik informed the committee that there were currently 659 pharmaceutical companies operating in Pakistan, while 394 institutions import medicines and vaccines from abroad.

Meeting was attended by Senators Syed Masroor, Sarmad Ali, Rahat Jamali, Samina Mumtaz Zehri, Agha Shahzaib Durrani, Nasir Mehmood Butt and Anusha Rahman (through video link).

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2026

A senior official of district administration told Dawn that the district administration has identified 19 vulnerable points along Leh Nullah and Soan River and it will start work from next month.

These vulnerable points are: Kattarian, Bangash Colony, Ziaul Haq Colony, Boring Road, Dhoke Naju, Dhoke Dalal, Pirwadhai, Dhoke Hassu, Hazara Colony, Dhoke Ratta, Gawalmandi, Dhoke Ellahi Bux, Javed Colony, Nadeem Colony, Bakramandi, Tench Bhatta, Range Road, Sharoon Colony along Soan River.

He said that the duties in this regard have been assigned to the civic bodies’ officials and the duty rosters have been issued to the officials to monitor the work. He said that Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC), Rescue 1122, Civil Defence and Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation will assist.

“Wasa will dredge Leh Nullah and RWMC and RMC will clean roadside drains and 11 big nullahs and all the work will be completed by May end.

“The district administration has already imposed a ban on dumping of solid waste and construction material along nullahs and drains,” he said.

For the removal of encroachments, he said that the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation and the Rawalpindi Development Authority had been directed to complete the survey of their respective areas to clear the permanent encroachments before the summer season.

He said cleaning of Leh Nullah in cantonment boards of Rawalpindi and Chaklala would be their responsibility and the coordination in this regard would be improved with the cantonment boards so the work could be completed before the monsoon season.

Meanwhile, a meeting was held with Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema in the chair to review the advance measures and preparations taken by the district administration to deal with the flood situation before the upcoming monsoon.

The meeting was attended by officials of the departments concerned, while matters related to the flood plan, availability of staff, machinery and equipment, mutual coordination of teams, situation of sensitive and low-lying areas, and establishment of flood relief camps were discussed in detail.

During the meeting, the responsibilities of various institutions were reviewed and it was directed that all departments should be on alert at all times to deal with possible flood situations.

The deputy commissioner directed the officials concerned to keep all necessary machinery, rescue

equipment and manpower on alert so that immediate action can be taken in any emergency situation.

The meeting also emphasised on continuous monitoring of rivers, streams and other sensitive areas, public awareness and ensuring provision of basic facilities in flood relief camps.

The Additional Deputy Commissioner Headquarters said that the district administration will utilise all available resources to protect the lives and property of the people and no negligence will be tolerated.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2026

Mr Naqvi inspected Saudi immigration counters set up at the airport and met staff deputed there. Under the programme, Pakistani pilgrims complete Saudi immigration formalities in Islamabad before departure, allowing them to bypass queues on arrival in the kingdom. Hajj pilgrims told the minister they were satisfied with the arrangements.

“The process was extremely easy; we faced no difficulty,” they said, thanking Mr Naqvi for the facilitation. Other passengers also said immigration counters were fully operational at international arrivals.

“Immigration took only a few minutes; the process was very easy,” they said. Mr Naqvi also visited the Joint Search Check Post and directed officials to make the search system “more effective and faster”.

He said the security system was being upgraded with modern technology and stressed the need to ensure passenger facilitation and security simultaneously.

He instructed all agencies to work in coordination, saying that providing facilities to passengers without delay was the “top priority”.

DG FIA Dr Usman Anwar, Director FIA Islamabad Zone Syed Shahzad Nadeem Bukhari and other officers accompanied the minister.

The Road to Makkah initiative allows immigration clearance for Hajj pilgrims at departure airports in Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Morocco and Bangladesh. In Pakistan, it operates at airports in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar. Pilgrims are tagged and proceed directly to their accommodation in Saudi Arabia, avoiding hours-long immigration procedures at airports in Jeddah and Madinah.

More than 89,000 Pakistani pilgrims are expected to perform Hajj this year, with 50 per cent using the scheme.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2026

More than 205 PML-N leaders and activists from 33 constituencies in AJK and 12 in Pakistan, reserved for the refugees from occupied Jammu and Kashmir, have applied for party tickets. They have been directed to appear before the parliamentary board at 11:30am at the party’s Model Town office, a party leader told Dawn on Thursday.

Prior to this, the 24-member parliamentary board will hold its first formal meeting at 11am with Mr Sharif in the chair. The board, constituted by him on April 16, has been tasked with scrutinising and finalising candidates for the polls due in July.

Headed by Mr Sharif, the board includes Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, and federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Asif, Amir Muqam and Rana Sanaullah.

Other members include former ministers Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Senator Anusha Rahman, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Chaudhry Barjees Tahir, Hamza Shehbaz, Marriyum Aurangzeb and retired Capt Muhammad Safdar. Former MNA Chaudhry Abid Raza was also added to the panel recently.

The AJK representation comprises the party’s regional president Shah Ghulam Qadir, former AJK prime minister Raja Farooq Haider, Mushtaq Ahmad Minhas, Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed, Chaudhry Tariq Farooq, Dr Najeeb Naqi, Barrister Iftikhar Gillani and Chaudhry Abdul Rehman Arain.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also constituted a nine-member political committee comprising federal ministers and AJK-based leaders to shape party policy and oversee political affairs related to the region.

In February, the committee’s AJK members held consultations with prospective candidates at divisional headquarters across the territory, while separate consultations with aspirants from among Pakistan-based Kashmiri refugees were held in Rawalpindi.

Party sources said the committee had completed most of the groundwork regarding prospective candidates in the 33 AJK constituencies.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: PTI senators walked out of the Senate on Thursday after the party’s parliamentary leader in the House, Syed Ali Zafar, raised alarm over reports that Bushra Bibi was “suddenly and suspiciously” taken to a hospital from Adiala jail during the night and returned without any disclosure, calling it a “serious human rights violation”.

Raising a point of order, Mr Zafar said the reports had caused “grave apprehension and concern throughout the country”. He termed the situation “highly strange and secretive” and said it raised several questions.

“If Bushra Bibi was unwell, why has the nation not been informed about her medical condition? To which hospital was she taken? What medical tests were conducted? Which doctors examined her? Why was she immediately brought back to jail?” he asked.

He said the silence of the government and jail authorities had made the matter “even more suspicious”.

Mr Zafar claimed that Bushra Bibi had for months faced “solitary confinement, mental torture, and extremely harsh conditions” in jail.

He alleged that her personal doctors were being denied access, family meetings were blocked, and details of her treatment were being kept secret.

“Such treatment is not only inhumane but also contrary to fundamental human rights and constitutional protections,” he said.

“Political differences may exist, but endangering a person’s health and life is wholly unacceptable.” He questioned whether the government had “become so vindictive that it had lost all conscience”.

