Pakistan’s action in Afghanistan rooted in right to self-defence: President Zardari

President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday described Pakistan’s recent strikes in Afghanistan as an inherent right to defend its people against terrorism emanating from across its borders, while warning that if bloodshed continues inside Pakistan, those responsible will not remain beyond reach. The statement came after Pakistan carried out intelligence-based strikes on seven terrorist camps along the border with Afghanistan following a series of attacks and suicide bombings. In a statement issued by the presidency, Zardari said that Pakistan’s recent actions were rooted in its inherent right to defend its people against terrorism emanating from across its borders and followed repeated warnings that went unheeded. President Asif Ali Zardari says Pakistan’s recent actions reflect its right to defend its people against cross-border terrorism. Citing the latest UNSC report, he warns that those responsible for bloodshed inside Pakistan will not remain beyond reach. — The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) February 22, 2026 Referring to his statement from February 8, the president recalled that Pakistan had cautioned the international community that “when terrorist groups are allowed space, facilitation or impunity beyond national borders, the consequences are borne by innocent civilians all over the world.” He had also stated that Pakistan takes strong exception to the situation in Afghanistan where the Taliban regime has created conditions similar to or worse than pre-9/11. Calling the actions of Kabul’s de facto authorities a matter of deep concern, he said the regime, which is not recognised by the United Nations, had continued to permit terrorist elements to operate from Afghan soil in violation of its commitments under the Doha Accord, wherein it pledged that Afghan territory would not be used against any country. President Zardari noted that the most recent report of the United Nations Security Council Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team had reinforced Pakistan’s long-standing position. The report stated: “A wide range of Member States consistently report that ISIL-K, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Qaida, the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, also known as the Turkistan Islamic Party (ETIM/TIP), Jamaat Ansarullah, Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan, and others are present in Afghanistan. Some groups have used or are continuing to use Afghanistan to plan and prepare external attacks.” He observed that this assessment by the United Nations made clear that the presence and activities of these organisations posed serious threats to neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, and said it was regrettable that despite clear warnings and repeated engagement, the Afghan authorities failed to take credible and verifiable action against these elements. Also Read: Lieutenant colonel, sepoy martyred, five terrorists killed in Bannu attack The president further said Pakistan exercised restraint for a considerable period and confined its response to terrorist hideouts located near the border areas. However, he warned that Pakistan is fully aware of where the planners, facilitators and patrons of violence are based. If bloodshed continues inside Pakistan, those responsible will not remain beyond reach, he maintained. The president reaffirmed that Pakistan seeks peace, stability and cooperative relations with all its neighbours. He said that peace cannot rest on denial, duplicity or inaction against terrorism. The protection of Pakistani lives remains paramount and non-negotiable, he added. Pakistan has long accused the Afghan Taliban of providing sanctuary to the TTP leaders and fighters, who regrouped across the border after Pakistan's military operations in the former tribal areas. While the Taliban have publicly denied giving the group a free hand, Islamabad insists that the TTP safe havens in Afghanistan remain intact. Tensions worsened last year after a string of deadly attacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which Pakistan directly linked to militants operating from Afghanistan. In August last year, Afghan officials claimed that two drone strikes had hit the house of a man in Shinwar district, Nangarhar province. The Afghan government had summoned Pakistan’s Ambassador in Kabul to lodge a formal protest against what it had claimed were Pakistani military strikes in Nangarhar and Khost provinces. In November, the Afghan Taliban regime again accused Pakistan of launching air strikes. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that Pakistan had "bombed" Afghanistan's Khost province and carried out air strikes in Kunar and Paktika. In response, Pakistan vehemently dismissed Kabul's allegations, insisting that Islamabad neither carried out covert cross-border operations nor targeted civilians. The same month, ISPR Director-General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry issued a warning that the Afghan regime was a threat not just to Pakistan but to the entire region and the world, citing the abandonment of $7.2 billion worth of American military equipment during the US withdrawal. Also Read: Terrorist commander, accomplice killed in exchange of fire with CTD Bannu Lt Gen Chaudhry reiterated that the Afghan regime was harbouring “Non-State Actors” who posed a threat to various countries in the region, noting the Taliban’s failure to establish an inclusive state and government post-2021. He stressed that Pakistan's issue was with the Afghan Taliban regime, not the Afghan people. Most recently, after terrorist attacks in Balochistan, Naqvi once again blamed India for a coordinated terror campaign in the province. “These were not ordinary terrorists. India is behind these attacks. I can tell you for certain that India planned these attacks along with these terrorists,” he said. He added that authorities would pursue every individual involved, as well as those directing them from behind the scenes. He further stated that India was the “main country” behind terrorism, saying it not only provides financial support to terrorists but also assists them in planning and strategising. In 2023, a UN report also revealed that the TTP had established a new base in K-P in mid-2023. The report shed light on close ties not only between the TTP and the Afghan Taliban but also with anti-Pakistani groups and al Qaeda. The report further revealed that some Taliban members had also joined the TTP, perceiving it as a religious obligation to provide support. Interlocutors reported that TTP members and their families received regular aid packages from the Taliban. Importantly, the UN report noted a significant increase in Afghan nationals in the TTP ranks. This supported Pakistan’s stance that a growing number of Afghan nationals were involved in suicide attacks in the country. More recently, a UNSC report said that attacks on Pakistan by the TTP from Afghanistan have increased, endorsing Islamabad's long-running complaints about militant sanctuaries across the border. The 37th report by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team not only endorsed Islamabad's stance that Afghanistan had become a sanctuary for militants who used its territory to launch attacks on Pakistan, but also came at a time when the country is facing a renewed spate of violence.

