National

  Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, has said that the Muslim world has the potential to unite and cooperate in a manner similar to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi emphasized the importance of unity and collective efforts among Muslim countries. He said that the Islamic world could work together more effectively if countries focused on common interests and strengthened cooperation among themselves. Ashrafi said that religious scholars have an important role to play in safeguarding Pakistan and promoting peace, stability and unity within society. According to him, the role of the ulema is particularly important at a time when the country faces various social, political and security challenges. He stressed that religious scholars should contribute to strengthening harmony among people and discouraging divisions based on sectarian, political or social differences. He said that unity and consensus were essential for the stability and progress of Pakistan. The Pakistan Ulema Council chairman also spoke about the registration of religious seminaries across the country. He said that around 22,000 seminaries had already completed their registration. He described the development as an important step toward bringing religious institutions into a more organized framework. Ashrafi maintained that cooperation between the government, religious scholars and religious institutions could help address several challenges facing the country. He said that seminaries and their scholars could play a constructive role in promoting education, social responsibility and national cohesion. Referring to the wider Muslim world, Ashrafi suggested that Islamic countries could establish stronger mechanisms for collective cooperation. He pointed to NATO as an example of countries working together for shared security and strategic interests. In his view, Muslim-majority countries also have the potential to develop stronger cooperation if they demonstrate unity and mutual understanding. He said that the Muslim world possesses significant human, economic and strategic resources, but greater coordination is needed to make these strengths more effective. Cooperation among Muslim countries, he added, could help them address common challenges and protect their collective interests. Ashrafi further emphasized that Pakistan’s stability depends not only on government institutions but also on the positive contribution of religious scholars and other segments of society. He called on the ulema to continue playing their role in promoting peace, tolerance and national unity. He reiterated that the Pakistan Ulema Council believes in unity and consensus rather than division. According to him, differences of opinion can exist, but they should not become a source of conflict or weaken the country. The remarks come amid continuing discussions about the role of religious institutions and scholars in Pakistan’s social and national affairs. The registration of seminaries has remained an important issue, particularly in relation to regulation, documentation and the integration of religious education with broader national objectives. Ashrafi’s comments also highlight the importance of cooperation among Muslim countries at a time when the Islamic world faces a range of political, economic and security challenges. He argued that greater unity could provide Muslim countries with a stronger collective voice in international affairs. Concluding his remarks, Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi reaffirmed his belief in unity, cooperation and consensus. He said that religious scholars, educational institutions and ordinary citizens all have a role to play in strengthening Pakistan and promoting harmony across society.

Former Pakistan cricket captain and star all-rounder Shahid Khan Afridi has announced that his pet dog, which went missing in Islamabad a day earlier, has been found and safely returned home. Afridi shared the good news on social media, expressing his happiness and relief after being reunited with his beloved pet. The former captain had earlier appealed to the public for help after his dog disappeared in Islamabad. In his initial post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Afridi informed his followers that his pet dog was missing and requested people to help locate it. He explained that the dog was not simply a pet but had been raised as a member of his family. Afridi also shared the emotional history of the animal, revealing that the dog had survived a serious illness when it was only 30 days old. Despite facing severe health complications at such a young age, the dog recovered and became an important part of the family. The disappearance of the pet caused concern for the former cricketer, who turned to social media to seek assistance from the public. His appeal quickly attracted attention from his followers and social media users, many of whom shared and supported his post in an effort to help locate the missing dog. The former Pakistan captain later returned to social media with an update that brought relief to those who had followed the situation. He announced that his dog had been found and had safely made it back home. Sharing the positive news, Afridi thanked everyone who supported his appeal and helped spread the message about his missing pet. He expressed his gratitude to the people who shared his post and contributed to the search. Afridi said that the support he received from the social media community played an important role in the safe return of his dog. He thanked all those who stood by him and helped amplify his message during the difficult situation. The incident highlights how social media can be used not only for entertainment and communication but also to mobilize communities during emergencies and personal difficulties. Afridi’s large following helped his appeal reach a wider audience, increasing the chances of locating the missing pet. For Afridi, the return of the dog was particularly meaningful because of the strong bond he shares with the animal. Having cared for it since a very young age and watched it recover from a serious illness, he considers the dog a member of his family. The former captain’s emotional response also drew attention from fans who expressed happiness over the dog’s safe return. Many social media users welcomed the news and congratulated Afridi after he confirmed that the pet was back home. Shahid Afridi, one of Pakistan’s most popular cricketers, has remained active on social media and frequently interacts with his supporters. His latest post once again demonstrated the strong connection between the former cricketer and his followers. With the dog now safely back home, Afridi thanked the online community for its support and assistance. He said the outcome would not have been possible without the collective efforts of people who shared and supported his appeal. The former captain can now breathe a sigh of relief after what had been an anxious search for a much-loved member of his family.

