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                        <title>Latest News, Breaking News &amp; Top News Stories | The Express Tribune</title>
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			<title>PHF appoints Herman Kruis as hockey advisor</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615964/phf-appoints-herman-kruis-as-hockey-advisor</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615964/phf-appoints-herman-kruis-as-hockey-advisor#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 17:12:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Zulfiqar Baig]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615964</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[He will work closely with the senior and junior national teams]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Herman Kruis as the National Hockey Coaching Advisor for Pakistan on an initial two-year engagement.

Mr. Kruis is a highly respected Dutch hockey coach and high-performance expert with decades of international experience. Throughout his distinguished career, he has coached and advised national teams and elite hockey programmes across Europe, Asia, and other regions. He is widely recognized for building modern coaching systems, developing young talent, enhancing high-performance programmes, and preparing teams for major international competitions. His expertise extends beyond coaching to the development of sustainable hockey structures, coach education, and long-term player development.

As National Hockey Coaching Advisor, Mr. Kruis will advise and guide the Pakistan Hockey Federation in strengthening the country&#39;s hockey ecosystem. He will work closely with the senior and junior national teams, assist in building modern coaching and player development systems, and help establish a sustainable high-performance framework for Pakistan hockey.

He will also provide technical guidance while working alongside specialist coaches in various disciplines and contribute to the development of Pakistan&#39;s overall hockey infrastructure, coaching pathways, and talent identification programmes.

Mr. Kruis will join the Pakistan team at the commencement of the upcoming World Cup, where he will work alongside the coaching staff during a transition period. Following the World Cup, he will formally lead the planning and preparation of the Pakistan senior and junior teams for major international competitions, including the Asian Games and other international events.

The appointment of Mr. Herman Kruis is the first in a series of international technical engagements planned by the PHF as part of its comprehensive strategy to revive Pakistan hockey. Additional world-class specialist coaches and technical experts will be announced in the coming months, Insha&#39;Allah.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation warmly welcomes Mr. Herman Kruis and looks forward to benefiting from his vast international experience, technical expertise, and leadership as Pakistan embarks on a new chapter in restoring its proud hockey legacy.]]>
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			<title>Duffy returns for New Zealand against West Indies</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615963/duffy-returns-for-new-zealand-against-west-indies</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615963/duffy-returns-for-new-zealand-against-west-indies#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 17:04:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615963</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Uncapped Matt Fisher is also included in five-match series]]>
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				<![CDATA[Seamer Jacob Duffy was named Wednesday to play the upcoming five-match ODI series against the West Indies after sitting out New Zealand&#39;s 2-1 Test series win against England for the birth of his first child.

Duffy is New Zealand&#39;s reigning player of the year and holder of the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal.

He will line up for the Black Caps for the first time since the T20 World Cup final in March.

Joining Duffy in the pace attack is uncapped 26-year-old speedster Matt Fisher, who has played one Test and one T20I for New Zealand.

&quot;It&#39;s great to have Jacob and Matt joining the group and I know they&#39;ll bring a lot of energy and excitement,&quot; New Zealand coach Rob Walter said.

&quot;Jacob has been a stand-out for us in all formats for the past couple of years. His skills and experience will be a great addition to our squad and I know he&#39;s looking forward to representing New Zealand again.&quot;

New Zealand&#39;s under-strength pace attack was rampant during the just completed three-match Test series against England, leading the team to a series victory.

Nathan Smith took 16 wickets at an average of 23 in the three matches and will return for the West Indies series, as will Ben Sears who was only called in for the third England Test.

Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, and Will O&#39;Rourke will all sit out the series to rest.

Blair Tickner is also missing, set to have ankle surgery.

Devon Conway is also being rested to spend time with his family after the birth of his second child, and Rachin Ravindrahas been allowed to play in Major League Cricket.

New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (capt), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham, Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Will Young.]]>
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			<title>Bangladesh to host Pakistan for five ODIs</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615962/bangladesh-to-host-pakistan-for-five-odis</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615962/bangladesh-to-host-pakistan-for-five-odis#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 16:59:36 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615962</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The BCB has not officially confirmed the fixtures]]>
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				<![CDATA[Bangladesh are set to host Pakistan for a five-match One-Day International (ODI) series in 2027, according to reports citing the Bangladesh Cricket Board&#39;s (BCB) media rights tender for its home international fixtures.

Local media reported that the BCB has invited bids for the television and digital media rights covering Bangladesh&#39;s home internationals during the 2026 and 2027 calendar years.

The tender reportedly lists Bangladesh&#39;s scheduled home assignments against several touring teams, including a five-match ODI series against Pakistan in 2027.

The BCB has not officially confirmed the fixtures or released a detailed schedule.

Pakistan last toured Bangladesh earlier this year, playing a three-match ODI series in March before returning for a&nbsp;two-Test series in May.

Bangladesh won the ODI series 2-1 and completed a 2-0 sweep in the Test series, extending their recent success against Pakistan on home soil.

If confirmed, the five-match ODI series would mark another major bilateral engagement between the two Asian sides as Bangladesh continue to&nbsp;finalise&nbsp;their international calendar for the 2027 season.

Meanwhile, Pakistan are preparing for a busy stretch in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27, with Test tours of the West Indies and England scheduled later this year.

Pakistan are expected to depart for the West Indies on July 13 and will play a four-day warm-up match beginning on&nbsp;July 18 before the Test series.

The two Tests against the West Indies are scheduled to be played in Trinidad and Tobago&nbsp;from July 25-29 and August 2-6.

Pakistan will then travel to England for a&nbsp;three-Test series, with matches at&nbsp;Headingley&nbsp;in Leeds starting on August 19, Lord&#39;s in London from August 27, and&nbsp;Edgbaston&nbsp;in Birmingham from September 9.]]>
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			<title>Heatwave frequency, intensity a threat to Tour de France</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615960/heatwave-frequency-intensity-a-threat-to-tour-de-france</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615960/heatwave-frequency-intensity-a-threat-to-tour-de-france#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 16:52:06 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615960</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The race is set to begin in Barcelona on Saturday before returning to France]]>
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				<![CDATA[France has just endured a punishing heatwave, with another potentially on the way soon after the country&#39;s emblematic cycle race starts this weekend.

Heatwaves are an increasingly common nuisance -- or threat -- in France as all over the world.

And that threat hangs over the Tour de France, which begins in Barcelona on Saturday before returning to France on Monday.

It seems almost blasphemous to say it, but could July&#39;s Grande Boucle one day be forced to adapt, or even move to a different month?

Last weekend during the French championships, whose route through the southeastern region of Isere was shortened due to the scorching 40C temperatures during the week, supporters lining the streets spoke of suffocating while riders said it felt like they were cycling into a hairdryer.

Temperatures dropped just below 30C at the start of this week but are due to rise again next week, putting the peloton&#39;s powers of resistance to the test, even though professional cyclists &quot;are not people like us&quot; but rather &quot;Formula One cars&quot; accustomed to the heat, according to France coach Thomas&nbsp;Voeckler.

Heat during the Tour is also nothing new, as old black and white images of riders jumping into fountains or darting into cafes attest.

As recently as 2022, on a stage between&nbsp;Rodez&nbsp;and Carcassonne in the southwest, the temperature hit 40C without any untoward incidents.

Riders taking part in the Tour Down Under in Australia in January often face such scorching heat.

But the increasing frequency of heatwaves, and their intensity, have shun the spotlight on the possibility that one day a Tour stage might have to be cancelled or modified to protect riders and spectators.

&#39;Critical moment&#39; coming&nbsp;

&quot;The Tour de France has had a lot of luck up until now in avoiding all the moments of extreme heat,&quot; said Benjamin Sultan, a researcher at France&#39;s Institute of Research and Development (IRD) who is the co-author of a 50-year-long study of the Tour.

&quot;Given that we&#39;re going to have more than double the number of heatwaves at the end of this century, it&#39;s just a matter of time before the Tour arrives at a critical moment that can affect its planning,&quot; added the climatologist.

Local officials in the southern Tarn region forced a stage of the Route&nbsp;d&#39;Occitanie&nbsp;in June 2022 to be shortened to just 36&nbsp;kilometres&nbsp;due to the temperature rising over 41C.

Tour de France director Christian&nbsp;Prudhomme&nbsp;said that race&nbsp;organisers&nbsp;are already starting to adapt.

&quot;As recently as six or seven years ago, the idea was that the route should be as open as possible so that technical connections work and so that people could make the most of seeing the riders,&quot; he told AFP.

&quot;Now, our thinking is practically the opposite by looking for tree-lined streets because it is absolutely essential for us that the fans can stay in the shade.&quot;

Another consideration has been shortening stages.

&#39;Focal point&#39;&nbsp;

Once a race has begun,&nbsp;organisers&nbsp;can adapt to high temperatures by increasing the number of feed zones or even the time delay for riders to avoid elimination at the end of a stage.

But racing earlier in the day is a more complicated adjustment due to the huge number of people involved and television and sponsorship revenues to exploit.

&quot;We have to&nbsp;realise&nbsp;that we are not at home on the roads,&quot; said&nbsp;Prudhomme.

&quot;We have&nbsp;authorisation&nbsp;(from police and local authorities) for a certain time, not five hours earlier or later.

&quot;You can&#39;t arrange that at the last moment. You can cut 15&nbsp;kilometres&nbsp;or start half an hour earlier but that&#39;s about it.&quot;

As for the most radical solution -- moving the race to another time of year -- the problem is that the period of elevated heat is growing and the school holidays last for the two hottest months: July and August.

But even then, &quot;our first heatwave (this year) was at the end of May,&quot; said&nbsp;Prudhomme.

And any such decision would have ramifications &quot;even beyond&quot; the whole cycling ecosystem.

The Tour de France is &quot;the focal point of the season&quot; around which everything else is&nbsp;organised,&nbsp;he added.&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Ronaldo, Modric struggle to defy time</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615959/ronaldo-modric-struggle-to-defy-time</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615959/ronaldo-modric-struggle-to-defy-time#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 16:43:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[The last 32 clash between Portugal and Croatia would be the end for one of them]]>
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				<![CDATA[Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka&nbsp;Modric&nbsp;will make history when two outfield players aged over 40 face off for the first time in a World Cup as Portugal take on Croatia in Friday&#39;s last-32 clash.

But both men are facing questions over whether their status as national heroes&nbsp;is&nbsp;now more of a burden than a boost to their countries&#39; hopes of progressing far in the competition.

Prior to this tournament, only Cameroon&#39;s Roger&nbsp;Milla&nbsp;had played in a World Cup as an outfield player after turning 40.

Ronaldo and&nbsp;Modric, who won four Champions Leagues in six seasons together at Real Madrid, have long defied Father Time but have shown their age in what will almost certainly be their final flourish on the global stage.

At 41, Ronaldo defiantly screamed &quot;I&#39;m back&quot; after netting twice against Uzbekistan as he became the first player to ever score at six World Cups.

Yet either side of a 5-0 romp over a team ranked 60th in the world, Portugal failed to beat the Democratic Republic of Congo and Colombia and fell into a tougher section of the draw as a result.

&quot;It&#39;s already 23 years I&#39;ve been a professional and whenever things don&#39;t go well it&#39;s &#39;Cristiano, he&#39;s finished, he&#39;s old&#39;,&quot; Ronaldo said earlier in the tournament.

The forward played every minute of the group stages and outgoing Portugal boss Roberto Martinez shows no sign of taking the bold call to sit the five-time&nbsp;Ballon&nbsp;d&#39;Or winner on the bench.

&quot;There is not an issue physically or mentally for Cristiano in today&#39;s game to play the 90 minutes,&quot; Martinez said after Ronaldo managed just two touches in the Colombia box.

Protecting Ronaldo&#39;s ego&nbsp;

After a slow start to the World Cup four years ago, Ronaldo was eventually dropped by Fernando Santos in&nbsp;favour&nbsp;of Goncalo Ramos.

The AC Milan striker immediately scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 demolition of Switzerland, but a 1-0 defeat to Morocco in the quarter-finals meant Ronaldo&#39;s time out of the side was short-lived and Santos was removed as coach.

The impression that Martinez is wasting a richly talented generation just to protect Ronaldo&#39;s ego grows with every pedestrian performance.

Portugal&#39;s depth of midfield talent meant Paris Saint-Germain&#39;s Joao&nbsp;Neves&nbsp;and Bernardo Silva, now of Real Madrid, started on the bench against Colombia.

Yet even with one of the World Cup&#39;s strongest midfields behind him, Ronaldo&#39;s strikes against Uzbekistan are his only non-penalty goals in his past 14 games at major tournaments.

Modric, 40, similarly showed his age in Croatia&#39;s tournament opener, which ended in a 4-2 defeat to England in Dallas.

Caught on his heels,&nbsp;Modric&nbsp;conceded a penalty when chopping down Noni&nbsp;Madueke&nbsp;for England&#39;s opening goal and was sacrificed by Zlatko&nbsp;Dalic&nbsp;before the hour mark.

Croatia bounced back to celebrate&nbsp;Modric&#39;s&nbsp;200th cap, edging past Panama 1-0.

In doing so,&nbsp;Modric&nbsp;became the fourth man to reach a double century of international appearances, joining Ronaldo.

The AC Milan midfielder then provided the assist for Nikola Vlasic&#39;s winner as Croatia beat Ghana 2-1.

Finalists in 2018, Croatia also reached the semi-finals four years ago.

Modric&nbsp;was the driving force behind those incredible runs for a country of less than four million people.

A likely last-16 meeting with Spain and one final shot at glory awaits the winners in Toronto.

But for one of football&#39;s all-time greats, the World Cup curtain will come down in Canada.]]>
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			<title>Mexico see off Ecuador to break World Cup curse</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615958/mexico-see-off-ecuador-to-break-world-cup-curse</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615958/mexico-see-off-ecuador-to-break-world-cup-curse#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 16:35:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[The round-of-32 match was delayed for an hour due to stormy weather]]>
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				<![CDATA[Mexico turned on the style at their iconic Azteca Stadium on Tuesday, brushing Ecuador aside 2-0 to break a 40-year World Cup knockout curse.

The round-of-32 match was delayed for an hour due to stormy weather and when it started the co-hosts flew out of the blocks, mounting wave after wave of attacks.

In a supercharged atmosphere, Julian Quinones gave Mexico a deserved lead midway through the first half with a thunderous strike and then turned provider for Raul Jimenez.

Ecuador desperately needed to wrest back the momentum after the break but struggled to shift through the gears, with the home side remaining largely in control.

Mexico had not won a World Cup knockout game since 1986, when they last hosted the tournament.

Head coach Javier Aguirre, taking charge of the team at a World Cup for the third time over three spells, said he needed a Scotch to celebrate ending decades of heartache.

&quot;I am one of those that I was never able to play the fifth match,&quot; he said. &quot;It happened to me in South Korea and it happened to me in South Africa (when he was previously in charge).

&quot;So you have a good group stage and then you get stuck and you cannot move forward... but today there was a huge communion with the people.&quot;

As celebrations erupted across the country the 67-year-old said the Mexican team was a &quot;true family&quot;.

&quot;I can tell you that this team deserves what is happening,&quot; he said. &quot;This big connection with the fans and playing the World Cup.

&quot;Today we stand within the top-16 rank and we have been together for a long time and we still like each other. We are very happy. We are highly focused and we are a true family.&quot;

- Azteca factor -

Tuesday&#39;s win means Mexico are now unbeaten in 10 World Cup games at the Azteca and will fancy their chances against England or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 16.

Mexico were one of only three teams in the group phase to win all three of their matches, alongside France and Argentina, and did not concede a single goal.

Gilberto Mora, 17, was named in the starting line-up for Mexico, becoming the second-youngest player to start a knockout match at the World Cup finals behind Pele in 1958.

The home team started on the front foot, with Jimenez wasting a glorious headed chance in the seventh minute and Mora flashing just wide.

At the other end, John&nbsp;Yeboah&nbsp;muscled his way into the penalty area in a rare foray forward for Ecuador, clipping the outside of a post.

Mexico took the lead in the 22nd minute when Saudi-based Quinones received the ball from Roberto Alvarado and tore down the left before driving into the box and unleashing an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Hernan&nbsp;Galindez, raising the roof.

The first hydration&nbsp;break&nbsp;failed to change the script and Mexico doubled their lead after half an hour when Quinones fed&nbsp;Fulhamstriker Jimenez, who fired into the top corner.

Ecuador coach Sebastian&nbsp;Beccacece&nbsp;made a number of changes after the break in an effort to find a way back into the match.

But Mexico remained the more threatening team, with Cesar Montes twice going close.

Piero&nbsp;Hincapie&nbsp;was sent off in stoppage time after covering his mouth during a confrontation with an opposition player to cap a miserable night for Ecuador.

Mexico will hope the Azteca, which hosted the World Cup final in 1970 and 1986, works its magic again in the last 16 on Sunday.

From the quarter-finals onwards, all the matches at the World Cup will be taking place in the United States.&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Koeman steps down as Netherlands coach</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615956/koeman-steps-down-as-netherlands-coach</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615956/koeman-steps-down-as-netherlands-coach#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 16:17:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[The Dutch were eliminated by Morocco]]>
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				<![CDATA[Netherlands coach Ronald&nbsp;Koeman&nbsp;said on Tuesday he was stepping down after his team were knocked out of the World Cup by Morocco in the last 32.

The Netherlands had been tipped to make a run deep into the tournament but Morocco beat them 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the match in Monterrey on Monday finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.

The Dutch were leading 1&ndash;0 in the final minutes of an enthralling match thanks to a Cody&nbsp;Gakpo&nbsp;goal, but they conceded an equalizer deep in stoppage time when&nbsp;Issa&nbsp;Diopscored.

Justin&nbsp;Kluivert, Quinten Timber and&nbsp;Crysencio&nbsp;Summerville all missed their efforts in the shootout.

&quot;Last night I took the decision to end my stint as head coach of the Dutch National Team,&quot;&nbsp;Koeman, 63, said in a statement on Instagram.

&quot;We all shared the dream of making history at this World Cup, but we fell short. No one is more disappointed by that than I am.

&quot;As head coach, the responsibility ultimately rests with me.&quot;

Koeman&nbsp;alluded to the health struggles of his wife&nbsp;Bartina, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

&quot;The past years have made me&nbsp;realise&nbsp;again that there are more important things than football,&quot; he said in his statement.

&quot;Football has been my life, but health is priceless. When someone you love is fighting a tough battle, your perspective changes.&quot;

The former Barcelona player and coach, who has had stints in charge of English clubs Southampton and Everton, was in his second period in charge of the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, Dutch football chiefs condemned online racist abuse aimed at Netherlands players following their elimination from the tournament.

The Dutch football association said: &quot;Football brings people together, regardless of origin or background.

&quot;We have seen online reactions in which players have been subjected to racist and discriminatory abuse following the team&#39;s elimination.

&quot;We draw a clear line against such&nbsp;behaviour. Racism and discrimination have no place in football, online, or in our society.&quot;]]>
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			<title>Teen girl allegedly killed for 'honour' by uncle, cousin in K-P's Lower Dir</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615954/teen-girl-allegedly-killed-for-honour-by-uncle-cousin-in-k-ps-lower-dir</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615954/teen-girl-allegedly-killed-for-honour-by-uncle-cousin-in-k-ps-lower-dir#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 16:06:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Ahtesham Khan  ]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[State registers FIR after police say a 19-year-old was killed by relatives; one suspect arrested]]>
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				<![CDATA[A 19-year-old woman was allegedly shot dead by her uncle and cousin in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa&#39;s Lower Dir district after she was seen talking to a neighbour outside her home, police said on Wednesday.

The incident took place on June 26 in the mountainous village of Kharkai, within the jurisdiction of Khar Police Station.

The victim was the only child of her parents. Her father had travelled abroad for work, while her mother died during childbirth last year. Following her mother&#39;s death, she had been living with her uncle.

Read: 405 honour killings recorded across Pakistan in 2024: HRCP

According to the police, she was allegedly killed in the name of &quot;honour&quot;.

Superintendent of Police (Investigation) Rashid Khan, who is leading the investigation, told The Express Tribune that a first information report (FIR) was registered in the case.

He said the victim was killed with Kalashnikov fire and that spent bullet casings had been recovered from the crime scene.

