Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb moved a series of papers for approval during Wednesday’s session.

Under the Constitution, the government must secure parliamentary approval for the federal budget before any spending. This approval allows the government to spend specified funds for different heads. However, the government often seeks retrospective approval for additional amounts already spent, leaving the parliament with no choice but to regularise these expenditures.

The NA’s X account said Aurangzeb laid the Supplementary Authorised Expenditure 2024-2025 and 2025- 2026, along with other papers, before the house under Article 83 of the Constitution.

Dawn provides a breakdown of the additional amounts approved for spending during FY24-25 and FY25-26, which will conclude on June 30.

FY2024-25

The following supplementary grants were approved for FY24-25 (July 2024- June 2025):

• Rs430.10bn for Power Division
• Rs37.89bn for miscellaneous expenditure
• Rs22.84bn for defence services
• Rs22.15bn capital outlay on civil works
• Rs5.79bn for both civil and armed forces
• Rs5.61bn for Commerce Division
• Rs5.60bn for development expenditure of Finance Division
• Rs3.82bn for National Health Services
• Rs2.69bn for Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)
• Rs1.80bn for Information and Broadcasting Division
• Rs1.43bn for educational institutions under the federal government, cantonments and garrisons
• Rs1.26bn for other development expenditure
• Rs1.25bn for Defence Division
• Rs1.10bn for development expenditure of Interior Division
• Rs750m for the development expenditure of Power Division
• Rs300m for Cabinet Division
• Rs250m was approved for the federal education and professional training division
• Rs238.42m for National Food Security and Research Division
• Rs207.97m capital outlay on Petroleum Division
• Rs160.46m for Pakistan Agricultural Research Council
• Rs90.27m in respect of foreign missions
• Rs64.82m for Airports Security Force
• Rs50m for Parliamentary Affairs Division
• Rs49.65m for the Law and Justice Division
• Rs14m supplementary funds were approved for the Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan affairs division

The following grants were approved in “excess authorised expenditure” during FY24-25

• Rs19.03bn for the combined civil armed forces
• Rs15.63bn in development expenditure of Water Resources Division
• Rs1.19bn for Law and Justice Division
• Rs646.64m for the federal education and professional training division
• Rs508.77m for foreign missions
• Rs483.92m for superannuation allowances and pensions
• Rs17.46m for the Communications Division
• Rs2.57m for the Petroleum Division
• Rs1.28m for district judiciary, ICT

These amounted to a total of Rs593.64bn in supplementary grants and excess expenditure for FY24-25.

Charged expenditure for FY24-25

• Staff household and allowances president: Rs208.00m
• Repayment of short-term foreign credits: Rs40.34bn
• Audit: Rs63.00m
• Repayment of domestic debt: Rs2,603.86bn

These totalled to Rs2,644.48bn.

Excess charged expenditures for FY24-25

• Repayment of domestic debt: Rs1,915.92bn
• Servicing of domestic debt: Rs169.32bn
• Foreign loans repayment: Rs1.54bn
• Superannuation allowances and pensions: Rs662.85m
• Federal Tax Ombudsman: Rs81.52m
• Repayment of short-term foreign credits: Rs32.81m
• Federal Ombudsman Secretariat for Protection against Harassment of Women at workplace: Rs48,668

These totalled to Rs2,087.57bn.

FY2025-26

For FY25-26 (July 2025-June 2026), the following supplementary grants were approved:

• Rs127.41bn for grants, subsidies and miscellaneous expenditure
• Rs105.50bn for Power Division
• Rs57.18bn federal education and professional training division
• Rs33.96bn for defence services
• Rs29.66bn for National Health Services
• Rs22.35bn for poverty alleviation and social safety
• Rs19.72bn other expenditure of interior and narcotics control
• Rs13.82bn miscellaneous expenditure of Information and Broadcasting Division
• Rs13.10bn for Petroleum Division
• Rs10.00bn development expenditure of Revenue Division
• Rs7.88bn capital outlay on civil works
• Rs7.50bn for Commerce Division
• Rs6.61bn capital outlay on Railways Division
• Rs6.35bn development expenditure of Power Division
• Rs5.00bn for Housing and Works Division
• Rs4.25bn for Defence Division
• Rs4.18bn development expenditure of the federal education and professional training division
• Rs4.00bn for National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
• Rs3.70bn for development expenditure of IT & Telecom Division
• Rs2.37bn for federal miscellaneous investments and other loans
• Rs2.08bn for Information Technology and Telecommunication Division
• Rs1.57bn for the development expenditure of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission
• Rs1.47bn for Information and Broadcasting Division
• Rs1.38bn combined civil armed forces
• Rs967.50m for Cabinet Division
• Rs960.27m for Interior and Narcotics Control Division
• Rs536.07m other development expenditure
• Rs344.73m development expenditure of Interior and Narcotics Control Division
• Rs250.00m for National Security Division
• Rs170.40m for Inter-Provincial Coordination division
• Rs150.00m for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Division
• Rs112.11m for other expenditure of Finance Division
• Rs76.23m for Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) Division
• Rs40.00m for the development expenditure of Defence Division
• Rs27.42m for National Food Security and Research Division

These amounted to a total of Rs475.05bn in supplementary grants for FY25-26.

Charged expenditure for FY25-26

• Repayment of domestic debt: Rs12,624.8bn
• Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan: Rs2.25bn
• Elections: Rs455.98m

These totalled to Rs12,645.5bn.

During an NA session on Tuesday, the premier, noting that Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai had called the incumbent government “illegitimate”, asserted that the 2018 elections should be investigated.

He contended that if the government that came after those polls was legitimate, the incumbent government was also legitimate.

On Wednesday, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said in a statement: “In a remarkable display of selective memory and political acrobatics, Shehbaz Sharif attempted to equate the current Form-47 regime with the 2018 elections, claiming that if one was legitimate, so is the other.

“PTI views this not as a defence but as a tacit admission that the February 2024 elections witnessed one of the most brazen thefts of the people’s mandate in the nation’s history,” he alleged.

He argued that while PTI founder Imran Khan had, after the 2018 elections, publicly offered to open the results of any constituency for independent investigation if the opposition harboured doubts, the current rulers were “visibly terrified of any forensic audit, biometric verification, or transparent scrutiny of their victory”.

“If Shehbaz Sharif truly believes his own rhetoric, why does his government recoil at the mere suggestion of an independent examination of the 2024 results? The answer lies in the fragile foundation of Form-47 itself,” he said, referring to the PTI’s allegations of tempering of election documents in 2024.

Akram called on the government to conduct a full, transparent and judicially supervised audit of both the 2018 and 2024 elections so that the people of Pakistan and the world can see whose claim to public trust was genuine.

Speaking about the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), the party spokesperson expressed concern over the reported massive irregularities in the scheme, which a news outlet quoted the Auditor General of Pakistan’s audit report for the financial year 2024-25.

“More than Rs25 billion has been disbursed through highly suspicious and illegal channels. Even more shockingly, Rs3.17bn was spent without parliamentary approval or ICPC clearance, a clear case of financial lawlessness”, Akram claimed.

He alleged that through the deliberate manipulation of data systems and spouse data profiling, over 600,000 ineligible individuals, including government employees, siphoned off funds meant exclusively for poor widows, orphans and destitute families.

Akram demanded an immediate Supreme Court-monitored judicial inquiry into the BISP irregularities, as well as the “full and immediate recovery of every rupee from all involved officials with the harshest legal action”.

He further demanded suspensions and criminal prosecution of all BISP officials and IT personnel involved in data tampering.

Meanwhile, on the recent unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Akram expressed deep alarm over the political and administrative situation in the region.

He strongly condemned the government’s “negligence”, claiming that it chose “the path of force, arbitrary arrests, and inflammatory rhetoric”. For its part, the AJK government has asserted it has tried to resolve the dispute with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) peacefully.

This approach, he warned, “was pushing the sensitive region towards greater instability and public alienation”.

Akram announced that PTI would pursue all available legal avenues against PM Shehbaz, the Punjab government and the relevant jail authorities for “endangering Imran Khan’s health and life”.

He also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all PTI prisoners, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr Yasmin Rashid, and other leaders.

In an interview on a TV show, the minister had said that Rawalakot — which has been in the grip of protests by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) — is “not Kashmir” and that he did not consider people from there Kashmiris.

Asif had subsequently taken to X to clarify that “Kashmiriat is defined by the sacrifices and struggles waged over almost eight decades by Pakistanis, including Kashmiris and all others, not by birth certificates”.

Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, PPP’s Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that such a “sweeping statement” should not be given under any circumstances, especially from such a “senior” official.

He said that Asif’s remarks had hurt the sentiments of several people, adding that Azad Kashmir was a “sensitive area” and care needed to be taken before making remarks about it.

He said that “water needed to be poured onto the fire” to address the problems of the Kashmiris. He acknowledged that the government and establishment were trying their best to address the issues of the region.

He said that giving such “irresponsible remarks” was detrimental to the Kashmir cause. He tendered an apology on Asif’s behalf to the people of Rawalakot.

However, the defence minister pointed to his post on X regarding the matter, saying that he had “presented an argument that no one became a Kashmiri on the basis of a birth certificate”, leading PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to comment on the situation.

In his remarks, Bilawal said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wanted to bring the country out of difficult situations by “positively engaging” with the coalition partners and the opposition, but some “ministers” were creating problems in the process.

Bilawal said that Pakistan and the region stood at a moment when things were happening “geopolitically”.

“I have voted for the prime minister twice. I acknowledge his work ethic, his efforts, his manners, his intention, the way he positively engages with the coalition partners and the opposition to bring the country out of difficulties,” he said.

“However, some ministers create issues for him. They always create hurdles in the work of the prime minister rather than helping him,” Bilawal said.

Bilawal acknowledged that the present government and all political parties had tried to resolve the issues in AJK politically.

