Walter Koenig, who brought humor and grit to the role of starship navigator Pavel Chekov on the classic 1960s sci-fi TV series Star Trek and seven subsequent feature films, has died at the age of 90.
“My heart is heavy. Walter Koenig, our Ensign Pavel Chekov, passed away early today,” George Takei, who starred alongside Koenig in the show and was a long-time friend, wrote on Facebook on Monday.
Koenig died at his home in Los Angeles, The Associated Pressreported, citing his talent agent.
Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry picked Koenig, who had played only a few prior roles on television, when he decided to add a Russian character to the crew of the fictional Starship Enterprise.
The introduction of a Russian officer who worked harmoniously with a racially and culturally diverse crew came amid the real-world Cold War tensions of the era.
“We were stating tacitly that peoples of all races and creeds, nationalities could not only co-exist but care for each other deeply, and in doing so we were heralding a future that was very optimistic,” Koenig once told a BBC interviewer.
While Koenig was the son of Russian Jewish immigrants, he used an inauthentic Russian accent that was sometimes played for laughs.
The original TV series ran for three seasons, from 1966 to 1969. Koenig appeared on 36 episodes, and then in seven movies from 1979 to 1994.
“I was informed while I was still there at my audition that I had the role,” Koenig told the Joplin Globe in 2008.
“It seemed like an engagement that might work out over several episodes, but I had no idea that it would totally shape my career and my life.”
The show remained popular in syndicated reruns and inspired several later TV series and a succession of films. It attracted a devoted worldwide fan base and earned an enduring place in pop culture.
Koenig’s Star Trek fame was a blessing and a curse, as it was for cast mates such as William Shatner (Captain Kirk), Leonard Nimoy (Spock), DeForest Kelley (Dr McCoy), Nichelle Nichols (Uhura), James Doohan (Scotty) and Takei, who played Lieutenant Sulu.
They were often typecast because they were so closely associated with Star Trek.
“Most of the ‘70s, I didn’t work at all, and I blamed it on typecasting,” Koenig told the St. Petersburg Times in 1998.
He later landed a regular role on the 1990s sci-fi series Babylon 5 and was an author, script writer and occasional director.
Koenig was born on Sept 14, 1936, raised in New York City and attended the University of California, Los Angeles, before beginning his professional acting career.
He suffered a personal tragedy in 2010 when his son, actor Andrew Koenig, took his own life. Koenig married his wife Judy in 1965. They also had a daughter, actress Danielle Koenig.
ISLAMABAD: The government on Monday warned that drug prices must not be increased without valid justification and ordered a review of the existing pricing formula to ensure medicines are priced fairly without creating unnecessary hurdles for patients, importers or the pharmaceutical industry.
Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, who chaired a meeting of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap), directed officials to expedite the processing of pending drug-pricing cases after being briefed that their case-by-case evaluation was almost complete.
The minister appreciated the progress and acknowledged the efforts of Climate Change Minister Dr Musadik Malik and Drap officials in completing the evaluation.
Health Secretary Momin Agha, Drap Chief Executive Officer Dr Obaidullah Malik and other senior officials also attended the meeting.
The meeting was also informed that sufficient quantities of the trivalent influenza vaccine recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) were available in the market.
Drap had withdrawn the hardship case relating to the vaccine as its prices were controlled in the international market.
Officials told the meeting that Drap was reviewing the existing drug-pricing formula and examining provisions that could hinder the determination of fair and accurate prices.
Cheema suggested that Drap consider subscribing to specialised international databases on drug prices to strengthen independent assessment and provide more reliable benchmarks for pricing decisions.
“Public facilitation should remain the government’s top priority,” he emphasised, adding that any increase in medicine prices without valid justification was unacceptable.
The minister said price comparisons with other countries could provide useful benchmarks, but stressed the need for independent checks and balances in the pricing process.
Cheema ordered that the pricing mechanism should remain people-centred while avoiding unnecessary barriers for importers and pharmaceutical companies.
Pharma industry’s perspective
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) urged the government to engage industry in the formula review so that the outcome could be workable and sustainable.
PPMA Vice Chairman Usman Shaukat told Dawn that the pharmaceutical industry fully shared the government’s objective that medicines must remain affordable and accessible to every Pakistani.
“No responsible manufacturer seeks an unjustified price increase, and we welcome Senator Ahad Cheema’s direction to expedite pending pricing cases and to review the pricing formula. A fair, transparent and predictable mechanism serves patients and industry alike,” he said.
“However, affordability and availability go hand in hand. The real threat to patients is not a justified price adjustment but a medicine disappearing from the shelf.”
Shaukat noted that products become unviable when the cost of active ingredients, packaging, energy, freight and compliance rises — most of which is imported and relies on the dollar — and prices remain frozen for years.
“Manufacturers are then forced to stop production, which creates shortages and pushes patients towards costlier imported alternatives, smuggled stock or spurious medicines,“ he explained.
Shaukat said that the industry supports the use of international benchmarks and independent databases, provided comparisons account for the cost of doing business within Pakistan, high financing costs, exchange-rate exposure and the fact that Pakistani medicine prices are already among the lowest in the region.
“Benchmarks should be a tool for fairness, not a ceiling that ignores input costs,” he highlighted.
“PPMA proposes that the revised formula include a clear, time-bound and rules-based mechanism, including periodic CPI and cost-linked adjustments, so that hardship cases do not pile up and decisions are not delayed for years,” Shaukat added.
LONDON – Arshad Khan, the Pakistani tea seller who rose to fame after his photograph went viral in 2016, has expanded his café business in Britain with a third outlet in New Malden, south London.
The new branch of Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan is being launched by British-Pakistani businessman Asif Khaliq, the brand’s UK master franchise holder. He opened the first outlet in Tooting in January 2025, followed by a second in Sutton.
Mr Khaliq said two more branches were planned within the next month as part of efforts to expand the business across Britain.
Speaking at the New Malden opening, he said demand for Pakistani tea and street food was growing among British Pakistanis, other South Asian communities and the wider public.
“We are doing our best to promote Pakistani culture through food and hospitality,” he said.
