کراچی: سانحہ بلدیہ کیس میں رہائی پانے والے رحمان بھولا کو پولیس نے ایک بار پھر گرفتار کرلیا ہے۔

اے آر وائی نیوز کے مطابق رحمان بھولا کو پولیس نے نارتھ ناظم آباد سے گرفتار کیا ہے جس کی سی سی ٹی وی فوٹیج بھی منظرعام پر آگئی ہے۔

ویڈیو میں پولیس کو رحمان بھولا کو گرفتار کرکے لے جاتے دیکھا جاسکتا ہے۔

ذرائع کا کہنا ہے کہ گزشتہ روز ایم کیو ایم کے بہادر آباد مرکز میں ہونے والی فائرنگ کے الزام میں رحمان بھولا کو گرفتار کیا گیا ہے۔

اس کے علاوہ سیکٹر انچارج ذیشان کو بھی حراست میں لیے جانے کی اطلاعات ہیں۔

ذرائع کے مطابق ایم کیو ایم کے کارکن عبید کے ٹو کے گھر بھی چھاپے مارے گئے ہیں لیکن کوئی گرفتاری عمل میں نہیں آئی ہے۔

واضح رہے کہ گزشتہ روز بہادرآباد مرکز پر خالد مقبول صدیقی کے گروپ کا جشن آزادی کی تقریبات پر اجلاس ہو رہا تھا کہ اس دوران مصطفیٰ کمال گروپ کے لوگ انیس قائم خانی کی سربراہی میں اپنا اجلاس کرنے مرکز پہنچے۔

انتظامیہ کے روکنے کی کوشش پر فائرنگ کی گئی تھی، تصادم کے بعد بہادر آباد مرکز بند کردیا گیا تھا۔

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has strongly condemned the federal government, stating that its “countdown has begun” following the rejection of the recent Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections as grossly manipulated.

His comments reflect escalating political tensions, even as the PPP remains a significant coalition partner of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) at the national level.

In a video statement, Bilawal accused the AJK elections of lacking fairness and transparency, alleging that the authorities engaged in extensive electoral fraud. Regardless of the results, he commended PPP members for winning nine electoral seats and pledged that the party would persist in contesting what it considers a usurped mandate.

Bilawal referred to the AJK elections as “rigged elections,” “bullet elections,” “murderous elections,” and “bloody elections,” asserting that the integrity of the democratic process had been undermined.

“You have secured nine seats for the Pakistan Peoples Party despite these challenges,” he expressed to party members, congratulating them on what he termed victories achieved in adverse conditions.

He further asserted that the PPP would continue its efforts to recover seats that were reportedly “stolen” in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad.

Addressing the leadership of the PML-N, Bilawal stated: “To my friends in the PML-N, can you hear that sound? The countdown for the federal government has commenced.”

The chairman of the PPP urged supporters to ramp up their campaigning efforts ahead of the upcoming electoral contests. He called on party workers to secure victories for Bazil Naqvi and Javed Ayub in Muzaffarabad on August 4, claiming that achieving this would thwart what he described as a PML-N conspiracy.

Bilawal also declared a public rally in the Bagh district of Poonch Division on August 10, informing residents: “Poonch, I am on my way. Prepare yourselves.”

Concluding his message with an inspiring call to action for supporters, he emphasized that the PPP would not lose heart, withdraw, or abandon the political arena, urging workers to be fully ready for the next phase of the party’s campaign.

Bilawal’s comments followed statements from Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, who claimed that the PML-N had achieved a simple majority to establish the next government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Sanaullah, the PML-N secured 23 out of 45 seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, providing them with the necessary numbers to form the government.

In a separate statement, senior PPP leader and Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon launched a fierce critique of the PML-N, echoing Bilawal’s assertion that the federal government’s “countdown” had begun.

Memon accused the PML-N, in collusion with the Election Commission, of supplying ballot papers to its candidates two days prior to the elections. He further alleged that complaints from the sitting AJK president and prime minister were disregarded by the administration.

Labeling the process as “historic rigging,” Memon questioned the validity of past electoral victories by PML-N leaders, including Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, while reiterating the PPP’s claims regarding the 2024 general elections.

The federal government has announced a fresh reduction in petroleum prices, bringing relief to motorists and businesses by lowering the rates of both petrol and high-speed diesel.

The revised prices will come into effect from August 4, 2026, following the latest fortnightly review.

According to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division, the new fuel prices have been determined on the recommendations of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) under the government’s petroleum pricing mechanism.

The price of Motor Spirit (MS), commonly known as petrol, has been reduced by Rs4.20 per litre, bringing the new ex-depot price down to Rs331.95 per litre from the previous Rs336.15 per litre.

