Mir Raza commission warns businessman over media interviews

The judicial commission probing the Mir Raza Ali murder case warned businessman Ahmed on Monday over his media interviews, terming them an apparent attempt to undermine the commission’s proceedings, while the doctor who conducted the first post-mortem stood by his findings that the bullet entered the body from the front and exited through the back. The commission issued its written order for Monday’s proceedings, stating that the statements of Umer Khan, Ali Shaz, Kazim Hussain, Ahmed Hassan Sheikh and Health Services Director General Pervez Ahmed Sheikh were recorded. DG Sheikh also submitted documents relating to the formation and replacement of the medical board. According to the order, Ahmed was allowed to answer questions raised by Mir Raza’s family and provide relevant information. However, he could not provide anything beyond the statements he had already made before the commission. The commission observed that Ahmed’s social media interviews apparently appeared aimed at undermining its proceedings and warned him against such conduct in future. It also noted that he had failed to use an opportunity to provide information through an affidavit. During the proceedings, a lawyer who had taken a journalist’s mobile phone apologised, which was accepted by the journalist. Read More: Mir Raza commission summons first IO Mir Raza’s fiancée also contacted the commission and informed it about the confiscation of the mobile phone and the alleged transfer of data by the investigating officer. The commission said it would question DSP Siraj Lashari when his statement is recorded. Dr Usama also appeared before the commission and later spoke to the media. “I stand by my first post-mortem report,” he said, adding that the bullet had entered from the front and exited through the back. Dr Usama said he personally conducted the post-mortem on July 29 and that no other person had performed the examination. He said he had not known Mir Raza and had shared his findings with Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed, adding that he had acted on her instructions. He said the physical copy of the report was submitted on August 3 and had been prepared to the best of his professional ability based on his findings from July 29. Dr Usama also clarified that he did not intend to declare Mir Raza’s death a suicide, saying he wanted to explain his position regarding the bullet wound to the chest. Regarding his observations about hydrochloric acid and decomposition, he said acid could cause certain changes to a body, including reddening of the face, while decomposition could appear differently on different parts of the body. He said he had informed Dr Summaiya about the matter at around 5 pm and maintained that if acid had been used, its effects would not necessarily have appeared uniformly across the entire body. However, the commission observed that Dr Usama’s further statement appeared aimed at levelling allegations against Dr Summaiya and the Sindh chief minister. It said the commission should not become a forum for allegations and that it had sufficient information to establish the facts of the case and determine whether any negligence had occurred. Dr Usama said he had brought all his July 29 findings before the commission and remained satisfied with his original report. He added that doctors generally had 24 hours to submit a post-mortem report and that he had not anticipated the matter would become such a major controversy. He said photographs taken during the autopsy were kept for his professional record, adding that Dr Summaiya was the signing authority for the first report. “My family has been worried since the first day,” he said, adding that his clinic had also remained closed for a month. The commission has issued notices to ASP Nida, Asif, Abid, Faizur Rehman and Sarim to appear during proceedings scheduled for September 22.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/6bDs5Rt

