The prime minister was accompanied by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and other senior officials.

During the visit, PM Shehbaz and the Pakistani delegation called on Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and expressed their heartfelt condolences on the demise of the Father Emir.

The prime minister paid tribute to Sheikh Hamad’s visionary leadership, statesmanship and lasting contributions to Qatar’s transformation, as well as to regional peace, stability and development.

Recalling the late leader’s longstanding ties with Pakistan, PM Shehbaz praised his warmth, kindness and enduring affection for the country, noting his many memorable visits over the years.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the leadership and people of Qatar during their time of grief and prayed that Allah Almighty grant the departed leader the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdaus while giving strength to the royal family and the people of Qatar to bear the loss.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim thanked PM Shehbaz, Nawaz Sharif, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar and the accompanying delegation for travelling to Doha to offer condolences in person.

He described the gesture as a reflection of the deep-rooted fraternal ties and longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Qatar.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz, in a statement, expressed grief over the demise of the former Qatari emir, remembering him as “a great leader and statesman whose wisdom, foresight and dedication to public service transformed Qatar into a modern, prosperous and globally respected nation.”

To express solidarity on behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan with the royal family, Government, and people of Qatar on this sad demise, the prime minister declared July 13 as a day of national mourning in Pakistan, with the national flag flying at half-mast throughout the country.

According to Rescue 1122, the house caved in after torrential rainfall, trapping 14 people beneath the rubble.

Rescue teams from Kohat and Karak launched an operation and successfully pulled all those trapped from the debris.

The deceased were identified as 50-year-old Basmina, 45-year-old Nawab Jana, Farmina, and four-year-old Arham. Rescue officials said women and children were among the worst affected.

The injured were provided first aid at the scene before being shifted to various hospitals for treatment.

Rescue 1122 said four ambulances from Kohat and two from Karak took part in the operation, which was completed after all victims were recovered from the collapsed structure.

The incident comes as monsoon rains continue to batter several parts of Pakistan, triggering flash floods, damaging homes and disrupting daily life.

Earlier on Monday, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) warned that additional water could be released from Tarbela Dam within the next two days due to rising inflows into the Indus River.

District administrations in Swabi and Nowshera were directed to remain on alert, while the public was advised to stay away from riverbanks and avoid swimming, boating and fishing.

Elsewhere, strong winds and heavy rain caused power outages in Taxila, while a roof collapse in Dera Ghazi Khan injured six people, including four women and two children.

Heavy rain also inundated low-lying areas in Kot Addu, and strong winds in Sindh’s Gambat raised concerns about damage to the date palm crop.

Presiding over a meeting, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed authorities to ensure uninterrupted treatment, rehabilitation and financial assistance for the HIV-positive children, while declaring a zero-tolerance policy towards negligence in healthcare.

“The lives of children are sacred. Any lapse in medical protocols that endangers patients is unacceptable and will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law,” the chief minister said.

To support the affected families, Shah announced the establishment of a Rs2 billion Endowment Fund to finance the treatment, welfare, rehabilitation and long-term care of HIV-positive children.

Officials told the meeting that the outbreak first came to light in October 2025 after six children tested positive for HIV.

Subsequent investigations found widespread administrative failures and serious breaches of infection-control protocols in the hospital’s paediatrics department, where all of the initial cases were linked.

The meeting was told that the inquiry found serious shortcomings in the hospital’s infection-control measures, including a lack of standard operating procedures, poor sterilisation practices, and improper disposal of medical waste.

The inquiry also found shortages of disposable medical supplies, inadequate HIV testing facilities, and weak systems for monitoring patients, the meeting was told.

Investigators also found evidence suggesting that single-use syringes and other equipment may have been improperly handled.

Following the outbreak, an Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) Centre was established at the hospital to provide specialised treatment, while HIV prevention protocols were introduced across all SESSI healthcare facilities in Sindh.

More than 300 doctors and paramedics were also screened, resulting in two employees testing positive for HIV.

