Blaze News - Pakistan

The federal government has raised prices of petroleum products by up to Rs3.02 per litre for the next 15 days, with the new rates taking effect from November 1, 2025. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Finance on Friday, the price of petrol has been jacked up by Rs2.43 per litre, bringing it up from Rs263.02 to Rs265.45 per litre. The price of high-speed diesel has been raised by Rs3.02 per litre, from Rs275.42 to Rs278.44 per litre. Officials said the increase follows recent upward trends in international oil prices and is likely to add to the people’s woes as they have already been facing inflationary pressures. On October 15, the federal government had announced a reduction in prices of petroleum products by up to Rs5.66 per litre. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Finance, the price of petrol had been cut by Rs5.66 per litre, bringing it down from Rs268.68 to Rs263.02 per litre. The price of high-speed diesel had been reduced by Rs1.39 per lit...

One out of three people in Pakistan is suffering from some form of psychological disorder, experts revealed during the 26th International Conference on Mental Health held in Karachi. The alarming figures highlight a growing mental health crisis driven by social, economic, and environmental stressors. Scientific Committee Chairman of the conference, Professor Muhammad Iqbal Afridi, told The Express Tribune that 34 per cent of Pakistan’s population — one in three individuals — is affected by mental disorders, compared with one in five globally. He said women are disproportionately impacted, largely due to domestic conflicts and social inequality. “Women in Pakistan are often deprived of the respect and recognition they deserve, leading to heightened levels of depression and anxiety,” he noted. Read: Court holds waste collection firm, driver responsible in biker’s death, orders Rs42.7m compensation Professor Afridi added that the use of narcotics such as crystal meth (ice) and other addic...

Despite the introduction of the city’s modern and automated faceless e-ticketing system, accidents caused by heavy traffic continue unabated in Karachi. A speeding dumper truck hit a motorcycle near Indus Chowrangi, Korangi, killing the rider on the spot and injuring two others. After the accident, enraged citizens set the dumper on fire. According to the police, traffic officers had signalled the dumper to stop, but the driver ignored the signal and continued at high speed before hitting the motorcycle from behind. As usual, the dumper driver fled the scene and police are 'making efforts' to nab him. Body of the deceased was shifted to Jinnah Hospital for legal formalities. Police reached the scene promptly and called the fire brigade. Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames, but the front portion of the dumper was completely destroyed. Read: New face-less e-ticketing system issues fine to Karachi Traffic DIG's vehicle The deceased was identified as 40-year-old Muham...

Iran claimed the gold medal in the men’s volleyball tournament at the 3rd Asian Youth Games after defeating Pakistan 3-0 in the final, while Pakistan had to settle for silver. Iran’s strong side overpowered Pakistan in straight sets (3-0) during the final match of the event being held in Bahrain. Despite showing impressive form throughout the tournament and remaining undefeated until the final, the Pakistani team fell short against a dominant Iranian performance. Iran won the first set 25-21, followed by a hard-fought 25-23 victory in the second set, and sealed the title with another 25-23 win in the third set. Earlier in the semifinals, Pakistan had defeated Indonesia 3-1, while Iran overcame Thailand 3-0 to reach the final. This silver medal adds to Pakistan’s growing success at the Games, where the country had earlier won a bronze medal in kabaddi. With one silver and one bronze, Pakistan has now climbed from 35th to 29th position in the overall standings. Meanwhile, China continues...

The board of directors of Oil & Gas Development Company Limited has declared first interim cash dividend of Rs3.50 per share — the highest first-quarter dividend in the company’s history. The announcement was made during a meeting of the board, which also approved the financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. The OGDCL posted net sales revenue of Rs96.192 billion and profit after tax amounting to Rs38.305 billion, translating into earnings per share (EPS) of Rs8.91. During the period, the company contributed Rs64 billion to the national exchequer through corporate tax and government levies, while its oil and gas production contributed foreign exchange savings of $703 million as import substitution. The quarter’s results reflected the combined impact of forced production curtailments by SNGPL and UPL and a lower average crude oil basket price, partly offset by a higher realised gas price and appreciation of the US dollar against rupee. Average daily net sa...

