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PAF Group Captain Asim Tariq martyred while trying to rescue woman in Islamabad firing

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) officer, Group Captain Asim Tariq, embraced martyrdom after he was shot while trying to rescue a woman from an alleged assault by an armed man near Shaheen Chowk on Ninth Avenue in the federal capital.

A police official told APP on Sunday that Group Captain Asim Tariq was driving through the area when he noticed a man allegedly trying to force a woman onto a motorcycle. Seeing the woman resisting and pleading for help, the officer turned his vehicle around, stopped near the motorcycle and stepped forward to intervene.

The official said the woman immediately moved towards the PAF officer for protection. The suspect, identified as Saad, allegedly started arguing with Group Captain Asim Tariq before pulling out a pistol and opening fire. The officer sustained fatal bullet injuries and embraced martyrdom on the spot, while the suspect and his accomplices fled the scene.

Police shifted the body of the martyred officer to Pakistan Air Force Hospital Unit-II, while officers from Margalla Police Station, including Additional SHO Siddique and Duty Officer Naveed, reached the scene, collected evidence and launched an investigation.

During initial questioning, the woman told investigators that the suspect was her office colleague who had offered to drop her at work. However, she said he allegedly changed the route and attempted to take her to another location against her will, leading to a struggle.

The woman told police that Group Captain Asim Tariq intervened at the right moment and helped save her before he was shot by the suspect.

Police have launched a manhunt to arrest the fleeing suspect and his accomplices, while investigators are examining all aspects of the case and collecting further evidence.

Group Captain Asim Tariq is survived by his widow, a daughter and a son. His sacrifice has drawn widespread tributes across the country, with many describing him as a courageous officer who laid down his life while protecting an innocent woman.

The police official said efforts were underway to arrest the accused at the earliest and bring all those involved to justice.

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Health minister orders probe into Sindh MDCAT complaints

ISLAMABAD:Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal has taken notice of alleged irregularities in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) held in Sindh and ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the complaints.

According to official sources, the minister directed a five-member committee, including the President of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), to conduct a transparent investigation and submit its report within 15 days.

The committee has been tasked with examining the complaints and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the alleged irregularities during the examination, sources said.

The minister directed the committee to complete the inquiry within the stipulated timeframe and present its findings for further action in accordance with the applicable rules.

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CDA chairman directs faster work on Expressway East project

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Sohail Ashraf has directed officials to accelerate work on the Islamabad Expressway Service Road East project while ensuring strict compliance with approved designs and construction standards.

During an inspection of the project on Saturday, the chairman reviewed progress and was briefed on ongoing works and the next phase of development.

He directed the project director and relevant departments to maintain continuous field monitoring and quality control and ensure effective traffic management to minimise inconvenience to commuters.

The chairman described the Expressway East project as an important infrastructure scheme for improving connectivity, traffic flow and road capacity in the capital. He also stressed that construction quality should not be compromised in efforts to meet the project timeline.

During the visit, he was also briefed on an ongoing enforcement operation against unauthorised and illegal construction along the Islamabad Expressway.

According to the CDA, 377 buildings have been identified for action, including 281 commercial structures. So far, 58 buildings have been sealed, while 124 buildings between Sohan and Khanna bridges have been marked for demolition.

The authority said Rs234.685 million had been recovered through land-use conversion, unauthorised construction and de-sealing charges. Around Rs3 billion remained recoverable under applicable regulations in connection with land-use conversion and violations relating to unauthorised construction, setbacks, floor area ratio and covered area.

The chairman directed the relevant departments to ensure strict enforcement of building-control and land-use regulations, particularly mandatory fire-safety requirements.

The enforcement operation is being conducted by the CDA’s Building Control Section and Enforcement Directorate in coordination with the district administration and Islamabad police.

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GB ministers call on Governor Kundi

PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Saturday held a meeting with a delegation of Gilgit-Baltistan ministers at the Governor’s House here and discussed the country’s political situation and other matters of mutual interest.

The delegation comprised Gilgit-Baltistan Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Zulfiqar Ali Murad, Minister for Health Iqbal Hassan and Minister for Education Aman Ali Ameer.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the prevailing political situation in the country and various issues of mutual interest. They also discussed the recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Pakistan Peoples Party’s success in the polls.

The visiting ministers were taken on a tour of the Governor’s House. Governor Kundi presented them with traditional shawls and caps.