Gilgit, July 5, 2024: The Traffic Police of Gilgit District of Gilgit Baltistan (Pakistan administered Kashmir) have released their comprehensive annual report detailing the disciplinary actions taken against traffic violators from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.

The report reveals that a total of 20,415 traffic violators were penalized over the past year. The key highlights are as follows:

• Driving Without a License: 3,061 individuals were fined for driving without a license.
• Underage Driving: 2,085 individuals were fined for underage driving.
• One-Wheeling: 12 violators were penalized for performing one-wheeling stunts.
• Unregistered Vehicles: 4,716 individuals were fined for driving unregistered vehicles.
• Riding Without a Helmet: 5,828 individuals were fined for riding motorcycles without helmets.
• Obstructing Traffic: 31 individuals were fined for causing obstructions in traffic.
• Parking and Encroachments: 4,652 individuals were fined for improper parking and encroachments.
• Other Traffic Violations: 30 individuals were fined for various other traffic violations.

In addition to these fines, two separate cases were registered at City Police Station Gilgit against individuals for attacking traffic police officers and interfering with their official duties.

The fines collected from these violations amounted to PKR 6,228,750, which has been deposited into the government treasury.

“Ensuring smooth traffic flow and upholding traffic laws is our top priority,” stated Muhammad Ayaz, SSP Gilgit. “We will deal with those who disrupt traffic flow with an iron hand. Speeding, one-wheeling, and underage driving are tantamount to suicide.”

The Traffic Police of Gilgit District remain committed to enforcing traffic regulations and ensuring the safety and order of the roads. This report underscores their dedication to maintaining strict adherence to traffic laws and their efforts to mitigate road safety hazards.

For further information and detailed statistics, the full report is available upon request from the Gilgit District Traffic Police.

Pallandri, Azad Kashmir (Pakistan administered Kashmir) July 3, 2024 — The specter of contempt of court hangs over the heads of SP Sudhnoti and SHO Baloch following a significant order from the Pallandri Sessions Court.

Expressing its displeasure over non-compliance with its previous orders, the court has summoned both officers to appear in person.

On June 29, the Pallandri Sessions Court had directed the registration of an FIR against the accused Fahim Akhtar Rabbani and the involved police personnel from Char Bayar, with instructions to arrest and present them before the court.

However, the failure to comply with this judicial directive has led to today’s legal escalation.

Lawyers filed a contempt of court petition against the concerned officials in the Pallandri Sessions Court today, citing the non-execution of the court’s orders.

Consequently, the court has ordered SP Sudhnoti and SHO Sudhnoti to appear tomorrow to provide an explanation.

This development underscores the court’s firm stance on ensuring adherence to its rulings and the legal repercussions for officials who fail to comply. Further updates on this case are anticipated following tomorrow’s proceedings.

Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-administered Kashmir – In a stark contrast, while reports emerge of the Pakistani government allocating over 50 billion rupees to Member of National Assembly (MNA) development schemes, the elected representatives in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have been left high and dry for the past year and a half.

The development funds crisis has triggered a continuous protest outside the Muzaffarabad Assembly House, where district councilors have been staging a sit-in demanding the release of much-needed resources.

Zia Ur Rehman, a District Councilor, expressed his frustration, stating that the mere postponement of the assembly session will not resolve the issue. “The Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir must restore the local government system and ensure the timely disbursement of funds,” he said.

Renowned columnist Qazi Shehzad echoed the councilors’ sentiment, arguing that those elected representatives who have not joined the protest movement have no right to hold their seats. “All the representatives participating in this struggle deserve recognition for their commitment to their constituents,” he wrote.

The stark disparity in the allocation of development funds between mainland Pakistan and the Pakistan-administered Kashmir region has sparked outrage among the local leadership, who feel abandoned by the central government.

As the protest continues, the demand for equitable distribution of resources and the restoration of the local governance system in Kashmir remains a pressing issue that the Pakistani authorities must address with urgency.

Muzaffarabad (Azadi Times) – In the Azad Kashmir Cricket Championship organized by the Department of Sports and Youth Culture, Azad Kashmir, (Pakistan administered Kashmir) the team from District Poonch emerged victorious after a hard-fought final against the team from District Mirpur.

The Poonch team, led by the renowned cricketer Salman Irshad, showcased exceptional performance and clinched the championship title after a 14-year drought. This event is also known as the “Azad Kashmir World Cup”, with the participation of teams from all ten ten districts of Pakistan administered Azad Kashmir.

The chief guest at the final match was the Azad Jammu Kashmir’s Minister for Sports and Youth Culture, Asim Sharif Butt, while Secretary Sports and Youth Culture Tahzeeb Insa, Director General Sports and Youth Culture Malik Shaukat Hayat, and other distinguished guests graced the occasion with their presence.

The winning Poonch team was awarded a cash prize of Rs. 300,000 and individual awards by the Department of Sports and Youth Culture. The team’s leadership was provided by the famous Azad Kashmir cricketer Salman Irshad, while Aijaz Sharif and Fayaz Vakil served as the team manager and coach, respectively.

The people of District Poonch congratulated the entire team and the officials on this remarkable achievement.

They have also demanded the construction of a cricket stadium in Poonch district from the Government of Azad Kashmir, to provide ample opportunities for the youth to showcase their cricketing talents and hone their skills.

Srinagar, June 18 – As the Hajj 2024 journey nears its completion, tragedy has struck the Kashmiri pilgrim community, with five female pilgrims succumbing to heat stroke in Arafat, an official has informed.

According to a senior Hajj officer from Jammu and Kashmir, the extreme heat being experienced during the Hajj rituals is taking a heavy toll on the health of many pilgrims.

The temperatures in Saudi Arabia have soared up to 48 degrees Celsius, and unfortunately, this has resulted in the death of five female Hajj pilgrims from Kashmir – four from Srinagar and one from Kulgam district.

“The issuance of the death certificates is still pending,” the official stated, adding that the deceased pilgrims were accompanied by their relatives and that they will be laid to rest in Mecca.

Despite the scorching weather, the official said that the Hajj pilgrims have remained steadfast in fulfilling their religious obligations. “The temperatures have been rising, and sadly, five female Hajj pilgrims from Kashmir have passed away due to heat stroke in Arafat,” he lamented.

This year, more than 7,000 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir performed the Hajj in Mecca and Medina, with around 6,800 departing from Srinagar Airport and over 500 traveling from other airports.

The tragic loss of these Kashmiri pilgrims due to the extreme heat conditions in Arafat has left the community in mourning. The authorities are working to provide necessary assistance and ensure the safe return of the remaining pilgrims amidst the challenging circumstances.