Security forces kill 12 terrorists in two KP, Balochistan IBOs: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Security forces gunned down 12 terrorists in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Balochistan’s Kech and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s and North Waziristan and districts, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday.

“On 12-13 November 2024, Security Forces conducted an intelligence based operation in general area Miran Shah, North Waziristan District on reported presence of khwarij,” the military’s media wing said.

It added that during conduct of the operation security forces effectively engaged khwarij’s location, as a result of which, eight khwarij were killed and six got injured.

“Sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Khwarji found in the area, as security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe-out the menace of terrorism from the country,” the statement.

In an earlier statement, the ISPR said that the security forces killed four terrorists including their ringleader Sana aka Baru in an IBO in Balochistan’s Kech district.

According to the ISPR, Sana alias Baru was focal recruitment agent, especially suicide bombers, for so called Majeed Brigade in District Kech and was highly wanted by the Law Enforcement Agencies.

It added that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists.

“Sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other terrorist found in the area. Security Forces of Pakistan, in step with Nation, remain determined to thwart attempts of sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan,” the ISPR added.

Read More: Army major among three martyred, eight khwarij killed in Bannu IBO

Earlier on October 30, the security forces killed eight Khawarij in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district while three army personnel including a major embraced martyrdom.

from Latest Pakistan News and Breaking News from All over Pakistan https://ift.tt/Gxt83gj

Is Punjab govt going to close wedding halls amid smog?

LAHORE: The Punjab government has informed the Lahore High Court about a proposal to close wedding halls in November and December 2025 as part of measures to control smog, ARY News reported.

During a hearing on petitions regarding smog management, Justice Shahid Karim emphasized the importance of long-term policies to address the ongoing issue of air pollution.

The Advocate General of Punjab, Khalid Ishaq mentioned that while it may not be feasible to close wedding halls immediately, plans are in place to shut them during the upcoming November-December period.

Justice Karim pointed stated that while the government has made commendable efforts, however, a more sustainable approach is needed. Such as relocating industries on the outskirts of Lahore and reducing transportation emissions, which are responsible for 70-80 per cent (pc) of Lahore’s pollution.

Justice Karim pointed out that smog is expected to remain until January and to effectively address it, a policy needs to be devised. He also highlighted the role of private and public sector vehicles, including the government’s speedo buses, which contribute to the pollution.

Justice Karim stressed the importance of long-term measures, including stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and the introduction of school buses by private schools to reduce pollution.

The court has asked for a report on the steps being taken to provide buses for private educational institutions.

Read More: Lahore reports over 15,000 cases amid smog in 24 hours

The smog crisis in Lahore has worsened, with over 15,000 cases of respiratory and viral infections reported in just 24 hours

The city’s hospitals are overwhelmed with patients suffering from dry cough, breathing difficulties, pneumonia, and chest infections.

The majority of cases were reported at major government hospitals, including Mayo Hospital (4,000+ patients), Jinnah Hospital (3,500 patients), Gangaram Hospital (3,000 patients), and Children’s Hospital (2,000+ patients).

Medical experts warn that children and patients with pre-existing conditions, such as asthma and heart disease, are particularly vulnerable to the smog’s effects. “Special children are severely affected,” said Professor Ashraf Zia.

The smog has led to an increase in various viral diseases, including pneumonia, chest infections, and skin diseases. “Over 10 viral diseases are currently prevalent in Lahore,” he said.

from Latest Pakistan News and Breaking News from All over Pakistan https://ift.tt/7Lg4t5E

Magnitude 5.3 earthquake jolts Islamabad, KP

ISLAMABAD: An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale jolted Islamabad and cities of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Wednesday, ARY News reported.

The National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) confirmed that tremors were felt in Islamabad, Swat, Malakand, Charsadda, Mansehra, Swabi, Mardan, Peshawar, Chitral, Upper Dir, Khyber, Landi Kotal, Jamrod, Tirah, Buner and other KP cities.

“The center of earthquake was Hindukush mountain range in Afghanistan and depth was 220 kilometers,” according to the National Seismic Monitoring Center in Islamabad.

Following the tremors, people came out of their houses in fear by reciting Kalma-e-Tayyaba.

However, no loss of life or property was reported in its wake.

Earlier, an earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale jolted Swat and its surrounding areas.

Read More: Magnitude 5.4 earthquake jolts Islamabad, KP cities

The earthquake’s depth was recorded at 89 kilometers, with its epicenter located in the Hindu Kush Mountain range.

