Page 4 - Pakistan

Death toll from gun attack in Pakistan on Shiites soars to at least 28

Gunmen opened fire on passenger vehicles carrying Shiite Muslim civilians in restive northwest Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least 28 people, including six women, and wounding 30 others in one of the deadliest such attacks in recent years in the region, police said. The attack happened in Kurram, a district in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where sectarian clashes between majority Sunni Muslims and minority Shiites have killed dozens of people in recent months. No one has claimed responsibility. The latest violence came a week after authorities reopened a key highway in the region after keeping it closed for weeks following deadly clashes. Local police official Azmat Ali said several vehicles carrying passengers were traveling in a convoy from the city of Parachinar to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, when gunmen opened fire. He said the dead included six woman, and least 10 passengers were in a critical condition at a hospital. Pakistan's President As

Imran Khan arrested in protest case hours after bail in corruption case

The chances for the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan vanished after he was arrested in a protest case hours after getting bail in a case of alleged corruption, a media report said on Thursday. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday granted him bail in the second Toshakhana case related to the purchase of an expensive Bulgari jewellery set at a throwaway price, igniting hopes of his release. However, hours later, Rawalpindi police arrested him late at night in connection with a case registered at New Town Police Station on terrorism and other charges. The police alleged that Khan, while imprisoned in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, had called for a protest in Rawalpindi on September 28. Dawn newspaper quoted a police spokesperson as saying that Khan had been detained in the case filed on September 28 and a team has been tasked to probe the charges. The charges include violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act, defying the government ban on public gatherings, obstructin

Pakistan to launch comprehensive operation against militants in Balochistan

Pakistan decided to launch a comprehensive operation against militants in the southwestern province of Balochistan after a series of deadly attacks. The participants of the Federal Apex Committee of the National Action Plan on Tuesday approved a comprehensive military operation, said a statement. The target of the blitz would be the leading terrorist organisations operating in Balochistan including the Majeed Brigade, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), and Balochistan Raaji Anjou-R-Sanger (BRAS) who targeted innocent civilians and foreign nationals to scuttle Pakistan's economic progress by creating insecurity at the behest of hostile external powers. It was decided during a meeting headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by senior civil and military officials, including Army Chief General Asim Munir. The participants of the meeting, which focused on Reinvigorating Pakistan's Counter Terrorism (CT) Campaign, were briefed on the evolv

Pak PM says terrorism 'biggest challenge', vows to crush terrorist elements

Describing terrorism as the biggest challenge, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday vowed to crush the terrorist elements for peace and progress of the country, which is struggling to deal with the increasing terror attacks. Addressing a meeting of the Apex Committee of the National Action Plan (NAP) at the Prime Minister House attended by all chief ministers, army chief and other services chiefs, heads of military and civilian intelligence agencies, ministers and high officials, Sharif voiced concerns over the uptick in terror attacks in bordering states. "Terrorism is the biggest challenge, he said, emphasising the scourge staring in the eyes of the civilian and military leadership. "We have no other choice but to crush the terrorist elements for peace and progress of the country," he said, adding that national reconciliation, progress and economic development were not possible without crushing evil. Speaking at the meeting, Army Chief General Asim Munir said that anyon

9 militants, 8 personnel killed during gunfight in Pak's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

At least nine militants and eight security personnel were killed in bloody clashes during an anti-terror operation in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province late on Monday, sources said. Two "important" commanders of the Lashkar-e-Islam terror outfit were also eliminated in the intelligence-based operation against a high-value target conducted in the Tirah Maidan valley of Khyber district, they said. Seven security personnel and six militants were also injured in the operation. Troops were engaged at three points in the district during the operation that lasted several hours. Local sources said some residents of nearby areas were also injured.

