Layyah: School Principal Killed as Veranda Roof Collapses Amid Storm and Rain

File: Photo Chowk Azam RAIN

Layyah/Chowk Azam: A tragic incident occurred in the area after strong winds and heavy rain caused the roof of a veranda to collapse, resulting in the death of a government school principal.

According to the initial information, Khalil Ahmed, principal of Government Primary School Tail Munda, was killed when the veranda roof collapsed during the storm and rain.

The incident has caused grief among the local community, particularly residents, teachers, and students associated with the school. The sudden death of the school principal has also left his colleagues and students mourning.

The roof reportedly collapsed amid adverse weather conditions, highlighting the risks posed by strong winds and rain to vulnerable structures.

Further details about the incident, including the circumstances surrounding the collapse and any possible injuries or property damage, were not immediately available.

Local authorities and relevant departments are expected to assess the situation and determine the cause of the roof collapse.

The death of Khalil Ahmed has cast a pall of gloom over the area. Residents expressed condolences to his family and prayed for the deceased.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. May Allah Almighty grant the deceased forgiveness and a high place in Jannat-ul-Firdous and give patience to his family and loved ones.

Qul Khwani Announced for Late Nazar Hussain in Chowk Azam

File: Photo Nazar Hussain 

Chowk Azam: A condolence announcement has been issued following the death of Nazar Hussain, also known as Naja Qasab, a resident of Ward No. 1 in Chowk Azam. He was the respected father of Mudassar Nazar, also known as Dacha Qasab.

According to the family announcement, Nazar Hussain passed away due to natural causes. His death has brought sorrow to his family, relatives, friends, and members of the local community.

The family has announced that the Qul Khwani and Khatm-e-Sharif for the deceased will be held on Tuesday, October 6, at 9:00 a.m. The religious gathering will take place at Azam Jamia Masjid in Chowk Azam.

Family members have invited relatives, friends, neighbors, and other members of the community to attend the Qul Khwani and pray for the forgiveness and eternal peace of the deceased. They have also requested attendees to participate in the gathering and remember the departed soul in their prayers.

The Qul Khwani is a religious gathering held to offer prayers and recite the Holy Quran for the deceased. Such gatherings also provide an opportunity for family members, relatives, and community members to come together, offer condolences, and support the bereaved family during a difficult time.

The family has expressed its gratitude to everyone who has shared their condolences and offered prayers following the death of Nazar Hussain.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un — “Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.”

May Allah Almighty forgive the deceased, grant him a high place in Jannat-ul-Firdous, and give patience and strength to his family and loved ones. May all those attending the Qul Khwani be rewarded for their prayers and participation.

The family once again requested community members to attend the gathering at Azam Jamia Masjid at 9:00 a.m. on October 6 and pray for the departed soul.

Bhakkar: Bandit wanted in 79 cases killed by accomplices' fire during encounter with CCD

 Bhakkar: Shootout between CCD and bandits near Chak 32 TDA wanted suspect killed by accomplices' gunfire

Asmatullah a bandit wanted in 79 cases hailed from Tibba Sohlan Wala Bahal.

Bhakkar (Crime Reporter): A gun battle took place between the Crime Control Department (CCD) and bandits near Chak 32 TDA resulting in the death of a notorious suspect, Asmatullah, who was killed by fire from his own accomplices.

According to police sources, a CCD team encountered the alleged bandits, triggering an exchange of fire. Amidst the indiscriminate firing by the bandits, Asmatullah was struck and killed by his own associates.

The deceased suspect was a resident of Tibba Sohlan Wala Bahal and was wanted by the police in 79 cases involving serious crimes, including robbery and highway banditry. Police operations to apprehend him had been underway due to his involvement in criminal activities in the area.

Following the incident, the police cordoned off the area to collect evidence and transferred the body to the hospital for necessary legal formalities. Further investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Security Forces Kill 10 Militants in South Waziristan Video

Three people were killed and another seriously injured in a horrific collision between a bus and a motorcycle near Niazi Chowk on the National Highway in Khanewal, rescue officials said on Friday.