Seven demands

On behalf of PTI, Mr Zafar pla­ced seven demands before the House, including immediate disclosure of Bushra Bibi’s medical test results, permission for her personal doctors to examine her, unrestricted meetings with family members, her transfer to Shifa International Hospital for treatment, formation of an independent medical board, permission for human rights organisations and a Senate committee, including PTI senators, to visit her and referral of the matter to the Sena­­te Human Rights Com­mittee with directions to send a delegation to assess her condition.

“Transparency and adherence to human rights are essential in a democratic society,” he said, adding that the nation deserved clarity regarding her health.

“We will boycott this session if our demands are not met,” he warned. “If we have to go to court for small matters, then what is the upper house for?”

Mr Zafar described the Senate as the “biggest and most sacred house”.

“If we were in government, we would have immediately ordered that a meeting be arranged. This is not such a big issue,” he added.

PM’s aide Rana Sanaullah, in response, asked PTI to “ad­o­pt the legal route” to seek permission to visit the jail and then inform the House afterward.

PTI lawmakers subsequently staged a walkout from the House.

‘Political solution’

ANP Senator Aimal Wali Khan said it was not appropriate to halt the parliamentary process over minor matters.

“If it is a matter of treatment, then they should be provided with medical facilities and access to doctors,” he remarked.

Stressing the need for a political solution, he suggested forming a committee comprising senior politicians and sending it to Adiala jail.

“That committee should go there and see whether Bushra Bibi and the founding chairman are being provided with facilities or not,” he said.

Meanwhile, PPP parliamentary leader in the Senate Sherry Rehman criticised the anti-encroachment operation in Bari Imam, stressing that poor residents of informal settlements were treated “inhumanely” through police shelling and bulldozer action.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2026

An evaluation conducted by the Aga Khan University (AKU) revea­led that stunting rates among beneficiary children were 22 per cent lower at six months of age and 18pc lower at one year of age.

The study also rep­orted a 6pc reduction in low birth weight cases, an 11pc decline in premature births, and a 7pc decrease in weak and vulnerable newborns.

The findings were unveiled by the AKU during a session on the Endline Impact Evaluation of the BNP held at the BISP headquarters here on Thursday.

Speaking at the event, federal Mi­­nister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Syed Imran Ahmed Shah termed the results a major achievement for Pakistan’s social protection sector.

He said the evaluation demonstrated that targeted nutrition and maternal health interventions could significantly improve child health outcomes and reduce stunting in vulnerable communities.

BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid said the BNP held special significance because healthy mothers and children were essential for building a strong and prosperous nation.

She stated that the programme had reached over 4.5 million women and children across 157 districts through a nationwide network of 578 facilitation centres and 169 stabilisation centres.

She said every improvement highlighted by the study reflected a mother receiving better support and a child getting a healthier start to life.

She added that the BISP was integrating social protection with nutrition and health interventions to promote long-term human development and improve the well-being of vulnerable families.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: A joint meeting of all bar councils and bar associations on Thursday called for all vacant positions in the superior judiciary — created due to the transfer of judges from one high court to another — to be filled within one month.

The meeting further demanded that such vacancies should be filled by candidates from the respective high courts and that no fresh appointments should be made against those positions. It also stated that retired judges of the superior judiciary should not be reappointed after retirement.

These remarks were made by Pir Muhammad Masood Chishti and Muhammad Ahsan Bhoon while addressing a press conference at the Supreme Court building.

The meeting, presided over by the vice chairman and chairman of the Executive Committee of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), was attended by the president and secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association, vice chairmen and chairmen of executive committees of provincial and Islamabad bar councils, as well as presidents and secretaries of high court bar associations.

In a set of resolutions, the meeting expressed concern that certain political factions within the legal community were attempting to create chaos to pursue ulterior political motives and advance their political agendas. It alleged that such groups were using unethical and derogatory language against judges and the judiciary.

The meeting strongly rejected and condemned such statements.

The participants said merely enacting legislation was insufficient and stressed that authorities must ensure its practical enforcement through the prompt registration of FIRs against aggressors, the establishment of dedicated security protocols in courts, and the provision of police protection to vulnerable lawyers.

The resolution stated that implementing the “Lawyers Protection Act” in its true spirit would enable lawyers to perform their duties as officers of the court without fear, thereby preserving the rule of law and ensuring that every citizen receives fearless and fair legal representation.

The resolution said the establishment of a Federal Constitutional Court with equal provincial representation for hearing constitutional and political matters had been a longstanding demand of the legal fraternity. According to the resolution, such a court would also allow the Supreme Court of Pakistan to hear and decide public-interest cases more promptly.

The joint meeting demanded that Section 54 of the Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Act, 1973, be amended so that the power to suspend practising licences of advocates rests with the bar councils instead of the superior judiciary.

The meeting further demanded that cases be registered under the Cyber Crime Act against advocates or any other individuals involved in the character assassination of lawyers, bar representatives, or judges of the superior judiciary through social media, and that such cases should be tried without delay.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2026

He said this during a weekly briefing, where he was asked how soon the agreement could be expected.

“You have asked us how soon we can expect an agreement. We remain optimistic. A simple answer would be that we expect an agreement sooner rather than later. We hope that the parties will come to a peaceful, sustainable solution and bring peace, not just to our region but internationally as well,” he said.

In this regard, Andrabi also said Pakistan would welcome a settlement between Iran and the US wherever it may be reached.

“If an agreement is reached in Pakistan, it would be an honour for us,” he said.

The FO spokesperson also said he could not say whether the draft of the agreement would be one page or longer.

Asked whether the US government could be under pressure to end the war due to the upcoming mid-term elections, Andrabi said: “We want a peaceful settlement, a peaceful solution, irrespective of what the causes are and how the countries are compelled to reach a diplomatic solution. So, I think let’s not focus on the causes but focus on the effect. And the effect should be that there is peace, there is a peaceful settlement – we hope for that effect to take place.”

Andrabi’s remarks came after the US and Iran see­med to inch toward a peace deal on Wednesday. There were reports that Tehran was reviewing a fresh proposal from Washington for a peace following the suspension of ‘Project Freedom’ launc­hed by the US to open the Strait of Hormuz.

The FO spokesperson recalled in his weekly briefing that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had welcomed the “timely announcement” regarding the pause in ‘Project Freedom’ and noted that Pakistan remained firmly committed to supporting all efforts that promoted restraint and the peaceful resolution of conflict between the US and Iran through dialogue and diplomacy.

He added that PM had also expressed the hope that the “current momentum” would lead to a lasting agreement that would secure durable peace and stability for the region and beyond.

Andrabi further stated that “working with the same spirit of optimism and positive engagement”, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had remained in contact with his counterparts throughout the last week in an effort to pursue peace, diplomacy and a peaceful settlement between Washington and Tehran.

The latest episode of hostilities between the two sides began more than two months ago when the US and Israel launched strikes in Iran on February 28.

While a deal for a complete end to the war is yet to happen, the hostilities have been largely ceased since the two sides agreed on a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire on April 8.

