Month: July 2026

Islamabad: At least two police officials sustained injuries after a speeding truck struck their motorcycle near Hawksbay Road in Karachi on Sunday afternoon while they were on patrol duty.

According to a police official, the incident occurred during routine patrolling when a speeding truck hit the motorcycle from behind near Hawksbay road, media channel reported.

As a result of the collision, the officers lost control and the motorcycle overturned, leaving both personnel injured on the spot. Initial assistance was provided immediately following the accident.

The injured officials were identified as Faizan Ahmad and Malik Tahir. They were taken to Civil Hospital Karachi for medical treatment, while authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Islamabad: The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has conducted a major anti-encroachment operation in Sangjhani and Shah Allah Ditta areas and arrested fourteen people and demolished seven illegal structures against unauthorized construction.

According to officials, action was taken in Mouza Sangjhani and Shah Allah Ditta, where several structures were being built without the required No Objection Certificate (NOC). During the operation in Shah Allah Ditta, seven structures constructed in violation of regulations were demolished.

Authorities said an attempt to occupy CDA land was also prevented during the drive. A total of 14 individuals allegedly involved in illegal construction activities were arrested from the site and legal proceedings were initiated against them.

The district administration stated that action would continue against all those involved in unauthorized construction, regardless of their status or influence. Officials said such activities create legal disputes, affect planned development, and result in the misuse of public land.

In a separate administrative action, the Numberdar of Mouza Sangjhani was removed from his position over negligence in official duties. Authorities said he failed to fulfill responsibilities related to monitoring and reporting illegal construction activities in the area.

Deputy Commissioner Islamabad warned that strict action would also be taken against officials found responsible for failing to prevent unauthorized construction. He said all officers concerned would be held accountable if illegal developments continued within their jurisdictions.

The district administration urged residents to avoid starting any construction project without obtaining the required NOC and other approvals from the relevant departments. Citizens were advised to verify legal requirements before purchasing plots or beginning development work.

Officials further appealed to the public to assist authorities by reporting illegal construction and encroachment activities. They said public cooperation would help protect government land and ensure compliance with building regulations.

The administration reiterated that legal action against individuals involved in unauthorized construction would continue without discrimination and that enforcement operations would remain ongoing across Islamabad to prevent further violations.

Islamabad: : ‘Be brave. Be a man. Sacrifice without complaint.’ For many boys in Pakistan, these are among the first words they hear when they cry, stumble or struggle. What begins as advice gradually turns into expectation, to be strong, to provide for others, to endure without protest and to never show emotion. Over time, strength is measured not just by endurance, but by silence.

Whenever social issues are discussed in Pakistan, the conversation usually revolves around education, inflation, corruption, women’s rights and gender-based violence. These are undoubtedly important issues. Yet there is another reality that often remains overlooked: the emotional and psychological struggles of men.

A study examining newspaper-reported suicides in Pakistan between 2019 and 2020 found that nearly 62 percent of reported cases involved men. Financial hardship, domestic conflict and failed relationships were among the most commonly identified contributing factors. Pakistan has only around 0.19 psychiatrists per 100,000 people-one of the lowest ratios globally, leaving many with limited access to mental health care.

Talking to reporter, Commander (R) Dr. Fayyaz Ahmed Anjum, a Clinical Psychologist and Counsellor in Islamabad who regularly works with young men, talking to reporter said emotional distress is often expressed indirectly.

‘Most of my male clients don’t come in saying, ‘I’m depressed.’ They come in because their chest hurts, they can’t sleep, or they’re constantly angry. It takes weeks before they can even say the word ‘sad.’ Nobody taught them that vocabulary.’

He added that many men are not unwilling to seek help; they have simply never been encouraged to identify or express what they feel.

In Pakistani society, a man’s value is often measured by his ability to provide financially for his family. From an early age, boys are told they will grow up, secure a job and support their parents, spouse and children. Their worth is linked less to identity and more to income. When they lose a job or struggle financially, many feel they have failed despite their effort.

Pakistan’s unemployment rate reached around 8 percent in 2025, while youth unemployment remained above 10 percent. More than 31 percent of graduates were reportedly unemployed. Combined with high inflation, rising housing costs and increasing education expenses, these pressures have made financial stability difficult for many young men.

