The Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani says that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman will visit Pakistan soon.

While speaking in a press conference in London the foreign minister Jalil Abbas Jilani said that he came to London to participate in the Youth Ministers Conference of the Commonwealth of Nations.

He added that youth is the future of Pakistan, and the government is working for our youth’s education and employment.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar has set a fund of Rs80 billion for the development projects for youth.

Speaking about the conference the foreign minister said that 50 countries have participated in the conference including 40 ministers.

The conference highlighted the impact of environmental changes and formed a task force to implement the recommendations and precautions.

In response to the question about relations with India, the foreign minister said that Pakistan's relations with India have been severed since the end of the special status of Occupied Kashmir.

When questioned about the visit of the Saudi crown prince to Pakistan, Jalil Abbas Jilani said that the crown prince, Muhammad bin Salman, will visit Pakistan soon.

The Foreign Minister appreciated the efforts of the Caretaker Prime Minister against smuggling, which helped in decreasing the dollar value.

The foreign minister added that the elections will be held at the appointed time.

Video footage published by the newspaper showed a North Korean security official in white gloves scrupulously wiping down Kim’s black chair and spraying around an unidentified substance.

The North Korean sprayed and wiped down the seat, the hands, the legs and even the area around the chair as a Kremlin bodyguard looked on in a slightly bemused way.

Another North Korean guard then gave some sort of order to the guard doing the disinfecting. The nature of the order was unclear.

“The chair turned out to be the subject of the greatest concern of the North Korean side,” wrote Kommersant’s Kremlin correspondent, Andrei Kolesnikov.

The court hearing came after the three were arrested on Wednesday after disembarking a flight from Dubai after spending a month in the South Asian country.

Sara Sharif’s body was discovered at the family’s home near Woking, southern England, on August 10. A post-mortem examination revealed she had sustained “multiple and extensive injuries” over a sustained period.

Sara’s father Urfan Sharif, 41, his partner Beinash Batool, 29, and his brother Faisal Malik, 28, all traveled to Pakistan to stay with relatives before her body was found.

The three appeared in the dock at a magistrates’ court in Guildford, southern England, flanked by police officers.

They spoke only to confirm their names, dates of birth and addresses.

All three have also been charged with causing or allowing the death of a child, Surrey Police said earlier in a statement.

No pleas to any of the charges were entered during the short hearing. Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram remanded the defendants in custody.

Their next court appearance will be at London’s Old Bailey on Tuesday.

Surrey Police said previously the trio were thought to have flown to Islamabad on August 9, the day before Sara’s body was discovered.

An early morning emergency call alerting officers to Sara’s death was made from Pakistan by a man identifying himself as the father, detectives said.

The house was otherwise empty, and the manhunt continued with Interpol and Britain’s foreign ministry coordinating with authorities in Pakistan.

Five of Sara’s purported siblings, aged between one and 13, and brought to Pakistan with the adults, were discovered at the home of Urfan Sharif’s father on Monday.

The girl’s Polish mother, Olga Sharif, has said she could barely recognise her daughter’s small, battered body when she identified her at the mortuary last month.

She told Polish television one of her cheeks was swollen and the other side of her face was bruised.

Olga and Urfan separated in 2015, and Sara and her older brother had lived with their mother until a family court determined in 2019 that they should reside with their father, according to UK media.

The premier passed similar remarks earlier this week too when he stated that it was for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to decide a date, adding: “We have no intention to prolong the tenure of the caretaker government.”

Concerns on the poll timing have arisen from the ECP ruling out elections this year. It reasons its decision to push elections beyond November 9 on the basis of the notification of results of the new digital 2023 census and Section 17(2) of the Elections Act, which states: “The commission shall delimit constituencies after every census is officially published.”

Speaking at a press conference after a high-level meeting at the PM House today, PM Kakar once again ruled out the prospect of declaring the poll date.

In response to a question, he said, “If I were to announce elections, I would be engaging in an unlawful act, and as a journalist, you should be aware that if you steer us towards illegal actions and pose questions that might tempt us to break the law, then what should my response be?”

Actions against cross-border smuggling
The PM also stated that an effective management plan was actively being implemented to curb cross-border smuggling. “We have zero tolerance for those involved in the smuggling industry and the law will take its course,” he asserted.

Kakar further mentioned that extensive discussions had taken place regarding the Afghan transit trade agreement and the reopening of the Torkham border.