Following the ceasefire, a first round of historic direct US-Iran talks was held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, with Pakistan playing the role of a mediator. The talks had ended without an agreement, but also without a breakdown.

With challenges in convening a second round, Islamabad has shifted back to its role as a facilitator and go-between.

But, there were some positive signals on Wednesday, with Trump saying he had had “very good talks” with Iran over the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, Tehran appeared receptive to the fresh US proposal to end the war, saying that it was reviewing the agreement and a response would be relayed to Washington via Islamabad.

US news outlet Axios also claimed that Washington and Tehran were close to agreeing on a one-page memorandum of understanding to end the war and “set a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations”.

Among main issues that remain a sticking point between the two sides are unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Washington’s demand for long-term commitments on Iran’s nuclear programme, including constraints on enrichment and safeguards against weaponisation.

Marka-i-Haq

The FO spokesperson began the briefing by noting that it had been a year since Marka-i-Haq, “a defining moment in our national journey”.

Last year’s military conflict with India, starting from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the end of Pakistan’s Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, with a ceasefire ending a military escalation between the two countries on May 10, has been called “Marka-i-Haq” (Battle of Truth) by the state.

Andrabi said the anniversary of the conflict was “not only about remembering the past; it is about shaping the future because – the spirit of Marka-i-Haq lives not just in our history, but in each of us”.

He said Pakistan’s response under Operation Bunyanum Marsoos after Indian attacks was measured, lawful, and in line with the UN Charter.

Referring to a briefing by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to diplomatic corps, he said, “What I can tell you is that the peace and security in South Asia remains a concern for our international partners. The belligerent statements that emanate from New Delhi are a cause of concern.”

The FO spokesperson said Marka-i-Haq’s first anniversary was an occasion to “reinforce the national resolve that sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of the country would be defended with all means possible and with full resolve”.

“That message has resonated across our international partners. The belligerence emanating from our neighbour is not appreciated in any international capital,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s advocacy for diplomacy and dialogue was “appreciated all along”.

Answering another question, he said Pakistan had always supported dialogue and diplomacy, but “if an aggression, which took place exactly a year ago, is imposed on us, Pakistan will respond, and will respond with full strength and all means available”.

“This fact is amply clear, to our adversary in our neighbourhood as well.”

He also said Pakistan could not be blamed for no dialogue with India since the May 10 ceasefire.

“We have, on a number of occasions, expressed our opinion, our readiness for dialogue. But of course, it takes two to have a dialogue. Even a dialogue has to be meaningful; it has to be a dialogue and not a monologue.

“So, whilst we would not like to be seen to be asking for a dialogue, we have never shied away from holding one. As to who is responsible for no dialogue is for everybody to judge,” he said.

The FO spokesperson further stated that Pakistan had been keeping a “close watch” on the Indian arms buildup and force modernisation.

“Pakistan will ensure that our credible minimum deterrence is maintained. We are mindful of the impact of India’s force modernisation on strategic stability in South Asia. I can assure you that our military preparedness and our own defence acquisitions would be sufficient to maintain our robust defence … [and] our credible minimum deterrence with respect to India,” he said.

Answering another question, he said, “I can assure you that we are engaged with all our partners with respect to our relation in the area of defence. No diplomatic move by India can offset these relations, which have a trajectory and an institutional strength of their own.”

To a query about the unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, Andrabi said, “Pakistan reserves the right of exploring all legal political mechanisms enshrined in the treaty and under international law, to claim our right on the waters of the Indus basin system. We will explore all options, and of course, they remain on the table.

“Some of these options are under way in the context of the proceedings by the Indus Water commissioners. So, all options are on the table.”

He said Pakistan was also monitoring “how far the treaty was being implemented or violated, in favour of river flows, the patterns, the amount of water coming in, the variations (in the flow)”.

“Everything is being documented. So, this is an issue on which there is a complete focus, not just of our ministry, but of our Indus Water commissioners and all relevant government institutions. I can assure you that all efforts will be made and are being made, that not a drop of water is stolen from Pakistan from what is our right,” he said.

Repatriations from Cambodia

During today’s briefing, the FO spokesperson also addressed the detention of 54 Pakistanis in Cambodia following a raid on a scamming compound.

Earlier, it was reported that more than 200 Pakistanis were in the custody of Cambodian police in overcrowded facilities and facing a lack of basic facilities.

Andrabi said emergency travel documents had been issued to the detained individuals after ascertaining their nationalities.

“On our embassy’s request, the host authorities allowed all 54 individuals to travel back to Pakistan. And as of today, I understand 49 individuals have returned and three are being processed. And I understand this complete repatriation will take place soon,” he added.

He also said that 85 Pakistanis had been detained in Kampala, Uganda on April 27 by immigration authorities for “engaging in unauthorised employment while on visit visas”.

“It was established that these individuals had been working for approximately four months with unregistered online companies,” he said, adding that sentences awarded to the detainees had been waived following the Pakistan embassy’s intervention.

But a fine of $400 had been imposed on each of those individuals for violation of visa conditions, Andrabi added.

He said all 85 of those individuals had been repatriated to Pakistan.

Reports of deportation from UAE

The FO spokesperson was also asked about the “unusually high number” of emergency exit documents (ETD) or outpasses being issued by the Pakistani consulate in the United Arab Emirates.

To that, Andrabi replied: “Yes, these ETDs were issued, mainly driven by administrative actions, including immigration status violation and other legal infractions. The Consulate General in Dubai, for example, I can tell you, issued around 2,714 emergency travel documents, while the embassy in Abu Dhabi issued 780 of those, between January to April 2026.

“So this was the four-month record. I can further tell that deportation basically prompted by a royal court pardon on Eid enabled the release and repatriation of jailed individuals. So this (deportation) took place as a result of our royal pardon to some of these individuals who were held in prison.”

When asked to confirm whether the Pakistani authorities had made inquiries to the Emirati officials and law enforcement agencies about those reports of expulsions, he said: “Our embassy is in touch with the UAE authorities. Our mission has also ensured that in the wake of the hostilities in the Gulf region, and in the wake of very serious armed attacks against the UAE, which we have condemned, our community fully complies with the local laws, with the local instructions.”

He said the Pakistani community, by and large, except for maybe few sporadic cases, had been cooperating with the local authorities in the UAE.

“So, I think this is what the status is. The Ministry of Interior and relevant departments are also seized of this matter (repatriation). This matter is proceeding as per law. I do not see any political reason for their deportation. These are primarily legal cases, which are being taken care of, both by our diplomatic missions in UAE as well as by the UAE authorities.”

ISLAMABAD: City managers are planning to develop water sports and recreational facilities near Simly Dam, a move that may pose environmental challenges for residents.

The dam, built in 1983, is located 30 kilometres east of Islamabad in the foothills of lush green mountains and is considered a main source of clean drinking water.

The other dam in Islamabad, including Rawal Dam, which supplies water to Rawalpindi, is already heavily polluted, mainly due to uncontrolled contamination in its catchment area.

Simly Dam, located in a less-visited area, remains a source of clean drinking water. However, the federal government and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) now plan to introduce recreational activities in the area.

