KARACHI: The Chief Minister of Sindh (CM), Syed Murad Ali Shah, has directed the food department and district administration to launch a strict crackdown on wheat hoarding and profiteering, cautioning that artificial shortages would not be tolerated as the province prepares for its wheat requirements for the coming months.The CM Sindh has presided over a high-level meeting at the CM house to review wheat availability, stock positions, and market trends.The meeting was attended by Provincial Ministers for food, excise and taxation, agriculture and irrigation, provincial secretaries, advisors, and other senior officials.The provincial Minister for Food, Makhdoom Mahboob, briefed the CM that Sindh harvested a bumper wheat crop of 4.8 million metric tonnes (MMT) in the 2025-26 season, while the province’s annual consumption requirement stood at 6.53 MMT, indicating a structural shortfall.According to the provincial food department, Sindh had a total wheat availability of 4.94 MMT, including carryover stocks. However, after accounting for consumption between April and June and wheat transported to other provinces, officials estimate the province could face a deficit of about 2.1 MMT by March 2027 if market supplies do not continue.Minister Food told the chief minister that the Food Department currently holds 0.2218 MMT of wheat stocks, including carryover reserves and fresh procurement.The meeting was told that Pakistan had an estimated net wheat balance of 24.39 MMT, of which nearly 12.2 MMT was believed to be in the possession of farmers and households, while about 3.5 MMT is visible in markets in Punjab and Sindh, they estimate roughly 9.5 MMT remains outside normal market channels.The Chief Minister of Sindh has expressed concern that hidden stocks could fuel speculation and drive-up prices.“The government will not allow hoarders and profiteers to exploit consumers through artificial shortages. Wheat is a strategic commodity, and its availability must be ensured at all costs,” he said.The meeting was told that wheat prices have increased sharply in recent months. Current prices per 40 kilo grams were reported at between Rs.4,150 and Rs.4,350 in Punjab, Rs.4,680 in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Rs.4,600 in Balochistan.Officials noted that wheat prices in Punjab had climbed from around Rs.3,200 per 40 kg in early April to between Rs.4,200 and Rs.4,600, representing an increase of more than 30 to 40 per cent within a few months.The chief minister was also briefed that returns from holding wheat stocks had begun to exceed the returns available through National Savings instruments, creating incentives for speculative storage and hoarding.The provincial government also reviewed flour prices across Sindh, with average prices reported at Rs.135 per kilogram in Karachi, Rs.131 in Hyderabad, and Rs.124 in both Sukkur and Larkana.CM Sindh has said higher wheat prices should not be used to justify excessive increases in flour prices."Any increase in wheat prices must not become an excuse for excessive profiteering. The administration must ensure that consumers receive flour at fair prices," he said.The chief minister instructed district administrations to identify illegal stockpiles, inspect warehouses and take action against unlicensed wheat traders under the Sindh Essential Commodities Price Control and Prevention of Profiteering and Hoarding Act, 2005.The meeting was informed that border monitoring had already been initiated to prevent the unauthorized movement of wheat outside the province.Murad Shah also directed the food department to strictly monitor wheat stocks across Sindh; enforce licensing requirements for wheat storage and trading, strengthen border surveillance to curb unauthorized wheat movement; ensure regular market supplies to stabilize prices; and expedite proposals for fixing stock limits for flour mills.It was also proposed that wheat stocks seized from illegal hoarders be treated as government-procured wheat and shifted to official godowns. Under the proposal, the owners of seized stocks would be compensated at a rate of Rs3,500 per 40 kg.Concluding the meeting, the chief minister of Sindh, Murad Shah, has directed all concerned departments to maintain close coordination and submit regular reports on wheat stocks, prices and market conditions.

LAHORE: The tuition teacher injured in the tragic roof collapse in Kahna has said there was no construction work going on at the house at the time of the incident and that children were not being taught in unsafe conditions.According to reports, the injured teacher asserted that if construction had been underway or if the electricity had been off, she would have given the children a holiday.On June 30, 14 children lost their lives and several others, including the teacher, were injured when roof of a tuition center collapsed in Kahna area of Lahore.After the incident, rescue officials with the help of local residents, pulled the children trapped under the rubble and shifted them to the hospital.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUunmyUN6MkIn her statement, the teacher said the room where the children were being taught had a completed roof and construction work had already finished. She said her financial condition was not strong enough to rebuild the entire house or lay a new roof slab, which is why only the ceiling had been reinforced.The teacher said she herself was buried under the debris during the accident, while her own daughter, her brother-in-law’s children, and her sister-in-law’s one-and-a-half-year-old girl were also present there. She said she still does not know the condition of the other children.Also Read: Lahore tuition centre roof collapse inquiry report releasedShe denied reports that construction work was ongoing at the time of the accident and said she herself does not know why the roof fell. Authorities are investigating the incident to determine the actual cause of the accident and any possible negligence.

