ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has granted relief to government servant couples by securing their right to promotion, allowing them to change domiciles without fear of being deprived of career advancement.
Now, women will be able to get promotions and higher posts after changing their domiciles, as the Supreme Court has ruled that new domiciles will be considered and such changes will not affect the provincial quota.
The judgement, a copy of which available with Dawn, was issued by a two-judge SC bench comprising Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi.
The petition was filed by Dr Shumaila Naeem, a gold medallist, who joined government service as a medical officer based on her Khyber Pakhtunkhwa domicile. After marrying a civil servant with a Balochistan domicile, she changed her domicile to that of her husband.
SC allows domicile change without career risk for couples in govt service
Subsequently, based on her new Balochistan domicile, she applied for the advertised post of Associate Professor (Obstetrics and Gynaecology), BPS-19, at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad. She topped the written exam conducted by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), but was not called for an interview due to her domicile change, with the FPSC alleging that her original domicile was from KP.
Speaking to Dawn, Shumaila Naeem said her departmental representation and subsequent review petition were dismissed by the FPSC. “However, my appeal under Section 7(3)(d) of the FPSC Ordinance 1977 was allowed by the Islamabad High Court through a judgement dated January 28, 2025 by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq. But instead of implementing the IHC order, the FPSC filed an appeal in the Supreme Court,” she said.
“The apex court held that a married woman retains the legal discretion or choice to either adopt her husband’s domicile or retain her own,” she added.
The court ruled that the respondent had voluntarily opted to adopt her husband’s domicile, which is legally permissible. It rejected the FPSC’s stance and declared that the seat of Associate Professor is still vacant. The court directed that the candidate be considered for appointment to the post on the basis of her Balochistan domicile within a fortnight.
Dr Shumaila said that in the past, many female civil servants had no choice but to work in a province different from their husbands’.
“This decision, which has now become a precedent, will allow them to change their domiciles and serve at the same station as their husbands. It will bring peace of mind to them and their families,” she said.
• Meets Governor Kundi, ANP chief to discuss possibility of unseating PTI-led provincial govt • Tasks Kundi with engaging opposition MPAs to explore options for forming a new govt • Aimal Wali warns against dissolving KP govt, advises PM to ‘let it collapse on its own’
ISLAMABAD: Amid reports of possible efforts afoot to bring a ‘regime change’ in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met two key leaders from the province, ostensibly to get a handle on the political situation.
The PML-N-led ruling coalition in the Centre believes that the PTI government in KP has failed to deliver for over a decade, and recent events had further cemented their conviction that the provincial government is failing to safeguard the lives of the people.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Awami National Party (ANP) President Aimal Wali Khan called on the PM, where they discussed the prevailing political scenario.
Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Ameer Maqam, Minister for Public Affairs Unit Rana Mubashar Iqbal, Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Power Abdul Rehman Kanju and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Talha Barki were also present on the occasion.
A source close to Governor Kundi told Dawn that the issue of possible change of KP government was thoroughly discussed.
“Yes, we discussed the matter,” the source quoted Mr Kundi as saying. A press release issued by the governor’s spokesperson said the PM tasked Mr Kundi to start a campaign for forming a new government in KP and hold consultation with opposition members of the provincial assembly.
Mr Kundi and federal minister Ameer Muqam have also been tasked to meet JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for further consultation.
But others offered different counsel. When contacted, ANP chief Aimal Wali Khan told Dawn that the issue was discussed during his meeting with the PM. However, he said he had advised the premier against dissolving the KP government through ‘external means’.
“I told the PM that let the KP government die its own death. If you (PM) remove the provincial government, you will give an easy escape to the PTI-led regime, which has completely failed to deliver,” Mr Aimal said.
He said KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has no other way but to leave the government and if the Centre made any attempt to topple the PTI-led regime in KP, it would be a welcome move for the CM. “I told PM that Ali Amin Gandapur has taken maximum benefits after becoming CM and it will be a blessing for him if he is removed and sent home,” he added.
He further said the prime minister was ultimately convinced that forcefully removing the provincial government would be a mistake. “We are already suffering due to the trend of toppling governments and now how can we do it by ourselves,” he said.
Saudi peace efforts
PM Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday appreciated the efforts by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for peace in the Middle East as well as its significant role in the ceasefire understanding between Pakistan and India.
PM Shehbaz Sharif exchanges views with Saudi ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki.—PPI
The prime minister said this in a meeting with the ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Islamabad Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, while fondly recalling his warm and cordial telephone conversation with the Saudi Crown Prince on June 24.
