‘Every moment in Somali pirates’ captivity felt like years,’ says injured Pakistani sailor

After five and a half months in the hands of Somali pirates, the return home brought relief to the surviving crew of the Honour 25 — but could not erase memories of the night when they were forced onto the deck and caught in a deadly exchange of fire. The Palau-flagged MT Honour 25, carrying 18,500 barrels of oil and a 17-member crew, including 10 Pakistanis, was seized on April 21, around 30 nautical miles off Puntland while sailing from Oman to Somalia. Puntland’s Maritime Police Force said it rescued the tanker in an operation off Dharin-baar, but the pirates opened fire on the hostages, killing five people, including three Pakistanis, and injuring four others. For Pakistani sailor Ameen bin Shams, the horrific night remains etched in his memory: pirates herding the hostages onto the deck in freezing temperatures, Somali naval forces closing in and, eventually, bullets tearing through the vessel. Read: Aircraft carrying four injured crew members, remains of three MT Honour 25 sailors lands in Karachi “Every moment we spent in the captivity of Somali pirates felt like years. We lived in constant fear of death, never knowing when the pirates might kill us,” said the injured sailor. Shams said the nightmare they had feared eventually unfolded when Somali security forces launched an operation against another vessel anchored some distance from the Honour 25 and managed to free it. Following the development, the pirates aboard their vessel ordered the crew to start the ship’s engines and move forward. It was nighttime, and the Somali naval vessel was approximately 10 nautical miles away. “That night was nothing short of a nightmare. The pirates gathered all of us on the ship’s deck in freezing temperatures. We remained there throughout the night without proper clothing or footwear,” Shams said. At daybreak, the pirates allowed the crew to go below deck. However, just as they were preparing to rest, they were ordered back onto the deck. All crew members, except Imran and Hussain Yousuf, were tied to the deck railing. Imran later informed the Ansar Burney Trust by phone that he and Hussain Yousuf were inside the ship’s main engine room, while the remaining crew members had been taken back to the deck by the pirates. By then, the pursuing Somali naval vessel had closed the distance to just one nautical mile. Security personnel gave the pirates 30 minutes to surrender the vessel and release the hostages, but they refused to comply. Also Read: Bodies of Pakistanis killed in Somalia being repatriated, arrive in Addis Ababa: PMO According to Imran, gunfire suddenly erupted, with bullets penetrating the interior of the vessel. The intense exchange of fire continued for more than two hours. There were 41 pirates aboard the Honour 25. After spending five and a half months in captivity, the crew members had come to know most of the pirates by name, while the pirates also knew their names. Imran said a pirate identified as Arab panicked during the Somali forces’ operation and opened fire in the section of the vessel where the hostages had been tied up. The security forces soon gained control of the ship. Five pirates were killed in the operation, while 13 others were injured and arrested. All four injured Pakistani sailors who arrived in Karachi were shifted to Aga Khan Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment. Ameen’s wife, Ayesha, said her husband had sustained four bullet wounds and had been admitted to the hospital. Meanwhile, Muzammil, son of deceased crew member Mahmood Ansari, told the media at the airport that the families had repeatedly appealed for the safe recovery of the hostages, but the government had failed to listen. “What is the point of offering compensation now?” he questioned. The bodies of all three deceased crew members have been handed over to their families, who are making arrangements for their funerals. The oil tanker Honour 25, sailing under the Somali flag from Oman to Somalia, was hijacked by pirates on April 21. There were 17 crew members aboard, 10 of them Pakistani nationals. The families of the Pakistani hostages spent months seeking the safe release of their loved ones, staging peaceful protests and repeatedly approaching government authorities. During their captivity, the pirates initially demanded a ransom of $3 million, which was later reduced to $1.9 million and subsequently to $1 million. All the Pakistani crew members who were killed or injured were from different areas of Karachi. The pirates came under pressure during a rescue operation and, while retreating from the vessel, opened indiscriminate fire on the abducted crew before fleeing the ship. Five sailors were killed, including three Pakistanis — Second Officer Kashif Umar, Third Engineer Mahmood Ansari and Boiler Rafiullah. The other two deceased crew members were an Indian sailor, Tanveer, and the chief engineer from Myanmar. Four sailors were injured — Usman, Yasir, Ameen and Vicky from Indonesia — while Hussain Yousuf, Imran Ali and Yaseen remained safe. The two surviving Pakistani crew members later contacted the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust in Karachi using the ship captain’s mobile phone and provided details of the incident. Puntland police said the Honour 25 had 18,500 barrels of oil on board when it was hijacked. The police had been pursuing three hijacked vessels off the Somali coast and had also rescued another oil tanker, Sibu 1, on Friday. However, 28 of the 41 pirates arrested during that operation later escaped while being transferred to jail, with several Puntland security officials accusing local police of complicity.