According to the investigating officer, two suspects &mdash; a father and son who were the victim&#39;s uncle and cousin &mdash; were nominated in the case. One suspect was arrested, while efforts were underway to apprehend the other.

The officer said the victim had no siblings and that her father was abroad, prompting the police to register the case as a complaint to ensure a strong prosecution. He expressed confidence that the suspects would be brought to justice.

Lower Dir District Police Officer (DPO) Captain (retired) Bilal Furqan told The Express Tribune that a police team, including female officers, was dispatched to the area immediately after the incident. He said the victim&#39;s body was sent for a post-mortem examination.

He said the FIR&nbsp;was registered on behalf of the state through the station house officer under Section 302&nbsp;(premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with Section 311 relating to so-called honour killings.

Also Read: Only women are murdered in 90% of honour killings&#39;

The DPO said police arrested one of the suspects&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;the victim&#39;s cousin&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;within two days of the incident.

Reports had circulated that the victim was buried without funeral prayers after the killing. However, the police confirmed that a local religious scholar led her funeral prayers and that she was buried in accordance with customary procedures.

Honour killing remains a serious and persistent human rights issue in Pakistan despite legal reforms and growing public awareness.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan&nbsp;reported that at least 405 so-called honour killings were recorded in Pakistan in 2024. In its annual report for 2025, the commission said the figure had risen to 470. Most victims were women, often killed by relatives claiming to defend family honour.

The killings have been reported not only in Lower Dir but also in several other districts of the province, including Peshawar, Upper Dir, Swat and Charsadda.

According to K-P Police data obtained by The Express Tribune, 160 honour killing cases were reported across the province in 2025, compared with 159 cases in 2024. Around 70 per cent of the victims in the 2024 cases were women.

The data showed that 374 people were nominated in honour killing cases last year, of whom 258 were arrested. However, police said that, except for a few cases, many suspects were later released after settlements were reached between the parties.]]>
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			<title>Lightning strikes in K-P leave two children dead, over 20 injured in separate incidents</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615952/lightning-strikes-in-k-p-leave-two-children-dead-over-20-injured</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615952/lightning-strikes-in-k-p-leave-two-children-dead-over-20-injured#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 14:54:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615952</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Strike on women's seminary in Upper Dir leaves 20 students injured]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[At least two children were killed, and more than 20 people were injured in separate lightning strike incidents in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday, officials said.

In Khyber district, lightning struck a house in the Zakhak Hail Bazaar area of Landi Kotal, killing two children and injuring members of the same family.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Azmat Wali of Landi Kotal Police Station confirmed the deaths, saying the lightning struck a home in the morning. He said two children were killed while two others were injured.

Read: Two killed as storms, lightning batter Narowal

He said the house was also damaged in the strike and that all those injured belonged to the same family. Residents launched rescue efforts and took the injured to a nearby hospital for treatment, with one of the injured in critical condition.

Police and other relevant authorities were assessing the damage and gathering further details of the incident, while condolences were being offered to the bereaved family.

In a separate incident, lightning struck a women&#39;s seminary in the Wahri area of Upper Dir district, injuring 20 female students.

Wahri Assistant Commissioner Aftab Alam said the incident occurred while classes were underway at the seminary, where around 250 girls were enrolled.

He said all the injured students were shifted to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Wahri for treatment, adding that they were reported to be out of danger.]]>
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			<title>Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese head home as fighting eases, many still stranded</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615941/hundreds-of-thousands-of-lebanese-head-home-as-fighting-eases-many-still-stranded</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615941/hundreds-of-thousands-of-lebanese-head-home-as-fighting-eases-many-still-stranded#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 14:37:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[REUTERS]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615941</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[About 40% of the one million displaced Lebanese have returned to their towns and villages]]>
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				<![CDATA[Some 400,000 Lebanese uprooted by war have returned to southern Lebanon, with &zwnj;more expected to follow in the coming week, the social affairs minister said on Tuesday, encouraged by a lull in the four-month-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Yet many remain unable to go back. Since March, around a&nbsp;million people have been forced to flee their homes, and large numbers ​are still in shelters or temporary housing because their homes are destroyed or uninhabitable, said Hanine El ​Sayed.

Roughly 40% of those displaced have now returned to their towns and villages. The number ⁠of people staying in collective shelters has fallen sharply, to about 13,000 from 37,000, she said.

While some shelters will ​remain open for families who cannot return, aid programmes,&nbsp;including emergency cash support,&nbsp;will continue. The number of shelters has ​dropped from 692 at the height of the crisis to 479, with additional centres opened in Nabatieh for those wanting to stay near their home areas.

El Sayed said the headline figures conceal a gap between those able to return and those still displaced.

Read: Lebanese president, army chief discuss troops&#39; role after framework agreement with Israel

&quot;These are families that ​are able to return to something, at least the basic minimum,&quot; she told Reuters. &quot;The fact that the others have ​not returned means they have a much harder situation.&quot;

Authorities expect further returns in the coming days and hope&nbsp; &zwnj;to better ⁠gauge how many families cannot go back at all.

&quot;In about a week&#39;s time ... we would really know the size of the problem &mdash; how many absolutely cannot return because their homes have been totally damaged,&quot; she said.



Women walk at a school that has been turned into a shelter for displaced families, following a deal between the United States and Iran, in Beirut, Lebanon, June 16, 2026. Photo: REUTERS/file

Challenges of going home

For many, returning home does not mean a return to normal life. Families are often finding damaged houses, scarce electricity and water, ​and destroyed businesses and livelihoods, ​as the government works ⁠to restore basic services and expand cash assistance, rental support and employment programmes.

Yet despite these hardships, many are choosing to return.

&quot;Many of the people of the South are very attached ​to their land, and they want to rightfully make a claim back to it,&quot; ​El Sayed said.

Read more: Israel damaged heritage sites across south Lebanon, minister says

The ⁠government estimates Lebanon will need billions of dollars to rebuild damaged homes and infrastructure, funding that it does not currently have, El Sayed said.

Nearly 90,000 housing units have been totally or partially destroyed in the latest conflict, adding to widespread damage from ⁠earlier ​fighting.

Israel and Lebanon last week signed a US-brokered framework agreement setting out ​a phased process under which the Lebanese army would take control of areas now occupied by Israeli forces as Hezbollah is disarmed. Reconstruction would begin ​in designated &quot;pilot zones&quot; to enable civilians to return.]]>
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			<title>US and Iran enter technical talks to secure peace deal, shipping restart</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615938/us-and-iran-enter-technical-talks-to-secure-peace-deal-shipping-restart</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615938/us-and-iran-enter-technical-talks-to-secure-peace-deal-shipping-restart#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 14:22:39 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[REUTERS]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615938</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Traffic partially resumes ​through the waterway, which handled one-fifth of global oil and LNG trade before the war]]>
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				<![CDATA[The United States and Iran held indirect technical talks in Doha on Wednesday as they seek to agree on the flow of shipping through the &zwnj;Strait of Hormuz and secure a lasting ceasefire, a source with direct knowledge of the talks and an Iranian official said.

The talks are based on a 14-point interim accord signed last month that was meant to halt the war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February and reopen the strait, while setting up 60 days of negotiations for a permanent peace deal.

However, the US and Iran ​have sparred publicly over the meaning of the interim pact, leading to tit-for-tat military strikes over the past week and leaving little sign of progress ​on more complex issues, including Iran&#39;s nuclear programme.

Iran is determined to win international recognition of its control over the strait and its ⁠ability to levy fees on ships entering or leaving the Gulf, even if it has to do so by force, according to two senior Iranian sources.

Traffic has partially resumed ​through the waterway, which handled one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade before the war.

Read: Trump says denuclearisation &#39;taking place&#39; after US negotiators held &#39;very good meetings&#39; with Iran

US President Donald Trump, who has said removing Iran&#39;s highly enriched uranium is a ​top priority, told reporters on Wednesday that &quot;the denuclearisation of Iran is moving along well&quot;, without giving details.

&quot;They&#39;ve had very good meetings, and we&#39;ll see,&quot; he said of the talks in Doha, where there was no evidence the nuclear issue had yet been discussed.

Focus on Hormuz, frozen assets

The indirect talks, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, began on Tuesday night and were continuing on Wednesday, the Iranian official ​said.

They are structured as sessions between chief negotiators and specialists, the source with knowledge of the talks said, adding that Trump&#39;s son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff met ​Qatar&#39;s prime minister to lay the groundwork for the talks but would not be attending.

Iran&#39;s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi headed a delegation of representatives from Iran&#39;s foreign ministry, central bank and &zwnj;agriculture ministry, ⁠meeting Qatar&#39;s prime minister and holding talks with mediators.

Iran has stated publicly that its priorities include agreeing on management of the strait and the release of $6 billion in Iranian frozen assets, and the Iranian official said the current round of discussions would focus on those two issues.

The stated priority of the US is to ensure the free flow of traffic through the strait, the source with knowledge of the talks said.

Also read: Oil prices rise as breakdown in Iran-US talks raises supply concerns

Iran&#39;s state media said on Wednesday a foreign container ship had run aground in the Strait of Hormuz after ​entering shallow waters outside the shipping route ​designated by Iranian authorities.

&quot;Hormuz continues to ⁠reopen, but it&#39;s patchy, unpredictable, and not fully transparent,&quot; said Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights.

Intensive diplomacy on Lebanon

The war triggered Iranian attacks on Gulf states hosting US military bases and killed thousands of people, mainly in Iran and ​Lebanon, as well as pushing up oil and fuel prices.

Trump faces domestic pressure to contain the economic fallout from the war ​before midterm elections in ⁠November, as well as criticism from his own party that the interim deal leaves US objectives unmet.

In Iran, the theocratic leadership survived the war but faces domestic anger over a shattered economy.

Oil prices fell around 1% on Wednesday, with US West Texas Intermediate crude reaching its lowest since February 27 &mdash; a day before the war&#39;s outbreak &mdash; at $69.12 a barrel.

The interim deal between the US and ⁠Iran also ​provides for an end to a parallel conflict between Israel and&nbsp;Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The US ​has backed a separate track of talks between Israel and Lebanon&#39;s government, which produced a framework security deal that Hezbollah has dismissed and analysts warn could entrench Israel&#39;s occupation of Lebanon&#39;s south.

There had been intensive diplomatic activity on ​Lebanon between parties, including the US, up to Tuesday evening, the source with knowledge of the talks said.]]>
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			<title>Unchecked AI progress may pose catastrophic risks, UN panel warns</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615933/unchecked-ai-progress-may-pose-catastrophic-risks-un-panel-warns</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615933/unchecked-ai-progress-may-pose-catastrophic-risks-un-panel-warns#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 14:00:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615933</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[UN's Independent International Scientific Panel report says AI task complexity is doubling every four to seven months]]>
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				<![CDATA[Developments in artificial ​intelligence are outpacing scientific understanding and government policy, meaning there are no guarantees the technology will not cause &zwnj;catastrophic harm, a United Nations (UN) independent panel warned on Wednesday.

A preliminary report by the UN&#39;s Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence said policymakers face a growing dilemma: they need robust evidence to regulate AI effectively, yet such evidence is struggling to keep pace with the technology&#39;s rapid evolution.

&quot;AI capabilities ​are outpacing both scientific understanding and governments&rsquo; ability to adapt,&quot; said Yoshua Bengio, co-chair of the panel, comprised of 40 ​cross-regional experts.

&quot;With growing evidence of deceptive AI behaviour, science currently cannot guarantee that as capabilities continue to ⁠increase, AI will not cause catastrophic harm, either on its own or due to malicious users.&quot;

Described as the first global independent ​assessment of AI&#39;s risks and opportunities, the report aims to give up-to-date evaluations of the science to help guide decision-making as ​governments contend with fast-evolving systems.

Read: Gene Wilder&#39;s voice recreated with AI for Netflix&#39;s new Willy Wonka competition series

In the near term, it expects a shift towards agentic AI systems capable of carrying out real-world tasks, although growth may be constrained by energy and high-quality data shortages. Over time, it foresees self-improving AI embedded more deeply in the economy and converging with technologies such ​as quantum computing and biotechnology.

Agentic AI developing rapidly

AI already demonstrates expert-level reasoning in mathematics and science and is accelerating drug and ​vaccine development, and its task complexity is doubling every four to seven months, potentially allowing systems to complete work that takes humans days or &zwnj;weeks, according ⁠to the report.

While this could deliver significant economic benefits, it remains unclear whether productivity gains from using AI will translate into broader growth or affect jobs.

The panel also outlined a range of safety concerns, such as the risk of losing control over AI systems as they become increasingly autonomous and deceptive.

AI is already being used to generate misinformation and other harmful content and could be ​exploited for fraud, cyberattacks and biological ​threats.

Governance remains fragmented, with many ⁠countries lacking the capacity to assess or shape advanced AI systems, leaving them reliant on technologies they cannot fully understand or control. Existing safety tools often depend on limited testing data disclosed ​by companies, the report said.

UN Secretary-General Ant&oacute;nio Guterres urged governments to act swiftly.

&quot;The world cannot govern ​what it cannot ⁠understand,&quot; Guterres said in a statement.

&ldquo;The potential is great, but the risks are real, and the cost of waiting is rising,&rdquo; he added.

Global political and tech leaders, alongside the United Nations&#39; digital tech agency, announced on Wednesday the creation of a new commission to address ⁠the development ​of AI amid growing concerns over its potential risks.

Read more: Fact check: Viral video of woman shooting harasser on motorcycle is AI-generated

The AI for Good Global ​Commission will be co-chaired by Rwanda&#39;s President Paul Kagame and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, according to a strategic overview document on the commission&#39;s website. ITU Secretary-General Doreen ​Bogdan-Martin will be the permanent vice-chair. Other UN&nbsp;agencies are also expected to participate.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan transitions to cashless payments for passport fees</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615930/pakistan-transitions-to-cashless-payments-for-passport-fees</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615930/pakistan-transitions-to-cashless-payments-for-passport-fees#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 13:32:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615930</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Interior minister says the move will expedite services across all passport offices, ensure transparency]]>
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				<![CDATA[Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi&nbsp;announced on Wednesday that the country had transitioned to cashless transactions at all passport offices.

On June 19, the government decided to digitalise the passport issuance system as part of sweeping reforms aimed at modernising immigration services and eliminating fraud. The interior ministry had announced that the cashless payment system introduced in the passport offices and online portal would be shifted to the Pak-ID platform.

In a post on X today, Naqvi said: &quot;Starting today, cashless transactions are operational at all passport offices across Pakistan. Applicants no longer need to stand in long queues or wait for hours to make payments. This important reform was initiated on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&nbsp;and our team has successfully delivered it.&quot;

https://x.com/MohsinnaqviC42/status/2072297424287047756?s=20

Naqvi highlighted that the move would&nbsp;expedite services across all passport offices and ensure transparency and convenience to citizens.

He also congratulated the entire team for the digital financial shift and said &ldquo;many more milestones&rdquo; lay ahead.

Read: Pakistan to issue only electronic passports

A week earlier, Director General of Immigration and Passports Muhammad Ali Randhawa had said that the country would gradually transition to issuing only electronic passports (e-passports), while cash payments for passport fees would be abolished from July 1(today) in favour of a QR code-based digital payment system.

The decision was made on June 23 during a high-level meeting chaired by the director general at the headquarters in Islamabad.

The meeting&#39;s members&nbsp;were&nbsp;further informed that the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports would soon launch a dedicated passport mobile app, enabling Pakistani citizens both at home and abroad to apply for passports online from their homes.

Applicants would also be able to receive their passports at their doorstep, with TCS and DHL engaged to provide delivery services.

Officials said the initiative would significantly reduce congestion at passport offices.]]>
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			<title>Punjab launches special cybercrime cell for expediting cases involving women and children</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615924/punjab-launches-special-cybercrime-cell-for-expediting-cases-involving-women-and-children</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615924/punjab-launches-special-cybercrime-cell-for-expediting-cases-involving-women-and-children#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 12:42:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Amir Naveed Chaudhry]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615924</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Around 22% of the 171,600 cases reported to the agency were reported by women, NCCIA data reveals]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Punjab National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on Wednesday established a dedicated special cell to expedite the registration, investigation, and resolution of cybercrime cases involving women, children, and girls.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Punjab NCCIA Director (Operations) Muhammad Ali Wasim said the move was aimed at strengthening the agency&rsquo;s effort to protect vulnerable groups against cybercrimes, including harassment, blackmail and exploitation.

The director said that all cybercrime complaints involving women and children would now be processed through the newly established special cell and supervised by the deputy director to ensure immediate investigation, effective case management, and timely legal action.

Wasim said that the cybercrime cell had adopted &ldquo;a zero-tolerance policy&rdquo; against perpetrators involved in online blackmail, development of fake social media accounts, and unauthorised sharing of private photographs and videos.

Read: NCCIA arrests 13 suspects in Punjab for &#39;anti-state propaganda&#39; over Middle East tensions

He warned of strict legal action against offenders in accordance with the applicable laws.

Furthermore, the special cell was also&nbsp;tasked with providing immediate legal assistance, victim support, and protection to ensure victims received timely access to justice and appropriate safeguards throughout the investigative process, the director detailed.

Reaffirming the agency&rsquo;s commitment to combating cybercrime targeting vulnerable individuals, Wasim said, &ldquo;Cybercrimes against women and minors will not be tolerated under any circumstances.&quot;

&quot;Every victim is encouraged to contact the NCCIA without fear. Every complaint will be acted upon promptly and strictly in accordance with the law.&quot;

He highlighted that the establishment of the cell reflected the NCCIA&#39;s broader efforts to enhance its response to cyber-enabled crimes and improve support mechanisms for victims across Punjab.

Read more: Momina Iqbal&ndash;MPA Chadhar case: Punjab Bar restricts lawyers from media briefings

Wasim further said that&nbsp;six of the 50 people in the department were assigned&nbsp;to the cell to expedite complaint resolution.

According to the data provided on the agency&rsquo;s website, out of the 171,600 cases reported to the agency, 21.6% were reported by women.

Lahore assumed the lead in the number of digital crime reports, accounting for 18% of the total cases.

Financial fraud remained the most reported cybercrime as per statistics available on the agency&#39;s web portal.]]>
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			<title>World Bank approves $70m for Punjab digital connectivity programme</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615921/world-bank-approves-70m-for-punjab-digital-connectivity-programme</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615921/world-bank-approves-70m-for-punjab-digital-connectivity-programme#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 11:45:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615921</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Programme will also support investment in government computing infrastructure to strengthen institutional capacity]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The World Bank&#39;s Board of Executive Directors has approved $70 million in financing for the Connected Punjab Programme (CPP) to help the province expand broadband internet access, improve digital service delivery and enhance cashless transactions, it emerged on Wednesday.

A World Bank press release issued a day&nbsp;ago&nbsp;said the programme was designed to operate alongside the country&#39;s broader national digital agenda.

The federal government is investing in national digital public infrastructure through the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP), while the Connected Punjab Programme builds on those foundations to ensure national platforms, policies and connectivity investments translate into benefits for citizens and businesses across the province.

&quot;Digital connectivity is no longer a luxury, it is the infrastructure of opportunity,&quot; World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Bolormaa Amgaabazar said.

&quot;The federal government has laid out a bold vision for Pakistan&#39;s digital future, and Connected Punjab is how that vision reaches the doorsteps of millions of people across the province,&quot; she said, adding that expanding broadband access and strengthening Punjab&#39;s digital backbone would open new opportunities for citizens, particularly women and young people, while improving access to public services.

According to the press release, the programme would&nbsp;address regulatory and cost barriers that limited private sector investment in broadband infrastructure, particularly in underserved urban areas. It aimed&nbsp;to reduce average Right-of-Way permitting processing times from 90 days to 21 days, expand fixed broadband coverage from 7.8 million to 9.9 million people by June 2031, bring about 2.1 million additional people online, and facilitate at least $50 million in private capital investment in digital infrastructure.

Read: Punjab adopts digital monitoring

The programme would&nbsp;also support investment in government computing infrastructure to strengthen institutional capacity and enable provincial and local agencies to develop and deliver AI-enabled public services at scale. By June 2031, it aims to provide enhanced digitally enabled public services to 28.9 million people, while increasing the share of women using digital government services from 19% to 30%.

