Balochistan transporters suspend mineral loading over security, extortion concerns

The Balochistan Goods Truck Owners Association announced on Tuesday it would suspend the loading and transportation of chromite, marble and other minerals across the province, citing repeated attacks on vehicles, lack of security, and widespread extortion by various elements. Addressing a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, Association President Haji Noor Muhammad Shahwani said transporters suffered losses worth millions of rupees due to the burning of trucks and bursting of tyres. He warned that any truck or company owner who loads minerals would be solely responsible for any profit or loss. “From today onward, no truck will load chromite or marble from Dalbandin, Nokkundi, Muslim Bagh or Loralai,” Shahwani declared. Loading of food items and other general goods will, however, continue as normal. Read: Gwadar Port tariff rates slashed He said the attacks had been occurring for a long time on national highways. Recent incidents were reported in areas including Mastung, Khad Kocha, Armagai in Kharan district, Washuk, and Khuzdar, where nearly a dozen trucks were targeted. Eight trucks were set on fire while the rest sustained damage to their tyres. Shahwani complained that neither the mine contractors and owners nor the provincial government had provided any support or compensation to the affected transporters, turning mineral transport into an unbearable ordeal. He further alleged that no highway in Balochistan was safe. Looting occurred in broad daylight at gunpoint, with money being forcibly taken from trucks and buses. At several check posts, including Rukshan, Barori, Barija in Jhal Magsi district, Rakhni, and Dana Sar, personnel allegedly forced parked food trucks to surrender diesel. The association chief also pointed to “humiliating” behaviour by the station house officer of Sakran Police Station at Hub Chowki towards transporters. He claimed that trucks and trailers heading from Balochistan to Karachi were regularly subjected to extortion. Despite directives issued by the chief minister to end police and other departments’ extortion culture and remove illegal check posts, the practice continued unabated, he added. Shahwani also raised the issue of a recent fire at the Lakpass Customs Warehouse, in which transporters’ vehicles worth billions of rupees were destroyed. He demanded the formation of a high-level inquiry committee under the supervision of the Balochistan High Court to investigate the incident and take action against those responsible.

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Fact-check: Viral video of giant bull at Karachi cattle market is AI-generated

Multiple accounts have been sharing a video across social media platforms since May 18, 2026, claiming that it shows a giant bull at the Karachi cattle market. However, the clip is AI-generated. Cattle markets have begun being set up all over Pakistan in anticipation for Eidul Azha that will be celebrated on May 27, 2026. How it started On May 18, a social media user shared a video on Instagram featuring a man standing with a giant black bull. “500kg bull in Karachi. Can anyone guess how much is the demand?” the caption reads. The post gained 2.8 million views. A local Pakistani digital media outlet, Nation Point, also shared the same clip with the following caption: “Giant bull stuns visitors at Karachi cattle market, price reportedly set at Rs20 million.” The post gained 238,900 views. Another user shared the same clip with a similar caption, accumulating 74,000 views. On X, a user shared the viral video with the caption: “What a tall bull. It seems like he’s not a creature of this era. What do you think his weight would be?” The post gained 60,800 views. Other social media users also shared the video on X, as can be seen here, here, here, here, here, and here; on Instagram, as can be seen here; and on YouTube, as can be seen here and here. The posts collectively accumulated about 15,000 views. Methodology A fact-check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to its high virality and keen public interest surrounding Eidul Azha cattle markets in Pakistan, particularly in Karachi. A keyword search was conducted to verify whether any credible Pakistani media outlets had recently reported on a “giant bull” at Karachi’s cattle market; however, no such reports were found. The viral video was further analysed for visual discrepancies, which showed that the bull in question appears drastically larger than any known real-world cattle breed, towering over surrounding people and animals to a biologically implausible extent. The scale difference between the bull in the viral video, other animals and nearby individuals appears exaggerated and inconsistent. Additionally, a blurry effect can be observed around the animal in the video, a common indication of AI-generated or digitally manipulated visuals. The man holding the rope also appears disproportionately small in comparison to the bull. Moreover, the individual standing behind the alleged giant bull on the left side of the frame at the 0:07 mark, dressed in white clothing, appears anatomically distorted, with his upper body facing towards the animal while his legs and feet are unnaturally positioned in the opposite direction, indicating likely AI-generated manipulation. The viral video was also analysed using AI detection tools. Hive Moderation flagged the video as 99.7 per cent AI-generated. Similarly, Decopy AI and Undetectable AI rated the clip as having 100pc and 86pc AI probability, respectively. Fact-check status: False The claim that a viral video shows a giant bull at the Karachi cattle market is false. The viral video is fabricated and digitally manipulated using AI. This fact check was originally published by iVerify Pakistan — a project of CEJ-IBA and UNDP.

