National

A high-level delegation from Somalia, led by Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, met Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi to discuss bilateral defence cooperation and regional security. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meeting focused on matters of mutual interest, the evolving regional security environment and ways to strengthen defence and military cooperation between Pakistan and Somalia. Both sides emphasised the importance of expanding military-to-military relations and enhancing cooperation in training and capacity-building initiatives to address shared security challenges. They also discussed the need for closer collaboration to promote peace and stability in the region. During the meeting, the Somali defence minister acknowledged Pakistan’s continued support for Somalia and praised the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces in contributing to regional peace and security. Field Marshal Asim Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting Somalia in strengthening its security institutions and enhancing defence capabilities. He said Pakistan values its longstanding relationship with Somalia and remains committed to deepening bilateral cooperation in the defence sector. The meeting reflects the growing defence ties between the two countries and their shared commitment to enhancing security cooperation and addressing common regional challenges.

Rescue teams have recovered the bodies of eight mountaineers following the devastating avalanche on Broad Peak, while the search continues for two missing climbers. Another victim has been identified, but the body remains trapped in an area that rescuers have so far been unable to reach. Speaking to the media, the President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan described the incident as one of the deadliest accidents in the history of Broad Peak. He said a total of 11 climbers are believed to have been caught in the avalanche, triggering a large-scale rescue operation. He said the first phase of the operation began immediately after the incident. On the opening day, rescuers recovered the bodies of two climbers and also found partial human remains believed to belong to another victim. According to the Alpine Club, the first two recovered victims were a Nepalese mountaineer and a female climber from Oman. Rescue operations were carried out under extremely difficult weather and terrain conditions at high altitude. The Pakistan Army assisted the mission by providing helicopters to transport rescue teams and airlift the recovered bodies from the remote mountain. The aerial support played a key role in speeding up the recovery process. The Alpine Club president said that during the latest phase of the operation, the bodies of four Nepalese climbers and one Chinese mountaineer were successfully recovered and transported from the mountain. He added that rescuers have also identified another climber’s body. However, it is located in an inaccessible area, making immediate recovery impossible because of dangerous terrain and the continued risk of avalanches. Search teams are still looking for the remaining two missing climbers. Rescue officials said every effort is being made to locate them despite severe weather, snow-covered slopes and difficult mountain conditions. The tragedy has shocked Pakistan’s mountaineering community and highlighted the dangers faced by climbers attempting to scale some of the world’s highest peaks. Broad Peak, located in the Karakoram mountain range, is one of Pakistan’s tallest mountains and attracts climbers from around the world each year.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has dismissed claims that Pakistan’s governance system has collapsed, while firmly opposing the creation of new provinces in Sindh and warning that no violence or bloodshed will be allowed over the issue. Speaking to reporters after attending the Mining Technical Conference 2026 in Karachi, the chief minister said the Constitution provides a clear legal mechanism for altering provincial boundaries. He stressed that any such move can only take place if the concerned provincial assembly approves it with a two-thirds majority. Murad Ali Shah said the Sindh Assembly has repeatedly passed unanimous resolutions opposing the creation of any new province in the province. He maintained that there has been no change in the assembly’s position and that the issue should be addressed only through constitutional and democratic procedures. The chief minister said public debate on administrative reforms is acceptable, but warned against creating unnecessary tensions or presenting the issue in a way that could provoke conflict. He said no one would be allowed to exploit the matter to create unrest in Sindh. His remarks came after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi recently suggested that Pakistan’s existing governance system was no longer capable of addressing national challenges and called for administrative reforms, including the creation of new administrative units. Responding to questions about public demonstrations, Murad Ali Shah said peaceful protest is a constitutional right but should be held in accordance with the law. He urged organisers to obtain permission from the relevant authorities before staging protests. The chief minister also highlighted the provincial government’s agricultural policy, saying arrangements have been made to procure one million tonnes of wheat to protect local farmers and stabilise the market. Speaking about economic development, he said Sindh continues to expand its mining and energy sectors. He announced that electricity generation from Thar coal is expected to increase from 2,640 megawatts to 3,000 megawatts in the near future. Murad Ali Shah said Thar’s coal fields are producing more than 15 million tonnes of coal annually, helping Pakistan reduce its dependence on imported fuel and saving more than $1.5 billion in foreign exchange each year.

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has extended the physical remand of former Jamaat-e-Islami senator Mushtaq Ahmad and his co-accused, Daniyal, by four more days in connection with a case linked to a protest over the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The two accused were produced before the court after completing an earlier three-day physical remand. During the hearing, the prosecution sought a 30-day remand, arguing that investigators still needed additional time to recover a vehicle and weapons allegedly connected to the case. According to prosecutors, the investigation remains incomplete because the alleged recoveries have not yet been made. They requested extended custody to continue the inquiry. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court rejected the request for a 30-day remand and instead approved a four-day extension in police custody. The case was registered at Islamabad’s Shalimar Police Station under charges related to a protest concerning recent unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Mushtaq Ahmad’s legal team has previously claimed that he was detained after attempting to enter AJK to express solidarity with people affected by recent violence in the region. They alleged he was stopped by security personnel at Azad Pattan Bridge, denied entry into AJK and later taken into custody by Punjab Police while returning to Islamabad. Following his release from the earlier detention, Mushtaq Ahmad announced plans to organise a peaceful gathering in Islamabad to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir. He invited political activists, students, journalists and members of the Kashmiri community to participate in the event. The case comes amid heightened political tensions following recent protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where clashes reportedly resulted in casualties and injuries, drawing criticism from several political parties and human rights groups.

