KARACHI: The Sindh police chief has ordered an inquiry after a video showing a woman accused in narcotics and illegal weapons cases appearing in court without handcuffs went viral on social media.

Sindh Police Inspector General Javed Alam Odho took notice of the incident and directed the Additional Inspector General Karachi to submit a report on violations of standard operating procedures during the suspect’s court appearance.

The police chief also ordered the suspension of officials found negligent and directed the formation of a senior-level inquiry committee to conduct a transparent investigation into the matter.

The suspect, identified as Anmol alias “Pinky”, was presented before a judicial magistrate in Karachi in connection with cases involving narcotics recovery and illegal weapons.

Police told the court that two packets of hashish and other narcotics material were recovered from the suspect, with the seized drugs valued at more than Rs1.5 million. Investigators had sought a 14-day physical remand.

The judicial magistrate, however, sent the suspect to jail on judicial remand.

The cases were registered at Karachi’s Garden police station.

The controversy emerged after footage circulated online showing the suspect appearing in court without handcuffs and allegedly being given protocol by police personnel.

Additional IG Karachi Azad Khan separately sought a report from the DIG South and ordered an inquiry to determine the role of police officials involved.

“Violation of law and SOPs will not be tolerated,” Karachi police said in a statement, adding that action would be taken against those responsible.

Meanwhile, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar said that further investigation into the suspect’s alleged drug network was under way and suggested the operation extended beyond Karachi to Lahore and Islamabad.

“There is negligence somewhere on the part of the police,” Lanjar said, adding that officials found involved in granting protocol to the suspect would also face action.

He said that the government would continue its crackdown on narcotics dealers and would not pardon those involved in drug trafficking.

Separately, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah praised Keamari police for action against narcotics dealers and directed authorities across the province to intensify operations against drug trafficking.

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ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has frozen a luxury property and additional land assets linked to Bahria Town Karachi as part of multiple ongoing inquiries, the anti-graft body said on Tuesday.

According to NAB Karachi, a 67-acre estate known as “Ali Villa,” reportedly built as a private residence and located in Bahria Hills, has been frozen.

The property is said to be associated with the family of property tycoon Malik Riaz.

The NAB said that the residence includes facilities such as a helipad, mini-zoo and swimming pools, and was constructed with modern amenities.

The bureau also said it has frozen an additional 1,338 acres of land under two new inquiries.

Separately, the NAB Karachi said that it has frozen the entire 3,150-acre Bahria Town-2 project, adding that the land was allegedly acquired through fraudulent means.

The anti-graft body said that the projects involve encroachment on state land, including land owned by the Government of Sindh, which was originally earmarked for Bahria Greens and other precincts.

It further said that Bahria Town-2 was developed on forest department land.

The NAB said that the assets have been restrained from any transfer to third parties, and that a separate order to freeze the properties was issued by the NAB Karachi director general.

The bureau said it had already filed a reference in an accountability court in connection with alleged illegal conversion and embezzlement of 17,672 acres of state land in Malir, valued at around Rs708 billion.

The NAB said that the case remains under investigation.

Earlier, the NAB had frozen four high-value properties linked to Bahria Town Private Limited in Karachi following court directives, in a widening anti-money laundering probe targeting alleged proceeds of crime.

Officials had said that the action was taken by the NAB Karachi under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010, in compliance with an order issued by an accountability court.

According to sources, investigations have concluded that the attached properties were acquired through allegedly laundered funds generated from criminal activity.

Among the major assets frozen is the Bahria Icon Tower located in Karachi’s Clifton area, one of the city’s tallest commercial developments.

Investigators said preliminary findings suggest that around Rs8 billion in suspected laundered funds were used in its construction. The property, according to officials, was registered under a front company identified as M/s Galaxy Construction Pvt Ltd.

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ISLAMABAD: State Bank of Pakistan said Pakistan’s macroeconomic stability improved further during the first half of FY26 despite challenges arising from global trade uncertainty and domestic floods, while warning that the ongoing Middle East conflict poses risks to inflation, trade and remittance flows.