As a result, many delay marriage, not because they lack desire, but because they feel unable to meet expectations tied to weddings, housing and family support. Many also support ageing parents and siblings while working in jobs below their qualifications.

Sharing his experience with reporter, Zouhal, a 27-year-old graduate of COMSATS University Islamabad now working in sales unrelated to his degree, said, ‘I did everything right. Degree, internships, decent grades. But there’s nothing out there. I can’t propose to anyone because what do I even offer right now? I feel like I’m failing just by existing in this economy.’

His experience reflects the reality of many educated young men caught between social expectations and limited opportunity.

Men also face challenges within family and legal systems. In child custody disputes, mothers are often viewed as primary caregivers, leaving some fathers feeling they must work harder to remain present in their children’s lives after separation. Likewise, men who experience emotional, physical or psychological abuse often hesitate to report it, fearing disbelief or ridicule. The expectation that men must always be strong discourages help-seeking and leaves many cases unreported.

Social isolation further deepens these struggles. Many men build friendships around work, sports or shared activities rather than emotional conversations. As responsibilities increase with age, those friendships often weaken. Over time, some are left with very few people they can confide in, increasing loneliness during difficult periods.

Mental Health experts believe these patterns often begin at home. Boys learn emotional behaviour by observing older men. When fathers suppress sadness, fear or disappointment to appear strong, those habits are passed on, often unintentionally, making emotional silence a default form of masculinity.

This does not mean men have harder lives than women. Everyone faces different challenges. But expecting men to carry every burden in silence comes at a cost, not only to their mental health but also to their families, relationships and communities.

A healthy society is one where both men and women feel heard, respected and able to ask for help without fear of judgment. Recognizing men’s struggles is not about shifting focus away from women’s issues. It is about understanding that stronger families are built when vulnerability is not punished with silence.

Islamabad: Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gillani on Sunday termed July 5, 1977, a “Dark Day” (Yaum-e-Siyah) in the nation’s history, saying it was the day when the constitutional and democratic government of the country’s first elected prime minister, Quaid-e-Awam Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was unlawfully overthrown.

In his message on the occasion, the Senate chairman said the unconstitutional act of July 5 was not merely the end of a government but a severe blow to Pakistan’s Constitution, federation, and democratic institutions.

He said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto gave the nation the consensus Constitution of 1973, which serves as the ultimate guarantee of the country’s survival and security, adding that its suspension pushed the nation into the darkness of dictatorship.

Yousaf Raza Gillani paid tribute to the sacrifices made by Quaid-e-Awam Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto for democracy and the rights of the people.

He said the leadership and workers of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had historically endured floggings, imprisonment, and even laid down their lives for the restoration and survival of democracy.

The Senate chairman added, “On this day, we must reiterate our resolve that the supremacy of Parliament, the sovereignty of the Constitution, and the sanctity of the people’s vote will never be compromised. Those who launched a midnight assault on democracy have faded into the oblivion of history, while the name and philosophy of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto live on in the hearts of millions.”

He concluded by saying that the only path to national stability and progress lay in a strong Parliament and uninterrupted democratic continuity, adding that the Senate of Pakistan would continue to play its pivotal role in strengthening the federation and upholding constitutional supremacy.

Islamabad: Indian police arrested three Kashmiri youths in Bandipora district of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir amid continuing allegations by political analysts and rights observers that repeated detentions and crackdowns are designed to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation to silence dissent.

Political analysts and human rights observers have urged the international community and global human rights organizations to take notice of the continuing arrests and alleged rights violations in IIOJK.

They have called for independent monitoring of the situation and appealed for measures to safeguard the rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people.

the youth, identified as Sayar Ahmad Malla, Meraj-ud-Din Hajam and Aamir Tariq Ganaie, were arrested at a checkpoint in the Hajin area of the district.

To justify the arrests, police accused the three youth of involvement in drug trafficking and registered a case against them under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Hajin police station.

It is pertinent to mention that, according to political analysts and rights observers, Indian forces have continued to arrest and detain Kashmiri youth across IIOJK under various security-related allegations. They contend that such actions are intended to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, suppress dissent, and discourage Kashmiris from pursuing what they describe as their UN-recognized right to self-determination.

The continuing arrests have drawn concern from rights observers, who have urged the international community and global human rights organizations to closely monitor the situation in IIOJK and press for the protection of fundamental rights and civil liberties.

