LAHORE, Apr 5: A new requirement has been introduced for passengers traveling free of charge on the Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) in the provincial capital.

According to the OLMT administration, it is now mandatory for passengers to carry a valid ID card to avail the free travel facility. Officials said that ID cards are being checked at every station, and none is allowed to board the train without proper identification.

The new rule came into effect on Sunday morning, accompanied by tightened security measures at all stations. Passengers have been advised to carry their original ID cards during the journey to avoid any inconvenience.

OLMT officials stated that this measure has been implemented to facilitate passengers while enhancing security and improving the overall travel system.

ISLAMABAD, Apr 5: The Supreme Court of Pakistan will host a high-level delegation from the Constitutional Court of Türkiye from April 6 to 9, during which both sides are set to formalize a judicial cooperation framework through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The visiting delegation will be led by the President of the Turkish Constitutional Court, Kadir Özkaya, accompanied by judges and senior officials. The MoU signing ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Supreme Court on April 6.

According to an official statement issued here Sunday, the agreement aims to establish a structured framework for collaboration between the two countries’ superior courts, focusing on judicial exchange, capacity building, and sharing of best practices in adjudication.

The initiative reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and Türkiye to strengthening constitutional governance, upholding the rule of law, and reinforcing judicial independence. It also seeks to promote closer institutional linkages between their judicial systems.

A key component of the cooperation will be professional development within the judiciary, particularly at the district level. This will include joint training programmes, academic exchanges, and exposure to comparative judicial practices. The collaboration is also expected to facilitate the integration of modern technologies into judicial processes to enhance efficiency, transparency, and access to justice.

The MoU further provides for the establishment of a joint working group to ensure sustained engagement and effective implementation of agreed areas of cooperation.

During their visit, the delegation will hold high-level institutional meetings and engage with key stakeholders in Pakistan’s justice sector. Discussions are expected to focus on contemporary challenges in adjudication, judicial administration, and ongoing reform initiatives.

In addition to official engagements, the delegation will visit Taxila and the Walled City of Lahore, highlighting Pakistan’s cultural heritage and the importance of people-to-people ties.

The MoU signing ceremony will be broadcast live and will be attended by judges of the Supreme Court and the Federal Constitutional Court, chief justices of high courts, senior government officials, and representatives of the legal fraternity.

The visit is part of broader efforts by the Supreme Court of Pakistan to promote a modern, efficient and responsive justice system aligned with international best practices, aimed at enhancing public trust and access to justice.

ABBOTTABAD, Apr 05: The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has launched the “Ehsas Fuel Support Program” to provide financial relief to the public.

Under this scheme, registered motorcycle and scooter owners will receive financial assistance of PKR 2,000 per month as fuel support.

According to official details, the eligibility criteria require that the motorcycle or scooter must be registered in the applicant’s own name, and the registration transfer must be complete.

Unregistered vehicles or those registered in another person’s name will not be eligible for the program.

The registration process will be conducted through the Dastak App, which can be downloaded from the Play Store or App Store.

Applicants must create an account on the app as a buyer or user, enter the vehicle’s registration number and chassis number, and select their district.

The required information includes the applicant’s name, father’s name, CNIC number, registered mobile number, and complete address.

The necessary documents include the applicant’s CNIC (front and back), the registration book or smart card, a clear photo of the vehicle, and verification of both seller and buyer if the vehicle has been transferred.

The application will be verified through e-Sahulat, and after verification by the Excise & Taxation Office (ETO), approval will be granted.
Applicants will be notified whether their application has been approved or rejected.

Authorities have issued important instructions, warning that providing false information will result in rejection of the application. Furthermore, if the name transfer has not been completed, the application will not be accepted. In case of transfer, verification of both parties is mandatory.

The registration process will begin from April 6th. For further information or queries, citizens can contact the helpline at 091-9212260 or 091-9211693.

ISLAMABAD, Apr 5: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf announced on Sunday that Hajj 2026 arrangements are fully prepared with no extra cost for 180,000 pilgrims, including 120,000 government and 60,000 private, with flights starting April 18 with exemplary arrangements and a new Lahore route added to existing services.

While exclusively speaking with PTV news in Riyadh, the Federal Minister stated that all arrangements for Hajj 2026 are being completed efficiently with no extra cost.

He announced that a total of 180,000 pilgrims will perform Hajj this year, including 120,000 under the government quota and 60,000 through private arrangements, ensuring fair access for all eligible pilgrims.

Highlighting improvements for this year, he revealed a new Lahore-to-Saudi Arabia route to facilitate easier travel for pilgrims, while flights from other cities will continue as scheduled.

The minister emphasized that all operations, including flights, accommodations and transport, will be organized in a smooth and exemplary manner to ensure the comfort and safety of all pilgrims.

He further stated that the Ministry of Religious Affairs will closely coordinate with private companies to regulate Umrah services, accommodations, catering and transport.

Every effort is being made to provide pilgrims with high-quality arrangements and the ministry aims to make this year’s Hajj an exemplary experience in terms of management and facilities.

The minister also reaffirmed the strong relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, appreciating the host country’s arrangements and support for Pakistani pilgrims.

