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LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari and the lawyer representing an accused exchanged heated words during a hearing of a case involving the alleged circulation of a fake video of the provincial minister.

A local court in Lahore heard the case, with Judicial Magistrate Naeem Watto presiding. Uzma Bukhari appeared before the court and recorded her statement as the complainant.

The provincial minister appeared in court alongside her counsel, Ali Bukhari. Speaking at the rostrum, she clarified that she was not an accused but the complainant in the case and said she had been wronged.

Regarding a tweet concerning her, Bukhari said a YouTuber had posted that arrest warrants had been issued against her and asked that he be told when such warrants had been issued. The YouTuber subsequently apologised to Bukhari in the courtroom.

Bukhari told the court that the matter concerned the dignity of a woman. She said a fake video of her had been created and circulated and that the anguish she had experienced could not be described. She also said that, due to security concerns, she had requested permission to record her statement through video link.

Also Read: Islamabad ATC Declares Aleema and Uzma Khan Proclaimed Offenders

The court remarked that women were highly respected and said its decisions demonstrated how such cases were dealt with. The court further observed that the delay in the case had not been caused by the court, adding that associates had repeatedly appeared and sought adjournments.

On the court’s orders, accused Flak Javed was produced before the court, after which Bukhari recorded her statement.

After the provincial minister completed her statement, the accused’s lawyer, Ali Ashfaq, said that at least six hours would be required for cross-examination.

The court fixed September 12 for cross-examination on Bukhari’s statement and adjourned the hearing.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms in the upper parts of the country from September 3 to September 6.

The department has also forecast another spell of rain in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and the Potohar region over the next two days, warning that heavy rainfall may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in upper regions.

According to the Meteorological Department, monsoon currents are entering the upper parts of the country, bringing a new spell of rain. Due to the influence of westerly and monsoon winds, rain accompanied by thunderstorms is expected in various parts of Islamabad, Rawalpindi and the Potohar region on September 4 and 5.

Besides Islamabad, Murree, Galiyat, Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang, Attock, Lahore, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Narowal, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Wazirabad, Hafizabad and Kasur are likely to receive rain with strong winds and thunderstorms from September 3 to 5. Heavy rain is also expected at some places.

Also Read: Atta Tarar Says Violent Group Failed to Undermine AJK Elections, Vows to Protect Kashmir Cause

Similarly, Okara, Nankana Sahib, Sargodha, Khushab, Mianwali, Noorpur Thal, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Layyah, Bhakkar, Sahiwal and Dera Ghazi Khan, along with adjoining areas, are expected to receive intermittent rain with strong winds and thunderstorms on September 4 and 5.

In Azad Kashmir, intermittent rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms is forecast from September 3 to 6 in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur. Heavy rain is also expected at some places.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar, Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Hangu, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat.

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has approved a new local government system for Islamabad, paving the way for the revival of the long-delayed local government electoral process in the capital.

According to sources, the Islamabad Local Government Bill will be presented before the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior tomorrow for approval.

Under the proposed system, Islamabad will be divided into three constituencies, with a separate council established for each constituency. Each council will have its own mayor.

Each council will comprise 21 members, including general councillors as well as reserved representation for women and minorities.

Sources said that after approval by the Standing Committee on Interior, the bill will be placed before both the Senate and National Assembly for parliamentary approval. Once the legislative process is completed, the new legal framework will pave the way for local government elections in Islamabad.

Also Read: Election Commission Withdraws Schedule for Senate By-Election on Murad Saeed’s Seat

Background

The issue of local government elections in Islamabad has remained entangled in legal and administrative hurdles for several years.

In January 2026, the federal government issued a presidential ordinance to amend the Local Government Act, paving the way for changes to the existing local government structure in the capital. Following the ordinance, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) withdrew the previously announced schedule for local government elections.

The ECP subsequently sought information from the Ministry of Interior regarding the proposed boundaries of town corporations, the number of union councils and relevant maps required for the conduct of fresh local government elections.

In June 2026, a proposed draft comprising 130 union councils was also prepared by the Ministry of Interior. The approval of the proposed structure was to be followed by the delimitation process.

In July, the ECP granted the federal government additional time to approve the proposed administrative changes.

Following parliamentary approval of the new legislation, issuance of the relevant notifications and completion of the delimitation process, the Election Commission is expected to announce the schedule for local government elections in Islamabad.

ISLAMABAD: Senior diplomat Sajjid Haider Khan is set to become Pakistan’s new spokesperson for foreign affairs, replacing Additional Foreign Secretary Syed Tahir Hussain Andrabi.

Andrabi will deliver his final media briefing as spokesperson for the Foreign Office today, while Sajjid Haider is scheduled to assume charge as the new spokesperson.

Andrabi will subsequently take up his new assignment as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

The change marks a new diplomatic assignment for both senior officials, with Sajjid Haider taking over the Foreign Office’s media and public communication responsibilities and Andrabi moving to Pakistan’s UN mission.

Also Read: Punjab Assembly Passes Resolution Seeking Ban on Social Media Accounts for Children Under 16

ISLAMABAD: An audit review has revealed that officials of the Ministry of Religious Affairs spent Rs1.302 billion during 2012-13 without maintaining the required cash book, prompting concerns within the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over financial oversight and accountability.

The disclosure was made during a meeting of a PAC subcommittee chaired by Shahida Begum, where audit officials questioned how such a substantial amount could have been spent without a corresponding cash book being maintained.

