ctd arrests two
|

CTD arrests two suspected RAW terrorists in Okara

ByJustpaste.in

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has arrested two suspected terrorists allegedly linked to India’s intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), during an intelligence-based operation in Okara.

According to CTD officials, the suspects, identified as Abdul Aziz and Wilayat Shah, are residents of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. During the operation, authorities recovered four kilograms of explosive material, three improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and three Kalashnikov rifles from their possession.

Officials said the suspects allegedly planned to carry out terrorist activities in the Sahiwal and Okara districts. The CTD launched the operation after receiving intelligence about their alleged activities and detained both suspects before they could execute their plans.

The department has started further investigations to determine the suspects’ alleged links, identify their network, and establish whether they had planned attacks on specific targets in the region.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    Pakistan reports 11 million hepatitis C cases, hea…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has said that around 11 million people in Pakistan are living with hepatitis C, while a large number of cases remain undiagnosed because many people have not undergone screening. Addressing a ceremony in Karachi, the minister highlighted several major public health challenges facing the country. He said around 80% of people in Sindh do not have access to clean drinking water. Kamal said approximately 11,000 mothers die every year during childbirth, while around 400,000 children die annually. He also claimed that one in every three people in the country suffers from diabetes. He expressed concern that Pakistan is still recognised as a polio-affected country. According to the health minister, nearly 68% of diseases are linked to the consumption of contaminated water, highlighting the need for improved water and sanitation facilities. Speaking about healthcare services in the area, Kamal said the site where the ceremony was held previously operated as a federal government dispensary. The facility currently provides medical services from 8am until noon. He said telemedicine services had been introduced at the dispensary as part of efforts to improve access to healthcare. Doctors can now examine patients remotely through online consultations. The minister announced that the dispensary would be upgraded into a secondary-care hospital. He said it was the fourth location where the federal government had laid the foundation for a secondary hospital. The new facility will have 40 beds and will provide a range of medical services. Kamal said the hospital would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs660 million and was expected to be completed within four months. The hospital will also provide emergency services around the clock, he added. Kamal said residents would no longer need to travel long distances for X-rays and other essential medical services once the hospital becomes operational. The federal health minister acknowledged that securing approval and funding for development projects from the federal government was not an easy process. He said the private sector would also be brought on board to improve the management of the healthcare facility. Kamal further said the federal government had allocated Rs2.86 billion for plans to expand and upgrade dispensaries across the country. The announcements are part of the government’s efforts to expand basic healthcare services and improve access to medical facilities, particularly in areas where residents have limited access to hospitals and diagnostic services.

  • |

    NDMA warns of rising river levels, flood risk

    ByJustpaste.in

    The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned that water levels in several major rivers across Pakistan could rise sharply from August 2 to 4 as monsoon rains intensify, raising the risk of flooding in various parts of the country. The NDMA urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to flood-prone areas and remain alert to changing weather and road conditions. According to the authority’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), the Lehri River at Head Gogi has reached high flood levels, while Nullah Palkhu at Wazirabad is experiencing medium-level flooding. The Indus River continues to face low-level flooding at Kalabagh, Chashma, Guddu and Sukkur, while the Nari River is also reporting low-level flooding at Head Nari. The NDMA expects high flows in the Chenab River at Marala, with low to medium flows likely at Khanki and Qadirabad. The Jhelum, Ravi and Kabul rivers, along with their tributaries, may also see rising water levels. The NDMA warned that streams connected to the Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi could experience medium to high flows. Water levels in the Ravi and Sutlej rivers will also depend on water releases from reservoirs in India. The authority has also highlighted the threat of flash floods in hill torrents across Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, as well as seasonal streams in central and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Balochistan. Urban flooding and water accumulation could affect low-lying areas in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera, Hyderabad, Badin, Thatta and other parts of Sindh. The NDMA advised people not to cross flooded areas on foot or in vehicles and to check weather forecasts and road conditions before travelling. It also asked residents to follow directions from local authorities and stay informed through the official Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application. Meanwhile, the Emergency Response Committee (ERC), formed by the prime minister, held its 10th consecutive daily meeting on Sunday to review the country’s monsoon preparedness and response. The committee directed relevant authorities to maintain maximum preparedness and speed up relief and rehabilitation operations. The meeting also reviewed the forecast of further rainfall in northern and central Pakistan, with isolated showers expected in southeastern Sindh.

