ISLAMABAD, 24 JULY (DNA) —  Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) has accelerated preparations for the auction of commercial plots in Sectors G-13 and G-14, with arrangements entering the final planning stage. Talking to media, an FGEHA spokesperson said the Authority’s Auction Committee recently met under the chairmanship of Joint Secretary (Estate), Ministry of Housing and Works, Fayyaz-ul-Haq, to review preparations for the proposed auction.

The spokesperson said the committee discussed the auction of commercial plots located in the Class-III Shopping Centres of Sectors G-13 and G-14/4, as well as commercial plots in Markaz G-14.

The meeting reviewed key arrangements, including the preparation of the auction brochure, advertising and publicity strategy, the proposed auction schedule, and other administrative and operational matters to ensure the process is conducted in a transparent, fair and competitive manner, providing equal opportunities to all prospective investors.

However, the spokesperson clarified that the auction date has not yet been finalised. “The auction date, brochure and other relevant details will be announced shortly through the official channels of the Federal Government Employees. — DNA

CHOLPON-ATA, July 24 /DNA/ – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 participated alongside heads of delegation from Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states in a joint painting ceremony held on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan.

The ceremony, steeped in diplomatic symbolism, saw the top diplomats collaboratively paint a shared canvas featuring interlocking tree branches. The artwork was designed to represent the collective vision of the SCO member states, with each branch symbolizing the mutual aspirations for lasting peace, enduring friendship, robust cooperation, and shared collective prosperity among the member nations.

The event served as a vibrant prelude to the formal discussions, underscoring the bloc’s commitment to fostering a spirit of unity and multilateralism. By blending their artistic strokes, the foreign ministers highlighted the interconnected fate of the SCO members and their dedication to nurturing growth and stability across the vast Eurasian region.

Senator Dar’s participation reaffirms Pakistan’s active role in the SCO’s agenda, promoting dialogue and collaboration on key regional and global issues. The joint painting will be retained as a memento of the meeting, signifying the common goals that bind the member states together.

RAWALPINDI, JUL 24 /DNA/ – On night 23/24 July 2026, a cowardly terrorist attack was carried out on Joint Police Check Post in Tank District by Khwarij belonging to Indian-sponsored, Fitna Al Khwarij.

The assailants sought to breach the check post security; however, their nefarious designs were swiftly and decisively foiled by the vigilant and resolute response of security forces. Displaying unwavering courage and professional excellence, troops engaged the fleeing khwarij with precision, eliminating twelve khwarij.

In their desperation, the attackers rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall. Due to blast impact, infrastructure at check post was seriously damaged, resultantly fifteen brave sons of soil including twelve military, two policemen and a government official ex forest department rendered the ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat.

Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored Kharji found in the area, as relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision “Azm e Istehkam” (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country. These sacrifices of our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation at all costs.

ISLAMABAD, JUL 24: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said India’s role in terrorist activities inside Pakistan was “absolutely clear”, urging the nation to collectively confront the threat of terrorism.

Addressing participants of the Balochistan National Workshop in Islamabad, the prime minister regretted that India was sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan.

He said that Balochistan’s leadership had always set aside personal interests to support the federation, while its people had played a key role in the creation of Pakistan.

PM Shehbaz said that Punjab had contributed generously to Balochistan’s share under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, adding that the country’s progress depended on the equal contributions of all four provinces.

The prime minister said work was underway on the Karachi-Chaman dual carriageway project.

Referring to the country’s fight against terrorism, he said that 90,000 people had embraced martyrdom and noted that a sessions judge had been killed in Mastung a day earlier.

PM Shehbaz lamented that the Afghan Taliban regime had “completely failed” to stop terrorists from using its soil to carry out attacks against civilians and security personnel in Pakistan.

The prime minister maintained that terrorism had been eradicated by 2018 but had returned under an “organised conspiracy”.

He resolved that the sacrifices of the people of Balochistan would not go in vain, adding that Pakistan had achieved significant successes in recent days.

On global diplomacy and peace efforts, he praised the contributions made by Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to mediate between the US and Iran.

Islamabad emerged as the key mediator between Tehran and Washington after conflict erupted in the Middle East following joint US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28.

According to the prime minister, Pakistan’s diplomacy for regional peace was being recognised globally.

