Pakistan, Japan sign $2.2 million grant agreement for civil servants’ scholarships

Pakistan has expressed solidarity with Nepal following the tragic avalanche on Broad Peak in the Karakoram mountain range, where members of an international mountaineering expedition were caught in a deadly snow slide. Prime Minister’s Adviser on Inter-Provincial Coordination, Senator Rana Sanaullah, said Pakistan shares the grief of the Nepalese people and remains committed to supporting rescue efforts. According to Rana Sanaullah, the avalanche struck a team of 10 international climbers attempting to scale Broad Peak. The expedition included six climbers from Nepal, along with mountaineers from Pakistan, the United States, China, and Oman. He said the Government of Pakistan immediately prioritized search and rescue operations after the incident. So far, the bodies of four climbers have been recovered, including Nepalese mountaineer Pur Bahadur Gurung. Rescue teams continue to search for the remaining missing climbers despite difficult terrain and severe weather conditions. Rana Sanaullah stated that the Pakistan Army and other relevant agencies are carrying out extensive rescue operations using helicopters, drones, and all available resources. He noted that challenging weather and the remote mountainous landscape have made rescue efforts extremely difficult, but authorities remain fully committed to locating the missing climbers. The adviser explained that search teams are utilizing GPS tracking, aerial surveillance, and ground search missions to maximize the chances of finding those still unaccounted for. He emphasized that rescue operations will continue without interruption until every possible effort has been exhausted. Expressing condolences to the families of the victims, Rana Sanaullah said Nepalese climbers, along with other international mountaineers, are highly respected in Pakistan for their contributions to global mountaineering. He added that Pakistan values its long-standing friendship with Nepal and stands with the families affected by the tragedy during this difficult time. He further reaffirmed that the government will continue to deploy all available resources until the search mission is completed. Pakistan, he said, remains committed to assisting the international climbing community and ensuring that every effort is made to locate the missing members of the expedition. The Broad Peak avalanche has once again highlighted the dangers of high-altitude mountaineering in the Karakoram, where unpredictable weather, avalanches, and challenging terrain continue to pose significant risks even to experienced climbers. Authorities have pledged to maintain rescue operations while closely monitoring weather conditions to ensure the safety of rescue personnel.

A Mumbai police constable posted outside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan’s residence has died after reportedly falling ill while on security duty. The officer, identified as Constable Ganesh Raite, was part of the Mumbai Police team deployed outside Salman Khan’s Galaxy Apartments in Mumbai. According to Indian media reports, the constable complained of feeling unwell at around 6pm on Friday while carrying out his duty. His colleagues reportedly arranged for him to be taken to a hospital shortly afterward. However, doctors declared him dead after he was brought to the medical facility. Police officials have indicated that the constable may have suffered a heart attack while on duty. However, the exact cause of death has not yet been officially established. His body has been sent for a post-mortem examination, and the medical report is expected to provide further details. The incident occurred as Salman Khan continues to remain under heightened security because of threats against him. The actor’s security was upgraded to the Y-Plus category in 2024 following the killing of his close friend and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique. Salman has faced repeated threats reportedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, with tensions surrounding a long-running blackbuck poaching case involving the actor. Security around Salman Khan’s residence has also been tightened following previous incidents. In April 2024, two motorcycle-borne individuals reportedly fired several rounds outside Galaxy Apartments. Investigators later linked the shooting incident to people associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi network. The latest death occurred while police personnel were continuing their security duties outside the actor’s Mumbai residence. The sudden death of Constable Ganesh Raite has raised attention because of the demanding security arrangements surrounding Salman Khan, who remains one of Bollywood’s most prominent and closely protected celebrities. Authorities are expected to establish the precise medical cause of death after the post-mortem examination. Until the medical findings are released, reports of a heart attack remain an initial assessment rather than a confirmed cause. The incident is also a reminder of the risks faced by police personnel assigned to high-profile security duties, where officers are required to maintain prolonged vigilance around protected individuals and their residences. Further details about the constable’s medical history and the circumstances surrounding his final moments are expected to emerge as the investigation and medical examination continue.