ISLAMABAD: Only 16 symbolic protests took place across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after the emergency and governor’s rule were imposed on October 11, according to an intelligence report. The KP governor’s rule protests drew fewer than 100 participants on average. The report points to a clear gap between the confrontational narrative of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the public response on the ground, informed sources said. Only One Protest Crossed 500 People The report says the single largest gathering, with more than 500 participants, was held in Bara, Khyber district, on October 13. Bara falls in the constituency of former chief minister…
Author: Web Desk
SWAT: Three wanted militants were killed on Thursday morning in an intelligence-based Swat CTD operation, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) said. Two other suspects slipped away from the scene, and a search for them is underway. The operation took place in Sakhadob, an area under the jurisdiction of Kanju police station. CTD teams from the Swat region carried it out jointly with district police. How the Operation Unfolded According to the CTD, Swat region officials received a confirmed tip that a few militants linked to TTP commander Muzaffar, also known as the Khalid group, were present in the…
A joint session of Parliament on Thursday approved a resolution backing the imposition of KP governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The vote came a day after the National Assembly and the Senate, sitting separately, each passed resolutions endorsing an emergency in the province. Opposition Protests Inside the House Opposition members arrived with placards reading “emergency na manzoor,” which translates to “emergency is unacceptable.” They kept up the chant as proceedings began. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry opened the session with a motion under Rule 232 of the Parliament (Joint Sitting) Rules 1973, seeking to suspend certain sub-rules. Amid loud…
The Peshawar school roof collapse, which left 28 children injured, has put the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s record under fresh scrutiny. The party ran Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for 13 years, and critics now say the incident points to serious gaps in how school buildings are inspected and maintained. Why Was School Building Safety Not a Priority? Critics ask why the repair of dilapidated school buildings, routine safety inspections and basic facilities did not receive higher priority during those 13 years. The tragedy, they argue, shows weaknesses in the system meant to keep school buildings safe. They also question whether regular safety…
The PTI Rs385 billion claim, that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s treasury held this much money, has drawn sharp criticism. Critics argue the figure alone proves neither a fiscal surplus nor good governance. Nor does it show that the province’s financial problems had been solved. What Did the Rs385 Billion Actually Represent? According to figures released by PTI itself, Rs250 billion sat in the Debt Management Account and Rs135 billion in the Provincial Consolidated Account. Together, the two make Rs385 billion. But the balance in an account and the net resources left after all liabilities are two different things. Critics say that without…
On October 11, the federal government replaced the elected provincial setup in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with a team of technocrats. It acted under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, and described the move as a constitutional and legal process. This is the first time such a change has happened in the province, which is why the reasons behind it matter. The federal government’s position is that the outgoing provincial government was ineffective, incompetent and corrupt. The KP technocrat government, in that view, has no option but to start at full speed from the first day. Clear Benchmarks and Accountability The…
PESHAWAR: A private school roof gave way in the city’s Dir Colony on Thursday, killing 28 children and a female teacher, according to officials. The Peshawar school roof collapse has also left dozens of people injured, and rescue teams are still working through the debris. Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) first confirmed four deaths. Its administration later revised the figure after the bodies of 28 children were brought in. The body of a female teacher was received at the hospital as well, and 20 children were being treated for injuries. Injury Toll Rises, School Owner Arrested Capital City Police Officer (CCPO)…
Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima has said the government is working on additional cable routes to strengthen Pakistan’s international internet connectivity. She made the remarks while addressing the Asia Pacific Telecommunity Symposium. She also highlighted progress on digital inclusion. According to the GSMA, Pakistan has made the fastest headway in narrowing the gender digital divide. Three New Submarine Cables in Two and a Half Years The minister said that three new submarine internet cables have landed in Pakistan over the past two and a half years. Work on further routes is continuing to improve the country’s global links. She…
Authorities have reopened all the closed roads and entry points in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. With Peshawar roads reopened, the federal Information Ministry has also dismissed a number of social media claims about unrest in the province, describing them as fabricated, misleading and part of an organised propaganda campaign backed from abroad. Peshawar Roads Reopened, Normal Life Resumes According to officials, all the containers placed in the city to deal with possible protests after the imposition of governor’s rule in KP have been removed. Barriers have been cleared from the Assembly Chowk Red Zone and from every route…
MULTAN: At least six passengers lost their lives and 30 others were injured early Tuesday when all 14 coaches of the Rehman Baba Express came off the tracks near Sher Shah Bridge, police and rescue officials said. The Rehman Baba Express derailment triggered a large rescue operation and drew a response from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to earlier police information, the train was travelling from Karachi to Peshawar. A passenger said the accident happened at around 5:15am. The injured were taken to Nishtar Hospital in Multan for treatment, while rescue teams stayed at the site to continue their work.…
