The government on Monday cut the price of petrol by Rs5.16 per litre and that of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs7.69.
Following the revision, petrol will retail at Rs381.14 per litre while HSD will cost Rs389.27 per litre. The government continues to levy Rs114 per litre in taxes and duties on petrol and Rs100 per litre on diesel.
According to the Petroleum Division’s notification, the new prices are applicable for Oct 20 (Tuesday).
The price of HSD has come down from a peak of Rs520.35 recorded on April 3. Its price had started rising from Rs281 per litre after the US-Iran war broke out on February 28.
Meanwhile, the government has reintroduced a raft of austerity measures in response to rising fuel prices amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. Under these measures, markets are required to close by 9pm and fuel allocations for official vehicles has been cut by 50 per cent for three months.
On September 13, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also announced a “relief scheme” for users of motorcycles, autos and vehicles of up to 800cc to “alleviate the burden” of rising global oil prices.
Previously, on July 17, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik announced that fuel prices would now be fixed on a daily basis due to fluctuations in international market prices following renewed hostilities between Iran and the US.
Prior to this, the government had been announcing weekly revisions to fuel prices since early March, alongside measures for the conservation of fuel amid possible oil supply disruptions due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The federal government in April also announced targeted relief measures to provide subsidised fuel.
The petroleum minister stated that the cabinet and the prime minister had decided to give the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) the responsibility of deciding fuel prices on a daily basis based on international market trends.
Petrol is mainly used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws and two-wheelers, and changes in its price affect the middle and lower-middle classes.
Similarly, changes in diesel prices also impact the public at large, as it is mainly used in the heavy transport sector, power plants and large generators.
Petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) are the major revenue earners, with monthly sales of about 700,000 to 800,000 tonnes, compared to just 10,000 tonnes of monthly demand for kerosene.
CNN’s chief international anchor Christiane Amanpour will leave next year, after 43 years with the network, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters on Monday.
The news channel has recently come under the ownership of Skydance, whose Chief Executive Officer David Ellison has faced criticism over his stewardship of CBS News.
“After thinking carefully for several months … I’ve decided to separate from CNN, my partner of 43 fantastic years,” Amanpour said in a video statement, joking that it was “longer than many marriages”.
She added that her daily show on CNN would conclude at the end of this year, but that she would continue hosting ‘Amanpour’ once a week through to June 2027.
Thanking her TV crew and colleagues, Amanpour highlighted that it was the “teams and the camaraderie we built that counts so much”.
Amanpour, whose first major assignment was covering the first Gulf War, went on to report on conflicts in Bosnia, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Iran.
Skydance, formerly Paramount Skydance, completed its $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros Discovery earlier this month, bringing CNN and CBS News under one roof.
CNN chief Mark Thompson and CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss kept their roles, with both reporting to Ellison and co-CEO Ynon Kreiz.
Lawmakers have criticised Ellison for tailoring news coverage at CBS News to favour US President Donald Trump.
KARACHI – BankIslami, one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing Islamic banks, has won a Bronze award in the Creative Excellence category at the Dragons of Asia Awards 2026 for its Independence Day campaign.
The recognition places the awareness efforts of a homegrown Islamic bank alongside some of the finest creative campaigns from across Asia. It also highlights the strength of Pakistani creative work on an international stage, and the impact of brand communication rooted in purpose and a genuine understanding of its audience.
The campaign, ‘Sab Mil Kar Azadi Ka Parcham Lehraein’, turned Independence Day into a nationwide call for unity, with inclusivity at its core as the foundation of the country’s freedom and a promise of an equal place for every citizen in its future.
The Bank sees inclusivity as the path to financial independence, where every individual, community and region has access to the financial system. This vision of a nation free from Riba, built on fairness and shared prosperity, is what the Bank works towards every day.
This marks a second international recognition this year for BankIslami, which had earlier been named Pakistan’s Best Islamic Digital Bank at the Euromoney Islamic Finance Awards.
The Bank’s purpose-driven campaigns and customer communications continue to build awareness and understanding of Islamic banking, bringing Islamic values closer to people in every part of the country, in line with its mission of Saving Humanity from Riba.
The new Saudi envoy in Pakistan, Dr Rajeh Tami Albugamy, met with Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Monday, with both sides expressing satisfaction over the progress made under the trilateral Makkah defence agreement, according to the military’s media wing.
Albugamy assumed his diplomatic responsibilities in Islamabad last Thursday, reaffirming the commitment to strengthening the strategic and fraternal ties between the two countries.
Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Monday that the ambassador called on CDF Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. According to the statement, matters of mutual interest and regional security dynamics were discussed.
“Both the dignitaries expressed satisfaction over the progress made under the framework of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and underscored the importance of strengthening defence collaboration, institutional linkages and strategic coordination,” the statement read.
