Swat jirga rejects military operation, warns of Islamabad march

The body of Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi, who lost his life in a tragic avalanche accident on Broad Peak, has been transported to Skardu by an Army Aviation helicopter. Sohail Sakhi was among the climbers caught in a devastating avalanche that struck Broad Peak in the early hours of July 31. The incident occurred during the night between July 30 and 31, when a massive avalanche swept across the mountain, leaving 10 mountaineers missing, including nine foreign climbers. Following the accident, rescue and recovery efforts were launched in the difficult and dangerous conditions of the Broad Peak region. The mountain, located in the Karakoram range of Gilgit-Baltistan, is one of the world’s highest peaks and is known for its challenging terrain, extreme weather and unpredictable climbing conditions. Sohail Sakhi was among the climbers who could not survive the disaster. His body was recovered from the mountain and later transported to Skardu, an important hub for mountaineering expeditions in the region. The use of an Army Aviation helicopter helped facilitate the transfer of the body from the remote mountainous area. The tragedy has caused grief among the mountaineering community in Pakistan and abroad. Broad Peak attracts climbers from different parts of the world every year, but the extreme environment can make rescue operations extremely challenging. Avalanches, sudden changes in weather, freezing temperatures and difficult terrain pose serious risks even to experienced mountaineers. The July 31 incident involved 10 missing climbers, nine of whom were foreign nationals. Rescue teams and authorities continued efforts to locate and recover those affected by the avalanche. The recovery operation was complicated by the harsh weather and the dangerous conditions at high altitude. The bodies of seven climbers who died in the accident had already been transported to their respective countries. Their repatriation was carried out after recovery operations and the completion of necessary procedures. The transfer of Sohail Sakhi’s body to Skardu marks an important step in the process of returning the deceased Pakistani climber to his family. Further arrangements will be made for the transportation of his body to his hometown, where his family and friends are expected to receive him. The incident once again highlights the risks associated with high-altitude mountaineering in the Karakoram. Despite advances in climbing equipment, communication systems and rescue technology, climbers continue to face life-threatening dangers when attempting some of the world’s highest and most difficult peaks. Sohail Sakhi’s death is a significant loss for Pakistan’s mountaineering community. His passing has drawn attention to the courage and determination of climbers who undertake expeditions in some of the most challenging environments on Earth. Authorities and rescue teams remain focused on recovery and repatriation efforts following the Broad Peak avalanche. The tragedy serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of high-altitude expeditions and the importance of safety, weather monitoring and coordinated rescue operations in mountainous regions.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal has renewed his call for the creation of new provinces in Pakistan, arguing that the country’s existing administrative structure is no longer adequate to serve its rapidly growing population. Speaking at the Pakistan Pharma Healthcare Expo, Kamal said debates over provincial boundaries were often framed as matters of honour and pride, but questioned why the same concern was not shown when children lost their lives after falling into open sewerage drains. He argued that Pakistan’s four provinces cover vast territories and that smaller administrative units could improve governance and ensure that public funds reach local communities more effectively. Kamal said the federal government distributes Rs8,884 billion annually among the provinces, but questioned the lack of an effective mechanism to ensure that funds reach union councils and communities at the grassroots level. He noted that Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are larger in area than many countries, while Sindh and Balochistan also cover territories exceeding those of numerous states around the world. According to him, Pakistan’s population has grown dramatically since the country had only around 37 million people, yet the number of provinces has remained unchanged. The minister cited countries such as Sri Lanka, Iran and India as examples of states with more administrative units, arguing that the creation of additional provinces would not weaken Pakistan but could instead strengthen the federation. Kamal also linked administrative shortcomings to growing security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where security personnel continue to lose their lives. He said Pakistan needed fundamental reforms to address the causes behind instability and improve governance. Turning to the issue of public infrastructure, the minister questioned the political focus on provincial identity when basic safety measures such as covering open sewer lines remain neglected. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif works long hours and has extensive experience in provincial administration, but added that the federal government alone could not solve every local governance problem. The priority, he said, should be to strengthen the system rather than rely on individual interventions for issues such as sewer covers. Kamal urged all political parties to sit together and find a constitutional solution to the country’s administrative and governance challenges, saying meaningful reforms were needed to ensure public resources translated into better services and safer communities.

SWABI: Tobacco growers in Swabi took to the streets on Monday, protesting against what they described as unfairly low purchase prices for their crop and demanding enforcement of the official rate announced by the Pakistan Tobacco Board. The protest was held outside the Swabi Press Club, where farmers were joined by political and social activists as well as members of the local community. Growers said they were being offered as little as Rs350 per kilogram, despite the official rate of Rs750 per kilogram. During the demonstration, tobacco grower and former ANP district general secretary Haji Tameez Khan burned around 500 kilograms of his tobacco crop to highlight the financial pressure facing farmers. Speaking at the protest, Khan said the cost of producing tobacco had reached nearly Rs750 per kilogram, making offers of Rs350 to Rs400 per kilogram unsustainable for growers. He said farmers had already suffered substantial losses in the previous season and were now struggling to clear debts owed to labourers and suppliers. Khan said tobacco was a major cash crop and generated significant revenue for the cigarette industry, yet farmers remained uncertain about receiving a price that covered their production costs. He warned that continued failure to address the issue could lead more growers to adopt similar forms of protest. The protesters also criticised the Pakistan Tobacco Board and tobacco companies for failing to resolve the pricing dispute. They called on the authorities to ensure that tobacco-buying companies adhere to the officially approved rate and protect farmers from losses. National Awami Party district chairman Masood Jabbar said tobacco was a key source of income for Swabi’s farming community. He warned that failure to address growers’ grievances could lead to wider protests across the district, with more farmers expected to join future demonstrations.