ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has strongly rejected what he described as false propaganda by the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) regarding the killing of Pakistan Air Force Group Captain Asim Tariq.

In a statement, the defence minister condemned the “brutal murder” of Group Captain Asim Tariq in Islamabad and dismissed the terror group’s claim of responsibility as baseless and lacking credibility.



Khawaja Asif said the group’s propaganda had no connection with facts, ethics or accountability, alleging that its objective was to falsely claim responsibility for incidents to gain publicity.

Criticising the group’s strategy, he said its claims should not be taken at face value, adding that it had reached a point where it might even claim responsibility for ordinary crimes in the country.

The defence minister also denounced what he described as the group’s attempts to spread misinformation through social media following the killing.

Read more: How police traced Group Captain Asim murder suspect in 9 hours?

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday sent the prime suspect, Muhammad Saad Abbasi, to jail on a 14-day judicial remand for an identification parade in the murder case of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Group Captain Asim Tariq.

The suspect was produced before ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Mohammad Zulqarnain, who ordered that the identification parade be conducted in jail.

The court directed the investigation officer to submit a report after the process is completed and ordered that the accused be produced again on July 20. The hearing was adjourned until then.

During the proceedings, the prosecutor informed the court that there were two eyewitnesses in the case.

Meanwhile, Islamabad Police registered a case against Saad Abbasi under murder and anti-terrorism provisions at Margalla Police Station.

According to the FIR, lodged on the complaint of the Commandant of Air Headquarters, the suspect was allegedly harassing a woman when Group Captain Asim intervened and tried to stop him.

Gujar khan  –  A dispute over cattle grazing allegedly escalated into a double murder in Khingar Mamdal village of Gujar Khan tehsil on Sunday evening, leaving a father and his son dead after they were reportedly shot by a local resident.

Police have registered a case under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code and launched a manhunt for the suspect, who fled the scene after the attack.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the incident began when the accused, identified as Master Atif, allegedly abused Musadaq Hussain and warned him not to allow his family’s cattle to graze in his fields.

After learning of the altercation, Musadaq’s father, Arshad Mahmood, accompanied his son to the fields to confront the suspect. Police said a heated exchange ensued between the two sides, during which the accused allegedly drew a 30-bore pistol and opened fire.

Both Arshad Mahmood and Musadaq Hussain sustained fatal gunshot wounds and died at the scene before medical assistance could be provided.

The complainant, Muhammad Munir, brother of the deceased Arshad Mahmood, told police that he, another nephew and Musadaq Hussain’s wife had followed the victims to the fields and witnessed the shooting.

Police said the suspect escaped on a motorcycle immediately after the incident. The bodies were shifted to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Gujar Khan, where postmortem examinations were conducted before being handed over to the families.

Taking notice of the double murder, Rawalpindi City Police Officer Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera directed the Senior Superintendent of Police (Investigations), the Superintendent of Police (Saddar) and the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Gujar Khan, to visit the crime scene, supervise the investigation and ensure the early arrest of the accused.

Police said further investigation into the case is under way.

Meanwhile Two young men drowned while bathing in a mini dam near Khewra on Monday, Rescue 1122 officials said.

The victims were identified as 23-year-old Aneel Masih and 18-year-old Ranveer Masih.

Rescue teams were dispatched to the site after receiving information about the incident and launched a search operation. Both bodies were later recovered from the water.

The deceased were shifted to the Rural Health Centre, Khewra, where the necessary medico-legal formalities were completed before the bodies were handed over to their families.

Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution while swimming or bathing in dams, reservoirs and other deep-water bodies, particularly during the summer season, when such incidents tend to increase.

Attock   –   Dr Mudassar Ahmed Shah formally assumed charge as Deputy Commissioner of Attock on Monday, pledging to strengthen public service delivery, improve administrative transparency and ensure the timely completion of development projects across the district.

Soon after taking office, the new deputy commissioner visited the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, Attock, where he met indoor and outdoor patients and reviewed the healthcare facilities and services available at the hospital.

Later, he toured various parts of Attock City to inspect progress on the ongoing beautification project. He was accompanied by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Anil Saeed and other district officials during the visit.

