GEORGE TOWN, April 30 — The Penang state government is working well with its coalition partners, said Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow.

He said it is still status quo in Penang at the moment.

“But we must always take cognisance of the changing environment but it is still too early although it is still not too early to start preparing and thinking,” he said after launching the Penang Autoshow 2026.

He said the state legislative assembly will still be held as scheduled on May 8.

Chow was commenting on the political crisis in Negeri Sembilan following the withdrawal of support from 14 Umno assemblymen.

He said in today’s political scenario in Malaysia, every party needs to look at their coalition partners.

“And coalition partners here are not so rigid that it must be the same nationwide and every state,” he said.

He said every state may have its own alignment.

“So it is getting the reliable coalition partners to contest as a team in the respective state,” he said.

He believed that each state will try their level best to choose a coalition of like-minded political parties with the same political agenda, development plan and trajectory to the state and country in the coming election.

“As to what will be the eventuality, it all depends on state and national election, whether they are held together and all that,” he said.

In Penang, one of the Umno assemblymen, Datuk Rashidi Zinol, is a state exco in charge of the rural development, agrotechnology and food security and entrepreneurship.

[Dabanga] Khartoum / River Nile State / Darfur / Kordofan -- Cases of dengue, malaria, meningitis, and hepatitis continue to be reported across Sudan, with perceived successes in one region offset by setbacks in others. The Federal Ministry of Health revealed a drop in the rate of dengue fever infection in most states, with the exception of River Nile state, which is witnessing an increase in cases. Malaria infections increased after a decrease in 12 states, including Khartoum, El Gezira, Northern, and River Nile.

[Dabanga] Rome / Khartoum / Darfur -- More families across Sudan are being pushed to the brink of famine as the world's largest hunger crisis worsens and aid agencies run short of funds, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned.

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Wednesday passed the Punjab Film City Authority Bill 2026 by a majority vote after a charged session marked by sharp exchanges between treasury and opposition members, with critics questioning the government’s priorities and the ruling side defending the move as a step toward economic growth and cultural revival.

The bill was presented in the house by Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, who argued that the initiative would revive Pakistan’s struggling film industry, create jobs, and boost tourism. However, opposition lawmakers strongly opposed the legislation, claiming that funds were being diverted from critical sectors like health and education.

Opposition member Ijaz Shafi criticised the government for what he termed “misplaced priorities,” alleging that education and health budgets were being cut to finance the film city project. He also mocked the urgency with which the government was introducing bills, questioning whether it signalled political instability.

His remarks turned controversial when he made personal comments about political leaders, prompting Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan to order those statements expunged from the official record. The speaker maintained that personal attacks were inappropriate and urged members to focus on the substance of the bill.

Marriyum rebuffs opposition’s claim of diverting health, education funds to film city plan

Responding forcefully, Marriyum rejected the opposition’s claims as “baseless and misleading,” asserting that the education budget had increased from Rs30 billion to Rs130bn, while the health development budget had risen significantly to around Rs100bn. She said the government had delivered record funding across sectors, including agriculture, where farmer support programmes such as Kisan Cards and tractor schemes had been expanded.

“This is not just about films; it is about an entire economic ecosystem,” she told the house. “Globally, screen production is a billion-dollar industry. Pakistan has lagged behind due to lack of infrastructure. This bill will change that.”

She argued that the initiative would also improve Pakistan’s global image and strengthen “screen tourism,” a sector she said had remained underdeveloped.

Opposition members, including Waqas Mann and Shoaib Amir, raised broader concerns, questioning governance priorities and demanding accountability on public spending. They argued that with millions of children out of school and infrastructure challenges persisting, the government should focus on essential services rather than entertainment projects.

Some lawmakers also complained about the limited time given to review the bill and called for greater consultation with stakeholders, particularly artistes and industry professionals.

Repeated interruptions, slogan chanting, and points of order disrupted proceedings, forcing the speaker to intervene multiple times to restore order. At one point, the opposition pointed out a lack of quorum, while treasury members responded with counter slogans.

Despite the protests, the government pushed the legislation through, with Marriyum Aurangzeb emphasising that the bill had already been vetted by the relevant standing committee and included regulatory mechanisms for the industry.

