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KP CM Sohail Afridi rejects governor’s rule threats • Nadia Khan faces criticism after questioning Preshay Adnan over gym attire • OpenAI scraps new AI model launch over safety concerns • Men face higher cancer rates than women, study finds • Pakistan earn first point in FIFA ASEAN Cup after 2-2 draw with Philippines • Tax return filing deadline tomorrow as late-filer category set to end • Floods and heavy rains kill 23 in Thailand • Ahsan Bhoon sends Rs5b defamation notice to Capt (R) Safdar • Salman Khan speaks out against AI-generated deepfake videos • Insomnia linked to 26% higher stroke risk, study finds • Google Chrome introduces feature to preserve tab position across devices • Four militants killed in security operation in DI Khan • Clashes erupt over partial demolition of 600-year-old Ujjain mosque in India • Pakistan thrash Oman 7-2, set up Asian Games semifinal against India • Pakistan plans $500mn ADB loan for pension reforms
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Pakistan Desk

Future Soch Pakistan Desk covers verified national news, public policy, society, education, health and public-service information.

Jamaat-e-Islami rejects PM’s petrol relief package

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Jamaat-e-Islami

ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Deputy Emir Liaquat Baloch has rejected the prime minister’s Rs100-per-liter petrol relief package, saying it cannot be a substitute for abolishing the petroleum levy.

Speaking to reporters after the third round of talks between the government and JI in Islamabad, Baloch said technical discussions were held on independent power producers (IPPs) and the petroleum levy.

He said Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Energy Minister Awais Leghari briefed the JI delegation during the talks.

Baloch said the JI had rejected the prime minister’s petrol relief package and made it clear that the petroleum levy should be abolished.

“If the levy is abolished, consumers can get relief of Rs103 per liter on petrol,” he said.

He described the prime minister’s relief measure as a “deception” and said the government had been told to convey to the prime minister that the JI’s march toward Islamabad would go ahead.

Regarding IPPs, Baloch said Leghari had presented the government’s complete position and acknowledged that issues involving 54 IPPs had been finalized following the JI’s previous protests.

The JI has been holding sit-ins in various cities against inflation and the petroleum levy. The party has also announced a long march toward Islamabad on Sept. 20.

Karachi Safari Park elephant Madhubala falls ill with suspected infection

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Karachi Safari

KARACHI: Madhubala, an elephant at Karachi’s Safari Park, has fallen ill with a suspected infection and is currently unable to use her right hind leg, officials said Tuesday.

According to Safari Park administration, Madhubala developed swelling in her right hind thigh, preventing her from putting weight on the affected leg. She reportedly suddenly fell to the ground a day earlier and had to be lifted with the help of a crane.

Officials said Madhubala has previously suffered from foot infections and abscesses. She had also experienced calcium deficiency in recent days, but her calcium levels have now improved.

Several medical tests have been conducted on the elephant, the administration said.

A veterinary expert said Madhubala has been given antibiotics because of concerns about a possible bacterial infection. However, further medical examination is needed to determine the exact cause of her illness.

The expert added that prolonged exposure to hard flooring can be a major cause of foot-related problems in elephants.

Meanwhile, a KMC spokesperson said he was unaware of Madhubala’s current health condition.

Madhubala was transferred from Karachi Zoo to Safari Park in November 2024, where she was kept with elephants Sonia and Malika. Sonia died about a month after Madhubala’s transfer.

30 minutes of daily exercise may help prevent type 2 diabetes: Study

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30 minutes

ROME: Just 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day may help improve blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity, potentially reducing the long-term risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to an Italian study.

Researchers at the Centro per le Malattie Endocrine e Metaboliche studied 32 healthy people between the ages of 20 and 35 who were not taking any medication.

Participants underwent glucose testing before being asked to perform light jogging. Their blood glucose and insulin levels were tested again 24 hours after exercise.

The researchers found that 30 minutes of aerobic exercise produced an immediate improvement in blood glucose levels and increased insulin sensitivity.

The findings also suggested that the benefits of exercise may persist for up to 24 hours, with lower blood glucose levels and improved insulin sensitivity observed after physical activity.

Researchers said the results support earlier evidence that regular physical activity can improve glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity over the long term.

They said making exercise a regular part of daily life could help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The study’s findings were published in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation.

PM’s fuel relief package gets ECC approval

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PM’s fuel

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Economic Coordination Committee on Monday approved Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s fuel relief package, providing weekly assistance of 500 rupees to motorcycle and rickshaw users and 1,000 rupees every 10 days to owners of vehicles with engines up to 800cc.

The ECC, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, approved a technical supplementary grant of 75 billion rupees for the fuel relief scheme, according to an official statement.

The scheme will be limited to non-commercial users, with each individual or vehicle owner eligible to receive relief for only one vehicle.

The committee also approved the introduction of a digital Fuel Pass system to ensure transparent distribution of the subsidy. The Ministry of Information Technology will develop and manage the system.

The ECC also approved a framework for restructuring the ownership and administrative control of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation. It endorsed recommendations submitted by a committee headed by the minister responsible for privatization.

The committee approved a draft upgrade agreement for existing oil refineries, setting a five-year deadline for completion of refinery modernization projects.

The ECC deferred consideration of the commercial import of used vehicles.

It also approved the export of an additional 200,000 metric tons of sugar, subject to safeguards aimed at maintaining price stability in the domestic market.

The committee further approved 3 billion rupees for the purchase of 15 bulletproof vehicles for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.

CM Punjab’s daughter Mahnoor Safdar marries in private family ceremony

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CM Punjab

LAHORE: Mahnoor Safdar, daughter of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, got married in a private nikah ceremony attended by members of the Sharif family and close relatives.