The press release said the programme also sought&nbsp;to reduce Punjab&#39;s reliance on cash transactions by establishing a Digital Invoice Management System and creating an interoperable payment infrastructure linking payments, invoices and government reporting. It targets 350,000 active users of cashless payment systems by June 2031.

&quot;Pakistan&#39;s newly developed Digital and AI Compact sets the national direction, and DEEP is building the digital public infrastructure backbone at the federal level,&quot; said Shahbaz Khan, senior digital specialist at the World Bank in Pakistan.

Read more: Punjab plans wider SME export financing

He said the Connected Punjab Programme complemented&nbsp;federal investments by expanding fibre connectivity through private sector facilitation, deploying locally relevant AI-enabled services and building a digital payments ecosystem that supports formalisation and inclusive growth across the province.

&quot;Together, these investments form a coherent and mutually reinforcing digital transformation agenda for Pakistan,&quot; he said.

The $70 million financing from the World Bank&#39;s International Development Association&nbsp;forms part of a broader government investment programme valued at $278 million, including $208 million in counterpart funding from the Punjab government.]]>
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			<title>Miss Universe Pakistan finalist Aneesa Sheikh calls for end to cyberbullying, harassment</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615920/miss-universe-pakistan-finalist-aneesa-sheikh-calls-for-end-to-cyberbullying-harassment</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615920/miss-universe-pakistan-finalist-aneesa-sheikh-calls-for-end-to-cyberbullying-harassment#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 11:25:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Issues an appeal directly to women worldwide to disrupt toxic subcultures]]>
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				<![CDATA[Amidst intense digital scrutiny and mounting online tensions, Miss Universe Pakistan finalist Aneesa Sheikh has delivered a powerful, heartfelt public service announcement urging a complete halt to cyberbullying and harassment.

The Pakistani-American model, singer, and academic, who previously represented the nation as Miss Grand Pakistan 2022, took to her official platform to clarify her stance on internet safety. Far from a routine pageant response, her statement carries deeply personal weight, referencing the tragic loss of her 22-year-old brother to online bullying.

In an emotional video and caption, Aneesa made it undeniably clear that human safety and mental health must always take precedence over any title. &quot;No competition, no title, and no disagreement is ever worth someone&rsquo;s safety or mental health,&quot; she shared. &quot;Having lost my brother to online bullying, this is an issue I take incredibly seriously. I will always condemn threats, harassment, intimidation, and bullying toward anyone, regardless of who they are.&quot;

The announcement comes at a critical juncture in the Miss Universe Pakistan selection cycle. When tensions recently escalated online, with digital fanbases and aggressive commentary beginning to target the competition&#39;s judging panel, prompting previous titleholders to speak out against coordinated cyber harassment.

Addressing the behaviour of digital spaces, Aneesa firmly distanced herself and her management from any abusive behaviour, emphasising that a true community is built on empathy rather than division. While acknowledging that no single individual can police the entire internet, she vowed to continue using her voice to lead by example, fostering discussions rooted in kindness.

She also issued an appeal directly to women worldwide to disrupt toxic subcultures, asking them to &quot;Shift away from habits that tear others down, cultivate meaningful, compassionate discussions and prioritise unity and think twice before posting.&quot;

In an Instagram post, Aneesa said that to ensure accountability, her team has set up a dedicated reporting channel where users can forward screenshots of credible threats, targeted harassment, or abusive messaging.

&quot;Valid reports are being systematically documented and forwarded to the appropriate authorities and legal commissioners in Lahore and Islamabad for immediate official review,&quot; she said.]]>
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			<title>Araghchi warns Israel of powerful response over Katz's 'death threat' against Mojtaba Khamenei</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615919/araghchi-warns-israel-of-powerful-response-over-katzs-death-threat-against-mojtaba-khamenei</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615919/araghchi-warns-israel-of-powerful-response-over-katzs-death-threat-against-mojtaba-khamenei#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 11:04:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Anadolu Agency]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615919</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Katz says Israel can target Iran again 'if it deems it necessary' despite ongoing US efforts to pursue diplomacy]]>
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				<![CDATA[Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday warned of an immediate and powerful response after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Iran&rsquo;s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was &ldquo;marked for death&rdquo;.

&ldquo;The terms of the Islamabad MoU are crystal clear and public for all to see. POTUS has committed the US to muzzling its pets in Tel Aviv. If they ignore their master, Iran will school them,&rdquo; Araghchi said in a post on X.

He said any threat against Iran&rsquo;s people and leadership would receive an immediate and powerful response.

Araghchi&#39;s X post ​was ⁠attached to comments made by the Israeli defence minister.&nbsp;

Katz further said that Israel could target Iran again &ldquo;if it deems it necessary&rdquo; despite ongoing US efforts to pursue diplomacy.

Speaking at a memorial ceremony for those killed in the 2006 war in Lebanon, Katz said: &ldquo;We have attacked twice with proactive, preemptive strikes in Iran and, if necessary, we will strike a third time as well.&rdquo;

Israeli forces would remain indefinitely in what he called &ldquo;security zones&rdquo; in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza to protect Israeli communities, he added.

Separately, former Israeli army chief and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot also accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of fabricating claims that Iran possesses nuclear weapons to frighten the Israeli public.

According to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, Eisenkot made the remarks at a conference in central Israel, saying Netanyahu&rsquo;s recent statements on Iran&rsquo;s nuclear capabilities were false.

&ldquo;Netanyahu said repugnant things. Iran had no nuclear bombs whatsoever. He is fabricating reality to frighten the Israeli public,&rdquo; Eisenkot, who is also the head of Yashar party, was quoted as saying.

The newspaper said Eisenkot was referring to comments Netanyahu made Tuesday in an interview with Israel&rsquo;s Channel 14, in which the prime minister said: &ldquo;I entered Iran twice to save us from annihilation by atomic bombs that were already in their hands.&rdquo;

Eisenkot, who served as Israel&rsquo;s military chief of staff from 2015 to 2019, announced Tuesday that he intends to run for prime minister.

In February 2026, the US and Israel launched strikes targeting Iranian military installations and infrastructure, before the confrontation expanded into direct exchanges of fire.

Israel also carried out a large-scale military operation against targets inside Iran in June 2025, saying it targeted Tehran&rsquo;s nuclear program and missile capabilities. Iran denied seeking nuclear weapons, insisting its nuclear program is exclusively peaceful.

No international report has confirmed that Iran possesses nuclear weapons.

Netanyahu&rsquo;s interview with the right-wing Channel 14 came as Israel prepares for general elections expected in the coming months.

The US and Israel accuse Iran of maintaining nuclear and missile programs that threaten Israel and US regional allies. Tehran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful and says it is not pursuing nuclear weapons.

Israel, which occupies Palestinian territories as well as land in Lebanon and Syria, is widely believed by international experts to be the only country in the Middle East possessing a nuclear arsenal, although it has never officially acknowledged it. Its nuclear facilities are not subject to International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.]]>
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			<title>SC restores female heirs’ inheritance in ancestral property after 71 years, lays burden of oral gift's proof on beneficiaries</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615916/sc-restores-female-heirs-inheritance-in-ancestral-property-after-71-years</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615916/sc-restores-female-heirs-inheritance-in-ancestral-property-after-71-years#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 10:15:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Rana Yasif]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615916</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Dispels the assumption made by lower courts that mutation constituted proof of the transaction]]>
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				<![CDATA[In a move to strengthen women&#39;s inheritance rights, the Supreme Court (SC)&nbsp;on Wednesday ordered the restoration of the inherited share of two sisters in their ancestral property after a 71-year dispute, while establishing that the burden of proving an oral gift (hiba) rested&nbsp;with those claiming to benefit from it.

In 1955, the defendants&rsquo; father passed away, and their two brothers transferred the inherited property into their names, claiming that it had been orally gifted to them.

A two-member bench at the Lahore Registry comprising Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan and Justice Shakeel Ahmad allowed the appeal filed by Noor Muhammad and issued a 14-page judgment, setting aside the concurrent decisions of the trial court, appellate court and high court that had upheld the disputed oral gift.

The apex court also directed the revenue authorities to correct the land record and ensure that the sisters receive their inheritance in accordance with the law.

According to the judgment, the dispute dates back to 1955 when, following the death of the parties&#39; father, two brothers transferred the inherited property into their names, claiming that it had been orally gifted to them. The appellants maintained that the oral gift was fraudulently engineered to deprive the female heirs of their lawful inheritance.

Rejecting the findings of the lower courts, the Supreme Court ruled that the beneficiaries of an alleged oral gift bear the legal burden of proving its existence.

The judgment observed that the trial court fundamentally erred by treating the alleged oral gift itself as proof instead of examining whether the burden of evidence had been discharged, rendering its approach contrary to settled legal principles.

Referring to a past judgment in the Faqir Ali and others versus Sakina Bibi and others case, the&nbsp;court had ordered that where the &ldquo;beneficiaries of a gift seek to exclude female heirs from inheritance&rdquo;, the onus lies upon them to prove the gift.

&quot;It is trite that a gift in order to be valid and binding on the parties must fulfil three conditions, namely (i) declaration of gift by the donor, (ii) acceptance of gift by the donee, and (iii) delivery of possession of corpus.&rdquo;

The court further held that even if the alleged oral gift had remained unchallenged for decades, as argued by the respondents and accepted by the high court, the obligation to establish its validity still rested with those seeking to benefit from it.

The bench also rejected the objection that the claim had been filed after an inordinate delay, noting that the record showed the mother and sisters continued to receive a share of the income generated by the land for several years after the purported gift.

&ldquo;After remaining in possession of the property, the sons and their successors subsequently dealt with the property through exchange mutations and gift transactions in favour of their descendants,&rdquo; the SC highlighted in the detailed order.

This, the court said, indicated they had not been aware of any valid transfer excluding them from inheritance.

Mutation as evidence

The apex court noted that following the death of Roshan, Mutations 74 and 75 were entered in favour of the defendants on April 4, 1955, recording that the widow and daughters of the deceased relinquished their share in favour of the male heirs.

&ldquo;Inheritance Mutation No74 was entered on April 4, 1955, in favour of legal heirs; on the same day, Mutation No75 was also entered on the basis of an alleged oral gift made by the widow and daughters of the deceased in favour of two sons/brothers. Both mutations were sanctioned on April 17, 1955,&rdquo; the judgment noted.

The top court dispelled the assumption made by lower courts that the mutation itself constituted proof of the transaction.

The order read, &ldquo;A mutation is maintained primarily for fiscal purposes, and neither creates nor extinguishes title,&rdquo; further stressing, &ldquo;It is reiterated that a mutation is maintained for fiscal purposes and neither creates nor extinguishes proprietary rights.&rdquo;

Constitutional, legal and Islamic proprietary rights of women

Emphasising the constitutional, legal and Islamic protection afforded to women, the Supreme Court declared that inheritance was neither a matter of male discretion nor family generosity, but a vested legal and Sharia right that automatically devolves upon all heirs immediately after the death of the deceased.

The bench maintained that women&#39;s inheritance rights cannot be extinguished through &ldquo;private arrangements, family pressure or customary practices&rdquo; and warned that every transaction allegedly depriving women of inheritance, including fake gifts, fraudulent mutations and sham arrangements, must be subjected to sharp judicial scrutiny.

The court observed that denying women inheritance is not merely a legal dispute but a deep-rooted social problem that often begins within families before reaching the courts. It added that women cannot be deprived of their share in the guise of family honour, tradition or social pressure.

The court enunciated the articles supporting the women&rsquo;s right to inheritance: &ldquo;Article 2A incorporates the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance and social justice as enunciated by Islam, while Article 25 guarantees equality before law and equal protection of law. Articles 23 and 24 recognise and protect the right to acquire, hold and enjoy property and prohibit deprivation thereof save in accordance with law.&rdquo;

The bench further highlighted that Article 35 also obligated the state to protect the family, the mother and the child and Article 227 mandates that all laws shall be brought in conformity with the Injunctions of Islam.

&ldquo;These constitutional guarantees, when read in conjunction with the Islamic injunctions relating to inheritance, leave no room for ambiguity.&rdquo;

The top court recognised that the state, courts, revenue authorities and society collectively share responsibility for ensuring women receive their inheritance in practice and not &ldquo;just on paper&rdquo;.

The SC declared all judgments of the subordinate courts void and ordered correction of the revenue record to secure the sisters&#39; inheritance.]]>
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			<title>'I almost quit directing because of Adnan Siddiqui,' reveals Kazim Pasha</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615915/i-almost-quit-directing-because-of-adnan-siddiqui-reveals-kazim-pasha</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615915/i-almost-quit-directing-because-of-adnan-siddiqui-reveals-kazim-pasha#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 10:04:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615915</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Says lazy formula filmmaking and refusal to modernise led to the collapse of Pakistani cinema]]>
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				<![CDATA[In a gripping, nostalgic, and at times shocking tell-all interview, legendary television director Kazim Pasha pulled back the curtain on the hidden realities of Pakistan&#39;s entertainment history. Leaving no stone unturned, the veteran director detailed the extreme pressures of the &quot;Golden Era&quot; of PTV (Pakistan Television), creative warfare with state censors, psychological tricks used on actors, and the backstage antics that almost forced him to leave the industry entirely.

The conversation took an explosive turn when Pasha revealed that the gruelling on-set antics of megastar Adnan Siddiqui once pushed him to the brink of permanent retirement. &quot;Adnan Siddiqui troubled me deeply during one particular serial, and to be honest, I almost quit production after that,&quot; Pasha confessed candidly.

The veteran director detailed how a single casting choice escalated into a nightmare, involving everything from airline tickets to specific domestic demands before the cameras could even roll.

&quot;First, he asked for a ticket for his assistant to travel with him. Then he said his three daughters would come along, making that three more tickets. Finally, he insisted their nanny must come too, bringing it to a total of five extra tickets!&quot; Pasha revealed.

The ballooning demands became a source of immense stress on set, to the point where co-star Sajid Hasan jokingly questioned the production&#39;s budget. &quot;Sajid Hasan turned to me and said, &#39;Brother, are you planning to bankrupt us and send us out looking for work?&#39; But I told him, &#39;he is an artist, he is the great Adnan Siddiqui, and we have cast him as our hero.&#39;&quot;

The nightmare continued during the shooting at actor Aijaz Aslam&#39;s bungalow, where Siddiqui&rsquo;s stubbornness disrupted the rigid schedule directors expected. &quot;He used to trouble me so much that I would literally just leave the set and walk away,&quot; Pasha admitted. &quot;He would say things like, &#39;I am feeling hungry, I am going to eat at that specific place, and until I get back, I won&rsquo;t start work.&#39; Or he would demand something specific, and if it weren&#39;t brought to him, he&rsquo;d say, &#39;I won&#39;t shoot today.&#39;&quot;

Pasha&rsquo;s critique was devoid of malice; he quickly softened the blow with fatherly warmth: &quot;Despite all of this, he has a very deep attachment to my daughters. He is a truly lovely, endearing human being. And through it all, he has never once shown even a shred of disrespect or bad manners toward me. Never.&quot;

Talking about casting women in television during the late 70s and 80s was an uphill battle due to deep-seated conservative norms. Pasha detailed the immense effort it took to discover stars like Laila Zuberi and convince their respective families that the PTV environment was safe and dignified.

Once on set, however, Pasha was known for his &quot;tough love&quot; approach. He shared a legendary behind-the-scenes anecdote regarding actress Sadia Imam during an incredibly difficult shoot, right after veteran actor Qurban Jillani had tragically passed away mid-production. Sadia was struggling to deliver an authentic crying scene.

&quot;She just wasn&#39;t able to cry authentically,&quot; Pasha recounted. &quot;I told my staff, &#39;Keep the cameras ready, I am going downstairs, and then watch the show.&#39; I went down and intentionally created an environment of extreme harshness and anger. When she genuinely broke down from the psychological pressure, I signalled the cameras to roll.&quot;

Pasha&rsquo;s uncompromising direction extended to the biggest stars in the country. For his blockbuster serial Kashkol, he took a massive gamble by casting silver-screen icon Syed Kamal in an unconventional TV role, which required diplomacy to manage the film star&#39;s ego within rigid television boundaries.

He also applied this rigorous standard to technical filmmaking. Long before the era of CGI and green screens, Pasha directed a high-stakes historical project about the PNS Ghazi submarine. He coordinated actual underwater filming and authentic naval sequences, risking his life and state equipment to capture jaw-dropping realism.

Analysing the industry at large, Pasha blamed the collapse of Pakistani cinema (Lollywood) on lazy formula filmmaking and a refusal to modernise, which ultimately allowed PTV to become the country&#39;s primary cultural storyteller.

Shifting to his roots, Pasha shared how he accidentally entered the media. He was originally a secure, white-collar employee at the State Bank of Pakistan. &quot;Back then, television didn&#39;t even exist when I started with Radio Pakistan. The base pay we used to get was maybe Rs1 to 15, and checks were made for 15 people at a time to be cashed at the State Bank.&quot;

Like many of his contemporaries, Pasha originally wanted to be an actor. However, watching his mentor, the great Qasim Jalali, command a set completely changed his trajectory. &quot;To be honest, most of the directors and producers of my era originally came to become actors. I thought the same initially. But I give full credit to Qasim Jalali sahib. When I watched him work and direct, my passion shifted entirely toward direction.&quot;

Pasha characterised old PTV as a strict, prestigious university that drilled discipline and flawless language pronunciation into its talent. Beyond dramas, Pasha was a cultural custodian, fondly recalling directing live, spiritually charged Qawwali broadcasts featuring the legendary Ghulam Farid Sabri (of the Sabri Brothers).

One of the most intense segments of the interview covered the production of the iconic, gritty serial Jangloos. The show&rsquo;s raw depiction of rural feudalism and societal corruption rattled the highest levels of government. &quot;Jangloos was a mirror to society, and because it hit exactly where it hurt, the National Assembly got involved. There were immense pressures to ban it, but we stood our ground because the truth had to be told.&quot;

Pasha explained that under strict state censorship, directors had to outsmart the establishment. Instead of blatant rebellion, he used clever subtext, metaphors, and sharp dialogue to expose societal rot without giving censors a legal reason to cut the footage.

When looking at today&#39;s industry, Pasha praised the acting methodologies of stars like Sajid Hasan and Adnan Jilani, who could read between the lines of a script. He also expressed immense pride in his family, crediting his wife&nbsp;as the silent pillar who kept their home running during his gruelling 20-hour shifts, and his daughter, Nida Yasir, who has become a titan of modern Pakistani daytime television.

Concluding the interview, Pasha looked back on his life not with regret, but with the profound peace of a man who chose identity and respect over money. &quot;I am the gardener who planted the seeds, and today, those seeds have become massive, shading trees. To see them thrive is my greatest legacy.&quot;]]>
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			<title>Pakistan urges India to release 97 prisoners during biannual lists exchange</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615913/pakistan-urges-india-to-release-97-prisoners-during-biannual-lists-exchange</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615913/pakistan-urges-india-to-release-97-prisoners-during-biannual-lists-exchange#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 10:03:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Islamabad]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615913</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan hands over list of 250 Indian prisoners, consisting of 52 civilian prisoners and 198 fishermen]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan and India on Wednesday exchanged lists of prisoners held in each other&#39;s custody under a bilateral agreement on consular access, with Islamabad urging New Delhi to repatriate 97 Pakistani prisoners who had completed their sentences and whose nationality had been confirmed.

The exchange was carried out through diplomatic channels in accordance with the Agreement on Consular Access, signed on May 21, 2008, under which both countries are required to exchange lists of prisoners on 1 January and 1 July each year, the foreign office said.

According to the statement, Pakistan handed over a list of 250 Indian prisoners in its custody to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. The list comprises 52 civilian prisoners and 198 fishermen.

At the same time, India shared a list of 439 Pakistani or &quot;believed-to-be Pakistani&quot; prisoners being held in Indian jails. The list included&nbsp;386 civilian prisoners and 53 fishermen, the statement said.

The ministry said Pakistan had also urged India to &quot;release and repatriate 97 Pakistani prisoners (64 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen) who have completed their sentences and whose nationality has been confirmed.&quot;

It also called on New Delhi to &quot;ensure the safety, security and well-being of all Pakistani and believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners awaiting release and repatriation.&quot;

Pakistan further urged India to provide &quot;expeditious consular access to all believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners to facilitate the early confirmation of their nationality,&quot; according to the statement.

