The Emergency Operation Centre, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has said its fourth nationwide week-long polio campaign, which ended on Sept 27, achieved a 99pc target overall but reached 86pc children in Bannu, the hub of poliovirus.

Bannu also remained home to 4,701 polio vaccination refusal cases, second to Peshawar, which stayed atop the list of parents refusing their children’s inoculation, with a tally of 5,635.

Peshawar recorded 10,558 children who were missed by vaccinators due to their unavailability during house-to-house visits.

Recent polio campaign reached 86pc children in division

Bannu stayed second, with 5,873 children who missed immunisation for the same reason.

A total of 83,989 children missed vaccination, almost the same number as in the last campaign, and 20,167 vaccination refusal cases, up from 19,605.

Experts said that despite looming threats, vaccinators continued to reach people in violence-hit districts of the province but a few pockets everywhere, especially in southern areas, are notorious for reluctance towards the oral polio vaccine (OPV).

A recent report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) noted that Pakistan has reported just five polio cases in 2026, including four in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and one in Sindh, down significantly from 31 cases in 2025 and 74 in 2024.

It, however, noted that sustained local poliovirus transmission continued to be concentrated in three critical geographies, including the “South Region of Afghanistan, Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as Karachi”.

According to it, the South Region of Afghanistan remains the area of greatest concern, with intense virus transmission and evidence of prolonged undetected circulation.

Afghanistan, a polio-endemic country like Pakistan, has recorded 36 cases this year, up from 21 in 2025, the world health agency said.

It added that Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Bannu Division) continued to present significant operational and security challenges that impeded implementation of high-quality vaccination activities, while Karachi remained a significant reservoir for poliovirus transmission, with widespread environmental surveillance positivity indicating continued local transmission.

Officials said EOC KP had been laying special focus on high-risk districts before every campaign and held training sessions for its workers to engage communities for addressing vaccination refusals and ensure supervision and quality assurance of vaccination in line with the international commitment that every child under five years of age must receive two OPV drops during every campaign to stop virus transmission.

Officials said the campaign had been synchronised with Afghanistan to ensure that children crossing the Pak-Afghan border get OPV on either side.

They said of the 31 million children targeted nationwide, KP had 7.3 million in 37 districts, but except Bannu division and Peshawar, the targets remained far from being met in almost every campaign.

Officials at the EOC said that most children were protected but poliovirus needed just one unvaccinated child to keep circulating.

They said the virus was still present but the system was working to ensure early detection, rapid response and high campaign coverage to ensure the country’s goal of polio-eradication.

Officials said prior to every campaign, the chief secretary held meetings with deputy commissioners and district health officers to ensure quality immunisation, especially in areas where opposition to polio vaccination existed.

They, however, said some districts, especially those in Bannu Division, persistently recorded cases of the vaccination refusal and missed children.

Officials said the government recently increased wages of polio workers by 30pc as a mark of acknowledgement for their bravery in carrying out duties despite harsh situations.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved the revised PC-I for the automation of 2,761 Pakistan Post offices across the country.

According to a senior official, the project, to be implemented with financial assistance from Exim Bank, will cost over Rs6.29 billion and is scheduled for completion by December 2029.

The project was prepared and presented by Director General Pakistan Post Maqsood Ahmad during his tenure as director general.

CDWP approves revised PC-I for automation of 2,761 Pakistan Post offices

Officials consider the project a significant step towards the institution’s digital transformation and long-term sustainability.

Meanwhile, in view of Pakistan Post’s severe financial constraints and shortage of funds for fuel, the department has also begun considering the provision of electric bikes (e-bikes) to postmen in order to reduce the cost of mail delivery.

Initial steps have been launched in Punjab, where, on the instructions of the postmaster general Punjab, a survey is being conducted to ascertain postmen’s willingness to obtain e-bikes.

Under the proposal, employees may be provided e-bikes through third-party financing on easy installments.

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is also being approached for cooperation in the environment-friendly initiative.

The official said the automation project and the proposed e-bike initiative form part of broader efforts to modernise Pakistan Post’s operational structure and make more efficient use of its financial resources.

However, the final implementation of the initiatives will remain subject to the required approvals and subsequent operational steps by the relevant authorities.

Director General Pakistan Post Squadron Leader (retd) Maqsood Ahmad, commenting on the approval of the automation project, said approval of the PC-I by the CDWP was a major milestone for theorganisation.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

A bench consisting of Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Kamran Hayat Miankhel issued notices to the respondents, including the speaker and acting secretary of the assembly, seeking their response to a petition jointly filed by those five employees against their suspension and withdrawal of service benefits.

The petitioners are the office-bearers of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Secretariat Employees Cooperative Housing Society, including Additional Director (Public Relations and Media) Mohammad Abid Ibrar, Deputy Director (Coordination and Protocol) Mushtaq Ahmad, Director (Legislation and Research) Niaz Gul, Additional Director (IT) Hidayat Khan and Deputy Director (IT) Afaq Iqbal.

They requested the court to declare illegal and without lawful authority the impugned disciplinary proceedings initiated against them in their capacity as cabinet members of the housing society for alleged actions arising out of the business of the society, insisting that the same was based on mala fide of acting secretary Wiqar Shah.

Petitioners claim act of assembly secretary against them based on mala fide intent

The petitioners said that those proceedings violated the provisions of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cooperative Societies Act, 1925, especially Section 43, which vested such powers to the registrar of the Cooperative Societies, as the Act was a special law providing a complete code and procedure.

They also requested the court to strike down the impugned notification of Aug 24, 2026, to suspend them and the office orders of Aug 25 and Aug 28 regarding the withdrawal of drivers, official duties and vehicles and stoppage of their session and diet allowances, for being “super structured upon the same impugned proceedings”.

Lawyer Khaled Rahman appeared for the petitioners and said that the society in question was registered under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cooperative Societies Act, 1925, and if any member, including the acting secretary, was aggrieved by any act of the committee, a complaint could be lodged with the registrar of the Society under the law.

He also said that there was a provision about the filing of an appeal against the order of the registrar.

The counsel said that since the matter didn’t pertain to the terms and conditions of the service nor had the petitioners, in any manner, committed any disciplinary act within the meaning of misconduct, as such, the explanation letter followed by suspension was against the law.

Advocate Bashir Khan Wazir appeared for the respondents along with the assembly’s Additional Director (Law), Mushtaq Ahmad.

He contended that the petitioners had allegedly shown exaggerated rates of the land acquired for members of the society and had also committed misconduct, and as such, they’re amenable to disciplinary proceedings.

