Category: 1. Pakistan

LONDON: Former serviceman Major (retd) Adil Farooq Raja has denied making false and exaggerated allegations against Brigadier (retd) Rashid Naseer in his social media posts, including the claims about journalist Arshad Sharif’s killing in Kenya and the attempted assassination of former prime minister Imran Khan.

Counsel David Lemer questioned Adil Raja on the second day of the trial and suggested to him that he left the army in a low-ranking position as a major and didn’t have access to the kind of information that is available to the senior officers. Raja countered and said that he was a field commander, was involved in several military operations and headed the media wing of Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society (PESS). He said: “I still am in touch with the silent soldiers, the people who want stability, democracy and progress in Pakistan. I still maintain my sources within the Pakistani institutions.”

Adil Raja appeared via Zoom. At the start of the second day of trial, the judge asked Raja’s lawyer if his client would rely on the truth defence. His lawyer admitted that there is no truth to any of the allegations that the claimant was involved in. Afterwards, the lawyer withdrew the truth defence. The only remaining defence is public interest and privilege.

When asked why he fell out with the PESS and why the PESS issued a statement against him, Adil Raja said the organisation may have issued a statement against him under coercion after he became a vocal critic after leaving Pakistan.

Counsel Lemer asked Raja why he had accused Naseer of being behind the attempted assassination of Imran Khan when the claimant was not accused by anyone including Khan, Raja replied that he believed that the claimant would have followed the orders of his seniors who were named by the ex-premier.

The counsel suggested to Raja that he had limited or no information related to the intelligence, especially after his retirement, and that he had no documentary evidence to back up his claims, Raja accepted he had no documents but had access to very senior level in the intelligence services and that he had documents passed to him that he used to expose many scandals.

The court heard about the use of social media sites such as YouTube by saying extremist and offensive things to make money through virality and breaking news angles. Raja accepted that he published claims about the claimant on his social media platforms, including the YouTube channel, before the channel was terminated, and that he had addressed the claimant with offensive names. “After all, I am a human.

My properties and assets were seized. My friend Arshad Sharif was killed. My mother and sisters suffered. Do you expect me to maintain the highest levels of decency? Yes, I am a supporter of Imran Khan and voted for him. Many in the PTI don’t like me,” he added.

Counsel Lemer asked Raja if he was a political activist strongly supporting the PTI at the time of the alleged defamatory publications, Raja said there was nothing wrong with being an activist and journalist at the same time. “You have an axe to grind when you are an activist because you don’t have an open and investigative mind, because you have an agenda in mind when being a publisher,” asked the counsel about Raja’s tweets and YouTube videos about Brig Naseer.

“I have also exposed PTI’s collaboration with the government, and that’s why they don’t like me. I don’t do views-based programmes anymore,” Raja told the court.

The lawyer suggested to Raja that he made false and exaggerated claims about the killing of Arshad Sharif in Kenya and blamed the ISI for his killing when the official report into the murder case made no such finding. Raja referred to a complaint filed by the slain journalist’s mother to the Supreme Court, but the judge interrupted and told Raja he must address the question in the context of the report as it related to the journalistic sources and the journalistic practices. Raja said his claim was based on the inside sources from the ground, and the official reports don’t reveal such things.

The cross-examining lawyer quoted several issues Raja had addressed in his posts — including General Bajwa, anchor Imran Riaz Khan, former PM Imran Khan, the ISI, and anchor Javed Chaudhary — and suggested to him that his publications lacked credibility, facts and proper sources and were full of exaggerations.

The case is based on nine publications. In deciding the meaning of the publications in April 2024, Deputy High Court Judge Richard Spearman KC had ruled that Brig (retd) Naseer was defamed at UK common law when Adil Raja made the following allegations, without any evidence, in the publications in June 2022: (1) Rashid Naseer had taken complete control of the Lahore High Court; (2) Naseer had allegedly had several meetings with Asif Ali Zardari to discuss election manipulation; (3) Naseer will be eliminated at the right time by soldiers working covertly leaking information about the actions and movements of such people; (4) Brigadier Naseer was working against PTI candidates; (5) Naseer is part of a meticulously contrived process set up by military and intelligence officers to rig elections; (6) Naseer has been abusing his position, using huge unaccounted funds to ensure the victory of PDM; (7) Naseer will be abusing his position to harass PTI supporters during the PTI election; (8) Naseer has sinned and destroyed his chances of the promised life in the hereafter; (9) Naseer had caused the police to do his bidding by making a baseless allegation of bribery; (10) Naseer is directly involved in political interference; (11) Brigadier Naseer registered a complaint against Adil Raja in order to defame him; (12) Naseer got Raja’s brother in law arrested; and (13) he played a prominent role in regime change.

