g COA S -LED CCC REVIEWS PREVAILING GEO-STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT, PAKISTANINDIA STANDOFF AND REGIONAL SECURITY CALCULUS
g ARMY ’S TOP BRA SS REITERATES PAKISTAN ’S PATH TO PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT WOULD NOT BE DETERRED BY TERRORISM, COERCION OR AGGRESSION
RAWALPINDI
S TA F F R E P O R T
TH E military top brass on Friday reiterated Pakistan s commitment to peace stability and prosperity, warning that any Indian attempt to impose war would be responded to “surely and decisively ” amid simmering tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi in the wake last week s attack in India occupied Kashmir
The affirmation came during a special session of Corps Commanders Conference (CCC) chaired by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi according to the military media wing
The April 22 attack in Pahalgam a tourist attraction in Indian occupied Kashmir killed 26 tourists India quickly accused Pakistan of involvement and implemented a series of downgraded diplomatic and economic ties These measures included suspending the Indus Water Treaty terminating a visa-free travel agreement, and closing the Attari border crossing Pakistan has denied the accusations and has retaliated by suspending trade with India and closing its airspace to Indian airlines
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also called for a credible transparent and neu-
g REAFFIRMS RESOLVE TO UPHOLD COUNTRY ’S SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AGAINST ANY AGGRESSION OR MISADVENTURE
g DELIBERATE DESTABILISATION EFFORTS BY INDIA WILL BE CONFRONTED AND DEFEATED WITH RESOLVE AND CLARITY: ISPR
tral investigation into the Pahalgam Tensions have since spiked, with Pakistan reinforcing its forces and India s premier granting “operational freedom” to the military As Pakistan in the early hours of Wednesday said it expected an Indian incursion within 24–36 hours diplomatic channels have been engaged to prevent conflict
A day ago, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir warned that “any military misadventure by India will be met with a swift resolute and notch-up response
A press release issued by the InterServices Public Relations (ISPR) said the army chief presided over a special session of the Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Friday At the session the military top brass
UNSC to convene earlier than planned over escalating India, Pakistan conflict
E W S D E S K
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is poised to convene an emergency session to address the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22
The attack which claimed the lives of at least 28 civilians has intensified regional instability and prompted international concern Evangelos Sekeris Greece s Permanent Representative to the UN and current UNSC President, indicated that the Council is closely monitoring the situation He stated that a meeting to discuss the crisis could occur “sooner rather than later ” emphasizing the Council’s readiness to address the matter promptly Sekeris noted that while no formal request for a meeting had been submitted the evolving nature of the situation necessitates vigilant attention On April 22, five armed militants attacked tourists in Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, resulting in 28 fatalities and over 20 injuries The assailants, reportedly affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF) an offshoot of the Pakistanbased Lashkar-e-Taiba initially claimed responsibility citing opposition to Indian policies in Kashmir However TRF later retracted its claim Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers targeted non-Muslim tourists, making the incident one of the deadliest in the region since the 2008 Mumbai attacks In the aftermath, India implemented several measures including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan closure of the Attari-Wagah border crossing revocation of visas for Pakistani nationals expulsion of Pakistani military attachés
conducted a comprehensive review of the prevailing geo-strategic environment, with particular emphasis on the current Pakistan-India standoff and the broader regional security calculus
While reaffirming Pakistan s abiding commitment to peace stability and prosperity the forum made clear that any attempt to impose war will be responded to, surely and decisively and aspirations of people of Pakistan shall be respected at all costs ” the ISPR said
“The forum reaffirmed the unflinching resolve of the Pakistan Armed Forces to uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country against any aggression or misadventure, it added
The ISPR said the army’s top brass reiterated that Pakistan’s path to peace and development would not be deterred by terrorism coercion or aggression
whether directly or through proxies
“Deliberate destabilisation efforts by the Indian government will be confronted and defeated with resolve and clarity the statement said
The ISPR said COAS Munir lauded the military s unwavering professionalism, steadfast morale and operational preparedness”, saying that it stood in unity with the nation to defend the homeland at all costs
The army chief also highlighted the critical importance of heightened vigilance and proactive readiness across all fronts amid the situation
The statement said the CCC participants expressed grave concern over the intensification of Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir in the attack s aftermath as well as the continued targeting of innocent civilians along the Line of Control by Indian occupation forces
They reiterated that such “inhumane and unprovoked acts” served only to escalate regional tensions and would be met with a resolute and proportionate response The forum noted with serious concern, India s consistent pattern of exploitation of crises to achieve political and military objectives They have been following a predictable template whereby internal governance failures are externalised
