Security forces respond to unprovoked firing from Afghan border posts: DC South Waziristan

Security forces responded to unprovoked firing from Afghan border posts near Angoor Adda in South Waziristan, forcing Afghan Taliban personnel to abandon their positions, Lower South Waziristan deputy commissioner said on Sunday. In a statement on X, the deputy commissioner said Pakistani forces targeted several Afghan border posts, mortar positions and defensive positions in response to the firing. انگور اڈہ، جنوبی وزیرستان | 1 نومبر 2026 افغان سرحدی پوسٹوں سے پاکستانی سرحدی چوکیوں پر بلااشتعال فائرنگ کا سلسلہ جاری ہے۔ پاکستانی سیکیورٹی فورسز نے فوری اور مؤثر جوابی کارروائی کرتے ہوئے متعدد افغان سرحدی پوسٹوں، مارٹر پوزیشنز اور دفاعی چوکیوں کو نشانہ بنایا۔ پاکستانی فورسز کے… — Deputy Commissioner South Waziristan Lower (@dcswlower) November 1, 2026 He said Afghan Taliban personnel were forced to abandon their posts and flee following the intense response by Pakistani forces. The deputy commissioner added that no casualties had so far been reported in the Pakistani border areas. He further said Pakistani security forces were prepared to respond effectively to any form of aggression. Also Read: Pakistan slams Afghan Taliban’s 'latest fabrication of lies' on Angoor Adda clashes The latest development comes amid heightened tensions along the border in recent days. Earlier this week, clashes near Angoor Adda along the South Waziristan border left one person dead and five members of a family injured. Following the incident, the Pakistan Army said it had given an immediate, highly vigilant and strong response to the Afghan aggression by targeting Afghan Taliban checkposts. It added that the military's response to the attack on civilians was continuing. Earlier in September this year, Pakistan carried out “calibrated” air strikes against terrorist hideouts near the Afghan border and conducted intelligence-based ground operations that killed a total of 37 terrorists following a series of deadly attacks in K-P. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in a statement, said that three targets were destroyed in precision strikes, including a training centre for suicide bombers. It said 28 terrorists, along with several suicide bombers, were killed, while large quantities of weapons and ammunition stored at the centres and hideouts were also destroyed. On September 24, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that Pakistan had carried out “precision” aerial and drone strikes against 10 locations in Afghanistan after drones launched from Afghan territory entered Pakistani airspace, describing the strikes as a response to a “deliberate and unlawful incursion”. Pak-Afghan tensions The development came amid fighting ​between Pakistan and Afghanistan that started in October 2025. Islamabad accuses the Afghan Taliban of harbouring ⁠militants ​who launch attacks in Pakistan, ​although Kabul denies this, calling the militancy its neighbour's domestic problem. Amid continued tensions between the neighbours, Operation Ghazab Lil Haq was launched around the end of February following renewed clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, after Afghan Taliban forces fired on multiple locations, prompting swift military retaliation by Pakistan. The clashes intensified after Afghanistan launched a border offensive in response to Pakistani air strikes targeting terrorist positions. The two sides had agreed to a week-long ceasefire on the eve of Eidul Fitr on March 18, following requests from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Pakistan in April put forth three core demands to the Afghan Taliban during peace talks in Urumqi, China, including Kabul formally declaring the TTP a terrorist organisation, dismantling its infrastructure, and providing verifiable proof of the action. These demands form the basis of Pakistan's negotiating position, which sources say has hardened amid persistent security concerns.

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Pindi families return to wood-fuelled cooking

Prolonged gas load management, with supplies available for only six hours a day, coupled with a sharp increase in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices, has forced low- and middle-income households in Rawalpindi to return to firewood and coal for cooking as winter sets in. Firewood, coal and kerosene oil are increasingly being used as fuels by middle- and low-income families, roadside eateries and small tandoors. The growing demand for firewood has also reportedly contributed to a significant increase in the theft of timber from public and private forests. Meanwhile, the prices of firewood and coal have risen sharply with the onset of winter. In the open market, coal is selling for between Rs800 and Rs1,000 per maund. Low-smoke coal that produces a good flame costs Rs1,000 per maund, while the variety producing less heat and smoke is available for Rs800. Dry firewood, which produces less smoke and provides greater heat, is priced between Rs1,500 and Rs1,800 per maund, while ordinary firewood costs between Rs1,300 and Rs1,400. Sawdust has also reached Rs700 per maund Sui gas supplies are being restricted to three daily intervals of two hours each, while uninterrupted outages from 9pm until Sehri have become routine. As a result, traders, large shopkeepers and affluent families have increasingly turned to gas cylinders, pushing up demand and prompting a further rise in cylinder prices. The price of a new, empty domestic gas cylinder has increased from Rs10,000 to Rs13,500, while used cylinders are available for between Rs8,000 and Rs10,000. The cost of refilling a domestic cylinder has risen from Rs3,000 to Rs5,000. Commercial gas cylinder refills, which cost between Rs12,500 and Rs14,000 a year ago, have now reached as much as Rs25,000, placing an additional burden on businesses. With gas load management extending to 18-20 hours a day across the city, roadside eateries, small tandoors, hotels and bakeries have begun using firewood instead of gas. Residents and tandoor owners are also visiting furniture markets to purchase discarded wooden pieces and sawdust at lower prices. Furniture factory owner Muhammad Faizan said that, previously, discarded wooden pieces and sawdust had been disposed of in Nullah Lai. However, the situation had changed as residents now collected the waste for use as fuel. "We used to dispose of these wooden pieces and sawdust in Nullah Leh. Now, people come to our factory in the evening, clean the premises themselves and take the waste away," he said. Divisional president of the All Pakistan Clerks Association, Shehzad Manzoor Kiyani, said rising inflation had brought back the era of firewood and coal. He said clerical and lower-grade government employees had reported that gas supplies were no longer reliable and monthly LPG expenses had reached Rs10,000–12,000, forcing them to switch to firewood. Teachers' leaders Basharat Iqbal Raja and Shafiq Bhalwalia said crippling inflation had compelled households to use gas cylinders for emergency cooking and making tea for guests during the day, while relying on firewood to prepare the evening meal.

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PHC seeks replies from governor, speaker against governor’s rule