“The coalition parties, the opposition, and every Pakistani should ask why a minister is still part of the [federal] cabinet after saying, without backing off, that the Kashmiris of Rawalakot are not Kashmiris.

“How is it possible to tolerate these words when they are uttered by a defence minister, let alone a senior minister?” Bilawal questioned.

“How do we justify that the minister is still in the position and has not agreed to tender an apology?” he asked.

“Apart from Kashmir’s endemic problems and political difficulties, is it not true that the minister’s statement was similar to igniting the fire already burning in Kashmir, instead of extinguishing it?”

He argued that such statements had paved the way for the protestors to create the prevailing conditions in AJK.

The former foreign minister accepted that the federal government and the PPP, since it has attained power in AJK, could be held responsible for the faults. However, he said that the time has come to extinguish the fire.

“Today, if Maulana Fazlur Rehman has taken an initiative and agreed to take the responsibility of the government’s incapability in AJK, he should be given the space,” Bilawal stressed.

“In the capacity of a coalition partner, I suggest that we all should give space to Maulana for the position he has been holding on the issue, to bring the conflict to a resolution by engaging with the federal and AJK government,” he said.

“We should also engage the people who are protesting … and should bring the issue to a kind of political resolution so that the Kashmiris do not have to protest time and again.”

The PPP chairman said that the prime minister should have the mandate and authority to control his team.

“If the prime minister can’t direct his minister to follow his policy, and every minister is speaking in a different direction, it will create more difficulties for the government instead of helping the situation,” he said.

He also hit back at the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan during his address over their criticism of the PPP-led Sindh government, saying that the party should instead criticise the PML-N-led federal government that failed to fulfil their demands.

“Is Karachi more important than positions in the government?” he asked.

Bilawal also said that the PML-N was “scared” of having a local government in provinces it was ruling/

“It is not even ready to hold a single union council election. Introduce the same kind of local government system in Lahore that we have introduced in Karachi. Let’s contest in polls,” he said.

Bilawal pointed out that the local body system did not exist in Islamabad either.

“They [government] talk about big amendments in the Constitution. Before that, … conduct local body elections in Islamabad within 90 days,” he added

The PPP chairman demanded that, before any constitutional amendment, the local bodies polls should be conducted in Islamabad and Punjab.

I stand by what I said: Khawaja Asif

Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada ke Saath’ later on Wednesday night, the defence minister said he welcomed the criticism but stood by his opinions.

He said, Bilawal is “entitled to say anything”.

“On the floor of the assembly, even in the media, politicians criticising each other shows that the democratic system has succeeded,” he remarked.

“I welcome the criticism and whether my point of view is right or wrong — I think it’s right — I stand by it,” Asif said, adding that JAAC activists were involved in violence.

Asked about his comments regarding the people of Rawalakot, Asif replied that there are “three categories of Kashmiri”.

“One category is those in the valley who are ready to do anything for their love of Pakistan,” he said, adding that they have been arrested, hanged or jailed for life, referring to those in India-occupied Kashmir.

“The second is those who crossed the Sialkot border in August 1947. Around 224,000 people were martyred,” Asif said. “The third is those who got their freedom while sitting at home when they became free of India and the Dogra rulers.”

“I stand by what I said,” he added.

“I categorise Kashmiris who have paid the price and are paying the price today for their freedom. There are Kashmiris who earned their freedom, and many who got it for free. It is my right to categorise them, as is the right of those who paid a price for their freedom.

Shehbaz-Fazl exchange

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also addressed the NA. During his speech, he also held a paper he was a letter by the JAAC, which asked him to mediate between the group and the government.

“I have given a video response to the letter and informed the government about it as well,” he said.

In his video message, Fazl said he has accepted JAAC leaders’ invitation asking him to mediate to resolve the “crisis and tense situation” in AJK.

In the NA, Fazl questioned how the government deemed it appropriate to take action based on mere “speeches”.

He also condemned “provocative” statements made by Asif, stating that they should not have been made, particularly in his capacity as the defence minister.

“You have left the peace to Ishaq Dar and the fighting to Khawaja Asif,” he remarked.

He stressed that politicians should take the lead in resolving such issues, and added that the government was like a parent and should “not be cruel to its children”.

While Fazl was speaking, PM Shehbaz entered the House and also shook hands with opposition members.

In his response to Fazl, PM Shehbaz said he had only heard a part of his speech and “some conversations that I have held with Maulana sahib in private, they will go with me to my grave”.

In a lighter tone, Fazl responded by saying he welcomed the PM’s expression of love for him and “I allow him to openly say what was discussed with me if a conversation was held with me privately”.

PM Shehbaz replied to that in a lighter tone as well, saying he would not accept Fazl’s offer as “matters will go far then”.

JAAC should withdraw their demands: Sanaullah

Speaking after the exchange between the PM and Fazl, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah drew the House’s attention to the recent unrest in AJK.

He said that the JAAC’s recent protests were an attempt to stop the upcoming elections in July and held that only the AJK Legislative Assembly had the right to decide the status of the 12 refugee seats, as the issue cannot be decided through violent demonstrations.

He recalled that an all-parties conference as well as the AJK Supreme Court had endorsed the position, stressing that the matter should be debated by the next AJK Legislative Assembly.

Sanaullah said that at the moment, there were no demonstrations in AJK except in Rawalakot. He added that at present, the JAAC had eight demands, one of which included removing a clause from the oath in nomination papers which stated that “Kashmir will join Pakistan after the success of its freedom movement”.

He continued: “Besides this, the way they behaved with us during our meetings, I cannot explain. Their speeches on social media and the things they are saying. Is that not a crime and against the Kashmir freedom movement?”

The PML-N leader urged that JAAC should withdraw their demands and cancel protest plans and then “whoever they wish to speak with — whether Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif or AJK Prime Minister Faisal Rathore — they can”.

Asif tells opposition to mend its ways

Separately, the defence minister told the opposition to examine its own past before criticising the government and to sign a Charter of Democracy with the government.

His remarks come a day after the opposition’s bitter criticism of the government during a tumultuous day in the National Assembly. The opposition leader, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, launched into a harsh diatribe, criticising the government, the judiciary and the establishment.

Speaking on the floor of the NA, Asif said, “Whenever I issue instructions or make any demand, I refer to this maxim: If you seek equity, you should come up with clean hands.

“When these people demand equity, they also check whether their hands are clean,” the defence minister said, pointing towards the opposition benches.

“What did not happen in this House during their time in power?” he asked.

“You (the speaker) are a witness, I am a witness … even the walls of this House know what happened. What did they not do to us when they were in government?” the PML-N leader asked.

Addressing the House, Asif told the opposition to correct its past and sign a Charter of Democracy with the government.

“We have also made mistakes … sign the Charter of Democracy … But us and them should not forget what we have done in the past.”

Referring to the political turmoil of the 1990s, the defence minister said that there was a lot of blame between the PPP and the PML-N — now coalition partners in the federal government.

“There was a lot of blame between us, but later, both parties … realised that we should take a break from these issues and sort things out among ourselves,” he said.

He said that both Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif decided that a proper code of conduct should be developed that maintains respect and dignity between the opposition and the ruling parties.

Criticising the former PTI government, Asif said, “Sitting in your chair (the speaker), 55 pieces of legislation were passed in just half an hour, after which they dissolved the assembly.

“It is a cardinal sin that, sitting in your chair, the former speaker takes such a step in favour of one party and dissolves the assembly,” Asif said, again urging the opposition to look at their past.

“Our past may not have been something to be proud of, but we (PPP and PML-N) tried to learn from it. We signed a document, learned from our past, and implemented reforms based on it, as a result of which even constitutional amendments came forward,” Asif said.

The defence minister said that in his opinion, there was still a need for constitutional amendments, because they “have not been implemented or worked as effectively as they should have”.

He said that yesterday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif walked over to the opposition and talked to them.

“This was not even conceivable when Imran Khan was the premier,” he said. The defence minister said that when Imran was the prime minister, the PTI members didn’t even talk to the opposition lest he be “offended”.

He mentioned that, in the past, there was civility among the political parties and in political culture. However, the damage that the PTI founder had “inflicted on our parliamentary system and political culture over the past years” was “unmatched”, Asif said.

“No one else has caused such harm to our politics and democratic institutions,” the minister said.

Calling Achakzai his “brother”, Asif quipped that he seemed “out of place” sitting with the opposition.

“No political party can function on the whims of one man. There is no democracy in their party … how can they delete their past?” he asked.

During the session, the NA also approved a supplementary budget of Rs593.64 billion for FY2024-2025 and of Rs482bn for the outgoing fiscal year.

Additional input from Kalbe Ali

The meeting was held at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, where Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar was presented a guard of honour by a smartly turned-out tri-services contingent upon arrival, a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

It added that during his meeting with Field Marshal Munir, matters of mutual interest, regional security dynamics, defence cooperation and avenues for enhanced military-to-military collaboration were discussed.

“Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral defence ties and expanding cooperation in areas of professional military training and security,” the statement said.

It further stated that Field Marshal Munir highlighted the Pakistan Army’s commitment to promoting peace, stability and constructive engagement with friendly countries.

“The visiting dignitary appreciated the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces and acknowledged their contributions towards regional peace and security,” it added.

The CDF had held a meeting with the commander-in-chief and deputy commander-in-chief of the Libyan armed forces in February as well, in which he had reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Libya.

In December of last year, Pakistan signed a multi-billion-dollar deal to sell conventional military equipment to the Libyan army, entering a select club of countries that export conventional arms and equipment.

A copy of the deal, before it was finalised, was seen by Reuters. It listed the purchase of several JF-17 fighter jets, jointly developed by Pakistan and China, and a number of Super Mushak trainer aircraft, used for basic pilot training.

