Category: 1. Pakistan

The recent honour killing in Balochistan has drawn fresh attention to the illegal, but culturally acceptable practice of murdering relatives at the whim of family or community elders. But as gruesome as the recent case was, it is hardly an anomaly. In fact, honour killing is so widespread that many cases may not even make it into the headlines on a busy news day — the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan estimated over 400 honour killings carried out in 2024, and this number is almost certainly erring on the low side.

Tribal jirgas, despite being outlawed, are near-omnipotent in some parts of the country and continue ordering executions. The 2016 anti-honour killing law, celebrated as a milestone, has proven hollow. The law’s requirement for life imprisonment, even if families pardon killers, was supposed to close a notorious loophole, but enforcement remains crippled by parallel justice systems. While the number of recorded honour killings is less than half of the 1,000-plus figures from the years preceding the passage of the law, the current figures are still unacceptable.

Cultural and economic drivers fuel this crisis. Feudal power structures target women asserting marital or financial autonomy, particularly those inheriting property. Over the years, HRCP has linked conservatism to the surge in honour killings, while noting that religious groups have actively opposed provincial laws protecting women.

Disturbingly, perpetrators are lauded as “guardians of honour”, while victims are erased from public memory. One of the ways to do this is through the connivance of politicians and law enforcers. Police often register honour killings as ordinary murders or suicides, enabling “reconciliation” and acquittals.

In a just society, any perceived ‘honour’ crimes should only be adjudicated in a court by judges whose loyalty is only to the Constitution, not any tribe, caste, or cultural practices. Those who take the law into their own hands should face the full force of the state. It should not take viral videos to force the state’s hand.

ISLAMABAD: At least 293 people have died and over 600 have been injured across Pakistan since late June as glacial lake outbursts, cloudbursts, and relentless monsoon rains triggered catastrophic floods across the country, from the Himalayas to the southern plains.The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned of another severe monsoon spell starting July 29, raising fears of fresh flash floods and landslides, especially in northern regions like Swat, Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.Torrential rains have wreaked havoc across the country, sweeping away entire families, burying homes under landslides, and cutting off remote valleys. A sudden cloudburst near Babusar Top and Naran stranded scores of tourists, prompting military-led rescue operations by air and road. Washed-away bridges and blocked highways have hampered relief efforts.The NDMA, provincial agencies, and army teams are on the ground, but operations remain slow and patchy, especially in the hard-to-reach northern areas. Helicopter sorties continue, though poor weather and visibility are disrupting missions.Experts blame successive govts for ignoring climate adaptation and disaster preparedness, despite warnings. “The pattern is repeating itself — glacial melts, erratic monsoons, unprepared institutions. It’s a deadly mix,” said a disaster risk analyst in Islamabad.The crisis echoes the devastating 2022 monsoon floods, which killed over 1,700, submerged a third of the country, and displaced over 30 million people, causing $30 billion in economic losses. Yet, activists say climate resilience remains absent from Pakistan’s national priorities.With more glaciers than any non-polar country, Pakistan faces an increasing frequency of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) due to rising temperatures. Add to that deforestation, poor drainage, and unregulated construction, and experts say even routine monsoons now turn deadly.As another deluge looms, govt has advised evacuations from high-risk zones and warned tourists to stay away from northern areas. But for many already stranded, the warnings have come too late.

After US President Donald Trump claimed to broker peace between India and Pakistan during the recent conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday yet again rejected any world leader’s role to push New Delhi to stop the war.

The South Asian rivals fought an intense four-day conflict in May that took more than 70 lives on both sides before Trump announced a ceasefire between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

“No world leader asked us to stop the operation,” Modi told parliament during a debate on “Operation Sindoor”, the military campaign launched against Pakistan in May.

However, Modi did not name Trump in his speech.

The Indian prime minister also claimed that it was Pakistan that pleaded with India to stop fighting after feeling the “heat of our attacks”.

The conflict was sparked by an April attack on tourists by gunmen in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir that left 26 men dead.

India accused Pakistan of backing the attackers, a charge Islamabad denied.

Trump has claimed numerous times that he brokered peace between the rivals, including most recently on Monday.

“If I weren’t around, you’d have, right now, six major wars going on. India would be fighting with Pakistan,” Trump said during his visit to Scotland.