Leh erosion puts homes, shops at risk

Although the flood surge in Nullah Leh following nearly 200mm of rain on September 1 has receded, its destructive aftermath continues, with widespread soil erosion and landslides threatening homes, shops, roads, bridges and passageways along a roughly 15-kilometre stretch from New Katarian to Gulistan Colony. The situation is particularly alarming near Ganj Mandi, where severe landsliding has put 10 shops and three houses at risk of collapse. The district administration has declared the affected area dangerous and sealed it to prevent movement. A bridge connecting Ratta with Dhoke Ratta has also been closed as a precaution. The torrential rain on September 1 caused a powerful flood surge in Nullah Leh, severely eroding its banks at several points. Even after the water receded, soil erosion and landsliding have continued. Along the stretch from New Katarian to Gulistan Colony, the ground is giving way at several locations, while roads and pathways have been washed away. In some areas, residential and commercial buildings have been left dangerously close to the nullah. The situation near Ganj Mandi is especially serious, where a large section of land along the nullah has collapsed. Continued erosion has placed 10 shops and three houses in danger, prompting the administration to restrict movement in the affected area. In Sagri Mohalla, erosion has washed away a passage in front of residential houses, causing severe difficulties for residents. An unpaved route leading from Ratta Road towards Ganj Mandi has also been swept away by floodwaters. Local residents have blamed illegal dumping of construction waste along Nullah Leh for aggravating the destruction. They said bricks, gravel, construction debris and household solid waste had been dumped along the nullah and its banks throughout the year using tractor-trolleys. The accumulation of waste obstructed the natural flow of water at several points, residents said, while changes in the direction of floodwaters during the deluge intensified erosion along the banks. According to residents, some settlements were around 50 yards from Nullah Leh before September 1, but severe erosion has reduced the distance to roughly 10 metres at several locations. Residents fear that further rainfall or another flood surge could put homes and commercial buildings directly in danger. They have demanded immediate construction of concrete retaining walls and reinforced embankments at vulnerable points, as well as strict legal action against those dumping construction waste and the tractor-trolley owners involved. Meanwhile, the embankments of the Gowalmandi Bridge were also damaged by the September 1 flood. The powerful flow of water battered the bridge and its approaches, weakening parts of the structure. The administration has since begun repair work on the damaged embankments. The bridge connecting Ratta with Dhoke Ratta has also been closed as a safety measure to prevent any major accident caused by weakened sections. Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Captain (retd) Nadeem Nasir said the issue of modernising and improving Rawalpindi's drainage system had been included in the Punjab Development Project.

from Punjab News Updates and Insights - The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/TMq4932

CTD registers terror case over deadly Kohat Police Lines attack

A case has been registered with the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police station over the suicide attack on the old Police Lines in Kohat, police said. The FIR was registered on the complaint of the Station House Officer (SHO) of City Police Station Kohat against unidentified terrorists. The case includes charges related to terrorism, murder, attempted murder and other offences. On Friday, at least 21 people, including 15 police officials, were martyred when an explosives-laden vehicle detonated near a mosque in Kohat Police Lines, followed by terrorists storming the compound and attacking police facilities. Read More: Kohat Police Lines blast death toll rises to 23 as clearance operation concludes According to the FIR, militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan faction, identified in the report as Fitna al-Khawarij, carried out a suicide attack at the Police Lines mosque using an explosives-laden vehicle. The attackers subsequently opened indiscriminate fire and hurled hand grenades. The FIR stated that the militants used the mosque route as an entry point and forced their way into the Police Lines while firing. Police personnel and civilians suffered casualties during the attack. Police personnel confronted the attackers and engaged them in a gun battle. Officers from the army, police and CTD also reached the scene and took charge of the operation. According to the FIR, the suicide blast, gunfire and grenade attacks left 21 people martyred, while a large number of others were injured. Government and private property was also damaged in the attack. Police said further investigations were under way and efforts were being made to identify and arrest the unidentified terrorists involved in the attack as well as their facilitators.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/MgA8FXQ