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General’s Office has issued notices to the governor and other relevant authorities, including the provincial assembly speaker, seeking detailed replies and comments on separate writ petitions challenging the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency in parts of the province. The petitions, filed in the Peshawar High Court by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and others, contend that the imposition of emergency in certain districts and governor’s rule in others is unconstitutional and illegal. The petitioners argued that the situation in K-P was not beyond the control of the provincial government to warrant such extraordinary measures. They maintained that the federal government had exceeded its constitutional authority by imposing emergency and governor’s rule, effectively depriving an elected provincial government and its representatives of their powers. Read: K-P governor's rule to end in six months, emergency to continue until peace restored: Tariq Fazal The petitions further stated that governor’s rule could only be imposed in exceptional circumstances when the situation in a province deteriorated beyond control, with the provincial government itself expected to recommend such action. They also challenged the invocation of Article 245 to call in the armed forces, arguing that the deployment of troops in aid of civil administration fell within the provincial government’s domain. The petitioners alleged that several constitutional requirements had been disregarded while taking these decisions. Meanwhile, the Advocate General’s Office has directed the governor, chief secretary, provincial assembly speaker and secretary of the Home and Tribal Affairs Department to submit their respective reports and comments before the court through officers of Grade 17 or above by November 7. However, questions have been raised over how the provincial assembly speaker would submit his response, as the provincial government maintains that he is currently in protective custody. The Advocate General’s Office has also been informed of the situation. The high court will take up the petitions for further hearing on November 10. PHC orders release of 23 more PTI workers In another case, the high court has granted interim relief to 23 more PTI workers arrested under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, ordering their release on bail. A bench comprising Justice Sahibzada Asadullah and Justice Inamullah heard writ petitions challenging the detention of 23 individuals, including Akbar Sher, Shehzad, Razaullah, Saqib, Ehsanullah and Momin Khan. The petitioners were represented by lawyers Yasir Khattak and Azhar Rahim Khan, while K-P Advocate General Sanaullah and the relevant officials also appeared before the court. According to the court order, the deputy commissioner of Mardan had been issued a notice at the previous hearing, directing him to explain the reasons and circumstances under which the petitioners were detained and sent to jail. Also Read: PM criticises PTI's 13-year rule in K-P, urges PML-N leadership to prioritise public welfare projects However, the concerned authorities have yet to submit their report despite the court’s directions. The bench observed that, in the absence of the required report, it had no option but to examine the available record and provide relief to the petitioners. It noted that similar relief had previously been granted in cases involving comparable circumstances. Consequently, the court ordered the release of each petitioner against two surety bonds worth Rs100,000. The bench clarified that the petitions would continue to be heard on merit and that the interim relief did not amount to a final decision on the legality of the detentions. The deputy commissioner of Mardan was once again directed to submit the relevant report and record before the court. The hearing was adjourned until November 12.

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Pakistan rebukes Afghan Taliban's 'deeply misguided approach' to resolving bilateral tensions

Pakistan on Saturday rejected the Afghan Taliban spokesperson's latest remarks about resolving bilateral issues, describing them as reflective of a “deeply misguided approach” towards the deteriorating relations between the two countries, and said terrorism emanating from Afghan soil remained a major obstacle to normal ties. The response came after Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid accused Islamabad of lacking the readiness to resolve tensions with Kabul through dialogue, saying efforts to ease the dispute had so far failed. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting 31 October 2026 The Afghan Taliban spokesperson’s latest tweet exposes the regime’s deeply misguided approach and unwillingness to confront the root cause of deteriorating relations with Pakistan. The Taliban leadership continues to blame… pic.twitter.com/gNnBnoAJfI — Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (@MoIB_Official) October 31, 2026 In a statement posted on its official X account, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said Mujahid’s latest remarks exposed the Taliban leadership’s unwillingness to confront the main issue straining bilateral ties — its failure to address terrorism emanating from Afghan soil. “The Taliban leadership continues to blame Islamabad’s policies while conveniently ignoring the single most important issue poisoning bilateral relations: its persistent failure to address terrorism emanating from Afghan soil,” the statement said. It added that Pakistan’s position was unequivocal, stressing that “terrorism is a red line and the security of its citizens is non-negotiable”. The statement said Pakistan would not tolerate terrorist sanctuaries across its borders that threatened its security or allow its people to remain targets of attacks originating from Afghanistan, adding that Islamabad reserved the right to take all necessary measures, in accordance with international law, to eliminate threats to its national security, wherever they originated. “Kabul must recognise that the responsibility for addressing these threats rests squarely with the Afghan Taliban regime,” it said, warning that Pakistan’s resolve to protect its people must never be mistaken for weakness. Read: Pakistan urges Afghan Taliban to take 'decisive action' against terrorist groups The ministry said the Taliban regime’s continued refusal to address terrorism remained the principal obstacle to normal relations, adding that shifting blame, making assurances and questioning Pakistan’s policies would neither resolve the crisis nor absolve Kabul of its responsibilities. “Pakistan’s security will not be held hostage to Afghan Taliban’s inaction, evasions or misplaced priorities,” the statement said. The statement came after Mujahid told Radio Azadi that Afghanistan had made its final efforts through talks to ease tensions with Pakistan, but these had so far produced no results. He confirmed that messages had been exchanged between Kabul and Islamabad, adding that efforts by mediating countries and Afghan Taliban officials had also failed to reduce tensions. A day earlier, Pakistan had urged the Afghan Taliban authorities to take “decisive action” against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory, questioned their “complicity and support” for groups including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and reaffirmed its right to self-defence. Addressing an interactive dialogue with the UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Afghanistan in the General Assembly’s Third Committee, Counsellor Muhammad Jawad Ajmal of Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations expressed concern over the presence and activities of several militant groups in Afghanistan. These included the TTP, the Balochistan Liberation Army, the Majeed Brigade, the Islamic State in Khorasan Province and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, along with their affiliates operating from Afghan territory. Read More: Info ministry calls out Afghan Taliban for deflecting attention from terrorist sanctuaries Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been strained due to recurring cross-border terrorism and security concerns. Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban administration to prevent terrorist organisations, particularly the TTP, from using its territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan. Islamabad has rejected Taliban assurances that Afghan territory would not be used against neighbouring countries, arguing that the ground situation and documented militant activity tell a different story. 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. The security establishment also linked the escalation in attacks to the presence of terrorist infrastructure inside Afghanistan. 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. Read More: Pakistan warns Afghanistan after Kohat attack, says it can eliminate terror threats ‘wherever they are’ Officials said that whenever Pakistani forces targeted terrorist hideouts, the Taliban regime instead moved to defend the militants and their sanctuaries rather than dismantling the infrastructure. The issue, Pakistan has argued, was not confined to TTP. UN assessments have continued to document the presence of several other militant organisations in Afghanistan, including al Qaeda, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and Islamic State-Khorasan, reinforcing concerns about the broader militant ecosystem operating from Afghan territory. Pakistani officials say the continued presence of these groups, combined with training facilities, cross-border infiltration and access to sophisticated weapons, demonstrates that Afghanistan remains an important base for terrorist activity affecting Pakistan. Pakistan's position, according to officials, remains that Kabul must take concrete steps to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries, eliminate training infrastructure, prevent cross-border infiltration and ensure that Afghan territory is not used for attacks against Pakistan. 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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PM Shehbaz approves expansion of Karachi, Lahore airports

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday approved the expansion of Karachi and Lahore airports under their respective master plans, directing authorities to complete the projects within the stipulated timelines and ensure compliance with international standards. Chairing a meeting on airport expansion and passenger facilities in Islamabad, the prime minister stressed that passenger convenience must remain the top priority, adding that there would be no compromise on the quality of construction work. According to a statement shared by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on X, PM Shehbaz directed the relevant authorities to engage internationally renowned institutions to improve passenger facilities and ensure third-party validation of reforms aimed at upgrading airport infrastructure and services. He also called for regular training of airport staff to improve service delivery and better coordination among the various agencies operating at airports. He directed the authorities to engage leading catering companies to ensure high-quality food and beverages for passengers. پاکستانی ایئرپورٹس پر مسافروں کی سہولت اولین ترجیح بنائی جائے، وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف نے ائیرپورٹس پر بین الاقوامی معیار کو مد نظر رکھ کر سہولیات مزید بہتر بنانے کی ہدایت کردی. وزیرِ اعظم نے لاہور اور کراچی ائیرپورٹس کی ماسٹر پلانز کے تحت توسیع کی منظوری دے دی. وزیرِ اعظم نے… pic.twitter.com/RPFOsTKWBB — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) October 29, 2026 The meeting was briefed on a recent survey conducted by an international firm to assess the quality of facilities at major airports across the country. Officials also presented the master plans for Karachi and Lahore airports, outlining the proposed expansion projects and their timelines. The meeting was further informed about development and upgradation work being undertaken by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) at airports nationwide. Officials told the prime minister that the runway expansion at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport had been completed. “During the past year, the CAA activated 14 airports to restore domestic flights,” the statement said. Officials also informed the meeting that the Federal Investigation Agency had increased staffing and the number of counters at airports to facilitate passengers. Also Read: Multibillion-rupee airport upgrade drive launched Work on installing automated border management systems, or e-gates, at major airports was also under way. A project to establish an air cargo village was progressing, with the aim of developing Karachi into an air cargo hub, according to the statement. The prime minister was also informed that a meet-and-greet service had been launched at Islamabad airport to facilitate passengers. Officials further briefed him on plans to upgrade the existing aviation institution in Hyderabad into an international-standard aviation university, with work scheduled to begin by February 2028. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Climate Change Minister Dr Musadik Malik, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Prime Minister's Adviser Muhammad Ali, MNAs Raja Osama Sarwar and Ali Zahid, Prime Minister's Coordinator Sardar Yasir Ilyas and senior officials attended the meeting. Pakistan’s airport infrastructure modernisation drive has gathered pace, with major expansion and upgradation projects planned or under way at key airports. In February, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) announced a Rs100 billion expansion plan for Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, including a new terminal building, a modern cargo village and other facilities to meet rising passenger demand. The project is part of efforts to expand capacity at the country’s busiest airport. The drive has also focused on improving runway infrastructure and enabling airports to accommodate larger aircraft. Karachi airport’s reconstructed main runway, upgraded to Code 4F standards to handle the Airbus A380, was inaugurated in February too. The runway project was completed within 18 months, according to the PAA. Meanwhile, expansion work at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport remains a key part of the country’s aviation development programme, with a new passenger terminal intended to increase capacity and improve the passenger experience. Alongside physical expansion, authorities have been pursuing technology-led improvements to passenger processing and airport security. In November 2025, self-boarding kiosks were installed at Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad airports to help passengers obtain boarding cards and complete immigration-related procedures more efficiently. Then in January, authorities also moved towards installing advanced baggage-scanning systems at major airports, including Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, to speed up screening and strengthen security. These initiatives form part of a wider effort to bring airport operations closer to international standards.

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Battery storage imports cross 4.5GW in H1

Pakistan imported more than 4.5 gigawatts of battery storage equipment during the first half of 2026, accounting for nearly half of the country's cumulative imports of 9.5GW, as households and industries increasingly turn to energy storage to avoid high electricity tariffs. The figures were disclosed during a high-level parliamentary dialogue on energy and the economy organised by the Parliamentary Forum on Energy and Economy, where participants discussed the future of battery storage in the power sector and regulatory arrangements.

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Snowfall lures tourists to Galiyat resorts

The first snowfall of the winter season transformed the picturesque Galiyat hills and adjoining mountain valleys into a winter wonderland over the weekend, attracting thousands of tourists from the plains eager to enjoy snow-covered landscapes and capture memorable moments with their families. White flakes blanketed the slopes, rooftops and pine trees of Nathiagali, Ayubia, Dongagali and Khanspur in Abbottabad district, bringing the normally tranquil hill resorts to life. Children played in the snow, families posed for photographs and visitors shared images of the spectacular scenery on social media. Nathiagali witnessed a substantial influx of domestic tourists following forecasts of snowfall by the Meteorological Department. Hotels, guesthouses, motels and private accommodation facilities remained heavily occupied as visitors arrived from across Punjab and Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa. At nearby Ayubia, families queued for the famous chairlift, enjoying panoramic views of the snow-covered mountains. "The chairlift ride at Ayubia takes tourists to a new height of thrill and excitement," said Professor Dr Naveed Farooq, a lecturer at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, while enjoying the scenery with his family. He said the natural beauty of Khanspur, Dongagali and Bagnotar had left a lasting impression on visitors, adding that the snowfall and cool breezes from the Kashmir hills had enhanced the winter experience. "I visited Babusar Top before coming here, where the floating clouds were equally mesmerising. Every hill station has its own attraction," he said. The snowfall also provided an economic boost to local communities, with hotel owners, restaurant operators, horse riders, photographers, transporters and shopkeepers reporting increased business. Some residents opened additional rooms in their homes to accommodate tourists seeking affordable lodging. However, the influx of visitors renewed concerns about excessive accommodation charges and rising prices of essential commodities during the peak tourist season. Dr Naveed Farooq urged the district administration to monitor hotel tariffs and commodity prices and ensure adequate parking facilities at major tourist destinations. Former ambassador Manzoorul Haq said private hotels were reportedly charging between Rs10,000 and Rs15,000 per room per night in Nathiagali, Naran-Kaghan and Kalam. He warned that unchecked overcharging could discourage families travelling on limited budgets.

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Army destroys Afghan border check posts after 5 of a family injured, one killed in Angoor Adda: official

The Pakistan Army on Tuesday night destroyed Afghan Taliban check posts after they targeted civilian areas in South Waziristan's Angoor Adda along the border, injuring five members of a family and killing one member. In a post on X, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Information Adviser Samar Haroon Bilour, citing security sources, stated that "in the Angoor Adda area of South Waziristan, the Afghan Taliban regime, showing stubbornness, targeted the civilian population". She added that "the cowardly attack by the Afghan Taliban regime resulted in a shell landing on a house in the civilian population, wounding five members of the same family and one civilian attaining martyrdom." ‼️ *ٹاپ بریکنگ* *پاک افغان سرحد پر افغان طالبان ریجیم کی اشتعال انگیزی اور پاک فوج کا منہ توڑ جواب* جنوبی وزیرستان کے علاقے *انگور اڈہ* میں افغان طالبان ریجیم نے ہٹ دھرمی کا مظاہرہ کرتے ہوئے شہری آبادی کو نشانہ بنایا ، *سیکیورٹی ذرائع* ​افغان طالبان ریجیم کے بزدلانہ حملے میں… pic.twitter.com/ANg8h9c157 — Samar Haroon Bilour (@SamarHBilour) October 27, 2026 The statement said that the incident sparked "widespread anger" among locals over the targeting of civilians. "Pakistan Army gave an immediate and highly vigilant strong response to the Afghan aggression," it said, adding that multiple Afghan force check posts were destroyed in the "robust retaliatory action" by Pakistani forces. The statement said Pakistani troops remained on high alert along the border and were fully prepared to thwart any further aggression, adding that the military’s response to the attack on civilians was continuing. In a post on X, the South Waziristan deputy commissioner stated that the Afghan Taliban had engaged in "unprovoked" firing on civilian houses, further adding that many "shops were damaged". Afghan Taliban Regime fired unprovoked on civilian houses & Angoor Adda Bazar, South Waziristan (Lower), night of 27 Oct. One civilian killed, five injured by a mortar round, many shops damaged. Pakistan Forces on the border have and are responding effectively and heavily. — Deputy Commissioner South Waziristan Lower (@dcswlower) October 27, 2026 The latest attacks come after Pakistan carried out “calibrated” air strikes against terrorist hideouts near the Afghan border and conducted intelligence-based ground operations on September 21 that killed a total of 37 terrorists following a series of deadly attacks in K-P. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in a statement, said that three targets were destroyed in precision strikes, including a training centre for suicide bombers. It said 28 terrorists, along with several suicide bombers, were killed, while large quantities of weapons and ammunition stored at the centres and hideouts were also destroyed. On September 24, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that Pakistan had carried out “precision” aerial and drone strikes against 10 locations in Afghanistan after drones launched from Afghan territory entered Pakistani airspace, describing the strikes as a response to a “deliberate and unlawful incursion”. Pak-Afghan tensions The development came amid fighting ​between Pakistan and Afghanistan that started in October 2025. Islamabad accuses the Afghan Taliban of harbouring ⁠militants ​who launch attacks in Pakistan, ​although Kabul denies this, calling the militancy its neighbour's domestic problem. Amid continued tensions between the neighbours, Operation Ghazab Lil Haq was launched around the end of February following renewed clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, after Afghan Taliban forces fired on multiple locations, prompting swift military retaliation by Pakistan. The clashes intensified after Afghanistan launched a border offensive in response to Pakistani air strikes targeting terrorist positions. The two sides had agreed to a week-long ceasefire on the eve of Eidul Fitr on March 18, following requests from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Pakistan in April put forth three core demands to the Afghan Taliban during peace talks in Urumqi, China, including Kabul formally declaring the TTP a terrorist organisation, dismantling its infrastructure, and providing verifiable proof of the action. These demands form the basis of Pakistan's negotiating position, which sources say has hardened amid persistent security concerns.

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Pakistan’s child protection system failing to address online sexual abuse: HRCP

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) warned on Tuesday that online sexual abuse of children remained a serious child protection concern, with underreporting, weak institutional coordination and inadequate safeguards preventing many cases from coming to light. In its report on online child sexual abuse, the commission said the issue must be treated not merely as a cybercrime challenge but as a violation of children’s fundamental rights, dignity and safety. The report refers to a case reported in Muzaffargarh in 2025, in which at least 50 children, including children aged six or younger, were allegedly subjected to sexual exploitation through an international network. Read: 1.5 million children face online abuse Every statistic in a report on online child sexual abuse is a child whose safety, dignity, and rights were taken from them. Our recent report on online child sexual abuse sounded an alarm but the cases we document are only those that are reported in the first place. Many cases… pic.twitter.com/1xqPB0QSU7 — Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) October 27, 2026 Citing figures from the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, the report states that reports linked to suspected child sexual abuse material in Pakistan exceeded two million in 2021. However, these figures represented reports of suspected online activity and should not be interpreted as the number of individual victims. The HRCP has called for stronger coordination among child protection authorities, police, cybercrime investigators, prosecutors and the judiciary to ensure effective investigations and accountability for perpetrators. It has also stressed the need to provide affected children with legal assistance, psychological support and rehabilitation services. Read More: NCCIA rescues 13-year-old Karachi girl in probe into suspected dark web network The commission said awareness campaigns alone would not address the problem, calling for stronger child protection mechanisms, institutional accountability and greater responsibility from online platforms to make the internet safer for children. According to a report launched by the National Commission on the Rights of the Child in collaboration with UNICEF Pakistan in September, around 1.5 million internet-using Pakistani children aged 12 to 17 were subjected to sexual exploitation and abuse online in a single year. The report examined the nature and scale of online sexual exploitation and abuse, experiences of children and caregivers, perspectives of frontline professionals, and gaps in Pakistan's legal and institutional response.

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Naqvi hints at Imran's transfer to Islamabad’s new Model Jail

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi hinted on Tuesday that incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan could be shifted to a new jail in Islamabad. Imran has been imprisoned since August 2023, currently serving a sentence at Adiala Jail in a £190 million corruption case. He also faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) related to the protests of May 9, 2023. Speaking to the media during a visit to the Islamabad Model Jail facility, the interior minister informed that the project had been completed after being "pending for 17 years", further adding that the new jail would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the coming days. While responding to a reporter’s question about how much time it would take to transfer prisoners from Adiala jail, Naqvi stated that all prisoners from Islamabad’s courts would be shifted to the jail. Read: Imran to be moved to Islamabad jail When asked if Imran would also be shifted to the jail, he replied: "My specific answer is that whosoever is a prisoner of Islamabad will be shifted here." Naqvi noted that while work on the project had initially begun in 2009, construction work commenced in 2016, further adding that when he first visited the project in 2024, “only 40 to 50 per cent of it had been completed and the project had nearly been abandoned”. Read More: Model jail misses sixth completion deadline The minister credited Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and the team of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for completing the project, working "day and night”, adding that Chaudhry had inspected every aspect of the facility. “Now this project is ready. We are now waiting for the prime minister for the opening in the next few days, and then we will transfer the prisoners here,” he added. وزیر داخلہ نے نئی جیل میں قیدیوں کے لیے فراہم کردہ سہولیات کا تفصیلی جائزہ لیا وفاقی وزیر داخلہ نے قیدیوں کے لیے تیار کھانا کھا کر معیار چیک کیا اسلام آباد ماڈل جیل کا جلد وزیراعظم پاکستان افتتاح کریں گے، محسن نقوی — Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) October 27, 2026 "The entire team, including CDA chairman, worked hard on reviving this project that was nearly abandoned". He said he had inspected the jail's kitchen and hospital during the visit, adding that prisoners currently held in Islamabad would be shifted to the new facility after inauguration by the premier. 17 برس سے زیر التواء اسلام آباد ماڈل جیل کا منصوبہ مکمل وفاقی وزیر داخلہ محسن نقوی اور وزیر مملکت طلال چوہدری کا اسلام آباد ماڈل جیل کا دورہ وفاقی وزیر داخلہ نے ماڈل جیل کے مختلف حصوں کا معائنہ کیا وزیر داخلہ محسن نقوی نے جیل ہسپتال، کچن، میس، بیرکس اور ویٹنگ ایریا کا دورہ کیا pic.twitter.com/sPR8sEyEh0 — Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) October 27, 2026 The interior minister said the jail had been built in accordance with “international standards” and its administration was fully prepared to begin operations after inauguration by the premier. The interior minister further added that in the first phase, 1,500 prisoners would be transferred to the jail while around three to four thousand prisoners would be accommodated in the second phase. According to jail sources, 1,500 prisoners, including Imran, are expected to be shifted to the facility in the initial phase. The first phase includes three completed barracks, a 35-bed mini-hospital, a mosque and a kitchen. They said Imran could be moved to the new facility between November 20 and 30. A special ward for him has reportedly been completed, while installation of its closed-circuit television surveillance system is in its final stages. Naqvi had also indicated in February that  indicated that Imran may be shifted to the new jail.  Speaking to the media after a visit to the under-construction prison, the interior minister was asked whether Imran would also be moved to the new facility, to which he had said, “If he has been sentenced by Islamabad, then he will come here. The people [sentenced in] Islamabad will be brought here.” Background of Islamabad Model Jail Located in Sector H-16 of the federal capital, the Islamabad Model Central Jail is spread over 90 acres and has been designed to accommodate 2,000 inmates. Once completed, it will become the first purpose-built prison for the federal capital, replacing the existing arrangement under which Islamabad's prisoners are housed at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail. The state-of-the-art correctional facility is being developed with modern security infrastructure and rehabilitation-focused amenities. The complex will include separate barracks for women and juvenile inmates, a fully equipped hospital, a mosque, a library, vocational training centres, courtrooms, administrative offices, residential accommodation for prison staff and a school for their children. Officials say the facility has now entered its final phase of construction, although several key components still require completion before it can become operational. At present, Islamabad has no functional prison of its own, forcing all undertrial and convicted prisoners from the capital to be lodged at Adiala Jail. Every day, hundreds of prisoners are transported between Rawalpindi and Islamabad courts for hearings, placing a significant burden on police manpower, security arrangements and traffic management. Authorities believe the completion of the Islamabad Model Jail will substantially reduce these logistical challenges while improving security during prisoner transportation and providing a modern correctional environment.

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Khawaja Asif hints at 'progress' in Makkah alliance’s talks with Iran on Saudi-Houthi conflict

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday hinted at the possibility of "progress" in a meeting of the Makkah Defence Alliance members with Iran, stating that the participants had likely arrived at a "conclusion" to end Saudi Arabia's conflict with the Houthis. Members of the Makkah Defence Alliance and Iran agreed to continue further dialogue in an effort to ramp up cooperation for regional peace and security after a high-level meeting in Tehran. Attacks by Yemen's Houthis have spiralled in recent weeks, and rhetoric between Washington and Tehran has grown more heated. Both countries have also drawn up plans to restart the wider war, possibly after the US midterm elections on November ​3. Read: Makkah alliance, Iran agree to continue dialogue for bolstering cooperation in regional peace, security Speaking on a private news channel, Asif said it seemed that "some progress" had transpired in the Tehran meeting, given how Iran had issued a joint statement after the meeting about deciding to launch joint efforts towards peace along with regional countries. Questioned whether the meeting was more about the US-Iran war or the Saudi-Houthi conflict, he said the talks in Tehran were directed as “more of an effort for what is happening in Saudi Arabia”, further adding that while the US-Iran aspect would have been discussed, the presence of the Saudi defence minister and the Turkish intelligence chief were also significant. “The joint statement from Iran has come at the highest level of the country’s hierarchy. I think we have arrived at some sort of a conclusion that will help close out this war." He added: "Let us hope that after Iran’s joint statement, there are some steps taken towards peace." The minister underscored that it remained binding on Pakistan to safeguard Saudi Arabia, especially given how the Houthis were targeting Riyadh airport and the holy sites. “We will defend Saudi Arabia with all of our might and capability. "Just as Pakistan’s defence is indispensable for us, in the same manner, the defence of Saudi Arabia is also compulsory for us. Under the agreement, the three countries are committed through an arrangement to collectively deal with threats," he said. Responding to a question of whether Iran would bring Houthis to the negotiating table or make them stop attacks on the kingdom, Asif stated that elements such as the Houthis operated as independent actors and did not necessarily require patronage. “Once you have a setup in a country where there is no state structure, then it is possible for groups like this to operate in this manner”. Asif further noted that Saudi Arabia's war with Yemen started in March 2014, and it had been Pakistan’s commitment ever since to defend the kingdom. "Now three countries are bound by the agreement that we will defend each other's territory against any foreign aggression." The defence minister stated that Pakistan’s peace initiatives, led by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, had positive effects. Commenting on elections in Israel and the United States, Asif said it was unfair to create and continue conflicts for political reasons. "In my view, for limited political objectives, wars should not be started." Tensions rising Saudi Arabia intercepted another wave of missiles and ​drones on Sunday as fighting with the Houthis ​continued unabated. Ministers from the Makkah pact countries ⁠held an emergency meeting in Riyadh earlier this month and agreed to ensure the "rapid deployment" of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia. The Houthi attacks have become an increasingly destabilising element in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, turning US ally Saudi Arabia into a pressure point in the wider ​war. Read More: Saudi-led coalition intercepts 3 drones over Riyadh, southern Saudi Arabia Tensions between Washington and Tehran have sharpened in recent days. President Donald Trump said on Friday the US may carry out another ​military operation against Iran and ⁠Iran's leaders have said that a renewed US military campaign would be met with a stronger response than before. Iranian security officials have told Reuters that Tehran has drawn up detailed plans to hit Gulf undersea cables if the United States and Israel attack again. A US intelligence memo this week warned that Iranian plots against American personnel had reached "advanced stages". The war, now nearly eight months old, has weighed ⁠on US President Donald ​Trump's approval ratings ahead of the midterms. The Makkah agreement's first article says the parties shall use "all necessary means" to ​eliminate threats to one another's territorial integrity, sovereignty or internationally recognised borders, according to a text seen by Reuters. Efforts by Turkiye’s parliament to ratify the agreement began last week and are still underway, while Pakistan approved the pact last ​week.

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Where have Karachi’s Olive Ridley turtles gone?

Once familiar visitors to Pakistan’s sandy shores, Olive Ridley sea turtles have all but vanished from the country’s recorded nesting grounds. Now, the discovery of a dead turtle on Clifton Beach has brought an old ecological mystery into focus: if these turtles still inhabit the Arabian Sea, where have the breeding females gone? The turtle’s death has no confirmed explanation. It may have become entangled in a fishing net, collided with a vessel or fallen victim to marine pollution. But its appearance on Karachi’s shoreline has renewed concern over a far bigger disappearance - the collapse of Olive Ridley nesting along Pakistan’s coast. According to WWF-Pakistan technical adviser Muhammad Moazzam Khan, these turtles were once found in significant numbers at Sandspit, Hawke’s Bay, Manora, Sonmiani Beach and other coastal locations. Historical research cited by experts recorded more than 500 Olive Ridley nests along Karachi’s beaches during the 1980s and 1990s. By 1996-97, that number had reportedly plummeted to just two. In the years that followed, researchers failed to establish reliable evidence of regular nesting by the species on Pakistan’s shores. The turtles, however, have not disappeared entirely from regional waters. Olive Ridleys continue to inhabit the Arabian Sea, leaving scientists with a crucial unanswered question: have Pakistan’s breeding females shifted to distant shores, or are other factors disrupting their nesting cycle?   Khan believes satellite tracking could help unravel the mystery. He cited a study in a neighbouring country in which an Olive Ridley fitted with a GPS tag crossed the Arabian Sea and reached Oman to breed. Similar research in Pakistan could identify migration routes, locate breeding grounds and reveal the dangers turtles encounter in their journeys across the sea. The need for such research is underscored by recent encounters along Pakistan’s coastline. Two Olive Ridley turtles caught in fishermen’s nets near Jiwani, Balochistan, were recently rescued and released. Their presence offers evidence that the species continues to frequent Pakistani waters, even as its nesting history remains largely unaccounted for. The dead turtle at Clifton is not an isolated reminder of the pressures facing marine life. Several dead green turtles have previously been found at Hawke’s Bay and Sandspit, raising wider concerns about the hazards confronting sea turtles along Karachi’s increasingly busy coastline. Fishermen Sajag Forum Chairman Muhammad Bakhsh Jat warned that plastic bags, discarded plastic waste and marine pollution posed serious threats to marine life. Damage to the marine ecosystem, he said, also threatens the livelihoods of fishing communities that depend on healthy coastal waters. Experts identify entanglement in fishing nets, intensive human activity, pollution and changes to natural nesting habitats among the principal dangers facing sea turtles. Yet the precise reasons behind the collapse of Olive Ridley nesting on Pakistan’s beaches remain uncertain, and specialists caution that more scientific investigation is needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn. Olive Ridleys are capable of travelling thousands of miles between feeding and breeding areas. Tracking their movements could therefore help determine whether turtles frequenting Pakistani waters are nesting elsewhere and, if so, where their breeding grounds lie. It could also provide the scientific basis for regional cooperation to protect their migration routes and habitats. For now, the dead turtle on Clifton Beach is both a troubling sight and a reminder of how much remains unknown beneath the Arabian Sea’s surface. The species may still be passing through these waters, but until its movements are tracked and its breeding destinations identified, the silence of Pakistan’s once-recorded nesting grounds will remain an ecological mystery.