He noted that the commerce ministry had taken a lead role, working in collaboration with border management authorities, including customs, to revise policies governing the allowance or restriction of trade items.

Furthermore, the premier dismissed the notion that cracking down on smuggling would deprive the local population along the bordering areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan of their livelihoods. He emphasised that these provinces deserved a legitimate and thriving trade environment, not smuggling.

Asked about the involvement of Afghan refugees involved in cross-border smuggling, Kakar said an effective policy in this regard had been agreed upon.

He categorised Afghans living in Pakistan into three types: those registered with the government, “aliens with no justification to reside”, and those with “identity theft”.

“We will push the [Afghan] aliens back to their country and no one without the visa regime will be allowed to live here,” he asserted.

Moreover, PM Kakar said he had been receiving “positive news” in the past eight to 10 days from all provinces regarding measures taken by their respective administrations against hoarding and smuggling.

The PM stressed the importance of enhanced coordination in such efforts and highlighted that a collaborative approach would contribute to the improvement of respect for and the authority of government officials.

Concerns on the poll timing have arisen from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ruling out elections this year. The electoral watchdog reasons its decision to push elections beyond November 9 on the basis of the notification of results of the new digital 2023 census and Section 17(2) of the Elections Act, which states: “The commission shall delimit constituencies after every census is officially published.”

With elections potentially just a few months away, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has been engaging in public gatherings and organising party meetings as part of the party’s electoral preparations of late. One such highly-anticipated meeting of the PPP’s Central Executive Committee was held today.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Bilawal said the announcement of an election date and schedule was the only way to dispel the “confusion and atmosphere of instability and insecurity” prevalent in the country.

Reading out the resolution passed during the CEC meeting, the PPP chairman said: “The party had an extensive discussion on constitutional matters, including the urgent need for dampening the cycle of chronic political instability which will only settle down with the announcement of an election date and schedule.

“The party’s lawyers also briefed the leadership on the responsibility of the ECP to announce an election date and schedule immediately as per the constitutional requirement.”

Bilawal reiterated concerns regarding the lack of a “level-playing field” in the current political landscape, saying that his complaint was connected to “one party”.

In this context, he said PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari was empowered by the party’s apex committee to raise these concerns at “appropriate forums” and address them.

During a CEC meeting a day earlier, the PPP had expressed concerns over the inclusion of pro-PML-N men in the caretaker cabinet, the ban slapped on development projects in Sindh by the election watchdog, as well as the delay in the announcement of a date for general elections.

Reiterating its chairman’s earlier gripe of an uneven playing field in the lead-up to the polls, the PPP had urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold general elections as soon as possible, if not within the 90-day constitutional limit.

The PPP top brass was found in agreement with Bilawal when it came to the timings of the elections. However, some of the members were concerned over the ‘aggressive’ tone of the PPP chairperson in recent public gatherings.

Bilawal and the majority of the members had brushed aside concerns about his “aggressive tone” and vowed to toe the “same line of true and just politics” and take their stance to the election campaign.

In a reply submitted in a contempt petition, the superintendant said that people imprisoned under the Official Secrets Act are not allowed the facility of using a telephone.

The officer also submitted a letter by the Punjab Prison Foundation which says that under the Prison Rules of 1978, overseas calls cannot be allowed to any prisoner.

The superintendant said that since the the phone call was not allowed under any law, no court orders had been violated by not allowing it.

Judge Abu Alhasnaat Zulqurnain has asked for arguments to be presented on the superintendant’s reply on September 18.

Chief Justice of Pakistan anounced the 2-1 decision of allowing Khan’s petition, with Justice Mansoor Ali Shah dissenting.

The judegment said that all cases against public office holders that had been closed by the amendments would be reopened. The judgement will restore all the accountability cases against a host of politicians. The judgement has added that all such cases should be reopened within seven days.

 All decisions handed by accountability courts under the amended law have also been declared null and void.

The decision also struck down a clause that had said that cases involving less than Rs500 million would not be seen by NAB.

Clauses regarding plea bargains and shifting the burden of proof to the prosecution have also been declared void.

The decision also strikes down changes in definitions of assets beyond means and benami properties.

The judgement comes on the last workday of Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial’s tenure. A total of 53 hearings were held in the case.

Reserving the judgment on September 5, CJP Bandial had said that the court will hand down a ‘short and sweet’ judgement before his retirement.

A notice issued on Friday morning said that a three-member bench consisting of Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah would announce the decision at 12:15 pm. The time was later changed to 12:30pm.

