Day: July 9, 2026

Islamabad: Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has paid tribute to Madar-e-Millat Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah on her 59th death anniversary, describing her as a symbol of courage, integrity and democratic values.

In a message issued ahead of her death anniversary, to be observed on July 9, the acting president said Fatima Jinnah stood shoulder to shoulder with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah during the Pakistan Movement and later played a significant role in promoting democracy, constitutional supremacy and the rights of the people.

He said her contributions to women’s empowerment, public service and national unity continue to inspire generations of Pakistanis. He urged the country’s youth to emulate her honesty, patriotism and unwavering commitment to democratic principles.

Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said the nation would continue to draw guidance from Fatima Jinnah’s dedication to public service, national unity and democratic ideals, describing her legacy as a lasting source of inspiration.

The acting president also prayed that Allah Almighty may elevate the ranks of Madar-e-Millat Fatima Jinnah and grant the nation the strength to uphold the ideals for which she stood.

Islamabad: The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa), working under National Heritage and Culture Division, has launched a three-month singing training programme aimed at preserving and promoting Pakistan’s rich musical heritage by providing aspiring vocalists with professional training in diverse musical genres.

The programme is open to beginners as well as aspiring singers and will offer instruction in classical singing, traditional ghazals, Pakistani folk music, modern songs and contemporary singing.

The initiative forms part of Lok Virsa’s continued efforts to preserve the country’s intangible cultural heritage and encourage young talent to pursue traditional and contemporary music through structured learning.

According to Lok Virsa, music instructor Wazir Ali will conduct classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while Sohail Jehangir will hold sessions on Saturdays and Sundays.

The three-month course will comprise two classes per week, providing participants with practical vocal training and exposure to different styles of Pakistani music.

The monthly fee has been fixed at Rs5,000 per student. Lok Virsa said the programme is designed to help participants improve their vocal techniques, build confidence in performance and develop a deeper understanding of Pakistan’s musical traditions.

The interested candidates can register through the online registration form available at: https: //docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOOyECNrd3GAt36UzIlB5DqowfAWDXEztLnit7YkHlgV5X4g/viewform.

Lok Virsa has encouraged aspiring singers and music enthusiasts to apply for the programme, describing it as an opportunity to receive professional training while contributing to the preservation and promotion of Pakistan’s rich folk and traditional music heritage.

Islamabad: Indus River System Authority (IRSA) on Wednesday released 284,600 cusecs of water from various rim stations with an inflow of 386,900 cusecs.

According to the data released by IRSA, the water level in the River Indus at Tarbela Dam stood at 1488.04 feet, which was 86.04 feet higher than the dead level of 1402.00 feet. Water inflow and outflow in the dam were recorded as 238,800 cusecs and 156,300 cusecs, respectively.

The water level in the Jhelum River at Mangla Dam was 1167.70 feet, which was 117.70 feet higher than its dead level of 1,050 feet. The inflow and outflow of water were recorded as 31,800 cusecs and 12,000 cusecs, respectively.

The release of water at Kalabagh, Taunsa, Guddu and Sukkur was recorded as 223,700, 176,800, 112,800, and 50,000 cusecs, respectively. Similarly, from River Kabul, a total of 48,500 cusecs of water was released at Nowshera, and 37,900 cusecs were released from River Chenab at Marala.

Islamabad: The Islamabad Excise and Taxation Department collected more than Rs 25.43 billion during the financial year 2025-26, exceeding its assigned revenue target and setting a new record for the department.

The revenue included Rs19.13 billion collected under excise taxes and over Rs 6.30 billion recovered on behalf of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

Talking to reporter, Director Excise, Bilal Azam said that the achievement came in line with the directions of the Chief Commissioner Islamabad and the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad. The department reported strong collections across several categories, including vehicle registration fees, road taxes, hotel taxes, professional taxes, and other revenue streams.

The total collection of Rs 25.43 billion marks one of the highest revenue performances in the department’s history, he added. He stated that the department not only met its target but also surpassed it through improved tax collection measures and wider public participation.

Bilal Azam attributed the increase in revenue to better monitoring, the use of digital systems, improved service delivery, and stronger enforcement of tax regulations. The introduction of technology-based services helped simplify procedures for citizens and improved overall efficiency in revenue collection.

The department also highlighted efforts to expand the tax base and strengthen recovery mechanisms. The Director said that digitalization initiatives enabled taxpayers to access services more easily while improving transparency in departmental operations.

Director Excise and Taxation Islamabad, Bilal Azam, said the department remains committed to providing modern services to citizens and further improving public access to tax-related facilities. He noted that the growing use of technology and citizen-focused initiatives has contributed to greater public trust in the department.

According to the department, increased public confidence played a significant role in achieving the record revenue collection during the fiscal year. Officials added that continuous improvements in service delivery encouraged more taxpayers to fulfill their obligations through official channels.