In its “State of Pakistan’s Economy, Half Year Report FY26” released on Tuesday, the central bank said prudent monetary and fiscal policies, structural reforms, favorable commodity prices and the IMF programme helped strengthen key economic indicators during H1-FY26.

The report noted that average national CPI inflation eased further during the period, while the SBP’s foreign exchange purchases and net financial inflows helped improve external buffers. The central bank maintained a cautious monetary policy stance with a positive real interest rate, while the fiscal balance recorded a surplus in H1-FY26.

According to the report, Pakistan’s real GDP grew at twice the pace recorded in the same period last year, mainly driven by improved industrial activity, followed by services and agriculture sectors.

The rise in economic activity also pushed imports higher on a volume basis, while a sharp decline in rice exports reduced overall export earnings. However, increasing workers’ remittances continued to finance a major portion of deficits in trade, services and primary income balances, helping contain the current account deficit at moderate levels.

The SBP said inflation averaged 5.2 percent during H1-FY26, around two percentage points lower than the same period last year, supported by exchange rate stability, easing international commodity prices and reductions in electricity tariffs.

The report added that lower interest payments and fiscal consolidation measures turned the fiscal balance into a surplus during H1-FY26 for the first time since FY02, while the primary surplus remained at last year’s level.

Despite the improvement in economic conditions, the central bank stressed that Pakistan still requires deep-rooted structural reforms to achieve sustainable high growth and long-term macroeconomic stability.

The report identified low savings and investment, weak competitiveness, declining exports, subdued foreign direct investment and a persistently low tax-to-GDP ratio among the major structural challenges facing the economy.

The SBP also included a special chapter on climate change, warning that Pakistan remains among the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate-related disasters despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions.

It said Pakistan ranks as the 15th most affected country by climatic events and faces serious risks due to low preparedness and limited climate financing. The report further noted that Pakistan’s GDP emissions intensity remains relatively high because of structural inefficiencies and a carbon-intensive growth model.

Discussing the outlook for FY26, the SBP said high-frequency indicators, including the Purchasing Managers’ Index, Large-Scale Manufacturing and construction activity, showed economic momentum remained intact through February 2026 before the Middle East war began affecting output in the remaining months.

#SBP has released Half-Year Report on the State of Pakistan’s Economy for FY26.
See PR: https://t.co/F2ujiajGmt
Read Report: https://t.co/zcSCUPDamw pic.twitter.com/wmdvFegc1c

— SBP (@StateBank_Pak) May 12, 2026

The central bank now expects real GDP growth to remain close to the lower bound of its earlier projected range of 3.75 to 4.75 percent for FY26.

It also projected the current account deficit to stay near the lower end of the earlier estimate of zero to one percent of GDP, despite stronger economic activity and rising commodity prices.

However, the SBP warned that rising international oil prices and higher global commodity prices may keep inflation above the medium-term target range of 5 to 7 percent for most of FY27, while an extended conflict in the Middle East could create additional risks for Pakistan’s medium-term economic outlook.

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RAWALPINDI: A court in Rawalpindi on Tuesday awarded multiple death sentences to eight suspects convicted in a high-profile 2020 massacre case in the Chauntra area, where nine members of a family — including women and children — were shot dead over an old enmity.

Additional Sessions Judge Majid Hussain Gadhi announced the verdict, handing down five death sentences each to convicts identified as Danish, Babar, Akram, Rab Nawaz, Abid, Ashraf and others for their involvement in the killings.

The court found the accused guilty of carrying out the brutal attack on July 25, 2020, in which five women, three minor girls and one man were killed in what police described as a targeted assault linked to a longstanding family dispute.

According to the prosecution, the convicts stormed a house in Chauntra village and opened indiscriminate fire, killing nine people on the spot and injuring three others.

Police had registered the case on the complaint of Nazar Abbas under sections 302 (murder), 324 (attempted murder), 148, 149, 449 of the Pakistan Penal Code and provisions of anti-terrorism laws. A total of 15 nominated suspects and 10 unidentified persons were named in the FIR.

