Sardar Yousaf expresses deep grief over loss of 18 lives in Swat, blasts KP govt’s inaction

Fri, 27 Jun 2025, 11:55 PM

By Rehan Khan

ISLAMABAD, June 27 (APP): Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on Friday expressed profound sorrow over the tragic loss of 18 precious lives in a recent incident in Swat.

He, in a statement, extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks.

Criticizing the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, Sardar Yousaf said, “This is not the first such incident in KP, multiple such tragedies have occurred in recent times, exposing the gross incompetence and negligence of the provincial administration.”

He lamented that despite continuous cries for help from the affected people, no assistance reached them for hours. “People kept calling for help as they drowned, but the KP government remained in deep slumber,” he added.

Calling for accountability, the minister demanded the resignation of the provincial government, saying, “Losing 18 lives due to such criminal negligence is unacceptable. The KP government has failed and must step down.”

Muqam terms death of 18 tourists in River Swat as great tragedy

Asif Jalal

Fri, 27 Jun 2025, 11:54 PM

PESHAWAR, Jun 27 (APP): Federal Minister Engineer Amir Muqam on Friday expressed his heartfelt sympathy with the affected families of River Swat and declared the incident a national tragedy.

“People remained stranded in the river for hours, yet no rescue team arrived,” says Engineer Amir Muqam.

He said this incident is clear proof of the provincial government’s complete failure.

Engr Amir Muqam said that precious lives were lost due to the criminal negligence of the district administration.

Failure to issue a timely warning is a grave act of carelessness, said Engineer Amir Muqam.

He said unavailability of necessary machinery and resources is deeply regrettable.

Amir Muqam instructs that all possible facilities and immediate aid be provided to the victims.

IG Punjab orders relief on welfare, service requests

Asif Jalal

Fri, 27 Jun 2025, 11:50 PM

LAHORE, Jun 27 (APP): Inspector General of Police Punjab, Dr. Usman Anwar, met with police employees and their families at the Central Police Office on Friday to listen to their concerns and issued directives for immediate relief.

According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, various directives were issued in response to personnel requests. On the request of ASI Muhammad Fayaz for a scholarship and financial assistance for his son, the DIG Welfare was instructed to provide relief. In response to a pension payment request from the brother of martyred Constable Amir Muhammad, the RPO Faisalabad was directed to take necessary action.

Regarding a request for promotion and financial aid submitted by Head Constable Haider Ali, the DPO D.G. Khan was instructed to provide relief. On the application of Driver Constable Shahzad Ahmed, the RPO Multan was directed to offer assistance.

In connection with a transfer request submitted by the mother of Head Constable Muhammad Tanveer Raza, the DIG Establishment-II was instructed to take necessary action. For a recruitment request under the martyr quota submitted by the mother of martyred Constable Sher Ali, the AIG Admin was directed to provide relief.

Additionally, on the request of eight inspectors for service regularization, the Additional IG Punjab was instructed to take appropriate action. The IG Punjab also issued directives on several other applications concerning disciplinary, administrative, promotional, and welfare matters.

SC rejects PTI-backed SIC plea for reserved seats, upholds PHC ruling

Asif Jalal

Fri, 27 Jun 2025, 11:48 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jun 27 (APP): The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan has dismissed the plea seeking reserved parliamentary seats for the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and upheld the earlier decision of the Peshawar High Court, which had ordered that the seats be distributed among other parliamentary parties.

The Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench, headed by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, conducted 17 hearings on the high-profile case involving reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies.

Other members of the bench included Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Mussarat Hilali, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan, Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar, Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, Justice Aamer Farooq, and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi.

During Friday’s hearing, Justice Salahuddin Panhwar recused himself from the bench after senior counsel Hamid Khan, representing the SIC, raised objections on the constitution of the Bench. The court, however, continued the proceedings and announced a short order later in the evening.

In a 7-3 majority decision, the court overturned its previous judgment dated July 12, 2024, which had granted PTI the right to claim reserved seats in Parliament through its affiliation with the SIC. The latest decision reinstates the Peshawar High Court’s ruling that the reserved seats be allocated among other eligible parliamentary parties.

