The Sindh government has decided to distribute Pink Electric Scooties in Mirpurkhas in the next phase. Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon has said that more than 50,000 women have so far applied for Pink Electric Scooties and the training program, which is clear proof of […]

MIRPUR: Responding to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s recent jibe, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday said that whether it’s Kashmir or Kashmore, Mirpur or Mirpurkhas, their residents were “not ready to bargain away their rights”. Bilawal’s response comes a day before the first phase of elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is set to begin, with Mirpur voting on Monday. It also comes amid allegations of pre-poll rigging by the PPP after the PML-N gave 10 e-buses to Muzaffarabad and Mirpur as a “gift”. Addressing a public rally in AJK’s Mirpur on Friday as part of his party’s election campaign, Nawaz had named Bilawal and said Kashmir should not be mistaken for Kashmore, nor Mirpur for Mirpurkhas — districts of Sindh where the PPP has been in power for years. Subsequently, Bilawal shared a video statement on social media, beginning his message with, “ _Mian sahib_ , please don’t take offence”, as he tagged Nawaz’s X account in his post. “Whether it’s Kashmir or Kashmore, Mirpur or Mirpurkhas, not only do their names resemble each other; their temperament matches too, their honour matches too, and so does the courage to stand up for their rights,” he said. The PPP chairman added: “Whether it’s Kashmore or Kashmir, no one would let anyone rob them politically of their right to governance and right to ownership. “Whether it’s Kashmir or Kashmore, Mirpur or Mirpurkhas, their people are not ready to bargain away their rights. They want to make their own decisions. They will not hand over power over their future to any other city, nor any other province.” > The Bhutto scion asserted, “Just as in the previous elections the people of Kashmir and Kashmore rejected the Muslim League, just as the [PML-N] was swept away in Mirpur and Mirpurkhas, the people will repeat that same verdict in the upcoming elections too.” Referring to tomorrow’s polls in Mirpur, Bilawal expressed his belief that the “Kashmir’s verdict would be in favour of the PPP and just like in Mirpurkhas, the people of Mirpur would hunt the lion with the arrow”. In another post before that, Bilawal also directly commented on Nawaz and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s announcement of “gifting” electric buses and hospitals on wheels to people of AJK before the election. Ten e-buses arrived in Muzaffarabad on Saturday, while more reached Mirpur today, the PML-N said. > In his post, Bilawal said, “You are being promised buses, hospitals, roads, and an airport. I welcome every bus, every hospital, every road, and every airport. “But something built with the public’s money is not a gift from any politician — it is the public’s right.” “The PPP has not just made promises,” he remarked, emphasising that the party — which is currently in power in the region — had included 3,308 additional teachers, a cardiac hospital, new roads, IT centres, and employment opportunities for the youth in AJK’s budget. “I myself secured funding for Mirpur Airport in the previous federal budget. The very stadium where our opponents hold their rallies was also built during the PPP’s tenure.” The PPP chairman reiterated that he wanted to secure for the people of Kashmir the right to governance, the right to ownership, and the right to employment. “The same rights that every Pakistani citizen is entitled to. Then they won’t need gifts of this sort. They will arrange their own development.” Bilawal urged his supporters to come out in large numbers on polling day to cast their votes for his party. “Progress too! Authority too! Employment too! And Kashmir’s decision by Kashmiris!” > ## Mirpur division gears up for first phase of polls Separately, AJK Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on Sunday urged voters in Mirpur division to turn out in large numbers for the first phase of the general elections tomorrow, in which more than 1.4 million registered voters will elect representatives from 13 constituencies. In a video message, the CEC said elaborate security arrangements had been made for the polls, with security forces and Quick Response Force teams deployed at polling stations and security also being ensured for voters travelling to and from polling stations. He warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process would face legal action. According to the AJK Election Commission, 1,400,437 voters — including 724,811 men and 675,626 women — were registered in the division’s 13 constituencies. Polling will be held at 2,316 polling stations, of which 1,241 have been declared highly sensitive, 724 sensitive and 351 normal. A total of 288 candidates are contesting the elections. Election monitoring has been organised through 13 zones and 205 sectors across the division, while 18,560 personnel from police and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed under a three-tier security plan. Under the arrangement, police will provide the first layer of security, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the Federal Constabulary the second, and the Pakistan Army the third. Around 2,100 army personnel will also be deployed, while Quick Response Force teams will remain on standby to respond to any emergency. Chief Secretary Khushal Khan and Election Commission Secretary Raja Muhammad Shakeel informed the media that all arrangements had been finalised for the first phase of the elections, with polling material delivered to returning officers, election personnel deployed and security put on high alert. Addressing a joint press conference in Muzaffarabad earlier in the day, the chief secretary said electioneering had reached its peak across the region, with corner meetings, banners, posters and party flags visible in various areas, while the leadership of major federal political parties had also visited AJK to campaign. He warned that authorities were closely monitoring misleading propaganda about the elections on social media and said strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process or disturb public order. He maintained that all state institutions were fully prepared to ensure transparent, free and peaceful elections. Shakeel said around 22,000 election personnel had been deployed and polling material had already reached polling stations. He added that CEC Mughal had recently visited Mirpur to review the arrangements and expressed satisfaction over the preparations. He clarified that an old video calling for an election boycott was being circulated on social media to create a false impression, insisting that election campaigns had continued peacefully across all districts without any untoward incident. Shakeel said all political parties and candidates had welcomed the Election Commission’s code of conduct, while members of the public themselves were lodging complaints against elements attempting to obstruct the electoral process, reflecting public confidence in the election system. Meanwhile, the Election Commission allowed registered political parties, candidates and election agents to use automated telephone calls, commonly known as robocalls, for election campaigning until 48 hours before polling day. In a statement, the commission said the decision was taken after considering an application submitted by PPP AJK President Chaudhry Yasin and PPP Secretary General Nayyer Hussain Bukhari under Clause 17 of the Election Code of Conduct 2026. The commission said the permission allows campaign messages to be delivered through pre-recorded voice calls sent automatically to large numbers of voters until the commencement of the mandatory 48-hour campaign silence before polling.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday took a swipe at Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari during an election rally in Mirpur, saying, “This is Kashmir, not Kashmore, and this is Mirpur, not Mirpurkhas.” Addressing the rally, Nawaz said: “Bilawal, do not mind my remarks. Political parties […]

