Thai Airways flight declares emergency during Frankfurt-Bangkok journey

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has expressed profound grief over the deaths of 10 mountaineers who lost their lives in the devastating avalanche on Broad Peak in Gilgit-Baltistan. He assured that Pakistan will continue search, rescue and recovery operations until all possible efforts have been exhausted. In his statement, Dar extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and expressed solidarity with the governments and people of Nepal, China, Oman, the United Kingdom and the United States, whose citizens were among those killed in the tragedy. The deputy prime minister paid special tribute to legendary Nepali climber Nirmal Purja, describing him as one of the world’s most accomplished mountaineers. He also honored Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi of Hunza, saying his bravery, determination and passion for the mountains would always be remembered. Dar said the courage and dedication shown by all the climbers reflected the true spirit of mountaineering. He added that their achievements would continue to inspire climbers across the world despite the tragic loss. He also praised the rescue personnel, Pakistan Army Aviation teams, high-altitude porters and emergency responders who have been working in extremely difficult conditions at high altitude. He said their commitment and professionalism deserve the nation’s appreciation. The foreign minister reaffirmed that Pakistan remains fully committed to the ongoing rescue and recovery mission. He said the government is maintaining close coordination with the embassies of the affected countries to facilitate the operation and provide all possible assistance. The deadly avalanche struck an international climbing expedition on Broad Peak while the team was moving from Camp 2 to Camp 3. The incident claimed the lives of climbers from Pakistan, Nepal, China, Oman, the United Kingdom and the United States. Among those killed was Nirmal Purja, who gained worldwide recognition after climbing all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres in a record six months and six days in 2019. He had returned to Pakistan in an attempt to become the first mountaineer to summit all 14 eight-thousanders twice without using supplemental oxygen. Rescue teams later recovered Purja’s body from an altitude of approximately 5,700 metres, several days after he and other members of the expedition went missing following the avalanche. The victims also included climbers from Nepal, China, Oman, the United States and Pakistan, making it one of the deadliest mountaineering disasters in the region in recent years.

Former Jamaat-e-Islami senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan was released on Thursday after his supporters claimed he had been held for more than 24 hours following his attempt to travel to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), where protests have intensified in recent days. According to his team, Mushtaq Ahmad was stopped by authorities after being denied entry into AJK while travelling to express solidarity with families affected by the recent unrest. They alleged that he was later taken into custody while returning to Islamabad and remained out of contact for several hours before his release. Following his release, his official social media account confirmed that he was safe and announced that he would address a press conference in Islamabad to share details of the incident. Supporters claimed that he was intercepted near Kahuta by Punjab Police and taken away without any formal arrest warrant or explanation. They further alleged that authorities did not disclose his location during the period of detention, prompting concerns among family members and political colleagues. The alleged detention triggered strong reactions from opposition leaders and rights advocates, who demanded transparency and adherence to legal procedures. Several political figures called for an explanation from the authorities, while human rights groups stressed the importance of protecting civil liberties and ensuring due process. The incident comes amid heightened tensions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir following clashes between security personnel and protesters. The unrest has resulted in casualties and injuries, leading to widespread political criticism and renewed calls for an independent investigation into the violence. Political parties have urged the government to exercise restraint and resolve disputes through dialogue, warning that excessive use of force could further inflame the situation.

