US-Iran conflIct IntenSIfIeS aS freSh StrIkeS wIden GUlf tenSIonS, threaten reGIonal
g US LAUNCHES NEW WAVE OF STRIKES ON IRANIAN MILITARY SITES AFTER ATTACKS KILL AMERICAN SERVICE MEMBERS
g CENTCOM SAYS STRIKES AIMED AT DEGRADING IRAN'S MILITARY CAPABILITIES AND SECURING STRAIT OF HORMUZ SHIPPING
PAKISTAN’S LOCAL MOBILE PHONE ASSEMBLY FALLS
8% TO 13.10M UNITS IN FIRST HALF OF 2026
Five kidnappers arrested, two recovered after abduction outside Islamabad airpor t
Progress has been made in the case regarding the abduction of citizens outside the Islamabad airport as five kidnappers were arrested within 24 hours
The Rawalpindi police announced that two abductees have also been recovered from the possession of the kidnappers Additionally police recovered two vehicles four mobile phones snatched from the citizens and a cash amount from the suspects According to the
The decision was taken during a high-level consultative meeting chaired by Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and attended by senior officials of OGRA the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC), the Oil Marketing Association of Pakistan (OMAP), refineries, oil marketing companies (OMCs) and the Petroleum Division
The meeting was convened to brief stakeholders on the transition from the existing fortnightly petroleum pricing mechanism to daily pricing and to obtain first-hand feedback on operational and technical challenges ahead of the implementation of the new regime
The committee comprises the Additional Secretary (Policy) Petroleum Division, Member Finance OGRA, Senior Executive Director OGRA and the Secretary General of OCAC It has been tasked with resolving implementation issues through consensus and facilitating the successful rollout of the daily petroleum pricing system
According to the Petroleum Division, the reform has been undertaken on the directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and approved by the federal cabinet as part of the government s commitment to establish a rules-based petroleum pricing regime and gradually deregulate Pakistan's downstream petroleum sector
Addressing the participants Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said retail petroleum prices under the new mechanism would be determined through a transparent, formula-based process anchored in market fundamentals, replacing the existing fort-
nightly pricing system that requires government approval He said the objective was to insulate consumers from politically influenced pricing decisions while promoting transparency and market efficiency
The minister said the introduction of daily petroleum pricing represented a fundamental shift towards a more market-driven and competitive economy He added that moving away from the previous pricing cycle would reduce opportunities for market abuse and windfall gains while ensuring fuel prices better reflected prevailing market conditions Participants were informed that the daily pricing mechanism would enhance transparency and ensure fairer pricing for consumers by shifting the focus from political intervention to market realities The reform they were told forms a key component of the government s phased deregulation strategy aimed at aligning domestic fuel prices more closely with international market trends Malik said the Petroleum Division in close consultation with OGRA and industry stakeholders was finalising comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) to facilitate the transition Technical matters, including the Inland Freight Equalization Margin (IFEM) refinery adjustments and true-up mechanisms were being addressed collaboratively to ensure seamless implementation OGRA informed the meeting that it was fully prepared to implement the new pricing regime and was upgrading its internal processes and data dissemination systems The regulator also committed to publishing daily petroleum price data to enhance transparency and improve public access The meeting also reviewed operational aspects of the transition including supply chain logistics inventory management and the availability of real-time data The government assured industry stakeholders of its full support in addressing operational challenges during the transition
The petroleum minister emphasised that OGRA district administrations OMCs petroleum dealers OCAC and OMAP all have important roles to play in ensuring the success of the reform He acknowledged that every major reform presents implementation challenges but reiterated the government s commitment to protecting consumer interests while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the petroleum sector Representatives of OCAC OMAP refineries and OMCs shared their views and highlighted operational concerns regarding the implementation of the daily pricing mechanism The minister assured participants that all genuine concerns would be addressed through continuous consultation and collaborative engagement
