American Gratitude
U.S. President Donald Trump has thanked the Government of Pakistan for helping arrest a man allegedly responsible for killing 13 U.S. service members during Washington’s withdrawal from Kabul in 2021. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the suspect, Shareefullah, is an Afghan national and was apprehended in a successful operation conducted in the Pak-Afghan border region.
Bannu Attack
Security forces foiled a terrorist attack targeting Bannu Cantonment in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa after militants rammed two explosives-laden vehicles into the compound’s perimeter. Occurring shortly after iftar, the attack resulted in at least 15 deaths, including six attackers, and 20 injuries. Security forces say a clearance operation is underway to expel any additional militants from the region.
Uneasy Alliance
A PPP leader in Punjab has claimed the party was “forced” to ally with the ruling PMLN because the country could not afford a hung Parliament. Syed Hassan Murtaza has recalled the PPP had offered to work with the PTI, lamenting that the opposition party was following a “foreign agenda” that sought to destabilize Pakistan’s institutions and geopolitical standing.
Call for Unity
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed to eliminate terrorism from the country as a prerequisite for attracting foreign investment. Urging all stakeholders to work together in the national interest, he marked one year in office as a “great achievement,” noting the opposition had failed to find even a single instance of corruption against the incumbent government.
Lofty Ambitions
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has claimed Pakistan is on track to become a G20 nation by 2030—so long as all regulatory bodies work together to accelerate the country’s growth. In a public address, he noted that Pakistan was considered unstable in 2013 as well, but had overcome that crisis and could do so again if it pursued the “correct” strategy.
Pinning Blame
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has blamed the security situation in Afghanistan for the deteriorating law and order situation of his province. The PTI leader has called for a sustainable solution to the security concerns, warning that the situation could escalate and spread to the rest of the country if urgent action is not taken.
No Deal
Incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema, has claimed her brother will not accept any deal for his freedom. Following a meeting with Khan at Adiala Jail, Aleema rubbished rumors of either her brother or his wife, Bushra, suffering any health concerns. She also said the detained duo had decided to change their legal representation.
Minorities’ Plight
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has warned of a growing trend of mob-led attacks on places of worship and homes of families belonging to religious minorities. The rights watchdog specifically noted the arbitrary detentions of Ahmadis and the threat to Hindu and Christian women of forced conversion. It also noted disinformation on social media triggered most registered blasphemy cases.
Demolishing Encroachments
The Islamabad administration and the Capital Development Authority have demolished parts of the “illegally constructed” Jamia Hafsa. Days earlier, Lal Masjid cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz had threatened to launch a movement against the government. In a statement, Aziz claimed the structures were demolished in exchange for the release of his wife, Ume Hassan.
Animal Welfare
The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board and the Four Paws animal welfare organization have rescued a three-year-old Asian black bear from Jhang. The bear shows signs of severe abuse and neglect and was given emergency medical treatment before being relocated to a rescue and rehabilitation center. The animal was used as a “dancing bear.” Rescuers say her teeth were removed to leave her defenseless.