Authorities said families of affected children are being linked with treatment centres, while renowned paediatric infectious disease specialist Prof Dr Fatima Mir of Aga Khan University Hospital has been engaged to provide specialised medical care for children suffering from HIV-related complications.

The chief minister directed the Labour Department, Health Department and SESSI administration to ensure that every affected child receives free medicines, diagnostic tests, follow-up treatment, counselling and rehabilitation services without interruption.

The meeting was informed that a second inquiry submitted last month fixed responsibility on several officials for administrative and operational failures.

As a result, 37 officers and employees, including doctors, nurses, laboratory staff and hospital administrators, have been suspended and served show-cause notices pending disciplinary proceedings.

Routine HIV screening has also been made mandatory for all outpatient and admitted patients at the hospital, while an isolation ward for HIV-positive children has been established.

A third-party audit of the hospital’s procurement, inventory and infection-control systems is also under way.

According to security sources, the Field Marshal received a warm welcome on his arrival. His meetings will focus on matters of mutual interest, including regional security and bilateral defence cooperation.

State-run Pakistan Television and the Associated Press of Pakistan also confirmed the visit and the scheduled meetings.

The visit comes weeks after General Metin Tokel, commander of the Turkish Land Forces, travelled to Pakistan and held talks with Field Marshal Munir.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the two sides discussed the evolving regional security environment and explored ways to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation. During the visit, General Tokel also met Pakistan’s naval and air chiefs.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Turkiye, where discussions with the Turkish leadership centred on expanding economic, trade and strategic cooperation, underscoring the growing partnership between the two countries.

According to police, the suspect, identified as Khalid, also suffered burn injuries after being caught in the flames during the incident.

The injured woman and the suspect were immediately shifted to Jinnah Hospital, where both are undergoing treatment. Police said their condition is stable and they are out of danger.

Police said the woman is married and the mother of three children, while the suspect and the victim are neighbours.

Initial investigations suggest the attack stemmed from a personal grudge.

Investigators have collected forensic and other evidence from the crime scene and are examining all aspects of the case.

Police said a criminal case will be registered in accordance with the law once they receive a formal complaint from the victim, after which further legal action will be taken.

The victim, identified as Dr Akash, had reportedly withdrawn Rs5 million from a nearby bank when he was intercepted by robbers. According to police, the suspects escaped with Rs2.5 million after opening fire.

CCTV footage obtained by Aaj News shows one of the suspects running towards the vehicle and immediately firing at the security guard before opening the car door and snatching a bag filled with cash.

The footage shows the suspect managing to seize only one of the two cash bags, while the second remained in Dr Akash’s possession.

The attacker then opened fire directly at the doctor, triggering panic as pedestrians, including women, fled for safety.

Security guards also returned fire at the fleeing suspects, but the robbers managed to escape.

Dr Akash suffered two bullet wounds and died at the scene, according to his family.

The victim had recently completed his house job at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and had been selected as a government medical officer.

Family members described him as an outstanding student who had topped his university and said his professional career had been cut short before it could begin.

Expressing grief and anger, the victim’s uncle demanded the immediate arrest of the killers and those backing them.

“He topped his university, and today he was killed in broad daylight by robbers,” he said, adding that doctors and lawyers were standing with the family in their demand for justice.

He said the family would continue its sit-in protest and suspend work until the perpetrators were arrested.

“Our family has suffered a great injustice. If there are robbers in rural Sindh and robbers in Karachi too, where should we go? What was our fault?” he asked.

The family announced a protest sit-in at Teen Talwar, placing the doctor’s body at the site while demanding swift action against those responsible.

Sindh Inspector General Javed Alam Odho took notice of the incident and sought a detailed report from the DIG South.

He directed authorities to conduct a transparent, impartial and comprehensive investigation, determine the motive behind the killing, ensure the immediate arrest of those involved and bring all responsible to justice.

In Taxila, strong winds and heavy rain lowered temperatures but caused power outages in several areas.

Heavy rainfall also lashed Dera Ghazi Khan, where the roof of a room collapsed in Aman Mela village in Tehsil Darazinda during a windstorm, injuring four women and two children.