Islamabad: “Serious questions have been raised about the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) after Senator Aimal Wali Khan questioned why the Chairman NEPRA continues receiving a monthly salary of Rs3.2 million despite concerns regarding his office attendance and official responsibilities.” The issue was raised during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat chaired by Senator Rana Mahmood ul Hassan at the Establishment Division. Senator Aimal Wali Khan questioned the performance and accountability of senior government officials, saying that important positions should not continue without effective participation and responsibility. While discussing NEPRA, Senator Aimal Wali Khan stated that the Chairman NEPRA had remained ill only a few weeks after his appointment and was not attending office regularly, yet continued receiving his full salary. He questioned whether public funds should continue to be spent on positions where official duties are not being performed and demanded accountability regarding the matter. The committee took note of the concerns raised by Senator Aimal Wali Khan and discussed the importance of transparency and responsibility in government institutions. During the wider discussion on public sector appointments and governance issues, Senator Aimal Wali Khan criticised the practice of keeping individuals in important positions despite their inability to perform official duties. He remarked that some people continue holding positions even when they are unable to actively carry out responsibilities, raising questions about institutional efficiency and accountability. The committee stressed that senior positions in government bodies must be linked with performance, transparency and public responsibility. The issue comes at a time when regulatory institutions such as NEPRA play a major role in Pakistan’s electricity sector, including matters related to power regulation, tariffs and consumer interests. The committee directed relevant authorities to provide required information so that matters related to public appointments, governance and institutional reforms could be examined in detail.

Lahore Police have directed that no woman should remain at any police station after sunset, introducing a new measure that officials say is aimed at ensuring the safety and dignity of women. The directive was issued by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Muhammad Faisal Kamran during a crime review meeting with officers of the City Division. He instructed police personnel to treat women with respect and ensure that female complainants as well as women taken into custody are not kept at police stations after Maghrib. According to the directive, police officers must adopt procedures that protect women’s privacy and dignity while dealing with complaints or investigations. The decision comes in the wake of growing concerns over crimes against women and follows the arrest of a Lahore police Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman with a mental health condition. According to police, the woman had left her home and did not return for several hours. Her family later learned from a local resident that a plain-clothes police officer had taken her away on a motorcycle. The victim later alleged that the officer took her to another location and sexually assaulted her. Following the allegations, police registered a case against the accused officer. DIG Investigation Syed Zeeshan Raza ordered an immediate and transparent investigation, directing investigators to proceed strictly on merit. The incident also led to disciplinary action within the police department, with 78 police officials reportedly suspended as authorities launched an internal review of the case. While police officials say the new directive is intended to safeguard women, some critics argue that restricting women’s presence at police stations does not address the root problem. They contend that law enforcement agencies should instead focus on ensuring police stations remain safe and accessible for women at all hours.

GUJRAT: The Agriculture (Extension) Department has seized counterfeit DAP fertiliser worth more than Rs20 million during a raid at Hasan Rice Mills in Mouza Mohla, Gujrat, in what officials described as a major crackdown on the illegal fertiliser trade. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Director Agriculture (Extension) Gujrat Division Dr Irfanullah Warraich by Assistant Director Agriculture (Extension) and Assistant Controller Fertilizer Muhammad Athar Latif. During the raid, officials inspected the premises and collected samples of suspected DAP fertiliser for laboratory testing. They also sealed 1,140 bags of fertiliser, each weighing 50 kilograms, with an estimated value of Rs18.24 million. According to the Agriculture Department, laboratory analysis later confirmed that the fertiliser was counterfeit. Officials said subsequent investigations revealed that a total of 1,270 bags of fake DAP fertiliser, worth approximately Rs20.32 million, were linked to the operation. Out of these, 1,244 bags were taken into police custody as case property. A case has been registered against Muhammad Azmat and other suspects under the Punjab Fertilizer Control Act, 2025. Police also arrested Ghulam Hussain, the in-charge of Hasan Rice Mills, during the raid. The department said the crackdown was aimed at protecting farmers from substandard agricultural inputs that could adversely affect crop production and cause financial losses. Officials added that counterfeit fertilisers not only reduce crop yields but also undermine farmers’ confidence in certified agricultural products. They urged growers to purchase fertilisers only from authorised dealers and to report any suspicious products or illegal storage facilities to the Agriculture Department. The department said further investigations are underway to trace the source of the counterfeit fertiliser, identify other individuals involved in its manufacture and distribution, and determine whether similar consignments had been supplied to other markets in the region. Agriculture officials reaffirmed their commitment to continuing strict enforcement against the production, storage and sale of fake fertilisers to safeguard farmers’ interests and ensure the availability of quality agricultural inputs across Punjab.