In addition to the Film City bill, the assembly also passed the Punjab Environmental Protection (Amendment) Bill 2026 and the Punjab Wildlife Protection Bill 2026, both presented by Marriyum Aurangzeb, reflecting the government’s broader legislative agenda.

The session was later adjourned until Thursday (today) afternoon.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has rejected a request to transfer the trial of TikToker Sana Yousuf’s murder to another court.

The court of Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfaraz Dogar, while issuing a reserved verdict on the petition of accused Umar Hayat, ordered trial court judge Afzal Majuka to continue the trial.

Accused Umar Hayat had filed a request to transfer the case ongoing in the Sessions Court to another court.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), Yousuf’s mother stated that a man with a pistol in his hand had entered their house suddenly at around 5pm and “shot straight at my daughter with the intention to kill.”

As per Police, the suspect, a 22-year-old man, from Faisalabad had tried to contact Yousuf repeatedly and was being “rejected by her again and again,” adding that the accused had taken Yousuf’s mobile phone in a bid to wipe out the evidence but it had been recovered along with the weapon of offence.

On July 25, police had formally submitted the challan against Hayat to the prosecution branch of the district and sessions courts. It also included Hayat’s confessional statement recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

In his statement, Hayat, son of a retired government official and a TikToker himself, said he had developed a one-sided infatuation with Sana after connecting with her through social media. He confessed that suspicion and jealousy drove him to kill her.

Hayat revealed that he had traveled from Jaranwala to Islamabad on May 28 to wish Sana on her birthday. When she did not meet him, he became convinced she was deliberately avoiding him. He added that on June 2, he returned to the capital after renting a Toyota Fortuner and carrying a 30-bore pistol, intending to confront her.

The high court’s rejection of the transfer petition means the trial will proceed before Judge Afzal Majuka as originally scheduled.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2026

• Sindh AG says Mosamiyat-Numaish contract to be awarded after completion of ‘notice period’
• Claims govt sealed project site of construction firm as it was built on KMC land
• Petitioner’s counsel says contract ‘handed over to FWO’
• Bench seeks time frame for completion of University Road construction

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court was informed on Wednesday that the provincial government had not awarded any new contract to construct Mosamiyat to Numaish corridor (Lot 2) of the much-delayed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line.

Advocate General Jawad Dero informed a two-judge constitutional bench comprising Justice Muhammad Saleem Jessar and Justice Nasir Ahmed Bhanbhro that the contract will be awarded after the completion of the notice period of the firm earlier granted the contract.

He stated that in the meantime, the government had only awarded work related to drainage and rehabilitation of a road.

Last week, the provincial government had announced that it had cancelled the contract of a construction firm over lack of progress and unsatisfactory performance.

Later, the contracting firm, AM Associates and CR 3, had petitioned the SHC and submitted that they were executing the project, but the police and district administration had sealed their project site at Aladdin Park and served a termination notice without any lawful justification and contrary to the terms of the contract.

At the last hearing, the bench had appointed a nazir (court official) as commissioner to visit the site of the project and prepare an inventory of the machinery and also issued notices to the respondents.

When the hearing began on Wednesday, petitioner’s counsel Barrister Salahuddin Ahmed informed the court that the project was reportedly handed over to the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO).

He submitted that the process of making the inventory was not competed yet.

He said the advocate general might inform the bench under which law the government had sealed the project site.

AG Dero submitted that the office of the contractors / petitioners were built on the land of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation.

Justice Bhanbhro remarked that the University Road was among the major arteries of the city and the people were suffering due to an inordinate delay in construction work on the subject project.

The bench suggested that a commission may be constituted to ascertain the factors behind such a delay.

The AG said as per the chief executive officer of Trans Karachi, the subject project was scheduled to be completed by 2028.

The bench expressed annoyance at TransKarachi for the delay causing hardship to the people.

It asked the AG to inform it at the next hearing about the completion of work on University Road.

The court adjourned the hearing till May 4 after one of the respondents’ counsel sought time to file objections.

The court order states: “Learned counsel for petitioner has argued the case at length and placed reliance on 1998 SCMR 2268 and unreported order of this court dated 13.12.2023 passed in CP No D-3380/2023, taken on record.

