Day: July 11, 2026

Islamabad: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCCP) has withdrawn the Supreme Court’s general directions imposing restrictions on land conversion in Karachi and ordering the demolition of illegal constructions, holding that building regulations and their enforcement fall within the jurisdiction of the provincial government, not the courts.

In a 10-page written judgment authored by Justice Aamer Farooq, the court observed that the Constitution and relevant laws require the Sindh Building Control Authority and the Sindh government to take action against illegal constructions. It said officials of the SBCA and the provincial government are responsible for enforcing the law and must fulfil their constitutional and legal obligations.

According to the judgment, the matter before the Supreme Court originally concerned an appeal relating to an illegally constructed building in Lyari. However, the scope of the case was subsequently expanded to cover the whole of Lyari and later the entire city of Karachi. The Supreme Court had also issued directions for the demolition of illegal marriage halls, shopping centres, markets and structures constructed in violation of the Karachi Master Plan.

The Federal Constitutional Court held that, while hearing the appeal, the Supreme Court effectively exercised powers akin to suo motu jurisdiction without fulfilling the constitutional requirements, amounting to an overreach of judicial authority.

The judgment further stated that no demolition order could be issued solely on the basis of an SBCA report, as every citizen has the fundamental right to due process and a fair hearing before any adverse action is taken.

The court clarified that its ruling does not legalise any illegal construction. Rather, it emphasises that the Constitution and the law already provide a proper legal framework for taking action against unlawful buildings, which must be followed by the competent authorities.

The judgment noted that the original dispute concerning the Lyari building had become infructuous, according to the parties.

Consequently, the court withdrew all general directions issued by the Supreme Court in the case and disposed of the appeal.

Islamabad: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has commended the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police for carrying out a successful intelligence-based operation against what he described as “Indian-sponsored terrorists” in the Karak district.

In a statement, the interior minister praised the professionalism and operational expertise of the police after four alleged terrorists were killed during the operation.

Mohsin Naqvi said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police had once again thwarted the “nefarious designs of Indian-sponsored terrorists” through timely and effective action. He lauded the force for the successful intelligence-led operation and paid tribute to its courage and dedication.

The interior minister reiterated that Pakistan’s security forces remain firmly committed to eradicating the menace of terrorism from the country. He said coordinated efforts by law enforcement agencies would continue until terrorism is eliminated at its roots.

The statement reflects the government’s appreciation for the role of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police in ongoing counter terrorism operations aimed at maintaining peace and security in the region.

Islamabad: Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) issued a comprehensive traffic diversion plan for the 24th Muharram-ul-Haram procession, advising commuters to use alternate routes to avoid inconvenience during the procession.

An ITP official told reporter on Friday that the procession would commence from the residence of Hyderi Shah in Rawalpindi and pass through its designated route before concluding at Imambargah Boota Sain Darbar on the green belt along the Islamabad Expressway.

The official said the following diversions would remain in place for heavy traffic while the procession was on the Expressway:

Rawat T-Cross: Heavy traffic will be diverted towards Swan, Rawalpindi.

-PSO Pump, Koral: Heavy vehicles will be diverted towards Rawalpindi via Koral.

– Chungi No. 26, Katarian and IJP Road: Heavy traffic arriving from the Motorway via GT Road (Peshawar side) will be lined up during the procession.

– Bhara Kahu and Dhok Jilani: Heavy traffic coming from Murree towards the Expressway will be held until the procession passes.

According to the official, the following light traffic diversions would also remain effective:

– Traffic from Koral Chowk towards Khanna Pul will be diverted.

– Traffic on the Expressway from Khanna Pul to Kari Road will be diverted.

– The Rawalpindi-bound service road from Zia Mosque to Kari Road will remain completely closed during the procession.

The official advised motorists to use the following alternate routes:

– Light traffic coming from Lahore GT Road towards Rawalpindi should use Koral Chowk, Airport Road and Rawal Road.

– Motorists travelling towards Islamabad should use Khanna Pul, Tramri Road and Park Road.

He urged citizens to cooperate with traffic police, use designated parking areas if participating in the procession and avoid unnecessary travel on affected routes.

The official advised road users to follow Islamabad Traffic Police’s social media platforms or tune in to ITP FM 92.4 for the latest traffic updates and travel advisories.

Islamabad: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Safe City Capt. (R) Hamzah Humayun addressed a Bomb Disposal training session at the Capital Police College Islamabad, emphasizing the importance of specialized training to effectively respond to explosive threats and other emergency situations.

An official told reporter on Friday that course instructors and participants from various police units attended the training session.

Participants successfully completed the specialized course, during which they received professional training in bomb identification, safe handling of explosive devices, search techniques, threat assessment and practical field exercises to enhance their operational capabilities.

Addressing the participants, Capt. (R) Hamzah Humayun underscored the importance of continuous professional training and said such specialized courses played a vital role in improving the operational preparedness and response capacity of Islamabad Police.

