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Authorities have arrested self-styled cleric Mufti Zafaryab for allegedly facilitating the banned militant group referred to by the Pakistani government as Fitna al-Khawarij. According to an official statement, the suspect said he completed an eight-year Dars-e-Nizami course at Jamia Nizam-ul-Uloom, Yateem Khana, Bannu, and later completed a three-year specialization in Islamic jurisprudence (Takhassus fi al-Fiqh) at Al-Markaz Al-Islami, Ghoriwala. In a recorded statement, Zafaryab admitted that he had been in contact with militant commander Hikmat Roshan. He said state institutions were aware of his links, which ultimately led to his arrest. The suspect alleged that the militant commander sought religious rulings from him to justify extortion carried out in the name of jihad. He further claimed that he, along with several others, had been offered positions and financial incentives by the group. Expressing remorse, Zafaryab said he regretted his actions and stated that the group has no connection with Islam. He described its activities and ideology as un-Islamic and contrary to Sharia. He also said the militant group promotes extremist beliefs and considers the killing of Muslims to be permissible, rejecting its ideology and distancing himself from its actions. The arrest comes as security forces continue counterterrorism operations against militant groups across the country.

Pakistan has strongly condemned the Houthi militia’s threats against Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, describing the actions as a serious threat to regional peace, international trade and maritime security. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Foreign Office said Pakistan unequivocally rejects the continued threats directed at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and vessels involved in lawful commercial activities. It stressed that freedom of navigation and the uninterrupted movement of global trade must be protected at all costs. The statement came after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia. The group declared that ships linked to the kingdom could become targets, saying the move was a response to what it described as Saudi actions in Yemen. Pakistan said any threat to commercial shipping violates international law and undermines the rules-based maritime order. The Foreign Office warned that such actions not only endanger regional security but also put global commerce and energy supplies at risk. Islamabad expressed particular concern over reports that commercial vessels trading with Saudi Arabia could be targeted. The Foreign Office said attacks or threats against civilian shipping are unacceptable and could have serious consequences for international trade. Reaffirming its commitment to protecting national interests, Pakistan warned that any hostile act against Pakistani-flagged ships or Pakistan’s maritime assets would be treated as a grave threat to the country’s sovereignty and national security. The statement added that Pakistan reserves the right to take all necessary measures, including lawful self-defense under the United Nations Charter and international law, to protect its maritime interests if required. Pakistan also voiced concern over attempts to widen the ongoing Middle East conflict by dragging Saudi Arabia into the regional confrontation. The Foreign Office reiterated Islamabad’s unwavering support for the security, sovereignty, territorial integrity and prosperity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The government urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation. It called for dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful solutions to resolve disputes while emphasizing the importance of protecting international shipping routes. The Foreign Office stressed that ensuring the safety of maritime trade is essential for global economic stability. It said uninterrupted navigation through international waterways is critical for maintaining the flow of energy supplies and commercial goods across the world. The Houthi announcement has raised fresh concerns among governments and shipping companies over the security of the Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait serves as a vital gateway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is a key route for oil exports from the Gulf to international markets.

Pakistan has expressed disappointment over the European Union’s latest assessment of the country’s performance under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), saying the report does not accurately reflect the scale of reforms implemented over the past several years. Speaking during the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan appreciates that the report acknowledges the country’s legislative progress and continued implementation of the 27 international conventions linked to the GSP+ programme. However, he said the overall assessment presents an unbalanced picture by placing greater emphasis on areas where progress has been slower while overlooking broader reforms. Andrabi said Pakistan has introduced wide-ranging legal, administrative, and institutional reforms since joining the GSP+ scheme in 2014. He maintained that these reforms have strengthened governance, improved labour protections, promoted human rights, and supported sustainable economic development. The spokesperson described GSP+ as one of the most important pillars of Pakistan’s economic partnership with the European Union. He said the preferential trade arrangement has played a significant role in boosting exports, creating employment opportunities, increasing women’s participation in the workforce, reducing poverty, and supporting economic growth. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to constructive dialogue with the European Commission and other European institutions. According to Andrabi, the government remains fully committed to implementing international conventions and continuing reforms aimed at meeting its obligations under the GSP+ framework. He also highlighted that Pakistan’s cooperation with the European Union extends beyond trade. Both sides continue to work together in areas including climate resilience, migration, regional security, counterterrorism, development, connectivity, education, and economic cooperation. During the same briefing, the Foreign Office also rejected allegations made in a recent Amnesty International report regarding Pakistani military strikes in Kabul earlier this year. Andrabi said Pakistan completely rejects the claims, arguing that the report contains serious allegations without credible evidence. He maintained that any military action taken by Pakistan was carried out solely in self-defence and targeted terrorist hideouts and logistical facilities. He said the operations were conducted only after other options had been exhausted and fully complied with the principles of necessity, distinction, proportionality, and precaution under international law. He added that Pakistan exercised restraint despite facing repeated cross-border terrorist attacks. The spokesperson urged the international community to focus greater attention on militant groups operating from Afghan territory. He said organisations such as the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), and other affiliated groups continue to maintain bases and carry out attacks against Pakistan from across the border. Andrabi called on the Afghan Taliban authorities to fulfil their international commitments by preventing terrorist organisations from using Afghan territory for attacks against neighbouring countries. He said the continued presence of militant groups poses a serious threat to regional peace and security. The Foreign Office reiterated that Pakistan reserves the right to take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of its citizens. Andrabi said no responsible state can ignore repeated attacks on its people and security forces.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to eliminating terrorism, saying security forces will continue intelligence-based and targeted operations until militant networks and their facilitators are completely dismantled. He made these remarks while addressing participants of the 20th National Workshop Balochistan during an interaction at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Wednesday. The army chief said lasting peace in Balochistan can only be achieved through sustained efforts by the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and the unwavering support of the people. He stressed that operations against militant groups would continue with full determination to ensure long-term peace and stability across the country. Field Marshal Asim Munir said hostile elements backed by foreign interests have repeatedly attempted to create unrest in Balochistan, weaken national unity and disrupt peace. However, he maintained that such attempts would not succeed because of the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces and the resilience of the nation’s people. He reaffirmed that Pakistan remains determined to dismantle terrorist infrastructure wherever it poses a threat to the country’s security and the safety of its citizens. He said the state would continue taking decisive action against all groups involved in terrorism or supporting extremist violence. Highlighting the importance of Balochistan, the army chief described the province as a vital part of Pakistan with enormous natural resources and a resilient, patriotic population. He said the people of Balochistan are the province’s greatest asset and play a key role in the country’s future. He also pointed to ongoing development projects being carried out by the federal and provincial governments, saying these initiatives are aimed at improving infrastructure, creating economic opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for local communities through an inclusive development strategy. During the interaction, the army chief praised the contributions of civil society, academics, media professionals and the youth in promoting national harmony and supporting efforts for lasting peace and development in Balochistan. He emphasized that unity, resilience and collective national resolve are essential for overcoming challenges and ensuring Pakistan’s continued progress.