The café’s menu includes halwa puri, Lahori chanay, parathas, desi omelettes, samosa chaat and kebab rolls, alongside karak chai, doodh patti and Kashmiri chai.
Mr Khaliq said the response to the Tooting and Sutton outlets had encouraged further expansion. The aim, he added, was to introduce Pakistani flavours to customers from different communities.
Khan welcomed the brand’s progress under Mr Khaliq, crediting him with helping expand its presence in Britain.
From roadside stall to café business
Khan became an internet sensation in 2016 after photographer Javeria Ali photographed him serving tea at a roadside stall in Islamabad. The image drew international attention and led to modelling, advertising and business opportunities.
He established his café business in Pakistan in 2020 before pursuing overseas expansion through franchise arrangements. While his cafés in Pakistan have since closed, the overseas business has continued to grow.
Dispute with former franchise partners
The expansion follows a dispute involving an earlier UK franchise arrangement, which began with an outlet in Ilford, east London, in June 2023.
Khan and his business partner, Syed Kazim Hasan, became involved in a disagreement with former franchise partners Nadir Durrani and Yawar Akbar Durrani over contractual obligations, royalty payments, trademark registration and the commercial use of Khan’s name and image.
Khan and Hasan initiated proceedings at the UK Intellectual Property Office to challenge a figurative trademark registered by a former business partner.
In their legal case, they alleged that the registration used Khan’s likeness without continuing authorisation after the franchise relationship ended. According to their filing, the arrangement was terminated in April 2025, while the disputed trademark application was submitted in August that year.
The material provided did not include a response from the former franchise partners or an outcome of the proceedings.
ISLAMABAD – Pakistanis face another increase in fuel costs after the federal government raised petrol by Rs1.54 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs2.16 per litre for Tuesday.
OGRA linked the adjustment to developments in international markets, including changes in Platts benchmark rates, premiums and incidental costs.
Diesel users have now faced two successive increases. On Friday, the government raised HSD by Rs1.91 per litre while leaving petrol unchanged. Together, the two revisions have added Rs4.07 per litre to diesel prices.
The domestic increase comes as global crude markets pulled back on Monday, with hopes of easing hostilities between the United States and Iran reducing some supply concerns. However, persistent attacks on Saudi Arabia kept investors cautious and oil prices near six-month highs.
Brent crude futures fell $2.03, or 1.7%, to $114.70 per barrel at 10:37am ET, equivalent to 1437 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude dropped $2.60, or 2.5%, to $100.71 per barrel.
ISLAMABAD – Clips doing rounds online as evidence of fierce clashes in Azad Jammu and Kashmir turned out to be manipulated, as artificial gunfire was added to create the impression of an armed confrontation.
The posts being pushed in bulk by Indian accounts claimed that widespread fighting had erupted in Chitra Topi, South Bagh and other locations, leaving parts of the region facing warlike conditions.
FAKE NEWS
Clashes Reported in Chitral, Topi, South Bagh and POK
The situation reportedly resembles a war zone, with security forces conducting operations across the areas. The scale of the activity has raised concerns among local residents. https://t.co/mRi407QZeE
Footage presented as proof of intense clashes had been edited through the addition of gunfire sounds. It said the editing gave viewers a misleading impression of the events shown. Several other clips show large-scale military operations in Chitral, Topi, South Bagh and Azad Kashmir and these are AI-generated or fabricated.
Indian-linked digital networks of repurposing unrelated footage and adding artificial audio to promote claims of unrest and action by state institutions. Establishing who created the videos, or whether their circulation was coordinated, would require further evidence.
Pakistanis are urged to check the original upload, location, recording date and credible local reporting before sharing footage presented as evidence of a security incident.
LAHORE — A meeting of Board of Directors of The Bank of Punjab (BOP) was held on October 26, 2026, wherein the Bank’s unaudited financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, were reviewed and approved.
Building on its strong performance during the first half of the year, the Bank maintained its steady growth momentum, delivering sustained business expansion, robust core earnings, and consistent operational performance. The results reflect BOP’s strengthening financial fundamentals, effective strategic execution, and growing competitive position within Pakistan’s banking industry, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable growth and long-term value creation for stakeholders.
The Bank of Punjab continued its upward earnings trajectory during the nine months ended September 30, 2026, demonstrating the strength of its core banking franchise and the effectiveness of its business strategy. Operating Profit (before provisions and gains) climbed to Rs. 34.42 billion, marking an impressive 34% year-on-year increase. The Bank’s revenue performance remained equally encouraging, with Net Interest Income reaching Rs. 69.40 billion, up 19%, while Non-Markup Income (excluding gains) advanced to Rs. 18.04 billion, recording 47% growth. These results highlight the Bank’s ability to generate sustainable earnings through strategic balance sheet management, strengthening non-funded income streams, and a diversified revenue base.
The sustained strength in core earnings, complemented by disciplined expense management, continued to support the Bank’s overall profitability. Profit Before Tax rose to Rs. 30.46 billion, representing 15% year-on-year growth, while Profit After Tax increased to Rs. 14.53 billion, reflecting a 22% improvement over the corresponding period last year. The Bank’s continued focus on productivity, cost optimization, and operational discipline contributed to improved efficiency, with the Cost-to-Income Ratio (excluding gains) improving by 3.03%. This combination of revenue growth, profitability, and enhanced operating efficiency reflects BOP’s progress towards building a stronger, more competitive, and financially resilient banking institution.
Robust Advances Growth & Improved Deposit Mix
The Bank also demonstrated sustained business momentum during the nine months ended September 30, 2026, with gross advances registering an impressive 28% year-on-year growth, reflecting the Bank’s expanding lending footprint and continued support for economic activity. Despite a broadly stable overall balance sheet, the Bank made significant strides in strengthening its core deposit franchise, with current deposits growing by 16% year-on-year, while average current deposits recorded a remarkable 25% increase over the corresponding period last year. This strong growth in low-cost deposits underscores the Bank’s continued focus on improving its funding mix, enhancing funding efficiency, and building a more sustainable foundation for long-term profitability. Total assets and deposits stood at Rs. 2,456 billion and Rs. 1,928 billion, respectively, while gross advances reached Rs. 1,073 billion, highlighting the Bank’s continued emphasis on productive asset deployment and strengthening its core banking business.
