Category: 1. Pakistan

KARACHI:

Karachi University Teachers Association (KUTS) has strongly condemned the alleged violence against Karachi University Professor Dr Afaq Ahmed Siddiqui by a Rangers official in Staff Town, Karachi University Campus.

According to sources, the incident occurred two days ago when Professor Afaq Ahmed asked an rangers not to burn garbage in front of his house, as the smoke was causing difficulty in breathing. This led to a heated exchange, after which the personnel reportedly slapped him. As a result, the professor’s glasses broke and he sustained an injury near his eye.

Residents of the area gathered at the scene and informed the university administration about the incident. KUTS stated that the assault on the professor is extremely unacceptable, raising serious concerns about the safety of faculty members. The organisation has called a special meeting on Thursday to discuss the incident.

ISLAMABAD: A number of ministries/Divisions have yet to provide list of autonomous/semi-autonomous bodies and corporations, etc under their administrative control, along with details of their pay structure and whether they have sought concurrence of Finance Division for grant of ad hoc and other allowances.

This was revealed in official document of the Finance Division.

The division notified grant of ad hoc relief allowance-2025 to the executive/supervisory staff of autonomous/semi-autonomous bodies, corporations etc.

Federal govt employees: MoF notifies 10pc ad hoc relief, 30pc DRA

The notification stated that consequent upon grant of Adhoc Relief Allowance-2025 @ 10 percent of running basic pay to the civil servants w.e.f. 01-07-2025 vide Finance Division’s OM No F.1(1)Imp/2025 dated 04-07-2025 , it has, inter-alia, been decided that the grant of adhoc relief allowance-2025 subject to existing conditions will also be applicable to the employees of autonomous/semi-autonomous bodies and corporations, which have adopted the federal government’s basic pay scales scheme in totality.

The above orders will, however, not be applicable to those public sector corporations and autonomous/semi-autonomous bodies which have adopted different pay scales/allowances.

In case of such organisations, the grant of Ad hoc Relief Allowance-2025 @ 10 per cent of basic pay subject to existing conditions will be allowed with the concurrence of Standing Committee of Finance Division on the recommendations of the respective Board of Directors/Governors. The grant of Ad hoc Relief Allowance 2025 will invariably be tagged with the financial position of the organisation.

It is also clarified that Autonomous/Semi-Autonomous Bodies and Corporations, etc will forward the cases of executive/supervisory staff (only) with the recommendations of their respective boards for concurrence of Finance Division to the grant of Ad hoc relief Allowance-2025 @ 10 per cent of basic pay subject to existing conditions w.e.f. 01-07-2025 and subsequently, on the same analogy, this benefit will be allowed to the non–executive/nonsupervisory staff of the autonomous/semi-autonomous bodies and corporations with the approval of their board of director/governors.

Furthermore, it is pertinent to point out that paragraph (h) of sub-rule (1) of rule 12 of the Rules of Business, 1973, provides that no division shall without previous consultation with the Finance Division, authorise the issue of any orders which will involve a change in the terms and conditions of service of government servants, on their statutory rights and privileges, which have financial implications. In addition to above, the Supreme Court of Pakistan in its judgment in Civil Appeals No1428 to 1436 of 2016 concluded that “The Rules of Business, 1973 are binding on the Government and a failure to follow them would lead to an order lacking any legal validity.”

In view of this position, it is binding upon all the administrative ministries/divisions of semi-autonomous, autonomous bodies/corporations to ensure that any changes in the pay, allowances and privileges of executive/supervisory staff of the semiautonomous, autonomous bodies/corporations working under their administrative control, are processed in accordance with the Finance Division’s OM NoF.1(1)Imp/94, dated 26-6-1999.

In the last financial year, all ministries/divisions were requested to provide a list of autonomous/semi-autonomous bodies and corporations, etc under their administrative control, along with details of their pay structure and whether they have sought concurrence of Finance Division for grant of ad hoc and other allowances, and their pay scales on the given format but the requisite information is still awaited from a number of ministries/divisions.

In case the approval has not been sought, the case should be initiated and forwarded for consideration of the Standing Committee of Finance Division, and final approval by the secretary Finance Division.

