‘Self-rhetorical lies’: Pakistan rejects Kabul’s claims over Nuristan clashes

The Ministry of Information on Wednesday rejected the Afghan Taliban minister’s allegations against Pakistan as “self-rhetorical lies”, saying the statements aimed at externalising the regime’s internal problems reflected its “despair and frustration” in dealing with its own issues. Fighting between the Afghanistan Freedom Front and the Taliban resumed on Tuesday morning, Sept 29, in Nuristan’s Kamdesh district, Afghanistan International reported citing informed sources, adding that the clashes began with a Taliban attack. Meanwhile, the Taliban Defence Ministry said its operation against armed opponents in Kamdesh had ended, claiming that 41 people were killed and 62 others detained. In a statement posted on X, the ministry’s fact-checking account described the latest allegations by the Taliban’s “so-called Minister for Borders” and other “mouthpieces” as “self-rhetorical lies” aimed at diverting attention from what it called serious internal oppression, dissent and instability. Calling the Afghan Taliban a “non-inclusive and non-representative regime”, the ministry said it had imposed itself on the Afghan people through “force and oppression”. 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 | 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 ◼️ The latest allegations by so called Minister for Borders and other mouthpieces of the Taliban regime seeking to attribute the fighting in Nuristan to Pakistan are self rhetorical… pic.twitter.com/S4z5EYre5K — Fact Checker MoIB (@FactCheckerMoIB) September 30, 2026 “These comical statements to externalise their internal issues and follow-up rhetoric directed towards Pakistan actually reflect the despair and frustration in handling their own issues,” it said. The ministry further said the Taliban remained “willingly oblivious” to what it described as their “un-Islamic abetment of terror”, adding that the group was acting as a proxy for a “Hindutva design” for the sake of the interests of some of its leaders. “This rentier approach of destabilising the region for money as a proxy of agencies is leading the Taliban only towards a self-destructive path, devoid of dignity and honour,” the statement said. Read: Pakistan rubbishes Afghan Taliban claim of captured post as 'false and fabricated' The statement came after Taliban Borders, Tribes and Tribal Affairs Minister Noorullah Noori warned Pakistan, saying Islamabad should learn from Afghanistan’s history and that Taliban opponents would be “defeated” if they chose war. Speaking on Wednesday at a meeting with Kuchi elders from six provinces, Noori said those seeking to destabilise Afghanistan would face “serious consequences”. Referring to the tensions, Noori said: “Pakistan’s army and intelligence services should understand the people of Afghanistan from a historical, ideological, political and practical perspective.” Taliban opponents, including the Afghanistan Freedom Front, National Resistance Front and United Front of Afghanistan, have stepped up attacks against the Taliban in recent months. Criticising the group’s political and military opponents, including the National Resistance Front, the minister said Taliban opponents had stood alongside what he called “occupiers” during the presence of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan but now spoke of fighting for freedom. This is not the first time the Afghan Taliban regime has levelled allegations against Pakistan. In the past, it has accused Pakistan of facilitating infiltration, carrying out airstrikes and smuggling weapons into Afghanistan, allegations that Islamabad has repeatedly rejected. According to security officials, the Afghan Taliban regime has been providing sanctuary, support and patronage to terrorist groups. They said documented evidence contradicted Kabul’s repeated denials and pointed to an entrenched terrorist network operating from Afghan soil. Also Read: 'Frivolous and baseless': Pakistan rejects Taliban claims of involvement in Nuristan violence Pakistan maintains that the terrorist nexus extended beyond the movement of terrorists across the border to their training, arming and operational support. Security officials estimate that up to 70 per cent of the Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists infiltrating Pakistan were of Afghan origin. They further claim that the Taliban regime had allowed leftover US and NATO weapons to reach terrorist groups, including Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan. In 2026 alone, terrorism emanating from Afghan soil claimed the lives of 1,327 Pakistanis and injured another 2,484, according to figures cited by Pakistani authorities. The United Nations estimated the strength of TTP in Afghanistan at around 6,000 to 6,500 terrorists. UN reporting had also documented more than 600 terrorist attacks against Pakistan during 2025, including attacks launched from Afghan territory. According to Pakistani security officials, the TTP had established training facilities in Afghanistan’s Kunar, Nangarhar, Khost and Paktika provinces. The government has maintained that the issue was fundamentally one of Pakistan's national security and that continued attacks from Afghan soil cannot be addressed through denials alone. Pakistan says it expected the Taliban regime to fulfil its commitments by taking verifiable action against terrorist groups operating from its territory rather than defending or denying their presence.

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Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee gives nods to Christian Marriage Bill 2026

The Punjab Assembly's Standing Committee on Human Rights and Minorities Affairs on Wednesday unanimously approved the Christian Marriage Bill 2026, proposing to repeal the century-old Christian Marriage Act 1872 and introduce a modern legal framework governing marriages among the Christian community. The bill was earlier presented in the Punjab Assembly on April 27, but drew widespread criticism from Christian religious leaders and legal experts, who argued that wider reforms covering divorce, annulment, inheritance, child custody, and separation were also needed, along with proper consultation with the Church during the drafting process. The meeting, chaired by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz MPA Raheela Khadim Hussain, evaluated the bill moved by MPA Philebos Christopher. Christopher told the committee that the proposed legislation was meant to consolidate and modernise the existing legal framework for Christian marriages, strengthen protection of consent and ensure greater legal clarity in matters relating to matrimonial law. He said a key proposal in the bill was to fix the minimum marriageable age at 18 years for both men and women in the Christian community. Read: Christian marriage bill faces opposition According to the MPA, the minimum age for a Christian marriage is 16 years for a boy and 13 years for a girl under the existing law. “The proposed law would also require both parties to a Christian marriage to identify as Christians,” he highlighted during the meeting. As per details outlined by the minority lawmaker, the bill proposes a formal procedure for marriage, including written notice before the marriage and a public announcement of the intended marriage. It further seeks to make the registration of Christian marriages with the Union Council and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) mandatory. He lamented that registration of Christian marriages with the Union Council and NADRA was not possible under the existing law. Under the proposed legislation that is now up for approval of the Punjab Assembly, marriages would be allowed to take place in all churches registered with the government of Punjab, according to Christian rites and procedures. It also proposes authorising religiously educated pastors of government-registered churches to solemnise Christian marriages. “Designated pastors or marriage registrars appointed by the government would also be empowered to conduct marriages,” Christopher explained further. “A Christian marriage would have to be solemnised in the presence of at least two witnesses, while a formal record of marriages would be maintained through marriage registers and prescribed forms.” He also emphasised that unlike the existing legal framework, the proposed law would impose no restriction on the day or time for holding a marriage ceremony.

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PM Shehbaz hails Beijing’s role in promoting global peace as Pakistan marks China’s National Day

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday hailed China's “extremely important” role in promoting global peace, stability and development and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with Beijing. Addressing a ceremony marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the prime minister said it was a pleasure for him to attend the National Day event and extended his “heartfelt congratulations” to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the people of China. He described the occasion as a day to pay tribute to the perseverance, unity and indomitable spirit of the Chinese nation. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with China, describing the enduring bilateral friendship as a bond built on mutual trust, unwavering support and deep affinity… pic.twitter.com/r9DnITtx0U — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 30, 2026 “China has an extremely important role in global peace, stability and development,” he said. Under the “far-sighted leadership” of President Xi, China had made unprecedented progress in human development, science, technology and innovation, the prime minister said. He said 2026 held “special significance” in the shared journey of Pakistan and China, as the two countries were celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations. 2/2 The ambassador also highlighted the expansion of practical economic cooperation, saying bilateral trade reached $16.44 billion from January to July, up 13.4 percent year-on-year. He said bilateral agricultural trade stood at around $830 million during January-August, an… pic.twitter.com/LMniVk2A0y — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 30, 2026 “Our hearts are connected and beat together,” he said, adding that the friendship between the two countries had withstood every test of time, whether earthquakes, storms or floods. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said, was a manifestation of the two countries’ longstanding friendship and their shared commitment to a more prosperous and developed future for their people. “We are now entering the next phase of CPEC, CPEC 2.0,” he said. Read More: Can China help Pakistan? myth and reality The new phase would focus particularly on industrialisation, special economic zones, information technology and artificial intelligence, agriculture, mining and minerals, he added. The prime minister described progress in the agriculture sector as “extremely welcome” and said the first group of 1,000 Pakistani agricultural graduates had completed their training in China. “Another group of 1,000 people is ready to go to China,” he said, describing the programme as a valuable investment in the capabilities and future of Pakistan’s youth. PM Shehbaz said Pakistan-China relations were a cornerstone of the country’s foreign policy. Recalling his conversation with President Xi in May, he said that it had represented a strong reaffirmation of the countries’ longstanding friendship. “We are fully committed to implementing the important understandings reached between the leadership of the two countries,” he said. “A sincere friend living in a distant land makes a distant land close,” the prime minister said while quoting a Chinese saying, adding that the words best reflected the friendship and closeness between the two countries. Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong also addressed the ceremony, describing China and Pakistan as “all-weather strategic cooperative partners”. He said Pakistan was playing an increasingly important role internationally because of its principled position, broad global vision and high level of diplomatic insight. Pakistan had supported multilateralism and international cooperation and played an important role in safeguarding peace and security in the region and beyond, the ambassador said. Also Read: Pakistan, China agree on BJC framework He said PM Shehbaz had “firmly defended Pakistan’s national interests” during his address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Pakistan’s position on international and regional issues was presented at the UN General Assembly and appreciated by the international community, he added. “The remarkable journey of the past 75 years proves that China and Pakistan are friends who have stood by each other in times of joy and sorrow,” Jiang said. He said the two countries had always stood by each other like brothers. The ambassador said PM Shehbaz had always attached great importance to practical cooperation between China and Pakistan in various fields.

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Afridi threatens revolt to 'force change'

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has warned that the PTI will "rebel" if necessary to force a change in the federal government policies that are "harming the province". He has also warned the government against resorting to "any kind of adventurism" during the PTI's October 4 long march, claiming that such attempts will be counterproductive and harm the government. The CM expressed these views on Tuesday during the inauguration of new hybrid buses in Peshawar and a press conference. On Monday, 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. 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. Addressing the inauguration ceremony, he said decisions concerning the province could not be taken behind closed doors. He said those making such decisions would be brought to the table and policies would be changed, particularly those that he believed were contributing to bloodshed in K-P. "If needed, we will rebel," Afridi said, adding that he would not accept policies that caused further suffering to the K-P people. He also reiterated his call for the October 4 march, saying it would take place "come what may" and describing it as potentially the biggest long march in Pakistan's history. In a message to PTI workers posted on X, Afridi urged them to come out for the march at all costs. Addressing a press conference at the CM House, Afridi said the federal government had failed to demonstrate performance in any area and that even those who had brought the present government to power had realised that an incompetent government had been imposed on the people. Comparing the performance of the former PTI government at the Centre with that of the incumbent government, he said Pakistan's GDP growth rate had stood at 6.1% during Imran Khan's tenure but had fallen to 2.3% under the present government due to its incompetence. Afridi claimed that such a large number of people would come out on October 4 that the authorities would not be able to handle the situation. He warned that any attempt at an "adventure" would draw a public response. He said K-P was the only province where the government had come to power through the strength of the people and not on anyone's "crutches". He criticised television commentators whom he described as "cartoons", saying that they were telling the people that they were "insects". He said there was intense anger among the people of K-P and that the "cartoon network" was creating hatred among the public. "Two clowns and cartoons of the federal government have been placed on television with two objectives: to divert public attention from the October 4 Long March and to distract people from the government's corruption," he said. Afridi alleged that the PML-N was planning to create unrest in the country. He called upon the people to come unarmed on October 4 and exercise their right to peaceful protest. The CM said anyone found carrying an object capable of causing harm would be apprehended and handed over to the police. Such a person, he said, would not be considered part of their movement and would instead be associated with the PML-N or those who had brought them to power. "The October 4 long march will take place under all circumstances and will remain peaceful. The people will exercise their democratic right to peaceful protest and no provocation or act involving damage or harm will be permitted," he said. Meanwhile, the chief minister also expressed anger over a letter reportedly written by PTI provincial information secretary Shaukat Yousafzai seeking postponement of the October 4 march. According to sources, the letter caused displeasure among members of the parliamentary party. When Yousafzai attempted to explain his position, the meeting reportedly ended. Afridi said the letter had not reached him. He added that had it reached him, he would have torn it up and thrown it into the wastepaper basket.

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PM Shehbaz underscores Pakistan’s potential for high-yield foreign investment

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said Pakistan offered significant opportunities for high-yield, secure and mutually beneficial foreign investment as the government continued efforts to strengthen the economy during his address at the London Stock Exchange (LSE) headquarters in Paternoster Square. PM Shehbaz became the first Pakistani premier to open a trading session at the LSE, where he also formally inaugurated Pakistan’s $3 billion dual-tranche sovereign Eurobond. “We have strengthened our macroeconomic indicators, which are very promising and augur very well for the future,” he said. The ceremony was attended by LSE Group Chief Executive Officer David Schwimmer, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Adviser on Privatisation Mohammad Ali, Pakistan High Commissioner Tipu Usman, members of the Pakistani delegation and British officials. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, today, became the first prime minister from Pakistan to open the London Stock Exchange trading session and formally inaugurated Pakistan’s landmark US$3 billion dual-tranche sovereign Eurobond. During his address at the LSE headquarters in… pic.twitter.com/yvm6hdA2Uh — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 The premier said the $3 billion dual-tranche sovereign Eurobond reflected the efforts undertaken by the finance ministry and other government institutions to stabilise the economy. He attributed the transaction to structural reforms, digitalisation of the economy and measures aimed at putting the country’s finances back on track. The issuance, described as Pakistan’s largest international bond transaction, attracted nearly $6 billion in global investor demand — almost twice the amount raised — from a geographically diverse institutional investor base. Read: Pakistan, IMF formally begin talks on EFF, climate programme reviews The transaction is the first issuance under Pakistan’s renewed Global Medium-Term Note (GMTN) Programme and follows the country’s inaugural Panda Bond and successive sovereign credit-rating upgrades. It forms part of the government’s debt-management strategy aimed at diversifying funding sources, extending maturities and reducing refinancing risks. Referring to the government’s privatisation programme, PM Shehbaz cited Pakistan International Airlines and First Women Bank and said the government was moving towards divesting several other state-owned enterprises. Mr. David Schwimmer, CEO of the London Stock Exchange, presenting a memento commemorating Pakistan’s US$ 3 billion dual-tranche sovereign Eurobond listing at the London Stock Exchange to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, today. pic.twitter.com/ksxlHbD3zz — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 He said such entities should be operated by the private sector and identified privatisation as an area where Pakistan and the United Kingdom could enhance cooperation. The premier also referred to the Gulf crisis and its impact on emerging economies, saying Pakistan’s economic trajectory could have been stronger had the crisis not erupted. “Like other emerging economies, we are negotiating this challenge while also playing an important role as a peacemaker, mediating between the United States and Iran. I hope that we will continue in this direction,” he said. Read more: Trump claims Iran war 'one of the most important things we've done' PM Shehbaz said changing geopolitical conditions had prompted investors to reassess the relative safety of different markets, adding that Pakistan needed to draw lessons from the evolving situation. Addressing Schwimmer, the prime minister sought the LSE chief executive’s guidance on increasing Pakistan’s engagement with international financial markets beyond sovereign borrowing and attracting greater investment into the country. Shehbaz said opening the LSE session was a significant moment for Pakistan and represented a step towards rebuilding the country’s relationship with the London Stock Exchange. He also invited Schwimmer to visit Pakistan. The prime minister also praised Aurangzeb, other economic ministers, government secretaries and officials for their role in efforts to strengthen the economy. PM Shehbaz meets global finance giants in London Later, PM Shehbaz met with senior executives of Barclays, JP Morgan, Citi, BlackRock and Rothschild & Co in London, where he sought a greater role for global banks in Pakistan’s financial sector and urged leading financial institutions to invest in the country during a series of meetings, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. “The engagements underscored growing international financial sector interest in Pakistan’s economic reform trajectory and improving investment climate,” the statement said. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a series of meetings today with senior executives from leading global financial institutions — Barclays, J.P. Morgan, Citi, BlackRock and Rothschild & Co — during his visit to the United Kingdom. The engagements underscored growing… pic.twitter.com/ttTmbB67X3 — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 The prime minister met Mohammad Kamal Syed, Head of Private Bank and Wealth Management UK at Barclays, and welcomed the bank’s interest in Pakistan, according to the statement. He briefed Syed on the government’s macroeconomic stabilisation measures and encouraged Barclays to explore opportunities in Pakistan’s financial sector, it added. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meets a delegation of Barclays in London, today. pic.twitter.com/0QhqpKDoWC — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 PM Shehbaz also met a high-level JP Morgan delegation led by Matthieu Wiltz, Co-CEO for EMEA, where they discussed deepening the partnership across capital markets, trade finance and investment banking, the statement said. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with the delegation of J P Morgan headed by co-CEO of EMEA, Mr. Mathieu Wiltz, in London. pic.twitter.com/Oz2mI2SZUi — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 The prime minister invited the firm to expand its footprint in Pakistan. At the same time, the delegation reaffirmed its interest in sovereign debt capital markets and corporate banking opportunities, according to the statement. The premier also met a group of senior Citi officials led by David Livingstone, Chief Client Officer. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with the senior leadership of Citi group in London, today. pic.twitter.com/Sfkwf4Rkrt — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 According to the statement, Shehbaz commended the bank’s long-standing presence in Pakistan and encouraged an expansion of its corporate and institutional banking services in the country. In his meeting with a BlackRock delegation comprising Gordon Fraser and Sam Vecht, Co-Heads of Emerging Markets and Frontiers, and Emily Fletcher, Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst, the prime minister invited increased allocations to Pakistani equities and fixed income within the firm’s frontier markets strategy, the statement said. Both sides also emphasised the importance of sustained policy consistency in building investor confidence, it added. During his meeting with Rothschild & Co, represented by Lord Mark Sedwill, Chair of Geostrategic Advisory, and Majid Ishaq, Head of UK Investment Banking, discussions centred on Pakistan’s geo-economic priorities and potential advisory collaboration on capital markets and investment strategy, according to the statement. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met delegation of Rothschild & Co. headed by Lord Mark Sedwill, Chair of Geostrategic Advisory in London, today. pic.twitter.com/k744BxlnhG — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 29, 2026 “Across all engagements, the visiting executives expressed confidence in Pakistan’s economic reform momentum and reaffirmed their institutions’ commitment to deepening engagement with the country’s financial sector,” the statement said. The meetings “reflect the growing traction” of Pakistan’s economic reform programme among leading global financial institutions and mark a significant step in the government’s broader effort to strengthen international investor confidence and attract sustained capital flows into the country, it added.

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Rare dolphin rescued from Chenab River

A rare river dolphin was caught in a fishing net in the Chenab River but was safely rescued and released back into the water by fishermen. The incident was recorded on a mobile phone by a passer-by, and the video of the rescue later went viral on social media. According to sources, fishermen were fishing as usual when the dolphin became entangled in their net. After noticing the animal, they carefully removed it from the net and released it back into the river. Sources said the dolphin weighed more than four maunds and was around six feet long. The video shows fishermen freeing the dolphin from the net before releasing it into the river. Experts said river dolphins were rare aquatic animals and that their hunting was prohibited. The fishermen's decision to release the dolphin rather than harm or retain it was widely appreciated. They called for more effective awareness and monitoring measures by the relevant authorities to protect rare aquatic species in the country's rivers.

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Tirah valley IDPs’ return to begin from October 10

Khyber Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shahid Ali announced during a grand jirga in Tirah Maidan on Monday that the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Tirah Valley would formally begin on October 10. Thousands of families displaced from Tirah Valley in Khyber district continue to endure severe hardships, with slow disbursement of financial assistance and uncertainty surrounding their return to their native areas compounding their difficulties. DC Shahid Ali visited Tirah Maidan and participated in a grand jirga attended by a 24-member committee, local elders and security forces. Discussions focused on the return of IDPs, rehabilitation, provision of basic facilities and the resettlement of Bagh Bazaar. Addressing the jirga, DC Ali said the return process would start on October 10 and that the administration and relevant departments would address problems arising during the process. He clarified that the return was not limited to transporting people back to their ancestral areas, but restoration of basic needs and facilities also remained a priority. Read: Tirah families await return after 255 days The jirga was attended by the head of the 24-member committee, Maulana Hazrat Khan, Zahir Shah, Kamaluddin and other local elders, along with district administration officials. Participants placed issues related to the return process, the current situation in the area and the restoration of basic facilities before the deputy commissioner. Elders demanded the rehabilitation of roads, bridges, health and education facilities, water supply, electricity, communication systems and other essential services so that returning families did not face shortages of necessities. Detailed discussions were also held on administrative measures for a dignified, organised and phased return of the IDPs and on the plan of action. DC Ali listened to the concerns raised by the elders and the committee and directed relevant officers to take practical steps to resolve public problems. Bara Assistant Commissioner (AC) Talha Rafiq, Tirah Maidan AC Muhammad Anwar, Tirah Maidan Tehsildar Shabab, Bara Tehsildar Daud Afridi and other officials accompanied the deputy commissioner. Former federal minister Hamidullah Jan Afridi welcomed the development, saying “better late than never”, but stressed that mere return was not enough. He urged the authorities to fulfil all promises made to the affected families at the time of their displacement and clear outstanding dues. “The people of Tirah have endured hardships for a long time. Along with their return, peace and security in the valley, reconstruction of homes, roads and basic infrastructure must also be ensured,” he said while talking to The Express Tribune. Read More: Tirah victims demand return, compensation DC Ali said steps would be taken in collaboration with relevant departments to restore public facilities and advance development activities in Tirah Maidan. Problems would be resolved phase-wise with the cooperation of local elders, the 24-member committee and concerned institutions. During the visit, DC Ali also inspected Bagh centre and met local elders who briefed him on problems and public needs in Bagh Bazaar and other areas. He assured them that the issues would be raised at relevant forums and that he would make every effort at his level for their resolution. Spokesman for the Tirah Affectees Movement, Sohbat Khan Afridi, said a jirga without practical steps was meaningless and that no concrete progress had so far been made on resolving the IDPs’ problems. He demanded that an official schedule for the return be issued immediately so that the affected families receive clear information about the procedure, dates and administrative arrangements. Jamaat Ulema-e-Islam leader Izzatullah Hamkhayal said the IDPs of Tirah Valley had been suffering for a long time and their return was inevitable. He urged relevant institutions to play a priority role in establishing and maintaining sustainable peace in Tirah Maidan, and said all promises made to the affected people should be fulfilled and outstanding dues cleared before October 10. He added that the government must ensure the provision of basic facilities, infrastructure and other necessities after the return so that the families do not face difficulties again. Following the announcement of the return, the attention of the IDPs and local elders has now focused on the formal schedule, financial payments, reconstruction of homes and infrastructure, provision of basic facilities and practical steps for lasting peace in the area.

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NA-168 stays with Channar family

PML-N candidate Malik Munir Iqbal Channar won the NA-168 Bahawalpur by-election on Sunday, securing 77,688 votes against 41,260 polled by his rival, Wali Dad Cheema. Polling continued uninterrupted from 8am to 5pm, with slow turnout, while the election remained largely peaceful apart from a few isolated incidents. The seat had fallen vacant following the death of PML-N MNA Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar. His son, Malik Munir Iqbal Channar, contested the by-election as the PML-N candidate, while Wali Dad Cheema, son of former federal minister and MNA Tariq Bashir Cheema, was his main rival. Channar secured 77,688 votes, while Cheema received 41,260 votes. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Malik Munir Iqbal Channar, saying his victory showed public's confidence in the PML-N, a PM Office statement issued by the PM Office said. The premier recalled that Malik Munir Iqbal Channar's father, Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, always demonstrated his loyalty with PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif besides rendering valuable services to the party. "Today, his son's victory is reflective of the same continuity of that loyalty and public service," the premier said. He lauded the people of Bahawalpur for electing their representative by participating enthusiastically in the democratic process. He also extended felicitations to Malik Munir Iqbal Channar's brother, Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar. A day earlier, the Punjab Home Department requested the federal interior ministry that troops of army and Rangers (Punjab) be deployed in the constituency for smooth, peaceful and secure conduct of the by-election. Leading up to the by-poll, three persons were injured on Sept 12 in an armed clash at Baqirpur in connection with the election campaign of Cheema, the son of former PML-Q federal minister Tariq Bashir Cheema.

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FIA takes action against 76 delinquent employees

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Islamabad Zone has taken departmental action against 76 employees over alleged misuse of authority, negligence in the performance of duties, indiscipline and other charges, dismissing 10 employees from service and demoting eight others. The decisions were taken during an orderly room presided over by FIA Islamabad Zone Director Shehzad Nadeem Bokhari, where the employees concerned were given a full opportunity for personal hearing and to present their respective positions. According to FIA officials, matters relating to departmental discipline, negligence in professional responsibilities, irresponsible conduct and public complaints were reviewed during the proceedings. Following an examination of the available record, evidence and other relevant material, action was taken against 76 employees under the Civil Servants (E&D) Rules, 2020. The 10 employees dismissed from service were Sub-Inspector Hassan Ali, Assistant Sub-Inspector Mubashir Kazmi; Upper Division Clerk Muhammad Soban; Head Constables Tahir Mahmood and Melon Masih and Muhammad Bilal; and Constables Tahir Safir, Muhammad Ahmed Raza, Aqib Mahmood and Tahir Mahmood. The eight employees demoted included Muhammad Niaz Mir, from ASI to Head Constable; Muhammad Waseem Iqbal, from ASI to HC; Shiraz Manzoor, from Upper Division Clerk to Lower Division Clerk; Rizwan Ali Khan, Masood Ahmed, Mudassar Ali, Almas Ilyas and Qasim Mahmood, from HC to Constable. Various other departmental penalties were imposed on the remaining 58 employees. These included withholding of increments for three years in 19 cases, two years in 27 cases and one year in five cases. A reduction of three stages in the pay scale was ordered in one case, while reprimands were issued in six cases.

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Pakistani MIT physicist calls for greater science and research investment in Karachi visit

Pakistani-American physicist Dr Nergis Mavalvala has called for greater investment in scientific research, saying curiosity and access to opportunity were central to scientific discovery and that universities had a responsibility to nurture both. Speaking at Habib University on Thursday, Mavalvala, dean of the School of Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a leading figure in the Nobel Prize-winning LIGO collaboration, said some of humanity’s most consequential discoveries had originated from questions with no immediate practical application. “Every single person at birth is research-minded,” she said during an extended question-and-answer session following her lecture. “The reason some of us get to do it in adulthood is [access to] opportunity.” Mavalvala was speaking at the 10th Yohsin Lecture, titled "The Joy of Discovery: Curiosity, Science, and the Pivotal Role of Universities", which drew an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people to the university campus. Long queues formed as students, academics, alumni and members of the public gathered to hear the physicist speak about curiosity, scientific discovery and the role of universities in advancing knowledge. Reflecting on humanity’s longstanding fascination with the universe, Mavalvala said the impulse to explore was not necessarily driven by an immediate practical benefit. MIT dean Dr Nergis Mavalvala speaks during a panel discussion at Habib University in Karachi on Thursday. Photo: Express “Even pre-human cultures were looking up at the sky, in part because it was just mysterious,” she said. “A hundred years from now the only thing that will matter is that we’ve opened a new window into the universe.” She argued that universities should not be viewed merely as institutions for professional training, saying they also had a role in cultivating curiosity, creativity, perseverance and intellectual freedom. Mavalvala also stressed the importance of public and government investment in science and research. “Research has shown there is no investment that any government does that has greater return than investment in research and science,” she said. The lecture followed a two-day visit to Habib University during which Mavalvala met students, faculty, alumni and members of Pakistan’s scientific and business communities. She held discussions with faculty members on nurturing curiosity in classrooms and met science and humanities students from schools across Karachi. She also participated in sessions with the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and members of the scientific community. During her interaction with the university’s leadership, discussions also focused on the role of liberal arts education in developing students’ curiosity and the importance of teaching and mentorship. Habib University President Wasif Rizvi said the public response to the lecture demonstrated the value of making access to knowledge and leading thinkers more widely available. “This access had not been attempted in Pakistan before. It exists because the community in this room and outside decided that it should,” Rizvi said. He linked the initiative to the university’s philanthropic model, saying its students demonstrated what private philanthropy could achieve in expanding access to higher education. Mavalvala, who is known for her work on the detection of gravitational waves, thanked the university’s leadership, board and donors for creating the institution and said her interactions with its students and alumni had impressed her. “I've met with a number of students and alumni and just have been wowed,” she said. The Yohsin Lecture Series is based on Habib University’s founding philosophy of Yohsin, described by the institution as the thoughtful cultivation of the self. Previous speakers have included Noam Chomsky, Ashis Nandy, Reza Aslan, Azra Raza and Thomas Blom Hansen. The event concluded with a reception on the university’s Central Street, where attendees continued discussions sparked by the lecture.

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Two washed away in Bisham floods

Torrential rain and lightning triggered a sudden flash flood in Shangla's Bisham tehsil on Friday, sweeping away two children and injuring a woman, while residential houses, the Bisham police station, several other buildings and property suffered extensive damage, according to local sources. The flash flood also affected dozens of vehicles. It damaged electricity poles and power lines, while the Karakoram Highway was hit by floodwaters at several points in Bisham and remained completely closed to traffic until late at night. The Bisham-Alpuri Road was also affected by landslides at several locations. The sudden deluge occurred after heavy rain caused a local stream in Bisham to swell rapidly, sending a powerful torrent of water, mud and stones through the area. Two children were swept away by the flash flood, while a woman was injured and shifted to hospital for medical treatment. The torrent caused severe damage to several properties along its path, including the Bisham police station, residential houses and other buildings. Several vehicles were also caught in the floodwater and debris and were damaged. Floodwater and debris inundated roads, severely disrupting traffic and causing considerable difficulties for residents. The heavy rain and flash flood also badly affected Bisham's electricity system. Several electricity poles collapsed, and power lines were damaged, disrupting electricity supply in various areas. Meanwhile, the Karakoram Highway was also affected at several points in Bisham by flash floods, mud and rocks. The highway remained completely closed to traffic until late at night, with long queues of vehicles forming on both sides.

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Pakistan brought US, Iran ‘under one roof’ through Islamabad talks, says PM Shehbaz at UNGA

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said Pakistan had brought the United States and Iran “under one roof” for negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict that had engulfed the wider region. Addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the prime minister highlighted the US-Israel attack on Iran, which he said led to the resumption of the war earlier this year, calling it an “unfortunate incident”. “Unfortunately, conflict engulfed the Gulf along with the wider Middle East. Precious lives were lost, economies suffered, critical maritime routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, came under severe pressure,” he said, highlighting Pakistan’s efforts to resolve the conflict. He said that at the critical juncture, Pakistan had chosen to act swiftly and successfully brought Washington and Tehran “under one roof”. “From the Islamabad talks to the Islamabad memorandum of understanding, many historic steps were taken to bring an end to this serious conflict,” he said. The prime minister, who was speaking at the session for the fourth consecutive year, also appreciated the efforts of Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, saying his “relentless efforts” had helped create space for diplomacy while also hailing the efforts of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Shortly before the prime minister's address, Pakistan’s entire delegation arrived at the General Assembly hall. The delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Minister for Investment Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Chairman of the Kashmir Affairs Committee Rana Qasim Noon and other staff members. During his stay, the prime minister held meetings with several world and business leaders, including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his Lebanese counterpart, where they discussed bilateral ties and opportunities for greater cooperation. He also met with business leaders and intellectuals and discussed investment prospects in Pakistan. Read: Islamabad MoU remains acceptable to Iran, Pezeshkian tells PM Shehbaz in UNGA meet Earlier, addressing the US Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) and the US-Pakistan Business Council (USPBC), the premier invited US businesses to invest in Pakistan. He pointed to agriculture as the country’s “biggest potential” and highlighted opportunities in mining, information technology, artificial intelligence and infrastructure. Business figures from the IT, AI, finance, beverages, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and organic products sectors attended the meeting. A day earlier, the prime minister met with the Iranian president on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York. PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to continue playing a “sincere and constructive role” in support of regional peace during a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The two leaders reaffirmed the close and longstanding ties between Pakistan and Iran and underscored the need to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across all areas of mutual interest. .............. More to follow

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Kundi urges KP govt to abandon long march, says ground reality ‘not in favour’

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday urged the provincial government to abandon its planned long march towards Islamabad, claiming that the “ground reality is not in favour” of the protest and alleging that some people were either in hiding or had opted for voluntary arrests to avoid participating in it. The PTI had announced last month that it would march to Islamabad on September 27 to press for the release of party founder Imran Khan. Today it said the party has postponed the march to take place on October 4 instead. The party had been preparing a central convoy from K-P, with caravans from other parts of the country expected to join before proceeding towards the federal capital. The federal government warned the party against going ahead with the march. “I would recommend the provincial government to abandon the long march,” Kundi said while addressing a press conference in Peshawar. “The ground reality is not in favour at all. Some people are in hideouts, while others have offered voluntary arrests to skip joining the long march,” he alleged. He also said that the chief minister had failed to gather support during his recent visit to Punjab and that should have made him course-correct. The governor accused the PTI-led provincial government of diverting its attention and resources towards the planned march instead of addressing the issues confronting K-P. Read: PTI postpones Islamabad march to October 4: party sources He said the provincial government should focus on the deteriorating law and order situation, particularly in southern K-P, the merged districts and Malakand division, along with problems related to healthcare, education, electricity, potable water, tourism and the mining sector. “All resources have been channelled towards the long march,” Kundi lamented. He also questioned the purpose of the proposed protest, saying that PTI had repeatedly changed its demands. According to Kundi, the party initially sought relief for its incarcerated founder, claiming that he had been wrongfully punished, but later changed its demands to judicial issues and, subsequently, quicker hearings and access to healthcare for him in custody. He warned the provincial government against using state resources and officials for what he described as a political agenda. “You cannot use state machinery for forwarding personal agendas,” he said. He asserted that the provincial government planned to keep the police at its disposal during the long march towards Islamabad. The governor said he supported the constitutional right of citizens to hold peaceful protests but stressed that it was necessary to determine whether a particular demonstration remained peaceful. “I second the right of the people to protest under the democratic right ordained to them under the Constitution, but it is important to see if the protest is actually peaceful or not,” he said. Kundi highlighted that PTI leaders had previously caused disruptions in Islamabad, damaged government property and harmed military installations during protests. He also referred to remarks by a PTI president and an MNA about politics involving casualties, saying such statements did not correspond with peaceful political activity. He criticised a recent speech by the K-P chief minister in the provincial assembly, saying the provincial government should concentrate on governance rather than political confrontation. Citing previous long marches organised by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Kundi said his party did not use government officials or departments for political demonstrations. “We neither took government officials, cops, fire department staff or any other state official to back our protest.” The governor also praised the Jamaat-e-Islami for what he described as peaceful protests, saying the party had not damaged state or government property. Speaking on the imposition of governor rule in K-P, Kundi said the president and the federal government ought to decide on it. He said the constitution provides for its imposition under special circumstances that need to be assessed by the relevant authorities. “It was imposed in the past as well. It is not unconstitutional,” he said about the governor rule, but refrained from announcing its imposition in the province. The new police act A major part of Kundi’s criticism centred on the proposed K-P police law. The governor said the provincial government was seeking to increase its control over the police department, despite what he described as a February ruling of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) concerning the command structure of the force. He said the court had made it clear that the police department was headed by the inspector general of police and that transfers and promotions should be based on merit rather than political considerations. “PTI always sloganeered against politicisation of police, but now they themselves wish to convert the police force into PTI’s Tiger Force,” the governor remarked during the press conference. Read more: Police hunt PTI leaders, activists Expressing concern over provisions in the proposed police legislation, Kundi said it would give the provincial government unfair control over police affairs. According to him, the draft reserves 25% of the quota for direct DSP appointments for the chief minister. He also questioned the proposed police policy board, saying that if all matters relating to the police were brought under the control of the K-P government, there would be little purpose in maintaining an independent police department. Kundi also assailed the proposal to place the finances of the police department under the provincial finance ministry. “The ministry of finance always says that the treasury is empty,” he said, arguing that a force fighting terrorism and crime should not be subjected to excessive political and administrative interference. “The force which is fighting [terrorism and crime] and laying down lives is being tossed around in the province — under the cabinet, home secretary and chief minister,” he lambasted the provincial government's approach. Kundi further highlighted that the proposed police law would bear negative consequences on judicial processes, outlining, “They have even directed the reports submitted to courts by police to go through them [provincial government].” “The proposed system would allow the government to manipulate police reports for political purposes,” he expressed concern. “Everyone knows PTI is behind the May 9 attacks and yet the new law will allow them to manipulate reports to suit their politics,” Kundi claimed. He further alleged that under the proposed law, police officers could be rewarded or punished on the basis of their willingness to comply with political demands. “They will award promotions to those cops who give in to their demands and punish those who don’t.” ‘Illegal and unconstitutional’ Governor Kundi also declared the proposed police legislation “illegal and unconstitutional”, while clarifying that he would examine the legislation formally once it had been passed by the provincial assembly. “I will scrutinise the act when I receive it after it gets passed by the assembly,” he said, adding, “The current provisions of the act that I have come across are absolutely unacceptable.” The governor remarked that he would not assent to the new police legislation unless relevant amendments were incorporated. He also predicted that the legislation could face a legal challenge, saying he expected the court to strike it down if the federal government approached the judiciary for relief. The governor urged the K-P lawmakers to “not pass the act through the assembly”, stressing previous court decrees against the use of state assets for personal or political agendas. Law and order concerns Kundi said the debate over police administration could not be separated from the security situation in K-P and recalled the sacrifices made by police personnel in the province. The governor also referred to a recent Counter-Terrorism Department operation in which a suicide bomber allegedly planning an attack in Peshawar was eliminated. He said the sacrifices of security personnel should be recognised and their families provided with the facilities and benefits they deserved. “Previously, our military officers and sepoys were killed in Kohat, following a recurring pattern,” he said. Kundi urged the provincial government to look at the security situation in southern K-P, the merged districts and Malakand division, where, he said, law and order remained a major concern. He also criticised the provincial government for, in his view, devoting political energy to the long march while neglecting the demands of families of police personnel killed in the line of duty. Instead of providing facilities to the families of those who had sacrificed their lives for the country and helping them secure their right to receive presidential awards, he said, the government had focused its attention elsewhere. Governor Kundi further stressed that the provincial government should concentrate on problems affecting ordinary citizens rather than the planned political campaign. He took a jab at the government for overlooking protests by members of the medical community seeking an increase in remuneration. He also raised concerns over the reported increase in dengue and polio cases, the condition of the education sector, electricity-related problems and the availability of potable water. The governor also pointed to what he described as the decline of the tourism sector and the underdevelopment of mining in the province. He alleged that financial allocations meant for the former FATA and PATA regions had not been properly utilised for the benefit of local communities. Kundi said police personnel in these areas were protesting. “If they are protesting, who will look after law and order?” he asked. Kundi also took apart the provincial government for failing to secure what he described as the province’s due share of oil and gas royalties from the federal government. “K-P produces the most oil and gas for the country, but we have failed to acquire royalty for it,” he stated during the press conference. “We have failed to seek relevant resources from the centre to uplift our people,” he added. Support for police Despite his criticism of the proposed legislation, Kundi said the provincial police had received equipment and vehicles required to improve its operational capabilities. He said several items requested for the K-P police had already been provided to the province, while additional equipment would be delivered according to the government’s commitments. “We will receive 23 anti-drone guns in October, and the rest will be given in December,” he said. Kundi maintained that strengthening the police and addressing the province’s security challenges should be prioritised over political mobilisation. He urged the PTI-led administration to focus instead on overcoming what he described as provincial governance lapses.  

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‘You botched the case, you’re also suspicious’: Judge grills SSP over Mir Raza probe

The judicial commission probing the death of Mir Raza came down hard on the police investigation on Thursday, with Justice Omar Sial telling SSP Samiullah Soomro that the case had been “botched” in its crucial early days and questioning whether the police officer himself had become a subject of suspicion. Mir Raza, 25, was allegedly found dead near a wedding hall in Gulistan-e-Johar on July 29. The case had initially been surrounded by uncertainty over whether he had been murdered or died by suicide. The court ordered a second post-mortem exam of the victim after the first report failed to determine the circumstances surrounding his death. The findings of the second post-mortem consolidated his family’s longstanding claim that he had been murdered. The police probe is under serious scrutiny because of lapses that were admitted by the Sindh Police chief. The commission also grilled senior health officials over the abrupt replacement of a medical board, including the decision to replace Karachi-based specialists with doctors from Hyderabad, and questioned the legal authority behind the changes. The proceedings, headed by Justice Sial, produced a series of pointed exchanges over the handling of CCTV footage, Mir Raza’s mobile phone and smartwatch, the crime scene, witness statements and the police’s apparent focus on a possible suicide and financial-pressure narrative. Read: Mir Raza case: Commission says Dr Usama targeted Dr Summaiya with smear campaign During questioning, Justice Sial told SSP Soomro that the first six days of the investigation were crucial and appeared to have seriously compromised the case. “You botched the case. You are also suspicious,” the judge remarked, according to the proceedings. Soomro told the commission that he had been assigned the investigation on August 2 and headed a team that included SSP East Zubair Nazir, SSP East Investigation Usman Saduzai and, later, officers from the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee. The commission repeatedly questioned why the family’s statements had not been formally recorded. Soomro said he had directed SSP Zubair Nazir to meet the family, but was told that they had initially declined. Family members disputed that account during the proceedings, saying they had met police officers on August 3. Justice Sial questioned Soomro over the failure to personally ensure that the family’s statements were recorded, saying that he was the head of the investigation team regardless of the administrative control exercised by other officers. The commission also challenged the police’s handling of CCTV footage. Soomro acknowledged that only footage from one street had been examined showing Mir Raza travelling in the area, despite the presence of multiple streets and dozens of cameras around the location. Soomro said more than 30 CCTV clips had been collected, but Justice Sial demanded the relevant memos and questioned why investigators had not systematically secured footage from all surrounding streets before it became unavailable. The judge also questioned a video circulated in the media in which Mir Raza appeared to throw something away. Police had suggested that he was throwing his mobile phone, but Soomro conceded that the footage did not establish this conclusively. Also Read: Mir Raza commission warns businessman over media interviews The handling of the mobile phone came under further scrutiny. Soomro said he had neither seen the phone nor the officer who recovered it, while the commission questioned why the recovery and subsequent transfer of such a crucial piece of evidence had not been properly documented. The smartwatch was another major point of contention. Soomro said it had been seized before he took charge and that he had not personally seen it. Justice Sial pointed out that another police officer had said the smartwatch was handed to Soomro, highlighting conflicting accounts within the investigation. The commission also questioned why no action had apparently been taken against subordinate officers despite contradictions in their statements and evidence-handling procedures. Crime scene under scrutiny The treatment of the crime scene drew some of the strongest criticism. Soomro told the commission that investigators had initially failed to find a shell casing and that bushes near the scene were later burned during a search. He said an SIU inspector, Ghaus, had taken the decision to burn the bushes, while a 40-member team subsequently found the shell casing on August 6. Justice Sial questioned whether burning vegetation at a crime scene was standard investigative practice and demanded the name of the person who had authorised the action. The judge also questioned why a holster allegedly recovered on July 31 had not been found when Mir Raza’s body was discovered on July 29. Soomro said the holster should have been recovered on the day the body was found if the scene had been properly searched. Justice Sial criticised the overall handling of the crime scene, saying the recovery of evidence had effectively been compromised. Suicide, financial-pressure narrative questioned The commission also examined how the narrative of suicide and financial pressure entered the investigation. Soomro said statements from Raza’s friends and business associates referred to financial pressure and that investigators had also received information about his cryptocurrency trading. He denied having deliberately promoted a suicide narrative in the media, saying he had told a journalist that the available evidence raised concerns about suicide. The commission questioned how police could publicly discuss such a theory when the family’s formal statements had not yet been recorded. Jibran Nasir, counsel for Mir Raza’s family, argued that the police had failed to properly investigate alternative lines of inquiry and had focused disproportionately on financial pressure. Read More: Cyber probe ordered into online campaign against police surgeon The commission also questioned the role of ASP Nida, asking why she appeared repeatedly in different stages of the investigation. Soomro said she had initially been involved in speaking to Mir Raza’s fiancée and had accompanied officers during interviews and meetings. Justice Sial questioned whether she had been assigned any specific investigative responsibility and why she was involved in interactions with several officials and agencies. The proceedings also touched on claims involving Raza’s alleged financial dealings, including screenshots and a voice note attributed to Ali Shahz. The commission questioned how such material reached the media and why some witnesses were not formally examined until weeks after the incident. Medical board switch Earlier, the commission questioned Health Secretary Tahir Hussain Sangi over the decision to alter the medical board dealing with the case. Justice Sial asked why the board had been changed late at night and why Karachi specialists were replaced by doctors from Hyderabad. Sangi said he had been informed that the existing board did not include sufficiently senior forensic specialists and that adding independent experts was considered more transparent. The judge questioned the legal basis for changing the board and asked whether the police surgeon had the authority to constitute a medical board for an exhumation. When Sangi referred to previous court orders involving medical boards, Justice Sial challenged him to produce a specific legal precedent, saying the secretary appeared to be shifting responsibility to the courts. Also Read: NCCIA obtains Binance, crypto transaction data in Mir Raza murder case The commission also questioned whether Sangi had authorised Special Secretary Health Shaharyar Memon to seek a fresh review of the board. Sangi said he had directed the special secretary to ensure that the board was changed in accordance with the court’s directions, while maintaining that individual members could be added without his personal approval. Justice Sial questioned why Hyderabad doctors had been brought into a case based in Karachi, asking whether Karachi or Hyderabad was geographically closer under the relevant law. The judge also questioned whether the change had actually improved transparency, noting that the earlier board already contained experienced specialists. Special secretary denies authority Shaharyar Memon, now director general health services and formerly special secretary, was subsequently summoned by the commission. Memon denied having the authority to replace the medical board, saying he had merely asked the DG Health to review the existing arrangement after learning that the police surgeon had constituted a board. The commission repeatedly pressed him on the legal basis for ordering a review and asked whether he had acted beyond his authority. Memon said the decision was taken in good faith and in light of the court order. Justice Sial, however, questioned the contradictory accounts between Memon, Sangi and the former DG Health over who had initiated the changes and who had proposed the new members. The judge also questioned Memon over his connection to Liaquat University, where he had studied, and raised the fact that other individuals connected to the case had also studied there. The commission was told that the police had now requested the formation of a new “super medical board”. Memon confirmed that an application had been received from DIG Amir Farooqi under the Sindh Medico-Legal Act 2023 and was being reviewed. Investigation records under microscope The commission also questioned the police over witness statements, with the proceedings indicating that several statements had allegedly been recorded by people other than the designated investigating officer and subsequently signed by him. Soomro acknowledged that such a practice would be contrary to procedure and that investigating officers should record statements themselves. Justice Sial questioned whether investigators had deliberately relied on weak investigative procedures and criticised the repeated shifting of responsibility among officers. The commission also examined geofencing, vehicles and people appearing in CCTV footage, the role of guesthouse employees and the possible movements of a motorcyclist seen in the area. Read: Police surgeon alleges pressure, threats to hide evidence suggesting murder before Mir Raza judicial commission Soomro said investigators had interviewed guesthouse employees and found nothing suspicious among four people examined, while one person had reportedly left for Umerkot and another motorcyclist could not be traced. The commission questioned why investigators had not pursued every person appearing in the available footage. Advocate Nasir also alleged that the family had identified suspicious activity at a guesthouse and that some people fled after being shown Mir Raza’s photograph. These claims were put before the commission during the proceedings. Advocate Nasir alleges police trying to portray murder as suicide Later, speaking to reporters after proceedings before the Judicial Commission, Nasir alleged that police had failed to properly investigate the case and were instead attempting to establish the death as a suicide. He said the police had remained focused from the outset on the premise that there was no killer involved. “The killer’s identity will emerge from CDR and CCTV footage. How can a killer be identified through a bullet mark or acid?” he asked, alleging that police were trying to turn the case into one of suicide. Nasir said the statements of the Sindh health secretary and SSP Samiullah Soomro were recorded before the commission during Thursday’s proceedings. He said it had also been confirmed that a request had been made by Amir Farooqui for permission to constitute a super medical board to review the findings of the previous medical boards. “How will a super medical board identify the killer?” Nasir questioned, alleging that the move was aimed at protecting officials from scrutiny. The Mir Raza family lawyer said the proceedings had exposed shortcomings in the initial police investigation, claiming that there were nine streets in the area but CCTV footage from only one street had been examined. The police, he alleged, conducted “interviews” of witnesses instead of recording their statements through the prescribed legal procedure and subsequently promoted their own narrative. Nasir also questioned why investigators had repeatedly recorded the statement of Dr Usama while no member of the medical board had so far had their statement recorded. “Dr Usama was called on August 9, which the SSP has confirmed. But why was Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed not asked to give a presentation in the same manner?” he asked. According to Nasir, investigators had yet to establish the identities of the person travelling in a white Alto and a motorcyclist seen in connection with the case. He also said the family had not been informed about the telephone numbers identified through geofencing. “CCTV footage may have been lost, but geofencing and CDR records still exist,” he added. Read More: Discrepancies emerge in Mir Raza autopsy as ‘missing’ details surface in judicial commission hearing Nasir alleged that crucial evidence had been lost during the first 10 days of the investigation and questioned whether any action had been taken against police officers responsible for the initial probe. He said the investigation team had also refused to provide access to certain records before the commission. “The police have given their account on oath and have effectively shown that they did not conduct the investigation properly. The JIT has to do the work that the police investigation failed to do,” he said. Nasir said there was no legal bar on constituting a Joint Investigation Team and reiterated that the family had demanded a JIT from the first day. He also alleged that the investigation had failed to establish the movements of Shahzaib Mushtaq in Karachi between August 4 and 6, adding that SSP Soomro had expressed ignorance about the matter. The commission, according to Nasir, observed that police had examined CCTV footage from only one street and had failed to check other available cameras. He said the family had requested that additional IGs and DIGs concerned be summoned before the commission in their personal capacity. Nasir further said the request for a super medical board had raised questions about the intentions of the new investigation team. “If the Sindh government takes any administrative decision to constitute a super medical board on the police’s request, we will challenge it,” he added.  

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Supreme Court puts brakes on Dr Shahnawaz Kumbhar custodial killing trial days before hearing

The Supreme Court has stayed the trial of Dr Shahnawaz Kumbhar’s alleged custodial killing and desecration of his body, days before proceedings were due to begin at the Mirpurkhas district and sessions court, throwing into question the Sindh High Court’s order shifting the case from the Anti-Terrorism Court. The apex court issued the stay on a petition by Dr Ibrahim Kumbhar, complainant in the FIRs concerning Dr Shahnawaz’s alleged custodial killing and desecration. The petitioner has sought restoration of the ATC’s jurisdiction, challenging the SHC’s April 7 order directing the transfer of the case to the sessions court. The sessions court was scheduled to commence the trial on September 29. Advocate Sajjad Ahmed Chandio, representing the complainant, argued before the Supreme Court that the case should continue before the ATC and objected to the circumstances in which it was transferred. In a further twist, Chandio told the apex court that Sindh’s deputy prosecutor general, who was expected to prosecute the case against the accused police officers, had instead filed an application on behalf of a DIG and two SSPs accused in the FIR, seeking transfer of the case from the ATC. The counsel argued that since one of the FIRs under trial had been registered with the FIA, the Sindh deputy prosecutor general had no jurisdiction to represent the accused in seeking transfer of the case. According to him, the matter was supposed to be handled by the federal law officer. The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Prosecutor General Sindh, Advocate General Sindh and Attorney General for Pakistan for October 13, fixing the matter before a three-member bench. Dr Shahnawaz Kumbhar was shot dead in what the complainant describes as a staged police encounter on September 19, 2024, after he surrendered to Mirpurkhas police in Karachi in connection with a blasphemy FIR. After his death, his body was allegedly set on fire by a mob while it was being transported to a graveyard in Umerkot district for burial. The first FIR was registered at Sindhri Police Station, Mirpurkhas, on September 27, 2024, under sections 201, 364, 302, 34, 147, 148, 149 and 120-B of the Pakistan Penal Code, Sections 6 and 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, and Sections 8 and 9 of the Torture and Custodial Death Prevention and Punishment Act 2022. A second FIR was registered at the FIA’s Composite Circle Mirpurkhas on October 29, 2024, in connection with the allegation of custodial killing. Former DIG Mirpurkhas Javed Sonharo Jiskani, former SSP Mirpurkhas Muhammad Asad Chaudhry and former SSP Umerkot Asif Raza Baloch are among 23 accused in the case. The three police officers had approached the ATC Mirpurkhas seeking transfer of the case to the district court, arguing in effect that the terrorism provisions incorporated into the FIR should not apply. The ATC rejected their plea on October 23, 2025. They subsequently approached the SHC, but their two separate criminal revision applications were dismissed on December 12, 2025. However, a division bench of the SHC comprising Justice Miran Muhammad Shah and Justice Muhammad Hassan subsequently ordered the ATC on April 7, 2026, to transfer the case to the district and sessions court along with the complete record. The complainant has now challenged that transfer before the Supreme Court, seeking permission for the ATC to proceed with the trial. The apex court’s stay means the sessions court proceedings scheduled for September 29 can not proceed pending further orders in the matter.

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Nine major road projects on hold

Amid a severe economic and financial crisis and major cuts in development funds, nine mega projects for upgrading major roads in Rawalpindi, including the alternative to the city's main artery Murree Road, Rawal Road, have been deferred and placed in the red zone until Dec 31, 2027. The projects include upgrading, carpeting and widening of roads as well as local infrastructure schemes. Their estimated costs are likely to increase by 100 per cent. The projects have also been deleted from the Annual Development Programme. The development department has temporarily halted nine major road rehabilitation and reconstruction projects due to the unavailability of funds. These include the Khayaban-i-Sir Syed Road project, involving rehabilitation of a 1.6-kilometre road at a cost of Rs213 million; the 1.5-kilometre Bokra Road project costing Rs226 million; and the 1.74-kilometre Fifth Road project costing Rs138 million. The Rawal Road upgrade project, covering a two-kilometre stretch from Ali Nawaz Intersection to Murree Road, was also deferred at an estimated cost of Rs241 million. The Chandni Chowk to Commercial Market Road project, covering 0.8 kilometres, was estimated to cost Rs115 million, while the 1.2-kilometre Railway Workshop Road project was estimated at Rs247 million. Projects for China Market to Gordon College Road and Satellite Town 4-B Road were also dropped due to lack of funds. In addition, projects for upgrading healthcare facilities and hospitals, providing new facilities at medical centres and hospitals and expanding buildings have also been temporarily placed in the red zone due to budget constraints.

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PM says IMF raises no serious concerns over Rs100 fuel subsidy after meeting Georgieva at UNGA

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had not expressed any serious concerns over Pakistan’s targeted subsidy of Rs100 per litre during his meeting with the Fund’s managing director on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York. Speaking to The Express Tribune after meeting IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly, the prime minister said he had briefed her in detail on the pressure Pakistan faces and the difficulties confronting low-income people. “We drew the IMF chief’s attention to the question of where the poor man would go,” the premier said, adding that the targeted subsidy was being distributed through a comprehensive and transparent mechanism. Earlier this month, PM Shehbaz announced a special relief scheme offering Rs100 per litre off petrol for motorcycles, three-wheeler rickshaws, and cars with engines up to 800cc, in an attempt to shield lower-income consumers from the impact of rising petroleum prices. Later, in a post on X, the IMF managing director hailed Pakistan’s implementation of reforms, saying they had helped preserve stability, restore confidence and regain market access. I had the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister @CMShehbaz on the margins of #UNGA to discuss Pakistan's reforms. Strong implementation has helped preserve stability, restore confidence & regain market access. Continued reforms will help lift growth & improve people's lives. pic.twitter.com/jiELSQysYw — Kristalina Georgieva (@KGeorgieva) September 23, 2026 “I had the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the margins of UNGA to discuss Pakistan’s reforms,” she said. “Continuing reforms will help boost economic growth and improve the living standards of the people," said the IMF chief. PM Shehbaz, IMF chief discuss reforms, subsidy: PMO Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz appreciated the IMF’s continued support for Pakistan’s economy and reaffirmed his government’s “unwavering commitment” to the successful implementation of the IMF-supported reform programme, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. In meeting with the IMF chief, the prime minister particularly appreciated Georgieva’s role in strengthening Pakistan’s constructive partnership with the Fund. He reaffirmed the government’s strong ownership of the economic reform agenda and reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to maintain the momentum of reforms and advance structural measures aimed at strengthening the economy and laying the foundations for sustainable and inclusive growth. Pleasure meeting IMF Managing Director Ms. Kristalina Georgieva in New York this morning. I thanked her for the Fund’s continued support and deeply appreciated her personal role in strengthening Pakistan’s constructive partnership with the IMF. I reaffirmed our Government’s… pic.twitter.com/XKi1Quhh1W — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) September 23, 2026 “Despite regional conflict and external inflationary pressures, Pakistan is successfully transitioning from macroeconomic stabilization towards a recovery path, supported by prudent fiscal and monetary policies,” the prime minister noted. Highlighting the improvements in fiscal discipline, external buffers and investor confidence, the premier cited the National Tariff Regime, enhanced domestic revenue mobilisation and progress on privatisation as examples of Pakistan’s efforts. He also underscored the government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable segments of society alongside maintaining economic reforms. The IMF managing director appreciated Pakistan’s performance under the IMF programme and the government’s efforts for economic stabilisation, saying these were yielding tangible results. The two leaders also discussed Pakistan’s forthcoming IMF programme review and continued cooperation between Pakistan and the Fund in advancing reforms, strengthening economic resilience and supporting sustainable growth. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Adviser on Privatisation Muhammad Ali, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and other senior officials were also present during the meeting.

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Section 144 imposed in Islamabad as PTI gears up for Sept 27 protest

As Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) gears up for its planned Sept 27 protest in the federal capital, the Islamabad administration on Wednesday reminded citizens that Section 144 was in force for two months, barring gatherings, rallies and demonstrations, and urged them to stay away from illegal activities and cooperate with security institutions. The order, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, was issued by Islamabad Additional District Magistrate Dr Anam Fatima on Sept 18. It said that the restrictions were imposed in view of reports that certain segments of society were planning to organise unlawful assemblies, including majalis and processions, within the jurisdiction of Islamabad Capital Territory. Read: PTI's Gohar calls for dialogue as party decries arrests, raids in K-P The order said such activities could disrupt public peace and tranquillity and cited the prevailing law and order and security situation as grounds for imposing the restrictions. “Certain segments of the public are planning to take out processions, including religious/sectarian processions, and to stage demonstrations in Islamabad Capital Territory,” the order said. According to the order, such activities were likely to threaten public peace and tranquillity, cause public annoyance or injury, endanger human life and safety, pose a threat to public property and potentially lead to a riot or an affray, including a sectarian riot, within Islamabad’s territorial limits. The additional district magistrate said sufficient grounds existed to proceed under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, and that immediate prevention and speedy remedy were required to protect public life and property. The order prohibits “all kinds of gatherings of 5 (five) or more persons, processions/rallies and demonstrations” at any public place within the revenue limits of Islamabad. The restrictions also cover the Red Zone, whose boundaries have been specified in the order. The order took effect immediately and will remain in force for two months. In a separate statement, the district administration reminded citizens that Section 144 was in force in the federal capital and that no kind of gathering or assembly was permitted in the city. It said gatherings were also prohibited under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, 2024, and warned that strict action would be taken in accordance with the law in case of any violation. “The punishment for violating the Act is three years in prison,” the administration said. It urged citizens not to become part of any illegal activity and asked them to cooperate with security institutions as responsible citizens.  The order came as the Kissan Ittehad and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) announced plans for separate long marches on Islamabad in the coming week, with the former seeking relief for farmers and the latter demanding the release of party founder Imran Khan from jail. Twin cities ramp up anti-protest measures Preparations to deal with the PTI long march have entered the final phase in Rawalpindi Division, with more than 43,000 personnel to be deployed in Attock, Rawalpindi, Murree, Jhelum and Chakwal to prevent protesters from entering the twin cities. Police authorities have decided to keep Rawalpindi and Islamabad open with all preparations in place until the march enters Punjab territory. Officials will assess the situation under a “wait and see” policy and take a response according to the situation if marchers cross barriers in Punjab and move closer to the twin cities. High-level meetings on preparations for the PTI long march are continuing. Also Read: Govt, PTI on warpath after 'once & for all' threat A meeting of senior police and administrative officials, including the inspectors general of Punjab, Islamabad and Railways, was also held on Wednesday, where officials were briefed on preparations and the strategy was discussed. In Rawalpindi Division, more than 43,000 police personnel will perform march-related duties in Attock, Rawalpindi, Murree, Jhelum and Chakwal. Of these, 30,000 personnel will be deployed in Attock. Around 14,250 personnel will be deployed at sealing points on the M-1 motorway, including Haroon Bridge, Ghazi-Barotha Motorway Bridge, Tower Hill, Hazara Motorway and Pathar Garh. Another 11,450 personnel will be deployed at sealing points on the N-5 and N-80 routes, including Attock Khurd, Tarbela Road Jhansa, Haro Bridge, Jablat Bridge, Chaska Point and Khushal Garh. Around 5,000 personnel will be deployed at sealing points on the M-14 CPEC route, including Dhok Syedan Interchange and other M-14 points. All personnel have been directed to perform duty equipped with riot-control equipment and kits. In Rawalpindi district, more than 10,000 police personnel will be deployed. Around 3,100 personnel will be stationed at 26 entry points, 1,800 at 73 blocking points in the city area, 3,738 at 152 police pickets, and 300 personnel on 50 roads and streets connecting the twin cities. Another 1,674 personnel will be deployed in responding teams across six sectors. Read More: Long marches, strikes, sit-ins may cost Pakistan’s economy Rs120b a day: Aurangzeb In Murree, 224 personnel will be deployed at 16 blocking points, while 1,400 personnel will be deployed at nine blocking points in Jhelum. Chakwal will have 352 police personnel at 10 blocking points. A survey of petrol pumps and hotels along the GT Road and motorway has also been conducted. Within Rawalpindi, two petrol pumps and 23 petrol pumps were identified on the motorway and GT Road respectively, while there are two hotels on the motorway and 37 on the GT Road. In Attock, five petrol pumps are located on the motorway and 63 on the GT Road, while there are nine hotels on the motorway and 64 on the GT Road. Across the five districts of Rawalpindi Region, including Attock, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Jhelum and Murree, 666 tear-gas guns, 52,118 long-range shells, 7,243 short-range shells, 1,529 splints, 1,531 gas masks and 1,693 gas-mask filters are available. Additional equipment has been demanded, including 500 repeater guns, 57,000 rubber bullets, 710 tear-gas guns, 61,000 long-range and 10,000 short-range tear-gas shells, 1,200 tear-gas grenades, 7,150 gas-mask filters, 5,600 gas masks and 6,500 splints. Authorities have also sought 4,050 Robocop anti-riot kits, 4,000 long transparent shields, 3,050 new-pattern helmets, 1,500 bulletproof helmets, 1,500 bulletproof jackets, 200 binoculars, 100 night-vision devices and barbed wire. For transport and logistics, six armoured personnel carrier (APC) vans, two water cannons, 20 prison vans, 50 megaphones and 12 quadcopters along with operators have also been demanded. Additional surveillance equipment includes 12 quadcopters and their operators. Police personnel have already reached Attock. Supervisory officers have been directed to ensure security of the areas where the force has been deployed, with police personnel also assigned security duties in shifts. Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi police and administration have sought Rangers’ assistance for Rawalpindi Region and Mianwali. In Islamabad, preparations to deal with the PTI march are also at their peak. The city will be monitored from the Safe City headquarters, while more than 200,000 bags of soil have been arranged along with 110,000 tear-gas shells and 1,300 rifles capable of firing tear gas. According to sources, containers have been delivered to almost every major intersection in the capital. Around 210 containers are required to close the city’s entry points, while soil-filled trolleys have also been brought in to make the containers heavier. Read: PTI to finalise capital march strategy Islamabad Police have arranged 110,000 tear-gas shells and currently have 1,300 guns for firing them, while an additional 500 guns have been ordered. The capital has 22 cranes available for installing and removing containers. Three routes leading to the Red Zone have already been sealed, with containers placed and welded together. Police personnel from other provinces have already reached Islamabad. The city will be monitored through Safe City cameras and smart vehicles, while the operations room at the Inspector General’s Office will also keep a round-the-clock watch on the situation.