Strengthened Capital Base & Regulatory Compliance
The Bank further reinforced its capital position, supported by strong financial performance and continued equity support from the Government of Punjab. During the period, the Bank received Rs. 15.6 billion from the Government of Punjab under the equity injection arrangements, representing a significant step towards strengthening its capital base. As of September 30, 2026, the Bank’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) stood at 13.94%, while its Leverage Ratio reached 4.07%, both comfortably above the regulatory requirements prescribed by the State Bank of Pakistan. The Bank also maintained full compliance with applicable IFRS 9 provisioning requirements, reaffirming its commitment to prudent financial management, regulatory discipline, and long-term financial resilience.
The year 2026 marked significant strategic achievements for The Bank of Punjab, further strengthening its institutional standing and growth prospects. The Bank’s long-term credit rating was upgraded by PACRA to the highest AAA category with a Stable Outlook, reflecting its strengthened financial profile and institutional resilience. Expanding its international footprint, BOP also secured in-principle approval from the State Bank of Pakistan to establish an Overseas Wholesale Banking Unit in the Kingdom of Bahrain, opening new avenues for cross-border business and regional connectivity. Complementing these milestones, the Bank continued to earn prestigious national recognition, securing three accolades at the Pakistan Banking Awards 2026 for Agriculture Inclusion, SME Banking, and Women’s Inclusion. These achievements extend BOP’s remarkable track record of consecutive awards across key banking segments, reinforcing its growing market standing, commitment to financial inclusion, and pursuit of sustainable long-term growth.
Building a Future-Ready Bank | Strategic Outlook
The Bank of Punjab continues to strengthen its position as a dynamic and increasingly competitive financial institution, combining its established public-sector relationships with a growing commercial banking franchise. Beyond its traditional role as a key financial partner to the Government of Punjab, BOP is progressively broadening its business horizons through deeper customer engagement, diversification of banking services, and a sharper focus on sustainable, relationship-driven growth.
Bank remains committed to leveraging technology, digital innovation, and operational excellence to enhance customer experience, improve service delivery, and build a more efficient and agile banking model. With a clear emphasis on strengthening core banking capabilities, maintaining prudent risk management, and capitalizing on emerging domestic and international opportunities, BOP aims to translate its institutional progress into enduring financial performance. Looking ahead, the Bank’s strategic direction remains firmly anchored in profitable growth, customer-centric innovation, financial inclusion, and sustainable stakeholder value, while continuing to play a meaningful role in Pakistan’s economic development.
NEW YORK – US President Donald Trump took his Michigan campaign rally into viral moment as he made wild comment about Nicki Minaj’s A**, asked her to stand and then told the cheering crowd he hoped she was not offended.
“By the way, I looked at one hell of a beautiful A** before, Nicki Minaj. That’s hard to miss,” Trump said in Port Huron event. The rapper stood and waved as supporters cheered. Trump followed with: “I hope Nicki wasn’t insulted, but we love Nicki. She’s been with us for a long time.” The exchange came as Trump campaigned for Republicans ahead of November’s midterm elections, with Minaj joining him after travelling to Michigan aboard Air Force One.
SNEAKO’s FACE when Trump says Nicki Minaj has “one hell of an ass” and then STARES at it
BRO WAS NOT READY FOR THAT https://t.co/6ZCnjqZ4Yz
His remark followed detailed explanation of his earlier comments about Ohio Republican Senator Jon Husted’s physique. Trump insisted those observations concerned Husted’s football background and had been made “in fun”, arguing that reports had missed the context.
“I’ve never done that with a man before. Off the record, women? Yes. Men? No,” he said, before switching his attention to Minaj.
Nicki Minaj used her appearance to rally support for Republican candidates. Slaying in gold Gucci suit, the 43-year-old rapper led chants of Trump’s name and described the election as a major turning point for the United States. As she left the stage, Trump offered more praise: “She never looked more beautiful. She gets it. She’s smart.”
Her trip also sparked talk of a possible White House role after communications director Steven Cheung shared a video of her discussing the administration’s economic and foreign policies aboard Air Force One. “Ladies and gentlemen, I think we may have found the new White House Press Secretary!” Cheung wrote on X.
TEHRAN – Senior officials from Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey concluded high-level meeting in Tehran aimed at preventing further escalation and opening a path towards an agreement amid regional tensions.
The meeting was held at Iranian capital’s Saadabad complex, and talks brought together leading political, defence and intelligence figures from the four countries. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged the participants to put shared interests at the centre of regional diplomacy, saying differences could be addressed more effectively through constructive engagement.
Moments from Major General Rezaei’s meeting with senior Turkish, Saudi, and Pakistani officials. https://t.co/V3OD1WZr3U
— IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) (@iribnews_irib) October 26, 2026
He said regional problems would become easier to resolve if countries managed their disagreements wisely and concentrated on common ground instead of issues that deepen divisions.
Pakistan was represented by its Chief of Defence Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin also attended. Joining Pezeshkian on the Iranian side were Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Saudi Arabia termed discussions positive efforts to prevent tensions from escalating further and create conditions for an agreement. The supplied account did not detail any final agreement or joint declaration following the meeting.
The meeting comes after Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed a defence and security agreement on August 7 this year, known as the Makkah Pact.
Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 employees, the company said on Monday, roughly a quarter of its workforce, as the tech giant seeks to cut costs while pouring money into artificial intelligence.
Staff on select teams in the United States, Canada, India and Britain at vice president level and below will be eligible, a Microsoft spokesperson said, while some groups of employees, including some working on data centres, sales and marketing, are excluded.
“The Voluntary Exit Offer reflects an important part of how we’re evolving our approach to change: creating greater flexibility and, where possible, more ways for employees to shape their next chapter,” Amy Coleman, an executive vice president and chief people officer, told employees in a memo.
It’s the second voluntary buyout offer that Microsoft has offered employees this year.
In April, the company reportedly offered around seven per cent of its US workforce the option to retire early.
Around 30pc of those eligible took the voluntary retirement plan, according to CNBC.
