Blaze News - Pakistan

The Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation (PCMLF) has called for a judicial investigation into the devastating methane gas explosion at the Sorange coalfield near Quetta that claimed the lives of 36 miners, urging the federal and Balochistan governments to undertake comprehensive reforms to improve safety standards across Pakistan's mining sector. Addressing a press conference at the Quetta Press Club on Saturday, federation leaders expressed profound grief over the loss of the miners, describing the incident as a tragic reminder of the hazardous conditions faced daily by thousands of coal workers. They extended condolences to the bereaved families and offered prayers for the deceased, many of whom were the sole breadwinners of their households. The labour leaders said repeated mining disasters expose serious shortcomings in the enforcement of safety regulations, adding that expressions of sympathy alone are insufficient without meaningful action to protect workers. They ...

Protesters continued to block Quetta's Airport Road outside BA Mall on Monday after a deadly armed clash in the Hanna Urak area left four men dead and several others injured, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible and stronger security measures. The demonstrators placed the body of the deceased on the road and staged a sit-in, which is still going on, disrupting traffic on one of the city's busiest routes. They insisted they would continue their protest until authorities took concrete action against the attackers. According to local sources, the violence erupted when unidentified armed men reportedly confronted local tribesmen and residents in Hanna Urak. The incident sparked outrage among residents, who accused authorities of failing to maintain law and order in the area. Protesters called for a full-scale operation against armed groups and demanded lasting security arrangements to prevent further attacks. Read More: Armed clash near Quetta leaves...

The Balochistan Assembly on Friday unanimously approved a congratulatory resolution commemorating the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq, with lawmakers paying tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces for their role in defending the country and countering external threats. The resolution, moved by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, received support from both treasury and opposition members during the assembly session. Legislators described the armed forces as a symbol of national strength and praised their sacrifices for ensuring the security and sovereignty of Pakistan. Addressing the house, CM Bugti said the country’s armed forces had demonstrated professionalism and determination in responding to Indian hostility and terrorism. He stated that Pakistan had delivered a clear message that any attempt to undermine the country’s peace and stability would be met with a strong response. He said the nation remained proud of the courage and dedication shown by soldiers a...

The two remaining kidnapped footballers on Sunday returned to their homes in Dera Bugti district of Balochistan after successful negotiations between the abductees’ family members and the abductors. Caretaker Provincial Minister for Information Jan Achakzai confirmed that Babar Ali and Sheraz Khan had safely returned home, and that all the missing football players had been recovered. On Sept 9, six footballers were kidnapped by unidentified armed men in the Kachhi canal area of Sui tehsil of Dera Bugti while they were on their way to Sibi to participate in the All Pakistan Chief Minister Gold Cup Football tournament. Read More: Balochistan: why a black hole? Subsequently, an operation was launched for the recovery of the athletes. Last month, four of the six footballers were recovered and handed over to their families. However, the kidnappers had at that time refused to release the remaining two footballers. Family members and the Levies sources confirmed the release of the remaining t...

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Wednesday managed to gun down a key militant commander of the outlawed Dai’sh in an operation in Balochistan’s Mastung district. The slain Dai’sh Balochistan commander was identified as Ghulam Mohyuddin Shahwani alias Shoaib, a CTD spokesperson said in a statement. The body of the militant commander was shifted to a hospital. Senior administration officials were also present on the site of the incident. Read also: CTD dismantles terrorist network The CTD spokesperson stated that the accused was involved in attacks on Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl’s Maulana Ghafoor Haideri, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Sirajul Haq, and other acts of terrorism. The operation in which the key militant commander was killed was conducted on a tip-off, the spokesperson mentioned. He also stated that the accused was also involved in the killing of Hazara coal miners in March and other acts of terrorism in Balochistan. Mastung is considered as one of the most sensitive d...