He directed the Petroleum Division and OGRA to hold follow-up meetings with industry representatives to further refine the technical pricing formula, address remaining concerns and ensure the successful implementation of the daily petroleum pricing regime Meanwhile the Oil Companies Advisory Council welcomed the decision to introduce daily petroleum pricing and praised the Ministry of Petroleum and OGRA for advancing deregulation describing it as a long-awaited reform that had remained under discussion for nearly two decades OCAC assured the government of its full support in implementing the new regime saying deregulation would foster a more competitive transparent and efficient fuel market by encouraging fair competition and improving operational efficiency across the industry It added that consumers would ultimately benefit from greater choice, improved service standards and market-driven pricing while a well-planned deregulation framework would contribute to the sustainable growth and modernisation of Pakistan's downstream petroleum sector while safeguarding consumer interests
Ear thquake jolts Q uetta, no damage repor ted
Pakistani educator turns Chinese knowledge into educational lifeline
staff He earned a master's degree in higher education from Central China Normal University in Wuhan from 2019 to 2021 The curriculum of his master s program covers education management, comparative education, education finance, education policy, research methodology history and quality assurance Naseem now applies much of what he learned during his graduate studies to his work at the school He explained that "I try to promote quality education improve school management and inspire my students to think beyond geographical boundaries The school where Naseems works holds special significance His father donated the land in 2015
US -Iran conflic t intensifies as fresh strikes widen Gulf tensions, threaten regional stability
vowed that the Resistance Front, also known as the Axis of Resistance, would continue what he described as the "bright and honourable path of resistance" under the leadership of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei according to IRNA His statement came a day after Khamenei warned US President Donald Trump that the Iranian nation and the Resistance Front would deliver "unforgettable lessons " Qa ani thanked the supreme leader for his continued support and reaffirmed the loyalty of Resistance commanders and fighters to the covenant made with the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "We emphasise our continued faithfulness to the covenant we made with the martyred Imam of the Ummah " the statement said I R
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the United States in June, which has drawn criticism from some hardline factions
signed between the two countries last month and was "no longer implementing" its commitments Iranian authorities said at least 50 people have been killed and more than 500 injured in US strikes over the past three weeks Late on Saturday, Iran s embassy in India identified Sogand Dardmand and Fatemeh Zahra Akbari among seven people killed in a US strike on Bandar Khamir in southern Iran on Thursday Al Jazeera reporting from Tehran said eight consecutive nights of US strikes had generated growing anger and uncertainty among the Iranian public, with many questioning how long the confrontation would continue and whether a diplomatic settlement remained possible
I R G C Q U D S F O R C E VO W S
R E S I S TA N C E The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, Brigadier General Esmaeil Qa'ani,
The IRGC said it had shot down a US reconnaissance drone in southern Iran while it was conducting surveillance over operational areas, according to IRNA It also claimed its aerospace forces downed an MQ-9 drone over Ahvaz in southwestern Iran and successfully intercepted a US cruise missile in western Iran
K H A M E N E I U R G
Y A separate message attributed to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei called on Iranians to maintain sacred unity amid the escalating conflict with the United States While repeating warnings of severe consequences for Washington, Khamenei also stressed national cohesion, saying unity remained essential during the ongoing crisis The appeal came against the backdrop of debate within Iran over the
A N Jordan on Sunday summoned Iran s chargé d affaires in Amman delivering what its Foreign Ministry described as a strongly worded protest over continued Iranian attacks on the kingdom In a statement the ministry also condemned what it called provocative and inflammatory statements issued by Iranian official institutions Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Fouad Majali said the Iranian diplomat had been instructed to convey Jordan's demand that Tehran immediately halt attacks on the kingdom "Jordan's security and the safety of its citizens are a red line that cannot be violated Majali said describing the attacks as unacceptable The ministry said the strikes constituted a flagrant violation of Jordan's sovereignty and a blatant breach of international law and the United Nations Charter Jordan also condemned Iranian attacks against member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and reaffirmed its solidarity with Gulf countries Majali said Jordan supported all measures taken by GCC member states to safeguard their sovereignty security and citizens reiterating that Amman would continue taking every necessary step to protect its national security and territorial integrity