In Haripur, rising inflows from upper districts pushed the water level at Tarbela Dam to 1,499.21 feet, around 97 feet above dead level, according to the dam administration.

Water inflow was recorded at 211,000 cusecs, while outflow stood at 162,400 cusecs.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued an alert warning that additional water could be released from Tarbela Dam within the next two days due to increasing inflows into the Indus River.

The authority instructed the district administrations of Swabi and Nowshera to remain on high alert and take precautionary measures.

The PDMA advised the public to avoid visiting riverbanks and warned against swimming, boating and fishing in rivers. Parents were also urged not to allow children to go near the water.

In Sindh, rain accompanied by strong winds swept through Gambat and surrounding areas, raising concerns over possible damage to the date palm crop.

Heavy rain also followed strong winds in Kot Addu, where low-lying neighbourhoods were submerged and streets and roads in several areas were flooded.

Four-year-old Jamal Shafiq had gone missing in the earthquake, his father, Qari Shafiq-ur-Rehman, said.

The body was recovered from a pile of rubble during the construction of a house, according to the report.

Qari Shafiq-ur-Rehman said the child was identified from his clothes and shoes.

The recovery revived memories of the devastating earthquake that struck northern Pakistan on Oct. 8, 2005.

The joint operation is being carried out by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan and police against the banned Fitna Al Khawarij militant group.

According to security sources, terrorists were killed during coordinated ground and aerial operations targeting militant hideouts.

The sources said that, since July 5, a total of 114 militants have been killed in Operation Shaban and other intelligence-based operations conducted in Balochistan.

Security forces said the operation would continue until the last terrorist is eliminated, reaffirming their resolve to sustain operations against militant groups operating in the province.

The bench also vacated the stay order and ruled that issues relating to the ownership of the disputed land would be decided by the trial courts on their merits, without being influenced by previous judicial observations.

It further directed the trial courts to dispose of the pending cases at the earliest, while holding that administrative matters concerning the restaurant would be decided by the relevant regulatory authorities.

During the hearing, Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi observed that several important aspects had not been taken into account in the earlier Supreme Court ruling.

“We will not deliver an emotional judgment,” Justice Rizvi remarked, adding that the bench would decide the case strictly in accordance with the law and the record before it.

Counsel Ahsan Bhoon told the court that the bench had examined the case thoroughly.

Justice Rizvi discouraged excessive praise of the court during proceedings, saying the bench would issue a decision based solely on the evidence and arguments presented.

Justice Rizvi said that after reviewing the previous ruling, it appeared that several matters not forming part of the court proceedings had been included in the judgment.

The Monal Restaurant, one of Islamabad’s best-known dining destinations, has long been at the centre of a legal dispute involving the ownership and lease of the land, construction within Margalla Hills National Park, and alleged violations of environmental regulations.

The CDA and other government authorities have maintained that the restaurant was built and expanded in violation of environmental laws and lease conditions within the national park.

The Monal administration, however, asserted that it operates after fulfilling all legal requirements and that its rights should be protected.

Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) president Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar are also accompanying the prime minister.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will meet Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and extend condolences on the passing of the former emir.

The visit underscores the decades-long fraternal ties between Pakistan and Qatar, reflecting the close relationship shared by the Qatari leadership, the people of Qatar, and the government and people of Pakistan.

Day of mourning

Earlier, the government had declared a day of national mourning on Monday, July 13, on the demise of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared the national mourning as an expression of fraternal solidarity on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan with Qatar’s royal family, government and the people, according to an official notification.

The national flag shall fly at half-mast across the country.

The operation, being jointly conducted by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, Balochistan, and police, has continued with coordinated air and ground raids based on intelligence reports in various parts of the province, the sources said.

They added that the latest strikes targeted militants belonging to the Fitna Al Khwarij group and were involved in several terrorist activities.

According to the security sources, a total of 64 militants have been killed since the launch of ‘Operation Shaban’.

