Hostage crew’s video surfaces after 26 days in Somali pirate captivity

A video showing 10 crew members of an Indonesian-flagged vessel held hostage by Somali pirates surfaced on Friday, sparking concern among their families and the public. In the footage, one of the abducted crew members, Second Officer Hussain Yousuf, is seen appealing to the government for urgent assistance to secure the release of all hostages. He is flanked by fellow Pakistani crew members as well as Indonesian colleagues, while armed pirates are visible in the background. Speaking in the video, Yousuf said 26 days had passed since the vessel was seized, adding that the crew remained unaware of any progress in negotiations for their release. Read More: HRCP expresses deep alarm over continued captivity of Pakistani crew by Somali pirates He described worsening conditions on board, saying food supplies had been exhausted and the pirates were providing only small portions of rice once every 24 hours. He added that the crew was being forced to drink contaminated water from the ship’s tank. صومالی بحری قزاقوں نے پاکستانیوں سمیت 17 یرغمالیوں کی نئی ویڈیو جاری کردی یرغمالی پاکستانی شہری یوسف حسین کی حکومت پاکستان سے اپیل یہ لوگ ابلے چاول اور ٹینک کا گندہ پانی پینے کے لیے دے رہے ہیں،بہت مشکل میں جلد سے جلد قزاقوں سے مزاکرات کریں ،ویڈیو میں بھاری اسلحے سے لیس قزاق بھی… pic.twitter.com/1IcDJ2jPCV — Shahid Hussain (@ShahidHussainJM) May 15, 2026 He urged the government and the shipping company to expedite negotiations to ensure their safe release. Meanwhile, families of the abducted Pakistani crew members are said to be in severe distress, making repeated appeals to authorities for the safe return of their loved ones. The children of the hostages expressed hope of celebrating the upcoming Eidul Azha with their fathers. The families have approached various government officials through the media and social platforms. Around two weeks ago, they met the Sindh governor in what was described as their first formal interaction with a government representative. The governor assured them of full cooperation and pledged to take up the matter with the federal government. Earlier, the families staged a symbolic protest at the Native Jetty Bridge, briefly blocking heavy port traffic to draw attention to their plight. They also warned of launching a hunger strike if their demands were not addressed promptly.

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President Zardari confers 47 military awards

President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday conferred 47 military awards upon distinguished officers and soldiers to recognise their exceptional bravery, leadership and meritorious services rendered for the defence of the country. The awards were conferred at the Investiture Ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr that was attended by First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, government dignitaries and families of the award recipients. Three personnel, including one officer and two jawans who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty, were posthumously awarded Sitara-i-Basalat for acts of gallantry and sacrifice. The recipients included Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Ali Shaukat Shaheed, Sepoy Soban Majeed Baloch Shaheed and Sepoy Israr Muhammad Shaheed. The president also conferred Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) upon 44 senior officers of the armed forces. The awards recognised their outstanding leadership and meritorious services. Among the recipients from Pakistan Air Force were Air Marshal Kashif Qamar, Air Marshal Amir Shahzad, Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Amir Hayat, Air Vice Marshal Shahid Mansoor Jehangiri, Air Vice Marshal Khalid Mehmood and Air Vice Marshal Tahir Mahmood. From the Pakistan Army, the awardees included Major General Muhammad Shahid Abro, Major General Malik Maqbool Raza, Major General Sibtain Rafique, Major General Ijaz Ahmad, Major General Malik Mohammad Shahzad, Major General Amer Ashfaq Kayani, Major General Qaiser Suleman, Major General Omer Naseem, Major General Luqman Hafeez, Major General Aamer Amin, Major General Syed Imran Arif, Major General Haroon Hameed Chaudhary, Major General Waseem Iftikhar Cheema, Major General Muhammad Hussain, Major General Shoaib Bin Akram, Major General Yasir Nawaz Janjua, Major General Kashif Khalil, Major General Syed Abbas Ali, Major General Ahmad Kamal, Major General Kashif Abdullah, Major General Rana Arfan Shakeel Ramay, Major General Muhammad Abbas, Major General Anjum Riaz, Major General Atique Ahmed, Major General Naveed Ahmed, Major General Sajid Amin, Major General Muhammad Intikhab Alam, Major General Muhammad Shahzad Khan, Major General Shahid Amir Afsar, Major General Nisar Ul Haq and Major General Jawad Riaz. The officers from Pakistan Navy who received Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) included Rear Admiral Mazhar Mahmood Malik, Director General Medical Services Rear Admiral Rizwan Sadiq, Rear Admiral Adnan Majeed, Rear Admiral Shahzad Hamid, Rear Admiral Azhar Mahmood, Rear Admiral Shahzad Iqbal and Rear Admiral Muhammad Khalid.