The counsel for petitioners argued that his clients and other office-bearers had worked for a considerable period to establish the society and resolved issues related to the acquisition of land.

He, however, said that the acting secretary allegedly began raising objections against them and accused them of buying expensive land, committing financial irregularities and demonstrating administrative misconduct.

The lawyer argued that the housing society’s cabinet carried out an extensive search process for selecting suitable land on the basis of properly formulated criteria and finally, in Jan 2024, the members, by a majority of votes, selected the site on the Warsak Road for the proposed project, with a proper schedule for payment at the rate of Rs175,000 per marla.

He said that around Rs380 million had been collected for the housing society on the Warsak Road, so the agreement couldn’t be abandoned. The counsel alleged that the secretary was using administrative powers to pressure the society’s members to do away with the deal.

He added that several meetings were held regarding the society’s affairs, while a fact-finding committee was also constituted to examine the allegations and other issues.

The lawyer, however, said that on Aug 24, the secretary issued a notification initiating action against the cabinet members.

He said the members submitted their resignations, which weren’t accepted and the society was dissolved and the members were suspended from service. Also, proceedings were initiated against them under the Efficiency and Discipline Rules.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

In the first incident, burglars stole priceless heirlooms and antiques belonging to the family of the Nawab of Bahawalpur, worth Rs20 million, from the house of Prince Bahawal Abbas Khan Abbasi, son of Nawab Salahuddin Abbasi, in F-8/3.

Police registered a case under Sections 454 and 380 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

The incident came to light when the family found the storeroom broken into and the heirlooms and antiques missing. The stolen items included silver and gold articles, including a silver throne chair, silver ladder, silver bowls, silver statues, gold plates, Bahawalpur-crested gold plates and a large crested silver frame bearing the Bahawalpur State crest.

Antique arms and heritage weapons, including old musket guns and swords of the Bahawalpur State, were also found missing, along with other valuable articles.

The complainant told police that stock-taking and inventory were in progress and that a supplementary list of other missing items would be submitted once the inventory was completed.

In the second incident, a gang of robbers looted cash and gold worth Rs3 million from the house of Ali Akbar Naqvi in Naval Anchorage.

Four armed men raided the house and held Naqvi’s parents hostage at gunpoint. They then ransacked the house and took eight tolas of gold, a dozen silver rings, two watches, Rs100,000 in cash and other items before escaping.

In another incident, a man allegedly looted cash and gold worth Rs2.3 million from a house in Margalla Town. The suspect entered Ali Ashgar’s house by impersonating someone and allegedly threatened the family with dire consequences.

Meanwhile, a gang of robbers allegedly snatched a motorcycle from a man in Abbasiabad. Two armed men intercepted Safi Ullah and held him at gunpoint before taking his motorcycle, mobile phone and Rs300,000 in cash.

Likewise, burglars stole cash and gold worth over Rs4.4 million from the house of Mohammad Bilal in D-12. The incident took place when the residents had gone to Murree. On their return, they found the house ransacked.

Similarly, burglars stole cash and gold from the house of Wasim Ikhlas in Alipur.

Moreover, burglars stole cash and valuables worth over Rs4.5 million from the house of Nabil Shahzad in Sri Saral.

In another incident, thieves allegedly stole 28 iPhones worth Rs8 million from the house of Ammar Farooq in DHA Phase II.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, NCCIA deputy director Abdul Wahab said that five suspects were arrested in connection with the case and Rs5.5 million was recovered from them.

He said that an investigation was launched after registration of a case following the complaint.

During the investigation, around 25 suspects belonging to Abbottabad and Islamabad were found involved in the scam, he added.

According to NCCIA officials, the suspects used fake female identities on Instagram to establish contact with victims and subsequently persuaded them to invest money in purported business ventures.

They said that relevant bank records and other evidence connected with the case had been secured, while further legal proceedings against the arrested suspects were under way.

Efforts were also being made to trace and arrest the remaining suspects allegedly involved in the fraud.

Mr Wahab said that around 5,000 complaints relating to different forms of cybercrime had been received in Hazara Circle during 2026.

He said that the agency had taken action in cases involving online fraud, harassment of women and other digital crimes.

He said that the Hazara Circle facilitated the recovery of around Rs40 million for victims in various cybercrime cases.

He said that the NCCIA staff was working to respond promptly to complaints and provide relief to victims of digital crimes.

The suspects allegedly defrauded Malik Haider Manzoor, a resident of Havelian, after initially contacting him on Instagram while posing as a German woman.

They later allegedly lured him into a business investment scheme and fraudulently obtained Rs18 million from him.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

BATTAGRAM: As the debate over the creation of new provinces and administrative units in the country has resurfaced, the movement demanding a separate Hazara province has once again gained momentum.

However, the call for Hazara province was unanimously rejected by political and social leaders of Battagram during a multi-party conference here on Saturday.

With the political leadership of Mansehra, Abbottabad and Haripur holding consultative meetings and awareness sessions regarding Hazara province in their respective districts, the Awami National Party’s Battagram chapter called the multi-party conference on the issue.

Demands creation of Abaseen Division

ANP district president Riaz Khan told participants that most of the people in Hazara Division were Pakhtuns, who rejected the demand for the creation of Hazara province and wanted the government to establish a separate division, Abaseen, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Gulfam Sabir said that the political leadership of Hazara Division, following the enactment of the 18th Constitutional Amendment during the ANP government, had opposed the naming of the province as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He emphasised that the only solution to the issue was to create the Abaseen Division comprising Battagram, Allai, Torghar, Upper and Lower Kohistan, Kolai-Palas and Pakhal areas.

Akhter Javed Khan of the Pakistan Peoples Party said that certain elements had made a failed attempt to pave the way for Hazara province but the people of Battagram rejected their plan, observed a shutter-down strike and staged protests against them.

President of the District Bar Association Rasool Khan told participants that lawyers were opposed to the creation of Hazara province and demanded the establishment of Abaseen Division.

“The lawyers will fully support this cause,” he said.

Former minister Bakht Nawaz Khan of the JUI-F said his party’s position regarding new provinces and administrative units was very clear that the country urgently needed peace and economic stability.

He said that there was no urgency for new provinces.

“We reject the idea of forming the Hazara province and demand of the government to establish the Abaseen Division in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said.

ANP former district president Ayaz Khan announced that representatives of all political parties, social activists, trader bodies and student federations had unanimously passed a resolution rejecting the call for Hazara province and demanding the establishment of the Abaseen Division.

