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CM pays tribute to police martyrs

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LAHORE, Aug 04 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has paid heartfelt tribute to the brave personnel of Punjab Police who sacrificed their lives for the protection of the people and peace of the province.
In her message on Police Martyrs’ Day, the chief minister said that the blood of these valiant officers has turned Pakistan into a cradle of peace. “Some mothers lost their sons, some wives lost their husbands, and some children lost their fathers so that we may live in safety. Every peaceful street in Punjab bears the imprint of a martyr’s sacrifice,” she said.
CM Maryam Nawaz saluted the courage of the martyred officers and their families. “I salute those mothers who raised fearless sons, and those sons who laid down their lives but never bowed their heads. The blood of our police martyrs is the strongest foundation of our state.” She underscored that the real strength of a nation lies in those who confront danger without hesitation. “The mission of our martyrs will not go in vain, we are committed to realizing their dreams,” she affirmed.
The CM said that the Punjab government stands firmly with the families of police martyrs. “We are not just offering words of support, we are delivering practical relief, comprehensive welfare packages, and continuous assistance,” she said.
The CM vowed that the sacrifices of police martyrs will never be forgotten. “Their blood is the cornerstone of our nation’s stability. We will forever honor their legacy.”

Iram Hamid Hameed sworn in as member of National Assembly

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 04 (APP): Iram Hamid Hameed, affiliated with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), was sworn in as a Member of the National Assembly (MNA) on Monday during the opening of the 18th session of the House.
Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq administered the oath to the newly elected MNA at the Parliament House. Following the oath-taking, Ms. Hameed signed the roll of members, in accordance with parliamentary tradition.

Decision to convert all stations, stops of Orange Line train to solar power

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LAHORE, Aug 04 (APP): The Punjab government has decided to convert all stations and stops of the Orange Line Train to solar power.
This decision of the Punjab government will reduce the costs of the Orange Line train and save the government exchequer.
According to the Orange Line train sources, a 1.6 megawatt solar power plant will be installed for the Orange Line train, through which electricity will be provided to all stations of the Orange Line train. They said that the electricity generated from the solar power plant will meet the power required for electric stairs, stops and other needs of the Orange Line train.
It is worth mentioning here that in this regard, the Punjab government provides billions of rupees annually as a subsidy. After converting it to solar energy, the system will save crores of rupees per month in terms of electricity bills.

SECP issues draft amendments to Research Analyst Regulations, 2015

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 04 (APP): The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has issued a notification for public consultations on the proposed amendments to the Research Analyst Regulations, 2015.
The draft amendments focus on broadening the scope of research reports, mandating registration requirements for research analysts, extending the blackout period, enhancing disclosures including target price and date, and introducing a code of communication for research analysts.
Additionally, the Pakistan Stock Exchange will establish a research platform that will feature a list of companies and sectors covered by research analysts.
While drafting the amendments, the SECP conducted extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including research analysts, brokerage houses, asset managers, and industry associations. Earlier, the SECP issued a consultation paper to solicit stakeholder feedback and held a series of consultation sessions to deliberate on the proposed changes.
The SECP remains committed to a robust and transparent consultation process, ensuring stakeholders have ample opportunity to contribute during the regulatory review.

Salman Akram Raja moves IHC for protected bail

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IHC
ISLAMABAD, Aug 04 (APP): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s Secretary General and senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja on Monday approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking protective bail in view of the PTI protest.
Salman Akram Raja filed a petition seeking details of the cases registered against him, in which the Interior Secretary, police, FIA and others have been made parties to the petition and it has been requested that details of the cases registered with the police and FIA be provided.
Before filing the petition, Salman Akram Raja also got biometric verification done.