A devoted father: human stories behind Kohat attack

The family of SP Akbar Muhammad Shinwari, who was among those martyred in the Kohat Old Police Lines suicide attack and rampage, has been receiving a steady stream of mourners at their home in Hathian village, Mardan, BBC Urdu reported on Saturday. According to his nephew Tufail Akbar, Shinwari spent much of his police career serving in areas including Dir, Bajaur and Swat during periods of intense militancy, taking part in several major and dangerous operations. "He was very brave. He received threats too, but rarely spoke about them," Tufail told BBC Urdu. The officer had been particularly devastated by the death of his younger brother, Motorway Police Sub-Inspector Javed Akbar, who was killed after being struck by a dumper truck on July 15. Shinwari had repeatedly lamented his brother's death, saying: "Why did Javed leave me? It would have been better if I had gone instead." Two months later, Shinwari himself was killed in the Kohat terror attack. Tufail said Shinwari had two sons and two daughters, with his youngest daughter only six months old. He said the officer had been particularly delighted at her birth and considered her "the apple of his eye". Despite holding the rank of SP, Shinwari was regarded by people in his native area as a friend and someone they could turn to for help, Tufail said. "Whenever people had a problem involving a hospital, doctor or government department, they would come to him," he said, adding that Shinwari generally returned home only on weekends. The terror attack also claimed the lives of Muhammad Luqman and two young children, including his four-and-a-half-year-old son Abdullah, according to BBC Urdu. Luqman's brother-in-law Muhammad Tanveer told BBC Urdu that he had been at work in Kohat when his sister called in distress, asking about her husband and children. Tanveer repeatedly tried calling Luqman but received no response. Soon afterwards, he learned about the blast and rushed to hospital. When he arrived, he found Luqman's body. The bodies of two children were also brought to the hospital shortly afterwards. The second child, Asad, aged around three-and-a-half, was Luqman's nephew, Tanveer said. Luqman, 37, worked as a laboratory technician and was also a volunteer with the Alkhidmat Foundation. He was involved in arranging blood for people in need and served as the organisation's district blood-donation president, according to his family. His friend Muhammad Maskeen, who was also injured in the blast, told BBC Urdu that Luqman had picked up his children from school and stopped to offer Friday prayers. Maskeen said he had spoken to Luqman before the prayers and suggested that they meet afterwards to buy something for the children to eat and have tea together. "I went to pray, and I was in the middle of the mosque when the explosion suddenly occurred," Maskeen said. He suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital. He later saw Luqman's body being brought to the hospital, followed by the bodies of his children. Luqman's family described him as deeply committed to his children's education.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/0r46qZW

23 abductees rescued, 5 terrorists killed as security forces thwart attempt to set up check post near Kalat

Security forces foiled an attempt by terrorists to establish a check post for abducting people and snatching vehicles along the Pakistan Highway near Kalat, rescuing 23 abductees and killing five terrorists, the military’s media wing said on Sunday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation was conducted during the night of Sept 18-19, when terrorists belonging to Fitna al Hindustan attempted to disrupt the movement of people along the Chaman-Karachi N-25 highway near Kalat. The terrorists were allegedly trying to establish a check post for abductions for ransom, extortion and vehicle snatching, the statement said. Read: Security forces kill seven terrorists in two Balochistan operations: state media “Security Forces responded immediately, and after intense fire exchange, five terrorists belonging to Indian-sponsored proxy of Fitna al-Hindustan were sent to hell due to effective response by Armed Forces,” the ISPR said. The federal government last year officially designated all terrorist groups operating in Balochistan as Fitna al-Hindustan, accusing India of sponsoring a proxy war through the outfits. Security forces also recovered 23 abductees from the terrorists’ hideout, along with six trucks, three buses and two cars. A large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives was also recovered from the hideout, according to the statement. The ISPR said the successful operation had thwarted the “nefarious designs” of the Indian-sponsored proxy of Fitna al-Hindustan. “Sanitisation operations are continuing in the surrounding areas to eliminate any remaining terrorists and ensure the safety and security of the local population and the vital National Highways,” it said. The military’s media wing said the counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam”, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue “with full resolve”. Read More: Security forces kill three terrorists during IBO in Balochistan's Awaran: state media “Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies remain committed to eliminating the menace of foreign-sponsored and foreign-supported terrorism from the country,” the statement said. Terrorism is a growing problem for Pakistan, with the number of attacks rising every year since 2022, according to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), a global monitoring organisation. Data from ACLED shows attacks in Pakistan rose nearly fourfold to 2,425 in 2025 from 658 in 2022. Although Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has borne the brunt of terrorism, Balochistan has also remained a major target of Indian proxies, which often target civilians and military installations in the province. In one such attack on the last day of 2025, terrorists targeted innocent civilians in Balochistan’s Gwadar and Kharan districts, where 18 people, including women, children, the elderly and labourers, embraced martyrdom. On August 21, security forces, in coordination with police, killed 49 terrorists in a series of IBOs across K-P and Balochistan over several days. Earlier this week, security forces killed seven terrorists in Balochistan; six more were killed near Kalat. A few days ago, security forces killed three terrorists during an IBO in the Badrang area of Awaran district, according to security sources. The operation was conducted under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3 against terrorists affiliated with Fitna al-Hindustan, with weapons and ammunition recovered from those killed.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/Nx5wYvu