The sources further said that since July 5, security forces have eliminated a total of 105 militants during ‘Operation Shaban’ and other intelligence-based operations carried out across Balochistan.

The sources said operations against militant groups would continue without interruption until terrorism is completely eradicated from the country, adding that security forces remain committed to intensifying counterterrorism operations across the province.

The Pakistani team secured Bronze Medals through Zulfiqar Ali of Government City Boys School, Dera Ghazi Khan, Ali Hamdan Alvi of FG Sir Syed College, Rawalpindi, and Daniyal Shahzad Hamid of The Science School, Rawat, Islamabad. Hazza Mahmood of Aitchison College, Lahore, and Abdullah Ejaz of Siddeeq Public School, Rawalpindi, earned Honorable Mentions for their commendable performance.

The 56th International Physics Olympiad brought together more than 400 outstanding students from over 90 countries, providing a prestigious platform for young physicists to demonstrate their scientific knowledge and problem-solving abilities.

The students were selected through the 22nd National Science Talent Contest (NSTC) conducted under the STEM Careers Programme, a joint initiative of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS). Following a rigorous nationwide selection process, the selected students underwent a series of intensive residential training camps at the PIEAS campus, where they received advanced theoretical and experimental training from both national and international experts.

This comprehensive preparation enabled the students to compete at the highest international level and represent Pakistan with distinction at the 56th International Physics Olympiad. The Pakistan team was led by Prof. Dr Muhammad Irfan and Dr Muhammad Waseem of PIEAS.

Working under the auspices of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), PIEAS organises the National Science Talent Contest annually in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics to identify and nurture talented students at the secondary and higher secondary levels, including students of Classes 9 and 10, O-Level, and F.Sc. Part-I and A-Level Part-I.

The NSTC is conducted in 19 cities across Pakistan. The top-performing students are invited to a series of residential training camps, where they receive advanced scientific instruction before the national teams are selected for participation in the International Science Olympiads (ISOs).

The STEM Careers Programme Office at HEC coordinates these training activities and facilitates Pakistan’s participation in the international competitions.

The Home Institutes for the programme include PIEAS for Physics, NIBGE-C (PIEAS) for Biology, the HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry at the University of Karachi for Chemistry, and COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, for Mathematics.

Pakistan has been participating in the International Physics Olympiad since 2001, the International Mathematical Olympiad since 2005, and the International Biology and Chemistry Olympiads since 2006.

Since the inception of the STEM Careers Programme, more than 365 Pakistani students have represented the country at the International Science Olympiads, winning a total of 144 medals. In addition, over 5,000 students have benefited from more than 256 advanced training camps conducted under the programme.

Through institutions such as PIEAS and its continued support for science education, advanced research, and human resource development, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) remains committed to nurturing young scientific talent and promoting excellence in science and technology for the country’s socio-economic development.

The prime minister is accompanied by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar.

Upon his arrival at Doha Airport, Prime Minister Shehbaz, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and the Pakistani delegation were received by Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani.

According to the schedule, Prime Minister Shehbaz will visit Lusail Palace, where he is due to meet Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

During the meeting, he will convey his heartfelt condolences to the government, the Qatari royal family, and the people of Qatar on the demise of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz, in a statement, expressed grief over the demise of the former Qatari emir, remembering him as “a great leader and statesman whose wisdom, foresight and dedication to public service transformed Qatar into a modern, prosperous and globally respected nation.”

To express solidarity on behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan with the royal family, Government, and people of Qatar on this sad demise, the prime minister declared July 13 as a day of national mourning in Pakistan, with the national flag flying at half-mast throughout the country.

Following a notice by the deputy commissioner, the Border Military Police (BMP) arrested the elderly groom, while efforts are under way to apprehend the remaining suspects.

Dera Ghazi Khan Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Usman Khalid took immediate notice of the incident and directed BMP Commandant Amir Taimoor to arrest all those involved.

According to the BMP, the 11-year-old girl was allegedly sold for Rs1.5 million and married to the 80-year-old man.