Microsoft had 223,000 employees globally at the end of June, down from 228,000 at the end of 2025, according to regulatory filings.
Around 27pc of Microsoft’s workforce is eligible for the new buyout offer.
The company is expected to report quarterly earnings later this week.
Tech layoffs
As major tech giants continue to spend heavily on AI-related investments, concerns persist about the impact of the technology on jobs.
Even industry insiders, such as Anthropic Chief Executive Officer Dario Amodei, have warned of mass job losses.
Netflix will reportedly cut around 6pc of its workforce, or 1,000 jobs, US media reported last week.
Auction site eBay laid off 1,000 employees earlier this month, adding to a previous round earlier this year which impacted 800 jobs.
In May, Meta laid off around 10pc of its global workforce, impacting around 8,000 employees.
In April, Meta also said it would cancel plans to hire an additional 6,000 people and also shift 7,000 other employees into AI workflow-related roles.
Ride-hailing giant Uber said in September that it would lay off around 10pc of its staff, impacting an estimated 3,000 or more employees.
And e-commerce giant Amazon announced 16,000 global job cuts in January.
Microsoft previously cut nearly 5,000 jobs in July that heavily targeted its Xbox gaming division.
Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet and Meta are collectively on track to pour roughly $700 billion into AI data centres, chips and computing infrastructure this year alone.
In July, Microsoft said it spent $41bn overall between April and June and expected to increase its spending to $50bn between July and September.
However, the company also adjusted its forecast for total spending in the 2026 calendar year to $175bn, down from $190bn previously.
Around two-thirds of its spending goes towards “short-lived assets,” specifically chips, due to customer demand for “both AI and non-AI infrastructure”, Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood said during a call with analysts.
Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank’s Hebron city, launched after a deadly attack by Palestinian gunmen, raises serious concerns of “ethnic cleansing”, the United Nations (UN) warned Monday.
The municipality in Hebron, the Palestinian territory’s largest city, said in a statement that 3,189 people had been forced from their homes by the ongoing operation.
It followed Friday’s attack in which two Palestinian gunmen killed two soldiers at a checkpoint near the city, just days before Tuesday’s Israeli elections. The gunmen were killed in a shootout.
Israeli troops entered the Hebron neighbourhood of Ein Deir Baha, where the two assailants lived, and ordered residents to pack up and leave.
Israel’s “aggressive operation” has already resulted in the forcible displacement of thousands of Palestinians, “demolished homes and commercial property, and deprived residents of the ability to move freely”, UN rights chief Volker Türk said in a statement.
“The sweeping steps taken raise grave concerns of unnecessary and disproportionate use of force — which must end.”
He said the lockdown was confining many to their homes and immediate neighbourhoods.
“Declarations by senior Israeli government officials indicate that the measures implemented are punitive in nature and designed to instil fear. This is unacceptable,” said Turk.
“Those who have been displaced must be allowed to return home. Israel must ensure compensation and reparation for unlawful evictions and demolitions, and associated displacement.
“Collective punishment is a grave violation of international law. Threats to empty and erase entire neighbourhoods also raise serious concerns of ethnic cleansing.”
Speaking earlier in Cairo, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply alarmed by Israeli actions in the West Bank.
“Evictions are unrelenting, with Palestinians driven from their lands. Settler violence is surging,” he said.
“We are seeing an increasingly coercive environment, with the spectre of ethnic cleansing looming ever larger. This must end.”
Guterres said there could be no durable peace in the Middle East “without the realisation of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination”.
ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Monday blocked a private member’s bill seeking to withdraw the free-for-all issuance of diplomatic passports to ministers of state, advisers, special assistants and senior bureaucrats and rejected the motion for introduction of the Passports (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The bill was moved by PTI Senator Faisal Saleem Rahman, chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, along with senators Samina Mumtaz Zehri and Saifullah Abro.
Declaring his opposition to the bill, State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudhry said, “You are bringing an amendment to the authority of the cabinet which you have not seen.”
To this, Senator Faisal responded that the bill was about diplomatic passports, which only ministers should have. “There should be no distribution in the issuance of diplomatic passports,“ he observed.
PPP Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro argued that a minister of state is also a representative of the Parliament.
According to the copy of the bill available with Dawn, it sought to amend the Passports Act 1974 by inserting a new Section 12A for restriction on diplomatic passport entitlement of ministers of state, advisers, special assistants, federal secretaries and director generals.
It provided that no diplomatic passport shall be issued, re-issued or renewed to a minister of state, adviser to the prime minister, special assistant to the prime minister, federal secretaries other than the foreign secretary, or director general, by virtue of holding such office, and any such passport already held shall be surrendered to the prescribed authority within 30 days of commencement of the Act.
The proposed bill clarified that nothing shall prevent such persons from obtaining or retaining an ordinary or official passport where otherwise entitled, and nothing shall affect any independent entitlement arising by virtue of any other office, appointment or diplomatic assignment which lawfully carries such entitlement.
The bill’s statement of objects and reasons noted that the Passports Rules 2021 provide for the issuance of diplomatic passports to various categories of public office holders, including state ministers and functionaries having the status of minister of state.
“A diplomatic passport is a special travel document of the state, and its issuance should primarily correspond to the nature and requirements of diplomatic or state functions rather than operate automatically as a privilege attached to rank or status,” the bill read.
It said the proposed amendment would not restrict official duties or official foreign travel, as a person may continue to obtain an ordinary or official passport where otherwise entitled.
The bill sought only to provide that holding, or having previously held, the office or status of minister of state, adviser, special assistant, federal secretary other than foreign secretary, or director general shall not, by itself, constitute an entitlement to a diplomatic passport.
It argued that the proposed amendment was intended to ensure a clear and reasonable distinction between diplomatic functions and political status and to promote a transparent and purpose-based system for issuance of diplomatic passports.
Heated exchange among allies triggers PPP walkout
The Upper House also witnessed an exchange of hot words between PML-N’s Nasir Butt and PPP’s Sherry Rehman during the passage of the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2026.
The bill, moved by Senator Zehri of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), was passed despite the PML-N-led government’s opposition.