Recently, the CDA board approved a summary for hiring former chairman Kamran Lashari as a consultant (city curator) for the “preparation of a comprehensive citywide culture and tourism vision for Islamabad” at a salary of Rs2 million per month.

Although the official notification has yet to be issued, Lashari was recently seen briefing Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at Simly Dam, and it is likely he will prepare a plan for the promotion of water sports and tourism near the reservoir.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry on Wednesday issued a press release stating, “Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has directed authorities to prepare a workable plan for the expansion of Simly Dam, which currently supplies 40 per cent of Islamabad’s water, and to develop the surrounding area for tourism and water sports.”

During a detailed visit to the dam, Naqvi was briefed on its capacity and informed that expansion would ensure an abundant water supply to the capital. He asked officials to present a comprehensive plan for the project soon.

The interior minister also reviewed the area around the reservoir and sought a separate plan to promote recreational activities.

“There are immense opportunities for recreational activities in the area adjacent to Simly Dam. Water sports and other facilities would drive local development,” he said, adding that the initiative would create jobs for local residents and provide citizens access to “world-class recreational facilities”.

The press release noted that the reservoir is already used informally for boating and picnics but lacks formal infrastructure, safety measures or CDA-managed facilities.

It is relevant to note that Lashari served as CDA chairman from 2003 to 2008. During his tenure, the city witnessed significant development and beautification works, along with the launch of several controversial projects.

Some of the major works during his tenure included the construction of 7th and 9th avenues, three underpasses on 7th Avenue, including one at China Chowk, widening of the Expressway, the Zero Point Interchange, reconstruction and widening of several roads, development of dozens of parks and playgrounds, sit-out areas in commercial centres, installation of signage, construction of public toilets and passenger shelters at bus bays.

However, the CDA also launched several controversial projects during his tenure. Many of them faced inquiries by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and some still remain abandoned, raising questions about the efficiency of the civic agency.

In 2005, the CDA leased out a 13.5-acre plot (One Constitution Avenue) for the construction of a five-star hotel for Rs4.8 billion but handed over possession after receiving only Rs800 million. The issue has resurfaced recently as the CDA seeks to take over the twin towers due to default and non-delivery, as the developer constructed around 250 residential apartments instead of a hotel.

Similarly, during Lashari’s tenure, the CDA set up restaurants in the Margalla Hills and expanded roads with the installation of lights, attracting heavy traffic to the area, which disturbed the environment and ecosystem. The Supreme Court later ordered an end to commercial activities on Pir Sohawa Road.

During the same period, the city also lost one of its historical landmarks, a single-storey inward market designed by a British architect. It was demolished in 2007 after the CDA controversially amended bylaws to allow a multi-storey plaza, though residents and courts later intervened, citing infrastructure constraints in the area.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2026

Addressing the ceremony, IGP Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said that the unit belongs to the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Islamabad and aims to ensure the safety of Islamabad, instill fear in terrorists, and protect the lives, property and dignity of citizens.

He appreciated the training of this special unit and male and female officers are part of this force.

He highlighted that today, 100 personnel of the Delta Force are passing out, including 50 from the Special Services Group and 50 from the Counter Terrorism Department Islamabad.

He concluded by saying that the Delta Force will make its mark, protect the citizens of the federal capital, and eliminate enemies. He paid tribute to the 69 brave personnel of Islamabad Police who sacrificed their lives for the protection of the country. He added that the courage shown by Islamabad Police in the fight against terrorism and their sacrifices are unforgettable.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2026

“It is high time for all bar councils of Pakistan to enact rules and regulations in their collective wisdom to eradicate the evil of rendering professional services on a ‘done basis’,” stated a five-page order issued by Supreme Court’s Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, who heads the four-member disciplinary committee of the PBC, the chief regulatory body of lawyers in Pakistan.

The order further emphasised that if action was taken against any lawyer, stern action should also be taken simultaneously against the client, who was equally responsible in the “unscrupulous game”.

The ruling came in a disciplinary complaint filed by Abid Khurshid against his lawyer, Advocate Samina Qureshi, from Bahawalpur.

The complainant alleged that he had engaged Qureshi on the specific condition that she must obtain an injunctive order from the Lahore High Court by all means, failing which she would refund her professional fee.

The complainant claimed that his counsel failed to argue the case on four consecutive hearing dates, thus allowing the construction of Icon Plaza, Model Town, Bahawalpur, to continue.

The counsel, on the other hand, produced LHC order sheets showing that she had appeared on every date and never sought any adjournment.

In his order, Justice Mazhar observed that there was no concept of a “done basis”, “no win, no fee”, or even the incidence of refunding professional fees to a client in the event of failure within the country’s judicial system as well as in the administration of civil and criminal justice.

“The duty of a professional lawyer is to represent [their] client in any court of law competently and skilfully to achieve maximum result, render honest, fair and trustworthy advice, but [they] cannot guarantee victory or an unequivocal outcome by all means or come what may,” the order highlighted.

“If any lawyer vouchsafes or guarantees a fail-safe result, it amounts to unprofessional and unethical conduct, which not only violates the canons of practice but also tarnishes the image and goodwill of the legal profession,” it continued.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2026

Besides,. he also directed the completion of the construction work at Mother and Child Hospital. He was visiting the Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi along with MNA Tahira Aurangzeb and Rawalpindi Medical University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Umer.

He visited the basement where water was seeping through the walls apparently due to abnormal increase in groundwater level in the hospital. He directed the administration to conduct a detailed assessment of the groundwater level and start work soon to solve the problem.

He chaired an important meeting regarding water leakage and abnormal rise in groundwater level in BBH basement. Communication and works department, Water and Sanitation Agency and hospital administration briefed the provincial health minister on water leakage and groundwater level.

The officials said that the main reason for seepage is rising groundwater level.

The minister directed the administration to conduct a scientific study of seepage by NESPAK and University of Engineering Taxila.

He said that the water leakage in the hospital is harmful to the infrastructure.

The provincial minister also inspected different departments of the hospital and inquired about the treatment facilities from the patients.

Talking to patients, the minister said all steps are being taken to ensure provision of quality medical facilities to the patients.

He said that the provincial government allocated all available resources for the hospitals so the people could get better medication without any hurdle.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2026

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Farhan Aslam confirmed that the Kutchery Chowk will be opened for traffic next week , possibly on Tuesday. Thousands of commuters will be relieved of the inconvenience they have had since the construction work on the remodeling project began in November 2025.

Though the traffic was diverted on alternative roads which were in dilapidated condition, this consumed precious time, extra fuel cost, cost of repairs of vehicles, and also raised health issues due to moving clouds of dust around district courts and Police Lines headquarters.

“With the opening of Kutchery Chowk, traffic, particularly for those who use this intersection, will be able to move smoothly without any delay,” the CTO said.

He said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz would inaugurate the Kutchery Chowk project next week.

A pedestrian bridge from the FBR building to the gate of district courts, Jhelum Road and a separate bridge from Fatima Jinnah University to Adiala Road bus stand have also been built.