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PTI says access to Imran Khan, K-P counterterrorism policy led to talks deadlock

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday expressed regret over the failure of negotiations between its joint team with Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP) and government representatives, urging the government to address the reasons for the deadlock and demonstrate its willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue. In a statement on X, the party said the negotiations concluded without substantive progress despite “serious efforts” to address political stability, restoration of democracy, supremacy of the Constitution and law, access to PTI founder Imran Khan, his health and medical treatment, and the worsening security situation in K-P and other parts of the country. PRESS RELEASE PTI Responds to Inconclusive Negotiations and Federal Ministers’ Press Conference Party Says Denial of Access to Chairman Imran Khan Remained Central Impediment; Calls for Consensus Based Counterterrorism Strategy and Immediate Attention to Khan’s Medical Care… — PTI (@PTIofficial) October 4, 2026 PTI said the principal point of deadlock was its demand for immediate access to Khan so that the party leadership could consult him on matters of national and political importance. It said its negotiating team had conveyed that other demands could be set aside if the government agreed to this single request. However, according to the party, the government declined to make access to Khan part of the proposed agreement. The party maintained that consultation with political leadership was an essential part of the democratic process, arguing that just as leaders of other political parties remained central to their parties’ policy and decision-making, PTI should also be able to consult its chairman on major political and national issues. “Restricting such consultation, particularly during a critical period for the country, inevitably limits the scope for meaningful political engagement,” it said. PTI further stated that the situation in K-P was another major issue discussed during the negotiations. According to the party, the government side sought the provincial government’s unconditional support for counterterrorism measures and operations undertaken by the federation and relevant authorities, as well as support for emergency measures within 72 hours in the merged districts and adjoining areas. PTI reiterated its “unequivocal condemnation” of terrorism and stressed that eliminating terrorism, protecting citizens and restoring lasting peace must remain a national priority. The party paid tribute to officers and personnel of the armed forces, police, security forces and other law-enforcement agencies who had sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism, while expressing solidarity with civilians and families affected by terrorist violence. It said the people of the province had paid an “extraordinary price” over the years through loss of life, destruction of property and businesses, prolonged insecurity and displacement. “Their concerns and experiences must therefore remain central to any future counterterrorism policy,” PTI said. Also Read: Naqvi blames K-P CM for talks ‘collapse’, warns Afridi will ‘be responsible’ if anyone dies during march The party maintained that terrorism could not be defeated through force alone or through unilateral measures that could expose civilians to further loss of life, property damage or displacement. “Past experience must inform future policy,” it said, adding that any effective strategy must combine firm action against terrorism with protection of civilian populations and sensitivity to local realities. PTI proposed that authorised representatives of the federal and K-P governments meet within 72 hours to develop a “clear, comprehensive and mutually agreed strategy” for peace and counterterrorism. It further proposed consultations with political parties represented in the K-P Assembly, elected representatives, tribal elders and other relevant stakeholders so that any policy could enjoy public confidence and be implemented effectively. The party also rejected attempts to characterise the position of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi as political obstinacy, arguing that had access to Khan been facilitated, the chief minister could have consulted the PTI chairman directly on security and counterterrorism policy, potentially helping bridge differences and create greater consensus. PTI said effective cooperation among the federal government, provincial government and relevant authorities was indispensable for national security. Such cooperation, however, must respect constitutional requirements, the role of the elected provincial government and the legitimate concerns of the people directly affected, it added. It further said the health and medical treatment of Khan was also raised as a matter of “fundamental importance”. The negotiating team sought immediate access to him, his transfer to Shifa International Hospital and the constitution of an appropriate medical board with the participation of his personal physician to ensure proper examination, diagnosis and treatment, according to the statement. Read More: Kundi, Naqvi slam K-P govt over counterterrorism role during talks PTI said the government had agreed only to restore meetings between Khan and his family members and lawyers from Tuesday, but had not agreed to additional measures concerning his medical assessment and treatment. The party welcomed the resumption of family and legal meetings but stressed that such access could not substitute for proper medical examination and necessary treatment. “Khan’s health must be addressed with seriousness, transparency and humanitarian consideration,” it said, adding that all medically necessary steps should be taken without delay. Responding to the subsequent press conference by federal ministers, PTI said the government should refrain from placing responsibility for the inconclusive negotiations entirely on the opposition and instead address the substantive issues that prevented progress. It called on the government to explain why immediate access to Khan was considered unacceptable, why the requested measures regarding his medical care were not accommodated, and why a broader consultative approach involving the provincial government, political representatives, tribal elders and other stakeholders was not accepted for developing a sustainable security strategy for K-P. PTI reiterated that it remained prepared to engage in political dialogue, constitutional processes, meaningful consultation and national consensus to address Khan’s health and treatment, restoration of democracy, supremacy of the Constitution and law, political stability, terrorism and other challenges confronting the country. The party stressed, however, that meaningful negotiations could not succeed through