Fugitive arrested at Lahore Airport

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LAHORE, Aug 04 (APP): The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Monday arrested a fugitive wanted in a serious criminal case at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport while he was attempting to flee to South Africa.
According to the FIA spokesperson, the arrest was made during a joint operation conducted by the FIA’s National Central Bureau (NCB)–Interpol and the Immigration Wing.
The accused, Arslan Ashraf, had been declared a proclaimed offender in an attempted murder case registered at the Wando Police Station in Gujranwala. He had been evading law enforcement for the past four years.
A Red Notice had been issued by the FIA NCB–Interpol to facilitate his arrest. Following his apprehension, Ashraf was handed over to Punjab Police officials by FIA Immigration, Lahore, spokesperson added.

easypaisa partners with Google I/O extended Islamabad 2025 to unlock AI potential

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 04 (APP): Pakistan’s first digital bank, easypaisa, partnered with Google Developer Groups Islamabad to bring Google I/O Extended Islamabad 2025, to celebrate innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and community spirit.
A two-day event held in the federal capital brought together over 300 students and technology professionals, including developers from across the region.
It showcased how AI is transforming industries, creating opportunities, and redefining what’s possible for Pakistan’s digital economy.
The event featured keynotes, fireside chats, and discussions on how AI is reshaping our lives and work within the country and globally, while also providing a platform for participants to network, exchange ideas, and explore cutting-edge advancements in intelligent technologies that can significantly impact the future.
With the theme “Unlocking Potential with AI,” the event offered a dynamic mix of inspiration, hands-on learning, and meaningful conversations. Day 1 kicked off with Ali Naqi Rizvi, Sarwat Rizvi, and Ahmed Khan, Co-Managers of GDG Islamabad, who shared the inspiration behind the theme and emphasized the importance of building and using AI responsibly. With Day 2 shifting the focus from inspiration to implementation, participants engaged in hands-on workshops to bring their AI ideas to life.
Farhan Hassan, Chief Digital Officer, easypaisa digital bank , delivered a keynote on AI in Action: Powering the Future of Fintech in Pakistan, highlighting how AI is revolutionizing digital banking and enabling inclusive financial solutions tailored to Pakistan’s local needs.
He further added, “We’re proud to partner with Google Developer Groups to bring Google I/O Extended Islamabad 2025 to life, celebrating grassroots tech talent and innovation. As Pakistan’s first digital bank, easypaisa stands at the forefront of driving financial inclusion and is deploying AI on multiple fronts in its business operations, particularly in risk management and customer experience, to ensure we continue to deliver a secure, convenient, and customized digital banking experience to millions of our customers nationwide. With AI rapidly disrupting multiple industries, including banking and fintech, we remain committed to leveraging technology to build a more inclusive and empowered digital economy by offering innovative use cases.”
Saad Hamid, Regional Lead for the Developer Ecosystem at Google, introduced powerful new developer tools, including Gemini 2.5 Flash, the Agent Development Kit, and Firebase Studio, empowering developers to create production-ready AI agents and applications faster than ever before.
Throughout the event, some of the country’s most influential voices in technology, business, and creativity shared their insights. easypaisa remains committed to supporting and cultivating events that uplift and advance Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
easypaisa is dedicated to delivering a robust, secure, and seamless banking experience to millions nationwide. Representing one in every five Pakistani adults, with a 31% female user base, and over 2.7 billion transactions processed in 2024, valued at PKR 9.5 trillion (approximately 9% of Pakistan’s GDP), easypaisa continues to be a key player in the country’s financial ecosystem.

High-Level Meeting Held to Discuss Independence Day and Marakha Haq Celebrations

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SUKKUR, Aug 04 (APP): A high-level meeting was held at the Commissioner Office Sukkur here Monday, chaired by Provincial Minister for Culture and Tourism, Syed Zulfikar Ali Shah, to discuss the arrangements for the upcoming Independence Day and Maraka-e-Haq celebrations.
The meeting was attended by Spokesperson of Sindh Government and Mayor Sukkur, Barrister Arslan Islam Sheikh, Commissioner Sukkur, Abid Hussain Qureshi, DIG Police, Faisal Abdullah Chachar, Deputy Commissioner, Nadir Shahzad Khan, SSP Azhar Mughal, Chairman District Council Sukkur, Syed Kamil Haider Shah, Deputy Mayor Dr. Arshad Mughal, and other relevant officials.
The President of Arts Council Karachi, Syed Ahmed Shah, participated in the meeting via video link. The meeting reviewed the preparations and security arrangements for the grand music program scheduled to be held on August 10th as part of the Independence Day celebrations.
The Sindh government is celebrating Mark-e-Haq and Independence Day with great enthusiasm to pay tribute to the Pakistan Armed Forces. The grand music program will be attended by the Chief Minister of Sindh, members of the Sindh Cabinet, and officials from the security forces. Thousands of citizens, including men and women, will participate in the event, which will also feature performances by renowned singers and artists.