Major (retd) Adil Raja denies all these allegations. Raja has been living in the UK since April 2022. Naseer is represented by Counsel David Lemer of Doughty Street Chambers and Ushrat Sultana and Sadia Qureshi of Stone White Solicitors. Major (retd) Raja is represented by Counsel Simon Harding of Gunnercooke LLP.

Raja’s cross-examination will continue on the third day.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on July 25, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

This will be Dar’s first official meeting with Secretary Rubio. The agenda will include a review of Pakistan-US ties, regional developments, particularly recent Pakistan-India tensions, and other matters of mutual interest.

US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said senior officials from both nations would be present, and she would attend the meeting.

Responding to a question at a press briefing on whether the US supports direct communication between Pakistan and India on Kashmir, as it does on the Indus Waters Treaty, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce offered a measured reply.

“We have Pakistan who is going to be here for a bilat, and I’ll [be] participating in that, so I’m looking forward to that as well,” Bruce said.

The comments follow renewed regional tensions and past efforts by President Trump to mediate between India and Pakistan, including on Kashmir. Trump previously offered to host talks between the two countries during a summit in Saudi Arabia.

Read: Quad ministers condemn Pahalgam attack without naming Pakistan

The meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and US Secretary of State will follow Pakistan’s nomination of President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize—recognising what the government termed Trump’s “extraordinary role” in restoring calm in South Asia.

On May 7, the Indian Air Force carried out an unprovoked attack on civilian targets in Pakistan and alleged that New Delhi had targeted “terrorist infrastructure”. The strikes killed multiple Pakistani civilians and injure many more. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF), scrambled to counter the Indian aerial threat, shot down six IAF fighter aircraft including three French-made Rafales.

The strikes sett off an exchange of attacks between the two countries by fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery that killed dozens until a ceasefire on May 10.

The ceasefire was first announced by US President Donald Trump on social media after Washington held talks with both sides, but India has differed with Trump’s claims that it resulted from his intervention and threats to sever trade talks.

India’s position has been that New Delhi and Islamabad must resolve their problems directly and with no outside involvement.

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Updated On: Wed, 23 Jul 2025

15:20:01 PKT

LAHORE (Muhammad Ashfaq) – Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum has directed the Inspector General (IG) Punjab to review the recent police encounters carried out by the Counter Crime Department (CCD).

The directive was issued during the hearing of a petition filed by Farhat Bibi. Following the court’s order, IG Punjab appeared in person, and Assistant Advocate General Muhammad Waqas Umar submitted a report on his behalf.

During the proceedings, the government counsel informed the court that a police encounter occurred on April 22. The suspect was being transported back after recovery when the police vehicle got a flat tire. During this time, accomplices of the accused attacked, and Ghazanfar was killed in the firing by his own associates.

The petitioner’s lawyer argued that the accused was in physical remand and was killed in custody. He further said that the accused’s brother is currently in Sheikhupura Jail and fears that he may also be killed in a similar manner under the guise of a police encounter, as seen in similar FIRs. The lawyer requested protection for the jailed accused.

Chief Justice Aalia Neelum asked the lawyer not to be emotional and to stick to the facts of the case. She noted that although similar FIRs are often filed in such cases, this particular case does not appear to involve wrongdoing, and the suspect had undergone an identification parade before being killed. She remarked, “The police do many things, but nothing suspicious is evident in this case.”

The chief justice added that the SHO previously claimed the accused was killed by his accomplices during an attack on the police vehicle, but there were no bullet marks on the vehicle. As the SHO failed to satisfy the court, the IG was summoned.

Addressing the IG Punjab, CJ Aalia Neelum asked for his explanation. IG Punjab stated that it came to their notice that the suspect had attacked in a previous encounter 13 days ago, and several officers had been martyred in firing by the suspects.

The chief justice expressed satisfaction with the IG’s report but instructed him to review all recent CCD police encounters. She noted that a wave of such incidents was ongoing and that as many as 50 petitions are being filed daily against alleged fake encounters.

She directed the IG to meet with police officials and assess the situation thoroughly to prevent further fake encounters.

The court then disposed of the petition.