Reaffirming Islamabad&#39;s position, the foreign office said, &quot;The Government of Pakistan will continue its efforts to ensure the early return of all Pakistani prisoners.&quot;

The exchange of prisoner lists is a routine confidence-building measure carried out twice a year, on 1st January and 1st July, under the 2008 bilateral agreement on Consular Access between the two countries.

The annual exchange, a rare surviving mechanism of engagement between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, took place despite lingering tensions following the four-day conflict in May last year and the absence of a structured dialogue process.

While limited diplomatic protocols have continued, Islamabad has simultaneously voiced strong concerns over India&#39;s alleged violations of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). For more than six decades, India and Pakistan amicably managed the Indus River system through the IWT transboundary water-sharing agreement signed on September 19, 1960. In April last year, India suspended the treaty in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.

Addressing an international seminar titled &quot;The Indus Waters Treaty: A Key Instrument for Peace and Regional Stability&quot; in Islamabad on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar warned India that any attempt to deprive Pakistan of its lawful water rights under the treaty would have profound consequences for peace and security in South Asia.]]>
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			<title>PM Shehbaz orders emergency response committee, provincial preparedness ahead of monsoon</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615912/pm-directs-opf-to-prepare-roadmap-for-overseas-pakistanis-welfare</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615912/pm-directs-opf-to-prepare-roadmap-for-overseas-pakistanis-welfare#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 10:03:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Islamabad]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615912</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Separately, PM directs OPF to prepare roadmap for overseas Pakistanis' welfare, calls for momentum in ongoing projects]]>
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				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered the formation of a federal emergency response committee and directed the climate change minister Musadik&nbsp;Malik and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chairman to undertake emergency visits to all provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) this week to review preparedness for the monsoon season.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister&#39;s Office, PM Shehbaz chaired&nbsp;a meeting in Islamabad to review monsoon preparedness and the country&#39;s response to climate change-related risks.

The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmed Leghari, Climate Minister Musadik Malik, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Prime Minister&#39;s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, the NDMA&nbsp;chairman, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) chairman, chief secretaries of all provinces and other senior officials.

The prime minister said Pakistan was among the countries most affected by climate change and stressed that effective coordination between the federal and provincial governments was essential to mitigate its impact.

&quot;Pakistan is among the countries affected by the adverse impacts of climate change. Effective and comprehensive coordination between the federation and provinces is indispensable to tackling climate-related risks at the national level,&quot; he said.

PM Shehbaz directed&nbsp;Musadik Malik and the NDMA chairman to carry out emergency visits across all provinces, AJK and G-B during the week to ensure monsoon preparedness was complete.

He also ordered the formation of an Emergency Response Committee, to be headed by the planning minister, comprising the NDMA and other relevant federal ministries, to work closely with provincial authorities during the monsoon season.

The committee will hold weekly meetings to monitor preparedness and coordinate the government&#39;s response, the prime minister directed.

Sharif also instructed Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to complete advance preparations for the establishment of an emergency fund to be used in the event of monsoon-related disasters.

Referring to development assistance, the prime minister said projects financed by international organisations &quot;should also be utilised to strengthen the capacity of national and local institutions.&quot;

He said the federal government had allocated an additional Rs330 billion in the current fiscal year&#39;s budget to accelerate the completion of water sector projects aimed at improving Pakistan&#39;s long-term water security.

Calling for a proactive approach, PM Shehbaz directed authorities to prepare a comprehensive roadmap to deal with potential flooding during the monsoon season, drawing on lessons learned from previous years.

He also instructed provincial governments to remove encroachments and resolve other issues obstructing river channels and flood pathways in vulnerable districts before heavy rains begin.

During the monsoon season, &quot;all institutions must utilise their full administrative and technical capacity for the convenience and safety of the public,&quot; the prime minister said.

During the meeting, the NDMA chairman briefed participants on the country&#39;s monsoon preparedness, expected rainfall patterns, and climate trends.

According to the briefing, extreme heat and unusual weather patterns are expected globally this year, while Pakistan is also likely to experience prolonged heatwaves and above-normal rainfall during July.

The NDMA said all necessary arrangements were being made under a proposed strategy to deal with the anticipated weather conditions and any resulting flood situation.

Overseas Pakistanis

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&nbsp;directed the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) to prepare and present a comprehensive roadmap for further improvements to the body&#39;s initiatives.

According to an X post by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office (PMO), PM Shehbaz met with the OPF Chairman of the Board of Governors Syed Qamar Raza, as well as OPF Managing Director Afzaal Bhatti.

&ldquo;Discussions were held on the foundation&rsquo;s initiatives to address the issues of Pakistanis residing abroad,&rdquo; the PMO wrote. It added that in his remarks, PM Shehbaz &ldquo;stated that overseas Pakistanis are a valuable asset of the nation, contributing significantly to foreign exchange remittances by sending their hard-earned earnings back to Pakistan.&rdquo;

The premier directed the OPF that &ldquo;further momentum be brought to the ongoing projects and initiatives for the welfare of overseas Pakistanis.&rdquo;

During the meeting with Raza and Bhatti, PM Shehbaz was briefed on the roadmap for additional measures to promote the welfare of overseas Pakistanis and provide them with facilities, the PMO said.

The OPF officials also paid tribute to the prime minister for Pakistan&rsquo;s efforts toward global peace while PM Shehbaz expressed satisfaction with the OPF&rsquo;s initiatives, directing the body to prepare a roadmap.

Read: Overseas property protection law passed

Overseas Pakistanis contribute nearly $40 billion annually, helping support household incomes, finance imports, and stabilise external accounts. At a time when exports remain largely stagnant and foreign direct investment fails to gain momentum, remittances provide a reliable source of foreign exchange.

They have repeatedly cushioned the economy during periods of crisis and remain one of the few economic indicators showing sustained growth. In January, it was reported that remittances rose to a record $3.6 billion in December 2025. However, given the conflict in the Middle East, the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics warned in March that the annual inflow of remittances could decline by $3-4 billion.

It also noted that every year, around 700,000 to 800,000 Pakistanis travel to Gulf countries for employment, saying that if the conflict continued, about 500,000 Pakistani expatriates may not be able to go abroad for work in 2026.]]>
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			<title>Gold slides for third consecutive day in global, local markets</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615910/gold-slides-for-third-consecutive-day-in-global-local-markets</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615910/gold-slides-for-third-consecutive-day-in-global-local-markets#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 09:43:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Ehtesham Mufti]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615910</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Price of gold per tola declines by Rs5,200]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Gold and silver prices fell in both international and domestic markets on Wednesday, with the price of gold in the global bullion market declining by $52 to $3,972 per ounce.

According to the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), in the domestic market, the price of gold per tola declined by Rs5,200 to Rs419,636. The price of 10 grams of gold fell by Rs4,458 to Rs359,770.

Meanwhile, the price of silver per tola dropped by Rs107 to Rs6,242. The price of 10 grams of silver also declined by Rs92 to Rs5,351.

Read:&nbsp;Gold falls in global, local markets as silver prices rise

On Tuesday, gold prices declined in both the international and local bullion markets, while silver prices registered an increase. In the international bullion market, the price of gold fell by $41 per ounce to $4,024.

According to the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), in the local market, the price of gold per tola also declined by Rs4,100 to Rs424,836. The price of 10 grams of gold decreased by Rs3,515 to Rs364,228.

Meanwhile, the price of silver per tola increased by Rs25 to Rs6,349. The price of 10 grams of silver also rose by Rs22 to Rs5,443.

Read more:&nbsp;SBP repays $1.3b in external debt

On Monday, gold prices declined locally, tracking losses in the international market as fresh US-Iran tensions boosted oil prices and stoked inflation fears, raising expectations of higher interest rates.

In the local market, the price of gold per tola stood at Rs428,936 after a drop of Rs2,300, according to rates shared by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association.

Similarly, the 10-gram gold was sold for Rs367,743 after falling by Rs1,972. The price of silver decreased by Rs69 to Rs6,324 per tola

On Saturday, the per-tola gold had closed at Rs431,236 following a decline of Rs1,000.]]>
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			<title>Israeli occupiers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, perform Talmudic rituals</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615908/israeli-occupiers-storm-al-aqsa-mosque-compound-perform-talmudic-rituals</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615908/israeli-occupiers-storm-al-aqsa-mosque-compound-perform-talmudic-rituals#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 09:28:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Anadolu Agency]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615908</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Palestinian authorities say dozens enter holy site under protection of Israeli police]]>
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				<![CDATA[Israeli occupiers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Wednesday under the protection of Israeli police, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.

Citing the Jerusalem Governorate, WAFA said dozens of occupiers entered the compound, toured its courtyards and performed Talmudic rituals under the protection of Israeli police.

https://x.com/QudsNen/status/2072214197149090170?s=20

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world&#39;s third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews refer to the area as the Temple Mount, claiming it was the site of two ancient Jewish temples.&nbsp;Palestinians said Israel was escalating efforts to Judaize occupied East Jerusalem, including Al-Aqsa Mosque, and erase its Arab and Islamic identity.

The Palestinians regard East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, in line with international resolutions that do not recognise Israel&#39;s occupation of the city in 1967 or its subsequent annexation in 1980.

Israeli police begin recruiting far-right officers for Al-Aqsa Mosque compound: report

Israeli police have launched a plan to recruit religious Jews and far-right activists to serve at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to assert Israeli control over the site, according to a report published by the Israeli daily Haaretz.

The newspaper reported early June that Israeli police were recruiting religious Jews to work at the compound and were cooperating with far-right activists who encouraged Jewish visits to the site in an effort to enlist officers from among their ranks.

According to the report, Daniel Lerach, deputy commander of the police unit responsible for the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, circulated recruitment calls on social media and WhatsApp groups, including forums linked to far-right organisations and Israeli occupiers in the occupied West Bank.

&ldquo;The number of Jewish visitors to the compound has increased significantly, and the Israel Police has added an extra hour to visiting times,&rdquo; the newspaper reported.

Citing police sources, the newspaper reported that district commanders maintained regular contact with far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and his wife, Ayala.

The report described the targeted recruitment of religious Jews and activists involved in visits to the compound as &ldquo;another step in the policy changes taking place there&rdquo;.

&lsquo;Dangerous development&rsquo;

The Jerusalem Governorate, affiliated with the Palestinian Authority, condemned the move, calling it a &quot;dangerous development&quot; that reflected Israeli plans to advance efforts to alter the identity of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

In a statement, the governorate said the issue was not the recruitment campaign itself, but what it revealed about efforts to &ldquo;shift effective authority over Al-Aqsa from the Islamic Waqf to Israeli police and other state bodies&rdquo;.

It stressed that the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Department, affiliated with Jordan&#39;s Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Sites, remained the &ldquo;sole body&rdquo; authorised to administer and supervise the mosque under existing arrangements.

The governorate accused Israeli authorities of systematically undermining the Waqf&#39;s role and seeking greater control over access to the compound, its staff and its day-to-day affairs.

Since 2003, Israeli police have unilaterally allowed the occupiers to enter the mosque daily during two periods &mdash; morning and afternoon prayers &mdash; except on Fridays and Saturdays.

Palestinians say Israel is intensifying efforts to Judaise East Jerusalem, including Al-Aqsa Mosque, and erase its Arab and Islamic identity.

The Palestinians regard East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, based on international resolutions that do not recognise Israel&rsquo;s occupation of the city in 1967 or its annexation in 1980.]]>
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			<title>PSX climbs 3,748 points on inflation relief, broad-based buying</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615905/kse-100-index-gains-over-2000-points-amid-improving-sentiment</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615905/kse-100-index-gains-over-2000-points-amid-improving-sentiment#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 08:58:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615905</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[KSE-100 index reaches 184,050.10; banking, energy, cement and auto stocks lead rally as rate-cut expectations grow]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) staged a strong rally on Wednesday with the benchmark KSE-100 Index climbing more than 2% as aggressive buying across heavyweight sectors reflected growing investor confidence in the country&#39;s improving economic outlook.

The KSE-100 index closed at 184,050.10, up 3,748.40 points, or 2.08%, from the previous session. The benchmark touched an intraday high of 184,233.58 after slipping to a low of 184,233.58, before sustained buying propelled the market sharply higher.

The rally gathered momentum throughout the session, driven by strong demand in commercial banks, oil and gas exploration companies, oil marketing companies, cement manufacturers, automobile assemblers, and power generation stocks, with index-heavy shares leading the advance.

Market sentiment remained buoyant on expectations of continued macroeconomic stability, easing inflation, and the possibility of further monetary easing in the coming months. The optimism was reinforced after official data showed consumer price inflation (CPI) eased to 11.1% year-on-year in June from 11.7% in May, while average inflation stood at 7.06% in FY26 compared to 4.5% in FY25, reflecting the impact of higher energy and transportation costs during the fiscal year. Optimism over stronger corporate earnings, improving external sector indicators, and ongoing engagement with international financial institutions also encouraged fresh buying.

Market watchers believe investors continued to rotate into fundamentally strong sectors expected to benefit from lower borrowing costs and an improving business environment, helping the benchmark index post one of its strongest single-day gains in recent months.

Read: Investor optimism powers PSX above 180k

According to KTrade Securities, Wednesday&nbsp;marked the first trading session of the new financial year (FY27), and it proved to be a bullish one. The KSE-100 index closed at 184,050 points, surging 3,748 points (+2.08% DoD), reflecting exceptionally strong investor sentiment.

Meanwhile, trading activity remained robust, with 472 million shares exchanged in the KSE-100 index.

The rally was overwhelmingly driven by the banking sector, which dominated market performance throughout the session. Major contributions came from banking heavyweights, particularly United Bank, Meezan Bank, Habib Bank, MCB and Bank Al Habib as strong buying interest in the sector powered the benchmark index to record gains, while most other sectors played only a limited role in today&#39;s advance.

Going forward, market sentiment is expected to remain supported by subdued oil prices following the United States-Iran agreement, although renewed geopolitical uncertainty will remain a key monitor. Investors are also likely to shift their focus towards the upcoming corporate earnings season, with listed companies expected to begin issuing result notices in the coming weeks, KTrade wrote.

Overall, trading volume increased to 941.4 million shares from 703.6 million recorded a day ago while the value of traded shares stood at Rs57 billion.

Further, shares of&nbsp;490 companies were traded, of which 297 stocks closed higher, 171 fell, and 22 remained unchanged. K-Electric was the volume leader with trading in 86.7 million shares, losing Rs0.21 to close at Rs8.33.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan rebuffs India's statement on targeted strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615904/pakistan-rebuffs-indias-statement-on-targeted-actions-against-terrorist-infrastructureafghanistan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615904/pakistan-rebuffs-indias-statement-on-targeted-actions-against-terrorist-infrastructureafghanistan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 08:32:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Islamabad]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615904</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Says India has been actively aiding, sponsoring terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil against Pakistan]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan on Wednesday rejected India&rsquo;s criticism of its recent &ldquo;targeted and proportionate&rdquo; actions against terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan, calling New Delhi&rsquo;s remarks &ldquo;baseless&rdquo; and accusing India of supporting terrorist groups operating against Pakistan.

&ldquo;Pakistan rejects the baseless statement by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Pakistan&rsquo;s legitimate, targeted and proportionate actions against terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan,&rdquo; Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said in response to a media question seeking Pakistan&rsquo;s reaction to the statement made by India&rsquo;s Ministry of External Affairs on June 29.

He described India&rsquo;s remarks as &ldquo;preposterous&rdquo;, alleging that India had &ldquo;historically interfered in and undermined the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbouring countries, in contravention of the UN Charter&rdquo;.

The spokesperson also accused India of continuing &ldquo;to suppress the right to self-determination of the Kashmiris in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, in violation of the relevant UN resolutions&rdquo;.

Andrabi further said India had &ldquo;been actively aiding and sponsoring terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil against Pakistan, in violation of the relevant UN Security Council sanctions regime&rdquo;, and accused New Delhi of continuing &ldquo;to play the role of a regional spoiler&rdquo;.

He added that &ldquo;its baseless accusations and inflammatory statements against Pakistan must not be entertained&rdquo;.

Reiterating Islamabad&rsquo;s position, the spokesperson said Pakistan &ldquo;has been and will continue to take all appropriate measures to uphold the safety and security of its citizens in accordance with international law&rdquo;.

Read: 29 terrorists killed in &#39;calibrated strikes&#39; along Pak-Afghan border, says Tarar

Earlier in the week, security forces had carried out precision strikes on terrorist camps and safe havens of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Fitna al-Khawarij in Afghanistan&rsquo;s Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar provinces, killing 29 terrorists.

The strikes were conducted under Operation Ghazab Lil Haq on the night of June 28-29 after an attack on a Rangers camp in Karachi. In a post on X, Information Minister Ata Tarar said the strikes eliminated terrorists and destroyed weapons and ammunition stockpiles.

Tarar said that security forces continued Operation Ghazab Lil Haq after a series of terrorist attacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Balochistan, and on a Sindh Rangers camp in Karachi.

The strikes came after security forces foiled a terrorist attack on a Sindh Rangers camp in Karachi&#39;s Gulistan-e-Jauhar area. Three Rangers personnel were martyred, and four others were injured during the assault, while three terrorists were killed and another, identified as an Afghan national, was captured in an injured condition. The military attributed the attack to Jamaat-ul-Ahrar.

Fitna al-Khawarij is the state-designated term for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar is one of the group&#39;s breakaway factions.

Operation Ghazab Lil Haq was launched around the end of February following renewed clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, after Afghan Taliban forces fired on multiple locations, prompting swift military retaliation by Pakistan.

Pakistan in April put forth three core demands to the Afghan Taliban during peace talks in Urumqi, China, including Kabul formally declaring the TTP a terrorist organisation, dismantling its infrastructure, and providing verifiable proof of the action. The demands form the basis of Pakistan&#39;s negotiating position, which sources say has hardened amid persistent security concerns.]]>
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			<title>'Women have good instincts': Kinza Hashmi urges women to be cautious of whom they trust</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615903/women-have-good-instincts-kinza-hashmi-urges-women-to-be-cautious-of-whom-they-trust</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615903/women-have-good-instincts-kinza-hashmi-urges-women-to-be-cautious-of-whom-they-trust#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 08:32:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615903</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Actor discusses safety concerns, public reaction to abuse cases, and her own precautions]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Actor Kinza Hashmi spoke about the fear of living in Pakistan, saying that every woman should be mindful of whom she trusted amid the growing number of news stories involving violence against women.

Kinza sat down for an interview, discussing concerns regarding personal safety and the possibility of something happening to her. Reflecting on recent incidents, she said that women cannot always rely on even those closest to them. &quot;People don&rsquo;t know that the people closest to them, who make them feel safe, can take their lives. So I would say that you should be afraid of everyone and save yourself,&quot; Kinza said.

Further, she urged, &quot;If you notice a small concern, then keep watching it rather than ignoring it. Women have good instincts. The problem is that women have to be afraid, and if we do speak up, an army comes after you. You can&rsquo;t even support another woman or they will say the same thing should happen to you that happened to them.&quot;

The actor clarified that much of her fear stemmed from watching the news and seeing the increasing number of cases involving violence against women in Pakistan. &quot;I think we should be scared, especially seeing the news every day and what&rsquo;s going on. When you live in this kind of country, you should be scared rather than tell people not to be and that everything will be okay,&quot; she stated.

According to the actor, fear, in this context, can encourage vigilance. She said, &quot;There&rsquo;s no harm in having fear and being serious about it,&quot; adding, &quot;It&rsquo;s only if you are living in the safest country that you would be able to do a meet and greet and welcome people but if you are in a place where people are throwing acid, raping women, then how won&rsquo;t you be scared?&quot;

Further, Kinza addressed the recent controversy surrounding her Leader co-star Ali Raza, after he was seen protecting Kinza from a man during an event. &quot;It&rsquo;s not Ali&rsquo;s fault. When we were going there, I was already worried. I said this in a previous interview too, that I had a scary fan experience outside a shoot once so when we were on the way here, I told them I was worried and if they could be attentive,&quot; she said.