CDF Munir congratulated the ambassador on his appointment and expressed confidence that his tenure would further strengthen the longstanding fraternal ties between Islamabad and Riyadh, which are “rooted in shared faith, mutual trust and strategic partnership”.
Last week, Albugamy met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia in safeguarding its “sovereignty, security and territorial integrity” amid a recent escalation in Houthi attacks during their meeting.
DPM Dar, meanwhile, underscored longstanding fraternal and strategic ties between Islamabad and Riyadh when he met Albugamy. He also reaffirmed Islamabad and Riyadh’s “shared commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation for mutual progress and prosperity”.
Earlier this month, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye convened an emergency meeting under the Makkah alliance and agreed to deploy military forces and capabilities rapidly in the kingdom.
While the statement did not specifically name any threat, the development came against the backdrop of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
The Makkah defence pact, signed on Aug 7, aims to strengthen collective deterrence and empower its signatory states to treat an attack against one of them as an attack against all of them.
In an interview aired on Sunday, the military’s spokesman said Pakistan is providing “whatever support is needed” to defend Saudi Arabia amid attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels against the kingdom.
Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Monday asserted that the PPP was the “last party” in favour of governor’s rule and emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying that it had emphasised dialogue as the first course of action.
The Centre imposed governor’s rule and emergency in KP on Oct 11, citing the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism. The move also followed a mobilisation drive and protest march by the PTI, which was in power in KP and in opposition in the Centre, to demand the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan.
The PPP, an ally of the ruling PML-N, supported the federal government’s move while opposition parties and leaders, in addition to the PTI, denounced it.
Memon, who was speaking to the media in Karachi, said: “Let me clarify; the step taken in KP was not out of greed or desire for power. Had it been the case, the members of the advisory council appointed by the [KP] governor would have been political representatives or suggested by the PPP.”
“They were chosen purely on merit,” he said.
The minister deemed terrorism the main challenge being faced in KP, adding that it was “plaguing” the entire country. He said the Afghan Taliban were crossing into Pakistan, infiltrating the borders areas in KP. That, he said, had been a “big challenge”.
“And the KP government was repeatedly told to fix things, but they were unwilling,” Memon claimed.
He said a comparison was also being drawn between KP and Balochistan, which was also facing security challenges. Questions were being raised that if governor’s rule was imposed in KP, why not in Balochistan, he noted.
“If there is terrorism in Balochistan, the provincial government there is fighting against it,” Memon argued, adding that Balochistan’s chief minister did not have a “soft spot” for terrorists.
He alleged that former premier Imran and later Sohail Afridi, who has become non-functional as the KP chief minister following the imposition of governor’s rule, had insisted on dialogue with terrorists.
“It was the responsibility of the KP chief minister and government to fight against terrorists,” he stressed.
Coming to his party’s involvement in the imposition of governor’s rule in KP, he said the PPP was the “last party” in favour of the move.
The PPP tried to engage the opposition and insisted that a dialogue be held with the PTI first, Memon said, adding that, however, “when just one person, the KP chief minister” was not willing to engage on counterterrorism and had a “soft spot” for terrorists, the people could not be left helpless.
He also reacted to statements by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who has been critical of the federal government over the imposition of governor’s rule in KP.
“We respect him a lot but that does not mean he supports a party that has backed terrorism,” he said, adding that Fazl should consider the challenges Pakistan was going through. “They (JUI-F) should help the government against terrorists, help our law enforcement agencies,” Memon added.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday highlighted Pakistan’s mediation efforts between the United States and Iran, affirming that Islamabad “never gave up”.
He made the remarks while addressing the 8th Global Security Forum being held in Qatar’s capital, Doha. Convened under the title “The Future of Alliances“, the forum brings together high-ranking officials and dignitaries from over 100 nations, according to Qatar News Agency.
“The last few months have been very difficult for our region. The conflict involving Iran and the United States created serious risks not only for the Middle East, but for the entire world,” Naqvi noted.
He added that at such a critical time, Pakistan chose the path of peace and made “every possible effort to reduce tensions”.
Naqvi, who has been involved in Islamabad’s peace efforts and has made several trips to Iran since the war began, said: “There were moments when the situation was extremely tense, but we never gave up.
“We continued talking, listening and working to build trust. And I can tell you from my experience: peace is not achieved in one meeting; it requires patience, trust and continuous efforts.”
He particularly highlighted the “remarkable role” of Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in Pakistan’s efforts to reduce tensions.
CDF Munir, accompanied by Naqvi, had visited Iran in August “as part of Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability”. The interior minister last made a visit to Iran in September, with Tehran describing the trip as part of bilateral engagements.
Speaking at the Doha forum, Naqvi recalled the June 18 signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Iran and the US. The 14-point MoU, which Pakistan signed as a mediator, provided a framework for ending the war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb 28.
