Nirmal Purja’s body recovered after deadly Broad Peak avalanche

ISLAMABAD: Differences within the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) have intensified as senior party figures Salman Akram Raja and Mashal Yousafzai exchanged allegations over party affairs and accusations related to the alleged sale of tickets. Salman Akram Raja criticised those who, according to him, were unable to pursue the matter through legal channels and had instead resorted to what he described as baseless allegations against Mashal Yousafzai over ticket-selling claims. Raja also said he did not know who had nominated Yousafzai as a senator, maintaining that the decision had been made on the instructions of PTI founder Imran Khan. He added that he did not have the authority to remove her from the Senate. In response, Mashal Yousafzai alleged that Raja had made his recent statements after apologising to the PTI founder. She challenged the party leadership to take action against Raja if it had the authority to remove him from the party. The dispute has also drawn comments from PTI leader Shandana Gulzar, who questioned Raja’s remarks concerning money. She raised questions over the whereabouts of millions of rupees allegedly received from the United States and said that those responsible would face serious consequences if the matter was investigated. The exchange has added to growing tensions within the opposition party, with allegations and counter-allegations emerging as its leadership continues to grapple with internal disagreements.

KARACHI: The first silent mourning procession in Karachi concluded at Hussainiya Iranian Kharadar after passing through its traditional route from Nishtar Park, with authorities enforcing strict security measures throughout the event. A gathering was held at Nishtar Park before the procession began, where Allama Baqir Hussain Zaidi addressed the participants. Police and Rangers personnel were deployed along the procession route, while several roads in the surrounding areas were temporarily closed to general traffic as part of the security arrangements. The affected roads were reopened after the procession passed through the areas. Traffic police also remained on duty to manage congestion and guide motorists toward alternative routes. Meanwhile, the second silent mourning procession is scheduled to begin from Rizvia Society in the afternoon and will conclude at Shah Najaf Imambargah on Martin Road.

Police have made significant progress in the murder investigation of IBA student Mir Raza Ali, who was abducted and later found dead in Karachi. Authorities have recovered the victim’s mobile phone and other evidence from the crime scene while denying reports that the body showed signs of torture or burning. According to police officials, the investigation into the killing of Mir Raza Ali, a resident of PECHS Society, is ongoing. The young student’s body was found on Wednesday from a hilly area in Gulistan-e-Johar Block 1 after he went missing during the night between Tuesday and Wednesday. Police said Mir Raza Ali had left his residence through an online taxi service before disappearing. Following the discovery of his body, a special investigation team and crime scene experts visited the area to collect evidence and determine the circumstances behind the murder. During the search operation, police recovered the victim’s iPhone from behind Nasir Tower Apartments, located around 200 metres away from the crime scene. The mobile phone is reportedly password-protected, and investigators are making efforts to access its data for further clues. Police also recovered a weapon cover, believed to be linked to the firearm used in the incident. Authorities have obtained the victim’s call data record (CDR) and are preparing a route map to track his movements before the murder. The police surgeon stated that Mir Raza Ali was shot once in the chest from the front. The bullet passed through his body, but officials found no evidence of physical torture or burning on the victim’s body. A team comprising SSP District East Zubair Nawaz Sheikh, SP Gulshan-e-Iqbal Ghulam Shabbir Saraki, SHO Ferozabad Adeel Afzal, and other investigation and crime scene experts inspected the site and surrounding areas. Investigators are currently examining approximately 50 phone numbers identified through the call data record. Police officials have claimed that around 50 percent of the case investigation has been completed and further developments are expected as evidence is analyzed. The recovered mobile phone, weapon-related evidence, and digital records are being considered important parts of the investigation. Police officials have assured that all available resources are being used to identify those responsible for the killing and bring them to justice.