National

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has expressed profound grief over the deaths of 10 mountaineers who lost their lives in the devastating avalanche on Broad Peak in Gilgit-Baltistan. He assured that Pakistan will continue search, rescue and recovery operations until all possible efforts have been exhausted. In his statement, Dar extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and expressed solidarity with the governments and people of Nepal, China, Oman, the United Kingdom and the United States, whose citizens were among those killed in the tragedy. The deputy prime minister paid special tribute to legendary Nepali climber Nirmal Purja, describing him as one of the world’s most accomplished mountaineers. He also honored Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi of Hunza, saying his bravery, determination and passion for the mountains would always be remembered. Dar said the courage and dedication shown by all the climbers reflected the true spirit of mountaineering. He added that their achievements would continue to inspire climbers across the world despite the tragic loss. He also praised the rescue personnel, Pakistan Army Aviation teams, high-altitude porters and emergency responders who have been working in extremely difficult conditions at high altitude. He said their commitment and professionalism deserve the nation’s appreciation. The foreign minister reaffirmed that Pakistan remains fully committed to the ongoing rescue and recovery mission. He said the government is maintaining close coordination with the embassies of the affected countries to facilitate the operation and provide all possible assistance. The deadly avalanche struck an international climbing expedition on Broad Peak while the team was moving from Camp 2 to Camp 3. The incident claimed the lives of climbers from Pakistan, Nepal, China, Oman, the United Kingdom and the United States. Among those killed was Nirmal Purja, who gained worldwide recognition after climbing all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres in a record six months and six days in 2019. He had returned to Pakistan in an attempt to become the first mountaineer to summit all 14 eight-thousanders twice without using supplemental oxygen. Rescue teams later recovered Purja’s body from an altitude of approximately 5,700 metres, several days after he and other members of the expedition went missing following the avalanche. The victims also included climbers from Nepal, China, Oman, the United States and Pakistan, making it one of the deadliest mountaineering disasters in the region in recent years.

Security forces carried out intelligence-based operations in Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing several militants and destroying multiple hideouts during the latest counterterrorism action. According to security sources, the operation targeted militant hideouts following intelligence reports about their presence in the area. During the operation, several militants were killed, while others were reportedly injured as security forces engaged the suspects. Officials said a cache of weapons, ammunition and other militant-related material was recovered from the sites cleared during the operation. Security sources added that the operation dealt a significant blow to the militant network operating in the area. Clearance and search activities continued to ensure that no militants remained in the vicinity. Meanwhile, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces for the successful operation. He commended the professionalism, courage and commitment displayed by the personnel in carrying out the intelligence-based action. The interior minister said the forces had foiled the militants’ plans through timely action and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating terrorism from the country. He added that intelligence-based operations would continue until militant groups are completely dismantled and lasting peace is restored. He also said the nation stands with the security forces and values their sacrifices in maintaining peace and protecting the country from terrorist threats.

KARACHI: A judicial magistrate in Karachi has granted investigators additional time to complete the investigation into the Gul Plaza tragedy case. The court extended the deadline until August 9 and directed the investigating officer to submit a complete report at the next hearing. During the proceedings, the investigating officer informed the court that the inquiry was still in progress and requested more time to finalize the investigation. He said responses from several government departments had been collected, but information from some key institutions was still awaited. The court was told that six government departments had already submitted their replies to investigators. However, responses from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the Water Corporation had not yet been received, preventing the investigation from being completed. The investigating officer requested that the court allow additional time so that all pending replies could be included in the final investigation report. The court accepted the request and granted an extension until August 9. The magistrate directed the investigating officer to complete all remaining inquiries before the next hearing and submit a comprehensive report covering all aspects of the case. The court stressed the importance of ensuring that the investigation is thorough and based on complete information from all relevant departments. The Gul Plaza tragedy case has remained under investigation as authorities continue collecting evidence and official records from various institutions. Investigators are examining the role of different departments and reviewing all available documents before reaching their final conclusions.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has invited Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to visit Pakistan at the earliest during a telephone conversation focused on strengthening bilateral ties and discussing the evolving regional situation. According to the Foreign Office, the two foreign ministers held detailed discussions on a wide range of issues of mutual interest. They reviewed the current state of Pakistan-Iran relations and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close diplomatic engagement and cooperation. During the conversation, Dar extended a formal invitation to his Iranian counterpart to undertake an early visit to Pakistan. The proposed visit is expected to provide an opportunity for both countries to further enhance political dialogue and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The two leaders also exchanged views on recent regional and international developments. Their discussions covered issues affecting peace, security and stability in the region, as both countries continue to coordinate on important diplomatic matters. Special attention was given to the deteriorating situation in occupied East Jerusalem. The foreign ministers expressed concern over the rising tensions and discussed the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories. They emphasized the need for continued diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and promote regional stability. The telephone contact reflects the regular high-level engagement between Islamabad and Tehran as both governments continue consultations on regional affairs and bilateral cooperation. Pakistan and Iran share close historical, cultural and economic ties, and both countries have maintained regular diplomatic contacts to strengthen cooperation in political, economic and security sectors. Officials said the two sides agreed to remain in close contact on matters of mutual concern and continue consultations on regional and international issues. They also reaffirmed their commitment to promoting stronger bilateral relations through sustained dialogue and high-level exchanges.

The Sindh government has approved the introduction of a Facial Recognition Attendance Monitoring and Evaluation System (FRAMES) in public schools as part of a broader effort to improve governance, transparency and accountability in the education sector. The decision was taken during a meeting of the School Education Department chaired by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. The meeting was attended by Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah, the chief secretary and other senior government officials. During the meeting, the education minister gave a detailed briefing on the proposed system and informed participants that all technical preparations for its implementation have been completed. He said the project is designed to introduce data-driven governance and improve monitoring of teachers and non-teaching staff across government schools. According to the briefing, the first phase of the project will begin in six districts, with one district selected from each division of Sindh. Registration of teachers and non-teaching employees in these districts has already been completed, paving the way for the system’s launch. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced that the new attendance system will become operational in the selected districts from August 17. If the pilot phase is successful, it will be expanded gradually to all districts across the province. Under the FRAMES system, attendance of teachers and school staff will be recorded through facial recognition technology. Officials said the system will automatically record employees’ arrival and departure times, creating a secure, accurate and tamper-proof attendance record. The education department also informed the meeting that geo-tagging of government schools has been completed. Officials said the system has been designed to function effectively even in remote areas with weak internet connectivity, ensuring uninterrupted monitoring throughout the province. Murad Ali Shah said improving teachers’ attendance is essential for raising educational standards and ensuring quality education for students. He said every child has the right to receive quality education, and achieving that goal requires teachers and school staff to perform their duties regularly and responsibly. The chief minister emphasized that the use of modern technology would strengthen accountability and improve discipline within the education system. He said digital monitoring would help eliminate irregularities, increase transparency and provide education authorities with reliable data for decision-making. He directed officials to establish an effective support and monitoring mechanism during the initial implementation phase. He also instructed the education department to provide schools with all necessary technical assistance and training to ensure the smooth operation of the new system. Officials said information collected through the facial recognition platform will help education authorities evaluate attendance patterns, improve administrative oversight and identify areas requiring further reforms. They added that the initiative is expected to enhance institutional discipline, strengthen governance and improve the overall performance of public schools.