predetermined positions or demands for unconditional endorsement. “Serious dialogue requires flexibility, mutual confidence, consultation and a genuine willingness to translate discussions into practical progress,” it concluded. Salman Akram Raja says talks broke down over K-P counterterrorism policy PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja also said that the deadlock in negotiations with the federal government emerged over the issue of counterterrorism policy in K-P. Speaking to a private news channel on Sunday, he stated that PTI’s negotiating team maintained that any future strategy against terrorism in K-P should not be determined solely by the federal government. He said that if the federal government wanted administrative measures that could displace people from their homes, the provincial government could not be held responsible for the consequences if it had no meaningful role in policy formulation. Raja added that as drafts were amended during talks with the government, PTI’s negotiating team realised that the government’s intentions on some issues were broader than initially understood. He said the drafts were shared with CM Afridi and the PTI negotiating team because the provincial leadership, being directly responsible for running the province, could better assess the consequences of the proposed measures. حکومت اور پی ٹی آئی/تحریک تحفظ آئین پاکستان مزاکرات کی ناکامی کی بنیادی وجہ حکومتی اصرار تھا کہ خیبر پختونخواہ حکومت وفاق اور اسکے اداروں کے ان تمام اقدام اور آپریشنز کی تائید کرے جو صوبے میں دہشت گردی کے حوالے سے کئے جائیں گے۔ ضم اضلاع اور ان سے متصل علاقوں میں 72 گھنٹوں میں… — salman akram raja (@salmanAraja) October 4, 2026 Raja underlined that PTI therefore proposed that the federal and provincial governments jointly formulate a strategy, followed by consultations with all political parties, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party, as well as tribal elders and other relevant stakeholders. Raja said the government rejected suggestions of a “roadmap” and a “joint strategy” and instead wanted emergency measures imposed in several districts within 72 hours. Rejecting claims that the K-P government had already agreed to the proposals, he said there was no fundamental disagreement between Afridi and the PTI negotiating team. He added that an English draft contained a provision for imposing an emergency within 72 hours, while the same provision had reportedly been removed from the Urdu version. He said that once the government’s intentions became clear, PTI agreed it could not accept the proposal. Commenting on the Police Act 2026, Raja said the K-P government was willing to review the legislation, adding that the law could be examined within 72 hours alongside legislation in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan to identify provisions that could be applied in the case of K-P. He also stated that there was no disagreement over the National Action Plan, which was a “national, consensus-based document”, further noting that the dispute was over its implementation. He further said that PTI could not support measures such as drone strikes and operations that displaced people from their homes, adding that the party had consistently opposed such actions in the past. Raja said that if an emergency was imposed in certain districts and the federal government then decided what action to take without consulting the provincial government, there could be no jointly agreed strategy. “In that situation, anything can happen.” Leaving all other issues and much noise aside, the primary reason for the failure of the talks around 3am this morning between the government team and the PTI-TTAP team was the following: the PTI-TTAP team stood firm on its principled position that anti-terorrism actions in KPK… — salman akram raja (@salmanAraja) October 4, 2026 He further said PTI could neither endorse such a policy nor take responsibility for its consequences. PTI, he said, had proposed that the federal and provincial governments formulate a mutually agreed strategy within 72 hours and then implement it. He rejected allegations that PTI and the K-P government’s position was aligned with the interests of militants, calling such claims “extremely unfortunate” and “completely wrong and contrary to facts”. He added that PTI stood firmly against terrorism and supported “zero tolerance” for terrorist groups, adding that the party wanted to work with the federal government to eliminate terrorism. On the security situation in K-P, Raja acknowledged that the government’s writ had weakened in some districts and that militant groups wielded significant influence. However, he said the underlying causes needed to be understood rather than simply blaming the provincial government. PTI lawmakers and ministers, he added, were themselves among those being targeted by militants. “The realities on the ground in K-P cannot be understood while sitting afar in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi,” he maintained. Raja said a comprehensive strategy should also take into account ground realities, local communities and tribal traditions, while facilitating dialogue among tribes living on both sides of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. He maintained that a sustainable policy against terrorism in K-P required consultation between the federal and provincial governments, political parties and local stakeholders, rather than unilateral measures that could potentially fuel further displacement and instability. “Military operations alone cannot resolve the security crisis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he stated. Raja said PTI had proposed that the two sides “sit together for 72 hours, discuss the matter thoroughly and then move forward with an agreed policy”. On negotiations concerning Imran Khan, he said the issue of access to Imran’s personal doctors had remained unresolved. “PTI’s position is that Imran should be transferred to a hospital with an international medical board and doctors personally trusted by his family be involved in his treatment”. He added that the proposed arrangement for access to Imran included a meeting with his family and lawyers on Tuesday, while the question of meetings with other political figures remained unresolved. Raja identified two issues as fundamental deal-breakers: the proposed counterterrorism policy in K-P and the treatment of Imran’s personal and legal matters. Responding to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s claim that many of the political issues had been agreed upon, Raja said minor issues could not outweigh the unresolved major ones. He underlined that the government was effectively asking PTI to abandon its position on counterterrorism and accept the policy the federal government had decided to implement. Raja said PTI could not set aside what he described as the personal victimisation of Imran and accept the treatment he was receiving in prison. “These