condemned what it described as an Iranian attack on a power generation and water desalination facility, calling it a direct strike on vital civilian infrastructure, Reuters reports The repeated targeting of civilian facilities amounted to a dangerous escalation and violated international law the UN Charter and UN Security Council Resolution 2817, the ministry said in a statement It said Iran bore full legal and moral responsibility for the attack and its consequences Reprehensible' Iranian aggression continues to target civilian facilities: Kuwait s defence ministry Kuwaiti defence ministry spokesperson Major General Saud Abdulaziz AlOtaibi says in a statement that Iran continues to target civilian facilities within the kingdom
“The armed forces have detected since dawn today hostile ballistic missiles and drones within Kuwaiti airspace which have been intercepted and dealt with, the statement reads “The reprehensible Iranian aggression continues to target civilian and vital facilities in the country as the attacks have struck facilities affiliated with the Ministry of Electricity Water and Renewable Energy leading to outbreaks of fires and causing severe damage to a number of its facilities and vital installations ”
The statement says the military will continue carrying out missions and duties with high efficiency within the framework of ongoing readiness and constant preparedness and the taking of all necessary measures to protect the sovereignty of the homeland, preserve its security and stability, in coordination with the competent authorities in a manner that safeguards the safety of citizens and residents
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
According to the Foreign Office, the deputy prime minister reviewed Pakistan's recent diplomatic engagements during the meeting The meeting covered follow-up actions, ongoing diplomatic priorities, and preparations for upcoming engagements," the Foreign Office said in a statement It added that Dar emphasized the importance of close coordination effective implementation of diplomatic initiatives and sustained efforts to advance Pakistan s foreign policy objectives and safeguard the country s national interests Pakistan has positioned itself as a reliable mediator between the United States and Iran since the conflict erupted in February and has consistently worked to prevent a broader regional confrontation Islamabad maintains cordial relations with both Washington and Tehran and played a key role in facilitating the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in June before hostilities resumed last week after the United States accused Iran of unprovoked attacks on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz
and gas supplies passes and which Iran insists it controls, has once again emerged as the focal point of the escalating
frontation that reignited last week
04
COMMENT
Tinternational community However the scale of the current confrontation exceeds what any single country can realistically contain The political stakes are higher, the military risks are greater and the room for error is shrinking A broader diplomatic coalition is therefore essential Countries with influence in Washington established channels to Tehran and credibility
Gwadar: The Por t That Can Redraw Asia’s Energy and Trade Map
TH E development of the deep-sea port at Gwadar Port represents far more than a regional infrastructure project It is potentially one of the most consequential economic transformations in South Asia and the broader Eurasian region Located on Pakistan’s southwestern coast along the Arabian Sea Gwadar occupies a rare geographic advantage: it sits just outside the narrow and vulnerable maritime chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz through which roughly a fifth of the world s oil supply passes This location offers enormous strategic and economic benefits By operating outside the congested waters of the Strait of Hormuz Gwadar can help reduce shipping congestion avoid delays and significantly lower insurance premiums for vessels transporting oil and other critical commodities In an era where maritime security and shipping reliability are increasingly vital, Gwadar can emerge as a safer and more efficient alternative staging point for global energy trade One of the most promising possibilities for Gwadar lies in transforming it into a major global oil storage and refining hub Gulf energy exporters including those from the Persian Gulf could establish large strategic petroleum storage facilities and refineries in Gwadar Such infrastructure would allow crude oil to be stored, refined, and then distributed to global markets more efficiently Oil and refined petroleum products could then be transported from Gwadar to importing countries through multiple channels: shipped onward to Asian and African markets, transported through pipelines into Pakistan and potentially onward into Central Asia, or moved by rail toward European destinations By integrating storage refining and logistics in a single location Gwadar could become a critical energy redistribution center for three continents Gwadar s potential extends beyond energy The port could develop into a major manufacturing, logistics, and storage hub for Eurasian trade Through