Tremors were felt across Swat and adjoining regions, causing brief panic among residents. However, no immediate reports of damage or casualties were received.

On September 11, a 5.4-magnitude earthquake felt in parts of Pakistan, mostly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab

The National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) confirmed that tremors were felt in Islamabad and parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The earthquake that was recorded at 1229pm PKT was of 5.7 Magnitude with a depth of 10km while its Epicenter was near DG Khan, says PMD in a statement.

from Latest Pakistan News and Breaking News from All over Pakistan https://ift.tt/ag02Xkt

26 dead as bus carrying wedding guests plunges into river in GB

In a tragic accident, 26 people died, as a passenger bus carrying wedding guests from Astore, GB, to Chakwal veered off the Thalichi Bridge and plunged into the river.

As per details, a total of 27 people were on board the coaster, with only the bride, Malaika,, surviving.

The injured bride was taken to the hospital, and rescue operations are ongoing, with local residents, rescue teams, and police actively participating in the search efforts.

Deputy Commissioner Astore, Muhammad Tariq, confirmed that the bodies of 14 victims have been recovered and transferred to the Astore District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital. “The accident-stricken vehicle has also been retrieved from the river,” he added.

Home Minister Shams Lone commented on the incident, saying, “Initial investigations suggest that the tragedy occurred due to the vehicle’s loss of control on the slippery surface of the Thalichi Bridge.

Read more: Six FIA personnel injured in fog-related accident near Faisalabad

We are examining all factors, including potential mechanical failure, to determine the cause of this heartbreaking accident.”

Due to nightfall, the Rescue 1122 operation was temporarily suspended. Deputy Commissioner Tariq stated, “The rescue teams will resume their efforts tomorrow morning to locate and retrieve the remaining bodies.”

President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed his condolences over the loss of life in the coaster accident in GB. In a statement issued on Tuesday, he extended his sympathies to the grieving families and urged that relief efforts be accelerated.

from Latest Pakistan News and Breaking News from All over Pakistan https://ift.tt/8bAy7nP

PM Shehbaz, Danish counterpart agree to enhance bilateral cooperation

BAKU: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Denmark H. Mette Frederiksen on the sidelines of the COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan on Tuesday.

According to a press statement issued by the PM House, both sides discussed bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Denmark in different sectors including trade and investment, agriculture, information technology and climate change with special emphasis on the areas of green transition and infrastructural development.

The two leaders agreed on the need to enhance bilateral cooperation as well as build global consensus on the key climate change priorities so that the planet could be saved from the harmful impact of climate change.

Referring to 75 years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Denmark, PM Shehbaz stressed the need to expand economic ties through collaborative partnerships.

The Danish Premier conveyed their willingness to work with Pakistan for further bolstering bilateral economic ties and addressing regional and global issues of common interest.

Later, PM Shehbaz Sharif also held a meeting with his Czech Republic counterpart, Petr Fiala, in which they explored opportunities for enhanced cooperation, particularly in the areas of economic development and addressing shared regional and global challenges.

During a meeting on the margins of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, PM Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged the longstanding multifaceted relations between Pakistan and the Czech Republic, spanning both bilateral and multilateral spheres.

Both leaders underscored the importance of expanding trade and investment ties to benefit the economic growth and prosperity of both countries, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

Read More: PM Shehbaz urges stronger climate finance mechanism

PM Shehbaz also highlighted Pakistan’s strategic location and its potential as a gateway to Central Asia, inviting Czech businesses to explore investment opportunities in various sectors, including energy, technology, and manufacturing.

Regional and global issues of mutual interest were also discussed, with both leaders agreeing on the need for sustained efforts to address challenges such as regional security and sustainable development.

PM Shehbaz Sharif emphasised that climate change is one of the most pressing issues of their time, requiring a collective global response.

He reiterated that Pakistan, despite being one of the countries most affected by climate change, remained committed to advancing environmental sustainability and climate resilience initiatives.

He stressed that collaboration with international partners, including the Czech Republic, is essential to effectively combat the impacts of climate change, promote green energy, and support sustainable development goals.

from Latest Pakistan News and Breaking News from All over Pakistan https://ift.tt/iR34hub

Facilitator of Peshawar Police Lines blast makes shocking revelations

PESHAWAR: The facilitator of the Peshawar Police Lines attack has made explosive confessions, detailing his role in assisting the suicide bomber, ARY News reported. 

