Achakzai refuses talks without consultation with Imran

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai said on Wednesday that meaningful dialogue between the government and opposition could not produce tangible results unless direct consultations were held with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan. Addressing a public gathering at Baz Muhammad Shaheed Ground in Balochistan's Zhob, Achakzai said all major political leadership must be included in the consultative process to make political dialogue effective and result-oriented. پښتونخوامیپ کے چیئرمین، اپوزیشن لیڈر محمود خان اچکزئی پشتونخوامیپ کے زیر اہتمام شہداء جمہوریت 7 اکتوبر 1983و شہداء وطن 11 اکتوبر 1991 کے برسی کی مناسبت سے ژوب میں منعقد جلسہ عام سے خطاب کررہے ہے pic.twitter.com/Fqw7kmMHlN — Mehmood Khan Achakzai (@MKAchakzaiPKMAP) October 7, 2026 “If one side in negotiations consults its leadership, the opposition must also be allowed to consult Imran Khan,” he said, further adding that he would not participate in formal negotiations until such a meeting was held. Read: PTI: talks deadlocked over Imran access, K-P policy میں نے ان پر واضح کیا کہ خدا کے لیے میری بات سنیں، عمران خان سے ملاقات کیے بغیر اور ان کی رائے جانے بغیر، اگر آپ یا آپ کے ساتھی اس مارچ کو منسوخ یا ملتوی کرتے ہیں، تو اس سے آپ کی بھی رسوائی ہوگی اور میرے ساتھیوں کی بھی۔ میں ایسے کسی عمل میں آپ کے ساتھ نہیں ہوں۔ pic.twitter.com/w6XFq6UYKp — Mehmood Khan Achakzai (@MKAchakzaiPKMAP) October 7, 2026 The PkMAP chairman urged political parties across the political spectrum to develop a common national agenda to tackle the country’s persistent economic and political challenges, adding that political forces needed to rise above partisan interests and work together to address issues confronting the country. Speaking about constitutional and administrative matters, Achakzai called for fresh appointments to the Election Commission of Pakistan, including the chief election commissioner, in accordance with constitutional procedures as the incumbent officials’ terms expire. Read More: PTI dismisses 'mere offer', asks PM to walk the talk On regional developments, he welcomed international diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving issues involving Afghanistan, further noting that the international community had a responsibility to contribute to lasting peace, stability and economic development in the region. پشتونخوامیپ کے زیر اہتمام شہداء جمہوریت 7 اکتوبر 1983و شہداء وطن 11 اکتوبر 1991 کے برسی کی مناسبت سے ژوب میں منعقد جلسہ عام کے مناظر ۔ pic.twitter.com/feOa5eyMzA — Mehmood Khan Achakzai (@MKAchakzaiPKMAP) October 7, 2026 Achakzai also called for unity among local communities and urged the peaceful resolution of disputes through traditional jirgas, saying dialogue and collective efforts could help maintain peace and harmony. PkMAP Central Secretary Nawab Muhammad Ayaz Khan Jogezai and Information Secretary Talimand Khan also addressed the gathering. They highlighted regional development, improved governance and the resolution of local administrative issues.

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Proclaimed offender held through Interpol

Factory Area police arrested a proclaimed offender (PO) in a murder case after bringing him back from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. According to a spokesperson, the accused, Parwaiz, had allegedly killed a citizen within the jurisdiction of Factory Area police station and later fled abroad. He had been declared a proclaimed offender in a case registered under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The police, with the assistance of Interpol, arrested the accused and brought him back from Saudi Arabia. He was sent to jail for investigation. Meanwhile, Sargodha police busted a four-member gang of robbers. Valuables worth Rs19.35 million were recovered from the suspects.

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Woman shoots son before turning gun on herself

A 42-year-old woman allegedly shot and killed her seven-year-old son before taking her own life at Ghung Road in Sheikhupura, with police saying financial hardship and depression may have contributed to the incident. Her six-year-old daughter, Taiba Imran, also sustained a gunshot wound and was initially taken to the District Headquarters Hospital. The deceased were identified as Shazia Imran and her seven-year-old son, Ahsan Imran. Their bodies were shifted to the DHQ Hospital for medico-legal formalities before being handed over to the family. City A Division SHO Syed Qamar Abbas told reporters that Shazia had been married to labourer Imran, a wagon driver in Gujrat, for about eight years. He said she had reportedly been suffering from depression and had experienced several episodes in recent months despite receiving treatment. According to the SHO, the family lived in a small house, with Shazia's brother residing on the upper floor. He said the woman generally kept the house locked. The SHO said a fruit vendor had arrived in the street when Ahsan and Taiba asked their mother for money to buy fruit. Police believe the incident followed an episode in which Shazia allegedly became distressed over the family's financial circumstances. He said the woman allegedly assaulted the children before opening fire and then taking her own life. Police recovered a pistol from the house. The SHO said preliminary findings indicated that the weapon was not licensed.

