Man held for likening Tarnol crossing with Strait of Hormuz

Police have arrested a man for a social media post likening the Tarnol Railway Crossing to the Strait of Hormuz, as heightened security measures remain in place in the capital amid regional tensions. The arrest was made after an FIR was registered on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Shahid Asghar on behalf of the state. The case has been lodged under Sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 511 (attempt to commit offences) of the PPC. According to the complaint, the accused, identified as Khurram, had shared a post on social media stating, "Tarnol Railway Crossing is no less than the Strait of Hormuz. If it is closed, all our problems will be resolved". Police said the suspect was taken into custody and his mobile phone was examined, where evidence of the post was found. The development comes at a time when extraordinary security arrangements are in place across Islamabad and Rawalpindi ahead of a possible second round of talks between the US and Iran.

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11 injured in Karakoram Highway crash in K-P's Shangla

At least 11 people were injured in a traffic accident on the Karakoram Highway in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Shangla district late on Friday. Rescue 1122 Shangla District Emergency Officer Eng Malik Sherdil Khan told The Express Tribune that the incident occurred near the Maira area within the jurisdiction of Shangla after nightfall, reportedly due to poor visibility on the main highway. He said that as per initial reports, a collision between a carpool vehicle and a van left multiple passengers seriously injured. Residents, along with police and rescue teams, immediately launched a rescue operation. He said personnel from Rescue 1122 reached the scene promptly and provided first aid to the injured before moving them to nearby medical facilities. Patients with critical injuries were shifted to Ayub Medical Complex. PHOTO: RESCUE 1122 He said that all the injured were initially taken to the Basic Health Unit (BHU) in Maira. However, due to the severity of injuries, eight critically wounded individuals were later referred to Ayub Medical Complex in Abbottabad for advanced medical treatment. A local bystander said that the passengers travelling in the carry van were reportedly from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while those in the car belonged to the Bisham and Chakesar areas of Shangla district.

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Islamabad Police arrest man over social media post equating Tarnol Phatak to Strait of Hormuz

The Islamabad Police arrested a man for allegedly equating the Tarnol railway crossing to the Strait of Hormuz, it emerged on Friday. Washington has imposed a blockade on Iran's trade by sea, while Iran has prevented ships from sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway at the entrance to the Middle ​East Gulf. Nearly two months after the US and Israel began their war on Iran on February 28, there is little sign of peace ​talks resuming during an uneasy ceasefire. The closure of the strait has disrupted the supply of a fifth of the ⁠world's oil and gas supplies and caused a global energy crisis. A first information report registered at Tarnol Police Station by Sub-Inspector Shahid Asghar on Tuesday under Sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant), Section 341 (punishment for wrongful restrains) and Section 511 (punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or for a shorter term) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) said that the suspect posted content suggesting that blocking Tarnol Phatak in a manner similar to the Strait of Hormuz could help resolve prevailing issues. The FIR said that, in the context of the current national situation, such remarks amounted to a violation of Section 144, which was imposed in Islamabad to maintain public order and prevent actions that may incite unrest. Read: Islamabad maintains security lockdown amid uncertainty over US-Iran talks Acting on a tip-off from a special informant, the Tarnol police apprehended the suspect at Tarnol Chowk, the FIR added, saying that a subsequent examination of his mobile phone corroborated the information received. The FIR further said that the suspect violated the orders of the authorised authorities and incited the public to block Tarnol Phatak. It said the suspect was taken into custody and that legal proceedings had been initiated in accordance with the law. It added that strict action was being taken against individuals who spread content on social media that could disrupt peace or encourage unlawful activities. For nearly a week, the federal capital has been waiting for peace talks between the United States and ​Iran to take place there and large parts of the city ‌remain sealed off by authorities. Key roads leading into Islamabad are shut down, and a strict security cordon envelops the administrative centre, the so-called "Red Zone". In the adjacent "Blue Area", cafes have run out of fruit, markets are deserted and with no service at bus terminals, weekend commuters are struggling to get home. The current lockdown is the second in two weeks. Islamabad was first sealed off for talks between the US and Iranian delegations on April 11 that ended without a deal. The city briefly reopened, then locked down again as Pakistan waits to host a second round that has yet to materialise.

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FO calls out India's 'fabricated' Pahalgam narrative

The Foreign Office on Thursday rejected what it described as India's propaganda campaign of "baseless allegations" linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident, and called on New Delhi to demonstrate responsible behaviour and refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and actions. The Foreign Office did not specify what statements or allegations it was referring to. However, an Indian media outlet claimed in a recent investigation that the mastermind behind the Pahalgam attack was taking shelter in Pakistan. It claimed the suspect allegedly possessed a Pakistani identity card with a Rawalpindi address. Meanwhile, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued a veiled warning to Pakistan a day ago. On April 22 last year, unidentified attackers killed 26 people in Pahalgam in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). India immediately blamed Pakistan without presenting evidence, an allegation Islamabad categorically rejected. Tensions escalated the following day, April 23, 2025, when India undertook a series of hostile measures, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty. In a statement issued today, the FO said: "At a time when Pakistan, along with its international partners, is undertaking concerted diplomatic efforts for regional and international peace and security, it is deplorable that India has once again resorted to a campaign of baseless allegations and propaganda to link Pakistan with the Pahalgam incident." Calling the development "unfortunate|, the statement said that amid an ongoing regional crisis, India remained focused on "weaponising its false narrative against Pakistan for narrow domestic political gains". "After receiving a befitting reply to its misplaced adventurism in the form of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos last year, such allegations constitute yet another chapter from India's playbook of creating a smokescreen for its continued sponsorship of terrorism across the region," it added. The FO said such propaganda campaigns could not distract the international community from India's continued occupation of IIOJK and its denial of the right to self-determination to Kashmiris, in violation of relevant United Nations resolutions. It further stated that such "gimmicks" could not conceal what it termed India's undermining of regional peace and security through "inflammatory rhetoric, repeated provocations and aggressive military posturing", including its unilateral move to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, which it said violated international law. "We hope that the international community will call on India to demonstrate responsible behaviour and to refrain from all rhetoric and actions that may serve as a spoiler to ongoing efforts aimed at regional and international peace and security," the statement concluded. A day ago, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar marked one year since what he described as the "Pahalgam false flag operation", stating that India had failed to present evidence for its allegations against Pakistan over the attack. The situation had further deteriorated following the Pahalgam attack in the early hours of May 7, 2025, when missile strikes hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children and the elderly. In response, Pakistan's armed forces shot down Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets. Later, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos in retaliation, targeting Indian military installations, including missile storage sites, airbases and other strategic locations. On May 10, 2025, United States President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached following overnight diplomatic efforts. The agreement was subsequently confirmed by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Indian foreign secretary.

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FM Dar urges UNSC president to press India to restore Indus Waters Treaty

Pakistan on Thursday urged the United Nations to call upon India to restore full implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), warning that New Delhi’s “illegal” decision to hold the accord in abeyance carried grave peace, security, and humanitarian consequences for the region. The development comes after the completion of one year since India placed the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following last year’s April 22 attack in Pahalgam in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), in which 26 people were killed by unidentified assailants. According to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Mission to the UN, the country’s permanent representative, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, handed over a letter from Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to the president of the UN Security Council, Ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei of Bahrain. Also Read: FO rubbishes India’s ‘false narrative’ linking Pakistan to Pahalgam attack “The letter draws the attention of the Security Council, one year after India’s illegal decision to hold the IWT in abeyance, of its grave peace and security, and humanitarian consequences,” the statement said. It urged the Security Council to take cognisance of the situation and call on India to restore full implementation of the treaty, resume all treaty-mandated cooperation and data-sharing without delay, desist from any form of water coercion, and comply fully with its international obligations in good faith. Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, today handed over a letter addressed by Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister @MIshaqDar50 to the President of the UN Security Council, Ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei of Bahrain. The letter draws… pic.twitter.com/JRNhsPpfc6 — Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) April 23, 2026 The statement added that the permanent representative also briefed the Security Council president on what it described as the "regurgitation of baseless allegations and propaganda by India" at a time when Pakistan was engaged in mediation efforts to promote regional and international peace and security. Ambassador Iftikhar further underscored that the “unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute — a longstanding item on the SC’s agenda — was the root cause of instability in South Asia that necessitated a just and lasting settlement in accordance with relevant SC resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people”, the statement concluded. The IWT of 1960 stands as one of the most carefully negotiated and legally robust transboundary water agreements in modern international law. Concluded between Pakistan and India with the good offices of the World Bank, the treaty was designed to remove water from the volatility of politics and conflict and to anchor it firmly in law, engineering discipline, and neutral dispute resolution. It is a binding international instrument governed by the foundational principle of pacta sunt servanda — that treaties must be honoured in good faith. Read: Pakistan accuses India of violating Indus Waters Treaty At the heart of the IWT lies a permanent and unqualified allocation of rivers. Article II vests the eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej — exclusively in India, while Article III accords Pakistan exclusive rights over the western rivers — Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. This allocation was the treaty’s foundational bargain. India’s access to the western rivers is permitted only within the narrow confines of Article III(2) of the Indus Waters Treaty, read with Annexures D and E, allowing limited, non-consumptive uses such as run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects. These permissions are subject to strict design and operational constraints, including limits on pondage, prohibition of storage for flow regulation, and a ban on engineering features enabling control over water flows to Pakistan. These safeguards were intended to protect Pakistan as the lower riparian and prevent water from becoming a strategic tool. Pakistan’s objections to projects such as Kishanganga and Ratle stem from concerns over excessive pondage, gated spillways, and drawdown mechanisms, which it says violate treaty provisions and could affect downstream flows, particularly during lean seasons. The dispute entered a more troubling phase in April 2025, when, following a terrorist incident in Pahalgam, India announced that it was placing the Indus Waters Treaty “in abeyance”. Read More: India skips IWT case proceedings at The Hague Earlier this year, India unilaterally approved the Dulhasti Stage-II Hydropower Project on the Chenab River, an action that violates the treaty’s provisions governing the western rivers and infringes upon Pakistan’s legally protected rights under the binding international agreement. The unilateral suspension and expedited approval of upstream projects, including the withholding of hydrological data, diversion of river flows, and alteration of natural regimes, constitute deliberate water weaponisation, jeopardising Pakistan’s agriculture, food security, hydropower generation, and ecological stability. Under the IWT, customary international law, and Article 51 of the UN Charter, Pakistan has clear legal avenues to respond. International law expressly prohibits the use of water as a weapon against downstream populations, making strict enforcement of the IWT essential not only for bilateral stability but also for the integrity of global water governance norms.

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Used imported mobiles become costlier after 175% FBR hike

The federal government has increased taxes on used imported mobile phones after raising their customs valuation by up to 175%, making 62 models of various brands more expensive. According to documents available to The Express Tribune, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has revised the customs valuation of imported mobile phones through its Directorate General of Customs Valuation, issuing a new valuation ruling under which taxes will henceforth be collected based on revised values. Officials said the increase in customs valuation has directly raised the tax burden on imported mobile phones. Following the new ruling, 62 models of various well-known brands have become costlier. The new framework applies to all used mobile phones regardless of their condition. It further requires that imported mobile phones must have been activated at least six months before import, and importers are required to provide activation details, which will be verified by customs authorities. The previous valuation ruling has been withdrawn and replaced with Valuation Ruling No. 2070. Prices have been determined on the basis of market and import data, with officials warning that the cost of importing used mobile phones is expected to rise significantly. Under the revised structure, the customs value of a used iPhone 15 Pro Max has been increased from $460 to $505, while the iPhone 15 Pro has been raised from $390 to $472. The iPhone 15 Plus has increased from $320 to $390, and the iPhone 15 from $310 to $378. Similarly, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has been revised from $360 to $413, the iPhone 14 Pro from $290 to $350, and the iPhone 14 from $210 to $275. The iPhone 13 Pro Max has been increased from $295 to $374, while the iPhone 13 Pro has been raised from $225 to $293 and the iPhone 13 from $170 to $225. For older models, the iPhone 12 Pro Max has been increased from $215 to $274, the iPhone 12 Pro from $155 to $222, and the iPhone 12 from $120 to $156. The iPhone 11 Pro Max has been revised from $145 to $211, the iPhone 11 Pro from $125 to $160, and the iPhone 11 from $95 to $133. The customs value of the iPhone XS Max has been kept unchanged at $95, while the iPhone XS has been increased from $66 to $73. The iPhone XR has been raised from $76 to $80, and the iPhone X from $57 to $70. The iPhone 8 Plus has been increased from $47 to $78, while the iPhone 8 has been revised from $38 to $45. The iPhone 7 Plus has increased from $26 to $35. For entry-level models, the iPhone SE (2nd generation) has been increased from $25 to $52, while the iPhone SE has been revised from $25 to $47. The iPhone XS R3 has also been increased from $25 to $47. Among Android devices, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has increased from $255 to $305, the S23 Plus from $160 to $260, and the S23 from $140 to $250. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G has been raised from $160 to $260, while the S22 Plus 5G has been increased from $75 to $180. The Galaxy S22 5G has been revised from $80 to $130. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G has been increased from $69 to $150, and the S21 5G from $50 to $110. The Galaxy S20 Plus has been revised from $46 to $94, while the S20 has been increased from $41 to $75. The Galaxy S10 Plus has been raised from $25 to $60, the S10 from $25 to $54, and the S10e from $25 to $49. For the Note series, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has been increased from $115 to $145, the Note 20 from $59 to $95, the Note 10 from $41 to $60, and the Note 9 from $25 to $50. Google Pixel devices have also seen significant revisions. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has been increased from $260 to $348, while the Pixel 9 Pro has been raised from $195 to $290, and the Pixel 9 from $150 to $215. The Pixel 8 Pro has increased from $188 to $215, and the Pixel 8a from $98 to $120. The Pixel 7 Pro has been revised from $119 to $145, while the Pixel 7 has been increased from $59 to $105. The Pixel 6 Pro has been raised from $55 to $110, the Pixel 6 from $32 to $94, the Pixel 6a from $28 to $82, and the Pixel 5 from $18 to $47. The Pixel 5a 5G has also been increased from $18 to $47. OnePlus models have also been revised, with the OnePlus 12 increased from $184 to $211, the 12R from $105 to $176, the 11 from $92 to $121, the 10T from $60 to $90, and the 10 Pro from $65 to $113. The FBR has clarified in the valuation ruling that used mobile phones imported in commercial quantities without packaging or accessories will be assessed according to the values listed in the relevant table, regardless of condition or grading. It has also been made mandatory that such mobile phones must have been activated at least six months before export, and importers will be required to declare activation periods, subject to verification by customs collectors. If any brand or model is not included in the list but is imported in commercial quantity, its valuation will be determined under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1969. If declared invoice values are higher than the prescribed customs values, duties and taxes will be applied on the higher value. The ruling further states that freight differences for air and sea shipments will also be included in valuation. Customs field formations have been directed to strictly implement the new ruling.

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Future of warfare being written in Indian Ocean: naval chief

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf on Thursday said that the future of warfare was being shaped in the Indian Ocean due to its vast contribution to global trade, cautioning that any disruption could significantly impact global supply chains and energy prices. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the naval chief made the remarks at the conclusion of a two-day international conference titled “Emerging Technologies and the Future Warfare”, hosted by the Maritime Centre of Excellence (MCE) in Karachi, where he attended as chief guest. The conference aimed to bring together maritime experts, academia and defence industry representatives to discuss evolving geostrategic trends and the impact of technology on modern warfare. A two day international conference on Emerging Technologies and the Future Warfare, hosted by Maritime Centre of Excellence, culminated at Karachi, bringing together maritime experts, academia and defence industry representatives on one platform. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/NkU4A7kXm7 — DGPR (Navy) (@dgprPaknavy) April 23, 2026 Addressing participants, Admiral Ashraf underscored the importance of close collaboration between industry, end-users and academia to drive innovation, adaptability and operational relevance. “Such collaboration would promote indigenisation and self-reliance, helping build a cost-effective and globally competitive defence ecosystem for Pakistan with export potential,” he said. Read: Pakistan Navy’s deterrence: neutralising India’s signaling Highlighting the strategic significance of the Indian Ocean, he reiterated that the region was central to global trade flows and warned that any disruption could have far-reaching consequences for economies linked to it. The conference also highlighted the increasingly blurred lines between civilian and military applications of advanced technologies, noting that this trend presented both opportunities and challenges for Pakistan’s defence ecosystem. Participants discussed how rapid technological advancements were transforming warfare by reshaping operational concepts, force structures and outcomes. The event was attended by senior military leadership, policymakers, diplomats, academics, industry experts and students from various universities. It concluded with a reaffirmation of the need for sustained intellectual collaboration to effectively navigate technology-driven transformations and harness future trends in warfare. Earlier this year, the Pakistan Navy conducted a “Passage Exercise” with a Royal Oman Navy ship, KHASAB, involving a flotilla comprising sail ships and a vessel of the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency. A day later, the navy carried out a comprehensive exercise in the North Arabian Sea, testing surface-to-air missiles, loitering munitions and an unmanned surface vessel, the ISPR said. Last year, during hostilities between Pakistan and India in May, the Pakistan Navy said it had prevented the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant from undertaking any maritime action in the North Arabian Sea through a coordinated strategy. “Not only did the Pakistan Navy restrict the Indian Navy to its own waters, but it also ensured the safety of Pakistan's maritime trade routes and coastal regions,” officials had told The Express Tribune.   Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also commended the Pakistan Navy for its readiness and professionalism, stating that the naval forces were fully prepared to launch an operation akin to the historic Operation Dwarka. However, he said the Indian Navy avoided confrontation after witnessing the befitting response from Pakistan’s ground and air forces.

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