Seeking Evidence
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to cooperate in any neutral, transparent probe on the Pahalgam attack, stressing Islamabad is committed to responsible international conduct and cooperation. However, he warned, the country will never compromise on its dignity or security, regardless of the circumstances.
Facilitating Travelers
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has introduced a Temporary Mobile Registration System to help overseas Pakistanis and foreign visitors use their mobile phones while in the country. Under the new policy, temporary visitors can register their phones for up to 120 days. The free-of-cost registration process is fully digitized and can be repeated for each visit to Pakistan.
No Let Up in Protests
Despite assurances from the Sindh chief minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari that no new canals will be built without consensus, protesters staging sit-ins against the proposed Cholistan canals project are refusing to end their demonstrations, hampering trade and traffic. The situation is proving particularly troubling for exporters, whose consignment are facing lengthy delays.
Muted Celebrations
The PTI has marked the 29th anniversary of its founding with an event at Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad, reiterating demands for the release of its incarcerated workers and party leaders. In a resolution, the party also denounced recent Indian measures and accusations, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to standing with its armed forces to defend the country.
Polio Resurfaces
The National Institute of Health has confirmed a new case of the poliovirus in the country, taking to eight the tally for 2025 so far. Reported from Bannu, this marks the third case of the poliovirus from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Of the remaining five cases reported this year, four emerged in Sindh and one in Punjab. The country is currently conducting an anti-polio drive set to conclude on April 27.
Another Heatwave
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast heatwave conditions nationwide from April 26 through April 30, with day temperatures likely to remain 5-7 degrees Celsius above normal in southern Sindh, south Punjab and Balochistan. From April 30, the weather body has forecast isolated rains in Kashmir, Islamabad, the Pothohar region, upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.
National Unity
The Senate has unanimously passed a resolution rejecting India’s attempt to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack, and condemned Delhi’s unlawful and unilateral declaration to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. The resolution has also condemned terrorism in all its forms and urged the international community to hold India to account for targeted assassinations on foreign soil.
Zero Tolerance
Addressing a public gathering in Sukkur, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has criticized India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, warning neither Pakistan nor the international community will accept the decision. Urging national unity against Indian aggression, he has vowed that either water will flow through the Indus or “their (Indian) blood.”
Advocating Restraint
Saudi Arabia and Iran have both offered to mediate between Pakistan and India, advising restraint amidst mounting tensions following the Pahalgam attack. Additionally, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has also voiced “deep concerns,” and urged both nations to resolve the current tensions through meaningful mutual engagement.
Border Tensions
Pakistan and Indian troops have exchanged gunfire for two consecutive days along the border separating Jammu and Kashmir following the severing of diplomatic ties between the neighboring states after the Pahalgam attack. Neither side has reported any casualties thus far. The spiraling situation has raised fears of a greater conflict between the rival nations in the coming days.