Naqvi defends officials over viral carriage video

Lawyer and social activist Jibran Nasir has criticised the country’s political and economic situation, alleging that pressure, censorship and coercive measures have failed to change public opinion about PTI founder Imran Khan. Speaking to anchorperson Ameer Abbas, Nasir said authorities had been unable to alter public sentiment toward Imran Khan despite what he described as years of pressure and attempts to control political discourse. He argued that if public opinion had genuinely changed, millions of people would not have voted for Imran Khan and his political movement in the February 8 general elections. Nasir questioned how the authorities could claim to change broader public thinking about the economy, Constitution and rule of law when they had not been able to change people’s views about a single political leader. He also criticised what he described as restrictions on political expression and media freedom. Nasir alleged that force, state pressure, censorship and arrests were being used to control political developments. According to Nasir, suppressing criticism does not resolve underlying public grievances. He said people who speak about alleged injustices are sometimes portrayed as creating unrest rather than being allowed to raise their concerns. He warned that continued reliance on pressure could increase frustration among citizens instead of resolving political differences. Nasir further claimed that people were now more aware of political developments and could not easily be persuaded through fear or restrictions. He said arrests, cases and harsh measures had not succeeded in changing the position of a significant section of the public. The lawyer maintained that political issues could not be permanently controlled through force. He called for greater space for political expression and a process through which public grievances could be addressed. His comments come amid continued political tensions between the government and PTI. The party has repeatedly raised concerns over the treatment of its leadership, legal cases against its members and restrictions on political activities.

Security forces have stepped up intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the Azm-e-Istehkam campaign, targeting militant hideouts and disrupting terrorist networks in several areas over the past two months, according to security sources. Officials said one of the major operations was carried out in the Khatti Killi area of North Waziristan, where security forces raided suspected militant hideouts following intelligence reports. During the operation, several terrorists were killed after an exchange of fire, while others sustained injuries and managed to flee. Security sources said troops recovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition and communication equipment from the militants’ hideouts. The recovered material is expected to assist investigators in tracing the activities and support networks of militant groups operating in the region. According to officials, the operations specifically targeted members of Fitna al-Khawarij, the term used by the state for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Authorities said the campaign was conducted with great care to protect civilians and prevent damage to local communities. Security officials emphasised that the ongoing operations are aimed at eliminating terrorist threats, restoring law and order, and ensuring lasting peace across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They reaffirmed that intelligence-led operations would continue until militant networks are dismantled and terrorism is eradicated. The latest operations are part of the broader Azm-e-Istehkam strategy launched to strengthen counterterrorism efforts nationwide. The campaign focuses on targeted intelligence operations against militant groups while enhancing the security of vulnerable areas. Last week, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said security forces had carried out more than 40,000 intelligence-based operations across Pakistan so far this year, with a significant number conducted in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said nearly 194 intelligence-based operations are being conducted daily across the country. According to the military spokesperson, security forces have eliminated more than 2,000 terrorists during 2026, reflecting the intensified pace of counterterrorism operations.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced plans to visit Peshawar and Quetta to engage directly with business leaders and provincial authorities as the government steps up efforts to address security challenges affecting trade and investment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The announcement came during a meeting with a delegation of traders, industrialists, and representatives of chambers of commerce from both provinces. The delegation briefed the minister on the law and order situation and highlighted the security issues that continue to disrupt commercial and industrial activities. Naqvi said the government recognizes the difficulties faced by the business community and is committed to creating a safer environment for investment and economic growth. He assured participants that all available resources would be utilized to improve security and resolve issues affecting businesses. The interior minister said his upcoming visits to Peshawar and Quetta would include meetings with senior provincial officials, law enforcement agencies, and business representatives to develop practical and long-term solutions to security concerns. He emphasized that a secure business environment is essential for economic stability, adding that the success of traders and industrialists is closely linked to the country’s overall development. “The progress of the business community is the progress of Pakistan,” Naqvi said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and protecting commercial activities. The meeting followed a high-level discussion held a day earlier between Naqvi and President Asif Ali Zardari, during which they reviewed the country’s overall security situation, with particular focus on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Pakistan has witnessed a rise in militant violence in recent months, particularly in the two provinces. Security forces have intensified intelligence-based operations to counter militant groups responsible for attacks on civilians, security personnel, and public infrastructure. The deteriorating security environment has also affected workers and businesses. Earlier this week, six labourers who had been abducted in Balochistan’s Kech district were found dead, while several other attacks in recent weeks targeted police officers, judges, transport routes, and public facilities. The government believes improving security is essential not only for protecting citizens but also for restoring investor confidence and advancing major regional connectivity and infrastructure projects that have been affected by instability.