• Nawaz, Maryam make development pledges, ‘gift’ of 10 electric buses prompts rigging allegations • In apparent swipe at Bilawal, PML-N supremo says ‘Kashmir should not be mistaken for Kashmore, nor Mirpur for Mirpurkhas’ • PPP assails Nawaz’s remarks, urges Election Commission to take notice of ‘promises’ MUZAFFARABAD: PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif on Friday promised an international airport for Mirpur, the revival of Mansehra-Muzaffarabad-Mirpur mot­o­rway project, and a series of ‘gifts’ for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), as he and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz made a final campaign push for party’s candidates hours before the electioneering ended for the Mirpur division polls. But the pre-poll promises, and an apparent jibe at PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, was not received well by the PML-N’s coalition partner, whose leaders hit back at the elder Sharif, terming his remarks ‘frivolous’ and ‘ridiculous’. Addressing a large public meeting in the lakeside city of Mirpur, the father-daughter duo repeatedly highlighted their Kashmiri roots and told supporters that AJK needed the same infrastructure and welfare-focused governance that had been introduced in Punjab. Describing Kashmir as his “first home”, Mr Sharif said he shared a deep emotional bond with the region. > In an apparent swipe at the PPP chairman, Mr Sharif said Kashmir should not be mistaken for Kashmore, nor Mirpur for Mirpurkhas. Mentioning Mr Bhutto-Zardari by name for the first time during his election campaign in AJK, he said: “Don’t take this the wrong way, Bilawal _bhai_. You are like a son to me.” “Political sparring among parties should continue. There can even be some sharp exchanges, and that’s perfectly healthy. But there should be no fighting or violence.” “We have come with a pledge that, God willing, we will change the destiny of Mirpur and all of Azad Kashmir,” he said, while asking successive governments in Pakistan and AJK what they had done for the region since his ouster. He said the PML-N’s manifesto accorded priority to education and healthcare, promising new schools, colleges and universities as well as hospitals equipped with CT scanners and MRI facilities so that residents would not have to travel to Pakistan for treatment. Nawaz also announced a gift of 10 ‘Hospitals on Wheels’ and as many electric green buses for Mirpur from the Punjab government. He also pledged to dualise the Kotli-Nakyal road, construct tunnels at Lohar Gali and Leepa Valley in Muzaffarabad division, re­­v­­ive the long-stalled motorway project linking Mans­ehra, Muzaffarabad and Mirpur along the Jhelum River, and seek the establishment of an international airport in Mirpur. Speaking after him, CM Maryam argued that AJK did not suffer from a lack of resources but from inadequate infrastructure, insu­fficient welfare program­mes and poor governance. > She asked the audience who had built the Kohala-Muzaffarabad Road, the Murree-Kohala Road and cardiac hospitals, prompting chants of “Nawaz Sharif” from the crowd. The Punjab CM pledged that welfare schemes introduced by the PML-N government in Punjab would be extended to AJK immediately after the elections, saying voters should support the party if they wanted development. “The world will see a clean Azad Kashmir after the elections,” she said, urging people to “think carefully” before casting their ballots. **PPP hits back** The announcement of schemes for AJK, including the ‘gift’ of 10 e-buses, during the campaign did not go well with the PPP. PPP-Parliamentarians Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari strongly criticised the PML-N leadership for gifting 10 electric buses, bearing CM Maryam’s images, to AJK during the election campaign and described the move as “political bribery”. He demanded the chief election commissioner take immediate notice of the transfer of the buses. Some PPP candidates for AJK Assembly elections, including Sardar Javed Ayub, Sardar Mukhtar Abbasi and Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi, also opposed the PML-N move. Taking exception to Mr Sharif’s remarks about the PPP chief, AJK Legislative Assembly Spe­aker and PPP candidate Chaudhry Latif Akbar alleged a series of promises made by PML-N leaders during their election rallies constituted a violation of the election code of conduct, and called on the Election Commission to take strict notice. He told the presser the announcements amounted to an attempt to woo voters ahead of polls. Taking exception to Mr Sharif’s light-hearted remark at a Muzaffarabad rally that he would ask Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to make the PML-N’s nominee the next prime minister of AJK, Mr Akbar quipped: “Nawaz Sharif’s own brother did not make him prime minister, yet he comes here and complains about it.” Referring to Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz’s claims, Mr Akbar alleged the PML-N leadership was attempting to “buy Kashmiri votes” through pre-election promises. Separately, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon hit back at Mr Sharif’s jibe, saying: “Do not make the land and people of Sindh and Kashmir a subject of ridicule and humour”. Political differences ha­­ve their place, but ridicule of any province, city or area is not acceptable un­­­der any circumstances, he said, terming the ex-PM’s remarks “not only frivolous but also ridiculous”. _Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026_