improved rail and road connectivity goods produced or assembled in Gwadar could be distributed to: Central Asia through overland corridors Europe via transcontinental rail links • Africa and Southeast Asia through maritime routes This vision aligns closely with the goals of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor the flagship economic initiative linking Pakistan with China By connecting Gwadar to western China and onward to Eurasian trade routes the port could shorten supply chains and reduce shipping times for countless goods Special economic zones, industrial parks, and logistics centers around Gwadar could attract international manufacturers seeking lower production costs and direct access to global markets If developed correctly Gwadar could become a regional equivalent of Singapore or Dubai, anchoring a vibrant trade ecosystem across South and Central Asia However, at a much better location Economic transformation, however, cannot occur without stability The province of Balochistan has long struggled with underdevelopment and sporadic security challenges Protecting workers infrastructure and investments is therefore essential for Gwadar s success A deeper security cooperation between Pakistan and China to protect strategic projects and foreign workers is vital Such a security framework could discourage external interference from neighboring countries and provide investors the confidence that both critical infrastructure and personnel will
If managed wisely, Gwadar could transform PakistanÊs economic landscape, linking Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Central Asia, and beyond in a powerful network of trade and energy flows In doing so, it may not only reshape regional commerce but also bring long-awaited prosperity and stability to Balochistan itself GwadarÊs promise is immense The challenge now lies in turning that promise into reality
Satellites
conditions, which helps farmers to make better decisions about irrigation, planting, and harvesting This is especially imperative for Pakistan’s agriculture where water shortages climate change floods and droughts often affect agricultural production Remote sensing and geospatial technologies allow government agencies to monitor crops, e stimate yields, and enable timely support for farmers Satellite-based weather forecasting also helps reduce losses by providing early warnings of extreme weather events Moreover the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) which supports precision farming by improving the efficient use of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, fuel, and water, reducing costs while increasing crop yields By adopting space technology in agriculture Pakistan can not only strengthen food security but also improve farmer incomes manage natural resources more effectively and support sustainable agricultural development and long-term economic growth Moreover, Pakistan, which is facing persistent challenges of connectivity especially in its local and rural areas is extremely peri l o u
technology can be a game-changer for Pakistan regarding connectivity and the internet problem Space technology can significantly improve telecommunications and internet access in Pakistan, especially in remote and underserved areas Satellite internet can provide
nectivity to remote locations and providing backhaul links that connect isolated cell towers to the national network Furthermore, satellite internet helps bridge the digital divide by giving rural communities equal access to educational resources online government services remote employment opportunities ecommerce and digital payment systems Space technology also supports the development of future 5G networks by connecting remote base stations, increasing network reliability, and expanding coverage in areas with limited traditional communication infrastructure ensuring more inclusive and resilient digital connectivity across Pakistan In addition critics argue that Pakistan should focus more on health and education rather than space technology Pakistan is chronically facing issues of better health facilities, especially in remote areas For example, health issues can be seen as Pakistan remains number one in HIV and AIDS cases as per the WHO report Furthermore the education system of Pakistan also needs a robust policy regarding education, as around 25million students are unable to receive their basic education Modernization comes when the population is progressing and education and health remain the key pillars for modernity; if these pillars are missing then Pakistan will not achieve its Space technology advancement At length, Pakistan must re-shift its focus from traditional investment and should invest
At length, Pakistan must re-shift its focus from traditional investment and should invest more in Space technology, which not only provides border security but also helps in other imperatives that can produce stark growth for Pakistan, like agriculture, telecommunication, and education A country's future will be decided in space, as it is the fifth domain of war, and it further becomes more pivotal for Pakistan to balance against its enemy country, India, which is persistently making more investments in its Space programme
Turbat
ZUKHRAF KHAN
DR SHAHZAD LATIF
Twell The USA continues to market itself as the guardian of free speech and a lecturer to others on press freedom, including when criticizing China Yet the Trump Administra-
Norms collapse not only when rivals violate them, but when the states that claim to defend them decide they are optional The USA still has immense power It still has the worldÊs strongest military, unmatched financial leverage and a dollar that remains dominant in global reserves and transactions But power without consistency is not leadership. It is enforcement. And enforcement without principle invites imitation If Washington wants future warnings about coercion, annexation, abduction or regime engineering to carry weight, it must stop acting as though legality is a privilege of the strong. Otherwise, the world will hear every new sermon on law and freedom for what it increasingly sounds like: not a principle, but a preference
