National

  LOWER DIR: The District Education Officer (Female) in Upper Dir has recommended the temporary closure of 18 girls’ schools for one week, citing concerns over the safety of students and teaching staff amid the prevailing security situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. According to an official letter sent by the District Education Officer (Female), Upper Dir, to the district deputy commissioner on Saturday, the education department has expressed serious concerns about the security of educational institutions located in border areas. Officials said the uncertain situation has raised fears about the safety of students and teachers travelling to and attending schools in vulnerable areas. The letter stated that reports received from relevant Sub-Divisional Education Officers indicated that a number of schools were directly exposed to potential security threats because of the ongoing situation in the region. As a precautionary measure, the education department requested the district administration to approve the temporary closure of 18 girls’ schools from August 15 to August 22. The proposed closure includes girls’ high schools, middle schools and primary schools located in areas considered vulnerable because of their proximity to the affected border region. The schools included in the recommendation are situated in Panakot, Qulandai, Dobando, Umrailal, Shandalbagh, Qashqari, Rokhan, Kass, Raza Banda and Khan Shaheed. The official communication was also forwarded to senior officials of the education department and district administration, including the secretary of the Elementary and Secondary Education Department, the director of education, the deputy commissioner of Upper Dir and the district monitoring officer. However, the proposed closure has not yet been formally approved. The deputy commissioner of Upper Dir told local reporters that the administration had not taken a final decision regarding the closure of the 18 girls’ schools. The recommendation comes against the backdrop of heightened security concerns in the mountainous areas of Upper Dir. A security operation is currently underway in Dobando, where a gun battle between police personnel and suspected terrorists began on Wednesday night and continued into Thursday. Officials said the opposing sides remained positioned against each other during the operation and that heavy weapons were reportedly being used. At the time of the reports, however, authorities had not confirmed any casualties resulting from the encounter. The latest security concerns come after a separate deadly incident in neighbouring Lower Dir last month. Two policemen were martyred and 16 others were injured during an exchange of fire with suspected terrorists at Haidari Top, a mountainous location in the district. According to officials, law enforcement personnel had launched a search-and-strike operation in the area after receiving information about the presence of suspected terrorists. During the operation, armed militants reportedly launched a sudden attack on the security personnel. The ensuing gun battle continued for several hours, resulting in casualties among the law enforcement personnel. The security situation has prompted authorities to remain cautious, particularly in areas where schools are located close to conflict-affected or sensitive zones. The education department’s recommendation to temporarily suspend classes is intended as a preventive measure rather than a permanent closure. The final decision regarding the 18 girls’ schools will rest with the district administration. Officials are expected to assess the security situation before deciding whether educational activities can continue safely or whether the temporary closure should be implemented. For now, authorities are closely monitoring developments in the border areas, while the education department has emphasised that the safety of students and teaching staff remains the primary concern.

  LAHORE: Five people were killed and another was injured in a tragic road accident on Lahore’s Canal Road after a speeding car reportedly went out of control and struck two pedestrians before crashing into a utility pole and a tree. According to Rescue 1122, the accident occurred on Canal Road near Harbanspura in Lahore. The incident claimed the lives of three young people travelling in the car as well as two pedestrians who were walking along the roadside. According to eyewitnesses, the driver of the car was allegedly performing drifting on the road when he lost control of the vehicle. The car reportedly mounted the footpath alongside the canal and struck two young pedestrians. It then continued moving before crashing into an electricity pole and a tree. The impact of the collision was severe, resulting in multiple fatalities. Three occupants of the vehicle died at the scene, while two pedestrians also lost their lives as a result of being hit by the speeding car. An 11-year-old boy who was travelling in the car was injured in the accident. Rescue teams reached the site after receiving information about the crash and began rescue and emergency operations. The injured child was shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. According to information available after the incident, the four people travelling in the car were cousins. The victims were reportedly young, with the ages of those who died ranging between 15 and 18 years. A report regarding the circumstances before the accident stated that the four boys had allegedly left their home around 6am while their family members were still asleep. They reportedly took the car and went out, after which the fatal accident occurred on Canal Road. The incident has raised concerns about dangerous driving and the risks associated with speeding and performing stunts on public roads. Drifting, particularly at high speed and on busy roads, can result in a driver losing control of a vehicle within seconds. The consequences can be devastating not only for the occupants of the vehicle but also for pedestrians and other road users. Canal Road is an important route in Lahore and carries significant traffic throughout the day. Although the accident occurred early in the morning, the presence of pedestrians near the roadside made the situation particularly dangerous. The deaths of the young people have caused grief among their families and relatives. The fact that the victims were reportedly teenagers has added to the tragedy, while the two pedestrians who were also killed became unintended victims of the alleged reckless driving. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances of the crash, including the speed of the vehicle and the eyewitness claims that the driver had been performing drifting before losing control. Investigators may also examine the vehicle and the accident site to determine the exact sequence of events. The accident once again highlights the importance of responsible driving, particularly among young drivers. Speeding, reckless manoeuvres and driving without adequate experience can have fatal consequences. The incident serves as a tragic reminder that public roads are shared spaces and that reckless behaviour behind the wheel can put the lives of innocent pedestrians and passengers at serious risk. Families and road safety authorities have repeatedly urged young people to avoid dangerous driving practices and follow traffic regulations. Further details regarding the investigation and the condition of the injured 11-year-old are expected as authorities continue to assess the incident.

  Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has announced a special Independence Day surprise for cricket fans across the country, inviting them to celebrate the national occasion by watching their favourite stars in action at the stadium. Mohsin Naqvi said that the action in the National Championship Cup is currently underway, with several prominent Pakistani cricketers taking part in the tournament. He highlighted that fans will have the opportunity to watch some of their favourite players perform live on the field. According to the PCB chairman, players including Shadab Khan, Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman are among the stars featuring in the ongoing matches. He encouraged cricket enthusiasts to come to the stadium with their friends and families and enjoy the exciting cricket action together. In a special announcement for fans in Multan, Mohsin Naqvi said that entry to Multan Cricket Stadium would be free for spectators from 3pm. The initiative is aimed at giving cricket lovers an opportunity to enjoy live domestic cricket without having to pay an entry fee. The PCB chairman also urged families and groups of friends to take advantage of the opportunity and attend the matches. With several well-known players participating, the matches are expected to attract a large number of spectators and create a festive atmosphere at the stadium. Mohsin Naqvi further announced that fans would receive another special surprise at 10pm on the night of Independence Day. Although he did not reveal the details of the surprise, his announcement has generated excitement among cricket supporters who are looking forward to celebrating August 14 with a special event. The announcement comes as Pakistan celebrates its Independence Day, making the occasion particularly significant for cricket fans. Cricket remains one of the country’s most popular sports, and opportunities to watch leading players perform in front of a home crowd often attract considerable public interest. The National Championship Cup provides an important platform for established players as well as emerging cricketers to demonstrate their skills. The participation of experienced names such as Shadab Khan and Fakhar Zaman, alongside players such as Sahibzada Farhan, is expected to add further interest to the competition. The PCB has increasingly focused on providing fans with greater access to domestic cricket and creating an atmosphere that encourages spectators to attend matches. Free entry for the Multan Cricket Stadium matches is another step aimed at bringing supporters closer to the sport and increasing public engagement with domestic competitions. Fans in Multan and surrounding areas can therefore look forward to an exciting day of cricket, followed by the much-anticipated Independence Day surprise at night. With free stadium entry from 3pm and prominent Pakistani players scheduled to feature, cricket lovers have been given an opportunity to celebrate the national occasion through live sporting entertainment. Mohsin Naqvi’s announcement is likely to further boost interest in the National Championship Cup, while the mystery surrounding the 10pm surprise has added an extra element of anticipation for fans waiting to discover what the PCB has planned for Independence Day.

  At least 10 terrorists affiliated with the India-backed group Fitna al-Hindustan were killed during an exchange of fire with security forces in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district, according to security sources. The sources said the operation was launched in the Shor Parod mountainous region after intelligence reports indicated the presence of militants linked to Fitna al-Hindustan, which Pakistani authorities describe as an Indian proxy group. During the operation, security personnel engaged the militants in an intense exchange of fire. At least 10 terrorists were killed, while several others sustained injuries, according to the security sources. The operation was carried out as part of ongoing efforts to counter militant activity in the province. Security officials reiterated their resolve to continue intelligence-based and targeted operations against terrorist groups until the threat of terrorism is eliminated from the country. They said security forces would remain vigilant and take action against militants involved in attacks and other violent activities. The latest development comes three days after another major security operation in Balochistan in which at least eight terrorists affiliated with Fitna al-Hindustan were killed following the premature detonation of a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED). According to security officials, the explosive device detonated while the militants were reportedly preparing it in Surab district. The premature blast killed several terrorists and disrupted what was believed to be an attempt to prepare an attack. Security forces subsequently launched an operation in the area. During the operation, personnel detected the movement of terrorists who were attempting to flee from the area. The security forces pursued the militants and killed 10 of them, according to officials. The incidents highlight the continuing security challenges faced by Balochistan, which has witnessed repeated militant attacks and counterterrorism operations in recent years. Pakistan has experienced a significant increase in terrorist activity, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, since 2021, when the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan. Both provinces have remained major areas of concern for Pakistani security authorities because of the frequency and intensity of militant attacks. According to a report published by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), KP and Balochistan continued to be the country’s primary hotspots for violence during the second quarter of 2026. The report identified Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the worst-affected region during the period. It said the two provinces together accounted for nearly 96% of all violence-related fatalities recorded across Pakistan during the quarter. Of the total number of deaths reported, more than 61%, or 475 fatalities, occurred in KP. Balochistan recorded 265 deaths, accounting for approximately 34% of the total. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also registered the highest number of violent incidents during the quarter. According to the CRSS report, the province recorded 151 incidents, representing 57% of all such incidents reported nationwide. Balochistan followed with 94 violent incidents, making up around 35% of the national total. The figures underline the concentration of militant activity and violence in the two provinces. Security forces have continued conducting operations in both regions to disrupt militant networks, prevent planned attacks and target individuals involved in terrorism. The latest operation in Khuzdar is part of these continuing counterterrorism efforts.