two issues were such that they overshadowed everything else,” he added. He concluded that it was PTI’s responsibility to speak out and that the party would continue its political struggle regardless of the obstacles it faced. Amir Muqam rejects PTI’s account of failed talks, says key issues had been agreed upon Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam, while presenting the government’s position on the talks, rejected Raja’s account of the breakdown in negotiations, saying the talks had been conducted in good faith and that most of the issues raised by PTI had been resolved. Muqam said representatives from both sides held extensive discussions, including a session lasting around 12 hours, with the aim of preventing the dispute from escalating into a confrontation between the federal and K-P governments. He stated that PTI’s concerns relating to Imran had been addressed, adding that an agreement had been reached that Imran would continue to meet his lawyers and family members in prison and that arrangements concerning his medical treatment would also be discussed. Muqam said the wording of the draft agreement had been revised following discussions with PTI and that the issue concerning Imran’s meetings had effectively been settled. He said the remaining disagreement concerned the issue of terrorism and the role of the K-P government in implementing the counterterrorism policy. Muqam said the federal side had told PTI from the outset that the K-P government’s participation was necessary because the matter directly concerned the province. He added that PTI representatives had sought time to consult the provincial leadership in Peshawar and subsequently returned saying they had obtained full authority to negotiate on its behalf. Also Read: Asif, Tarar fire fresh salvoes at PTI after talks deadlock Rejecting the claim that the government had demanded an emergency in several districts within 72 hours, Muqam said the proposal was instead to use the 72 hours to formulate and sign an agreed course of action between the provincial government and the interior ministry. He underscored that the 72-hour timeframe was intended for the two sides to sit together, settle the outstanding issues and determine how the counterterrorism strategy would be implemented. He also rejected PTI’s claim that the federal government wanted to impose its policy unilaterally on K-P. He said the National Action Plan was a national policy and could not be treated as a policy applicable only to K-P. Referring to a resolution passed by the K-P Assembly, Muqam said the resolution itself contained provisions concerning the use of police and the Counter Terrorism Department to combat terrorism and opposition to military operations. He further questioned PTI’s position, arguing that the party could not simultaneously demand that the military be excluded from operations while also seeking greater authority and resources for the provincial government. He also criticised what he described as changes made by the K-P government to its own counterterrorism policy and said powers had subsequently been withdrawn from relevant institutions. “This is a national issue,” he said, adding that the government could consider legitimate proposals but could not make every provincial demand part of the agreement at that stage. On the question of whether it had been decided that an emergency would be imposed in K-P, Muqam indicated that the matter was still part of the ongoing discussions and did not confirm that a final decision to impose emergency measures had been taken. Asad Qaiser says access to Imran at heart of talks deadlock PTI leader Asad Qaiser also stated that the deadlock in negotiations with the government centred on the party’s demand for access to PTI founder Imran Khan. “The root cause of the deadlock was that we were under the impression that first you would provide us access to Imran Khan,” he said, adding that PTI had withdrawn all its other demands and retained only the request for its political leadership to meet Imran. In a post on X, Qaiser said the government had told PTI that Imran would not be part of the agreement and that his involvement was “not under consideration” at that stage. He stated that PTI should be able to consult Imran on major policy decisions, just as other political parties consult their leadership. “If the PML-N consults Nawaz Sharif or Shehbaz Sharif on every matter, or the PPP consults Bilawal Bhutto and Asif Zardari, then our leader Imran Khan — who is the most popular leader and is in jail — shouldn’t we consult him on whatever policy is made?” Qaiser asked. “Shouldn’t we take his direction? So that’s our biggest issue,” he said. ڈیڈلاک کی بنیادی وجہ یہ تھی کہ ہم یہ سمجھ رہے تھے کہ سب سے پہلے آپ ہمیں عمران خان تک ایکسیس دیں۔ اور ہم نے کہا کہ ہم تمام مطالبات واپس کرتے ہیں، ہمارا ایک ہی مطالبہ ہے کہ ہماری پولیٹیکل لیڈرشپ کو عمران خان تک رسائی دی جائے۔ تو انہوں نے کہا کہ ابھی تک وہ ایگریمنٹ میں شامل نہیں… pic.twitter.com/gbRfkCuXqA — Asad Qaiser (@AsadQaiserPTI) October 4, 2026 Rejecting the suggestion that PTI was seeking to give the issue of terrorism a political dimension, Qaiser said the party had proposed a mechanism for greater coordination between the federal and provincial governments to address militancy. He said PTI’s proposed text called for “effective, continuous and meaningful consultation” to eliminate terrorism in K-P, protect lives and property and establish lasting peace. He further stated that the proposal envisaged regular reviews of existing policies and measures, with amendments where necessary, adding that it also called for authorised representatives of the federal and provincial governments to meet within 72 hours and jointly prepare a “clear, comprehensive, feasible and agreed-upon roadmap” for peace and security. “All responsible leaders and stakeholders of political parties” would also be included in the process so that the resulting policy could secure wider public trust, Qaiser said. Earlier on Sunday, the party launched the first phase of its long march from Lakki Marwat to Swabi amid a government-opposition deadlock and mounting political tensions, with no plan for a march towards Islamabad announced so far. The long march, initially scheduled for September 27, was postponed to October 4, but the standoff between the federal and provincial governments remains unresolved. On Saturday, talks between the government and opposition failed to break the deadlock over the PTI’s long march, with both sides maintaining their positions and pressing competing demands. The talks, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, followed an initial round on Friday in which the two sides exchanged their positions but failed to reach an agreement. The government wanted the PTI to take the initiative by cancelling the march, while the opposition wanted the government to first facilitate a meeting with its jailed founder, according to sources familiar with the talks.