Modi’s assertion came after Rahul Gandhi from the opposition Congress party challenged the premier to say “inside the parliament that Donald Trump is lying”.

Earlier Tuesday, Home Minister Amit Shah told lawmakers that three Pakistani gunmen involved in the attack in IIOJK were killed during a military operation on Monday.

The fighting in May brought the rivals close to another war, but Trump announced a ceasefire between them before the two countries did.

Soon, opposition parties in India started raising questions about third-party mediation between the foes, a claim New Delhi has always denied.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has disqualified another Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) legislator, Abdul Latif Chitrali, and declared his National Assembly seat (NA-1, Upper and Lower Chitral) vacant, following the denotification of his electoral victory.

This decision comes after Chitrali was sentenced to 10 years in prison by an Anti-Terrorism Court for his involvement in the violent events of May 9.

The official notification issued by the ECP stated, “As a result, Abdul Latif Chitrali stands disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”

Also Read: Shah Mahmood Qureshi acquitted, Yasmin Rashid sentenced to 10 years

The court’s ruling and the subsequent ECP action have led to the vacancy of Chitrali’s seat in the National Assembly, marking a significant development in the aftermath of the May 9 events.

A day earlier, ECP issued disqualification notifications for three PTI lawmakers, including Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, following their convictions by an anti-terrorism court.

In a notification issued Monday, the ECP confirmed the disqualification of Chaudhry, MNA Muhammad Ahmad Chattha, and Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Ahmad Khan Bhachar. All three were handed 10-year prison sentences under anti-terrorism charges.

Read More: Imran involved in May 9 conspiracy, rules LHC

Senator Chaudhry was found guilty by an anti-terrorism court and is no longer eligible to remain a member of the Senate under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution, the ECP said. “The anti-terrorism court has declared Ejaz Chaudhry guilty and sentenced him to ten years,” the notification stated.

Meanwhile, ATC Lahore acquitted six PTI leaders, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Hamza Azeem, in connection with the May 9 riots, while sentencing 10 others, including Dr Yasmin Rashid, to 10 years in prison.

May 9 Riots

The May 9 riots erupted nationwide following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, after which PTI leaders and workers staged protests targeting both civil and military installations, including Jinnah House and the GHQ in Rawalpindi. The military condemned the events as a “Black Day” and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act.

As a result of the unrest, many PTI members were arrested and tried in military courts. In December, a military court convicted 25 individuals, including Imran Khan’s nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi, and later sentenced 60 more.

In January, 19 convicts had their sentences pardoned following successful mercy appeals, although PTI expressed dissatisfaction over the limited number of pardons. The military trials had initially been halted following a Supreme Court ruling but were resumed following the court’s instructions to finalise pending cases and announce judgments for those involved in the violent incidents.

LAHORE:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that every time US President Donald Trump talks about stopping the Pakistan-India war, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘wounds are reopened’.

“US President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that we stopped the war. When the US president says that we stopped the Pakistan-India war, Modi’s wounds are reopened,” he said while inaugrating Pak Business Express and newly upgraded passenger facilities at the Lahore Railway Station.

During his address, PM Shehbaz also paid tribute to Pakistan’s Armed Forces for their resilience in the four-day conflict with India, which he described as “short but highly dangerous.” He praised the military’s technical superiority, the Air Force’s internal innovations, and the Army’s use of Al Fatah missiles.

“India believed Pakistan could only rely on nuclear deterrence, but conventional warfare supremacy has shattered that myth,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to the nation’s security. He added that our nuclear assets are guarantors of national security, and the enemy does not dare to look at us with an evil eye.

Speaking during the ceremony, PM Shehbaz expressed satisfaction with the station’s visible transformation. “From a warm welcome to well-mannered receptionists, renovated CIP lounges, upgraded passenger waiting rooms, and a fully refurbished train with modern European-style dining and sleeper berths, the change is truly gratifying,” he said.

The PM hailed the digitisation of the ticketing system, the introduction of Wi-Fi facilities, and the outsourcing of services to improve efficiency and professionalism. “These services are for the common masses, not just a privileged class. This is a step towards turning railways into a best-in-class transportation system for both passengers and cargo freight,” he added.