Pakistan ranks among the world's most climate-vulnerable nations. As monsoons intensify and floods become more frequent, the country's already fragile education system faces a deepening crisis. Natural disasters, particularly recurrent floods, routinely damage school infrastructure, displace communities and disrupt learning. Yet, relief practices often treat education as an afterthought, converting schools into shelters and compromising educational continuity. The result: generations of children lose not only classrooms but also opportunities. Each monsoon season, floodwaters ravage classrooms, wash away textbooks and force schools to shut down. In many districts, school buildings, often constructed with minimal resilience, are either destroyed or declared unsafe. In others, schools that remain structurally intact are repurposed as emergency shelters, displacing students and teachers alike. This double burden of physical destruction and use as relief hubs renders classrooms ina...

Accustomed to the relaxed implementation of the traffic regulations in Karachi, the city dwellers got a rude awakening when the much talked about Traffic Regulation and Citation System actually became operational. Within just six hours of its launch in the metropolis, the faceless Traffic Regulation and Citation System (TRACS) automatically generated more than 2,600 e-tickets amounting to over Rs13 million for various traffic violations. According to DIG Traffic Police Peer Muhammad Shah, the new automated system utilises cutting-edge surveillance technology, including Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Intelligent Transport System (ITS), and Facial Recognition (FR) cameras, all integrated under the Safe City Authority to identify and fine traffic violators. The DIG added that modern surveillance cameras have so far been installed in 30 per cent of the city's areas, with work in the remaining zones expected to be completed soon. Currently, major arteries and areas — includi...

A government audit has uncovered security and administrative lapses at several Special Initiative Police Stations (SIPS) in Punjab, revealing widespread non-compliance with surveillance and monitoring standards prescribed under the policing reforms of the province. According to the audit report, multiple police stations, established under the SIPS programme, failed to install CCTV cameras in key areas — a direct violation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) set by the Punjab Home Department. The SOPs mandated camera installation in every section of the police station, including investigation and interrogation rooms, moharar rooms, record rooms, waiting areas, and storerooms, to ensure transparency and accountability. However, field inspections by the audit team revealed incomplete or inadequate coverage at most stations. In several cases it was noticed, only four to five cameras were installed, primarily covering entrances and lockups. The report observed that such limited plac...

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi appealed to Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Monday for the restoration both domestic and international flight operations of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from Peshawar, citing growing travel demand and hardships faced by passengers. In a formal letter addressed to the minister, Kundi called for the resumption of daily flights between Peshawar and Karachi, stressing that the current lack of options has led to inflated airfares and inconvenience for commuters, traders and business owners. At present, only one private carrier operates on the route. Kundi also underscored the need to revive international flights from Peshawar, especially to Gulf and Middle Eastern countries, where a large population of overseas Pakistanis from K-P lives and works. He noted that the suspension of these routes has created difficulties for expatriates, their families, and entrepreneurs who depend on direct and affordab...

A young man from Rawalpindi has lodged a complaint with the police against a jail officer from Multan. He alleged in his complaint that he was sexually assaulted and blackmailed after developing an online friendship through the social-media platform TikTok, police said on Sunday. According to the complainant, the officer—posted at Central Jail, Nishtar Multan—first reached out to him on TikTok, expressing personal interest and seeking to meet in person. The officer, he said, repeatedly messaged him for several months, sharing details of his life, including claims of a divorce, and telling him he 'liked' him and wanted to be friends. Police said the complainant accused the officer of contacting him several times a day over a six-month period and frequently inviting him to Multan. When the victim initially refused, the officer stopped contacting him briefly before resuming communication. On June 1, the officer allegedly contacted him again, obtained his phone number, and said he ...

Strawberries in the fall weather, cherries whipped into cream and cakes steeped in orange juice defined Islamabad’s very own cake picnic. Following the trend of events themed around niche interests and inspired by similar events hosted in other regions, home bakers and cake enthusiasts in the capital spent an evening tasting unique cake flavours and divulging baking secrets over matcha. With 175 cakes in a variety of autumnal and chocolate flavours and 300 attendees from across the twin cities, the Islamabad ‘Cakenic’, hosted at the MMM Arena, featured the largest dessert spread in the city. The cake picnic, a concept popularised on Instagram, invites bakers to bring their own delectable creations to a city-wide picnic, where they each receive a box to fill up with slices of as many cakes as they can while mingling with the local cake community. With similar gatherings having occurred in other cities and themed picnics having become a sport, groups of sweet-toothed friends and families...

