Pakistanis to Be Barred from Visiting Iraq Without Registered Organiser Groups: Interior Minister
Tehran – Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that starting January 2026, Pakistani pilgrims will not be allowed to travel to Iraq without joining registered organiser groups. Addressing a trilateral conference in Tehran, Naqvi stressed that these groups will be mandated to ensure the safe return of all individuals traveling with them.
He said individual travel would be restricted unless a special visa is issued directly by the embassy, adding that the move is aimed at curbing illegal overstays and unregistered employment by Pakistani nationals in Iraq.
Naqvi called for cooperation from Iran and Iraq to implement this policy effectively and thanked both countries for their efforts in managing millions of pilgrims annually. He also lauded Iran’s leadership in regional stability and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support following Israel’s recent aggression towards Iran.
President Zardari is Guardian of Democratic Continuity: Nayyar Hussain Bukhari
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari declared that President Asif Ali Zardari is a symbol of democratic continuity in the country.
Criticising those spreading rumours, Bukhari said such forces cannot tolerate a stable democratic system. He reiterated PPP’s commitment to parliamentary democracy and claimed that excluding the PPP from power would jeopardise both governance and democracy.
Bukhari emphasised that PPP has historically pursued dialogue with even its fiercest opponents to protect parliamentary integrity and national consensus. He cited the 18th and 26th Constitutional Amendments as key achievements of this approach.
PM Orders Focus on Ease for Common Man in Tax Reforms
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting to review FBR’s digital reforms, directing that tax return systems be made simpler and available in Urdu, with a helpline established to assist citizens.
The premier commended the implementation of AI-based tax assessment, calling it a major milestone. He instructed that SMEs be facilitated in joining the digital invoicing system, while urging public awareness campaigns to promote new filing methods.
Officials briefed him on ongoing initiatives, including:
Simplified digital tax returns for salaried individuals (launching July 15),
Urdu-language returns by July 30,
Digital invoicing integration with PRAL,
Advance goods declarations and AI-powered cargo tracking.
The system is expected to enhance transparency, reduce manual filing, and significantly increase compliance rates.
IFJ Writes to Chief Justice Over Peca Law, Journalists’ Harassment in Pakistan
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has written a letter to Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, expressing grave concern over the misuse of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) against journalists in Pakistan.
The letter, also addressed to the Prime Minister, IHC Chief Justice, and PFUJ President, cites rising cases of harassment, intimidation, salary delays, illegal dismissals, and physical attacks on journalists.
IFJ argued that PECA violates Pakistan’s international commitments to freedom of expression and human rights under UN conventions. It noted that seven journalists were killed in the past year alone, urging the Supreme Court to re-evaluate the law and advise the government on necessary amendments.
They further highlighted that allowing direct appeals to the Supreme Court undermines high courts, calling for immediate action to safeguard press freedom under Article 19 of the Constitution.
