Category: 1. Pakistan

KARACHI: Investigators probing into journalist Khawar Hussain’s death submitted a 30-page report to Sindh Inspector-General Ghulam Nabi Memon on Friday, in which they declared it a “suicide” based on evidence.

Hussain, a young journalist associated with a private news channel, was found dead in his car in mysterious circumstances outside a restaurant on Hyderabad Road in his hometown, Sanghar, last week.

The probe committee concluded “suicide as the only cause of death of journalist Hussain” based on the “detailed visit of the crime scene, interview of the witnesses, examination of post-mortem reports, forensic reports, and analysis of CCTV footage”.

The report includes an eight-page section supported by medical records.

Investigators also reviewed CCTV footage from Karachi to Sanghar, tracing Hussain’s travel route, as well as video evidence from the hotel parking area up to the point of the incident.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Irfan Baloch, a member of the committee, said the CCTV footage showed no individual approaching the journalist’s vehicle during the incident.

The report added that video evidence, call data records, and witness statements from people who last contacted Hussain were all examined. The medical and post-mortem reports also confirmed suicide.

The committee concluded that while the cause of death was suicide, determining the underlying reasons would require the cooperation of Hussain’s family.

Investigators noted that Hussain had transferred online payments to a water tanker driver after arranging for water delivery to his home before his death.

The inquiry was led by Additional Inspector General Azad Khan, with DIG Irfan and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abid Baloch as members.

Earlier, the initial post-mortem report stated that the bullet recovered from his head was fired from his licensed pistol. “The evidence so far indicates suicide,” a civil surgeon involved in the examination said.

Videos showed Hussain entering and leaving a local restaurant twice before returning to his vehicle, where he stayed for nearly two hours, investigators said.

Police also recovered one of the two mobile phones in use, while the other remains missing. The journalist had been stationed in Karachi for nearly 10 years, working with different media organisations during his career.

The Foreign Office on Friday dismissed reports of a possible meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in China, confirming that no such engagement is scheduled.

At the weekly press briefing, FO Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will leave for Bangladesh tomorrow, with the visit aimed at strengthening trade relations and boosting counterterrorism cooperation.

He reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the so-called “Greater Israel” plan and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to eradicating terrorism.

Commenting on the recent visit of the Chinese foreign minister, Khan said Pakistan apprised Beijing of ongoing human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir and lauded China’s consistent support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.

He noted that the sixth Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue, held in Islamabad, focused on deepening cooperation under CPEC Phase II, particularly in trade, investment, and energy, while also covering defence, education, and cultural exchanges.

The FO spokesperson also highlighted the recent trilateral meeting in Kabul between Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan, attended by FM Dar, Chinese FM Wang Yi, and the Afghan foreign minister. Discussions centered on political, economic, and security cooperation, with the three countries stressing joint efforts for regional stability and exploring CPEC’s potential expansion into Afghanistan.

Pakistan reiterated its support for Afghanistan’s peace and development, while China assured continued assistance in the country’s reconstruction.

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 (APP): Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) has formally called for the creation of new provinces in the country, aimed at improving governance, public service delivery and overall administrative structure.

According to the statement issued on Friday after the Party meeting, it has been proposed that the existing four provinces may be divided further into three administrative regions each North, South, and Central.

It has been mentioned that the current identity and name of the provinces can be retained as well. This step, the Party asserts, is essential to address the growing population and modern governance challenges more effectively.

In a Party meeting chaired by IPP President & Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, this demand has surfaced in the larger public interest. The meeting was attended by Minister of State Aun Chaudhry, Punjab President Rana Nazir Ahmed Khan, along with other senior office bearers and Members of the Assembly.

Talking in this regard, IPP President Abdul Aleem Khan emphasized that the rapid population growth has made the establishment of new provinces unavoidable.

He said this initiative will bring Government services closer to the masses, enabling state institutions to perform their duties more effectively.

He further stated that the creation of new provinces in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan will ensure timely access to basic facilities for citizens, while High Courts, Chief Secretaries and Inspectors General of Police will be better positioned to discharge their responsibilities.

He further pointed out that, currently, citizens are compelled to travel long distances to reach the Provincial Secretariats and that the establishment of new provinces will provide direct relief to the general public.

Abdul Aleem Khan underlined that for the past 25 years, the issue of provincial division has remained limited to political rhetoric without any practical measures, leaving people disillusioned.

He stressed that the time has come to build a national consensus and move forward through mutual consultation to pave the way for new provinces so that public expectations are met and the country becomes stronger both politically and economically.

The Party communiqué further highlighted that the Central Committee of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party has already passed a Resolution in favor of creating new provinces.

According to the party leadership, this initiative will prove to be a milestone for national stability, economic progress and public relief.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan was ready for a comprehensive dialogue with India to discuss Kashmir and all other pending issues, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday.

“Talks, whenever held, will be not just Kashmir but on all issues,” Dar said while talking to journalists outside the parliament in Islamabad, where he was asked about talks with India.

India has made it clear that it will only have a dialogue with Pakistan on the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the issue of terrorism.

Dar, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, emphasised that Pakistan had made it clear from the outset that discussions with India would not take place on any single-point agenda.

He said Pakistan had not requested any mediation but was offered a meeting at a neutral venue. “We were told to sit down at a neutral location, and I said if that is the case, we are willing to meet,” he claimed.

Dar said he received a call from the US for a ceasefire with India.

“I received a call from the US for a ceasefire,” Dar said. “I had made it clear that Pakistan did not want a war.”

India carried out precision strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’ on terror infrastructure early on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.

Following the Indian action, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. The Indian forces launched a fierce counter-attack on several Pakistani military installations.

India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.

Dar said that the ceasefire agreement with India is holding.

Responding to a question, Dar said that the US Secretary of State’s visit to Pakistan has not yet been scheduled.

Pakistan was ready for a comprehensive dialogue with India to discuss Kashmir and all other pending issues, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday.

“Talks, whenever held, will be not just on Kashmir but on all issues,” Dar said while talking to journalists outside parliament in Islamabad, where he was asked about talks with India.

India has made it clear that it will only have a dialogue with Pakistan on the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the issue of terrorism.

Dar, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, emphasised that Pakistan had made it clear from the outset that discussions with India would not take place on any single-point agenda.

He said Pakistan had not requested any mediation but was offered a meeting at a neutral venue. “We were told to sit down at a neutral location, and I said if that is the case, we are willing to meet,” he claimed.

Dar said he received a call from the US for a ceasefire with India.

“I received a call from the US for a ceasefire,” Dar said. “I had made it clear that Pakistan did not want a war.”

India carried out precision strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’ on terror infrastructure early on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Following the Indian action, Pakistan tried to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. The Indian forces launched a fierce counter-attack on several Pakistani military installations.

India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.

Dar said the ceasefire agreement with India is holding.

Responding to a question, Dar said the US Secretary of State’s visit to Pakistan has not yet been scheduled.

Flash floods struck Roshan valley in Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) early Friday after a glacier burst, damaging more than 100 houses and forcing hundreds of families to flee, said officials.

Ghizer, about 200 km from G-B, was among the worst-hit valleys in the recent floods, with at least 10 fatalities reported.

Last month’s torrential rains in G-B triggered flash floods and landslides, leaving over 200 tourists and travellers stranded.

At least five people, including four tourists and one local resident, lost their lives. Authorities reported 14 to 15 major road blockages caused by boulders, debris, and sudden flooding, cutting off access on key routes such as Babusar Top and parts of the Karakoram Highway at Lal Parhi and Tatta Pani, where several vehicles were trapped.

The Pakistan Army deployed helicopters to evacuate those stuck in isolated areas, while heavy machinery was used to clear sections of the road from Thalichi to Chilas, with clearance operations continuing in Tatta Pani and Jalipur.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also announced a Rs4 billion relief package for the flood-hit G-B region, alongside plans for a 100-megawatt solar energy project.

G-B government spokesman Faizullah Faraq told The Express Tribune that floodwaters swept away a century-old bridge, submerged agricultural lands and orchards, and washed away a one-kilometre stretch of road.

“A seven-kilometre-long artificial lake has formed due to the floods, increasing risks for surrounding villages,” he warned.

“More than 100 households have been directly affected, forcing large-scale displacement as families move with their belongings to safer locations,” he said, adding that farmlands, orchards, a timber factory, flour mills and other infrastructure had also been destroyed.

Read: Evacuation ordered as Sutlej swells

The spokesperson confirmed that all stranded people had been rescued, but “hundreds have already been displaced and are moving with their belongings to safer areas.”

He added that government teams are carrying out relief operations in the region.

Rescue 1122 officials warned about an artificial dam created in Roshan, saying if it bursts, the Ghizer River could trigger flooding in low-lying parts of Gilgit city.

Officials added that mosque and Imambargah announcements are being made to alert people about precautionary evacuation. The emergency service stressed these steps were being taken “to reduce possible losses in case of an untoward situation”.

G-B Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan visited the affected areas to review relief operations, accompanied by provincial ministers Engineer Mohammad Anwar and Rahmat Khaliq, Speaker Nazir Advocate and lawmaker Nawaz Naji. Deputy Commissioner Ghizer briefed the chief minister on losses suffered by local communities.

The CM ordered the immediate evacuation of flood-hit areas to safer locations and directed officials to provide relief and medical aid. He also thanked the Commander FCNA for swiftly launching a rescue operation.

Separately, more than 700 people have been killed and nearly 1,000 injured in monsoon-related incidents across the country since June 26, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). In Punjab, at least 165 people have died and 584 others have been injured due to rain-related incidents.

Of the total fatalities, at least 356 were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). In Karachi, at least 10 people lost their lives as heavy downpours inundated neighbourhoods, crippled traffic and caused widespread power outages, prompting the mayor to declare a rain emergency.