PM SHEHBA Z
, FIELD
MARSHAL ASIM MUNIR PAY FINAL TRIBUTE TO IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER IN TEHRAN
R I M E Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Friday represented Pakistan at the funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reaffirming Islamabad s unwavering solidarity with the Iranian leadership and people during one of the most significant moments in the country s recent history
Prime Minister Shehbaz attended the state funeral at Tehran's Grand Mosalla, where he paid rich tribute to the late Iranian leader and expressed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan According to a statement issued by
the Prime Minister s Office (PMO), the prime minister met Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and conveyed Pakistan s sympathies over the loss of the country s supreme leader He also expressed condolences to Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian and assured the Iranian leadership of Pakistan's continued support during what he described as a moment of profound national grief The prime minister conveyed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan and reaffirmed Pakistan s complete solidarity with the brotherly people of Iran in this difficult hour " the PMO said Following the funeral ceremony
Prime Minister Shehbaz departed for Istanbul to continue his official visit to Turkiye Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir also attended the funeral ceremony, joining sen-
ior military commanders, government officials and international dignitaries
s
Momeni and other
Iranian
Prime Minister Shehbaz arrived in Tehran earlier in the day on a one-day visit and was received at Mehrabad Airport by Iran's Interior Minister Pakistan's Ambassador to Iran and senior diplomatic officials from both countries PM orders ban on substandard syringes to curb spread of HIV and hepatitis C
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday ordered a ban on the manufacture and use of substandard syringes as he chaired a meeting on steps to stop the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister s Office
The PMO said the prime minister directed authorities to take action against people and hospitals found using illegal syringes or showing criminal negligence in stopping their use He also ordered the creation of a special committee of experts on infectious disease control with recommendations to be submitted after consultation with the provinces In addition, he asked the law ministry to suggest changes to the legal and regulatory framework
S ec urit y sources warn of rising ex tremism, risk of major internal violence in
Senior security officials on Tuesday warned that growing religious extremism intolerance and deepening social divisions in India could trigger large-scale internal violence while accusing New Delhi of attempting to divert attention from its domestic challenges by creating instability in the region
The remarks were made during a briefing by a senior security official to media influencers on developments related to India and the regional security environment
According to the officials, India's political leadership was increasingly relying on external tensions to shift attention away from internal political social and economic challenges
The security sources described India as a "Hindutva-driven failed state," alleging that the country's
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
secular foundations had been eroded by rising religious extremism and intolerance
They claimed that the ideology of Hindutva had fundamentally altered India s political landscape and that the country s armed forces had become influenced by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party s religious and political agenda
The officials also argued that the narrative of a "Shining India" did not reflect the realities of an increasingly polarised society alleging that freedom of expression and media independence remained under significant state control
They further claimed that the concept of "Akhand Bharat" represented an expansionist vision with broader regional implications
Expressing concern over India s internal situation, the security sources warned that the country faced the risk of large-scale communal violence if existing
The United States has said it supports Pakistan s right to protect itself from terrorist attacks after Pakistani forces carried out coordinated ground and air operations against militant positions near the Afghan border
In a statement issued on Thursday the US State Department said the Pakistani population had endured heavy losses due to terrorism and backed Islamabad s right to respond to such attacks The State Department added that Washington supports Pakistan’s right to defend itself against terrorist attacks Operation Ghazab lil-Haq
The US statement came after the federal govern-
India
trends of religious polarisation and intolerance continued unchecked
They alleged that discrimination against minorities, particularly Muslims was widening social divisions and increasing the potential for future unrest Commenting on the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the officials claimed the region remained heavily militarised, alleging that one security personnel was deployed for every seven to eight civilians
The briefing also accused India of staging false-flag operations and attributing them to Pakistan in an attempt to divert international attention from what the officials described as indigenous freedom movements in the disputed territory
The security sources further claimed that India viewed a stable, economically prosperous and moderate Pakistan as contrary to its strategic objectives