The prosecution said investigations were carried out by multiple police teams under successive City Police Officers (CPOs), with support from Elite Force and Rangers, before submission of the challan in court.

The Chauntra police had arrested several suspects, while key accused Rab Nawaz and his son Danish Nawaz remained absconding for a period before being traced.

In the same case, death sentences were awarded to four main convicts, including Rab Nawaz, Danish Nawaz, Muhammad Ashraf and Muhammad Aqib, for their direct role in the killings.

In that earlier verdict, another convict Ikram Nawaz was handed life imprisonment on multiple counts, while several others were acquitted due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The latest judgment further strengthens the earlier convictions in one of the most brutal family feud killings reported in the area, which had drawn widespread public outrage due to the killing of women and children.

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ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to release salaries and pensions to government employees and retirees ahead of Eidul Adha, according to an official notification.

The Ministry of Finance has directed that salaries and pensions for May 2026 be disbursed on May 22 to facilitate public sector employees before the religious holiday.

According to the notification, Eidul Adha is expected to fall on May 27 or May 28, 2026, subject to moon sighting, and the final date will be confirmed accordingly.

The government has approved the early payment of salaries and pensions for Muslim employees and pensioners in view of the festive occasion.

The finance ministry has issued instructions to the Controller General of Accounts to ensure timely disbursement of payments.

The decision aims to provide financial convenience to government employees ahead of Eidul Adha, according to the statement.

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ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly has approved legislation banning the use and sale of plastic covers on books in the federal capital, with fines for violations, according to an official bill text.

The National Assembly passed the “Islamabad Capital Territory (Ban on Plastic Book Covers) Act 2026”, which prohibits any seller in Islamabad from selling or distributing books wrapped in plastic covers.

Under the law, first-time violators will face fines of up to Rs50,000, while repeat offences can attract penalties of up to Rs100,000, the bill stated.

The legislation aims to discourage the growing practice of covering school and educational books in plastic, according to the text of the bill.

It empowers authorised officials of the Islamabad district administration to inspect premises, confiscate prohibited material and impose fines on the spot.

However, the bill provides exemptions for biodegradable materials, hardback protective covers and rare books requiring preservation.

The bill had already been approved by the Senate before its passage in the National Assembly.

The bill was introduced in the lower house by Pakistan People’s Party lawmaker Syed Naveed Qamar.

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ISLAMABAD: The government collected about Rs1.2 trillion in petroleum levy from consumers over the past nine months, according to documents submitted to the National Assembly by the Ministry of Petroleum.

The documents showed that a total of Rs1,205 billion was collected from petroleum products during the period.

According to month-wise data, consumers paid Rs145 billion in July 2025, followed by Rs115 billion in August.

In September, the petroleum levy stood at Rs111 billion, while Rs145 billion was collected in October, the documents showed.

The collection rose to Rs151 billion in November 2025 and further increased to Rs157 billion in December.

In January 2026, Rs124 billion was collected under the petroleum levy, while Rs120 billion was received in February, according to the data.

In March, consumers paid Rs137 billion in petroleum levy, the documents added.

Earlier on Monday, Petroleum Division officials said that the main reason for higher fuel prices is the imposition of a Rs117 per litre petroleum levy as lawmakers questioned recent sharp increases in fuel rates.

The briefing was given to the Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum, which met with Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and senior officials of the Petroleum Division in attendance.

During the meeting, committee member Saifullah Abro asked officials to explain the petroleum stock position as of February 28, and questioned why petrol and diesel prices had been increased by Rs55 per litre each shortly after that date.

Petroleum Division officials told the committee that after March 1, international prices rose significantly, with diesel reaching around $285 per barrel and petrol about $150 per barrel.

They said that Pakistan currently holds stocks of around 30 days for petrol and 27 days for diesel.

Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said that the government had also purchased costlier fuel to ensure adequate stock levels, adding that maintaining supplies remained a priority.

He said that Pakistan does not maintain strategic petroleum reserves, and that stocks are held by oil companies.