Adding that such incidents often have a larger context, Kinza emphasised that it&#39;s &quot;not just about someone getting close, there is always a backstory.&quot;

She also expressed concern over the public response to crimes against women, saying that the biggest shock is reading the comments under such a news story. &quot;How can people have this mentality and who are they?&quot; she questioned.

Kinza further highlighted the importance of remaining cautious on social media, explaining that she has changed her own online habits. &quot;I don&rsquo;t go out a lot. I used to put stories somewhere in a restaurant but now I post them 10 days after,&quot; she revealed, stressing the importance of not sharing one&#39;s live location to the public.

Kinza currently stars as Rubab in Leader, which follows the story of a strong-willed woman navigating the world of student politics amid class divisions.]]>
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			<title>China's Xi urges ruling Communist Party to be adaptable, safeguard advances</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615901/chinas-xi-urges-ruling-communist-party-to-be-adaptable-safeguard-advances</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615901/chinas-xi-urges-ruling-communist-party-to-be-adaptable-safeguard-advances#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 08:13:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615901</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Analysts say slower economic growth, demographic decline pose key challenges for world's second-largest economy]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[China&#39;s ruling Communist Party must keep pace with changing circumstances while safeguarding the advances it has made, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday during celebrations for its 105th founding anniversary.

Xi did not identify specific opportunities or risks, but analysts say slower economic growth and demographic decline pose key challenges for the world&#39;s second-largest economy. In a 40-minute speech at Beijing&#39;s Great Hall of the People, China&#39;s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong urged party cadres to actively recognise and adapt to, change, while promoting the party&#39;s work.

&quot;China&#39;s development is currently in a period where strategic opportunities, risks and challenges coexist,&quot; said Xi, who called for the party to better coordinate efforts to tackle domestic and international issues.

Faced with external challenges from Western-led curbs on technology to turbulent trade ties with the United States and tension over Taiwan, party leaders consider it a critical task to strengthen their grasp on all aspects of Chinese society.

Numbers at 100 million since 1921 founding

Founded by just dozens of Chinese revolutionaries in 1921, the party now claims more than 100 million members, or 7.2% of China&#39;s population. Its ambition today is to transform itself into the world&#39;s &quot;most powerful political party&quot;, from the world&#39;s &quot;largest political party,&quot; the official Xinhua news agency said in an editorial this week.

Xi asked members to stamp out aspects harmful to the party&#39;s advancement and &quot;purity&quot;, as well as &quot;all viruses that erode the party&#39;s healthy body&quot;.

Read: Xi urges accelerated new energy development

Since coming to power in 2012, Xi has worked to reassert the party&#39;s unquestioned authority at home, demand loyalty and unflinching discipline among its ranks, and expand China&#39;s global influence.

He has launched one of China&#39;s most sweeping graft crackdowns since Mao&#39;s day, investigating millions of officials at all levels, purging hundreds, along with top generals, in the years-long campaign.

Political re-education course for senior officers

After a corruption purge of nearly all top military ranks, Xi sent senior officers on a 10-week political reeducation course in April, urging them to be loyal to the party&#39;s belief, its organisation and cause.

On Wednesday, Xi also talked about advancing China&#39;s ambition to achieve &quot;reunification&quot; with Taiwan, calling for thorough implementation of the party&#39;s strategy on &quot;resolving the Taiwan issue&quot;. Beijing claims the democratically governed island as its own territory, a contention Taipei rejects.

Read More: China overtakes US in global approval amid Trump&rsquo;s controversial war in Iran

Taiwan&#39;s Mainland Affairs Council, which determines policy on China, said that Xi was &quot;basically repeating old talking points&quot;.

The government continues to call on China to resolve differences through dialogue with the democratically elected and legitimate government without setting preconditions, it said in a statement responding to his speech.

China has never renounced the ​use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, and its military operates daily ⁠around the island, which mounted combat-readiness drills last week in response.]]>
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			<title>Sindh govt challenges SC acquittal verdict in Baldia factory fire case</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615899/sindh-govt-challenges-sc-acquittal-verdict-in-baldia-factory-fire-case</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615899/sindh-govt-challenges-sc-acquittal-verdict-in-baldia-factory-fire-case#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 08:00:55 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Nasir Butt]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category><category><![CDATA[Karachi]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615899</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Argues that the judgment 'suffers from the defect of ignoring eyewitness, medical and other evidence']]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Sindh government on Wednesday filed a review petition in the Supreme Court&rsquo;s Karachi Registry against the judgment ordering the acquittal and release of the accused in the Baldia factory fire case.

On June 10, SC acquitted two MQM workers, Rehman Bhola and Zubair Chariya, in the Baldia Town factory fire case, setting aside the death sentences awarded to them by a trial court and later upheld by the Sindh High Court (SHC).&nbsp;The court had set aside the judgments of the Anti-Terrorism Court by extending to them the benefit of the doubt.

The review petition was filed by Sindh Prosecutor General Shabbir Shah. In the petition, the Sindh government requested the SC to reconsider its judgment.

The petition raised the legal question of whether Article 188 of the Constitution applies to a judgment that is &ldquo;contrary to the facts and the law&rdquo;. The Sindh government argued that the judgment &ldquo;suffers from the defect of ignoring eyewitness, medical and other evidence&rdquo;.

The petition also questioned whether, under the Anti-Terrorism Act, the legal heirs of the victims could challenge the acquittal of convicted persons. It further raised objections regarding the application of Articles 4 and 17 of the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984.

According to the petition, the judgment also ignored the evidence of injured witnesses and experts regarding the use of chemicals to start the fire.

On September 11, 2012, more than 260 workers were burnt alive in the multi-storey building of the Ali Enterprises garment factory in Baldia Town in what was the worst industrial disaster in the country&rsquo;s history.

In 2023, the SHC dismissed appeals challenging the death sentences awarded to the two MQM activists after a special Anti-Terrorism Court had upheld the capital punishment handed down to them.

Read more: Chemical used in Baldia factory fire was &lsquo;highly&rsquo; inflammable, says researcher

In its 46-page judgment, the SHC said the forensic report clearly showed that the factory fire had not been caused by a short circuit. It further held that evidence and witness statements confirmed that Zubair Chariya had set fire to the factory.

According to the case record, Abdul Rehman was associated with the MQM as a sector in-charge, while Zubair was an active worker of the town municipality. Both were present at the factory when the fire broke out.]]>
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			<title>Russia approved secret China military training at top level, sources say</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615897/russia-approved-secret-china-military-training-at-top-level-sources-say</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615897/russia-approved-secret-china-military-training-at-top-level-sources-say#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 07:42:09 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615897</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Documents show Russian defence minister authorised drills involving Russian, Chinese generals]]>
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				<![CDATA[China&#39;s covert military training of Russian forces last year was personally approved by President Vladimir Putin&#39;s defence minister and directly involved at least four Russian and Chinese generals, according to two European officials and documents seen by Reuters.

The officials said the involvement of such high-ranking individuals in training linked to the Ukraine war signalled the importance for Russia and China of such cooperation, which has caused alarm in Europe even as Beijing has denied it took place.

A classified Russian document seen by Reuters directly referred to an internal decree issued by Defence Minister Andrei Belousov in August, 2025. It said that, in accordance with a decision by Belousov, a delegation from Russia&#39;s armed forces travelled to China to participate in training exercises at People&#39;s Liberation Army (PLA) facilities.

Training in radiological, biological, chemical warfare

The same report detailed one of the training courses - a three-week session focused on radiological, chemical and biological protection at a military facility in Beijing in November.

The report and a second one described and displayed images of Russian soldiers being lectured by a Chinese instructor, looking at a model nuclear reactor, and being taught about &quot;chemical reconnaissance&quot;, &quot;radiation reconnaissance&quot; and protecting ventilation systems from contamination.

The inclusion of radiological, biological and chemical warfare training underlined the strategic nature of the exchanges, one of the European officials said, noting that the topic was particularly sensitive for militaries in general.

The defence ministries of Russia and China did not respond to requests for comment for this article.

Read: Russia and China say the world is in danger of a return to the &#39;law of the jungle&#39;

China&#39;s foreign ministry said in a statement that its stance on the Ukraine crisis had remained consistent. &quot;The relevant allegations are entirely unfounded,&quot; it added, referring to details contained in this report. Beijing says it is neutral ​in Russia&#39;s war with Ukraine, and presents itself as a peace mediator.

According to a Reuters report last month citing European intelligence agencies and military documents, China in November trained around 200 Russian military personnel, some of whom have since joined the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin declined to comment on that report, but complained about &quot;false information&quot; published in the West.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on June 15 that Brussels had confirmed through its own channels that the training had taken place and was now assessing the implications. Beijing described her comments as &quot;nothing but smears&quot;.

EU ponders response to trade partner China

European powers, which have viewed Russia as their main security threat since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, have watched warily as ties have grown closer between Moscow and China, the world&#39;s second-largest economy and a key EU trade partner.

For the 27-member bloc, discussion behind closed doors centres around whether further measures are needed in response to the training, given the trade priorities that traditionally shape the relationship with Beijing.

The EU has already imposed sanctions on Chinese companies that it says support Russia&#39;s war effort.

Read More: China reiterates Xi&#39;s peace roadmap

A third official, in Brussels, told Reuters the bloc had to stop viewing China primarily through an economic lens, but focus on what Kallas called its role as a &quot;decisive enabler of Russia&#39;s war&quot;.

Both of the European officials, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the information, identified the signatories of a July 2 agreement underpinning the training as Russian Major General Rustam Khusainov and Chinese Senior Colonel Sun Dayun.

Andrei Kartapolov, a senior lawmaker who heads the Russian parliament&#39;s defence committee, told Russia&#39;s RTVI outlet that the report about the training was &quot;complete nonsense&quot; and that Russia&#39;s military had nothing to learn from China.

China&#39;s lack of combat experience

Russia has accrued extensive experience in more than four years of combat in Ukraine, while China, with a vast and technologically advanced military, has not fought a war in decades.

Internal Russian military reports seen by Reuters noted strengths and weaknesses in the training. One report on the training in Nanjing praised the standard of the equipment, the use of simulators and the instructors&#39; high theoretical knowledge while specifically noting China&#39;s lack of combat experience.

Also Read: Middle East conflict and new global economic reset

Other documents named three generals who took part. One Russian military document seen by Reuters listed the names of every participant in all of the courses - including those of senior officers - providing rank, date of birth, affiliation and level of security clearance in each case.

Colonel General Rustam Muradov, deputy commander-in-chief of Russia&#39;s land forces, led the Russian delegation, according to the list and a second military document seen by Reuters. According to the latter, Chinese Major General Li Jinsun, head of the PLA&#39;s Military Academy of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence, took part in the opening of one of the courses. Russian Major General Vitaly Gerasimov took part in a course in Bengbu, according to the list.]]>
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			<title>Lahore police book property owners, construction worker after roof collapse kills 14 children</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615896/lahore-police-book-property-owners-construction-worker-after-roof-collapse-kills-14-children</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615896/lahore-police-book-property-owners-construction-worker-after-roof-collapse-kills-14-children#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 07:28:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Musharraf Shah]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615896</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[FIR says construction material placed on roof of the room, it already being in a dilapidated condition caused collapse]]>
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				<![CDATA[Police on Wednesday registered a criminal case against property owners and a construction worker following the collapse of a roof in Lahore&#39;s Kahna area that killed 14 children and injured eight others.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), available with The Express Tribune, the case was registered at Kahna Police Station on the complaint of Kashif Aslam, Enforcement Inspector, Nishtar Zone of the Lahore Metropolitan Corporation.

The FIR included&nbsp;Sections 322 and 337-H of the Pakistan Penal Code, which relate to causing death by negligence and causing hurt through a rash or negligent act.

Police named four suspects in the case: three brothers &mdash; Usman, Faizan and Rehan &mdash; who own the property, and Umair, a construction worker who was carrying out repairs to the building.

According to the FIR, Rehan&rsquo;s wife, Aamila, was running a tuition centre from a room in the family&rsquo;s house. She was injured in the collapse but has not been named as an accused.

The FIR stated that repair work was being carried out while children were attending classes inside the building. Construction material had allegedly been placed on the roof of the room being used as the tuition centre, even though the roof was already in a dilapidated condition.

The additional weight allegedly caused the roof to collapse.




According to the FIR, investigators collected evidence from the scene and concluded that negligence during the repair work appeared to have caused the collapse. Police said further investigations were underway to establish the criminal liability of those named in the case.

The incident occurred a day earlier&nbsp;in Basti Eid Gah near Qurban School on Ferozepur Road, where dozens of children were attending classes when the roof of a room inside a residential building caved in. Investigators allege the tuition centre remained operational while repair work was underway on the building, and that the weakened roof gave way after construction material was placed on top of it.

Read: 14 children dead as roof of Lahore tuition centre collapses

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also took notice of the incident, directing authorities to ensure the injured received the best possible medical treatment and to expedite rescue efforts.

She also ordered an inquiry into the collapse, sought a report on the incident, and directed officials to determine responsibility. On her instructions, Adviser to the Chief Minister Zeeshan Malik visited THQ Hospital Kahna to oversee the government&#39;s response.]]>
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			<title>Dar reviews security, logistics for OIC Women's Conference in Pakistan</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615895/dar-reviews-security-logistics-for-oic-womens-conference-in-pakistan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615895/dar-reviews-security-logistics-for-oic-womens-conference-in-pakistan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 07:14:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615895</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Committee also discusses measures to ensure 'seamless conduct and successful hosting of Conference']]>
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				<![CDATA[Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday chaired the sixth meeting of the High-Level Committee to review final preparations for the 9th Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ministerial Conference on Women, which Pakistan will host on July 12-13, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said on X.

According to the ministry, the meeting reviewed the final phase of preparations, including the draft programme, conference agenda, protocol, security and logistical arrangements, media and communication strategy, inter-ministerial coordination, and other organisational matters.

The committee also discussed measures to ensure &quot;the seamless conduct and successful hosting of the Conference,&quot; which will bring together representatives of the OIC&#39;s 57 member states to strengthen cooperation on women&#39;s empowerment, inclusion and sustainable development.

https://x.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/2072202793621012528

Dar appreciated the progress made by the Ministry of Human Rights and directed all relevant stakeholders to maintain close coordination and ensure the timely completion of the remaining arrangements, the ministry said.

Read:&nbsp;Indus Waters Treaty violation would render &#39;profound consequences&#39; for regional peace, FM Dar warns India

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, Secretary Human Rights Abdul Khaliq Shaikh, and other senior officials.]]>
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			<title>Asim Azhar unarchives old Instagram posts featuring Hania Aamir</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615894/asim-azhar-unarchives-old-instagram-posts-featuring-hania-aamir</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615894/asim-azhar-unarchives-old-instagram-posts-featuring-hania-aamir#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 07:14:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615894</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Singer says restoring posts felt like going through time machine]]>
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				<![CDATA[Singer Asim Azhar unarchived several old posts on Instagram, including photos and videos featuring actor Hania Aamir. The move sent fans into a wave of nostalgia, reminding them of an earlier chapter in the singer&#39;s career.

Taking to his Instagram story, Azhar shared a selfie and revealed why he decided to restore the archived content. &quot;Unarchived my posts for my fam who kept asking me to. It felt like going through a time machine. I had so much fun, not gonna lie,&quot; he wrote.



Screengrab: asimazhar/Instagram

Fans were quick to notice that among the restored posts were moments featuring Hania, with whom Azhar was previously rumoured to be in a relationship.

One of the restored posts was a video promoting Azhar&#39;s song Sassi, which featured the pair dancing together, bringing back memories for longtime fans.

The comments were soon flooded with nostalgic reactions, with many users thanking the singer for restoring the old content.



Azhar also brought back a 2020 post showing him presenting an award to Hania, another moment that fans were quick to revisit.

The singer&#39;s spree of unarchiving old content sparked discussion online, with fans revisiting the posts and sharing screenshots of their favourite moments.]]>
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			<title>Mbappe's brace lifts France into Round of 16 of World Cup</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615893/mbappes-brace-lifts-france-into-round-of-16-of-world-cup</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615893/mbappes-brace-lifts-france-into-round-of-16-of-world-cup#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 07:03:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Anadolu Agency]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615893</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Mbappe score his ninth goal in World Cup knockout matches, moving him ahead of Leonidas and Ronaldo]]>
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				<![CDATA[France thrashed Sweden 3-0 with Kylian Mbappe&rsquo;s brace to advance to the Round of 16 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium in the US.

France struck just before half-time with Mbappe in the 45th minute. A cleverly worked corner between Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise released Mbappe, who skipped past Viktor Gyokeres before calmly slotting his finish into the bottom-right corner beyond Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.

The goal saw Mbappe score his ninth goal in World Cup knockout matches, moving him ahead of Leonidas and Ronaldo, both with eight, for the most goals scored by any player in the tournament&#39;s knockout stages.

France doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute when Olise threaded a superb pass through Viktor Lindelof&#39;s legs to Bradley Barcola, who unleashed a powerful finish from inside the box that gave Zetterstrom no chance.

Didier Deschamps&#39; side looked completely in control, moving the ball with confidence and precision while constantly threatening with runs in behind Sweden&#39;s defense.

Read:&nbsp;Mbappe ready for &#39;special&#39; 100th cap

Olise continued to orchestrate France&#39;s attack, and his fifth assist of the tournament made him the first player since Thomas Hassler for Germany in 1994 to record five assists at a World Cup.

Mbappe sealed the victory in the 74th minute, timing his run perfectly to latch onto another defense-splitting pass from Olise before curling an almost identical finish to his first goal past Zetterstrom.

The brace took him level with Lionel Messi with six goals in the race for the Golden Boot at the tournament, while leaving him one goal behind Messi&#39;s all-time World Cup scoring record.

As Sweden leaves the tournament, France will face Paraguay in the Round of 16.]]>
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			<title>Naqvi arrives in Saudi Arabia on official visit</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615892/naqvi-arrives-in-saudi-arabia-on-official-visit</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615892/naqvi-arrives-in-saudi-arabia-on-official-visit#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 06:57:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Islamabad]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615892</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Both sides to discuss collaboration in internal security, combating narcotics trafficking, institutional cooperation]]>
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				<![CDATA[Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday arrived in Riyadh on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, marking another step in the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries.

Upon his arrival at King Khalid International Airport on Tuesday evening, the interior minister was received by Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s Minister of Interior, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif.

The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to discuss matters of mutual interest, including enhancing collaboration in internal security, combating narcotics trafficking, and expanding institutional cooperation between the two interior ministries.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained strong strategic ties for decades, with both countries regularly engaging at the highest levels to deepen cooperation across political, economic, security, and defense sectors.

In September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark &ldquo;Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement&rdquo;, declaring that &ldquo;any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both&rdquo;. The pact was signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&rsquo;s visit to Riyadh at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The Kingdom&#39;s defence ministry said in early April that Pakistan sent fighter jets and other military forces to Saudi Arabia to boost security under a defence pact between the two countries.

Read: Pakistan sends fighter jets to Saudi Arabia under mutual defence pact

&ldquo;The Pakistani force consists of fighter and support aircraft belonging to the Pakistan Air Force, with the aim of enhancing joint military coordination,&rdquo; the statement said, adding that it would raise the level of operational readiness between the armed forces of the two countries and support security and stability at both regional and international levels.

In late May, it was announced that 200 personnel from the Federal Constabulary Special Diplomatic Protection Unit would receive training in Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh and Islamabad signed the mutual defence pact in September 2025, committing both ​sides to treat any ​aggression against either ⁠country as an attack on both. That significantly deepened a decades-old security partnership.

Pakistan has long provided military support to the kingdom, including ​training and advisory deployments, while Saudi Arabia has repeatedly stepped in ​to support Pakistan ⁠financially during periods of economic stress.

Saudi Arabia in April announced a $3 billion additional deposit to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and extended an existing $ 5 billion deposit, in a move aimed at supporting the country&rsquo;s economy.

In 2018, ⁠Riyadh ​announced a $6 billion support package for Pakistan, including a $3 billion deposit at the central bank and $3 billion worth of oil supplies on deferred payment.]]>
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			<title>Sajjad Ali denies giving Indian channels permission to use his songs</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615891/sajjad-ali-denies-giving-indian-channels-permission-to-use-his-songs</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615891/sajjad-ali-denies-giving-indian-channels-permission-to-use-his-songs#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 06:51:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615891</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Singer addresses ‘Pakistan Idol’ controversy, urges followers to verify facts]]>
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				<![CDATA[Singer Sajjad Ali called out social media users for believing misinformation about local artists, clarifying that copyright issues exist worldwide. He urged his followers to celebrate those who appreciate Pakistani music instead of tearing down their own artists.

