Bannu’s District Police Officer (DPO), Saleem Abbas Kulachi, told Dawn.com that the incident took place in the Bacha Khan Chowk area of the district’s Domel tehsil. “The police constable was on his way to report for duty when unknown armed motorcyclists opened fire on him,” Kulachi said. The DPO added that the constable, Qadus Khan, was critically injured and was taken to Khaleefa Gul Nawaz (KGN) hospital, where he passed away from his injuries. Khanzala Quraishi, the spokesperson for the Bannu regional police, told Dawn.com that the constable was the personal guard of the Wazir sub-divisional police officer. “After the…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti stated on Wednesday that a policy of appeasement, such as the one adopted towards the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, has consistently harmed the interests of the state, a lesson that holds true for Balochistan as well. Speaking at a reception hosted by the Supreme Court Bar Association, the chief minister said, “The policy of appeasement in reference to the prevalent situation in Balochistan has always damaged the cause of the state.” He also announced a Rs100 million grant for the association. When asked about the incarceration of rights activist Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the chief minister alleged that…
A vast reservoir of floodwater continues to rise along the eastern side of the M-5 motorway, submerging farmland and threatening to wipe out entire villages in Multan’s Jalalpur Pirwala tehsil. Fifteen days after breaches first appeared at the Noraja Bhutta embankment on the Sutlej River, residents in union councils across Multan, Bahawalpur, and Lodhran remain stranded, with many clinging to embankments as the water swallows their homes. To prevent damage to the highway, the National Highway Authority (NHA) has blocked culverts and bridges with heavy stones, effectively turning the motorway into a dam. This action, however, is preventing the floodwaters…
The committee chairman, Malik Ibrar Ahmad, decided to summon officials from the power division to the next meeting to discuss the matter. The committee was informed that companies were implementing loadshedding based on the Aggregate Technical and Commercial Loss Policy, as instructed by the power division. Mr. Ahmad noted that this practice was a clear violation of Nepra’s Performance Standards Distribution Rules, 2025. The committee labeled the policy a clear “intrusion into Nepra’s mandate.” It was later briefed on Ogra’s performance as the regulator for downstream sectors of the petroleum and gas industries. The panel denounced Ogra’s monitoring mechanism regarding…
This year, Pakistan has faced unprecedented floods and landslides due to record monsoon rains, triggered by climate change. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), since late June, over 1,000 people have been killed and nearly 1,100 injured in monsoon-related disasters. In 2022, the country was hit by widespread devastation from floods that killed 1,700 people, destroyed agricultural land, displaced millions, and caused an estimated $30 billion in losses. Following this disaster, Pakistan hosted an international donors’ conference in Geneva to appeal for global support for its flood recovery. Earlier this year, the Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs…
When Pakistan’s most celebrated director takes on music, the outcome is destined to be remarkable. Velo Sound Station’s third season proved just that, as Bilal Lashari, the filmmaker behind some of the country’s most memorable visuals, transformed the platform into something more than a music show. It became a musicverse. From the very first note, it was clear that this season was distinct. Instead of sticking to tradition, it aimed to forge a new identity. While Coke Studio has long been tied to the “national sound,” Velo Sound Station’s third installment drew a bold new line. The music had a…
On Wednesday, the government signed loan agreements totaling approximately Rs1.225 trillion with 18 banks to settle the outstanding dues owed to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) that have accumulated as circular debt. This debt will be paid off through a Rs3.23 per unit surcharge on consumers over a period of six years. The signing ceremony took place at the Prime Minister’s Office, with the premier attending virtually from New York. Although no formal announcement was initially made, ministers confirmed the agreement had been signed. Under the terms, the government has 30 days to request disbursements from the banks to ensure timely…
As artificial intelligence (AI) advances without meaningful oversight, Pakistan’s call at the United Nations reflects the broader concerns of developing nations that powerful states will shape the rules to their advantage. Earlier this year, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution pushing for inclusive and equitable AI governance that bridges the digital divide. Countries in the Global South, from Indonesia to Brazil, have also cautioned that unchecked deployment of this technology risks deepening inequalities. Speaking at a high-level debate on AI during the 80th UNGA session, Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, highlighted AI’s potential for misuse. He called for…
Local traders in Gilgit-Baltistan have been protesting and blocking a port since July. Their protest is against the government’s tax policies and the suspension of customs clearance at the port. Yesterday, the government agreed to provide tax exemptions on imports coming through the port. This agreement was made with the condition that the goods were for local consumption and met strict eligibility criteria. The total annual value of these tax exemptions was capped at Rs4 billion. This was announced after talks in Islamabad between the federal government, the GB government, and local business leaders. However, a trader representative named Hussain…
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s statement came amid a heightened verbal conflict between coalition partners PML-N and PPP. The dispute intensified on Wednesday after the former questioned the transparency of the BISP, while the latter accused its senior partner of an “irresponsible attitude” for refusing to use the program’s data to compensate flood-affected individuals in Punjab. BISP is a major national welfare program in Pakistan that offers financial aid to poor and vulnerable families, with a special focus on women. Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, Bilawal stated: “The country’s agricultural sector was already in a difficult position, but after the…
