Shehbaz Sharif noted that over 700 people, including over 400 in KhyberPakhtunkhwa lost their lives in the recent rains and flash floods He highlighted that the responsibility of climate change ministry has increased to deal with the issue of climate change He added that other relevant departments would also have to play their part in it
Chairing
cabinet meeting here the Prime Minister warned there is no room for man-made disasters
PM Shehbaz vowed to spare no effort until relief and rehabilitation work is completed in the flood-affected areas, adding the federal government has extended full cooperation to the provincial governments to deal with the situation arising out of floods
He appreciated the efforts of armed forces in rescue and relief operations Pakistan Army reached the distant and difficult areas to rescue the people by using helicopters, said the PM, adding, “It is our collective responsibility and together we will move forward
Alluding to the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister to Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif said China is Pakistan’s all weather friend and a strategic partner He said the relationship between the two countries is getting stronger with each passing day He said China has always extended support to Pakistan He mentioned that he would be visiting China to hold bilateral meetings in addition to attending the SCO meeting Federal Cabinet approves dissolution of USC The cabinet was told that operations of Utility Stores across the country were officially terminated as of July 31
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed that the rights of employees be fully protected throughout the dissolution process He stressed that the procedure must be carried out transparently in strict compliance with all legal and regulatory frameworks concerning employee welfare Besides, the cabinet granted in-principle approval to amend the Special Economic Zones Act of 2012 to foster industrial development and encourage the establishment of new industries The proposed amendments aim to create a more business and investor-friendly environment within these zones, accelerat-
ing industrial growth Prime Minister Sharif reiterated that a conducive environment for businesses and investors is essential for national industrial progress He affirmed that the country s economy is stable and on a path of sustained growth, and that industrial expansion will lead to increased exports and job creation On the recommendation of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research the cabinet also reviewed proposals concerning the stabilisation of urea fertilizer prices
ISLAMABAD
s ta f f r e p o r t
Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson
Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, on Friday, said Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening their “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership through enhanced bilateral regional and multilateral cooperation
Addressing the weekly press briefing, Foreign Office
Spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan stated that Chinese Foreign Minister and Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Wang Yi, visited Islamabad on August 21, 2025, on the invitation of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar to co-chair the 6th Pakistan–China Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue Both sides comprehensively reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including CPEC Phase-II trade and economic ties multilateral cooperation peopleto-people exchanges and important regional and global issues Ambassador Khan said He added that the two ministers agreed to maintain close coordination and communication at bilateral and multilateral forums During his visit Foreign Min-
ister Wang Yi also called on President Asif Ali Zardari Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir
In his meeting with the President Asif Ali Zardari expressed gratitude for China s consistent support for Pakistan s sovereignty territorial integrity, and national development, and appreciated Beijing’s principled stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute he added He also highlighted the strategic significance of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as part of President Xi Jinping s Belt and Road Initiative During the Chinese Foreign Minister ’s interaction with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif both leaders reaffirmed mutual support on core national interests The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan s resolve to expand cooperation with China in trade, ICT, agriculture, industrialization mines and minerals and other sectors under CPEC Phase-II he added Ambassador Khan added that during the Chinese Foreign Minister s meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, discussions focused on regional security counterterrorism and defense cooperation Both sides underscored their resolve to
relevant market as the Flexible Packaging sector within Pakistan The Commission concluded that the acquisition would result in only a marginal increase in market share for Kompass Pakistan and would not significantly reduce competition The transaction neither creates nor strengthens a dominant position in the flexible packaging market, nor does it present substantial barriers to entry for other companies As a result the CCP has approved the acquisition under Section 31(1)(d)(i) of the Competition Act 2010
Govt launches AI-based app to curb human smuggling at Islamabad Airport
ISLAMABAD M o n i to r i n g D e s k In a move to combat human smuggling and improve immigration processes, the government has developed an AI-based application with its pilot project set to launch at Islamabad Airport The app designed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) under the guidance of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, aims to simplify immigration procedures and address human trafficking issues The announcement came following a high-level meeting chaired by Naqvi at the FIA Headquarters in Islamabad on Friday The meeting reviewed progress on ongoing modernization efforts within the FIA Naqvi was briefed
