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PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf workers on Wednesday staged a protest against denial of the Senate ticket to the party’s Peshawar president Irfan Saleem, who is among the PTI founding members.

A large number of PTI workers gathered outside the Peshawar Press Club to protest the denial of ticket to Mr Saleem, demanding of the party leadership to review its decision.

Holding portrait of Mr Saleem, they chanted slogans in favour of him.

Workers were angered when adviser to the chief minister on information Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif announced names of the PTI candidates for the July 21 Senate elections after meeting the patron-in-chief Imran Khan in Adiala Jail.

Mr Saif said that Imran had approved four names for the general seats, including Murad Saeed, Faisal Javed, Mirza Mohammad Afridi and Pir Noorul Haq Qadri.

At the same time, Mr Saif also announced Rubina Naz as PTI candidate for the reserved seat of women, while Mohammad Azam Khan Swati for the technocrat’s seat.

He also announced Mashal Yousafzai as the party candidate on the by-election on the Senate seat vacated by the then incumbent Sania Nishtar.

The by-election is scheduled to be held on July 31.

PTI’s general secretary MNA Sher Ali Arbab promised that he will convey the reservations of the workers to the central leadership of the party.

“Irfan Saleem led every protest and rally taken out from Peshawar

before and after the May 9 incidents,” Mr Arbab said. He said that Irfan Saleem was an ideological worker of the party attached with it from the day one.

He said that it would be more appropriate to adjust the ideological workers in the senate elections. “The workers’ moral will be demoralised if the ideological workers are denied senate ticket,” he said.

Addressing the protesters, Rehmat Kundi, a senior party worker, said that Imran Khan had approved the name of Irfan Saleem as candidate for one of the general seats.

“Who is Barrister Saif to announce ticket for Mirza Afridi replacing Irfan Saleem,” he said, adding: “Mr Saif is puppet of the establishment.”

“If only the money is merit, then ideological workers should be told to sit at their homes,” he said. “The awarding of Senate ticket to the rich people has revealed that the diehard workers have no place in this party,” he said.

Rehmat Kundi said that if they cannot get their rights then how they will fight for the rights of their incarcerated leader Imran Khan.

One of the party workers told Dawn that the diehard party activists were the assets of the PTI, who lead every protest and rally, adding if such workers were discouraged and ignored then who will carry the party’s flag.

“The rich disappear whenever party faces hard times but they resurface to reap the benefits,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2025

ISLAMABAD: To receive training in cutting-edge technologies and contemporary policing, Islamabad Police officers will be sent to Beijing to participate in various training courses conducted by the Beijing Police Department.

The officers will also receive special training in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for enhanced investigation capacity to track criminals.

This was decided during a meeting of Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi with a high-level delegation of the Beijing Police Department, led by Deputy Director General Gao Jianxin. During the meeting, enhancing collaboration between Islamabad and Beijing police, training in modern technology, and information sharing were discussed in detail.

Mohsin Naqvi emphasised that modern training in Beijing will significantly enhance the capacity of Islamabad Police. He noted that Beijing Police was a highly efficient and technologically advanced force, and the capital police should fully benefit from their experience.

He stressed that the use of modern technology for public safety and crime prevention has become essential. He stated that cooperation with Beijing Police in this regard would prove extremely beneficial. The Interior Minister welcomed the offer of anti-riot training from Beijing Police for Islamabad Police.

He highlighted the importance of timely information sharing to tackle challenges such as terrorism, organised crime, drug trafficking, and human smuggling. He thanked the Beijing Police Department delegation for their commitment to enhancing cooperation with Islamabad Police.

The Chinese delegation included Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Public Security Li Yuhang and Directors He Xin, Feng Wei, and Hu Jimin from the Beijing Police Department.

The meeting was also attended by Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry, the federal secretary for interior, the director general of the FIA, the commandant of the National Police Academy, the chief commissioner of Islamabad, the IG Islamabad Police, and the deputy commissioner of Islamabad.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2025

WASHINGTON: US Congress members may urge the Trump administration to consider imposing sanctions on countries that suppress religious freedom and violate human rights, Repub­lican Congressman Christ­o­pher H. Smith suggested before a congressional panel.

The bipartisan hearing focused on civil liberties and political freedoms in Pakistan, highlighting reports of repression, persecution of minorities, and efforts to silence dissidents abroad.

“One of the biggest disappointments — regardless of who is in the White House or at the State Department — is the absence of sanctions,” said Smith, who co-chairs the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC).