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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to decide within two weeks pleas filed by human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha seeking suspension of their sentences in a case related to controversial social media posts.

A three-member bench of the apex court, comprising Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Shafi Siddiqui, ordered that the matter would remain pending before the Supreme Court until the IHC rules on the pleas.

During the hearing, counsel for the couple, Faisal Siddiqi, argued that mandatory legal requirements had not been fulfilled during the trial proceedings. He told the court that the accused had not been given an opportunity for cross-examination and that their statements under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code had not been recorded.

The lawyer also complained that the IHC had kept the petitions seeking the suspension of the sentnce pending for nearly two months.

“Which court should the accused go to if the high court denies relief or if the Supreme Court chooses not to go into the merits of the case,” he argued before the bench.

“Imaan Mazari is the daughter of this country,” Justice Shahid Waheed remarked during the hearing.

The court noted that the high court had only issued notices on the appeals so far and had not decided the matter on merits.

“We have not received any relief from the Islamabad High Court,” Mazari’s counsel Faisal Siddiqi told the bench, adding that the appeals had not been heard for over two months.

Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan observed that no adverse order had been passed against the petitioners by the high court.

“There is no order against you from the high court,” he remarked, noting that the request for suspension of sentence had not been dismissed.

At one point, Justice Shahid Waheed suggested the IHC be directed to decide the matter within two weeks, observing that the appeals should be taken up expeditiously.

The court also questioned the legal parameters for suspension of sentence and under what circumstances such relief is granted.

“If the high court had rejected the suspension plea, we could have gone into the merits,” Justice Afghan observed.

The bench subsequently directed the IHC to decide the appeals within two weeks, while ordering that the matter would remain pending before the Supreme Court until then.

On January 24, an Islamabad court sentenced Mazari and Chattha to 17 years of rigorous imprisonment each under multiple provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

Additional District and Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka sentenced the couple on charges of promoting the agenda of banned organisations and spreading material deemed hostile to state institutions.

According to the detailed verdict, the court found the prosecution had proved charges under Sections 9, 10 and 26-A of PECA, relating respectively to glorification of offences, cyberterrorism and dissemination of false information.

The court sentenced both convicts to five years in prison and fined them Rs5 million each under Section 9. Under Section 10, they were awarded 10 years of rigorous imprisonment along with fines of Rs30 million each. They were also sentenced to two years imprisonment and fined Rs1 million each under Section 26-A. The court ordered that all sentences would run concurrently.

The judgment stated that the couple, who are already in custody in another case, attended proceedings through a video link after boycotting the hearing.

Judge Majoka, in the written order, referred to a complaint filed in August 2025 by Sub-Inspector Sharooz Riaz, alleging that Mazari had “consistently disseminated highly offensive, misleading and anti-state content on social media” with the active involvement of her husband.

The court held that posts shared between 2021 and 2025 promoted narratives aligned with banned organisations, including the Balochistan Liberation Army and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

The judgment also cited posts concerning activist Mahrang Baloch, Pashtun politician Ali Wazir and rights activist Manzoor Pashteen, saying the content amounted to support for proscribed organisations and individuals.

According to the order, the accused portrayed state institutions, particularly the armed forces, as being involved in terrorism and enforced disappearances, undermining public trust in state institutions and inciting ethnic hatred.

The court rejected the defence argument that the posts merely reflected personal opinions, observing that PECA defines glorification as “any form of praise or celebration” of banned organisations or individuals.

The verdict further stated that Mazari’s allegations that the state operated torture cells and used violence against peaceful Baloch activists constituted offences under cyberterrorism provisions of the law.

On charges relating to false information, the court held that the accused failed to provide evidence supporting allegations of enforced disappearances despite repeatedly attributing responsibility to the state in social media posts.

The prosecution relied on testimony from five witnesses, including National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency assistant director Imran Haider and complainant Sub-Inspector Sharooz Riaz.

The case has drawn attention from legal and rights circles in Pakistan, where critics have raised concerns over the use of cybercrime laws against dissenting voices and activists.