NA session likely on May 5 in response to India’s Pahalgam allegations
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
The National Assembly is expected to convene on May 5 to hold a detailed discussion on India s aggressive stance and recent accusations against Pakistan in connection with the Pahalgam incident, informed sources said on Friday The decision was taken during a high-level consultative meeting held at Parliament House chaired by the Defence Minister and attended by senior officials from the ministries of defence, law, and parliamentary affairs
The session is likely to include a formal condemnation res-
Nawaz
LAHORE S TA F F R
President PML-N and former three time Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif on Friday lauded the collective voice raised by all political parties in Senate for the defence and national security of the country terming it a highly positive development
olution, targeting India s alleged false flag operations and what officials described as “unfounded accusations” against Pakistan Sources indicated that the resolution is expected to gain swift approval in the upcoming session India has blamed Pakistan for the Pahalgam attack a claim that Islamabad has categorically denied presenting what it says is credible evidence to counter New Delhi s narrative Pakistan has accused India of exploiting the incident to advance hostile political objectives and destabilize regional peace Commenting on the matter earlier this week Prime Minister s Political Advisor Rana Sanaullah
reiterated Pakistan s willingness to cooperate with an impartial probe
Speaking during a show Sanaullah said Pakistan was open to a neutral or joint investigation or even a third-party expert-led inquiry into the Pahalgam incident
He criticised India for what he termed its “nefarious designs” and refusal to accept Pakistan’s sovereignty warning that such conduct risked pushing the region toward greater instability
The world must see through India s consistent attempts to mislead and manufacture narratives,” he said adding that Pakistan remains committed to regional peace but would not compromise its national dignity or security
Nawaz Sharif made the remarks on Friday during a
the government’s complete focus on consolidating the hard-earned economic gains of the past 15 months the prime minister said it was inconceivable for Pakistan to act irresponsibly to jeopardise its achievements and derail the country from the path of economic progress” or take such an ac-
tion that could imperil regional peace and security The prime minister thanked the Saudi leadership and people for always standing in solidarity with Pakistan through thick and thin
The Saudi ambassador thanked the prime minister for sharing his views on this important issue and said that Saudi Arabia wanted to work with Pakistan for peace
Pakistan loses Rs3.4tr annually to illicit trade, smuggling, and counter feit goods
g REPORT HIGHLIGHTS 30% OR RS1TR LOSS LINKED TO MISUSE OF AFGHAN TRANSIT TRADE; RANKED 101ST OUT OF 158 COUNTRIES PAKISTAN L AGS BEHIND REGIONAL PEERS SUCH
gaps contribute to the growing illicit trade network which undermines both tax revenue and consumer safety Pakistan s position on the 2025 Illicit Trade Index
underscores the country s challenges Ranked 101st out of 158 countries Pakistan lags behind regional peers such as India and Sri Lanka The report emphasizes that systemic weaknesses in governance, enforcement, and policy have allowed illicit markets to thrive, highlighting the need for comprehensive reforms to address these issues The lack of a robust Track and Trace system especially in the tobacco sector is another key issue Despite regulations only a fraction of cigarette brands comply, with 56% of the market consisting of untaxed and non-compliant products Similarly, counterfeit pharmaceuticals, smuggled tires, and tea have also contributed to significant revenue losses, further complicating the economic recovery process As Pakistan continues to battle these challenges experts argue that addressing illicit trade requires a multi-pronged approach including strengthening enforcement, updating infrastructure, and improving inter-agency coordination to combat smuggling and tax evasion effectively
The real threat
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari realises who really threatens the Indus waters
PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari showed that he knew that the real threat the Indus came from Indian PM Narendra Modi, not the plan to dig six canals out of the Indus Of course, addressing a public meeting in Mirpur Khas, he also took credit for the PPP s persuading the Council of Common Interests to rescind the decision for the canals construction, but he also took the opportunity to explain the threat from India He related that as Foreign Minister he had to ward off an Indian attempt to abrogate the Indus Waters Treaty This is further proof that the BJP government has long chafed at the restrictions on it because of the IWT Mr Bhutto Zardari must have realized that while Punjab was stopped from constructing the canals by the CII mechanism if India interfered in the Indus Sindh would have no recourse except to join Punjab in demanding that Pakistan go to the last extent in defending its rights
It is also likely that Mr Bhutto Zardari’s father
President Asif Ali Zardari would have realized this aspect of the issue His meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that day resulted in the two leaders expressing the same resolution in defending the territory of the country against Indian aggression Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir used his visits to summer collective exercises to deliver a very forthright message: that India would receive a notchup response to any misadventure In a way, the COAS was telling the enemy that it should not expect a proportionate response to any misadventure that might be attempted He was therefore taking back the element of surprise that had apparently been lost when Pakistan said that it would not attack first India now does not know what level of response to expect in reply to whatever it plans The going ahead with the summer collecttives not only shows the refusal of Pakistan to be cowed (by cancelling the exercises) but also brings troops into position as a matter of routine