According to Rescue 1122 officials, the accident occurred when a speeding passenger bus rammed into a motorcycle carrying four people near Niazi Chowk. Three of the riders died on the spot, while one sustained critical injuries.

Police and rescue teams rushed to the scene soon after the incident and shifted the bodies and the injured to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Khanewal. Officials said the injured man was in critical condition.

Eyewitnesses said the bus was travelling at high speed when the collision took place. "The bus was coming from the opposite direction at great speed and crushed the motorcycle," a witness told media at the scene.

Police said the bus driver fled the scene after the accident. A case has been registered and raids are underway to arrest the driver, they added.

The deceased were residents of the same locality and were reportedly on their way to Khanewal when the accident occurred. Funeral arrangements were being made as grieving relatives gathered at the hospital.

District officials said an investigation had been launched into the incident, adding that overloading and reckless driving on the National Highway had made the stretch increasingly dangerous for commuters.

Local residents demanded the installation of speed breakers and better traffic monitoring near Niazi Chowk, saying several fatal accidents had occurred at the same spot in recent months.

Security Forces Kill 10 Militants in South Waziristan, Bajaur Operations

File: Photo

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s security forces killed 10 militants in intelligence-based operations in South Waziristan and Bajaur against groups linked to Fitna al-Khawarij and affiliates of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Saturday.

The operations were conducted under the banner of Azm-e-Istehkam, the state’s drive against terrorism. Officials gave no further information for the time being on the engagements.

The strikes followed a Corps Commanders’ Conference, where military leaders reaffirmed Pakistan’s right to defend itself against threats from Afghanistan. They accused the Afghan Taliban of supporting militant groups and of Indian involvement, a charge that has been a regular part of official statements on militancy.

Security has deteriorated sharply and these operations are happening against this backdrop. Violence-related deaths rose to 1,415 in the third quarter of 2026, an increase of 83 percent, with most casualties reported in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

But officials and analysts have stressed that military action alone will not be enough. They argue that strikes must be accompanied by better governance and local peace committees that may capitalize on tribal ties and community influence to counter radicalization, especially in the border districts where militants have sought to regain ground.

TTAP Accuses Sherry Rehman of Breaching Confidentiality Pact as Govt-Opposition Talks Continue

File: Photo

ISLAMABAD: The Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP) on Friday accused PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman, a member of the government's negotiating team, of violating the understanding reached for talks with the opposition, and said the opposition never agreed to postpone its long march unconditionally.

The first round of talks between the government and opposition ended earlier in the day. The two sides will meet again at 2pm on Saturday in the National Assembly speaker's chamber. Both camps stayed tight-lipped about the proceedings, and no details of the discussions have emerged.

TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai said both sides had agreed to keep the talks confidential, and accused Rehman of breaching that understanding. "We strongly condemn her statement. A senior parliamentarian like her should not have acted irresponsibly," he told Express News.

Yousafzai said the opposition alliance had presented its demands to the government delegation, which in turn shared its own concerns. The opposition has asked for time to consult on the matter. He added that details of the talks had been shared with opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai at a meeting that also discussed the way forward.

Rehman: PTI Must End Long March

Speaking to the media earlier, Rehman said the PPP's position was that PTI must end its long march unconditionally. "Not postpone it, not suspend it, not put it on hold — it has to be ended," she said, adding that violence had not decreased during the march.

She pointed to the situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, saying civilians, policemen and soldiers were being martyred. "The PPP has always maintained that terrorism is our red line," she said, recalling the martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto. She added that the party did not hold long marches for an individual.

Asked about the demands raised in the talks, Rehman declined to share details, citing the trust deficit between the two sides. She said the government and opposition would try to conclude the process by Saturday, and that the final position would be shared with the media then.

Rehman Clarifies Remarks

In a later interview on Naya Pakistan, Rehman clarified that she had only meant there should be no outside discussion of the negotiations' details given the trust deficit. She said there was a joint understanding to wait until Saturday before disclosing specifics, and that on talk shows, parties could stick to their general stated positions.