“There, I saw something I will never forget,” he said, adding that Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and CDF Munir worked for “more than 16 hours without a single break”.
“No cameras, no announcements; only two men who refused to let the talks fail,” Naqvi remarked, emphasising that the only aim of the two mediating countries was to “stop further conflict and to save innocent lives”.
The minister praised Qatar’s peace efforts, noting it had “done so much”. “In the diplomacy of our time, when others chose sides, Qatar chose to keep talking. Pakistan has seen this closely because we have worked beside you.”
He stressed that Pakistan has always believed that “dialogue is better than war”.
“Our recent experience has taught us three important lessons: never close the door to dialogue, trust is the most important key for any kind of talk, and thirdly, peace requires sincere efforts from everyone.”
The senator emphasised that no single country could achieve regional peace alone.
“Pakistan is proud of the role it has played in the regional peace efforts,” he said, reaffirming that Islamabad would continue to support dialogue, peace and cooperation.
“We believe that winning peace is far more important than winning a war,” the minister remarked.
He conveyed Pakistan’s message: “We do not want credit for stopping wars. We want a future where wars do not start.”
The war between Washington and Tehran began in February with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which responded with retaliatory attacks on nearby Gulf countries.
While diplomatic engagements continue, there has been a lack of progress in recent weeks in negotiations to end the war.
After an interim ceasefire collapsed, Iran in September presented its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — the key oil trade route that has remained central to the conflict.
The US said it had rejected that proposal, while Iran’s security chief said negotiations have stalled because Washington failed to address all seven conditions for reopening the strait. On Sunday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran’s offer to the US to reopen the waterway within seven days was still on the table.
Meanwhile, the Middle East is currently facing heightened tensions on another front as Houthi rebels attack Saudi Arabia after a truce in their long-running war with Yemen’s coalition government unravelled in July.
Makkah alliance ‘not for war’
During his address, Naqvi cited the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye in August as an example of Islamabad’s commitment to regional security.
“It is a pact for defence, not for war,” he declared, adding that no country could “enjoy lasting peace if its neighbours are facing conflicts”.
The pact, under which the three countries have formed the Makkah Defence Alliance, empowers its signatory states to treat an attack against one of them as an attack against all of them.
Naqvi also spoke about countering security challenges and called for stronger international cooperation on the matter.
“As Pakistan’s interior minister, I also understand the price of terrorism and insecurity. Pakistan has suffered greatly; thousands of our citizens, soldiers, and policemen have lost their lives. Even today, we continue to fight.”
Describing terrorism as a “common enemy”, he called for “stronger cooperation, better intelligence-sharing and joint efforts to defeat it”.
The senator noted that counterterrorism cooperation was not something Pakistan has only sought, but also provided. He then highlighted the country’s contributions to the United Nations’ peacekeeping missions.
“Our UN police peacekeepers have helped protect civilians, support local police and restore peace in countries affected by conflict. We are proud of their services and sacrifices,” he said.
Actress Komal Aziz Khan found herself at the center of a hilarious exchange after a fan unexpectedly asked her if she was pregnant again.
During a fan interaction, Bisaat-e-Dil star invited followers to ask her anything, writing, “Ask me anything, guys .” However, one fan’s question, “Are u pregnant again??” caught the actress by surprise.
Reacting with laughter and sarcasm, Komal responded, “Hahaha, what? I don’t believe in pregnancy before marriage!” Her witty comeback made it clear that she was amused by the unexpected assumption, turning the fan’s misunderstanding into a lighthearted moment.
Komal’s humorous response has caught attention for its playful tone, with the actress handling the awkward question with a dose of sarcasm and confidence.
LAHORE – A sessions court has sentenced four men to death in a blasphemy case involving alleged circulation of blasphemous material through social media platforms, handing down multiple prison terms and financial penalties after concluding that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Nusrat Ali Siddiqui Malik announced verdict, convicting the four men under several provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016. Under Section 295-C of the PPC, each convict was sentenced to death and fined Rs500,000.
The court awarded each man life imprisonment under Section 295-B, 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a Rs100,000 fine under Section 295-A, three years’ imprisonment and a Rs100,000 fine under Section 298-A, and seven years of rigorous imprisonment with a further Rs100,000 fine under Section 11 of PECA.
Despite identifying procedural shortcomings in the handling of forensic evidence, the judge held that the material presented before the court was sufficient to sustain the convictions. The court also acquitted the four men of charges relating to criminal conspiracy and common intention under Sections 120-B and 34 of the PPC. The judge observed that the evidence suggested the accused had acted independently rather than as part of a common plan.
The sentences have been ordered to run concurrently, except for additional imprisonment that may arise from non-payment of fines. The period already spent in custody will be deducted from the sentences in accordance with the court’s order.