ISLAMABAD: A blind woman defrauded by a bank manager has recovered Rs19.2 million following court intervention, with the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordering the handover of two vehicles belonging to the manager to settle the remaining dues, ARY News reported.According to reports, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed that the two vehicles of bank manager Rameez Javed be handed over to the blind woman for the outstanding amount. The court instructed the FIA to recover both vehicles of manager Rameez Javed and submit a report.Justice Azam Khan and Justice Inam Ameen Minhas heard the recovery petition. The woman’s counsel told the court that she had earlier received Rs15.9 million, while cheques worth over Rs3.3 million were handed over to her yesterday.The Assistant Attorney General told the court that the vehicles would be recovered and handed over to the woman within one week.Bank manager Rameez Javed is convicted in a fraud case worth crores and is imprisoned in Adiala Jail. The allegation that the bank manager embezzled more than Rs20 million belonging to the blind woman has been proven.The trial court had sentenced the bank manager to five years in prison after the crime was proven, the lawyer said. The court sought a report from the FIA and adjourned the hearing of the case until July 7.Also Read: Woman registers fraud case against husband over using dowry car

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has restored the inheritance rights of a widow and her two daughters after a 71-year legal battle, ruling that women cannot be deprived of their lawful share in property on the basis of an unproven oral gift.In a landmark judgment, a two-member bench comprising Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan and Justice Shakeel Ahmad set aside the decisions of the trial court, the appellate court and the Lahore High Court, all of which had ruled against the female heirs.The Supreme Court declared the mutation dated April 17, 1955, and all subsequent transactions based on it as illegal, void and ineffective against the inheritance rights of the petitioners.The court held that the petitioners are entitled to their respective shares in the estate of Roshan son of Bora in accordance with the applicable law of inheritance. It also directed the revenue authorities to correct the revenue record and undertake the determination and separation of the petitioners' shares in accordance with the law.Read more: Women’s inheritance a divine right, not a family choice: Federal Shariat CourtAccording to the detailed judgment in Noor Muhammad and others versus Ghulam Haider and others, the court ruled that women cannot be deprived of their inheritance rights merely on the basis of an alleged oral gift unless the party claiming the gift proves all its essential legal requirements through independent and reliable evidence.The court observed that revenue mutation entries, long possession of property and subsequent revenue proceedings do not, by themselves, constitute proof of an oral gift or ownership.It held that the burden of proving an alleged oral gift rests on the party relying on it, particularly where the claim would deprive a widow and daughters of their Islamic and legal inheritance rights.The court noted that there was no evidence on record to show that the female heirs had been informed that the alleged oral gift would permanently extinguish their ownership rights, or that they had knowingly and voluntarily relinquished those rights.The judgment held that the lower courts had erred in treating a 1955 gift mutation as conclusive proof of an oral gift. It emphasized that, under the law, a mutation serves only fiscal and revenue purposes and neither creates nor extinguishes title to property.The Supreme Court further ruled that subsequent land consolidation proceedings, exchanges of land, private partition arrangements or other revenue entries could not establish that a valid oral gift had actually taken place in 1955.The court also held that long possession alone is insufficient to prove an oral gift, as the person in possession may already have been occupying the property in the capacity of a co-heir.It reaffirmed the legal principle that possession by one co-heir is generally deemed to be possession on behalf of all co-heirs unless there is clear and unequivocal evidence that the rights of the other heirs have been expressly denied.Highlighting the importance of women's inheritance rights, the Supreme Court said that women’s inheritance rights enjoy special protection under both Islamic law and public policy.Referring to its earlier precedents, the Supreme Court observed that courts are duty-bound to closely scrutinize attempts to deprive women of inheritance through fabricated oral gifts, sham documents or manipulated revenue records, and such claims cannot be dismissed merely on the basis of delay or technical objections.The court concluded that although limitation may be relevant in certain cases, the primary question is whether the alleged oral gift has been legally proved. If the gift itself is not established in accordance with law, women cannot be deprived of their inheritance rights solely on the basis of an old mutation, prolonged possession or subsequent revenue proceedings.The court noted that any custom, practice, arrangement or device which has the effect of excluding a female heir from her lawful share not