Families relive distressing phone calls

The oil tanker, sailing under the Somali flag, was transporting oil from Oman to Somalia when pirates seized it on April 21. Among the ten abducted Pakistanis, eight are from Karachi. Mehwish becomes emotional recalling the moment on April 21 when she was speaking to her husband, Yasir Khan, on the phone around 4:30pm; pirates then took control of the vessel. She says her husband abruptly ended the call, stating that pirates had taken over their ship. The next call came on April 24, made from the captain's phone, during which Yasir informed her that each hostage was guarded by an armed pirate equipped with heavy and dangerous weapons. Yasir has been working as a boiler operator in the shipping industry since 2009. Mehwish says he had left the profession after their 2010 marriage because he could not bear to stay away from his children. After a 16-year gap, he rejoined and boarded the ship on the 17th of this month. Yasir's elder son, seven-year-old Bashar, is pleading for his father to be brought back to Pakistan as soon as possible. His younger son, Umar, does not fully understand the situation but knows that "pirates are robbers" who have taken his father. Each Pakistani held by the pirates has a heartbreaking story. In an audio message circulating on social media, a man named Amin can be heard crying and telling his father that pirates are about to kill him, asking him to take care of his wife and two children. Amin's wife, Ayesha, told The Express Tribune that the message was received on April 21 and that he sounded extremely distressed. Amin had recently joined the merchant navy as a fitter. He travelled from Pakistan to Oman in early December, and his son was born in the last week of December. He has not yet seen his only child. Among the captives is Rafiullah, a resident of Manora Cantt in Karachi. His brother Sanaullah said that on April 24, the pirates allowed each hostage to make a five-minute call to their families. During that call, Rafiullah revealed that the ship, its cargo, and the pirates themselves all belong to Somalia. Sanaullah added that their parents are ill, so they have not yet been informed of Rafiullah's abduction. Kashif Umar, a resident of Buffer Zone in Karachi, has been associated with the merchant navy for the past 25 years. His son Izhar Umar said their last contact was on April 23, when his father reported that food supplies on the ship had run out. Social worker and human rights lawyer Ansar Burney told The Express Tribune that rumours are circulating about ransom demands, but no such demand has been made so far. He said no formal action has yet been initiated at the government level for the release of the Pakistani captives. Out of the ten Pakistani hostages on the oil tanker "Honour 25," one belongs to Sahiwal in Punjab and another to Swabi in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The remaining crew includes four Indonesians and three individuals from India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.

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Punjab bets big on tourism with first-ever investment expo

The Punjab government held its first comprehensive tourism showcase in Lahore on Tuesday, terming it a milestone in efforts to transform the province into a globally recognised tourism destination. Organised by the Punjab Tourism Department, the "Magnificent Punjab Tourism & Investment Expo 2026" brought together public and private stakeholders to promote tourism as a key driver of economic growth, marking a step towards positioning Punjab as a competitive player in the global tourism economy. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb described the occasion as “a historic moment for Punjab”, saying that for the first time, the province’s full tourism potential had been presented under one platform. وزیراعلی پنجاب مریم نوازشریف کے ویژن کے مطابق میگنیفیسنٹ پنجاب کے بینر تلے صوبے میں سیاحت کے شعبے کو جدید خطوط پر استوار کرتے ہوئے پہلی بار پنجاب ٹورزم اتھارٹی کا قیام عمل میں لایا گیا ہے جس نے بکھرے ہوئے اور خستہ حال سیاحتی مقامات اور محکمے کو ایک چھت تلے متحد کر دیا ہے۔ اس نئی… pic.twitter.com/MRd7LO0uhA — Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) April 28, 2026 “This is not just an expo. This is Punjab opening its doors to the world,” she said, highlighting the event, which included heritage cities, spiritual routes, cultural landscapes, eco-tourism destinations and investment-ready projects. Highlighting the economic importance of the sector, she said tourism was no longer a “soft sector” but a major contributor to global GDP, employment and national identity. “Today, Punjab steps forward to claim its rightful place in the global tourism economy,” she added, noting that the event also served as a platform to connect investors, entrepreneurs and policymakers, facilitating engagement on future projects. “Today, Punjab steps forward to claim its rightful place in the global tourism economy,” she added. وزیراعلی پنجاب مریم نواز کے "میگنیفیسنٹ پنجاب" ویژن کے تحت صوبے بھر میں سیاحت کے فروغ کے لیے 78 بلین روپے کی خطیر رقم سے ایک جامع ایکو سسٹم تیار کیا جا رہا ہے، جس میں صرف محکمہ سیاحت کے 28 بلین روپے کے علاوہ وائلڈ لائف، فاریسٹ، ایکو ٹورازم اور مری و ٹیکسلا جیسے تاریخی شہروں کی… pic.twitter.com/Ev1VI5fXBo — Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) April 28, 2026 Officials announced an investment of approximately Rs78 billion in tourism infrastructure, with development work underway across 170 sites. Of these, 60 are expected to become fully operational by December 2026. “This expo is a platform of opportunity, an opportunity for investors to partner with government, for entrepreneurs to build experiences, and for the world to discover Punjab,” Aurangzeb said. Beyond destination promotion, the government emphasised the development of an integrated tourism ecosystem linking culture, hospitality, infrastructure, and digital innovation. Join us at #MagnificentPunjab Expo 2026 and experience the vibrant spirit of Punjab like never before! From rich heritage to breathtaking landscapes, we are proudly showcasing a province full of culture, opportunity, and global potential. 📍 Expo Centre, Lahore 🗓️ 28–29 April pic.twitter.com/9bKDhbB4d1 — Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) April 28, 2026 A key highlight was the alignment of tourism with emerging sectors such as film and screen tourism. “Today, the world doesn’t just travel through maps, it travels through stories. When a place is seen on screen, it becomes a destination in reality,” she said. Officials said the upcoming Punjab Film City would play a central role in showcasing the province globally. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, tourism is being repositioned as a year-round engine of economic growth, employment, and international engagement, the government said. It added that focus remained on ease of doing business, investor facilitation and public-private partnerships to unlock the sector’s full potential. The event concluded with a message of openness and collaboration. “To our international guests, Punjab welcomes you. To the private sector, Punjab stands ready to partner with you. And to the people of Punjab, this is your moment.” Officials said the Magnificent Punjab Tourism & Investment Expo 2026 marked a milestone in efforts to transform Punjab into a globally recognised tourism destination — one that is not only visited, but experienced, remembered, and celebrated.

