SKARDU: The swearing-in ceremony of Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister-designate Amjad Hussain has been postponed, ARY News reported citing sources.According to sources, the delay was due to scheduling conflicts involving Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was scheduled to attend the oath-taking ceremony in Gilgit-Baltistan on July 1. However, due to his unavoidable engagements, the ceremony has been deferred. A new date for Amjad Hussain's swearing-in is expected to be announced soon.Meanwhile, consultations are underway on the formation of the Gilgit-Baltistan cabinet, which sources said will be kept relatively small.According to the sources, the cabinet is expected to comprise 12 ministers and two special assistants, with its formation likely to take place in two phases.Members elected on general seats are expected to be inducted into the cabinet in the first phase, while the special assistants will be appointed later.Sources added that members of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) are also expected to be accommodated in the first phase, while the inclusion of technocrats and lawmakers elected on reserved seats is likely to remain limited. Amjad Hussain was selected unopposed as the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan after the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secured the numbers to form the regional government. Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman was selected unopposed as the Leader of the Opposition in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. Earlier, the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly selected its Speaker and Deputy Speaker unopposed. PPP's Imran Nadeem was chosen as Speaker, while PML-N's Malik Kifayat-ur-Rehman was selected as Deputy Speaker.Also Read: PPP hold consultations over Gilgit Baltistan cabinet

MULTAN: The project for the dualization of the Multan–Lodhran Road has been approved. Funds for the project have also been released, paving the way for the commencement of construction work.The approval was granted by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on the request of Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani.The project will be financed through the Road Maintenance Account (RMA) Fund.The 62-kilometre-long road project is estimated to cost Rs. 4.6 billion and is expected to be completed within one year. Construction work is scheduled to commence within the next month.Under the project, 44.8 kilometres of the existing road will also be elevated to ensure uniformity between both carriageways, thereby improving road safety and travel efficiency.The Multan–Lodhran Road has remained in a dilapidated condition for many years, causing significant inconvenience to commuters, transporters, and residents of the area.The completion of the project is expected to facilitate smoother traffic flow, reduce travel time, enhance road safety, and provide modern transportation facilities to the public.Expressing his satisfaction over the approval of the project, Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani stated that another commitment made to the people of Multan and Lodhran was being fulfilled. 

KARACHI, June 28: A wounded militant arrested after the attack on a Pakistan Rangers Sindh camp has made startling disclosures, alleging links between Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and the Afghan Taliban regime, ARY News reported.The suspect in a confessional video identified himself as Usman Ali from Jalalabad, Afghanistan. He said that he entered Pakistan seven days ago with three accomplices: Abdul Hadi, Janan and Umar Farooq. Usman Ali told that Abdul Hadi, a resident of Bajaur, was killed in the attack, while Janan threw a grenade at the Rangers camp.Usman Ali said the group was housed in an under-construction building in Karachi and that the weapons used were brought from Waziristan by Abdul Hadi. He added that he was shot while fleeing to the other side and collapsed at the spot.He identified himself as a member of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, whose commander in Afghanistan he named as “Ahrar Maulvi Sahib”. According to him, all four received training in Afghanistan. “We were only given jackets. We prepared suicide vests ourselves. The training on suicide vests and other matters was given by Umar Qari in Afghanistan,” he said.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Liepp8iPHuwUsman Ali claimed all arrangements for their travel to Karachi were made from Afghanistan, and that Abdul Hadi, who had visited before, knew the local setup. He also said they initially could not distinguish between the Pakistan Army and Rangers, but were later told they were all“infidels”.Defence analysts said the Afghan Taliban regime is using Afghan soil as a safe haven for militants and directing them against Pakistan. They noted that Pakistan has previously presented “irrefutable evidence” of cross-border terrorism to the Afghan Taliban regime on multiple occasions.The confessional statement comes a day after militants attacked a Pakistan Rangers Sindh camp in the Gulistan-e-Johar area of Karachi. During the exchange of fire with Rangers, personnel left three attackers dead, while another was arrested in an injured condition.During the attack, three Rangers personnel embraced martyrdom, while four others sustained injuries.Also Read: Three soldiers martyred, 3 terrorists killed as security forces foil attack on Karachi Rangers camp: ISPR

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

KARACHI: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has shared an easy way for citizens to change the address on their identity cards, ARY News reported.NADRA released a video detailing the step-by-step procedure to update the address on a National Identity Card (CNIC).The update highlights that the process is simple not just for permanent address modifications, but also for tenants living in rented residences who wish to update their temporary or current address.Tenants need to provide the following documents:A copy of the rent deed (lease agreement) A copy of a recent electricity billIf a citizen wishes to register their rented residence as their permanent address, they must provide an additional document: Landlord’s Affidavit.In this affidavit, the property owner formally states that they have rented the property to the citizen and have no objection to the tenant registering the house as their permanent address.Meanwhile, homeowners looking to update their address simply need to present their original house ownership documents at a NADRA registration center.NADRA officials will scan the original papers and hand them right back to the applicant, eliminating the need to bring or submit photocopies.