According to audit officials, the ministry’s records showed that Rs1.302 billion was spent during 2012-13, but the cash book for the expenditure was not prepared or properly maintained. They termed the issue a serious matter and noted that ministry officials were now proposing to reconstruct or update the relevant record.

The Secretary of Religious Affairs, however, told the committee that there had been no corruption in the matter and that the issue concerned the failure to keep the cash book updated.

Also Read: National Assembly Approves Defence Forces Act 2026 Draft and Amendments to NCA Act

Committee member Bilal Mando­khail said ministry officials had requested that the matter should not be viewed as evidence of corruption. Audit officials, however, expressed surprise that the cash book, which should have been updated in 2013, was still being addressed years later.

The audit authorities stressed that those responsible for the lapse must be identified and held accountable.

The Secretary said the officials responsible for failing to maintain the cash book had already been identified. However, he acknowledged that, as had happened in the past, the previous authorities had shown leniency towards those responsible. He added that the only remaining option was now to prepare and update the cash book record.

The subcommittee chair directed the relevant authorities to submit a report on the matter within one month. She also instructed the audit authorities to verify the issue and submit

Pakistan has assumed the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) for 2026-27.

According to the Foreign Office, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met the SCO Secretary General in Bishkek, where the Secretary General congratulated Pakistan on assuming the chairmanship.

The Foreign Office said Dar briefed the SCO Secretary General on Pakistan’s priorities and strategy for its chairmanship. The SCO Secretary General assured Pakistan of support for its priorities and full cooperation.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan and the SCO Secretariat agreed to maintain close contact and cooperation throughout Pakistan’s chairmanship.

Also Read: Pakistan Lodges Strong Protest Over US Ambassador’s Statement on Jammu and Kashmir

Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and Pakistan’s National Coordinator for the SCO, Muhammad Faisal, also participated in the meeting, according to the Foreign Office.

The two sides also agreed to continue joint efforts to advance the organisation’s priorities during Pakistan’s SCO chairmanship.

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly has passed a resolution seeking a legal ban on social media accounts for children under the age of 16.

The resolution was presented in the assembly by lawmaker Sarah Ahmed. The resolution stated that protecting children’s physical, mental, psychological and moral development is the responsibility of the state.

It said excessive use of social media is exposing children to risks including cyberbullying and online sexual exploitation.

According to the resolution, children are also being exposed to inappropriate content, mental stress and other serious risks due to social media. It recommended that the federal government impose a legal ban on social media accounts for children under 16.

Also Read: KP Assembly Decides to End Lifetime Blue Passport Provision for Lawmakers

The resolution noted that Australia, France, China and the United States have introduced laws concerning social media use by minors. It said that, in view of international trends, legislation is also necessary in Pakistan to ensure a safe future for children.

The lawmaker further proposed that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) introduce an effective age-verification system across all social media platforms.

The resolution also called for social media companies to be required to immediately prevent harmful content and ensure a safe digital environment.

It recommended that federal and provincial institutions launch digital awareness campaigns for parents, teachers and children on safe internet use.

The resolution further called for a coordinated system among federal and provincial institutions and effective legislation to ensure the online protection of children.

RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD — Torrential rain in Rawalpindi and Islamabad has flooded low-lying areas, with water entering homes in several locations, while the administration has announced a holiday for educational institutions today.

According to the Meteorological Department, the highest rainfall of 201 millimetres was recorded at Shamsabad. New Katarian received 186mm, Golra 157mm, and 146mm was recorded at the PMD site.

In view of the heavy rainfall, a rain emergency has been imposed in Rawalpindi, while the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Rescue 1122, Civil Defence and Solid Waste Management have been placed on high alert.

Several low-lying areas and major roads in the twin cities have been inundated. Several feet of water accumulated on Old Airport Road, Rahimabad Bridge and Murree Road near Committee Chowk, among other roads. The flooding led to long queues of vehicles, leaving citizens facing hours-long traffic jams.

In Islamabad’s Sector G-14, a person was killed and another seriously injured after the roof of a house collapsed due to the rain. The injured person was immediately shifted to PIMS Hospital.

Also Read: Rs220m Corruption Scandal Unearthed at Chung Police Training College

In Chak Shahzad, accumulated rainwater on roads caused severe difficulties for students of COMSATS University. Several candidates appearing for an entrance test at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University were also unable to reach their examination centre on time.

Meanwhile, the water level at Rawal Dam has reached 1,751 feet, following which the administration has decided to open the dam’s spillways.

Amid the worsening situation, sirens were sounded around Nullah Lai to alert nearby populations. According to the Managing Director of WASA, the water flow in Nullah Lai was recorded at 27 feet at Katarian and 21 feet at the Gawalmandi point. Heavy machinery has been deployed at sensitive locations.

The WASA managing director appealed to citizens to avoid leaving their homes unnecessarily. Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Captain (Retd.) Nadeem Nasir said WASA, Rescue 1122 and other relevant departments had been placed on alert, while Nullah Lai and other drains were being continuously monitored.

On the directives of the Punjab chief minister, district administration and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) teams are present in the field, with the situation being monitored round the clock.

The PDMA director general has directed relevant departments to ensure the prompt removal of water from low-lying areas and locations where drainage is obstructed.

A PDMA spokesperson urged citizens to take precautionary measures, advising them to stay away from electricity poles and hanging wires. Residents were also warned not to allow children near water accumulated in low-lying areas.

In case of any emergency, citizens can contact the PDMA helpline at 1129.