"I cannot currently comment on statements made on social media; the purpose of the space provided at the negotiating table is to bring matters under consideration," she said. "Anyone can speak about their party's position, but no one can speak regarding the negotiations themselves."

Rehman also stressed that she had not said PTI asked for more time for the negotiations. She said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's stated position was that issues should be resolved through "political and constitutional means," especially amid rising terrorism and militancy. "Zardari and Bilawal both wish to resolve issues under a political framework so that political tensions do not rise further," she said.

Meeting of Transporters in Karor Lal Eisan Directive Issued to Improve Travel Facilities

A meeting of transporters was held under the chairmanship of Assistant Commissioner Asghar Ali Cheema, during which transport-related matters, public grievances, and travel facilities provided to passengers were reviewed.

During the meeting, transporters were directed to ensure strict compliance with established regulations. Discussions were also held regarding transport-related issues faced by the public and the difficulties encountered by passengers during their journeys.

Assistant Commissioner Asghar Ali Cheema instructed transporters to provide superior and safe travel facilities to passengers and to adhere to relevant laws and regulations.

He stated that those associated with public transport have a responsibility to prioritize passenger convenience and ensure the implementation of prescribed transport rules.

While reviewing various matters concerning transporters, the meeting also included discussions on necessary measures to resolve public issues and improve travel facilities.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched Punjab's first Pink Salt Value-Addition Financing Scheme.

File: Photo

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched Punjab's first Pink Salt Value-Addition Financing Scheme. Maryam Nawaz Sharif distributed cheques to ten entrepreneurs receiving interest-free loans. Interest-free loans worth Rs 5 billion will be disbursed under the Pink Salt Value-Addition Financing Scheme. Under the scheme, entrepreneurs will be provided interest-free loans of up to Rs 50 million.

 A pink salt processing unit has been established as a special industrial cluster spanning 110 acres in Quaidabad (Briefing).

200 value-addition units will be set up in the Quaidabad Pink Salt Mineral Processing Zone.

The Pink Salt Processing Zone will create employment opportunities for over 10,000 people (Briefing).

A model retail outlet has been established for the branding, packaging, marketing, and processing of pink salt.

Annual exports could be increased to $300 million through pink salt value-addition, branding, and product development (Briefing).

The focus will be on selling Pakistan's branded pink salt in the global market rather than raw material. Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

Pink salt is a mineral asset and treasure for Pakistan; we will introduce it globally as a Pakistani brand. Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

Youth will be supported in launching new startups under the Pink Salt Value-Addition Financing Scheme. Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

Women Take the Helm at Layyah Chamber of Commerce as New Body Is Sworn In

 

File photo

Layyah: Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Dr. Abida Farid administered the oath to the office-bearers of the newly elected body of the Layyah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

During the oath-taking ceremony, the newly elected officials took the oath of office. Aqila Nusrat took the oath as President, while Asma Yasin took the oath as Senior Vice President.

Addressing the ceremony, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Dr. Abida Farid emphasized the importance of women's economic inclusion and the promotion of business activities. She stated that it is essential to provide women with business opportunities and create a conducive environment for them to play an active role in economic activities.

She remarked that the local economy could be further strengthened by leveraging the potential of women entrepreneurs. Providing guidance and support to women for starting and expanding businesses is also crucial.

On this occasion, the district administration expressed its commitment to continue providing all possible support and guidance to women entrepreneurs. According to the administration, cooperation among relevant institutions will be made more effective to resolve the issues faced by businesswomen and to promote their activities.

The ceremony was attended by the Chamber's newly elected leadership and other relevant stakeholders. Following the oath-taking, the newly elected officials pledged to play their part in promoting business activities and increasing women's economic participation.

Inspection of Gas Cylinder Shops by Civil Defense Officer in Fatehpur

File: Photo  Fatehpur Civil Defense Officer Syeda Sahrish

Layyah: In Fatehpur, Civil Defense Officer Syeda Sahrish Irshad inspected shops selling gas cylinders and reviewed security arrangements.