All ministries/divisions were requested to comply with these instructions and submit a report by 30-07-2025, and convey these instructions to autonomous/semi-autonomous bodies and corporations under their administrative control for taking further necessary action within the current fiscal year 2025-26.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

RAWALPINDI:

The Board of Revenue’s Registration Branch has formally announced new property tax rates through a gazette notification, leading to the restoration of the online property registration system. Registry operations, which had been suspended for the past three weeks, have now resumed.

According to the new notification, the capital gains tax on the DC rate value of properties has significantly increased. For properties worth up to Rs50 million, active filers will now pay a tax rate of 4.5% (up from 3%), while late filers face a charge of 7.5% (previously 6%). Non-filers will incur an 11.5% rate.

For properties valued between Rs50 million and Rs100 million, the tax rate is set at 5% for active filers and 8.5% for late filers. Properties exceeding Rs100 million will be subject to a tax rate of 5.5%. In contrast, the advance tax for buyers has been adjusted. For properties valued up to Rs50 million, active filers will benefit from a reduced tax rate of 1.5% (down from 3%), while late filers will pay 4.5% (down from 6%). Non-filers in this bracket will be charged 10.5%.

For properties valued between Rs50 million and Rs100 million, active filers will pay 2%, late filers will pay 5.5%, and non-filers will incur a substantial charge of 14.5%. Properties worth over Rs100 million will have a tax rate of 2.5% for active taxpayers and 5.5% for late filers.

PESHAWAR:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers have accused the party leadership of nepotism and sidelining loyal members during the distribution of Senate tickets from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

According to Express News, the PTI Peshawar activists held a protest demonstration against the leadership for overlooking local leader Irfan Saleem. The workers said PTI founder Imran Khan himself recommended the candidacy of Irfan Saleem for the Senate polls, adding they won’t accept any other candidate in lieu of him.

The workers noted that Imran’s sister Aleema Khan had conveyed the message of Khan after meeting with him, saying the leadership should finalize the list through consultation. Later, the statement of Aleema Khan was endorsed via Imran Khan’s X account.

The protesting workers said K-P CM’s aide Barrister Saif disclosed the names of ‘particular personalities’ while the statements of Aleema Khan and Barrister Saif tend to be contradictory.

Irfan Saleem was kept out of the Senate race through an organized conspiracy, claimed the PTI workers, asking what kind of message is being conveyed by neglecting devoted workers and distributing tickets to investors.

They clarified that they would not accept the decisions taken behind closed doors and demanded that the leadership should not impose such decisions on them.

It is pertinent to mention that Barrister Saif issued the list of PTI’s candidates for Senate elections from K-P after meeting with the PTI founder a day earlier. The list included the names of Murad Saeed, Pir Noorul Haq Qadri, Faisal Javed, Mirza Afridi on general seats, Azam Swati on technocrat seat and Robina Naz on Women’s seat.

ISLAMABAD:

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has issued a notice summoning Aleema Khan in connection with alleged anti-state activities carried out through social media.

According to sources within the NCCIA, Aleema has been directed to appear in person at the agency’s Lahore office in Gulberg-II on Thursday at 11:30 am. The summons relates to an inquiry linked to a case registered against her on May 27, 2025.

Officials told Express News that the purpose of her appearance is to record a statement in her defence. The inquiry pertains to allegations that Aleema was involved in online activity deemed hostile to the state.

Read More: PECA aimed at tackling digital threats, not silencing free speech: Tarar

The notice warned that failure to comply would be interpreted as a refusal or inability to present a defence. It further stated that in the event of non-compliance, legal proceedings would move forward in absentia.

The NCCIA cautioned that failure to appear could result in action under Section 174 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deals with non-attendance in response to an order from a public servant. In such a case, the agency said, arrest could be warranted.

The federal government formally established the NCCIA last year, replacing the Federal Investigation Agency’s cybercrime wing. The new body had been tasked with handling a growing number of online offences.

At the time of the NCCIA’s creation, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had stated that the authority was set up to address issues such as online harassment, misinformation, and the spread of anti-state propaganda, while safeguarding the digital rights of citizens.