only offends the injunctions of Islam but is also inconsistent with the constitutional commitment to equality, dignity, social justice and protection of property rights.It said the responsibility, however, does not rest upon the state alone. "Families, Community leaders, Islamic scholars and orators, members of the legal profession, revenue authorities and civil society all share a collective obligation to ensure that the rights conferred by Almighty Allah are neither diluted nor defeated".The SC said that the problem is not merely legal but societal. "The denial of inheritance rights often begins not in courtrooms but within homes, families and communities where women are expected to sacrifice rights guaranteed to them by religion and law in the name of tradition, family honour or social convenience". Case background Roshan son of Bora, the owner of the disputed property, died in 1955. An inheritance mutation was entered in favour of his legal heirs on April 4, 1955.On the same day, another mutation was recorded on the basis of an alleged oral gift purportedly made by the widow and daughters in favour of the deceased's two sons. Both mutations were sanctioned on April 17, 1955.The widow and daughters maintained that no such oral gift had ever taken place and alleged that the second mutation was fraudulently sanctioned to deprive them of their lawful inheritance.After remaining in possession of the property, the sons and their successors subsequently transferred the land through exchange and gift transactions.The suit filed by the female heirs was dismissed by the trial court, while their appeal and civil revision before the Lahore High Court were also rejected. The Supreme Court has now overturned all previous judgments and restored the inheritance rights of the widow and her daughters.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday rejected India's statement regarding its strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan, with Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi describing New Delhi's remarks as "baseless."Responding to a media query about a statement issued by India's Ministry of External Affairs on June 29, the Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan's actions were "legitimate, targeted and proportionate" operations against terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan."The preposterous statement has been made by a country that has historically interfered in and undermined the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbouring countries, in contravention of the UN Charter, the Foreign Office said. "India continues to suppress the right to self-determination of the Kashmiris in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, in violation of the relevant UN resolutions".Tahir Andrabi further stated that India has also been actively aiding and sponsoring terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil against Pakistan, in violation of the relevant UN Security Council sanctions regime. PR No. 158/2026 Statement by the Spokesperson🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/rg73rPGrWd— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 1, 2026 "India continues to play the role of a regional spoiler. Its baseless accusations and inflammatory statements against Pakistan must not be entertained," Andrabi said.He added that Pakistan would continue to take all appropriate measures to uphold the safety and security of its citizens in accordance with international law.The statement comes amid heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistani security forces successfully neutralized four incoming drones launched by the Afghan Taliban regime across the border in Balochistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.The Pakistan Army warned that such gimmicks of the Taliban regime are aimed at misleading the Afghan population suffering under their oppressive regime.Earlier this week, Pakistan also issued a strong démarche to the Afghan Taliban regime following the recent terrorist attack in Karachi.In a subsequent intelligence-based operation and precision strikes targeting terrorist camps and safe havens along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Pakistani security forces killed 29 terrorists.The operations followed an attack on a Pakistan Rangers Sindh camp in Karachi's Gulistan-e-Johar area, where three attackers were killed and an Afghan national was arrested in an injured condition. Three Rangers personnel were martyred and four others were injured in the assault.

KARACHI: "People commenting over the local government system in Sindh first bring the local bodies to work in their own provinces", Sindh's Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said on Wednesday."The people of those areas are passing resolutions, where the local government system is non-existent, local councils not even exist in Islamabad," Murad Ali Shah said while talking to media in Karachi."We also want an improvement in Sindh's local government system," chief minister said.Murad Ali Shah also condemned 12 to 18 hours power load shedding in Karachi. "There is 18 hours loadshedding in the city, while the federal government denying permission to install the power plants," he said."Federal government refuses to grant us permission for installation of solar and wind power generation plants," CM Shah said."We don't know what the issue is and when will it end," he added.