PESHAWAR, June 28: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly on Sunday unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the federal government’s decision to impose taxes in Malakand Division and the merged districts.The resolution, jointly moved by government and opposition members, was presented by ruling party MPA Dr. Hamid ur Rahman.It demands that the federal government immediately withdraw all taxes introduced in the new federal budget. The house stated that no taxes should be levied until the backward areas are brought at par with developed regions.The KP assembly further urged the government to reverse its decision to impose all taxes, including income tax and dealer tax, in the affected areas.Earlier, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly on Sunday 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.The assembly also approved Rs49.89 billion under revised current expenditures, in addition to the Rs71.73 billion for development schemes.Also Read: KP Budget 2026-27: Major allocations announced for welfare, security, infrastructure

KARACHI: In a heart-wrenching incident, a drug addict slit a child’s throat with a sharp object in revenge for the child refusing to give him Rs 20, ARY News reported.The brutal attack took place in the Hijrat Colony area of South District's Saddar Town.Police officials stated that the wounded child was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.https://youtu.be/G8KPyWC5MFo?si=qIlmoiE715mGTfG8While a formal case has not yet been registered, police have successfully arrested the culprit.Earlier, police found the body of a three-year-old girl packed inside a sack with signs of torture hours after she went missing.According to rescue sources, the child’s body was immediately shifted to the hospital for legal formalities and a post-mortem examination.Karachi police said the girl, identified as Kulsoom, had gone missing around noon after leaving her home to play outside.According to the First Information Report (FIR), registered on the complaint of the victim’s father, Qasim, at Quaidabad Police Station, he had left for work at around 10 a.m. At approximately 4:30 p.m., his wife informed him by phone that their daughter had been missing since around noon.The complainant stated that he returned home immediately and searched extensively for the child but was unable to locate her. Later, at around 7:45 p.m., he returned to the neighborhood and found a crowd gathered near his residence.According to the FIR, neighbors informed him that his daughter’s body had been found inside a flour sack.Read More: Karachi toddler Kulsoom murder: DNA evidence reveals key cluesThe complaint further stated that unidentified persons had killed the child and dumped her body near the gate of the street.Residents transported the girl to a hospital, where doctors informed the family that she had died several hours earlier, according to the FIR.

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly on Sunday 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.The 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.Also Read: KP Budget 2026-27: Major allocations announced for welfare, security, infrastructure 

KARACHI: Funeral prayers for Pakistan Rangers Sindh soldiers martyred while foiling a terrorist attack were offered in Karachi on Sunday.The Rangers personnel were killed after thwarting a cowardly attack by the banned TTP splinter group Jamaat-ul-Ahraar, described by officials as an Indian proxy.Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Sindh Governor Nihal Hashmi, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, DG Rangers, the martyrs’ families and senior civil and military officials attended the prayers in large numbers.Participants paid tribute to the sacrifices of the martyrs and expressed condolences to their families.Interior Minister Naqvi said the attack was extremely tragic and those responsible would be held accountable. “Security forces will hunt down terrorist elements wherever they are and bring them to justice,” he said.Governor Hashmi condemned terrorism in the strongest terms. “We will continue the struggle to eradicate terrorism from the country. We will not tolerate Indian-sponsored terrorism and will eliminate it root and branch,” he said.Chief Minister Shah said the Rangers soldiers embraced martyrdom while foiling the terrorists’ nefarious designs. “We salute them. We stand with the security forces for the complete elimination of terrorism,” he said.After the funeral prayers, the bodies were dispatched to the martyrs’ hometowns for burial with full military honours.Later, Minister Naqvi and Governor Hashmi visited the site of the attack. Officials said security forces remain committed to eradicating terrorism completely.Also Read: Three soldiers martyred, 3 terrorists killed as security forces foil attack on Karachi Rangers camp: ISPR 