Meanwhile efforts continued to resolve the issue by diplomacy While the PM and Foreign Minister fielded about half a dozen calls from foreign leaders, the Pakistan Ambassador to the USA called for the root cause of Kashmir to be addressed It seems only appropriate that the root cause of the conflict between the two countries be adrressed in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
US Foreign Policy and the Risks of W ar w ith China
TO understand the Sino-American rivalry within the framework of neoclassical realism, it is pertinent to revisit a significant scholarly contribution In 2017, Graham T Allison published Destined for War: Can America and China Avoid the Thucydides Trap? wherein he posed a fundamental question: Can two world superpowers one dominant the other ascending, evade an inevitable war for global supremacy? Allison formulated the concept of the Thucydides Trap,” drawing from the insights of the ancient Greek historian Thucydides who chronicled the Peloponnesian War Thucydides asserted It was the rise of Athens and the fear that this instilled in Sparta that made war inevitable Allison expanded this premise, suggesting that when a rising power threatens to displace an established one, the ensuing structural stress typically leads to violent conflict, citing historical instances such as the rivalry between Germany and Britain and the near-conflict between the USA and the USSR during the Cold War Allison s research at Harvard revealed that 12 out of 16 such historical rivalries culminated in war While he perceptively identifies the structural stress resulting from power shifts, Allison largely attributes the outbreak of conflicts to the rise of new powers without adequately acknowledging the revisionist policies that often accompany these dynamics In numerous cases where war erupted it was not merely the rise of one state that incited conflict, but rather its proactive revisionism or that of the incumbent power
avoided status quo policies predominated with the notable exception of the US-Soviet relations during the Cold War Allison s analysis of the US-China rivalry similarly focuses almost exclusively on China s ascent and its perceived revisionist ambitions, while neglecting the possibility that US hegemonic behavior might significantly contribute to the growing tensions His framework assumes that the “ruling” power naturally pursues a status quo policy whereas the rising power inherently exhibits revisionist tendencies However, a closer historical examination, such as that of Athens and Sparta, reveals that conflict was not precipitated solely by Athens’ growing power, but by its assertive expansion and domination of neutral states which eventually threatened Sparta’s survival Allison himself notes that Athens viewed its imperial expansion as benign suggesting that the Spartans acted not to preserve their hegemonic status (which they arguably lacked) but to ensure their own independence and that of their allies Consequently, the analogy of the Thucydides Trap, when applied to the contemporary US-China rivalry may require reconsideration If the USA embodies the assertive Athens and China the threatened Sparta then an inverted Thucydides Trap emerges whereby the structural-process stress stems from the ruling power s hegemonic ambitions rather than the rising power s challenge Applying neoclassical realism, the “inverted Thucydides Trap” can be conceptualized as arising when a dominant power seeks to impose hegemony on a rising rival Thus the prospect of conflict between the USA and China may be better understood not as a consequence of China s rise, but of US hegemonic revisionism Despite China s rapid economic and military growth over recent decades, its rise has remained largely peaceful and has not involved systematic violations of international legal norms China has neither engaged in acts of aggression nor established a network of military alliances akin to the USA s global alliance system Conversely, the USA has exhibited more pronounced revisionist behaviour, manifest in three distinct patterns: expansion of its sphere of influence in Europe and Asia to encircle China; consistent violations of international legal and economic norms to disadvantage independent actors; and a persistent strategy of regime change aimed at reconfiguring adversarial states foreign policies
T h e q u e s t f o r t r u e s o v e r e i g n t y
rd March 1940 brought a pivotal moment in the history of Pakistan the Lahore Resolution This momentous resolution has great importance in the history of Pakistan as it called for the establishment of a separate homeland It reflects back to the Two Nation Theory of Sir Syed Ahmed khan, leading to an era where Muslims started to struggle for freedom, not just against colonizers but also Hindus The resolution was a direct response to the growing concerns of Muslims regarding their political cultural and religious rights in the Subcontinent This event had envisioned the creation of a Muslim-majority homeland, which eventually led to the creation of Pakistan in 1947
The Lahore Resolution attained its meaningful importance as it stated the Muslims demand for self-rule without interference from others while uniting millions in the Subcontinent It was not just a political demand but a demand for the right to decide our own destiny and an independent homeland that could safeguard our cultural, social, and religious identities However throughout Pakistan’s existence the events of 1940 raises a fundamental question: what does true sovereignty or self-determination mean?
