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## Body
### Security, Law Enforcement, and Crime
**Mianwali Toll Plaza Staff Booked for Assault**
A significant incident of violence has prompted a police investigation in Mianwali. Staff at the Jinnah Barrage Dā’ūd Khel Toll Plaza reportedly assaulted a car driver after the individual requested a discount on the toll tax. Footage of the violence has surfaced, identifying the victim as a resident of Islamabad. Eyewitness accounts indicate the driver had inadvertently crossed the plaza four times, paying the requisite tax each instance, but was attacked when he requested a concession on the final pass. Police officials confirmed that the District Police Officer (DPO) has taken formal notice, and a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the toll plaza employees.
**Passenger Abduction and Recovery**
In a positive security development, all 14 passengers who were abducted from a commercial bus traveling from Sadiqabad to Quetta have been safely recovered.
**Karachi Crime and Infrastructure Attacks**
Karachi reported a worrying trend of retail crime, with two superstores in the Gulshan-e-Hadeed area being looted by two separate suspects over a two-day period. Separately, Additional IG Karachi, Javed Alam Odho, chaired a meeting focused on ensuring comprehensive security arrangements for the upcoming Christmas celebrations. Meanwhile, a railway track near Humayun in the Shikarpur district was disrupted following an explosion.
**Nowshera Fire and DSP Suspension**
A CNG station in Nowshera was damaged by fire. Furthermore, the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Usman Haider, who was arrested on charges of murdering his wife and daughter, has been officially suspended from service.
### Governance, Diplomacy, and Appointments
**Presidential Activities and Economic Focus**
President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath of office to Zafar Hijazi as the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) in Islamabad. Separately, the President met with Maryam Madiha Aftab, Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to Ireland, during which he emphasized the importance of bolstering the economic partnership between Pakistan and Ireland.
**UAE Ties and Provincial Actions**
The new Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, Salem Mohammed Alzaabi, visited the Sindh Governor House and held discussions with Governor Kamran Tessori. Talks focused on strengthening Pakistan-UAE relations, fostering bilateral investment, and other areas of mutual interest.
Provincial leaders also addressed critical issues: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi visited Central Jail Peshawar, announcing a special two-month remission of sentences for prisoners. Concurrently, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti warned that the drought situation in the province is intensifying and confirmed that the government is devising a comprehensive mitigation strategy.
### Political and Legislative Landscape
**TTAP Engagements and Sindh Assembly Resolutions**
The Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Aaeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) continues its political outreach, with delegations meeting leaders of both Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) in Islamabad and Aftab Sherpao, the head of the Qaumi Watan Party (QWP).
The Sindh Assembly session saw the presentation of two key resolutions: one calling for the modernization and upgrade of the provincial fire brigade system, and another concerning the 1971 tragedy of East Pakistan, paying special tribute to the sacrifices made by the Bihari community alongside the Pakistan Armed Forces.
**Legal Challenge in Peshawar**
A petition has been filed in the Peshawar High Court (PHC) seeking the removal of Provincial Minister Amjad Ali’s name from the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) and the Exit Control List (ECL).
### International and Regional Headlines
**HRCP Denounces Indian CM’s Action**
The Human Rights Council of Pakistan (HRCP) issued a strong reaction to the controversial actions of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who allegedly pulled the veil (niqab) off a Muslim female doctor during a public event.
**Australian Incident Connections**
In international security news, Indian police released a statement regarding Sajid Akram, an individual accused of terrorism related to an incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. Meanwhile, Muhammad Fateh, the father of the civilian credited with subduing the attacker in Australia, stated that his son’s bravery successfully saved the lives of dozens of innocent individuals.
**Miscellaneous**
Renowned Bollywood actor Anupam Kher shared his positive experience of traveling by train after missing a connecting Indigo flight between Varanasi and Khajuraho. Finally, the family of former politician Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo confirmed his passing.

