BANNU: Malik Rahat, a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, attacked the Bannu grid station on Monday and forcefully turned on all the power feeders, ARY News reported.According to the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO), MPA Malik Rahat barged into the Bannu grid station and turned on all the shut feeders.Consequently, the forced activation overloaded the power system, causing a total blackout and suspending the station's electricity supply.A PESCO spokesperson stated that the resulting system failure has severely affected the electricity supply across most areas of Bannu.On the directives of the PESCO Chief, technical staff have begun repair work at the grid station. The company added that legal action will be taken against Malik Rahat for forcefully switching on the feeders.Constitutional LimitsPower distribution companies typically shut down feeders for scheduled maintenance, to manage line losses, or due to non-payment by defaulters. Taking control of a grid station without authorization is considered an illegal act under the law.

FAISALABAD, June 29: A 15-year-old seminary (madrasa) student, Shoaib, was strangled to death by two fellow students in Allama Iqbal Colony, ARY News reported.Officials said the suspects dumped the body in a drain and tried to shift blame to a seminary teacher (Qari) .During investigation, both students confessed to the killing and led Faisalabad police to the body, police added.A kidnapping case for Shoaib was already registered at Batala Colony police station. Police said Section 302 has now been included in the FIR.The case comes amid another recent incident involving a seminary, in which Lahore police arrested a Qari accused of torturing a 12-year-old student to death.The accused, identified as Ghulam Rasool, was arrested by the Burki Police on the directives of the SP Cantt in connection with the murder case of the child, Ali Haider.Police said the investigation is being carried out in light of the post-mortem report and other available evidence. They added that legal proceedings in the case are being pursued swiftly and that all legal requirements will be fulfilled to ensure justice for the victim’s family.According to the FIR, the accused allegedly subjected Ali Haider to severe physical torture a few days ago because the child had failed to attend a religious gathering (Khatam) despite being instructed to do so.The assault left the boy with a fractured arm and multiple injuries. Police said the accused then allegedly placed the injured child on a bus bound for Bahawalnagar and sent him home without informing his family of his condition.After reaching home, Ali Haider was shifted to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.Read more: Suspect in teenager’s murder killed in CCD encounter in Sahiwal

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK: Pro-Khalistan advocacy group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has alleged that India's external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), was behind the recent attack in Karachi, claiming the incident was part of what it described as a broader campaign to destabilize Pakistan.In a statement, SFJ General Counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun paid tribute to the Pakistani Rangers for their response to the attack and accused India's intelligence establishment of orchestrating cross-border operations."The evidence from the Karachi attack leads directly to India's R&AW agency, once again demonstrating that Modi's India is running a campaign of terrorism aimed at destabilizing Pakistan," Pannun said.He further claimed that Pakistan faces what he described as an "existential threat" from the Indian government, citing statements attributed to Indian leaders advocating cross-border military action."Pakistan faces an existential threat from Modi's India, which openly declares, 'We will enter your homes and strike,'" Pannun stated.Pannun also warned that continued violence would have wider consequences, saying, "This is a reminder to Modi that violence breeds violence."https://youtu.be/bhF1jvOqeW0?si=csXoU2i8qqDYYTB5The remarks come amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following a series of security incidents and mutual accusations of cross-border involvement in militant activities.New Delhi has consistently denied allegations of sponsoring terrorism inside Pakistan, while India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of supporting militant groups operating across the border—claims Islamabad has rejected.Pakistani authorities have launched an investigation into the Karachi attack but have not publicly released findings identifying those responsible. Indian officials have not commented on SFJ's latest allegations.SFJ is a pro-Khalistan organization that advocates for an independent Sikh homeland.