After the opening of Kutchery Chowk to traffic, over 250,000 vehicles would pass through the square without congestion and traffic signals, while pedestrians would use the iron bridges to cross the roads.

Shuakat Shafiq, a resident of Bahria Town Phase VII, said it was no less than a gala day for him when he would smoothly travel from his house to his Peshawar Road office.

A resident of Chaklala Scheme III said “new projects have been launched and completed, but after that they were not maintained like Soan Bridge, where there are no lights at night”.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2026

The two-day event was organised by DawnMedia.

Speaking at the event, Senator Sherry Rehman said that global frameworks overlook the environmental impact of conflicts, while Pakistan continues to bear disproportionate climate risks despite minimal emissions.

“The Kyoto Protocol did not include any conflict or war spending or even a military movement footprint. Neither did the Paris Agreement. This has been the great silence, and now it’s time to talk about it,” she said.

Policymakers, experts and stakeholders say Pakistan continues to bear disproportionate climate risks

She warned that these gaps would have direct consequences for Pakistan. “It will impact our coastline. It will impact the air we breathe, which is already among the most toxic in the world at certain times of the year. We have over 140,000 fatalities due to air pollution alone, and that number is going up,” said Ms Rehman, who also chairs the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change.

Rehman warned of a widening gap between global climate ambition and actual action, citing fragmentation within the international movement and rising geopolitical tensions. She noted that climate efforts remained divided across governments, grassroots groups and indigenous communities, weakening the collective response at a critical time.

While climate targets are based on carbon budgets, she said, real-world impacts are intensifying, with Pakistan already facing extreme heat and environmental stress. She reiterated that global agreements such as the Paris Agreement had overlooked the environmental consequences of conflicts.

Raising concerns over climate finance, Rehman said most funding for countries like Pakistan comes in the form of loans, adding to debt burdens instead of addressing vulnerabilities. She called for urgent reforms in global financial institutions to ensure accessible and equitable support.

Emphasising local priorities, she urged immediate action on water security, air pollution and sustainable urban planning. She also warned against unchecked development in green areas, stressing that environmental degradation carries long-term economic and public health costs.

The senator called for integrated global and local responses, saying climate change, conflict and economic challenges are deeply interconnected and require coordinated solutions.

Speaking on the impact of air pollution on life expectancy, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik said Pakistan contributes less than one per cent to global carbon dioxide emissions, yet in some parts of the country, children are exposed to air that is up to 100 times more toxic.

He noted that around ten countries produce about 78 per cent of global emissions, questioning the fairness of the situation.

“Those facing the impact of climate change in Gilgit-Baltistan are not the ones responsible for it, nor is the farmer in Sindh responsible for rising sea temperatures,” he said.

“Is this about rights, justice or political will and even our own political will, not just international?” he asked.

Mohamed Yahya, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Pakistan, said the cost of building climate resilience was rising while financing remained insufficient.

“Pakistan has witnessed repeated floods that have cost billions of dollars,” he said, adding that annual losses were comparable to the country’s IMF programme. “The constraints and the challenges overall are of execution. We are seeing very little implementation,” he said.

S Adeel Abbas, regional climate lead at the World Bank Group, acknowledged the government’s policy commitment to tackling climate change.

Earlier, in her welcome remarks at the inaugural session, Dawn CEO Nazafreen Saigol Lakhani said climate change was no longer a distant threat but a lived reality for Pakistan. She pointed to recurring floods, heatwaves, water stress and air pollution as pressing challenges.

She noted that recent disasters, including the 2022 floods and extreme weather events in 2025, had caused widespread loss of life and economic damage.

Emphasising collaboration, she called for stronger alignment between the government, private sector and communities, alongside greater focus on adaptation, climate finance, energy transition and accountability to build resilience and safeguard Pakistan’s future.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2026

“Who says Nadra records cannot be tampered with?” wondered Justice Aamer Farooq while hearing a habeas corpus petition regarding the custody of a minor girl, Ayesha Tariq, who had converted from Christianity to Islam.

Justice Farooq was heading a two-judge FCC bench that also comprised Justice K.K. Agha.

During the hearing, senior counsel Muhammad Saqib Jillani, representing the girl’s parents, argued that Ayesha was underage, adding that a Nadra certificate to this effect had been placed on record. He also expressed concern that the girl might have married.

Orders shifting of newly converted Muslim girl to Darul Aman in habeas corpus plea

Additional Advocate General Punjab Waseem Mumtaz Malik, however, submitted that if the girl was under 18, she should be sent to her parents; otherwise, she should be placed in Darul Aman, Lahore.

Justice Farooq questioned the reliability of Nadra records, remarking that they could be manipulated. “Go to Nadra and get whatever you want done — anything can happen in this country,” he observed, adding that such practices were, unfortunately, prevalent in society.

“We cannot accept that tampering with Nadra records is not possible,” Justice Farooq said, noting that such records could not be relied upon to determine age, as it was common for parents to understate their children’s ages in official documents.

The FCC ordered that an ossification test be conducted to determine the girl’s actual age. In the meantime, she will be kept at Darul Aman, Lahore, instead of the beauty parlour where she is currently residing, until the test results are received. The court, however, allowed her parents to meet her there.

The test is to be conducted within a week, the court directed.

During the hearing, the girl claimed she was 20 years old.

Police officials informed the FCC that her father had registered a kidnapping case in which her age was recorded as 18. The girl contended that two years had passed since her conversion to Islam and argued that if she had intended to marry, she would have done so by now. She further claimed her actual year of birth was 2007, not 2011 as stated in the records before the court.

“Conversion to Islam is a separate matter, but why did the girl leave home?” Justice K.K. Agha asked. The girl replied that she left due to pressure from her parents to revert to Christianity. Justice Agha observed that the real issue appeared to be intimidation and coercion.

When asked by Justice Farooq where she lived and how she earned her livelihood, the girl said she worked at a beauty parlour where she also resided.

Justice Farooq cautioned that making false statements before the court could lead to imprisonment.

The court also expressed concern when the girl stated that the parlour owner provided shelter to other girls as well. The FCC adjourned the hearing until May 20.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2026

The ruling was made in a 13-page order authored by the CJP and issued on a set of petitions arising from a Feb 17, 2020 Peshawar High Court consolidated judgement. It was issued by a two-member bench, comprising CJP Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan.

The order stated that the constitutional scheme following the 27th Amendment did not position the SC or the FCC as an appellate forum to each other.

The constitutional amendment was passed by Parliament in November last year, leading to the establishment of the FCC as a court that was to hear all matters of a constitutional nature, including those involving disputes between provincial and federal governments, public interest and the enforcement of fundamental rights of the people. The creation of the FCC was viewed by many as the establishment of a parallel judicial body to strip the SC of its constitutional jurisdiction and leave it only as a court of appeals.

The 27th Amendment also included revisions to Article 189 (1) of the Constitution, which now states: “Any decision of the Federal Constitutional Court shall, to the extent that it decides a question of law or is based upon or enunciates a principle of law, be binding on all other courts in Pakistan, including the Supreme Court.”