tion has punished independent reporting and restricted access for journalists whose coverage it dislikes One major wire service said the White House s move plainly violates the First Amendment while the Committee to Protect Journalists says press freedom in the USA is under extraordinary and intensifying pressures ” A country that claims moral leadership cannot credibly celebrate free expression abroad while treating hostile questions at home as insubordination
The deeper problem is structural War has become embedded in a
India’s cockroach politics is no joke
An exam is not merely an exam For middle-class families, it is a wager on social mobility. Parents save, borrow, sell land and pay exorbitant coaching fees for the possibility that a child might secure respectable salaried work
e e d n o t d e f e a t t h e B J P o r a r t i c u l a t e a p u r e i d e o l o g y t o b e p o l i t i c a l l y m e a n
2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance opens in Shanghai, policymakers, scientists, entrepreneurs and engineers are debating a question that will shape the digital age: Who will write the rules for artificial intelligence? AI has reached a crossroad One road leads toward openness, shared standards and international cooperation The other disappears into rival blocs, competing regulations and technological protectionism
The greatest economic dividends of a transformative technology emerge not when it is monopolized but when it is widely shared AI is no exception Its value does not lie in building the most sophisticated frontier models It lies in enabling millions of factories hospitals schools and research laboratories to apply it
That philosophy helps explain China s approach to AI governance Beijing has coupled innovation with large-scale deployment AI now optimizes manufacturing, assists doctors in hospitals supports teachers in classrooms powers autonomous mining operations and improves logistics across the world s second-largest economy China rolled out a set of regulations aimed at curbing emotional dependency on AI-powered companion bots That represents the latest effort of the country to improve its domestic AI governance Platforms are required to discourage emotional dependency safeguard personal data, intervene when excessive reliance develops and remind users of the distinction between human relationships and machine interaction The broader message is that governance should accompany innovation from the outset That same philosophy increasingly informs China s international agenda The country advocates AI for the public good and for the good of all In 2023 China put forward the Global AI Governance Initiative which presents a clear articulation of that vision The initiative advocates a people-centered approach that ensures AI serves human progress rather than narrow commercial or geopolitical interests It calls for AI
TEHZEEB HUSSAIN BERCHA
TIran and America will be reached again as soon as possible As you know, with Pakistan's mediation, Qatar s intensive contributions and Türkiye's support a memorandum of understanding had been prepared
However we have since moved away from that point We need to return to it he said Fidan said he had discussed the issue during meetings in Qatar and reaffirmed Türkiye's support for Doha's diplomatic initiatives
"The security and peace of Qatar as well as the security and stability of the region are also in Türkiye s interest Therefore as in many other issues we will continue to work together with the Gulf countries and other countries of the Islamic world on this matter," he added Iran decries US 'terrorist' strike on nuclear power plant warns of devastating response Iran s Atomic Energy Organisation denounced the United States for bombing the under-construction Darkhovin Nuclear Power Plant
In a statement cited by Al Jazeera, the organisation stated, “The terrorist and criminal US regime whose nature is nothing but bullying and lawlessness carried out an aggressive and barbaric act in violation of international law
It also called the nuclear facility one of the symbols of the Iranian nation s dignity and scientific self-reliance "
Earlier the US said it had completed an
eighth straight night of attacks against Iran after earlier announcing that two US military personnel were killed in Jordan and another was missing following an Iranian attack The US and Iran have intensified attacks since an interim ceasefire deal signed a month ago fell apart last week, raising the
Wife alleges Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk illegally detained under guise of medical care Rubio meets
as attacks launched by the United States and Iran have escalated over the past week The US and Iran have intensified strikes since an interim ceasefire deal signed a month ago crumbled raising the possibility of a return to all-out war Israel has not joined the latest US attacks
The Israeli official
Palestinians in West Bank attacks
anniversar y of Mir Shahnawaz Bhutto