'Trump has no ties with Imran Khan; to keep eye on B'desh situation'

US President-elect Donald Trump has no personal relationship with former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan, a prominent Pakistani-American businessman and Trump backer has said. Sajid Tarar, who heads the Muslims for Trump organisation, also said that Trump -- who won the US presidential election for a second term in one of the most remarkable comebacks in American electoral history -- would strengthen ties with India and keep a close watch on allegations of human rights violations in Bangladesh. "A perception is being created by a particular party in Pakistan that he (Khan) has a personal relationship with Donald Trump. This is not true. It's a fact that, as president, Trump had invited Khan to the White House as the prime minister of Pakistan," Tarar told PTI in an interview. Trump will "not interfere" in the internal affairs of Pakistan or its judiciary to get Khan out of jail, he asserted. "He (Trump) may have a soft corner (for Khan)," he said. Khan was arrested last year af

IMF flags Pak's tax shortfall among major concerns in $7 bn loan package

The IMF has flagged Pakistan's tax shortfall and a delay in materialising foreign loans, among other issues, as challenges in implementing the USD 7 billion loan package. At the end of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, which for five days held in-depth meetings with Pakistan officials about the implementation of conditions linked with the loan, the global lender also expressed concerns about Punjab's new agriculture income tax law which is still not fully aligned with the federal legislation and deviated from the National Fiscal Pact, The Express Tribune reported. A source said the IMF mission flagged two major concerns on Friday: the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) 's underperformance and a delay in finalising the loans to fill the USD 2.5 billion gap. The global lender again asked Pakistan to contact Riyadh to secure oil on deferred payments and request Beijing to reschedule debt. In addition, the IMF had concerns about the delay in the privatisation of the power ...

At least 7 dead, 10 injured in attack on security check post in Balochistan

At least seven people, including security personnel, are feared dead and 10 others injured in a deadly attack on a security check post in the restive Balochistan province on Saturday. Following the attack, details of which are awaited, there are widespread complaints from different parts of Balochistan about disrupted internet services. Geo News channel reported seven people were killed in the attack and 10 others injured in Kalat district of Balochistan. The banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack. However, neither the provincial government nor any senior law enforcement official have come out with any statement. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) confirmed that mobile internet services have been temporarily suspended in certain areas of Balochistan, citing public safety concerns amidst a recent surge in terrorist attacks. The PTA statement explained that the decision followed directives from relevant authorities and was implemen

Pak's delay in materialising loans concern in implementation of loan: IMF

The IMF has flagged Pakistan's tax shortfall and a delay in materialising foreign loans, among other issues, as challenges in implementing the USD 7 billion loan package. At the end of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, which for five days held in-depth meetings with Pakistan officials about the implementation of conditions linked with the loan, the global lender also expressed concerns about Punjab's new agriculture income tax law which is still not fully aligned with the federal legislation and deviated from the National Fiscal Pact, The Express Tribune reported. A source said the IMF mission flagged two major concerns on Friday: the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) 's underperformance and a delay in finalising the loans to fill the USD 2.5 billion gap. The global lender again asked Pakistan to contact Riyadh to secure oil on deferred payments and request Beijing to reschedule debt. In addition, the IMF had concerns about the delay in the privatisation of the power ...

Pak's Punjab govt uses artificial rain in cities to combat pollution

Pakistan's Punjab government on Friday declared smog a health crisis" and used artificial rain in several cities across the province in an effort to combat its hazardous levels, as millions reported breathing problems and other respiratory issues over the past month. This is the second time the Punjab government went for artificial rain. In December last year, the government had a successful cloud seeding experiment in Lahore. "The cloud seeding experiment conducted in Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang, and Gujar Khan cities of Punjab resulted in rainfall in Jhelum and Gujar Khan on Friday," the Punjab government said in a late night statement. It said it held a successful trial of artificial rain using local technology. "Cloud seeding was carried out at 2pm Friday and within hours, it rained in Jhelum and Gujar Khan. There is also a strong likelihood of rainfall in Lahore after this experiment. The artificial rainfall will significantly help reduce smog," it said. Earlier in the day, ...