ment announced that 29 militants had been killed in a series of intelligence-based actions and precision strikes carried out under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on June 29 that security forces first conducted an intelligenceled operation in Bajaur district in which four militants associated with Jamaat ul Ahrar and Fitna al-Khawarij were killed He said one of those killed was a senior commander Khan Farosh also known as Zabal Tarar said the action was followed by overnight precision strikes carried out between June 28 and 29 against militant camps and hideouts in border areas According to him three targets in Paktia Paktika and Kunar were destroyed and 25 militants were killed in those strikes He also said that large stocks of weapons and
TDuring the meeting,
US cour t declines TRG Pakistan’s request for injunc tion against former CEO ’s Pakistan litigation
g COMPANY SAYS JULY 1 ORDER DOES NOT ALTER SDNY’S MAY 12 RULING ON CL AIMS COVERED BY RELEASE AGREEMENT; TRG RE VIE WING LEGAL OPTIONS, INCLUDING APPEAL
order does not alter the court s earlier May 12 2026 ruling
pealed by Chishti before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York
sent
In
it received a copy of the order issued by the New York court on July 1, 2026 The order came after a Temporary Restraining Order against Chishti, received on June 10, expired on July 1 The company said the injunctive relief sought from the court included restraining certain litigation proceedings initiated by Chishti in Pakistan against TRG Pakistan and its affiliates TRG Pakistan said the July 1 order was limited to its request for injunctive relief under the legal standard applicable to such injunctions It added that the
According to the company the May 12 ruling concluded that claims by Chishti against TRG Pakistan and its affiliates relating to actions taken before January 10 2022 the date of the Release Agreement were forever released and cannot be adjudicated in any forum worldwide The company has previously said the ruling covered Chishti s allegations that TRG Pakistan and its affiliates oppressed him as a shareholder It has also said that Chishti executed the Release Agreement in 2022 after receiving more than $60 million from TRG International in a redemption transaction
According to the company s earlier position several claims considered by the New York court had also been raised in proceedings initiated by Chishti in other jurisdictions including a shareholder oppression petition JCM 12 of 2025 before the Sindh High Court
TRG Pakistan said the May 12 ruling remains in effect and has been ap-
The company said it is reviewing its legal options after the July 1 order including the possibility of filing an appeal before the Second Circuit The dispute is part of a broader corporate governance battle involving control and shareholder rights at TRG Pakistan
The latest development follows the Supreme Court of Pakistan s dismissal of appeals by TRG Pakistan TRG International and Greentree Holdings against a lower court order cancelling Greentree s 30% stake in the Pakistanlisted company TRG International had said that decision would significantly increase Chishti s voting influence in TRG Pakistan and warned that any renewed association with him could create reputational governance and commercial risks Chishti resigned in November 2021 after a US congressional hearing disclosed an arbitration award involving allegations of sexual harassment and assault
port terminals,
PR OFIT N e w s D e s k Pakistan has invited Turkish investors to explore opportunities in the maritime sector, including ports, LNG and energy infrastructure, green ship repair, logistics, fisheries and digitalisation
Addressing the 5th Maritime Summit in Istanbul, Türkiye, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said green shipping, resilient supply chains, the blue economy, digitalisation and artificial intelligence were reshaping global trade and maritime governance He said the maritime sector was undergoing a major transformation and that countries needed strong international partnerships to respond to emerging challenges and benefit from new opportunities Junaid Chaudhry congratulated the government and people of Türkiye on hosting the summit saying it reflected Türkiye s commitment to maritime development He said Türkiye was a trusted friend and strategic partner of Pakistan with bilateral cooperation expanding across defence trade transportation energy and maritime affairs The minister said Pakistan s location at the crossroads of South Asia Central Asia and the Indian Ocean gave it the potential to serve as a gateway for regional trade and connectivity He said reforms were underway at Port Qasim Karachi Port Gwadar Port and the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation to develop Pakistan as a modern maritime logistics and industrial hub Junaid Chaudhry invited Turkish maritime companies and investors to invest in
FINANCE MINISTER CALLS FOR DIGITAL INCLUSION, SKILLS TRAINING FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
of GDP LSM and imports were applied to the relevant tax-specific buoyancy parameters This produced the autonomous growth rate for each tax category, showing the expected increase in revenue from economic activity under unchanged policy conditions The report said the model separates structural revenue growth from revenue expected through discretionary policy measures The calculated autonomous growth rates were then applied to projected base-year collections for FY2025-26 to estimate additional revenue for FY2026-27 The incremental revenue was added to base-year collections to arrive at final baseline projections The FBR said these projections exclude the impact of any new taxation measures rate changes or policy reforms that may be introduced during the FY2026-27 budget process The report said the approach ensures methodological consistency and policy neutrality in baseline revenue forecasting
PM S hehbaz, Field Marshal A sim
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
He was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz
Sadiq Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, PPP Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah Separately Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani also reached Tehran with a parliamentary delegation to attend the funeral prayers and burial ceremonies The delegation was received by senior Iranian officials upon arrival Ayatollah Khamenei's body was brought to Tehran's Grand Mosalla ahead of the official funeral where thousands of mourners senior clerics military commanders political leaders and foreign dignitaries gathered to pay their respects
The coffin, draped in Iran s tricolour national flag, was carried into the vast ceremonial complex amid emotional scenes The venue, one of the Islamic Republic's most important religious and state institutions, had been decorated with portraits of the late leader Quranic inscriptions and banners carrying his quotations Images from the ceremony showed mourners dressed in black offering prayers while flowers surrounded the coffin inside the prayer hall Among those paying tribute was Ahmad Vahidi, a senior commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, who made his first public appearance since the outbreak of the recent regional conflict Iranian authorities announced that the funeral ceremonies would continue over several days taking the
late leader s remains through a series of cities reflecting the country s religious and historical heritage Following ceremonies in Tehran, the body is scheduled to travel to the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala before being laid to rest on July 9 at the
countries, including neighbouring Iraq and Afghanistan Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian said the massive public participation in the funeral would send a powerful message of national unity and resilience He described the ceremony as Iran s collective response to terrorism, violence and external aggression, saying it reflected the determination of the Iranian nation to remain united during a difficult period Pakistan s participation at the highest political and military levels underscored the close relationship
The presence of the prime minister, the country's top military leadership, senior cabinet members and parliamentary leaders highlighted Pakistan's commitment to standing with Iran during a period of national mourning After completing his engagements in Tehran Prime Minister Shehbaz left for Turkiye to continue his official visit, while Field Marshal Asim
turned to Pakistan following the conclusion of
TTShah and Bulleh Shah rarely find a place in our intellectual lives In neglecting them, we have not merely set aside great literature; we have distanced ourselves from a tradition that cultivated introspection, humility and the moral imagination essential to any healthy society This is not an argument against modern education or scientific progress Nations cannot prosper without innovation, research and technological advancement But history teaches us that civilisations are sustained not only by economic strength or political institutions; they are also shaped by the ideas that govern the human conscience A society may become wealthier and more connected, yet still grow poorer in wisdom
The modern age has made information abundant but reflection scarce We know more than previous generations, yet we seem less willing to question ourselves Public discourse is increasingly dominated by certainty rather than curiosity, outrage rather than understanding, and performance rather than sincerity We have become skilled at expressing opinions but less capable of engaging in self-examination
Centuries before psychology emerged as an academic discipline, Rumi explored the complexities of the human soul He argued that the greatest struggle is not against external enemies but against the ego that breeds arrogance, greed, anger and self-righteousness His message was not one of withdrawal from the world but of transforming society through the transformation of the self Lasting reform, he suggested, begins within Waris Shah was far more than a celebrated Punjabi poet He was an acute observer of society who recognised the contradictions that shape human be-
haviour His writings expose hypocrisy challenge injustice and invite readers to confront uncomfortable truths about power prejudice and morality His work encourages intellectual honesty over blind conformity and reminds us that societies decline when conscience is silenced Bulleh Shah carried this tradition of moral courage even further He questioned rigid identities and warned against reducing faith to ritual while neglecting compassion His poetry challenged arrogance masquerading as piety and reminded people that humility is the beginning of wisdom He refused to divide humanity into narrow categories insisting instead that dignity belongs to every human being What unites these three thinkers is not simply their literary brilliance but their unwavering concern for the human condition They wrote about love but not merely in its romantic sense For them love was an ethical force capable of overcoming hatred pride and division They believed that without compassion knowledge becomes arrogance; without humility power becomes oppression; and without self-awareness religion becomes an empty performance Their
PakistanÊs future will depend on sound governance , constitutional stability and economic reform But it will also depend on whether we recover the moral imagination that enables a society to live with justice , dignity and compassion. Revisiting Rumi, Waris Shah and Bulleh Shah is therefore not an exercise in nostalgia. It is an invitation to rediscover a tradition that teaches us not merely how to think, but how to become better human beings
Governance rush
Bhagnari’s basic rights
mahnooR Reza
Rizwan ahmad
China Opportunity 2.0
imran KHaLiD
What the gathering in Dalian does clarify is that the world is not choosing
Who will control the batteries of the Middle East?