The ceremony was held at Jati Umra in Lahore and was kept limited to family members and close relatives.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz were among those who attended the ceremony, along with other members of the Sharif family.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb also attended the wedding ceremony.

Mahnoor Safdar married Azaan Jabbar, the son of businessman Jabbar Khalid.

Maryam Nawaz recently attended her daughter’s graduation ceremony in London. At the time, she said she was delighted with her daughter’s achievement and described the graduation as a moment of happiness for her and her family.

Pakistan reports fourth polio case of 2026

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Pakistan reports

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reported its fourth polio case of the year, with the latest case detected in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, health authorities said Friday.

According to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), the affected child is from the Naurar union council of Miryan tehsil in Bannu. Three of the four polio cases reported in Pakistan this year have emerged from the Bannu division.

NEOC officials said security challenges had prevented health teams from maintaining regular access to children in parts of Bannu division. Polio teams have been unable to regularly reach children in Naurar union council since 2025, they said.

Officials warned that the continued presence of unvaccinated children was allowing the poliovirus to circulate in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. While transmission of the virus has declined nationally, the risk remains high in southern parts of the province, they said.

Pakistan reported 31 polio cases in 2025, according to the NEOC.

The next nationwide polio vaccination campaign will run from Sept. 21 to 27, with health authorities planning to administer polio drops to about 31 million children.

The NEOC said polio vaccination was safe and effective and had been used in 195 countries.

JI announces Islamabad long march for Sep 20

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JI announces

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Friday announced a long march toward Islamabad on Sept. 20 against inflation, rising petroleum prices and the petroleum levy.

Addressing a Jamaat-e-Islami protest gathering in Gujranwala, Rehman said the party had decided to turn its ongoing protests and sit-ins into a long march after talks with the government failed.

He said the Sept. 20 march would be “historic” and urged people across the country to participate.

“The government must abolish the petroleum levy and cut its own expenditures,” Rehman said, adding that the government could not claim it had no resources while imposing additional burdens on citizens.

He warned that if the levy was not withdrawn, his party would launch a movement seeking the government’s removal.

Rehman also criticized government spending and questioned the use of expensive official aircraft, saying ordinary citizens were struggling with rising costs while those in power enjoyed privileges.

“Listen, Shehbaz Sharif, and listen to the public’s anger,” he said, warning the prime minister over the growing public discontent.

The Jamaat-e-Islami chief said the government’s economic policies had opened the way for corruption and called for an end to what he described as excessive taxes and expenditures.

Meanwhile, heavy rain and strong winds disrupted the party’s ongoing sit-in in Rawalpindi, damaging the screen system at Liaquat Bagh. Participants listened to Rehman’s address through an audio system as water accumulated along the road near Liaquat Bagh Chowk.

Rehman also said he would lead the Rawalpindi-Islamabad march scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, as part of the party’s ongoing protest campaign.

Pakistan-Saudi defence cooperation continues, FO says

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Pakistan-Saudi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia continue to maintain bilateral defence cooperation, but implementing their recently signed defence agreement will take time, Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesman said Thursday.

Foreign Office spokesman Sajjad Haider Khan said during his weekly briefing that Pakistan condemned attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia and had expressed solidarity with the Saudi leadership and people.

“Pakistan will continue to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia,” he said.

Khan said Pakistani forces were already present in Saudi Arabia for training and logistical purposes, adding that further aspects of defence cooperation would become clearer as the agreement is implemented.

He said the implementation process would require time and that the two countries remained engaged in bilateral defence cooperation.

On Kashmir, Khan said the disputed region remained on the agenda of the United Nations and that Indian claims and actions could not alter its disputed status.

He said the official U.N. map reflected the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir and described Indian measures concerning the region as having no legal effect.

Khan also condemned the demolition of a mosque in Saharanpur, India, saying the incident brought back memories of the demolition of the Babri Mosque.

Addressing reports about Afghan students, the spokesman rejected the impression that Pakistan had imposed a blanket ban on Afghan students.

“No decision has been taken to impose a complete ban on Afghan students,” he said, adding that Afghan students with valid visas and enrolment in recognised degree programmes could complete their education.

Court issues non-bailable arrest warrants for PTI lawmakers

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Court issues

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for eight lawmakers affiliated with Pakistan’s opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), according to court officials.

The warrants were issued by Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra in connection with case No. 714 registered at Margalla police station.

Those named in the warrants include lawmakers Shahid Khattak, Maulana Naseem Ali Shah, Amir Dogar, Atif Khan and Iqbal Afridi.

The court also issued warrants for provincial lawmakers Meena Khan Afridi, Dr. Amjad and Shafi Jan.

The court directed the Station House Officer of Ramna police station to arrest the accused and present them before the court.

The case comes as PTI lawmakers continue to face legal proceedings linked to cases registered in Islamabad.

Pakistan has no nationality-based ban on medical students, PMDC says

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Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has imposed no restrictions on Afghan students or students of any particular nationality seeking medical education in the country, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council said Thursday.

The council said its rules and visa requirements applied equally to all foreign students, without discrimination based on nationality.

More than 200 Afghan medical students have been identified in Pakistan, but only 22 are legally registered with the PMDC, according to the council.

Of those registered, 14 have completed their medical education, while eight are expected to graduate next year.

The records and documents of the remaining 176 students are being verified, the PMDC said.

It stressed that obtaining a medical degree alone does not grant a person the right to remain in Pakistan or practise medicine there. Graduates seeking to practise must obtain a PMDC licence and hold a valid visa, it said.

The council said students who are not registered cannot be considered legal students under Pakistan’s medical education system.

It added that affected students were being facilitated in completing required documentation and, where necessary, making an orderly and dignified return.

The PMDC said Pakistan welcomed foreign students who met all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.