Category: 1. Pakistan

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

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

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

KARACHI: As many as 44 dilapidated buildings, including 10 declared protected heritage in the city’s South district, have been vacated for demolition in the aftermath of the Lyari building tragedy.

A meeting, chaired by Commissioner Syed Hasan Naqvi, was told that so far, 44 dilapidated buildings had been vacated in the South and East districts for the safety of the residents.

In total, out of 588 buildings declared dilapidated by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), 68 buildings have been declared highly dilapidated by the city administration. In the first phase, these 68 buildings will be vacated and demolished.

South Deputy Commissioner (DC) Javed Nabi Khoso informed the meeting that the 41 dilapidated buildings included 10 colonial-era structures which had been declared protected heritage. He said that the SBCA had declared these buildings as highly dilapidated in the district.

However, the DC said that the historical buildings would be demolished in consultation with the advisory and technical committee.

East DC Abrar Jaffer said that the SBCA had declared nine buildings in district East as highly dilapidated, out of which three buildings had been vacated.

He informed the meeting that the owner of a building located in Gulistan-i-Jauhar had started the demolition work himself.

It was decided in the meeting that the approval of the commissioner or the SBCA director general would be required to start the process of demolishing the dilapidated building.

The commissioner has appointed four officers, including DC South, for the survey of dilapidated buildings.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2025

ISLAMABAD:

The finance ministry on Wednesday finally admitted that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) objected to Pakistan’s tax exemptions on sugar imports. Despite this, the government has entered into yet another agreement with the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA), allowing future sugar exports if total stocks exceed seven million metric tonnes.

The new agreement, signed on July 14 between the minister for national food security and research and the all-powerful PSMA, aims to persuade millers to keep ex-factory sugar prices between Rs165 and Rs171 per kilogram until October 15. It signals that the government has not learnt from its earlier decision to allow the export of 765,000 metric tonnes, which triggered the current price crisis.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government had permitted the export of 765,000 metric tonnes, driving local prices up to Rs200 per kg. In order to stabilise prices, the government allowed tax-free imports of sugar, prompting sharp criticism from the IMF. “The government is discussing the sugar issue with the IMF,” said Secretary Finance Imdadullah Bosal at a National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance meeting held Wednesday.

PPP’s Syed Naveed Qamar chaired the committee also said that the IMF was displeased with the government’s decision to waive taxes on the import of sugar. “There are about 70 benchmarks in the IMF programme, and one of those is that tax exemptions cannot be given,” Bosal explained, responding to a question on the nature of the IMF objections.

Sources said that the IMF has plainly asked the government to revoke three statutory regulatory orders issued to waive taxes. The Express Tribune reported on Tuesday that the IMF had reacted to the major breach of the $7 billion programme and conveyed its reservations about import of sugar by waiving taxes in violation of written commitments.

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Langrial justified the tax waiver by pointing out that total import duties on sugar amounted to 53%, making imports unaffordable. The waiver aimed to cut the import price of sugar by Rs82 per kg.

Initially, the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) issued a tender to import 300,000 metric tonnes. After IMF’s objections, the volume was reduced to 50,000 tonnes, and the bid deadline was extended from July 18 to July 22.

MNA Jawed Hanif criticised the double standard, saying the government used the IMF as an excuse during budget debates but later breached the agreement itself. Bosal denied speculation that the IMF would demand new taxes on salaried individuals in exchange for sugar import waivers.

PPP’s Nafisa Shah remarked, “Vested interests are stronger than the IMF.”

The sugar export agreement states that “the federal government will allow, for export of sugar stocks exceeding seven million metric tonnes (carryover plus 2025-26 production), after 30 days of the closing of the crushing season 2025-26.”

This definition means even imported sugar, if not consumed, could count toward total stock. The stock verification will rely on FBR’s track and trace system and be overseen by a four-member committee, one official each from the federal and provincial governments and two from PSMA.