According to officials, the fire erupted in Block C of the bazaar, which mostly houses shoe stalls, and spread rapidly, prompting a large-scale emergency response.

Rescue teams, including firefighters, police and district administration officials, rushed to the scene shortly after getting the information. The Bazaar, which is known as Itwar Bazaar or Sunday Bazaar, remains operational on Fridays, Tuesdays and Sundays.

Given the intensity of the fire, assistance was also sought from neighbouring Rawalpindi, with additional fire engines and rescue personnel joining the operation.

Preliminary reports suggested that hundreds of stalls have been badly damaged. Assistant Commissioner I-9 was present at the site and supervised the firefighting operation. Efforts to extinguish the blaze were still underway when this report was filed, and the cause of the fire could not immediately be ascertained.

Fires at the H-9 Weekly Bazaar, popularly known as the Sunday Bazaar or Itwar Bazaar, have occurred with alarming frequency over the years, raising recurring concerns over safety standards, electrical wiring and firefighting preparedness.

This is the fifth incident of fire at the weekly bazaar since 2017. Out of the five incidents, three took place on Wednesday while two incidents occurred on Tuesday.

On August 24, 2017, a massive fire broke out in Block C which gutted around 550 stalls of garments, utensils, and nimkos, while 98 other stalls in Block H and a shoe market were also damaged.

On July 19, 2018, about 110 stalls in the E and F blocks were completely destroyed in a massive fire at the bazaar. On October 30, 2019, at least 300 stalls in blocks D, E, and H were gutted.

About 133 stalls were gutted in a blasé that engulfed the weekly bazaar December 7, 2022. Out of total 101 stalls were located in F-Block while the rest in the E-Block.

In the most recent major incident, in July 2024, nearly 700 stalls were gutted after a blaze spread rapidly through the garment section following rainfall. Authorities had at the time suspected an electrical short circuit as the cause of the fire.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2026

He, however, described the number as inadequate for a country with around 13,500 glaciers, stating that additional monitoring infrastructure was required to effectively cover Pakistan’s glaciers.

The NDMA chairman was speaking at a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat which was held at the NDMA Headquarters to receive a briefing on climate risks, disaster preparedness and early warning systems, says a press release.

The committee’s chairman Rana Mehmoodul Hassan then referred the matter to the Ministry of Climate Change with a recommendation to convene a joint technical meeting of all relevant stakeholders on the matter.

Officials of a US-based company Tollhawk briefed the committee about their sensor devices regarding early flood intimation to avoid the mass destruction.

The committee chairman underscored the need to bridge coordination gaps between federal and provincial authorities to ensure a more effective and timely response to disasters across the country.

The NDMA officials informed the committee that Pakistan remained among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing increasing risks from heat-waves, glacier melting, droughts, flash floods, and other climate-induced disasters.

The committee was informed that the NDMA, in collaboration with national and international partners, continuously monitored weather and climate patterns and had developed forecasting capabilities for disaster risks.

The members were briefed on expected climate conditions, including above-normal temperatures in parts of Sindh, Balochistan, and southern Punjab, as well as increased risks of glacier lake outburst floods and flash floods in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The NDMA officials also briefed the committee on various technological initiatives, including real-time monitoring platforms and mobile applications providing early warnings, emergency alerts, and disaster response services.

The Authority officials further informed the committee about measures being taken to promote climate-resilient infrastructure, strengthen emergency response capacities, and improve disaster preparedness at federal, provincial, and district levels.

PML-N Senator Anusha Rahman emphasised the need for enhanced coordination between the NDMA and provincial governments.

The NDMA chairman informed the committee that regular coordination mechanisms, preparedness plans, and emergency stockpiles had been established to ensure timely response during emergencies.

The committee also discussed vulnerable areas, including Kumrat and Swat, and stressed the importance of preventive measures to mitigate the risks of floods and glacier lake outburst events.

Representatives of Rescue 1122 Balochistan appreciated the NDMA’s support and called for greater coordination, resource sharing, and engagement of academic institutions in disaster management efforts.

The committee also considered “The National Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025.” The members highlighted concerns regarding the timely distribution of relief supplies and emphasised the need for greater transparency, accountability, and coordination among disaster management institutions.

The committee recommended consultation with provincial governments on the proposed legislation. In view of the government’s reservations on the bill, the committee deferred further consideration until receipt of the government’s formal response.

Those who attended the meeting included senators Abdul Qadir, Saadia Abbasi and Samina Mumtaz Zehri, while Anusha Rahman participated via a video link.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2026

The understanding was reached during the 12th session of the Joint Wor­king Group on Countering Inter­national Terrorism, where both sides agreed to expand counterterrorism cooperation and stren­gth­­en security coordination.

The dialogue was co-led by Ambassador Muham­mad Khalid Khan Jamali, Additional Secre­tary at the Ministry of Foreign Affai­­rs, and Dmi­try Lyubinsky, Deputy Mi­­nister of Fore­i­­gn Affairs of the Russian Federation.

The delegations re­­­­vie­wed the regional sec­urity situation, focusing on how terrorism from Afgha­nis­tan poses threats to neighbours.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2026

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Rawalpindi Farhan Aslam said the traffic police have begun issuing juvenile driving permits to girls and boys aged 16 with their parents’ consent.

He said that the juvenile driving permit will be for driving motorcycles only, as it will allow them to drive a motorcycle or scooter up to 125 CC.

“Wearing a helmet will be mandatory even when driving with a driving permit,” CTO said and added: “Juvenile driving permits will be cancelled for serious and multiple traffic violations”.

Police spokesman said that the annual fee for a juvenile driving permit will be Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, and a smart card or “B” form will be required to obtain a juvenile driving permit.

He said that traffic signs and road tests will also be conducted for juvenile driving permits. And those who pass the traffic signs and road tests will be issued a driving permit on the spot, he said.

Likewise, the City Traffic Police (CTP) Murree has also started issuing ‘Juvenile Driving Permits’ for youth between the ages of 16 and 18, as part of an initiative of Punjab to provide safe, responsible and legal driving facilities to youth.

Implementing the orders and instructions of DIG Traffic Punjab, CTP Murree, under the supervision of CTO Murree Munir Ahmed Hashmi, has also started issuing Juvenile Driving Permits, the police spokesman said.

City Traffic Police Murree appeals to all students, parents and youth to take full advantage of this facility and get their driving permit by contacting the designated licensing centres. Obtaining a driving permit will not only promote compliance with traffic laws but will also promote the trend of responsible driving among the youth.

The CTP Murree cautioned citizens that riding a motorcycle without a permit or license is a violation of the law.

The public, especially the youth, should ensure compliance with traffic laws to protect themselves and others’ lives and property and obtain a juvenile driving permit by fulfilling the legal requirements, the spokesman said.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2026

“After approval of the Commission, the governing body of HEC, the recommended Programme Learning Outcomes will be circulated among all the higher education institutions (HEIs),” says a press release issued by HEC.

It said that OBE Implementation Committee held its maiden meeting under the convenorship of Prof. Dr Samreen Hussain on Tuesday.

The committee sanctioned the Programme Learning Outcomes, in addition to an implementation approach, and Working Group Terms of Reference (ToRs), as a first step towards the execution of Outcome-Based Education across all disciplines.

HEC stated that the committee considered and recommended two distinct sets of Programme Learning Outcomes for undergraduate degree programmes not currently under any accreditation or regulatory council – one set is for Natural, Human & Social Science disciplines, while the other set is tailored for Art, Design & Media disciplines. The two sets are benchmarked against national and international frameworks to ensure consistency and comparability of graduate quality.

The press release said that the convenor presented a progress report on the special task assigned by the chairman of HEC. Twelve councils that do not have published learning outcomes have been engaged. Draft proposals were developed through research on international benchmarks and consultative discussions, ensuring alignment with HEC-approved curricula and required competencies. The committee endorsed a coordinated implementation strategy for all HEIs. The approach will be supported by capacity building for faculty and Quality Enhancement Cells, with emphasis on direct assessment methods and continuous quality improvement to ensure effective adoption of outcome-based education nationwide.

Working Group ToRs: The committee reviewed and approved ToRs for the Discipline-wise Working Groups. The crux of the ToRs is to mentor and assist designated councils/HEIs in implementing OBE and achieving PLO attainment for programs outside any accreditation council.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2026

In a circular issued by headquarters on June 22, 2026, it was stated that several postal employees are sharing unauthorised information and commenting on departmental matters on social media without prior approval, which constitutes a violation of the Civil Servants Conduct Rules, 2026.

The Directorate General has instructed all postmaster generals to closely monitor the social media activities of subordinate staff and to initiate immediate departmental action against employees involved in unauthorised posts, objectionable content, or political activities.

The circular also expressed concern over employees visiting the directorate general without NOC, unauthorised absence, and failure to observe punctuality.

All postmaster generals have been directed to ensure full compliance with attendance, punctuality, and office discipline. Action will also be taken against officers showing negligence.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Post Director General Maqsood Ahmed, in a statement, strongly rejected reports of privatisation and employee retrenchment. He said a comprehensive reform program has been launched to ensure the department’s financial stability and provide digital services to customers.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Psy­chiatric Society (PPS) on Tuesday approached the Shariat Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court, challenging the Federal Shariat Court’s (FSC) May 18 judgement declaring the government’s decriminalisation of suicide attempts repugnant to the injunctions of Islam.

The FSC had also struck down the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act, 2022, to the extent that it omitted Se­­ction 325 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), and declared the rem­oval of the offence from the PPC repugnant to the injunctions of Islam.

Filed under Article 203-F(2B) of the Constitution, the appeal, submitted by Advocate Barrister Muham­mad Mumtaz Ali on behalf of the PPS, requested the SC Shariat App­el­­late Bench to set aside the FSC judgement.