KARACHI: The Sindh government has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court's Karachi Registry challenging the verdict that acquitted the accused in the Baldia factory fire case.The petition was submitted by Sindh Prosecutor General Shabbir Shah, seeking a review of the Supreme Court's decision to acquit MQM workers Rehman Bhola and Zubair Charia.The Supreme Court had earlier allowed the appeals of Rehman alias Bhola and Zubair Charia, setting aside the judgments of the Anti-Terrorism Court and the Sindh High Court. The court acquitted both men by extending them the benefit of the doubt.In its review petition, the Sindh government has invoked Article 188 of the Constitution, raising the legal question of whether the provision applies where a judgment is allegedly contrary to the facts and the law.Read more: Baldia Factory case: Main accused Zubair Charya, Rehman Bhola released from jailThe petition argues that the verdict failed to properly consider eyewitness testimony, medical evidence, and other material on record. It further contends that the evidence of injured witnesses and expert testimony regarding the use of chemicals to start the fire was overlooked.The government has also questioned whether, under the Anti-Terrorism Act, the acquittal of convicted persons can remain immune from legal challenge by the affected parties. In addition, the petition raises objections regarding the application of Articles 4 and 17 of the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984.

LAHORE: The Lahore Education Authority has completed its inquiry report into the roof collapse at a tuition centre in Kahna, which claimed the lives of several children.In the heart-wrenching incident, 14 children lost their lives, while five children and a female teacher were injured. According to rescue officials, all are in stable condition.According to the report, the tuition centre was operating from a residential house and was not registered with any government authority. It further states that the female teacher was privately tutoring children, most of whom were her relatives.The report notes that between 25 and 30 children were present at the tuition centre when the roof collapsed. The Education Authority has submitted its inquiry report to the district administration for further action.CEO Education Authority Tariq Mahmood said there is currently no formal registration system for tuition centres operating from private homes. He added that such home-based tuition centres do not fall under the Education Department's registration framework.He said the district administration will determine the future course of action in light of the findings of the inquiry. FIR registered Lahore police have registered an FIR following the tragic roof collapse at a tuition centre in the Kahna area of lahoare that claimed the lives of 14 children.According to the FIR, which was lodged on the complaint of the Enforcement Inspector of Nishtar Zone, states that the loss of precious lives resulted from negligence and reckless construction practices. It alleges that the tuition centre was operating beneath a structurally weak roof while repair work was being carried out above it.Investigators believe the roof collapsed after being unable to withstand the additional weight, trapping students beneath the debris. The injured include eight children and a female teacher.DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said police have taken five individuals, including the building owner, into custody. He added that legal action will be taken against those found responsible once the investigation is completed.

QUETTA: The Met Office has forecast beginning of the monsoon spell in Balochistan from today (Wednesday).The PMD forecast rainfall in the northern and northeastern parts of the province from July 1 to July 4.The monsoon rain is expected in Zhob, Sherani, Kohlu, Naseerabad, Harnai, Sibbi, Barkhan, and Dera Bugti districts of the province.The PMD has predicted rain in Sindh's Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, Jacobabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Khairpur, Qambar Shahdadkot, and Naushahro Feroze districts on July 3 and July 4.The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) earlier forecast that a monsoon spell was set to begin in the country from the first week of July.In a weather report, the department said that a westerly wave was likely to enter the upper parts of the country from June 30. While moist currents from the Arabian Sea are continuously penetrating the eastern and central parts of the country.It added that moist currents from the Bay of Bengal were expected to reach the upper parts from July 2.Monsoon rains fall across the region from June to September, are crucial to replenishing water supplies. However, heavy downpours also trigger deadly floods and landslides, particularly in vulnerable, poorly drained, or densely populated areas.

ISLAMABAD: Preparations have been completed for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's official visit to Iran to attend the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.As per details, the premier is scheduled to depart for Tehran on Friday.The high-level delegation accompanying the prime minister will include Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, and Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.During the visit, the delegation, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, will attend the funeral prayers of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Read more: Iran prepares for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeralGiant portraits of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s late supreme leader killed in US-Israeli airstrikes, hung from Tehran’s Grand Mosalla on Tuesday as workers raced to prepare for his grand funeral ceremony.His funeral, initially delayed at the height of the Middle East war, will take place as Iran and the United States uphold a fragile ceasefire after signing a preliminary deal to halt the conflict.Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a spiritual figure for many Shias, was killed aged 86 at his compound in the centre of the Iranian capital on February 28, the first day of the war.His public funeral will begin on Saturday, with his body lying in state at the colossal complex in central Tehran that hosts major Friday prayers, official ceremonies and religious gatherings.The bodies of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei slain relatives will also be presented. The ceremonies are expected to draw between 15 and 20 million mourners, according to officials, which would make it the biggest state funeral in the country’s history.