The SC order authored by CJP Afridi said the text of Article 189(1) of the Constitution “must deliberately be read in conjunction with the overall post-27th Amendment framework, which intentionally arranges jurisdiction between the Supreme Court and the FCC across distinct domains”.

“Any broader construction of Article 189(1) would have the effect of subordinating one apex court to the other in respect of proceedings constitutionally assigned to fall under its jurisdiction — a result for which there is no warrant in the constitutional text,” it said.

A senior lawyer speaking on condition of anonymity to Dawn opined: “The SC order seems to be an answer to the Dec 18, 2025 judgement of the FCC in which it had held that after the 27th amendment, an exception has been created requiring all courts, including the SC, to adhere to its judgements.”

According to CJP Afridi’s ruling, the SC’s attention was drawn to two jurisdictional issues of the constitutional dispensation after the 27th Amendment.

The issues were explained as: “Common-disputes leading to the proper constitutional routing of writ and non-writ proceedings that are clubbed or proceeded in parallel before the high court; and the treatment of contempt proceedings arising in relation to orders passed by the SC in such matters.”

In the judgement, the CJP observed that the SC and FCC were coordinate courts exercising clearly demarcated jurisdictions. He stated that the constitutional framework after the 27th Amendment assigned “exclusive competence over different categories of proceedings” to the two courts, rather than establishing a “vertical hierarchy”.

Article 189 ensured consistency in legal principles but did not subordinate one court to the other, CJP noted.

“As constitutionally mandated, the application and scope of Article 189(1) are limited to questions of law … and do not extend to the outcome reached in any particular case by FCC,” the order said.

The appellate routes to the SC and FCC were, ultimately, constitutionally distinct and operate independently, the CJP said.

He further observed that Article 175F(2) of the Constitution, read with Article 175F(1), “expressly affords inter-alia jurisdiction”. He added that appeals on judgements or orders of a high court were to be heard by the FCC.

All such matters pending before the SC stood transferred to the FCC, which had the exclusive jurisdiction to hear and decide them, the order said. In contradistinction, the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court was constitutionally defined in Article 185 of the Constitution, it said, citing clause 1 of the article.

It states: “Subject to this Article and Article 175F, the SC shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine appeals from judgments, decrees, final orders or sentences of the high court.”

“Article 185, accordingly, governs the appellate jurisdiction of the SC in respect of appeals arising from judgements, decrees, final orders, or sentences of the high court in cases which do not fall within Article 175F of the Constitution,” the CJP said.

“Thus, the scheme of the Constitution, as it presently stands, is unambiguous: all writ proceedings, except those relating to rent and family matters, are within the jurisdiction of the FCC, whereas all regular proceedings are within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court,” the order read.

“Consequently, all matters falling within the appellate jurisdiction of the FCC are by … stand transferred to the FCC while all regular proceedings are to be heard and decided by the SC itself.”

The order said that any writ and regular proceedings that had been clubbed together must, therefore, in conformity with the present constitutional framework, be de-clubbed, so that each category of cases may be routed to its proper forum.

The CJP recalled that prior to the 27th Amendment, matters were routinely clubbed where they had proceeded in parallel before the SC or involved common questions of law.

Routing such cases to their respective forums under the present constitutional dispensation, thus, may give rise to a potential complication: both writ-proceedings and regular-proceedings may entail adjudication of the same question of law before the FCC and the Supreme Court, respectively, thereby increasing the possibility of contradictory decisions, the judgment said.

Referring to contempt of court proceedings connected with the case at hand, the SC decided that since the matter emanated from regular proceedings, the contempt proceedings would be heard by it instead of being transferred to the FCC.

The company set May 7 (Thursday) as the deadline for bids, which will be opened the same day, given the urgent need to meet the power demand expected to spike again as the cargo imported in the last week of April has been consumed.

The tender comes after authorities’ expectations of the Middle East crisis easing and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz did not materialise. Last month, PLL had rejected two bids for the same delivery period but accepted one cargo at $18.4 per million British thermal units (mmBtu).

Qatar, a long-term LNG supplier to Pakistan, had been reluctant to dispatch LNG cargoes stranded in the Gulf amid the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, three LNG cargoes from Qatar destined for Pakistan were turned back from the strait due to security reasons.

Both tenders require 140,000 cubic metres of LNG to be delivered on an ex-ship (DES) basis. Each cargo of this capacity for Pakistan typically translates into around 100 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas supply.

In April, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) had notified a massive 19–22 per cent increase in the price of regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) to $12.50–$14 per mmBtu for sale at the distribution stage by the two Sui gas companies for the month of March.

The increase was mainly due to higher terminal charges amid lower import volumes and a minor rise in import prices, data from the authority showed.

The basket RLNG price was based on only two cargoes in March, compared to eight cargoes each in February and March, due to a force majeure declared by Qatar.

Both cargoes were imported under two LNG contracts between Pakistan State Oil and QatarGas at an average price of about $7.68 per mmBtu (DES), compared to $7.45 per mmBtu last month, but still significantly lower than $8.9 per mmBtu in March last year.

PLL, one of the public sector entities responsible for LNG imports, did not import any cargo last month. It had, in fact, imported one cargo a few months earlier after a gap of almost a year at about $7.65 per mmBtu through its old contract with a private entity.

The PLL, established almost a decade ago for LNG imports, could not import energy over the past year despite its executives and board of directors enjoying hefty remuneration and associated perks and privileges. It had last floated and LNG tender in December 2023 for delivery in January 2024 but later cancelled the tender.

Facing criticism over loadshedding even before the beginning of summer, the Power Division had already placed an order with the Petroleum Division last week to arrange around 400 million mmcfd of LNG for power generation, amid hopes of the opening of international supply routes.

LNG imports had stopped in March after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following US-Israel attacks on Iran, which, in retaliation, targeted fuel installations in neighbouring countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait, among others. Subsequently, Qatar declared force majeure early last month on all its global LNG contracts, including those with Pakistan.

Naqvi visited the site on Tuesday to inspect construction and was given a detailed briefing on the 2.7-kilometre project, says a press release issued by the interior ministry.

It said that the plan includes a three-lane carriageway on both sides- a two-lane service road, two underpasses and a bridge.

An interchange will be built at Sangjani on GT Road as part of this project, and minster directed completion of the interchange by July 31.

“This project will provide an alternative, fast and easy route between Islamabad and the motorway,” Naqvi said, adding that it would significantly reduce traffic pressure and cut travel time.

He directed that all resources be utilised to complete the project within the stipulated time.

Margalla Road currently ends near D-12 and forces traffic from sectors F, G and H to use Srinagar Highway or IJP Road to reach the motorway.

The new link will give northern Islamabad direct access to M-1, easing congestion on Kashmir Highway and 9th Avenue.

The project’s 2.5km second phase, from the interchange to the motorway, will be executed by the Punjab government.

Naqvi said quality, transparency and speed were being ensured in all projects.