The death sentences will now be referred to the Lahore High Court for confirmation, a mandatory step before the penalties can be carried out. The convicts retain the right to appeal against the verdict within 30 days.
The case dates back to May 2022, when a citizen’s complaint prompted the registration of a first information report (FIR) on May 24 by the FIA’s then cybercrime wing. According to FIR, material alleged to be blasphemous was circulated through several mobile phone numbers in a WhatsApp group presented as a platform for Quranic education.
FIA conducted technical analysis that linked one of the numbers to a suspect. Investigators raided his Lahore residence on May 22, 2022, and seized a laptop and two mobile phones for examination.
The agency said its analysis of the devices allegedly uncovered content deemed derogatory to the Holy Quran and Islamic sacred figures, which had reportedly been shared through Facebook and WhatsApp groups.
LAHORE – Administration of Government Primary School in the Thokar Niaz Beg area of Lahore comes under scrutiny over allegations of renting out classroom space to labourers while students continue to study in deteriorating conditions.
A nursery classroom at the government-run institution has allegedly been rented out to a mason and a labourer for Rs5,000 each. The arrangement is said to have continued for approximately six months, raising questions about the use of public educational facilities for private commercial purposes.
The controversy has taken another turn over the reported consumption of electricity and water by the occupants, with the school’s utility expenses allegedly increasing as a result. The arrangement has sparked concerns about whether public resources intended to support education are being used appropriately.
While classroom space is reportedly being used for purposes other than teaching, the school’s physical condition shows troubling picture. Several windowpanes are broken, the wooden planks on classroom benches have deteriorated, and cracked whiteboards in multiple classrooms are reportedly no longer fit for use.
The school’s main entrance is missing its signboard, while the boundary wall and main gate are also said to be in a state of disrepair. These conditions have raised concerns about the learning environment being provided to children at an institution expected to offer a safe and functional space for education.
Sources have also claimed that the school administration forwarded inflated student enrolment figures to the District Education Authority (DEA) Lahore through allegedly fictitious registrations. If substantiated, the allegations could raise further questions about record-keeping, administrative accountability and the effectiveness of the authority’s monitoring mechanisms.
However, the claims regarding classroom rentals and enrolment figures require independent verification by the relevant authorities.
Local residents have reportedly called for the immediate replacement of the school’s headmaster, expressing frustration over the institution’s management and deteriorating facilities. Residents say the school’s poor environment left them questioning whether their children can receive an adequate education there, with some considering withdrawing them from the institution.
The allegations raised question on the role of the District Education Authority Lahore in supervising government schools and ensuring that public facilities serve students rather than private interests.
KARACHI – Gold prices in Pakistan remained stable on first day of the week, with the price of 24-karat gold holding at Rs439,036 per tola.
The price of 10 grams of gold also remained unchanged at Rs376,402. The gold metal maintained the same price on Monday, indicating no further movement in the local market.
In the international market, gold prices remained unchanged at $4,165 per ounce, reflecting stability in global bullion trading. Meanwhile, silver prices moved in the opposite direction in Pakistan, increasing by Rs59 per tola to reach Rs6,234.
Gold Rates in Lahore
The reported gold rates in Lahore listed the price of a piece at Rs433,000 and Rs432,500, while Pathoor rates stood at Rs427,500 and Rs425,500.
These Lahore-specific figures have been reproduced as provided; the relevant categories and rate differences require confirmation.
Monday’s unchanged gold prices followed the stability recorded in the international market. While gold remained steady in both local and global trading, silver registered a modest increase in Pakistan, highlighting differing price movements between the two precious metals.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said Pakistan is providing “whatever support is needed” to defend Saudi Arabia amid attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels against the kingdom.
Responding to a query about the military support Pakistan was providing to the kingdom amid attacks by Houthis, the DG ISPR said Saudi Arabia’s “sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the security, and foremost the security of the Two Holy Mosques, is paramount”.
“It’s non-negotiable; it’s absolute as far as Pakistan is concerned […] So whatever support is needed to do that is being provided and will be provided,” he affirmed, adding that no alliance makes public the specifics and the quantification of the support provided.
Commenting on Pakistan’s reaction to the Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, the military spokesman said, “Our reaction in Pakistan, on the streets, from a young boy and girl up to our political and military leadership, is one of anger.”
He remarked, “Our reaction is that why would anyone in his right mind attack or threaten Saudi Arabia or the holy places or even give an impression of threatening the holy places.”
He declared there could be no “ifs and buts” on the security of the holy sites.
On whether Pakistan’s support to Saudi Arabia will strictly remain defensive if the Houthi attacks continue, the the military spokesperson said all three members of the alliance were “absolutely clear […] that this alliance has no offensive intent; it is purely defensive”.