ISLAMABAD: Can Pakistan buy cheaper oil from Iran? The possibility has come under discussion following recent developments involving Iran, with experts saying Pakistan could save on transportation costs but is unlikely to import Iranian crude at prices significantly below the international market.Talking in ARY News program The Reporters, Iran is expected to sell crude oil at prevailing global prices rather than offering Pakistan a substantial discount. However, Pakistan could benefit from lower freight charges because of its close proximity to Iran, while more flexible payment arrangements may also be possible if bilateral trade expands.The discussion has also renewed focus on the long-delayed Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, which is widely seen as offering greater long-term economic benefits than discounted oil imports. Once completed, the pipeline could help supply natural gas to industries and gas-fired power plants, easing Pakistan's energy shortages.Iran has already completed its section of the pipeline, but Pakistan has yet to begin construction on its side. The project is estimated to cost between $2 billion and $3 billion, making it a long-term infrastructure project rather than an immediate solution to the country's energy needs.Experts also believe stronger trade ties with Iran could benefit Pakistan beyond the energy sector by increasing cross-border trade, improving business opportunities and expanding the exchange of food products and other goods between the two neighbouring countries.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk2i5OW96H8

KARACHI: A man threw acid on a woman near Korangi Crossing and fled the scene, ARY News reported.The victim accused the suspect, identified as Ali, of harassing her for a long time. She explained that the harassment escalated after water from her neighbour's house repeatedly overflowed into her home, a recurring issue she had complained about multiple times.Recounting the ordeal, the woman stated that when she stepped out of her house on June 21, Ali threw acid on her and ran away. She further revealed that the police initially refused to register a case against the culprit, despite a prior case already being registered against him.Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident, seeking an immediate report from Additional Inspector General (AIG) Azad Khan and ordering the swift arrest of the culprit. The Chief Minister also directed authorities to provide the victim with the best possible medical treatment and complete protection.https://youtu.be/eWGdmKyeLKo?si=Hzot1L_nNqS1nQ3kShortly after, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar also took notice, demanding a report from the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Korangi. The Minister ordered the SSP to take strict action after investigating why the First Information Report (FIR) was not registered immediately.Lanjar further instructed officials to ensure the affected woman receives top-tier medical care, protection, and all necessary legal aid.Read More: BLA behind attack on Karachi family in Balochistan: govtFollowing the directives from the Chief Minister and Home Minister, the police finally registered the FIR on the victim's complaint and stated that raids are currently underway to arrest the suspect. 

KARACHI: Iranian Rial is still in demand in Pakistan as casual investors and currency dealers are still buying it. Though the interbank rate is still almost the same as one Iranian Rial fetches about 0.0002 Pakistani Rupees (PKR). In the open market, 1 crore Iranian Rial is currently selling for approximately PKR 6000 to PKR 7500, a little lesser than 8000 to 10,000 earlier this month.Driven by speculation of a future currency rebound, a growing legion of Pakistani purchasers have been snapping up the devalued Iranian currency, despite its past global underperformance.A glance at how the Iranian currency is doing against a universal yardstick – namely the greenback, where a US dollar can buy more than 1.37 million Rials on the global markets. But in Iran’s real, open market the ‘king dollar’ commands far higher - more than 1.6 million Rials as of late.The difference between the rates the state encourages and the rates people in reality use - leads to extreme price fluctuations and creates arbitrage opportunities – for those in regional markets, that dont exist with other currency types. Iranian Rial: The next big investment or a risky bet?  Most recently, Chairman of the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan Malik Bostan explained the sudden surge in the Iranian Rial's value, tracing its roots back to 2016 when President Obama partially lifted sanctions on Iran. At that time, 10 million Iranian Rials jumped from PKR 10,000–12,000 to PKR 60,000. Investors expected it to hit PKR 100,000—and it would have, had the Trump administration not re-imposed sanctions in 2018.He noted that a similar pattern is playing out now. Prior to the conflict on February 28, a brief ceasefire with the US pushed the value of 10 million Rials to PKR 10,000–13,000. When the deal fell through, it crashed back to PKR 2,000. However, following the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries, the rate has rebounded to PKR 4,000.According to Bostan, investors now believe that as sanctions ease and Iran regains access to its frozen assets, the value could rocket back to PKR 60,000 or even PKR 100,000. This speculation is driving the current wave of investment, mostly fueled by small-scale investors.However, he warned that investing in the Rial carries binary risks. If negotiations fail and conflict resumes, it could plummet back to PKR 2,000. Conversely, if a definitive agreement is reached, it could realistically hit PKR 60,000 to PKR 100,000.Bostan advised retail buyers to stick strictly to short-term plays rather than long-term holds. He recommended buying at the current rate and selling as soon as it touches PKR 6,000 or PKR 8,000 to lock in a 100% profit. Warning against greed and overexposure, he urged investors not to risk large sums, suggesting a cap of PKR 10,000 to PKR 100,000 max.

