Death toll in Kabal suicide bombing rises to 17; Chief Minister, IGP visit Swat, JIT announced

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has rejected the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) allegations of rigging in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, saying the claims are baseless and unsupported by credible evidence. Speaking at a media briefing in Islamabad, Tarar said political parties have the right to raise concerns about elections, but such allegations should be backed by concrete proof rather than speculation or political statements. He urged the PPP to accept the election results with political maturity and respect the democratic mandate of the people. The minister said political point-scoring is common during election campaigns, but parties should focus on serving the public instead of making accusations without evidence. He maintained that the election results reflected the will of the people and should be accepted by all stakeholders. Responding to criticism from Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Tarar questioned the basis of the PPP’s allegations and asked the party to present evidence if it believed electoral irregularities had occurred. He said making serious accusations without proof damages the democratic process and undermines public confidence in institutions. Tarar said the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir voted for the party that presented a stronger development agenda and remained committed to public welfare. According to him, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) centred its election campaign on development projects, better public services and addressing the needs of the people, which earned the confidence of voters. He also advised the PPP to review its own governance performance instead of blaming others for its electoral defeat. He said political parties should learn from election results and strengthen their public outreach rather than questioning the democratic process without evidence. The information minister said the AJK elections were conducted through a complete democratic process. He noted that voters actively participated in election rallies, corner meetings and polling, reflecting the public’s confidence in the electoral system. Tarar recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had congratulated the PPP after its victory in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections, describing it as an example of democratic values, political tolerance and respect for the public mandate. He said all political parties should demonstrate the same spirit by accepting election outcomes gracefully. The minister added that the PML-N leadership, including party president Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, ran a united and well-organised campaign in AJK. He said the coordinated campaign and focus on development helped the party secure widespread public support. His remarks came after PPP leaders announced that they would challenge the AJK election results through constitutional and legal forums, alleging widespread irregularities during the polling process. The PPP has demanded investigations and re-elections in constituencies where it believes electoral violations took place.

Bahria Town founder Malik Riaz Hussain has appealed to senior Pakistani officials for intervention over the ongoing actions against his company and family. In a detailed appeal, Riaz raised concerns over the freezing, seizure and auction of Bahria Town properties. He claimed that assets worth around Rs238.6 billion have already been auctioned or taken into possession. He further alleged that some properties are currently facing auction and sale proceedings. According to the appeal, development projects worth approximately Rs372 billion have also been suspended. Riaz expressed concern over what he described as the forced takeover of Bahria Town assets. He alleged that several properties were being sold at prices far below their actual market value. He maintained that legal proceedings related to several properties and other actions are still pending before the relevant courts and forums. Despite this, he alleged that some Bahria Town assets were being taken over and sold before the legal disputes had been fully resolved. The Bahria Town founder also raised concerns over alleged threats against him and members of his family. He claimed that a person accused of threatening him and his family with serious consequences, including death threats, remains free. According to Riaz, an FIR was registered against the alleged individual. He also said that the matter later came before the High Court. However, he claimed that despite the FIR and court intervention, the accused person has not been taken into custody. Riaz urged senior officials to take notice of the situation. He asked them to review the actions being taken against Bahria Town and its properties. He warned that continued freezing, seizure and auction of the company’s assets could have wider economic consequences. The appeal also highlighted the potential impact on ongoing development projects. Riaz claimed that projects worth billions of rupees have been affected by the current situation. He argued that prolonged uncertainty could affect workers, contractors, investors and other parties associated with the projects. Riaz further alleged that the valuation of some assets did not reflect their actual market worth. He claimed that properties were being sold at unusually low prices. He called for the relevant legal procedures to be followed before any further action is taken against the company’s assets. The appeal comes amid ongoing legal and financial disputes involving Bahria Town and its properties. Riaz has asked the authorities to intervene and examine the allegations raised in his appeal.

RAWALPINDI: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was stopped from meeting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail on Thursday. Afridi reached the Medicine Factory checkpoint on Adiala Road with several PTI leaders and lawmakers. Police stopped the delegation from moving towards the prison. The chief minister was accompanied by Mena Khan, Shafi Jan, Ahad Shah, Abdul Salam Afridi and Shahid Khattak. Police had earlier blocked Adiala Road from Gorakhpur towards the jail. Traffic was diverted to alternative routes. Afridi questioned the SHO Saddar Beroni about the restrictions. He also asked what instructions had been issued to the authorities. The chief minister remained at the checkpoint until the scheduled meeting time ended. He and the accompanying PTI leaders were not allowed to meet Imran. After the delegation left, police removed the barriers. Traffic on Adiala Road was restored. Speaking to the media, Afridi announced a protest call if he was not allowed to meet the PTI founder. He said PTI workers would come out across the country at 10pm. He urged them to gather at major intersections while carrying the national and party flags. Afridi also asked workers to stay focused on the party’s planned march towards Islamabad on September 27. He claimed that the PTI planned to bring two million people to Islamabad. He said the number could be even higher. The chief minister said the authorities should allow a meeting with Imran before September 28 if they wanted to reduce political tensions. Afridi also criticised the treatment of Imran and PTI since 2022. He accused the authorities of pushing the country towards instability because of political differences and stubbornness. He further criticised other political parties and questioned their role in the country’s political situation. The latest incident comes amid growing concern within PTI over Imran’s health and access to him. The party has repeatedly demanded that its founder be allowed to meet family members, lawyers and party leaders. Imran has remained incarcerated at Adiala Jail since 2023. His wife, Bushra Bibi, is also imprisoned. The PTI founder has faced several legal cases during his imprisonment. He and Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 17 years in prison in the Toshakhana-II case in December 2025. PTI has also raised concerns over Imran’s eyesight and medical treatment. Earlier this year, doctors from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences examined him at the jail. PIMS later confirmed that he had received an anti-VEGF injection for a condition affecting his right eye. A later medical examination indicated improvement in his eyesight following treatment. Imran’s sisters and PTI supporters have also held regular gatherings outside Adiala Jail on designated meeting days. However, access to the former prime minister has remained restricted in recent months. Afridi’s unsuccessful visit on Thursday is likely to further intensify the political confrontation between PTI and the authorities.