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Punjab bets big on tourism with first-ever investment expo

The Punjab government held its first comprehensive tourism showcase in Lahore on Tuesday, terming it a milestone in efforts to transform the province into a globally recognised tourism destination. Organised by the Punjab Tourism Department, the "Magnificent Punjab Tourism & Investment Expo 2026" brought together public and private stakeholders to promote tourism as a key driver of economic growth, marking a step towards positioning Punjab as a competitive player in the global tourism economy. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb described the occasion as “a historic moment for Punjab”, saying that for the first time, the province’s full tourism potential had been presented under one platform. وزیراعلی پنجاب مریم نوازشریف کے ویژن کے مطابق میگنیفیسنٹ پنجاب کے بینر تلے صوبے میں سیاحت کے شعبے کو جدید خطوط پر استوار کرتے ہوئے پہلی بار پنجاب ٹورزم اتھارٹی کا قیام عمل میں لایا گیا ہے جس نے بکھرے ہوئے اور خستہ حال سیاحتی مقامات اور محکمے کو ایک چھت تلے متحد کر دیا ہے۔ اس نئی… pic.twitter.com/MRd7LO0uhA — Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) April 28, 2026 “This is not just an expo. This is Punjab opening its doors to the world,” she said, highlighting the event, which included heritage cities, spiritual routes, cultural landscapes, eco-tourism destinations and investment-ready projects. Highlighting the economic importance of the sector, she said tourism was no longer a “soft sector” but a major contributor to global GDP, employment and national identity. “Today, Punjab steps forward to claim its rightful place in the global tourism economy,” she added, noting that the event also served as a platform to connect investors, entrepreneurs and policymakers, facilitating engagement on future projects. “Today, Punjab steps forward to claim its rightful place in the global tourism economy,” she added. وزیراعلی پنجاب مریم نواز کے "میگنیفیسنٹ پنجاب" ویژن کے تحت صوبے بھر میں سیاحت کے فروغ کے لیے 78 بلین روپے کی خطیر رقم سے ایک جامع ایکو سسٹم تیار کیا جا رہا ہے، جس میں صرف محکمہ سیاحت کے 28 بلین روپے کے علاوہ وائلڈ لائف، فاریسٹ، ایکو ٹورازم اور مری و ٹیکسلا جیسے تاریخی شہروں کی… pic.twitter.com/Ev1VI5fXBo — Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) April 28, 2026 Officials announced an investment of approximately Rs78 billion in tourism infrastructure, with development work underway across 170 sites. Of these, 60 are expected to become fully operational by December 2026. “This expo is a platform of opportunity, an opportunity for investors to partner with government, for entrepreneurs to build experiences, and for the world to discover Punjab,” Aurangzeb said. Beyond destination promotion, the government emphasised the development of an integrated tourism ecosystem linking culture, hospitality, infrastructure, and digital innovation. Join us at #MagnificentPunjab Expo 2026 and experience the vibrant spirit of Punjab like never before! From rich heritage to breathtaking landscapes, we are proudly showcasing a province full of culture, opportunity, and global potential. 📍 Expo Centre, Lahore 🗓️ 28–29 April pic.twitter.com/9bKDhbB4d1 — Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) April 28, 2026 A key highlight was the alignment of tourism with emerging sectors such as film and screen tourism. “Today, the world doesn’t just travel through maps, it travels through stories. When a place is seen on screen, it becomes a destination in reality,” she said. Officials said the upcoming Punjab Film City would play a central role in showcasing the province globally. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, tourism is being repositioned as a year-round engine of economic growth, employment, and international engagement, the government said. It added that focus remained on ease of doing business, investor facilitation and public-private partnerships to unlock the sector’s full potential. The event concluded with a message of openness and collaboration. “To our international guests, Punjab welcomes you. To the private sector, Punjab stands ready to partner with you. And to the people of Punjab, this is your moment.” Officials said the Magnificent Punjab Tourism & Investment Expo 2026 marked a milestone in efforts to transform Punjab into a globally recognised tourism destination — one that is not only visited, but experienced, remembered, and celebrated.