The reduction is expected to provide some relief to millions of motorists, commuters and households already facing high transportation costs.

The government has also lowered the price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) by Rs2.45 per litre.

Following the reduction, the new price of HSD has been fixed at Rs389.93 per litre, compared with the previous Rs392.38 per litre.

The cut is likely to benefit the transport, agriculture and logistics sectors, where diesel is the primary fuel for commercial vehicles and heavy machinery.

The Petroleum Division said the revised prices were finalised in line with the government’s petroleum pricing mechanism after OGRA reviewed international oil prices, exchange rate movements and other relevant factors.

The new rates will remain in force from August 4 until the next review.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif referred to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi as the ‘most powerful minister’ within the federal government, asserting that in various matters, Naqvi is not even accountable to the prime minister.

During a television interview, Asif remarked that Naqvi, while holding the position of interior minister, does not seem to be fully engaged in the cabinet system. He noted that he had observed Naqvi participating in only two or three cabinet meetings.

The defence minister further mentioned that Naqvi had only attended Parliament a few times, adding that if the interior minister himself is voicing concerns about the current system, “then perhaps we should all go home.”

Asif’s comments were a reaction to Naqvi’s recent statements indicating that Pakistan’s governance framework has weakened to the point where it struggles to tackle the nation’s challenges. The interior minister cautioned that if the current structure remains unchanged, the country might still be grappling with the same issues a decade from now.

Naqvi also contended that establishing new administrative units or provinces has become crucial for enhancing governance and ensuring the long-term development of the country, asserting that the existing system has surpassed its effectiveness.

پاکستان ایمپلائز ہاؤسنگ سوسائٹی (پی ای سی ایچ ایس) کراچی کے رہائشی میر رضا علی کی موت کی تفتیش میں پیش رفت ہوئی ہے۔

تفتیشی ذرائع کا کہنا ہے کہ ابتدائی میڈیکل رپورٹ کے مطابق میر رضا کو گولی سینے پر لگی، تحقیقات میں یہ بھی دیکھا جا رہا ہے کہ گولی شاید پیچھے سے لگی۔

ابتدائی تفتیش کے مطابق میر رضا نے سیکیورٹی گارڈ کا اسلحہ لیا تھا، میر رضا کی لاش کی موجودگی کی اطلاع قریب موجود نرسری والے نے دی۔

تفتیشی ذرائع نے بتایا ہے کہ میر رضا کی لاش جہاں سے ملی وہاں مشکوک موٹر سائیکل سوار افراد کی موجودگی کا بھی پتہ چلا ہے، موت سے قبل میر رضا کے پاس 40 ہزار روپے تھے، گھر سے نکلتے وقت میر رضا نے 1 ہزار روپے اپنے ساتھ رکھے تھے۔

میر رضا اسمارٹ واچ، والٹ اور گاڑی گھر چھوڑ کر گیا تھا، ابتدائی تفتیش کے مطابق میر رضا مختلف لوگوں کا قرض دار بھی تھا، واقعے کے بعد سے اب تک اسلحہ اور گولی کا خول نہیں ملا۔

تفتیشی ذرائع کا کہنا ہے کہ تفتیش سے متعلق 15 سے زائد افراد کے بیانات لیے گئے ہیں، میر رضا کی میڈیکل رپورٹ آج اور موبائل فون کی فرانزک رپورٹ 1 سے 2 دن میں موصول ہو جائے گی۔

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the PML-N’s leadership and successful candidates on Monday, after unofficial results of the second phase of elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir showed the party had won 14 of 18 seats up for grabs the previous day.

The PML-N’s main rival in the contest and also its ally in the Centre, the PPP, has accused the PML-N of electoral malpractices, rigging, and violence during Sunday’s polls, just as it did during the first phase of the elections in Mirpur division on July 27. The PML-N secured nine of the 13 seats in the first phase, while the PPP won the remaining four.

Elections in AJK are being held in three phases over security concerns, with polling having been held on seven seats of Muzaffarabad division and 12 refugee seats—the reserved seats for refugees from Indian-occupied Kashmir—on Sunday. In the third phase, elections will be held in 11 constituencies of Poonch division.

A statement released by the PM’s Office on Monday said the premier congratulated PML-N’s leadership and successful candidates after their win in the second phase.

“The continuity of this success is a result of the hard work of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and the entire PML-N team,” the statement quoted PM Shehbaz as saying.

According to the statement, the premier noted that Nawaz and the PML-N team had conducted a successful electoral campaign in AJK and the party’s success “reflects the confidence of the people of AJK in PML-N’s policies.”

He said the development and prosperity of AJK and the welfare of its people remained PML-N’s top priority.

PM Shehbaz added that political parties had actively participated in the second phase of the AJK elections, which he said would further strengthen the democratic process.