  • Police get 3 days to quiz Mushtaq over F-10 unrest

    ByJustpaste.in

    An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad has handed over former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan to police custody for three days. The order came in a case linked to a protest in the capital. Police produced the former senator along with another suspect named Daniyal before Duty Judge Rukhsanda Shaheen at the anti-terrorism court. During the hearing, the prosecution asked the court for a 30-day physical remand. They said police needed more time to recover a vehicle and weapons allegedly connected to the case. After listening to the arguments, the court approved a three-day physical remand for Mushtaq Ahmad and the other suspects. The court directed police to bring them back once the remand period ends. The case was registered at Islamabad’s Shalimar Police Station on July 31. The complaint was filed by Sub-inspector Ghulam Murtaza. According to the First Information Report, Mushtaq Ahmad led a crowd of around 400 to 500 people who gathered in the capital’s F-10 sector. The report accused him of delivering provocative speeches through loudspeakers. It said his speeches forced nearby shops to close down. It also said the crowd chanted slogans against current government institutions. The FIR further stated that Mushtaq then led the protesters toward Sambal Road. Police say the group intended to march toward Main Jinnah Avenue and block the road there. The district administration reportedly used loudspeakers to tell Mushtaq to end the gathering, since it was being held without a no-objection certificate. Despite this warning, the former senator and his supporters blocked a main road near Shalimar Plaza at around 7:10pm, according to the FIR. The report also accused the protesters of vandalising a media DSNG vehicle along with several private cars passing through the area at the time. It claimed that protesters pelted stones and attacked police officials on duty. The FIR further alleged that some protesters snatched anti-riot helmets from police personnel and threatened them. Police say the case has been registered under relevant sections of the law dealing with terrorism and unlawful assembly. Investigators are now working to gather further evidence, including recovering the vehicle and weapons mentioned in the case. The former senator will remain in police custody during the three-day remand period. He is expected to be produced before the court again once this period concludes, where police may seek further custody or the case may proceed to the next legal stage. The incident has drawn attention to ongoing tensions between political groups and law enforcement in the capital, with authorities stressing that unauthorised gatherings and road blockages will not be tolerated without proper permissions from the district administration.

  • | | |

    OGDCL confirms Pakistan’s first lithium disc…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has announced a major scientific breakthrough by confirming the presence of lithium in underground geothermal formation water, also known as brine. The discovery is the first of its kind in Pakistan and is being seen as an important step towards exploring new sources of critical minerals needed for clean energy technologies. The discovery was made under OGDCL’s pilot geothermal programme. According to officials, advanced geochemical testing was carried out on formation water collected from a successfully tested high-temperature geothermal well. The analysis confirmed the presence of lithium in concentrations comparable to those found in some of the world’s well-known lithium-bearing geothermal brine resources. Senior OGDCL officials said this is the first confirmed lithium discovery from geothermal brine in Pakistan. They described the development as a significant achievement for the country’s energy and mineral exploration sector. The finding places Pakistan among a growing group of countries investigating geothermal resources as a potential source of lithium. Lithium has become one of the world’s most sought-after minerals due to the rapid expansion of clean energy technologies. It is a key component in rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, smartphones, laptops and many other electronic devices. Global demand for lithium has increased sharply as countries move towards renewable energy and low-carbon transportation. Experts say geothermal brine is emerging as an alternative source of lithium in several parts of the world. Unlike traditional mining, lithium extraction from geothermal water has the potential to combine energy production with mineral recovery, although commercial development requires extensive research and investment. Officials stressed that the latest discovery does not mean commercial production will begin immediately. Further geological studies, laboratory testing and feasibility assessments will be required to determine the size of the lithium resource, the concentration of the mineral and whether extraction would be commercially viable. The discovery is expected to encourage more investment in Pakistan’s geothermal and mineral exploration sectors. Researchers believe additional exploration could identify other areas with similar geological conditions and expand the country’s knowledge of its underground mineral resources.