RAWALPINDI, June 29: Police have released details of the 14 Adiala Jail undertrials who escaped after being brought back from court, saying most were facing serious charges including murder, attempted murder, armed robbery and drug offences.Officials said the escape was planned inside jail. A police investigation team has started work to look into suspected facilitators outside the prison. According to police records, the Adiala Jail fugitives include: Syed Ehtisham – Case No. 253/22, Section 324 Azaan Hussain – Case No. 688/25, nominated in Section 302 Adil Abbas – Case No. 473/20, Section 355 Abdul Rehman – FIR No. 853/24, Sections 302, 397 Abdul Wahab – Case No. 50/24, Sections 395/412 Muhammad Asim – FIR No. 847/24, Section 9-C Samar – Case No. 207/24, Section 324 Zigam Shah – Case No. 473/20, Sections 337-L(ii), 148/149 Wadi alias Wadi – FIR No. 433/25, Section 302 Asad alias Asad – Case No. 853/24, nominated in Section 302 Police said a case has been registered against the escapees at Sihala police station in Islamabad.Rawalpindi Police, with support from Islamabad Police, are continuing search operations in the area to recapture the remaining fugitives.Also Read: 14 Adiala Jail prisoners flee after blinding police with chili powder 

KARACHI: The father of a Karachi man who was killed after unidentified gunmen opened fire on his family's vehicle in Balochistan's Dasht area has recounted the family's ordeal, saying his injured daughter-in-law waited nearly five hours for help after the attack, ARY News reported.Speaking to the media, Jameel, father of Ali Murtaza, said the Balochistan government had remained in contact with the family, but claimed the Sindh government had yet to reach out or offer any assistance."What happened was deeply tragic. This should never happen to anyone again," he said.Ali Murtaza was travelling with his wife and two daughters after visiting Quetta when the family reportedly lost their way and entered the Dasht area of Kech district. Unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle, killing Ali Murtaza and seriously injuring his wife, while the couple's two daughters survived the attack.Jameel said he had met his son on the 7th of Muharram and advised him not to travel to Quetta, but Ali was determined to make the trip. After reaching Quetta, he called home and said he was happy.According to Jameel, Ali later informed the family that they were leaving after dinner. Later, his daughter-in-law called to say they had lost their way and that unidentified armed men had opened fire on their vehicle. He said despite the attack, no rescue team or security personnel reached the family for nearly five hours. 'My daughter-in-law started dictating her will' Jameel said his daughter-in-law told him Ali and her have been hit by bullets. She told him she, along with her two daughters, waited for almost five hours before help arrived.He said she repeatedly told her daughter that if anything happened to her, she should call her aunt. According to Jameel, by around 6am, his daughter-in-law had begun dictating her will.He added that the family was first informed the vehicle had been located, but his daughter-in-law and granddaughters were still missing. About 15 minutes later, they received confirmation that they had also been found safe.Jameel said that while the Balochistan government had stayed in contact with the family following the incident, the Sindh government had yet to contact them or offer any support.Read more:BLA behind attack on Karachi family in Balochistan: govt 

