KARACHI – A Karachi court has sentenced a police official to death after finding him guilty of killing a young man in a staged police encounter in the Gulistan-e-Jauhar area.
The Model Criminal Court East handed down the death sentence to police official Shehryar in the case.
The court also sentenced two co-accused police personnel, Nasir and Faisal, to life imprisonment.
Additionally, all three convicts were ordered to pay Rs500,000 each as compensation to the victim’s family.
According to the prosecution, personnel of the Shaheen Force signalled Aamir to stop in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. When he failed to comply, the police officers chased him and entered a residential apartment, where they opened fire on him.
The police officials had initially portrayed the incident as an encounter. However, a case was subsequently registered against the accused at Shahrah-e-Faisal Police Station in 2022.
The court announced its verdict after finding the accused guilty in the case.
Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan arrived in Islamabad on Friday on an official visit, the Foreign Office (FO) said.
The visiting dignitary is undertaking the trip at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who is scheduled to hold “comprehensive talks” with Balakrishnan on cooperation in bilateral and multilateral domains, according to the FO statement.
Prior to his visit, the FO said the trip “assumes significance as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Singapore and comes ahead of Singapore’s assumption of the Asean chairmanship in 2027”.
The initial statement added that apart from bilateral matters, Dar and Balakrishnan would also exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in disaster management between Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Singapore’s Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is also expected to be exchanged.
“Pakistan and Singapore maintain cordial bilateral relations based on mutual respect and longstanding friendship. The visit underscores the shared commitment of the two countries to deepening and diversifying their bilateral partnership,” the statement said.
ISLAMABAD – Electricity consumers across Pakistan could face a fresh financial burden during the coming winter months, as power tariff is expected to rise significantly between December and February, according to reports.
Reports said fuel price adjustments (FPA) could increase by two to three times during these three months, potentially resulting in higher electricity bills for consumers.
The expected increase has been linked to rising prices of liquefied natural gas (LNG), coal and other fuels, which are pushing up the cost of electricity generation.
Officials said local gas availability for power plants could also become a major challenge during winter, as domestic gas supplies are often insufficient to meet household demand during the colder months.
Meanwhile, lower hydropower generation in winter could force power producers to rely more heavily on expensive fuels to maintain electricity production.
Higher international fuel prices are also expected to contribute to increased fuel price adjustments, adding further pressure on electricity consumers.
Reports added that authorities had previously made efforts to limit the impact of fuel costs through measures that included two-hour load management and other steps to control the financial burden.
However, rising international fuel prices, particularly LNG, have made the outlook for electricity costs more challenging.
QUETTA – Security forces have foiled an attempted drone attack on a security checkpost in Balochistan’s Kharan district, destroying five drones during the operation.
Reports said terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan attempted to target a checkpost in an area of Kharan using low-altitude drones.
However, security personnel responded swiftly and effectively, intercepting and destroying all five drones before they could strike the installation.
No casualties or damage to property were reported in the incident.
Security forces reiterated their determination to eliminate terrorism from Balochistan and maintain peace and security across the province.
Earlier this week, security forces have killed nine Indian-sponsored terrorists during two intelligence-based operations in Balochistan.
According to ISPR, security forces conducted two intelligence based operations in Kachhi and Wadh districts of Balochistan, on reported presence of terrorists belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna al-Hindustan.
The first intelligence based operation was conducted in Kachhi district. During the conduct of operation, terrorists hideout was busted by security forces and after an intense fire exchange, seven Indian sponsored terrorists were killed. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered.
In another intelligence based operation in district Wadh, security forces tracked and intercepted terrorist movement and after an intense fire exchange, two Indian-sponsored killed. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered.
Relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision “Azm e Istehkam”, as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan, by security sources and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
Los letones no se fían de sus “simpáticos vecinos”. Tal es así que usan con cierto hábito este atajo lingüístico, lleno de retintín, antes que hablar a las claras de rusos y bielorrusos. Con estos dos viejos aliados de la vasta llanura, Letonia ― con 1,8 millones de habitantes― comparte más de 450 kilómetros de su frontera este. Es por esto que su linde forma parte de lo que, entre la tropa, se denomina flanco oriental de la OTAN y la Unión Europea. Consecuencia: está en la diana del enemigo número uno, esto es, de Rusia. En mayo, la colisión de tres drones que volaban desde el frente de batalla ucranio hizo saltar por los aires la coalición del Gobierno letón. En solo cinco meses, el país báltico se ha blindado defensivamente gracias, en parte, al empuje de la producción local de vanguardia de armas autónomas. Pero el temor continúa.
KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has announced that an internship programme for fresh graduates is being launched from next month through the iwork4Sindh platform.
He said that the programme would provide young people with better opportunities to gain practical experience.
He said the Sindh government is taking practical measures to provide employment opportunities to young people and enhance their professional capabilities. “The government wants young people to have an appropriate platform to utilise their abilities and access better opportunities,” he added.
Mr Memon added that the next phase of physical short courses for skilled individuals is also being launched on the iwork4Sindh platform in collaboration with companies.
These courses will focus on developing young people’s skills in accordance with market requirements, he said, adding that in the present era, traditional education alone is not sufficient, as practical skills and professional training are also of great importance to secure employment.
Regarding the performance of the iwork4Sindh platform, the minister said that more than 5.3 million visits had been recorded on the platform so far, while the number of registered candidates had increased to 137,770 and the number of registered companies had reached 726.
The senior minister said that 26,677 active job opportunities were currently available on the platform, while the number of applications submitted had reached 480,000.
He mentioned that during the past three months, 4,800 candidates had completed various courses, while around 6,000 candidates were currently undergoing training in different courses.
He said career counselling was also continuing to guide young people and help them choose better career paths for the future, with 18 to 20 sessions being conducted every week.
• Ex-health officials slam country’s ‘too little, too late’ disaster response; demand climate-proof hospitals, early warnings, heat action plans • Study calls for climate change to be declared global health emergency • Heat-related deaths rise 36pc since Paris accord; economic losses estimated at over $1tr
ISLAMABAD: Health and environmental experts in Pakistan have called for urgent measures to address growing climate-related health risks after a Lancet report warned that rising heat-related deaths, floods, droughts and economic losses are outpacing global efforts to combat climate change.
The 2026 Lancet Countdown report, launched at the British Library in London, called for climate change to be recognised as a “global health emergency”, warning that climate-related health risks continue to worsen a decade after the Paris Agreement.
The report found that average annual heat-related deaths worldwide have risen 36 per cent since the Paris Agreement. In 2023, heat was linked to a record 710,000 deaths, with more than 70pc attributed to human-caused climate change. Meanwhile, heat-related economic losses reached an estimated $1.07 trillion in 2025.
Former Punjab health minister Professor Dr Javed Akram told Dawn that the warning was particularly urgent for Pakistan, where the devastating 2022 floods displaced communities, damaged health care infrastructure, disrupted access to essential medicines and increased the risk of waterborne diseases and malnutrition.
“Extreme heat further threatens vulnerable populations, particularly children, older adults, outdoor workers and people living with chronic illnesses,” he said.
Mr Akram criticised Pakistan’s disaster management approach, saying policies had historically been reactive rather than proactive, with preparations beginning only after disasters strike.
“Pakistan must strengthen heat-health action plans, establish effective early-warning systems, climate-proof hospitals, improve disease surveillance, and expand access to safe water and sanitation,” he said.
He urged federal and provincial governments to allocate dedicated funding for climate-resilient health care and called on international partners to provide predictable, grant-based climate finance.
Former special assistant to the prime minister on health Dr Zafar Mirza also warned that climate change had become a growing public health emergency in Pakistan.
“Extreme heat, flash floods, cloud bursts and worsening air quality cause illness and death, while disrupting healthcare, contaminating water, undermining nutrition and deepening poverty and psychological distress,” he told Dawn.
Dr Mirza said Pakistan needed climate-resilient health facilities, stronger disease surveillance, early-warning systems and coordinated action across health, climate, water, energy and finance.
Dr Muhammad Irfan Khan, professor of environmental science and former dean at International Islamic University, expressed concern that Lancet Countdown’s launch statement did not mention Pakistan despite its exposure to climate-related disasters. “Pakistan’s experience should inform global priorities, research and investment,” he said, citing Germanwatch’s Climate Risk Index 2025, which ranked Pakistan as the country most affected by extreme weather in 2022.