CHISHTIAN: Three young men lost their lives in Saddar area of Chishtian, Bahawalnagar district, after entering a well to rescue a goat that had fallen into it, police and rescue officials said.According to police, the incident occurred when a goat fell into a well in the area. One after another, the three men entered the well in an attempt to retrieve the animal.Officials said that toxic gases inside the well and a severe lack of oxygen caused the men to lose consciousness, and all three died on the spot.The deceased were identified as Zain, Ali Raza, and Ali Akbar, all residents of the same village, with ages reported to be between 18 and 24 years.Local residents informed Rescue 1122 and Civil Defence after the men failed to respond. Rescue teams reached the site and launched an operation to recover the bodies.[video mp4="https://arynews-1313565080.cos.ap-singapore.myqcloud.com/zip-archives/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AQOdjD_rY2RnC2Qd4twI_0KPhhTONou4JEZ6Ln0x1GY3IxG6Sp5YD1WbzrMwfYSR6wufjn3z2m1pyltv4g-knk_se0NxRr7pAdSDGinVjw-2.mp4"][/video]Officials confirmed that all three bodies were retrieved from the well, after which legal formalities were completed and the remains were handed over to the families.The incident triggered grief and mourning in the area as the bodies were brought home for burial.A day earlier, in the heart-wrenching incident, 14 children lost their lives, while five children and a female teacher were injured after the roof of a tuition centre collapsed in Lahore’s Kahna area.Two other children received first aid at the scene and were sent to home, while the teacher is being treated at Lahore General Hospital.A student who survived the incident said that some people had been working on the roof and laying bricks when it suddenly collapsed.The student said his brother was buried under the debris and lost his life, while he narrowly escaped the horrifying incident. Another student said the class had been completing an assignment when the roof suddenly collapsed.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to the newly established private airline, South Air, ARY News reported.The certificate was issued under the signature of CAA Director General Nadir Shafi Dar. The airline is expected to commence operations within the next few days.According to officials, the Ministry of Defence and the Civil Aviation Authority provided full support during the certification process. DG Nadir Shafi Dar said the CAA remains committed to supporting the growth and development of Pakistan's aviation sector.South Air plans to operate flights to airports across Pakistan. The airline has already conducted test flights to the New Gwadar International Airport and Sukkur Airport, which were monitored and evaluated by CAA inspectors as part of the certification process.Last year, Saudi Arabia’s new airline, Flyadeal, commenced its flight operations to Pakistan.According to a PAA spokesperson, the first Flyadeal flight, F3 166, arrived in Karachi from Saudi Arabia at 8:04 a.m, according to the PIA spokesperson.The aircraft was given a water salute upon arrival at Jinnah International Airport. It is important to note that in November 2024, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) granted Flyadeal permission to operate air services in Pakistan.The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) granted Flyadeal approval for air operations in Pakistan upon its initial request.The Flyadeal airline will operate flights from Riyadh to Karachi, with additional flights between Karachi, Riyadh, and Jeddah.Sources from the airline suggest that this new airline will provide passengers with direct travel options, enhancing convenience for travelers between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh: Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, Mohsin Naqvi, arrived in Riyadh on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, marking another step in the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries.Upon his arrival at King Khalid International Airport on Tuesday evening, the Pakistani interior minister was warmly received by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Interior, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif.The high-level reception reflects the close and longstanding relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, particularly in the areas of security cooperation, counter-terrorism, and law enforcement.The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to discuss matters of mutual interest, including enhancing collaboration in internal security, combating narcotics trafficking, and expanding institutional cooperation between the two interior ministries.Read more: Mohsin Naqvi arrives in Iran for high-level talksPakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained strong strategic ties for decades, with both countries regularly engaging at the highest levels to deepen cooperation across political, economic, security, and defense sectors.The visit by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is seen as part of ongoing efforts to further strengthen bilateral coordination and reinforce the longstanding partnership between the two brotherly nations.