During the inspection, the vendors were directed to strictly follow all relevant safety SOPs while buying and selling gas cylinders. Along with ensuring security arrangements at the shops, government price lists were also directed to be displayed at a prominent place.

Civil Defense officials stressed the need for more effective monitoring of LPG rates, quality and weight. In this regard, instead of limiting the scope of supervision to small shops only, there was a demand to extend it to large suppliers and dealers.

According to the officials, it is necessary to apply the relevant laws and safety regulations equally to the filling stations and big dealers involved in the sale and purchase of LPG, so as to ensure the supply of gas to the consumers in quality and correct weight.

The civil defense directed the shopkeepers to follow the safety rules and avoid any violation. Implementation of safety measures in LPG related business is considered important for public safety.

Security forces operation in Balochistan's Kachhi district 6 terrorists killed.

File photo

Security forces killed six terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in the Sanni area of ​​Balochistan's Kachhi district.

According to security sources, the terrorists were successfully targeted using quadcopters during the operation. Following the action, a large quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the possession of the slain terrorists.

Sources stated that a clearance operation is currently underway in the area to track down any other potential terrorists and ensure the area is secured.

According to state media, security forces are continuing operations against terrorism across the country. An intensification of security operations has been observed in various parts of Balochistan, including Kachhi, in recent weeks.

Security sources affirmed that operations to eliminate terrorism will continue.

Murree's Big Makeover: Water, Roads and a New Look for the Mall

Image Source: Visgion Substack

A special meeting chaired by Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has set out a wide-ranging development plan for the hill station. Here is what was announced.

Murree is Punjab's best-known hill station, and it has long had a reputation for strained infrastructure, especially in peak tourist season. A special meeting on the Murree Development Plan, chaired by Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has now laid out a package of projects covering water supply, roads, tourism, heritage and power. These are government announcements and targets. Some projects are reported as complete, and others are still plans with deadlines attached.

Water: the headline item

Water is the most concrete part of the plan. According to the details shared from the meeting, four major water supply projects have been completed in Murree, and an additional 700,000 gallons of water a day is now being supplied.

The larger project is still ahead. A mega water supply scheme bringing water from the Jhelum River to Murree has a completion deadline of December 2028. Once finished, the bulk water supply project is expected to benefit more than 425,000 residents of Murree and Kotli Sattian.

Roads: an October 31 deadline

The meeting set October 31 as the deadline for completing the construction, expansion and repair of the Rawalpindi-Murree-Kashmir Road. It is the nearest deadline in the package, so it is the first one residents and visitors can check against reality.

A new look for Mall Road

Much of the plan is aimed at Mall Road, the town's main promenade:

• Hill View Park and amphitheater. The first "Hill View Park" will be built on Mall Road, along with an amphitheater with a capacity of 600 people.
• Cleanup and public space. Encroachments are to be removed, and the freed space developed into a family park, walkable areas and a children's play area.
• Heritage restoration. The historic GPO and the Church on Mall Road are to be restored and preserved in their original state.
• Underground power lines. Power lines are to be laid underground at Jhika Gali, the GPO, Government House and Kashmir Point, which should clear overhead wiring from some of the town's most visited spots.

Tourism beyond the Mall

A first-of-its-kind elevated bridge for tourists has been established at Bansra Gali Wildlife Park, described as the first of its type in Punjab. It points to a push to offer visitors something beyond the traditional Mall Road stroll.

Securing the hillside

Building on Murree's slopes carries its own risks. For the Jhika Gali project, 296 piles are to be installed to secure the site, and construction of 200 of them is already complete. That leaves 96 to go, according to the figures shared.

Health: a dedicated line for Sambli Hospital

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed that a dedicated power line be provided to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply for Sambli Hospital. Keeping a hospital running through outages and winter weather is basic, and the directive addresses it directly.