Following the hearing, IG Punjab said that all directives of the chief justice would be implemented. He stated that CCD is working in accordance with the Constitution and the law. The court also instructed that no unlawful action should be taken against the accused currently in jail.

Zahir Zakir Jaffer on Tuesday sought a review of the Supreme Court verdict that upheld his death sentence for the gruesome 2021 murder of Noor Mukadam in Islamabad.

Noor, aged 27 years, was found murdered at Zahir’s Islamabad residence in July 2021, with the probe revealing she was tortured by him before being beheaded. Zahir’s death sentence by the trial court had already been upheld by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

The 47-page review petition, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, was filed by Advocate Khawaja Haris on behalf of Zahir under Article 188 of the Constitution (review of judgments or orders by SC). The state and Noor’s father, Shaukat Ali Muqadam, were made the respondents.

The petition contended that the issue of Zahir’s alleged “unsoundness of
mind or mental capacity” that was raised before the SC in an application had not been addressed and was “given short shrift”.

It further said that “hype created on social media […] constantly created hatred towards the petitioner throughout the investigation and the trial (and even at appeal stage)”, which breached Zahir’s right to fair trial and due process.

“In [the] process of hurry, mistakes were made in the investigation and during trial,” the petition quoted a verdict from another case.

On the rape charges, the review plea argued that it was “apparent from the record that there is no evidence on the record in proof of this allegation”.

The SC had commuted Zahir’s death sentence on the rape charge to life imprisonment, as decided by the trial court, but did not acquit him of it. While he was acquitted of the 10-year sentence for kidnapping, a one-year term was handed down for wrongful confinement under Section 342 of the Pakistan Penal Code, according to the SC verdict.

Zahir’s review plea argued that the video recordings based on which the SC upheld the death sentence had not been proved during the trial and were not provided to any of the accused.

It said the apex court ruling was extensively based on video recordings stored in a digital video recorder (DVR) and on clips that the prosecution said were transferred from the DVR to a hard disk, providing the “most essential link in the chain of circumstances” on which the SC gave its verdict.

“Portions of these so-called recordings, on the basis whereof the inference of ‘last seen’ has been drawn against the petitioner, were never played during the trial, rather, only hearsay evidence thereof was led by the prosecution,” the plea stated.

The SC, in its detailed verdict, had stressed the significance of digital evidence by declaring that footage can be admissible as primary evidence under the “silent witness theory” — a rule of evidence that allows for photog­r­a­­phic video or other recorded evidence to be admitted as substantive proof of what it depicts, without the need for an eyewitness’s testimony.

Justice Muhammad Hashim Kakar, who led the three-member bench, observed that the silent witness theory of authentication had developed in almost all jurisdictions over the last 25 years to allow photos to substantively “speak for themselves”.

The SC had also noted that Zahir neglected to provide any explanation for the victim’s presence at his residence and the ensuing recovery of her body from the premises.

Zahir is also contemplating filing a mercy petition before President Asif Ali Zardari, with a letter by jail authorities seeking the formation of a medical board so its opinion could be included in the plea. A presidential pardon under Article 45 of the Constitution could provide Zahir pardon or reprieve, or remit, suspend or commute his sentence.

SC verdict

A three-member bench, led by Justice Kakar and including Justices Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Ali Baqar Najafi, heard Zahir’s appeal against his death sentence.

The bench upheld Zahir’s death sentence handed by two courts previously over the murder charges under Section 302(b) (premeditated murder) of the PPC.

However, it converted the IHC’s decision of a second death penalty over rape charges into a life sentence. The high court had turned Zahir’s 25 years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 376 of the PPC into a death sentence.

While the 10-year jail term for kidnapping in order to murder under Section 364 of the PPC was overturned, Zahir was handed one year of imprisonment for wrongfully confining Noor.

The apex court maintained the earlier orders to Zahir to pay Rs0.5 million to Noor’s legal heir.

The appeals of two co-accused — watchman Mohammad Iftikhar and gardener Jan Mohammad — against their 10-year sentences were also taken up by the SC.

The watchman and gardener’s sentences were reduced, with the bench deciding their detention so far was sufficient and allowing them to be released.

July 23, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan and Thailand have agreed to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors including
food security, fisheries, defence, and regional connectivity.

The consensus was reached during a meeting
between Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime
Minister Ishaq Dar in New York.

Thailand
appreciated the positive trajectory of bilateral relations, with both leaders
expressing satisfaction over increased engagement in cultural and parliamentary
exchanges, trade, tourism, and people-to-people connections.