He announced that a committee would be constituted to visit neighbouring districts to seek the people’s support for the creation of the Abaseen Division.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

Constable Zain Abbas was deployed at Kotkay in Hazro tehsil for security duty. According to police sources, he reportedly went down towards the canal bank to collect water when he slipped and fell into the canal.

He was swept into deep water and drowned.

The deceased constable belonged to Mandi Bahauddin district and had been deployed in Attock as part of the security arrangements for the protest march.

Following the incident, police officials and relevant emergency agencies launched a search operation.

His body was eventually recovered from the Brotha Lake area on Saturday and shifted to a hospital for necessary legal and medico-legal procedures.

The incident comes amid the deployment of a large number of police personnel in Attock for security duties related to the political march.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

As part of the security arrangements, the food street on Double Road will remain closed from Oct 3. Traffic police have provided alternative routes as several roads will remain closed to traffic.

More than 1,500 additional police personnel from the Special Protection Unit (SPU), Elite Force teams and 50 snipers have been called from other districts to assist the local police in maintaining security.

Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Salman Ghani, while chairing a meeting on security and other administrative arrangements for the upcoming cricket matches at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, said all arrangements for the Pakistan-Sri Lanka T20 and Tri-Nation ODI Series scheduled at the stadium from Oct 4 to Nov 13, 2026, had been completed.

He said that alongside security arrangements, all necessary facilities were being improved to ensure that visiting players experienced Pakistan’s hospitality and a peaceful environment.

He added that the visiting players would help project a positive image of Pakistan at the international level.

The commissioner stressed that the public should extend full cooperation to law-enforcement agencies in the national interest and demonstrate discipline during the matches.

The meeting, held at the commissioner’s office, was attended by Pakistan Super League (PSL) officials, the additional commissioner coordination, SSP operations, director general Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA), additional deputy commissioner Finance and Planning and heads of other relevant administrative departments.

Mr Ghani directed all departments concerned to ensure that there was no compromise on arrangements for the matches.

He said the food street adjacent to the cricket stadium had been closed from Oct 3 as a security measure.

He further said patchwork and repair work on Double Road and roads surrounding the cricket stadium had been completed, while all streetlights along the designated routes had also been repaired.

During the briefing, it was stated that the district administration, with the assistance of relevant departments, had made security arrangements.

Following a request by City Police Officer Rawalpindi Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera to the IGP Punjab, additional police personnel from the SPU, Gujrat and Sheikhupura, along with Elite Force teams and 50 snipers, had been placed at the disposal of the CPO Rawalpindi.

A total of 200 walkie-talkie sets and 20 police pick-up vans had also been placed at the disposal of the CPO Rawalpindi. The additional vehicles and equipment would be sent to Rawalpindi police lines by 8pm on Sunday.

Walk-through gates and CCTV cameras had been installed, a Nadra verification counter established at the entry gate, and encroachments along the routes removed.

A control room had also been established at the sports complex to monitor the arrangements.

In addition to the Safe City surveillance system, 200 additional cameras would be installed around the venue and along the routes.

A 30-bed emergency field hospital had also been established at the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) to deal with any medical emergency during the matches.

To ensure smooth traffic flow, parking facilities would be provided at the open area of Rawal Park and Satellite Town College.

Spectators would be transported from the designated parking areas to the cricket stadium entrance through shuttle services.

The Civil Defence Bomb Disposal Squad would remain present at the stadium throughout the matches.

Iesco would ensure an uninterrupted power supply during the matches, while a first-aid ambulance and a fire brigade vehicle would remain available near the stadium.

The Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) would deploy staff to ensure cleanliness and sanitation around the cricket stadium throughout the matches.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

They were speaking at the All Sindh Lawyers Convention, organised by the Hyderabad chapter of the High Court Bar Association (HCBA) on Saturday. A joint declaration was issued at the convention.

Among those who spoke were HCBA president Ayaz Tunio, Sindh Bar Council vice chairman Ishtiaq Memon, Sindh Bar Council members Hashim Leghari and K. B. Laghari, HCBA Karachi president Haseeb Jamali, Amir Nawaz Warraich, Mir Mangrio, Hyderabad District Bar Association president Shakir Nawaz Shar, its secretary Abdul Razaq Dars, and Imdad Unnar.

The declaration said the legal fraternity would continue to work for the supremacy of law, the protection of fundamental human rights and the independence of the judiciary. The leaders stressed the need for unity among lawyers to strengthen their voice, and said a joint strategy should be devised on national and provincial issues.

The speakers said they would continue to press their stance on Sindh’s integrity and launch a joint struggle to protect it, adding that there could be no compromise on the matter. They also vowed to remain united in defence of Sindh’s resources.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

They identified the deceased as Rajab Ali Ghanghro, his three sons — Riaz Ali Ghanghro, Qurban Ali Ghanghro and Bilawal Ghanghro — and passer-by Abdullah Brohi.

The police said that the incident stemmed from an old dispute between two factions of the Ghanghro community over ownership of agricultural land.

They said that assailants riding on a motorbike emerged at the shop and sprayed a volley of bullets and rode away.

Police attribute killings to land dispute; CM Murad orders immediate arrest of culprits

The Ratodero police reached the scene and shifted the bodies to the Taluka Hospital.

Sikandar Ghanghro, a relative of the slain Ghanghro family members, said they had no enmity with anyone and no connection to the warring parties.

“Our innocent people have been killed in an act of cruelty. We demand justice,” he said.

The family of Abdullah Brohi, who was also killed in the firing, said the young man had gone to the shop to buy fertiliser when he was caught in the crossfire.

Taking notice of the incident, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar ordered authorities to ensure immediate arrest of the killers.

In a statement, the home minister ordered authorities that law and order be maintained in the area at all costs and that effective measures be taken to protect the lives and property of citizens.

He also instructed the police to set up effective blockades and conduct search operations to catch the killers.

Also, Inspector General of Sindh Police Javed Alam Odho has taken notice of the killings and sought a detailed report from the DIG Larkana.

The IG stressed the need for a strong police presence in the area and foolproof security arrangements to prevent any untoward situation.

Larkana SSP Azhar Khan Mughal visited the Taluka Hospital Ratodero and gathered details from the victims’ relatives.

According to the SSP, the dispute between the two Ghanghro factions over land ownership had been ongoing for the past 12 years. He said members of the Ghanghro Korai and Dahani tribes were involved in the incident. “Raids are under way to arrest the suspects,” the SSP said.

Speaking to the media in Ratodero, he said the old land dispute had already claimed 13 lives.

He said the attackers had been identified and that the police had launched operations in various areas to arrest them.

“Those who took the law into their own hands will be given the harshest possible punishment,” the SSP said, adding that taking up arms to kill innocent people cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

The committee directed to accelerate the pace of ongoing development projects and to ensure that practical steps are taken for new projects.

The meeting was held for the second consecutive day and presided over by Deputy Commissioner retired Captain Nadeem Nasir and Federal Parliamentary Secretary Daniyal Chaudhry.

A briefing was given on 145 projects in Rawalpindi district under the Annual Development Programme 2026-27. The total cost of these projects stands at Rs312.576 billion, comprising 140 ongoing and five new projects.

The meeting was informed that a total of 297 development projects were being undertaken in the encompassing various development programmes, projects funded by own-source revenue, Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme (SAP-VIII) and beautification initiatives with a combined cost of Rs323.835 billion.

Officials directed to accelerate pace of work and ensure practical steps for new schemes

Projects related to roads, health, education, clean drinking water, drainage, sports, urban amenities, and other sectors were reviewed.

The deputy commissioner said the timely and high-quality completion of development projects was a top priority.

He directed all relevant departments to ensure projects are completed within the stipulated timeframes and emphasised that there must be no compromise on quality in development works.

He directed officials to regularly monitor ongoing projects in the field, ensure the effective and transparent use of funds and immediately remove any obstacles hindering the pace of work.

Progress on all projects will be reviewed regularly and relevant officials must ensure adherence to clear timelines for their completion.

The federal parliamentary secretary said coordinated measures would be taken at the district level to ensure the timely completion of development projects in Rawalpindi. He stressed the need to complete public welfare projects on a priority basis.

He urged relevant departments to work in close coordination to ensure transparency, quality and speed in the execution of these projects.

He added that funds allocated for development projects should be utilised effectively in accordance with the set objectives, and unnecessary delays in completing projects of public importance must be avoided.

The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (Social Services) Fazail Mudassir, Members of Provincial Assembly Malik Iftikhar Ahmed and Malik Mansoor and officers from relevant departments.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

The seminar — Fire & Life Safety in Healthcare Facilities: Building a Resilient Pakistan through International Codes and Standards — was organised at the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) House.

Karachi chapter PMA President Dr Ismail Memon welcomed the guests and said that ageing infrastructure, overloaded electrical systems, weak code enforcement, compromised cabling, and limited emergency preparedness have made the country’s healthcare sector extremely vulnerable to fire hazards.

“A hospital must be the safest place in any community, protecting patients, doctors and staff from preventable fire hazards. Fire safety should be treated as a permanent clinical administrative priority at every healthcare facility,” he stressed.

Experts call for stronger code enforcement, emergency preparedness to protect patients and critical health services from fire risks

Giving a presentation on the subject, Dr Anila Kazmi, lead for Patient Safety & QA at Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), demonstrated how rigid smoke compartmentation and passive barriers under the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 effectively insulate active patient care spaces.

Dr Syed Mairajuddin Shah, chief quality and patient safety officer for Pakistan & Afghanistan at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), delivered a strategic overview on harmonising Joint Commission International (JCI) Facility Management Standards with the core NFPA ecosystem through unified board governance.

The health experts warned that a hospital fire can rapidly escalate into a severe patient safety crisis because it endangers vulnerable, non-ambulatory patients who often cannot evacuate unaided, while also destroying the critical equipment and services a community depends on.

Mazhar Valjee, Vice President of the KIRAN Patients Welfare Society, outlined a strict corporate safety framework, detailing how top-tier commercial boards manage power system hazards and implement non-negotiable supply chain controls on distribution cabling to prevent catastrophic failures.

Dr Abeer Salim Habib, Director Quality and Patient Safety at the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology, spoke about building systemic institutional capacity and structuring safety optimisation workflows to protect neonatal and child care environments.

Naseeruddin Humayun, Group CEO & Director of MOSH Consultants — Pakistan’s first-ever and leading NFPA-Authorised Training Provider — explained why the NFPA codes served as the ultimate global benchmark.

He described the NFPA framework as a complete safety ecosystem based on 129 years of global history, comprehensively covering design, installation, inspection, maintenance, multi-shift training and emergency response.

He noted that MOSH Consultants remained a key player in conducting authorised NFPA training across the country.

Concluding the session, Dr Mairajuddin noted that infrastructure resilience required regulators who enforce, institutions that invest, training and emergency response.

He noted that MOSH Consultants remained a key player in conducting authorised NFPA training across the country.

Concluding the session, Dr Mairajuddin noted that infrastructure resilience required regulators who enforce, institutions that invest, professionals who train, and associations that sustain the conversation.

“Safety is also environmental sustainability: a clinical building that does not burn, keeps serving, keeps employing, and keeps vital societal resources intact,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

However, he made it clear that negotiations could not be held with those who shed innocent blood or took up arms, stressing that the writ of the state and the protection of citizens were non-negotiable.

Speaking as the chief guest at a special lecture organised by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute, Mr Bugti highlighted the need to understand Balochistan in the context of its history, geography, social fabric, political evolution and present-day realities.

He noted that the province’s challenges could not be understood through selective narratives or isolated incidents, but required a holistic approach grounded in authentic historical sources and documented evidence.

‘Sustainable solutions’

Mr Bugti underscored that sustainable solutions to Balochistan’s issues lay in effective governance, meritocracy, political inclusion, opportunities for youth, economic development and the enforcement of state authority.

He stressed that peace and development were inseparable, noting that the government was enhancing the capacity of police and law enforcement agencies through modern policing, intelligence-based operations, effective prosecution and improved inter-agency coordination.

He said the aim was to create an environment where young people chose education, employment and constructive activities over violence.

He added that Balochistan’s path to lasting peace and progress lay in constitutional democracy, effective governance, education, economic opportunities and security.

Mr Bugti said a realistic assessment of present challenges, coupled with a collective strategy for the future, was essential to steer the province towards stability and prosperity.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

He said this at the inauguration ceremony of Pakistan’s “first large-scale Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Project” at Haroonabad, which was inaugurated by Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

The ceremony was attended by PPP Sindh President Nisar Khuhro, provincial ministers, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, representatives of industry, development partners, technical experts and senior government officials.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said the project was “the first of its kind in Pakistan”, converting wastewater into a reusable resource for industrial purposes.

Murad notes facility to supply 35 MGD of treated water to industries, freeing an equivalent quantity of freshwater for domestic use in Karachi

He added that under the initiative, 35 million gallons per day (MGD) of treated water would be supplied to industries through the wastewater treatment facility.