KARACHI: A provincial anti-corruption court has extended the physical remand of former Yellow Line BRT Project Director Zamir Abbasi by three days in connection with the ongoing corruption case.The court ordered that the accused remain in the custody of anti-corruption authorities for further investigation.The investigating officer has also been directed to submit a progress report on the investigation at the next hearing.Former Project Director Zameer Abbasi is accused of providing undue benefits to contractors, while both Abbasi and Director Procurement Jhaman Das face allegations of misuse of authority.The report further states that the relevant contracts contained no provisions allowing advance payments or financial assistance to contractors. Despite this, officials allegedly facilitated financial support worth billions of rupees.Investigators claim that approximately Rs8.5 billion was provided to contractors without the required bank guarantees, resulting in a loss to the public exchequer.The report submitted before the court identifies multiple procedural and financial irregularities, according to anti-corruption authorities.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India on Wednesday exchanged lists of prisoners in each other’s jails through the diplomatic channels.Pakistan has handed over the list of 715 Indian prisoners to India including 306 fishermen and 409 other civilian prisoners.Pakistan's charge d affaires in New Delhi Saad Warraich handed over the list to the Indian officials.Indian charge d affaires in Pakistan, Geetika Srivastava, handed over the list of Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails to Pakistan.The simultaneous exchange of lists took place in pursuance of the Consular Access Agreement of 2008. Under the Agreement, both countries have been required to exchange the lists of prisoners in each other’s custody on 1st January and 1st July, every year.

Quetta: The Balochistan Home Department has imposed Section 144 across Kech district (Turbat) for 30 days in view of the prevailing law and order situation.According to an official notification issued by the Home Department, all political gatherings, public meetings, and rallies have been banned during the period of the restrictions.The notification also prohibits the public display of all types of weapons as part of measures aimed at maintaining peace and public order.Read more: Punjab extends ban on drone flying for 30 days under section 144The Punjab government extended the enforcement of Section 144 across the province with a complete ban over flying drones will remain in place.Provincial Home Department has extended the restriction on outdoor drone operations for a period of 30 days.The government has imposed ban on flying drones owing to security concerns.However, limited use of small drones has been permitted during indoor events at halls and marquees. A home department spokesperson stated that the event organisers will be responsible for ensuring the safe use of drones during such indoor functions.Intelligence agencies and the law enforcement institutions would be exempted from the ban.The secretary home department Punjab has imposed ban on drone operations under the criminal procedure code 1898 section 144-VI to ensure public safety, maintenance of law and order, and protection of property, spokesperson said.The administration and police across the province have been directed to strictly enforce the orders.

KARACHI: A three-year-old girl has tested positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Karachi, taking the total number of infected children in Orangi Town to 107.The girl is a resident of Orangi Town. According to her family, the infection was confirmed after she tested positive in three separate laboratory tests. The results showed positive findings on the Rapid Detect, Uni-Gold, and HIV Combo (Ag/Ab) tests.The parents said the child had received treatment at the Kulsum Bai Valika Social Security SITE Hospital, commonly known as Valika Hospital. They said that her health began to deteriorate after the treatment, prompting them to have her tested for HIV.The latest case comes amid an ongoing investigation into an HIV outbreak involving children who received treatment at the government-run Valika Hospital in Karachi's SITE Town.According to health authorities, 107 children from Orangi Town have so far tested positive for HIV, while the death toll among infected children in Zia Colony has risen to nine.Several affected families have stated that hospital staff reused syringes on multiple children, resulting in the spread of the virus.In February, Federal Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal has publicly stated that the outbreak was caused by the reuse of contaminated syringes at the Valika Hospital.Meanwhile, addressing the National Assembly on June 10, the minister said the government had banned five types of syringes following a rise in HIV/AIDS cases across the country. He said reports of increasing HIV infections had also emerged from Islamabad and Taunsa in Punjab.The minister told lawmakers that approximately 366,000 people in Pakistan are living with HIV/AIDS and said the disease is treatable if diagnosed and managed properly.He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had constituted a special committee to help curb the spread of HIV, while the federal government was working with provincial authorities to strengthen prevention and control measures.