KARACHI: The chairman of the All Pakistan Motor Dealers Association (APMDA) has accused Pakistan's local auto assemblers of maintaining a decades-long monopoly, alleging that protectionist policies have failed to deliver affordable locally manufactured vehicles while keeping consumers dependent on expensive imports.Speaking in ARY News program The Story Behind,, APMDA Chairman HM Shahzad said the objective behind establishing Pakistan's local automobile industry more than 40 years ago was to transfer technology, achieve localisation, manufacture affordable vehicles and eventually export them. However, he claimed the industry remains dependent on imported CKD and SKD kits, with genuine local manufacturing yet to materialise.Shahzad alleged that successive governments and the Engineering Development Board (EDB) had protected major assemblers instead of promoting competition and localisation. He claimed consumers had paid the price through vehicle prices that are significantly higher than those in neighbouring countries.Referring to restrictions imposed on vehicles imported under the Transfer of Residence (TR), Gift and Personal Baggage schemes, Shahzad said the measures were introduced at the behest of local assemblers, depriving overseas Pakistanis of sending affordable vehicles while reducing the government's dollar-denominated import duty revenue.While welcoming the government's decision to relax some restrictions on used car imports, he criticised the requirement for imported vehicles to undergo an additional verification process despite already carrying pre-shipment inspection certificates issued abroad.According to Shahzad, customs authorities can verify the authenticity of those certificates through barcode technology, making a second inspection unnecessary. He also questioned the decision to authorise two private companies to carry out the verification, alleging the move would create unnecessary costs and increase the risk of corruption. He called on the Ministries of Commerce, Finance and Industries to investigate the decision.Commenting on new entrants to the market, Shahzad said Chinese and Korean automakers had introduced much-needed competition, offering consumers better value than traditional assemblers. However, he argued that Pakistan's long-term solution lies in ending the dominance of assemblers and pursuing genuine localisation through "Made in Pakistan" manufacturing, including electric vehicles, to make cars affordable for middle-class families.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2on-8GT4PU

RAWALPINDI: Fourteen undertrial prisoners escaped on Monday after being brought from Adiala Jail to a court for a hearing, police said, ARY News reported.According to police, the prisoners created a disturbance inside the prison van before throwing chilli powder into the officers' eyes and fleeing. The vehicle was carrying 36 undertrial prisoners, 14 of whom managed to escape.Officials said the escapees were facing trial in a number of serious criminal cases.The prisoners had been brought from Adiala Jail to a subordinate court in Kahuta for scheduled hearings earlier in the day. They escaped while being transported back to the jail after the court proceedings, within the limits of Islamabad.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVcWDgTacaASo far, four of the escapees, while a search operation is underway to trace the remaining 10. Authorities have sealed off the surrounding area and set up checkpoints as part of the manhunt.Police have circulated the details of the absconding prisoners to law enforcement agencies and launched efforts to apprehend them.Earlier, an Adiala Jail convicted prisoner brought for medical treatment at Benazir Bhutto Hospital escaped from police custody.According to police sources, the inmate identified as Jamil, who was serving a nine-year sentence in a narcotics case, was shifted from Adiala Jail for treatment when he managed to flee from the hospital premises.Police registered a case at Waris Khan police station following the escape incident. The FIR names Assistant Sub-Inspector Imran and Constable Qamar Ali, who were on duty during the incident.As per the FIR details, the convicted prisoner was allegedly taken out of the ward on a wheelchair by unidentified individuals. It further states that he was later helped into a vehicle by his son Adnan and another unknown person before escaping.Also Read: High-profile killer went missing from Malir jail 

