NATIONALHRCP has called for urgent action over the continued captivity of Pakistani crew members aboard the MT Honour 25, seized by Somali pirates on April 21. The rights body also raised concern over reports of contaminated water, little food and severe distress among the families.
NATIONALThe Islamabad High Court has reserved its verdict on a petition seeking family meetings, private medical access and essential items for Bushra Bibi. The court heard arguments from both her counsel and the government before reserving judgment.
NATIONALISLAMABAD: A Senate panel has approved a bill on issuing blue passports to senators after debate over alleged misuse of official passports. Interior Minister of State Talal Chaudhry said such cases had caused embarrassment for Pakistan abroad.
NATIONALThe estimated cost of the Mohmand Dam and Dasu Hydropower Project has increased by a combined Rs1.607 trillion, according to documents presented in the National Assembly. The revised figures also show higher allocations for affected local communities.
PoliticsJUI-F has said it will not join any movement with PTI until past issues are resolved, even as TTAP says recent talks covered a possible joint campaign. The two sides have offered conflicting accounts of a meeting at Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s residence.
CITYRawalpindi has introduced a digital traffic challan system based on video evidence for the first time in the city. Officials said the platform will also allow instant verification of licences, identity records and vehicle documents.
LocalA fire at an LPG cylinder shop in Khalabat Township destroyed goods worth millions in two shops and injured two people. The incident has sparked criticism after the Municipal Committee’s fire brigade vehicle failed to respond because it had been out of order for months.
LocalRawalpindi’s district administration has banned 95 proscribed organisations, along with banned NGOs and trusts, from collecting sacrificial hides during Eidul Azha. It has also made prior permission from the deputy commissioner mandatory for all other collectors.
CITYTwo men were killed in separate shooting incidents in Rawalpindi, police said. The victims were identified as Azhar Iqbal, a British-returned Pakistani, and Shafiq Ahmed, a labourer from Kashmore.
HEALTHPunjab Institute of Cardiology Chairman Dr Muhammad Farqad Alamgir has urged greater awareness of heart disease, stressing early screening and preventive care. He also said cardiac treatment facilities are being expanded under the chief minister’s vision.
NATIONALThe Ministry of Railways has told the National Assembly that the 1,726-kilometre ML-1 upgrade from Karachi to Peshawar will begin this year in five phases. The project is estimated to cost $6.66 billion, with the first phase covering Karachi to Rohri.
NATIONALThe National Assembly was told that work on the flood-affected N-95 Kalam Road in Swat will begin within 90 days. Lawmakers were also informed about approved, allocated and proposed funds for the project.