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Pakistan, Cambodia agree to repatriate 54 nationals detained in scam raid: FO

The Foreign Office (FO) said on Tuesday that the government and Cambodia had formally agreed to repatriate 54 Pakistani nationals detained in Siem Reap province, following their arrest in a raid on a scamming compound. Reports indicate that over 200 Pakistani nationals are currently in custody in Cambodia. They were reportedly lured through deceptive means and later trafficked into illegal operations run by criminal networks. Following a crackdown by Cambodian authorities, they were arrested and remain in detention under difficult conditions. In a statement posted on his X account, FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the Pakistan Embassy in Cambodia had actively pursued the matter with the Cambodian government. “This is in line with the instructions of the deputy prime minister/foreign minister to all Pakistan’s Missions that facilitating the Pakistani community abroad is a top priority,” the statement said. I wish to state the following in response to media questions regarding detained Pakistanis in Cambodia: The Pakistan Embassy in Cambodia has actively pursued the matter with the Cambodian Government. This is in line with the instructions of the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign… — Tahir Andrabi (@TahirAndrabi) April 28, 2026 “Our embassy staff are taking steps to ensure the welfare of the detained Pakistanis,” the statement added, noting that the detainees would depart Cambodia once flight arrangements were finalised. It further said that, as a goodwill gesture, Cambodian authorities had agreed to repatriate all detainees without legal proceedings against them under the “Law on Combatting Online Scams”, which came into effect on April 7 and carried significant prison sentences and hefty fines. A multibillion-dollar scam industry has expanded in Cambodia in recent years, with thousands of people involved — some voluntarily and others coerced by organised criminal groups, according to experts. According to Amnesty International, the Cambodian government is deliberately ignoring widespread human rights abuses, including slavery, human trafficking, child labour and torture, being carried out by criminal gangs across more than 50 scamming compounds in the country. In its 240-page report last year, Amnesty said it interviewed more than 50 survivors from different countries and identified at least 53 scamming compounds in Cambodia. “Amnesty’s research reveals the horrifying magnitude of a crisis the Cambodian authorities are not doing enough to stop. Their failures have emboldened a criminal network whose tentacles extend internationally, with millions of people impacted by the scams,” the report said. Last week, the United States Treasury Department designated Kok An — a Cambodian senator who controls scam compounds across the country — as well as 28 individuals and entities in his network for defrauding Americans.

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Mercury may rise to 52°C in Punjab