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Karachi’s Shahrah-e-Bhutto to be opened for public this month: Sharjeel Memon

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Thursday said that Shahrah-e-Bhutto, a highway linking Karachi with the M-9 Motorway, would be opened to the public this month, reducing travel time for citizens by nearly an hour. Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, Memon described the project as a “game changer”, saying it would significantly improve the city’s traffic and transport system. He also said that a new road was being constructed from Karachi Port to Taj Haider Bridge to further enhance connectivity. He said that several previously stalled development schemes had also been revived, adding that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and the local government department were jointly working on major infrastructure initiatives, including a modern Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. Read: CM sets Eid deadline for Shahrah-e-Bhutto completion Memon further disclosed that during President Asif Ali Zardari’s recent visit to China, a memorandum of understanding was signed for a desalination plant project under which a Chinese company would set up a facility to convert seawater into usable water. He said the project was expected to help address Karachi’s water shortage. He added that agreements in the livestock and agriculture sectors were also signed during the visit, describing them as major diplomatic and economic achievements. The minister said the Sindh government was also taking measures to provide relief to salaried individuals. Referring to anti-narcotics operations, he said a notorious drug dealer had been arrested, while officials found negligent during the operation had been suspended. Responding to questions about misinformation on social media, Memon expressed concern over the spread of fake news and propaganda, saying the purpose of the PECA law was to curb misinformation. Also Read: Shah inspects major road projects, orders acceleration of work On another question, he said no formal announcement regarding a possible 28th Constitutional Amendment had been made so far. Addressing concerns about the Public Service Commission, the minister said anyone with evidence of irregularities should approach the relevant forum, assuring that action would be taken on all legitimate complaints.

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Major, 4 soldiers martyred in sanitisation operation in Balochistan's Barkhan: ISPR

Major Tauseef Ahmed Bhatti and four other military personnel were martyred during an area sanitisation operation in Balochistan’s Barkhan district on Wednesday, the military’s media wing said. “On the morning of May 13, 2026, troops of Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps Balochistan commenced an area sanitisation operation at general area Nosham of Barkhan District to eliminate terrorists of Indian backed Fitna Al Hindustan,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. بلوچستان میں سیکیورٹی فورسز کی کامیاب کارروائی میں بھارتی پروردہ سات دہشت گر جہنم واصل، افسر سمیت پانچ بیٹے مادر وطن پر نثار pic.twitter.com/wT79J5xo6U — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) May 13, 2026 It said the troops located and engaged a group of terrorists. “During fire exchange seven terrorists of Indian backed Fitna Al Hindustan were sent to hell,” the ISPR added, further saying that weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from them. Read: 22 terrorists killed in intelligence-based operation in K-P, military says ‘Fitna al-Hindustan’ is a term used by the state to refer to all terrorist groups operating in Balochistan. The ISPR said that Major Bhatti, 31, a resident of Pakpattan district, was martyred, along with Naik Fida Hussain, 36, from Sukkur; Sepoy Zakir Hussain, 32, from Skardu; Sepoy Suhail Ahmed, 21, from Khanewal, and Sepoy Muhammad Ayaz, 24, from Rahim Yar Khan. بلوچستان میں مادر وطن پر میجر سمیت پانچ بیٹے نثار pic.twitter.com/LqgdO8AR6l — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) May 13, 2026 The military’s media wing said the sanitisation operation in the surrounding areas was continuing to eliminate any other “Indian-sponsored terrorists” present. “Relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision ‘Azm e Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the statement concluded. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to Major Bhatti and the four soldiers who were martyred during the operation. In a statement, the interior minister expressed sympathy and condolences to the families of the martyrs. Naqvi said Major Bhatti and the soldiers fought bravely and sent seven terrorists “to hell”. He said the security personnel had foiled the nefarious designs of “Indian-sponsored terrorists” through their sacrifice and courage. “I salute the sacrifice of Major Tauseef Ahmed Bhatti and the other martyrs,” the minister said, adding that every drop of the martyrs’ blood was a guarantee for the protection of the country. “Every martyr, including Major Tauseef Ahmed, is the crown of our heads,” he said. The interior minister said the martyrs sacrificed their precious lives for the homeland and attained the high status of martyrdom. “Major Tauseef Ahmed and the other martyrs will always remain alive in our hearts,” he added. شہداء کے خون کا ہر قطرہ مادر وطن کے تحفظ کی ضمانت ہے، وزیر داخلہ@MohsinnaqviC42 pic.twitter.com/uevjv5Z1o2 — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) May 13, 2026  

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Lahore sees heavy rain, hail amid heatwave