MUZAFFARABAD: The banned Joint Awami Action Committee’s (JAAC) chief, Umar Nazeer, has issued public threats to traders in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), according to official statements.Authorities said the JAAC’s disruptive elements have begun intimidating AJK shopkeepers. Nazeer is alleged to be distributing “traitor certificates” to those who kept shops open during the strike.In a statement attributed to him, Nazeer warned: “Those who open shops in Azad Kashmir will always be remembered as traitors. We will mark which shop belongs to a traitor, which to a facilitator.” He cited an example from Bagh, claiming a bakery owner who opened during the strike had to sell and flee.Officials and analysts said the public has rejected the committee’s call for shutdowns. “In reality, it is the banned agitation committee’s leaders who have become enemies of poor shopkeepers. After the public rejected their appeal to close shops, they are now trying to enforce strikes through threats,” experts said.Authorities described the threats to peaceful traders as a sign of desperation and “economic terrorism” by disruptive elements.Earlier, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Police claimed to have busted the funding network of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), arresting four suspected operatives.According to police, the network was involved in collecting funds through intimidation and extortion and was also receiving financial support from abroad.Authorities claimed the money was being used to finance the JAAC’s activities, including the Rawalakot sit-in and other violent incidents.Police said the suspects were arrested during an operation targeting the group’s financial network.One of the arrested suspects, identified as Mehtab Ahmed, allegedly confessed that the JAAC’s ringleader, Hamza, had instructed him over the phone to collect funds from various individuals and send the money to Rawalakot. He claimed he was arrested by AJK Police while transferring the funds.Another suspect, Rizwan, allegedly told investigators that Hamza had directed him to collect money from different people and hand it over to Mehtab.Police also claimed that Hamza’s father admitted to providing financial assistance to the banned outfit, saying his son had asked him to send money for Rawalakot. He also reportedly announced that he had severed all ties with the banned committee.According to the police, the collected funds were intended to finance the activities of the banned organisation. Authorities further claimed that several individuals associated with the financial network had renounced their affiliation with the group.Security officials said that the organisation collected money from residents of Azad Kashmir in the form of extortion to finance disruptive activities.Also Read: AJK places JAAC leadership on Fourth Schedule

KARACHI: Two hardened criminals were killed in an encounter with police during an operation in in Budhni Goth, a police official said.SSP Samiullah Soomro has said that the alleged bandits identified as Mohammad Peeral and Sameer alias Shahmir were killed in a shootout with the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) CIA."The slain criminals were wanted to police in murder, robbery and arms snatching incidents," SSP said.Police recovered snatched 9mm pistol, a mobile phone and 30-bore pistol from the accused, police official said."The recovered mobile phone is linked to the murder of a woman Yasmeen," SSP further said. "The accused had killed the woman on May 07 in Soldier Bazaar area of Karachi and looted her mobile phone".He said that the 9mm pistol recovered from the accused was found to be related with Brigade police station dacoity case.The cases of murder, robbery and Sindh arms act were registered against the accused. "They were proclaimed offenders and hardened criminals," police chief added.

GWADAR: Police department has terminated services of 14 policemen including a sub inspector as the SSP Gwadar has issued a notification to this effect.The policemen who have been relieved from their jobs over negligence, were posted at Santsar police station of Gwadar."Armed men in an incident attacked Santsar police station and looted government arms and vehicles".The policemen on duty instead of offering resistance to the attackers handed over their official arms to the attackers, sources said.Inquiries were initiated against the policemen after the police station attack incident, which resulted in termination of their jobs, sources said. 

