Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Hot and humid weather is expected to prevail over most parts of the country on Thursday with chances of isolated rain-windstorms and thundershowers in Kashmir, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northeast Punjab, eastern Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan during the evening and night, as per Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast.

According to the PMD’s latest weather forecast, Islamabad and adjoining areas are likely to remain hot and humid during the day, with partly cloudy conditions and rain accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms expected in the evening and night. The probability of rainfall in the federal capital has been estimated at 30 percent.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, mainly hot and humid weather is expected in most districts. However, isolated rain-windstorms and thundershowers are likely during the afternoon in Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Buner, Bajaur, Waziristan and Kurram.

Punjab is expected to experience hot and very humid conditions across most districts. Isolated rain accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms is likely during the evening and night in Murree, Galiyat, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Khushab, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal and Kasur.

Sindh will remain mainly hot and humid, with very hot weather expected in the upper districts during the daytime, while partly cloudy conditions are likely in coastal areas.

In Balochistan, hot and dry weather is expected in most districts, with central parts of the province likely to remain very hot during the day. Isolated rain-windstorms and thundershowers are forecast during the evening and night in Zhob, Barkhan, Musakhel, Sibi, Kohlu, Khuzdar, Awaran and adjoining areas.

Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are expected to witness partly cloudy weather, with rain-windstorms and thundershowers likely during the afternoon.

During the past 24 hours, hot and humid weather prevailed over most parts of the country, while isolated rain-windstorms and thundershowers occurred in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, upper Punjab, northeast Balochistan, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The highest rainfall was recorded in Mir Khani (33 mm), followed by Hafizabad (23 mm), Babusar (22 mm), Sialkot Airport (17 mm), Chakwal (9 mm), Kotli (7 mm), Gujranwala (7 mm), Barkhan (6 mm), Zhob (4 mm), Gujrat (4 mm), Parachinar, Drosh, Sargodha and Mandi Bahauddin (3 mm each), while Sheikhupura, Hunza, Skardu and Murree received light rainfall.

The highest maximum temperatures recorded on Wednesday were 45 degrees Celsius in Turbat and Dadu, followed by 44 degrees Celsius in Sibi, Bhakkar and Khanewal.

Islamabad: A seminar was organized jointly by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Council (JKLC) here at the Kashmir House, to commemorate the 10th martyrdom anniversary of Burhan Muzaffar Wani.

The seminar concluded with the unanimous adoption of a resolution paying tribute to Wani and all those described by the participants as martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir.

The participants also pledged to continue what they termed the struggle until its stated objectives are achieved.

The event was attended by a large number of students and members of civil society.

Addressing the seminar were former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan, former President and Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Yaqoob Khan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Government Minister Nabela Ayub, and Hurriyat leaders Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, Altaf Hussain Wani, Muhammad Ahmad Sagar, Shamim Shawl, Abdul Rashid Turabi, and Raja Afsar Khan.

The speakers paid tribute to those killed in the Kashmir conflict and highlighted what they described as their sacrifices and the ongoing struggle over the Kashmir issue.

The resolution called for the immediate release of political leaders and human rights activists detained in Indian prisons, including Shabir Ahmad Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Masarat Alam Bhat, Asiya Andrabi, Naeem Ahmad Khan, and human rights defender Khurram Pervaiz, along with other detainees.

The resolution described Jammu and Kashmir as an indivisible entity and reaffirmed support for the pursuit of the right to self-determination in accordance with United Nations resolutions.

It also emphasized strengthening the historical relationship between Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir and rejected any attempts to undermine those ties.

The participants further condemned what they described as India’s repressive measures and continued human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir since August 2019.

While appreciating Pakistan’s political, diplomatic, and moral support, the resolution urged Pakistan to utilize its diplomatic and military achievements in efforts related to the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

The seminar also appealed for the peaceful resolution of differences within Azad Jammu and Kashmir to promote unity in support of the movement.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi on Wednesday said agriculture and industry are the two sectors that can strengthen Pakistan’s economy, increase exports, create jobs and raise national revenue.

Speaking at the 10th mango festival, he said the country must support farmers and industries to achieve sustainable economic growth.

The minister praised investors and business leaders who continued to invest in Pakistan and contributed to promoting the country’s products in local and international markets. Referring to the mango festival, he said the event has become an important platform for introducing Pakistani mangoes to buyers and consumers from around the world.

Abbasi said Pakistan’s mangoes have earned recognition in international markets because of their quality and demand. He added that festivals and exhibitions help showcase agricultural products and create opportunities for export growth.

He also appreciated the role of Nawaz Sharif Agriculture University Multan in supporting agricultural research and sharing modern farming knowledge with growers. He said research institutions play an important role in improving production and helping farmers adopt better agricultural practices.

The minister announced that Pakistan Railways is prepared to support exporters and farmers through special freight rates for transportation from Lahore, Multan and Khanewal. He said an efficient transport network is necessary for increasing exports and reducing costs for producers.