More than 3,000 Kashmiris including Hurriyat leaders, political activists, youth, scholars and human rights defenders are currently detained in prisons across India and IIOJK.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Sunday clarified that the proposed Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) (Amendment) bill , 2026 would not allow anyone to occupy private land.

Addressing a press conference alongside Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, she said the proposed telecom amendment bill sought to amend the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996, which she said no longer adequately addressed the requirements of modern digital technologies.

She said the bill was tabled in the National Assembly in January this year and underwent detailed deliberations in the relevant standing committee, where members thoroughly reviewed its provisions.

Following extensive consultations and the development of broad consensus, including amendments proposed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the bill was passed by the National Assembly in June.

Shaza Fatima said the legislation was subsequently introduced in the Senate and referred to the relevant standing committee as part of the normal legislative process.

During the committee proceedings, the government explained the intent of the proposed amendments and responded to concerns raised by committee members.

She added that the meeting was later deferred to allow for further discussion and additional input from lawmakers.

The minister said that after public concerns and media discussions emerged regarding the bill, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the matter and constituted a committee, headed by Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, to examine the proposed legislation.

Highlighting the rationale behind the proposed amendments, Shaza Fatima said the existing telecommunications law governs Pakistan’s digital connectivity, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC), and the country’s telecommunications infrastructure.

She said the law was enacted when 2G technology was in use and was no longer sufficient to meet the demands of modern technologies such as 5G and next-generation digital connectivity.

The minister said Pakistan had witnessed a nearly 25 percent increase in data consumption over the past two years, driven by population growth and the rapid adoption of digital technologies.

She added that spectrum availability had increased from 274 MHz to approximately 750 MHz through the country’s largest-ever spectrum auction, while the rollout of next-generation telecommunications infrastructure was also underway.

She said the proposed amendments were intended to equip Pakistan’s telecommunications sector to meet future technological requirements and support the country’s expanding digital economy.

Shaza Fatima said the proposed telecom amendment bill was aimed at facilitating investment in Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, expanding high-speed internet access, and removing regulatory barriers without compromising citizens’ fundamental rights.

The minister said the nationwide rollout of modern telecommunications services required extensive infrastructure, including fibre-optic networks, telecom towers, and both underground and overground installations.

She said that, out of Pakistan’s population of around 240 million, only three million households had fibre-based internet connections when the present government assumed office.

Over the past two years, she said, the number of fibre connections had increased to more than five million through various policy and technical interventions.

Shaza Fatima said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had set a target of extending wired broadband internet to at least 10 million households over the next three years.

However, she said the country’s existing regulatory framework had not been conducive to attracting the investment needed to achieve that objective.

The minister said the proposed amendments were intended to improve the overall regulatory environment and address long-standing challenges related to the right of way for telecom infrastructure.

She added that all provincial governments had played a constructive role in implementing structural reforms, while the federal government had also introduced measures to encourage greater investment in the sector.

She said ensuring internet access for every household and every child in Pakistan remained one of her ministry’s primary responsibilities and pledged that the government would continue its efforts to improve nationwide digital connectivity.

Referring to allegations made against her and the IT secretary regarding their financial integrity, the minister said she had requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order a formal inquiry into the matter.

The minister said she would fully accept responsibility if any wrongdoing was established through the investigation and would abide by whatever decision the prime minister made.

However, she added that if the allegations were found to be baseless, both she and the IT secretary reserved the legal right to pursue legal action under the Constitution and relevant laws after consulting legal experts.

Speaking on the occasion, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the allegations of financial benefit against the IT minister and the IT secretary, made under the pretext of the bill, were unfounded.

He added that expanding internet access across the country was the responsibility of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication in line with the prime minister’s vision.

Tarar said the parliamentary committee had found no evidence that the legislation was intended to favour any individual and noted that the National Assembly had passed the bill with six amendments.

The law minister said the legislation primarily addressed issues involving housing societies that entered into agreements but later created obstacles to the development of telecom infrastructure.

He clarified that the consent of property owners would remain mandatory before laying fibre-optic cables through private land.

He emphasized that any citizen who did not wish to allow telecom infrastructure on their private property had the legal right to refuse, reiterating that the proposed law would not result in the forced use or occupation of anyone’s private property.