‘Foreign-sponsored proxies to be defeated in Balochistan’
The prime minister’s remarks come a day after Field Marshal Munir resolved to defeat foreign-sponsored proxies’ nefarious designs in Balochistan with “decisive response”, saying consistent efforts of security forces would bring lasting peace to the province.

The army chief made the remarks while interacting with participants of the 20th National Workshop Balochistan at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Thursday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

Addressing the participants, CDF Munir said that consistent efforts of security forces and law enforcement agencies, backed by the steadfast support of the people, would bring lasting peace to Balochistan.

The army chief reaffirmed that targeted operations against Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan would continue with full resolve until the menace of terrorism and its abettors are eliminated from Pakistan, the ISPR said.

“He reiterated Pakistan’s firm resolve to dismantle terrorist infrastructure wherever it poses a threat to the country and its people,” it added.

Field Marshal Munir affirmed that foreign-sponsored proxies’ “nefarious designs” will be defeated through a firm and decisive response of the armed forces, supported by the resilience and unity of the people of Pakistan.

The Committee also recommended increasing the quota for journalists and media workers in future housing schemes and suggested introducing a dedicated housing loan scheme or according journalists priority under existing Federal Government housing finance initiatives.

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ISLAMABAD, JUL 24 /DNA/ – A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting was held at the PTV Headquarters, Islamabad, under the Acting Chairmanship of Senator Sarmad Ali to deliberate on a wide range of issues, including the reported misrepresentation of Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah’s name and preachings in the film Buleha, notices issued by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), transfer of PECA cases to NCCIA, allotment of plots to journalists, advertisement quota for regional newspapers and the grievances of Radio Pakistan pensioners.

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‎The meeting was attended by Senator Abdul Shakoor, Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi, Senator Pervaiz Rashid and Senator Jan Muhammad.

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‎The Committee was briefed by NCCIA regarding social media statistics and the removal of objectionable content by Meta. NCCIA clarified that the figures previously shared with the Committee were based on Meta’s publicly available data. The Committee accepted the clarification and stressed the need for responsible reporting based on verified facts.

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‎The Committee also reviewed the transfer of PECA cases from provincial authorities to NCCIA. On a query by Senator Waqar Mehdi NCCIA Officials informed the Committee that only nine cases from Sindh had so far been transferred, while the remaining cases in other provinces were yet to be transferred. After detailed deliberations, Senator Sarmad Ali directed that letters be sent to all relevant provincial authorities, urging them to expedite the transfer of pending cases along with the recommendations and report of the Senate Sub-Committee on Information and Broadcasting for implementation.

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‎The Committee also examined the issuance of a notice to a newspaper columnist over alleged controversial remarks regarding the bureaucracy. NCCIA informed the Committee that the notice had been issued solely to obtain the columnist’s version following complaints lodged by the President of the PAS Officers Association. It was further informed that no FIR had been registered under PECA, the columnist had not yet responded to the notice, and the article had been removed from the newspaper’s e-paper, although it remained available on the columnist’s Facebook page.

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‎During the discussion, members reiterated the government’s assurance given in Parliament that PECA would not be used against websites or digital platforms of newspapers and television as their content were regulated by the Press Council and Pemra respectively. Senator Pervez Rashid emphasized that the columnist should be asked to respond to the notice in order to establish the facts. The Committee unanimously observed that the dignity and sanctity of every individual must be respected. After consultation, the Acting Chairman directed NCCIA to refer both the complaint and the complainant to the Press Council of Pakistan, being the appropriate forum to examine the published column and decide the matter.

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‎The Committee also took notice of the alleged misrepresentation of Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah’s message of peace in the film Buleha, observing that the film distorted the peaceful teachings of the renowned Sufi saint by associating it with violence and guns by the lead role of film. Members questioned the basis on which the Central Board of Film Censors had approved the film. Although the Chairman of the Censor Board informed the Committee that the film had also been cleared by the censor boards of Punjab and Sindh, the Committee rejected this justification. Members further questioned the criteria for appointing members of the Censor Board and urged the Federal Government to develop a transparent and merit-based mechanism for such appointments.

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‎Following detailed deliberations, the Committee recommended that the producers of the Buleha be asked to change its name and remove an objectionable dialogue in which the lead character compared himself with Baba Bulleh Shah failing which the film should be blocked from release including possible removal from YouTube.