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday rejected the bail petition of a key member of the fearsome 'White Corolla Gang' Muhammad Ali Hajano and summoned criminal record of the accused.The accused has allegedly robbed a woman on gunpoint in Karachi's Gulistan-e-Jauhar.Accused Hajano committed a robbery near Pahalwan Goth in October 2025 and snatched purse, cash and gold chain from a woman sitting in a car, according to the prosecution."The woman hit her car to the motorbike when the accused trying to flee," prosecutor said. "The accused fell to the ground, and people caught him and handed over to the police".The prosecution pleaded to the court to reject the bail plea of the accused, "who has been a habitual criminal".The White Corolla Gang created a reign of terror during the years 2008 and 2009, specifically targeted the affluent areas of Clifton and Defence (DHA), as well as various deserted locations across the city. Their primary targets were unsuspecting citizens, particularly couples. Beyond robbing victims of their valuables at gunpoint, the gang was also allegedly involved in the sexual assault and harassment of female victims.The gang operated with highly calculated tactics, making it exceptionally difficult for the police to track them down.

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Wednesday formally handed over four kanals of state land to the Hindu and Sikh communities for the establishment of a Shamshan Ghat (cremation ground) in Dera Ismail Khan,  addressing a longstanding demand of the area's religious minorities.A ceremony marking the transfer of land was held at the Secretariat of the Auqaf, Hajj, Religious and Minority Affairs Department. Under the allocation, two kanals have been earmarked for the Hindu community and two kanals for the Sikh community.Provincial Minister for Auqaf, Hajj, Religious and Minority Affairs, Sahibzada Muhammad Adnan Qadri, formally handed over the land documents to representatives of the two communities.Speaking at the ceremony, the minister said protecting religious freedom and safeguarding the rights of minorities remained a top priority of the provincial government. He said minorities were a respected and equal part of society, adding that the government was committed to ensuring their welfare and promoting interfaith harmony.According to the minority community, the absence of a cremation ground in Dera Ismail Khan had forced members of the Hindu community to transport the bodies of their deceased relatives to Attock for cremation, resulting in significant hardship, long-distance travel, and additional expenses.Pakistani Minister Ramesh Singh Arora Honored at Sikh of America EventThe allocation of four kanals of land is expected to pave the way for the establishment of a local Shamshan Ghat and resolve the longstanding issue.The land transfer documents were signed by Additional Secretary Habib Afridi on behalf of the government and Darpan Kumar, representing the Hindu community of Dera Ismail Khan.Former MPA and former adviser to the KP chief minister Wazirzada, along with senior officials of the Auqaf Department and representatives of the Hindu and Sikh communities, attended the ceremony.The Hindu and Sikh communities welcomed the initiative, describing it as a historic step that would facilitate the performance of last rites according to their religious traditions while reflecting the government's commitment to protecting minority rights and promoting religious harmony.

RAWALPINDI: Pakistani security forces successfully neutralized four incoming drones launched by the Afghan Taliban regime across the border in Balochistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday.In a statement, the military's media wing said that on June 30, the Afghan Taliban regime launched four rudimentary drones across the border into Balochistan as part of their patronisation and support of terrorist outfits operating from inside their controlled territories.According to the ISPR, the hostile aerial platforms were immediately detected by Pakistan's robust air defence network.Demonstrating high operational readiness, security forces successfully neutralized all four incoming drones using sophisticated countermeasures. As a result of the swift and effective response, the malicious attempts were effectively thwarted.The Pakistan Army warned that such gimmicks of the Taliban regime are aimed at misleading the Afghan population suffering under their oppressive regime.It urged the Afghan Taliban to realize that their irresponsible behaviour is only adding to the hardships of the Afghan people."Instead of trying to sedate their population through such antics and hollow rhetoric, they should eschew sponsorship of terrorism and adhere to the principle of peaceful coexistence", the ISPR said. "However, if the Afghan Taliban continue to provoke Pakistan, they would receive a befitting response, which would cost them heavily"."The Pakistan Armed Forces remain fully vigilant and capable of defending every inch of the motherland. Any misadventures or cross-border provocations threatening the sovereignty of Pakistan and endangering our people will continue to be met with swift, decisive, and overwhelming responses under Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq", the ISPR added.Pakistan issues strong demarche to Afghan Taliban regime over Karachi terror attackEarlier, Pakistan on Monday issued a strong démarche to the Afghan Taliban regime following the recent terrorist attack in Karachi, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said.Pakistani Security forces also killed 29 terrorists during an intelligence-based operation and subsequent precision strikes targeting terrorist camps and safe havens in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region.The action comes a day after terrorists attacked a Pakistan Rangers Sindh camp in the Gulistan-e-Johar area of Karachi. During the exchange of fire, three attackers were killed, while another Afghan national was arrested in an injured condition.Three Rangers personnel embraced martyrdom, while four others sustained injuries.