He highlighted that this year’s Hajj would fully utilize the Pakistani quota while maintaining exemplary standards, reflecting the commitment of both governments to facilitating a safe and memorable pilgrimage experience.

Responding to a query, he said that previously the Hajj route ran from Karachi to Islamabad, and now a new Lahore-to-Saudi Arabia route has been added to facilitate easier travel for pilgrims, while flights from other cities will continue as scheduled.

LAHORE, Apr 05: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari on Sunday met Sri Lanka’s Honorary Consul General Yasin Joya to discuss matters of mutual interest and ways to enhance cooperation across various sectors.

Secretary Information Punjab Tahir Raza Hamdani, along with social leaders Zulfiqar Hussain and Syed Mohsin, also attended the meeting. Both sides reviewed opportunities to further strengthen ties between Punjab and Sri Lanka and expand collaboration in multiple fields.

During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on anti-drug initiatives, as well as treatment and rehabilitation programs for drug addicts.

Speaking on the occasion, Azma Bokhari said the Punjab government has a zero-tolerance policy towards drug peddlers, adding that making the province drug-free remains a top priority of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
She asserted that no place in Punjab is safe for those involved in drug trafficking.

The minister further highlighted that a special campaign against drug abuse in educational institutions has been launched and is already yielding positive results.

ISLAMABAD, Apr 5: Pakistan on Sunday questioned the position of UN Human Rights Experts regarding the lack of “credible evidence” linking Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attacks to Afghan soil, pointing to multiple UN and international reports that documented the presence and activities of terrorist groups, including TTP, operating from Afghanistan.

In a recent statement, the UN Experts had urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to commit to a permanent ceasefire and had also claimed that Pakistan had not published credible evidence that TTP attacks within its territory were directed or controlled by the de facto Afghan authorities.

Contradicting their position, Pakistan highlighted a contrast between the UN Experts’ statement and established findings from various UN Security Council Monitoring Team reports and SIGAR assessments consistently documenting TTP presence, safe havens, and operational activity from Afghan soil.

Pakistan referred to the 35th, 36th, 16th and 37th UN Security Council Monitoring Team Reports issued in February 2025, July 2025, December 8, 2025 and February 4, 2026 respectively. It also cited the SIGAR 66th and 68th reports of January 2025. Additional references include the Russian MFA Military-Political Assessment of February 2026, the CSTO Security Assessment of 2026, the SCO Deliberations of September 2025, and the Quadrilateral Assessment by Russia, China and Iran in September 2025.

Pakistan further mentioned statements by the Danish Ambassador at the UN Security Council in November 2025, Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in 2025, Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia in 2025, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in August 2025.

The said reports and assessments collectively highlighted Afghanistan as a hub for over 20 international terrorist organizations (ITOs), with 13,000–23,000 foreign terrorists, including more than 6,000 TTP fighters enjoying safe havens and operational freedom.

They also note continued Al-Qaeda presence and leadership regrouping, as well as active ISIL-K expansion.

The above assessments document over 600 TTP attacks in Pakistan launched from Afghan soil, with the Afghan Taliban providing sanctuary, facilitation, and logistical support that enabled cross-border attacks and regional instability.

Pakistan questioned what additional evidence the UN Human Rights Experts required, noting that multiple UN and international assessments already confirmed the presence of over 20 terrorist groups, thousands of foreign terrorists, and continued Taliban support to proxies operating from Afghan soil.

“Whether these findings are being ignored? Do they expect Pakistan’s leadership to go to Afghanistan and have photographs with TTP leaders like Hafiz Gul Bahadar and Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud,” a security analyst questioned.

He also raised concern over the UN Experts questioning the credibility of the very UN institutions tasked with monitoring, reporting, and upholding international norms, maintaining that these established reports provided clear documentation of the threats originating from Afghan territory.

MULTAN, Apr 05: Passengers travelling from Multan to Karachi on Khyber Mail have complained of poor cleanliness, delays and overcharging during the long journey.

The train, which passengers say usually departs one to two hours late, reportedly reaches Karachi with even longer delays due to unscheduled stops along the route.

Travellers described unhygienic conditions throughout the journey, claiming trash remained scattered on cabin floors and stuffed into bins beneath the windows. Rubeena, Farzana and Tehseen, who boarded the train from Multan, said they waited for a cleaner to arrive but no one showed up.

Passengers also reported seeing cockroaches inside the so-called luxury AC Business cabins. Farooq, who boarded the train from Bahawalpur, said the presence of insects made the journey uncomfortable.

In addition to hygiene concerns, passengers criticized high food and service charges. They said a cup of tea was sold for Rs150, a paratha for Rs80, an omelette for Rs120 and a chicken piece for Rs1,200, while pillows and blankets were rented at Rs150 each for the night. Raja Riaz, a dining car salesman, said the prices were fixed by the authorities and he had no authority to offer discounts. Passengers further alleged that no receipts were issued despite repeated requests.

Efforts to obtain a response from Divisional Superintendent Railways Hanif Gill remained unsuccessful despite repeated calls and messages. Railways PRO Karleem said he was unable to comment in detail, adding that only higher authorities could respond to the said issues raised by passengers.