ISLAMABAD: A local court in Islamabad has ordered the police to arrest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and produce him before the court, ARY News reported.The Islamabad district court on Monday heard a case against the KP Chief Minister regarding his misleading allegations against state institutions and attempts to damage their credibility.Due to his continuous absence from the proceedings, the court maintained the non-bailable arrest warrants issued against him.The court directed law enforcement to arrest the CM and present him at the next session, subsequently adjourning the hearing until July 9.It is pertinent to mention that the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered the case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).Earlier yesterday, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly approved a supplementary budget exceeding Rs121.47 billion, clearing additional allocations for both current expenditures and development projects across multiple government departments.According to the approved budget, Rs50.49 billion has been allocated for current expenditures, while Rs71.73 billion has been earmarked for the province’s development programme.Key departmental allocations Police: Rs7.53 billion. Administration of Justice: Rs4.12 billion. Home Department: Rs1.38 billion. Prisons Department: Rs514.1 million. Local Councils: Rs7.5 billion. Local Government Department: Additional Rs1.29 billion. Social Welfare Department: Rs4.43 billion. Relief: Rs7.35 billion. Merged districts: Additional Rs3 billion. Debt servicing: Rs3 billion. Transport Department: Rs1.46 billion. Information Department: Rs706.5 million. Forests Department: Rs412.9 million. Revenue Department: Rs323.6 million. Administration Department: Rs791.9 million. Planning and Development (P&D) Department: Rs40.2 million. Officials said the supplementary grants are aimed at meeting urgent spending requirements, accelerating development work, and supporting security and public welfare initiatives across the province, including in the merged districts.Read More: Sohail Afridi claims federal govt blocking provincial rights, resourcesThe assembly also approved Rs49.89 billion under revised current expenditures, in addition to the Rs71.73 billion for development schemes.The supplementary budget is aimed at meeting additional financial requirements during the current fiscal year while ensuring the continuation of development schemes and essential public services across the province.

LAHORE: The Punjab government has put the proposed Punjab Habitual Offenders Bill 2026 on hold after the Speaker of Punjab Assembly raised objections, referring the legislation back to the Home Department's Standing Committee for further review. The bill aims to introduce a legal framework for identifying and monitoring individuals classified as habitual offenders. Key provisions of the bill Under the draft law, a District Intelligence Committee would be empowered to investigate cases and declare a person a habitual offender.The proposed legislation classifies spreading false information on social media as an anti-social act and also covers offences such as hate speech, promotion of inflammatory material, public display of weapons and harassment of women.The bill further proposes that individuals declared habitual offenders could be required to wear electronic monitoring devices.It also seeks to grant the District Intelligence Committee broad powers, including the authority to freeze the bank accounts of individuals designated as habitual offenders. Opposition objects to the Habitual Offenders Bill 2026 Punjab Assembly's Opposition Leader Moin Riaz Qureshi criticised the proposed legislation. He called it a violation of fundamental rights, adding that the Habitual Offenders Bill would deal a serious blow to democratic values and freedom of expression."The government is bringing the Habitual Offenders Bill to suppress people," he said, adding that the PML-N had previously introduced NAB laws that ultimately backfired on the party itself.Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan said he was unaware of the Habitual Offenders Bill 2026 when it was initially tabled. He explained that another member was presiding over the session on the day it was introduced, and he was also absent when the committee's report was presented."The bill has now been referred to the committee. If the government does not place it on the assembly agenda, Government Chief Whip Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman will discuss the matter," the Speaker said.The Punjab government has not announced when the revised draft will be presented before the provincial assembly following the committee's review.