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Govt to produce web series on Jinnah and Iqbal for 150th anniversaries

The federal government on Saturday announced plans to produce two historical web series on the life and services of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and philosopher-poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal to mark their 150th birth anniversaries. The decision was taken at a high-level consultative meeting chaired by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, which brought together leading media houses, producers, directors, and prominent figures from the creative sector. Speaking at the meeting, Iqbal said the 150th anniversary celebrations of Quaid-e-Azam and Iqbal would go beyond formal ceremonies, serving instead as a milestone in national renewal and intellectual revival. A consultative meeting chaired by Minister for Planning @betterpakistan in Islamabad deliberated on development of two landmark historical web series on Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal@PlanComPakistan #RadioPakistan #news https://t.co/oCqbF5YGDU pic.twitter.com/DHpJ1qL71k — Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) February 21, 2026 He emphasised that purposeful storytelling was a powerful tool for nation-building and that connecting the younger generation with Pakistan’s ideological journey, constitutional struggle and national values was an urgent need of the hour. Iqbal added that Quaid-e-Azam’s constitutional struggle and Iqbal’s intellectual vision would be incorporated into a global narrative to familiarise the world with Pakistan’s ideological heritage and intellectual depth. “Historical dramas can serve as an effective tool of soft power and cultural diplomacy,” he said, highlighting the government’s intention to foster partnerships with the creative industry to strengthen Pakistan’s positive image internationally. The minister announced that the government would provide up to Rs500 million in seed funding for the two productions. In addition, workshops for writers and producers would be organised to ensure historical accuracy, authenticity and intellectual rigour. آج ملک کے ممتاز میڈیا ہاؤسز اور نمایاں پروڈیوسرز کے ساتھ ایک بھرپور اور نتیجہ خیز ملاقات منعقد ہوئی جس میں Muhammad Ali Jinnah اور Allama Muhammad Iqbal کی 150ویں یومِ پیدائش کی مناسبت سے ایک تاریخی ڈرامہ سیریز پر تفصیلی تبادلۂ خیال کیا گیا۔ میں نے اس بات پر زور دیا کہ کہانی… pic.twitter.com/kyweT976jh — Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) February 21, 2026 “Research-based, internationally standard historical productions will be created, aligning our national heritage with the demands of the digital age,” he said. The meeting also discussed a strategic framework to ensure effective representation of Pakistani historical content in global markets and considered the establishment of domestic OTT platforms to showcase the two web series. Iqbal noted that the thoughts and vision of national heroes would be presented to the youth in an inspiring and accessible manner through drama and digital media. He expressed the government’s commitment that the anniversary celebrations would serve as a launchpad for national reconstruction and intellectual revival, ensuring that Pakistan’s ideological heritage is effectively highlighted on the global stage.