They also
exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest and
reaffirmed their commitment to working closely in multilateral forums,
especially at the United Nations, as per the press release issued.

Thailand’s Foreign Minister congratulated
Pakistan on assuming the presidency of the UN Security Council and acknowledged
its valuable contributions to the Council’s work.

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LAHORE  –  Punjab has once again taken the lead by launching Pakistan’s first provincial Counter Narcotics Force (CNF), a specialized force dedicated to eliminating the growing menace of drugs across the province. While all provinces were given the mandate to form specialized forces under the 18th Constitutional Amendment in 2018, Punjab is the first to act decisively by establishing the CNF along with other specialized units such as the Wildlife Force, Environment Force, Forest Force, and PERA Force. Speaking at the formal launch ceremony of the CNF, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz declared the creation of the force as a major milestone in ensuring a safer and drug-free future for Punjab.

The event featured a passing out parade, during which CNF officers and personnel took an oath of service and presented a general salute. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz personally handed over the official flag to the CNF and met with the newly trained personnel. “I see a secure and bright future for Punjab with the establishment of this dedicated force,” she stated, expressing particular pride in the march past by CNF’s female personnel. She also inspected state-of-the-art digital vehicles and modern equipment now part of the force’s operational toolkit. Brigadier Mazhar Iqbal, Director General of the CNF, provided a comprehensive briefing on the structure and scope of the force. He informed that 866 personnel have been recruited in the first phase, and the CNF is now operational across all divisions of the province. Each division has been equipped with regional directorates and CNF stations, ensuring a strong on-ground presence. According to the briefing, the second phase will expand the CNF’s operations to the district level, further decentralizing anti-narcotics efforts. All CNF officers and jawans have completed 12 weeks of specialized training at the Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) Academy in Rawalpindi, enabling them to undertake swift, professional, and effective action against drug-related crimes.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning about potential threats across various parts of the country due to monsoon rains, effective until July 25.

According to the spokesperson, heavy rains in northern regions could trigger landslides and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF). The affected areas include Reshun, Brep, Booni, Sardar Gol, Thulo, Hunarchi, Darkut, and Ishkoman.

NDMA also warned of significant increases in water flow in the Indus, Chenab, Jhelum, and Kabul rivers. Low to moderate-level flooding is expected at Marala, Khanki, and Qadirabad on the Chenab River.

Increased water flow is also anticipated at Mangla on the Jhelum River and at Nowshera on the Kabul River. The Indus River may see rising water levels at Tarbela, Kalabagh, Chashma, Taunsa, and Guddu barrages.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, there is a risk of flooding in the Swat and Panjkora rivers and other streams. In Gilgit-Baltistan, rivers such as Hunza and Shigar, along with smaller streams, may also experience flooding.

There is also a threat of flash floods in areas like Shimshal, Hushe, Saltoro, and surrounding regions. In Balochistan, streams in Zhob, Sherani, Sibi, and Musakhel may swell due to heavy rain.

NDMA has reported that landslides have already blocked both sides of the Karakoram Highway and Babusar Top. The spokesperson has urged tourists to avoid traveling to mountainous areas until July 25.

Monsoon death roll reaches 242

At least 11 more fatalities were reported on Tuesday due to intense monsoon rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), pushing the nationwide death toll to 242 since late June, according to figures from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

Flash floods, triggered by the downpours, swept through several areas in KP and GB, damaging homes and raising water levels in streams and rivers. In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the NDMA to work closely with provincial authorities to provide swift relief to the affected population.

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Swat reported six casualties—including four children—while Bajaur recorded two deaths. One fatality each was reported in Buner and Upper Kohistan.

In Swat, two children were swept away in Sur Dheri nullah, while three others lost their lives when a roof collapsed in Madyan. A woman was also killed by floodwaters in Khawazkhela. Meanwhile, two men in Bajaur’s Loe Mamond and a woman in Upper Kohistan were carried away by floods. A man also died in Buner.

In GB, flash floods continued to wreak havoc, with Rescue 1122 reporting that Danyor nullah had overflowed, flooding homes, destroying crops, damaging irrigation systems, and cutting off access by washing away link roads and suspension bridges.

A severe flood in Thor Nala, Chilas, inundated the Wapda Colony, prompting residents to evacuate. In Astore’s Bolan area, a woman lost her life due to the flooding.