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Kundi, Naqvi slam K-P govt over counterterrorism role during talks

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi criticised the provincial government’s attitude and role regarding counterterrorism operations during negotiations between the government and opposition, saying it had been tantamount to acting against the interests of the people and the province. Naqvi travelled to Peshawar and met Governor Kundi at the Governor House, where the two leaders discussed several important provincial matters. The meeting came as negotiations between the government and opposition failed to yield any result, with the possibility of the imposition of governor’s rule or an emergency looming over the province amid the deteriorating security situation. Read: Naqvi blames K-P CM for talks ‘collapse’, warns Afridi will ‘be responsible’ if anyone dies during march According to a statement issued after the meeting, the two leaders discussed various aspects of the worsening law and order situation in the province, the political situation and developments arising from the long march. The two leaders also expressed concern over the possibility of terrorists being facilitated to safely pass through security checkpoints during the long march. “The provincial government’s attitude and role regarding counterterrorism operations during the negotiations has been tantamount to acting against the interests of the people and the province,” it added. The meeting noted that after an agreement had been reached on resolving the issues, the provincial government had once again demonstrated what it described as obstinacy and irresponsibility by reversing its position. The meeting also described the use of helicopters and other government resources by the K-P chief minister and provincial ministers during the long march as an open violation of Islamabad High Court verdicts. The two sides also discussed other matters of mutual interest and held consultations on several issues. Later, in a post on X, Governor Kundi confirmed the meeting, which was also attended by K-P Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed and Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah. Met with Federal Interior Minister @MohsinnaqviC42 , IG @KP_Police1 Zulfiqar Hameed, @CSKPOfficial Shahab Ali Shah at Governor House, Peshawar. We discussed the prevailing security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The security of our people remains our foremost priority. Khyber… pic.twitter.com/KJc8dY3isO — Faisal Karim Kundi (@fkkundi) October 4, 2026 He said they had discussed the prevailing security situation in the province. “The security of our people remains our foremost priority,” he said, adding that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had sacrificed enough and every institution must work together to protect the people and defeat terrorism. Naqvi, Kundi question Afridi’s ‘heli ride’ Later, both leaders also highlighted the use of the provincial government’s helicopter during the long march, calling it a serious violation of an Islamabad High Court order. It is pertinent to mention that in its 37-page detailed judgment issued on Sept 18, the Islamabad High Court had warned against the use of state machinery during the protest. The court held that government funds, vehicles, machinery or officials could not be used for any political march towards Islamabad. اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ کے واضح احکامات کے باوجود وزیراعلیٰ سہیل آفریدی کا سرکاری ہیلی کاپٹر پر لانگ مارچ کی قیادت کے لیے گنڈی چوک، لکی مروت پہنچنا توہینِ عدالت اور عدالتی احکامات کی کھلی خلاف ورزی ہے جب وزیرِاعلیٰ خود عدالت کے احکامات کی پاسداری نہیں کریں گے، سرکاری وسائل کو سیاسی… pic.twitter.com/jGDKYf58jk — Faisal Karim Kundi (@fkkundi) October 4, 2026 In a post on X, Kundi said that despite the clear orders of the Islamabad High Court, CM Afridi’s arrival at Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat by official helicopter to lead the long march constituted contempt of court and a blatant violation of judicial directives. “When the chief minister himself does not uphold the court’s orders and uses state resources for political activities, what expectation can there be for his workers to abide by the law?” he said. Naqvi expressed similar sentiments in a post on X, while commenting on the chief minister’s use of the official helicopter, sarcastically suggesting that the journey may have been undertaken for official duties. Sohail Afridi Sahib’s Heli ride today from Peshawar to Lakki Marwat must have been for official work, possibly related to the security situation and counterterrorism efforts. pic.twitter.com/Lkfnox0otg — Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) October 4, 2026 “Sohail Afridi Sahib’s heli ride today from Peshawar to Lakki Marwat must have been for official work, possibly related to the security situation and counterterrorism efforts,” he wrote. Kundi warns emergency may be imposed if needed to 'save