The PM told the ambassador that as Pakistan had assumed the rotating Presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of July, and it would count on Saudi Arabia’s support to ensure that its tenure was conducted smoothly and successfully.
PM to visit Baku
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office announced the PM would attend the 17th summit of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) in Baku, Azerbaijan, starting on July 3.
In a statement, it said the PM will “share Pakistan’s perspective on key regional and global challenges, reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to the ECO Vision 2025, and advocate for enhanced intra-regional trade, transport connectivity, energy cooperation, and sustainable development”.
He will also hold bilateral meetings with other ECO leaders on the sidelines of the summit to discuss matters of mutual interest, the statement added.
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has decided to reduce power tariff by Rs1.15 per unit, offering a big relief to consumers, using 100 to 500 units per month, according to a notification sent to the government for final approval and implementation.
Nepra has issued its decision to reduce the basic price of electricity for the entire country. As per the decision, the maximum tariff for domestic consumers will be Rs47.69 per unit. However, the tariff for domestic lifeline consumers, using up to 50 units per month has been maintained at Rs3.95 per unit.
According to the Nepra notification, tariff for lifeline consumers, using 51 to 100 units per month, is Rs7.74.
A rate of Rs10.54 per unit has been approved for protected domestic consumers using 1-100 units and Rs13.01 for protected domestic consumers, using 101-200 units.
For the non-protected domestic consumers, Nepra fixed the tariff at Rs22.44 for 1-100 units per-month category; Rs28.91 for 101-200 units; Rs33.10 for 201-300 units; Rs37.99 for 301-400 units; Rs40.20 for 401-500 units; Rs41.62 for 501-600 units; Rs42.76 for 601-700 units and Rs47.69 for above 700 units.
According to officials, Nepra has sent its recommendations to the federal government for the implementation of the new rates. After the approval of the Nepra recommendations, the government would announce the reduction of the power tariff, they added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday appreciated the efforts by Saudi Arabia for peace in the Middle East as well as its significant role in the ceasefire understanding between Pakistan and India.
The prime minister said this in a meeting with Ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Islamabad Nawaf bin Saeed Al Malkiy, while fondly recalling his warm and cordial telephone conversation with the Saudi Crown Prince on June 24 to discuss the regional situation.
He conveyed his respectful regards to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohamed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The prime minister told the ambassador that as Pakistan had assumed the rotating Presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of July, it would count on Saudi Arabia’s support to ensure that its tenure was conducted smoothly and successfully.
The Saudi ambassador thanked the prime minister for Pakistan’s role in peace and stability in the region.
FBR
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday applauded the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for achieving a historic 42% increase in federal tax revenues during the fiscal year 2024-25 – the highest surge in the past decade.
The prime minister chaired a high-level weekly review meeting on the digitization and reform agenda of the FBR, whereas during the briefing, it was revealed that reforms and enforcement of new tax laws enabled the government to collect an additional Rs 865 billion in revenues compared to the previous year, an eightfold increase.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday held a detailed discussion on the alleged Rs40 billion scam in Kohistan, expressing serious concerns over financial irregularities and a lack of departmental cooperation.
Chairing a meeting after a month-long break, PAC Chairman Junaid Akbar said that when the committee raises audit objections, the department concerned fails to cooperate effectively.
In May, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government launched an investigation into the mega corruption scandal in Kohistan district, where an estimated Rs40 billion had allegedly been siphoned off from the provincial treasury.
The account was meant for retention money by contractors for schemes of four departments including communication and works, local government, irrigation and public health engineering departments. The scandal came under intense scrutiny during a meeting of the PAC, chaired by K-P Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati.
Officials from the finance department and the Accountant General’s office admitted during the session that billions had been misappropriated from government funds.
While an official embezzlement figure of Rs24 billion had been confirmed, the PAC members expressed dissatisfaction with the explanations provided by finance secretary and the accountant general.
On Wednesday, the audit officials revealed that there had been a misuse of cheque book, with fraud committed by three individuals who have now been arrested. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is currently investigating the matter.
The auditor general disclosed that despite sending three letters to the finance department, no disciplinary action had been taken against any of their officials. The committee demanded complete details of the case and directed that all relevant records be submitted.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will lead Pakistan delegation at the 17th Summit of the ECO which is being held in Baku on July 3-4.