“By supplying treated wastewater to industries, an equivalent quantity of freshwater - 35 MGD - will become available for domestic use by the citizens of Karachi,” he said. “Water currently allocated to industries can now be redirected to households, helping address the city’s growing water needs.”

The chief minister said the quality of the treated water had been tested and found suitable for industrial consumption, adding that the facility would begin supplying water on a full scale in the coming days.

He noted that the project was completed in a record time under a public-private partnership model and represented a practical solution to the challenges of water scarcity, population growth and increasing industrial demand.

He said the initiative was also financially sustainable because industries would purchase the treated water, enabling operational expenses to be met through project revenues. “Once operational, the project will largely sustain itself and will not require additional financial support from the Sindh government for its routine operations,” he said.

Congratulating Mayor Wahab, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation and all stakeholders involved in the project, the chief minister said the successful completion of the facility demonstrated what could be achieved through collaboration between government institutions and the private sector.

‘Public service remains govt’s foremost priority’

The chief minister, speaking about the pace of development in Sindh, said numerous public welfare projects were being completed across the province.

“We have so many projects under way and reaching completion”, he said, adding that the government remained focused on delivering services and tangible benefits to citizens rather than merely holding ceremonial events.public welfare projects were being completed across the province.

“We have so many projects under way and reaching completion”, he said, adding that the government remained focused on delivering services and tangible benefits to citizens rather than merely holding ceremonial events.

He emphasised that even on public holidays, work on development projects continued because public service remained the government’s foremost priority.

The CM also highlighted Sindh’s achievements in the health sector, stating that the province’s healthcare institutions had earned recognition from medical professionals nationally and internationally.

Reaffirming the Sindh government’s commitment to public welfare, he said the provincial administration would continue working to meet the expectations of the people through improved infrastructure, better services and sustainable development initiatives.

Commenting on the Haroonabad Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Project, the chief minister said it was expected to play a significant role in reducing pressure on Karachi’s freshwater resources, improving environmental sustainability and providing a reliable alternative water source for industrial consumers.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

According to police, the incident occurred in Fateh Ali Bazar, located in Gwar Go tehsil, where a group of children playing outside came across a suspicious explosive device. The device detonated as the children found it.

Police identified the deceased as Arman, 9, and Amal, 10. Three other children namely Noorullah, 12, Shahid, 9, and Zahid, 7, were injured in the explosion.

Investigators have yet to determine the exact nature of the explosive device, including whether it was a hand grenade, a landmine or another type of unexploded ordnance.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

Despite repeated directives from the higher authorities, municipal waste is being burnt openly in a busy area.

Residents and traders allege that irregular waste collection and inadequate supervision have allowed garbage to accumulate at various points. Instead of being removed and disposed of properly, waste is allegedly left unattended until it becomes a nuisance.

On one hand, departments are instructed to curb activities contributing to air pollution; on the other, municipal waste is allegedly being allowed to become fuel for open fires in populated areas.

“For a city known internationally for its archaeological heritage, the spectacle is more than a sanitation lapse.

It raises uncomfortable questions about who is actually monitoring the performance of Suthra Punjab workers, who is responsible for ensuring timely collection of waste and why official anti-smog instructions appear to have little impact on the ground” – said Munaza Peerzada, chairperson of a local NGO working in the environment and social sector.

Social activist Kalsoom Choudhry while commenting on the issue has said that the problem therefore goes beyond the presence of garbage itself.

It points towards the need to examine the entire chain of responsibility — from collection and transportation to disposal, worker attendance, route monitoring and supervisory inspections.

Citizens are asking for more than another cleanliness drive or a few photographs of workers in the field.

They want authorities to disclose how many workers have been assigned to Taxila, which areas each team is responsible for, how frequently waste is supposed to be collected, how attendance is verified and what action is taken when assigned duties are not performed.

The administration also needs to explain whether any official has been held responsible for open garbage burning and whether the contractor or agency responsible for sanitation has been issued notices or penalties for repeated failures.

For Taxila’s residents, the question is simple: if garbage can openly burn beneath a major overhead bridge while the government is simultaneously campaigning against smog, who is actually enforcing the rules? asked a resident Jameel Ahmed- a native of the area.

When contacted, the operations manager Suthra Punjab Taxila chapter Shehryar Khan has claimed that local traders burn the garbage of the bin instead of the company staff. About unattended garbage, he said that there is a lack of public sense as they throw garbage in the open instead of designated bins.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

GILGIT: The 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China was celebrated at Khunjerab Top, the highest border crossing between Pakistan and China, amid a temporary suspension of trade and travel through the Khunjerab Pass from October 1 to October 5 in connection with China’s National Day holiday.

A flag-raising ceremony was held on the Chinese side of Khunjerab Top, near the border-crossing gate between Pakistan and China’s Xinjiang province, to mark the anniversary.

China’s National Day holiday is officially obs­erved from Oct 1 to Oct 7.

Khunjerab Pass is one of the world’s highest international border crossings. Thou­sands of people from different parts of China, along with officials from Xinjiang province, gathered at Khunjerab Top to witness the flag-raising ceremony. Despite falling temperatures and cold winds, participants wat­ched the five-starred red flag being raised by a Chinese border police flag-guard contingent.

They also raised slogans wishing prosperity for their motherland. The celebration at the Pakistani entry point of the Kara­koram Highway (KKH) — the highest paved international road in the world — offered a symbolic display of the enduring relationship between the two neigh­bouring countries and their people.

Zhang Heqing, a retired cultural counsellor of China, said, “The flag rises at Khunjerab, 5,100 metres in the sky — a border line, but a bond of hearts. China-Pak Dosti Zindabad!”

Thousands of GB residents, Pakistani and Chi­nese nationals, and foreign tourists travel bet­ween the two countries through the Khunjerab Pass.

Deputy Collector of Pakistan Customs at Sost Dry Port Attaullah Nasar told Dawn that the Khunjerab Pass would remain temporarily closed in connection with China’s National Day holiday from October 1 to October 5. He said trade and travel between the two countries through the pass would resume on Monday.

National Day celebrations

Meanwhile, a large number of Pakistani citizens in China, particularly those from Gilgit-Baltistan, joined National Day celebrations in various parts of Xinjiang province.

Rashid Ali, a resident of GB who is currently in Xinjiang, told Dawn that a large number of Pakistanis, mostly associated with border trade and students, joined the Chinese Nati­onal Day celebrations to express their happiness and enjoy the festivities.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

The chief minister will attend the award ceremony on the occasion of the World Habitat Day on Monday (tomorrow), where the honour will be presented at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, says a press release.