province' Earlier, Kundi warned that an emergency could be imposed if necessary to “save the province”, as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) began its planned long march after talks with the federal government ended in deadlock. The PTI had earlier postponed its planned long march to Islamabad from September 27 to October 4, with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announcing the revised date on September 25. CM Afridi had said the decision to defer the march was part of the party’s “political strategy” and that negotiations with the federal government would continue even after the mobilisation. “If imposing emergency becomes necessary to save the province, then we will certainly impose it,” Kundi said while speaking to the media today. He said the president, prime minister and other institutions could consider imposing an emergency if they believed the situation in the province had deteriorated. Kundi also issued a warning to those taking part in the march, saying, “If an emergency is imposed, I alone will be enough for them.” He claimed PTI workers were currently “hiding and getting themselves arrested”. “I do not make threats like them. When the field is set, I will deal with them,” Kundi said. Read: CM Afridi lays out K-P long march schedule amid govt-PTI deadlock in talks Questioning the scale of the PTI protest, he asked, “What long march? Is anything happening in Peshawar? Have you seen any banners?” The governor said he had so far seen only “self-staged arrests and people going into hiding” during the long march. “Let them cross Swabi first. It may take a month, but it will not happen,” Kundi said. His remarks came after two rounds of government-opposition talks failed to resolve differences over PTI’s planned march to Islamabad. The talks, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, ended in the early hours of Sunday without an agreement. The opposition had insisted on meeting PTI founder Imran Khan before calling off the march, while disagreements also remained over his access to personal doctors and the federal government’s proposed approach to counter-terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. PTI leaders subsequently said the march would proceed as planned. CM Afridi announced that its first phase would begin from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat on Sunday, with caravans from several southern districts joining the procession.

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Women break free on two wheels

The morning traffic is beginning to swell when a woman pulls down her helmet, grips the handlebar of her scooty and joins the stream of vehicles. It may look like an ordinary commute, but for many women, taking control of the handlebar represents something much bigger: independence. For years, women travelling to schools, colleges, workplaces, markets and hospitals have often depended on fathers, brothers, husbands or hired drivers. Their journeys were shaped not only by distance but by someone else's availability. A missed ride could mean a missed class, delayed work or a cancelled errand. That is changing as more women take to scooters and motorcycles. Two-wheelers offer affordable mobility while giving women control over their time and routines. Alia, from Sialkot, said unnecessary attention remained one of the biggest challenges. "You constantly feel watched and stared at. It honestly feels like you are being observed and judged everywhere you go," she said. For Rehana and Nighat, beauty experts, family encouragement helped them overcome their initial hesitation. Nighat said riding had made her daily routine considerably easier as she no longer had to wait for public transport or depend entirely on her husband. She can now travel independently and take her mother along when needed. Yet greater mobility has also exposed women to harassment on the roads. Rabia Sajid, another scooter rider, said some men followed female riders, honked unnecessarily, overtook aggressively or made inappropriate comments. On occasions when she felt followed, she changed her route and avoided the road afterwards. Such experiences highlight a crucial contradiction: women are encouraged to study, work and participate in society, yet some continue to face intimidation simply for travelling independently. Government initiatives offering free, subsidised or interest-free scooters and electric bikes are helping remove one major barrier - affordability. But access to vehicles alone cannot guarantee freedom of movement. ASI Azra of the Islamabad Traffic Police said protecting women on the capital's roads was a priority. She said women police personnel, increased patrolling and Safe City cameras were helping strengthen security. Women facing harassment or insecurity can seek assistance through police helplines 15 and 1815, she said. Laher Mirza, a Victim Support Officer at the Tahaffuz Centre, Rawalpindi, said continued police monitoring and patrolling had improved women's confidence on the roads.

