Rocket Barrage from Cambodia Kills Thai Civilian, Draws Official Condemnation

QUETTA: A sudden suspension of mobile phone and internet services has disrupted daily activities across Quetta, leaving residents struggling to communicate, conduct business and access essential online services. The connectivity shutdown affected a wide range of people, including students, healthcare professionals, traders, delivery workers and journalists. Many residents were unable to make calls, send messages or use internet-based services. Students were among those facing major difficulties. Those relying on online classes and digital learning platforms could not access study material or communicate with teachers and classmates. The disruption also affected students preparing assignments and completing other academic tasks online. The outage created problems for healthcare workers as well. Doctors, medical staff and patients often depend on mobile phones and internet services for communication. The interruption made it harder to coordinate with colleagues, contact patients and exchange important medical information. Businesses and traders also faced disruptions. Many shops and small businesses now depend on digital payments, online orders and messaging applications. The suspension affected their ability to communicate with customers and manage routine transactions. Delivery riders were particularly affected because they rely heavily on mobile applications and phone calls to receive orders, locate customers and coordinate deliveries. The loss of connectivity made these routine tasks considerably more difficult. The shutdown also created challenges for journalists reporting from Quetta. Reporters faced difficulties contacting sources, verifying information and sending updates from the field. The lack of reliable communication can slow down coverage, particularly when events are developing quickly. For ordinary residents, the disruption meant difficulty staying in touch with family members, friends and colleagues. People who depend on mobile services for work and other essential activities were forced to deal with additional inconvenience.

Pakistani crew members held by Somali pirates have made another emotional appeal for government help. The hostages have been in captivity for more than 100 days. They are seeking urgent action for their release. The crew members are aboard the MT Honour 25. The Palau-flagged oil tanker was hijacked by armed pirates off the coast of Puntland, Somalia, on April 21. The vessel was carrying between 17 and 19 crew members. Ten of them are Pakistani nationals. Seven Indonesians, an Indian and a Sri Lankan are also among those being held. In newly released video messages, several hostages appeared weak and unwell. They appealed to the Pakistani government to intervene. Yasir Khan, one of the Pakistani hostages, said several crew members had fallen ill. He said they were facing difficulties in obtaining medicines. Khan urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take immediate action. He also appealed to Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry. He asked the authorities to secure their release before their health situation became more serious. Khan also appealed to Jamaat-i-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman. He requested him to continue efforts for the hostages. Another hostage, Hussain Yousuf, said more than 100 days had passed since their capture. He said the crew still had no clear information about when they would be released. Yousuf appealed to the prime minister and Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir to intervene. He warned that further delays could lead to serious consequences. The crew has released several messages since the hijacking. In previous appeals, the hostages reported shortages of food, clean water and medicines. Their deteriorating condition has increased concerns among their families. The pirates have reportedly demanded a ransom of around $3 million. However, no confirmed breakthrough has been reported in negotiations. Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the government was closely monitoring the situation. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said several government departments were involved in efforts to secure the crew’s release. The process includes the Ministry of Human Rights, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and other relevant agencies. Andrabi said the case was particularly difficult because the hostages were being held in an autonomous region of Somalia. He said local tribal structures and influential figures had also complicated negotiations with the pirates. Pakistan, he added, remained in contact with the Somali government and relevant authorities. It was also coordinating with international organisations involved in the matter. The Foreign Office expressed sympathy with the families of the hostages. It said their concerns were understood and that the case remained a priority. The government said all possible efforts were being made to secure the crew’s release and bring them home safely. The case has also been complicated by uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the tanker. Questions remain over who legally owns the vessel. The person previously believed to be its owner was later reportedly identified as a middleman who had helped hire the crew. Meanwhile, the latest distress messages have renewed pressure for urgent action.

KARACHI: A sessions court in Karachi has sentenced two men to double life imprisonment after finding them guilty of abducting a minor girl and subjecting her to gang sexual assault after luring her with the promise of ration. The Additional Sessions Court Karachi South also imposed a fine of Rs200,000 each on the convicts. The court ordered them to pay Rs500,000 each in compensation to the victim. According to the prosecution, the incident occurred in 2022 when the accused allegedly lured the girl, who was from a begging family, with the promise of providing food supplies. They subsequently abducted her and subjected her to sexual assault. During the trial, the victim identified the accused during an identification parade. The court observed that her testimony held significant importance in establishing the prosecution’s case. The court further noted that the medical evidence was consistent with the victim’s account and supported the allegations made against the accused. After reviewing the evidence presented before it, the court concluded that the prosecution had successfully established the charges against the accused beyond reasonable doubt and handed down the sentences accordingly.