Butt asked who the PPP was supporting, with PPP senators walking out after the episode.
The consumer protection bill secured 10 votes in favour and four against, after a vote was allowed for the second time.
Chaudhry opposed the bill, while Zehri criticised the government for opposing the legislation, saying it neither worked itself nor allowed others to work.
The House also unanimously passed a bill to amend the law banning plastic book covers in the federal capital to remove an exemption clause that allowed its misuse.
According to the statement of objects and reasons, the principal Act was enacted with the object of regulating and prohibiting the use of plastic book covers within ICT.
“During the examination of the provisions of the said Act, it has been considered necessary to review the exceptions and other provisions contained in section 3, particularly clause (a) of sub-section (2) thereof,” it read, adding that the continued retention of the said clause may result in an exception which is inconsistent with the intended purpose of the Act.
Speaking on the occasion, Senator Rehman said plastic covers were still being used on books in some big shops in Islamabad. She said a meeting with the Ministry of Interior had also been held on the issue.
“During checking, shopkeepers declare every plastic as biodegradable,” she said, adding that according to the interior ministry, there is no laboratory or scale available in the country to check biodegradable plastic.
The former climate minister highlighted that the purpose of the amendment was to remove legal ambiguity regarding plastic book covers.
“Under the amendment, there will be a complete ban on all types of plastic in Islamabad,” she said, adding that no one would have an exemption for the use of plastic.
The Senate also approved an amendment in the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), while deferring the Islamabad Metro Bus Service Bill, 2026.
PTI voices concerns over re-description of KP constituencies
Meanwhile, PTI parliamentary leader in the Senate, Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, raised serious concerns over the “description” of several national and provincial assembly constituencies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, deploring that the revisions were made without hearing public objections.
Senator Zafar stated that constituencies determine the representation of people in Parliament and that any changes affecting them must be made strictly in accordance with the law, through a transparent process and with full public scrutiny.
“The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) cannot treat the law as optional,” he said, adding that Section 22 of the Elections Act 2017 lays down legal requirements relating to changes in constituencies. “If the prescribed procedure has not been followed, the legality of the entire exercise is called into question.”
He demanded clear answers from the ECP, asking why these changes were made without a transparent public process and who would be held responsible if the law had been violated.
Senator Zafar also expressed concern over the continued delay in appointing a successor to the chief election commissioner, whose five-year term expired on Jan 26, 2025.
While Article 215 provides for continuation in office until a successor takes over, he said this provision must not become an excuse for indefinite delay in making an important constitutional appointment. “The government must explain why the matter remains unresolved.”
“An ECP that commands public confidence must be above suspicion. It must not only act fairly; it must demonstrate fairness,” Senator Zafar said.
“Electoral decisions must not create the impression that political interests are being served at the expense of the law.”
The PTI senator called upon the government to take notice of the matter and ensure compliance with the law. He further demanded that the ECP provide a clear legal justification for its actions and that any failure to follow the prescribed procedure be addressed.
“Elections are the foundation of democracy. If the process is not transparent, public confidence in the electoral system will be undermined. The law must be respected, the people must be heard, and no institution, however powerful, is above the Constitution,” he remarked.
Responding to the concerns, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the matter was being discussed on the basis of a newspaper report and asked members to share any official notification. He said he would seek further information from the ECP.
Resolution on occupied Kashmir unanimously adopted
The House also witnessed a show of unity as it unanimously adopted a resolution reaffirming Pakistan’s unequivocal support for the right to self-determination of the people of India-occupied Kashmir (IoK) on the occasion of Kashmir Black Day to be observed tomorrow (Oct 27).
The resolution was moved by Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam.
The resolution declared that the entry of Indian forces into occupied Jammu and Kashmir on Oct 27, 1947, followed by the unlawful and forcible occupation of the territory and the situation that ensued, marked a significant turning point in the history of the Kashmir dispute.
It paid tribute to the people of occupied Kashmir for their continued struggle and sacrifices in pursuit of their right to self-determination.
It emphasised the importance of a peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and of ensuring the right of Kashmiri people to determine their own future.
The resolution reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled position that a just and lasting settlement of the dispute is not possible without respecting the aspirations of Kashmiris and their right to self-determination, for which it called upon the UN to play an effective role through its relevant resolutions.
The resolution also urged the international community to take due cognisance of human rights violations in IoK and to play an effective role in safeguarding the fundamental rights of Kashmiri people.
It called upon the government of Pakistan to continue extending political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of IoK and to intensify its efforts to highlight the Kashmir dispute at the international level.
The House reaffirmed its unwavering resolve and commitment that the Senate of Pakistan shall continue its support to the legitimate struggle of the IIOJK people and to uphold their right to self-determination.
ISLAMABAD: Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain on Monday announced that the government would maintain strategic wheat reserves of up to six million tonnes, asserting there would be no shortage of wheat in Pakistan this year as adequate arrangements were in place to meet the national requirements.
“This will help ensure uninterrupted supplies and protect the country against potential market disruptions,” the minister said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.
His remarks came days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the indicative price of Rs4,500 per maund of wheat for 2027, raising the price by Rs1,000 from last year.
Hussain noted that the government had fixed the indicative wheat support price at Rs4,500 per 40kg following extensive consultations with all provincial governments.
“The enhanced support price will not only maintain stability in the domestic wheat market but also enable the country to export wheat next year.”
The decision on the new indicative price reflected the approach aimed at safeguarding farmers’ interests, he contended.
The minister explained that imported wheat would also cost approximately Rs4,500 per maund, making domestic procurement a more suitable option. He reiterated that the government would prioritise Pakistani farmers rather than rely unnecessarily on imported wheat.
Providing details of wheat supplies, the minister disclosed that more than 1.3 million metric tonnes of wheat had been provided to the provinces from stocks of the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco).
He further stated that arrangements could be made to import up to 550,000 metric tonnes of wheat in accordance with provincial requirements and demand.
Expressing concern over recent fluctuations in wheat prices, Hussain described the prevailing price hike as artificial and manipulated by certain market elements.
He maintained that sufficient wheat stocks were available in the country and expressed confidence that prices would return to normal within the next few days.