KARACHI: Pakistani rupee has strengthened marginally against major global currencies on June 29, 2026 as State Bank of Pakistan issues its currency rates. In the interbank market, the US Dollar traded for Rs 278.17 to gain slightly against the rupee on Monday.The currency market witnessed relative resilience, underpinned by the sustained stability of foreign exchange reserves and improving market sentiment. Saudi Riyal at Rs 74.07, UAE Dirham at Rs 75.74, Sterling Pound at Rs 367.62 The Saudi Riyal and the UAE Dirham continued their stable trajectory, a significant relief for Pakistani workers abroad who regularly send home money that supports a substantial portion of the country’s economy. The Saudi Riyal (SR), a lifeline for a significant chunk of Pakistani labor in the Kingdom, traded at Rs 74.07 on Monday. It is one of Pakistan’s largest sources of remittances, boosting household income.The UAE Dirham (AED), pegged with the greenback, remained firm at Rs 75.74.Remittances from the UAE contribute immensely to Pakistan’s forex stability. The Sterling Pound also managed to hover around the previous levels to be quoted at Rs 367.62. The United Kingdom remains a major hub for Pakistan’s diaspora, and remittances form an integral part of the country’s external account balance.Meanwhile, other currencies from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries also posted stable exchange rates on June 29, 2026. The Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD), one of the most valuable currencies, was priced at Rs 903.45. Bahraini Dinar (BHD) traded at Rs 737.85, reflecting a sound economic position backed by the financial sector and energy markets.Qatar Riyal (QAR) stands at Rs 76.32.Omani Rial (OMR) remained stable at its accustomed levels against the rupee, reflecting regional economic stability.Canadian Dollar at Rs 196.03, Aussie at Rs 191.81 Canadians and Australians remittances-based Pakistan's exchange rate system and global financial integration continued. Canada Dollar (CAD) was at Rs 196.03, a crucial exchange rate for the burgeoning Pakistani community in Canada – an increasingly popular destination for students, professionals and entrepreneurs. The Australian Dollar (AUD) traded at Rs 191.81.Australia has emerged as another significant remittance-sending country for Pakistan, attracting a large number of students and skilled workers.The resilience of the Pakistani rupee in the past year can be attributed to sustained economic recovery and a proactive monetary policy by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Foreign exchange reserves continued to climb, reaching near-record levels by 2026, providing a strong buffer against external shocks. SBP’s consistent interventions, coupled with ample liquidity in the interbank market, have ensured the currency’s relative stability.Economists pointed out that the average weighted interbank exchange rate remained contained within a narrow corridor throughout 2026, testament to the SBP’s effective management of supply and demand dynamics. "While fully allowing market forces to dictate exchange rate movements remains a priority, the central bank's judicious interventions have facilitated stability and predictability," commented one economist. The stable exchange rate environment is a positive indicator for the country's balance of payments position, bolstering the confidence of international investors and lenders.

LAHORE: The privatization process for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)—valued at Rs 180 billion—has been completed following the transfer of its shares to the new administration, ARY News reported.Concurrently, the airline's new management has formed a new board of directors.Anwar Ali Hyder and Jehangir Paracha have been named to the board, alongside Gohar Ejaz, Arif Habib, Fazal Sheikh, Aqeel Karim Dhedhi, and Farzana Feroz.Furthermore, the newly formed board has elected Anwar Ali Hyder as the new Chairman of PIA.Earlier, members of a National Assembly parliamentary committee have expressed strong reservations over a proposed tax exemption for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).The proposal under consideration relates to tax relief on the import of new aircraft and spare parts for PIA. The matter sparked debate during a NA committee meeting, where members questioned the fairness and scope of the exemption.Lawmakers recalled that under the privatisation agreement, tax exemptions on new aircraft and spare parts were included. However, concerns were raised about whether such concessions would distort competition in the aviation sector.Committee member Sharmila Faruqi stated that if the market is to operate fairly, similar exemptions should also be extended to other airlines.The PPP lawmaker questioned the rationale of including such concessions in the agreement and asked what role the committee was now expected to play in the process.Chairman of the committee, Syed Naveed Qamar, noted that the aviation sector comprises five to six operators, warning that granting preferential treatment to one airline could undermine competitive balance. He questioned how other carriers could compete if one was given an advantage.FBR officials briefed the committee that there would be no aircraft imports for PIA next year and raised the question of whether the exemption should be granted indefinitely. They also suggested that any such exemption could be capped, for example at five or ten years.Read More: President approves PIA Conversion and Repeal Bill 2026Officials further stated that PIA’s handover and takeover process is expected to take place in July. They added that while a one-year exemption currently exists, the airline is reportedly seeking a longer period of up to 15 years, which has also drawn criticism from other airlines.Committee members also raised concerns over whether such exemptions should be permitted under international financial arrangements, with FBR officials stating that the matter had been cleared with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).The committee has summoned Privatisation Adviser Muhammad Ali to appear in the next meeting for further clarification.