Shahnawaz Bhutto his sacrifices for democracy and the public service rendered by the Bhutto family She said that the Bhutto family has always made unparalleled sacrifices for the rights of the people, democratic values, and the strength of the Federation of Pakistan Sassi Bhutto also thanked all the participants for attending the ceremony held in memory of her father At the conclusion of the event special prayers were offered for the security of the country the promotion of democracy, national unity, and the prosperity of the people
Launch of 16th volume of Ikram S ehgal’s book ‘National S ec urity Strategy ’ held
KARACHI S TA F F R E P O R T
The launch of “National Security Strategy 2002–2026 the 16th volume of A Personal Chronicle of Pakistan by Ikram Sehgal, was held at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad, bringing together military officers, diplomats, policymakers, academics government officials educationists and business leaders
The book review session featured an eminent panel of speakers including Prof Dr Huma Baqai, Vice Chairperson of Karachi Council on Foreign Relations (KCFR) and Rector Millennium Institute of Technology and Entrepreneurship (MiTE); Air Marshal (Retd) Masood Akhtar former Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Training); Ms Gulmina Bilal Ahmad, former Chairperson of NAVTTC; Dr Salma Malik, Associate Professor of Defence and Strategic Studies at Quaid-i-Azam University; Brigadier (Retd) Mujahid Alam Chief Executive Officer of Pathfinder Group's Enhanced Harmony Division; Dr Chaudhry Faisal Mushtaq Founder and CEO Roots Millennium Education Group
and former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi who delivered the keynote address The Right Reverend Nadeem Kamran Bishop of Lahore and Chairman of the Lahore, presented a token of appreciation and thanked Pathfinder for supporting church security Christian communities minority rights and interfaith harmony
The ceremony featured Chief Guest Gen (Retd) Raheel Sharif, NI(M), Military Commander of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition and former Chief of Army Staff as the chief guest Prof Dr Huma Baqai reflected on Ikram Se-
KARACHI S TA
Sindh Governor Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi attended as the Chief Guest a dignified farewell ceremony held in honour of the Consul General of Malaysia, Mr Herman Hardynata Ahmad, the
Consul General of the Republic of Iraq Dr Maher Mujahid Jejan and the Deputy Chief of Protocol Foreign Affairs Liaison Office Karachi Ms Sadia Gohar Addressing the ceremony, the Governor commended the Malaysian Consul General for his valuable contribution to further
hgal’s authorship patriotism his father s legacy and the sacrifices of Pakistan s armed forces The book is a people-centric chronicle of Pakistan s geopolitical and economic transformation, highlighting state-society relations, food security, population growth equality and education Air Marshal (Retd) Masood Akhtar said Pakistan had historically lacked a consistently implemented national security framework He emphasized that strategy was the government’s responsibility and required coordination among the Cabinet ministries and the National Security Division
strengthening the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and Malaysia He noted that Pakistan and Iraq are
CANADiAN FM ANitA ANAND ARRives iN PAKistAN
tRiP iN t wo DeCADes
D ar, Venezuelan FM reaffirm stronger bilateral ties, expand cooperation
to further strengthening the longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and Venezuela, while agreeing to expand cooperation across multiple sectors and maintain close coordination on regional and international issues
During a telephone conversation the two foreign ministers reviewed the state of bilateral relations and explored opportunities to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, business, agriculture, information technology and other areas of mutual interest They underscored the significant untapped potential for broadening economic collaboration and promoting stronger people-to-people exchanges for the mutual benefit of both countries
According to a Foreign Office spokesperson the deputy prime minister received a call from the newly appointed Venezuelan foreign minister, during which both sides reaffirmed their desire to inject fresh momentum into bilateral engagement Dar emphasized the importance of sustained high-level exchanges to reinvigorate bilateral relations and further deepen cooperation in diverse fields The two leaders also appreciated the continued close coordination between Pakistan and Venezuela at multilateral forums on issues of shared interest The deputy prime minister congratulated Minister Plasencia on his appointment and conveyed Pakistan s heartfelt condolences over the devastating earthquakes that recently struck Venezuela Reaffirming Pakistan s unwavering solidarity with the government and people of Venezuela during this difficult period, Dar expressed confidence in the country s resilience and ability to recover from the disaster
S ec urity forces repel Afghan Taliban attack in Kurram,
KURRAM S TA F F R E P O R T
destroy multiple border positions
Pakistani security forces on Sunday launched a swift and full-scale retaliatory operation after what security sources described as unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban on border posts in Kurram responding with precision strikes on multiple enemy positions while maintaining complete control of the border and forcing the attackers to abandon several posts