The appeal argued that the FSC erred in holding that the omission of Section 325 of the PPC was repugnant to the injunctions of Islam despite the absence of any express provision in the Holy Quran, Sunnah, or authoritative Islamic jurisprudence mandating the criminalisation of suicide attempts or the imposition of temporal punishment.

The FSC failed to appreciate that decriminalisation of suicide attempts does not amount to legalisation of suicide, which remains prohibited and a major sin under Islamic law, the petition contended.

According to the appeal, the Qu­­ra­nic and Prophetic injunctions relied upon by the FSC establish the prohibition and culpability of suicide bef­ore Allah, but do not prescribe any specific worldly punishment for a suicide attempt, thereby recognising a distinction between religious culpability and the imposition of criminal sanctions by the legislature.

The petition argued that criminalising suicide attempts neither adva­n­ces the recognised objectives of punishment nor contributes to the preservation of life. Instead, the threat of prosecution discourages vulnerable individuals from reporting suicide attempts and seeking medical assistance or mental health treatment.

The FSC, it said, also overlooked established medical and scientific understanding that suicidal behaviour is often associated with mental illness, psychological distress, dom­estic violence, trauma, or severe soc­io-economic pressures, warranting treatment, counselling and rehabilitation rather than penal sanctions.

Moreover, the FSC failed to adequately consider that existing legal provisions, including Section 84 of the PPC and other statutory safeguards, already provide a comprehensive framework for addressing issues arising from mental incapacity and diminished responsibility.

The appeal argued that the FSC identified no binding juristic consensus (Ijma) requiring the criminalisation of suicide attempts and failed to account for contemporary legislative developments in various jurisdictio­­ns, including Muslim-majority states that have adopted a public health-orie­nted approach to suicidal behaviour.

It maintained that restoring criminal liability for suicide attempts is inconsistent with the objectives of rehabilitation, human dignity, compassion and public welfare, all recognised principles of Islamic jurisprudence that underpin modern suicide-prevention strategies.

The judgement, the petition said, undermined internationally recogni­sed, evidence-based therapeutic and rehabilitative appro­aches to mental healthcare and creates a substantial risk of discouraging individuals suffering from psychological distress, mental illness or suicidal ideation from seeking timely professional assistance due to fear of prosecution.

The appeal also argued that the FSC erred in concluding that decriminalisation necessitated the restoration of penal liability for survivors of suicide attempts. Concerns relating to abetment or cyber-incitement of suicide, it said, can be addressed through independent offences and existing legal frameworks, including the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016.

The petition emphasised that the FSC failed to maintain the settled distinction between the religious prohibition of an act and its criminalisation by the state. While suicide is prohibited in Islam, neither the primary sources of Islamic law nor any established juristic consensus prescribes a worldly punishment for a failed suicide attempt.

The appeal contended that Article 227 of the Constitution requires laws to conform to the injunctions of Islam but does not oblige the legislature to criminalise every sinful act for which no specific worldly punishment has been prescribed in the Holy Quran or Sunnah.

It argued that the FSC exceeded its jurisdiction under Article 203D by adjudicating a matter of public policy concerning the repeal of a Ta’zir punishment despite the absence of any express Quranic or Prophetic injunction requiring its retention. Therefore, no question of repugnancy under Article 203D arose.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday issued a final notice to the Islamabad DIG (operations) under Section 37 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997, observing that prima facie sufficient material was available to proceed against the police officer for failing to comply with court orders regarding submission of the challan in a protest case against PTI leaders and workers.

Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra expressed displeasure over the continued non-submission of the challan despite repeated directives and earlier notices issued by the court.

During the hearing, Prosecutor Raja Naveed informed the court that the prosecution had still not received the challan.

Questioning the investigating authorities over the delay, the judge observed that the court had repeatedly sought the report but the police department had failed to comply with its directives. He noted that trial proceedings could not commence because the case record remained incomplete and there was uncertainty regarding the accused persons named in the interim challan.

At one stage of the proceedings, the court verbally announced a punishment of one month’s imprisonment and a fine of Rs100,000 for the DIG for non-compliance with court orders, directing the stenographer to prepare the order in the courtroom.

However, the written order issued later stopped short of imposing punishment and instead issued a final show-cause notice to the DIG. The order noted that Section 37 of the ATA empowers an anti-terrorism court to punish any person who disobeys its orders with rigorous imprisonment of up to six months and a fine.

The order stated that a previous notice had already been issued to the DIG, but he neither appeared before the court nor submitted any written explanation for the delay. The court regretted that repeated directions had been issued to the investigating officer to submit the complete challan, but no meaningful progress had been made.

During the hearing, Special Public Prosecutor and newly appointed investigating officer Inspector Zafar Iqbal sought a short adjournment to submit a detailed report as well as the challan. Inspector Iqbal informed the court that he had recently been appointed investigating officer and that the investigation team had been reconstituted. The prosecution assured the court that its directives would now be complied with in letter and spirit.

The court was also informed that accused Sohail Afridi, Junaid Akbar and Abdul Ghani had been placed in Column No. 2 of the interim challan as their arrest was still required.

The court directed the DIG to submit his written reply before the next hearing and adjourned proceedings until July 6.

PTI registration

Meanwhile, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) High Court on Wednesday directed the Election Commission to “provisionally register” PTI as a political party.

The short order was verbally announced in the open court by senior puisne judge Syed Shahid Bahar. Other members of the bench were Justice Sardar Muhammad Ejaz and Justice Khalid Rasheed Chaudhry. A detailed judgement was likely to be issued on Wednesday.

On May 16, the Election Commission had rejected PTI’s application for registration, citing alleged non-fulfilment of Rule 121 of Election Rules concerning financial affairs and details of accounts provided by the applicant party. Terming the move unconstitutional and undemocratic, PTI leaders had announced challenging it at the appropriate forums.

According to PTI sources, the commission’s decision was assailed in the high court on June 19 through a writ petition, filed on behalf of the party’s regional president Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi and secretary general Mir Attiqur Rehman.

Tariq Naqash in Muzaffarabad also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2026

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has allowed Imran twice-a-week meetings — on Tuesdays and Thursdays — with his family, lawyers and other associates. Despite the order, the ex-premier has been largely restricted from meeting visitors for several months as the court’s directives have not been implemented.

Imran’s sisters and PTI leaders reached Adiala jail in the morning, but were not allowed to meet the incarcerated former prime minister.

Speaking to reporters outside the jail, Aleema recalled how initially, Imran’s meetings with party leaders were banned, after which family members were also stopped from meeting him.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said a large number of people reached Adiala jail every week, despite pressure and hurdles, and maintained that it was the right of the PTI founder’s family to meet him in prison.

Advocate Awais Younas Chaudhry, who submits the lists of people intending to meet Imran, told Dawn that all the leaders whose names had been provided to the Adiala jail administration, along with Imran’s sisters, reached the jail on Tuesday, but were not allowed to meet the PTI founder.

PTI North Punjab Senior Vice President Malik Yasir Patwali told Dawn that since Adiala jail was located in Punjab, the wing’s president, Malik Taimoor Masood, had ensured that a large number of workers reached the venue at 3:30pm.

“Although it was 7th Muharram on Tuesday, an impressive number of leaders and workers reached outside Adiala jail. We have decided to continue increasing the pressure so that the meeting with Imran is allowed,” he said.

While Imran’s sisters were still sitting outside the jail, party leaders had started leaving late in the evening.

PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram told Dawn that Tuesday’s allocated meeting time ended without Imran Khan’s sisters being permitted to meet him despite prior arrangements.

Power of attorney controversy

In a statement, Akram also condemned what he called the Adiala jail administration’s persistent dissemination of “misleading” claims regarding power of attorney documents for Imran and Bushra Bibi.

A day earlier, the Adiala superintendent had told the IHC that the counsel for the PTI founder and his wife had attempted to mislead the court regarding the signing of the power of attorney in the Al Qadir Trust corruption case, claiming that they had deliberately not received it.

Akram said that Imran’s legal team, comprising Barrister Salman Safdar and others, had made repeated visits to the jail over recent weeks and sent multiple formal communications, including through courier, only to be turned away empty-handed each time.

He said more than 20 power of attorney documents had been sent to the jail administration over the past six months, but no meaningful response was provided until a contempt petition was filed in the IHC on June 15.

“Even then, compliance came merely days before the contempt hearing and was deliberately partial, offering only Imran Khan’s document while withholding Bushra Bibi’s. This selective and belated action was rightly rejected by the legal team,” he said.

Imran — imprisoned since Aug 5, 2023, for concealing details of Toshakhana gifts — is serving a 14-year sentence at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail in a £190 million corruption case, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case.

His eye ailment — right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) — came to light in late January and receives government-provided treatment.

The government and the opposition have been engaged in a blame game, with the latter accusing the former of a lack of transparency in not ensuring appropriate treatment for Imran, and not allowing his personal physicians access to him. The government denies these allegations.

The opposition has also demanded that the former premier be shifted to Shifa International Hospital, be treated in the presence of his personal physicians and allowed to meet his family.

The tenure of LGs in KP ended on March 15 this year. According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Act, 2013, local representatives are elected for a four-year term.

The term of the last LG in Islamabad expired in February 2021, and since then, elections have been delayed under various pretexts. As a result, around 2.5 million residents of Islamabad continue to face issues ranging from water shortages to unpaved streets.

Chairing a key meeting at the ECP Secretariat on Tuesday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, along with ECP members, the ECP secretary and senior officials, reviewed preparations for LG polls in the federal capital, Punjab and KP.

The ECP expressed concern over the KP government’s failure to provide the requisite maps and other data for 15 districts despite repeated requests.

Invoking Article 220 of the Constitution, which binds executive authorities to assist the ECP, the Commission ordered notices to be issued to the KP chief secretary and local government secretary. They have been directed to provide all required maps and data before July 1, when the case has been fixed for hearing.