Twin cities admins on toes as four long marches loom

Four separate calls for long marches within seven days, from Sunday, September 20-27, have put the government, administration and police in a difficult situation, with authorities deciding to close all educational institutions, colleges and universities, hotels, motels, rest houses and inns in Rawalpindi from next week. Lights and mobile internet services will be shut down during the long marches, while all 1,500 cameras installed under the Safe City project in Rawalpindi have been activated to monitor protesters. Transport and goods transport terminals will also remain completely closed, while Metro Bus and Green Electric Bus services will remain suspended. Read: CM Afridi meets opposition leaders as PTI readies for Sept 27 protest Markets and wholesale markets across the city will also be closed. Large spiked containers, fitted with eight-inch spikes, have started being installed at entry points of the twin cities, including Faizabad, Chungi No. 26, Rawat, Chakri, Adiala Road, Pirwadhai, Bharakahu and 17-Mile, with entry routes being sealed. Monitoring will also be carried out through drones. Emergency has been imposed at all hospitals in the twin cities, and leave of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff has been cancelled. Fresh contingents of Rangers and Punjab Constabulary have been called in. Thousands of rubber bullets and tear-gas shells have been supplied to Rawalpindi and Islamabad police. Attock police have been provided heavy Rangers contingents, armoured vehicles, prison vans, heavy weapons and personnel, who will assume duties on Wednesday and Thursday. The central long march coming from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be stopped at all costs, officials said. Edhi centres have also been put on alert. From next week, accused persons lodged in Adiala Jail will not be produced before courts in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, while jail staff have been assigned security duties in the city. A show of force by law-enforcement agencies will also begin from Monday. Also Read: JI weighs two plans for Islamabad march against petroleum levy The Jamaat-e-Islami long march will start from Karachi on Sunday, Sept 20, while caravans from all six districts of Rawalpindi division will also start reaching Liaquat Bagh from Sunday. Jamaat-i-Islami emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman will leave Karachi for Rawalpindi by train on Sunday, with his train march scheduled to reach Rawalpindi on Tuesday, Sept 22. Daily protest sit-ins will continue in Rawalpindi until his arrival. Due to road closures and the large number of spiked containers being installed at different places, all business, commercial and social activities in Rawalpindi will remain paralysed from Monday, Sept 21 to Sept 27. Anjuman-e-Tajiran Sabzi Mandi Sadr president Ghulam Qadir Mir and All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association president Irfan Muzaffar Kiyani strongly condemned repeated strikes, long marches, road closures, the installation of containers and the closure of schools and colleges. They called for political dialogue with all political parties, particularly Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, to reduce political uncertainty and save the country’s economy, saying the use of force and long marches were not a solution to any problem.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/hd9tzNr

ECP sets Nov 8 for by-polls at NA-77 Gujranwala

The ECP on Friday issued the schedule for the by-election in NA-77 Gujranwala-I, with polling scheduled for November 8 following the death of PML-N MNA Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk. The National Assembly had identified Virk as the member representing NA-77, and the assembly confirmed his death earlier this month. According to the schedule, nomination papers will be filed from September 28 to 30, while scrutiny of the candidates' nomination papers will be conducted on Oct 5. Election symbols will be allotted to the candidates on Oct 19, paving the way for polling on Nov 8.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/6fwPl7y