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Bodies of Pakistanis killed in Somalia being repatriated, arrive in Addis Ababa: PMO

The bodies of three Pakistanis killed in an operation to recover a hijacked oil tanker off the Somali coast have reached Addis Ababa, with arrangements under way for their repatriation, the PMO said on Saturday The Palau-flagged MT Honour 25, carrying 18,500 barrels of oil and a 17-member crew, including 10 Pakistanis, was seized on April 21, around 30 nautical miles off Puntland while sailing from Oman to Somalia. Puntland’s Maritime Police Force said it rescued the tanker in an operation off Dharin-baar, but the pirates opened fire on the hostages, killing five, including three Pakistanis and injuring four others. According to the PMO statement, the bodies of Syed Kafeel Omar, Ahmad Ansari and Rafiullah had arrived in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, where Ethiopian Airlines staff were reviewing arrangements for their transfer to Pakistan. Read: Three Pakistani sailors killed in Somali ship rescue operation وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی ہدایت پر صومالیہ میں جاں بحق پاکستانیوں شہریوں کی میتوں کی پاکستان منتقلی کے انتظامات جاری ہیں. اس سلسلے میں جاں بحق پاکستانی شہریوں کی میتیں ایک گھنٹہ قبل ایتھوپیا کے دارالحکومت ادیس ابابا پہنچ گئی ہیں۔ ایتھوپین ایئرلائنز کا عملہ میتوں کی پاکستان… — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) October 3, 2026 The PMO said final approval would be granted for the bodies to be dispatched to Karachi once the necessary preparations had been completed. In accordance with the prime minister’s directives, relevant officials were in constant contact to expedite the repatriation process, the statement said. The prime minister had assured every possible assistance in bringing back the bodies of the three Pakistani citizens, according to the PMO. It said PM Shehbaz had spoken by telephone on Friday with Izaan Kafeel, the son of deceased Syed Kafeel Omar, and expressed his condolences over the death of his father and assured him that the government would take all necessary measures to swiftly repatriate his body along with those of the other deceased Pakistanis. Also Read: Four Pakistani crew members from hijacked MT Honour 25 to arrive in Karachi tomorrow: Dar A day earlier, the prime minister announced financial assistance of Rs12.5 million for the families of each of the three Pakistanis killed during a Somali operation to rescue the crew from pirates. He also announced free education and healthcare for the deceased’s children, while each bereaved family would be provided with a house. The oil tanker Honour 25, sailing under the Somali flag from Oman to Somalia, was hijacked by pirates on April 21. There were 17 crew members aboard, 10 of them Pakistani nationals. The families of the Pakistani hostages spent months seeking the safe release of their loved ones, staging peaceful protests and repeatedly approaching government authorities. During their captivity, the pirates initially demanded a ransom of $3 million, which was later reduced to $1.9 million and subsequently to $1 million. All the Pakistani crew members who were killed or injured were from different areas of Karachi. The pirates came under pressure during a rescue operation and, while retreating from the vessel, opened indiscriminate fire on the abducted crew before fleeing the ship. Five sailors were killed, including three Pakistanis — Second Officer Kashif Umar, Third Engineer Mahmood Ansari and Boiler Rafiullah. The other two deceased crew members were an Indian sailor, Tanveer, and the chief engineer from Myanmar. Four sailors were injured — Usman, Yasir, Ameen and Vicky from Indonesia — while Hussain Yousuf, Imran Ali and Yaseen remained safe. The two surviving Pakistani crew members later contacted the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust in Karachi using the ship captain’s mobile phone and provided details of the incident. Puntland police said the Honour 25 had 18,500 barrels of oil on board when it was hijacked. The police had been pursuing three hijacked vessels off the Somali coast and had also rescued another oil tanker, Sibu 1, on Friday. However, 28 of the 41 pirates arrested during that operation later escaped while being transferred to jail, with several Puntland security officials accusing local police of complicity.

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Mir Raza commission seeks answers from senior police officers

The Judicial Commission probing the Mir Raza Ali case has sent questionnaires to senior police officers, including AIG Karachi Azad Khan, involved in the investigation, seeking answers to questions raised by the victim’s family. The sealed questionnaires were delivered through the commission’s designated Nazir, Tajammal Lodhi, to AIG Azad Khan, DIG Amir Farooqi, head of the investigation team, and DIG Farukh Lanjhar. The questions were submitted to the commission by Mir Raza’s mother, sister and father through their counsel, Advocate Jibran Nasir. Read: Mir Raza judicial commission’s term extended until October 15 Separately, Sindh government focal person Javed Abro met commission chairman Justice Umar Sial in his chamber and informed him that the commission’s term had been extended until October 15. The commission has also issued notices to CPLC official Kashif Iftikhar and DSP Siraj Lashari. Their statements will be recorded on October 5. The commission is examining the circumstances surrounding Mir Raza’s death and has been recording statements and seeking responses from officials and other relevant witnesses. The Sindh cabinet on Thursday extended the tenure of the Judicial Commission probing the death of Mir Raza Ali until October 15, giving the panel additional time to complete its proceedings and finalise its findings. The cabinet was told that the commission, headed by Justice Umar Sial, had recorded statements from several witnesses but needed more time to complete its inquiry. It was also authorised to continue proceedings beyond October 15 if required. The case so far Mir Raza Ali, the 25-year-old owner of dessert brand Wafflix, went missing from Karachi’s PECHS area on July 28, 2026. His body was found the following day in bushes near a wedding hall in Gulistan-e-Johar. Police initially treated the death as a possible suicide, but a second post-mortem conducted after his exhumation found a firearm entry wound, multiple ante-mortem injuries and signs of internal bleeding, leading investigators to treat the case as murder. The initial post-mortem had faced several objections, with the Karachi police surgeon identifying 14 deficiencies, including the absence of an X-ray, failure to collect hand swabs for gunshot-residue analysis and the lack of chemical examination of gunpowder marks around the bullet wound. The investigation subsequently came under scrutiny from Raza’s family, who alleged serious lapses in the handling of evidence and CCTV footage and sought the formation of a joint investigation team. The Sindh High Court later rejected the family’s plea for a JIT but directed the relevant authorities to conduct the investigation impartially, fairly and expeditiously. Read More: Mir Raza commission rejects family's plea to summon top cops Police told a Senate committee in September that they had recorded statements from 78 people but had not found evidence linking anyone to Raza’s alleged murder. Investigators nevertheless continued to treat the case as murder, while reviewing medical, chemical, forensic and digital evidence. The Sindh government had meanwhile established a judicial commission headed by Sindh High Court Justice Umar Sial to examine the circumstances surrounding Raza’s death, the conduct of the investigation and any possible negligence or concealment of evidence by police or other officials. The judicial commission had so far examined police records, witness statements and the circumstances surrounding Mir Raza Ali’s death, with its proceedings raising discrepancies in witness accounts, the handling of evidence and the initial post-mortem. The commission also questioned senior police and health officials over the investigation, including the handling of CCTV footage, Raza’s phone and smartwatch, and the initial focus on a possible suicide.