Meanwhile, around 250 tourists stranded on Babusar Highway were successfully rescued by the Diamer administration, volunteers, police, Rescue 1122, and army personnel, according to GB government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq. Reports indicate that 10 to 15 individuals are still missing, with search efforts ongoing.

Rising monsoon toll

Since the onset of the monsoon season in late June, the country has suffered extensive damage. NDMA reports confirm 242 deaths and 596 injuries, alongside the destruction of 826 houses and the loss of 203 livestock.

Among the dead, 79 were men, 42 women, and 113 children. Punjab remains the worst-hit, with 135 fatalities. KP has reported 56 deaths, Sindh 24, and Balochistan 16. Two deaths were confirmed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and one child died in Islamabad. So far, no official deaths have been recorded in GB by the NDMA.

Flood alerts and GLOF warnings

Floodwaters have submerged homes and fields across Punjab, particularly in low-lying areas near rivers such as Ravi, Sutlej, Chenab, and Indus. Mass evacuations have taken place in Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Rahim Yar Khan due to the threat.

In Jhang, rising levels in the Jhelum River have flooded over 20 villages. A low-level flood is also reported in Sutlej River at Sulemanki, and concerns persist over possible water discharges from Indian dams on the Beas and Sutlej rivers.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued fresh alerts for glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in GB and KP, particularly affecting areas like Upper and Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat, and Upper Kohistan.

According to a PMD advisory, the ongoing weather pattern is expected to persist through the week, raising the threat of flash floods, GLOFs, and landslides in vulnerable northern regions. The NDMA has urged all relevant authorities—including PDMAs, local governments, the military, and humanitarian agencies—to be prepared for potential emergencies.

Forecasts suggest scattered rainfall in Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Astore, Diamer, Ghanche, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Haveli, and Poonch. Similar weather is anticipated in Chitral, Dir, Kohistan, and nearby mountainous regions.

There is a heightened risk of landslides, mudslides, and rockfalls in areas such as Kolai Palas, Lower and Upper Kohistan, Tatta Pani, Jaglot, Nagar, Rondu, Hunza, Skardu, and Chitral.

Lahore rain situation

Heavy monsoon rain lashed Lahore and its adjacent areas in the wee hours on Wednesday, causing urban flooding in the provincial metropolis. Majority of the city localities submerged under the rainwater.

The heavy rain paralysed the routine life in the city and the low-lying areas, main highways and underpasses were submerged in the rainwater. Due to the stagnant rainwater, the vehicles and motorcycles were blocked on the roads.

Heavy monsoon rainfall broke records in various areas of Lahore, with multiple locations receiving over 100 millimeters.

The highest rainfall was recorded in Tajpura with 110 mm, followed by 109 mm at the airport. Jail Road received 70 mm, Gulberg 59 mm, Lakshmi Chowk 94 mm, Upper Mall 97 mm, and Mughalpura 88 mm. Other areas included Nishtar Town with 71 mm, Chowk Nakhauda 98 mm, Pani Wala Talab 99 mm, Farrukhabad 86 mm, Gulshan Ravi 77 mm, Iqbal Town 61 mm, Samanabad 74 mm, Johar Town 35 mm, and Qurtaba Chowk 71 mm. The average rainfall recorded across Lahore was 81.1 mm.

Karachi weather

Clouds hovered over Karachi on Wednesday as light drizzle was reported early morning in several areas, including Lyari, Mauripur Road, Clifton, and Baldia.

Drizzle was also recorded in Sohrab Goth, Abbas Town, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Johar, and University Road, as well as on Shahrah-e-Faisal, Drigh Road, Malir, Saddar, MA Jinnah Road, and Tariq Road. The minimum temperature recorded was 29°C, with humidity at 68%. Light rain and drizzle are expected to continue in the morning and at night for the next two days. The weather is likely to remain mostly cloudy and humid throughout the day. Currently, the temperature stands at 30°C, with sea breeze blowing from the southwest at 16 km/h. The maximum temperature today is expected to reach up to 35°C.

Balochistan weather update

Most parts of Balochistan are experiencing hot and humid weather, while rain is likely in districts including Kohlu, Musakhel, Loralai, Zhob, Kalat, Ziarat, Khuzdar, and Harnai. According to the Meteorological Department, Quetta recorded a maximum temperature of 39°C, Kalat 33°C, Sibi 42°C, Nokundi 46°C, and Turbat 39°C. In the coastal regions, Jiwani and Gwadar reported a high of 33°C.