According to security sources the Afghan Taliban used heavy weapons mortars and other arms to target Pakistani border posts In response, Pakistani security forces immediately mounted a forceful counteroffensive, engaging Afghan Taliban border posts mortar positions and defensive checkpoints with both light and heavy weapons including artillery
Security sources said Pakistani forces maintained complete control over the border areas throughout
the exchange and inflicted significant damage on the attackers, forcing the Afghan Taliban to abandon multiple positions and flee
They added that the border situation was being continuously monitored and that security forces remained fully alert and prepared to deliver an immediate and decisive response to any future act of aggression or provocation
Security sources recalled that on the night of February 26 following unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban from across the border Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against terrorist hideouts
They further noted that during the night of April 2/3, security forces foiled an attempt by the Afghan Taliban and terrorists to attack a border post in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa s Ghulam Khan Sector, killing 37 attackers and injuring more than 80 others
Providing an update at the time, Information Minister Attaullah
Tarar had said that 796 terrorists and Afghan Taliban operatives had been killed, while more than 1,043 had been injured since the launch of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq
Later that month security forces also destroyed gun positions used by the Afghan Taliban during unprovoked firing on civilians in South Waziristan, in which three people were injured, according to security sources On April 28 mortar shells fired from across the PakistanAfghanistan border struck Angoor Adda village in South Waziristan injuring five civilians including four children and a woman, security sources said Islamabad has repeatedly called on the Taliban administration in Kabul to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries on Afghan soil that according to Pakistani officials are being used to launch attacks inside Pakistan Officials maintain that these repeated appeals have so far gone unheeded
be released The injured passenger, Tanveer, son of Khurram, was administered first aid at the scene before being shifted to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Balakot for further medical treatment Rescue personnel retrieved all the victims from the ravine and transported them to Kaywai Hospital The bodies of the deceased were later shifted to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Balakot, to complete legal formalities Rescue officials said an investigation was under way to ascertain the exact cause of the accident Landslides block roads as monsoon rains lash Balakot The torrential rains severely disrupted normal life in Balakot and adjoining areas, with landslides blocking traffic at several locations while the Balakot, Damgla, Shawal and Boli nullahs swelled rapidly due to the intense rainfall Rescue 1122 personnel launched emergency operations and shifted stranded tourists to safer locations to prevent any untoward incidents The rescue department advised residents and tourists to stay away from rain-fed drains, streams and nullahs during the ongoing monsoon spell, warning that water levels could rise suddenly without prior notice Meanwhile the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast rain for Lahore and several other cities across Punjab
FIA arrests suspec ted human smuggler linked to missing Pakistanis in Iran
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Sunday arrested a suspected human smuggler allegedly linked to a network that collected money from the families of Pakistani citizens who recently went missing in Iran as authorities intensified their nationwide crackdown on illegal migration and transnational human trafficking Thousands of Pakistanis undertake dangerous and illegal journeys to Europe each year in search of better economic opportunities According to an FIA report on human smuggling released in
2020 Iran and Türkiye serve as key transit countries where organized migrant smuggling networks operate through agents based in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province and other parts of the country The report stated that these networks use overland routes from Pakistan to smuggle migrants through Iran and Türkiye before attempting to move them onward to Greece Earlier this week, the FIA launched an investigation into the reported disappearance of 12 Pakistani youths in Iran
According to a report carried by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) the FIA conducted raids at multiple locations
to apprehend suspects allegedly involved in sending Pakistani youths abroad under the guise of facilitating their travel to Italy
During one such operation in Gujrat, the agency arrested a suspect identified as Ahsan Ali Khan
According to the APP report investigators found that Ahsan Ali Khan was allegedly part of a human smuggling network that collected money from the families of Pakistani citizens who later went missing in Iran The FIA said it was continuing investigations into the broader human trafficking network including its financial transactions and other alleged facilitators linked to the suspect