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PTI warns of quitting assemblies if governor's rule imposed in K-P

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) President Junaid Akbar Khan warned on Tuesday that the party would "quit" the national and provincial assemblies if governor's rule or an emergency was imposed in K-P. Political uncertainty has deepened in K-P amid growing tensions between the federal and provincial governments, with the Centre considering governor's rule and emergency as possible options. In an interview with a private news channel, Akbar said the party had decided it could no longer remain part of the existing system, even if the chief minister was disqualified. “Our people are being disqualified every day, and we will no longer play this game of assemblies." "PTI will resign from the assemblies if governor’s rule or an emergency is imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa," Akbar stated. Read: Centre lays ground for governor's rule in K-P Akbar stated that these threats of imposing governor's rule only amounted to “verbal firing”, further adding that the federal government did not have the “courage to impose it”. "We want them to impose an emergency so that we can go to the people and such a decision will benefit us because it will make things easier”. The PTI leader noted that the party was not given the government of K-P as a charity but “we protected our vote” to secure the provincial government. Akbar stated that PTI had tried to find the political “middle ground”, but it was unfortunate that the government and state institutions “construed our desire for reconciliation as a sign of weakness”. “We started our protests because we were denied political space, our people were disqualified, PTI speeches were removed from the assembly record and because the courts did not provide us justice”. "We have to live here, our children have to live here. These people who make these decisions — they won't stay here, their children will be abroad, their properties will be abroad, and they'll end up abroad themselves," he remarked. ہم نے یہ لانگ مارچ وزیراعظم صاحب کے کہنے پر شروع نہیں کیا کہ وزیراعظم صاحب ہمیں کہیں گے اور ہم ملتوی کریں گے۔ ہم نے مذاکرات کے لیے جتنا بھی ہم سے ہو سکا، ہم نے وقت دیا۔ ہم سڑکوں پر کیوں آ گئے؟ جب ہمیں اسپیس نہیں ملتا، ہمیں پنجاب میں پی ٹی آئی کا جھنڈا نہیں اٹھانے دیا جاتا، ہمیں… pic.twitter.com/bAvzBR2eD5 — Junaid Akbar (@JunaidAkbarMNA) October 6, 2026 Akbar underlined that the PTI leadership had no option but to participate in the long march because there was pressure from party workers to secure relief for Imran. "Imran Khan is our priority because we saw peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during his leadership". ہماری اولین ترجیح ہی عمران خان ہے اور وہ اس لیے ہیں کہ عمران خان ہی کی وجہ سے ہم نے خیبرپختونخوا میں امن دیکھا تھا۔ اس لئے ہم سمجھتے ہے کہ عمران خان ہوگا تو ملک کا فائدہ ہوگا۔ آپ کا والا وفد وزیراعظم سے نہیں پوچھتا تھا، سب کو پتا تھا کہ کس سے پوچھتا تھا۔ pic.twitter.com/9KacnhMUt4 — Junaid Akbar (@JunaidAkbarMNA) October 6, 2026 "If we reach Swabi, we might not be able to control the long march," he added. Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that PTI had resigned in the past from the provincial and national assemblies only to regret the decision afterwards. “The people of K-P did not vote for PTI, so that its chief minister is found loafing around in the streets”. Chaudhry claimed “on the record” that if PTI resigned from the National Assembly, he had information that 36 PTI MNAs would not submit their resignation. In response to Fazal, Akbar stressed that “whether 36, 56 or 70 PTI MNAs decide not to resign, we want those party workers who cannot uphold Imran’s narrative and stance to leave the party.” “There is no shortage or dearth of leadership in the party. Three years ago, you might not have heard the name of Sohail Afridi,” Akbar emphasised. Background of debate on imposition of governor's rule in K-P The issue of Governor’s Rule has become a major point of contention between the federal and K-P government. On September 21, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the government was consulting the law ministry on legal options for the province, including Governor’s Rule, if the PTI proceeded with its long march. Two days later, however, Information Minister Atta Tarar ruled out any plan to impose Governor’s Rule, saying the federal government had no intention of removing the PTI administration. Read More: Govt 'seriously' considering imposing emergency in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa: Tariq Fazal Some federal ministers publicly raised the possibility of federal intervention in K-P. Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam said consultations were under way on the "constitutional and legal option" of imposing Governors' Rule. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar also said if constitutional conditions for such a step or an emergency were met, it could be implemented. K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi separately warned the provincial government against creating a situation that could force the Centre to impose Governors' Rule. K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi warned that the PTI would "rebel" if necessary to force a change in the federal government policies that were "harming the province". Read More: Afridi threatens revolt to 'force change' Afridi, however, rejected the warnings and said he would not retreat from his position because of threats of Governors' Rule or an emergency. He also said PTI supporters could take to the streets at short notice if an attempt was made to remove him. The developments come amid continued tensions following PTI's announcement of an Islamabad march.  Reports have also emerged about the possible disqualification of the chief minister, his replacement, an in-house change, dissolution of the assembly and a no-confidence motion against him under Article 136 of the Constitution. The no-confidence motion can be submitted to the assembly secretariat with signatures of 20% of the total membership, following which an assembly session is to be convened within three to seven days on a single-point agenda. The assembly rules lay down the procedure for a no-confidence motion. After the motion is moved in the house, voting is held through a secret ballot, with members expressing their choice in two separate lobbies. If the motion succeeds, the speaker will issue a schedule for the election of a new chief minister. The Constitution also provides for the governor to require the chief minister to seek a vote of confidence under Article 130(7). If the governor believes the chief minister has lost the confidence of the majority in the house, the chief minister is required to demonstrate his numerical strength in the assembly.