The Khawaja Sara (transgender) community celebrated the Hijra Festival 2025 with a vibrant rally that captured both the cultural and political aspirations of the community. Transgender people and their supporters turned out in huge numbers demanding recognition, respect, and the right to equal opportunities in society. The rally, which began on Saturday at Burns Garden, was filled with energy as participants danced and raised their voices in support of their demands. The procession culminated at the festival venue, where speeches, performances, and calls for solidarity echoed throughout the day. This year’s event marked the third annual Hijra Festival, which has steadily gained momentum as a platform for both celebration and advocacy. Community leader Kami Chaudhry said, "While the transgender community is an integral part of society, they continue to face systemic marginalisation. We are citizens of this country, yet we are not treated equally. We face discrimination, and our bas...

The federal government has implemented another condition set by the International Monetary Fund by curtailing the powers of the Federal Board of Revenue, which will now function solely as a tax collection agency rather than a policymaking body. The government has activated the Tax Policy Office within the Ministry of Finance as part of the IMF’s structural reforms. With this move, the authority to formulate tax policies has been transferred from the FBR to the new office. According to official sources, Dr Najeeb Ahmed Memon has been appointed as the head of the Tax Policy Office for a two-year term, while several other key appointments have also been finalised. Naeem Hasan has been named Director Business Taxation, Fida Muhammad as Director International Taxation, Munir Ahmed as Director Direct/Indirect Taxation, and Ijaz Hussain as Director Personal Taxation. All officials will serve under a Special Professional Pay Scale (SPPS). Sources said, the Tax Policy Office will become ful...

The Foreign Office has clarified that the Afghan Transit Trade remains closed and will stay shut until there is a significant improvement in the security situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Speaking at the weekly press briefing, FO spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said the decision was prompted by recent armed attacks launched from across the border that claimed Pakistani lives. “We feel for the hardships faced by traders and businessmen. Ordinary people are also affected because of non-availability of commodities,” Andrabi said. “But at the border points with Afghan Transit Trade, armed attacks were carried out against Pakistan, killing Pakistanis. This pains us gravely. For us, the lives of Pakistanis are more important than any commodity traded.” The spokesperson emphasised that national security and the protection of Pakistani citizens are more important than any trade-related concerns. “We have to have a very clear priority on Afghan Transit Trade and our security. ...

Access to reliable and climate-resilient health and sanitation services has become critical for communities along Sindh's coastal belt, where poverty, heatwaves, and recurrent floods continue to endanger lives. To address this, the Sindh Community Foundation (SCF), with support from the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), has inaugurated a series of sanitation and health infrastructure schemes under the project "Restoration of Social Services and Climate Resilience" in union councils Garho and Bijoro, District Thatta. The newly developed facilities - including eco-friendly waiting areas, solar power systems, medical equipment for women's health, and 60 toilets across five villages - are centered around the Basic Health Unit (BHU) Garho. These interventions will directly benefit over 5,000 residents, particularly women, by improving access to safe, clean, and climate-adaptive healthcare. Also Read: Polio, Measles-Rubella vaccination from Nov 17 Speaking at the in...

The United States will expand the use of facial recognition technology to track non-citizens entering and leaving the country in an effort to combat visa overstays and passport fraud, according to a government document published on Friday. A new regulation will allow US border authorities to require non-citizens to be photographed at airports, seaports, land crossings and other points of departure, expanding on an earlier pilot program. Under the regulation, set to take effect on December 26, US authorities could also require the submission of other biometrics such as fingerprints or DNA. It allows border authorities to use facial recognition for children under age 14 and elderly people over 79, groups that are currently exempted. Read More: US strike on suspected Venezuelan drug boat kills six in Caribbean The tighter border rules reflect a broader effort by US President Donald Trump to crack down on illegal immigration. While the Republican president has boosted resources to secure t...

China’s Communist Party elite vowed on Thursday to build a modern industrial system and step up efforts to achieve technological self-reliance, moves seen as key to strengthening its position amid intensifying rivalry with the United States. As expected, the Party’s Central Committee also pledged to expand domestic demand and improve livelihoods — long-standing goals that have taken a back seat in recent years as Beijing prioritised manufacturing and investment — though few details were provided. During the four-day closed-door meeting, known as a plenum, leaders also replaced 11 members — the highest personnel turnover since 2017 — amid an ongoing military corruption purge. Read More: China, Russia hail Pak-Afghan ceasefire China’s assertive industrial policies have created sophisticated domestic supply chains and global dominance in many sectors. These policies have bolstered Beijing’s confidence in its trade war with the US, where President Donald Trump has threatened triple-digit t...