WEB DESK: Sindh has been placed on alert as the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) activated emergency arrangements ahead of forecast thunderstorms and rainfall across the province until July 25. The PDMA has issued a weather advisory for 23 districts, warning of rain with thunderstorms in several areas, including Hyderabad, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Larkana, and Khairpur. The authority also forecast thunderstorms in Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Jamshoro, and Shaheed Benazirabad, while light rain is expected in Ghotki, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Larkana, and Thatta. PDMA Sindh Director General Salman Shah said strong winds and lightning could pose risks to weak structures, directing district administrations and relevant departments, particularly in Karachi, to remain alert. He said dewatering pumps and emergency response vehicles have been prepared to deal with any rain-related emergencies, adding that low-lying areas have already been identified for swift action in case of urban flooding. The DG said 10 dewatering vehicles have been prepared for Karachi, while Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas will have 25 vehicles each. Another 15 vehicles each have been allocated for Sukkur and Larkana. He added that dewatering vehicles in Karachi will be deployed at different locations for immediate response, with technical teams accompanying the operations. Salman Shah said the PDMA control room is operational 24 hours a day to monitor the situation, while coordination with district administrations and relevant departments is being maintained to ensure timely response during the monsoon spell. The post Sindh braces for heavy rains as PDMA activates emergency arrangements appeared first on HUM News English.