The ECP added that notices for personal appearance have also been issued to both officers to explain the delay.

The commission was briefed that the case regarding delimitation of town corporations and notification of the number of union councils (UCs) in each town corporation in Islamabad had been sent to the federal cabinet for approval.

However, neither the notifications nor the maps have been provided to the ECP so far.

Taking note, the commission fixed Islamabad’s case for hearing on July 1 as well, and ordered notices to the Islamabad chief commissioner and deputy commissioner.

For Punjab, the ECP directed its office to complete all necessary preparations for announcing the election schedule as soon as the delimitation exercise is completed. This would enable the commission to immediately announce the LG poll schedule for the province.

Repeated delays

The ECP has conducted delimitations multiple times and issued election schedules on several occasions, only for them to be cancelled later. Earlier, the elections were cancelled a day before polling.

When the local government’s term ended in 2021, the PTI was in power, and elections were supposed to be held within 120 days, but steps were not taken to conduct polls.

Later, when the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) came to power in 2022, it too delayed the elections.

During the PDM’s tenure, elections were set to be held in 50 UCs, but the government argued that the number should be increased to 101 UCs, leading to further delays.

Later, when arrangements were finalised to hold elections in 101 UCs, the PDM government proposed increasing the number from 101 to 125.

Elections were then scheduled for 125 UCs, but in September last year, the government decided to increase the number of general seats in the UCs.

In December 2025, the ECP decided to hold the elections in 125 UCs on February 15 and issued the schedule.

But in January this year, the ECP postponed LG polls in Islamabad for the fourth time following the promulgation of the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government (Amendment) Ordinance 2026.

The repeated delays have left Islamabad without an elected local government for over five years, with civic issues mounting in the capital.

LG elections in Punjab have been delayed for a long time, and the matter goes back to 2019.

In April that year, the then PTI-led Punjab government had dissolved the local government institutions, which were later restored by the Supreme Court and subsequently completed their term on December 31, 2021.

Under Article 140-A of the Constitution and Section 219(4) of the Elections Act, the ECP is bound to hold elections within 120 days of the expiry of the term of the local government institutions.

This meant that LG elections in Punjab were supposed to be held by the end of April 2022, but it could not be made possible as the provincial government kept on amending the LG law from time to time.

Last year, on October 8, the ECP ordered LG polls in December 2025 and asked Punjab to immediately start the delimitation exercise and complete the same within two months.

This order, however, was reversed in a meeting chaired by CEC Raja on Oct 21, 2025, in light of the promulgation of a new LG law, the Punjab Local Government Act 2025 (PLGA), after a request by the Punjab government.

The ECP withdrew its original delimitation schedule for the elections issued under the 2022 local government law, giving the provincial government four weeks to finalise the delimitation and demarcation rules.

On October 31, 2025, the ECP said local government elections in Punjab would not be possible before the second quarter of next year as the commission would not have all the prerequisites to hold the electoral exercise during the current year.

The delimitation schedule for LG polls in Punjab was issued in April this year and the exercise is to be completed by August 10, followed by the issuance of the election schedule.

The revision of the city’s master plan, which has already undergone over 50 selective amendments, has been delayed for decades. Meanwhile, the CDA and the federal government have remained focused on forwarding and re-forwarding summaries for a proposed commission, which, once notified, will carry out the revision.

“We must appreciate the federal government and CDA for launching a large number of development projects in Islamabad during the last two years or so. Development is also necessary for the growth of the city, but at the same time, the government should also focus on the revision of Islamabad’s master plan,” said an official.

The latest summary was moved in February this year with the names of 18 proposed commission members, including some whose expertise in town planning was not specified, but the outcome has yet to emerge.

Experts urge government to prioritise long-delayed update as city faces planning, housing and environmental challenges

During the last four years, summaries have been sent and resent several times, and the names of proposed commission members have also changed on multiple occasions.

However, the commission has yet to be notified.

The PTI government had formed a commission that carried out some revisions and regularised construction in certain areas, including Bani Gala, but left the comprehensive revision to international firms to be hired by the CDA. Later, the tenure of that commission expired, and no new commission has been formed since.

“CDA has already forwarded the case for the reconstitution of the Commission for the Revision of the Master Plan to the federal government. However, the final decision regarding its composition and formal notification rests with the Federal Government,” CDA spokesperson Shahid Kiani told Dawn on Monday.

It is relevant to note that Islamabad, one of the best-planned cities in the world, is now facing several challenges due to the delay in revising its master plan. The city has already undergone 51 amendments to its master plan by successive governments, mostly without expert input.

Despite these changes, it is still regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful cities, with planned urban development, adequate green cover and a relatively clean environment.

However, due to the absence of a proper mechanism to regulate rural areas, particularly private land in Zone III, the city faces serious planning threats. Zone III comprises the national park and areas outside it. Although the land outside the national park is privately owned, construction activities are not permitted there.

As a result, the CDA is not regulating these areas, which include Shah Allah Ditta, parts of Bhara Kahu and a two-kilometre area within the limits of Rawal Dam, all of which remain under a blanket ban on construction activities. However, landowners continue construction on their land without following any planning parameters, as the CDA has no regulatory mechanism in place.

Residents argue that they have the right to build homes on their own land. Officials believe this issue should be addressed through the master plan commission.

The city has also witnessed rapid growth in both population and built-up areas. An official said Islamabad’s built-up area expanded significantly between 1990 and 2020, increasing from 2,693 hectares to 18,465 hectares.

During this period, the city saw mushroom growth of both legal and illegal housing schemes and slums, even in posh sectors such as F-6, F-7, G-7, G-8 and F-8. Islamabad is also facing major challenges related to water scarcity and urban flooding. Last year, several people lost their lives in floods.

Successive governments have also ignored the recommendations of Doxiadis Associates, the Greece-based firm that prepared Islamabad’s master plan in 1960. The firm had advised that the plan be revised every 20 years to meet the city’s evolving needs.

Instead of carrying out proper revisions, successive governments made selective changes without consulting experts. So far, 51 such amendments have been made to the city’s blueprint, including four by the incumbent government.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2026

In a major development, the FIA’s Anti-Corruption Circle registered cases against a deputy director and a dealing assistant for illegally issuing No Demarcation Certificates (NDC) for a farmhouse which was already under litigation since 2022. The officials were charged under sections 420, 468, 471, 109 PPC read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1947.

According to the FIR, the accused officials acted “with malafide intentions” and “concealed the fact that the subject plot was already under litigation” while processing the transfer. The dealing assistant was found to have submitted a proposal categorically stating that there was no restriction, court case, or NAB inquiry against the plot — a claim that was patently false.

The deputy director also failed to check the relevant file and approved the issuance of NDC for the disputed plot.

The transfer was eventually executed in favour of Irum Kousar, wife of complainant of Norwegian national Raja Sajjad Rabbani, who later discovered he was deprived of his right to transfer or sell the property due to the concealed litigation.

“The pattern is deeply concerning,” said a legal expert familiar with property disputes in Islamabad.

“CDA officials, who are supposed to be custodians of land records, have become instruments in facilitating illegal transfers of disputed properties. Overseas Pakistanis and unsuspecting buyers are being trapped in litigation.”

In another case that has come to light, a Pakistani-origin UK national has been dragged into a farmhouse dispute currently pending before the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC).

Advocate Kashif Ali Malik, representing Ch. Saqib Tassadaq in the case related to a farmhouse in Orchard Scheme, Murree Road, Islamabad, revealed how the overseas Pakistani was entangled in litigation without his knowledge.

According to court documents, the decree related to this property was obtained through proceedings conducted behind the applicant’s back, through “deliberate fraud, collusion, concealment of material facts, misrepresentation, and non-joinder of indispensable parties, rendering the proceedings fundamentally defective and coram non judice.”

The FCC has recently taken cognizance of this matter.

In a glaring instance of similar malpractice, Mohammad Rafique Butt, a resident of Oslo, Norway, found his plot in the National Police Foundation (NPF) Housing Scheme cancelled despite having deposited all the dues.

The plot in Sector E-11, currently valued at approximately Rs110 million, was subsequently allotted to incumbent Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana for about Rs1.5 million — a rate fixed before the year 2000.

The sessions court has issued a stay order and halted construction work on the plot. Mr Kamyana had sold the plot days after the allotment; therefore, Mr Butt has also cited the present allottee, who started construction, as a respondent.

In a similar case, retired Deputy Inspector General Shahid Iqbal, who resides in Canada, also had his E-11 plot cancelled and allotted to Deputy Inspector General Mohsin Ali, who was serving as the NPF director at the time of allotment. Mr Iqbal has also filed a legal suit in the civil court.

As per details, Mr Kamyana and Mr Mohsin Ali, other senior officers, including former IG Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Akhtar Hayat Khan, FIA Director General Dr Usman Anwar and DIG Karim Khan also received one-kanal plots in E-11.

Former NPF Managing Director Sabir Ahmed, himself an allottee of a one-kanal plot in E-11 under similar circumstances, has previously defended the policy, claiming that NPF rules allow cancellation of plots lying vacant for decades and their re-allotment to “eligible officers” of the Police Service of Pakistan at the original old price.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2026

They were speaking at a webinar held to discuss the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision concerning Margalla Hills National Park and the implications of the ongoing review petition before the Federal Constitutional Court.

The event, organised by Devcom-Pakistan on Monday, focused on three critical aspects of the Supreme Court’s ruling, including the protection and conservation of the environment, addressing environmental pollution, and tackling encroachments within Margalla Hills National Park. Participants emphasised that the case represents a defining moment for environmental governance in Pakistan and carries broader implications for conservation policy and constitutional jurisprudence.