Speaking about the political climate in Pakistan, his Democratic counterpart, Congre­ssman James McGovern, added: “They need to know that people are watching. They need to know we don’t like what we are hearing.”

Amnesty’s Ben Linden opened his testimony by raising concerns over the situation in Balochistan, as well as religious persecution. “Vaguely worded blasphemy laws are being weaponised by majoritarian religious groups, while the accused have few means to defend themselves.”

However, Jared Genser of Perseus Strategies stressed that Washington could not afford to disengage entirely.

“We don’t act that way with any regime. We have to engage. The key is for President Trump and Secretary [of State] Marco Rubio to say very clearly: we want a strong relationship with Pakistan, but this is what needs to be done to get there. And that includes releasing [ex-prime minister] Imran Khan and other political prisoners,” Genser said.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2025

KARACHI: Police on Wednesday informed a court that “no fruitful result has been obtained” so far in the initial probe into the mysterious death of actor Humaira Asghar Ali, who was found dead last week in her apartment in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA).

The revelation came in a report submitted to the court in response to an application filed by Shahzaib Sohail through his counsel Abdul Ahad Khan under Sections 22-A and B of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), seeking registration of a murder FIR in the case.

In the report, DSP Abid Hussain Soomro informed the additional district and sessions judge (South) that a team headed by the SP Clifton had been constituted to investigate the matter.

He stated that statements of various individuals, including residents of the building where the deceased had been residing, had been recorded. However, he added that “no fruitful result has been obtained in this regard up till now”.

According to the report, the police, accompanied by a bailiff and the applicant, had visited the apartment on July 8 on the direction of a rental court for vacating the premises. It stated that the door was unlocked, and when the police entered the home, the body of the deceased was discovered lying on the floor.

After reviewing the report, the court directed the police to submit the post-mortem report at the next hearing.

‘No signs of foul play or suicide’

According to another report by South DIG Syed Asad Raza, a copy of which is available with Dawn, “Evidence so far suggests no signs of foul play or suicide. Circumstances indicate a possible accidental or natural cause of death while she was engaged in household chores.”

The report added that the double-locked door and the presence of all keys inside support the conclusion of no third-party involvement. There was also no evidence of physical assault, struggle, or weapon marks, as per the initial post-mortem report.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2025

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved a 15 per cent increase in pensions disbursed by the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) and granted a five-year extension of the exemption from import duties on anti-cancer, cardiac and other life-saving drugs.

Presiding over the cabinet meeting, Prime Mini­ster Shehbaz Sharif annou­nced that the performance of all federal ministries and divisions would be evaluated every two months.

According to the PM Office, the 15pc increase in EOBI pensions will be effective from Jan 1, 2025, on the recommendation of the Mini­s­try of Overseas Pakis­tanis and Human Resource Development. The increase will be financed from the institution’s own resources.

The prime minister direc­ted the formation of a cabinet committee to introduce institutional reforms in EOBI. The committee will also examine proposals to extend old-age benefits to workers in the informal labour sector, including domestic workers, agricultural laborers and other marginalised employment groups that have previously been excluded. These reforms aim to ensure that workers in neglected sectors receive their due rights.

Life-saving drugs

On the recommendation of the Ministry of National Health Services, the cabinet approved a five-year extension of the exemption from import duties on anti-cancer, cardiac and life-saving drugs used in hospitals and related healthcare institutions.

These medicines are considered essential for saving lives, and the exemption is aimed at ensuring their timely availability.

These drugs will only be available in hospitals and authorised institutions, with a ban on open market sales. Their import will require prior approval from the relevant licensing authority.

The cabinet also approved the initiation of necessary legal procedures related to the draft of the Sea Carriage Shipping Documents Bill, 2025, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.

Additionally, the federal cabinet endorsed the decisions taken during the meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases held on July 2 and 3, 2025.

Earlier, while addressing the cabinet, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed satisfaction over the recent positive trends in macroeconomic indicators. He reiterated his government’s focus on performance and service delivery, stating that ministries’ performance would be reviewed every two months.

“This message I want to make loud and clear — it is all about delivery and service to the nation,” the prime minister said, adding that ministries performing well would be acknowledged and appreciated, while underperforming ones would be held accountable and asked to explain.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2025

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Two police constables were martyred when unk­n­own assailants opened fire near Shahi Gate in the Kulachi tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan district on Wednesday.

The deceased were identified as Head Const­able Ghulam Muhammad, from Panyala village in Dera Ismail Khan, and Constable Shehzad, from Aba Khel village in Lakki Marwat district.