Citing Article 51 of the United Nations Charter that provides collective deterrence, he said such a mechanism “gives a very strong and clear message to those elements of instability, of chaos, in the region that if you directly or indirectly wage this war against any of these three countries, then the response will be collective”.
“If that deterrence doesn’t work, then that deterrence has to be re-established by all means that are available to the three countries,” he added.
Asked whether Islamabad had issued any “warning” to Tehran regarding Houthis as the Saudi deputy foreign minister linked the two, the DG ISPR stressed that Pakistan had been engaging with all parties involved, including Iran, “with the singular intent of restraint and to reduce the temperatures”.
The military spokesperson reiterated that “all interactions and all conversations with the parties are based on dialling down the escalation”.
Speaking further about the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Lt Gen Chaudhry noted, “You have seen a sinusoidal sort of pattern in this conflict, that it does down and then the agent of chaos starts and they come into play and take the entity up.”
He contended that such escalations will not “resolve this conflict”.
“Whether you expand it to Houthis, whether you expand it to other places, it doesn’t serve anything. It only serves those who are interested in chaos in the region.”
The DG ISPR added: “But at the same time, […] Pakistan is giving very strong signals that this collective deterrence is at play, has already been actualised and we will take all necessary steps for the security and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Haramain Sharifain (The Two Holy Mosques).”
He remarked that the “message is going to everyone, whether he is in front or he is behind” the escalation.
Regarding reports linking the alliance’s formation to the need to deter Iran or Israel, Lt Gen Chaudhry said the pact was not “country-specific” and did not have any “offensive intent”.
However, he added: “It is [formed] to have peace, stability and security in the region. So any actor which threatens that peace, stability and security, it automatically interacts with this collective deterrence mechanism.”
Regarding the threats to maritime navigation in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz, the DG ISPR noted that Riyadh had established a multinational maritime defence coalition, with a Pakistani naval officer serving as its deputy commander.
‘We need to stop attacking each other’
Asked about his message to Saudi Arabia and the Muslim world, Lt Gen Chaudhry said Muslims “need to unite”. He emphasised that there was no advantage “to these countries, any country, by vertically or horizontally escalating these conflicts”.
“We need to stop attacking each other,” he maintained, highlighting that Pakistan had been trying to convey the same to all parties since the US-Iran war erupted.
“If we are unable to come to a negotiated outcome and we turn into a military conflict, then this instrument of collective deterrence of the Makkah alliance will definitely come into play, as it is coming into play,” Lt Gen Chaudhry said.
On scepticism raised about the Makkah pact, the DG ISPR remarked that the sceptics were “only those who have a problem with this alliance, so it’s their job to do this criticism”.
“It’s not suddenly out of the blue that they have decided. The relations go way back,” he stressed. He further termed it “phenomenal” how the alliance has evolved “in a very short period of time”.
Regarding the expansion of the alliance, the military spokesperson maintained that the door remains open to other countries that believe in the principle of collective deterrence and share the member states’ goals related to regional security and stability.
Asked about reports of Egypt and Syria’s interest in joining, he stated such decisions rest with the political, strategic and military leadership of the three countries.
Earlier this month, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye convened an emergency meeting under the Makkah Defence Alliance and agreed to deploy military forces and capabilities rapidly in the kingdom.
While the statement did not specifically name any threat, the development came against the backdrop of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
The Makkah defence pact, signed on Aug 7, aims to strengthen collective deterrence and empower its signatory states to treat an attack against one of them as an attack against all of them.
On Sept 18, the DG ISPR said Pakistan would go to “any extent” to defend Saudi Arabia, adding that Islamabad’s commitment to the kingdom’s security is “unconditional”. At the same time, Pakistan also stresses that the alliance is intended for collective deterrence and is defensive in nature.
KABUL – As tensions soar over attacks being conducted from Afghan soil against Pakistan, Taliban are getting a taste of their own medicine as Resistance groups claim more than 18 attacks across 12 Afghan provinces, leaving over 38 Taliban personnel dead.
Afghanistan’s anti-Taliban resistance groups reported fresh wave of armed operations and several commanders were also among those who got killed in over 18 attacks during a 12-day period.
The claims point to continued armed opposition to Taliban rule, with several factions reporting attacks in strategically significant areas. However, the scale of the alleged casualties and the operational impact of the strikes could not be independently established.
Afghanistan United Front reported a series of operations in Kandahar and Helmand, including attacks on security checkpoints and personnel. According to the group, an attack in Ghor on October 11 killed one Taliban member and wounded another. Two days later, a strike in Kandahar’s Arghandab district allegedly killed Commander Rahimullah Rohani and a police officer.
On October 14, the group claimed that attacks on three checkpoints in Spin Boldak killed three personnel, wounded three others and destroyed a vehicle. The faction also reported killing five personnel and seizing weapons in Helmand. In Lashkar Gah, it claimed that two personnel, including an intelligence officer, were killed in separate operations on October 15 and 17.