What to watch

Announcements are the easy part. A few markers will show how much of this lands:

• October 31. Whether the Rawalpindi-Murree-Kashmir Road work is actually finished by then.
• Water delivery. Whether the extra 700,000 gallons a day reaches households consistently, and whether the Jhelum scheme stays on track for December 2028.
• Encroachment removal. Clearing Mall Road is often the hardest step politically. It affects shopkeepers and vendors, and how it is handled will matter.
• Protecting the hillside. Murree's slopes are fragile, so how the new construction is managed will matter as much as the construction itself.

If even most of this is delivered on time, Murree could look noticeably different within a couple of years. For now, the deadlines are the part worth tracking.

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Christa Pike taken to hospital after Tennessee fails to carry out execution

 

When the Supreme Court lifted a last-minute stay on Wednesday, the question was whether Tennessee would carry out its first execution of a woman in at least 200 years. By late evening it was a different question: what happens to a condemned prisoner the state tried to kill and couldn't?

What the state says

According to a supplemental court filing from Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, reported by CBS News, Pike was transported to a hospital where she was "receiving medical care." The filing gave no details on her condition or which hospital. According to WZTV, the Department of Correction said officials followed every step of the state's established protocol, which was approved by the Attorney General's Office. It confirmed she was taken to an off-site medical facility but did not explain why the execution wasn't completed.

What the witnesses and her lawyers say

According to CNN and the AP, Pike was alive and loudly snoring after the attempted lethal injection and was taken from the prison by ambulance, per her attorneys. According to WZTV's account of the AP report, a second dose of pentobarbital had been administered by 8:26 p.m., and she could be heard snoring behind a closed curtain until the microphone was cut off at about 8:53 p.m. Media witnesses were then escorted out.

According to First Coast News, Pike's attorneys filed an emergency motion asking the Tennessee Supreme Court to order the removal of her IV catheters and "immediate lifesaving measures," and witnesses said her breathing was rhythmic by the time they left. According to WZTV, her lawyers also filed emergency motions with the U.S. Supreme Court, the Sixth Circuit and a federal district court, arguing she was in "unnecessary agony."

In a statement to CBS News, her attorneys said the state had "once again failed to carry out a lawful execution." They added that they hadn't been told her condition.

A pattern, not an anomaly

According to the Nashville Banner, Pike is the state's second death row inmate in a matter of months subjected to an unsuccessful lethal injection attempt. According to WKRN, Tony Carruthers' execution in May was called off after medical personnel couldn't establish a backup IV line.

Robin Maher of the Death Penalty Information Center told the AP, per WZTV, that the incident was "singular and unparalleled."

The warnings that came before

Pike's lawyers had warned about exactly this kind of problem. According to a June court filing from Pike's team, she has small and compromised veins, which they argued made a failed IV placement very likely, and a blood condition that they said could make the drug protocol work unpredictably. According to the Nashville Banner, a special master declined in August to block the execution. We don't yet know whether any of those claims explain what happened Wednesday night. The state hasn't said, and the courts haven't ruled. These were claims made in court, not established findings.

The conviction, and the family

None of this changes what Pike was convicted of. According to CBS News, court records say she and two others killed her classmate Colleen Slemmer, 19, in 1995 when Pike was 18. According to CNN, Slemmer's mother had said she wanted the execution to go forward after waiting decades. A failed attempt prolongs the wait for a family that has already had one.

What to watch

• Her condition. Nobody outside the state has said how she is.
• Whether Tennessee tries again. According to ABC7, the state's execution order was set to expire at midnight on September 30, so any new attempt would need a new date from the Tennessee Supreme Court.
• A challenge to a second attempt. Her lawyers are almost certain to argue that a second try would be unconstitutional. How courts treat a prisoner who survived one attempt has little modern precedent.
• Scrutiny of the protocol. Two unsuccessful procedures in one year, one of them involving the full two doses, invite questions about the drugs, the training and the transparency. According to WZTV, her attorneys criticized the state's protocol as secretive.

Whatever you think about the death penalty, a state attempted an execution, couldn't finish it, and has said very little. The questions should not stay unanswered for long.

This is a developing story. I'll update this post as the courts and Tennessee respond.