Critically, the agreement includes a price-fixing clause that contradicts Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) laws. It states, “The maximum ex-mill price of sugar will be fixed at Rs165 per kg on July 15, 2025, and increased by Rs2 per kg monthly until October 15, 2025.”

Before last year’s sugar exports, ex-mill prices were below Rs140 per kg. By setting the maximum price at Rs171 per kg, excluding retail profit margins, the government is effectively granting a windfall to millers. Qamar said the government should exit the sugar trade entirely, including ending the licensing regime for new sugar mills.

“There are sufficient stocks in the country,” Qamar added. “Importing sugar sends the wrong signals to the market.”

He further said the government should only regulate wheat, not sugar. “Sugar remains a highly regulated commodity, while wheat has been deregulated,” he said.

Other matters

The committee also reviewed two key private member bills: the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Bill, moved by Nafisa Shah, and the Parliamentary Budget Oversight Bill, proposed by MNA Rana Iradat Sharif Khan.

The CSR bill proposes that companies contribute 1% of net income toward social welfare. However, the secretary finance opposed the bill, claiming it would raise the cost of doing business. Committee members rejected this argument, noting the levy targets net income, not sales.

Nafisa Shah argued that many companies already allocate around 1.5% to CSR voluntarily and support the bill. Despite this, the finance ministry requested a one-month consultation period with stakeholders, which the committee said was unnecessary. Qamar also formed a sub-committee to further evaluate the Parliamentary Budget Oversight Bill, aimed at enhancing budgetary accountability.

While Secretary Bosal expressed reservations against the bill, Qamar stressed that while the oversight bill may challenge the bureaucracy’s fiefdoms, the proposed legislation is important for the improvement of the overall system.

ISLAMABAD: Jamshed Dasti has set a new record: he obtained seven degrees — from Dera Ghazi Khan to Multan, Bahawalpur, and then Karachi — and all turned out bogus or invalid.

Although, he was issued warnings and summoned to various forums, he remained undeterred. Ultimately, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had the last laugh, disqualifying him from holding public office just a couple of days ago.

The record presented to the ECP by Barrister Zafrullah Khan, counsel for the complainant, showed that Dasti’s first degree — a matriculation certificate — was quashed in 2002. Three years later, his intermediate certificate was also declared invalid by DG Khan’s Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education.

In 2008, Dasti managed to obtain Shahadat-ul-Almia — a religious degree considered equivalent to a graduation, which had become a requirement for contesting the National Assembly elections under General Pervez Musharraf. He used this degree to contest an election, but it was challenged. When the case reached the Supreme Court, a bench led by Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry tested his religious knowledge — and he failed to answer a single question. The bench urged him to resign or be disqualified. Dasti opted to resign.

Undeterred, he continued his pursuit of degrees. He obtained FA and BA credentials from Islamia University Bahawalpur and used the latter to enroll in an LLB programme — but failed the first-year exam. When he contested the 2024 election, these degrees came under fresh scrutiny.

Though he won the election, investigations revealed that both his FA and BA degrees from Islamia University were bogus. While the matter was being adjudicated, the National Assembly Speaker forwarded a reference to the ECP. Summoned by the ECP, Dasti insisted that the FA degree he submitted with his nomination papers was genuine — and even submitted another one apparently issued by the Karachi Board.

However, when the ECP sent the documents for verification, a new discrepancy emerged: Dasti’s legal name is recorded as Jamshaid Ahmad, son of Sultan Mahmood, while the Karachi Board had Jamsheed Ahmad, son of Sultan Mahmood — with the same year of birth (1978) but a different date and month. To add to his troubles, the ECP also found evidence that he concealed assets — another allegation that solidified his disqualification.

LAHORE: Senate elections on 11 vacant seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and one in Punjab are scheduled for July 21, 2025. The refusal of the KP Assembly speaker to administer the oath to members elected on reserved seats had resulted in a delay, as the house remains incomplete.