Speakers included former adviser to the prime minister on environment and climate change Malik Amin Aslam Khan, Director General of WWF-Pakistan Hammad Naqi Khan, former Director General of Pak-EPA and environmental expert Asif Shuja Khan, Shakir Toor, Dr Pervez Hassan, Dr Amir Haider, environmental advocacy expert Ali Jabir, Naseer Gilani, former CDA Director General Dr Sarwar Sandhu, Munir Ahmed and others.

Malik Amin Aslam reflected on the significance of the Supreme Court’s decision, which reaffirmed the importance of environmental protection and called for the removal of illegal encroachments and activities that threaten the integrity of the national park.

He also discussed concerns related to environmental pollution and inadequate management of facilities operating within and around the protected area.

He emphasised the importance of improving waste management systems and ensuring that commercial activities do not compromise the ecological character of the park.

Speaking on behalf of WWF-Pakistan, Hammad Naqi emphasised that effective implementation remained a major challenge despite the clarity of the court’s ruling.

He highlighted the ecological significance of the park, noting that it provides habitat for a remarkable diversity of wildlife, including approximately 40pc of Pakistan’s documented bird species, as well as iconic species such as the common leopard.

Munir Ahmed said the future of Margalla Hills National Park depended on decisive action, strong institutional coordination, and an unwavering commitment to conservation principles.

The webinar concluded with a collective call for citizens, policymakers and stakeholders to support efforts aimed at preserving this irreplaceable natural heritage for future generations.

A key focus of the webinar was the need for clear and enforceable land-use regulations. Speakers examined ongoing debates regarding permissible structures and activities within the national park, including restaurants, tourism facilities and other developments.

Experts stressed that any activity within the protected area must align with the approved master plan and conservation objectives.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2026

Speaking at a parliamentary consultation on ‘Mainstreaming climate considerations in Pakistan’s economic and budgetary planning’, they warned that environmental shocks threaten to permanently erase development gains unless green budgeting tools are adopted.

The consultation was organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and the embassy of Denmark.

Danish Ambassador to Pakistan Maja Mortensen said climate and environmental concerns could no longer be addressed in isolation and must become part of mainstream economic and political decision-making.

“The diagnosis of the problem already exists; the challenge now is how to translate it into policy action,” she said, describing the consultation as timely in the wake of the federal budget process.

She said climate resilience and economic development are complementary rather than competing objectives.

She also offered Danish experience and technical cooperation in integrating climate priorities into development planning.

SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri said climate considerations must be reflected in both federal and provincial finance bills, as Pakistan’s budget framework is being shaped under the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) programmes.

The IMF-supported reforms had encouraged greater allocations for disaster risk reduction, water conservation and renewable energy projects, he said, adding some of these commitments had already been reflected in federal and provincial budgets.

Dr Suleri, however, warned that climate finance was shrinking globally and nationally despite rising climate-related challenges.

PPP MNA Mirza Ikhtiar Baig said Pakistan remained among the countries most affected by climate change despite contributing minimally to global emissions.

Referring to the aftermath of the 2022 floods, he regretted that much of the international financial support pledged for reconstruction had not been materialised so far. He noted that Pakistan had secured access to climate-related financing under the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Facility.

PPP MNA Asad Alam Niazi said climate change had emerged as a national security challenge and there was still inadequate public awareness about its economic and social consequences.

He noted that erratic weather patterns and climate-induced disasters were affecting agriculture, livelihoods and economic productivity, while government allocations for climate action remained insufficient.

SDPI Deputy Executive Director (Research) Dr Sajid Amin Javed said climate change is causing annual losses equivalent to around 1.53 per cent of global GDP which could rise dramatically in coming decades if mitigation and adaptation measures were delayed.

“Climate change should not be treated as a separate budgetary tag; it must become a core pillar of fiscal and economic planning,” he said, adding that employment, poverty, inequality, food security and economic growth were now directly linked with climate resilience.

Head of SDPI’s Energy Unit Engineer Ubaidur Rehman Zia highlighted the importance of embedding climate considerations into fiscal and economic planning.

SDPI’s Head of Ecological Sustainability and Circular Economy Zainab Naeem said climate-related allocations in the federal budget 2026-27 had declined by around 70 per cent compared to the previous year.

She noted that while approximately Rs2,026 billion had been tagged as green-linked revenues, significant gaps remained in climate finance accountability and reporting mechanisms.

Former Managing Director of the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) Shah Jahan Mirza observed that the petroleum development levy had increasingly become a tool for managing budget deficits. He urged regulators to formulate climate risk guidelines and called for a shift from reactive responses toward proactive planning and budgetary allocations for climate adaptation.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2026

Officials of the capital administration and police said that the capital police, under directives from the capital administration, approached the managements of bus terminals in the capital, including those at Faizabad and Chongi No 26, and asked them to shut down their operations before midnight.

The managers were further asked to suspend their operations on Tuesday. The terminals will remain closed until the departure of the Iranian President.

Besides, the Islamabad Red Zone will also be sealed as a security measure. Entry will be allowed only to concerned officials.

Over a thousand police personnel, along with paramilitary troops, including Rangers, are being deployed in and around the Red Zone and important buildings. Security arrangements are also being made along the route of the Iranian President from the airport to the Red Zone. The police are also checking the details of guests staying at hotels and guesthouses inside the Red Zone and adjacent areas.

The officials further said that the operations of public transport, Metro buses and e-buses are also likely to be suspended inside the High Security Zone, which houses the Red Zone.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2026

TAXILA: Deputy Commissioner Attock Rao Atif Raza on Monday invited 18-year-old Muneeba Maqsood, a thalassemia patient, to serve as honorary deputy commissioner of Attock for a day.

Accompanied by her parents, Muneeba entered the deputy commissioner’s office not as a visitor, but as a symbol of resilience. Sitting on the official chair, she was briefed on administrative functions and given a ceremonial role that momentarily placed her at the heart of district governance.

Visibly emotional yet smiling with pride, Muneeba Maqsood shared words filled with hope and determination.

“Today is not just a day for me, it is a dream that I never thought I could touch. I may be living with illness, but I also carry big dreams. Sitting in this chair has given me courage to believe that life can still be beautiful, and that no dream is too far away if you keep hope alive.”

She further added: “I want to become stronger, I want to fight my illness with bravery, and I want to show other children like me that we are not weak — we are fighters with dreams.”

The most emotional moments of the day, however, came from her parents, whose eyes filled with tears as they watched their daughter realize a dream they feared life might never allow her to experience.

Her father expressed profound gratitude for the district administration, saying:

“As parents of a thalassemia patient, we live with constant uncertainty. We know our daughter faces challenges that most children never have to think about. Watching her sit in the deputy commissioner’s chair today is something we can hardly put into words. The district administration has fulfilled a dream that she had cherished for years.”

Her mother described the moment as one of the proudest days of their lives. Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Rao Atif Raza said the initiative was aimed at giving emotional strength to children to fight chronic diseases, especially thalassemia.

Earlier in the day, the Deputy Commissioner also visited the Thalassemia Centre Attock, where he met children undergoing treatment, distributed medicines, and reviewed healthcare facilities and ongoing treatment arrangements.

He assured continued administrative support for improving patient care and welfare services.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd , 2026

“While fiscal consolidation and macroeconomic stabilisation remain important policy objectives, sustainable economic progress cannot be achieved without adequate investment in education, healthcare and climate adaptation,” they said at a discussion on the federal budget 2026–27.

MNA Shaista Pervaiz had convened the consultation to give lawmakers and financial experts an opportunity to critically evaluate the budget through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The forum brought together members from across the political spectrum, including both treasury and opposition benches.

These sectors form the foundation of a productive workforce, resilient communities and inclusive economic growth.

Say country, currently the world’s fifth most populous country, is projected to reach a population of nearly 400 million by 2050

The speakers said Pakistan, currently the world’s fifth most populous country, is projected to reach a population of nearly 400 million by 2050. Without corresponding investments in human capital, public services and economic opportunities, this demographic trend risks placing unprecedented pressure on education systems, healthcare infrastructure, housing, employment markets and natural resources.

The lawmakers added that Pakistan’s commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals must be reflected in budgetary priorities and resource allocation decisions. Particular reference was made to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), which collectively require sustained public investment to achieve meaningful progress.

The participants observed that the relationship between population growth and public service delivery is well documented. Overcrowded classrooms, overstretched healthcare facilities, inadequate housing, water insecurity and limited employment opportunities continue to constrain development outcomes across the country.

Addressing these challenges requires strategic and targeted investment rather than short-term expenditure approaches.

The discussion underscored the importance of investing in girls’ education, maternal and reproductive health and community-level service delivery mechanisms. These interventions were identified as among the most effective and internationally recognised tools for improving development outcomes, enhancing workforce participation, reducing poverty and supporting demographic stabilisation.

Climate resilience emerged as another critical area requiring greater policy attention.

The participants said Pakistan remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate-related shocks despite contributing minimally to global emissions. As climate-induced disasters increasingly affect livelihoods, agriculture, infrastructure and public health, investments in adaptation, disaster preparedness, water management and resilient infrastructure must become central components of development planning.

The speakers also highlighted the need to view expenditures on education, health and climate resilience not as competing with fiscal responsibility but as complementary to it. International experience demonstrates that countries investing consistently in human development achieve stronger economic performance, greater social stability and more sustainable fiscal outcomes over time.

The discussants showed a consensus that the federal budget should be regarded not merely as a financial statement but as a reflection of national priorities and future aspirations.

The participants said aligning budgetary decisions with Pakistan’s demographic realities, development needs and Sustainable Development Goal commitments was essential for ensuring inclusive growth, reducing inequalities and improving the quality of life of present and future generations.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2026

The initiative has been introduced to facilitate overseas Pakistanis, international students, and foreign applicants seeking equivalence services from IBCC. Through IBCC ePay, applicants can now make online payments seamlessly without the need for physical banking arrangements, significantly improving accessibility and service delivery.