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K-P Assembly passes resolution on Pakistanis’ plight in Gulf

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution expressing concern over the problems faced by Pakistani expatriates in Gulf countries, particularly issues related to residency permits (iqama) and visa cancellations. The resolution, moved by government MPA Obaidur Rehman, highlighted the difficulties confronting Pakistani citizens in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. It noted that visas of many Pakistanis were being cancelled in the United Arab Emirates and urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant departments to take immediate steps for their resolution. The house also called for facilitating the prompt repatriation of deceased Pakistanis so that their bodies could be brought home without delay. In the same session, the assembly witnessed sharp criticism over recruitment irregularities in the health department, particularly in South Waziristan. Government MPA Asif Khan launched a strong attack on the provincial government, accusing it of violating local domicile rules in Grade 11 appointments being conducted through the Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA). Asif warned that candidates from other districts were being favoured for posts in Upper and South Waziristan, while local residents were being sidelined. “We contest elections on the name of Imran Khan and carry the hopes of the people. If this practice continues, I will resign,” he said, adding that such decisions taken in “closed rooms” were unacceptable. He lamented that the provincial health minister had not visited Waziristan even once in seven months despite poor conditions in hospitals and basic health units (BHUs), where doctors were reportedly absent from duty. Speaker Babar Salim Swati supported the concerns raised by Asif and issued a ruling to halt the recruitment process until the concerned standing committee examined the matter and gave its recommendations. Law Minister Aftab Alam also endorsed the principle that district-level posts should preferably go to local candidates and suggested necessary amendments in the rules. The health recruitment controversy dominated much of the proceedings, with members stressing that terrorism-affected areas like Waziristan deserved special attention and that new appointees must give written assurances to serve in the region. Separately, the house was informed about the completion of an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the auction of gold mineral blocks in Kohat. PPP MPA Shazia Tahmase raised the issue through a question. In response, Alam and Minister Riaz Khan stated that the provincial cabinet had constituted an inquiry committee as soon as complaints surfaced. The committee had finalised its report, which would be presented before the next cabinet meeting. The report would subsequently be laid before the assembly. The National Accountability Bureau was also continuing its own investigation into the matter. The day’s proceedings reflected growing concern within the ruling alliance over expatriate welfare, fair recruitment practices in backward districts and transparency in the award of mineral contracts. Observers see the speaker’s ruling on recruitments and the impending cabinet discussion on the Kohat gold inquiry as significant steps towards addressing public grievances and ensuring accountability in provincial governance.

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Israeli forces detain Saad Edhi, other volunteers after intercepting Global Sumud Flotilla