on the AI-based app and appreciated its potential impact calling it “the need of the hour This initiative will not only help stop human trafficking but also reduce the long waiting times for passengers, the minister said, emphasizing the app s role in enhancing operational efficiency Naqvi also instructed that immediate funds be allocated to enhance FIA’s IT infrastructure and ordered the urgent upgradation of the FIA Headquarters building He directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to promptly transfer the newly allotted land for the FIA Academy to the agency Addressing staff shortages the minister ordered immediate recruitment for all approved vacant posts assuring that
necessary resources would be provided to support the agency’s operations FIA Director General Raja Riffat Mukhtar informed Naqvi that work on amendments to the FIA Act had been completed, and digitization was being prioritized Mukhtar also highlighted the agency’s transition to an e-office system, with all FIA notices now incorporating QR codes for efficiency and transparency The development is part of the government s broader strategy to incorporate AI into governance Last month, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) launched Pakistan’s first-ever AI-based Customs Clearance and Risk Management System (RMS) aimed at enhancing transparency reducing human intervention and facilitating smoother trade operations
g PILOT PROJECT AIMS TO STREAMLINE IMMIGR ATION AND COUNTER HUMAN TR AFFICKING
by NAB Chairman Lt Gen (R) Nazir Ahmed and attended by Prosecutor General Accountability Syed Ihtesham Qadir Shah, Director Generals, senior NAB officers, and a large number of the affected public The B4U fraud is among Pakistan’s largest financial scams operating as an online Ponzi scheme through shell companies led by Saifur-Rehman and his associates The scheme promised a 7% monthly return and collected billions of rupees from the public NAB initiated an inquiry on February 5 2021 after receiving numerous complaints from victims and the
Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) During the investigation, NAB froze 56 bank accounts, properties, and other assets of the accused, using online data to verify the victims’ claims
As a result of NAB s actions a recovery process for Rs7 3 billion was started The first phase of the disbursement sees Rs3 7 billion being distributed among 17,500 victims 10,000 of them will receive the full amount while the remaining 7 500 will get 40% of their claims now with the remaining 60% to be paid within six months after the liquidation of the accused s properties In his address, NAB Chairman emphasized the organization’s focus on public interest cases, reiterating NAB’s commitment to recovering 100% of the looted amount and returning it to the victims promptly He also advised the public to exercise caution and conduct thorough research before investing their money in any schemes The Chairman also recognized
the hard work of the NAB Rawalpindi/Islamabad team who played a pivotal role in the recovery and distribution process He announced an Ummrah package as an incentive for the team It was further announced that future compensation payments will be directly transferred to victims bank accounts, eliminating the need for them to visit NAB offices This initiative underscores NAB’s commitment to safeguarding public interests and ensuring transparency in the recovery process Earlier DG NAB Rawalpindi/Islamabad Waqar Ahmed Chohan briefed the audience on the challenges faced by case officers during the recovery process The victims expressed their appreciation and gratitude highlighting their previous doubts about recovering their
PTi Patron-in-Chief imran Khan has been allowed bail by the Supreme Court in a number of May 9 cases, which caused the more over-optimistic PTi supporters to demand that he be released forthwith it doesn’t work that way, not in the criminal justice system he himself left unreformed during his stint in office He is currently in jail serving a 14-year sentence for the al-Qadir University land grab and can only be released if the case is dismissed on appeal, or if he is given bail in that case as the Supreme Court stressed while overturning the lahore High Court’s decision rejecting his bail, bail does not mean that the trial must not be conducted, but as moat followers of the court system know, getting bail in a higher court increases the chances of acquittal by the trial court it is only right to say that the PTi has reason to celebrate is it entirely a coincidence that dG iSPR lt Gen ahmed Sharif Chaudhry chose the same day to issue a clarification of remarks in a press interview that Chief of army Staff Field Marshal asim Munir made? The clarification said that Field Marshal Munir had not said that any apology was needed for the 9 May 2023 events This must be balanced with the Field Marshal’s statement during the same interview that the rumours of a change of either the President or Prime Minister were false it does seem that there are wheels within wheels, for the PTi has suspended the decision about the new leaders of Opposition in the National assembly and Senate, until the current holders of those offices, who have been denotified after they lost their seats consequent on their conviction in May 9 cases have exhausted the appeals process at the same time, some of those convicted are among the accused in other cases it seems that there is a degree of mixed signalling, at least in public, relative to May 9 The events of May n9 may well have been horrendous and without precedent, but the nation as a whole, not just any particular institution needs closure on the whole episode which means the trial of those accused of related crimes May 9 was too nerve-wracking for the country as a whole, to be reduced to a mere damocles’ sword to be held over the heads of any party, or politician
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)
Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
How can the World help Palestine– beyond words?
