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
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
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
Iran says US sanctions will not change its oil policy
A F P Iran said Friday that continued US sanctions on its trade partners will not alter its policy, after President Donald Trump threatened to penalise countries or individuals dealing in Iranian oil
“The continuation of these illegal behaviours will not change Iran s logical legitimate and international law-based positions a foreign ministry statement said, condemning what it called pressure on Iran s trade and economic partners
Chinese President Xi Jinping has engaged in extensive diplomatic efforts both at home and abroad this spring cementing a closer bond with neighboring countries advocating unity and cooperation, and injecting certainty and stability into a turbulent world In a world grappling with growing uncertainty and instability fueled by protectionism and unilateralism China has reaffirmed the continuity and stability of its neighborhood diplomacy and its vision for lasting peace and shared development in Asia
The first major international event that China hosted in 2025 is the 9th Asian Winter Games from Feb 7 to 14 in the city of Harbin, capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province It brought together leaders from many of China’s neighboring countries including Brunei Kyrgyzstan Pakistan Thailand and the Republic of Korea
At a banquet hosted by Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, ahead of the opening ceremony of the games, the Chinese leader called on Asia to uphold the common dream of peace and harmony jointly respond to all sorts of security challenges and contribute to building an equal and orderly multipolar world Xi s Southeast Asia visit, his first overseas trip this year, highlighted China s dedication to deepening traditional ties, expanding practical cooperation, and advancing its vision of building a community with a shared future with its neighbors From April 14 to 18 Xi paid state visits to Vietnam Malaysia and Cambodia China signed a record 108 cooperation documents with the three countries in total, which span a wide range of fields, from infrastructure to digital and green economy A focal point of the tour was highquality Belt and Road cooperation with the aim of enhancing regional connectivity and creating development opportunities The trip came after a central conference on work related to neighboring countries held in Beijing from April 8 to 9 At the conference, Xi called for building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries and striving to
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
AT A B B A S I N M AY 9 C A S E S
Tand Farhat Abbas in the May 9 cases against surety bonds worth Rs100,000 The three-member SC bench headed by Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and comprising Justice Hashim Kakar and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim directed them to submit surety amount in the trial court During the proceedings the
Fazl stresses unit y against India
ISLAMABAD N E W S D E S K
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has emphasized that while Pakistan would unite in the face of conflict with India such unity cannot be expected in the event of escalating tensions with Afghanistan Speaking at a conference on Solidarity with Palestine and Tribute to Shaheed Maulana Hamidul Haq, he underscored the need for continued efforts by religious and political movements to foster unity within the Muslim world Fazl also criticized the current political elite accusing them of aligning with colonial powers during British rule and continuing to benefit from those alliances He lamented the fragmentation within the Muslim world drawing parallels between Afghanistan s decades-long struggle and the ongoing issue of Palestine He also voiced support for Hamas, labeling them as mujahideen and stressing the importance of Muslim solidarity Leaked document reveals RAW’s role in Pahalgam attack
ISLAMABAD N E W S D E S K A leaked document has exposed the involvement of India s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in the April 22 Pahalgam killings alleging it was part of a false flag operation The document, circulated on the social media app Telegram, outlines the steps taken by RAW to manipulate the narrative and blame Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) for the attack The document titled “Psy Ops” and Narrative Control revealed a detailed plan including instructions to mobilize media assets and create artificial intelligencegenerated witness statements within hours of the incident It also outlined efforts to tie the attack to global Islamic conspiracies and discredit Pakistan’s intelligence agency The document suggested a strategy to leak fabricated evidence such as alleged ISI correspondence to implicate Pakistan The exposure has raised concerns over the authenticity of the accusations
Eight of same family killed in Kohistan car plunge, 3 dead as bus overturns in Karachi
KOHISTAN/KARACHI S
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
n Tulsa village and Chakri, the au-
thorities 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 approximately 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
son, April 30, 2025, marked the last official date for crossing the Wagah-Attari border for Pakistanis returning from India However the Ministry is aware of media reports indicating that some Pakistani nationals remain stranded on the Indian side at Attari
In this regard, Pakistan reiterates its readiness to receive its citizens if Indian authorities permit them to cross over ” the spokesperson stated adding that the Wagah border remains open from the Pakistani side and will continue to be accessible to Pakistani nationals in the future The statement underscores Islamabad’s concern that India’s abrupt visa policy shift has created unnecessary suffering and violates basic humanitarian norms particularly in cases involving vulnerable individuals