Edhi Foundation Chairman Faisal Edhi alleged on Monday that Israeli forces had detained his son, Saad Edhi, along with other volunteers after intercepting the Global Sumud Flotilla as the mission was carrying aid, including medicine and food, for victims in Gaza. In a message on Meta, Faisal said that around 1pm Pakistan Standard Time, Israeli forces intervened in the Gaza aid flotilla near Cyprus in international waters and arrested his son along with other volunteers. “They were in international waters, and Israeli forces have no right to arrest them. We don't know where they have taken them,” he said. Faisal appealed to the federal government and the Foreign Office to take legal action against the Israeli forces for detaining a Pakistani citizen. “I urge FO to raise this issue with the UN and the international community regarding the detention of a Pakistani citizen,” he added. He further said that the UN and the international community must stop the unlawful actions of the Israeli forces against civilians and work to end the genocide in Gaza, providing urgent assistance to the people there. https://ift.tt/ncm1dM9 At the time of the Israeli operation, Saad was recording a video in which scenes of the Israeli military taking control of the flotilla boats and arresting the workers were captured. Forty-five years ago, Abdul Sattar Edhi himself was similarly arrested by the Israeli military in 1980 while travelling to Gaza with relief supplies to help Palestinians. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Faisal said that the aid workers were arrested near Greece in international waters, calling the act illegal. He added that the government should raise its voice against this action on international forums. He further stated that there was still no information about Saad’s whereabouts or where the Israeli military has transferred the detained aid workers. However, it was expected that more information regarding Saad and the aid workers from other countries may emerge on Tuesday. The organisers of a flotilla of aid vessels bound for Gaza said that Israeli forces ‌had intercepted 28 of their boats in the eastern Mediterranean, while the remaining 26 ships were continuing to sail toward the enclave. Earlier on Monday, Israel's foreign ministry had said on X that it "will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza". Ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla had set sail for a third time ​on Thursday from southern Turkiye, after earlier attempts to deliver aid to Gaza were intercepted by Israel in international waters. Live video ​showed military vessels approaching the vessels on Monday. "Military vessels are currently intercepting our fleet and (Israeli) forces are ⁠boarding the first of our boats in broad daylight," the Global Sumud Flotilla initially said on X. "We demand safe passage for our legal, ​non-violent humanitarian mission." RED ALERT! Military vessels are currently intercepting our fleet and IOF forces are boarding the first of our boats in broad daylight. We demand safe passage for our legal, non-violent humanitarian mission. Governments must act now to stop these illegal acts or piracy meant to… pic.twitter.com/4RmPuswZNo — Global Sumud Flotilla (@gbsumudflotilla) May 18, 2026 The group said there were 426 people taking part in the 54-vessel flotilla from 39 countries. It named 44 Turks among those on the intercepted ​vessels, some 463 kilometres from Gaza. Israel's foreign ministry also called on "all participants in this provocation to change course and turn back immediately". A Turkish activist on board the L'Arq vessel in the flotilla said he did not fear interception by Israeli forces but voiced concern for those already seized, adding the crew ​on his boat expected interception as soon as they got close to Gaza. Read This: UN special rapporteur urges Mediterranean states to protect Global Sumud Flotilla "We don't know where they are, we don't know how ​many of them were actually taken," Ahmet Soylemez said, speaking aboard the boat. A live tracker on the flotilla's website showed L'Arq was around 215 nautical ‌miles ⁠from Gaza. Turkey seeking safe return of nationals Turkey's foreign ministry condemned the Israeli intervention as a "new act of piracy", adding that Ankara was taking the necessary steps to ensure the safe return of Turkish citizens on board the flotilla in coordination with other relevant countries. "Israel must immediately cease its intervention and unconditionally release the flotilla participants being held," it said in a statement, calling on the international community to urgently adopt ​a "united and resolute" stance against Israel. The ​previous flotilla departed from Spain ⁠on April 12. But Israeli forces intercepted vessels in that group, taking more than 100 pro-Palestinian activists to Crete and detaining two others in Israel. Read More: Gaza flotilla organisers say 211 activists 'kidnapped', 22 vessels intercepted by Israel Last October, Israel's military halted another flotilla assembled by the same organisation, ​arresting Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and more than 450 participants. Palestinians and international aid bodies, along with Turkiye ​and several other countries, say supplies reaching Gaza are still insufficient, despite a ceasefire reached in October that included guarantees of increased aid. Most of Gaza's more than two million people have been displaced, many now living in bombed-out homes and makeshift tents pitched on open ground, roadsides, or atop the ⁠ruins of ​destroyed buildings. Israel, which controls all access to the Gaza Strip, denies withholding supplies for ​its residents. Its foreign ministry said more than 1.58 million metric tons of humanitarian aid and thousands of tons of medical supplies have entered Gaza since October 2025.