“During the Summit, the Prime Minister will share Pakistan’s perspective on key regional and global challenges, reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to the ECO Vision 2025, and advocate for enhanced intra-regional trade, transport connectivity, energy cooperation, and sustainable development,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
The prime minister will also hold bilateral meetings with other ECO leaders on the sidelines of the summit to discuss matters of mutual interest.
KARACHI: In a major achievement on the economic front, the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) foreign reserves jumped by $5 billion to reach $14.51 billion end of the last fiscal year (FY25), surpassing the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) target of $13.9 billion. Economists noted that this milestone was made possible through the joint efforts of the SBP and the federal government as they successfully stabilized the external sector by implementing prudent macroeconomic policies and securing timely external inflows.
According to provisional data released on Wednesday, SBPs foreign reserves rose by $5.12 billion during the last fiscal year. With the current increase, the foreign exchange reserves held by the SBP reached the $14.51 billion mark on 30 June 2025 increased from $9.39 billion as on June 30, 2024.
This surge is attributed to substantial foreign inflows received last week from international financial institutions and lenders. The State Bank received $3.1 billion in commercial loans on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, along with over $500 million in multilateral funding, significantly boosting the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
SBP’s reserves drop over $2bn in a week on major debt repayments
Governor SBP Jameel Ahmed in January this year projected that despite massive external debt servicing, State Bank of Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves will cross the $14 billion mark at the end of FY25.
Economists said that this significant surge reflects strengthening macroeconomic fundamentals, driven by an improved current account balance, higher home remittances inflows, and disciplined fiscal management. “The recent inflows are expected to further boost confidence in Pakistan’s economic recovery and support ongoing efforts to ensure external stability and sustainable growth”, they added.
Muhammad Sohail, CEO of Topline Securities, said that thanks to the strong performance of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the government, the country’s foreign exchange reserves have exceeded the IMF’s target of $13.9 billion-a major achievement.
He described this as a positive signal for Pakistan’s macroeconomic stability, adding that the milestone reflects improved external account management, rising remittances, stronger exports, and disciplined policy implementation under IMF guidance.
It may be mentioned here that during the week ended on Jun 20, 2025, SBP foreign reserves decreased by $ 2.657 billion to $ 9.064 billion due to government of Pakistan’s external debt repayments, mainly repayment of commercial borrowing. However, SBP has successfully maintained the reserves by bringing over $5 billion inflows in a week.
LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Punjab has begun finalising its protest strategy in the light of directives issued by PTI’s Patron-in-Chief Imran Khan, which is expected to be launched after Ashura “to resist the ongoing human rights violations in the country and to restore constitutional and legal order”.
According to the PTI Punjab, meetings are underway across different regions of the party under the supervision of Chief Organiser Punjab Aliya Hamza. Regional leadership is being consulted, and practical, on-the-ground strategies are being devised. To mobilise party workers, organisational office-bearers at the district, tehsil, and regional levels have been assigned responsibilities.
“In the face of this oppression and injustice, protest is now our only remaining option. The inhumane treatment and cruelty being inflicted upon PTI founder Imran Khan is condemnable and intolerable; detaining a political leader under such severe restrictions and in clear violation of human rights is the worst form of state oppression and political revenge,” it added.
According to the party, Khan is kept confined for 22 hours a day in a small, dark cell with no sunlight or fresh air. This is not merely imprisonment, but it is systematic mental and physical torture. As a result of this inhumane treatment, he is rapidly losing weight, and his health is deteriorating. Yet the extent of state oppression is such that he is not even allowed to meet his physician. To make matters worse, Khan has been completely isolated from his family, legal team, and party leadership. This represents a grim image of authoritarianism in Pakistan.
“This treatment of Pakistan’s greatest national hero is not only a clear violation of the Constitution of Pakistan and the Pakistan Prison Rules 1978 but also of the United Nations’ Nelson Mandela Rules. According to these regulations, every prisoner has an inalienable right to natural light and air, a balanced diet, daily exercise and walking, regular medical checkups, and meetings with family, lawyers, and associates. If a globally renowned leader, a former Prime Minister, and a national hero can be deprived of these basic rights, it raises a painful question for the entire world: is Pakistan truly a democracy or has it become a political torture chamber,” it said.
During last weeks, we discussed perceptual aspects of the recent Indo-Pak standoff, India’s doctrinal collapse, deterrence, ‘Exterior/ Interior Maneuvers’ by both sides, and brief rundown.