Two-front deterrence: India needs a strong stance against China, Pakistan

India needs clear deterrence against both likely adversaries. With China, it lies in raising costs of aggression to levels it should find unaffordable. For Pakistan, it has to be punitive

700 kg drugs seized mid-sea: Gujarat ATS, NCB, Navy conduct joint op

The Gujarat coast continues to struggle with its reputation as a key entry point for drug smuggling into India, driven by its proximity to Pakistan, a transit hub for narcotics from Afghanistan

Protest in London over speakers of Kashmir debate having 'terror' links

They stated that Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur had been accused of incitement and hate speech, with links to organisations under investigation for connections to terrorism

Pakistani security forces kill 12 Baloch insurgents in 2 raids hours apart

Pakistani security forces faced off with insurgents in two separate raids hours apart on their hideouts in two troubled areas in the country killing 12 militants and wounding six others, the military said Wednesday. Four insurgents were killed in the first raid in Kech, a district in the restive southwestern Balochistan province, it said in a statement. The raid in Balochistan came days after a suicide bomber blew himself up at a train station in the capital, Quetta, killing at least 26 people, including soldiers and railway staff, and wounding about 62 others, some critically. A separatist group, the Balochistan Liberation Army, claimed Saturday's attack, saying the bomber targeted troops present at the railway station. The outlawed BLA has long waged an insurgency seeking independence from Islamabad, and authorities had vowed to eliminate it. Also early Wednesday, troops raided a militant hideout of the Pakistani Taliban in North Waziristan, killing eight militants and wounding

Pakistan employs new measures to deal with smog affecting 70,000 people

Pakistani authorities introduced mobile clinics and added more beds in hospitals to treat the nearly 70,000 patients received daily with respiratory-related diseases as hazardous smog continued to shroud the country's east, officials said Wednesday. Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province with 127 million residents, has been hit by a record-high ongoing wave of pollution since October. The UN children's agency on Monday warned that the health of 11 million children there was at risk. Lahore and Multan, the province's two main cities hit by smog, remained the two most polluted cities in the world on Wednesday, with air quality index readings of about 400, according to the Environmental Protection Department. Anything over 300 is considered hazardous to health. The dangerous smog is a byproduct of large numbers of vehicles, construction and industrial work as well as burning crops at the start of the winter wheat-planting season, experts say. Meanwhile, more than 200 clinics on boa

Earthquake of magnitude 5.3 jolts parts of Pak, several neighbouring areas

The earthquake tremors could be felt in Mohmand, Shabqadar, Attock, Malakand, Swat, Shangla, Buner, and Abbottabad, as per Geo News

India calls for partnership with Pakistan to tackle transboundary pollution

Describing pollution as a "transboundary" issue, India has urged nations, especially Pakistan and Bangladesh, to take proactive and collaborative measures to manage and mitigate air pollution across borders. This appeal comes as northern India has been witnessing a rise in pollution with New Delhi's air quality hitting a severe' level for the first time this season, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 418, on Wednesday. Ministers and heads of delegations from six of the eight countries that share the Earth's tallest cryosphere zone met at a meeting hosted by Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on day two of the global climate conference COP29 in Azerbaijan on Tuesday, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) said in a statement on Wednesday. ICIMOD is a regional intergovernmental learning and knowledge sharing centre. In the meeting, India highlighted air pollution as a pressing and shared challenge within the Indo-Gangetic Airshed. Most of our .

Pak faces IMF scrutiny as bailout programme review may shift to quarterly

A quarterly review would allow for continuous oversight of the approximately 40 conditions outlined in the $7 billion agreement

Pakistan's $7-bn IMF bailout deal hits a rough patch. Here's what we know

IMF reportedly mulling stricter review of Pakistan bailout package after noticing early slippages

Pak PM calls for $6.8 trillion in climate funding for developing nations

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for USD 6.8 trillion in climate funding for developing countries by 2030. Sharif was speaking at a climate finance roundtable hosted by Pakistan during the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan's capital Baku. According to live coverage of his speech by Pakistani TV channels, the prime minister stressed that developing countries were facing huge climate challenges but were often left without adequate resources to meet them. We need urgent climate finance to tackle issues brought by environmental changes, Sharif said, as he asked the developed countries to fulfil promises that have remained largely unmet despite repeated commitments. Developing countries require USD 6.8 trillion in financing by 2030 to manage the impacts of climate change effectively, the premier said. He pointed out that while a climate finance goal of USD 100 billion annually was set in 2009, increasing this target is now crucial as the