According to reports, Mohammad Wali, the facilitator of the Peshawar Police Lines blast, made a startling confession, revealing how he helped the suicide bomber carry out the attack.

In his statement, Muhammad Wali, a resident of Dula Zak Road in Peshawar, shared that he had joined the police in 2019.

He also confessed that he had been in contact with a member of the banned group, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, named Junaid, in 2021 via Facebook.

Muhammad Wali mentioned that Junaid persuaded him, leading to his trip to Afghanistan’s Jalalabad in 2021, where he met Junaid and officially joined Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. Wali further explained that he took an oath of allegiance to Mullah Yousaf, who provided him with 20,000 rupees. However, he was briefly detained by Afghan forces before entering Pakistan, but was released on Junaid’s orders.

In 2023, Wali, serving at Police Lines, received instructions from Junaid to avenge Commander Khalid Khorasani’s assassination. Later, he shared photographs and maps of the Police Lines with Junaid via Telegram.

On January 20, 2023, he picked up a person from a Mosque and assisted him in carrying out a recce of the Police Lines. The person, wearing a police uniform and suicide jacket, was later dropped off on a motorcycle by Muhammad Wali, who then sent a message to Junaid, confirming that the Peshawar Police Lines blast had been carried out.

Read More: Peshawar Police Lines blast: Cop who took Rs200,000 to facilitate attack arrested, says IG KP

Muhammad Wali revealed that he received Rs2,00,000 for facilitating the attack. Afterward, he transferred his posting from the Police Lines to BRT. In his confession, Wali also admitted to being involved in other terrorist activities, including a church attack in January 2022, as well as multiple IED attacks in Peshawar throughout 2023 and 2024.

Muhammad Wali stated that he had supplied weapons, including pistols and explosives, to members of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, including a fatal shooting of two policemen in Lahore in March 2024. He also revealed that he had delivered suicide jackets in August 2024 as part of further planned attacks. Wali disclosed that he was paid a monthly sum of Rs40,000 to Rs50,000 by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar for his facilitation work.

The revelations have shed light on the extent of Muhammad Wali’s involvement in terror activities and his connections with the terrorist group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. Investigations are ongoing.

Earlier, Inspector General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, Akhtar Hayat Khan, had disclosed that police successfully arrested the main facilitator behind the suicide bombing at Peshawar Police Lines.

from Latest Pakistan News and Breaking News from All over Pakistan https://ift.tt/aRKSfu2

PM Shehbaz leaves for Azerbaijan to attend COP29

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Monday left for Azerbaijan to participate in the “World Leaders’ Climate Action Summit” of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), being held in Baku.

At the International Royal Terminal, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al-Malkiy, Pakistani Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farooq and other diplomatic staff saw off the prime minister, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

During his three-day visit to Azerbaijan, the prime minister will represent Pakistan in the conference, which is being organized to underscore efforts at reducing climate pollution and to highlight the problems of those countries suffering from the harmful effects of climate change.

The prime minister will highlight the dangers of climate change affecting Pakistan.

PM Shehbaz will address the World Leaders Climate Action Summit on 13 November and attend several high-level events on the sidelines of the summit. Besides, he would hold bilateral meetings with world leaders.

Several high-level events and roundtable discussions hosted by Pakistan will also take place at the Pakistan Pavilion during COP29.

Moreover, the prime minister will also participate in the high-level event “Glaciers 2025: Action for Glaciers” which is being hosted by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.

Read More: Pakistan reiterates demand to halt Palestinians’ genocide

PM Shehbaz will also attend the high-level event “Delivering Early Warning for All and Addressing Extreme Heat” hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the rising global temperature, as well as a dinner hosted by the President of Azerbaijan in the honour of world leaders.

The prime minister will also hold bilateral meetings with the world leaders on the sidelines of COP-29, where besides, the strengthening of bilateral relations, the challenges posed by climate change to Pakistan, will be discussed.

The prime minister is accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, PM’s Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi and other senior officials.

“At the COP29, Pakistan will call for balanced and ambitious progress on all issues such as loss and damage, adaptation, mitigation and means of implementation. It will seek predictable financing to address developing countries’ climate goals.  Pakistan will also underscore the historical responsibility and the principle of Equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibility and call on developed nations to undertake deeper emission cuts,” Foreign Office Spokesperson in a press release said.

from Latest Pakistan News and Breaking News from All over Pakistan https://ift.tt/0EOq7MD