Punjab CNF arrests smuggler with cocaine worth Rs43.2 million

FAIZABAD: The mayor of Afghanistan’s northern city of Faizabad, Habib-ur-Rehman, was killed in a bomb explosion targeting his vehicle, according to Afghan officials and international media reports. The blast occurred after a magnetic explosive device was reportedly attached to the mayor’s car. One of his colleagues was also injured in the explosion and was taken to a hospital for treatment. An official in Badakhshan province confirmed the death to the BBC, saying Habib-ur-Rehman was killed in the attack while his colleague sustained injuries. The anti-Taliban National Resistance Front has claimed responsibility for the bombing, saying it carried out the attack against the Faizabad mayor. The National Resistance Front is an armed opposition group that has been fighting against Taliban rule in Afghanistan. The group has previously claimed attacks against Taliban officials and security personnel in several parts of the country. The bombing highlights continuing security challenges in Afghanistan, where armed opposition groups remain active despite the Taliban’s efforts to consolidate control across the country. Authorities have not yet provided further details about the circumstances of the attack or identified whether additional suspects have been detained in connection with the bombing.

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of violating the election code of conduct ahead of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. Speaking at a press conference after a Sindh cabinet meeting in Karachi, Memon claimed that the ruling party was using its government position to influence the electoral process. During the briefing, Memon also announced that the Sindh cabinet had approved a six-month extension of the health insurance program for employees of the Governor House and Chief Minister House. He added that travel allowances for government employees from Grade 1 to Grade 16 had also been increased. Commenting on the recent heavy rainfall, the provincial minister said several districts in Punjab had been severely affected. He claimed that recent rains resulted in casualties in both Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and criticized what he described as limited media attention to the situation. Turning to the political situation, Memon alleged that senior leaders of the federal and Punjab governments were focused on campaigning in Azad Kashmir instead of addressing public issues. He expressed confidence that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would secure a convincing victory in the upcoming AJK elections. The minister also criticized what he described as governments formed through “manufactured mandates,” saying that true political legitimacy comes through public support. He reiterated that the PPP is not part of the federal coalition government and said the party had only extended support to strengthen the democratic process. Memon further alleged that infrastructure development has been concentrated in Punjab while Sindh has not received similar attention, particularly in the construction of major motorways. His remarks drew criticism from Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari, who defended the Punjab government’s development record and rejected the allegations. She argued that provincial resources are being spent on the welfare of Punjab’s residents and questioned the Sindh government’s own performance. Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique also responded, saying critics should first examine the condition of their own provinces. He defended Punjab’s drainage system, claiming rainwater in Lahore is cleared within hours, unlike in parts of Sindh where waterlogging often persists for days. The exchange of statements highlights the growing political rivalry between the PPP and PML-N as campaigning for the AJK elections intensifies.