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Lahore ranks second globally as air pollution persists across Punjab

Lahore ranked second among the world's most polluted major cities on IQAir's live air quality tracker on Monday, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 199, as pollution remained a concern across Punjab ahead of the peak winter smog season. The city's position and pollution reading fluctuated during the day. IQAir's Lahore city page recorded an AQI of 139 at 3pm on October 26, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) identified as the main pollutant at 51 micrograms per cubic metre. The reading placed Lahore in the unhealthy-for-sensitive-groups category on the US AQI scale. The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency's monitoring data also showed considerable variation in air quality across the province. Pakpattan recorded an AQI of 210, followed by Multan at 204 and Sargodha at 195. Vehari registered 178, Kot Addu 176, Dera Ghazi Khan 165 and Khushab 160. PUNJAB AQI UPDATE 26 OCTOBER Average AQI: 144 (Moderate) Highest : D.G. Khan 213 Lowest: Talla Ganag 96 Lahore: 178 PM2.5 remains dominant. Check local AQI: https://t.co/wfP4JGWQ7g#EPAPunjab #PunjabAQI pic.twitter.com/L1QTpH6TVL — Environmental Protection Agency, Punjab (@EPAPunjab) October 26, 2026 Read: Lahore tops global pollution ranking Mandi Bahauddin recorded an AQI of 159, Sahiwal 158, Jhelum 157 and Attock 156. Lahore's reading stood at 151, placing it 18th among 31 cities in the provincial ranking, while Nankana Sahib recorded the lowest reading at 35. The figures highlight the uneven distribution of pollution across Punjab, with some districts recording substantially higher readings than the provincial capital. An AQI of 151 falls into the unhealthy-for-sensitive-groups category on the US AQI scale, while readings above 200 indicate very unhealthy air. Weather conditions are also relevant as the province enters the winter smog period. The Pakistan Meteorological Department's forecast issued on Monday predicted dry weather across most districts of Punjab on Tuesday, with cold conditions expected in the morning and at night in hilly areas. 🌤️ Weather Update: Dry weather is expected in most parts of Pakistan. However, partly cloudy weather is likely in the northern areas, with cold weather is expected during night hours.#PakistanWeather #PMD #WeatherUpdate #coldweather #dryweather pic.twitter.com/8VwX2M5LzW — Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) October 26, 2026 Lahore's maximum temperature was forecast to range between 29°C and 31°C on Tuesday, with a similar range expected on Wednesday. The forecast did not indicate rain over the provincial capital in the period covered. Read More: Lahore faces the return of toxic smog The absence of forecast rainfall means there is no immediate indication of rain-related relief for Lahore, although actual pollution levels will continue to depend on changing atmospheric conditions and emissions. Dry weather alone does not establish how the AQI would change. As temperatures decline, air quality remains a concern for residents, particularly children, older people and those with respiratory or heart conditions. Health experts advise people to reduce outdoor exertion when pollution levels are elevated and to limit the entry of polluted outdoor air into indoor spaces.

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2 servicemen martyred as forces kill 7 terrorists

Security forces killed seven terrorists during two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Qila Saifullah district of Balochistan, while two servicemen were martyred in the line of duty. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces conducted an IBO in the Zarkani area of Dera Ismail Khan on Saturday following reports of the presence of Khwarij belonging to Fitna Al Khwarij, a term used for terrorists belonging to the Indian proxy Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). "Owing to meticulous conduct of operation by security forces, six Indian-sponsored Khwarij were sent to hell," the military's media wing said in a statement. However, it added that two servicemen, Naik Ghulam Murtaza and Sepoy Taseer Ahmed, embraced martyrdom. "During the intense fire exchange, Naik Ghulam Murtaza (age: 36 years, resident of District Gujrat) and Sepoy Taseer Ahmed (age: 30 years, resident of District Talagang), having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifices and embraced shahadat," the statement said. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the slain terrorists, who, according to the ISPR, had been actively involved in numerous attacks against security forces and law enforcement agencies, as well as the killing of innocent civilians. The ISPR said a sanitisation operation was underway to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists found in the area. It added that the sacrifices of the soldiers reinforced the military's commitment to safeguarding the country. "The relentless counter-terrorism campaign under vision 'Azm-e-Istehkam', as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan, by security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country." Separately, Radio Pakistan, citing security sources, reported that security forces killed Adil Shah, alias Darvesh, a commander of Fitna Al Khawarij, during an IBO under Operation 'Radd-ul-Fitna 3' in Qila Saifullah. The report said the slain commander had been associated with the group since December 2020 and had managed its financial affairs since 2024. He had also been involved in arranging permanent residences for foreign terrorists in Zhob, Sherani and Shaban, the source added. The commander had been involved in attacks on security forces and kidnappings for ransom since 2022, while 19 first information reports (FIRs) had been registered against him. A bounty of Rs2.5 million had been placed on his head. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the security forces for killing the six Indian sponsored terrorists. They paid tribute to Naik Ghulam Murtaza and Sepoy Taseer Ahmed, who were martyred during the operation. (WITH INPUTS FROM APP)

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FM Dar, Chinese envoy discuss CPEC progress

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong in Islamabad on Sunday, discussing bilateral cooperation, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), trade and investment, and regional developments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said. According to the statement released by MoFA on X, FM Dar "appreciated the continued progress" in the Pakistan-China "all-weather strategic cooperative partnership", which encompasses cooperation under CPEC, connectivity, trade and investment, agricultural modernisation and people-to-people exchanges. FM Dar "underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges" to further advance the "Pakistan-China Community of Shared Future in the New Era", according to the statement. The meeting also provided an opportunity for the two sides to "exchange views on regional developments", the ministry said, adding that they had reaffirmed "the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for sustainable peace and stability in the region". Pakistan and China marked the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year, with both sides seeking to expand cooperation beyond traditional infrastructure projects. The next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, known as CPEC 2.0, is expected to focus on industrialisation, agriculture, mining, information technology and artificial intelligence. At the seventh round of the Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue in Beijing in January, the two countries agreed to align their development priorities and deepen cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, cybersecurity and people-to-people exchanges.