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Mufti Muneeb announces Zakat al-Fitr, Fidya rates for Ramazan

Renowned religious scholar Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman announced the minimum amounts for Zakat al-Fitr (almsgiving), Fidya (compensation for missed fasting) and Kaffara (penalty) for fasting on Saturday. According to his statement, the minimum amount for Zakat al-Fitr and Fidya has been set at Rs300 per person, while those with financial means have been encouraged to pay according to their capacity. He said the minimum rates for Zakat al-Fitr and Fidya vary depending on the food item. For two kilogrammes of stone-ground wheat flour, the amount is Rs300; for 4kg of barley, it is Rs1,160; for 4kg of dates, Rs2,800; and for 4kg of premium raisins, Rs7,200. Read: Poverty rate hits 29%, highest in over a decade Regarding Kaffara, which is the expiation for deliberately breaking a fast, he explained that it requires feeding 60 needy people two meals each. The minimum cost for this ranges from Rs18,000 for wheat flour, Rs69,600 for barley and Rs168,000 for dates, while the amount for raisins varies depending on market prices and quality. He emphasised that these amounts represent minimum thresholds and were provided to guide those with greater financial means to give according to their capacity, citing the Quranic injunction: “And whoever voluntarily gives more — it is better for him.” He further clarified that Fidya is intended for chronic patients or extremely elderly individuals who are unable to fast and show no signs of recovery, while temporary patients or travellers who miss fasting due to illness or travel must make up their fasts later, as Fidya does not replace these missed fasts. He also said that if a person breaks a fast without a valid reason, Kaffara applies, which entails fasting for 60 consecutive days in addition to making up the missed fast, or paying financial Kaffara if fasting is not possible. He noted that market prices for the listed items fluctuate and quality variations may affect the exact amounts. What is Fidya? Fidya is a form of charity for Muslims who are unable to fast due to reasons such as illness, old age, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or any other condition that permanently prevents them from fasting. Instead of making up for missed fasts, these individuals can pay Fidya to feed a poor person for each missed fast. The concept of Fidya is outlined in the Holy Quran. When to Pay Fidya Fidya can be paid in the form of food or money, depending on personal circumstances and available resources. It can be paid before or during Ramadan, but is preferably given before Eidul Fitr, marking the end of the fasting month. Fidya can be paid online through various Islamic charitable websites or offline via local mosques or Islamic organisations. Who Should Pay Fitrana? Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory for all Muslims, whether or not they are required to pay regular zakat. If a person is liable for zakat or possesses wealth in excess of essential needs (such as home, clothing, and household goods) that equals or exceeds the Nisab threshold, they must pay Zakat al-Fitr. This applies regardless of whether the wealth is from trade goods or personal assets, and regardless of whether a full year has passed. Those who meet these criteria are required to fulfil this duty. When to Pay Fitrana Zakat al-Fitr is specifically tied to the morning of Eidul Fitr, starting at dawn, when Fajr prayer time begins. Ideally, Fitrana should be paid before the Eid prayer on the morning of Eid.

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LHC forms bench to hear Punjab property law pleas

The chief justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC) has constituted a full bench to hear petitions challenging the Punjab Property Ownership Law. The three-member bench — headed by Chief Justice Aalia Neelum and comprising Justice Muhammad Jawad Zafar and Justice Abher Gul Khan—will begin hearing the petitions against the  Property Ownership Law from February 23. On Dec 22, the LHC issued an interim order, suspending the operation of the newly enacted Punjab Protection of Ownership of Immovable Property Ordinance, 2025, which empowered deputy commissioner-led committees to decide property disputes.

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Imran to be taken to hospital on Feb 25 for 2nd eye injection: Tariq Fazal Chaudhry