The launch of IBCC ePay is part of IBCC’s broader digital transformation agenda aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and user convenience in public service delivery.

Speaking on the occasion, IBCC Executive DirectorDr Ghulam Ali Mallah said that the facility has been launched under the special directives and continuous support of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training to facilitate overseas students and applicants worldwide.

Dr. Mallah acknowledged the valuable guidance and encouragement of the Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training and the Federal Secretary Education, whose support made this initiative possible.

He further highlighted that the system had been developed entirely in-house by the IBCC team, reflecting the organisation’s growing technological capabilities and commitment to innovation.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2026

“Pursuant to the judgement dated 13.02.2023 passed by the Honorable Islamabad High Court, Islamabad…and Supreme Court order dated 01.06.2023 and order dated 30.07.2025 passed in C.R.P all illegal occupants residing in CDA Flats located at Aabpara Sector G-6 Islamabad have no legal grounds to retain the CDA property under their illegal occupation,” read a notice served on the occupants of G-6 flats recently.

The illegal occupants were directed to vacate the flats within seven days from the date of the issuance of the notice, failing which the same shall be vacated without further notice.

The CDA constructed the flats near Aabpara Market and was to hand them over to the housing ministry for onward allotment to government officials.

However, the terms and conditions with the housing ministry had not been finalised when the 2005 earthquake occurred. Subsequently, survivors and displaced persons were shifted to these flats.

During the Lal Masjid operation in 2007, police officials began living in the flats, and to this day they and many other government employees are residing there.

An official added that 200 residential flats, completed by the CDA in 2003 as part of a redevelopment project approved by the federal cabinet in 1998, were meant to replace outdated government quarters and provide secure accommodation for employees.

“Once imagined as a symbol of modern Islamabad, the G-6 flats now stand engulfed in neglect, broken promises and overflowing sewage,” an official said.

According to sources, the flats were illegally occupied over the years, with a majority allegedly under the possession of police personnel.

A joint survey by the CDA and the Estate Office showed that out of the 200 flats, most were occupied by the police officials, while others were occupied by CDA employees, federal departments and private individuals.

When contacted, CDA spokesperson Shahid Kiani said the authority would look into the matter.

“We will decide this matter [illegal possession] in accordance with rules and regulations,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2026

Situated in the narrow streets and bustling bazaars of the garrison city, historic imambargahs have served as sacred congregation halls for more than a century, where Shia Muslims gather to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions in Karbala.

In the downtown area, the prominent historic imambargahs are Qadeemi Imambargah, Colonel Maqbool Hussain Imambargah and Hifazat Ali Shah Imambargah.

Most majalis are held in these imambargahs, and mourning processions are brought out from them. These religious sites reflect the rich history of Azadari in the region.

These centres also provide scenes of brotherhood during Muharram, as Shias and Sunnis alike prepare ‘Niaz’ (food offering) and set up stalls around these places to distribute food such as biryani, kheer and zarda.

Alams, tazias, jhoolas and Zuljinnah are brought out during Muharram. Zuljinnah, which symbolises the horse of Imam Hussain (AS), is cared for throughout the year by well-to-do Shia families.

As the ninth and tenth of Muharram approach, these imambargahs receive Shias from across the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, as well as other areas.

Walking from Murree Road along the traditional route of the Ashura mourning procession, one can stop at Colonel Maqbool Hussain Imambargah, a century-old three-storey building whose wooden balconies attract visitors. A white front gate leads through a narrow corridor to the inner courtyard.

The building is well maintained by its organisers and remains largely in its original form. Coloured glass windows are still intact, while the woodwork and old floor tiles reflect the craftsmanship of a bygone era.

Since November 1947, the central Muharram 10 procession in Rawalpindi has emerged from Imambargah Colonel Maqbool Hussain in the old city on Gordon College Road. Colonel Maqbool Hussain converted a large haveli, with a spacious hall on its ground floor, into an imambargah, which was later named after him.

The procession route was finalised in coordination with the local administration at the time. The imambargah was the first in the city to conduct organised majalis and introduce mourning processions.

“Since November 1947, the markazi jaloos of Muharram 10 has emerged from Imambargah Colonel Maqbool Hussain in the old city on Gordon College Road,” said Syed Saqib Imam Zaidi, a member of the organising committee of the imambargah.

After leaving Imambargah Colonel Maqbool Hussain, the procession moves along College Road and passes through Iqbal Road, Fawara Chowk, Raja Bazaar and Purana Qila Bazaar before culminating at Imambargah Qadeemi in the Bani area.

Imambargah Hifazat Ali Shah

Located in Sarafa Bazaar, Imambargah Hifazat Ali Shah was established in Rawalpindi before the partition of the Indian subcontinent. It is considered one of the oldest imambargahs in the garrison city. Its founders migrated from Gali Syedan in Delhi and brought with them a licence for a mourning procession issued by the British Indian government in 1887.

“Our family arrived from Delhi, where we held a licence for a mourning procession dating back to 1887. Our grandfather established this imambargah and arranged majalis in the garrison city before 1947,” said Iqrar Hussain, its custodian.

He said two major processions are brought out from the imambargah on Muharram 7 and Muharram 10. Alams, tazias and jhoolas are also taken out from here before joining the main procession at Iqbal Road in Trunk Bazaar, alongside processions from Colonel Maqbool Hussain Imambargah and Ashiq Hussain Imambargah in Teli Mohallah.

He said the imambargah occupies more than 18 marlas and can accommodate over 3,000 people at a time. He maintained that Hifazat Ali Shah Imambargah is the oldest in the garrison city.

Qadeemi Imambargah

The more than 100-year-old Qadeemi Imambargah is situated on Jamia Masjid Road. All mourning processions culminate at this imambargah. Originally built with Kashmiri-style wooden balconies, the structure was damaged in a fire in 1966 and later reconstructed.

It was founded by Agha Mustafa Shah and Agha Fazal Ali Shah. Today, it is managed by Anjuman Imamia Asna Ashria.

Allama Syed Qamar Haider Zaidi told Dawn that Qadeemi Imambargah was among the oldest in the garrison city and served as the final destination for all mourning processions.

He said the main procession starts from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain in Teli Mohallah. The processions from Colonel Maqbool Hussain Imambargah and Hifazat Ali Shah Imambargah merge on Iqbal Road, while smaller processions from other localities join at Fawara Chowk.

When participants in the main Ashura procession reach Raja Bazaar and Purana Qila, Zuljinnah processions from Imambargah Kashmirian in Tyre Bazaar and Darbar Shah Chan Chiragh also merge into the main procession before it culminates at Imambargah Qadeemi, he said. He added that Hifazat Ali Shah Imambargah dates back to before the partition of the Indian subcontinent, while Colonel Maqbool Hussain Imambargah has been functional since 1947.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2026

Private bus operators also announced substantial cuts in fares for intercity routes.

According to officials, the decision was made during a meeting between the RTA secretary and representatives of transport unions. It was agreed that the benefit of an approximately 20pc reduction in fuel prices would be passed on to commuters.

Under the revised fare structure, fares for diesel-powered air-conditioned passenger vehicles have been reduced by 12pc, while those for diesel-powered non-AC vehicles and petrol-powered public transport have been cut by 15pc. Goods transport charges have been reduced by 18pc.

Islamabad-Lahore bus fare drops to Rs3,080 after fuel price relief

RTA Secretary Syed Asad Abbas Shirazi told Dawn that the revised fares would be implemented with immediate effect.

He said directives had been issued for displaying updated fare lists at transport terminals and warned that strict action would be taken against transporters violating the new rates.

The RTA secretary also urged citizens to report cases of overcharging by calling 1071. He said a complaint mechanism had been activated to record passenger grievances, and transporters had been instructed to comply with the new fare structure.

A manager at a bus terminal in Faizabad told Dawn that the Islamabad-Lahore fare had been reduced to Rs3,080 for business class from Rs3,500, while the executive class fare had been lowered to Rs2,090 from Rs2,370.

Similarly, the Islamabad-Multan business class fare has been reduced to Rs4,060 from Rs4,200, while the executive class fare on the route has been cut to Rs2,850 from Rs2,990.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced record cuts in fuel prices, reducing petrol by Rs74 per litre and high-speed diesel by Rs67 per litre for the week ending June 26.

The prime minister said the government was immediately passing on the benefits of improved regional conditions and lower oil prices to the public.

In doing so, the government took advantage of lower global prices while revising upward the rate of petroleum levy. The diesel price has come down from a peak of Rs520.35 recorded in the first week of April. It had started moving up from Rs275 per litre after the US-Israel attack on Iran on Feb 28. HSD is considered the most inf¬lationary fuel because of its extensive use in freight transportation.

Likewise, the ex-depot rate of petrol was set at Rs299.78 per litre for the next week, compared with Rs373.78 at present, showing a decrease of Rs74, or 20pc. The petroleum levy on petrol was reduced to Rs80 from Rs107.

This is the sixth consecutive weekly downward revision in the petrol rate, with a cumulative reduction of about Rs107 per litre.

The petrol price had touched a peak of Rs459 per litre in the first week of April after starting its upward journey from a pre-war rate of Rs258 per litre.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2026

The petition was filed by Bushra Bibi’s daughter, Mubashra Khawar Maneka, through Barrister Salman Safdar.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the Superintendent of Adiala Jail, and other relevant authorities have been named as respondents.

The petitioner contended that her mother is being unlawfully kept in solitary confinement, in violation of her constitutional and fundamental rights.

The petition argued that the continued isolation of Bushra Bibi has adversely affected the rights guaranteed to her under the Constitution.

The petitioner requested the court to declare the alleged solitary confinement illegal and unconstitutional and to set aside the impugned actions.