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KARACHI: The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SPARCO) has forecast a likely sighting of the moon marking the beginning of the Islamic month of Zilhajj on May 17, suggesting that Eidul Adha could fall on May 27 in the country.

In a statement, Pakistan’s space agency said that the new moon of Zilhajj 1447 Hijri is expected to be born at 1:01 am Pakistan Standard Time on May 17, 2026.

The agency said the moon’s age at sunset on May 17 would be approximately 18 hours and 30 minutes, while the time difference between sunset and moonset in Pakistan’s coastal areas was expected to be around 60 minutes.

Based on these astronomical parameters, SPARCO said the chances of sighting the Zilhajj moon on the evening of May 17 were considered favourable, provided weather conditions remained clear and visibility near the horizon was good.

The agency said the first day of Zilhajj was expected to fall on Monday, May 18, marking the end of the Islamic month of Ziqad.

SPARCO added that Eidul Adha was likely to be observed on May 27.

However, the agency noted that the final decision regarding the sighting of the Zilhajj moon and the beginning of the new Islamic month would be made by Pakistan’s Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee based on credible testimonies and verified observations received from across the country.

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The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday issued notices to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on an intra-court appeal filed by apartment owners of One Constitution Avenue, seeking a response in the case related to the cancellation of the building’s lease.

A division bench comprising Justice Muhammad Azam Khan and Justice Inam Amin Minhas heard the appeal, during which the court raised concerns over alleged violations of the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s 2019 order.

“There was a clear violation of the Supreme Court’s 2019 order. What will be the consequences of this?” the bench remarked during proceedings.

The court directed authorities to hear all parties involved before moving forward and instructed that the matter be fixed again on a short date.

During the hearing, counsel representing the apartment owners argued that the CDA had previously been directed to formulate a plan of action while safeguarding the rights of third parties residing in the building.

The lawyer further stated that CDA officials were reluctant to take action due to possible scrutiny from anti-corruption bodies, including the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

The counsel informed the court that the Prime Minister had recently constituted a committee to examine the matter, adding that its recommendations would be submitted for cabinet approval.

The petitioners also requested the court to halt any disciplinary proceedings until the committee finalizes its recommendations.

Representing the appellants, lawyer Taimur Aslam stated that there was no objection to the court’s decision insofar as it upheld the lease cancellation. However, he argued that the CDA appeared unwilling to move toward a mutually acceptable resolution.

 “Diplomats and families are residing in the building,” Taimur Aslam told the court, emphasizing the potential humanitarian and diplomatic implications of the dispute.

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QUETTA: The Balochistan government on Tuesday announced summer vacations for schools, following similar decisions by Punjab and Sindh amid rising temperatures.

According to a notification issued by the Balochistan government, summer holidays in government schools across the province will begin on May 23 and continue until July 31.

A day earlier, Sindh’s education department announced that summer vacations for all public and private schools in the province would be observed from June 1 to July 31.

Punjab also announced summer holidays for schools across the province.

Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat said in a social media post that schools in the province would close for summer vacations from May 22 and reopen on Aug. 24.

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PESHAWAR: At least seven people including two police officials were martyred and more than 20 others injured in a blast in a crowded market in district Lakki Marwat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police said on Tuesday.

The explosion occurred near the Naurang railway crossing in the Serai Naurang area of Lakki Marwat district, police said.

A spokesperson for the Lakki Marwat district police said the nature of the blast was not yet clear and investigators were determining whether explosives had been planted in a loader rickshaw parked in the area or whether it was a suicide attack.

“The Bomb Disposal Squad is working to ascertain the nature of the explosion,” police spokesperson Qudratullah Khan said in a statement.

The deceased police officials were identified as traffic wardens Adil Jan and Rahatullah. Police said that more than 20 people including a woman and a teenage girl were injured in the blast .

Hospital officials said that an emergency had been declared at the Serai Naurang hospital, while several of the injured were shifted to hospitals in nearby Bannu for treatment.