while ensuring the best interest of Pakistan
Warring wisdom
On the other hand, Pakistan should focus on advancing technology, military capabilities and fostering a self-reliant economy to avoid being dragged into unnecessary conflicts Pakistan must ensure that it doesn t become a pawn in the geopolitical game
Admittedly, the world is changing rapidly Today s complex realities such as technological advancement, globalization, economic interdependency climate change are shaping the geopolitics as it transcends borders However the core principles of the Lahore Resolution; sovereignty self-determination and self-governance, are still relevant today Despite this, managing the affairs becomes challenging The question which arises is: how do we adapt to the ideals of true sovereignty in a more interconnected world?
strategic decisions such as alliance with the U S A during the Cold War and grow ing ties with China today The shifting alliance game has placed Pakistan in a position of having to
tion, can Pakistan afford to engage itself in bloc politics?
It is clear that Pakistan cannot entirely ignore bloc politics not in today’s world
However it does not mean that Pakistan cannot be independent Pakistan can avoid becoming subservient to any single bloc by adopting a neutral foreign policy To maintain a balanced approach, Pakistan should maintain diplomatic relations with all the states,
Self-determination refers to the ability of a state to make decisions free from external influence, a dream that was set into motion during the Lahore Resolution However, in the current scenario after 85 years the question arises: can Pakistan truly make its own decisions? Although Pakistan has made significant strides in its institution building the external powers have always influenced its political and social fabric The reason mainly being our over-reliance on foreign aid and loans, overshadowing our internal governance Over the years the issue of economic dependency has been a major hurdle in realizing full sovereignty Certainly, economic dependence on the IMF and the World Bank is one of the major reasons On the other hand strategic and economic ties with countries like the USA and China has placed Pakistan at a position where making independent decisions has been compromised The dependent economic and foreign policy decisions create an environment which erodes sovereignty For instance the IMF bailout packages which come with their own set of conditions have often dictated Pakistan s fiscal policies These economic prescriptions aimed at stabilizing Pakistan s economy, limit our financial freedom leaving us vulnerable to economic pressures from global powers At the same time, our growing ties with major powers, although beneficial in some respects place Pakistan in a delicate position Global geopolitical dynamics undergoes r
This can be best answered with creating a balance between collaboration and independence To achieve its national interest Pakistan must first develop powerful economic foundations Additionally, Pakistan should focus on technological innovation to foster its economic growth to break free from the shackles of foreign loan dependency Most importantly Pakistan must invest in its military and technological advancement and ensure independent foreign policy
Pakistan is at a crossroads with its quest for true sovereignty which began with the Lahore resolution and continues till date Furthermore we must honor the dreams of our founding fathers along with adapting their vision in accordance with the changing dynamics of the world
Pakistan should focus on building a future where true sovereignty is not just an ideal but a reality Self-governing enough to make our independent foreign, political and economic decisions along with navigating the complexities of geopolitics
Admittedly this is a challenging road ahead however Pakistan has always overcome every obstacle in its way We can carve a path that honors the vision of the Lahore Resolution by staying true to the principles of freedom, self-governance and sovereignty
The writer is a Research assistant at Balochistan Think Tank Network (BTTN) Quetta
Lives at risk
NoMeeN kassi
Dr MuhaMMaD akraM Zaheer
Rcore framework divides six rivers between the two countries and mandates cooperation in the use of shared watercourses However India s frequent threats to bypass its provisions reflect a deeper malaise: the erosion of respect for international treaties in the face of populist politics These threats also contravene the UN Convention on the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses which emphasizes equitable utilization and no significant harm principles norms India appears increasingly willing to sideline when politically expedient While upholding and reinforcing the Indus Waters Treaty remains a rational imperative, it should be accompanied by proactive diplomatic engagement be it through bilateral talks or with third-party facilitation under global frameworks However our historical reliance on dialogue alone has yielded limited success, often interrupted by political upheaval or cross-border blame games Thus, diplomacy must be pursued, yes but not in isolation Simultaneously Pakistan must envision and invest in self-sufficient alternatives knowing that sustainable peace