The Court accepted review petitions filed against the July 2024 ruling and directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to rehear the applications of affected members accordingly.

The majority opinion was authored by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, and supported by Justice Mussarat Hilali, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan, Justice Hashim Kakar, Justice Aamer Farooq, and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi.

CDA receives Rs2.23bn for lawyers complex: IHC told

Asif Jalal

Fri, 27 Jun 2025, 11:43 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jun 27 (APP): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday was informed that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has received Rs2.23 billion from federal government for lawyers complex and facility center in capital.

During the hearing on the petition of the Islamabad Bar Association, IHCBA Secretary Manzoor Ahmed Jaja, Islamabad Bar Council member Qamar Sabzwari and others, besides the Secretary Planning, Finance Division, AGPR and CDA officials appeared in the court.

The Secretary Planning told the court that funds have been released for the construction of the lawyers complex and the facility center.

On inquiry, the CDA officials told the court that yes, we have received funds of Rs 2.23 billion. Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas told Secretary Bar Manzoor Ahmed Jaja that now you should thank the Secretary.

AGPR officials told the court that all the cheques till June 24 have been cleared, the ones after that remain, it is the end of the financial year and the issue arose due to work pressure, on which the court directed AGPR officials to clear these two remaining cheques as well.

The court adjourned the hearing with the instruction.

Wafaqi Mohtasib (Ombudsman) to resolve pay issues of NBP

Asif Jalal

Fri, 27 Jun 2025, 11:41 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jun 27 (APP): A Wafaqi Mohtasib team comprising Advisor Maj Gen (R) Haroon Sikandar Pasha and Consultant Khalid Sial held a Khuli Katchery in Fateh Jang (District Attock) on Friday.

The other day and heard complaints relating to the federal government entities including Sui Gas, Electricity, Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), NADRA and others and resolved a number of complaints on the spot.

A large number of complainants attended the Khuli Katchery, wherein they lodged complaints against federal and provincial departments. Most of the complaints pertained to suspension of financial relief from the BISP, non-installation of electricity transformers, delay in provision of electricity and gas connections, excessive billing and delay in issuance of the National Identity Cards.

The Wafaqi Mohtasib team issued on the spot instructions for speedy resolution of the complaints relating to the federal entities, whereas the complaints pertaining to the provincial departments were forwarded to the Provincial Mohtasib.

Following the Khuli Katchery, the Wafaqi Mohtasib officials also visited the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and the BISP office and instructed that the public complaints be resolved promptly. The team also directed the National Bank authorities to forthwith release the monthly pay to a contractual employee, who filed a complaint against delay in payment of pay in the Khuli Katchery.

The Bank Administration assured timely payment to the employee concerned and pointed out that the team’s instructions would ultimately benefit more than 50 employees of the bank.

Similarly, during the visit to BISP Office the team was informed that that the office has received the payment in respect of three beneficiaries and they might collect the same from the office. A citizen complained that a number of accidents have occurred due to absence of speed breakers near the educational institutions and public places. The Wafaqi Mohtasib team, in response directed the NHA authorities to submit a report in this regard.

The Khuli Katchery was attended by the officials belonging to the Federal Entities, district administration and representative of the media in addition to the general public.

Earlier, the Wafaqi Mohtasib officials also delilvered an awareness lecture highlighting the salient features of Wafaqi Mohtasib institution and how to get relief from this office in case of mal-administration. It also thanked the press and media for playing a useful role in promoting general awareness amongst the masses regarding availability of this forum.

Traffic comes to a standstill in the provincial capital as light rain during the monsoon season causes congestion on major roads.

Wajid

Fri, 27 Jun 2025, 11:36 PM

APP60-270625Karachi — APP60-270625 KARACHI: June 27 – Traffic comes to a standstill in the provincial capital as light rain during the monsoon season causes congestion on major roads.

Traffic comes to a standstill in the provincial capital as light rain during the monsoon season causes congestion on major roads. — APP60-270625
KARACHI: June 27 –

APP61-270625
KARACHI: June 27 – Traffic comes to a standstill in the provincial capital as light rain during the monsoon season causes congestion on major roads. APP/AMH/MAF/ABB/FHA