a l i d Samir al-Sabah was perhaps the youngest martyr of Gaza She clung to life for just two hours after delivery through emergency caesarean, following the killing of her mother, Salam al-Sabah, in a brutal israeli bombing Neither mother nor child belonged to any military organization or criminal group Walid was the purest of souls– one of over 18 000 children and some 50 000 other unarmed Palestinians in Gaza who have been denied their most basic right: the right to exist Gaza today faces one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes of recent history comparable to Bosnia, Sudan, Somalia, and Kashmir The official death toll now exceeds 61 000 Palestinians with many estimates placing the figure closer to 80 000 or even 100 000 when indirect deaths and unreported cases are included Oxfam reports an average of 250 deaths per day in Gaza– higher than any major conflict of the 21st century, surpassing Syria (96 5/day), Sudan (51 6), Ukraine (43 9), afghanistan (23 8), and Yemen (15 8) alongside the staggering death toll, Gaza suffers mass displacement near-total infrastructure destruction and widespread starvation
The killing of children is particularly shocking as of July 31 Gaza s Health Ministry reports over 18,500 children killed Early estimates show over 10,000 children lost in just the first 100 days– an unprecedented rate in modern conflicts in other genocides children were tragic collateral victims; in Gaza they are disproportionately targeted with entire generations scarred or erased
The continuously worsening situation in Gaza raises many fundamental questions as a student of international relations, i ask myself: (1) which theory of international relations legitimizes israel for deliberate killing of civilians– especially children? (2) are there binding humanitarian laws that protect Palestinian lives and property? (3) is the UN Security Council solely responsible for failure to implement its own resolutions– especially given the veto? (4) above all, how can the world help Palestinians secure
their legitimate right to exist as an independent sovereign state? The answer to the first query is a resounding no Even hardline realists, who view war as an inevitable tool of politics, reject israel’s actions John Joseph Mearsheimer founder of Offensive Realism has called israel s Gaza campaign ethnic cleansing and genocide declaring it unacceptable to decent people around the world Similarly Johan Galtung the father of peace and conflict studies, has long condemned israel s structural and direct violence, pointing out that attacks on civilians are rooted in systemic oppression cultural normalization of force and a refusal to pursue inclusive dignified peace
Contrarily the answer to the second question is unambiguously yes Palestinians have an undeniable right to exist under international law alongside Kashmir, Palestine is one of the oldest unresolved issues on the UN agenda The two-state solution was formally proposed in UN General assembly Resolution 181(ii) of 29 November 1947 While the Palestinian question is discussed more frequently at the UN than almost any other territorial dispute decades of resolutions have gone unimplemented Why? There could be a mix of the following reasons: flaws in the UN s structure, especially the veto power of the Security Council; the nature of the anarchic international system; strategic and economic interests of powerful states; and great power politics overriding moral imperatives
The UN s founding purpose as set out in article 1 of its Charter (1945), was to prevent another world war and promote peace, security, and cooperation Yet in the face of crises like Palestine and Kashmir, the UN stands paralyzed– constrained by structural weaknesses and the political will of member states especially those directly supporting israel diplomatically financially and militarily
Street legend
Dr arshaD mahmOOD
The floods of misrule
and unfair This is not ignorance; it is elite indifference Our political class finds refuge in euphemism nature s wrath, unprecedented rainfall as if deforestation, riverbed encroachments, shoddy drainage, and unregulated construction were acts of God rather than acts of governance Hill towns are paved into heat-catching runoff-accelerating concrete; floodplains are licensed into speculative real estate; stormwater systems are afterthoughts Where are the district-level drills, the stocked warehouses, the trained volunteer corps, the sirens that actually sound before the water arrives? Pakistan’s own legal architecture says the district authority is the planning coordinating and implementing body for disaster risk management Yet a statute on paper cannot pull a child from the torrent; only capability can When capability is absent, every cloudburst becomes a referendum on our priorities and a verdict of guilt The mountains now carry a different kind of messace Pakistan hosts more than 7 000 glaciers and over 3 000 glacial lakes; with at least 33 of these lakes classified as hazardous Millions in GB and KP live under the down-slope shadow of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) where a single moraine breach can unleash walls of water and debris in hours UNDP s GLOF-II was designed to scale early-warning systems community training, protective engineering, and climate-risk planning from two pilot districts to ten That is the correct direction but the physics of