  • | |

    Govt approves Rs13bn relief for PTV

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: The federal government has approved a Rs13 billion supplementary grant to help Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) overcome its worsening financial difficulties, while also authorizing sovereign guarantees worth Rs34.6 billion for the Sialkot–Kharian Motorway project. The decisions were made during a virtual meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had requested Rs20 billion to cover PTV’s salaries, allowances, utility bills, and other essential operational expenses. However, the ECC approved Rs13 billion, which will be released in quarterly installments of approximately Rs3.25 billion. PTV, which operates under the Pakistan Television Corporation Act and is headed by Information Secretary Ashfaq Ahmed Khokhar as its Managing Director, has been facing mounting financial challenges. According to the Ministry of Finance’s latest report, the broadcaster’s revenue declined by 22 percent during fiscal year 2024-25, falling to Rs14.3 billion. The corporation also recorded a net loss of Rs639 million, placing it among Pakistan’s 20 largest loss-making state-owned enterprises. The ECC also cleared sovereign guarantees totaling Rs34.6 billion for the 69-kilometre Sialkot–Kharian Motorway project. The motorway is being developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and was awarded in September 2021 to Sialkot Kharian Infrastructure Management (Private) Limited, a subsidiary of the Frontier Works Organization (FWO). The approved guarantees include Rs17.4 billion for Capital Viability Gap Funding, Rs10.3 billion to facilitate commercial borrowing, and nearly Rs7 billion for Operational Viability Gap Funding. In addition, the Ministry of Finance confirmed that the ECC authorized Rs27.62 billion in fresh sovereign guarantees and approved the rollover of Rs6.94 billion in existing operational viability funding to help the project achieve financial close under its revised financing structure. The government had already revised the PPP agreement for the motorway in February this year, requiring the concessionaire to complete financial arrangements within six months. Rising construction costs, inflation, higher interest rates, and design modifications prompted a restructuring of the project’s financial framework. As part of the revised agreement, the concession period has been extended from 25 years to 29 years. During the first year of operations, toll rates are expected to start at Rs4.1 per kilometre for cars, around Rs10 for minibuses, Rs13.7 for large buses, and Rs23 per kilometre for heavy trucks. The Ministry of Finance estimates that new sovereign guarantees worth Rs683 billion will be issued between April 2026 and June 2027 for various public projects and state-owned entities. Pakistan’s total sovereign guarantees currently stand at Rs4.4 trillion and are projected to exceed Rs5 trillion by June next year. More than Rs2.4 trillion of these guarantees support the power sector, while Rs895 billion have been allocated for commodity procurement and storage operations.

  • | | |

    66kg hashish seized in Karachi, major drug smuggli…

    ByJustpaste.in

    A major inter-provincial drug smuggling attempt was foiled in Karachi after a joint operation by a federal civil intelligence agency and Mochko Police resulted in the seizure of 66 kilograms of hashish and the arrest of two suspects. According to District Keamari Police, authorities received intelligence indicating that a large quantity of narcotics was being transported from Balochistan to Karachi. Acting on the tip-off, law enforcement officials established a checkpoint on Hub River Road to intercept the suspected vehicle. During the operation, officers signaled a Toyota Land Cruiser to stop. Instead of complying, the occupants attempted to flee at high speed by diverting onto an unpaved road. However, the vehicle lost control and overturned, allowing police to quickly move in and apprehend the suspects. The arrested individuals were identified as Faisal and Abdul Wali. A thorough search of the overturned vehicle led to the recovery of 66 kilograms of hashish, which had been concealed in multiple packages inside the Land Cruiser. The vehicle was also taken into police custody as part of the investigation. Police officials stated that the narcotics were allegedly being smuggled from Balochistan into Karachi as part of an inter-provincial trafficking operation. Investigators believe the suspects may be linked to a larger drug trafficking network operating across provincial borders. A case has been registered against the accused under the relevant anti-narcotics laws. Authorities have launched further investigations to identify other members of the network, determine the intended destination of the seized drugs, and uncover the full scope of the smuggling operation. Law enforcement agencies described the operation as a significant success in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking. Officials reiterated their commitment to carrying out intelligence-based operations to dismantle narcotics networks and strengthen public safety across Karachi and other parts of Pakistan. The successful seizure highlights the growing coordination between intelligence agencies and local police in combating organized crime. Authorities have urged the public to continue reporting suspicious activities, emphasizing that community cooperation remains essential in preventing drug trafficking and maintaining law and order.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *