4 personnel injured in explosion at Domel police station in K-P's Bannu

At least four police personnel were injured in an explosion at the Domel Police Station in Bannu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa late on Thursday night. Bannu Deputy Inspector General Sajjad Khan said the blast occurred within the limits of the Domel police station. He confirmed that at least four personnel received injuries in the explosion, adding that rescue and relief operations were underway at the site. The nature of the blast could not be immediately ascertained. K-P has been battling terrorism since the United States' ouster from Afghanistan, with terrorists often crossing the border to target police convoys and vehicles, resulting in the deaths of several officials and personnel. Last month, at least seven police personnel, including the station house officer of Shadi Khel Police Station, were martyred in an explosion near a police mobile in Lakki Marwat. A week before that, two policemen were killed and 15 people, including five police personnel, were injured in a blast in the Rustam Bazaar area of Wana in Lower South Waziristan. The province has witnessed a surge in terrorist attacks, accounting for the highest number of incidents in the country. Out of a total of 5,397 reported incidents last year, K-P recorded 3,811, followed by Balochistan with 1,557 incidents. Only 29 incidents were reported from the rest of the country. A total of 2,597 terrorists were killed during the year.

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Schools reopen after 21-day hiatus

All public and private schools across the Rawalpindi Division have reopened after an extended 21-day break, restoring activity to previously subdued educational institutions. On Wednesday, government schools announced the pending annual examination results for classes from early years (pre-primary) to Grade 7. All pupils were declared successful and promoted to the next classes. Admissions in public schools have also commenced, albeit with a delay of one month this year, raising concerns that enrolment targets may not be achieved. In contrast, private schools began their admission process in February and have largely completed new enrolments, while public institutions are expected to record significantly lower intake. Students who passed have been instructed to return textbooks from their previous classes. Authorities have directed that all pupils submit these books today (Thursday), after which they will be issued materials for the new academic year. Owing to the prevailing economic constraints, recycled textbooks will be redistributed among students. The announcement of results saw pupils arriving at schools with their parents, many dressed for the occasion. While some institutions awarded first, second, and third position prizes, most limited proceedings to a general declaration of "all pass" and promoted students without formal ceremonies, reflecting the incomplete nature of the examinations. This year, however, Grade 8 board examinations were conducted, though their results remain pending and are expected between April 8 and 10. Only four subjects—Urdu, English, Mathematics, and Science—were examined by the board, with the remaining papers conducted in a limited capacity by individual schools. Marking for the board examinations is reportedly stringent, with a high failure rate anticipated. According to sources within the Punjab Education Curriculum Training and Assessment Authority (PECTA), a substantial proportion of candidates are likely to fail. Teachers' organisations have warned that excessive strictness in marking could lead to increased dropout rates, particularly among middle-grade students. They cautioned that 60 to 70 per cent of girls declared unsuccessful at this level may discontinue their education. Rana Liaquat, Central Secretary General of the Punjab Teachers Union, criticised the reintroduction of the Grade 8 board examination, describing it as a flawed policy previously abandoned after failing on two occasions. He noted that the current system applies only to public school students, with the private sector excluded, effectively turning government institutions into a testing ground. Negative repercussions, he said, are already emerging. He further highlighted that out of 38,000 public schools in Punjab, approximately 125,000 teaching posts remain vacant, with no regular recruitment since 2018. Around 14,000 schools have already been privatised, with a further 4,500 reportedly in the process of being transferred to the private sector.

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Karachi lays to rest youth killed in Iran port strike

A young Karachi resident, Yasir Khan, who was killed in reported Israeli and American missile strikes at Iran’s Bandar Abbas port, was laid to rest in Mauripur on Wednesday night, as grief and calls for restraint echoed across the city. His body, brought earlier to Karachi, was shifted from the Edhi Foundation morgue to his residence in Mauripur after ritual washing and shrouding. Funeral prayers were offered after night prayers at a local Eidgah, attended by family members, relatives, political figures and residents of the area. Among those present were MNA Qadir Patel, MPA Asif Khan and Jamaat-e-Islami’s Monem Zafar Khan. The deceased was later buried at Manora graveyard, with prayers offered for his forgiveness. Sindh Governor Nihal Hashmi had earlier visited the morgue to receive the body and convey condolences on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, assuring the family of full support by the government. Read More: Pakistan’s ports emerge as transit hub after Iran war disrupts Gulf routes Speaking to the media, Patel described Yasir as a martyr who “sacrificed his life and brought pride to Pakistan”, noting that he had gone to Iran nine months ago in search of employment. He stressed that further loss of innocent lives must be avoided and called for resolving the conflict through diplomacy, expressing hope in Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts. Yasir’s father thanked officials, including the chief ministers of Sindh and Balochistan, as well as Patel, for their assistance in bringing his son’s body back. However, he appealed to the Sindh government to support Yasir’s widow and child, whose lives he said had been deeply affected by the tragedy. Meanwhile, three other Karachi youths injured in the same attack remained in Taftan due to incomplete documentation and were expected to return once formalities were completed. JI leaders strongly condemned the strikes, urging the international community to take notice and calling for dialogue to end the conflict. They also questioned global institutions over their silence. Yasir’s coffin was draped in the national flag, and he was laid to rest with full honour, remembered by many as a victim of a distant conflict that has left a profound impact back home.

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SBP facilitates teenagers to open bank accounts, digital wallets

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Wednesday it has launched a new framework for teenagers’ accounts, enabling them to independently own and operate bank accounts and digital wallets. In a press release, the SBP outlined the key features of the initiative, emphasising the goal of fostering a financially literate, digitally adept generation. "The framework is designed to empower the country’s youth to save securely, transact confidently and develop responsible financial habits," the SBP stated. While adult account ownership in Pakistan has surged to 67%, teenagers have traditionally been confined to joint or parent-controlled accounts, limiting their financial engagement and learning. The new framework aims to fill that gap by providing Pakistan’s 26 million teenagers, aged 13 to 18, with the tools to save securely, transact confidently, and develop responsible financial habits, the SBP said. Read More: PSX soars past 155,000 mark as hopes of US-Iran de-escalation lift market “By giving teenagers the ability to independently manage their finances, we’re not just preparing them for adulthood, but setting them on a path towards becoming responsible, digitally-savvy financial citizens,” it added. In a move to build a financially savvy young generation, SBP has launched a new framework for teenagers’ accounts, enabling them to independently own and operate bank accounts and digital wallets. See PR: https://t.co/lOgGG3kxJe pic.twitter.com/bwIgWIcOOf — SBP (@StateBank_Pak) April 1, 2026 It further said the initiative aligned with the SBP's broader financial inclusion strategy and formed a key part of its Strategic Plan for 2023-28. It also supported the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) for 2024-28, which prioritised youth inclusion in Pakistan’s economic future. Pakistan's commitment to youth financial empowerment was recognised internationally last year, with the SBP receiving the AFI Global Youth Financial Inclusion Award. "The new framework is a continuation of our international efforts to build a financially inclusive society," the SBP added. By creating opportunities for teenagers to engage directly with the banking system, the SBP said it was not only enhancing financial literacy but also laying the foundation for a digitally-skilled generation capable of driving future economic growth in Pakistan.

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