26 personnel killed: AJK police blame JAAC

SKARDU: Rescue teams have recovered the bodies of celebrated British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja and three members of his expedition from Broad Peak after a difficult recovery mission, the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) confirmed. The recovery operation was carried out in extremely challenging weather and terrain. The bodies of Purja, Chinese climber Zhong Wang, and Nepali climbers Nima Sherpa and Kilu Sherpa were successfully brought to Broad Peak Base Camp. The tragic incident occurred on July 30, when an avalanche struck the 10-member international expedition while climbing Broad Peak, one of the world’s highest mountains. Contact with the team was lost immediately after the avalanche. Purja’s company later confirmed that there were no survivors from the expedition. Despite the successful recovery of four bodies, three climbers remain missing. The Alpine Club of Pakistan said search efforts would continue whenever weather and mountain conditions permit. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to locating the remaining climbers so their families can receive closure. Earlier, the bodies of three other expedition members—an American woman, an Omani woman and a Nepali climber—were airlifted from the mountain to Skardu. However, the bodies of two Nepali nationals and one Pakistani climber have yet to be recovered. The deaths have deeply affected the global mountaineering community. Fellow climbers and mountaineering organizations have paid tribute to the victims, describing the loss as a major blow to high-altitude climbing. The Alpine Club of Pakistan said arrangements are being made to return the recovered bodies to their families. The organization expressed hope that the recovery would provide some comfort to the bereaved families and allow the climbers to be laid to rest with dignity.

Islamabad: Questions have been raised over the affiliation process of hundreds of technical institutes after an audit revealed that 245 technical institutions were affiliated with the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) before concerns over legal authority and inspection procedures were fully addressed. The issue came up during the 47th meeting of the Public Accounts Committee, held under the acting chairmanship of Syed Naveed Qamar, where lawmakers reviewed audit objections related to FBISE’s affiliation procedures. According to audit findings, FBISE affiliated 245 technical institutes during 2022 and 2023 and collected Rs. 26.750 million in affiliation fees. The audit questioned the process, stating that the original FBISE Act of 1975 mainly covered intermediate and secondary education and did not clearly mention technical institute affiliations. Officials informed the committee that the matter was reviewed by the Law and Justice Division, which issued a legal opinion on 15 June 2026. The opinion stated that FBISE has legal authority under relevant sections of the FBISE Act 1975 to conduct examinations, provide affiliations and issue certificates for technical education programmes including Matric Tech and Inter Tech programmes at secondary and higher secondary levels. During the discussion, PAC members stressed that clear policies and official notifications should be issued so that all concerned institutions have proper guidance regarding technical education affiliations. The committee questioned whether the legal position and policy framework were clearly communicated before allowing affiliations. Officials were directed to ensure that proper procedures and documentation are completed before moving forward. The audit also highlighted another issue related to the registration process of technical institutes. Audit observations indicated that provisional registrations were issued to technical institutes before physical inspections were completed. The audit noted that registrations were granted without complete details of teaching staff. Officials informed the committee that inspections were being carried out and most institutions had already been reviewed, while only a limited number of uninspected institutions remained pending as of March 2026. Officials also informed the committee about steps being taken to improve technical and modern education in schools. The Federal Directorate of Education has introduced coding, robotics and artificial intelligence programmes to encourage students towards technology fields. Officials said coding fellows were engaged through support from NUST, while additional technology fellows were also working to support IT education. The committee was also informed about the Matric Tech programme, which was introduced to provide practical skills to students who may not continue traditional education after matriculation and want to enter professional careers. Officials said the aim of the programme is to provide students with useful skills that can help them find employment and participate in modern industries. The meeting also discussed the shortage of teaching resources, especially in areas where educational facilities face staff challenges. Officials informed the committee that 1,699 teaching and non teaching fellows, including technology fellows, were engaged to support educational needs. The committee emphasized that technical education is important for preparing young people for future jobs but stressed that proper monitoring, legal clarity and transparent procedures must remain part of the system.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Salman Akram Raja has said he had no authority to remove Mashal Yousafzai from the Senate. He said he chose to overlook the matter to prevent divisions within the party. Speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad, Raja said Mashal Yousafzai was not acting alone and had a group supporting her. He said the facts would eventually come before everyone. He added that he would not further fuel an issue that had already been given unnecessary attention in the past. Raja also said he did not know who had made Mashal Yousafzai a senator. Speaking to journalists at the Adiala Jail factory checkpoint in Rawalpindi, Raja said that allegations should be backed by evidence. He said false allegations remained false regardless of who made them. He said he had been practising law and continued to do so. He described some of the statements made against him as completely baseless. Raja said such allegations would have to be answered. He added that the party would take action over the matter. Comments on political developments Speaking about the political situation, Raja said September 27 was not a distant date. He said political activity was continuing on a daily basis. He said time passes quickly and described September 27 as an important date. Raja also said that a revolution could not be brought about by a single political party. He said it required the participation of the entire nation. On negotiations with the government, he said there was currently no formal offer from the government. However, Raja said PTI had not rejected negotiations on principle at any level. He described reports of an alliance with the Pakistan Peoples Party as premature. He said two parties could have similar positions on a particular issue without forming an alliance. PTI denies link with terrorism Raja strongly rejected any alleged connection between PTI and terrorism. He said PTI had never had any association with terrorism. Referring to the person killed in Rawalpindi, he said the party did not know which group the man belonged to or what activities he had been involved in. Raja described PTI as a peaceful political party. He said the party opposed terrorism and had never been part of any violent activity. He maintained that PTI was continuing its political struggle within the framework of the Constitution and the law.