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PTI rifts deepen after cabinet expansion

Differences within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have surfaced shortly after the expansion of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa cabinet, with several party leaders and lawmakers expressing strong displeasure over being overlooked. The controversy erupted after Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced the expansion of his cabinet. The move came nearly a year after he formed a slim cabinet in 2025. Sources said the decision was taken following consultations with the party's founder chairman, though the meeting with the chairman did not materialise before the announcement. The expansion included six new ministers, four advisors, and eight special assistants. However, the announcement triggered immediate backlash from party members who felt sidelined. Abdul Ghani Afridi, a close associate of the Chief Minister, publicly conveyed his dissatisfaction through a couplet on social media. Former Governor Shah Farman clarified on social media that no one was included in the cabinet on his recommendation, nor did he propose any names. Former provincial minister Shaukat Yousafzai criticised the exclusion of Shangla district, noting that while the Chief Minister has the prerogative to choose his cabinet, some decisions must be made keeping party interests in mind. He pointed out that federal minister Amir Maqam, opposition leader Dr Ebad, and Senator Niaz belong to Shangla, questioning whether ignoring the district would disappoint its people. Several districts appear to have received disproportionate representation, while others were completely ignored. Malakand, Charsadda, and Nowshera each secured three slots. In contrast, key districts including North and South Waziristan, Bannu, Orakzai, Hangu, and Bajaur received no representation despite having multiple PTI MPAs. Some districts received multiple berths: two each from Kohat, Mardan, Peshawar, Buner, Dir, Haripur, Swabi; and one each from Mohmand, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Abbottabad, Tank, and Battagram. Shakil Khan, a member of former Chief Minister Mahmood Khan's cabinet and associated with the Atif Khan group, was surprisingly re-inducted, triggering astonishment within party circles. Notably, the cabinet largely avoided including unelected personalities, with only Muzzmal Aslam reportedly making it as an exception. The cabinet expansion has highlighted growing regional and factional fissures within PTI in K-P.

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IHC orders action against campus drugs

The hearing of a case pertaining to the use of drugs in educational institutions across the federal capital will be taken up on May 19 by a bench headed by Justice Raja Inam Amin Minhas of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). During the previous hearing, the court had issued notices to the Executive Director of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, directing him to appear in person at the next hearing or ensure the presence of a responsible official fully conversant with the matter. The court had also instructed the police and Anti-Narcotics Force Pakistan to extend assistance in developing a surveillance mechanism for universities. The petition has been filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) by Advocate Kashif Ali Malik on behalf of the Lucky Foundation, seeking eradication of drug use in educational institutions. The matter is scheduled for hearing on 19 May.

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No move on constitutional amendment without consensus, says Sanaullah

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah pushed back on Saturday against speculation of an imminent constitutional amendment, saying no such move would proceed without broad political consensus among all stakeholders. Rumours about a proposed 28th constitutional amendment have been doing the rounds since last year and have gotten stronger as of late. Amid growing speculation, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said a day earlier that the government had not contacted his party regarding any proposed constitutional amendment, while warning that the passage of any such legislation would not be possible without its support. Speaking during a private television programme “Jirga”, Sanaullah remained non-committal when asked about the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment. Read: No move on 28th constitutional amendment, says law minister “It is settled that whatever amendment comes will be the 28th Amendment, because the 27th has already been done. So now, we should expect the 28th Amendment,” he said. However, he did not confirm whether such an amendment was under consideration, adding that the issues potentially linked to a 28th amendment were of fundamental importance and remained part of ongoing dialogue between political parties and their leadership. Responding to a question, he endorsed Bilawal’s stance that no constitutional amendment could be passed without the PPP’s support. “Yes, absolutely. He is correct in saying that no amendment can be made without them, and he is also right to the extent that they have not been informed that we are going to bring any 28th Amendment,” he said. He added, however, that the PPP was itself aware of the issues at hand and also had proposals for resolving them. “Consensus-building has not yet begun. Until there is consensus, no move will be made towards any amendment,” he said. Also Read: PPP pours scorn on govt's 28th tweak plan Discussing broader governance and fiscal matters, including local government systems, the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, population control, and resource distribution, he said the existing framework left the federal government with very limited fiscal space after debt servicing and defence expenditure. “The distribution of resources between the provinces and the federation under the NFC leaves the federation with almost nothing after paying external debt and defence charges,” he said, adding that the matter was under serious consideration and required a workable solution. Expressing concern over a potential future water crisis, the adviser said India was planning to construct five to six dams on the Chenab River, projects that he said could be completed by 2029–30. He warned that in such a scenario, India would be in a position to control the river’s flow. “India will weaponise water. When we need it, they may block it, and when we do not need it, they may suddenly release it, causing floods here,” he said. He added that Pakistan should urgently consider alternative strategies, including the construction of water reservoirs, to address the potential challenge.

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