“Since report by the commissioner is awaited hence case is adjourned to 04.05.2026 at 12:00 noon. Nazir office is directed to depute three persons of his office to complete the site inspection as ordered earlier,” it concluded.

The contracting firm in its petition had claimed that provision of the entire design of the project was the responsibility of Trans Karachi but it had given only 50 per cent design to the petitioners, who executed 80pc of the work.

They had pleaded for unsealing of the project site, seeking interim restraining order for the respondents from directly or indirectly carrying out any work or initiating any tendering process on the subject project.

They also asked the SHC to appoint a Nazir to make inventory of the entire stocks at the project site and restrain the respondents from removing or using such stocks.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2026

KARACHI: The governments in Pakistan have long adopted an “anti-media attitude”, which has put pressure on the free press and hindered the growth of independent journalism in the country.

Even during periods of martial law, such as that of Pervez Musharraf, there were certain restraints and action against journalists and media houses was not always taken lightly. At present times, however, it’s “the law of the jungle” where those in power act without hesitation.

These views were expressed by former president of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) and DawnMedia CEO Hameed Haroon during a programme titled ‘APNS Talks’ organised by the Society at a local hotel on Wednesday.

At the outset, APNS President Senator Sarmad Ali said the session aimed to highlight the challenges and pressures faced by the media industry in Pakistan, as well as the rapid changes taking place within it. He added that the event also focused on Haroon’s life, achievements and his struggle for press freedom in the country.

Urges newspapers to introduce innovation to attract younger audiences

Moderating the session, journalist Mazhar Abbas started by asking Mr Haroon to explain how Dawn, described as the “dream of Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan”, was being crippled through “conspiracies” and advertisement bans for pursuing independent journalism.

Haroon said the press in Pakistan had largely been “tamed” and those who tried to maintain an independent voice and professional standards were often targeted and weakened.

He added that this was also the case with Dawn. “It is surviving on a shoestring,” he said and shared that there are advertisement bans not only from the government, but private advertisements are also being blocked through pressure.

He was of the view that media houses had been targeted and attacked many times in past but the government’s “anti-media attitude” had now reached new limits.

“It’s the law of the jungle now,” he said and added that apart from the media, the judiciary was also under attack given how judges’ transfers have been done.

In response to a question about the future of the free press, Haroon said the prospects appeared weak under the current circumstances. However, he expressed hope that media organisations could improve their position by working together and ensuring job security and dignity for journalists.

“Unless you learn to provide permanent jobs to journalists, you cannot run a newspaper,” he said.

Haroon said newspapers, in particular, needed to “change” themselves and introduce innovation to attract younger audiences, rather than complain that the youth no longer read.

Responding to a question about coverage of Balochistan, he said the press in the country had long operated under constraints when reporting on the province. He noted that there had always been a strong influence of the military, intelligence agencies and tribal sardars which limited journalists’ freedom.

Answering questions about his personal interests, Haroon said that while he loved art, history and literature, his greatest passion was music.

When asked if he intended to join politics, he replied in the negative. “You cannot be in politics and in the media at the same time,” he remarked.

Earlier, a documentary was also screened. It highlighted Haroon’s life and achievements, the accolades he received and his role in strengthening the international reputation of Dawn. It described him as an uncompromising and fearless voice and traced his career as reporter, analyst and publisher among other things.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2026

KARACHI: Expressing concern over prolonged power outages particularly in underprivileged areas of the metropolis, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has asked the K-Electric to find a practical solution to reduce loadshedding, particularly in poorer neighbourhoods.

In a meeting with KE Chairman Shahryar Chishti and CEO Syed Taha here at the CM House on Wednesday, CM Shah directed the Sindh energy department and KE to jointly undertake a study on initiating a targeted subsidy programme for vulnerable electricity consumers in Karachi.

He directed the formulation of proposals to provide affordable electricity to low-income neighbourhoods and industrial areas, while stressing the need to reduce loadshedding in poor localities as summer begins.

“We want loadshedding to be reduced, especially in low-income areas, and a sustainable solution should be worked out so poor communities are not burdened by long outages,” the CM said, according to a press statement.