Sukkur IBA University is inviting applications from dynamic and qualified individuals for various faculty and staff positions at its Mirpurkhas Campus. Below are the details for the available vacancies: Faculty Positions Position Pay Scale Department Eligibility Assistant Professor BPS-19 Computer Science, Business Administration PhD in the relevant field from an HEC recognized university. Age Limit: 45 Years. Lecturer

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has barred allied health professionals from carrying out clinical practice, tightening rules amid a rise in HIV and hepatitis cases in parts of the country. The medical regulator said only registered doctors would be allowed to diagnose illnesses, prescribe medicines and perform medical procedures under the PMDC Act 2022. The move follows concerns over increasing HIV infections, particularly in Islamabad and Mirpurkhas, which authorities partly attributed to professional negligence and weak regulatory oversight. Allied health professionals (AHPs) are a category of healthcare workers who provide diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic and rehabilitative services, often working alongside doctors and nurses in hospitals and other facilities. Globally, they are estimated to make up around 30 per cent of the health workforce and are typically regulated through education, licensing and evidence-based practice standards. Under the new directives, pharmacists, psychologists and dental technologists have been restricted to their defined roles and barred from treating patients, prescribing medicines or performing surgeries outside their scope of practice. The council warned that strict legal action would be taken against individuals using the title of “doctor” without proper registration, and against those engaged in unauthorised clinical activities. Health departments across the country have been instructed to take urgent steps to curb violations, while unlicensed practices at clinics and healthcare facilities will face penalties under the law. The crackdown comes as official data shows a steady rise in HIV cases in the capital. According to the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, at least 618 new HIV cases were recorded in Islamabad between January 2025 and March 2026. Of these, 498 cases were reported in 2025, while 120 were detected in the first three months of 2026, indicating sustained transmission. Monthly figures ranged between 31 and 63 cases in 2025, with a similar trend continuing this year. Adult men accounted for more than 64 per cent of infections, while cases were also reported among women, transgender persons and children, suggesting the spread is extending beyond high-risk groups. Health officials linked the rise to high-risk behaviours such as drug use and unprotected sex, with experts pointing to the growing phenomenon of “chemsex,” where stimulant use lowers inhibitions and increases risky sexual activity. Authorities say the latest measures are aimed at strengthening oversight of healthcare practices and curbing the spread of infectious diseases through stricter enforcement and improved accountability. The post PMDC bars allied health professionals from practice amid rising HIV cases appeared first on HUM News English.

YouTube video by Mahreen Sibtain official

In the wake of recent allegations of harassment and the tragic loss of life at Muhammad Medical College, Mirpurkhas, the…

MIRPURKHAS – A suspect named in the case related to the suicide and alleged harassment of a medical student in Mirpurkhas has been arrested. Police said the accused, Abid Laghari, who was nominated in the case, was taken into custody late last night. According to documents, the suspect was originally appointed as a primary school […] The post Teacher-turned lecturer arrested in student suicide case in Mirpurkhas appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.

The High Court of Sindh, Karachi, has announced various vacant positions and invites applications from suitable candidates holding a Domicile of Sindh. This recruitment drive aims to fill high-level administrative and security roles at the Principal Seat in Karachi, as well as Benches and Circuit Courts in Sukkur, Hyderabad, Larkana, and Mirpurkhas. Positions currently available include Private Secretary (Protocol), Personal Assistant to Judge / Personal Assistant to Officer, and Security Officer.

ISLAMABAD/MIRPURKHAS: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC)has sought records from a medical college in Mirpurkhas following the mysterious death of a third-year student and allegations of harassment. The PMDC said it had sought all relevant records from the college and also sought an inquiry report from the provincial government. The development comes after the death of medical student Fehmida Laghari, who allegedly died by suicide in Mirpurkhas. Her family has accused a college teacher of harassment. The PMDC said that it maintained a zero-tolerance policy on harassment of students and warned that strict action would be taken against any faculty members or institutions found guilty. Council President Prof Rizwan Taj said that disciplinary proceedings would be initiated through the council’s disciplinary committee, adding that students could directly file complaints with harassment committees. He said that failure to provide a safe educational environment constituted a violation of rules, adding that any harassment, threats or misconduct would be dealt with strictly. He said student safety and mental health remained a top priority. The PMDC said that anti-harassment committees were mandatory in all medical and dental colleges. Police and college officials have not yet publicly confirmed the circumstances surrounding the student’s death. However, authorities said that the matter was under investigation following allegations raised by the family. The post PMDC seeks records after medical student’s mysterious death in Sindh appeared first on HUM News English.