The food security minister emphasised that the government was closely monitoring market developments and would take necessary measures to discourage artificial shortages, speculative practices and unjustified price increases.
The minister said that the federal government, under the leadership of PM Shehbaz, was taking comprehensive measures to strengthen agricultural productivity, improve market regulation and ensure the availability of essential food commodities across the country.
Discussing broader agricultural reforms, Hussain stated that the government had also formulated policies relating to seeds, olives and biotechnology to modernise Pakistan’s agricultural sector, improve crop productivity and encourage innovation.
He reiterated that ensuring the “availability of quality seeds, promoting modern agricultural technologies and improving regulatory mechanisms” were essential for increasing agricultural productivity and reducing farmers’ production costs.
“Agriculture remains the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. Sustainable agricultural development is indispensable for national economic stability, rural prosperity and long-term food security,” Hussain reaffirmed.
Endorsing the government’s pledge to export wheat next year, Pakistan Kissan Ittehad President Khalid Mahmood Khokhar appreciated the government’s decision to fix the indicative wheat price at Rs4500 per 40kg.
He expressed his satisfaction over the consultation process and acknowledged the importance of providing farmers with a predictable and reasonable price for their produce.
Last month, the Pakistan Kissan Ittehad demanded a Rs5,000 per 40kg support price for wheat, warning that farmers may not sow wheat for the next season if the government delays announcing crop policies.
The association had maintained that the farmers were unable to afford balanced fertiliser use because they were not recovering production costs.h a predictable and reasonable price for their produce.
ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Monday cleared three major infrastructure projects worth Rs100 billion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, recommending them to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) for formal approval.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) presided over by Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal.
“Federal government reaffirms commitment to KP’s development,” said Iqbal, referring to CDWP’s recommendation for a Rs69.89bn irrigation project to boost agriculture and rural livelihoods in the province.
Since the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in KP, the Centre has pledged to work on the province’s development and progress, besides its top priority of combatting terrorism.
The CDWP meeting also cleared another 11 projects throughout the country with an estimated investment of nearly Rs126.50bn, including a mega project worth Rs85.34bn in Punjab.
This brought the total number of projects cleared by CDWP to 14, with an estimated cost of Rs226.48bn.
Of them, Rs40.9bn worth of 10 smaller projects were approved by the CDWP, while four other larger projects were recommended to Ecnec for formal approval.
Under financial rules, CDWP can itself approve projects costing up to Rs7.5bn, while it technically clears larger projects for approval by Ecnec.
The projects, including two mega water and agriculture sector projects worth around $550 million in KP and Punjab, would also unlock around $460m in foreign loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
In the water resources sector, two mega climate-resilient infrastructure projects were recommended to Ecnec for approval.
The project aims to rehabilitate the Pehur Main Canal, construct the Mulkhow Irrigation Distribution System, and extend the Pehur High Level Canal.
The second mega project recommended to Ecnec was the Integrated Hill Torrent Management (Chachar-Mithawan) project in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur districts, worth Rs85.34bn.
Manila-based ADB would also be co-financing this project with a Rs73.06bn ($260m) share, while the Punjab government will be contributing Rs12.28bn.
The initiative seeks to implement modern spate irrigation, flood protection channels, telemetry systems, and centralised Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (Scada) monitoring to strengthen regional water security.
The meeting also cleared Rs13.32bn Prime Minister’s Solar Scheme for Newly Merged Districts (NMDs) and referred it to Ecnec to provide off-grid solar energy solutions to households in merged districts.
In the transport and communications sector, the CDWP recommended a project for the improvement and widening of the 39-kilometre Chakdara-Timergara section of N-45, costing Rs17.01bn to Ecnec.
To be financed through foreign funding via Exim Bank, the project will upgrade a vital transport corridor linking Chakdara, Timergara, Dir, and Chitral, significantly boosting trade, road safety, and tourism across the Kalash, Shandur, and Kumrat valleys.
Approved projects
The CDWP itself approved a total of 10 projects.
The first one, pertaining to the construction of an eight-lane overhead bridge at Imamia Colony Railway Crossing, Shahdara (N-5)-Lahore, was approved at an estimated cost of Rs7.49bn.
This includes construction and rehabilitation of connecting link roads to alleviate urban congestion in Lahore’s Shahdara Town.
In the education and training sector, the CDWP approved in principle three initiatives to expand quality educational access.
It approved in principle the establishment of Daanish Schools across Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, KP, and Sindh, with the preparation estimated at Rs122.4m.
Similarly, the establishment of a Daanish School in Islamabad’s Kuri, costing Rs7.36bn was approved in principle to expand educational infrastructure in the federal capital.
Additionally, the establishment of a Daanish School in Kan Mehterzai of Balochistan’s Qila Saifullah district, valued at Rs4.53bn was approved in principle, subject to a technical review by a committee led by the member for infrastructure.
In the higher education sector, four key youth development initiatives were processed.
The PM’s Youth Development Centres project, valued at Rs4.15bn was approved in principle, incorporating third-party validation and structured monitoring frameworks to ensure effective resource utilisation.
The forum also approved the PM’s Talent Hunt Youth Sports League (Phase-I), worth Rs3.99bn, where a steering committee under the Pakistan Sports Board will coordinate efforts across all provinces and regions.
The CDWP also approved Rs1.97bn worth of PM’s National Innovation Award and the establishment of PM’s Youth Programme Sports Academies (High Performance and Resource Centre) and Youth Olympics, worth Rs2.956bn, to foster talent and modern sports infrastructure.
Furthermore, the meeting approved in principle the revamping of Pakistan Television Corporation at an estimated cost of Rs3.96bn.
The project seeks to modernise public broadcasting through digital transformation, international asset commercialisation, and long-term financial sustainability.
The CDWP also evaluated two energy initiatives in the power sector. It approved in principle the installation of a pilot Battery Energy Storage System at the 220 kV Jhimpir-I Grid Station at an estimated cost of Rs4.40bn, to support grid stabilisation and renewable integration.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday sought investment from US financial institutions in its oil refinery upgradation projects as the two countries discussed increasing cooperation in the energy sector.
The development came during a meeting between Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker.