Google faces historic breakup
A three -week trial began that could force Google to sell off its Chrome browser, among other remedies for its illegal monopolization
“ This is the time to tell Google and all other monopolists watching and they are watching that there are consequences when you break the antitrust laws” Google would allow rivals to syndicate its search results This is already done elsewhere in the world; Yahoo Japan syndicates Google search data
to give up years worth of data to rivals DOJ argued that there could simply not be competition in this market without the kind of data that allows searches to improve “Imagine a race where one runner got to start 10 years ahead of time Dahlquist said As a short-term remedy Google would allow rivals to syndicate its search results
This is already done elsewhere in the world; Yahoo Japan syndicates Google search data, for example Then there would be longerterm data sharing like on user queries and website clicks for the next decade to allow rivals to catch up The government has also proposed data sharing on Google ads We are still operating the same architecture for online search that Larry Page and Sergey Brin invented in the late 1990s with the Google search engine But the remedy phase comes just as search is being disrupted by artificial intelligence Google s data advantage gives it an edge in developing new AI search tools, so part of the government s thinking behind the request for data transfer is to allow for the AI era to look less like the digital platform era, with its entrenchment of a few tech giants The Justice Department plans to call rivals in search like Bing (owned by Microsoft) and Duck Duck Go who will say that generative AI advances cannot overcome data barriers that give Google an advantage A representative from OpenAI, maker of the popular ChatGPT product also plans to testify that the data is needed for long-tail queries DOJ stressed the need for anti-circumvention provisions For example Google had been offering browsers and devices a new incentive agreement that was fundamentally similar to the one in place that was found to be illegal monopolization Dahlquist said that Google’s distribution partners were afraid to testify because of concern about retaliation A wolf by any other name is still a wolf Dahlquist said The anti-circumvention provision would allow for better detection and enforcement of Google s actions To add to that, the government added a “conditional” divestiture of the Android mobile operating system if the market for search didn’t have more competition within five years This would give Google an incentive to allow the remedies to go forward without interference Google claims consumers will be harmed because it cannot compete, Dahlquist said “They simply don’t want to compete on a level playing field They are now fearful of the need to actually compete against rivals who will get stronger every day He added
Trump’s volatilit y is pushing A sia toward Beijing
But fears over China’s intentions could limit its regional gains
Modi may therefore be seeking to hedge with China to avoid being strategically abandoned should the U.S.-China relationship suddenly improve
US HOPES INDIA’S RESPONSE TO PAHALGAM ATTACK DOESN’T LEAD TO BROADER REGIONAL CONFLICT: VANCE
Aid ship bound for G aza hit by drones, c atches fire off Malta
Thunberg and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said there were 30 people on board not 16 as the Maltese government said The coalition said it had been organising a non-violent action under a media blackout in order to avoid any potential sabotage
and unilateralism, China has reaffirmed the
response
In the wake of India’s aggressive posturing in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack in IIOJK the India Study Centre (ISC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organized an In-House Discussion (IHD), titled Pahalgam Attack and India s Aggressive Posturing: Implications and Response Options for Pakistan ” The aim was to critically examine the domestic and external determinants of India’s belligerent stance and the sustainability of its measures announced against Pakistan The other objective was to analyze Pakistan s response in all its dimensions and suggest further measures if any to counter ongoing Indian moves in the diplomatic, information and security domains, said a press release issued on Friday The IHD was attended by diplomats, practitioners academics heads of think-tanks and security experts