According to a police spokesperson, the constables were travelling on a motorcycle when the incident took place. One of the constables, who had a disability, was being transported to a hospital by his colleague when they were attacked. The assailants fired upon them as they reached Shahi Gate, resulting in the death of both officers on the spot.

Police and other law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area after the attack and initiated a search operation. As the attackers attempted to flee, police returned fire, killing one assailant and injuring two others. A Kalashnikov rifle and ammunition were recovered from the deceased militant.

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and district police continue to conduct an extensive search operation in the area. The funeral prayer for the martyred constables was held with full official honours at Ijaz Shaheed Police Lines in Dera Ismail Khan.

The ceremony was attended by Commissioner Dera Zafarul Islam Khattak, Regional Police Officer Syed Ashfaq Anwar, District Police Officer Sajjad Ahmad Sahibzada, several civil and military officials A police contingent presented a guard of honour, and participants laid floral wreaths on the coffins and offered prayers for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks.

The bodies of the constables were sent to their native villages, where they were laid to rest with full official honours. Initial investigations suggest that the attack was an act of terrorism.

Gas pipeline blown up

Meanwhile, a gas pipeline was blown up with explosives for the fourth time in a month in the Torwah area of Lakki Marwat district late Tuesday night.

According to police, an IED that had been planted along the pipeline detonated with a loud explosion that was heard in the surrounding areas. The blast caused significant damage to the pipeline, which supplies gas to Punjab.

The explosion occurred within the jurisdiction of Saddar police station. Police and bomb disposal units later arrived at the site to investigate the incident. The blast halted the supply of gas from the Bettani oil and gas field to several regions.

It was the fourth attack on the gas infrastructure in the district within a month. Police have noted increased terrorist activity in the area and have increased security measures around the gas facilities.

Ghulam Mursalin Marwat in Lakki Marwat also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2025

LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned Aleema Khan, the sister of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, to appear before it today (Thursday) over allegations of being involved in “anti-state activities through social media platforms”.

The NCCIA’s notice was issued to Ms Khan a day after she conveyed the party her brother’s message that if anything happened to Imran Khan in jail, it should hold a “poweful person” accountable.

According to the notice, Ms Khan has been asked to appear in person at the NCCIA office in Gulberg-II, Lahore.

The notice, seen by Dawn, says the action was being carried out under an inquiry dated May 27, 2025.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2025

LAHORE: The Flood Forecasting Division on Wednesday warned of “exceptionally high flood” in River Jhelum in the next 24 hours, producing 350,000- to 450,000-cusec stream and asked “all concerned to remain alert”.

Although alert, both Indus River System Authority (Irsa) and Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) responding to warning are jubilant and promising to “absorb” the entire stream at Mangla Dam, where such cushion is available.

According to Irsa spokesman Khalid Idrees Rana, the authority would do its best to store the entire stream. “In fact, the authority was hoping, and praying, for River Jehlum to swell during this monsoon and yield some additional water. At present, Mangla Dam is standing at 1,186 feet, against its maximum level of 1,242 feet – it still can go up by 56 feet. It is holding 3.41 million acre feet of water, whereas it can go up to 7.3 million feet.

“Irsa’s optimism of absorbing the entire flood wave is based on the filling criteria. Unlike Tarbella, where after reaching a certain level, only one foot of water can be stored in 24 hours. Mangla Dam does not have any such restriction. It can absorb triple the amount of water which is being warned against, the authority’s spokesman claimed.

Irsa, Wapda officials say Mangla Dam still has 56 feet to fill; ex-official cautions about a catch

“Wapda is also determined to host it all,” says Azam Joya, General Manager (Coordination and Monitoring). But still, Wapda has moved all experts to Mangla Dam, set up a control room and is now evaluating all reports and monitoring river and its tributaries. Those managing Tarbella Dam are also onboard and providing back-up to the Mangla mangers. “Yes, Mangla Dam does not have any filling restrictions, but history of its filling is a guide and the authority is keeping that in mind. If the wave remains within the limits of forecast, things would remain under control,” he believed.

Mangla Dam GM Fakhar Jahan is equally confident and terms the situation at Dam “normal.” In an official communication, he says “in this regard (warning of high stream in river Jhelum), it is to inform that dam is being monitored vigilantly in accordance with approved standard operating procedures (SOPs). At present, the situation at dam is normal.

The hydrology directorate remains fully operational round-the-clock and closely observing the prevailing conditions. There is ample storage available to safely absorb the anticipated inflows and any potential peak. And relevant stakeholders will be promptly informed of the actual inflows received at Mangla Reservoir.“

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2025