Punjab authorities have issued a province-wide heatwave alert, warning of a sharp rise in temperatures in the coming weeks, with southern districts likely to face extreme conditions reaching up to 52 degrees Celsius. The advisory, issued by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), said May and June were expected to be the hottest months of the year, with temperatures across much of Punjab forecast to range between 43-45°C under normal conditions - and significantly higher during heatwave spells. Officials noted that temperatures in recent days have already been recorded 2-4°C above normal levels, signalling an early onset of intense summer conditions. According to the PDMA, a mild heatwave is expected to affect southern Punjab from April 29 to May 3, while the upper parts of the province may experience some relief due to a westerly weather system. The system, expected to influence the region from the night of April 27 through April 29 and again from May 3 to May 5, could temporarily lower temperatures by 2-4°C in northern areas. Despite this short-term relief, authorities warned that southern Punjab remains particularly vulnerable to extreme heat, with districts in the region historically experiencing the highest temperatures during peak summer months. PDMA Director General Umar Javed urged the public - especially children, women and the elderly - to take precautionary measures, including avoiding unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight and increasing water intake to prevent heat-related illnesses. Farmers have also been advised to plan agricultural activities carefully in light of changing weather conditions and to take necessary steps to protect crops and livestock. The advisory further directed all relevant government departments and district administrations to remain on high alert. Authorities have been instructed to ensure round-the-clock staffing at District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs), strengthen coordination mechanisms and maintain readiness for emergency response. Rescue services, including Rescue 1122, have been placed on alert to ensure immediate response capability, while motorway police have been directed to issue timely travel advisories and assist commuters during adverse weather conditions. Officials emphasised the need for timely dissemination of information through electronic and social media, alongside regular situation reports to monitor developments and respond effectively. The Pakistan Meteorological Department said continental air is currently prevailing over most parts of the country, contributing to hot and dry conditions. However, isolated rain and dust storms are expected in parts of Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and surrounding regions over the next two days, particularly during evening and nighttime hours.

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Pakistan, Sri Lanka kick off joint counter-terrorism exercise 'Shake Hands-II' at Tarbela

Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Monday kicked off a joint counter-terrorism exercise at Tarbela aimed at enhancing professional capabilities and strengthening longstanding military-to-military relations, the military’s media wing said in a statement According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Shake Hands-II is a joint counter-terrorism exercise conducted between the armies of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. "The two-week exercise commenced on April 27 at Tarbela, with the participation of Pakistan Army’s Special Services Group and Special Forces from the Sri Lankan Army." The statement said the exercise aimed to enhance professional capabilities through joint training while further strengthening the longstanding military-to-military relations between the two friendly nations. “Participating troops will benefit from the exchange of operational experiences and expertise in counter-terrorism operations, contributing to improved interoperability and mutual understanding,” it added. Pakistan–Sri Lanka Bilateral Exercise Shake Hands-II is a joint counter-terrorism exercise conducted between the armies of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The two-week exercise commenced on 27 April 2026 at Tarbela, Pakistan, with the participation of Pakistan Army’s Special Services… pic.twitter.com/uMksnfckhp — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) April 27, 2026 Pakistan’s armed forces regularly conduct joint exercises with foreign militaries to exchange professional expertise and strengthen combat readiness. Last week, the Pakistan–Turkye Joint Commando and Special Forces Exercise Jinnah-XIII was successfully conducted in Turkiye, focusing on counterterrorism operations. Earlier in April, Pakistan and Egypt commenced their joint exercise, Thunder-II, at the Special Operations School in Cherat. In January, the Pakistan and United States armies conducted a joint military exercise titled 'Inspired Gambit–2026' aimed at enhancing counter-terrorism cooperation between the two forces.

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Punjab Assembly passes bill fixing minimum marriage age at 18 for males, females

The Punjab Assembly passed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026 by a majority vote on Monday following a detailed and heated debate between treasury and opposition members, alongside key legislative business and a question hour session. The session, chaired by Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, began with a delay of 53 minutes. Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari termed early marriages harmful to girls’ health and education, stressing that young girls should be allowed to complete their education rather than being married off prematurely. During the proceedings, Uzma raised strong concerns, stating that for the first time, members were not provided copies of the bill. She stressed that it was essential for all lawmakers to have access to the draft legislation before its passage. On her complaint, the speaker directed that copies of the bill be immediately distributed among members. Speaking on the bill, Uzma emphasised that early marriages were harmful to young girls, arguing that proper documentation, such as national identity cards or birth certificates, should be mandatory for marriage. She noted that the legal age of marriage, previously 16, was now being raised to 18. The debate intensified when Treasury member Zulfiqar Ali Shah proposed that individuals under 18 seeking marriage should be allowed to do so with court permission, warning against placing legislation above societal values. His remarks drew a strong response from Uzma, who argued that young girls often lacked the awareness and maturity required for marriage and should not be subjected to such practices. Uzma further stated that both mental and physical maturity must be ensured before marriage and criticised practices where young girls were forced into marriages under social or cultural pressures. She also referenced support from the Federal Shariat Court for similar legislation passed by the Sindh Assembly. Following extensive debate, the bill was approved by a majority vote. The session concluded after the passage of the bill, reflecting deep divisions yet eventual consensus on legislative action against child marriage. During proceedings, Provincial Minister for Minerals Sher Ali Gorchani alleged that during the tenure of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, large tracts of pink salt land were allotted to favoured individuals through amendments in rules, claiming that up to 100,000 acres were distributed. Opposition member Iqbal Khattak raised concerns over checkpoints in his constituency, stating that citizens were being harassed in the name of checking.

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