Highlighting economic priorities, Abbasi said agriculture and industry should remain at the center of national policy. He noted that Pakistan spends billions of dollars on imports, including pulses, despite having the land and resources needed to produce many agricultural commodities domestically.

He urged policymakers to provide greater support to farmers, including affordable electricity and other incentives. While acknowledging measures already taken by provincial and federal governments, including solar-powered tube wells in some areas, he said more steps are required to improve agricultural productivity and support rural communities.

Discussing industrial development, Abbasi said businesses face challenges due to energy costs, taxes and financing expenses. He stressed the need to address these issues to improve competitiveness and encourage investment.

Turning to the railway sector, the minister said Pakistan Railways is undergoing reforms aimed at improving efficiency and expanding freight services. He noted that rail transport remains one of the most cost-effective and secure methods of moving goods and is widely used across the world.

According to Abbasi, Pakistan Railways increased its revenue through operational improvements and better management. He said freight operations recorded significant growth despite challenges in the regional trade environment.

The minister added that new initiatives are being introduced in freight transportation, including services for edible oil and automobile vehicles. He said expanding rail-based logistics will help reduce transportation costs and support economic activity.

Abbasi concluded by stressing the importance of national unity and collective efforts for development. He said progress depends on strengthening institutions, supporting productive sectors and working together to advance the country’s economic interests.

The annual mango festival brought together farmers, exporters, researchers and business representatives, highlighting the role of Pakistan’s mango industry in promoting agricultural exports and international trade.

Islamabad: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCCP) has ruled that land acquired for a public purpose under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, cannot be diverted to any other purpose-particularly for private, commercial use or a housing scheme-without the prior approval of the government.

The court further held that even a purchaser acquiring such land through a court auction remains bound by all legal and contractual obligations applicable to the original company and does not acquire an absolute right to alter the nature of its use.

A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi dismissed the leave to appeal petition filed by M/s Adil International (Pvt.) Ltd. in a 39-page judgment, upholding the decision of the Peshawar High Court.

The court observed that when the State acquires private land in the public interest, the constitutional justification for such acquisition rests solely on the public purpose for which the land is taken. If the land is subsequently used for private or commercial purposes, the constitutional basis of the acquisition itself is undermined.

According to the judgment, 1,020 kanals and 19 marlas of land in Nowshera were acquired in 1954 for the establishment of Board and Paper Mills. After the mills ceased operations, their assets were sold through a public auction under the orders of a Banking Court, where the petitioner company purchased the assets.

The company later demolished the factory and sought to develop a housing scheme on the land. However, the relevant authorities refused to approve the change in land use and registration of plots. The company’s constitutional petition challenging the decision was earlier dismissed by the Peshawar High Court.

The Federal Constitutional Court held that the transfer of ownership through a judicial auction does not alter the legal character of the land. The new purchaser acquires only those rights that were available to the original company and remains bound by the same statutory and contractual conditions attached to the acquisition.

The judgment noted that under Section 41 of the Land Acquisition Act, the agreement between the government and the original company had legal force, restricting the use of the land exclusively to the establishment and operation of the Board and Paper Mills. It further observed that under Section 43-A of the Act, the sale, lease, mortgage, transfer or change in the use of such land cannot be undertaken without the prior approval of the provincial government.

The court emphasized that land acquired for a public purpose does not become ordinary private property, as its public character continues to subsist. Allowing such land to be used for private commercial gain, it said, would be contrary to the legal framework of the Land Acquisition Act and Article 24 of the Constitution.

The judgment further observed that while the Constitution guarantees citizens the fundamental right to own property, the State may acquire private property only in accordance with law and for a public purpose. Therefore, if the original public purpose ceases to exist or the land is used contrary to that purpose, the government is competent to take action under the law.

Referring to Islamic principles, the court noted that Islam protects private property rights and prohibits the unlawful appropriation or misuse of another person’s property. It held that the principles of Shariah also support the view that land acquired for a public purpose cannot be diverted to private commercial interests.

The court concluded that since the land in question had been specifically acquired for the establishment of the Board and Paper Mills, the petitioner company failed to establish any legal, absolute or indefeasible right to convert it into a housing scheme.

It further observed that if the provincial government concludes that the land is no longer required for the original purpose or is being used in violation of that purpose, it is competent to proceed in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, and the agreement executed on October 16, 1954.

Finding no legal, constitutional or jurisdictional infirmity in the judgment of the Peshawar High Court, the Federal Constitutional Court dismissed the leave to appeal petition and upheld the impugned judgment.

Islamabad: Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has accused the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly of promoting the very “VIP culture” it once pledged to abolish, describing recently approved privileges for provincial lawmakers as a form of “political bribery.”

Speaking to PTV News, Chaudhry said the party that had promised to eliminate elite privileges had instead enacted legislation granting unprecedented benefits to its own members.

