Day: July 25, 2026

Islamabad: Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has extended heartfelt congratulations to Ayesha Javed, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Finance, on her inclusion as a contributing author in Routledge’s internationally acclaimed publication, Women in Public Finance: Stories of Gender in Budgeting.

The Speaker lauded Ms. Javed’s remarkable achievement, describing it as a matter of pride for Pakistan.

He said that her chapter, “Limitless Skies and Endless Dreams, ” reflects not only her professional excellence but also the growing role of Pakistani women in public finance, policymaking, and gender-responsive budgeting.

Ayaz Sadiq said that the accomplishments of Pakistani women on international platforms project a positive image of the country and demonstrate the immense talent, dedication, and intellectual capacity of Pakistan’s public servants.

He emphasized that such achievements inspire the younger generation, particularly women, to pursue excellence and contribute meaningfully to national development.

The Speaker reaffirmed his support for initiatives that promote women’s participation and leadership in public institutions, stating that an inclusive and merit-based environment is essential for sustainable progress and effective governance.

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has restrained the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) from proceeding with fresh recruitment, suspending further action on a disputed recruitment advertisement until the final decision in the main petition.

The court has fixed August 22 for hearing the case.

Justice Muhammad Azam Khan issued a written order on an application seeking suspension of the recruitment advertisement.

The petition was filed by ANF Constable Muhammad Shafiq Khan through Advocate Muhammad Ali Raza, making the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Law and Justice, and the Director General ANF respondents.

The petitioner submitted that he had been serving as a constable in the ANF for the past 10 years without receiving any promotion.

He stated that he ranked 232nd on the seniority list of 665 constables and argued that issuing an advertisement for fresh direct recruitment without convening the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) was unlawful.

He contended that under the ANF Service Rules, the department had ignored the promotion rights of existing employees by opting for direct recruitment. The petition also sought to restrain the induction of officers from other departments on deputation and requested restoration of the service structure for civilian employees.

The petitioner requested the court to declare the recent ANF recruitment advertisement illegal and void, and to direct the authorities to immediately convene the Departmental Promotion Committee for filling all vacant posts through departmental promotions.

Allowing the interim application, the court suspended further proceedings on the recruitment advertisement until the disposal of the main petition and fixed August 22 for further hearing.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi Friday strongly condemned the terrorist attack on Excise Department personnel in Kohat, expressing deep grief over the martyrdom of Sub-Inspector Sajjad-ul-Islam and Customs Constable Jawad.

In a statement, the minister extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks.

He also wished a swift recovery for the injured personnel.

Abbasi said the sacrifices rendered by the nation’s protectors would always be remembered and vowed that their blood would not go in vain.

He reaffirmed that state institutions would continue their efforts with full determination to completely eliminate the menace of terrorism.

The minister said that enemies of peace would never succeed in their nefarious designs, adding that the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the security forces and law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism.

Islamabad: Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday reserved its verdict on a petition filed by former federal minister Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind challenging the travel restrictions imposed on him.

Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas heard the petition. Barrister Zafarullah appeared for the petitioner, while the Assistant Attorney General, along with officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and immigration authorities, represented the respondents.

On the court’s direction, Barrister Zafarullah read out a letter issued by the Quetta Police stating that the petitioner’s name was no longer required to remain on the travel restriction list.

Justice Minhas observed that the concerned police no longer required the petitioner’s name on the list and that the FIA had also stated it did not require him.

“If the authorities that requested the restriction no longer need it, why has the name still not been removed?” the judge asked.

FIA officials informed the court that Rind’s name was not on the Exit Control List (ECL) but on the Provisional National Identification (PNIL) list, where it had been placed on March 28.

The court asked how long a person’s name could legally remain on the PNIL and when the prescribed period had expired.

FIA officials replied that a name could remain on the list for one month, after which a one-month extension was required. Justice Minhas pointed out that more than five months had elapsed since the petitioner’s name was placed on the list.

Questioning the legal basis for retaining the name for such an extended period, the judge remarked, “Under which law can you keep someone’s name on the list for this long? Many such cases are coming before this court. We have repeatedly issued directions on this issue, and there is also a Supreme Court judgment.”

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved its judgment on the petition seeking the removal of Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind’s name from the travel restriction list.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday promoted Chief of the General Staff of the Pakistan Army Lieutenant General Aamer Raza to the rank of Four-Star General.

Along with the promotion, the prime minister also appointed him as the Commander National Strategic Command, according to a PM Office press release. Prime Minister Shehbaz extended his felicitations to General Aamer Raza on his promotion and appointment. He also wished him the best for undertaking this important responsibility.

Islamabad: Following the killing of District and Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar in Mastung-an attack drawing swift, nationwide condemnation-security experts and analysts have unmasked a foreign-backed hybrid warfare strategy driven by the BLA-BYC nexus operating under handlers in Delhi and Kabul.

Raising serious concerns over ISKP’s rapid claim of responsibility, experts view the claim as an operational shield designed to deflect public anger away from the actual perpetrators.

In the wake of this targeted strike against state institutions, analysts are expressing grave concern over international delays, directly asking when the UN Security Council will awaken to impose global sanctions against these foreign-backed terror networks and their external patrons.

The targeted attack took place near the Wali Khan Bypass crossing as judicial officers were traveling from Quetta to Mastung. Sessions Judge Kakar and his security guard were killed on the spot, while Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Lashari sustained serious injuries.

Security analysts view this targeted killing as an attempt to intimidate the judiciary, subvert the rule of law, and force a retreat of state authority in Balochistan. Having failed to break the resolve of law enforcement agencies, banned insurgent groups have increasingly turned toward judicial officers, prosecutors, and civilian institutions.

Intelligence experts describe a distinct multi-layered tactic taking root in the province as BLA executes physical ambushes, targeted assassinations, and infrastructure destruction. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) functions as an urban proxy-providing ideological messaging, framing narrative cover, and building public sympathy to shield armed militants from accountability.

Transnational terror groups like ISKP step in with rapid claims of responsibility hours after an attack to absorb public outrage and obscure the true operational hands.

Given the geographical footprint and BLA’s established presence in Mastung, intelligence analysts view ISKP’s opportunistic claims as part of an operational convergence designed to deflect backlash when civilian or judicial figures are targeted.

Security assessments point to external handlers operating out of Delhi and Kabul who supply logistics, secure communication channels, and financial backing to sustain proxy warfare in Pakistan.

Given the nexus between ethnic insurgent groups and transnational terror proxies, security analysts are calling on global counterterrorism bodies to act.

The experts urge international partners to examine these operational and financial networks under existing UN Security Council resolution frameworks.

They are also increasingly demanding sanctions against designated entities and their external financial patrons to prevent further regional instability.

In separately issued statements, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti reiterated that the state will not succumb to terrorist intimidation. Expressing national solidarity, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi postponed the national Judicial Wellbeing Conference in solidarity with the martyred judge and the legal fraternity.

Security forces have intensified intelligence-based operations in and around Mastung, neutralizing multiple hostile combatants.

The Balochistan Bar Council announced a two-day province-wide court boycott and three days of official mourning, calling for enhanced security measures for judicial personnel.