The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour is the highest international award associated with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme. It recognises individuals, cities, governments and public institutions, civil society organisations, private organisations, research institutions and projects for contributions towards affordable and adequate housing, sustainable urban development, improved basic urban services, urban reconstruction and disaster recovery.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

The two officials met in Islamabad, where they also welcomed what was described as positive momentum in relations between Pakistan and the UK. They discussed upcoming engagements intended to broaden cooperation between the two countries.

In a statement on X, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Dar had “underscored the importance of efforts to ease tensions and reaffirmed that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable way forward”.

High Commissioner Jane Marriott welcomes positive momentum in Pakistan-UK ties

Pakistan-Bahrain commission session

Separately, the foreign minister chaired an inter-ministerial meeting to review preparations for the third session of the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission, which he will co-chair with his Bahraini counterpart next week.

Mr Dar directed government ministries to finalise their preparations and to pursue concrete outcomes during the Bahraini foreign minister’s forthcoming visit to Islamabad. The meeting heard a briefing from the secretary of the Economic Affairs Division on key areas of bilateral cooperation.

Tariq Bajwa, special assistant to the prime minister, and the acting foreign secretary were among the senior officials who attended.

Later in the day, the deputy PM led a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion and renovation of the Foreign Office Mosque. A spokesperson said the project would upgrade the site’s facilities and increase its capacity to accommodate a growing number of worshippers.

The acting foreign secretary, together with officers and officials of the foreign affairs ministry, attended the ceremony.

Mr Dar also chaired a high-level meeting on the development agenda for Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Offi­cials reviewed ongoing infrastructure and socio-economic initiatives, including road refurbishment projects, and discussed measures to strengthen administrative coordination.

The deputy prime minister stres­sed the importance of completing development projects on time and using financial resources efficiently.

He said this would support long-term growth and improve public welfare, in line with the directions of the prime ministers of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the aspirations of the people of the region.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

Gojra City police said Nisar Ahmad and his wife, Tasleem Akhtar, quarrelled over a family matter and Nisar sprinkled her with petrol before setting her on fire.

Tasleem received critical burns all over her body. She was rushed to Gojra Tehsil Headquarters Hospital where doctors referred her to Faisalabad’s Allied Hospital. Police have arrested the suspect.

ACCIDENT: Three persons died and another sustained serious injuries in a road accident in Khanewal.

According to Rescue 1122, all three deceased as well as the injured were on the same motorcycle travelling on the National Highway near Niazi Chowk when a speeding bus hit their bike. As a result, three of them died on impact while the fourth man was critically injured.

The deceased were identified as Muhammad Yousaf (34) and Mudassar Hussain (30) of Rajanpur and Ilyas Akram (35) of Dera Ghazi Khan. The wounded, identified as Kamran Majeed (35) of Muzaffargarh, was shifted to Khanewal DHQ Hospital.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

The department has also accelerated efforts to make all faulty (dummy) wagons fit for operation while taking action against the vendors who failed to supply parts on time.

“It is the vision of the prime minister as well as mine to make all-out efforts to maintain the railway infrastructure for safe train operation. This is why I have assigned the officers concerned the task to accomplish the target of making all dummy coaches and wagons fit for operation,” Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi explained while talking to Dawn.

“I have also asked the officers to replace the faulty brake cylinders, blocks and shoes with new ones,” he added.

According to the minister, the outsourcing of trains and luggage vans is also underway and 13 express passenger trains would be outsourced till Dec 31. For this, the process, including the advertisement and award of the contract, would be completed soon.

“At present, the commercial operation of six trains is being carried out by the private parties,” Mr Abbasi said, adding that the trains to be outsourced by December included Sandal, Allama Iqbal Express, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Fareed Express, Sukkur Express, Babu Passenger, Bulleh Shah Passenger, Mohenjodaro Express, Lasani Express, Sialkot Express, Karachi Express, Bahauddin Zakariya Express and Tezgam.

To a question, he said the railway bridge affected by the recent floods on Lahore-Faisalabad track would be rehabilitated within the next two months, helping railways to restore the rail traffic. For the first time, according to him, the freight revenue exceeded the passenger revenue in the railways.

“I think, the railways would be able to earn revenue of Rs120bn from the passenger and freight train operations alone by the end of the ongoing fiscal year on June 30,” he hoped.

Meanwhile, the minister presided over a meeting at the railway headquarters and directed the authorities to blacklist private vendors responsible for delays in the supply of equipment and materials. During the meeting, matters pertaining to railway operations, revenue generation, maintenance, security and outsourcing came under discussion.

Mr Abbasi directed the authorities to install modern CCTV cameras and deploy private security personnel at all railway workshops and yards to prevent theft. He said collective efforts were required to achieve the revenue targets set for the current financial year, adding that locomotives undergoing repairs should be restored to service according to the prescribed schedule.

The minister ordered legal action against negligent officials. The meeting was also told by the officers concerned that advance planning was essential for ensuring transparency and improving the railway system. He further directed that the ongoing track renewal work in Sukkur division should be completed by Dec 31 as it would save operational time by around one-and-a-half hours. He also ordered that the flood-damaged Mian Kallar Bridge be completed within 60 days and repair of employees’ residential quarters in Lahore within two months.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

The meeting at Parliament House began after 4pm on Saturday, with discussions focusing on the PTI’s planned Oct 4 march to Islamabad. Details on the negotiating process were sparse as both sides seemingly agreed not to speak to the media before matters concluded.

However, shortly before 3am on Sunday, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, who was part of the opposition delegation, told the media that the talks had not succeeded in a breakthrough.

“Deadlock,” he told reporters waiting at Parliament House in footage aired on Geo News. Asked what the points of contention were, he said they were “small things”. He added that the “issue” of meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan could not be solved.

He went on to say that the deadlock was over Imran’s meeting with his personal physicians, and how to address terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that talks had now ended, adding that a detailed press conference would be held later.

Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry, who was part of the government’s delegation in the talks, said the talks failed primarily because the “KP government could not assure whether they would cooperate in the fight against terrorism in the future”.

He alleged that the PTI’s provincial government in KP did not want to implement the National Action Plan and that the PTI delegation that participated in the talks had also left the venue “disappointed because the KP government did not cooperate on terrorism”.

An agreement had been reached on all other matters, he said in response to a question.

Asked about the possible future course of action, he said the “Constitution has several options”, seemingly a referring to the possibility of imposing governor’s rule or emergency in KP.

Separately, PPP’s Sherry Rehman, who also participated in the talks, said the government delegation debated all points with the opposition.