The construction of new roads, highways, transmission lines, and infrastructure networks is bringing humans and Pakistan’s iconic snow leopards dangerously close, warned the World Wide Fund for Nature on the occasion of International Snow Leopard Day. In a statement, WWF-Pakistan highlighted that development projects are narrowing the distance between the two, creating new challenges for the survival of the endangered species. The spread of highways, power transmission lines, and infrastructure networks is increasingly pushing snow leopards toward human settlements, raising the risk of conflict and threatening their long-term survival. According to the WWF-Pakistan, the country’s first-ever Road Ecology Study has revealed that road infrastructure is fragmenting the snow leopard’s natural habitats. Construction activities and expanded roads are disrupting their movement patterns, while heavy traffic along the Karakoram Highway has caused noise and air pollution that could affect wil...

The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation has announced plans to set up electric vehicle charging stations across the city to promote eco-friendly transportation and reduce carbon emissions. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting held at the KMC Head Office with Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab in the chair, who directed relevant departments to begin work on setting up EV charging facilities in key areas of the metropolis. In the first phase, charging stations will be installed along Shahrah-e-Faisal, Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road, and Stadium Road. Also Read: MDCAT 2026: higher eligibility criteria, revised exam structure Mayor Wahab said the initiative reflects Karachi’s commitment to building a greener and smarter urban future. “This project is not just about installing charging points — it’s about enabling citizens to shift from conventional fuel-based transport to cleaner and sustainable alternatives,” he said, adding that KMC will allocate land and develop the facilities using its o...

In a tragic incident in Khairpur, a woman allegedly killed her husband and four children before committing suicide, reportedly over suspicions of her husband’s extramarital affair. All six members of a prominent business family were found dead in their home in Khairpur on Tuesday, in what police believe was a case of murder-suicide. According to A-Section Police Station SHO Inspector Nazir Mangi, officers rushed to the residence of businessman Naveed Arain after receiving reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, they found all six bodies in separate rooms, each bearing gunshot wounds to the head and abdomen. The deceased were identified as 35-year-old Arain; his wife, 30-year-old Aqsa; their three sons, Ali Sher, Ahmed Ali, and Muhammad Musa; and their daughter, Mubashra. The children were aged between six and fourteen. Also Read: Punjab receives 87 new electric buses to serve Rawalpindi, Islamabad Initial investigations suggest that Aqsa allegedly used her husband’s licensed pistol to kill e...

In Karachi, where food is a celebrated part of life, the behind-the-scenes reality of the restaurant industry is far darker. A documentary, 'Exposing Karachi's Restaurant Industry', which was released last week on Raftar's YouTube channel is narrated by Shifa Leghari and sheds light on the exploitation of restaurant waiters, many of whom work long hours without a proper salary. "Apart from the sea, food is the only thing Karachi's people have an edge over Islamabad and Lahore," said Shifa. Indulging in the best the city has to offer, she recalled, "When I visited a local restaurant, I noticed that there were waiters everywhere. Sometimes there are more waiters than customers." She wondered how restaurants could afford so many waiters. She then went digging around to find out how much money these waiters make on a 12-hour shift, and was shocked. Upon further inspection, she found out that some of the top fast-food chains pay as little as Rs15,000,...

The enforcement of 1.8% Sindh Infrastructure Development Cess by the provincial government has delayed the clearance of petroleum products at Karachi Port, creating fears of a nationwide shortage of fuel supplies. The 1.8% cess could raise the cost of petroleum products by more than Rs3 per litre. The imposition of this cess will directly impact consumers, even though fuel prices are regulated. The Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) has written a letter to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, alerting him to the situation. According to the OCAC, petroleum product cargoes currently being discharged, as well as ships anchored at ports, require immediate customs clearance. The letter stated that Pakistan State Oil’s oil tankers – MT Islam 2 and MT Hanifa – are berthed and awaiting customs clearance. It added that oil stocks at the Keamari oil terminal are depleting and the two vessels berthed at Karachi Port Trust (KPT) must be granted immediate customs clearance. “Only after customs c...