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Punjab bans permanent police escorts for ministers, MPAs among others

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Saturday directed that no permanent police squad be deployed with provincial ministers, members of the provincial assembly and other individuals. Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sajid Zafar Dall issued a notification conveying the decision. According to the notification, provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants, parliamentary secretaries, chairpersons of standing committees and members of the Punjab Assembly will not be allowed to retain permanent police escorts. The restriction also applies to government officials and private individuals. Read: PA seeks answers over CM's aircraft use for private visit The notification further prohibits the installation of flagstaffs or the display of official flags on government vehicles without prior permission. The chief minister has made it clear that unauthorised police escorts will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Earlier in March, the provincial government had also introduced austerity measures amid rising fuel costs, including suspending government-provided fuel for provincial ministers, cutting fuel allowances for government officers’ vehicles by 50% and restricting protocol convoys accompanying ministers and senior officials to one vehicle for essential security purposes. The use of police personnel for VIP protocol has long drawn ire in Punjab over the diversion of public resources from routine policing. In November 2025, The Express Tribune reported a rise in armed private escorts, commonly known as “dala culture”, amid concerns about weak regulation, unauthorised armed patrols and the use of security as a display of power. Punjab had issued more than 200 new private security company licences in recent years, while taking enforcement action against firms for violations. Prior to that, authorities had also announced a crackdown on private security firms using police-like uniforms and vehicles after armed guards escorting foreign visitors were involved in a violent road dispute in Lahore.

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Pakistan rejects Afghan Taliban ‘diversionary allegations, demands action against TTP and BLA

Pakistan on Saturday accused the Afghan Taliban regime of resorting to “diversionary allegations” instead of addressing its “legitimate and longstanding security concerns”, urging Kabul to take verifiable action against terrorist groups, including the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), operating from Afghan soil. The statement came a day after Afghan Taliban regime spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan’s security agencies of blaming Afghanistan for their failure to maintain security at home, allegedly to mislead the public. Responding to this in a statement posted on X, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the Afghan Taliban regime had resorted to “diversionary allegations” instead of addressing Pakistan’s “legitimate and longstanding security concerns”. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Islamabad, 24 October 2026 Taking note of the recent statements of the Afghan Taliban Regime where they have once again resorted to diversionary allegations instead of addressing Pakistan’s legitimate and longstanding security concerns.… — Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (@MoIB_Official) October 24, 2026 “Blaming Pakistan’s security institutions does not absolve the Regime of its responsibility to prevent Afghan territory from being used for terrorism against Pakistan,” the ministry said. It called on the Afghan Taliban regime to end any tolerance, facilitation or support for terrorist organisations, including the TTP, BLA and their affiliates, and ensure that Afghan territory was not used to plan, prepare or launch attacks against Pakistan. The ministry said Pakistan’s concerns were not based on conjecture, citing the United Nations Security Council’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team’s 16th report and the US Lead Inspector General’s Operation Enduring Sentinel report to Congress for January-March 2026. According to the ministry, the US report stated that the Afghan Taliban continued to allow the TTP to operate from Afghan territory, with Taliban support and greater freedom for the group contributing to an increase in attacks against Pakistan. It estimated the TTP’s strength at 4,000 to 6,000 fighters. The ministry said these assessments underscored the seriousness of Pakistan’s concerns about terrorist sanctuaries and support networks operating from Afghan soil. It also rejected the assertion that Afghanistan lacked either the capacity or the interest to destabilise Pakistan, saying the claim did not address the documented concerns. Repeated attempts by armed terrorists to infiltrate across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the killing of Afghan nationals and members of terrorist groups during Pakistan’s counterterrorism operations, and the recovery of foreign-origin weapons from terrorist elements warranted serious scrutiny, the statement said. Pakistan had also raised concerns over the alleged facilitation of terrorist groups by Afghan Taliban officials, including officials in Kandahar, it added. “Such concerns cannot be dismissed through blanket denials; they require credible explanations and verifiable action,” the ministry said. The statement stressed that Pakistan’s security measures were directed against terrorist threats, not the Afghan people, adding that peace and stability in the two countries were closely linked. It said the Afghan people stood to gain as much as their Pakistani neighbours from a region free of terrorism. The ministry said attempts to portray Pakistan’s security concerns and defensive measures as hostility towards Afghanistan would neither deflect attention from the issue nor resolve it. Pakistan would continue to take all necessary measures to protect its citizens, sovereignty and territorial integrity, it said, adding that Islamabad remained open to responsible engagement based on mutual respect, verifiable commitments and concrete action against terrorist sanctuaries, support networks and cross-border infiltration. “Peace can only prevail in the region if Pakistan’s core concern of terrorism originating from Afghanistan is verifiably addressed by the Afghan Taliban,” the statement said. On Friday, the Afghan Taliban spokesperson rejected Pakistan’s claims that Afghanistan was allowing its territory to be used for terrorist activities against Pakistan, accusing Pakistani officials of shifting blame for their own security failures onto Kabul. In a statement posted on X, Afghan Taliban regime spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistani military circles and other security agencies blamed Afghanistan when they failed to establish security in their own country, in an attempt to mislead the public. “We once again strongly reject the repeated accusations directed by Pakistani officials at Afghanistan regarding the destabilisation of security in their country,” he said. We once again firmly reject the repeated allegations by Pakistani officials accusing Afghanistan of being responsible for insecurity in Pakistan. Unfortunately, whenever Pakistan’s military establishment and other security agencies fail to maintain security within their... 1/5 — Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) October 23, 2026 Mujahid said it was not in Afghanistan’s interest to create insecurity in Pakistan or support acts of instability there. He also claimed that Afghanistan lacked the capabilities and resources to foment or finance insecurity in other countries. “Insecurity in a neighbouring country directly harms both the region and Afghanistan,” he said, adding that instability in Pakistan was detrimental to Afghanistan in economic, social and humanitarian terms. The spokesperson accused Pakistani officials of blaming Afghanistan instead of focusing on their own security responsibilities. He also alleged that Pakistan was spending resources on efforts to destabilise Afghanistan. “This amounts to evading their primary and fundamental responsibilities, undermining regional stability, and wasting economic resources on futile endeavours,” he said. Mujahid further claimed that the approach had distracted Pakistan’s security forces from their own duties and diverted their attention from the responsibilities they were supposed to fulfil.