Fdriven conflicts and determined the economic fortunes of states across the region Yet the global energy transition is quietly introducing a new strategic variable that could redefine regional power: energy storage Unlike hydrocarbons, electricity generated from solar and wind sources cannot always be consumed when it is produced In this emerging landscape, batteries are no longer merely industrial products; they are becoming strategic infrastructure Just as oil storage facilities once became essential elements of national energy security, large-scale battery systems are increasingly shaping the resilience of electricity networks, digital infrastructure and critical industries THE GEOPOLITICS OF ENERGY STORAGE: The significance of energy storage lies not simply in its technological function but in its ability to reshape strategic relationships The pace of this transformation is already visible According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global battery deployment more than doubled in 2023, making energy storage one of the fastest-growing segments of the global energy industry For the Gulf states, this development represents both an opportunity and a strategic challenge During the twentieth century, regional influence was largely derived from abundant hydrocarbon reserves In the twenty-first century, however, competitive advantage may increasingly depend on the ability to convert renewable electricity into reliable, dispatchable energy through advanced storage technologies This explains why energy storage has become an integral component of national development strategies across the region Saudi Arabia s Vision 2030 aims to generate half of the Kingdom s electricity from renewable sources by the end of the decade
Achieving such an ambitious objective will require not only large-scale solar and wind generation but also substantial investments in battery storage capable of stabilising the national grid Likewise, the United Arab Emirates has expanded investment in utilityscale battery systems to complement some of the world s largest solar power projects, recognising that reliability has become as important as generation capacity itself These investments are not merely environmental initiatives They are strategic decisions designed to strengthen economic competitiveness, support industrial diversification and increase regional influence in future electricity markets
In the coming decade, however, inter-
connected electricity systems supported by advanced storage technologies could evolve into new instruments of regional influence, enabling countries to export both electricity and energy resilience
CRITICAL MINERALS: THE HIDDEN
GEOPOLITICS BEHIND BATTERIES: Behind every battery lies another strategic competition that receives far less public attention The race to dominate energy storage is also a race to secure access to critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and graphite These materials have become essential components of modern battery technologies, transforming global supply chains into arenas of geopolitical rivalry China currently occupies a dominant position in many stages of battery manufacturing and mineral processing, while the United States and the European Union are investing heavily in alternative supply chains to reduce strategic dependence The future of regional energy influence may therefore depend not only on the ownership of oil and gas resources but also on integration into global battery supply chains
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS RE-
SHAPING ENERGY DEMAND: The strategic importance of energy storage extends well beyond renewable electricity The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is creating an unprecedented surge in electricity demand fundamentally changing the relationship between digital infrastructure and energy policy Every major AI model cloud platform and high-performance computing facility depends on uninterrupted electricity Modern data centres cannot tolerate frequent voltage fluctuations or prolonged outages without significant economic consequences As governments compete to establish themselves as regional AI hubs the reliability of electricity systems becomes a strategic consideration rather than a purely technical one This is particularly relevant in the Gulf where countries are investing simultaneously in artificial intelligence digital infrastructure and renewable energy These ambitions are closely interconnected Without reliable storage infrastructure efforts to develop large-scale AI ecosystems may face serious limitations
CHINA, THE UNITED STATES AND THE NEW BATTERY RIVALRY: The competition over energy storage is no longer confined to commercial markets It has become an important dimension of strategic rivalry between major powers China has established a dominant position across much of the global battery value chain including mineral processing battery-cell manufacturing and large-scale deployment This leadership has been reinforced by extensive investment in industrial capacity and long-
term access to critical raw materials
