In Nowshera city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), a devastating incident has come to light. Local journalist Hasan Zaib was tragically shot dead by unidentified assailants. The local police of KP confirmed the ruthless killing of Hasan Zaib, who was a print media journalist, in Akbarpura village of Nowshera. The attackers, riding motorcycles, fatally shot Hasan Zaib in a bustling market area. This reprehensible act has sparked outrage and demands for justice from various quarters. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur swiftly responded to the murder, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation. He demanded a comprehensive report from senior police officials…
Author: Muhammad Idrees
PESHAWAR: The recent Supreme Court ruling granting Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) reserved seats for women and minorities will profoundly affect five opposition parties in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. These parties, previously benefiting from Election Commission of Pakistan’s allocations, now face nullification of their notifications. Affected parties include Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazal, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Peoples Party-Parliamentarians, Awami National Party, and PTI-Parliamentarians. Initially allocated seats under ECP’s March 1 decision, their entitlements are now redirected following the court’s order denying these seats to Sunni Ittehad Council, supported by PTI-backed independents. Originally, the KP Assembly’s 26 reserved seats for women saw allocations of two…
KARACHI — In a targeted operation, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) apprehended two terrorists affiliated with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from Janjal Goth area. Identified as Abuzar and Yaqoob Masood, both militants hail from Waziristan and are associated with the Gul Bahadur Group within TTP ranks. CTD spokesperson informed that the operation successfully concluded with the arrest of these individuals who were actively engaged in collecting funds for the terror outfit. According to CTD Director General Asif Ejaz Sheikh, the arrested terrorists maintained communication with TTP leadership based in Afghanistan using social media platforms to facilitate their funding operations. Local…
Ayesha Zehri has made history by becoming the first female Deputy Commissioner in Balochistan, taking charge in the Awaran district. This appointment signifies a significant achievement for women in leadership roles within the province’s administration. Awaran, known for its agricultural significance, has faced considerable challenges from terrorism in Balochistan. Zehri is committed to tackling terrorism and enhancing security in the region. She has actively participated in operations against militants of the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), demonstrating her determination. Apart from security issues, Zehri has prioritized addressing the problems confronting residents in underdeveloped areas of Awaran. Following directives from the Chief…
Pakistan has temporarily stopped the expulsion of undocumented migrants from Afghanistan following talks with the UN refugee agency. Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, concluded his three-day visit and emphasized the need for sustainable solutions for Afghan refugees in Pakistan. “The ‘Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan’ has been suspended,” stated a post-visit UNHCR release, highlighting Grandi’s efforts to ensure the suspension continues. A senior Pakistani official, speaking anonymously due to lack of authorization, confirmed the pause in deportations, underscoring humanitarian reasons amid Afghanistan’s challenging conditions. During Grandi’s meetings with Pakistani leaders, discussions centered on the fate of approximately 3…
Afghanistan, known for its rugged terrain, has historically favored guerrilla tactics, allowing groups to strike quickly and retreat into the mountains. This strategy, famously employed by Ahmad Shah Massoud against both Soviet and Taliban forces from the Panjshir Valley, continues today through his son, Ahmad Massoud, and the National Resistance Front (NRF). Since the US withdrawal in 2021, the NRF and factions of the former Afghan army have waged guerrilla warfare against the Taliban, with the goal of establishing an inclusive and democratic government. Despite the NRF’s willingness to engage in dialogue, achieving peace remains challenging due to Taliban resistance…
Taliban security forces in Afghanistan announced Sunday that they successfully neutralized a significant threat in Nangarhar province. The operation targeted a hideout belonging to Islamic State Khorasan, also known as IS-K, a local faction of the international extremist organization. According to Al-Mersaad, an official Taliban media outlet, the raid resulted in the death of “Zakirullah,” alias Abu Sher, identified as the military leader of IS Khorasan in Achin district. The operation, conducted by Taliban special forces, concluded in the Mohmand Dara district. Independent verification of Al-Mersaad’s claims remains unavailable. Taliban government officials have not commented on the operation in Nangarhar,…
Power cuts sparked a fierce protest in Sibi, Balochistan, where residents endured up to 20-hour outages in blistering 45-degree Celsius heat. According to local police, around 800 people stormed the electricity supply office and vandalized it in a late-night incident on Thursday. “People stormed the electricity supply office and ransacked it last night and a case has been lodged against them,” police official Anayatullah Bungulzai told AFP. Planned power cuts, also known as load-shedding, are a frequent occurrence across Pakistan due to fuel shortages, varying in duration depending on the region. In Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, power outages are exacerbated…
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivered a significant address at the 24th summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Astana, Kazakhstan. His speech underscored the critical importance of collaborative action against terrorism and extremism, aligning with the principles of the SCO. PM Shehbaz Sharif’s Key Points Terrorism and Extremism: A Collective Challenge PM Shehbaz Sharif highlighted terrorism and extremism as pressing global issues that require a unified approach. He stressed the SCO’s role in fostering regional peace and stability. Afghanistan’s Role in Regional Security The Prime Minister emphasized Afghanistan’s pivotal role in regional…
In various cities of KP, rallies and jirgas were held on Sunday to voice opposition to the government’s plan to launch Azm-i-Istehkam military operation against militants. In Bara tehsil of Khyber district, scores of Shalobar youth activists took part in a motorcycle rally against the potential military offensive. Led by Abdul Wadud, president of Pakhtun Student Federation’s Khyber chapter, participants carried white flags and placards advocating for peace and rejecting the military operation. The rally proceeded through Shalobar, Malakdinkhel, Kamarkhel, Akkakhel, Sipah, and Qambarkhel localities before converging at Bara Bazaar. Organizers cited a deteriorating law and order situation in Bara,…