During the meeting, Malik briefed the US envoy on measures Pakistan was taking to ensure energy security amid the evolving geopolitical situation, an official statement said.
Malik highlighted that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East had created challenges for fuel availability, requiring proactive measures to maintain uninterrupted supplies, it said.
The minister underscored Pakistan’s commitment to securing its energy needs and highlighted the ongoing engagement between the teams of both countries to explore opportunities for cooperation.
“He noted that Pakistan’s refinery upgradation programme could offer investment opportunities for US financial institutions,” the statement said.
Baker, for her part, congratulated Pakistan on efficiently managing the fuel supply situation, noting that the country had not experienced a fuel shortage despite the challenging regional circumstances, it added.
The US envoy expressed her country’s desire to work closely with Pakistan to address its energy needs. She emphasised the importance of creating opportunities for US companies in Pakistan and expressed optimism about establishing long-term energy supply contracts, noting that such arrangements would be mutually beneficial and create opportunities for American businesses, it said.
During the meeting, the managing directors of Pakistan State Oil and Pakistan LNG Limited briefed the participants on the interest shown by US companies in LNG supply to Pakistan.
Malik also invited US companies to participate in the upcoming Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, highlighting the investment opportunities available in Pakistan, the handout said.
He expressed deep appreciation for US support and emphasised that enhanced bilateral engagement would help strengthen energy cooperation and contribute to Pakistan’s long-term energy security, the statement concluded.
The development comes after four of five local refineries finally entered into formal agreements with the government last month to upgrade their refining technologies for cleaner product quality and increased production, with an estimated investment of about $5 billion in five years.
ISLAMABAD – The country’s foreign exchange reserves have reached a record high of $21.5 billion in the first quarter, according to the Ministry of Finance.
The ministry has released its report on economic performance for the first quarter of the current fiscal year. Exports, remittances and foreign investment have also increased. IT exports rose by 18 percent, while freelancers’ earnings grew by 46 percent.
According to the report, economic stability and investor confidence improved during July to September 2026. Foreign exchange reserves rose by 52 percent to a record high of $21.5 billion.
Exports stood at $11.2 billion and remittances at $10.9 billion. Foreign direct investment improved to $720 million. The net inflow of total foreign investment was recorded at $3.65 billion, compared with a net outflow of $33 million in the same period last year.
The report says goods exports rose 8 percent to $8.5 billion, while services exports grew 23 percent to $2.7 billion. IT exports increased 18 percent to $1.25 billion, while freelancers’ export earnings rose 46 percent to a record monthly high of $550 million.
Remittances from overseas Pakistanis rose 14 percent. Total inflows into Roshan Digital Accounts reached $14.3 billion.
According to the Ministry of Finance, FBR tax collection stood at Rs3.1 trillion, surpassing the first-quarter target. Private sector credit reached Rs11.28 trillion, up 16.6 percent year-on-year.
The report states that all three major global credit rating agencies have maintained Pakistan’s rating in the B category, with a stable outlook.
Serbia’s long-running student protest movement celebrated a historic win in the country’s election, ending 14 years of rule by the country’s right-wing populist leader Aleksandar Vucic.
Born out of nearly two years of anti-corruption protests sparked by a deadly railway station canopy collapse, the Students’ List is now eyeing a majority.
Here some key points about Serbia’s student-led movement as its candidates prepare to form government.
How did Serbia’s student movement start?
On Nov 1, 2024, a concrete awning at the entrance to Novi Sad train station collapsed, killing 16 people and sparking outcry over the tragedy at the newly renovated station.
Demanding a swift investigation, peaceful protests grew over months into some of the largest demonstrations recorded since the fall of strongman Slobodan Milosevic in 2000.
From the start, university students led the protests, blockading faculties and organising nationwide rallies.
The movement is deliberately leaderless and built around collective decision-making.
Just over a month before the second anniversary of the disaster, Vucic announced early elections, and the students assembled an electoral list drawn largely from academia and professional circles.
They are all deliberately outside any major political party.
A burned election campaign banner of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) is pictured at a pro-government encampment in a park opposite the Serbian Parliament in Belgrade on Oct 26, 2026, after crowds celebrating election results entered the site the previous night and dismantled tents that had occupied the area for months, setting them alight along with a number of cars. — AFP
How did it win?
The movement built its campaign around opposing Vucic, setting aside issues that could divide its supporters.
“In order to win an election, the students needed the support of both groups of voters: those who are pro-European and those who are Eurosceptic,” political analyst Dusan Vucicevic told AFP.
Its campaign focused on corruption, the rule of law and attacks on press freedom.
Its collective decision-making, developed during the protests, continued into the campaign.
Who will lead?
The movement has repeatedly called for an end to the “cult of personality” that has dominated the country’s political system for decades.
The movement has not said who would be prime minister, leaving open who will lead the government, Vucicevic said.
Leading figures include Ilija Srdanovic, a cardiologist who headed the electoral list, and Radomir Saicic, a chemistry professor prominent in the campaign.
But Vucicevic stressed that Serbia’s prime minister does not have to be a member of parliament.
“So they have other people available whom they could bring into the government. We will have to wait and see.”
Supporters of the electoral list “Student List — Students Win” celebrate after Aleksandar Vucic, Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) prime ministerial candidate, conceded defeat in the parliamentary election in Belgrade, Serbia, on October 26, 2026. — Reuters
What are the key policies?
The candidates will need to adapt quickly to deliver on their broad reform platform, with the fight against corruption at its centre.
On foreign policy, the movement has offered fewer details. It previously said it would maintain Serbia’s refusal to impose sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
In a country still heavily dependent on cheap Russian gas but also supported by large European Union (EU) loans, the students will likely inherit Vucic’s political balancing act.
For now, the students’ focus will remain largely domestic, as they continue with their electoral strategy of uniting an “anti-regime electorate” and setting aside differences, Vucicevic said.
But he said the movement’s proposed reforms would likely bring Serbia closer to the EU.
“If the students do what they have announced, they will take much more significant steps towards EU membership for Serbian society than they would by simply draping themselves in European flags.”