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on Friday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan would be transferred to a hospital on February 25 for medical treatment, clarifying that the hospitalisation would be limited solely to administering his second injection to treat his eye. Speaking to the media in Islamabad on Friday, Chaudhry said that Imran, 73, received his first injection on January 25, with two further injections still pending. “Regarding the matter of his eye, on January 25 he was given one injection, two more are still to be administered. For that, the proposed date for the injection is February 25, and one month later he will be given the third injection at the best available facility in Pindi and Islamabad,” he said. When asked if the former prime minister would be moved to the hospital for the injections, Chaudhry responded in the affirmative, adding that the injections could only be administered in a hospital equipped with tertiary care facilities. He emphasised that Imran’s hospitalisation would be limited to this purpose. Read More: Naqvi criticises 'politicisation' of Imran Khan’s health, accuses opposition of 'playing politics' The former premier has been incarcerated since August 2023 following convictions he and the PTI described as politically motivated. Since his ouster through a no-confidence vote in 2022, he has faced multiple legal cases, including those related to state gifts and an alleged unlawful marriage. Some convictions have been suspended or overturned, with appeals pending. The former prime minister denies any wrongdoing. Last month, reports emerged that PTI founder had developed an infection in his right eye, prompting the government to transfer him from Adiala jail to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for assessment. Initially denied by authorities, the treatment was later confirmed, with a PIMS hospital report stating that the former prime minister had reported reduced vision in his right eye. After thorough assessment, a diagnosis of right central retinal vein occlusion was made, and hospital-based follow-up treatment was recommended. PTI rejected the official reports, demanding a meeting with their leader and submitting a memo to the chief justice of Pakistan, seeking immediate access for Imran’s family and personal physicians. Amid growing concerns over the deterioration of Imran’s eyesight in custody, the Supreme Court took up the matter following a report submitted by the former prime minister’s lawyer, Salman Safdar. Acting as amicus curiae, Safdar reported that Imran had lost 85% of vision in his right eye and expressed dissatisfaction with the medical facilities available at Adiala Jail. The report noted that the former prime minister had requested urgent access to specialist doctors. Also Read: Imran 'extremely happy' after phone call with sons The Supreme Court ordered that Imran be given access to an eye specialist and allowed to communicate with his sons in the United Kingdom. The government maintained that there had been no negligence in the examination and treatment of Imran’s eye condition and affirmed that medical care would be provided as per official orders. Following these developments, a medical board examined former prime minister and reported improvement in his eyesight, recommending no hospital transfer. The PTI, however, rejected the board’s findings and reiterated demands for immediate treatment at Islamabad’s Shifa hospital under supervision of the former prime minister’s personal physicians.

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Punjab issues warning against providing financial aid to proscribed outfits

The Punjab Home Department on Friday issued a list of proscribed organisations and unregistered charitable institutions, warning citizens that providing any kind of financial assistance to banned outfits was a punishable offence under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. According to a statement from the Punjab Home Department spokesperson, citizens were urged not to give Zakat, charity or donations to unregistered and proscribed organisations, as aiding entities involved in terrorism and anti-state activities would invite strict legal action. He stressed that all charitable organisations operating in Punjab must be registered with the Punjab Charity Commission (PCC). The spokesperson advised the public to ensure that their donations reached deserving beneficiaries instead of falling into the hands of banned groups, adding that registered organisations could be verified through the QR code printed on their certificates. ترجمان محکمہ داخلہ پنجاب لاہور 20 فروری: محکمہ داخلہ پنجاب نے کالعدم تنظیموں اور غیر رجسٹرڈ خیراتی اداروں کی فہرست جاری کر دی انسدادِ دہشت گردی ایکٹ 1997کے تحت کالعدم تنظیموں کو کسی قسم کی معاونت فراہم کرنا جرم ہے شہری غیر رجسٹرڈ اور کالعدم خیراتی اداروں کو زکوٰۃ، خیرات اور… pic.twitter.com/wnuWIWgPsY — Home Department Punjab (@homedptpunjab) February 20, 2026 Citizens were also encouraged to donate only to institutions duly registered with the PCC. He said the list of proscribed organisations included Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Sipah-i-Muhammad Pakistan, Jaish-e-Muhammad, Al-Rehmat Trust, Al-Furqan Trust, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, Tehreek-e-Jafaria Pakistan, Tahrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammad, Al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Balochistan Liberation Army, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Islamic State, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and several other banned entities and affiliated trusts. The spokesperson added that the complete list of proscribed organisations was also available on the websites of the Punjab Home Department and NACTA. He urged citizens to report fraud, terrorism-related or anti-state activities of any organisation to the department. He further said that information regarding fundraising by banned outfits could be reported on toll-free number 0800-11111 or helpline 042-99213871, while verification of registered charities could be obtained round the clock through the Punjab Charity Commission’s WhatsApp number 0313-4995564.

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NCCIA issued notices in Imaan, husband appeals

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday issued notices on the appeals against the conviction of Advocate Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha in the controversial tweets case. The court also served notices to respondents on the pleas seeking suspension of the sentence of both and sought their response. Justice Muhammad Asif heard the appeals against the conviction of the two accused. Faisal Siddiqui, Zainab Janjua and others appeared on behalf of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha. The petitioner's lawyer said that the next hearing should be scheduled soon.

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