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PM announces Rs12.5m, assistance for families of Pakistanis killed in Somalia hostage situation

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced financial assistance of Rs12.5 million rupees per household, free education for children and residential accommodation for the families of the three Pakistanis who were killed during the recovery operation off the coast of Somalia in a hostage situation. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a post on X that PM Shehbaz announced that the government would also provide healthcare facilities to the children of Syed Kashi Umar, Mahmood Ahmad Ansari and Rafiullah Khan. Additionally, it would also provide one house per family to these individuals' families for residential purposes. "The prime minister said that the bereaved families will not be left alone in this difficult time, and the government will provide all possible support and assistance," the PMO said. Prime Minister @CMShehbaz has announced financial assistance, free education for the children, and residence for the families of three Pakistanis, who lost their lives during the rescue operation off the coast of Somalia@PakPMO #News #RadioPakistan https://t.co/nBLG0TbCEn — Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) October 2, 2026 The statement said that PM Shehbaz had a telephonic conversation with Umar's Azhaan Kashi, in which he extended his condolences on the death. Read: Somali pirates kill three Pakistanis during rescue operation وزیر اعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی صومالیہ میں جاں بحق ہونے والے پاکستانی کاشف عمر کے بیٹے اذہان کاشف سے ٹیلیفون پر گفتگو ہوئی. وزیر اعظم نے سید کاشف عمر کے انتقال پر انکے بیٹے اذہان کاشف سے دلی تعزیت کا اظہار کیا. وزیرِ اعظم نے کہا کہ ہم اپ کے غم میں برابر کے شریک ہیں۔ اللہ… — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) October 2, 2026 "The prime minister said that we share equally in your grief. May Allah Almighty grant Syed Kashi Umar a high station in paradise and give your family the strength to bear this shock. The prime minister assured that the government will bring the bodies of Syed Kashi Umar and the other two martyred Pakistanis back to Pakistan as soon as possible," the PMO stated. It added that the premier directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all other relevant institutions to remain in direct contact with the families of the deceased at every stage. Read More: Pakistan in contact with Somalia over recovery of saved, slain crew of MT Honour 25: FO He also directed the Foreign Office and the Pakistan embassy to expedite the process of transferring the bodies to Pakistan while maintaining continuous contact with Somali authorities and other relevant parties. "The prime minister also instructed that all possible measures be taken to provide the best medical facilities to the injured Pakistanis and to ensure the safe return of the other Pakistani crew members". The oil tanker Honour 25, sailing under the Somali flag from Oman to Somalia, was hijacked by pirates on April 21. There were 17 crew members aboard, 10 of whom were Pakistani nationals. The families of the Pakistani hostages had continuously appealed to the government for the safe release of their loved ones. During their captivity, the pirates initially demanded a ransom of $3 million for their release. The demand was later reduced to $1.9 million and subsequently to $1 million. According to the surviving crew members, the governments of Somalia and the semi-autonomous region of Puntland in northeastern Somalia launched a joint operation to free the hostages from the pirates. An exchange of fire took place between Somali security forces and the pirates during the operation. Pakistani sailors Hussain Yousuf and Imran Ali, who survived the attack, contacted the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust office in Karachi using the ship captain’s mobile phone and provided details of the incident. The Pakistani crew members said that when the pirates came under pressure and began retreating, they opened indiscriminate fire on the abducted crew members before fleeing the vessel. Three Pakistani sailors were among the five crew members killed, and four sailors were injured, according to survivors and the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust. All the Pakistani crew members who were killed or injured were from different areas of Karachi. Their families had spent months seeking the safe release of their loved ones, staging peaceful protests and repeatedly approaching government authorities.

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