Death toll in Kabal suicide bombing rises to 17; Chief Minister, IGP visit Swat, JIT announced

ISLAMABAD: Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide arrived in Islamabad on Thursday for an official two-day visit, marking the first visit by a Norwegian foreign minister to Pakistan in a decade and opening a fresh chapter in bilateral engagement. Eide, who is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, was received at Islamabad International Airport by Additional Foreign Secretary for Europe Ambassador Ayesha Ali. He later held a meeting with Dar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the two sides are expected to discuss a broad range of issues concerning Pakistan-Norway relations. According to the Foreign Office, Eide’s visit will continue through August 14 and include delegation-level talks between the two countries. The discussions are expected to focus on areas where Islamabad and Oslo see potential for stronger cooperation. Trade and investment will be among the key subjects, while climate change, renewable energy and education are also expected to feature prominently in the talks. The two sides will additionally explore ways to strengthen people-to-people contacts. The visit comes at a time when Pakistan is seeking to deepen economic and diplomatic partnerships with European countries, particularly in areas linked to investment, clean energy and sustainable development. Beyond bilateral matters, the foreign ministers are also expected to exchange views on important regional and international developments. This could give the two sides an opportunity to discuss shared concerns and assess developments affecting the wider region. The Foreign Office said the visit builds on a series of high-level contacts between Pakistan and Norway in recent months. Dar and Eide held telephone conversations in March and April, while Norwegian State Secretary Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik visited Islamabad in May. The two countries have also maintained engagement through diplomatic channels, with both sides showing interest in expanding cooperation beyond traditional areas. Eide’s arrival therefore carries significance not only because of its timing but also because of the gap since the last visit by a Norwegian foreign minister. The trip provides an opportunity to translate recent diplomatic contacts into practical cooperation. For Islamabad, stronger ties with Norway could bring opportunities in trade, investment, renewable energy and education. For Oslo, deeper engagement with Pakistan offers a chance to strengthen relations with an important South Asian partner. The Foreign Office described the visit as an opportunity to further strengthen the “longstanding and cordial relations” between the two countries and identify new areas of mutually beneficial cooperation. With formal talks now underway, attention will turn to whether the two-day visit produces concrete initiatives that can give Pakistan-Norway relations fresh momentum.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has granted bail to an Afghan national, who is married to a Pakistani woman, against surety bonds worth Rs20,000 in a case registered under the Foreign Act. During the hearing, the government lawyer informed the court that the accused had been arrested under the Foreign Act. He argued that the man did not possess a marriage certificate proving his marriage to the Pakistani woman at the time of his arrest. The prosecution further stated that the marriage certificate was obtained in 2024, although the accused claimed to have married in 1993. The lawyer also told the court that the man had no documentary evidence of his entry into Pakistan and was not carrying an Afghan passport. Justice Hashim Kakar questioned the prosecution’s arguments, observing that in many rural areas marriages are conducted without immediately registering a formal marriage certificate. The defence counsel told the court that the couple had married in 1993 and only later obtained official documentation. Justice Kakar also noted that two high courts had already directed authorities to issue the man a domicile, adding that the government itself had allowed Afghan nationals to enter Pakistan in the past. He remarked that they had even been provided ration support. The judge further questioned the prosecution, asking what additional proof of marriage was required when the couple had two children together. He also asked how the authorities had concluded that the accused was an Afghan citizen if he allegedly had no identification or official documents. After hearing the arguments from both sides, the Supreme Court approved the Afghan national’s bail, subject to the submission of surety bonds worth Rs20,000.

KARACHI: The Sindh government has decided to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) and modern technology into the recruitment and examination system of the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC). The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah on Tuesday. The chairman of the SPSC, the secretary of information technology and other senior officials attended the meeting. During the meeting, the chief secretary said AI and modern technology would be used to make the SPSC examination process more efficient and transparent. Officials discussed the use of technology in several stages of the examination process. This includes the preparation of question papers, assessment of candidates and management of examination-related data. The new system is also expected to reduce unnecessary human involvement in certain stages of the examination process. Officials believe greater use of technology could help improve efficiency and minimise administrative delays. The Sindh government also plans to establish technology-equipped workstations across the province. These facilities will provide candidates in different areas with access to modern examination services. The initiative is aimed at improving accessibility for applicants from various parts of Sindh. The government said the use of AI and digital tools would help modernise the recruitment process and improve the overall management of SPSC examinations.

The bodies of five Nepali climbers who died in an avalanche on Broad Peak have been brought to Islamabad. According to Deputy Commissioner Hamza Murad, the bodies were transported to Islamabad by air and have been placed in the morgue at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). He said the bodies would be sent to Nepal once the necessary travel documents had been completed. The avalanche struck Broad Peak about a week ago, leaving 10 climbers missing. According to the deputy commissioner, the bodies of eight climbers, including renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, have so far been recovered. The search for two missing climbers is still underway. They include Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi and a foreign female climber. Authorities are continuing efforts to locate the remaining climbers while arrangements are being made to repatriate the recovered bodies to their respective countries.