They were used to hearing the fighter jets from the nearby airbase. But this noise was louder and less familiar: a roar punctuated by repeated explosions. Residents of Akalia Kalan, a village in northern India, leapt from their beds as it grew closer on the night of May 7th. Outside, they saw a ball of flames pass low overhead and crash into a nearby cornfield. The wreckage was clearly identifiable as a fighter. Two bystanders died, according to villagers. The two Indian pilots ejected earlier and were found, injured, in fields nearby.

Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday said that resolving the issues of Dera Ismail Khan is among his top priorities, stressing that the problems of the region are personal to him.
 
“My life and death are with the people of Dera Ismail Khan,” said during a meeting with the Gomal Officers Association Peshawar, a delegation of retired officers hailing from D.I. Khan.

The delegation was led by former PDA Director Javed Iqbal Anjum and included former Vice Chancellor of Kohat University of Science and Technology Dr. Azam Farooq, Pharmacy Director Dr. Jaleel Anwar, ex-Additional DG Health Dr. Faheem, former District Officer Family Planning Habib-ur-Rehman Sandeela, and PIA Unity leader Mehbob Khalid Baloch.
 
Governor Kundi highlighted the power load-shedding across the province, noting that WAPDA officials blame low recovery rates in the region as the main cause.
 
He added that the federal government is working on a policy to base electricity supply and load-shedding on transformer-level recovery instead of feeder-level.
 
He further revealed that out of 24,000 sanctioned posts in WAPDA, around 14,000 are vacant, which hampers efficient service delivery.
 
The Governor has urged the federal government to fill these vacancies promptly.
 
Touching on healthcare development, Governor Kundi expressed concern over provincial government interference in establishing a hospital on federal land in DI Khan.

He criticized the provincial authorities for rejecting an offer by Indus Hospital to build a facility in Peshawar.
 
He also announced efforts to establish a branch of Edwardes College in DI. Khan emphasized the importance of expanding technical education.
 
Discussions are underway with NAVTTC’s chairperson to sign an MoU for providing technical training to the children of martyred police and army personnel, he added.
 
On infrastructure, the Governor addressed delays in the Chashma Lift Canal project due to technical reasons, but said proposals have been submitted to complete it in six phases.
 
He also pointed to obstacles created by the provincial government in the Section 4 process for the DI. Khan Airport, despite the legal framework now being in place.
 
He reiterated his commitment to launching the international airport at the earliest.
 
Regarding gas issues, the Governor criticized the provincial administration for removing a newly installed TBS (Town Border Station) intended to supply gas to Korai and Kotla Syedan areas, causing a loss of Rs. 20 million.
 
“When the provincial government deliberately halts development projects in DI. Khan, what else can we call it other than hostility towards the region?” he remarked.

QUETTA: Three people were killed while 12 others were injured in Pakistan’s southwestern Kalat district on Wednesday, police and an official confirmed, after unidentified men opened fire on a passenger bus headed toward Quetta.

Kalat Station House Office (SHO) Habibullah Baloch said unidentified armed men shot indiscriminately at a passenger bus from Karachi headed toward Quetta on Wednesday. The attack took place near Nimragh Cross in Kalat district, located on the N-25 highway connecting Balochistan to the southern port city of Karachi.

“Three passengers, residents of Karachi, were killed in the attack and 12 others were wounded,” Baloch told Arab News, adding that the injured were shifted to the District Hospital Kalat for treatment.

The police official said the attackers did not stop the bus to check the National Identity Cards (NICs) of the passengers before firing at them, adding that the gunmen “sprayed” the vehicle with bullets.

He said dozens of passengers were traveling in the bus, adding that most of them were residents of Karachi.

Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind condemned the attack in a statement.

“The security forces have surrounded the area and a hunt for the attackers is underway,” Rind said.

The latest attack has taken place after gunmen abducted and killed nine people last week when they stopped two passenger buses on a highway in Balochistan’s Zhob and Loralai districts. Those buses were traveling from Quetta to the eastern Punjab province.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but most impoverished province, has been the site of a long-running insurgency that has intensified in recent months, with separatist militants attacking security forces, government officials and installations and people from other provinces, particularly Punjab, the country’s most populous and prosperous province and a major recruitment base for the military.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is the strongest of a number of insurgent groups operating in the mineral-rich region bordering Afghanistan and Iran. The group accuses the central government of stealing their resources to fund development in Punjab and other parts of the country. The federal government denies the allegations and says it is working for the uplift of local communities in Balochistan, where China has been building a deep-sea port as part of its Belt and Road Initiative.