Commandant Amir Taimoor said the elderly groom had been arrested.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the girl’s father had allegedly sold his daughter in exchange for money.

He said a case had been registered against all those involved, including the nikah registrar who solemnised the marriage, and legal proceedings had been initiated.

According to the BMP, raids are being conducted to arrest the remaining suspects, while further investigation into the incident is under way.

Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a statement.

Both leaders exchanged views on the evolving regional situation.

Ishaq Dar further underscored that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to resolving disputes and achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.

“The DPM/FM reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to continue playing a constructive role in promoting and maintaining regional peace and stability,” the statement added.

The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact.

The deceased were identified as Muhammad Bilal, Muhammad Hassan, Muhammad Qadir, Mohsin and Bilal. Police said all five were from different areas of Punjab and were working at the targeted shops.

The attackers fled the scene after the shooting, police said. Authorities cordoned off the area and launched an investigation.

After completing legal formalities, the bodies were sent to the victims’ native areas, police said.

Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind condemned the attack and said the provincial government had ordered a transparent and impartial investigation.

He said law enforcement agencies had been directed to immediately arrest those responsible and bring them to justice, adding that the government would provide all possible support to the victims’ families.

Rind said the government would not allow attempts to disrupt law and order in the province and would continue efforts to protect citizens and maintain peace.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the killings and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

President said targeting innocent citizens and labourers was unjust and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice.

PM described the attack as a brutal and cowardly act, saying the government and security forces remained committed to eliminating terrorism and protecting the lives and property of citizens.

The latest operations, carried out jointly by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan and Balochistan Police, brought the number of militants killed during the day to 21.

Security sources said nine militants were killed in the first operation, five in the second, and seven in the third.

According to security sources, the forces targeted militants linked to Fitna al-Khawarij through coordinated ground and aerial operations.

Helicopters and Pakistan Air Force assets were used to strike militant hideouts in remote and rugged mountainous terrain while ground troops continued search and clearance operations.

Security sources said Operation Shaban is a large-scale joint campaign launched by the Pakistan Army, FC Balochistan and Balochistan Police to dismantle militant networks operating in the province.

The latest operations have raised the number of militants killed since the launch of Operation Shaban to 64, according to security sources.

Overall, 104 militants have been killed in Operation Shaban and other intelligence-based operations conducted since July 5.

Security sources reiterated their resolve to continue the operation until the last militant is eliminated from Balochistan.

The operation was launched following a deadly militant attack on the Mangi Dam Police Station in Balochistan’s Ziarat district in early July 2026.

Nine police personnel were martyred in the assault, prompting the government and security forces to launch a coordinated offensive against militant hideouts and networks across the province.

According to security sources, the objective of the joint operation is to eliminate militant groups operating in Balochistan, protect lives and property, and restore lasting peace in the region.

By improving connectivity, the country could get maximum economic benefits, Dar said while chairing a high-level meeting regarding the improvement of port connectivity.

The Maritime Affairs secretary gave a detailed briefing to the committee regarding the current situation of Pakistani ports and their utilisation capacity, the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement.

The meeting was attended by the ministers for law & justice and maritime affairs, SAPM Tariq Bajwa, Maritime secretary, NLC DG, Karachi Port Authority chairman and senior officials from relevant departments.

The committee reviewed measures for the development and enhancement of the efficiency and competitiveness of Pakistan’s ports.

Discussions also focused on improving port connectivity, streamlining operational processes, strengthening inter-agency coordination, facilitating trade and logistics, and advancing reforms to position Pakistan’s ports as efficient regional trade gateways.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Human Rights is hosting the conference under the theme “Socio-Economic and Political Empowerment of Women in the OIC Countries: Challenges and Way Forward”.

Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik, Parliamentary Secretary on Human Rights Saba Sadiq and Parliamentary Secretary on Law and Justice Farah Naz Akbar received the delegations at Islamabad International Airport, along with senior officials from the ministries of human rights and foreign affairs.