He urged international institutions to give greater visibility to vulnerable countries and ensure affected communities help shape climate responses.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday affirmed that Pakistan and Turkiye would continue to push for dialogue and diplomacy while strengthening their defences under the Makkah Defence Agreement.
He made the remarks while addressing an event in Islamabad marking the 103rd national day of Turkiye, with which Pakistan enjoys strong bilateral ties and maintains multi-sectoral cooperation.
The premier said the pact, signed on Aug 7 between Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia, marked an “important milestone” in cooperation between Islamabad and Ankara.
“It strengthens our collective deterrence and reinforces our shared commitment to regional peace and stability,” PM Shehbaz noted.
“While we strengthen our defences, we shall continue to champion dialogue, diplomacy, respect for international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.”
The prime minister hailed Turkiye’s diplomatic support during Marka-i-Haq last May, when India initiated unilateral aggression against Pakistan, triggering a four-day conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
“Turkiye stood firmly by our side with unwavering commitment and dedication. This sincere act of solidarity was a profound source of comfort and strength for the people of Pakistan, a gesture that will forever remain etched in our hearts and our memories,” he emphasised.
Additionally, the premier observed that Islamabad and Ankara’s relationship had evolved into a “multifaceted strategic partnership”, spanning political dialogue, defence, trade, culture and people-to-people ties, among other areas.
He stressed that the economic partnership between Pakistan and Turkiye needs to match the heights of the political and strategic bond between both nations.
“In July this year, at the Pakistan-Turkiye business conference in Istanbul, I announced the establishment of the President Tayyip Erdogan Special Economic Zone in Karachi,” PM Shehbaz said.
“Now I invite Turkish businessmen to look at Pakistan with its young population, strategic location and growing economic opportunities. Let us translate the goodwill between our two peoples into joint ventures, shared prosperity and meaningful jobs for our young people.”
During his speech, the prime minister highlighted the longstanding, historic ties that the two countries shared, recalling that during the Khilafat Movement — a campaign to protect the Ottoman Empire after World War I — people donated whatever they could from the subcontinent, including money and jewellery, to support their “Turkish brethren”.
“A century ago, our forefathers sent their love across the seas. Generations later, that love returned to our doorsteps during our darkest times,” he added, referring to humanitarian aid from Turkiye during the 2005 earthquake and the devastating floods of 2010.
PM Shehbaz also highlighted that under Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s instructions, Turkiye established a modern hospital, a school and modern villages for the people of Muzaffargarh after the floods.
“The 100 years between the Khilafat Movement and that moment seemed to close into a single circle,” the premier said, noting that when a massive earthquake rocked Turkiye in February 2023, “the people of Pakistan grieved as if the rubble lay upon our own homes”.
“We stood with our Turkish brothers and sisters, in their hour of sorrow, just as they had stood with us.”
Earlier this week, Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Iran participated in a quadrilateral meeting where Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for “regional unity” and hoped that the presence of other Islamic powers would “further consolidate regional unity and cohesion”.
Earlier this month, both nations signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in combating terrorism, narcotics trafficking and organised crime and agreed to establish a joint working group to strengthen collaboration between their interior ministries.
The decisions were taken during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Turkish counterpart Mustafa Çiftçi in Istanbul.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan rose to 95th place among the 139 economies of the world featured in the ‘Global Innovation Index 2026’ published by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), it emerged on Thursday.
Advancing in rank from 99th place in 2025, Pakistan also reclaimed its “overperformer” status for the fourth time, a status given to economies identified as performing above expectations for their level of economic development. It also held the status in 2022 and 2024.
The global index report showed that Pakistan performed better in innovation outputs than innovation inputs in 2026. This year, Pakistan ranked 121st in innovation inputs and 72nd in innovation outputs — both higher than last year.
“Innovation overperformance shows that innovation does not follow a straight line from income to results,” the report said.
“The 2026 overperformers show that economies can generate more innovation than expected for their level of development when they build on focused strengths.”
A list of countries that performed above expectations for their level of development in innovation in 2026, according to the Global Innovation Index 2026. — screengrab from WIPO report
WIPO highlighted that Pakistan’s strengths were concentrated in the digital economy, particularly mobile app creation, ICT services exports, high-tech imports, and software spending. It added that the country’s “relatively strong” scientific production and university quality supported a developing digital economy.