Call it what you will bad luck, climate injustice , a cruel g eography but the hardest truth is this: the difference between hazard and catastrophe is governance . Floods will come; cloudbursts will strike; glaciers will melt. Whether they become mass funerals or manag ed emerg encies depends on whether Pakistan can finally dethrone the theatre of announcements and enthrone the discipline of readiness. Until that day, ever y monsoon will read like a charg e sheet, and ever y swollen river will mirror our worst failing not that we were warned too late , but that we refused to learn in time
40,009 invalid addresses, over 10,000 bulk registrations at single addresses, duplications, and thousands of nonsensical names A single building in Bengaluru supposedly hosted eighty voters, none of whom the neighbours could identify
This right to vote was never handed down easily; it was won, demanded, wrested from colonial rulers who believed ordinary Indians were unfit to govern themselves At the moment of independence, many argued that a poor illiterate population could not possibly sustain universal suffrage But the Constituent Assembly led by B R
Ambedkar stood firm: every adult man or woman rich or poor upper caste or Dalit would have an equal say The first general election of 1951–52 was a miracle of organisation and imagination Ambedkar said, “Democracy is not merely a form of Government It is primarily a mode of associated living of conjoint communicated experience It is essentially an attitude of respect and reverence towards our fellow men
The allegations of voter roll manipulation are not simply about clerical errors or technical glitches They speak to a deeper pattern: the attempt by a ruling regime to hollow out democracy while maintaining its shell to impose a new form of authoritarianism that wears the mask of popular legitimacy To do so is to betray not only the promise made at the eve of independence, but also the struggles that came before it the peasants and workers who fought for sovereignty, not just from the Empire, but from hunger, exploitation, and disenfranchisement
But today as millions find their names missing from the rolls that promise rings hollow One cannot help but recall the words of poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz who at the moment of independence wrote in anguish at the subcontinent s devastating partition: Yeh daagh daagh ujala yeh shab-gazida seher
Woh intezaar tha jiska, yeh woh seher to nahin
(“This stained light this night-bitten dawn This is not the dawn we had awaited ”) Faiz s words resound today in an India where democracy too seems partitioned between those whose votes count, and those whose names vanish
Seventy-eight years on, independence is not a memory but a mandate Independence Day reminds us not only of liberation from colonial rule, but of the long unfinished battle to secure real freedom: freedom from want freedom from fear and freedom to decide our destiny If the vote is stolen whether through intimidation communal hatred or manipulation of the electoral rolls then the republic itself becomes a shell, emptied of its substance The dawn awaited has not
A s the UN vote to formally recognize the State of Palestine gets closer,
Sis stirring Following Norway, Ireland, and Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have now joined the wave of those calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state We are now weeks away from September s United Nations General Assembly where a vote will be on the agenda to formally recognize the State of
outside the court complex where the former president appeared in Colombo “He was the person who stepped up and accepted the challenge to save this country when the economy collapsed ” Warnasinghe said “That is the person who is being treated like this today by this government ”
DIB Champions
CDA Chairman introduces app for for protection sur vey of lives, proper t
y of citizens
ISLAMABAD
nerships in
and research culture A comprehensive presentation on the
progress and achievements of BBSUL was delivered by Dr Mazhar Ali Dootio Chairman of the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology showcased the university s commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and community engagement Spokesman to the Chief Minister Sindh, Mr Nadar Gabol graced the occasion as Guest of Honour He commended the leadership of both universities for taking this important step toward academic and cultural exchange terming it a milestone for Sindh s higher education landscape The formal ceremony concluded with a heartfelt vote
President IPP Abdul Aleem Khan chairs par t y meeting
Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) has formally called for the creation of new provinces in the country, aimed at improving governance, public service delivery and overall administrative structure According to the statement issued after Party meeting it has been proposed that the existing four provinces may be divided further into three administrative regions each North South and Central It has been mentioned that the current identity and name of the provinces can be retained as well This
A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, regarding the introduction of a door-to-door survey and a mobile application aimed at ensuring the safety protection of lives and property of Islamabad s citizens and implementing optimal security measures The meeting was attended by CDA Member Administration and Estate Talat Mahmood, Member Environment Esfandyar Baloch, DIG Islamabad Police Jawad Tariq, representatives from the Ministry of Interior District Administration NADRA Pakistan Bureau of Statistics and other senior officers During the meeting NADRA provided a briefing on the Pak ID app explaining that through this app, citizens will be able to register themselves from home with minimal data entry fields and a user-friendly process in a short time Additionally a door-to-door survey will be initiated in the city to create a database based on geo tagging capturing accurate location/residence and other details of every citizen The scope of this survey will extend not only to urban but also to rural areas and informal settlements The primary objective of this survey is to create a comprehensive database for all areas of the capital city Islamabad which will serve as a foundation for effective planning and development works in the future alongside ensuring citizens safety
Cheezious Wins Pakistan’s Most Favorite Pizza Award at the 1st Pakistan International Food & Restaurant Awards 2025
LAHORE s ta f f r e p o r t Cheezious, Pakistan s leading food brand, has been honored with the prestigious title of “Pakistan’s Most Favorite Pizza” at the 1st Pakistan International Food & Restaurant Awards 2025 The award was presented by Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan and received on behalf of Cheezious by Director Operations, Qadir Khan, and Director Marketing, Viquas Jaleel “This award is more than just a recognition it is a celebration of our journey as a proud Pakistani brand ” said the Qadir Khan Cheezious Director Operations With 48 restaurants nationwide we dedicate this milestone to our customers our hardworking teams and the entire Cheezious family whose love and trust continue to inspire us every day Director Marketing, Viquas Jaleel stated that, “As we celebrate this achievement, we remain committed to our mission of spreading ‘Cheezy Khushiyan’ bringing people together through great taste and memorable experiences Over the years Cheezious has become a household name by consistently delivering taste, quality, and innovation, winning the hearts of millions across Pakistan From expanding its nationwide network to introducing community-driven initiatives and CSR projects Cheezious continues to represent the spirit of Pakistan through food passion and togetherness
Department Dr Bakht Rawan and his team for including contemporary courses and launching new programs This development will prove to be a guarantee of success for students in the professional field He further stated that the participation of the Vice Chancellor of Gomal University, Professor Dr Zafar Iqbal
Gov
with India must include all outstanding issues including Kashmir ” Dar added Separately FM Ishaq Dar confirmed that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio does not have a scheduled visit to Pakistan at this time
Pakistan and Bangladesh have agreed to revive their long-dormant Joint Economic Commission (JEC) in a bid to strengthen trade and investment ties This decision came during a high-level exchange between Pakistan s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Bangladesh’s Commerce Adviser Bashir Uddin in Dhaka on Friday The JEC which was last convened in 2005 will now work on a comprehensive strategy to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries
discussed several sectors with potential for collaboration including agricultural modernization renewable energy steel industry green shipbreaking, halal trade, and agro-processing A particular focus was placed on improving connectivity and logistics to reduce trade costs In addition the meeting explored tariff reduction and preferential access to certain Bangladeshi products in the Pakistani market Both sides agreed that there was significant untapped potential in bilateral trade with the people of both nations poised to benefit from enhanced economic cooperation
The meeting builds on Minister Kamal s ongoing official visit to Bangladesh, which started on August 21 and will continue until August 24 During his visit he will meet with Bangladeshi government officials senior business leaders and representatives from various industries to explore further opportunities for trade and investment