“Providing citizens with better and faster travel facilities is the government’s top responsibility,” he said.

Officials told the minister the project would be completed by December 2026.

The Sangjani Interchange, however, has been fast-tracked for completion by July 31 this year to relieve bottlenecks on GT Road.

Chairman CDA, IG Islamabad Police, DC Islamabad and other senior officers were present during the visit.

The extension has been a long-standing demand of residents of D-12, E-11 and adjoining areas, who face heavy traffic on existing routes to the motorway, especially during peak hours.

Recently, civic agency had opened financial bids originally worth Rs3.58 billion and the lowest bid turned out to be 10pc below the estimated cost.

Subsequently, it issued work order was issued. The 2.7-kilometre road starts from GT Road and will culminate near the Sangjani Grid Station within Islamabad’s limits, where it will be connected with another 2.5-kilometre road to be ultimately linked with the M-1.

The National Highway Authority (NHA), through its contractor, is already executing the 2.5-kilometre portion of the road falling within the limits of Rawalpindi. Work on this section is continuing at full pace and it will be linked with the M-1 near the AWT Housing Society.

The CDA’s ongoing project is expected to be completed by the end of this year. According to a CDA working paper, the maximum benefit of Margalla Avenue cannot be achieved until it is linked to the M-1. The project comprises a six-lane road facility and aims to provide an alternative route for commuters travelling to Islamabad from GT Road (N-5) and vice versa.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2026

In a two-page written order, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir held that the petition contained “extremely defamatory, baseless and unsubstantiated allegations” against a serving judge, adding that the nature of the claims prima facie fell within the ambit of contempt of court.

The court emphasised that any attempt to scandalise a judge or question judicial conduct through unsubstantiated accusations cannot be entertained, as it directly impacts the institutional integrity of the judiciary. “The tendency to undermine the independence and dignity of the judiciary is very regrettable,” the order stated, while directing the petitioner to exercise caution in future.

The petition had been filed by Advocate Kulsoom Khaliq, challenging the appointment of Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz. However, the court noted that the allegations raised were linked to judicial proceedings and the conduct of a sitting judge, matters which fall outside the jurisdiction of such petitions.

Justice Tahir underlined that the law provides specific mechanisms for addressing grievances against judicial decisions, including appellate forums. He further clarified that any inquiry into alleged misconduct of a judge lies exclusively within the domain of the Supreme Judicial Council, the constitutional forum empowered to examine complaints against superior court judges.

“The contempt of court petition is not maintainable,” the order concluded.

According to the order, the Registrar Office had initially flagged multiple objections to the petition, questioning its maintainability. Upon judicial scrutiny, the bench endorsed those objections, reinforcing that the petition did not meet the legal requirements for admissibility.

Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz has recently been transferred from the Islamabad High Court to the Sindh High Court. The transfer, however, was not a subject of adjudication in the present case.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2026

Police described the killing as “an act of revenge by his girl friend”.

The victim, a resident of F-6/1, was allegedly abducted by a group of four to five persons from outside his house at midnight on May 4. A case was registered with Kohsar Police Station under Section 365 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) on a complaint lodged by the victim’s father.

Investigators later spotted a photo of the victim’s body on social media, posted by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police for identification purposes. They subsequently contacted Mardan police, who were informed of the abduction.

The investigation was conducted under the supervision of SP(city zone) Dr Ayaz Hussain, who constituted multiple teams to trace the victim and identify the culprits.

Teams reviewed CCTV footage and call record data, through which they spotted a car near the victim’s house that subsequently moved toward the motorway. The vehicle exited at the Islamabad toll plaza and headed toward Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The registration number turned out to be fake, but the car’s M-tag helped investigators trace the owner, a native of Mingora, who was found in Sawabi. He told police that he had rented the car to some individuals from Swat.

During the investigation, it also emerged that the victim and two other men had cases registered against them in Islamabad, allegedly at the instigation of a woman who, according to police, sought to pressure them into marriage.

The woman later confessed that she had been in a relationship with the victim and two other men.

She alleged that all three had ended the relationship months earlier, and she decided to take revenge.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2026

Since the construction of drains and development projects managed by Wasa in Rawalpindi city’s busiest commercial hub had been launched, public movement has been badly disturbed and business activities affected.

A case has been registered against the assistant director concerned, tehsildar and other staff of Wasa for carrying out construction work without observing safety regulations during the construction of a drain on Hamilton Road.

Mirza Sajjad Haider, patwari, lodged an FIR with the police, saying that he had been serving in Rawalpindi and following the directives of assistant commissioner (AC City) he visited the site of Wasa’s project of under-ground nullah on Hamilton Road on Monday.

He further said in the FIR that he had noticed that neither any safety measure was taken nor any signboard, safety door or reflector red line put in place at the project site.

Furthermore, he stated in the FIR that no safety wall had been installed, causing significant problems with public movement and endangering their lives. On Monday, the site also saw a landslide, he added.

Haider voiced fear that it could cause damage to automobiles and public property, as well as cause massive, unacceptable loss.

Haider said: “A case should be registered against the assistant director concerned of Wasa, tehsildar Hayat Ali, Raza and other staff members under the relevant sections of the law.”

Following the complaint an FIR was registered under section 283/290 on the complaint of Patwari Sajjad Haider on charges of endangering the lives of the public and labourers and alleged negligence. However, no arrests have been made so far as both the sections of the law were bailable offences.

Pedestrians, labourers and the business community have been facing difficulties in crossing the busiest Hamilton Road as there is a fear of loss of life due to the digging and ill-planned work. Landslides also occurred during the digging at the site; however, nobody was reported hurt or injured.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2026

They were speaking at a webinar ‘Pakistan’s Energy Options Amidst Persian Gulf Crisis’, which was organised to mark the launch of a new study ‘Beyond the Shock: Pakistan’s Energy Options Amidst Persian Gulf Crisis’ published by Policy Research Institute for Equitable Development.

“The war in the Persian Gulf has not created these vulnerabilities but has exposed them,” the study said, calling for a layered response to this crisis.

“In the short run, that means protecting essential imports without allowing prices to spiral out of control. In the medium and long run, it means resisting the panic-driven temptation to lock the country into coal or expensive imported fuels, and instead accelerating the investments in solar power, battery storage, and grid infrastructure…” said one of the authors, Ammara Aslam.

Study says Iran war has not created vulnerabilities but has exposed them

Pakistan Solar Association Chairman Waqas Haroon Moosa, one of the panelists, said there was a need to “expand solar, hydro, and wind for energy sovereignty”. “The miracle of solar in Pakistan is that the people introduced it — farmers, the common man. The government is doing its part and ahead of the budget, we’re pushing to cut GST on solar panels, batteries, and inverters to zero. Oil imports… run out. Solar gives us a sustainable resource and eventually, energy independence.”

The study identified Pakistan’s rapid solar expansion, with 34 gigawatts of installed capacity by 2025, of which approximately 7 gigawatts is net metered, which feeds directly into the national grid while the rest is installed behind the meter and completely off-grid. However, without utility-scale battery energy storage, solar power cannot resolve the evening peak demand crisis that RLNG shortfalls have now made acute.