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‎The Committee was also briefed on the allotment of flats and plots by the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) for journalists and media workers. Officials informed the Committee that allotments under the quota for media workers had been completed while issues concerning the journalists’ quota remained unresolved. Expressing dissatisfaction over the prolonged delay, the Committee decided to constitute a monitoring sub-committee comprising Senators Parvez Rashid, Waqar Mehdi and Abdul Shakoor to oversee implementation of its recommendations and facilitate resolution of the issue.

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‎Senator Sarmad Ali directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to notify a committee comprising representatives of journalists in one week to review the matter, revisit the existing policy and decide the allotments within one month. The Committee also recommended increasing the quota for journalists and media workers in future housing schemes and suggested introducing a dedicated housing loan scheme or according journalists priority under existing Federal Government housing finance initiatives.

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‎The Press Information Department (PID) also briefed the Committee on the advertisement quota for regional newspapers. Officials informed the Committee that the existing policy reserves 25 percent of government advertisements for regional newspapers. However, members noted complaints regarding non-implementation of the policy, particularly from Sindh and Balochistan. The Acting Chairman directed PID to ensure strict implementation of the 25 percent quota, including language newspapers in recognition of their vital role in disseminating information to the public.

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‎The Committee further discussed the issues faced by Radio Pakistan pensioners. It was informed that 353 commutation cases remained pending and that Radio Pakistan continues to operate through a Federal Government grant-in-aid. Officials also informed the Committee that the Prime Minister had already constituted a committee to resolve outstanding issues relating to Radio Pakistan, PTV and APP. The Acting Chairman directed that the grievances of Radio Pakistan pensioners also be placed before the Prime Minister’s committee and called for an early resolution of the matter. informed the Committee that only Sindh had transferred nine cases so far been while the remaining cases in other provinces were under process. After detailed deliberations, Senator Sarmad Ali directed that letters be sent to all relevant provincial authorities, urging them to expedite the transfer of pending cases along with the recommendations and report of the Senate Sub-Committee on Information and Broadcasting for implementation.

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‎The Committee also examined the issuance of a notice to a newspaper columnist over alleged controversial remarks regarding the bureaucracy. NCCIA informed the Committee that the notice had been issued solely to obtain the columnist’s version following complaints lodged by the President of the PAS Officers Association. It was further informed that no FIR had been registered under PECA, the columnist had not yet responded to the notice, and the article had been removed from the newspaper’s e-paper, although it remained available on the columnist’s Facebook page.

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‎During the discussion, members reiterated the government’s assurance given in Parliament that PECA would not be used against websites or digital platforms of newspapers and television as their content were regulated by the Press Council and Pemra respectively. Senator Pervez Rashid emphasized that the columnist should be asked to respond to the notice in order to establish the facts. The Committee unanimously observed that the dignity and sanctity of every individual must be respected. After consultation, the Acting Chairman directed NCCIA to refer both the complaint and the complainant to the Press Council of Pakistan, being the appropriate forum to examine the published column and decide the matter.

‎

‎The Committee also took notice of the alleged misrepresentation of Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah’s message of peace in the film Buleha, observing that the film distorted the peaceful teachings of the renowned Sufi saint by associating it with violence and guns by the lead role of film. Members questioned the basis on which the Central Board of Film Censors had approved the film. Although the Chairman of the Censor Board informed the Committee that the film had also been cleared by the censor boards of Punjab and Sindh, the Committee rejected this justification. Members further questioned the criteria for appointing members of the Censor Board and urged the Federal Government to develop a transparent and merit-based mechanism for such appointments.

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‎Following detailed deliberations, the Committee recommended that the producers of the Buleha be asked to change its name and remove an objectionable dialogue in which the lead character compared himself with Baba Bulleh Shah failing which the film should be blocked from release including possible removal from YouTube.

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‎The Committee was also briefed on the allotment of flats and plots by the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) for journalists and media workers. Officials informed the Committee that allotments under the quota for media workers had been completed while issues concerning the journalists’ quota remained unresolved. Expressing dissatisfaction over the prolonged delay, the Committee decided to constitute a monitoring sub-committee to oversee implementation of its recommendations and facilitate resolution of the issue.