Afghanistan Freedom Front reported an attack near police headquarters in Logar on October 13, claiming that three intelligence personnel were killed and two others wounded. National Resistance Front separately reported operations in Baghlan and Panjshir on October 9 and 10, claiming two Taliban personnel were killed and another two injured.
Afghan Green Trend reported attacks in Herat, Panjshir and Lashkar Gah. Its claims included the destruction of a police checkpoint and Ranger vehicles, alongside reported Taliban casualties. The reported targeting of intelligence personnel and police installations suggests that opposition factions are continuing to challenge Taliban security structures in multiple locations. The extent of the damage and the identities of those killed have not been independently verified.
National Independence Front reported operations in Nangarhar, Helmand, Farah, Wardak, Badghis and Kandahar. According to the faction, its targets included a tank, military supply vehicles, an intelligence convoy, a Ranger vehicle and a Taliban commander. Separately, the Afghan Republic Front claimed responsibility for a rocket attack on a chromite storage facility controlled by the Taliban in Bamyan.
RAWALPINDI – Reports of the death of a Pakistan Army officer during a Pakistan-Sri Lanka cricket match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium went viral online, and it prompted reponse from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting MoIB.
According to ministry’s fact-check, the deceased was not a Pakistan Army officer but a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) employee who died from electrocution at his home, with no connection to the match.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting ruled out social media claims that an Army officer died of a heart attack during the Pakistan-Sri Lanka cricket match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, clarifying that Muhammad Farooq was not present at the stadium during the match and had no connection with the event. The clarification contradicts claims circulated on social media suggesting that an Army officer suffered a medical emergency during the match and later died at a hospital.
Journalist Naveed Satti reportedly claimed that 50-year-old Muhammad Farooq, son of Muhammad Azam, lost consciousness during the Pakistan-Sri Lanka match and was transported to Benazir Bhutto Hospital in Rawalpindi by Rescue 1122, where he subsequently died. The journalist further claimed that Farooq was working with Pakistan Army and was posted at a security agency in Islamabad.
According to the ministry’s fact-check and the First Information Report (FIR) shared with its statement, Farooq was approximately 60 years old and died after suffering an electric shock while checking an electrical plug at his home. After the incident, his family contacted Rescue 1122, and he was shifted to a local hospital. Hospital records reportedly identified electrocution as the cause of death.
The ministry further clarified that the deceased was a PCB employee, not a member of the Pakistan Army. It also stated that he was not present at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium during the match. The discrepancy between the age cited in the journalist’s claim and the age mentioned in the FIR is another detail that distinguishes the two accounts.
Authorities urged the public to verify information through credible sources before sharing reports of deaths, emergencies or other sensitive incidents on social media.
DHAKA – Bangladesh’s former Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal Sheikh Abdul Hannan, has been arrested in Doha over corruption allegations involving unexplained wealth and suspicious financial transactions worth hundreds of millions.
Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said Qatari authorities detained Hannan on October 15, with Interpol subsequently informing the commission of the arrest via email. Muhammad Akhtarul Islam, a deputy director at the ACC, confirmed the development, saying the commission gets official notification from Interpol regarding the former military chief’s detention.
The arrest is another development in the investigations surrounding Hannan, who served as the chief of the Bangladesh Air Force from June 2021 until his retirement in June 2024.
ACC alleges that Hannan accumulated assets worth more than 32.8 million Bangladeshi taka beyond his known sources of income. Investigators have also flagged suspicious financial transactions worth approximately 276.3 million taka through six bank accounts held in his name. The commission approved the filing of cases against him in July last year under Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission Act, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The allegations concern the former air chief’s declared income, accumulated wealth and financial dealings, which remain under investigation.
The corruption investigation also implicated wife of former Air chief, who is accused of accumulating assets worth more than 19.1 million taka beyond her known sources of income, allegedly with her husband’s assistance. Investigators identified suspicious transactions worth approximately 11.8 million taka through 32 bank accounts registered in her name.
Investigators have reportedly traced Hannan’s alleged overseas assets to Canada and Dubai. Assets registered in the names of his children have also been identified in three different countries. The findings have brought the family’s alleged overseas holdings under further scrutiny as investigators continue examining the origins of their wealth and financial transactions.
In March, a Dhaka court ordered the seizure of the income tax records of Hannan and his wife following two separate applications by the ACC.
A court had also previously ordered the seizure of two apartments belonging to the former air chief and the freezing of his bank accounts amid allegations that he possessed assets beyond his known sources of income.
Hannan managed to leave Bangladesh despite facing multiple corruption cases and reportedly being subject to a travel ban. According to the ACC, the former military chief succeeded in leaving the country despite the restrictions.