Body formed to propose targeted subsidy; provision of uninterrupted, affordable electricity to low-income and industrial areas

Discussing long-term solutions, the CM stressed the need to generate cheaper electricity, particularly through the utilisation of Thar coal, and proposed that low-cost electricity generated from Thar be supplied to KE so it could be provided uninterruptedly at affordable rates to poor localities.

He also said the Sindh government was exploring a partnership with KE to develop a plan for supplying competitively priced electricity to industrial areas to support productivity and reduce costs.

The KE chairman Chishti assured the chief minister that the utility was ready to work in cooperation with the Sindh government on measures aimed at relief and improved service delivery.

He observed that low-cost power generation was essential for sustainable relief to consumers.

The chief minister directed the energy department to prepare multiple proposals for providing cheaper electricity and announced the formation of a committee comprising the Karachi commissioner, energy secretary and the KE CEO.

The committee will present recommendations on supplying affordable electricity to low-income areas and explore viable subsidy and supply mechanisms.

The meeting also reviewed broader energy cooperation between the Sindh government and KE, with a focus on affordability, uninterrupted supply and support for vulnerable consumers.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2026

Over 70% of such groups are projected to log deficits in fiscal 2026, the National Federation of Health Insurance Societies says.

© GETTY IMAGES

The suspect, Teruyuki Takabayashi, is alleged to have struck two students who were loitering around his home with a hammer on Wednesday.

© JIJI

• Warns banned, reusable devices still in market; devices falsely claiming ‘auto-disable’ are actually reusable
• Pushes for safe, compliant single-use syringe adoption; urges authorities to launch crackdown on entire supply chain

ISLAMABAD: The Healthcare Devices Association of Pakistan (HDAP) has expressed grave concern over the illegal manufacture and use of banned reusable syr­inges across the country, including the discovery of devices fraudulently labelled as “auto-disable” when they remain fully reusable.

HDAP warned that the practices pose a direct threat to public health by spreading disease.

“These are not merely regulatory violations. They are acts that have directly contributed to the transmission of HIV and other blood-borne infections among the most vulnerable members of our society, including children,” the association said in a press release.

HDAP strongly condemned the illegal availability, distribution and use of banned reusable disposable syringes, whether through unauthorised manufacturing, import or other unlawful channels.

“The continued use of such un­­safe products significantly incre­a­ses the risk of transmission of blo­od-borne diseases including Hepa­titis B, Hepatitis C and HIV,” it stated.

In line with HDAP’s mission to promote and protect the highest standards of patient care and ethical standards through networking, advocacy and expertise enhancement, the association reiterated its commitment to the promotion and supply of only proven quality, safe and internationally compliant healthcare products that meet approved regulatory standards.

It called upon federal and provincial authorities to move beyond reactive measures and implement “sustained enforcement” against all involved in the unlawful practice, from manufacturers and importers to distributors and healthcare operators using the banned products.

Reiterating its mission to uphold high standards of patient care, HDAP said it is committed to the supply of only safe, internationally compliant and regulated healthcare products. “HDAP reaffirms that its membership stands for quality, compliance and patient safety,” it stated.

“The association will continue to support its members in meeting these standards and will work with relevant authorities to ensure that those who engage in unlawful practices are held accountable.”

The organisation pledged to work with government institutions and healthcare stakeholders to eliminate the problem, strengthen market surveillance and promote the use of approved auto-disable syr­­inges to safeguard public health.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — Public transport provider Prasarana Malaysia Bhd has confirmed that Amir Hamdan will be ending his tenure as group president and chief executive officer (CEO) after almost eight years with the group.

In a statement today, Prasarana said his decision to conclude his tenure was for personal reasons, in line with his future plans.

It said further information regarding the continuity of the group’s leadership will be announced through Prasarana’s official communication channels.

“Prasarana would like to express its highest appreciation for his contributions and leadership throughout his tenure, and wishes him the best in his future endeavour,” it said.

Throughout his service, Amir has played a key role in driving several transformation initiatives and strengthening the group’s operations to ensure better public transport services for the people, said Prasarana. — Bernama