The conference will bring together ministers for women and family affairs, senior government officials and representatives of OIC institutions, international organisations and development partners.

They will discuss ways to advance women’s socio-economic and political empowerment across OIC member countries.

Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar will chair the conference on Pakistan’s behalf.

As chair, Pakistan will lead proceedings and work with member states to build consensus on empowering women across the Muslim world.

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the two leaders exchanged views on the latest regional developments and voiced deep concern over the escalation, saying the renewed conflict served no one’s interest and undermined efforts to promote regional peace and stability.

During the conversation, both foreign ministers agreed that the resurgence of tensions was detrimental to ongoing efforts aimed at maintaining peace in the region.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud shared the Kingdom’s perspective on ongoing diplomatic efforts and emphasised the importance of de-escalation and continued dialogue.

Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s position, calling on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and allow mediation efforts the necessary time and space to achieve a peaceful and meaningful outcome.

The two leaders also agreed to remain in close contact regarding the evolving regional situation.

Maldives FM appreciates Pakistan’s mediation role

In a separate telephone conversation, Dar spoke with Maldives Foreign Minister Dr Iruthisham Adam to discuss bilateral relations, as well as regional and international developments.

Dar congratulated Dr Adam on the forthcoming 61st anniversary of the Maldives’ Independence.

During the conversation, the two foreign ministers exchanged views on regional and global developments. Dr Adam appreciated Pakistan’s role in mediating the Iran-US conflict.

Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and the Maldives. They also agreed to remain in close contact.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the negotiations on the proposed Pakistan-United States Agreement on Reciprocal Trade were held on July 9 and 10 in a cordial atmosphere, with both sides working to bridge differences and move closer to finalising the deal.

“The talks were conducted in a cordial atmosphere, with both sides ironing out differences and building convergence, with a view to the early conclusion of the Agreement,” Andrabi said in a post on X.

Pakistan’s delegation was led by Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul, who described the discussions as positive and said the two sides had achieved significant progress during the negotiations.

The talks are part of ongoing efforts by Islamabad and Washington to strengthen bilateral trade ties and expand economic cooperation.

The Foreign Office did not disclose a timeline for concluding the agreement or indicate when the next round of negotiations would take place.

According to the notification issued by the Petroleum Division, the new prices came into effect from Saturday at 12 am.

The price of petrol increased from Rs297.53 per litre to Rs310.71 per litre, up Rs13.18 per litre.

Similarly, the price of high-speed diesel increased by Rs13.80 per litre, rising from Rs318.50 per litre to Rs332.30 per litre.

PM called for “restraint and forbearance” and urged all sides to refrain from actions that could undermine progress made toward peace in recent months.

He said a memorandum of understanding provided a lasting foundation for promoting mutual understanding, respect and shared prosperity in the region and beyond, adding that Pakistan would continue to provide all possible cooperation to help restore and maintain regional peace and stability.

President Pezeshkian thanked Pakistan’s leadership for attending the funeral prayers and burial of the late Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the statement said.

The Iranian president reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to regional peace and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s support and what he described as its constructive role in that regard.

The two leaders agreed to remain in contact and continue close consultations on issues of mutual interest, including regional peace and stability.

They also reviewed progress on decisions reached during Pezeshkian’s visit to Islamabad last month, the statement said.

The session featured Sultana Siddiqui, Chairperson of HUM Network, who shared her personal journey and insights on media, leadership, and national progress.

The event began with a welcome address by Liaquat Merchant, Senior Vice Chairman of QAHM. Ameena Saiyid, Member, Board of Governors, QAHM, introduced the speaker. Ikram Sehgal, Vice Chairman of QAHM, delivered the concluding remarks.

Addressing a packed audience, Ms Siddiqui spoke about how she was deeply inspired by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision for education and women’s empowerment.

Drawing from her decades of experience in television, she recounted her decision to resign from PTV and establish her own production company — named Moomal after her daughter-in-law — at a time when few women ventured into media entrepreneurship.

She captivated the audience as she described the challenges of building a television network in a male-dominated industry, and the many voices that discouraged her and advised her to continue with her production company, and not establish a TV channel.

