Day: July 10, 2026

Lahore: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday extended the interim bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Musarrat Jamshed Cheema and her husband, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema, until Sept 5 in multiple cases related to the May 9 riots, including the Jinnah House and Askari Tower attacks.

The court directed the investigating officer to complete the investigation against Musarrat Jamshed Cheema.

ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill conducted the proceedings on bail applications. The two PTI leaders appeared before the court after their interim bail expired to mark their attendance.

Musarrat Cheema obtained interim bail in eight cases, while Jamshed Cheema secured interim bail in four cases.

The cases against the accused include allegations relating to the attacks on Jinnah House and Askari Tower, as well as arson and vandalism outside Rahat Bakery and other incidents linked to the May 9 violence.

Lahore: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday extended the interim bail of Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, the sisters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder, until September 5 in multiple cases related to the May 9 riots, including the alleged attack on and arson of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) office.

ATC Judge Malik Abid Hussain heard the bail applications.

Uzma Khan appeared before the court to mark her attendance, while Aleema Khan filed a one-day exemption request from personal appearance. The court accepted her application.

Both Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan have obtained interim bail in cases concerning the alleged burning of the PML-N office and other incidents linked to the May 9 violence.

Meanwhile, another anti-terrorism court (ATC) extended the interim bail of Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan until September 5 in a case relating to alleged violence against police during the PTI protest on October 5.

ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill heard the case.

Uzma Khan appeared before the court, while Aleema Khan did not appear as she was in Islamabad. Her counsel filed a one-day exemption from personal appearance, which the court accepted.

The court directed the prosecution to complete its arguments on the interim bail applications.

Both Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan have obtained interim bail in the case registered at Shafiqabad Police Station over the October 5 protest and alleged violence against police.

According to the prosecution, the two sisters are accused of inciting PTI workers to stage a violent protest. The prosecutor told the court that police personnel were attacked and vehicles were set on fire during the October 5 protest.

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday paid glowing tribute to Madar-i-Millat Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah for her invaluable democratic and national services on the occasion of her 59th death anniversary.

In her special message, the chief minister commended Fatima Jinnah’s unwavering devotion to Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and her remarkable spirit of sacrifice. She prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and for her elevated ranks in the hereafter.

Maryam Nawaz said Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah remained a role model for every sister and daughter of Pakistan, adding that her steadfastness in the face of adversity continues to inspire generations and serves as a beacon of guidance for the nation.

The chief minister said the people of Pakistan pay profound tribute to the national and political services of Madar-i-Millat.

She added that Fatima Jinnah demonstrated through her life that women have the capability to play a constructive and transformative role in the progress, development and prosperity of the country.

Lahore: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has accelerated efforts to promote business registration through its SME Registration Portal (SMERP), paving the way for enterprise formalization across Pakistan.

The initiative is part of SMEDA’s commitment to providing an enabling business ecosystem to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to help them scale and flourish, thereby contributing to the national economic growth as envisioned by the government, SMEDA Chief Executive Officer Nadia Jahangir Seth told media here Thursday.

SMEDA, under the guidance of Ministry of Industries and Production, is working with a renewed vigor to implement the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s MSME development vision, for which, the entrepreneurs, especially women and budding businesses, are encouraged to register through https: //smerp.smeda.org/ or by visiting SMEDA’s website and take the first step toward being recognized, competitive and future-ready entities

Speaking about the importance of formalization, SMEDA CEO said, Pakistan continues to face significant informality challenges, with a large proportion of enterprises and workers operating outside formal systems. This limits access to finance, reduces productivity, weakens competitiveness and restricts compliance with international trade requirements such as GSP-Plus obligations and emerging sustainability standards. She emphasized that SME registration is not merely an administrative process but a gateway to economic opportunity, business sustainability and long-term resilience. ‘Formalization enables SMEs to strengthen their business identity, access finance and markets, improve credibility and participate more effectively in national and global value chains,’ she stated.

Ms Seth said SMEDA’s SME Registration Portal offers enterprises a free and simplified mechanism to initiate their formalization journey. ‘Registered MSMEs can benefit from business advisory services, capacity-building programs, networking opportunities, exposure through trade fairs and exhibitions, and stronger linkages with financial institutions and larger enterprises,’ she said.

It is notable that SMEDA’s ongoing collaboration with the International Labour Organization aims to strengthen Pakistan’s enterprise formalization agenda. Both the organizations have jointly launched Pakistan’s first National SME and Worker Formalization Roadmap under the ‘SME Formalization and Just Transition’ initiative.

The roadmap provides a coordinated national framework to simplify business registration, strengthen labour compliance, support supply chain due diligence and facilitate SME participation in the formal economy.

Through awareness campaigns, training sessions, help desk services, digital facilitation tools and policy advocacy, SMEDA and ILO are working together to make formalization more accessible and beneficial for SMEs across sectors including textiles, garments, auto parts manufacturing and services.