The case is based on a petition filed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan in 2022 against the amendment passed by the parliament during the Pakistan Democratic Movement government’s tenure. The decision was announced after a total of 53 hearings.

The NAB amendments had restricted the bureau’s powers to probe corruption to only include cases involving atleast Rs500 million. The las had also reduced the tenure of the bureau’s chairman and ordered that pending inquiries should be transferred to relevant authorities.

Imran Khan had said in the petition that the amendments had been brought to legitimise corruption and provide benefit to ‘influential’ personalities.

According to details, CJP Umar Atta Bandial is retiring from his post tomorrow (Saturday) and will be replaced by the senior-most judge of Supreme Court, Justice Qazi Faiz Esa who will take oath as the Chief Justice of Pakistan on September 17.

On the last day in the bench of Supreme Court, Chief Justice Umar Atta thanked the lawyers and journalists and said: “Good to see you all my friends”.

Lawyer Mian Bilal stated when it was your first case in High Court, I appeared before you. Today it is your last case in the Supreme Court, again I am appearing.

Speaking to the lawyer, Chief Justice replied: “Your case has become ineffective, but if you give arguments, it is a good idea to keep the heart happy”.

Lawyer Mian Bilal added you always listened to us patiently, to which Justice Bandial said it is our duty to listen patiently to everyone. We always get to learn and support from the bar.

The Chief Justice of Pakistan continued to say that by wearing a black coat, we consider ourselves a part of the bar. “Justice Sahir Ali used to say that bar is our mother, God willing, we will meet in the bar room,” he added.

Justice Umar Atta said: “Thanks to my colleagues in the media who kept me diligent. I welcome the criticism of media. They must criticize the decisions but not the judges as they cannot defend themselves in response to criticism”.

Before criticizing a judge, check whether it is based on truth or speculation, criticism of judges should not be based on lies, added Umar.

The Chief Justice said that he is grateful to Allah who took his service to serve the country and justice, he did the duty for Allah.

According to the police, there was an explosion in the gas pipeline from Sui to Karachi at the village of Ghulam Rasool Malik.

Police officials said that police and officials of sensitive institutions have reached the place of incident and started the investigation related to the incident.

Officials added that according to initial investigation, the explosion in the pipeline was caused due to gas pressure, however, further investigation into the incident is underway.

ATC Judge Abual Hsanat Zulqarnain announced the verdict on the PTI leader's plea and directed him to submit a surety bond of Rs20,000 against the bail.

The PTI president was arrested hours after his release from National Accountability Bureau (NAB) custody on September 1, despite the fact that the Lahore High Court (LHC) had explicitly restricted the authorities from arresting him earlier that day.

The September 1 order was a reiteration of similar orders issued by the high court on July 13, 2023. Elahi has been arrested and detained repeatedly since the May 9 riots.

The PTI president is accused of sending rioters to Islamabad to vandalise the judicial complex along with providing vehicles and batons for the same, the police claimed, adding that the physical remand was being sought to question him about unidentified criminals and recover vehicles.

In the previous hearing, Judge Zulqarnain had sent the PTI leader to Adiala jail on a 14-day judicial remand after rejecting the prosecution's request seeking a 10-day physical remand.

During the hearing today, Elahi's lawyer Sardar Abdul Razzaq told the court that his client's name was added to the first information report (FIR) six months after it was filed.

The Elahi counsel said that others including PTI Chairman Imran Khan and party leader Asad Umar were granted bail in the same case, pleading that his client should also be granted bail.

However, the prosecution opposed the bail plea.

Lawyer Babar Awan told the court that Elahi was not named in the FIR, adding that the police could not recover anything during the three-day physical remand.

"Parvez Elahi was arrested on the basis of suspicion," added Awan.

At this, Prosecutor Raja Naveed said that the provisions under which the FIR was registered are non-bailable. "

The judge observed that Elahi was not nominated in the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) attack case. He added that nothing was recovered during his physical remand.

After hearing the arguments, the ATC judge accepted Elahi’s bail application.

Judicial complex riots

On March 18, PTI workers suddenly began pelting stones at the authorities inside the premises of the Federal Judicial Complex during Khan’s appearance before different courts in connection with multiple cases filed against him.

The former prime minister came with hoards of people — who had wooden sticks and stones in their hands — from the opposite side of the road in violation of Section 144.