To date, the oath-taking has not taken place, with the speaker refusing to convene a session of the assembly for this purpose, despite a formal request from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The ECP has now written to the governor of KP, urging him to exercise his constitutional authority and summon a session as soon as possible to ensure oath-taking before July 21.

Regardless of how that issue is resolved, there has been significant political discussion around the importance of the KP Senate elections for the federal government’s aim of securing a two-thirds majority in the upper house, seen to be crucial for passing constitutional amendments, including the proposed 27th Amendment.

However, as seen with the passage of the 26th Amendment, the government managed to push it through without such a majority. That aside, a closer breakdown suggests that the KP Senate elections are not, in themselves, decisive for achieving a two-thirds majority.

A two-thirds majority in the Senate requires 64 votes. The ruling alliance currently holds 54 seats. Three independent senators — Mohsin Naqvi, Anwar ul Haq Kakar and Faisal Vawda — are considered de facto allies of the government, bringing the tally to 57. Two more independent senators, Naseema Ehsan and Asad Qasim (who succeeded his father, Qasim Ronjho, in the seat after both were ousted from BNP-M for supporting the 26th Amendment), are also likely to support the government.

The BNP-M alleged that their members were abducted and coerced into voting for the amendment, but proceeded to expel them regardless. With the vacant Punjab seat also likely to go to the government, the total could rise to 58. Including the likely support of Naseema Ehsan and Asad Qasim, the count would reach 60 — just four short of the required 64.

The decisive factor, then, is not the KP elections themselves, but the support of the JUI-F (aka JUI-P), which currently holds five Senate seats. Without the JUI-F, the government is unlikely to win more than one seat in KP, unless it can secure defections from PTI-backed members. If all 145 KP Assembly members vote, approximately 19 votes would be needed per general Senate seat, and 49 for reserved seats.

After the reserved seat members are sworn in, the PML-N-led alliance’s strength in the KP Assembly will be 33, enough for just one Senate seat. However, with the support of the JUI-F’s 16 members, the alliance could aim for up to four seats, significantly bolstering its Senate position.

If a deal is reached between the PML-N-led coalition and JUI-F for the Senate elections, the key question will be: what will Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s bargaining chip be? He is unlikely to allow all four potential seats to go to PML-N or PPP nominees. That means, even with a Senate deal, Maulana Fazlur Rehman will retain a strategic advantage in any constitutional amendment process.

So it is not the KP Senate elections that hold the key to a two-thirds majority but Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s JUI-F, with whose support the government can pass amendments without relying on pressure tactics or horse-trading. Without it, however, passing such legislation will become challenging.

It would be fair to conclude then that the Maulana holds the trump card, regardless of how the KP Senate elections play out.

The question is whether Maulana Fazlur Rehman will oppose any amendment that further curtails democratic and constitutional rights or acquiesce, as he has on several previous occasions.

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) conducts full-scale emergency drills at Skardu International Airport, aimed at testing the preparedness and coordination among all the relevant agencies in event of any eventuality, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

According to the PAA spokesperson, the drills were supervised by the Airport Manager. On the occasion, the chief fire and rescue officer gave a briefing which highlighted the crisis management strategy, adding that the airport staff, armed forces, civil institutions and district administration participated in the drill.

ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR:

In a procedural move ahead of the July 21 Senate elections, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has written to the registrar of the Peshawar High Court (PHC), requesting the appointment of an officer under Article 255(2) of the Constitution.

The step aims to facilitate the swearing-in of members elected to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s reserved seats before polling day.

The letter stresses that both the Senate election and the oath-taking were constitutional requirements, urging pre-poll formalities to be completed in time.

Following judicial intervention, reserved seats in the K-P Assembly were redistributed among political parties, including PTI, PML-N, JUI-F, ANP and PPP, creating a bottleneck as elected candidates were unable to assume their offices due to the absence of a quorum.

The ECP’s direct appeal to the PHC is aimed at removing the procedural roadblock.

Meanwhile, the provincial law department has formally submitted a summary to the Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, requesting an assembly session.