ISLAMABAD, June 29: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that jewellery given to a bride at her wedding is her exclusive and personal property, and no one else can claim it.Pakistan's apex court said a husband, mother-in-law, father-in-law or any other in-laws have no legal right over a bride’s jewellery. Gold or other items given to the bride by parents, relatives or friends will also be treated as her sole property.Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi headed the three-member bench that delivered the verdict. Justices Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Shakeel Ahmed were also on the bench.The court said forcibly withholding a bride’s jewellery or gifts amounts to an illegal deprivation of property rights. A husband or other in-laws cannot take possession of or use a bride’s jewellery without her consent, the judgment added.The Supreme Court said ownership of any gift given at a wedding will be decided by the intent behind it — the purpose for which it was given.A woman can approach a Family Court to recover her jewellery, dowry and other personal belongings, the court noted. Family Courts have jurisdiction to hear cases seeking the return of a woman’s jewellery, dowry and personal items.Also Read: SC signals landmark verdict in patricide clemency caseThe apex court dismissed the husband’s appeal in the case and upheld the Lahore High Court’s decision.The Supreme Court's ruling comes days after the Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan issued a landmark verdict in an inheritance dispute involving land in Punjab's Wazirabad.The FCC headed by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan and comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi issued an important ruling in CPLA No. 3378 of 2022 concerning inheritance rights in a land settlement case from Mouza Dhanunkal, Tehsil Wazirabad.The case centred on longstanding irregularities in revenue records, where the pre-deceased daughter, Sardar Begum, was not included in official inheritance documentation. As a result, she was deprived of her legal share, and her heirs were denied their rightful entitlement for decades.

LAHORE: Police on Monday arrested a qari (madrasa teacher) accused of torturing a 12-year-old student to death in Lahore's Burki area.According to police, the accused, identified as Ghulam Rasool, was arrested by the Burki Police on the directives of the SP Cantt in connection with the murder case of the child, Ali Haider.Police said the investigation is being carried out in light of the post-mortem report and other available evidence. They added that legal proceedings in the case are being pursued swiftly and that all legal requirements will be fulfilled to ensure justice for the victim's family.According to the FIR, the accused allegedly subjected Ali Haider to severe physical torture a few days ago because the child had failed to attend a religious gathering (Khatam) despite being instructed to do so.The assault left the boy with a fractured arm and multiple injuries. Police said the accused then allegedly placed the injured child on a bus bound for Bahawalnagar and sent him home without informing his family of his condition.After reaching home, Ali Haider was shifted to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.Read more: Suspect in teenager's murder killed in CCD encounter in SahiwalThe case came to light after the child's family alleged that he had been brutally beaten at the madrasa.Police have registered a murder case on the complaint of the victim's uncle. Authorities said the body has been brought to Lahore for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also took notice of the incident and directed DIG Investigation Zeeshan Raza to ensure that the accused is brought to justice.Police said the investigation is continuing on the basis of the post-mortem findings and other evidence collected in the case.

QUETTA: Balochistan government spokesperson for the Home Department, Babar Khan Yousafzai, on Monday said that the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which the government also refers to as Indian proxy group Fitna al Hindustan (FAH), was behind the recent attack on a Karachi family in the Dasht area of Kech district.The incident occurred late Saturday night when a Karachi businessman was killed and his wife was critically injured after unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle.According to police, the family was returning to Karachi after spending two days in Quetta when they reportedly lost their way after following Google Maps and entered the remote Khand area of Dasht.The deceased was identified as Ali Jameel, a resident of Karachi's Nazimabad area. His wife sustained critical injuries, while the couple's two young daughters escaped unharmed.Speaking on ARY News programme Bakhabar Savera, Yousafzai said the family mistakenly took a road leading towards a remote mountainous area instead of the highway to Karachi.He said that BLA terrorists were present in the area at around 3:00 am and opened fire on the family's vehicle, killing Ali Jameel on the spot and seriously injuring his wife.He said that after exiting Quetta, motorists either take the main highway towards Karachi or a road leading to a remote area near Mastung. According to him, Google Maps directed the family onto the latter route.According to Yousafzai, the injured woman managed to inform police about 25 minutes after the attack, and security personnel reached the scene within the next 30 minutes. He said the victims were rescued shortly afterward, and a gunfight took place when police arrived, forcing the attackers to flee.Read more: Karachi family attacked after Google Maps route leads them to remote area in BalochistanAli Jameel and his wife were shifted to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.Responding to a question about security arrangements in the area, Yousafzai said the terrorists did not have control over the region, claiming they had descended from nearby mountains shortly before the attack.He acknowledged shortcomings in security measures, saying police checkpoints and warning signboards should have been installed on roads leading to isolated areas to prevent motorists from entering dangerous routes.However, he maintained that such incidents had not previously occurred in the area.Yousafzai said Balochistan is known for its hospitality and attracts thousands of tourists every summer. He added that terrorists have no religion or ethnicity and should not be identified with any particular community.