The plea further sought appropriate directions to the jail authorities to ensure compliance with constitutional safeguards and protection of the inmate’s fundamental rights.The Islamabad High Court is expected to take up the matter for hearing in due course.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2026

In the first incident, a gang of robbers looted a house in the disguise of CCD (Crime Control Department) officials.

The persons armed with weapons raided a house, located at H-13, at around 3:30am when the family was sleeping. The gunmen woke them up and introduced themselves as officials of the CCD.

Later, they took them hostage at gunpoint and ransacked the house and looted gold ornaments weighing two tolas, cash Rs60,000 and household items worth Rs861,000 and meat from the refrigerator and escaped.

In another incident, three armed men raided a milk shop near G.T Road and held up the shopkeepers at gunpoint. The robbers looted cash of Rs300,000 and two mobiles worth Rs100,000 and escaped.

Furthermore, a gang of robbers looted cash, a motorcycle and a mobile phone from a man in the area of Tarnol. Three robbers intercepted Abdul Rauf near a pedestrian bridge at G-15 when he reached there on a Honda 125 motorcycle. The robbers held him up at gunpoint and stole a motorcycle, a mobile and cash worth Rs200,000 and escaped.

Likewise, another gang of robbers looted a motorcycle, cash and a mobile from a man in the area of Sangjani. The incident took place with Hamza Pervaiz when he reached Sara-i-Kharboza on a motorcycle. The robbers intercepted and held him up at gunpoint and stole his motorcycle, cash and a mobile phone worth Rs81,500 and escaped.

Similarly, a gang of two robbers looted valuables from a man in the area of Tarnol. The incident took place with Adil when he reached there on a motorcycle.

Two persons armed with weapons intercepted and held him up at gunpoint and robbed a Honda 125, a Samsung phone worth Rs265,000 and cash of Rs45,000 and fleed.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2026

To protect the public from financial loss, the examination department has been urgently directed to place an appropriate alert on the official PMDC website warning candidates against fraudulent and fake MDCAT portals.

The decisions were made during a recent meeting chaired by PMDC President Dr Rizwan Taj. During the meeting, each department head presented a detailed briefing on prog­ress achieved, pending matters, staff punctuality, operational issues and proposed reforms.

According to a statement, the finance department was directed to prioritise the verification of financial documents relating to medical and dental colleges, as well as applications concerning dual fee payments and fee refunds.

Medical negligence cases to be prioritised for swift justice

A dedicated tracking system, in coordination with the IT departm­e­­nt, will be introduced to facilitate the timely disposal of such cases.

The IT department was additionally tasked with developing an onl­­ine inspection portal on a priority basis, alongside a dashboard to monitor inspection progress and general updates for the minister in charge.

Moving forward, weekly reports on pending complaints received through the Complaint Manage­ment System will be submitted to the president every Friday.

While Mr Taj appreciated the lic­ensing department for its prompt disposal of cases, he directed the department to further reduce any remaining pendency by expediting renewal cases and processing lice­nce extensions on a priority basis.

Addressing the legal department, the council emphasised that complaints involving medical negligence or loss of life during treatment must be dealt with urgently to ensure the expeditious dispensation of justice. Dedicated software solutions for the legal and disciplinary committee sections will also be developed.

The inspection department was instructed to undertake digitisation initiatives and design master trainer programmes.

The faculty department was di­­re­cted to reactivate inactive faculty members through coordination with medical and dental institutions. Measures were approved to eliminate duplicate entries and verify active faculty records.

The validation department was instructed to present details of pending verifications in the next meeting and to resolve issues relating to fees deposited under incorrect heads.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2026

According to commuters, temperatures inside the coaches rise significantly during daytime travel, leaving passengers struggling in crowded compartments with little ventilation. Women, children and senior citizens are reported to be among the worst affected.

“We travel regularly between Jand and Attock, but the conditions have become unbearable,” said Shazia Bibi, a passenger travelling on the Mari Indus Railcar.

“The fans are not working and there is hardly any airflow inside the coach. Women travelling with children face particular difficulties in this extreme heat.”

Another passenger, Farzana Kosar, who was travelling on the Thall Express, said the lack of cooling facilities was causing distress among travellers.

“Passengers pay the full fare and expect at least basic facilities. The heat inside the coach is suffocating, especially for elderly people and children. We are forced to complete the journey under very uncomfortable conditions,” she said.

A schoolteacher, Rubina Yasmeen, expressed concern about the impact on elderly passengers. “Many senior citizens use these trains because they are affordable. Some passengers feel dizzy due to the heat, but there is no proper ventilation. The authorities should resolve the issue without delay,” she said.

Regular passengers, especially students and employees of various government and private departments, noted that both services carry a large number of daily commuters. Despite the heavy passenger load, they said, essential facilities had not been maintained adequately.

Local residents and passengers questioned why basic amenities such as functioning fans could not be ensured despite the collection of regular fares.

When contacted, a railway official acknowledged the complaints and said the department was aware of the issue.

“Pakistan Railways is facing financial and operational challenges, but passenger comfort remains a priority. Technical teams have been directed to inspect the affected coaches, and repairs will be carried out wherever required,” the official said.

He added that maintenance work on aging rolling stock often requires the availability of spare parts and workshop schedules, but efforts were being made to improve onboard facilities.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2026

The list, carrying the signature of party president Nawaz Sharif, deferred decisions on five territorial constituencies — LA-1 Mirpur-I (Dadyal), LA-8 Kotli-I (Raj Mahal), LA-18 Poonch-I (Abbaspur), LA-22 Poonch-V (Tain) and LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II (Lachhrat) — as well as three refugee constituencies: LA-36 Jammu-III, LA-41 Valley-II and LA-45 Valley-VI.

PML-N AJK president and opposition leader Shah Ghulam Qadir was awarded tickets for both constituencies of Neelum Valley, while party secretary general Chaudhry Tariq Farooq was nominated from his traditional constituency, LA-7 Bhimber-III.

Former prime minister Raja Farooq Haider, who had contested the previous two elections from two constituencies, will this time contest only from his native LA-32 Muzaffarabad-VI. He filed his nomination papers in Hattian Bala on Friday.

527 nominations filed for AJK elections as deadline extended

Among the prominent figures denied tickets was Malik Mohammad Nawaz, who won seven consecutive elections between 1990 and 2016 on the ticket of the Muslim Conference (MC). The PML-N instead nominated young party leader Fateh Mahmoodul Hassan from LA-10 Kotli-III.

Former PML-N lawmaker Sardar Farooq Sikandar, eldest son of former AJK president and prime minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan, had also sought the ticket from LA-10 instead of his family’s traditional constituency, LA-9 Kotli-II (Nakyal).

The party awarded the latter ticket to his young cousin, Sardar Umair Naeem, vice chairman of the District Council Kotli.

Mr Nawaz told Dawn that the denial of the ticket had pained him, but he would abide by the party’s decision because he believed in discipline.

Referring to Raj Mahal, where the party has yet to announce a candidate, he said: “If the party nominates me from there, I will contest and, God willing, win.”

In Muzaffarabad’s Khawra constituency, elderly PML-N leader and former minister Raja Abdul Qayyum Khan was denied a ticket, with the party instead nominating Raja Saqib Majeed, a recent entrant to its ranks.

In several other constituencies, younger candidates were awarded tickets, including Engr Mohsin Aziz from Haveli, Ayaz Nisar from Khuiratta and Raja Muhammad Asif from Sehnsa in Kotli district and Azeem Bakhsh Chaudhry from Chakswari in Mirpur district.

The PML-N also awarded tickets to two women candidates: senior parliamentarian Noreen Arif from LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I and young Maryam Javed from LA-37 Jammu-IV.

Ms Arif became the first woman to win a direct election from a territorial constituency in 2006 as an independent candidate. She again won the seat in 2016 on a PML-N ticket and has also served multiple terms in the assembly on a reserved seat since the mid-1980s.

Ms Javed’s father-in-law, Mian Rasheed, mother-in-law, Shamim Akhtar, and brother-in-law, Yasir Rasheed, had all served as AJK Assembly members in the past.

Speaking to Dawn by telephone from Bhimber, PML-N secretary general said that the candidates from the remaining constituencies would be announced within a couple of days.

The ruling PPP has yet to formally announce its candidates. However, Shaukat Javed Mir, spokesperson for Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, told Dawn that the party leadership had finalised almost all nominees and authorised them to proceed with election preparations.

Mr Mir himself filed nomination papers from LA-33 Muzaffarabad-VII (Leepa Valley) in Hattian Bala on Friday. The PPP has nominated Minister for School Education Deevan Ali Chughtai, who had contested the 2021 election on a PTI ticket from the constituency.

Mr Mir said that in 2021 he had been fielded at the eleventh hour after the PPP’s original candidate, Chaudhry Rasheed, defected to the PTI. Mr Rasheed is now contesting the forthcoming election on a PML-N ticket.

The PTI, which recently reconstituted its parliamentary board, has yet to announce its candidates. Since the party remains unregistered with the Election Commission, its nominees are expected to contest as independents.

Meanwhile, by Friday, 527 nomination papers had been filed in the 45 assembly constituencies, according to Election Commission Secretary Raja Shakeel Khan.

The filing deadline, originally set for Friday, has been extended by four days in view of the prevailing situation in the region.

Of the total nominations, 405 were filed in the 33 territorial constituencies and 122 in the 12 constituencies reserved for refugees from occupied Jammu and Kashmir residing in Pakistan.

Mr Khan said 115 nominations had been submitted in the nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad Division, comprising Muzaffarabad, Neelum and Jhelum Valley districts; 93 in the 11 constituencies of Poonch Division, comprising Bagh, Poonch, Sudhnoti and Haveli districts; and 198 in the 13 constituencies of Mirpur Division, comprising Mirpur, Bhimber and Kotli districts.

He said 52 nomination papers were submitted on Friday alone.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026