Supporters of the Students’ List wave a giant Serbian flag as they celebrate their victory in the Serbian parliamentary elections, in downtown Belgrade on October 25, 2026. — AFP
What will happen to Vucic?
A deputy prime minister from 2012, then prime minister and finally president, Vucic is “politically dead”, according to Vucicevic.
He resigned ahead of the elections to run as prime minister, while his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) won over 100 seats in the country’s parliament.
Presidential elections are due soon, but Vucic is ineligible to run, and the SNS has no obvious candidate.
The question of possible prosecutions remains and will depend on the students’ ability to restore the rule of law.
Former army chief retired Gen Abdul Waheed Kakar, who played a decisive role in resolving Pakistan’s 1993 political crisis, passed away in Rawalpindi on Monday at the age of 89. He leaves behind a legacy that will continue to figure in discussions on the country’s civil-military relationship.
His passing was announced by Inter-Services Public Relations, which said in a note that the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and all ranks of the Pakistan Army expressed sorrow over his passing and paid tribute to his “distinguished military career, leadership and invaluable services”. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also conveyed their condolences.
Gen Kakar is best remembered for helping end a serious confrontation between then-president Ghulam Ishaq Khan and then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 1993, when the country seemed on the brink of another prolonged political crisis and the government stood paralysed. His intervention led to the resignations of both the president and the prime minister, the installation of a caretaker government, and fresh elections that brought the late Benazir Bhutto back to power. The whole episode popularly came to be known as the “Kakar Formula”.
That episode is still referenced in modern discourse because the army under Gen Kakar not only avoided getting involved in the ongoing politics, but also stopped well short of imposing martial law or assuming direct governance. The Kakar Formula instead gave the stakeholders a way out of the political dispute, allowing the political process to continue.
Professional career
Born on March 23, 1937, in Peshawar, he belonged to the Kakar tribe, whose roots lie in Balochistan. Gen Kakar studied at Edwardes College in Peshawar before joining the army and was commissioned into the Frontier Force Regiment in October 1959. He saw combat in both the 1965 war with India, where he served in the Chawinda sector, and the 1971 war, where he served as a brigade major in the Sulemanki sector.
His subsequent career included command and staff appointments, including commanding the 16th Infantry Division and serving as chief of staff of II Corps in Multan. He attended the Command and Staff College in Canada, and later studied at the National Defence College in Rawalpindi.
As adjutant general at General Headquarters (GHQ) from 1987 to 1989, Kakar acquired a reputation for insisting on professional standards and merit. He was appointed commander of XII Corps in 1989 and positioned in Quetta.
Gen Kakar assumed command of the army on Jan 12, 1993, after his predecessor, Gen Asif Nawaz Janjua, died suddenly just months before the Ishaq-Nawaz dispute blew up.
His appointment by president Ishaq had come as a surprise because several lieutenant-generals senior to him were superseded, journalist Mariana Baabar, who had met Gen Kakar at the Armoured Mess shortly after his appointment, told Dawn.
Gen Kakar’s tenure saw Pakistan continue its missile development programme, including work that contributed to the Shaheen missile series.
Kakar resisted intense diplomatic pressure from the Clinton administration, which had offered to deliver the blocked F-16s if Pakistan agreed to a verifiable cap on its nuclear programme. He stood firm, refusing to compromise on the country’s strategic deterrent for conventional hardware.
In 1995, the army uncovered a conspiracy, which came to be known as Operation Khilafat, involving serving and retired military officers who were plotting to overthrow the government and assassinate Kakar and then-prime minister Benazir. The plot was foiled before it could be carried out.
Honours and retirement
Gen Kakar completed his three-year term on Jan 12, 1996, and declined an extension. He later retired from public life and settled in Rawalpindi, staying largely out of the public eye.
Baabar, who met him multiple times, recalled that he never showed an inclination towards any party, neither during his service nor afterwards. She also described him as moderate on religion, noting that he always advocated keeping professionalism and religion separate.
Gen Kakar received several military honours during his career, including the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) and the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military). However, his place in the country’s history books rests less on the decorations he received and more on the events of 1993 and his decision, three years later, to retire without seeking to prolong his service.
Gen Kakar, who was said to be bedridden for several years before his passing, is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
LAHORE – Judicial Commission member Ahsan Bhoon has filed a Rs5 billion damages claim against Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar in the Punjab Defamation Tribunal.
The tribunal declared the claim maintainable and issued a notice to Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar for November 11, 2026.
In his claim filed before the Defamation Tribunal, Ahsan Bhoon stated that Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar made allegedly defamatory remarks in TV interviews and on social media regarding his law degree and his eligibility to practise law.
According to the claim, Ahsan Bhoon obtained his law degree from the University of the Punjab, and it has also been verified by the relevant authorities.
The petitioner’s stance is that the alleged statements damaged his legal services spanning several decades and his professional reputation.
Ahsan Bhoon has asked the tribunal to order Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar to pay Rs1 billion in general damages, Rs2 billion in special damages and Rs2 billion in punitive damages.
Ahsan Bhoon has further prayed that Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar be ordered to withdraw the alleged statements, offer an unconditional apology, and be restrained from making such statements in the future.
RIYADH – Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed fresh attacks on Riyadh airport and pumping stations serving Saudi Arabia’s strategic East–West oil pipeline, a major route for transporting crude without passing through Hormuz.
Saudi authorities have yet to respond to the claims, leaving the reported strikes, their impact and any disruption to operations unconfirmed. The claims come amid an escalation in Houthi attacks on Saudi airports, ports and oil installations over the past month. The pipeline and its pumping stations have also been targeted previously.
Operated by Saudi Aramco, the 1,200-kilometre pipeline carries oil from the kingdom’s eastern region across the Arabian Peninsula to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Its route gives Saudi Arabia an important alternative to shipping crude through the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest claims followed an announcement by the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-backed Houthis that it had struck two ballistic missile launch sites in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa.
According to the coalition, one of those sites had been used to fire a missile towards Riyadh. Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed the projectile in mid-air, the coalition said.
The competing statements underscore the widening threat to Saudi transport and energy infrastructure, although no Saudi confirmation of the latest claimed attacks was available in the supplied account.
Login