Defying the odds, Sultana Siddiqui went on to become the first woman in South Asia to own and lead a television network, a milestone that has made her a true gamechanger in Pakistani media.

The event was attended by prominent personalities including Khushbakht Shujat, Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Azad Iqbal — grandson of Allama Iqbal, Khurshid Hyder, Nasreen Jalil, Nargis Rahman, Ghazi and Sadeqa Salahuddin, Mushtaq Chhapra, and other distinguished guests from academia, media, and civil society.

The talk underscored the vital role of media in shaping public discourse, preserving cultural identity, and advancing the Quaid’s vision of a progressive, inclusive Pakistan.

According to the Henley Passport Index 2026, Pakistan moved up from 103rd place last year to 100th, marking an improvement in its global ranking.

The report said Pakistani passport holders can now travel to 30 countries with either visa-free entry or a visa on arrival.

Singapore retained the top position, with its citizens enjoying visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 destinations worldwide.

Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates jointly ranked second, while Sweden secured third place.

The United States ranked 10th despite offering visa-free access to 180 destinations.

Afghanistan remained the world’s weakest passport in the latest rankings. Syria ranked 102nd, Iraq 101st and Yemen 99th.

The revised toll rates apply to M-1, M-3, M-4, M-5, M-14, the E-35 Expressway, the Kohat Tunnel and the Islamabad-Murree dual carriageway, and cover all categories of vehicles, including cars, wagons, buses, two- and three-axle trucks and articulated trucks.

According to the notification, toll tax for cars on highways has been increased to 100 Pakistani rupees, wagons to 200 rupees and buses to 300 rupees.

On the M-3 Motorway connecting Lahore and Abdul Hakeem, toll tax for cars has been set at 1,000 rupees, wagons at 1,500 rupees, minibuses at 2,200 rupees and buses at 3,150 rupees.

On the M-4 Motorway linking Pindi Bhattian and Multan, cars will pay 1,350 rupees, wagons 1,950 rupees, minibuses 2,900 rupees and buses 4,050 rupees.

On the M-5 Motorway between Multan and Sukkur, toll tax has been fixed at 1,500 rupees for cars, 2,200 rupees for wagons, 3,250 rupees for minibuses and 4,600 rupees for buses.

The new toll rates took effect on Friday.

According to the CPO, the operation was carried out in the Khattak Dam area based on intelligence reports.

Police said the terrorists opened fire on the raiding party, prompting retaliatory fire.

Four militants were killed in the exchange.

The CPO said the slain militants belonged to the Commander Zahid group, which has allegedly been involved in the killings of several police officers and personnel.

According to the statement, the militants were wanted in multiple attacks on police and incidents targeting security personnel during 2025 and 2026.

The Central Police Office said operations against militants would continue until terrorism is eliminated from the province, adding that the campaign would not stop until the last terrorist is neutralised.

Security sources said the total number of terrorists killed during Operation Shaaban has risen to 39. Of these, 26 terrorists belonging to Fitna al Khawarij were killed during operations conducted on July 6 and 7, while the remaining 13 were eliminated over the past 24 hours.

They said multiple ground and aerial operations against Fitna al Khawarij are continuing in the area.

In a separate development, security forces successfully repulsed a terrorist attack on a police station in the Zaidi area of Khuzdar.

The security sources said Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps troops killed eight terrorists in a swift counter-operation, while another five to six terrorists were eliminated in helicopter gunship operations.

Since July 5, security forces have killed a total of 75 terrorists in Operation Shaaban and other intelligence-based operations, the sources added.

The meeting is being held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and will focus on the province’s security challenges and measures to improve the overall law and order situation.

According to sources, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, federal ministers and high-ranking officials from security and law enforcement agencies are expected to attend the meeting.

The meeting will review the prevailing security situation in Balochistan and is expected to take key decisions aimed at strengthening peace and stability in the province.

Several federal ministers accompanied the prime minister on his one-day visit to Quetta.