Videos circulating on social media showed damaged shops and destroyed three-wheelers at the site of the blast.

Police cordoned off the area and launched an investigation, while rescue teams transported the dead and injured to hospitals.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi condemned the attack and sought a report from the provincial police chief. He directed the authorities concerned to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured and support to the families of the victims.

The blast comes days after at least 15 police personnel were martyred in a suicide attack on the Fateh Khel police post in Bannu district.

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Pakistan’s Foreign Office has strongly rejected a report by CBS News concerning the alleged presence of Iranian aircraft at Nur Khan Airbase, calling the claims “misleading and sensational.”

In an official statement issued on Tuesday, the Foreign Office spokesperson dismissed the report as speculative and lacking credibility.

“The report regarding the presence of Iranian aircraft at Nur Khan Airbase is misleading and sensational,” the spokesperson said, reiterating Pakistan’s rejection of the claims.

The spokesperson further stated that such reports appear aimed at disrupting ongoing diplomatic efforts focused on regional peace and stability.

“Such speculative stories are apparently being spread with the aim of undermining ongoing efforts for stability and peace in the region,” the statement added.

The Foreign Office did not provide further details but emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to constructive engagement and regional stability amid evolving geopolitical developments.

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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has introduced new artificial intelligence-powered technologies to facilitate travel procedures for Hajj pilgrims under the Makkah Route Initiative.

The Kingdom’s Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), launched the advanced digital solutions as part of efforts to improve services for pilgrims and ensure a smoother travel experience.

Now in its eighth year, the initiative is being implemented through 17 ports in 10 countries, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

A newly developed smart mobile device uses AI and data technologies to simplify procedures, especially for elderly pilgrims and people with disabilities, through an automated system.

The device can verify travel documents and visas with high accuracy while also capturing biometric data, facial images and passport details in less than 40 seconds per pilgrim.

Saudi authorities said the initiative reflects the Kingdom’s progress in adopting modern technologies to speed up procedures, improve operational efficiency and enhance the overall pilgrim experience during Hajj.

This year’s Hajj is expected to fall between May 25 and May 30, subject to the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah moon.

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ISLAMABAD: New figures have revealed that electricity consumers in Pakistan have paid more than Rs19 trillion in taxes over the past three years through various distribution companies.

According to the data, distribution companies (DISCOs) collected Rs507 billion in taxes from consumers during 2022–23.

In 2023–24, the amount rose significantly, with DISCOs collecting Rs 698 billion under various tax heads. In the most recent year, electricity consumers reportedly paid over Rs 700 billion in taxes.

Among individual companies, IESCO collected Rs232 billion in taxes from consumers over the three-year period, while LESCO collected more than Rs532 billion.

GEPCO recovered Rs240 billion, FESCO Rs307 billion, and MEPCO Rs323 billion from electricity users.

PESCO collected Rs 151 billion, while HESCO’s tax collection stood at Rs57.58 billion.

K-Electric-like smaller and remote region companies also contributed, with QESCO collecting Rs24.28 billion, TESCO Rs1.55 billion, and SEPCO Rs34.46 billion over the same period.

The data highlights the significant burden placed on electricity consumers through indirect tax recoveries embedded in power bills.

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ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has shared detailed figures in the National Assembly regarding Pakistani citizens released from foreign prisons over the past year.

According to the data, more than 12,500 Pakistani prisoners were freed from jails across different countries during the last 12 months.

The highest number of releases came from Baghdad, where 4,863 Pakistanis were freed, followed by Jeddah with 1,947. In Kuala Lumpur, 1,650 prisoners were released, while Dubai saw 1,899 Pakistanis regain their freedom.

Other notable figures include 863 releases from Riyadh, 371 from Muscat, and 93 from Moscow. In Istanbul, 30 Pakistanis were released, while 67 were freed from Harare and 18 from New York.

Smaller numbers of releases were also reported from Harris (91), Bangkok (16), and Ankara (125).

Meanwhile, officials informed the House that a total of 21,480 Pakistani nationals remain imprisoned in various countries.