Ali took to Instagram to break his silence on controversy surrounding claims that he did not allow contestants on Pakistan Idol to perform his songs, while the same tracks have been featured on Indian television programmes. &quot;My songs are appreciated by people from other countries, but nobody makes posts about that,&quot; Ali said, citing examples of international artists including Diljit Dosanjh who covered his hit song Ravi.

The singer added, &quot;This has become a controversy. Please, instead of bringing our artists down, support us. If an artist hasn&#39;t said something themselves, don&#39;t believe it.&quot;

Further, Ali clarified that he had come across a reel of two Indian children singing Ravi beautifully. He stated, &quot;I wanted to praise them but because that programme aired on an Indian channel, many people here criticised it, asking why contestants on Pakistan Idol couldn&#39;t perform my songs while Indian programmes could.&quot;

He also clarified that he had never granted permission or copyright clearance to any Indian television channel. &quot;The first thing people need to understand is that I have never given an Indian channel permission to use my songs,&quot; he said, adding that they &quot;simply use them without permission.&quot; The singer noted that his team would look into the matter.

Addressing the Pakistan Idol controversy, Ali said people had been discussing the issue for over a year based on inaccurate information. &quot;They claimed I held a press conference about it. I didn&#39;t. I had a press conference in Toronto for one of my shows, where I was asked several questions,&quot; he said, adding that he spoke about Pakistan Idol and its judges, explaining why each of them deserved to be there. &quot;I also said there should be more programmes like it to give young people opportunities to showcase their talent,&quot; the singer clarified.

Stressing that international franchises operate under strict licensing agreements involving multiple artists, technicians, and significant budgets, Ali stated, &quot;Artists who finance their own work and invest their own money cannot simply hand over the rights to use their music. It&#39;s a straightforward legal matter.&quot;

He also pointed out that he is not the only artist who has withheld permission for the commercial use of his music. &quot;People keep saying I didn&#39;t give them permission, but that&#39;s an unfair way to frame it. I&#39;ve spent years building my career without sponsorships or outside support. Many other artists have also chosen not to license their songs. Please mention them as well,&quot; he said.

The singer concluded, &quot;My fans are strong, and this kind of misinformation cannot bring my career down,&quot; warning that misinformation on social media has become a serious issue and urging his followers to verify facts before making assumptions or spreading claims about artists.]]>
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			<title>Trump reports over $1.4 billion in income from crypto ventures</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615890/trump-reports-over-14-billion-in-income-from-crypto-ventures</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615890/trump-reports-over-14-billion-in-income-from-crypto-ventures#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 06:46:49 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615890</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[US president reports another $635 million from the sale of his Trump meme coins]]>
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				<![CDATA[US&nbsp;President Donald Trump reported more than $1.4 billion in income from his family&rsquo;s crypto ventures last year, showing how Trump now derives most of his income from ​digital assets that have benefited from his policies, according to a review of his latest financial disclosures on Tuesday.

The filings, his annual disclosure for 2025 with &zwnj;the US&nbsp;Office of Government Ethics, disclosed that his companies received almost $800 million from World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture he and his sons co-founded. That income, which the president splits with family members, included more than $520 million from sales of crypto tokens and more than $250 million from the sale of interests in the World Liberty business.

Trump reported another $635 million from the sale of his Trump meme coins.

The news underlines how crypto has transformed the president&#39;s fortunes.&nbsp;In his disclosure a year ​ago, for example, the president reported $57.35 million from token sales at World Liberty, which then leaped ninefold in this year&rsquo;s filing.

Reuters recently estimated the Trump family has made at least $2.3 ​billion from crypto-related projects since Trump returned to the White House in 2025.

On taking office, Trump began to put in place policies and initiatives that ⁠the industry saw as beneficial, from implementing federal rules for stablecoins to dialing back policing of the industry by the US&nbsp;Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For 2025, the president also reported ​over $80 million in income from settlements with various media companies and $52 million in income from his company licensing his name to overseas property developers, driven principally by deals with Middle Eastern partners.

Read:&nbsp;Supreme Court to rule on Trump bid to limit birthright citizenship

White House spokesperson ​Anna Kelly said in a statement, &ldquo;Neither the President nor his family has ever engaged &mdash; or will ever engage &mdash; in conflicts of interest. President Trump proudly made the United States the crypto capital of the world through executive actions&rdquo;.

Kelly added, &ldquo;All actions by President Trump and his administration are taken in the best interest of the American people &ndash; and any so-called &lsquo;reporters&rsquo; pushing otherwise are recycling the same, tired, false narrative that Democrats and the legacy media ​have been pushing for a decade&rdquo;.

While the White House has previously said the president&#39;s business interests are currently overseen by his children, the president remains the beneficiary of the assets in the ​trust that ultimately receives the income.

New wealth driven by crypto&nbsp;

Although crypto is by far the largest driver of income for Trump, his traditional businesses &mdash; in particular golf courses and resorts &mdash; continued to bring in millions.

Trump reported a &zwnj;15% rise in ⁠revenue at his golf and resort facilities to just over $500 million in 2025. The strongest increases were at clubs where the president has spent considerable time since his 2025 inauguration.

Revenue at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, which Trump dubbed the Winter White House, soared to $77 million from $50 million in 2024, while revenue at his golf club in nearby West Palm Beach jumped 27%. Revenue fell at Trump&rsquo;s Los Angeles course last year.

Trump hosted winners of his second annual meme coin contest&nbsp;at Mar-a-Lago in April. Trump&rsquo;s income from his real estate interests &ndash; the business in which he made his name &ndash; had less ​spectacular growth. He reported income from a dozen significant ​commercial real estate ventures, mainly interests in ⁠buildings he built or acquired decades ago. The filing doesn&rsquo;t give specific rent figures for properties like Trump Tower in New York, but rather income ranges. For most, the income range in 2025 was the same as or lower than what Trump reported a decade prior.

Read more:&nbsp;50 Cent reportedly set to perform at Donald Trump Jr.&#39;s private Executive Branch club

A spokesperson for the Trump family business, The ​Trump Organisation, said in a statement that &quot;the breadth and depth of this filing further underscores our commitment to transparency.

At nearly 1,000 pages, ​it represents one of the ⁠most comprehensive financial disclosure reports ever submitted and demonstrates a level of financial transparency unmatched in presidential history&rdquo;.

A spokesperson for World Liberty Financial declined to comment.

Don Fox, a former acting head of the federal ethics office, which oversees ethics regulations for federal workers and reviews financial disclosures, including Trump&#39;s, said presidents and vice presidents are exempted from the ethics laws that prohibit conflicts of interest among executive branch ⁠employees.

&quot;Every president in ​the post-Watergate era has managed his finances as though he were subject to conflicts of interest,&quot; said Fox. &quot;With Trump, ​those norms are just totally out the window&quot;.

&quot;He makes the case better than anyone that it&#39;s time for additional ethics reforms. I think in terms of legislation, one thing that could be done would be to limit the types of ​investments he and the vice president ... can hold&quot;.]]>
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			<title>Tauseeq Haider, Farah Saadia debunk wedding rumours</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615887/tauseeq-haider-farah-saadia-debunk-wedding-rumours</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615887/tauseeq-haider-farah-saadia-debunk-wedding-rumours#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 06:13:59 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Actors deny AI-generated wedding images, urge creators to stop spreading fake news for money]]>
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				<![CDATA[Actors Tauseeq Haider and Farah Saadia shut down rumours that they secretly got married in a humorous Instagram video while also highlighting the consequences of AI-generated misinformation.

The two actors shared a collaborative post on Instagram to clarify that they have not tied the knot, captioning it, &quot;Happily single.&quot;

&quot;So we are happily married,&quot; Haider joked, before adding, &quot;Many congratulations to you, Farah.&quot; Keeping up the playful tone, he continued, &quot;We both wanted to break the news to you, but there are so many amazing YouTubers who are so professional that they made it go viral before we could. I also just found out that we got married.&quot;

Saadia joined in, poking fun at the AI-generated wedding image. &quot;They used such good AI. Tauseeq, you are looking so good in it,&quot; she said. Haider agreed, joking that fans deserved credit for creating such an &quot;attractive bride and groom.&quot;

The pair also joked that they deserved a share of the revenue earned from the fake story. &quot;We were just talking about this before recording. If you&#39;ve already earned Rs200,000 from this fake news, please give us at least Rs50,000 each,&quot; Haider said, adding, &quot;Do a deal with us. Tell us this is the business plan behind your fake wedding and how much money we can make too.&quot;

Taking on a more serious tone, Saadia spoke about the real-life consequences of spreading fabricated stories. &quot;You guys are making money and ruining our image. We have our own families, kids and relatives. This is not the way. Jokes apart, these things can be a disaster for families,&quot; she said.

The actor added, &quot;Come on, guys, please have some respect. Have a life and do something meaningful to make money.&quot; The two concluded by reiterating that they are simply good friends. &quot;We will always just be friends, and we&#39;ve learned that the wedding stuff is your line of work,&quot; Saadia said.

The actors received praise from social media users for their light-hearted yet measured response, with many describing them as &quot;cool&quot; and &quot;sophisticated.&quot;



Although Haider and Saadia have yet to appear together in a project, they remain close friends within the entertainment industry.]]>
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			<title>US lifts curbs on Anthropic's Fable, Mythos AI models</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615886/us-lifts-curbs-on-anthropics-fable-mythos-ai-models</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615886/us-lifts-curbs-on-anthropics-fable-mythos-ai-models#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 05:58:37 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615886</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Anthropic disables its Mythos 5 and Fable 5 models following a June 12 export-control order]]>
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				<![CDATA[Anthropic said on ​Tuesday that the US&nbsp;Commerce Department lifted export controls on its Fable and Mythos AI models, less than three weeks after the &zwnj;company was ordered to suspend access to its most advanced AI models over national security risks.

Washington has stepped up oversight of new model releases to identify potential threats amid concerns that advanced AI models could be misused by military intelligence in China, Russia or other countries of concern.

Anthropic disabled its Mythos 5 and Fable 5 models following a June 12 export-control order.&nbsp;Last week, the US&nbsp;​government allowed the company to release Mythos 5 but only to some &quot;trusted&quot; US&nbsp;organisations.

&quot;We&#39;ve received notice that the Department of Commerce has lifted export controls ​on Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5. We&#39;ll begin restoring access tomorrow,&quot; Anthropic said in an X post.

A letter to Anthropic ⁠from US&nbsp;Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick that was seen by Reuters also said the export controls were withdrawn.

Anthropic had &quot;agreed to proactively detect and address security risks associated ​with the models,&quot; Lutnick said. It had also agreed to work diligently with the US&nbsp;government on protocols for Mythos, Fable and future models and to inform the ​US&nbsp;government of any malicious activity, he added.

US government might reevaluate if circumstances change

Lutnick, however, said that the department &quot;reserves the right to reevaluate the decisions made in this letter and the necessity of reimposing a license requirement, should circumstances change or should Anthropic fail to adhere to its commitments&quot;.

Both Fable and Mythos use the same underlying AI model, but Fable is designed to ​be widely available for public use, whereas some safeguards are lifted for Mythos.

Anthropic has implemented a new safeguard that targets and blocks a technique that it believes ​the government viewed as a method of bypassing or &quot;jailbreaking&quot; Fable 5, a company source said, declining to be identified.

The source, however, added that the vulnerabilities found by the technique that had concerned the ⁠government had been known and patched earlier.

Experts have said that Mythos models, in the wrong hands, could dramatically accelerate sophisticated cyberattacks, particularly in sectors such as banking that rely on complex, interconnected, and often decades-old technology systems.

The government&#39;s decision on Friday to allow access to Mythos to some &quot;trusted&quot; US&nbsp;organisations came in tandem with an announcement by rival OpenAI that it had&nbsp;delayed&nbsp;a full public launch of GPT-5.6 at the US&nbsp;government&#39;s request, limiting its access to a small group of vetted partners.

Those ​government actions had drawn much criticism because ​the administration&#39;s choosing of which companies ⁠were worthy of being considered &quot;trusted&quot; was unfair and not transparent.

Increased scrutiny of AI models this month began with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump&#39;s signing of an executive order establishing a voluntary framework for AI developers to offer &quot;covered frontier models&quot; to the US&nbsp;government ​for up to 30 days before releasing them to trusted partners.

Isaac Harris, executive director of the Frontier Security Institute, a ​nonprofit focused on AI ⁠and national security, said that Tuesday&#39;s lifting of curbs indicated that &quot;there&rsquo;s now a process for standards of the US&nbsp;models&quot;.

But he added: &quot;There&#39;s still a question mark as to how equivalently dangerous capabilities coming from China with less guardrails will be handled by the administration in the US&nbsp;market&quot;.

Both&nbsp;OpenAI&nbsp;and Anthropic have confidentially filed for US&nbsp;initial public offerings.

Anthropic&#39;s ⁠relationship with ​the US&nbsp;government has been particularly rocky this year. The Pentagon designated the company a &quot;supply-chain risk&quot;, preventing ​contractors from using Anthropic&#39;s AI when working for the US&nbsp;military, after the company refused to allow its models to be used for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons systems.]]>
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			<title>Oil prices rise as breakdown in Iran-US talks raises supply concerns</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615885/oil-prices-rise-as-breakdown-in-iran-us-talks-raises-supply-concerns</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615885/oil-prices-rise-as-breakdown-in-iran-us-talks-raises-supply-concerns#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 05:49:54 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615885</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Brent futures rise 33 cents, or 0.45%, to $73.28 a barrel]]>
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				<![CDATA[Oil prices rose on Wednesday on concerns that breakdowns in &zwnj;discussions between Iran and the US&nbsp;for a final agreement to end their war may extend supply disruptions in the key Middle East producing region.

Brent futures rose 33 cents, or 0.45%, to $73.28 a barrel at 0339 GMT, while US&nbsp;West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude ​climbed 34 cents, or 0.49%, to $69.84 a barrel.

&quot;Hormuz continues to reopen, but it&#39;s patchy, unpredictable, and not ​fully transparent ... Unless there is a fresh understanding between Washington and Tehran, the market ⁠may wait and watch for sustained peace and quiet before crude resumes bearish momentum,&quot; said Vandana Hari, founder ​of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump&#39;s son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in ​Doha for what the White House described as &quot;high-level&quot; talks on Tuesday, but Iran and host Qatar said they would meet with mediators, rather than the Iranians themselves.

Qatar said Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani was among those to Witkoff and ​Kushner.

Brent fell by around $45 a barrel between the first and second quarters of this year, its largest quarterly ​loss since 2008 during the financial crisis. US&nbsp;crude futures meanwhile fell by around $31, their largest quarterly loss since 2020, when &zwnj;the COVID-19 ⁠pandemic crushed global oil demand.

Read:&nbsp;Oil falls as investors focus on potential Iran-US talks in Doha

The declines followed progress toward ending the Middle East conflict, pulling back from the sharp gains triggered earlier by the hostilities.

Analysts have cut their 2026&nbsp;oil price forecasts, opens new tab&nbsp;for the first time since the Iran war began, after five straight monthly increases, as the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz eased concerns over ​prolonged supply disruptions, a Reuters ​poll showed on Tuesday.

US&nbsp;⁠Vice President&nbsp;JD Vance&nbsp;said Iran would be prevented from charging tolls through the strait, telling The Michael Knowles Show, &quot;This is not going to end in a place where ​the Iranians are collecting tolls on ships going through the Strait of Hormuz&quot;.

Tanker traffic ​through the ⁠critical waterway has started to recover, with Vance claiming that oil flows through the strait had been restored to&nbsp;pre-war&nbsp;levels.

Read more:&nbsp;UN warns vulnerable states still at risk

Meanwhile, US&nbsp;crude oil inventories fell again last week while gasoline stocks also declined, market sources said, citing data from the ⁠American ​Petroleum Institute released on Tuesday.

Crude stocks fell by 6.1 million barrels in ​the week ended June 26, the sources said on condition of anonymity.

Official US&nbsp;oil stock data from the Energy Information Administration will be released at ​10:30am&nbsp;EDT (1430 GMT) on Wednesday.]]>
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			<title>Trump says denuclearisation 'taking place' after US negotiators held 'very good meetings' with Iran</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615883/us-will-be-in-great-position-even-if-iran-talks-fail-vance</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615883/us-will-be-in-great-position-even-if-iran-talks-fail-vance#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 26 05:11:59 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615883</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Iranian official says US-Iran indirect talks in Qatar focus on funds release, Strait of Hormuz]]>
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				<![CDATA[US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the United States was getting along very well with Iran and that recent meetings in Qatar had gone well on the denuclearisation of Tehran.

&quot;The denuclearisation of Iran is moving along well,&quot; Trump told reporters. &quot;They&#39;ve had very good meetings, and we&#39;ll see.&quot;

The US&nbsp;and Iran held&nbsp;technical talks&nbsp;in the Qatari capital of Doha on Wednesday as they seek to &zwnj;agree on the flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and secure a lasting ceasefire, a source with direct knowledge of the talks and an Iranian official said.

Trump&#39;s son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff met the prime minister of Qatar &mdash; a mediator in the talks alongside Pakistan &mdash; to lay the groundwork for the ​negotiations, but would not be attending the discussions themselves, the source with direct knowledge of the talks said.

&quot;We&#39;re getting along very well,&quot; Trump said, adding Iran has &quot;come a long way.&quot;

&quot;I think they&#39;re fine,&quot; the president added.

US-Iran indirect talks in Qatar focus on release of funds, Strait of Hormuz

Indirect talks between Tehran and Washington have been ongoing since Tuesday night in Doha, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday, adding that discussions were focused on the release of Tehran&#39;s funds and the Strait of Hormuz.

&ldquo;Indirect negotiations began on Tuesday night. Iran held meetings with Qatari and Pakistani officials, who in turn met with the US side. The indirect talks continued on Wednesday, focusing on Iran&rsquo;s frozen assets and the Strait of Hormuz,&rdquo; the official said.

Araghchi warns Israel of powerful response over Katz&#39;s remarks

Iran&rsquo;s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi has reacted strongly to a post in which Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Iran&rsquo;s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was &ldquo;marked for death.&rdquo;

&ldquo;The terms of the Islamabad MoU are crystal clear and public for all to see,&rdquo; Araghchi said. &ldquo;POTUS has committed the US to muzzling its pets in Tel Aviv. If they ignore their master, Iran will school them.&rdquo;

In quotes shared by Israeli media on Monday, Katz described the Iranians as &ldquo;good merchants&rdquo; trying to extract concessions in negotiations and said Israel would not allow Iran to produce nuclear weapons.

In response, Araghchi said that &ldquo;any threat against our People and Leadership will receive an immediate, powerful response.&rdquo;

Israel could strike Iran &lsquo;a third time&rsquo;, defence minister says

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz says Israel could target Iran again &ldquo;if it deems it necessary&rdquo; despite ongoing US efforts to pursue diplomacy&nbsp;Al Jazeera.

Speaking at a memorial ceremony for those killed in the 2006 war in Lebanon, Katz said: &ldquo;We have attacked twice with proactive, preemptive strikes in Iran and, if necessary, we will strike a third time as well.&rdquo;

Israeli forces will remain indefinitely in what he called &ldquo;security zones&rdquo; in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza to protect Israeli communities, he added.

US will be in &lsquo;great position&rsquo; even if Iran talks fail: Vance 

US Vice President JD Vance told Fox News on Wednesday that the Trump administration was in a &ldquo;great position&rdquo; regardless of how the talks pan out.

The US &ldquo;obviously&rdquo; wanted the talks to succeed, Vance said, but added that his country was &ldquo;still in a much stronger position&rdquo; than Iran even if they fail. He insisted that Tehran&rsquo;s nuclear programme and military had been &ldquo;destroyed&rdquo; and warned that Trump had made clear that any Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz would prompt a US military response.

Vance again said Iran would be &ldquo;permanently transformed&rdquo; if negotiations aimed at securing a lasting settlement are successful.

