United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has characterized the extended truce between Israel and Hamas as “a glimpse of hope and humanity.”
However, he cautioned that the additional time is insufficient to address the urgent aid needs in the Gaza Strip. The initial four-day truce has been prolonged by two days, marking a pause in the seven weeks of conflict.
Guterres expressed optimism that the extension would allow for increased humanitarian aid delivery to the suffering population in Gaza. He emphasized the necessity of additional crossings, including the Kerem Shalom border controlled by Israel, to facilitate aid distribution.
The United Nations aims to transform the temporary truce into a comprehensive humanitarian ceasefire through ongoing negotiations. Guterres reiterated the call for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas. Despite intensified aid delivery during the truce, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with significant challenges in meeting the needs of the displaced population.
Supreme Court Orders Bahria Town To Make Fresh Payment Of Rs460 Billion For Land In Karachi
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has declared that Bahria Town must make a fresh payment, amounting to Rs460 billion, for the land it occupies in Karachi’s Malir district. The court ruled that Bahria Town defaulted on installments intended for the purchase of the 16,896-acre land.
The development comes after a three-member bench, including Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Aminuddin Khan, and Justice Athar Minallah, determined that Rs65 billion, including funds remitted from the UK and deposited locally, be transferred to the Central and Sindh governments. Out of this, approximately Rs35 billion is allocated to the federal government, and Rs30 billion to the Sindh government.
The court order emphasized that the consent order specified conditions for default, noting that Bahria Town had indeed defaulted, making the entire balance amount due and payable.
