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## Political Disillusionment Hits PTI Ranks, Minister Alleges
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, has leveled sharp criticism against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), asserting that the party’s core voter base is experiencing significant disillusionment, leading to widespread apathy.
Speaking on the Geo News program *Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Ke Saath*, Minister Tarar alleged that the PTI’s calls for public mobilization are now largely ineffective, noting that even in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where the party holds power, political rallies in major cities like Peshawar and Kohat are failing to draw crowds. He stated plainly: “The PTI voter has become disappointed and stayed home.”
The Minister also addressed the conditions of the PTI founder’s incarceration, claiming that the detainee enjoys substantial privileges, including access to a treadmill and one and a half hours of cycling. He controversially remarked that the daily breakfast cost of the PTI founder is equivalent to the four-day food budget of a poor person.
Tarar contrasted the current situation with the time when former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was jailed, emphasizing that Sharif’s legal counsel focused strictly on judicial proceedings, avoiding political discourse—a standard he says is now being violated. He warned that any violation of the jail detainee manual will result in the suspension of visitation rights.
## Security Forces Recover 14 Abducted Passengers
In a significant law enforcement success, all 14 passengers who had been abducted from a commercial bus traveling between Sadiqabad and Quetta were safely recovered.
Meanwhile, Additional Inspector General (AIG) Karachi Javed Alam Odho presided over a high-level security meeting to finalize comprehensive security arrangements for the upcoming Christmas celebrations. Separately, in Shikarpur, a railway track near Humayun was damaged following an explosion. In Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Hadeed area, two suspects successfully robbed two separate superstores over a period of two days.
## Key Appointments and Governance Updates
President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath of office to Zafar Hijazi, who officially assumed his duties as the Federal Tax Ombudsman in Islamabad.
In provincial governance matters, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi visited Central Jail Peshawar, where he announced a special remission of two months for prisoners’ sentences. Conversely, action has reportedly begun to declare CM Afridi an absconder in a separate legal matter. Furthermore, a petition was filed in the Peshawar High Court seeking the removal of Provincial Minister Amjad Ali’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL) and the Provincial National Identity List (PNIL).
In Balochistan, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti highlighted the rapidly escalating severity of the drought across the province, promising comprehensive planning to mitigate the crisis.
## Diplomatic and Legislative Developments
The new Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Pakistan, Salem Mohammed Al Zaabi, arrived at Governor House Sindh in Karachi. He met with Governor Kamran Tessori to discuss strengthening bilateral Pakistan-UAE relations, boosting investment, and cooperation on other shared affairs.
During a session of the Sindh Assembly, two important resolutions were presented: one advocating for the modernization of the fire brigade system, and another honoring the sacrifices of the Pakistani Armed Forces and the Bihari community during the tragedy of East Pakistan.
Separately, delegations from the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Aaeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) visited the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) office and met with National Awami Party chief Aftab Sherpao as part of their political consultations.
## Miscellaneous National and International Briefs
The General Secretary of the Marriage Hall Association, Rao Tariq, publicly rejected the implementation of the ‘One Dish Law’, stating it was unacceptable at the public level. In Leiah, a two-year-old child tragically died after falling into a sewage pit in Basti Kakkar Wala.
On the international front, the Human Rights Council of Pakistan (HRCP) reacted critically to the action of Indian state Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who allegedly pulled the veil of a Muslim female doctor. The father of the civilian who subdued the attacker at Bondi Beach in Australia, Muhammad Fateh, stated that his son’s bravery saved dozens of innocent lives.
Finally, DSP Usman Haider has been suspended following his arrest on charges related to the murder of his wife and daughter. The death of veteran politician Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo has also been confirmed by his family.