The UN's office in Yemen said Sunday that 20 of its staff were still being detained by Huthi rebels following a raid on their building in Sanaa the day before. On Saturday, the UN office had said Huthi security forces had made an "unauthorised entry" into their compound, adding the staff there were "safe and accounted for". "Five national staff and fifteen international staff remain detained within the compound," Jean Alam, spokesman for the UN resident coordinator, said on Sunday. "The United Nations is in contact with the authorities in Sanaa and with relevant Member States and the Government of Yemen to resolve this serious situation as swiftly as possible, end the detention of all personnel, and restore full control over its facilities in Sanaa." Read More: Top Houthi military official killed The rebels had already stormed UN offices in Sanaa on August 31, detaining more than 11 employees, according to the UN. Those employees were suspect...

Against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China, fashion, culture, and diplomacy converged in spectacular harmony as the Pakistan Embassy Beijing, in collaboration with the China International Cultural Communication Center (CICCC), hosted the inaugural Pakistan-China Fashion Show. The historic stone pathway—long a symbol of unity, strength, and cultural resilience—was transformed into a vibrant runway, marking the first-ever fashion event of its kind at this iconic location. The evening brought together a curated mix of heritage, innovation, and cross-cultural creativity, celebrating the evolving aesthetic synergy between Pakistan and China. Acclaimed Pakistani designers Maheen Khan, Moazzam Abbasi, Ayesha Tariq, Rizwaullah, and Zain Hashmi unveiled bespoke collections crafted to reflect a fusion of Pakistani craftsmanship with Chinese artistic influences. The garments celebrated tradition while embracing modern silhouettes, tailored to resonate wi...

Alarming irregularities in the disposal of valuable land by the Karachi Development Authority have prompted Director General Asif Jan Siddiqui to constitute a 10-member committee to investigate the alleged fraudulent transfer of a prime plot in Federal B Area, sources said on Sunday. As per details, the latest case involves plot number BS-57, measuring 400 square yards in Federal B Area, Block 7, which was allegedly disposed of by KDA officials in collusion with a powerful land mafia. Upon receiving reports of the fraud, the KDA DG took serious notice and ordered an inquiry into the matter. The committee will be headed by KDA Finance Member Kashif Khan and will include senior officials from different departments — among them, the senior director land, KDA secretary, law officer, director E&E, director P&UD, additional director IT, additional director recoveries, and the executive engineer of Federal B Area. The additional director commercial will serve as both member and secret...

The Pakistan Peoples Party has given one-month deadline to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz led federal government to fulfill the commitments made during the formation of the coalition. The PPP has warned that the party will reassess its position and determine its future course of action if the promises remain unmet. Addressing a press conference after a meeting of the PPP Central Executive Committee (CEC), senior party leader Senator Sherry Rehman — flanked by PPP Information Secretary Nadeem Afzal Chan and Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon — said the party had raised its concerns directly with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. لائیو: پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کی سینٹرل ایگزیکٹو کمیٹی کے اجلاس کے بعد میڈیا بریفنگ https://t.co/bSD9cY8Xut — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) October 18, 2025 “In Punjab, people — especially farmers — are in extreme distress,” she said. “Their lands and livestock have been swept away by floods, leaving them with a bleak and uncertain future. On this issue, party Cha...

Meta Platforms has begun testing an optional Facebook feature in the United States and Canada that lets its artificial intelligence tools sift through users’ smartphone camera rolls to recommend photos and videos to post — even those never uploaded to the platform. The company said the opt-in service, launched on Friday, is designed to help users “find hidden gems” buried among screenshots and casual snaps. Once activated, the tool automatically uploads media from a user’s device to Meta’s cloud, where its AI system generates suggested edits or collages that can be saved or shared. Meta stressed that the content will not be used to train its AI models unless users choose to edit or publish the suggested creations. Read More: Nvidia shows first US-made Blackwell AI chip wafer "The camera roll media uploaded by this feature to make suggestions won’t be used to improve AI at Meta,” company spokesperson Mari Melguizo said in an email. “Only if you edit the suggestions with our AI tool...

It is a déjà vu moment for TLP as it is once again on the verge of being proscribed by the state. Several attempts in yesteryears were also made to outlaw the religio-political party, but politics of exigency saved it from the guillotine. Known for its fire-spitting brand of public campaigns, the party has time and again crossed swords with state authorities, even though its birth is attributed to the forces of status quo. In the years 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022, the party went on a vandalising spree while hitting the streets. Scenes of lawlessness, especially in Rawalpindi and Lahore, are still fresh in the memories, and the same was reenacted last week as it called for a march on the capital to protest against Israeli atrocities in Gaza. However, the Punjab government's recommendation to the Federation to ban TLP is no solution, as the tendency of banning parties has almost always backfired. The banned entities rather succeed in galvanising more sympathies for their cause, besides...

