Day: August 2, 2026

Rawalpindi: The 99th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of the People’s Republic of China was commemorated at the General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi.

His Excellency Mr. Jiang Zaidong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Pakistan, graced the occasion as Guest of Honour. Major General Wang Zhong, Defence Attach© of China, officials of the Chinese Embassy and senior military officers from Pakistan’s tri-services also attended the ceremony.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, extended a warm welcome to the distinguished guests and congratulated the PLA on the occasion of its 99th founding anniversary. He paid tribute to the PLA’s remarkable contributions to China’s defence, national development and international peace and security.

Highlighting the enduring strength of Pakistan-China relations, the Field Marshal observed that friendship between the two countries is unique, time-tested and has remained steadfast in the face of evolving regional and global challenges.

He reaffirmed that Pakistan Armed Forces and the PLA are true partners, bound by mutual trust, unwavering support and a shared commitment to regional peace, stability and the protection of common strategic interests.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Jiang Zaidong expressed sincere appreciation to the Field Marshal for hosting the commemorative event. He acknowledged the Pakistan Armed Forces’ significant contributions and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and reaffirmed China’s unwavering support for Pakistan and its enduring commitment to further strengthening the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries.

Mirpur: More than 1. 33 million registered voters are set to cast their ballots in the second phase of the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections on Sunday, with polling to be held across Muzaffarabad Division and 12 constituencies reserved for Jammu and Kashmir refugees residing in Pakistan, election officials said on Saturday.

According to the AJK Election Commission, a total of 1, 333, 900 registered voters will be eligible to vote, while 1, 483 polling stations have been established for the exercise. Of these, 533 have been declared highly sensitive, 741 sensitive and 209 normal. Polling will begin at 8:00 a. m. and continue uninterrupted until 5:00 p. m. , with authorities confirming that polling materials have already been dispatched and all logistical arrangements completed.

In Muzaffarabad Division, voting will take place in nine constituencies-five in Muzaffarabad district, two in Jhelum Valley and two in Neelum-where 207 candidates are contesting. Simultaneously, polling will also be held in all 12 Pakistan-based refugee constituencies, including six seats reserved for refugees from the Kashmir Valley and six for refugees from the Jammu region. A total of 137 candidates are in the race for these refugee seats.

Election Commission officials said comprehensive security and administrative measures had been put in place to ensure peaceful, transparent and orderly polling. Law enforcement agencies have been deployed at polling stations across Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-based refugee constituencies to provide voters with a secure environment for exercising their democratic right.

Rawalpindi: All 19 high-risk urban locations across Rawalpindi district will remain under round-the-clock monitoring, supported by pre-positioned heavy machinery, field response staff, and duty officers to ensure instant dewatering and traffic management during downpours. The enhanced deployment protocol follows an evaluation of drainage operations and emergency interventions conducted during recent monsoon spells.

The operational directives were issued during a District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) review meeting chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner Cap. (Retd) Tayyab Samee Khan on Saturday. He strictly warned that delay or negligence at the 19 identified bottleneck points will trigger administrative action.

He further tasked the Rawalpindi Police to deploy additional traffic wardens along inundated routes to maintain vehicular flow and assist commuters, ordering all line departments to remain on high alert throughout the ongoing monsoon season.

The meeting was attended by district Assistant Commissioners and representatives from WASA, Rescue 1122, Police, and local municipal bodies. Commending WASA, Rescue 1122, and AC City.

Mansehra: Three real brothers were shot dead and a child was injured in a tragic firing incident allegedly triggered by a marriage dispute in Karkala area of Mansehra.

Police have registered a murder case against 11 suspects, including two women, and launched raids to arrest the accused. Senior police officers visited the crime scene and assured the bereaved family that those responsible would be brought to justice.