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‎Senator Sarmad Ali directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to notify the committee comprising representatives of journalists in one week to review the matter and revisit the existing policy within one month. The Committee also recommended increasing the quota for journalists and media workers in future housing schemes and suggested introducing a dedicated housing loan scheme or according journalists priority under existing Federal Government housing finance initiatives.

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‎On a query raised by Senate Jan Buledi, Press Information Department (PID) also briefed the Committee on the advertisement quota for regional newspapers. Officials informed the Committee that the existing policy reserves 25 percent of government advertisements for regional newspapers. However, members noted complaints regarding non-implementation of the policy, particularly from Sindh and Balochistan. The Acting Chairman directed PID to ensure strict implementation of the 25 percent quota, including language newspapers in recognition of their vital role in disseminating information to the public.

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‎The Committee further discussed the issues faced by Radio Pakistan pensioners. It was informed that 353 commutation cases remained pending and that Radio Pakistan continues to operate through a Federal Government grant-in-aid. Officials also informed the Committee that the Prime Minister had already constituted a committee to resolve outstanding issues relating to Radio Pakistan, PTV and APP. The Acting Chairman directed that the grievances of Radio Pakistan pensioners also be placed before the Prime Minister’s committee and called for an early resolution of the matter.

ISLAMABAD, JUL 24 /DNA/ – Pakistan picked seasoned diplomat Ambassador Syed Ali Asad Gillani for critical foreign postings, appointing him as the new ambassador to China at a time when Islamabad and Beijing are seeking to deepen strategic cooperation across diplomacy, defence, trade and regional connectivity.

Gillani will replace Ambassador Khalil Hashmi, who is expected to return to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after completing his three-year tenure in Beijing.

The appointment comes as Pakistan and China continue to expand collaboration under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), strengthen defence cooperation and coordinate closely on regional and global issues amid a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.

Gillani is a seasoned diplomat with nearly 30 years of service. He joined Foreign Service in 90s and has built an extensive diplomatic career across Asia, Europe and the Middle East. His connection with China dates back more than two decades when he served as Third Secretary at the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing.

Most recently, he has been serving in senior leadership roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including as Additional Secretary, where he has overseen key regional diplomatic affairs, while simultaneously heading the Foreign Service Academy as its Director General.

Gillani combines diplomatic experience with strong academic profile. He earned PhD in International Relations from Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, Türkiye.

Over nearly three decades, Gillani has served in several high-profile diplomatic assignments.

His overseas postings include Beijing as Third Secretary, Geneva as First Secretary, Tokyo as Counsellor. and Ankara as Minister and Deputy Head of Mission. He also served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, where he played an active role in boosting bilateral relations, promoting trade and regional connectivity, engaging with the Pakistani diaspora and participating in Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) activities.

At the Foreign Office headquarters, he has held several important positions, including Section Officer, Deputy Director, Director, Deputy Chief of Protocol and senior roles dealing with political affairs, human resources and multilateral diplomacy.

Gillani takes charge of Pakistan’s embassy in Beijing at a crucial moment for bilateral relations. China remains Pakistan’s largest strategic partner, with cooperation extending far beyond diplomacy. The relationship spans defence collaboration, infrastructure development, energy projects, trade, technology, investment and regional security.

CHOLPON-ATA, JUL 24 /DNA/ – Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, on the sidelines of the SCO CFM Meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic.

The two Ministers reaffirmed the close and longstanding ties between Pakistan and Iran and reviewed the evolving regional situation. The DPM/FM expressed deep concern over recent regional tensions and underscored the importance of dialogue, restraint, de-escalation by all sides, and sustained diplomatic engagement to achieve lasting peace and stability. He emphasized the need to build on the understandings reached under the Islamabad MoU of June 2026.

Foreign Minister Araghchi appreciated Pakistan’s continued diplomatic support and constructive efforts in promoting regional peace and security. He also thanked Pakistan for facilitating the safe return of Iranian fishermen and crew members, including those from vessels interdicted by the U.S., and for its close coordination with the Iranian, U.S., and other relevant authorities to ensure their safe transit through Pakistan and return to Iran.

The two sides agreed to maintain close coordination and regular consultations on issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed their commitment to working together for regional peace, stability, and shared prosperity.