Earlier, the vice president said oil traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has reached its pre-war height, and that technical talks with Iran continue, though Tehran denies holding peace talks with the US.

Ship runs aground in Hormuz after leaving Iran-designated route: Reports

A foreign vessel ran aground in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after deviating from a navigation route designated by Iranian authorities, according to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB.

It reported that the ship left the assigned transit lane before running aground in the strategic waterway.

No immediate information was available on the vessel&rsquo;s identity or flag.

The incident comes after Iran introduced new navigation procedures for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between Washington and Tehran. The rules require vessels to follow designated routes and coordinate passage with Iranian authorities to ensure safe navigation.

Iran&rsquo;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said early Thursday that safe passage through the strait is only possible via Tehran-approved routes, calling any uncoordinated navigation &ldquo;unacceptable&rdquo; and &ldquo;completely dangerous.&rdquo;

Under the memorandum&rsquo;s fifth clause, Iran has committed to facilitating safe passage for commercial vessels through the strait for 60 days while carrying out mine-clearance operations.

China urges US, Iran to advance negotiations amid Doha talks

China on Wednesday urged the US and Iran to advance negotiations toward a comprehensive solution to the conflict.

Speaking to reporters in the Chinese capital, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Beijing &ldquo;has always believed that unilateral sanctions on Iran should be lifted at an early date.&rdquo;

&ldquo;We hope the US and Iran will jointly implement the (Islamabad) Memorandum of Understanding, which has already been signed and move negotiations forward to promote a comprehensive solution&hellip; at an early date,&rdquo; Guo said.

The statement came as Qatar was hosting US and Iranian delegations for separate talks on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The White House envoys travelled to Doha after US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that Iran had requested a meeting in the Qatari capital.

Iran, however, denied that any direct talks with Washington are scheduled, while saying consultations with intermediaries continue.

Deadly Minab school attack will not be forgotten: Iran&rsquo;s UN envoy

Ambassador Ali Bahreini says Iran will not allow the world to forget the attack as he held a virtual meeting with survivors and witnesses, according to Al Jazeera.

The missile strike on February 28 &ndash; when the US and Israel launched their unprovoked attack on Iran &ndash; killed at least 168 children and teachers. The victims were mostly young girls and boys.

According to Iranian state media, Bahreini said: &ldquo;The duty of justice demands that we ensure the victimisation &hellip; and crimes against civilians are not forgotten over time. Today, there is no country that does not recognise the criminal nature of this attack or is unfamiliar with the name of Minab school.&rdquo;

Neither the United States nor Israel has owned up to the school strike. &ldquo;Without any doubt, responsibility for this act lies with the United States and Israel as the aggressors,&rdquo; said Bahreini.

&lsquo;Right to bear arms a Lebanese matter and a necessity&rsquo;: Official

The head of Lebanon&rsquo;s Finance and Budget Committee, Ibrahim Kanaan, met with President Joseph Aoun to discuss the ceasefire with Israel signed in Washington, DC, and the next course of action for the government, according to Al Jazeera.

&ldquo;The state&rsquo;s right to bear arms is a Lebanese matter and a necessity for the protection of Lebanon, particularly in the aftermath of the war,&rdquo; the Lebanese Presidency quoted Kanaan as saying in a post on X.

&ldquo;After the meeting, my conviction and commitment to the goals of the president of the republic grew even stronger, foremost among them the full liberation of the land in accordance with international borders, the return of the displaced, and then reconstruction.&rdquo;

The post quoted him as adding: &ldquo;National unity is the foundation &ndash; undermining it today will only reinforce division and occupation and bring about the destruction of the homeland.&rdquo;

Iran says it won&#39;t meet with US envoys

Iran said on Tuesday it would not meet with top US envoys who flew to the region following an outbreak of hostilities, clouding the prospects for a lasting peace between the two countries.

Iranian officials also said the two sides must still sort out the terms of a ceasefire they signed two weeks ago before they could tackle more difficult topics, such as possible limits to its nuclear program.

The developments indicated the two sides are far apart on key pillars of the initial framework, which calls for Iran to lift its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for financial incentives, and sets up 60 days of negotiations to work out a permanent peace deal.

US President Donald Trump&#39;s son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Doha for what the White House described as &quot;high-level&quot; talks, but Iran and host Qatar said they would meet with mediators, rather than the Iranians themselves.

Qatar said Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani was among those to meet with Witkoff and Kushner.

Read: Iran says officials to meet Qatari mediators in Doha tomorrow, rules out direct talks with US

&quot;No meeting at any level with the American side has been scheduled for the coming days,&quot; Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said.

The two countries were due to commence lower-level technical talks, according to Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar&#39;s foreign ministry.

Trump said to be contemplating strikes

Looking for ways to break the deadlock, Trump has weighed a return to all-out war, holding conversations with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine on conducting more strikes, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing US sources familiar with the discussion. Reuters could not immediately confirm the report.

But for now Trump, who has publicly threatened Iran with more attacks, has decided to give diplomacy more time, the report said.

Shipping has partially resumed through the strait, which handled one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas before the war broke out on February 28.

But Iranian officials said they had a right to manage traffic along with US ally Oman, which lies on the other side of the strategic waterway, and would impose tolls in mid-August when the 60-day period expires.

&quot;The sovereignty of the Strait of Hormuz lies with Iran and Oman, and traffic in the Strait is subject to arrangements determined by Iran,&quot; Iran&#39;s top negotiator, Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf, said on state TV.

US Vice President JD Vance said Iran would be prevented from charging tolls through the international waterway, telling The Michael Knowles Show, &quot;This is not going to end in a place where the Iranians are collecting tolls on ships going through the Strait of Hormuz.&quot;

Read more: Iran says &lsquo;no planned negotiations&rsquo; with US in coming days as Washington says Doha meeting set for tomorrow 

Vance also said in the interview recorded on Monday but released on Tuesday that oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz had returned to pre-war levels, even exceeding those on some days, without citing figures.

Despite the uncertainty, oil prices have fallen since the weekend, when the US bombed Iranian military facilities in response to drone strikes on commercial ships, and Iran attacked US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain.

Vulnerable economies, however, could remain at risk from food and fuel price increases even after energy markets feel relief, the UN trade and development agency said on Tuesday.

The war pushed up global inflation and has put Trump under political pressure before the midterm elections in November that will determine control of the US Congress. Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are both urging gasoline retailers to lower prices.

The interim deal between the US and Iran also provides for an end to the conflict between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

But Lebanon&#39;s powerful parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah, cast doubt on a separate, US-brokered framework deal between Lebanon and Israel to halt that war.

Analysts said the deal risks entrenching a stalemate by tying Israel&#39;s withdrawal from southern Lebanon to Hezbollah&#39;s disarmament.]]>
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			<title>US SC blocks move to undo birthright citizenship</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615881/us-sc-blocks-move-to-undo-birthright-citizenship</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615881/us-sc-blocks-move-to-undo-birthright-citizenship#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 26 22:43:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615881</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[US SC blocks move to undo birthright citizenship]]>
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				<![CDATA[Handing President Donald Trump a stinging defeat, the US Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected his audacious attempt to restrict birthright citizenship in the United States &ndash; a right long woven into the fabric of American society &ndash; scuttling one of his top priorities in his crackdown on immigration.

The 6-3 ruling marked the second time this year that the court has invalidated a major Trump initiative, following its February decision to strike down his sweeping global tariffs.

The justices upheld a lower court&#39;s decision that blocked Trump&#39;s executive order directing US agencies not to recognize the citizenship of children born in the United States if neither parent is an American citizen or legal permanent resident, also called a &quot;green card&quot; holder.

Challengers to Trump&#39;s order argued that it violates language in the US Constitution&#39;s 14th Amendment that confers citizenship to those born in the United States who are &quot;subject to the jurisdiction thereof.&quot;

Conservative Chief Justice John Roberts, who authored the decision, said Trump&#39;s directive violates language in the US Constitution&#39;s 14th Amendment that guarantees citizenship to virtually anyone born in the United States, with a few narrow exceptions.

&quot;Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights - to freely participate in our political community,&quot; adding that the authors of the 14th Amendment extended that promise to every free-born person in the land.

&quot;We keep that promise today,&quot; Roberts wrote.

Trump, who has repeatedly tested the limits of presidential power in domestic and foreign policy, issued the order last year on his first day back in office as part of a suite of policies to crack down on legal and illegal immigration. Critics have accused the Republican president of racial and religious discrimination in his approach to immigration.

Following Tuesday&#39;s ruling, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that the ruling was &quot;too bad for our Country, but we can easily make it up in Congress through Legislation, with the support of the President, that has now been determined during this process.&quot;

&quot;No long and unwieldy Constitutional Amendment is necessary! Congress should start TODAY to work on ending expensive and unfair to our Country, Birthright Citizenship. They will have my Complete and Total Support!&quot; Trump wrote.

The challengers said the Supreme Court already had settled the question of birthright citizenship in an 1898 case called United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which recognized that the 14th Amendment grants citizenship by birth on US soil, including to the children of foreign nationals.

Roberts pointed to that 1898 ruling.

&quot;Not surprisingly, then, in the 128 years since, we have repeatedly understood the rule of Wong Kim Ark to guarantee citizenship to all children born in the United States and subject to its power,&quot; Roberts wrote. &quot;We see no reason to depart from that view today.&quot;

Roberts said there was &quot;scant evidence&quot; to support the Trump administration&#39;s &quot;dramatically revisionist view&quot; of how to interpret the citizenship language of the 14th Amendment to limit birthright citizenship.

&quot;If Congress intended to limit American citizenship to the children of those domiciled in the United States, nothing in the succinct language of the Citizenship Clause conveyed that design,&quot; Roberts wrote.

Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh agreed with the ruling to reject Trump&#39;s directive, but disagreed with the rationale. He said in a concurring opinion that the order contravenes a separate federal law codifying birthright citizenship rights but not the 14th Amendment itself.

The Supreme Court weighed in on what it means to be an American citizen just ahead of the July 4 holiday when the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its founding.

Ahead of the ruling, some experts had estimated that Trump&#39;s directive could affect the legal status of as many as 250,000 babies born each year and could require the families of millions more to prove the citizenship status of their newborns.

A CLASS-ACTION SUIT

The legal challenge to Trump&#39;s directive considered by the Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, involved a class-action lawsuit filed in New Hampshire by parents and children whose citizenship was threatened by the directive.

The 14th Amendment has long been interpreted as guaranteeing citizenship for babies born in the United States, with only narrow exceptions such as the children of foreign diplomats or members of an enemy occupying force.

The provision at issue, known as the Citizenship Clause, states: &quot;All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.&quot;

The administration has asserted that the phrase &quot;subject to the jurisdiction thereof&quot; means that being born in the United States is not enough for citizenship, and excludes the babies of immigrants who are in the country illegally or whose presence is lawful but temporary, such as university students or those on work visas.

Citizenship is granted only to the children of those whose &quot;primary allegiance&quot; is to the United States, including citizens and permanent residents, the administration has argued. Such allegiance is established through &quot;lawful domicile,&quot; which lawyers for the administration define as &quot;lawful, permanent residence within a nation, with intent to remain.&quot;

When the Supreme Court considered the case on April 1, Trump made history as the first sitting president to attend arguments before the top US judicial body, though he left midway through, not long after the lawyer arguing against the administration had begun.

The Supreme Court last year gave Trump an initial victory in the birthright citizenship context in a ruling restricting the power of federal judges to curb presidential policies nationwide. That decision, however, did not resolve the legality of Trump&#39;s directive.

Democratic state attorneys general who had pursued their own legal challenge to Trump&#39;s birthright citizenship executive order hailed the Supreme Court&#39;s decision.

&quot;Today&#39;s decision affirms a foundational tenet of American democracy: that every child born in this country, no matter their background, is equal under the law and can pursue the American Dream,&quot; California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement.

New York Attorney General Letitia James in a statement called birthright citizenship &quot;a constitutional guarantee that has defined this nation for generations.&quot;

During the arguments, US Solicitor General D. John Sauer, representing the administration, said the promise of citizenship for virtually any baby born on US soil has spawned what he called a sprawling industry of &quot;birth tourism.&quot;

Sauer said that &quot;uncounted thousands of foreigners from potentially hostile nations have flocked to give birth in the United States in recent decades&quot; to secure citizenship for their children. Asked to explain how serious an issue &quot;birth tourism&quot; has become, Sauer primarily cited media reports and conceded that &quot;no one knows for sure.&quot;

The 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868 in the aftermath of the Civil War of 1861 to 1865 that ended slavery in the United States, and overturned a notorious 1857 Supreme Court decision that had declared that people of African descent could never be US citizens.

During arguments, Sauer described what he saw as the limited purpose of the 14th Amendment Citizenship Clause, saying it was adopted &quot;to grant citizenship to the newly freed slaves and their children, whose allegiance to the United States had been established by generations of domicile here.&quot;

The administration contended that the 1898 precedent supported Trump&#39;s order because, according to the court&#39;s ruling in that case, at the time of his birth, Wong Kim Ark&#39;s parents had permanent domicile and residence in the United States.

Some of the justices pushed back on that during arguments, with conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch telling Sauer: &quot;Well, I&#39;m not sure how much you want to rely on Wong Kim Ark.&quot;

Trump for years had threatened to limit who qualifies for citizenship at birth.

Trump wrote on social media last year: &quot;Birthright Citizenship was not meant for people taking vacations to become permanent Citizens of the United States of America, and bringing their families with them, all the time laughing at the &#39;SUCKERS&#39; that we are!&quot;

&quot;But the drug cartels love it! We are, for the sake of being politically correct, a STUPID Country but, in actuality, this is the exact opposite of being politically correct, and it is yet another point that leads to the dysfunction of America,&quot; Trump wrote.

Concord, New Hampshire-based US District Judge Joseph Laplante in July 2025 let the challenge to Trump&#39;s order by the plaintiffs in the case before him proceed as a class, thus allowing the policy to be blocked nationwide.

The court&#39;s conservative majority has backed Trump on other major immigration-related policies since he returned to the presidency.

For instance, the court on June 25 cleared the way for the Trump administration to strip hundreds of thousands of Haitian and Syrian immigrants of a humanitarian status that protects them from deportation. On the same day, it sided with him by backing the US government&#39;s authority to turn away asylum seekers when officials deem US-Mexico border crossings too overburdened to handle additional claims.

In other cases, it let Trump expand mass deportation measures on an interim basis while legal challenges play out, such as ending humanitarian protections for certain migrants, deporting people to countries where they have no ties and carrying out aggressive immigration raids that can target individuals based on their race or language.

The court, however, has not always ruled in Trump&#39;s favor. In February, it struck down sweeping tariffs he pursued under a law meant for use in national emergencies. And on Monday it refused to let him fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.]]>
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			<title>PM urges population-resource balance</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615880/pm-urges-population-resource-balance</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615880/pm-urges-population-resource-balance#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 26 22:43:47 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615880</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Shehbaz says population planning must be aligned with national development]]>
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				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday stressed that maintaining a balance between population growth and available resources was essential for sustainable development, saying that rapid population growth was placing increasing pressure on national resources and posing a major challenge to the country&#39;s progress.

Chairing a high-level meeting on population welfare, the prime minister said population planning must be aligned with national development, economic stability and the improvement of human resources, the Prime Minister&#39;s Office Media Wing said in a press release.

He directed the authorities to convene the inaugural meeting of the National Population Council at the earliest and instructed that its organisational structure be finalised without delay to facilitate effective policymaking on population-related issues.

The meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Finance and Revenue Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, and senior government officials.

The prime minister announced that he would personally chair the National Population Council, which will comprise the chief ministers of all four provinces, the prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan and other key stakeholders.

During the meeting, participants were briefed on the country&#39;s rising population and measures aimed at population control and welfare.

The briefing highlighted plans to link social protection programmes with family planning initiatives, while emphasising that women&#39;s education and economic empowerment would form a key pillar of the national population strategy.

The meeting was also informed that a nationwide public awareness campaign would be launched to promote balanced population growth and family planning.

Participants were further apprised that successful population management programmes were currently being implemented in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Iran.

According to the briefing, the National Population Council, in collaboration with provincial governments, will help implement an effective nationwide population welfare campaign.

It was further informed that the Council&#39;s Secretariat will be established in the Ministry of Planning.]]>
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			<title>Four Afghan drones shot down over Balochistan</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615879/four-afghan-drones-shot-down-over-balochistan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615879/four-afghan-drones-shot-down-over-balochistan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 26 22:43:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615879</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan Armed Forces remain fully vigilant and capable of defending every inch of the motherland]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s security forces shot down four rudimentary drones launched from Afghanistan into Balochistan, the military&#39;s media wing said, accusing the Afghan Taliban regime of supporting terrorist outfits operating from territory under its control.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the incident occurred on June 30, when the Afghan Taliban regime launched four rudimentary drones across the border into Balochistan &quot;as part of their patronisation and support of terrorist outfits operating from inside their controlled territories.&quot;

According to the ISPR, the hostile aerial platforms were immediately detected by Pakistan&#39;s air defence network. &quot;Demonstrating high operational readiness, security forces successfully neutralised all four incoming drones using sophisticated countermeasures. Due to the swift and effective response, the malicious attempts were effectively thwarted,&quot; the statement said.

The military alleged that such actions by the Afghan Taliban regime were intended to mislead the Afghan population, which it said was suffering under an oppressive regime. &quot;Such gimmicks of the Afghan Taliban regime are aimed at misleading the Afghan population suffering under their oppressive regime,&quot; the ISPR said.

It urged the Afghan Taliban to recognise that what it described as their &quot;irresponsible behaviour&quot; was only adding to the hardships faced by the Afghan people.

&quot;Instead of trying to sedate their population through such antics and hollow rhetoric, they should eschew sponsorship of terrorism and adhere to the principle of peaceful coexistence,&quot; the statement said. The military also warned that any further provocations would invite a strong response.

&quot;However, if the Afghan Taliban continue to provoke Pakistan, they would receive a befitting response which would cost them heavily,&quot; the ISPR said. Reaffirming the armed forces&#39; preparedness, the military said Pakistan remained fully capable of defending its territory against any external threat.

&quot;The Pakistan Armed Forces remain fully vigilant and capable of defending every inch of the motherland. Any misadventures or cross-border provocations threatening the sovereignty of Pakistan and endangering our people will continue to be met with swift, decisive, and overwhelming responses under Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq,&quot; the statement added.]]>
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			<title>Lahore roof collapse claims 14 young lives</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615878/lahore-roof-collapse-claims-14-young-lives</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615878/lahore-roof-collapse-claims-14-young-lives#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 26 22:43:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Muhammad Shahzad]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615878</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Construction work was underway on roof of tuition centre at time of accident]]>
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				<![CDATA[At least 14 children were killed and nine others, including a teacher, were injured after the roof of a private tuition centre collapsed in Lahore&#39;s Kahna area on Tuesday, triggering a massive rescue operation as authorities launched an investigation into the tragedy.

The incident occurred in Basti Eid Gah near Qurban School on Ferozepur Road, where dozens of children were attending classes when the roof of a room inside a residential building caved in.

Initial emergency calls received at around 4:45pm reported that eight to 10 children had been trapped beneath the rubble, prompting an immediate response from Rescue 1122, Edhi volunteers, police and district administration officials.

The collapsed roof had been constructed using TR girders.

Rescue teams, assisted by local residents, worked for several hours to remove debris and recover those trapped underneath. Ambulances shifted the injured to THQ Hospital Kahna, Lahore General Hospital and other healthcare facilities after emergency services declared a medical alert.

Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir confirmed after the rescue operation that more than 20 people had been pulled from the debris.

Fourteen children were brought dead to THQ Hospital Kahna, while five injured children remained under treatment. Two children who sustained comparatively minor injuries were discharged after receiving first aid, according to official updates.

Police officials said the children attending the tuition centre were between five and 16 years of age. Authorities said more than 30 students were believed to have been present inside the academy when the roof gave way.

Lahore DIG Operations Faisal Kamran reached the site shortly after the collapse and later visited THQ Hospital Kahna to inquire about the condition of the injured children. He also met grieving families and assured them that those responsible would be brought to justice.

Addressing the media, the DIG confirmed the casualty figures.

&quot;Eight children and one teacher are injured and hospitalised. Apart from that, the death of 14 children is confirmed,&quot; he said. The DIG said the structure comprised a single-storey room with a roof supported by TR girders.