several diplomatic meetings aimed at improving bilateral relations Notably just days before Minister Kamal s visit he met with Bangladesh s Adviser for Industries Adilur Rahman Khan to explore industrial collaborations, including potential joint ventures in sectors such as food security agriculture industrial technology and value-added industries This meeting was part of a broader initiative to strengthen industrial linkages, with both nations seeking a shared vision for growth
The discussions focused on advancing economic cooperation, mutual investments and boosting bilateral trade with the two sides agreeing to form a joint working group to improve trade relations A statement released after the meeting highlighted that a Joint Trade Commission would also be established to map out a roadmap for future commercial ties and set clear goals
During the talks both parties
The latest exchanges between Pakistan and Bangladesh follow
Earlier this year Pakistan and Bangladesh made significant progress with a visa-free agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders, further signaling a shift toward warmer relations These developments mark a departure from the historically limited ties between the two nations particularly after Bangladesh s secession in 1971
However since political changes in Bangladesh, bilateral ties have strengthened, with both nations now focused on enhancing trade and investment Pakistan and Bangladesh revive Joint Economic Commission to
s ta f f r e p o r t
Lahore Police on Friday confirmed that the younger son of Aleema Khanum, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan was taken into custody from his Lahore residence a day after his elder brother was arrested in connection with the May 9 riots The deputy investigation of Lahore Police confirmed to media that Shershah Khan, akin to his brother Shahrez Khan was also arrested on Friday for his alleged involvement in the May 9 riots
Aleema s lawyer Advocate
Rana Mudassir Umar, said that Shershah was taken from his house after his appearance at a Lahore anti-terrorism court in relation to his brother ’s case”
tion and lamented that the rule of law has been replaced with the law of the jungle
The move comes a day after PTI announced that men in plainclothes had “abducted” the son of Aleema
Khanum from her residence Lahore police later announced that Shahrez had been arrested in connection with a May 9 case
Aleema addressed the arrest on social media this morning, saying, “(The policemen) brutally assaulted our staff harassed my daughter-in-law and forcibly took away my son Shahrez Khan in front of his two young daughters
She added, For over three years, this fascist regime in Pakistan has unleashed a reign of terror raiding thousands of homes
abducting and harassing countless innocent civilians ” However she said that it had not broken Imran Khan and that he had set a remarkable standard of resilience against tyranny
Speaking on the incident on Friday, Aleema addressed the notion that the move was an attempt to scare the PTI
Do we look like we will be scared of such things? she said She added, In every FIR (first information report), it is written: ‘Aleema Khan comes bringing Imran Khan’s message’ So if we have to bring Imran Khan’s message in every FIR we will absolutely do that We will absolutely be his voice and give his complete message
On May 9, 2023, PTI supporters, protesting Imran s arrest, staged violent protests throughout the country vandalising military installations and state-owned buildings while also attacking the Lahore corps commander s residence Following the riots, thousands of protesters, including party leaders, were arrested
Appointment of PSQC A DG challenged in Islamabad High Cour t
contrast, Dr Batool was allegedly neither eligible under the advertised criteria nor formally shortlisted The appointment the petition claimed was arbitrary and non-transparent marked by serious procedural irregularities and violations of Establishment Division guidelines The petitioner said repeated written representations to the authorities went unanswered, leaving him with no choice but to seek judicial relief He requested the court to declare the notification and all subsequent actions unlawful At the hearing Ms Zainab Samantash Advocate, represented the petitioner, while Mr Sarfraz Rauf, Additional Attorney General, appeared on the court’s call The IHC, after initial arguments observed that the mat-
ter required consideration Chief Justice of the IHC issued notices to the respondents directing them to submit their report and parawise comments within two weeks, and also ordered that Writ Petition No 4070/2021, a similar case be clubbed with this one Meanwhile despite the petition Dr Batool has already assumed charge of PSQCA on August 5 2025 She continues to hold her position as Chairperson of the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA), effectively running PSQCA from the PEIRA office When asked why she was holding two top positions simultaneously Dr Batool said that the cabinet had not yet approved her relieving from PEIRA prior to completion of her tenure, and she was awaiting formal approval Experts and former bureaucrats, however, argue that no one can legally hold the regular charge of two positions in govern-