ISLAMABAD: Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto has decided to attend the funeral prayers of Iran's late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, party sources said on Monday.Bilawal Bhutto will visit Iran with the Pakistan's delegation led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to PPP sources.The Pakistani delegation led by the prime minister will visit Iran on July 3 to 4.Party sources have said that People's Party's chairman will likely meet with Iran's President and other leadership.The funeral rites will open with two farewell events on July 4 and 5 at Imam Khomeini Mosalla in Tehran. A central procession will move through the capital on Monday, July 6. Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei’s coffin will be carried alongside four other martyrs of the family.Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier said that Pakistan’s delegation will attend the funeral of Iran’s late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Bilawal Bhutto on his return from Iran, will visit Gilgit Baltistan, sources said.PPP chairman will attend the oath-taking ceremony of the chief minister of Gilgit Baltistan.

LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Lahore has arrested two suspects allegedly involved in blackmailing and harassing women through explicit photos and videos, besides threatening to leak their private content on social media.According to an NCCIA spokesperson on Monday, the operations were carried out on the directions of Punjab NCCIA Director Muhammad Ali Waseem as part of the agency’s ongoing crackdown against cyber-enabled harassment and online exploitation.In the first operation, the agency arrested suspect Farhan Gohar from Lahore. During the raid, officials recovered a mobile phone containing objectionable material related to the victim. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had allegedly been threatening to upload the victim’s private content on social media.In a separate operation, the NCCIA arrested suspect Muhammad Mushtaq from Kasur. Two mobile phones containing explicit material were recovered from his possession.Read more: Lahore man arrested for blackmailing women through ‘istikhara’ scamInvestigators found that the suspect had allegedly been blackmailing the victim and had also shared the objectionable content with the victim’s relatives.Director Muhammad Ali Waseem said there would be zero tolerance for individuals involved in blackmail, online harassment and exploitation through explicit content.He said those targeting the dignity, privacy and honour of women and other citizens did not deserve any leniency, adding that all persons involved in cybercrimes would be brought to justice through strict legal action.

LAHORE: In a shocking incident, a female school teacher was gang-raped in Lahore by a security guard and his friendsThe incident occurred in Lahore's Liaquatabad area and the police have arrested two suspects in response to the incident.The school's security guard Mohsin took the teacher to a friend's house after the holiday, where the accused gave the woman an intoxicating drink and subjected her to gang rape.SP Model Town, providing details, stated that when the affected teacher regained consciousness, the accused took her out of the house and fled the scene themselves.Upon receiving the report of the incident, the police registered a case against the accused under serious sections with the victim's father as the complainant, and immediately took action on the call received on '15' and arrested the two accused.Police officials say that the arrested suspects include the school's security guard, Mohsin and his friend Asad, who are being further interrogated.Read more: School Owner, Press Club President accused of raping female teachers in AlipurEarlier, the owner of a private school and president of the Ali Pur Press Club was accused of sexually abusing his school’s women teachers.Police said that the accused, Hidayatullah, allegedly raped his female teachers by blackmailing them. Four teachers were reportedly raped, and the police have also recovered a video.Police have lodged a First Information Report (FIR) at Police Station City Ali Pur based on the complaint of one of the woman’s family members.The police further informed that the private school owner allegedly used to rape the teachers along with his friends.Police raided multiple places to arrest the culprit, Hidayatullah Rizvi.Taking notice of the shameful incident, the Ali Pur Press Club has removed the accused from the role of president and ended his membership.