The department has urged citizens to pay all taxes and vehicle-related dues on time and obtain services only through authorized government platforms. Officials said public cooperation is essential for maintaining an effective and transparent taxation system.

The department also announced that citizens can receive a 10 percent discount on token tax payments made through the PAK AAP application during July 2026. Authorities encouraged taxpayers to use digital platforms to benefit from the concession and complete payments without visiting offices.

Officials reaffirmed their commitment to expanding online services and introducing further improvements aimed at making tax payments and related services more accessible for residents of the federal capital.

Islamabad: Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and constitutional and international law expert Hafiz Ehsan Ahmad Khokhar has said that comprehensive, constitutional and technology-driven reforms to Pakistan’s justice system have become an urgent national necessity, as timely, transparent and effective justice is essential for upholding the Constitution, strengthening public confidence, ensuring economic stability and attracting investment.

In an interview with the Associated Press of Pakistan Khokhar said that while Pakistan’s Constitution guarantees protection under the law, fair trial, equality and access to justice, the judicial system continues to face serious challenges due to millions of pending cases, prolonged litigation and administrative shortcomings that delay the delivery of justice.

He said judicial independence remained one of Pakistan’s most important constitutional assets, but added that independence alone was not sufficient. It must be complemented by modern judicial administration, effective case management, digital technology, transparency and institutional accountability to further strengthen public trust in the justice system.

Khokhar described the establishment of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCCP) as a significant constitutional development in Pakistan’s judicial structure. However, he said the institution would achieve its full potential only if accompanied by reforms in judicial administration, case management, digital transformation and transparent judicial appointments.

He proposed the establishment of an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled National Judicial Case Management System for courts across the country, under which every case would receive a unique digital identity from filing to final adjudication. Such a system, he said, would facilitate case monitoring, record transfer, automated scheduling, judicial statistics and public access to case information online.

He further suggested nationwide implementation of e-filing, virtual hearings, digital records, online certified copies, electronic notices, AI-assisted legal research and advanced case management tools to improve judicial efficiency.

To address the growing backlog of cases, Khokhar proposed extending court working hours in major cities and considering a six-day working week for courts. He stressed, however, that such measures must be accompanied by an increase in the number of judges, court staff, research support and modern facilities to ensure that the quality of justice was not compromised.

He said merit, integrity, constitutional insight, legal competence and administrative ability should remain the guiding principles for judicial appointments, noting that public confidence in the judiciary depended on a transparent and credible appointment process.

Khokhar said the legal fraternity also had a vital role to play in judicial reforms. He urged the Pakistan Bar Council and provincial bar councils to strengthen their codes of professional conduct by discouraging unnecessary adjournments and promoting responsible advocacy.

He also recommended setting reasonable timelines and disposal targets for family, commercial, tax, constitutional and criminal cases, while expanding the use of mediation, arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms to reduce the burden on courts.

The legal expert called for a national dialogue involving the judiciary, Parliament, the government, the Pakistan Bar Council, provincial bar councils, universities, the business community, civil society and technology experts to develop a comprehensive, practical and constitutionally compliant roadmap for judicial reforms.

He said Pakistan possessed a strong constitutional foundation, a capable legal workforce and adequate institutional capacity. What was needed, he added, was collective political will, modern technology and effective policymaking to build a judicial system capable of delivering timely, affordable and quality justice.

Khokhar emphasized that judicial reforms were not merely about reducing the backlog of cases but were indispensable for restoring public confidence in the justice system, safeguarding fundamental rights, strengthening the rule of law, promoting democratic stability, accelerating economic growth and encouraging both domestic and foreign investment.

Islamabad: Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police have launched an investigation after the body of an unidentified teenage boy was recovered from Shahdara Nullah in the jurisdiction of Bhara Kahu Police Station on Wednesday, with initial evidence suggesting he may have drowned.

An official told reporter that at around 8: 10 a.m., a local resident, identified as Haji, informed Bhara Kahu Police that a body was lying in Shahdara Nullah near Janjua Town. A police team immediately reached the scene, secured the area and started collecting evidence.

The official said the deceased appeared to be between 16 and 17 years of age and had not yet been identified.

According to the official, the victim’s clothes were found near the nullah, indicating that he might have entered the water for bathing before apparently drowning. However, the exact cause of death would be determined only after the post-mortem examination and completion of the investigation.

The body was shifted to the hospital for medico-legal formalities, while police launched efforts to establish the identity of the deceased by contacting residents of nearby areas and examining available evidence.

The official said investigators were probing all possible angles to determine whether the incident was an accidental drowning or if any foul play was involved.

He appealed to the public to contact Bhara Kahu Police Station immediately if they had any information that could help identify the deceased teenager or assist police in the investigation.