The question is simple, who are you? This question seems to garners similar replies. When asked, people tend to start talking about their profession, "I am a doctor, I am a lawyer, I am an engineer, I am a psychiatrist." But that particular answer might be incorrect. It only tells us what you do for a living but it doesn't tell us who you are. Some may say they are Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist. But is that really who they are? Merely products of their God and nothing else? Is your religion your only identity? Who you bow down before is who you believe in and for some, it becomes their entire identity. They dress a certain way and look a certain way. No harm in that. Each to their own. But sometimes, you can learn a lot about someone from where they're headed in life or what their goals in life are. Some may be working towards a great discovery; some might be prophesising with their pen and some might just be surviving. Interestingly, the holy Quran also poses this rhetor...

China supports countries in exercising restraint and realising a full and lasting ceasefire, its foreign ministry said on Thursday, when asked about Pakistan and Afghanistan agreeing to a 48-hour ceasefire. China stands ready to continue to play a constructive role for continued improvement in the two countries’ relations, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry, told a regular press briefing. Both neighbouring countries engaged in ground fighting and Pakistan launched airstrikes across their contested frontier, killing dozens and wounding hundreds before agreeing to a 48-hour truce on Wednesday. Read More: Pakistan ready for talks with Afghanistan under legitimate conditions: PM Shehbaz Sharif told his cabinet in Islamabad that Pakistan had "retaliated" as it ran out of patience with Afghanistan following a series of militant attacks. "If they want to talk on our valid conditions and want to resolve through dialogue we are ready for that," Sharif said. ...

The Pakistani passport has slipped in global rankings, but citizens can still travel visa-free to more than 30 destinations across the world, according to the Henley Passport Index released earlier this week. The latest ranking places Pakistan 103rd, tied with Yemen, with visa-free access to 31 countries. This marks a slight decline from its previous 96th position, when Pakistani nationals could travel to 32 destinations without a visa. Despite the fall, the passport still grants entry to several Caribbean, African and Asian destinations, as well as one in the Gulf Cooperation Council region. Read More: Pakistani passport slips further in global rankings Pakistani passport holders can visit Qatar, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Timor-Leste in Asia; Burundi, Comoro Islands, Cape Verde Islands, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, Vanuatu in Africa. Other destinations open to Pakistani travellers include Cook ...

The Punjab government and the Islamabad Capital Territory administration have launched a widespread crackdown against Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, sealing several of its offices, mosques, and seminaries amid heightened tensions ahead of the group’s planned protests. The coordinated operation follows days of violence and comes just before the TLP’s scheduled countrywide demonstrations on Friday. Officials said the crackdown aims to curb unrest and prevent the misuse of religious platforms to incite violence and chaos. In Islamabad, authorities sealed the central TLP office located in the rural area of Murree Road at Athal Chowk, along with another party office in Madina Town on Simly Dam Road, Bhara Kahu. The central mosque and seminary Anwar Madina in Nai Abadi, Bhara Kahu, and another mosque in Mohallah Tekri were also closed. Read More: Govt made efforts for peaceful resolution, but TLP chose violence: Naqvi At the union council level, TLP offices in Shahpur and the Mumtaz Qadri Mosqu...

As tensions between neighboring countries escalate, land grabbers swiftly moved in to occupy the homes and shops of Afghan nationals who had been repatriated from Karachi's Gulshan-e-Maymar Afghan Refugee Camp. The families left on an emergency basis, triggering a large-scale anti-encroachment operation. The repatriation of Afghan refugees from the camp led to a confrontation when squatters, accompanied by women and children, began moving into the vacated houses. The operation, launched by various civic and law enforcement agencies, turned violent when illegal occupants resisted and attacked police officers with stones. In response, authorities used baton charges and detained several suspects. During the day-long operation, dozens of unoccupied houses were demolished. The operation was carried out jointly by the Malir Development Authority (MDA), Anti-Encroachment Department, Police, Rangers, Deputy Commissioner (West), and Revenue officials. Land mafia seizes vacant homes Witnesse...