A five-member Balochistan cabinet was sworn in on Monday evening. Governor Balochistan Malik Abdul Wali Kakar administered the oath to the newly appointed caretaker ministers. The cabinet ministers are Prince Ahmed Ali, Amjad Rasheed, Jan Achakzai, Captain (retd) Zubair Jamali and Mir Chakar Khan Rind University’s former vice-chancellor Abdul Qadir Baloch. Caretaker CM Balochistan Ali Mardan Domki, Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan, and representatives from diverse sectors were also in attendance. The first phase of the provincial cabinet has been completed, with the second phase’s announcement forthcoming. Caretaker CM Domki revealed that the initial cabinet could have around 13 members, with the possibility of expansion. He expressed a commitment to peaceful and transparent elections as the government’s foremost concern. The caretaker CM emphasized the aim of ensuring fairness in the electoral process. He highlighted that the new ministers would be selected after consulting with pol...

The body of a 28-year-old Portuguese tourist, Nuno Miguel Vilao Castanheria, was transported to Civil Hospital Quetta after he met with a fatal road accident. Castanheria had entered Pakistan from Iran on his motorbike on Wednesday evening. Tragically, while on his way to Quetta accompanied by two German tourists, Tony Pankraz Linder and Nikolas Lang, his bike collided with a pickup truck. The accident resulted in the Portuguese tourist’s immediate death, while two individuals in the pickup sustained injuries and were taken to Dalbandin Hospital for treatment. Waseem Baig, the spokesman of Civil Hospital Quetta, confirmed that they had received the body of the deceased tourist. However, as of yet, there had been no contact from the Portugal embassy regarding the matter. In response to the incident, the Balochistan Home and Tribal Affairs Department sent a letter to the Foreign Office, urging them to get in touch with the Portugal Embassy in Islamabad. The plan was to hand over the ...

A suspected suicide attack occurred near a Frontier Corps (FC) check post on Quetta’s Spinny Road on Wednesday, police said. Fortunately, the perpetrator prematurely detonated the explosives, sparing potential casualties. However, the blast instigated panic among the residents, according to police officials. The reason behind the bomber's decision to detonate the explosives remains unclear, leaving uncertainty as to whether it was an intentional act or a result of an inadvertent occurrence. No group is yet to take responsibility for the attack. Read more: Bajaur suicide blast death toll climbs to 63 The incident transpired in the aftermath of a suicide blast that struck a political gathering in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's (K-P) Bajaur district, claiming the lives of 63 people. The blast occurred in Khar tehsil of the district, a town bordering Afghanistan. According to eyewitnesses, hundreds of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) workers along with the local leader were present at the c...

Former Balochistan chief minister and ex-president of the ruling Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Jam Kamal Khan, Senator Sarfaraz Bugti, Anwarul Haq Kakar, and others are likely to join the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N). Reliable sources told The Express Tribune on Monday that prominent BAP leaders, including Mir Asim Kurd Gailo, Mitha Khan Kakar, Sardar Masood Luni, and Muhammad Khan Lehri, are also considering joining the ranks of the ruling party at the Centre. This potential shift in allegiance comes in the wake of a recent announcement issued jointly by Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Quddus Bizenjo, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Balochistan Assembly Speaker Mir Jan Muhammad Jamali, and BAP founder Senator Saeed Ahmed Hashmi. In the statement, they confirmed their commitment to maintaining the unity of the ruling BAP and expressed their intention to contest elections through the BAP platform. Read more: Bizenjo quashes BAP merger rumours "This (joining PML-N) major political...

Unknown miscreants lobbed a hand grenade at the Civil Line police station in Quetta on Saturday. Police sources said one policeman injured in the attack has been transferred to a nearby hospital. The officer is said to be out of danger. The blast left the windows of the police station shattered, but the attackers escaped unhurt from the spot. Senior police officials reached the spot as an investigation into the incident remains underway. Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Quddus Bizenjo took notice of the incident and strongly condemned the attack. He went on to direct the police to arrest the culprits involved. According to Express News, the attack was carried out by terrorists. Read Nine cops martyred in Bolan suicide bombing In April, two blasts had rocked Quetta, killing at least four people, including two policemen, and leaving scores injured. The first blast occurred in the city's Kandahari Bazar area, where terrorists had planted an improvised explosive...