Pakistan accuses India of backing separatists in Balochistan as well as religiously motivated militant groups, like the Pakistani Taliban, in its northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. New Delhi denies the allegations.

Balochistan has seen a rise in militant attacks since last year. Last August, nearly two dozen passengers were killed after BLA militants forcibly removed them from Punjab-bound buses in a string of coordinated attacks in Balochistan. Another seven Punjabi commuters were offboarded from buses and killed in Balochistan’s Barkhan district in February this year.

In March, BLA separatists hijacked a train that carried hundreds of passengers near Balochistan’s Bolan Pass, which resulted in the deaths of 23 soldiers, three railway employees and five passengers. At least 33 insurgents were also killed.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 16th Jul, 2025) The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rain-wind/thundershowers across several parts of the country on Thursday, warning that heavy to very heavy rainfall may lead to flash floods, landslides, and urban flooding in vulnerable areas.

Intermittent rain-wind/thundershowers are expected at most places in Kashmir, Islamabad, Pothohar region, northeast Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Scattered heavyfalls-at times very heavy-are likely during the period. Isolated showers are also expected in parts of central and south Punjab as well as northeast and south Balochistan.

During the night and on July 17, heavy to very heavy rains may generate flash flooding in local streams and nullahs of Kashmir, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Pothohar, northeast Punjab, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Murree, Galliyat, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Swabi, Nowshera, and Mardan.

In the hilly areas of KP, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, there is a risk of landslides and mudslides that could block roads and disrupt transport. Urban flooding is also feared in low-lying areas of Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Nowshera, Peshawar, Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Windstorms accompanying the rain may cause damage to electric poles, trees, vehicles, solar panels, and standing crops.

The public is advised to remain alert and take precautionary measures.

In Islamabad and surrounding areas, cloudy weather with intermittent rain and thundershowers is expected, with chances of heavy to very heavy rainfall.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain-wind/thundershower is expected in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Kohat, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Kurram, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan. Scattered heavyfalls are also likely.

In Punjab, rain-wind/thundershowers are forecasted in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Okara, Kasur, Khushab, Sargodha, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Taunsa, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Layyah and adjoining areas.

Heavyfalls are particularly likely in northeast Punjab and the Pothohar region including Murree and Galliyat.

In Sindh, the weather will remain mainly hot and very humid across most districts. However, partly cloudy skies with isolated rain-wind/thundershowers may occur in Umerkot, Mithi, Sanghar, Ghotki, Dadu, Hyderabad and nearby areas.

In Balochistan, hot and humid weather will prevail in most regions, though isolated rain-wind/thundershowers may occur in Barkhan, Sibi, Kohlu, Musakhel, Qila Saifullah, Loralai, Dera Bugti, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar, Awaran, Lasbella and surrounding areas.

In Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, cloudy weather with intermittent rain-wind/thundershowers is forecast. Scattered heavyfalls, at times very heavy, are expected in Kashmir.

Over the past 24 hours, rain-wind/thundershowers occurred in Punjab, Islamabad, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Heavyfalls were recorded at several locations in central and eastern Punjab. Significant rainfall was recorded in Sheikhupura at 234 mm, Okara 165 mm, Mandi Bahauddin 168 mm, Hafizabad 127 mm, and Lahore Airport 120 mm. Other notable readings included Jhelum 81 mm, Kasur 66 mm, Gujranwala 54 mm, Mangla 51 mm, Sahiwal 46 mm, and Sialkot City 44 mm. Rain was also recorded in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Narowal, Attock, and Bhakkar, while in Kashmir, Kotli received 60 mm and Rawalakot 43 mm. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the highest amounts were reported in Pattan with 41 mm, Kakul 38 mm, and Kalam 24 mm.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, Astore and Bagrote each received 13 mm. Balochistan saw minimal rainfall, with Sibi receiving just 2 mm.

Dalbandin and Nokkundi recorded the highest temperatures of the day at 43 C, followed by Dadu at 42 C.

The public is strongly advised to stay cautious and follow updates from the meteorological department and local authorities.