Pakistan’s political landscape is abuzz following explosive revelations from Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, who claimed he faced pressure to denounce former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and was offered the closure of his National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases in return. Speaking on Geo News’ “Naya Pakistan,” Mr. Asif asserted that he rejected the overtures, steadfastly affirming Nawaz Sharif as his leader.
**May 9 Incidents and Judicial Scrutiny**
In a significant accusation, Asif alleged that the May 9 incidents, which involved attacks on military installations, were a “joint venture” orchestrated by the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Faiz Hameed, emphasizing that the PTI founder could not have acted alone. The Defense Minister also directed criticism towards the judiciary, stating it had deprived Nawaz Sharif of his right to appeal.
These claims resonate with other political statements, as Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani also accused the PTI founder and his party of echoing the rhetoric of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Meanwhile, Senior Punjab Minister Maryam Aurangzeb highlighted the province’s commitment to religious representation without fear and noted the recovery of national assets from those who “occupied the country for four years.” Separately, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Amir Muqam criticized Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for allegedly avoiding discussions on the health crisis and hospital conditions in his province.
**National Security and Law Enforcement Actions**
In law enforcement developments, the Deputy Commissioner of Bahawalpur, Syed Hassan Raza, suspended three personnel of the Para Force. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, security forces conducted successful operations in various areas, neutralizing 13 militants. A police raid to apprehend a suspect, Shamrez, on Thandiani Road resulted in a shootout after the suspect and his accomplices opened fire on officers. Additionally, authorities in Quetta initiated action against violations of the election code of conduct pertaining to local body elections. In a perplexing incident, a citizen reported missing from Baloch Colony was later located in Larkana, leading to an FIR being registered by his son.
**Environmental Concerns and Infrastructure Challenges**
Pakistan continues to grapple with severe environmental challenges. Lahore has been ranked the second most polluted major city globally, recording a hazardous 337 Air Particulate Matter index. Concurrently, various sections of motorways in Punjab were closed to traffic due to severe fog conditions, disrupting travel. Amid these challenges, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) appealed to the government for swift intervention to end the ongoing strike by goods transporters.
**International Condolences and Social Developments**
On the international front, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori extended heartfelt condolences to the Australian High Commissioner in Pakistan following a shooting incident at a Sydney beach. President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed profound grief over the tragic event in Sydney.
In other news, the national airline clarified that a social media campaign targeting its staff was baseless and misleading. Balochistan’s Health Department announced the completion of the first phase of its AI-based attendance system, registering employees across District Headquarters Hospitals and medical colleges in all districts. Internationally, Pakistani youth Sheikh Naveed was subjected to propaganda by Indian and Afghan social media, which erroneously labeled him an attacker.
**Briefs from Around the World**
Brief international snippets included details from the Sydney shooting, where Sydney Shooters players were reportedly granted leniency to use their phones during the incident while warming up. Furthermore, law enforcement agencies reported that a family member of American filmmaker Rob Reiner discovered two individuals deceased at their home. In the realm of sports, cricketer Michael Vaughan commented on his efforts to remain calm under pressure. Meanwhile, YouTubers Rajab Butt and Nadeem Mubarak have approached the court seeking bail in a case related to the promotion of online gambling. Finally, a film project aims to spotlight the rich sports culture, civilization, and positive aspects of Lyari.