Ameer-ul-Azeem, Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan, has passed away after a prolonged illness. His funeral prayers will be offered at 5:00 pm today at Mansoora, Lahore. A Jamaat-e-Islami spokesperson confirmed his death, saying he had been battling cancer for a long time. Before becoming the party’s Secretary General, he served for many years as the central Secretary for Information. Born in Lahore in 1958, Ameer-ul-Azeem completed his matriculation from Islamia School Sant Nagar and his intermediate studies at Islamia College Railway Road. He later earned a BSc in Physics and Double Mathematics from Islamia College Civil Lines and an MBA from the University of the Punjab. He became associated with Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT) during his school years and later served as the elected president of the Punjab University Students’ Union. He also held the position of Nazim-e-Aala (Chief Organizer) of IJT. During General Zia-ul-Haq’s rule, Ameer-ul-Azeem led a long march demanding the restoration of student unions and was imprisoned for his role in the movement. While in jail, he was elected as the head of Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba. He later served as Jamaat-e-Islami’s central Secretary for Information, Secretary General of the party’s Lahore chapter, and Ameer of Lahore. In 2019, he was appointed Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan by then party chief Siraj-ul-Haq following consultation with the party’s Central Shura.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched a major initiative to bring millions of out-of-school children into the education system. The provincial government has started work on a comprehensive plan. The initiative will identify children who are not attending school and provide them with suitable educational opportunities. Officials from the education, local government, health and social welfare departments have signed a memorandum of understanding for the programme. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi was also present at the signing ceremony. Officials gave a detailed briefing on the initiative. They said a province-wide survey would be conducted to identify out-of-school children. The government will also develop a “One Map” system. The system will identify the number of children who are out of school. It will also show their locations. This data will help the authorities plan enrolment drives in areas where the need is greatest. According to figures presented during the briefing, around 4.9 million children in KP were out of school according to the 2023 census. The provincial education department has estimated the number at around 2.6 million. The government has set an initial target of bringing 60% of out-of-school children into the education system during the first phase. Officials said children under the age of five would also be included in the data collection process. Their information will help the government prepare future education plans and estimate upcoming enrolment needs. The programme will use different forms of education. Government schools will be used where possible. Community schools will also play a role. Double-shift schools will be introduced or expanded in areas facing limited capacity. Digital platforms will also be used to reach children who cannot easily access conventional schools. Poverty has been identified as one of the major reasons children leave school. The government plans to provide financial support to vulnerable families. Scholarships, Zakat funds and other assistance will be used to encourage children to remain in education. Scholarship payments will be linked to attendance. Officials said students would need to maintain at least 75% attendance to qualify for the scholarship payments. The programme will also focus on skills development. Children will receive technical and vocational training under the United Nations’ Generation Unlimited programme. The initiative is aimed not only at increasing school enrolment but also at improving the future employment prospects of young people. The government has also planned independent verification of the survey data. An independent organisation will verify 5% of the collected data to improve transparency and ensure that the figures accurately reflect the situation on the ground. Authorities said the survey would provide a clearer picture of the out-of-school population in the province. The data will then be used to design targeted education programmes.

MUZAFFARABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reiterated that the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) alone should have the authority to determine their government and future, as political campaigning intensifies ahead of the second phase of the AJK elections. In a video message focusing on the Kashmiri people’s right to self-governance, Bilawal said his party was committed to ensuring that the residents of Azad Kashmir enjoy the same democratic rights as every citizen of Pakistan. “I want the people of Kashmir to receive the same rights that every Pakistani citizen enjoys,” Bilawal said, adding that the most fundamental of these rights is the right to sovereignty through the power of the vote. Explaining his vision, the PPP chairman said the true meaning of sovereignty is that every vote should be respected and accurately reflected in the election results. According to him, the public mandate must remain free from outside influence so that the will of the people prevails. Bilawal also stressed the need for greater representation of Azad Kashmir in national decision-making institutions. He argued that whenever key decisions are made regarding the region’s water resources, electricity or budgetary matters, Kashmir should have its own seat and an effective voice at the table. He maintained that stronger institutional representation would ensure that the interests of the people of Azad Kashmir are protected while promoting more inclusive governance. As part of his election campaign, Bilawal urged voters to support the PPP in the upcoming polls, asking them to stamp the party’s traditional arrow symbol on August 2. He said the election represented an opportunity for the people to safeguard their democratic rights and send a clear message that the future of Kashmir should be determined by its own citizens. The PPP chairman’s remarks come as political parties intensify their campaigns across Azad Kashmir ahead of polling, with issues of governance, development, constitutional rights and public representation dominating election debates. The second phase of the Azad Kashmir elections is expected to draw significant voter participation, with major political parties competing for crucial seats. Political analysts believe voter turnout and public confidence in the electoral process will play a decisive role in shaping the region’s next government and its political direction in the years ahead.