Day: July 11, 2026

Islamabad: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AJK Justice (Retd.) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on Friday dismissed the possibility of any delay in the July 27, 2026 General Elections, saying polling would take place in all constituencies as scheduled under stringent security arrangements.

While speaking exclusively to a local media outlet, he stated that all necessary arrangements for the upcoming elections have been completed.

He assured that there would be no delays in any constituency during the polling process and that all preparations had been made to ensure smooth and efficient conduct of the elections.

CEC further emphasized that the electoral process would be conducted in accordance with the law and the Constitution, adding, if the situation requires the deployment of the armed forces, the relevant authorities would take necessary steps to ensure their presence for maintaining security and order.

He added that the Punjab Police, along with all other security forces, would perform their duties to facilitate peaceful elections, adding, a comprehensive security measures have been planned to provide voters with a safe, secure, and protected environment so they can exercise their right to vote without any concerns.

Responding to a question regarding the expected voter turnout, he said that it would not be appropriate to make an estimate before the completion of the polling process.

However, he expressed optimism that the turnout would remain encouraging and reflect public participation in the electoral process.

CEC AJK reiterated the commitment of the authorities to ensuring a transparent, peaceful and well-managed election process, adding, all institutions involved would work together to uphold law and order and provide maximum support to voters and election staff throughout the polling period.

He stated that the Election Commission with full cooperation of government is making continuous efforts to ensure the smooth and transparent conduct of elections.

He reaffirmed the commitment to use all available resources to complete the electoral process in accordance with constitutional obligations and the announced schedule.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on Friday said the Hajj Policy and Plan 2027-2030 will transform the Hajj system into a state-of-the-art digital framework, covering online complaints, secure payments and improved pilgrim services, while maintaining the first-come, first-served application policy.

Speaking exclusively to local media outlook, Minister for religious credited the present government for introducing Pakistan’s first comprehensive digital Hajj system and a new long-term hajj policy, describing the initiative as a historic step towards bringing greater transparency, efficiency and convenience for pilgrims.

The minister said the state-of-the-art digital framework will transform the Hajj process by providing secure data protection, easy payment facilities and an efficient complaint management system.

He added that the new system will make services more accessible and ensure a smoother experience for pilgrims.

Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said the Hajj application process will continue under the first-come, first-served policy, ensuring a transparent and fair mechanism for applicants.

He said the new policy also includes short and long Hajj packages ranging from three to six years to provide better planning and flexibility for pilgrims.

The minister also appreciated the efforts of the Saudi Arabian government for continuously improving Hajj arrangements and providing world-class facilities to pilgrims from across the globe.

Yousaf said Saudi Arabia’s modern infrastructure, advanced management system and commitment to pilgrims’ comfort have played a vital role in making Hajj operations more efficient.

He said the cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, along with Pakistan’s new digital initiatives will further enhance the overall Hajj experience and strengthen facilities for Pakistani pilgrims.

Concluding his remarks, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said that pilgrims will be able to register for Hajj for any year up to 2030. He added that a priority waiting list will be prepared for registered applicants, ensuring an organized and transparent process for future Hajj arrangements.

Minister added the initiative will provide pilgrims with greater planning flexibility and a more convenient Hajj registration experience.

Islamabad: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi on Friday visited the entry point of Police Lines Headquarters to review security arrangements and inspect the entry management system.

An official told reporter that AIG Logistics Abdul Haq Umrani briefed the IGP Rizvi on the security measures in place, access control procedures and the functioning of the entry management system at the headquarters.

Rizvi conducted a detailed inspection of the security arrangements and reviewed the effectiveness of the entry management mechanism to ensure enhanced protection of the police headquarters.

The IGP Rizvi directed the officers concerned to further strengthen security measures, improve the entry management system and maintain the highest level of vigilance at all times.

He emphasized that robust security and an efficient access control system were essential for safeguarding key police installations and instructed officers to perform their duties with professionalism, alertness and dedication, the official added.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, terming the development of Gilgit-Baltistan a priority of the federal government, said that special attention was being paid to improve infrastructure, communications, energy, education, health, and tourism sectors besides increasing employment opportunities in the region.