KARACHI: The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has achieved the highest cargo handling volume in its 138-year history, setting a new record by surpassing its previous benchmark of 54.685 million tonnes, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced.The minister described the achievement as a significant milestone for Pakistan's maritime sector, saying the record reflected the continued growth and improving performance of the country's port operations."The new cargo handling record is evidence of the progress being made in the maritime sector," Chaudhry said, adding that the government remains committed to transforming Pakistan into a major regional maritime and trade hub.He said reforms aimed at modernizing and expanding the country's ports were being accelerated to improve operational efficiency and strengthen Pakistan's trade infrastructure.The minister added that enhancing investment, logistics, and the port management system remains a key priority of the government as it seeks to boost the country's maritime economy.Read more: Maritime minister announces major cut in port charges at KPT Earlier, Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced a major financial relief package at Karachi Port Trust (KPT), significantly reducing port charges to facilitate trade and attract global shipping.The announcement was made during a high-level meeting chaired by the minister.Under the new package, substantial concessions have been introduced for foreign transshipment vessels, along with a wide range of incentives aimed at boosting port activity.The minister said the new incentive scheme has been implemented from March 18, 2026.He announced up to a 60% reduction in duties and charges on dry bulk export cargo. The minimum transshipment cargo requirement has been reduced from 10% to 7.5%.Additionally, the base discount has been increased from 5% to 20%, with a further 5% discount to be offered on additional cargo.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has announced its candidates for the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, naming nominees for constituencies across Mirpur, Kotli, Bagh, Poonch, Muzaffarabad, Jammu, and Valley regions.According to the party, Asfar Shahid has been nominated from LA-1 Mirpur-I, Qasim Majeed from LA-2 Mirpur-II (Chakswari), Yasir Sultan from LA-3 Mirpur-III (Mirpur City), Chaudhry Sohaib Arshad from LA-4 Mirpur-IV (Khari Sharif), and Chaudhry Pervez Ashraf from LA-5 Bhimber-I (Barnala).For the Kotli region, the party awarded tickets to Malik Zafar (LA-8), Javed Iqbal Bhadhanvi (LA-9), Chaudhry Yasin (LA-10), Chaudhry Akhlaq (LA-11), and Chaudhry Yasin (LA-12).In Bagh and Poonch divisions, Sardar Qamar Zaman, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, Sardar Amjad Yousaf, Sardar Saud Sadiq, Sardar Yaqoob, Sardar Muhammad Abid Khan, and Sardar Faheem Akhtar Rabbani were nominated for their respective constituencies.The party also announced candidates for constituencies in Muzaffarabad and Neelum Valley, including Mian Abdul Waheed, Sardar Javed Ayub, Syed Bazil Naqvi, Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Khan, Mubashir Munir Awan, Ashfaq Zafar, and Diwan Ali Chughtai.Read more: AJK police bust JAAC funding network, arrest four operativesFor Jammu constituencies reserved for refugees residing in Pakistan, PPP nominated Colonel (Retd.) Qadeer Chaudhry, Chaudhry Asif Gujjar, Chaudhry Ahsan Ismail Gujjar, Shaheen Kausar Dar, Raja Shahid Iqbal Advocate, and Chaudhry Fakhar Zaman.In Valley refugee constituencies, the party named Ameer Abdul Ghaffar Lone (LA-40 Karachi), Ghulam Abbas Mir (LA-41 Lahore), Javed Butt (LA-43 Rawalpindi), Muhammad Rashid Islam Butt (LA-44 Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Attock), and Abdul Majeed Khan (LA-45 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa).PPP leadership directed all candidates to launch an energetic election campaign, expressing confidence that the party would secure strong public support and perform successfully in the upcoming AJK elections.

KARACHI: Two people drowned near Manora on Karachi's coast on Sunday, ARY News reported, citing rescue officials.According to rescue authorities, the victims' bodies were recovered from the sea and shifted to Mowach Goth Police Station by ambulance.The deceased were identified as 27-year-old Zubair and 18-year-old Zohaib. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the drowning incident.Earlier, three separate drownings in two different areas of Karachi claimed three lives, including those of two children.Read more: Two drown near Manora Beach in KarachiTwo of the incidents occurred at Hawksbay Beach, while the third took place at the Korangi Crossing Canal. Rescue teams managed to save four other individuals across these incidents, though a search for one missing person is still underway.According to details, two individuals drowned in separate incidents along the shoreline at Hawksbay Beach. While one body has been retrieved, rescue workers are continuing their search to locate the second victim.Meanwhile, in a separate tragedy at the Korangi Crossing Canal, two children drowned. Divers have successfully retrieved the bodies of both children from the canal.

Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has announced the launch of a barcode-based identification and tracking system for all registered water tankers operating in the city.The move is described as an initiative towards eliminating the illegal water tanker mafia and improving transparency in water distribution.In a statement issued on Saturday, the mayor said every registered water tanker has been assigned a unique barcode that allows both citizens and authorities to instantly verify whether the vehicle is legally authorised to operate. کراچی میں واٹر ٹینکرز کیلئے بار کوڈ سسٹم متعارف#ARYNews pic.twitter.com/U3ZajjYBzg — ARY NEWS (@ARYNEWSOFFICIAL) June 28, 2026 According to Wahab, scanning the barcode will provide detailed information about the tanker, including the driver's name and photograph, the vehicle's designated route, fitness certification and the source from which the water has been supplied."The barcode system will enable citizens to distinguish between registered and illegal water tankers while promoting greater transparency and accountability in Karachi's water supply network," he said.Read more: Speeding water tankers claim three lives in KarachiThe mayor urged residents to scan the barcode on any water tanker delivering water to their homes to confirm its authenticity.He also encouraged the public to report any tanker found operating without registration or displaying suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.Wahab said the digital verification system has been introduced to regulate tanker operations more effectively, identify unauthorised vehicles and curb the activities of the illegal water tanker mafia, which has long posed challenges to the city's water supply system.

