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The teenage son of Justice Mohammed Asif of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) was remanded into police custody on Tuesday following a fatal road accident that claimed the lives of two young women.

Judicial Magistrate Shaista Khan Kundi approved the police’s request for remand, allowing investigators to question the suspect in connection with the incident.  

According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged at the Secretariat Police Station, the accident occurred late Monday night near the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) when the boy, driving an SUV, struck two women riding a scooter.  

Police said the victims, both employees of the PNCA, died instantly from the impact. The SUV fled the scene immediately after the collision, prompting a search that led to the suspect’s detention.

Further probe is underway.

Amid widespread crackdown against violators of traffic rules across Punjab, Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz has expressed her displeasure over arrest of underage student drivers, ordering the issuance of smart cards and motorcycle licenses to them.

According to a report shared by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Hina Parvez Butt on X, the Punjab government has decided to issue smart cards and motorcycle licenses to 16-year-olds.

“Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has prohibited the practice of putting handcuffs on students for violating traffic rules,” she wrote, adding that the provincial chief executive has expressed strong displeasure over putting handcuffs on children.

“It is not the children’s fault. They are just not used to wearing helmets,” reports quoted CM Maryam as saying.

The report came as provincial authorities launched a sweeping 48-hour traffic crackdown that resulted in more than 76,000 challans across the province.

The operation was carried out under a zero-tolerance policy and targeted violations that officials said continue to endanger commuters and disrupt traffic flow. 

During the two-day drive, the police impounded over 13,000 vehicles and collected fines totaling more than Rs71.2 million. 

Officers also registered 1,402 FIRs and sent 1,390 people to jail for serious offences, including reckless driving and other crimes detected during inspections. The crackdown focused on routine violations found on busy roads. 

Police took action against 11,700 drivers for driving without licenses and booked more than 4,000 motorists for one-way violations. Motorcyclists were a significant focus as well, with over 12,000 riders fined for not wearing helmets.

Public transport operators faced strict checks too. Police impounded 1,397 vehicles for carrying passengers beyond legal limits, while more than 3,000 underage drivers were booked during the campaign.

As part of efforts to reduce smog, police issued challans and impounded over 7,200 vehicles for emitting excessive smoke. Another 1,500 unsafe vehicles were flagged, and 421 of them were taken off the roads for posing safety risks.

Police also penalised 3,875 individuals for using non-standard number plates and 1,262 people for illegal parking.

At least four people, including North Waziristan Assistant Commissioner (AC) Shah Waliullah, were martyred when armed assailants on Tuesday opened fire on a police vehicle near Miranshah Road in Bannu.

According to the police, unidentified gunmen attacked the vehicle and seized weapons from injured officers. Initial reports said that three people, including two policemen, were killed while two others sustained injuries.

The Bannu AC confirmed the incident, saying that the vehicle of his North Waziristan counterpart was targeted.

Two policemen and a driver were also injured in the firing.

It may be noted that Pakistan has registered a significant spike in terror incidents across the country in 2025.

During the last quarter, a 46 percent increase in violence was reported due to a spike in militant attacks and intensified counter-terrorism operations.

According to a report by Islamabad-based think tank Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), 901 fatalities and 599 injuries resulting from 329 incidents of violence, including terrorist attacks and counter-terrorism operations were reported between July and September.

There were 2,414 deaths in the first three quarters of 2025, nearing the 2,546 fatalities reported in 2024, according to the think tank.

The report added that when comparing casualty numbers from January to September 2024 (1,527 fatalities) to this year, 2,414 fatalities were recorded within the same period — an increase of 58pc.

While a number of terror attacks and counter-terror ops have also been reported since after the report was published, it is pertinent to note that attacks have increased since the withdrawal of US-led troops from neighbouring Afghanistan in 2021, with the federal government accusing the Taliban authorities of sheltering terrorists — a charge they deny.

The parliament, in a joint session chaired by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, on Tuesday passed the National Commission for Minority Rights Bill 2025 with a majority vote.

As per the details, the bill, aimed at establishing a commission to safeguard the rights of minorities, received 160 votes in favor and 79 against.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, while presenting the bill, recalled that in 2014 the Supreme Court (SC) had directed the formation of such a commission. He thanked Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for his party’s proposed amendments, noting that the law clearly defines Ahmadis as non-Muslims.

During the debate, Maulana Fazlur Rehman cautioned against making the Constitution controversial, arguing that the 27th Amendment could prove as divisive as earlier amendments before the landmark 18th Amendment.

He cited historical examples, including that of the late former prime minister (PM) Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s negotiations in 1973, which led to consensus despite political differences. He criticised the government for not taking opposition parties into confidence on the latest amendment and warned against provisions that, in his view, created class divisions.

The JUI-F leader also expressed concern that none of the recommendations of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) had been incorporated into the bill. He objected to clauses redefining underage marriages as sexual assault and provisions related to transgender rights, which the Council had rejected.

“We must ask ourselves whether we are upholding the oath to Pakistan’s Constitution or following the dictates of the United Nations,” he remarked, stressing that his opposition was principled rather than emotional.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, addressing the session, emphasised that the bill had already been passed by both houses of parliament before being sent to the president, who raised objections.

He acknowledged amendments proposed by Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Senator Kamran Murtaza, which the government accepted.

“Governments come and go; they are not anyone’s inheritance. Our lives and wealth are devoted to the Holy Prophet. Political disputes should not overshadow matters of national importance,” Dar said, adding that while political prisoners could be debated, sacred issues must remain above politics.

Punjab traffic police intensified their efforts to tackle driving violations throughout the region, issuing almost 64,000 tickets in a single day and collecting more than Rs80 million in fines. 

As reported by a representative of the Punjab Traffic Police, 63,970 vehicles and motorcycles were ticketed over the past 24 hours. Total fines levied during this time reached Rs842.9 million. The representative also noted that 23,904 vehicles are currently impounded at various police facilities across Punjab.

A notable number of the fines were for helmet violations, with 28,000 citations issued in just one day. Furthermore, 4,312 charges were filed for various other traffic infractions. 

The representative mentioned that enforcement activities are currently underway in all districts of Punjab.

To assist with the operation, drones are being utilized in Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Multan for monitoring traffic violations. Traffic Quick Force teams have been established to aid local police in ensuring compliance with traffic regulations.

The crackdown has resulted in a significant influx of cases being brought before district courts, especially in Lahore. 

Numerous individuals, including those riding underage, were presented to the duty magistrate over the last two days. Lahore police indicated that over 750 people were summoned to court for offenses recorded during the operation, with 415 of them being granted bail.

This initiative is part of the Punjab police’s continuous efforts to enforce traffic laws, including proper helmet usage and other safety protocols. Officials have stressed that the enforcement campaign will persist to ensure compliance with traffic regulations.