PM Shehbaz commended the Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, the Railways secretary, and chairman for their efforts, while also acknowledging the previous contributions of former minister Saad Rafique, highlighting his “16 months of dedicated service” to the Railways department.

He further stressed the need for punctuality and transparent outsourcing of railway land and services, aiming to turn these assets into profitable ventures for the nation. He also underscored the importance of continuing the transformation of Pakistan Railways across the country, from Peshawar to Karachi, Rohri, and Quetta.

“The Almighty guides and supports every sincere effort. This is just the first step; we must struggle with dedication and transparency to serve the people of Pakistan,” PM Shehbaz remarked.

The PM concluded the ceremony with a pledge to transform Pakistan Railways into a modern, transparent, and people-centric institution. “Together we can make Railways a true engine of progress for Pakistan,” he stated.

Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi thanked the PM for his vision and leadership. He credited him for supporting the digitisation, outsourcing of services, and the introduction of a cashless payment system at railway stations.

He also revealed that the Railways had earned Rs93 billion, installed escalators for differently-abled passengers, and improved cleanliness and punctuality across stations.

The newly launched Pak Business Express will travel between Lahore and Karachi in 18 hours and 30 minutes, with an economy-class fare of Rs 5,100.

A slaughtered donkey was recovered and the alleged perpetrators were arrested in the Kuzabanda area of Battagram district on Tuesday.

According to District Food Controller (DFC) Shad Muhammad, Additional Assistant Commissioner and Food Inspector raided a location in Kuzabanda based on intelligence information. The raid resulted in the recovery of the slaughtered donkey and the arrest of two individuals, belonging to Hunza and Mansehra.

The arrested people claimed they were supplying the meat to Chinese officials working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

However, the DFC emphasised that an investigation is necessary to determine the actual purpose of the meat. Notably, the arrested individuals neither belong to the butcher community, nor do they have a shop.

An investigation has been initiated and a letter sent to the food department.

The DFC also highlighted that even if the arrested persons’ claim is correct, slaughtering a donkey in public is not allowed. Instead, it should be done within residential premises.

The authorities will investigate further to bring more facts to light and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

DPO Batgram told Dawn.com that a case has been registered against the accused and an investigation has been started.

The first information report (FIR) seen by Dawn.com shows that the two people have been booked under Sections 272 (Adulteration of food or drink intended for sale) and 273 (Sale of noxious food or drink) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The DRO said it is yet unclear whether or not any attempt was being made to supply the meat.

Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Malik speaking on Geo News programme ‘Capital Talk’ said: “As Muslims, this act of giving someone else donkey meat to eat is impure and undesirable.”

He added that enforcement was needed to curtail such crimes.

On Sunday, in a major crackdown on illegal meat trade, the Islamabad Food Authority seized about 1,000kg of donkey meat from a farmhouse located in Tarnol.

Over 50 live donkeys were also confiscated during a raid on the premises and a foreign national was taken into custody on the spot.

LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday stated that Pakistan’s clear triumph in the recent conflict with India had enhanced the nation’s standing on the world stage, stressing that the Armed Forces had effectively shattered the notion that Pakistan depends only on its nuclear arsenal.

Addressing a ceremony in Lahore, the premier praised the swift and effective response by Pakistan’s Armed Forces during the four-day war, calling it “short but highly dangerous.”

He said that in a very brief span of time, the military had demonstrated extraordinary preparedness, courage, and skill.

“India believed Pakistan could only rely on nuclear deterrence, but our conventional warfare supremacy has shattered that myth,” Shehbaz said. He credited the Army’s use of Al Fatah missiles, the Air Force’s technological innovation, and the Navy’s vigilance for the victory, which he described as a product of teamwork and national unity.

The prime minister also highlighted the diplomatic front, saying US President Donald Trump had repeatedly acknowledged that the ceasefire between Pakistan and India was achieved due to his intervention.

“That, too, is a great diplomatic success for Pakistan,” he said.

The prime minister was addressing the ceremony after inaugurating the Pak Business Express and newly-upgraded passenger facilities at the Lahore Railway Station.

He also vowed to make Pakistan Railways a modern, reliable, and affordable mode of transport for all citizens, not just the elite. PM Shehbaz said Pakistan Railways would soon see an overhaul through cooperation with China.

He added that modernising the railway system was a top priority for the government and would play a vital role in economic development and regional connectivity.