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Naval chief calls for action to unlock Pakistan’s maritime potential on World Maritime Day

Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Naveed Ashraf on Wednesday called for translating maritime policies, regulations and international commitments into practical action, stressing that Pakistan’s maritime potential could only be realised through a safe, secure and sustainable maritime environment. In a message issued on the occasion of World Maritime Day 2026, being observed on September 24, the naval chief extended his felicitations to Pakistan’s maritime community and the international maritime fraternity. CNS Ashraf acknowledged the contributions of seafarers, maritime professionals, fishermen and coastal communities, saying their efforts remained vital to maritime connectivity, economic prosperity and the country’s overall economy. He said Pakistan’s coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone offered significant opportunities for growth in shipping, shipbuilding, ship recycling, fisheries, offshore resources, energy, tourism and other activities linked to the blue economy. “Realising this potential requires not only a safe, secure and sustainable maritime environment but also effective institutional oversight, responsible practices and continued investment in developing maritime capacity,” he said. Read: Naval chief recalls 'Operation Somnath' on Navy Day, says legacy of courage continues as reflected in Marka-e-Haq The chief of naval staff highlighted this year’s World Maritime Day theme, “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence”, saying for Pakistan, this meant continued efforts to strengthen maritime safety, protect the marine environment, enhance professional capacity and ensure that the maritime sector operates in accordance with international standards. He also emphasised cooperation, knowledge sharing and capacity building among maritime stakeholders. “Pakistan Navy remains committed to safeguarding Pakistan's maritime interests and contributing to a secure and stable maritime environment,” CNS Ashraf said in a statement. “Through continuous surveillance of our maritime areas, protection of sea lines of communication and contribution to regional maritime security, Pakistan Navy plays a vibrant role in creating an environment conducive to the growth of maritime trade and other economy-related activities,” he added. The naval chief stressed that sustainable development of Pakistan’s maritime sector required a national approach, with greater awareness, protection of the ecosystem, responsible use of resources and stronger linkages among government institutions, industry, academia and coastal communities. Read More: Naval chief visits units to review Exercise SEASPARK 2026 He said the Pakistan Navy would continue supporting national endeavour for sustainable development of the sector and the fulfilment of relevant national and international obligations. Reaffirming the Navy’s commitment to the International Maritime Organisation’s vision of safer, secure and environmentally sustainable seas, CNS Ashraf said Pakistan would continue to promote excellence across the maritime sector. “Guided by our national maritime objectives, we shall continue to safeguard Pakistan’s maritime interests and contribute towards a secure, prosperous and sustainable future,” he said. The naval chief expressed hope that World Maritime Day 2026 would inspire stakeholders to translate maritime aspirations into practical action and harness the opportunities offered by the seas for the prosperity of the country and its people.

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Faisalabad plans Bhagat Singh monument, canal-side walking tracks

The district administration plans to erect a monument to Bhagat Singh, described by Deputy Commissioner Nouman Siddique as a common freedom fighter of the pre- and post-Partition era, as part of a broader initiative to beautify Faisalabad and preserve its historical heritage. The administration also plans to develop walking tracks along both sides of the Rakh Branch Canal to encourage residents to adopt walking as a regular physical activity while providing them with access to open spaces and fresh air. Speaking to media persons about ongoing development schemes and the city's beautification drive, the deputy commissioner said walking tracks would also be developed in Jaranwala, while a similar facility already existed in Samundri. He said the administration, through union councils, was also working to develop eight parks at locations where canals and suitable land were available. The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) had identified parks in poor condition, which were being prioritised for maintenance. The DC said another local park was being restored with the assistance of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) and the Planning and Development Department. He said the site would be cleared after September 30, following which restoration work would begin. He said ongoing projects in Jhang Bazaar and Aminpur Bazaar were expected to be completed by the end of November, while five parking plazas were expected to be completed within seven to eight months. Regarding the proposed parking plaza at Chiniot Bazaar, the DC said the project had remained pending since 2015 and its file had recently been initiated at the district level. He said efforts were under way to resolve objections raised at the Lahore office so that the project could be approved. Once approved, he said, the project could take another one-and-a-half to two years to complete. The administration had also sought additional funding, but was exploring a public-private partnership model to avoid placing the financial burden on the government.

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Dar calls on OIC to urge Taliban to eliminate terrorism 'with sincerity'

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday urged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to press the Afghan Taliban to take concrete and verifiable steps to prevent their soil from being used for terrorist attacks against neighbouring countries. Dar appealed while addressing a meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Recalling the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in August 2021, Dar described it as a “watershed moment” for the country. Read More: Pakistan warns Afghanistan after Kohat attack, says it can eliminate terror threats ‘wherever they are’ “Pakistan was the first country to open its doors to our Afghan brethren at the time,” he said, adding that Islamabad had also hosted the 17th Extraordinary Session of the OIC-CFM on Dec 19, 2021, to garner the solidarity of Islamic countries and mobilise international support to address the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. “It was hoped that the Taliban would honour Afghanistan's international obligations and their own commitments by eliminating terrorism, promoting inclusivity and protecting the human rights of its citizens,” the foreign minister said. However, he said, the expectations of OIC members and the wider international community had remained unfulfilled. Dar said the Taliban had consequently “failed to seize the opportunity to integrate Afghanistan with the wider world and to improve the lives of the Afghan people” because of what he described as their “misplaced priorities and flawed ideologies”. “As fellow OIC members, regional partners and neighbours, we can help Afghanistan integrate with the international community. But the Taliban must first take the steps necessary to create a conducive environment,” he said. Dar said the foremost requirement was “concrete and verifiable actions” to prevent Afghan soil from being used for terrorism against neighbouring countries. Read: Pakistan carries out 'calibrated' air strikes against terrorist hideouts near Afghan border after K-P attacks He particularly referred to attacks against Pakistan that, he said, were planned and orchestrated from Afghanistan with external backing to destabilise the region. “Pakistan is seriously concerned over the presence of more than two dozen terrorist groups inside Afghanistan, particularly the TTP, BLA and Majeed Brigade, ISIL-K (Daesh), Al-Qaida and ETIM that threaten regional and international peace and security,” he said. He said Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies were making “enormous sacrifices” to counter terrorism as Pakistanis continued to be targeted and martyred by terrorist groups operating with impunity from Afghan soil. Dar recalled the suicide bombing at a mosque in Kohat in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa the previous week, saying it had “martyred at least 24 Pakistanis”. He also thanked Qatar, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia for their mediation and “sincere efforts” to counsel the Taliban and find amicable solutions. Dar said the OIC, as “a collective voice of the Muslim world”, had a vital role in addressing the situation in Afghanistan and urged the group to call on the Taliban to take several steps, foremost among them eliminating terrorism and ending the patronage of terrorist groups. “They must not allow Afghan soil to be used for orchestrating terrorist attacks against neighbouring countries,” he said. He also called on the Taliban to honour their international obligations and commitments and curb trafficking through illegal smuggling networks, including narcotics, weapons and human trafficking. Dar further urged the Taliban to lift restrictions on women and girls that were contrary to Islamic principles and norms of Muslim society and to reconsider policies that denied fundamental freedoms to ordinary Afghans. He said Afghans had “already suffered enough from civil war and conflict”. Dar referred to the ninth OIC Ministerial Conference on Women, held in Islamabad on July 12-13, 2026, which had expressed “deep concern” over continued restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment in Afghanistan. He also called for governance through a politically inclusive process involving all ethnicities and minorities. Also Read: No change in Pakistan's Afghan policy The foreign minister urged the Taliban to facilitate the resettlement and integration of Afghan returnees in their homeland, while saying the international community also had a responsibility to share the burden. Dar said international donors must provide adequate funding to meet Afghanistan’s humanitarian aid requirements and support its socio-economic development. In this regard, he commended the work being done by the OIC Office in Kabul, as well as humanitarian support provided through the Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre. “No country desires normalcy and stability in Afghanistan more than Pakistan, and no country has suffered from the consequences of instability and insecurity in Afghanistan more than Pakistan,” he said. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at achieving a stable and prosperous Afghanistan at peace with itself and its neighbours, but stressed that this would require “mutual respect, sincerity and demonstration of necessary political will by the Taliban.” Tensions between the two countries have escalated over the last year amid mutual accusations over cross-border militancy. Islamabad has long maintained that terrorists linked to the TTP operate from Afghan territory, while Kabul has denied the allegations and accused Pakistan of violating its sovereignty through alleged strikes. Pakistan has maintained that meaningful engagement with the Taliban government cannot resume unless Kabul takes concrete and verifiable action against banned terrorist groups, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad says operates from Afghan territory to plan and carry out attacks inside Pakistan. The issue of terrorist sanctuaries remains the central source of friction between the two countries. Islamabad has repeatedly conveyed to Kabul that assurances alone are insufficient and that Pakistan wants to see demonstrable action against groups it considers responsible for attacks on its territory. The Pakistani position also extends to other terrorist organisations operating from Afghan territory, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The deterioration in bilateral ties, particularly over the TTP issue, has significantly narrowed the space for diplomatic initiatives. Pakistan appears to be keeping diplomatic channels and limited institutional contacts open while refusing to resume substantive engagement with Kabul until it sees concrete and verifiable action against militant groups operating from Afghan soil.

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