The situation resulted in injuring 52 police and personnel of other assisting forces, said the police, adding that the PTI workers also damaged 12 Islamabad police vehicles.

Three police vehicles of the Punjab police and Frontier Corps (FC) were also damaged by agitated workers. Moreover, the workers also set fire to four cars of the federal police which were completely burned, added the police.

Subsequently, a terrorism case was registered against the PTI workers at the counter-terrorism department (CTD) police station for vandalism.

Islamabad police had also registered an FIR against the PTI cheif and other party leaders for their alleged involvement in attacking cops, setting ablaze vehicles and destroying property.

Replying to a comment on X, he said that the problems between Pakistan and Afghanistan are not limited to the movement of patients and trade through the Torkham border crossing.

“The problems are of a very serious nature. At present, the major issue is the use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan. TTP is an ally of Kabul. And being a brotherly neighbour, it is the duty of Afghanistan to ensure the guarantee and promotion of peace,” he wrote.

According to Asif, goodwill and good wishes cannot be unilateral. He alleged that terrorists are entering Pakistan disguising themselves as the caretakers of patients.

“Pakistan’s forces and civilians are martyred. All the background needs to be kept in front,” he stated.

It is pertinent to mention that the Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan reopened to pedestrians and vehicles early Friday, more than a week after it was closed following a gun battle between frontier guards.

“The clearance of trucks is in process and Afghan citizens are entering Afghanistan after clearance and passing immigration processes,” Irshad Khan Mohmmd, assistant commissioner of Khyber district in Pakistan, told an international news agency.

The plea was returned as the former ruling failed to approach the relevant forums before coming to the apex court.

The PTI had also included President Arif Alvi as a respondent but the registrar was of the view that the head of the state cannot be made part of the petition under Article 248.

“The petition did not mention which fundamental right of the petitioner was violated. The petition does not meet the requirements seeking the court’s intervention under Article 184/3,” the registrar of the Supreme Court further said.

Last month, the PTI had moved the top court seeking its directives to hold general elections in the country within 90 days of the dissolution of the National Assembly.

The petitioner, who is PTI's Secretary General Omar Ayyub, requested the apex court to direct President Alvi to give a date for the polls and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to issue an election schedule accordingly.

The petition was filed under Article 184(3) of the Constitution prays to declare as illegal and void ab initio the decision of the Council of Common Interest (CCI) dated August 5, 2023, approving the census.

This was the second petition filed with the apex court.

Earlier, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Abid S Zubairi had filed the same petition in the apex court.

Filed through Barrister Ali Zafar, the PTI petition also seeks that the notification by the Bureau of Statistics dated August 8, 2023, be declared illegal, unlawful, and void ab initio, while the delimitation exercise proposed to be taken by the ECP, dated August 17, 2023, be declared illegal, unlawful, and void ab initio as well.

“Section 57(1) of the Election Act, 2017, providing that the date of elections is to be fixed by the ECP may be declared to be ultra vires the Constitution and being contrary to Articles 48(5)(a), 58(1), 105(3)(a), 112(1), and 224,” wherein it is stated that the president or governor is to set the date of elections after dissolution by them on the advice of the prime minister or chief minister, the PTI had prayed.

The PTI had made the ECP, the federation, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, the Council of Common Interest (CCI), the chief secretaries of Punjab, Khyber, Sindh, Balochistan, and other respondents.

The PTI had further prayed to the apex court that the Sindh governor may also be required to announce the date of elections within 90 days of the dissolution of the Sindh Assembly and the ECP be directed to issue the election schedule accordingly, and same for the Balochistan province.

Meanwhile, the elections to the Punjab and KP assemblies may be held according to the judgments of this court and within a time frame fixed by the court, it had added.

The PTI had submitted that, vexatiously, the census is being used by the ECP as an excuse to delay the elections to the National Assembly, as shown by the ECP in its reply dated August 24, 2023, to the letter of the president dated August 23, 2023.

A day earlier, President Alvi had suggested a cut-off date for the holding of polls in a letter to the chief election commissioner (CEC). He said that in the light of Article 48(5) of the Constitution, he has the authority and mandate “to appoint a date not later than 90 days from the date of dissolution [of assemblies], for holding of a general election to the assembly.”

The president had said that the National Assembly was dissolved by him on the advice of the then-prime minister Shehbaz Sharif on August 9, 2023.