At least 14 individuals, comprising both police officers and civilians, lost their lives, and 20 others sustained injuries in a suicide bombing that occurred near the main entrance of the Kabal Police Station in the Swat district, according to police reports.

The explosion also inflicted partial damage to the police station’s structure.

As per police statements, rescue teams were promptly dispatched following the blast, and all casualties were transported to Central Hospital Swat for medical treatment and further procedures.

In the aftermath of the attack, a significant contingent of police and other law enforcement agencies, under the leadership of Swat District Police Officer (DPO) Mohammad Omar Khan, arrived at the site, secured the area, and initiated an investigation.

Initial findings suggest that the incident was executed by a suicide bomber.

Investigators retrieved the suspected bomber’s head from the scene, while the bomb disposal unit is currently analyzing the nature of the explosion and the explosives involved.

A search operation is also in progress to locate and apprehend any potential accomplices.

Police indicated that preliminary evidence points to the suspected attacker possibly being an Afghan national, although they emphasized that this has not been definitively confirmed and will only be validated upon the completion of the investigation.

DPO Mohammad Omar Khan stated that authorities are committed to identifying those accountable for the attack, including any individuals who may have facilitated it, and ensuring they face justice.

A Saudi government representative has affirmed the Kingdom’s dedication to fostering robust relations with both the Iraqi government and its citizens, emphasizing that the recent airstrikes were not aimed at Iraq or its populace.

As reported by Arab media from Riyadh, the official indicated that the strikes were exclusively intended to diminish the capabilities of armed militia groups operating within Iraq.

The official asserted that these militias represented a direct threat to Saudi Arabia’s national security, claiming they had targeted the Kingdom’s essential civilian infrastructure and significant economic facilities, including oil installations.

He noted that the airstrikes were confined to warehouses and facilities utilized by the militia groups, which were allegedly being employed to launch attacks on strategic locations within Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi official stated that the military action was a response that followed months of restraint, accusing the armed groups of jeopardizing Iraq’s interests and harming its relations with Saudi Arabia, as well as with other Arab and Islamic nations.

He further claimed that the militias had been exploiting Iraqi territory and resources to conduct hostile operations against neighboring countries and were attempting to weaken Iraq’s diplomatic connections with the broader region.

The official reiterated Saudi Arabia’s appreciation for its relationship with Iraq and conveyed the Kingdom’s intention to enhance bilateral relations with the Iraqi government and its citizens.

The 99th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of the People’s Republic of China was celebrated at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, attended the event as the guest of honour. The ceremony was also graced by Major General Wang Zhong, Defence Attaché of China, along with officials from the Chinese Embassy and senior military personnel from Pakistan’s tri-services.

Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, warmly welcomed the esteemed guests and congratulated the PLA on its 99th founding anniversary. He paid homage to the PLA’s significant contributions to China’s defense, national development, and the promotion of international peace and security.

Emphasizing the enduring strength of Pakistan-China relations, the Field Marshal noted that the friendship between the two nations is unique, has stood the test of time, and has remained resilient amidst changing regional and global challenges. He reiterated that the Pakistan Armed Forces and the PLA are genuine partners, united by mutual trust, steadfast support, and a shared dedication to regional peace, stability, and the safeguarding of common strategic interests.

In his address, Ambassador Jiang Zaidong expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Field Marshal for organizing the commemorative event. He recognized the significant contributions and sacrifices made by the Pakistan Armed Forces in the battle against terrorism and reaffirmed China’s steadfast support for Pakistan, along with a commitment to further enhance the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two nations.

A Pakistan Army officer was killed in action during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Razmak region of North Waziristan, as reported by the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), on Saturday.

The security forces also neutralized five militants amid intense gunfire.

According to ISPR, the operation was initiated following credible intelligence regarding the presence of Indian-supported Fitna al-Khawarij.

The ISPR indicated that security forces effectively targeted the militants’ hideouts, leading to the death of five suspected militants.

During the operation, Major Hafiz Ehsan Elahi, aged 34 and hailing from Mianwali district, was martyred while commanding his troops, as stated by the military.

The ISPR noted that the officer displayed exceptional bravery before sacrificing his life.

The military further mentioned that clearance operations in the region would persist until all militants are eradicated.

In a related development, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab has apprehended 54 suspected terrorists, including five alleged operatives associated with India’s intelligence agency RAW, during intelligence-driven operations conducted throughout the province over the last two months.

A CTD spokesperson reported that 419 operations were executed across various districts, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Jhelum, Pakpattan, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, and Okara.

The spokesperson added that explosive materials, 12 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 42 detonators, 98 feet of safety fuse wire, prohibited stickers, books, and cash were seized from the detained suspects.