Day: July 12, 2026

Islamabad: Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police have arrested a man accused of murdering his elder brother in the jurisdiction of Sangjani Police Station, tracing and apprehending him from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in a swift operation.

An official told reporter on Saturday that the suspect, identified as Fawad Khan, allegedly stabbed his elder brother, Shehzad Khan, to death with a pair of scissors following a domestic dispute.

The official said police registered a case immediately after receiving information about the incident and launched an investigation. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi took notice of the murder and constituted special police teams under the supervision of DIG Islamabad Muhammad Jawad Tariq to trace and arrest the accused.

According to the official, the SHO Sangjani Police Station and the investigation team, using technical surveillance and human intelligence, tracked the suspect and arrested him from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within a short period.

Police also recovered the scissors allegedly used in the murder from the possession of the accused.

During the preliminary investigation, the suspect disclosed that the incident occurred following an argument with his elder brother during breakfast. Further investigation is underway, the official added.

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Saturday, emphasised the importance of intensifying efforts at the international and regional levels to promote Pakistan’s economy, including through enhanced compliance with international standards and obligations.

The DPM/FM chaired an Inter-Ministerial meeting to review Pakistan’s efforts to enhance economic diplomacy, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.

The meeting was attended by SAPM Tariq Bajwa, the Secretaries of Foreign Affairs and the Cabinet Division, and senior officials from relevant departments.

During the meeting, the DPM/FM reaffirmed government’s commitment to sustainable economic stabilization and instructed all stakeholders to intensify their efforts in this regard.

Islamabad: Senior leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Altaf Hussain Wani on Saturday said Pakistan’s armed forces, government and people remain united in support of the Kashmir cause, describing it as a vital national issue and urged the BJP-led Indian government to restore statehood to the territory while addressing alleged human rights violations in accordance with relevant UN resolutions.

While speaking with PTV News, APHC leader Altaf Hussain Wani said the Kashmir dispute should be settled in line with United Nations resolutions (UN), adding, a just and peaceful resolution is necessary for sustainable peace and stability in the region.

He said the Kashmir issue resonates with people across Pakistan, with citizens from every segment of society expressing solidarity with the cause, adding, national institutions, including the government and armed forces, continue to reflect this collective support.

Talking about the 276th Corps Commanders’ Conference, APHC leader Altaf Hussain Wani appreciated the Pakistan Army’s reaffirmation of support for the Kashmir cause, describing the issue as a matter of national importance.

He welcomed the forum’s stance against unilateral demographic changes in Indian-administered Kashmir and its reaffirmation of political, diplomatic and moral support for the Kashmiri people.

He said such commitments reflect the continued significance of the Kashmir issue and the need for a peaceful resolution in accordance with international commitments.

He appreciated Pakistan’s continued diplomatic, political and moral support for the Kashmir cause, saying such efforts reflect a firm commitment to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

He said lasting regional peace and stability are linked with a just resolution of the Kashmir issue in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions.

He added that granting the Kashmiri people their right to self-determination is essential for achieving durable peace in the region.

He alleged that the Indian government’s actions aimed at altering the demographic character of Kashmir are continuing, along with human rights concerns and the detention of political leadership in jails.

He called for an end to such measures and stressed the importance of protecting the rights of the Kashmiri people.

He demanded that the rights and freedoms of Kashmiris be safeguarded and urged the international community to play its role in addressing the situation in accordance with relevant international commitments.

Islamabad: The prices of gold witnessed an increase in the local market on Saturday, with 24-karat gold per tola gaining Rs1,100 to settle at Rs433,536, according to rates issued by the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association.

Similarly, the price of 10 grams of 24-karat gold increased by Rs943 to Rs371,687, whereas 10 grams of 22-karat gold rose by Rs864 to Rs340,725.

In the international market, the price of gold increased by $11 to $4,111 per ounce.

Meanwhile, the price of silver per tola increased by Rs30 to Rs6,462, while the price of 10 grams of silver rose by Rs26 to Rs5,540.

The price of silver in the international market also increased by $0.30 to $59.83 per ounce, the association reported.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain on Saturday said that sufficient wheat stocks were available in the country to meet domestic requirements.

He warned that strict action would be taken against those involved in hoarding and creating artificial price hikes of the commodity.

The minister chaired the 9th Wheat Board meeting to review the country’s wheat production, availability, procurement, and market prices, said a press release.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary, Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the Chief Secretaries of Punjab and Sindh, the Agriculture Secretaries and Food Secretaries of all provinces, senior officials of the Ministry, and representatives of the Pakistan Flour Mills Association and other relevant stakeholders.

The Board conducted a detailed review of the wheat situation across the country. The provincial representatives unanimously informed the meeting that adequate wheat stocks are available and that there is no shortage of wheat anywhere in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Rana Tanveer Hussain said it is an encouraging development that Pakistan’s wheat production this year is estimated to be 1.36 million metric tonnes higher than last year’s production.

The Board unanimously agreed that the estimated wheat production target has been achieved and that the country has sufficient wheat reserves.

The meeting noted that the provinces should closely monitor the wheat market and ensure effective market management.

The participants also emphasized the need for regular and effective coordination between the Federal and Provincial Governments.

The Federal Minister reaffirmed that protecting consumers’ interests remains the government’s foremost priority.

He said the federal government, in collaboration with the provincial governments, will take all necessary administrative and legal measures to curb hoarding, strengthen market oversight, and ensure the availability of wheat to consumers at affordable prices.

The Minister directed all relevant authorities to maintain close coordination, strengthen market monitoring, and take prompt action against any practices that disrupt the smooth supply of wheat or lead to unjustified price increases.

Islamabad: Vice President of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman Saturday said Pakistan’s rapidly growing population was emerging as a major challenge for the country’s economy, resources and the well-being of its people, calling for immediate and coordinated measures to address the issue.

In a message on World Population Day, she said the global population had reached 8.2 billion while Pakistan’s population had risen to approximately 259 million, making it the world’s fifth most populous country.

She said Pakistan’s annual population growth rate stood at 2.55 percent, while the country’s fertility rate of 3.6 remained the highest in South Asia. If the current trend continued, Pakistan’s population could reach nearly 390 million by 2050, making timely planning essential, she added.

Sherry Rehman said the rapidly increasing population was placing growing pressure on water resources, food security, healthcare, education, housing and employment opportunities. She stressed that the population issue was not merely about numbers but also about ensuring a better quality of life and equal access to basic services for every citizen.

She urged the government to make family planning an integral part of the national budget, economic planning and development policies to effectively manage population growth.

Highlighting social challenges, she said nearly 40 percent of children under the age of five suffered from stunted growth due to malnutrition, while around 42 percent of the country’s population was living below the poverty line despite limited national resources and the prevalence of large family sizes.

She said population growth was not solely a women’s issue but a concern for every family and the entire nation, with consequences that would affect future generations.

She added that, on average, every couple in Pakistan had one unintended child, underscoring the need for improved access to family planning services and quality healthcare.

Referring to food insecurity, the senator said around 11 million Pakistanis faced severe food shortages in 2025 and warned that unchecked population growth would further aggravate the situation.

She emphasized that controlling population growth was essential to tackling climate change, water scarcity and food security challenges, and called on Parliament, provincial governments, religious scholars, teachers, doctors and civil society to work together to raise public awareness.

Sherry Rehman said that with effective planning, greater investment in people and sound policymaking, Pakistan’s growing population could be transformed into a national strength rather than a burden.