[…] in terms of Article 48(5) the general election to the National Assembly should be held by the eighty-ninth day of the date of dissolution of the National Assembly, i.e. Monday 6th Day of November 2023,” the letter had stated.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led (PML-N) coalition government dissolved the National Assembly on August 9 while the Sindh and Balochistan assemblies were also prematurely dissolved to allow the electoral authority to hold elections in the country within 90 days instead of 60 days if the legislature completed its constitutional tenure.

If the elections are to be held within the 90-day limit, then the polls are due on November 9, 2023.

However, before dissolving the assemblies the coalition government in a Council of Common Interest (CCI) meeting had unanimously approved the 7th Population and Housing Census 2023.

According to Article 51 (5) of the Constitution, the seats of the National Assembly to each province and the federal capital shall be allocated on the basis of population as per the new census.

Following CCI's approval, the ECP on August 17 announced the schedule of new delimitations which exceeded the November 9th 90-day constitutional limit, almost making sure that the elections are likely to be held post the 90-day mark.

The directives from the provincial chief executive came a day after Sindh’s caretaker Minister for Law and Human Rights, Muhammed Umar Soomro, issued a stern warning that any feudal lord or politician found to be associated with dacoits would be subject to legal proceedings.

During today’s Sindh cabinet briefing, it was informed that a total of 218 individuals had been abducted in the riverine areas of the province in 2023 so far. Among them, 207 have been successfully rescued, the provincial police chief informed the meeting.

He further disclosed that out of the 11 individuals currently held captive, seven were from Larkana, three from Shaheed Benazirabad, and one from Sukkur.

The IG mentioned that the initial count of abductees was 57 when he assumed his position, but this number had now reduced to 11.

Responding to this, the chief minister instructed authorities to take immediate measures to secure the release of the remaining abductees.

The CM was informed that the riverine areas had a total population of 0.4 million, comprising 238 villages, eight police stations, and 20 checkposts.

CM Baqar emphasised the deployment of reputable police officers to all these stations and sought the immediate replacement of underperforming cops. He stressed the need for regular reporting on abducted individuals by the authorities.

The chief minister also called for the swift reopening of the Ghotki-Kandhkot bridge, highlighting its potential to enhance the law and order situation.

The meeting also reached a decision to take decisive action against the drug mafia in collaboration with the Anti-Narcotics Force.

Expressing concern over street crimes in parts of the province, the chief minister remarked that individuals should not fear carrying a mobile phone in hand while moving freely, saying “such a situation is unacceptable”.

He instructed the provincial police chief to initiate a “comprehensive operation” against street crimes.

The meeting reached a consensus on deploying Rangers in Karachi for a period of six months.

“Rangers will maintain their presence in the metropolis from September 14, 2023, until February 2024,” the meeting decided.

The PPP’s secretary general Nayyar Bukhari has issued the show cause notice to Latif Khosa.

“Latif Khosa has been a member of the People’s Party’s CEC but without informing the party assisting the head of another party in legal cases, who has been convicted under corruption charges,” according to the show cause notice.

“You have criticized the state over cipher in lawyers’ convention.”

“Deliver your reply of this show cause notice within 7 days, in case of no-reply, action will be taken as per the rules and your basic membership of the party can be terminated,” Khosa has been warned.

Latif Khosa and Aitzaz Ahsan, have been at odds with the party leadership over their support to former prime minister Imran Khan in his legal troubles.

Earlier, both senior lawyers were invited to attend the CEC meeting in Lahore on September 14 (today).

Judge Abu Alhasnaat Zulqurnain announced the decision on Umar’s bail against surety bonds worth Rs50,000.

Umar, who served as finance minister and planning minister in the PTI government, appeared in person before Islamabad court to secure bail.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi are on remand in the same case until September 26.

Umar had gone ‘missing’ from Islamabad on August 20, hours after Qureshi was arrested in the cipher case.

On last Tuesday, it was reported that Asad Umar had been arrested in a cipher probe, but he refuted the news and appeared on the scene to secure bail in the case after the arrest of party leaders.

The first information report (FIR) was registered on August 15 under the Official Secrets Act. It was registered on the complaint of Home Secretary.

Former prime minister Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi were nominated in the report, while names of former principal secretary Azam Khan and former planning minister Asad Umar were also mentioned.

Addressing the farewell organized by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), CJP Bandial said that his main focus was to decrease the number of pending cases however soon after he took charge, people repeatedly came for their rights on the constitutional points.

He applauded the Bar Council’s role and stated that bar councils are important for a strong judiciary. CJP Bandial thanked the Chief Justices, judges and lawyers and said that we are all united under the judiciary.