A Quetta IED blast killed two labourers and injured three others in the Wali Tangi area of Quetta district on Sunday, according to police officials. Police said unidentified attackers planted an improvised explosive device (IED) along the roadside and detonated it remotely when a pickup carrying a contractor and four labourers passed through the area. The incident occurred around 30 kilometres from Quetta. The victims were reportedly travelling to Wali Tangi for construction work related to tube wells. The powerful explosion badly damaged their vehicle. All five people were initially injured and transported to Civil Hospital Quetta, where two later succumbed to their injuries. Police and Frontier Corps personnel quickly reached the blast site, cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to identify and arrest those responsible. In a separate incident in Killi Raisani on the outskirts of Quetta, unidentified armed men shot dead former Afghan army commander Haji Hazrat Ullah, also known as Rorad Achakzai. Police said motorcycle-riding attackers targeted him while he was travelling through the area. The latest violence comes amid growing security concerns in Balochistan, where recent figures indicate a sharp rise in fatalities.

  ISLAMABAD: Pakistani citizen and activist Ashba Kamran has formally written to President Asif Ali Zardari, calling for the immediate withdrawal of national civil awards announced by the government on August 14, 2026, for serving bureaucrats, federal secretaries and ministers. In her letter addressed to the President, Kamran argued that awarding national honours to salaried bureaucrats and ministers for carrying out their routine official responsibilities amounts to a violation of the Constitution and relevant laws. She maintained that government officials should not receive national awards merely for performing duties for which they are already appointed and paid. According to the letter, Kamran had previously raised similar concerns with the Presidency in August 2025 and had sent a formal reminder regarding the issue. However, she claimed that despite the earlier communication, the administration once again took what she described as an unconstitutional step by including serving government officials among the recipients of civil awards announced on August 14 this year. The activist cited constitutional and legal provisions to support her position. Referring to Article 259(2) of the Constitution of Pakistan, she argued that national awards are intended to recognise exceptional achievements, including acts of bravery, distinguished services by members of the armed forces, academic distinction and extraordinary and selfless public service. She further maintained that the concept of “public service” in the context of national honours should refer to exceptional and self-sacrificing contributions rather than the routine responsibilities performed by bureaucrats and ministers in their official capacities. Such responsibilities, she argued, are already compensated through regular salaries and official benefits. Kamran also referred to the Decorations Act, 1975, and other relevant laws governing national civil awards. According to her interpretation, these legal provisions do not permit civil honours to be linked simply to an individual’s administrative position, seniority or government employment. The letter further raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest. Kamran argued that granting national awards to serving government officials for routine administrative work could encourage a culture of favouritism and preferential treatment. She called for greater transparency and adherence to established legal standards when selecting recipients of national honours. The activist also invoked Article 5(2) of the Constitution, which establishes the obligation to obey the Constitution and the law. She argued that this obligation applies to every citizen, including the head of state and government officials. Kamran presented two key demands in her letter. First, she called for an administrative order to immediately withdraw the awards granted to serving bureaucrats and ministers included in the August 14, 2026 list where the honours were allegedly awarded for performing their routine official responsibilities. Second, she urged the Cabinet Division to issue clear instructions preventing officials who are merely performing their regular administrative and governmental duties from being eligible for future nominations for national civil awards. A copy of the letter was also sent to the Cabinet Secretary and the Cabinet Division in Islamabad for consideration and appropriate action. The matter has raised questions about the criteria used for selecting recipients of national honours and the distinction between exceptional public service and the routine responsibilities associated with government positions.