Thai PM Anutin Wishes Nation a Happy Songkran Holiday

Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langau has praised security personnel for successfully foiling an attack on his security squad in Mastung. Speaking at a press conference in Quetta, Langau said Mastung police confronted the attackers and forced the terrorists to flee, preventing the attack from succeeding. He said five police personnel were injured during the incident. The minister praised the police officers for their courage and said their response prevented a potentially serious attack. Langau said the people of Balochistan had endured violence and conflict for a long time. He urged those involved in armed activities in the mountains to realise that the conflict was futile and would not achieve its objectives. He appealed to both Baloch and Pashtun communities not to fall victim to what he described as terrorist propaganda. “Protect your children’s future from terrorists,” he said, urging families and communities to reject violence and militant activities. The provincial minister also alleged that terrorists were receiving support from India and Afghanistan. He said the government and security forces would continue efforts to counter terrorism and protect citizens. The attack took place in Mastung as security personnel accompanying the provincial home minister came under fire. Security forces responded to the attack, while several personnel were wounded.

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court has directed a citizen named Quaid-e-Azam to appear before the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Board after his Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) was blocked. The matter came before the court after the citizen challenged the blocking of his CNIC through a petition. A division bench comprising Justice Waqar Ahmed and Justice Inamullah Khan heard the case. During the proceedings, the petitioner’s lawyer told the court that his client was a businessman. He said the citizen’s CNIC had been blocked and requested the court to intervene in the matter. The lawyer sought relief against the action taken against his client. He maintained that the blocking of the identity card had affected the citizen and required judicial consideration. A NADRA representative also appeared before the court. The Director Legal of NADRA informed the bench that the CNIC had not been blocked without reason. He said the authority had found the petitioner’s identity record suspicious. According to NADRA, the issue required further verification of the citizen’s record and identity documents. After hearing both sides, the court did not immediately order the restoration of the CNIC. Instead, the bench directed the petitioner to appear before the NADRA Board. The court’s direction means that the petitioner will have an opportunity to present his position before the relevant authority. NADRA will then examine the matter in accordance with its verification process. The case highlights the importance of accurate identity records and the procedures followed when questions arise over a citizen’s documentation. The court’s order also provides a formal channel for the petitioner to address the concerns raised by NADRA

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has rejected allegations of electoral rigging raised by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) following the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Bukhari said the people of Kashmir had made their decision through their votes. She claimed that voters had preferred the performance of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Bukhari said the election results reflected the choice of the people. She dismissed the PPP’s allegations and defended the performance of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The provincial minister also criticised PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. She said political pressure appeared to be increasing within a particular party. She further claimed that Bilawal had attempted to imitate another political leader during his election speech. Bukhari also criticised the PPP’s performance in Sindh. She said the party often used the name of Raiwind to target the PML-N and its leadership. She challenged the PPP to present its performance record from the past 18 years. She also questioned the condition of Karachi, Sindh’s largest city. Bukhari said voters should compare the performance of Punjab under Maryam Nawaz with the situation in Sindh under the PPP. “Look at Maryam’s Punjab and Bilawal’s Sindh,” she said while comparing the two provinces. The minister argued that a government unable to improve roads in its own areas could not claim that it would transform roads in Kashmir. She also highlighted differences in public services between Punjab and Sindh. Bukhari said Punjab had introduced air ambulance services to provide emergency medical assistance. She claimed that Sindh, by comparison, had introduced a bicycle ambulance service. She used the comparison to criticise the PPP’s governance record and defend the PML-N’s performance in Punjab. Bukhari also discussed the education initiatives introduced by the Punjab government. She said Maryam Nawaz believed that every child should have access to educational opportunities. According to Bukhari, students should be able to receive laptops and scholarships regardless of their background. She said such programmes were aimed at supporting young people and helping them continue their education. The minister contrasted these initiatives with the situation in Sindh. She claimed that students in the province were protesting to demand better educational facilities and opportunities. Bukhari’s remarks came after the PPP questioned the credibility of the first phase of the AJK elections and alleged irregularities. The first phase covered 13 constituencies in the Mirpur division. The PML-N emerged as the leading party, winning nine seats. The PPP secured four seats. The election results have triggered a political dispute between the two parties. The PML-N has defended its victory and rejected claims that the results were manipulated. Bukhari’s latest comments further intensified the political exchange. She presented the results as an endorsement of the PML-N’s performance and Maryam Nawaz’s governance model. The remaining phases of the AJK elections are expected to keep the political competition intense. Both parties are likely to continue highlighting their respective performance records as campaigning moves forward.

KARACHI: The Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) on Friday announced the results of the Intermediate Part-II annual examinations 2026. Students from government colleges secured top positions in several groups, highlighting the strong performance of public-sector educational institutions. BIEK Chairman Professor Ghaffar Muhammad Lakho said the results were encouraging for government colleges. He noted that the top two positions in the pre-medical group were won by students of a government college. According to him, this reflects the growing trust of students and parents in public-sector education. In the pre-medical group, Hafsa Khan of BAMM PECHS Government College for Women secured first position. She scored 1,011 marks out of a total of 1,100. Her classmate Huda Sarwar claimed the second position with 1,007 marks. Amina Aziz of Bahria College, Karsaz, secured third place after obtaining 1,004 marks. Controller of Examinations Zarina Rashid said that 23,613 students registered for the pre-medical examinations. A total of 23,007 candidates appeared in the exams. Out of them, 14,134 students passed. The overall pass percentage in the pre-medical group remained 61.43%. Female students dominated the Arts Private Group by securing all top three positions. Rafia Shoaib Jaliwala topped the group with 925 marks. Almas Fatima and Khansa Raza jointly secured the second position with 902 marks each. Amra Shoaib Jaliwala stood third after scoring 901 marks. Students also performed well in the Home Economics Group. Azka Imran of Rana Liaquat Ali Khan Government College of Home Economics secured first position with 973 marks out of 1,200. Aila Anwar obtained second position with 968 marks. Yamna Shariq secured third place by scoring 953 marks. Special candidates also recorded an impressive performance. In the Arts Regular category, Syed Hammad Ali secured first position with 1,004 marks. Taha Ahmed came second with 990 marks, while Maryam Bibi claimed third position after scoring 985 marks. The board said the pass percentage in the Arts Private Group stood at 50.04%. The Home Economics Group recorded a pass rate of 52.47%. The highest success ratio was observed among special candidates, where the pass percentage reached 95.87%.