Earlier, Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial vacated his official residence more than two days before his service ended.

Bandial is set to retire as the chief justice of the highest court in the country on September 16. He has shifted into a house reserved for retired judges.

Bandial has been in office since February 2, 2022 and served as chief justice for one and a half year.

Justice Qazi Faez Isa, a senior puisne judge of the Supreme Court, is all set to take oath as next chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) while Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial has vacated his official residence ahead of time.

According to details, the oath-taking ceremony of Justice Qazi Faez Isa will take place at Aiwan-e-Sadar in Islamabad on September 17 (Sunday). President Dr. Arif Alvi will administer oath to the nominated chief justice.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller also said that the US calls on the Pakistani government to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

“As we do with countries around the world, we urge Pakistan to hold a free and fair – free and fair and timely elections, and to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law,” Miller said.

 He also said that elections should proceed in a manner consistent with Pakistan’s laws.

“And we urge Pakistani authorities to move forward with the electoral process in a manner consistent with Pakistan’s laws, as we do with countries around the world,” he said.

When asked about not being able to get an answer from the US embassy about whether human to human connections between US and Pakistan, Miller said Pakistan is a ‘valuable’ partner for the US.

“… Pakistan is an important partner of ours. And we greatly value the relationship between our countries, both between our two governments and the people-to-people connections,” Miller said.

Responding to a questin regarding border issues on Torkham, Miller said that the US would encourage the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan to work together to resolve the issue.

Earlier, the spokesman had said that the US does not take any position regarding elections in the country and does not support any political party.

President Dr Arif Alvi said in the letter that the National Assembly was dissolved on August 9 on the advice of the prime minister.

The president cited Article 48(5) of the Constitution as giving him the authority and mandate to "designate a date not later than ninety days from the date of the dissolution, for the holding of a general election to the Assembly."

The development comes a day after President Alvi met with caretaker Law Minister Ahmed Irfan Aslam to discuss upcoming general elections.

During this month, the president and law minister have met three times to discuss the elections.

At an earlier meeting with the law minister, President Arif Alvi stressed the need to make decisions in accordance with "the spirit of the Constitution."

Talking to the media persons in Gilgit today after inaugurating OPD services at Cardiac hospital, he said responsibility rests with the state to enforce the respect of rights, assuring it will be done so at all costs.

He said nobody will be allowed to disturb the brotherhood in our society, values and culture. He said if there are differences because of some misperceptions, these will be removed through wisdom.

Responding to a question, the Prime Minister said there is no room for any foreign intelligence agency in the region, assuring that our national institutions will take the matters towards improvement.

The Prime Minister said it is the diversity and scenic beauty of Gilgit-Baltistan that attracts tourists not only from within Pakistan but also Europe and Asia.

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said negotiations have been held with the Governor, the Chief Minister and other stakeholders about the constitutional matters of the region. He mentioned that they are working towards finding constitutional solutions to questions related to the region's identity.

He said it will be our effort to help the people of Gilgit-Baltistan stand on their own feet and live a dignified life. He said they are striving to harness the economic potential of the region in various sectors, including tourism, mining and minerals, and power generation, by implementing long-term policies. He said improving road infrastructure in the region is also amongst our priorities.

Earlier the Prime Minister was briefed about the Cardiac Hospital Gilgit. The Prime Minister was informed that at present OPD facilities are being opened at the hospital. He said the cardiac hospital will be fully operational by June next year.

Khan has been imprisoned in the jail since his conviction in the Toshakhana case on August 5 for failing to properly declare gifts he received while in office.

While the Islamabad High Court had overturned a lower court's decision to jail him for three years with a Rs100,000 fine — a judgment that kept him from contesting upcoming elections, he remains behind bars due to his arrest in the cipher case.

The FIA had officially arrested the former prime minister in the cipher case last month after booking him under the Official Secrets Act.

Qureshi was taken into custody from his residence in Islamabad in the same case on August 19 while Khan was arrested in the cipher case while he was serving a three-year sentence in Attock jail in the Toshakhana case last month.

The Law Ministry had established the special court under the Official Secrets Act to conduct hearing on cipher case and anti-terrorism court (ATC) Judge Zulqarnain was given an additional charge to hear the matter.

A day earlier. the IHC reserved its verdict on Khan's petition challenging the Law Ministry's notification to hold his trial in Attock jail citing security concerns.