Yango Pakistan part of the global tech company Yango Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Punjab Safe City Authority (PSCA) in a bold step toward enhancing passenger safety The agreement reflects a joint commitment to implement robust security measures that are aimed at safeguarding women, children, and families using the service This strategic collaboration marks a major milestone in the ride-hailing sector as both parties work together to make mobility in Pakistan safer smarter and more inclusive Key initiatives under the partnership include InApp Direct Call to Women s Safety Helpline (15) that allows female passengers access to the helpline directly through the Yango app for added peace of mind There’s the Child Safety Helpline that is dedicated to ensuring a safe ride environment for children and families Lastly there are the Enhanced Security Measures The collaboration aims to explore additional technologies and safety protocols strengthening protection for both passengers and drivers
The signing ceremony took place at the PSCA Headquarters and was officiated by SSP (R) Capt Mustansar Feroze, Chief Operating Officer of the PSCA and Muhammad Jahangir Khan Head of Public Policy and Government Relations at Yango Pakistan At Yango Pakistan passenger safety is our highest priority This partnership is a strong step forward in ensuring secure and reliable mobility for all, particularly women and children said Miral Sharif, Country Head, Yango Pakistan “We are excited to launch these first initiatives in partnership with The Punjab Safe City Authority and look forward to expanding our efforts through continued collaboration and tailored solutions that address local needs
“The Punjab Safe City Authority welcomes this collaboration with Yango Pakistan to make urban transportation safer said SSP (R) Capt Mustansar Feroze This joint initiative reflects our shared mission to build safer communities by using technology-driven solutions
As part of its broader commitment to the Pakistani market, Yango
S C G R A N T S B A I L T O P T I ’ S E J A Z C H ,
TFazl stresses unit y against India
R H AT A B B A S I N M AY 9 C A S E S KOHISTAN/KARACHI S
Eight of same family killed in Kohistan car plunge, 3 dead as bus overturns in Karachi
Eight members of a family were killed when a car plunged into a ravine in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa s Lower Kohistan district while three people were killed and eight others were injured when a bus overturned in Karachi’s Gulshan-iHadeed on Friday rescue officials confirmed According to Rescue1122 officials all eight individuals including three women and four children and belonging to a same family, were killed the vehicle, they were traveling in, plunged into a ravine along the Karakoram Highway in Kohistan district
The vehicle lost control and plunged into a gorge killing all eight occupants including four children, they informed, adding that an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the crash Rescue personnel and highway patrolling police rushed to the site and shifted the bodies to a nearby hospital the officials said As per details, the deceased family traveling from Lower Kohistan to Gilgit for a recreational trip, belonged to Kamalabad and Tulsa village in Rawalpindi
The Lower Kohistan administration is facilitating the transfer of the bodies to Rawalpindi
F u n e r a l
i n Tulsa village and Chakri, the authorities confirmed Meanwhile three people were killed and eight others injured when a bus overturned in Karachi s Gulshan-i-Hadeed on Friday morning, rescue officials said According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Traffic Police Pir
Mohammed Shah said At 6:30am, a fatal road traffic accident occurred on Link Road Kathore towards the National Highway near Samandari Baba ” He said a passenger bus bearing registration number LES-1244 while travelling along the route veered off the roadway and overturned
According to preliminary findings, the driver of the bus had fallen asleep while driving, causing the vehicle to drift off the road and subsequently overturn “The incident occurred without direct interaction with any other vehicle at the time of the crash, DIG said The accident tragically resulted in the death of three individuals, who have been identified as 59year-old Abdul Ghafoor 25-yearold Ghulam Fareed and 35-year-old Kausar Saeed The body of the deceased was moved to the Jinnah Hospital Karachi via Chhipa Ambulance Service Furthermore, approx-
imately 15 to 20 passengers sustained injuries, DIG Shah said He added that KRAAT s (Karachi Road Accident Analysis Team) preliminary investigation indicated that the primary cause of the accident was driver fatigue leading to the driver falling asleep at the wheel Consequently he said the bus veered off the road and overturned, adding that recklessness and negligence, in the form of driving without adequate rest directly contributed to this fatal crash In a separate incident at least three people were dead and nine others sustained injuries when a speeding passenger van plunged into a ravine in Khairpur As per details, the accident took place near Khairpur Bridge in Anwarabad resulting in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to nine others according to police Initial investigations suggest that the accident occurred due to the driver losing control of the vehicle