“They have one face for the public and another for themselves. They tell people one thing but do something entirely different,” he said.

He said successive governments and assemblies in Pakistan have introduced various benefits for legislators, but he claimed no previous legislature had approved a package of privileges comparable to those recently passed by the KP Assembly.

Chaudhry recalled that the party had once promised modest governance, with leaders claiming they would travel by bicycle and dismantle VIP culture. Instead, he alleged, its leadership had embraced official privileges while extending new benefits to lawmakers.

He said the legislation grants assembly members exemptions from toll taxes, free accommodation at government rest houses, lifetime official (blue) passports for legislators and their immediate families, and firearms licences without fees, among other benefits.

The minister, however, maintained that the provincial legislation is not binding on the federal government, particularly in matters such as the issuance of official passports and prohibited-bore firearms licences, which fall under federal jurisdiction.

Talal Chaudhry said the federal government, under the directives of the Prime Minister and the Interior Ministry, had reduced the number of official (blue) passports issued by nearly half over the past two years. Such passports are now reserved strictly for individuals travelling on official government duty, he added.

“No additional blue passports will be issued merely because of this provincial legislation or to extend political favours,” he said.

Addressing the issue of firearms licences, Chaudhry said the federal government had reduced the issuance of prohibited-bore weapons licences by 95 per cent compared to previous administrations. He added that such licences are now issued only in exceptional cases after strict scrutiny and primarily to those entitled under the law.

He further claimed that licences for non-prohibited firearms had also been reduced by 60 to 65 per cent, adding that the government intends to tighten the policy even further.

The minister argued that the provincial legislation amounts to “political bribery,” alleging that the ruling party in KP was rewarding its own lawmakers despite earlier promises to end preferential treatment for politicians.

He questioned whether ordinary citizens receive benefits such as free accommodation at government rest houses, complimentary firearms licences, special vehicle number plates, tinted vehicle windows, state-provided security, or official passports.

Chaudhry also referred to a previous incident involving a PTI lawmaker, alleging that the son of a National Assembly member had misused an official passport by travelling to Europe and later surrendering it while seeking political asylum, an episode he said had damaged Pakistan’s international image.

Highlighting federal reforms, the minister said the government had strengthened passport security features, improved the passport issuance process, curtailed fraudulent documentation, and significantly reduced the number of official and diplomatic passports issued to ineligible individuals.

He claimed these measures had contributed to an improvement in Pakistan’s passport ranking over the past two-and-a-half years and had helped facilitate visa-free arrangements for holders of official and diplomatic passports with several countries.

The minister reiterated that the federal government would not implement any provincial measures relating to official passports, prohibited-bore weapons licences, or other privileges that it considers unjustified.

He concluded by calling the KP Assembly legislation “ridiculous,” saying it exposes the political contradiction of a party that came to power promising to end VIP culture but has instead, in his words, created “a new example of VIP culture through legislation.”

Islamabad: The Federal Directorate of Education’s (FDE) decision to open admissions for the 2026 academic session and restore several discontinued BS programmes in Federal Government colleges has been widely welcomed by teachers, who described the move as a major step towards strengthening affordable higher education in Islamabad.

FDE recently invited online applications for its 4-Year BS and 2-Year BS Lateral Entry programmes in 17 public colleges affiliated with Quaid-i-Azam University. Applications will remain open until 15 July 2026. Result-awaiting students of HSSC have also been allowed to apply for admission.

Teachers particularly appreciated the restoration of several BS programmes in boys’ colleges of the former Federal Government (Ex-FG) setup, saying the decision would significantly benefit male students of Islamabad by providing access to quality, globally competitive education at a fraction of the cost charged by many universities.

Under the new admissions plan, Islamabad Model Postgraduate College H-8 has been allowed to resume BS Geography alongside continuing BS Environmental Sciences. Similarly, Islamabad Model College for Boys (IMCB) H-9 has been permitted to restart BS Islamic Studies after a one-year gap, while IMCB F-10/4 will relaunch BS English and introduce a new BS Data Science programme in addition to its existing Statistics discipline.

A senior teacher said the initiative had been warmly received by the academic community and parents alike, as it would enable students to pursue quality higher education at public sector colleges with affordable tuition fees.

Akram Khan Khosa, President of the Federal Government College Teachers Association (FGCTA), lauded FDE’s vision of expanding BS programmes in both traditional and emerging disciplines. He said the introduction of market-oriented fields would equip graduates with skills needed for secure and rewarding careers while contributing to the country’s socio-economic development.

He also appreciated FDE for announcing admissions well ahead of the academic session, saying the timely schedule would help Islamabad’s colleges attract talented students who previously opted for universities due to delayed admissions in public colleges. Teachers expressed hope that these reforms would usher in a new era of academic excellence and strengthen the role of federal colleges in higher education.