We continue, but first a brief recap. Ceasefire violations started by India in late April; escalation and military preparations took place between May 1-6. In military operations phase, India on May 7, launched “Operation Sindoor”; and on May 10, IAF attacked eight major Pakistani air bases, including Nur Khan base in Rawalpindi. The same day Pakistan retaliated across India, launching a complex air, missile, drone, space and cyber operation “Bunyan-un-Marsoos”.
First the missile war. India used ‘cruise’ missiles, both the BrahMos version (PJ-10 co-developed with Russia) as well as the European SCALP-EG (Storm Shadow) missiles. The French made SCALP is integrated with IAF’s French Rafael jets. In BVR (beyond visual range) mode, this missile, without crossing into Pakistan’s air space, can reach upto 560 km, and was used in 7th May attack on the ‘purported’ militant infrastructure, Muridke, etc.
Indian military also employed solid-propellant rockets like the Israeli-origin medium-range (250 km) ballistic missile, Crystal Maze (also called Rocks), from Su (Sukhoi)-30 MKI fighter jets in BVR mode. IAF also fired the supersonic air-to-surface Rampage missiles, co-developed with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), from Su-30 MKI, Jaguar and MiG-29K (Indian Navy-IN) fighter jets. This missile can target up to 250 km.
Pakistan retaliated with conventionally-armed short-range Fatah-I and Fatah-II ‘ballistic’ missiles. A ballistic missile goes up, travels in space and renters the atmosphere heading towards the intended target with great speed, compared to the earth-hugging, relatively low flying and slow speed ‘cruise’ missile.
A standard BrahMos ranges upto 290 km, whereas its extended versions can target upto 450 km, and some up to 800 km. Future hypersonic variants would reach up to 1,500 km. Range is affected by the launchpad i.e ground, air, sea or underwater. Pakistan’s Fatah-I, test fired in 2021, ranges upto 140 km, whereas, Fatah-II can reach up to 400 km. India, without evidence, claimed intercepting these.
In both countries, the use of missiles with the given ranges can be dangerously escalatory, as most population centres on either side lie within the missiles’ arc. The shorter warning because of less flying time can also lead to wrong interpretation of the intentions.
Second, the RPV or drone war. For the first time, nuclear-armed neighbours used drones, and used armed drones, in addition to reconnaissance and intelligence-collection roles. In the drone war, Pakistan demonstrated ability to shoot down up to 100 Indian drones. IAF used a mix of decoy drones and Israel-made anti-radiation drones (Harop), Harpy and Heron drones.
India employed the Israeli (IAI) made Harop RPVs, earlier combat-tested by Azerbaijan, in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), as well as ‘loitering munition (LM)’ mode. Harop can fly for over 6 hours reaching upto 1,000 km. India also used IAI-made Harpy drone with a range of 200 km, as LM. It also employed the long-range IAI Heron (Machatz-1) drone, capable of flying for 52 hours at up to 10.5 km height, depending upon the payload.
Pakistani drone offensive comprised some 300-400 Turkish-made Asisguard Songar armed drones, attacking 36 Indian sites, including New Delhi. Pakistan also employed the larger kamikaze drones, the Turkish-origin Yiha-III. Pakistan’s repeated drone attacks, especially on night May 7/8, targeted smaller cities in western and northern India.
Third, the aerial war. Under Sindoor on 7 May, some 125 Indian and Pakistani fighter jets engaged in aerial dogfight, firing long range missiles in BVR mode. IAF used Su-30 MKI and MiG-29 jets with the cited missile packages, whereas PAF responded with J-10C (Vigorous Dragon) using PL-15E (Thunderbolt-15) missile combos in a confrontation that lasted over an hour.
Both air forces remained on respective side of the international border to avoid AD responses, which were already being tested and saturated through drone attacks by both sides. Pakistan downed five Indian aircraft including three Rafaels, one MiG-29, one Su-30MKI and a Heron UAV during this phase, later adding a Mirage-2000, as the sixth IAF loss.
PAF’s No 15 Squadron (Cobras) flying from Minhas Base, downed the Mirage, that is basically an IN maritime patrol aircraft. The multi-role J-10Cs, flying out of Kamra Base were responsible for Rafael, Su-30 and MiG-29 shooting, using PL-15E in BVR mode.
Cobras employed 18 fighter jets during defensive interceptions on May 7. The long-range PL-15 is active radar-guided BVR missile, jointly developed by Pakistan and China, that can reach speeds of up to Mach 5 and range of about 300 km.
Fourth, Cyber and Electronic Warfare (EW) and employment of some niche capabilities. Erieye radars connected every J-10C shooter to a single but complex and deadly nervous system. Rafaels were actually ambushed by PL-15s through their AI-guided range, lethality and stealth.
