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PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has launched a province-wide street mobilisation campaign from Khyber district ahead of the September 27 long march. Addressing a rally in Khyber, Afridi said the campaign had formally begun from the historic Bab-e-Khyber and would continue across the country before culminating in Islamabad. The movement has been given the name “Long March Bil-Qist — A Long March for Justice.” According to the chief minister, its stated objectives include seeking the release of PTI founder Imran Khan through constitutional and peaceful means, demanding equal application of the law and calling for accountability for those responsible for alleged injustice and oppression. Afridi urged young people across Pakistan to participate in the September 27 march, saying the youth had an important role in determining the country’s political future. He said the mobilisation launched in Khyber would gradually be expanded to other parts of the country and continue until the movement achieved its declared objectives. The chief minister praised residents of Khyber for their participation in the campaign. He said rally participants had travelled around 30 kilometres while demonstrating enthusiasm and commitment to the movement. Afridi claimed that preparations were under way to mobilise two million people for the September 27 march. He said more than 100,000 participants from Khyber district alone were expected to join the Islamabad-bound movement. He also claimed that membership of the campaign seeking Imran Khan’s release had reached 520,000, with Punjab currently having the largest number of members. The chief minister expressed confidence that large numbers of people from different parts of Pakistan would participate in the march. Speaking about the role of young people, Afridi said frustration with the existing political and governance system was growing among the younger generation. He called on the youth to remain determined despite political and other challenges. He argued that if young people demonstrated their strength and determination collectively, the movement could become a major political force. Afridi also criticised those he accused of contributing to Imran Khan’s imprisonment, weakening democratic institutions and affecting the country’s governance system. He maintained that the movement would remain peaceful and constitutional while pursuing its political demands. The chief minister described September 27 as a potentially significant day for Pakistan, saying participants would seek to influence the country’s political direction and play a role in determining its future.

A proposed NADRA counter at the Pakistan Embassy in Tokyo, expected to benefit nearly 30,000 to 35,000 Pakistanis living in Japan, has remained stalled for the past three to four months due to delays in the issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC), despite receiving formal approval from NADRA. According to official documents, NADRA granted in-principle approval for the establishment of the counter on April 22, 2026, and requested the relevant authorities to issue the required NOC without delay. The documents stated that the counter would become operational immediately after the NOC is issued. The delay has prevented the project from moving forward, leaving thousands of overseas Pakistanis in Japan facing continued difficulties in accessing essential identity and registration services. Sources said the initiative was made possible through the persistent efforts of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) Chairman Syed Qamar Raza Shah. During his visit to Japan in April, he met members of the Pakistani community, listened to their concerns, and identified the absence of NADRA services as one of their most pressing issues. After returning to Pakistan, Shah reportedly pursued the matter with the relevant departments and raised it at senior government levels, resulting in NADRA’s formal approval for establishing the counter at the embassy. Under the approved plan, NADRA agreed to provide biometric machines, fingerprint devices, cameras, technical support, and staff training. The Pakistan Embassy in Tokyo is responsible for providing office space, computers, internet connectivity, furniture, and other administrative facilities. Officials said all technical and administrative arrangements have already been finalised. However, the project remains on hold because the required NOC has yet to be issued by the concerned ministry. As a result, Pakistani nationals living in Japan continue to face significant challenges in obtaining or renewing national identity cards, completing family registration, biometric verification, and accessing other NADRA-related services. Members of the Pakistani community in Japan have praised Syed Qamar Raza Shah for his efforts, saying the project would likely not have reached the approval stage without his personal involvement. They urged the relevant authorities to demonstrate the same commitment by removing the remaining administrative hurdles and ensuring that the approved project is implemented without further delay. The community has also appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar to personally intervene and direct the concerned authorities to issue the pending NOC so that the NADRA counter can be established at the Pakistan Embassy in Tokyo as soon as possible, providing long-awaited relief to thousands of overseas Pakistanis.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support for Saudi Arabia during a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders discussed the regional security situation, recent developments in the Middle East and the importance of maintaining peace and stability. During the conversation, the prime minister strongly condemned the recent Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. He described the attacks as unacceptable and said they were a clear violation of international law. He added that such actions pose a serious threat to international maritime security, commercial shipping and the free movement of global trade. Shehbaz Sharif said attacks targeting commercial vessels not only endanger regional stability but also threaten the global economy by disrupting vital shipping routes. He stressed that the international community must work together to ensure the safety of maritime trade and prevent further escalation in the region. The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s complete solidarity with Saudi Arabia. He said he, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the people of Pakistan stand firmly with the Saudi leadership and the brotherly people of the Kingdom during this challenging period. He emphasized that Pakistan fully supports Saudi Arabia’s efforts to safeguard its security and territorial integrity. Shehbaz Sharif also reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, independence and prosperity of Saudi Arabia. He said the deep-rooted relationship between Islamabad and Riyadh is based on shared faith, mutual respect and decades of close cooperation in political, economic and security matters. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman thanked Pakistan for its consistent support and appreciated the strong brotherly ties between the two countries. He acknowledged Pakistan’s continued commitment to regional peace and stability. The prime minister conveyed his best wishes to King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and expressed hope for his continued good health and well-being. Shehbaz Sharif also stressed that Pakistan would continue cooperating with Saudi Arabia and the international community to promote peace, security and stability across the Middle East. He emphasized the importance of ensuring uninterrupted maritime traffic through the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, saying these waterways are critical for global trade, energy supplies and international economic stability.