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PTI marchers change route, head to Khyber first

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Tuesday announced a change in the route of the PTI's long march, saying it would first head towards Khyber and then proceed to Peshawar. “We are playing a Test match; there are still many overs and players left. The change in route is part of the PTI’s strategy,” he said while addressing participants of the protest at University Chowk in Kohat on the third day of the march before departing for the next destination. CM Afridi also referred to the earlier change in the march’s date from September 27 to October 4, saying the authorities had reacted strongly to the postponement and were now concerned about the duration of the protest. Read: CM Afridi urges PTI workers to join long march as convoy enters Kohat He said the march would eventually move towards Islamabad when the PTI decided to do so, declaring: “When we say we are going to Islamabad, no one will be able to stop us.” "یہ لوگ انتشار پھیلانے کی کوشش کریں گے، آپ کو اشتعال دلائیں گے آپ لوگوں نے پرامن رہنا ہے میں نے ان کی دُم پر پاؤں رکھا ہوا ہے۔ خواجہ آصف جو ایک بزرگ عورت سے سیٹ ہار چکا ہے اگر یہ غیرت مند باپ کا بیٹا ہوتا تو ایک عورت کی سیٹ پر نہ بیٹھا ہوتا مجھے تمہاری غیرت کا بھی پتہ ہے اور… pic.twitter.com/2PsiJ2LSa4 — PTI (@PTIofficial) October 6, 2026 Afridi vowed to continue the PTI long march, saying all constitutional and legal avenues had been exhausted and the party was now compelled to take to the streets to seek justice for founder Imran Khan. He said the era of what he called “fake, imposed and mandate-stealing rulers” was nearing its end. Thanking the people of Kohat for their enthusiasm and patriotism, he said PTI workers would not be intimidated by anyone. “My young people, your chief minister is not afraid of anyone, and the youth of my Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are also not afraid of anyone,” he said. Afridi said the objective was to bring Imran out of prison and make him prime minister again, claiming that the country would witness development and prosperity under his leadership. He said Pakistan had enjoyed peace between 2018 and 2022, when, according to him, Imran had not compromised the country’s interests. The chief minister said the seven-point demands of the long march had already been made public on social media and challenged anyone to identify even one demand that was unconstitutional or illegal. Afridi said demands for Imran’s medical treatment, a meeting with him and his release were in accordance with law and were not unconstitutional. He questioned why courts were not hearing Imran’s cases, claiming that if the cases were heard, the PTI founder would be released within an hour. یہ عمران خان کی صحت سے کھیل رہے ہیں۔ ہمارا مطالبہ ہے کہ انہیں شفا انٹرنیشنل ہسپتال منتقل کیا جائے اور ذاتی ڈاکٹر و ہمشیرہ کی نگرانی میں علاج ہو۔ سپریم کورٹ نے آرڈرز جاری کیے، مگر پاکستان پر قابض لوگ اور ان کے لائے جعلی حکمران خود کو آئین و قانون سے بالاتر سمجھ کر انہیں نہیں… pic.twitter.com/TqnyDU0ksX — PTI (@PTIofficial) October 6, 2026 The chief minister alleged that Imran was being kept in prison because he had refused to submit to powerful figures in Pakistan and abroad. He also alleged that restrictions had been placed on the former prime minister’s name and image in the national media because of his popularity. Read More: ‘Absolutely not’: CM Afridi rejects ‘closed-room’ decisions on military operations in K-P Afridi further expressed concern over reports about Imran’s health and alleged that his health was being “played with”. He warned that the jail administration, prime minister and other relevant officials would be responsible if any harm came to Imran. He said courts, assemblies and state institutions operated with taxpayers’ money and argued that people therefore had the right to demand justice. “If the courts do not provide justice, the people will seek justice on the streets,” he said. "ہم نہتے پرامن لانگ مارچ کررہے ہیں، ہم نے اپنی ڈیمانڈز سوشل میڈیا پر شیئر کی ہیں میں پورے پاکستان کو چیلنج کرتا ہوں اگر سات نکات میں سے ایک بھی ڈیمانڈ غیرآئینی غیرقانونی ثابت کردیں میں اپنا لانگ مارچ آج ہی کینسل کردوں گا ۔ عمران خان کا علاج غیر آئینی نہیں ہے، عمران خان سے… pic.twitter.com/WkOr1sptoJ — PTI (@PTIofficial) October 6, 2026 He said that since becoming the chief minister, he had repeatedly approached the authorities and requested a meeting with Imran. According to Afridi, he had also contacted the prime minister over the matter but was told that the request would be considered, after which no meeting was arranged. Afridi stated that the K-P Assembly subsequently passed a resolution seeking his meeting with Imran, while he had also approached the chief justice of Pakistan without receiving a response. He further alleged that even orders of high courts and the Supreme Court concerning access to Imran and his medical treatment had not been implemented. Afridi also criticised the handling of negotiations, saying PTI had always maintained that political problems should be resolved through dialogue. He alleged that attempts were being made to “trade the blood of Pashtuns” to protect political positions. On the security situation in K-P, he underlined that successive military operations and drone strikes over the past 22 years had failed to eliminate terrorism, further claiming his government had a policy that could restore peace in the province within 100 days.

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Bag ban blitz sparks traders' fury

An Islamabad police official allegedly subjected a shopkeeper to violence and threats during a crackdown on plastic shopping bags, with a video of the incident going viral on social media and traders demanding action against those responsible. The incident happened in the Loi Bher police station area during a district administration campaign against plastic shopping bags. According to the affected shopkeeper, the official slapped him after finding several shopping bags at his shop, threatened him with serious consequences and took him to the police station. The shopkeeper claimed that some of the bags found at his shop were among those permitted by the government. Despite the video circulating widely on social media, neither the district administration nor the police initially issued an explanation regarding the incident. All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran and Traders Action Committee Islamabad president Ajmal Baloch, Traders Action Committee Islamabad secretary Khalid Chaudhry and other market representatives strongly condemned the alleged treatment and demanded that the Interior Minister take notice of the matter. The traders said a crackdown in the name of enforcing the plastic-bag ban had resulted in the humiliation and arrests of traders over the past three days. They demanded the immediate release of detained traders and an end to what they described as harassment. Baloch questioned why authorities were not taking action against factories manufacturing illegal shopping bags, arguing that arresting and fining shopkeepers could not resolve the issue. Chaudhry said the use of alleged self-appointed magistrates against traders was contrary to a High Court ruling. He demanded that the administration act strictly in accordance with the law. The traders also claimed that bags confiscated from shopkeepers were later returned to markets for sale, while smuggled bags seized by customs authorities were auctioned and subsequently re-entered the market. They urged the Environmental Protection Agency and district administration to launch a formal campaign promoting cloth bags and provide traders with viable alternatives instead of relying solely on punitive measures. The traders warned that failure to release detained traders and end their alleged humiliation would lead to a decision on protests and a shutter-down strike.

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‘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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