The Punjab government has declared a local holiday in Lahore on August 4 and has issued an official notification for the closure of some government offices.

The announcement said that the district offices of Lahore and other government departments working in the jurisdiction of Deputy Commissioner will be closed on the declared day.

However, the vacation would not be applicable on Punjab Civil Secretariat and other provincial government offices, which will be functional as usual.

The decision only applies to the district level offices in Lahore and provincial institutions would continue to function normally.

Senior leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Raja Pervez Ashraf has voiced worries about the purported election manipulation in Azad Kashmir, claiming that the AJK Chief Election Commissioner (AJK CEC) has not addressed any of his party’s complaints.

Raja Pervez Ashraf claimed during a press conference held here on Sunday that the election process’s transparency was impacted by PPP polling agents and people being forcibly removed from polling places.

He claimed that all of these strategies were employed, casting doubt on the election results, and that it is hard to think that the third round of voting will be conducted in an open way given the current circumstances.

The Chief Election Commissioner is primarily responsible for upholding peace and order during elections, according to the PPP, although significant flaws were also found in this area.

The PPP is a significant political party that values voting and the democratic process, according to Raja Pervez Ashraf, but the results of the elections do not appear to be favorable.

He further stated that the PPP supports the family of its slain employee, Mushtaq Shah. The PPP is undoubtedly an ally of the federation’s government, but this relationship was formed solely for Pakistan’s overall benefit.

Says he held second phone call with Saudi FM and Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir

(Web Desk) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he held a second phone call with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Sunday, joined by Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to discuss recent diplomatic efforts.

According to Araghchi, the three officials exchanged views on the current situation and on “initiatives aimed at maintaining and strengthening security and stability in the West Asian region.”

They also emphasized the need to make use of regional cooperation and political solutions to advance those efforts, Araghchi said in a post on Telegram.

Iran envoy praises deepening ties with Pakistan

Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri-Moghaddam, praised strengthening ties between Tehran and Islamabad in a statement shared on X on Sunday, highlighting high-level exchanges over the past two years.

“The stature and reputation of the relations stand as high as the majestic peaks of Damavand and K2,” the statement said, referring to the highest mountains in Iran and Pakistan, respectively.