Month: July 2026

Mirpur: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government on Tuesday alleged that armed militants, rather than peaceful protesters, were involved in the ongoing unrest in Rawalakot, reaffirming that the writ of the state would be maintained at all costs.

Addressing a joint press conference, AJK Secretary Information and IT Muhammad Rashid Hanif and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Police Irfan Masood Kashfi said peaceful elections in Mirpur Division had frustrated the alleged objectives of the proscribed Awami Action Committee.

Hanif claimed that armed elements were using women and children as human shields and urged the public to avoid relying on what he described as misleading information circulating on social media and foreign media outlets. He alleged that the banned organisation was sharing old and fabricated videos to create confusion and advised citizens to follow only official and verified sources.

The secretary information said attempts were made to create unrest and undermine the democratic process after the announcement of election results. He maintained that the government was committed to protecting citizens’ right to vote and would not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands.

DIG Irfan Masood Kashfi alleged that armed groups involved in the unrest were equipped with advanced weapons, including M4 rifles, submachine guns and Kalashnikovs. He said intelligence reports suggested the presence of trained snipers and that investigations were underway to identify their facilitators and sources of financial support.

Kashfi claimed that arrested suspects had disclosed offers of financial rewards for carrying out armed attacks with sophisticated weapons. He said such individuals would be dealt with strictly under the law, adding that they were no longer peaceful protesters but armed militants.

According to the DIG, one Rangers personnel was martyred while five security officials, including a senior officer, were injured in firing allegedly carried out by the armed group. He said security forces exercised maximum restraint and responded only in self-defence.

The police official said an armed suspect had been arrested in Rawalakot and an M8 weapon recovered from his possession. He added that preliminary investigations indicated the suspect had recently returned from abroad and had received sniper training.

Kashfi reiterated that the government would not permit any group to challenge the authority of the state or attempt to take control of any area, stressing that law enforcement agencies would continue efforts to restore peace and maintain public order.

Kohat: Launching a anti-encroachment drive, district administration Kohat here on Tuesday removed illegally constructed structures and kiosks from various areas of the city.

In an operation near Government Postgraduate College Kohat, officials removed encroachments that were affecting traffic and movement of pedestrians. Shop owners were also given warnings of consequences of encroaching public land.

In Bli Ting Bazaar, Additional Assistant Commissioner inspected local vegetable and fruit shops and removed encroachments. He also checked prices of edibles and cleanliness conditions in bakeries and food manufacturing units.

Kohat: District Police Officer (DPO) Kohat SSP Rai Mazhar Iqbal on Tuesday launched daily open courts (Khuli Katcheri) at his office to directly address citizens’ complaints, applications and suggestions from across the district.

During the open court session, the DPO listened to the grievances of applicants and assured them that all issues would be resolved strictly on merit and in accordance with the law. He directed relevant officers to ensure prompt action on public complaints and maintain transparency throughout investigations.

SSP Rai Mazhar Iqbal instructed police officials concerned to take immediate legal steps on received applications and submit progress reports within the given timeframe. He stressed that protection of citizens’ lives and property, provision of transparent justice and delivery of quality policing services remained the department’s top priorities.

The DPO said the initiative aimed to strengthen public trust in the police force and provide timely relief to citizens. He warned that negligence or unnecessary delays in resolving genuine complaints would not be tolerated, urging people to approach the open courts without hesitation so that Kohat Police could better fulfill its responsibility of public service and protection.

Peshawar: A 10-member delegation of the National Paigham-e-Aman Committee on Tuesday visited the Cathedral Church in Peshawar as part of its ongoing mission to promote peace, interfaith harmony, religious tolerance and national cohesion across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The visit formed part of a broader outreach programme under which the delegation is engaging religious scholars, spiritual leaders and representatives of different faith communities to strengthen mutual understanding, peaceful coexistence and national unity.

Speaking to the media during the visit, Ulema and Mashaikh, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding the constitutional rights and religious freedoms of all its citizens, irrespective of their faith.

They said every citizen living in Pakistan, whether Muslim or belonging to any other religious community, enjoys equal status under the Constitution and has the fundamental right to freely profess, practise and propagate his or her religion without fear or discrimination.

They categorically rejected misconceptions regarding religious freedom, stating that Islam does not permit forced conversions or forced marriages, and emphasised that the country’s religious leadership remained committed to promoting tolerance, coexistence and respect among all communities.

Paying tribute to Pakistan’s martyrs, they said the nation would always honour the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives in the defence of the country and in the line of duty. They said their courage and commitment remained a source of national pride and inspiration.

The delegation also reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering support for the Pakistan Armed Forces, saying the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with its armed forces in safeguarding the country’s peace, security, sovereignty and territorial integrity against any aggression or misadventure.

They further lauded the country’s civil and military leadership, particularly Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, for strengthening Pakistan’s position at both diplomatic and strategic fronts.

The religious scholars and leaders said the leadership had played a pivotal role in boosting national confidence through its prudent policies, effective diplomacy and steadfast commitment to protecting Pakistan’s national interests.

The National Paigham-e-Aman Committee delegation is currently on a multi-day visit to Peshawar, where it is holding meetings with leading scholars from all schools of thought, religious leaders and representatives of different faith communities.

The delegation is also visiting religious institutions and places of worship to promote dialogue, religious harmony and national solidarity.

The visit will culminate in the ‘National Peace Ulema and Mashaikh Conference’ on Wednesday, bringing together prominent religious scholars, spiritual leaders and representatives of all schools of thought and faith communities from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to reaffirm their collective commitment to peace, interfaith harmony, inter-sect unity and national cohesion.

Gujrat: The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) with the assistance of the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA), sealed a fat melting unit in Nowshera Khawajgan, Jalalpur Jattan, for violating environmental laws.

According to official sources, the operation was led by Assistant Director Environment Usama Majid. The unit was sealed after it was found operating in violation of environmental regulations, while further legal proceedings were initiated against its owners.

The district administration reaffirmed its commitment to taking indiscriminate action against activities causing environmental pollution and ensuring strict enforcement of environmental laws across the district.