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NCCIA rescues 13-year-old Karachi girl in probe into suspected dark web network

What began as an online interaction allegedly drew a 13-year-old girl into the orbit of a suspected dark web network, where children were reportedly assigned tasks and paid to produce pornographic animated content. A timely intervention by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has now brought the case to light, raising concerns about the online exploitation of minors. The agency rescued the girl during a crackdown in Karachi's Rabia City, uncovering what investigators suspect is a wider network involving child exploitation and the production of pornographic cartoons. The probe has also revealed suspected links to individuals in Germany and the United Kingdom, according to NCCIA officials. Investigators are examining whether children were deliberately targeted, manipulated and paid to carry out tasks as part of the alleged operation. Officials have also launched a probe into the possible use of so-called “red rooms” on the dark web to assign tasks to minors. Read: NCCIA arrests 4 suspects over child sexual abuse material trafficking in Islamabad Speaking at a press conference, NCCIA Deputy Director Shehzad Akbar said the agency had acted on credible information about the suspected network. The girl’s father was informed, and the two devices used by the child were seized with his cooperation. Akbar rejected suggestions that the initial task assigned to the girl involved killing a cat. He said, however, that the child was allegedly being subjected to psychological manipulation similar to tactics attributed to dark web groups operating internationally. Had the network not been exposed, the situation could have become more serious, he added. The investigation is continuing to establish the role of suspected local handlers and identify other children who may have been targeted. According to information shared by the officials, the wider case involves 42 suspects, including 12 juveniles. Investigators are examining evidence that children were allegedly paid to produce pornographic animated content, with some reportedly receiving around $100, described in the information provided as approximately Rs6,000. The agency has seized 19 mobile phones from Pixel Craft, a company reportedly operating for around two years, five phones from Art Office and 17 from Art Design, which reportedly employed 17 people. Officials are investigating the companies’ possible links to the suspected network. Akbar said a man identified as Fudan was allegedly operating the network. Preliminary findings also indicate that the companies provided logos, banners and other digital design services to foreign clients. Investigators are examining whether these businesses were connected to the alleged exploitation activities. Also Read: NCCIA arrests accused in $126m US postal fraud The deputy director said the agency had previously detained a boy in Karachi who was allegedly searching online for ways to take revenge on another person. In a separate case, the NCCIA arrested a suspect identified as Hamza on Thursday over alleged anti-state propaganda. Officials said the allegations were being investigated further. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Karachi Zone has arrested an absconding accused nominated in a case involving alleged unlawful social media activity. The arrest was made in Gulistan-e-Johar, Karachi, on the directions of DG NCCIA Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi. The… pic.twitter.com/jG3zXygBRt — NCCIA (@NCCIAOFFICIAL) October 23, 2026 Cybercrime crackdown Akbar said the agency had recovered 39 accounts on WhatsApp, Instagram and other social media platforms over the past 15 days. It had also blocked 95 accounts allegedly linked to financial fraud and taken action against 38 accounts suspected of harassing women through fake identities. The agency is pursuing cases involving the hacking of social media accounts, online financial fraud and harassment through fabricated identities. It has also received numerous complaints about the hacking of WhatsApp Business accounts. Investigators are separately examining allegations that individuals have been operating social media accounts under women’s names and using fabricated identities to harass others. The NCCIA said investigations into the suspected child exploitation network and other cybercrime cases were underway.

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Collateral damage feared in K-P IBO's if residents fail to move away from terrorists: Sanaullah

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Friday warned of possible collateral damage during planned intelligence-based operations in designated districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa if residents failed to distance themselves from terrorists or drive them out of their localities. Speaking on the private television programme Naya Pakistan, Sanaullah said terrorists entered Pakistan from Afghanistan and carried out attacks, alleging that training camps across the border operated with Indian funding and training, while reports also suggested Israeli involvement in such attacks. “That is why Pakistan’s armed forces have closed the border with Afghanistan. You must also be aware that no trade is taking place through that route,” he said. Read: PM Shehbaz defends emergency, governor’s rule in K-P, blames PTI for resurgence of terrorism Praising the security forces for their work, the PML-N leader said they knew the number of terrorists and their current locations. He said terrorist groups comprised between three and 15 members, adding that around 70 per cent of these groups were present in the areas designated for the operations, for which a separate development committee had also been established. According to Sanaullah, the terrorists were hiding among the local population and living alongside ordinary citizens rather than operating openly. He said law enforcement agencies were conducting intelligence-based operations in these areas. The adviser warned that civilians could suffer collateral damage if residents did not remove terrorists from their communities or move away from the areas to allow security forces to carry out operations. “The people have been told either to drive these elements out of their populated areas or, if they do not want to do so, to move aside themselves so that the operation can proceed. If neither of these options is possible, there is a risk of collateral damage,” he said. Sanaullah said the armed forces could dismantle and neutralise the terrorist groups within three to five months and criticised inactive K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for what he described as a lack of cooperation with law enforcement agencies in tackling terrorists and their facilitators. He alleged that the provincial leadership had previously supported the terrorists and discouraged cooperation with security forces, telling them that operations against the militants would not be allowed. Also Read: Sanaullah links reversal of K-P governor's rule to PTI support for counterterrorism efforts However, he said the situation had now changed, and a committee had been established under the chairmanship of a former governor. He expressed confidence that dismantling the terrorist networks in the coming months was an achievable objective. Asked how future security operations would differ from previous intelligence-based operations (IBOs), given that 7,177 such operations had been conducted over the past six months, Sanaullah said the provincial government and civil administration would be responsible for holding areas after they had been cleared of terrorists. He said the authorities would ensure that militants could not return to the cleared areas or establish a presence there again. “Things were different earlier. Many areas were cleared three or four times, but the problem persisted because the responsibilities that should have been fulfilled by the provincial government and civil administration were not carried out. Their attitude was, in fact, the opposite,” he said. Sanaullah said it would take months, rather than years, to rid the affected areas of terrorism and restore peace. His remarks came a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a Rs160 billion development package for K-P following a meeting with the Area Development Council, comprising representatives of the tribal districts and tribal elders, at the Governor House in Peshawar. The prime minister said he had directed the authorities to strengthen the Counter Terrorism Department and make it more effective. He also assured that the federal government would provide all necessary resources to eradicate terrorism.

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PHC bars arrest of inactive K-P deputy speaker, suspends eviction notice

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday suspended a government notice ordering the inactive Deputy Speaker of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Suraiya Bibi to vacate her official residence, allowed her to continue living there and directed law-enforcement agencies not to arrest her. A two-member bench comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Faheem Wali issued the written order arising from the previous hearing. Advocate Yasir Khattak appeared on behalf of the petitioner, the inactive Deputy Speaker. In its detailed order, the court noted that the relevant presidential ordinance makes no mention of the offices of Speaker or Deputy Speaker. Similarly, the administrative directive requiring vacation of official residences contains no reference to these constitutional posts. The judges therefore found sufficient ground to stay the eviction process pending further examination of the legal position. Read: PHC stays arrest of K-P Assembly deputy speaker, orders de-sealing of official residence During arguments, counsel for the petitioner contended that the K-P Assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker Act 2026 confers a clear legal right on the Deputy Speaker to occupy the official residence for the duration of her term. He further argued that law-enforcement agencies are barred from conducting any raid or taking coercive action against the residence while the office-holder remains in position. Opposing the petition, the Advocate General submitted that an emergency empowers the provincial government to reclaim official residences allotted to ministers, advisers and the Deputy Speaker. He also apprised the court that a criminal case under Section 406 of the Pakistan Penal Code has already been registered against the Deputy Speaker on the complaint of the Deputy Commissioner of Chitral. After hearing both sides, the bench suspended the notice to vacate the residence, expressly authorised the petitioner to remain in occupation and ordered that she should not be arrested. The matter will be taken up again on the next date of hearing. The ruling provides immediate relief to the inactive Deputy Speaker and places the burden on the provincial authorities to justify the eviction drive in light of the statutory protections available to the holder of the office.

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