“Unfortunately, the draft [agreement] was changed four times after it was agreed upon,” she told Geo News, adding that she would not go into the details.

Speaking to reporters, PTI interim chairman Barrister Gohar Khan said that the party’s long march was “intact” and would go ahead. At the same time, he asserted that imposing an emergency or governor rule was not the answer to the protest.

He further said that the participants had also not reached an agreement on when the next round of talks would take place.

He said that the opposition’s demands presented during the second round of talks were “simple” and included meetings with Imran and his spouse, Bushra Bibi.

He said that there were a few issues pertaining to terrorism, where the negotiating process became “stuck”.

Hours-long talks

Visuals broadcast by DawnNewsTV after 9:30pm showed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi — part of the government delegation — departing Parliament House with a document in his hand, with media reports suggesting he was likely to consult the president.

More than an hour later, footage showed Naqvi returning to Parliament House, with the interior minister maintaining his silence as reporters swarmed him for queries.

The meeting, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, was aimed at defusing the country’s ongoing political crisis. The PTI’s planned Oct 4 protest march, aimed at demanding Imran’s release, has emerged as the latest point of contention between the party and the federal government.

Even as extended talks kept hopes for an agreement alive, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi remained adamant on proceeding with PTI’s march to Islamabad.

After voicing his determination on Saturday afternoon — which irked government representatives — the KP CM again took to X at 12:46am to detail the itinerary for the protest march.

Laying out the journey plan, Afridi said PTI supporters from the districts of Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Bannu, and Lakki Marwat will join the long march from Lakki Marwat’s Gandi Chowk Lakki Marwat at 1pm on Oct 4.

The caravan will halt for the night near Karak, from where people will depart at 12:30pm the next day and stay overnight near Kohat.

Then, at 12pm on Oct 6, protesters from Kohat, Hangu, Kurram, and Orakzai will join the convoy, which will move towards Peshawar and spend the night near Mattani.

The KP CM’s post went on to say that the caravan will depart from Budh Bair in Peshawar on Oct 7 afternoon. “The remaining constituencies of Peshawar will join us at Kohat Road Bridge and the Motorway Toll Plaza. And we will spend the night near Charsadda Interchange.”

They would then depart the Charsadda Interchange at 12:30pm on Oct 8 after people from Charsadda and Mohmand join them.

Refraining from detailing the final leg of the trip to the federal capital, Afridi said the people “of entire KP” would gather at Khairabad on Oct 8 and spend the night there. “God willing, the plan for the next phase will be announced there.”

NA speaker hopes for ‘cordial’ talks

When the huddle began, the NA speaker expressed his hope that the talks would proceed in the same “cordial atmosphere” as Friday’s, according to a post on the NA’s X account.

The government side included Naqvi, Tallal Minister for States and Frontier Regions Amir Muqam, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah.

Rehman, along with MNAs Syed Naveed Qamar and Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, represented the PPP.

The opposition delegation comprised the Senate opposition leader, PTI interim chairman Gohar Ali Khan, Opposition Chief Whip Amir Dogar, MNA Asad Qaiser, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh.

Prior to the meeting with the government, the opposition held a meeting in which standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the talks were finalised.

It was decided that it would be proposed during the meeting that no one from either side would speak to the media during the talks and that a joint statement would be issued afterwards to avoid any misunderstanding.

Speaking to Dawn, TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Ahmed Yousufzai said comments made by PPP’s Rehman on Friday had triggered a controversy, leaving the situation unpleasant until late at night.

“The opposition alliance held a meeting before the start of the talks, during which the government side’s views regarding the law and order situation in KP were discussed. After consultation with the KP chief minister, a response was prepared, which will be presented to the government side during the meeting today,” he said.

For the first time in almost three years, representatives of the federal government and the opposition PTI formally came together on Friday for talks aimed at easing the political tension in the country, and apprised each other of their positions.

Though neither side had shared its specific demands with the media, both were hopeful of a positive outcome from the meeting.

Sources on both sides told Dawn that the PTI wants Imran to be shifted from jail to a hospital for medical treatment, while the government has insisted that the opposition call off its protest march on Islamabad.

In August, PTI announced a long march to Islamabad on Sept 27 against what it called the “illegal imprisonment” of its party founder. However, a couple of days before its scheduled long march, the party postponed the march until Oct 4.

Tariq Fazal objects to KP CM’s remarks

CM Afridi’s Saturday statement vowed to hold the long march on Oct 4 and to prevent a repeat of the events of May 9, 2023.

He said PTI was the largest and most popular political party in Pakistan. “Pakistan is a democratic country whose Constitution grants us the right to peaceful protest.”

Detailing his long march plan, Afridi said an “ocean of people” would begin its journey from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat at 1pm on Oct 4.

The party would continue its struggle until the supremacy of the Constitution and the law was ensured in Pakistan and an independent judiciary was restored, the PTI leader added.

“All demands of the PTI are in accordance with the constitution and the law.”

He stressed that the party would “neither allow May 9 to happen again nor allow anyone else to repeat it”.

Reacting to the KP CM’s remarks, Chaudhry said Afridi’s statements could affect the ongoing negotiation process even though the government wanted them to be “meaningful and fruitful”.

He urged PTI leaders to refrain from making such statements until the final stage of the negotiations, so that the dialogue process was not “harmed”.

“The language that Sohail Afridi is using against his opponents and our leadership does not seem like that of a chief minister; his statements are extremely indecent and reprehensible,” Chaudhry said.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, PPP’s Rehman stressed that her party was making efforts to solve issues in a democratic manner.

Asked about KP CM being adamant on the PTI march, the PPP leader said it was up to the PTI, but added that she would refrain from making comments before the talks conclude.

While acknowledging that each party had its positions, she noted that the objective of holding negotiations was to “discuss those positions”.

‘Political solutions to political problems’

Separately, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, an ally of the PML-N government, reiterated his call for PTI to call off its long march.

Speaking at an event in Karachi on Saturday, Bilawal said it was his party that urged the Centre to engage in dialogue with PTI whereas the federal government had “made up its mind” on imposing emergency or governor’s rule in KP.

In a post on X on Friday, the PPP chairman had pressed PTI to unconditionally call off the long march, which he said would allow the country to come together to address the threat of terrorism and threats emanating from neighbouring countries.

Bilawal also welcomed the government’s decision to work with his party and jointly engage with the opposition “to find political solutions to political problems”.

Also on Friday, the army’s top brass warned that any attempt at creating agitation or a “May 9-like situation” would be dealt with “decisive force”.