The research described solar power without storage capacity as the most urgent grid challenge. “…solar collapses at sunset just as demand, particularly the summer cooling demand, peaks sharply. Only fast-ramping RLNG plants can currently manage this transition, which is why the same solar boom that reduced LNG demand has also made some LNG supply paradoxically indispensable.”

Despite its limitations, the economic case for continued solar investment remains compelling. “1,000 megawatts of solar costs US$100 million and generates electricity for 25–30 years. The same money buys one LNG cargo, burned once.”

Similarly, coal is not the solution to the energy crisis as being proposed by some in the policy circles.

“Converting existing plants would cost an estimated US$250-500 million per facility in machinery alone, with a further US$480 million in mining expansion required for just two plants,” the research said, while also pointing out environmental harms due to coal expansion.

Speaking at the webinar as a keynote speaker, former finance minister Miftah Ismail said Pakistan sold the most expensive electricity and gas in the region. “This is not a technical failure, but a policy failure.”

Private Power and Infrastructure Board Managing Director Dr Munawar Iqbal said the short-term strategy was to exploit indigenous energy sources to meet the energy needs, while battery storage systems could be explored in the long-term for self-sufficiency.

Sharing recommendations, the study urged the government to protect essential imports without panic buying; diversify gas procurement with flexible contracts; remove the 10 per cent GST on solar panels; ease prosumer regulations; cut the 40 percent tax on imported batteries; electrify energy-intensive sectors starting with two- and three-wheelers; use domestic fuels as a bridge without locking in new coal infrastructure; and ringfence petroleum levies to fund the clean energy transition.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2026

The committee also rejected the health ministry’s request to hold an in-camera briefing over the issue of HIV.

The NA committee, chaired by MNA Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, had taken strong notice of the rising trend of HIV and AIDS cases in Pakistan and sought a briefing from the ministry.

Pakistan has become one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, with new infections rising by 200 per cent over the last 15 years — from 16,000 in 2010 to 48,000 in 2024.

The ministry informed the committee that an estimated 369,000 people were living with HIV in Pakistan, while only 84,000 cases were currently registered, highlighting a significant detection gap. In 2025 alone, 14,000 new cases were reported.

In a critical revelation, the committee was informed that out of the 84,000 registered cases, nearly 20,000 patients who initiated treatment at ART centres were now “missing”, raising serious concerns about follow-up, counselling and patient retention. The ministry stated that a comprehensive master plan was being developed to address these gaps.

Malani informed the meeting that Health Minister Mustafa Kamal had requested an on-camera briefing. The chair added that the matter was already the focus of public attention, particularly due to reports of over 600 cases of HIV and AIDS reported in Islamabad.

However, committee members Aliya Kamran and Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro opposed the proposal to hold the meeting on-camera. They emphasised that the issue was of significant public importance and should remain transparent.

Kamran stated that lives were being lost due to AIDS, while Sobia stressed that media presence in the committee proceedings was essential.

During the briefing, Kamal clarified that no new outbreak of HIV or AIDS has occurred this year. He referred to the Taunsa cases reported in 2024, highlighting that for the first time, all related facts were openly shared with the media. He noted that concealing data would be a criminal act.

However, the minister highlighted that HIV/AIDS programmes in Pakistan were largely supported by the Global Fund (GF).

“For the current three-year cycle, Pakistan has received funding amounting to $65 million. Of this, $3.9m has been allocated to the government, while the remaining funds have been distributed to organisations such as Nai Zindagi and UNDP (United Nations Development Programme),” he said.

He claimed that Pakistan has been placed in an “Additional Safeguard Category” by GF. Screening centres across the country receive medicines and syringes through these partner organisations, he said.

The minister also informed the meeting that medical supplies worth $800,000, provided by the GF, were stolen within Pakistan.

The committee noted that Pakistan’s HIV prevalence stood at 0.2 per cent compared to the global average of 0.5pc. However, localised outbreaks such as in Taunsa, Kot Momin and parts of South Punjab pointed to serious failures in infection prevention and control (IPC), unsafe medical practices and weak enforcement, it said.

Members raised alarm over the continued availability of banned syringes in the market despite regulatory prohibitions since 2021, weak monitoring of blood banks and transfusion camps, lack of sustained public awareness campaigns, persistent stigma discouraging testing and treatment and the growing number of “missing patients” who drop out after initial diagnosis.

The meeting was attended by MNAs Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Farah Naz Akbar, Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Shaista Khan, Nikhat Shakeel Khan, Aliya Kamran, Darshan, Sabheen Ghoury, Chaudhry Muhammad Shahbaz Babar and Farukh Khan. The minister for national health, senior officials from the health ministry and its attached departments also participated in the meeting.

Three hospitals in Karachi have recorded a dramatic increase in the number of paediatric HIV cases over the last nine months and their numbers continue to grow, it emerged in April.

Experts at a press conference held on Saturday demanded that the government declare a national health emergency over the “dangerous spread” of the disease, now affecting children in large numbers. They also called for the strict implementation of basic infection control measures and the law on single-use syringes.

The experts further pressed for setting up a national dashboard with credible information on the status of major infectious diseases, including HIV, hepatitis B, C and mpox.

Sub-Inspector Rajab Ali registered an FIR saying that he was on a patrol duty for checking illegal foreigners at Choor Chowk when he spotted a pedestrian coming from Misrial road.

On seeing the police party, the police official said, the man tried to sneak away, but the police intercepted him and investigated him.

During the questioning, he disclosed his name as Dilbar, a resident of India. Police said the Indian national was unable to provide a visa for entering Pakistan and staying here.

During the body search, the police recovered two ball pens, four plain papers and Rs1,750 from his procession. Later, a case was registered against him under the relevant section of the law.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2026

Traders have also demanded an immediate and appropriate reduction in the prices of petroleum products.

Addressing a press conference at the Rawalpindi Press Club, President of the Central Association of Traders of Rawalpindi and Punjab Malik Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, Raja Toheed Ahmed, Munir Baig, Sheikh Hafeez, Tariq Jadoon, Sajid Butt, Saifullah Khan, Sardar Saqib, Qari Khalid, Munir Baig, Zaheer Abbasi, Malik Waqas and other office bearers said that if these demands were not heeded, the business community will be forced to launch a protest movement not only in Rawalpindi but also in the entire Punjab.

They said that the current closure timings were set during the era when Maghrib prayers were offered at around 5:30 pm, however, now in the summer Maghrib prayer is offered at around 7 pm.

Due to this change, they said citizens mostly visit the markets for shopping in the evening when the temperature drops, but due to early closure of shops, the public is facing severe difficulties while traders are also facing heavy financial losses.

They added that employees who are relieved from government and private offices also mostly do shopping in the evening, so the current policy is not only against public convenience but is also affecting business activities.

They demanded the government to provide relief to both traders and citizens by extending the working hours.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2026