The DIG added that construction work had been underway on the roof and the number of labourers working there had exceeded the roof&#39;s load-bearing capacity, causing a girder to break and the roof to collapse onto the tuition centre below.

&quot;We have detained the people running the tuition centre and are interrogating them while considering various aspects,&quot; he said.

The DIG said the immediate priority was to ensure medical treatment for the injured, adding that an investigation into the incident was under way. He said the deceased children were local residents. He assured the media that legal proceedings would be initiated against those found responsible.

Police identified those taken into custody as the building owner, Rehan, his brother Muhammad Faizan and mason Umair.

According to investigators, construction work had reportedly been in progress on the building&#39;s roof while tuition classes continued below. Authorities said the exact cause of the collapse would be determined after a technical investigation.

In a statement, Lahore Police said evidence was being collected from the scene and legal proceedings had been initiated. Officials said all aspects of the incident, including possible negligence and violations of construction regulations, would be examined before responsibility was fixed.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Lahore Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi also visited the site and later the hospital. He directed traffic police to establish uninterrupted corridors for Rescue 1122 ambulances and emergency vehicles travelling between the accident site and hospitals.

Additional traffic personnel were deployed around the affected area, along Ferozepur Road and outside major public and private hospitals to ensure the smooth movement of emergency responders.

The CTO appealed to motorists to cooperate with traffic officials and immediately give way to ambulances to facilitate rescue and medical operations.

The tragedy has once again drawn attention to concerns over building safety and the enforcement of construction regulations in Pakistan. Building collapses continue to occur periodically across the country, often linked to ageing structures, unauthorised alterations or poor-quality construction.

Investigators are expected to submit a detailed report after examining the structural condition of the building and the circumstances surrounding the collapse.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of lives of the children.

In their separate statements, the president and the prime minister prayed for the eternal peace and elevation of the ranks of the departed souls.

They extended their condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident.

&quot;The loss of innocent children&#39;s precious lives is a matter of profound sorrow for the entire nation. Effective safety measures are essential to prevent such tragedies in the future,&quot; the president said.

The prime minister directed the authorities to ensure that the injured received every possible medical assistance.]]>
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			<title>US envoys reach Doha but Iran rules out direct talks</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615877/us-envoys-reach-doha-but-iran-rules-out-direct-talks</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615877/us-envoys-reach-doha-but-iran-rules-out-direct-talks#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 26 22:43:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[agencies]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Tehran confirms discussion with Qatar on frozen funds]]>
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				<![CDATA[Iran will hold ?talks with mediator Qatar on Wednesday (today) ?to discuss the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson saying that the release of country&#39;s ?frozen assets would be a key topic of discussion.

Esmaeil Baghaei said on ?Tuesday that no meeting was planned with the US side in Doha in the coming days and that steps to release Iran&#39;s frozen funds were underway. Qatar&#39;s foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday that $6 billion of Iran&#39;s frozen funds in Qatar had not yet been transferred to Tehran.

The statement came as prospects for a broader US-Iran agreement remained uncertain after US President Donald Trump said a meeting with Iran was set in Qatar, while Tehran insisted no direct negotiations with Washington had been scheduled and Qatar said only technical discussions were expected this week.

US envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump&#39;s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner arrived in Doha amid renewed diplomatic efforts to implement a June 17 MoU intended to end months of conflict and pave the way for a permanent settlement.

However, Qatar&#39;s Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said no high-level US-Iran meeting was planned, with discussions expected to focus on technical issues that could later be elevated to senior officials.

Baghaei said Tehran would hold talks with mediator Qatar to discuss implementation of the interim agreement, including the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad, but stressed that &quot;no meeting at any level with the American side has been scheduled for the coming days&quot;.

The White House had said on Monday that Witkoff and Kushner would hold &quot;high-level meetings&quot; in Doha, while Trump told reporters the meeting &quot;is going to be perhaps important, perhaps not, we&#39;re going to find out.&quot;

The Islamabad MoU gave Washington and Tehran 60 days to negotiate a permanent agreement following months of conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. The war disrupted global energy supplies, exposed Gulf states to Iranian missile and drone attacks and left thousands dead.

Uncertainty over the diplomatic track comes despite easing of oil prices after recent de-escalation. A key issue remains the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade passed before the conflict.

Iran has tightened control over the strategic waterway alongside Oman, insisting that vessels use designated shipping corridors and warning that ships deviating from approved routes would increase regional tensions.

Iran and Oman have also begun discussions on implementing arrangements for the strait under the MoU. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected suggestions that foreign countries could participate in de-mining operations in the Hormuz, insisting the task would be carried out only by Iran.

The United States has accused Iran of attacking commercial shipping in recent days and responded with strikes on Iranian military facilities. Tehran retaliated by launching missiles and drones at US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire.

The interim US-Iran deal envisages ending hostilities between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, but Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri questioned a separate US-brokered framework with Israel, while Hezbollah has opposed plans for its disarmament.]]>
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			<title>India warned against weaponising water</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615876/india-warned-against-weaponising-water</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615876/india-warned-against-weaponising-water#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 26 22:43:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615876</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[DPM, PPP chief reject Delhi's suspension of IWT; ministers vow to defend country's water rights]]>
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				<![CDATA[The political leadership on Tuesday promised a robust defence of Pakistan&#39;s rights under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) through all available legal and diplomatic means, warning that any attempt to deprive the country of its share of water would have &quot;profound consequences for regional peace and security&quot;.

Political leaders, ministers, legal experts and international scholars also urged the international community to reject the weaponisation of water and uphold the sanctity of international treaties during an international seminar on the treaty held in Islamabad.

The seminar was addressed by several federal ministers, including Ishaq Dar, Attaullah Tarar and Musadik Malik, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan&#39;s Commissioner for Indus Waters Mehar Ali Shah, policy experts from the United States, China and Russia, and other speakers.

The speakers at the seminar, titled &#39;Indus Waters Treaty: An Instrument of Peace and Regional Stability&#39;, urged the international community to uphold the treaty, reject the weaponisation of water and ensure disputes were resolved through established legal and diplomatic mechanisms rather than unilateral action.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the six-decade-old IWT could not be suspended or terminated unilaterally. He expressed concern over abrupt variations in the Chenab and Jhelum rivers since April 2025 and said disputes must be resolved through the treaty&#39;s established mechanisms.

He called India&#39;s decision last April to place the treaty in abeyance &quot;illegal, unilateral and without any basis&quot;, adding that Pakistan unequivocally rejected the announcement. &quot;No party can unilaterally suspend or terminate obligations under a treaty that contains no such provision,&quot; he said.

Dar said uninterrupted flows from the western rivers were vital for Pakistan&#39;s agriculture, food security, energy production and economic development. He warned that disregarding international agreements whenever they became politically inconvenient would weaken confidence in the international legal order.

Recalling the National Security Committee&#39;s position following India&#39;s decision, the deputy prime minister warned that any diversion, interruption or reduction of Pakistan&#39;s water rights under the treaty would be treated as an act of war.

&quot;We sincerely advise India against sowing the seeds of war and jeopardising peace and security in the region,&quot; he said, adding that Pakistan remained committed to dialogue and the peaceful settlement of disputes but there should be &quot;no misunderstanding&quot; about its resolve to safeguard its water rights.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also described India&#39;s decision to hold the treaty in abeyance as &quot;not simply a bilateral dispute but a challenge to international law, global peace and the rights of downstream states&quot;. He called for a new international convention against the weaponisation of waterways.

&quot;International law should explicitly prohibit states from exploiting civilian dependence on shared rivers,&quot; he said. &quot;Water is not a weapon. Thirst is not diplomacy. Famine is not statecraft,&quot; he added, arguing that no upstream state should be allowed to hold downstream populations hostage by manipulating shared waterways.

Bilawal urged Pakistan to pursue its legal, diplomatic, humanitarian, climate and deterrence cases simultaneously while continuing to strengthen domestic water security through reservoirs, barrages, canals and flood protection projects.

Comparing the Indus River with the Strait of Hormuz, Bilawal said lasting peace between Pakistan and India could not be achieved while the treaty remained in abeyance. He said the IWT was far more than a water-sharing arrangement and had served for decades as a cornerstone of regional peace and stability.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan was discussing not merely a treaty but &quot;the lifeline of more than 240 million people&quot;. Describing the Indus as central to Pakistan&#39;s identity and civilisation, he said the country&#39;s people had an inalienable right to its waters.

He said international agreements could not be amended, revoked, suspended or held in abeyance unilaterally, emphasising that the treaty had endured wars and prolonged political tensions for more than six decades because it reflected the principles of good faith and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

&quot;The weaponisation of water undermines regional peace, stability and cooperation,&quot; he said, reiterating that Pakistan remained committed to peaceful engagement and constructive dialogue but would safeguard its water rights through all available legal means.

Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik cited repeated fluctuations in water flows and the experience of a Pakistani farmer displaced by successive floods, saying the issue affected livelihoods, food security and the rights of downstream populations.

Malik warned that if the IWT could be disregarded unilaterally, confidence in the international treaty system itself would be undermined. He called for a binding international covenant on transboundary water governance carrying political, economic and diplomatic consequences.

Pakistan&#39;s Commissioner for Indus Waters, Mehar Ali Shah, said the treaty was designed to prevent conflict and keep water disputes out of politics. Calling the Permanent Indus Commission the treaty&#39;s &quot;early warning system&quot;, Shah said Pakistan had continued to fulfil its obligations by sharing data.

He told the seminar that repeated communications with India in this regard had gone unanswered, adding that the absence of timely information left downstream states unable to distinguish between natural river conditions and upstream operations.

Referring to repeated fluctuations in the Chenab River since April 2025, Shah said sudden changes in water flows complicated flood forecasting, disrupted irrigation planning and heightened strategic risks.

Former law minister Ahmer Bilal Soofi called for dialogue between legal experts from both countries within established legal frameworks. Former defence minister Khurram Dastgir Khan accused India of &quot;weaponising water&quot;, saying it threatened millions of people dependent on the Indus basin.

He referred to measures including the suspension of hydrological data sharing, the closure of the Baglihar and Salal dam gates, accelerated water projects and actions affecting river flows. He urged the international community to uphold the principle that shared rivers should never be used as instruments of coercion.

Several international experts attending the seminar echoed similar concerns. Laurie Watkins, a United States policy expert, said withholding hydrological data and failing to respond to Pakistan&#39;s correspondence violated principles of customary international law.

Dr Roxolana Zigon of the University of World Civilizations in Moscow described the Indus Waters Treaty as internationally recognised for its durability and praised Pakistan&#39;s restrained response despite heightened tensions.

Prof Victor Gao of the Centre for China and Globalization termed India&#39;s suspension of the treaty &quot;a crime against humanity&quot;, while Institute of Regional Studies President Ambassador Jauhar Saleem said lasting water security depended not only on the availability of water but also on certainty, transparency, predictability and cooperation.

The seminar concluded with participants reaffirming that the Indus Waters Treaty remained a cornerstone of regional peace and stability. Speakers maintained that transboundary rivers should serve as instruments of cooperation rather than confrontation.

(WITH INPUTS FROM APP)]]>
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			<title>Russia says shot down over 400 Ukrainian drones</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615875/russia-says-shot-down-over-400-ukrainian-drones</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615875/russia-says-shot-down-over-400-ukrainian-drones#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 26 22:38:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Moscow, June 30, 2026 (AFP) - Russia on Tuesday said it shot down 419 Ukrainian drones over the country overnight, including in the Moscow region, where authorities said a six-month-old baby was killed.

Kyiv has stepped up its long-range drone strike campaign against Russia in recent months, as Moscow&#39;s full-scale offensive against Ukraine drags on for almost four-and-a-half years years.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his forces struck a satellite communications site in the Moscow region for the second time in a week.

Air defence systems &quot;intercepted and destroyed 419 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles&quot; around the country, Moscow&#39;s defence ministry posted on the state-run Max platform.

The governor of the Moscow region, Andrei Vorobyov, later said that drones had hit the village of Yevgoryevsk, south-west of Moscow, hitting a &quot;private house.&quot;

&quot;Unfortunately, a six-month old baby died on the way to hospital,&quot; he said on Telegram.

Two adults and another child were hospitalised, he added.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said earlier that air defence had shot down 61 &quot;enemy drones&quot; on the capital since Monday evening.

Zelensky said Kyiv struck the &quot;Dubna space communications centre in the Moscow region&quot;, which Ukraine also said it hit last week.

&quot;This is a special satellite communications facility used, in particular, for reconnaissance and for coordinating the activity of Russia&#39;s occupation contingent in Ukraine,&quot; Zelensky said. The Ukrainian leader calls the attacks deep inside Russia &quot;long-range sanctions&quot; and fair retaliation for Moscow&#39;s daily barrages against Ukraine.

Kyiv has hit targets in Russia as far as the Urals in recent months.

The swarm on Tuesday came days after Russia shot down 660 Ukrainian drones between Thursday and Friday, one of the highest figures since the start of the conflict.

A Ukrainian attack also caused a fire last week at a refinery in the southeast of Moscow.]]>
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			<title>NASA robot mission aims to rescue space telescope</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615874/nasa-robot-mission-aims-to-rescue-space-telescope</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615874/nasa-robot-mission-aims-to-rescue-space-telescope#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 26 22:38:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[NASA on Tuesday is set to launch a daring robotic rescue mission, a long shot bid to prevent one of its aging telescopes from vanishing into dust.

If successful, the effort could pave the way for giving other satellites a second life.

The operation is set to last several months, kicking off with the launch of a robot designed to rescue the Swift space telescope that&#39;s currently falling towards Earth.

Without intervention, Swift is expected to soon burn up in the atmosphere.

The rescue spacecraft developed by the US startup Katalyst is slated to lift off Tuesday at 1023 GMT from a Pacific Ocean atoll aboard a small rocket named Pegasus.

The rocket-propelled launch vehicle will not take off from a launch pad. Instead, it will be released from a jet.

&quot;Everything about this mission is so crazy,&quot; said NASA astrophysicist Regina Caputo with a laugh during an interview with AFP.

After it reaches an orbit near that of the telescope, the robot must locate Swift across the vastness of space.

The aim is then for the robot to maneuver around the telescope and latch on with three movable arms.

It will then vie to tow Swift into a stable orbit over the course of at least a month, rescuing it from destruction by moving it about 300 kilometers higher.

&quot;This is a lot of firsts stacked on top of each other,&quot; said Shawn Domagal-Goldman, the director of NASA&#39;s astrophysics division, during a recent call with reporters.

&quot;I&#39;m just deeply thankful that we&#39;re even giving this a go.&quot;

The idea of such a rescue might seem odd at first glance.

The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory telescope was launched in 2004, and was originally designed for a two-year mission.

The device was intended to study gamma-ray bursts, what Caputo called &quot;the most energetic things that happen in the universe.&quot;

She likened it to a supercharged version of a supernova, which is a dramatic, explosive death of a star.

Gamma-ray bursts are extremely brief, she explained, so the telescope was placed at an altitude of approximately 600 kilometers in low Earth orbit, so it could remain in constant communication with researchers.

But with that pro came a con -- at such an altitude, the device without its own propulsion would eventually drift closer to Earth and burn up in the atmosphere.

Caputo said that phenomenon was expected and normal, because when the Sun is in its more active cyclical stages, it emits more particles and causes an expansion of Earth&#39;s atmosphere.

That creates drag, meaning satellites in low Earth orbit lose altitude.

Yet when forecasts in early 2025 indicated the telescope was nearing the end of its life, NASA began considering a possible rescue.

&quot;We decided, yeah, we want to go save this one this time, because of how special it is,&quot; said Domagal-Goldman.

Despite its age, the Swift telescope remains in high demand within the scientific community, not least for its rapid response capabilities.

Should it burn up, it could not be immediately replaced.]]>
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			<title>IHC reserves verdict on Imran's jail plea</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615873/ihc-reserves-verdict-on-imrans-jail-plea</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615873/ihc-reserves-verdict-on-imrans-jail-plea#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 26 22:28:41 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Fiaz Mahmood]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615873</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Says verdicts of accountability courts do not provide for solitary confinement]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday reserved its verdict on the maintainability of petitions challenging the alleged solitary confinement of former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in Adiala Jail following their conviction in the &pound;190 million corruption case.

A single-member bench comprising Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro heard the petitions filed by Imran&#39;s sister Aleema Khan and Bushra&#39;s daughter Mubashra Khawar Maneka.

During the hearing, Justice Soomro observed that the judgements delivered by accountability courts in the &pound;190 million and Toshakhana-I cases do not provide for solitary confinement.

&quot;I have examined both judgments. There is no punishment of solitary confinement. We will first decide whether these petitions are maintainable. If they are held to be maintainable, notices will then be issued to the jail authorities seeking their response,&quot; the judge remarked.

Counsel for the petitioners, Barrister Salman Safdar, argued that the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi had been kept in solitary confinement for several months in violation of jail rules and international standards, particularly the Nelson Mandela Rules.

He told the court that previous petitions had referred to solitary confinement only as background and had not specifically sought its termination. Safdar submitted that Bushra had not been allowed to receive visitors for the past seven months.

He said after meeting Imran pursuant to a court order, it emerged that he was being kept in solitary confinement for about 22 hours a day, while Bushra was allegedly confined for 24 hours a day.

The lawyer further submitted that the PTI founder was 74 years old, had lost vision in one eye and both he and Bushra Bibi had undergone eye surgeries, yet continued to be held in isolation.

He added that although he had been allowed to meet the PTI founder under a court order, he had not been granted permission to meet Bushra Bibi for the past seven months.

NAB prosecutor Rafi Maqsood objected to the petitions, arguing that Aleema Khan and Mubashra Khawar Maneka were not aggrieved parties and therefore lacked the legal standing to file the petitions.

He told the court that the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi were not being held in solitary confinement and that matters relating to convicted prisoners were governed by the jail rules. He contended that the petitioners had not approached the jail authorities before filing the constitutional petitions.

In rebuttal, Safdar argued that if the government denied the allegations of solitary confinement, the court could summon the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi to ascertain the facts directly from them.]]>
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			<title>FCC faults SHC for judicial overreach</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615872/fcc-faults-shc-for-judicial-overreach</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615872/fcc-faults-shc-for-judicial-overreach#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 26 22:28:41 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hasnaat Malik]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2615872</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Sets aside suo motu orders against police officials]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has ruled that the Sindh High Court (SHC) committed &quot;judicial overreach&quot; by exercising suo motu jurisdiction against police officials and interfering in policy guidelines without justification.

Such powers, the FCC stated, are not available to high courts under Article 199 of the Constitution.

In a two-page judgment, a two-member FCC bench set aside the SHC&#39;s orders dated October 27 and November 3, 2025, passed in Constitutional Petition No S-1139 of 2025, to the extent that they exercised suo motu jurisdiction against police officials and interfered in policy matters.

&quot;The impugned ordersare set aside as being the result of assumption of suo motu jurisdiction which is not vested with the High Court under Article 199 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, as the observations contained therein amount to judicial overreach,&quot; the judgment stated.

During the proceedings, it was argued before the FCC that the SHC&#39;s directions relating to internal police reforms and monitoring of inquiry proceedingsissued in the exercise of its writ jurisdiction when those matters were not before the court in the petitions under considerationamounted to judicial encroachment upon executive and administrative functions.

The Sindh advocate general also contended that the SHC judge committed judicial overreach while issuing the impugned orders and failed to appreciate that courts, as a general rule, should refrain from interfering in policy guidelines.

The FCC endorsed that position, observing in its order that it was &quot;in full agreement&quot; with the submissions made by the Sindh advocate general.

However, the constitutional court clarified that the inquiries already initiated and the investigations to be conducted against the petitioners in both cases would continue strictly in accordance with the law.

The FCC directed that the ongoing proceedings should be conducted independently and without being influenced by any observations or directions contained in the SHC&#39;s orders that went beyond the scope of the dispute before the learned single judge.

&quot;The inquiries initiated and the investigation to be conducted against the petitioners, in both these petitions, shall continue in accordance with law without being influenced by any observation(s)/direction(s), those were beyond the lis (dispute) fixed before the learned single judge of the High Court in the constitutional petition,&quot; said the order authored by Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi.]]>
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