The weather of Lahore delivered a pleasant relief to its residents as heavy rain and hail brought down the temperature on Wednesday. Areas including Mall Road, Jail Road, and Gulberg experienced heavy downpour accompanied by gusty winds, turning the weather cool and pleasant. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) weather monitoring report issued at 3:30pm stated that Lahore City recorded 24 millimetres of rainfall during the past 24 hours, while Lahore Airport received 19mm. The minimum temperature in Lahore was expected to hover around 26 degrees Celsius. 🛑 لاہور میں تیز ہواؤں کے ساتھ بارش اور ژالہ باری ⚡⛈️ pic.twitter.com/Tc6Yz3PIoG — WeatherWalay (@weatherwalay) May 13, 2026 As per the PMD, the weather system responsible for the precipitation was relatively weak and the clouds were expected to disperse soon. PMD officials warned that hot weather was likely to persist after the current high-pressure system wanes. Meanwhile, on the instructions of the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) managing director, operational staff were directed to remain vigilant in the field to ensure the timely drainage of rainwater to prevent urban flooding in low-lying areas. PMD’s Punjab Weather Forecast On the PMD’s website, the department warned of mainly hot and dry weather to prevail over most districts of the province tonight. However, partly cloudy weather was likely in Murree, Galiyat, and the Pothohar region. Contrastingly, southern districts were expected to experience scattered “dust-raising winds/thunderstorm” in Bahawalpur, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Kot Addu, Narowal, Sialkot, Sheikhupura and the Lahore region. Read: PDMA issues heatwave alert for Punjab districts until May 11 For Thursday, the forecast was quite similar. Hot and dry weather would engulf the province during the day, apart from Bahawalpur, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Kot Addu, and DG Khan, which would reveal lighter temperatures due to expected precipitation/thunderstorm. Murree and Galiyat region would once again witness a partial cloud cover during the evening and night.

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Development funding cuts jeopardise country's health sector: report

Cuts in development assistance and funding pose a significant threat to the country's health sector and its functioning, according to a report by think tank Tabadlab. In a press release issued today, the think tank said its new report warns that "Pakistan's health system faces functional collapse in critical programmes as Official Development Assistance (ODA) withdraws — a crisis that cannot be solved by budget increases alone." The report, titled: "Beyond Dependence: Understanding the Impact of ODA Cuts on Pakistan’s Health System", was published last week and authored by the think tank’s Shahab Siddiqi, Behzad Taimur and Syeda Farwa Qamar Jaffri. The press release said it documented how recent donor reductions were disrupting specific system functions that domestic budgets only partially covered: commodity procurement, diagnostic capacity, supply chain management, and specialist staffing. It added that the report drew on interviews with dozens of development practitioners and public health officials across federal and provincial governments, alongside analysis of budget and ODA data.  "The evidence is already visible. USAID's suspension closed over 60 facilities, disrupting care for 1.7 million people. A $27.2m global fund reduction halved TB monitoring in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, cut diagnostic kit financing and placed treatment for tens of thousands of HIV-positive patients at risk. These disruptions will only intensify if the government does not develop effective transition plans as ODA continues to contract," the press release said. "This is a functional problem, not just a fiscal one," Siddiqi, Tabadlab’s director for human capital, was quoted as saying. "Pakistan's public budgets finance salaries and facilities. ODA finances vaccines, medicines, diagnostics, and supply chains. When ODA contracts, services retain staff but lose the operational core that makes programmes work," he said. The press release said the pressure was further compounded by Pakistan's "chronically low health investment" at just 0.9% of GDP, "far below" the World Health Organisation's recommended minimum of 5%. "In Pakistan, grant-based assistance has contracted by 59% since 2017, while OECD projections indicate a further 5.9% decline in global ODA for 2026, signalling a structural shift rather than a temporary disruption." The press release said the report proposed a structured transition framework with immediate priorities that include the establishment of a national health financing forum, developing a national ODA registry, and designing a risk matrix to classify functions by substitutability and criticality. "Medium-term actions focus on time-bound transition plans for TB, HIV-AIDS and immunisation programmes, regulatory reforms for flexible procurement and hiring, and raising public health spending towards 3% of GDP. "Long-term reforms centre on technical capacity enhancement and progressive integration of vertical programmes into primary care," the press release concluded.

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PM Shehbaz, Azerbaijan president reaffirm shared commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday reiterated their shared commitment to deepening cooperation across areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, energy, and people-to-people contacts. The prime minister held a telephone call with the president, and both leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral relations. I was pleased to speak with my dear brother, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, this evening. During our cordial exchange, we reaffirmed the deep fraternal bonds between Pakistan and Azerbaijan and our shared commitment to further strengthening cooperation in trade,… — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 12, 2026 During their conversation, the two leaders exchanged greetings and reaffirmed the strong fraternal bonds of friendship between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. The prime minister conveyed his best wishes to President Aliyev for the success of the upcoming World Urban Forum to be held in Baku next week. Read More: Kuwait to potentially explore strategic fuel storage opportunities in Pakistan He expressed confidence that the forum, under Azerbaijan’s stewardship, would serve as a valuable platform for advancing the global urban development agenda. He noted that pressing commitments would preclude his personal attendance at the event, but he had ensured that Pakistan would be well-represented at the forum. They also discussed regional developments of common concern, particularly the ongoing peace efforts in the Middle East. Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) called President Ilham Aliyev. During the telephone conversation the leaders reaffirmed the brotherly and strategic ties between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, welcoming the steady expansion of… pic.twitter.com/HXaesV0TVy — Ilham Aliyev (@presidentaz) May 12, 2026 President Aliyev expressed his deep appreciation for Pakistan’s initiatives to bring about a ceasefire between Iran and the US. "This was a clear reflection of the trust and confidence of the international community in Pakistan and its leadership," he added. The two leaders agreed to maintain close contact and looked forward to their in-person meeting later this year. The prime minister also reiterated his cordial invitation to President Aliyev to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience.

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