فیچرڈ

LAHORE: Punjab’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has arrested 18 suspected militants affiliated with various banned organisations during intelligence-based operations across several districts of the province, officials said on Friday. According to the CTD spokesperson, the operations were carried out as part of efforts to prevent possible terrorist activities and maintain law and order across Punjab. A total of 117 intelligence-based operations were conducted, during which 117 individuals were questioned and 18 suspects were taken into custody. The arrested suspects were identified as Hassan Abbas Shah, Muhammad Hanif, Samiullah alias Talib Jan, Muhammad Hasnain, Hafiz Muhammad Abdul Latif, Attaullah, Faizullah, Muhammad Shehzad alias Pama, Muhammad Bilal, Muhammad Anas, Tahir, Waqar Ahmed, Muhammad Ahsan, Muhammad Farman, Muhammad Nauman, Umar Farooq, Abdul Wahab and Shaukat Ali. The suspects were reportedly arrested in Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Bhakkar, Lahore and Multan. The CTD said its teams recovered 3.185 kilograms of explosive material, eight detonators, safety fuses, primer cord, four pistols with 21 rounds, along with banned books, prohibited magazines, pamphlets and stickers. Seven mobile phones and Rs42,740 in cash were also seized. Officials said the suspects were allegedly involved in activities aimed at creating fear among the public and disrupting peace and security. Legal proceedings have been initiated against them, while further investigation is underway to determine their alleged links and activities. The spokesperson added that, during the past two weeks, the CTD, local police and other law-enforcement agencies conducted 3,357 combing operations across Punjab. More than 121,000 people were checked during these operations, resulting in 274 arrests, 263 cases being registered and 244 recoveries of various kinds. The CTD said its operations against militants and other elements considered a threat to public security would continue under its objective of ensuring a safer Punjab. Citizens have also been urged to report suspicious activities or information related to terrorism to the CTD Punjab helpline at 0800-11111.

LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the immediate provision of financial assistance to families affected by recent monsoon rains and floods across Pakistan, while directing authorities to speed up relief and rehabilitation efforts. Chairing a meeting in Lahore on Saturday to review the ongoing response, the prime minister instructed that compensation be provided to families who lost loved ones and to owners of houses that were completely or partially damaged by the severe weather. Shehbaz also called for the swift restoration of electricity transmission networks and roads in affected areas. Federal ministers and senior officials were directed to personally visit impacted regions, assess the damage and oversee rehabilitation work. The prime minister further ordered authorities to accelerate the delivery of food and other essential relief supplies to areas that remain difficult to access. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and provincial disaster management authorities were told to maintain full preparedness as more rain and flooding are forecast. Officials briefed the meeting that around 615 tonnes of relief supplies had already been dispatched to monsoon-hit areas, with additional consignments being arranged. Authorities also reported that flood-affected residents had been moved to safer locations across all affected areas. Restoration efforts are underway in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while disaster management teams remain on standby for any further emergencies. The meeting was also informed that early warning systems in the northern areas are operational and have helped authorities evacuate residents to safer locations ahead of potential flooding.

RAWALPINDI: Goods transport and long-distance public transport operators have lowered fares following a Rs32.63-per-litre reduction in diesel prices, offering temporary relief to passengers and businesses. The Goods Transport Federation announced a 10 per cent reduction in freight charges, while fares for long-distance routes to nearby areas have been cut by 5 per cent. The fare revision, however, has not extended to all local transport. Taxis, Qingqis and motorbike rickshaws have raised their fares by another 5 per cent after petrol prices increased by Rs3 per litre. The standard stop-to-stop fare remains Rs50. Freight charges have also been reduced significantly on major routes. The cost of transporting containers and trailers from Karachi to Rawalpindi has fallen by Rs50,000, while charges for containers, trailers and heavy vehicles travelling from Karachi to Peshawar have dropped from Rs800,000 to Rs750,000. Transport federations said the reduced fares would remain in effect for only 24 hours. They warned that any increase in petroleum prices expected later in the week would result in the fare cuts being withdrawn proportionately. They further said bookings made by Thursday evening for heavy vehicles, trailers and containers operating on routes including Karachi-Peshawar, Peshawar-Lahore, Karachi and Multan could be revised if fuel prices rise, with additional charges imposed accordingly.

PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has called for the provincial police to be equipped with modern weapons, advanced technology and additional resources to strengthen their ability to counter terrorism. Speaking at Governor House during a meeting with a 33-member delegation of Sindh Police Deputy Superintendents of Police visiting the province for training, Kundi praised the K-P police for continuing to serve on the frontline despite severe security challenges. The governor said policing in K-P was fundamentally different from other provinces because of the persistent threat of terrorism. He stressed that police personnel needed modern weapons, more bulletproof vehicles and advanced technological equipment to respond to emerging threats, including attacks involving militant quadcopters. Kundi said proposals had also been forwarded to the provincial government regarding improvements in police salaries. He maintained that better resources and welfare measures were essential for strengthening the force. He said K-P’s long border with Afghanistan had created additional security challenges, while the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps were contributing significantly to border protection. He urged the government to provide comprehensive support to all law-enforcement agencies engaged in counterterrorism operations. Addressing a question about cross-border terrorism, Kundi said attacks originating from Afghan territory were unacceptable. He claimed that evidence had surfaced regarding the involvement of some Afghan nationals in terrorist incidents in K-P and said the repatriation of undocumented Afghan nationals was continuing.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has rejected a review petition filed by Zahir Jaffer challenging his death sentence in the Noor Mukadam murder case, ruling that the severity of the crime did not justify any reduction in punishment. In its detailed 12-page judgment, authored by Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, the apex court said Jaffer had sought to have his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment on the basis of alleged mental illness. However, the court found that he had failed to provide evidence sufficient to support his claim or warrant reconsideration of the earlier verdict. The judgment stressed that the material on record established the exceptionally serious nature of the offence. It held that the circumstances of the crime provided no basis for reducing the sentence imposed on the convict. The court also clarified that its powers in a review petition are narrowly defined and that such proceedings cannot be used as a substitute for an appeal against an earlier judgment. The Supreme Court further observed that violence against women and the creation of an atmosphere of fear and insecurity are incompatible with both Islamic principles and established legal norms. It emphasised that Islam guarantees women dignity, protection and respect. Moreover, The Supreme Court has issued its detailed written judgment dismissing the review petition filed by convicted murderer Zahir Jaffer against his death sentence in the Noor Mukadam murder case. The 12-page judgment was authored by Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim. According to the written judgment, Zahir Jaffer had requested the court to reconsider his death sentence and convert it into life imprisonment on the grounds that he was suffering from a mental illness. However, the Supreme Court observed that the convict had failed to present any evidence that could justify reconsideration of the court’s earlier decision. The judgment stated that the available record clearly established that Zahir Jaffer had committed an extremely serious crime. The court noted that the nature and circumstances of the offence did not warrant any reduction in the punishment awarded to him. The Supreme Court further explained that its jurisdiction in a review petition is extremely limited. A review application cannot be treated as an appeal, nor can the petitioner use the review process simply to seek a fresh examination of the entire case. The written judgment also highlighted the protection and respect afforded to women under Islam. The court observed that subjecting women to violence, abuse and insecurity is contrary to both Islamic principles and the laws of the state. The Supreme Court’s decision means that the death sentence awarded to Zahir Jaffer remains intact. The trial court had previously sentenced him to death for the rape and murder of Noor Mukadam. The Islamabad High Court subsequently upheld the death sentence, and the Supreme Court also maintained the punishment before rejecting his review petition.

KARACHI: The first silent mourning procession in Karachi concluded at Hussainiya Iranian Kharadar after passing through its traditional route from Nishtar Park, with authorities enforcing strict security measures throughout the event. A gathering was held at Nishtar Park before the procession began, where Allama Baqir Hussain Zaidi addressed the participants. Police and Rangers personnel were deployed along the procession route, while several roads in the surrounding areas were temporarily closed to general traffic as part of the security arrangements. The affected roads were reopened after the procession passed through the areas. Traffic police also remained on duty to manage congestion and guide motorists toward alternative routes. Meanwhile, the second silent mourning procession is scheduled to begin from Rizvia Society in the afternoon and will conclude at Shah Najaf Imambargah on Martin Road.