He encouraged the participants to effectively utilize the knowledge and skills acquired during the training while performing their professional duties.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, certificates were distributed among the successful participants in recognition of the successful completion of the Bomb Disposal Course, the official added.

Islamabad: An inquiry committee formed by the Islamabad district administration has released its report on the H-9 Market fire, detailing how a blaze that started at 9: 45 pm spread through the market before being brought under control at 1: 20 am.

The report traces the sequence of events, identifies safety concerns, and proposes measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

According to the report, the fire initially broke out in stalls C-432 and C-433. The committee recorded statements from security personnel, shopkeepers, and other individuals connected to the market to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The report states that market staff first attempted to extinguish the fire on their own after it erupted at 9: 45 pm. Fire brigade services were informed at 9: 51 pm, while the first fire vehicle entered the market at 10: 02 pm. Assistant Commissioner I-9, the first government officer to reach the site, arrived at 9: 57 pm.

Emergency operations involved teams from Capital Emergency Services and Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi. Fire tenders from the Jinnah Convention Centre and water browsers from Naval Headquarters also participated in the response effort. Authorities succeeded in bringing the fire under full control at 1: 20 am.

The committee found that several vendors were using their stalls as storage facilities by keeping additional goods inside them. The report also revealed that some stalls had been rented out to other operators, resulting in non-compliance with fire safety requirements.

Investigators noted that market guards had received fire safety training once three years ago and twice in 2025. However, the report found that the designated fire tender was not present at its assigned location when the fire broke out. Rescue officials informed the committee that the vehicle had left to refill its water supply.

The inquiry further noted that watchmen initially attempted to control the fire themselves instead of immediately informing rescue services. It also concluded that the market lacked sufficient facilities and equipment to contain a sudden fire emergency.

The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The report states that a final conclusion regarding the origin of the blaze will depend on findings from a forensic investigation.

To reduce the risk of future incidents, the committee has proposed several recommendations. These include imposing a strict ban on storing goods in stalls during nighttime hours and requiring vendors to keep merchandise in stalls only during market operating hours.

The committee also recommended a comprehensive fire safety audit of the market, a ban on the use of highly flammable tarpaulin materials, and a prohibition on subletting stalls. Under the proposed measures, stall allocations could be cancelled if violations are found.

In addition, the report calls for improvements in emergency service operations and response mechanisms to strengthen preparedness for future fire incidents.

Islamabad: The Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) has surpassed its annual target for Shariah-compliant investments by mobilising Rs61 billion during the fiscal year 2025-26, reflecting growing public confidence in Islamic financial products and the country’s expanding Islamic finance sector.

According to official sources, CDNS had set an annual mobilisation target of Rs55 billion for its Shariah-compliant investment portfolio but successfully achieved Rs61 billion by the end of the fiscal year spanning July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

The strong performance underscores the increasing demand for Islamic savings instruments as investors continue to shift towards interest-free financial products that comply with Shariah principles while offering secure and competitive returns.

The Senior official said the remarkable achievement demonstrates the growing role of Islamic finance in Pakistan’s financial system and highlights the public’s confidence in government-backed Shariah-compliant investment schemes.

“We intensified our efforts to promote Islamic finance during the outgoing fiscal year, and the overwhelming public response reflects the increasing trust of investors in these products,” a senior CDNS official said. “The continued expansion of Islamic savings schemes will play an important role in strengthening Pakistan’s Islamic economy and promoting sustainable financial growth.”

The official attributed the success to the increasing popularity of Islamic savings certificates and Sukuk-based investment instruments, which have attracted both individual and institutional investors seeking halal investment opportunities. Besides providing faith-based financial solutions, these products have also contributed significantly to national savings mobilisation and supported the government’s broader economic objectives.

The performance marks another milestone in CDNS’s sustained efforts to strengthen its Islamic finance portfolio. During fiscal year 2024-25, the directorate successfully achieved its Shariah-compliant investment target of Rs24 billion. Earlier, in FY2023-24, it mobilised nearly Rs75 billion through Islamic bonds, reflecting the growing acceptance and long-term potential of Islamic financial instruments in Pakistan.

The official noted that CDNS has been introducing reforms aimed at enhancing customer convenience and expanding financial inclusion. These include digital transformation initiatives, improved online services, and the development of innovative Shariah-compliant savings products designed to meet the evolving needs of investors across the country.

He expressed confidence that the continued expansion of Islamic finance, coupled with policy reforms and technological innovation, would further strengthen Pakistan’s savings culture while providing secure investment opportunities for citizens.

With the successful achievement of Rs61 billion in Shariah-compliant investments, CDNS has reinforced its position as a leading institution in promoting Islamic savings and mobilising domestic resources. Officials believe the momentum will enable the organisation to set even higher targets in the coming fiscal year and further contribute to the development of a resilient, inclusive, and Shariah-compliant financial system in Pakistan.