Ahead of the talks, federal ministers had warned that the Centre would have no option but to impose governor’s rule or an emergency in KP, citing the province’s security situation and the protest call, while PTI had warned of dire consequences if such a step was taken.

The decision to hold talks was taken on Thursday at a presidency meeting attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Naqvi, Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Awan and other PPP and PML-N leaders.

A source privy to the huddle told Dawn the emergency option was discussed, but participants agreed to first give the opposition a chance to settle matters peacefully through dialogue, and to seriously consider an emergency only if the PTI did not back down. The coalition also believes the march will remain confined to KP and not enter Punjab or Islamabad.

On Thursday, Sanaullah said the government and PTI were engaged in “off-the-record talks” over the protest, and that the decision on the march rested with the PTI’s senior leadership, “with whom off-the-record consultation is ongoing”. “So let us see, even if they do not postpone it, we have arrangements in place to stop them,” he warned.

Separately, PM Shehbaz has invited NA Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai for dialogue, and the two are expected to meet in the coming days.

The maritime police force of Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland said on Tuesday that it had recovered the MT Honour 25, a Palau-flagged oil tanker with 19 crew members on board, including 10 Pakistanis.

The Foreign Office confirmed on Wednesday that three Pakistanis had died and three others were injured during the operation, later identifying the deceased as Rafiullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari.

According to a statement by the PMO issued on Saturday, arrangements were being made to repatriate the sailors’ remains as per the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The remains had been taken to Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, with Ethiopian Airlines reviewing the next steps for transferring the bodies.

“Following this, final approval will be granted for their departure on a flight bound for Karachi. In accordance with the prime minister’s instructions, the relevant authorities are in continuous contact to expedite the repatriation process,” the statement read.

It added that the premier had assured of “all possible assistance” in bringing the deceased sailors home.

PM Shehbaz has announced a relief package worth Rs12.5 million for the deceased sailors’ families, the PMO said yesterday.

The prime minister announced financial support for the families of the deceased, including free housing and free education for their children. The PMO added that the premier spoke with Syed Kashif Umer’s son, Azhan Kashif, on the phone to extend his condolences and express his grief.

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that four of the 10 Pakistani crew members had been “safely retrieved” and were scheduled to arrive in Karachi today.

The four crew members — Yasir Khan, Aqeel Khan, Amin bin Shams and Usman Ghani — were retrieved following “sustained efforts” by FO and Pakistan’s embassy in Djibouti, Dar said.

Months with no progress

The MT Honour 25 had been hijacked by Somali pirates on April 21, around 30 nautical miles off Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region. Apart from Pakistanis, the vessel’s crew also included seven Indonesians, an Indian and a Sri Lankan.

For around five months, there had been no progress either in negotiations or in the payment of the ransom, said to be around $3 million, for the recovery of the hostages, despite concerns abounding about their declining health.

Since the hijacking, the crew made several emotional videos and audio appeals, reporting that they ran out of clean water, food and medicine.

For its part, FO maintained that it remained “actively engaged” to secure the release of the sailors.

On Sept 29, Somali maritime police recovered the Palau-flagged oil tanker amid reports of casualties among the crew.

“The naval and ground units of the Puntland Maritime Police Force conducted a planned operation in the Dharin-Bar area of Bandar Beyla district,” the maritime police had said in its initial statement.

In another statement, it announced that the operation had concluded and the recovered vessel was “now safe and under the Puntland government’s control”.

During the operation, it said, 21 suspected pirates were apprehended, while operations to locate the remaining members continue.

“Before the operation [had] begun, the pirates on board the ship killed five of the crew. Among those killed were three from Pakistan, one from Myanmar and one from India,” it said.

Saeed Ahmed, a farm worker, was asleep at his outhouse along with his brothers on Friday night. His brothers awoke due to noise and found Saeed missing from his charpoy. They rushed to the outside, where they saw Asad Junaid and Ali Husnain dragging Saeed to their farmhouse and assaulting him with axes and iron rods.

Ali Husnain accused Saeed of having an illicit relationship with his wife. He, abetted by Asad Junaid, killed Saeed with blows of axes and rods. When Saeed’s brothers arrived, the attackers fled, leaving him critically injured.

Saeed succumbed to his injuries on the spot. Police shifted the body to the DHQ Hospital Pakpattan for autopsy.

Ahmedyar Police registered a case on complaint of Allah Rakha against Asad Junaid and Ali Husnain.

GANG RAPE: A 14yearold girl was allegedly gang-raped by three men at Mohalla Ghaziabad, Chichawatni.

According to the complainant woman, she and her husband, a daily wage labourer, had an acquaintance with the suspect and his wife who lived in the neighbourhood.

The complainant stated that her eldest daughter (14) appeared distressed for several days. Upon persistent questioning, she revealed that the suspect’s wife had invited her to her house as usual but locked her inside a room where her husband and his two accomplices allegedly gang-raped her.

The suspects recorded a video of the incident and blackmailed her.

Ghaziabad Police registered a case against the main suspect , his wife for abetting him, and two other men.

Police said three men had been arrested.

MOBILE PHONES: Around 160 stolen mobiles worth Rs6 million were returned to their owners by district police.

District Police Officer Usman Tipu told Dawn that mobile phones were stolen or snatched during the last two months and their complaints were registered with different police stations.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026

The girl became pregnant and the suspect threatened to kill the girl if she reported the matter to police.

The victim’s father told police that seven months ago, his 14-year-old daughter was alone at home when the local youth entered the house and raped her.

The girl was taken to the hospital after her health suddenly deteriorated where the doctor revealed that she was seven months pregnant. At this, the girl told her mother about her ordeal.

The Shakargarh City Police Station registered an FIR against the suspect who fled the village.

ARRESTED: Sialkot police arrested the suspects who shaved off the head of a man to shame him.

Khurram Shahzad, the spokesperson for the Sialkot police, said Zeeshan Ali, a resident of village Raipur, Pasrur, had filed a complaint with the police, saying that he was at his home when there was a knock at the door. When he opened the door, he found Ismail Munawar, a resident of village Malipur, accompanied by his accomplices.

They bundled him in a car and took him to an outhouse where they subjected him to physical abuse and torture.

The suspects shaved his head off and kept him in a room for two days. They also recorded a video of the assault and posted it on social media.

Based on Zeeshan Ali’s complaint, the Sabz Peer Police Station registered an FIR against Ismail Munawar, Tahir Noor, Farid Nazeer and Tanveer Manzoor.

Sialkot District Police Officer (DPO) retired Capt Dost Muhammad told Dawn that all four suspects had been arrested.

He said that the incident was the result of a family dispute.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026