Hannan joined the Bangladesh Air Force in 1984, receiving his commission as a General Duty Pilot. He later became the 16th chief of the Bangladesh Air Force, assuming office on June 12, 2021. He retired on June 11, 2024, after completing his tenure. Nearly four decades after joining the service, the former military chief is now facing serious allegations concerning his wealth, banking activities and alleged overseas assets. The charges remain allegations, and Hannan has not been established as guilty through the legal process.
Former Navy Chief also Faces Corruption Cases
The controversy extends beyond the former air force chief. According to media reports cited in the original account, former Bangladesh Navy Chief Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan is also facing corruption cases and is currently abroad. However, unlike Hannan, Hassan has reportedly not been placed under a court-imposed travel ban.
Both former service chiefs were appointed during the government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party. Hannan completed his tenure while the Awami League was still in power, while Hassan retired later, during the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
The Parti Québécois, which advocates for the independence of the French-speaking province, has won the elections in Quebec but failed to secure a clear majority to govern alone. The party returns to power for the first time since 2014, and the outcome poses a significant political challenge for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. With over […]
ISLAMABAD – As tensions continue to grip the Middle East, Pakistan is walking a delicate diplomatic tightrope, keeping communication channels open with Tehran while reaffirming its defence commitments to Saudi Arabia. DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Islamabad will continue pushing for de-escalation, while the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Türkiye defence alliance strengthens its collective deterrence posture.
ISPR chief, speaking to Independent Arabia, has pledged to intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East while reaffirming its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security, as the military leadership outlined the defensive objectives and collective deterrence framework of the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Türkiye alliance.
He warned that the repeated cycle of escalation and de-escalation was undermining regional stability, stressing that continued confrontation would serve neither the interests of the countries involved nor those of the wider region.
Pakistan, he said, would continue engaging relevant parties alongside its regional partners to contain tensions, prevent the conflict from spreading and create space for diplomatic progress.
Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement with Iran has continued for several months, according to the DG ISPR, with discussions centred on restraint and preventing the conflict from intensifying. Responding to questions about whether Islamabad issued a direct warning to Tehran after attacks on Saudi Arabia, Lt Gen Chaudhry neither confirmed nor denied that such communication had taken place. He however mentioned that Pakistan’s exchanges with regional stakeholders remained focused on reducing tensions.
The military spokesperson cautioned that recurring outbreaks of violence could derail efforts to establish sustainable peace. He stressed that political engagement and negotiations were necessary to prevent further escalation and limit the conflict’s geographical and military scope.
Islamabad’s position, as outlined in the interview, combines continued diplomatic outreach with a warning that prolonged regional confrontation could have serious consequences for collective security.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s position on Saudi Arabia, Lt Gen Chaudhry said the Kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the security of Makkah and Madinah remained fundamental concerns for Islamabad. He said that Pakistan was extending the support required under its existing defence commitments and would continue fulfilling its obligations to Saudi Arabia.
While withholding operational information on grounds of military confidentiality, he maintained that Pakistan remained prepared to employ its available capabilities to meet those responsibilities.
The remarks came amid concerns over Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Lt Gen Chaudhry said the incidents had provoked strong reactions within Pakistan’s political and military leadership and among the public, reflecting the significance attached to protecting the Kingdom and Islam’s holiest sites. His comments shows Islamabad’s intention to maintain its security commitments to Riyadh while continuing to pursue diplomatic avenues to prevent the wider conflict from escalating.
Pak Army spokesperson said collective deterrence mechanism associated with Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Türkiye defence arrangement was already being implemented.
Calling framework as defensive in nature, Lt Gen Chaudhry said it was founded on the right of self-defence under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. He maintained that the arrangement was not directed against a particular country and was intended to deter aggression rather than pursue offensive objectives.
According to his explanation, aggression against any one of the three member states, whether direct or indirect, would engage the collective response commitments of the alliance. The framework’s institutional structure is also developing, with a secretariat and a strategic political and defence committee established to support coordination among the participating countries, he said.
The arrangement builds on longstanding political, historical and defence ties between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. Lt Gen Chaudhry also clarified that it would operate alongside existing bilateral defence agreements and security partnerships rather than displace them.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said the alliance was designed to make clear that threats against its members would be met with a coordinated security response in line with their commitments. He highlighted the difficulties associated with deterring non-state armed groups, noting that such organisations can operate differently from conventional state actors and may not respond to traditional diplomatic signals in the same way.
In this context, he argued that credible defence arrangements were essential to discourage attacks and prevent armed groups from exploiting instability across the region. DG ISPR also cautioned against allowing security confrontations to expand, warning that a broader military conflict would undermine regional interests and make negotiated settlements harder to secure.
Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Türkiye arrangement could potentially accommodate additional members, Lt Gen Chaudhry indicated, suggesting that the framework was not necessarily confined to its three founding countries. He said states that shared the alliance’s objectives of regional stability and collective security could be considered for future participation.
However, he offered no confirmation of reports concerning specific countries that might join, explaining that such decisions rested with the political and strategic leadership of the existing members. He reiterated that the initiative was intended to strengthen security cooperation and promote stability, not to establish a confrontation with any particular regional power.
DG ISPR also addressed maritime security challenges in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, two strategically important waterways for international shipping and regional commerce. Lt Gen Chaudhry highlighted the importance of cooperation among countries to protect maritime routes and safeguard trade flows. He also referred to Pakistan’s participation in multinational maritime security arrangements as part of broader efforts to address shared challenges.
SAHIWAL – A viral video showing Sahiwal Police ASI tossing currency notes at dancers during a shrine festival sparked outrage online, prompting police high-ups to order legal action.
Taking notice of the incident, DPO Usman Tipu directed Yousafwala Police to register a case against ASI Rustam Ali Bhatti, posted at Fatah Sher Police Station, and Bashir Ahmed Bhatti, caretaker of the shrine of Hazrat Diwan Baba Haji Sher in village 55/5-L, tehsil Sahiwal.
ساہیوال کے علاقے میں سالانہ عرس کی تقریب کے دوران رقاصاؤں پر کرنسی نوٹ نچھاور کرنے کی ویڈیو وائرل ہونے پر پولیس کے اے ایس آئی کو گرفتار کر لیا گیا، جبکہ درگاہ کے متولی کے خلاف بھی مقدمہ درج کر لیا گیا, ڈان کی رپورٹ
ڈی پی او عثمان ٹیپو کی ہدایت پر یوسف والا پولیس نے تحصیل ساہیوال کے گاؤں 55/5-L میں حضرت دیوان بابا حاجی شیر کے سالانہ عرس کے موقع پر جمعہ کی رات رقاصاؤں پر پیسے لٹانے کے الزام میں فتح شیر پولیس اسٹیشن کے اے ایس آئی رستم علی بھٹی اور درگاہ کے متولی بشیر احمد بھٹی کے خلاف مقدمہ درج کر لیا۔
وائرل ہونے والی ویڈیو میں پولیس اہلکار کو خود بھی رقاصاؤں پر نوٹ نچھاور کرتے ہوئے دیکھا گیا تھا۔
The video, which circulated widely on social media, allegedly shows the police official throwing currency notes towards dancers, raising questions about the conduct of a serving law enforcement officer.
After the incident, police registered a case under Section 294 of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 155C of the Police Order on the complaint of ASI Zulfikar Ali of Yousafwala Police Station.
Police arrested Rustam Ali Bhatti and placed him in lockup, while teams were dispatched to conduct raids for the arrest of shrine caretaker Bashir Ahmed Bhatti.
The incident has drawn attention to the conduct of public officials at religious gatherings, with further developments expected as the investigation proceeds.
MUZAFFARABAD – After four months and 10 days of digital blackout, mobile internet services have finally been restored in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir, bringing relief to residents who had endured months of connectivity disruptions. However, the situation remains grim in other districts.
The service started returning late last night after announcement by AJK PM a day earlier. While the development is a relief for residents of the capital, the continued suspension elsewhere has left the region facing an uneven return to digital connectivity.
Authorities suspended mobile internet services on June 5 amid tensions surrounding a June 9 protest call issued by the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
Although mobile phone calls remained available during the shutdown, mobile internet connectivity was disrupted, alongside DSL internet services. DSL connectivity has since been restored in Muzaffarabad, followed by the resumption of mobile internet services. The latest restoration is expected to ease communication difficulties for residents who have spent months dealing with restricted access to online services.
Despite the restoration in Muzaffarabad, the shutdown continues in several parts of Azad Kashmir. Rawalakot, Bagh, Kotli and Sudhnoti are among the districts where mobile internet services have yet to be restored, leaving residents uncertain about when normal connectivity will resume.
The disparity raised fresh questions about timeline for restoring mobile internet access across the entire region. Banned Joint Awami Action Committee continues its sit-in protest in Rawalakot district, where demonstrators have been camping since June 5 to press for the acceptance of their demands.
The ongoing protest shows continuing tensions surrounding the committee’s campaign, even as internet services begin returning to the regional capital.
The prolonged suspension of mobile internet has created difficulties for residents in affected areas, disrupting online communication, limiting access to information and complicating routine digital activities.
The E-ZPT, an electric armored personnel carrier (APC) developed at military facilities under Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense, has entered service with the country’s army, the Ministry announced. The manufacturer—the Machinery and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE)—has delivered three E-ZPT units to the Land Forces. The project envisions a total of 50 such vehicles entering service, […]
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