Following the inspections, Dr Shah chaired an introductory meeting with officers of the district administration to review the overall administrative situation and discuss priorities for governance.  Officials briefed the deputy commissioner on the performance of key sectors, including development projects, revenue administration, law and order, health, education, sanitation, environmental management and the delivery of public services.

Addressing the meeting, Dr Shah said the district administration would focus on improving governance through transparency, accountability and efficient public service. He said priority would be given to resolving public issues promptly, upholding merit and the rule of law, and ensuring that development schemes were completed within the prescribed timelines.

The deputy commissioner also emphasised the importance of close coordination among government departments, saying effective communication and teamwork were essential to improving service delivery and addressing the needs of residents across the district. Dr Shah belongs to the 42nd Common Training Programme of the Pakistan Administrative Service. Before his appointment as Deputy Commissioner, Attock, he served as Additional Secretary (Administration) in the Punjab government’s Services and General Administration Department.

The true measure of any government lies in its style of governance and the seriousness with which it addresses the problems of its people. There is a world of difference between delivering speeches filled with promises and providing genuine relief. The injustices suffered by various segments of Punjab’s population between 2018 and 2022 are now being addressed by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. After two years and four months in office, the Punjab government under Maryam Nawaz has ensured that no sector of society has been left without meaningful relief. She firmly believes that the resources of Punjab belong first and foremost to the people of Punjab and must be utilized for their welfare. Agriculture remains the backbone of Punjab’s economy and plays a vital role in Pakistan’s overall prosperity. The reforms introduced in the agricultural sector over the past two years are unprecedented. Farmers themselves acknowledge that Maryam Nawaz has restored their dignity and provided practical support rather than empty promises. Before her tenure, they were accustomed to hearing speeches from government representatives, but meaningful action was largely absent. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has introduced transformative initiatives in both the agriculture and transport sectors. As Pakistan’s most populous province, Punjab requires extensive public investment, and her government has consistently accelerated the delivery of essential services and development projects. No previous administration has provided as much support to farmers as the present government. From Pakistan’s independence until 2022, a total of 20,000 tractors were distributed across Punjab, with the majority allocated during the tenure of Shahbaz Sharif. In contrast, within just two years, the Maryam Nawaz government has distributed 30,000 Green Tractors, offering a subsidy of up to Rs1 million on each tractor. In addition, 1,000 Green Tractors have been provided free of cost to wheat growers. For a farmer, owning a tractor is a transformative asset. Today, 30,000 Green Tractors are operating across Punjab, enabling thousands of farmers to increase agricultural productivity. In the next phase of the programme, another 20,000 Green Tractors will be distributed through a transparent balloting process. Furthermore, an initiative to solarize 8,000 tube wells has been introduced, while 5,000 Super Seeders have been distributed to promote modern and sustainable farming practices. The establishment of Agriculture Malls in Faisalabad, Jhang, Okara and Khanewal has provided farmers with a one-stop facility where all essential agricultural services are available under one roof. As a result of these comprehensive measures, wheat production has increased significantly, and a similar rise in rice production is expected during the current cultivation season. The Punjab government has also prioritized the mobility and empowerment of students. During the first year of her administration, Maryam Nawaz distributed 2,178 electric bikes to students across both urban and rural districts without discrimination. South Punjab has consistently received special attention in all major development initiatives. The Punjab government is not in competition with any other province. Instead, it welcomes every provincial government interested in learning from its successful initiatives. Just as Punjab has distributed 100,000 laptops and awarded 80,000 scholarships to students, it hopes that young people across Pakistan will also benefit from similar opportunities. Today, Maryam Nawaz’s style of governance has become her defining identity, not only across Pakistan but internationally. Punjab has emerged as the only province whose development initiatives have received widespread global recognition. The reason is straightforward: every project is being implemented on the principles of merit, transparency and accountability. Independent public surveys conducted over the past two years have consistently ranked the Punjab government and CM Maryam at the top in terms of governance and public performance. That, above all, remains the most significant achievement of her administration to date.

Azma Bokhari

The writer is Minister for Information and Culture Punjab