Chinese targeting satellites and Saab Erieye AWACS, ensured the ‘sensor-fusion kill’ never allowing the Rafaels to ever get a lock on J-10Cs. Rafaels fell prey to PAF’s electronic chafe or noise. Simply put, Rafaels could not see and when they did, it was already over.
PAF, after silencing the sophisticated S-400 AD radar at Adampur in audacious incursions, achieved spectrum supremacy and literally dominated the Indian skies. Yet Pakistan kept attacks limited to military targets and voluntarily restrained from causing more damage to avoid escalation, as the Rafael fleet was grounded, and moved over 300 km away from the J-10C ambushes.
Pakistan’s May 10 mutli-domain offensive, including cyber, space and AI tools, crippled Indian electricity grids, jammed drones, induced errors in Indian missiles, shot its most modern aircraft and achieved psychological ascendancy. Employment of niche response and hypersonic capability surprised India.
It was around May 9, that the US, based upon some unspecified yet ‘alarming intelligence’ pointing to dangerous escalation, got seriously involved into the peace overtures. But Islamabad on May 9, declined calls for de-escalation due to its planned riposte under Pakistan’s ‘quid-pro-quo plus’ strategy.
India’s escalatory attacks on civilian population, airbases and some military infrastructure provided more lethality to Pakistan’s riposte, deemed equally escalatory by Washington. After Pakistan’s offensive response on May 10, both DGMOs established direct military-level communications, effecting ceasefire on May 11. Friendly countries played a role, as Delhi could not stabilise the situation.
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu held a series of high-level meetings with senior military and political leadership of the United States in a landmark visit to the country, it emerged on Wednesday.
Last month, Field Marshal Asim Munir became the first serving chief of army staff to have a face-to-face meeting with a sitting US president when he met Donald Trump for talks at the White House. The occasion also marked the first time a serving Pakistani army chief had been formally received at this level, without holding political office or governing under martial law. The two had discussed joint counter-terrorism efforts and expanding bilateral trade during their “cordial” meeting in Washington.
Today, PAF’s Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR) said that in a “significant development” aimed at strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and advancing mutual interests, the air chief undertook an official visit to the US, adding that it was the “first by a serving PAF air chief in over a decade”.
It said the high-profile visit marked a “strategic milestone” in Pakistan-US defence cooperation and “proved instrumental in deepening institutional ties” in addition to addressing key regional and global security issues.
The DGPR said that at the Pentagon, the air chief called on US Air Force (International Affairs) Secretary Kelli L Seybolt and Chief of Staff of the US Air Force General David W Allvin.
“The discussions centred around advancing bilateral military cooperation, enhancing interoperability and exploring avenues of joint training and technology exchange. Chief of the air staff highlighted the historic and multifaceted relationship between Pakistan and US, particularly in the domains of defence and security cooperation.
“He reiterated his resolve to further enhance the existing ties in the realms of military-to-military cooperation and training between the air forces of the two countries. The two sides also agreed upon the continuation of high-level military engagements in future through senior-level interactions,” the DGPR said.
It said these interactions were deemed crucial for maintaining momentum in ongoing cooperative endeavours in the areas of joint training, operational exercises and military exchange programmes between the two nations.
At the US State Department, the air chief met Brown L Stanley from the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs and Eric Meyer from the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. The DGPR said the meetings served as a forum to “underscore Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional stability, its firm commitment to counter-terrorism efforts and its nuanced perspective on the evolving geopolitical dynamics of South and Central Asia”.
As part of his engagements at Capitol Hill, the air chief held “substantive dialogues with prominent members” of the US Congress, including Mike Turner, Rich McCormick and Bill Huizenga.
“These interactions reinforced the importance of robust engagement in strengthening bilateral relations and provided a valuable opportunity to share Pakistan’s views on strategic challenges, regional security frameworks and the impact of emerging technologies on defence cooperation.
“Emphasising Pakistan’s status as a peace-loving nation, the air chief reaffirmed the country’s enduring sacrifices and notable operational achievements in the global war on terror, while also outlining Pakistan’s evolving security calculus in response to the rapidly shifting regional geopolitical landscape.”
The DGPR said the “landmark visit” not only reaffirmed PAF’s commitment to promoting regional and global peace, but also laid the groundwork for renewed institutional collaboration, strategic dialogue and enhanced interoperability between it and the US Air Force.