According to police, the incident occurred in Mohallah Sher Khan, Karkala, where armed men allegedly stormed the house of Nadeem, son of Hayat Gul, and opened indiscriminate fire. As a result, Nadeem’s three brothers, Muhammad Nazir, Katheer and Gul Nawaz, were killed, while his nephew sustained injuries.

In his complaint, Nadeem stated that he had been engaged to a woman under Kohistani customs about six to seven years ago. He alleged that for the past three months Abdul Razzaq, Naseem and others had been pressuring his family to break off the engagement so they could arrange the woman’s marriage elsewhere. He claimed the family refused because it was against local traditions.

The complainant alleged that at around 6 p. m. , Waleed, Shabbir, Shams-ul-Qamar, Saleem Ullah and Naseem, armed with weapons, entered the house and opened fire. He further alleged that the attack was carried out with the alleged support and planning of Abdul Razzaq, Fazal Razzaq, Ahsan-ur-Rehman, Faisal-ur-Rehman and two women related to the accused. The attackers reportedly fled the scene after abandoning their vehicles.

Police registered FIR No. 756 at Lari Adda Police Station under Sections 302, 324, 452, 148, 149 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code against 11 accused and said raids are underway to apprehend them.

Soon after the incident, SP City Mansehra Shah Nawaz Khan and SP Investigation Muhammad Abrar visited the crime scene and met the affected family. They expressed condolences and assured the family that all those involved in the killings would be arrested and brought to justice through due process of law

Sukkur: The Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) has successfully performed a complex cancer resection and reconstruction surgery on a patient suffering from oral cancer, providing the entire treatment free of cost.

According to GIMS Spokesperson Jameel Hyder on Saturday, Madad Ali, a resident of Larkana, had been suffering from a non healing ulcer in his left cheek for the past six months. He had visited several hospitals for treatment but could not get timely care due to financial constraints.

He later presented to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at GIMS, where a comprehensive evaluation was carried out. An incisional biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Left Buccal Mucosa, a common but aggressive form of oral cancer.

Following complete staging and pre operative workup, a multidisciplinary team comprising Oral and Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery decided to proceed with definitive surgical treatment.

The surgical procedure involved tumor resection with 1 cm oncological safe margins along with neck dissection (Levels I-IV) to remove affected lymph nodes. The oncological part of the surgery was performed by Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Mohsin Mumtaz.

The large defect created after the removal of the tumor was successfully reconstructed using an advanced Supraclavicular Flap technique by Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Rind. The procedure was stated to be successful and the patient is recovering.

Spokesperson said the entire treatment from diagnosis and biopsy to major surgery and reconstruction was provided free of charge under the patronage of GIMS Director Dr. Rahim Bux Bhatti, under the Sindh government’s policy of providing free, quality healthcare at GIMS.

Doctors at GIMS have advised the public to avoid known risk factors for oral cancer including pan, gutka, chalia (areca nut), tobacco and cigarettes.

They said any mouth ulcer, white or red patch, or swelling that does not heal within two weeks should be considered alarming and must be examined by a qualified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon immediately, as early diagnosis can save lives.

Wah cantt: Two convicted drug traffickers have each been sentenced to nine years in prison and fined Rs80, 000 by separate special courts for the Control of Narcotic Substances (CNS) in Taxila, police said on Saturday.

In the first case, a special CNS court convicted Aabid, who was arrested by Wah Saddar Police in December 2025 while allegedly selling hashish. Police recovered 1. 69 kilograms of hashish from his possession and registered a case against him under Section 9-C of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997. The court handed down the sentence after examining witness testimonies and the available evidence.

In a separate case, another special CNS court sentenced Nabeel to nine years’ imprisonment along with a fine of Rs80, 000. He was arrested by Wah Police in August 2025 after officers recovered 1. 60 kilograms of hashish from his possession during a raid on his hideout, and was also charged under Section 9-C of the CNS Act.

Police said both convictions were secured following the recording of prosecution evidence and completion of legal proceedings. Officials described the verdicts as part of ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking and strengthen enforcement of narcotics laws in the region.