KARACHI: Bilawal Bhutto bring President Asif Zardari's resignation over excesses with Sindh, the MQM will resign from its two ministries in federal cabinet, opposition leader in Sindh Assembly Ali Khursheedi said in his scathing statement.MQM leader said that Bilawal Bhutto criticized the MQM in National Assembly, "Sindh's just share of river water is not being given, Sindh produces maximum natural gas in country, Hyderabad-Sukkur motorway not being built, the PPP leadership should tender resignation over excesses with Sindh," Khursheedi said."When the PPP will resign, the MQM will tender resignations from its two federal ministries," he said.He said there is no electricity, no gas and no water, Sindh's rights are being snatched, "Fight for the rights of Sindh, talk, who has stopped you from it," MQM leader questioned to the PPP leadership.MQM leader also said that the problems will not be resolved without devolution of powers. He claimed, "the PPP is not popular, it is ruling owing to the electables". "People don't cast vote to the PPP over its performance," he added.

QUETTA: A young man from Karachi was killed and a woman critically injured after unidentified gunmen opened fire on a family's vehicle in the Dasht area of Balochistan's Kech district after they reportedly lost their way, police said.According to preliminary information, the deceased was identified as Ali Jameel, a resident of Karachi. A woman travelling with the family sustained serious injuries in the attack.Police said the family, residents of Karachi's Nazimabad area, was travelling to Quetta when they were allegedly misdirected by Google Maps and reached the remote Khand area of Dasht.Officials said unidentified armed men opened fire on the vehicle after it entered the area. Two young children travelling with the family escaped the attack unharmed.The incident occurred late Saturday night. Authorities shifted the body of the deceased and the injured woman to Karachi, while an investigation into the attack is underway.Read more: Two Miners Killed in Balochistan Coal Mine CollapseEarlier, two workers were killed in a fatal incident in Lakhra coalmine near Hyderabad. The incident happened in the coalmine of Sindh Lakhra Coal Company, rescue officials said.Rescuers said that the two labourers were fall down to the 100-foot-deep pit along with the machine.The deceased workers were identified as Nadir Rajar and Juman Rajar, sources said.“The dead bodies of both workers were retrieved from the mine and handed over to their families.It is to be mentioned here that a coal miner from Shangla in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was killed in an accident at Lakhra coal mine in last February, highlighting persistent safety concerns faced by mine workers across the country.

OKARA: Police found the bodies of a woman and her three minor children in a home in Jandraka village, in the vicinity of Okara, police said on Saturday.A Ravi Police team found the bodies of woman Faiza (42 years, and her three children, twins Dawood and Junaid (7 years) and daughter Dua Fatima (10), in the house of Muhammad Riaz aka Gullu.The dead bodies were shifted to the DHQ Hospital for autopsy.District Police Officer DPO Okara Asad Ejaz Malhi reached the spot, and the police collected forensic and other evidence from the place.Police said that the head of the family, Riaz aka Gullu, was in overseas and recently returned and was driving in Jandraka. He was not found at the home.Police officers said that all aspects of the incident being inquired into, adding that the cause of the death of the woman and three children yet to be established.SP Investigation, Malik Dawood, has said that the deaths being investigated keeping all possibilities of the incident.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to introduce a nationwide Pharma Track and Trace System this year in a major step toward eliminating counterfeit and substandard medicines, according to official sources.Sources said the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has set October 9 as the deadline for implementing a mandatory 2D barcode and serialization system on medicine packs.Under the new regulations, all pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers will be required to print a unique 2D barcode and serialization data on every medicine package. The system will apply to both human and veterinary pharmaceutical products.DRAP will oversee the implementation of the track and trace system across the country. The authority has issued directives to pharmaceutical companies and circulated official notifications to the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA), Pakistan Veterinary Pharmaceutical Association (PVPA), Pharma Bureau, the Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association, provincial directors general of drug control, and chief drug inspectors.Sources said pharmaceutical companies have been instructed to complete all necessary arrangements before the October 9 deadline to ensure compliance with the new requirements.Read more: DRAP seizes fake medicines in nationwide crackdownThe federal cabinet has already approved the implementation of the Pharma Track and Trace System through amendments to the Drugs Labelling and Packing Rules, 1978.Once the system is operational, consumers will be able to verify the authenticity of medicines by scanning the 2D barcode on the packaging. The digital verification process will also provide access to key product information, including the medicine's expiry date, usage instructions, and official price.Officials believe the new system will significantly strengthen the pharmaceutical supply chain by improving traceability and helping identify counterfeit and substandard medicines before they reach consumers.According to sources, DRAP has already completed consultations with key stakeholders ahead of the nationwide rollout.