The United States and its allies, meanwhile, have responded through industrial policy, supply-chain diversification and strategic partnerships intended to reduce dependence on Chinese manufacturing Legislation such as the US Inflation Reduction Act and similar European initiatives reflects growing recognition that battery technology has become an issue of economic security For Middle Eastern countries, this rivalry presents both opportunities and strategic dilemmas Rather than serving solely as energy exporters, Gulf states are increasingly positioning themselves as investment destinations for advanced manufacturing, clean-energy technologies and battery supply chains IRAN’S POSITION IN THE EMERGING ENERGY STORAGE ORDER: Despite sanctions-related constraints, Iran retains significant engineering capacity, an established industrial base and considerable renewable energy potential that could support future advances in energy storage technologies Although international investment remains limited domestic research institutions and engineering industries possess the technical foundation needed to expand indigenous capabilities in battery technologies smart grids and electricity management systems For Iran strengthening energy-storage capabilities is not simply about supporting renewable energy generation It also offers an opportunity to improve grid resilience reduce transmission inefficiencies and enhance greater technological self-sufficiency
BANKS:
Dr
S audi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to generate half of the Kingdom’s elec tricit y from renewable sources by the end of the dec ade
the authorities mounting a display of state power and mass support, mobilising what they hope will be millions of mourners to take part in the funeral Tehran streets were tightly controlled with military and police vehicles lining the
major roads and police and members of the black-shirted volunteer Basij paramilitary force patrolling on motorbikes Iran warned the US and Israel against any attacks during the funeral After the coffins arrived on Friday borne high across the upraised hands of a waiting crowd they were laid in the prayer hall on a white stepped dais before a high intricately tiled, arched recess, flanked by national and black mourning flags A black turban, worn by clerics claiming descent from Islam's Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) lay on the coffin on a folded chequered scarf a symbol in Iran of militant revolutionary ideals and solidarity with Palestinians Delegations, including from Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen, home to the strongest proxies in Iran s network of regional power, followed each other into the hall to stand before the coffins Representatives from Russia and China were expected to attend Former Iraqi president Abdul Latif Rashid Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Pakistani Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran for the funeral Families of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and senior commander Imad Mughniyeh close Lebanese allies of Iran killed in Israeli strikes attended the cere-
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CORPORATE CORNER
detailed discussion on the current situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir the Kashmir issue national unity and other matters of mutual interest During the meeting both leaders strongly condemned the continued human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the ongoing atrocities committed against the innocent Kashmiri people It was agreed that cooperation between the
FIA PROBES ALLEGED PL ACENTA SMUGGLING NET WORK AFTER ISL AMABAD ARRESTS
Tcarries a punishment of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to Rs1 million It also cited gynaecologist Sadaf Tariq as saying that strict rules apply to the disposal of placenta, which is treated as highly infectious medical waste Placenta, which contains protein, iron and fat is regarded by some as having nutritional value for adults and has been used to make pills and injections believed to assist with tissue regeneration
'honour' killing in Charsadda
levy and collect tolls on national highways, strategic roads and other roads placed under its control but does not authorise it to impose a penalty surcharge or other added financial burden The petition further argued that the NHA is a statutory body and can only exercise powers specifically granted to it under the law It maintained that neither the NHA Act nor the rules framed under it treat travel without an M-Tag, or with low balance, as an offence carrying a monetary penalty The petitioner ’s counsel also submitted that the added 50pc amount was effectively a penalty without legal backing and that an executive notification could not create such liability beyond the parent law The plea said the extra amount had no connection with any service provided by the authority and was therefore beyond the scope of powers available under the NHA Act
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
The government on Friday reduced the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs1 97 per litre each for the week ending July 10, passing on part of the benefit of lower international oil prices to consumers
According to a notification the ex-depot price of petrol has been reduced from Rs299 50 to Rs297 53 per litre while the price of high-speed diesel has been lowered from Rs311 47 to Rs309 50 per litre with immediate effect