The prime minister, in a meeting with the newly-elected members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), who called on him here, said that the local economy would be further strengthened by utilizing the natural resources, tourist destinations, and mineral reserves of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Moreover, he said that providing quality education, modern technical training, and dignified employment to the youth was a key priority of the government, enabling them to play a role in national development.

He said that elected representatives served as a direct source of awareness of public expectations, problems, and priorities, and emphasised that, regardless of political affiliations, the sole purpose of leadership must be public service and creating ease in people’s lives.

Appreciating the people of Gilgit-Baltistan for practically proving their love, loyalty, and national unity with Pakistan, the prime minister told the lawmakers that the construction of four Daanish Schools in the region was in the final stage, and classes would commence there from next year.

Additionally, he said that the work was underway at a rapid pace on a solar power project of 100 megawatts and assured that the federal government was utilizing all available resources to ensure the timely completion of ongoing development projects in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz said that an early warning system for climate change and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) had been installed in Gilgit-Baltistan to provide timely information to the residents and help them cope with adverse situations caused by weather conditions.

He said that effective communication between the federal government and local leadership was indispensable for resolving public issues, and ensuring better governance, and promoting transparency.

Assuring the delegation of considering their suggestions, the prime minister said that the government would work in coordination with them for the welfare of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. He also urged the parliamentarians to play a constructive role, expressing the hope that through collective efforts, Gilgit-Baltistan would achieve immense development and prosperity.

Prime Minister Shehbaz directed the formation of a committee, to be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, which will review the actionable proposals presented by the lawmakers and submit a report. Other members of the committee include Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam and Advisor to PM on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam, and Advisor to PM on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah.

Islamabad: The Emergency Response Committee (ERC), convened by the Prime Minister, reviewed and reinforced provincial and district level preparedness for Monsoon 2026 at a meeting held on Friday at NDMA headquarters in Islamabad with participation via video link.

The committee moved to ensure a rapid, coordinated response to rising risks of flash floods, urban flooding, landslides, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods and other hydro-meteorological hazards by directing continuous readiness, timely implementation of local contingency plans, protection of vulnerable communities and rapid mobilization of resources.

Chaired remotely by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal and attended by Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Musadik Malik and NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, the meeting heard detailed briefings from provincial chief secretaries and disaster management officials on contingency planning, resource deployment and public awareness campaigns.

Officials highlighted focus on vulnerable flood plains, urban centres, hill torrent regions, coastal belts and glacier-fed valleys where the risk of flash floods and GLOFs is elevated.

The committee expressed satisfaction with preparedness measures initiated by provincial and district administrations while directing all authorities to maintain a high state of readiness throughout the monsoon season.

It stressed uninterrupted inter agency communication, swift resource mobilization and immediate implementation of local contingency plans to protect lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.

NDMA, acting as the ERC secretariat, will continue to coordinate, monitor and share information among ministries, provincial administrations and district response teams to support an effective, unified national response during the season.

Islamabad: Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) organized a road safety seminar at the Pakistan Red Crescent Headquarters to promote awareness about traffic laws and safe driving practices.

An ITP official told reporter on Friday that Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Kainat Azhar Khan attended the seminar as the chief guest. Director ITP FM 92.4 Ayesha Jamil, officers of the ITP Education Wing and officials of the Pakistan Red Crescent also participated in the event.

ITP Education Wing delivered awareness sessions on compliance with traffic laws, defensive driving, the use of seat belts and helmets, speed limits, pedestrians’ rights and the dangers of using mobile phones while driving.

Addressing the participants, CTO Kainat said adherence to traffic laws was essential not only for one’s own safety but also for protecting the lives of other road users. She urged citizens to adopt responsible driving habits to help reduce road accidents.

An interactive question-and-answer session on traffic rules was also held, and prizes were distributed among participants who gave correct answers.

At the conclusion of the seminar, commemorative shields were exchanged between officials of Islamabad Traffic Police and the Pakistan Red Crescent in recognition of their joint efforts to promote road safety awareness, the official added.