The largest population is in Saudi Arabia, with 10,745 Pakistani prisoners, followed by the UAE with 5,297.

Other countries include Malaysia (448), India (738), Greece (516), China (452), Bahrain (218), Germany (105), Iran (169), the United States (131), and Iraq (81), where Pakistani citizens are currently serving sentences.

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ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad court on Monday completed the cross-examination of 25 prosecution witnesses in the ongoing murder trial of TikToker Sana Yousaf.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka heard the case, with prosecutor Naveed Hussain and complainant’s counsel Sardar Qadeer appearing before the court.

The defence counsel completed the cross-examination of two additional witnesses, including the owner and driver of the vehicle allegedly used in the murder.

Sana Yousaf was killed at her residence in Islamabad’s Sector G-13 earlier last year.

The case sparked nationwide condemnation and received widespread media attention.

Following completion of the cross-examination of 25 witnesses, the court adjourned proceedings until May 12.

Earlier, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had rejected a plea to transfer the trial in the murder case of Sana Yousuf, directing that proceedings continue in the same court.

IHC Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar dismissed a petition filed by the accused, Umar Hayat, who had expressed lack of confidence in the trial judge and sought a transfer of the case.

Sana Yousuf was shot dead at her residence in Islamabad’s Sector G-13 on June 2, 2025. Police had arrested the accused from Faisalabad within 20 hours of the incident and recovered the alleged murder weapon.

According to investigators, the accused had been attempting to contact the victim repeatedly and allegedly carried out the attack after she refused. Police also said the accused later confessed to the crime in a statement recorded under Section 164.

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ISLAMABAD: US Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Monday, as both sides discussed the evolving regional situation and the broader Pakistan–US bilateral relationship.

During the meeting, DPM Ishaq Dar discussed the efforts of Pakistan in facilitating communication between both United States and Iran, who are in war from past two months.

Ishaq Dar expressed hope that ongoing diplomatic initiatives would help promote peace and stability not only in the region but beyond.

The foreign minister also appreciated US assistance in the repatriation of Pakistani and Iranian seafarers via Singapore, terming it a positive example of humanitarian cooperation between the two sides.

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Ms. Natalie A. Baker called on Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 today to discuss the evolving regional situation and the broader Pakistan-U.S. bilateral relationship.

DPM/FM highlighted Pakistan’s role in… pic.twitter.com/YbWMAlmmDf

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 11, 2026

Both officials reaffirmed the importance of continued engagement to strengthen bilateral relations and support regional peace efforts.

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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday approved an extension of business restrictions and contingency measures for offices under the government’s austerity drive until June 13, according to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division.

The notification said the extension was approved on the recommendations of an implementation committee.

The government had introduced the austerity measures in March amid a fuel crisis triggered by the US-Israel war with Iran and subsequent attacks on oil-producing Gulf states.

Under the earlier plan, educational institutions were directed to hold online classes, while government and private offices were advised to implement work-from-home arrangements until the regional situation stabilised.

The notification said a 50 per cent reduction in fuel supply to official vehicles would remain in effect, while 60 per cent of government vehicles would continue to remain off the roads.

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LAHORE: The Punjab government on Monday announced a three-month summer vacation for all schools across the province, with holidays set to begin on May 22 and end on August 23.

In a statement on X, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat said that schools would reopen on August 24 after the extended break.

He also confirmed the schedule in a post on his official Facebook account.

The announcement formalises the annual summer break for public and private educational institutions across Punjab.

Last month, authorities had already advised schools to adjust timings or consider early closures amid an intense heatwave affecting parts of the country.

The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) had issued directives to educational institutions and district administrations, recommending changes in school timings or early summer holidays if extreme temperatures persisted.

The advisory also called for suspension of outdoor sports and activities, ensured availability of clean drinking water, and stressed the need to maintain ventilation, fans and cooling systems in classrooms.

It further advised students to wear light-coloured and loose-fitting clothing during the heatwave.

Officials said that the latest decision takes into account ongoing weather conditions and aims to protect students and staff from prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

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