The latest adjustment comes amid a decline in global petroleum prices over the past week although consumers received only a partial benefit as the government simultaneously increased the petroleum levy on both products
Officials said that without the increase in the levy petrol prices could have fallen by around Rs11
per litre, while diesel prices were estimated to decline by nearly Rs4 per litre
High-speed diesel widely used in freight transport agriculture and heavy industries is considered the most inflation-sensitive petroleum product due to its impact on transportation and commodity prices
Diesel prices have now declined significantly from their peak of Rs520 35 per litre recorded on April 3 after surging during the US-Iran conflict The upward trend had begun when diesel was priced at around Rs281 per litre in early March Similarly petrol prices have fallen sharply from their record high of Rs458 41 per litre reached on April 3 Since then, successive price revisions have reduced petrol prices by approximately Rs109 per litre Under commitments made as part of the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) programme, the government doubled the Climate Support Levy from July 1 to Rs5 per litre while correspondingly adjusting the petroleum levy
The petroleum levy on highspeed diesel currently stands at around Rs80 per litre, while petrol carries a petroleum levy of about Rs70 per litre in addition to the Rs5 per litre climate support levy
The government is also charging approximately Rs101 per litre on high-speed diesel through petroleum levy, customs duty, climate levy and the Inland Freight Equalisation Margin (IFEM)
Similarly total government charges on petrol amount to around Rs95 per litre including customs duty petroleum levy and the climate support levy
In addition, the government is collecting around Rs21 per litre as petroleum levy on kerosene and about Rs16 per litre on light diesel oil
death toll from the
LAHORE S TA F F R E P O R T
A judicial magistrate on Friday handed Lahore police five days physical remand of four suspects arrested in a case involving the alleged abduction and sexual assault of two foreign women
The suspects were produced before Judicial Magistrate Azhar
Mehmood at the Cantonment
Courts by the investigating officer of Defence C police station The accused appeared with their faces covered and the magistrate directed them to remove their masks during the proceedings The prosecution had sought a 14-day physical remand, but the court granted police custody for five days and ordered that the suspects be pro-
S TA F F R E P O R T
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Thursday told a tribal jirga in Awaran that the district s gains in peace would be safeguarded and development efforts would be stepped up, saying stability in the province would not be allowed to come under threat Chairing the jirga the chief minister credited tribal elders and residents of Awaran for their role in supporting
duced again on July 8 after completion of the remand period
Police had registered a first information report on Thursday against five suspects under Sections 365A and 375A of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of one of the women The case concerns two foreign nationals identified in one report as women from the Netherlands and Venezuela Four suspects were subsequently arrested, while police said efforts were continuing to detain the remaining accused Allegations in the FIR
The two women came to Pakistan after being invited by an acquaintance they had met in Singapore in October 2025 The complainant stated that on June 29 they were abducted by that ac-
quaintance and four accomplices who then demanded money for their release The ransom demand was $1 5 million
The complaint also includes allegations that the women were repeatedly sexually assaulted during their captivity threatened with weapons physically abused and extorted During the hearing the prosecutor told the court that the prime suspect had been identified by the victims Prosecutors also told the court that one of the accused, Ali Dar had been nominated in the case
The four men presented before the magistrate were identified as Raza Dar Hassan Raza Sajid Ali and Sikandar Khan Among the suspects handed over to police was a close relative of a senior political personality
peace, stability and development He also paid tribute to civilians and security personnel for their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism Bugti said durable peace in Balochistan required close coordination between the public, the civil administration and security forces He said the provincial government was rolling out new development projects in Awaran and in coordination with security institutions was working to improve basic services generate employ-
ment and strengthen public welfare in underdeveloped areas He said special steps were also being taken for the wider development of Makran Division including Awaran According to the chief minister, projects underway under the Balochistan Sustainable Development Initiative had already produced visible improvements in the district while the government was also considering further long-term schemes to address public issues across the region on a lasting basis