Indian Act of August 5 remains dark chapter in Kashmir’s history: Barrister Sultan

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MUZAFFARABAD, Aug 04 (APP): Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry has termed August 5, 2019, as a dark chapter in Kashmir’s history, when the Indian government abrogated Articles 370 and 35A of its Constitution in a bid to alter the disputed status of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The AJK President expressed these views in a special message issued on the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal (Day of Exploitation), observed annually on August 5 as a mark of protest against India’s unconstitutional actions and ongoing oppression in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The President said that India has long employed state terrorism as a weapon of war to suppress the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people; however, the scale of oppression and brutality has intensified after August 05 2019. “India wants to forcibly and illegally annex occupied Kashmir, but the brave people of the region continue to resist Indian tyranny with remarkable courage and without arms,” he said.
The president affirmed that the people of occupied Kashmir are committed to their peaceful freedom movement and remain steadfast in their demand for the right to self-determination, as enshrined in the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
“Kashmiris seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute, based on international law and the will of the people,” he remarked. Barrister Chaudhry denounced India’s claims of being a secular and democratic state, saying that New Delhi has been exposed before the world due to its grave human rights violations in occupied Kashmir and the persecution of minorities across India.
He also paid tribute to the Pakistani armed forces for responding effectively to Indian aggression, saying that their resolute defense compelled India to agree to a ceasefire.
Highlighting the importance of international engagement to bring about a peaceful solution to the lingering dispute, he said: “We should seriously consider offers of mediation, including the one previously extended by U.S President Donald Trump”.The president also stressed the need for including Kashmiris in any future talks between Pakistan and India to ensure a just and lasting solution to the Kashmir dispute.

Islamabad expresses solidarity with Kashmiris on Youm-e-Istehsal

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APP53-040825 ISLAMABAD: August 04 - Roads in the Federal Capital are adorned with banners condemning India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, in observance of Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir (Exploitation Day). APP/IFD/IQJ/TZD/FHA
ISLAMABAD, Aug 4 (APP): The Federal Capital has expressed solidarity with the people of Kashmir by highlighting unilateral and illegal action of India that stripped Kashmir of its special status by revoking Articles 35-A and 370 on August 05, 2019.
A large number of banners, flyers and digital screens have been installed across the city showing the plight and struggle of Kashmiris against the illegal occupation and violence of India for last many decades.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) took the lead in this regard and designed and executed the branding campaign to remind the world about the Indian atrocities against the innocent and unarmed Kashmiris.
“It is not just a symbolic act, but a reminder that Kashmir remains a central issue to human rights and international justice,” a CDA spokesperson told APP on Monday while highlighting objectives of the campaign which was launched in line with the directives of Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa.
The campaign is part of Pakistan’s national observance of Youm-e-Istehsal, commemorated annually on August 5 to protest India’s illegal revocation of Articles 35-A and 370 of the Indian constitution.
The spokesperson said the campaign will continue throughout the week, alongside rallies, seminars, and public awareness drives planned in collaboration with civil society and media organizations.
He said the banners and flyers containing powerful messages and slogans have been displayed across the city including D-Chowk, Constitution Avenue, Blue Area, Jinnah Avenue, Srinagar Highway, Islamabad Expressway, Faizabad, Zero Point, and G-9, declaring unwavering support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.
The displayed messages have caught the attention of motorists and pedestrians, turning concrete spaces into voices of resistance and remembrance.
“The messages inscribed on banners and flyers both in English and Urdu reflect Pakistan’s commitment to the Kashmir issue,” said Rizwan, a motorist crossing Seventh Avenue Interchange.
“The symbolic messages across Islamabad’s flyovers not only reaffirm Pakistan’s moral and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people but also serve as a visual reminder of the nation’s unity on this critical issue,” said Maryam Shah a passerby near Peshawar Morr Sector G-9.
August 5, 2019 marks the day when India unilaterally revoked Articles 370 and 35A of its constitution, stripping Kashmir of its special status. Since then, Pakistan observes the day as Youm-e-Istehsal (Day of Exploitation) to denounce the illegal actions and ongoing human rights violations in the occupied territory.