In the 2026 index, Pakistan ranked 15th among the 36 lower middle-income group economies and eighth among the 11 economies in central and southern Asia. It did not rank among the top innovation clusters in any specific innovation pillar of the index (including ‘human capital and research’, ‘infrastructure’, etc).
This partial screengrab from WIPO report shows Pakistan ranks 95th overall and does not rank among leading countries in any innovation pillar, in Global Innovation Index 2026.
Pakistan’s GII ranking (2020-2026) showed a rise over the past seven years, ranking 107th in 2020; 99th in 2021; 87th in 2022; 88th in 2023; 91st in 2024; and 99th in 2025.
Meanwhile, Switzerland, Sweden and the United States remained the world’s top three innovation economies, with Switzerland ranking first for a 16th consecutive year. The organisation noted, “In a period of major geopolitical and economic turbulence, the most striking feature about the top of the ranking is its stability.”
According to the report, the leading economies broadly remain the same as in 2025, with no new economy in the top 15 since last year, and Europe once more accounting for the largest share of the group with 14 economies out of 25 innovation leaders. Additionally, the Netherlands moved up to seventh place and Austria to 18th.
“The main signal at the innovation frontier this year is continuity, rather than the emergence of any single new entrant,” the report said.
Five Asian economies were also among the top 25: South Korea and Singapore in fourth and fifth place respectively; China remaining 10th — as the only middle-income economy among the innovation leaders — Japan at 12th and Hong Kong, China in 14th place.
The report highlighted that the presence of Asian economies was now an “established feature of the top ranks, rather than a development unique to this year”.
According to the report, the GII 2026 Innovation Tracker pointed to “continued but slower progress across the innovation cycle”. Most indicators advanced, with notable gains in scientific output, corporate research and development (R&D), battery costs and technology adoption; however, about three-quarters remained below the decade average.
Research effort nonetheless remained at a historic high, it pointed out, with global R&D intensity close to two per cent of GDP.
The WIPO report identified that the near-term environment was more demanding than the previous year: “Global growth of about 3.4pc in 2025 is expected to ease to around 3pc in 2026, held back by higher energy prices and elevated uncertainty, before recovering modestly in 2027.”
It highlighted that AI-related investment remained “the main engine on the upside”, with the largest hyper-scalers set to spend over $1 trillion on AI infrastructure across 2025 and 2026.
“This will be increasingly financed through debt and private credit, meaning a downward revision of expected AI returns could tighten financing conditions well beyond the sector,” it added.
The report noted that emerging economies, including Pakistan, could build on their standout strengths to improve their overall innovation performance.
KARACHI – For Pakistani riders, owning premium bike has been difficult due to hefty import costs, and rider community is excited for Benelli’s planned move into local assembly that could bring that dream closer, with the prospect of lower prices giving enthusiasts something to watch.
The distributor of Benelli, QJMotor and Moto Morini motorcycles in Pakistan, is preparing to assemble selected motorcycles domestically under a programme scheduled to begin next year. The company announced Benelli’s inclusion, expanding a project that could give Pakistan’s premium motorcycle segment more competitively priced options.
The assembly facility was expected to be ready by December 2026, with the first locally assembled motorcycles rolling out in January 2027. Moto Morini’s Alltrhike 450 adventure motorcycle is expected to lead the programme, followed by a 300cc offering. Benelli’s first locally assembled model and its specific delivery schedule have yet to be clearly confirmed.
For Pakistan’s premium bike market, the price tag will be the decisive factor. Imported motorcycles carry substantial costs, placing many international models beyond the reach of buyers looking to upgrade from smaller commuter bikes.
The distributor is reportedly planning assembly through Completely Knocked Down kits to reduce costs and says it intends to pass the benefit on to customers.
Alltrhike 450 offers an early indication of the potential savings. Its reported imported price of Rs2.6 million could fall to a tentative Rs1.995 million after local assembly. That estimate applies to the Moto Morini model. Revised prices for locally assembled Benelli motorcycles have not been announced.
The imported Benelli range includes TNT 150i, 180S, 302S and TNT 600i. These motorcycles span different price and performance categories, although their inclusion in the local assembly lineup remains unconfirmed. More details are expected on November 2, including clarity on the first Benelli model selected for the programme.
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has issued a notification regarding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, stating that PTI leaders and office-bearers have been barred from presenting any agenda for changing the chief minister.
The notification says Afridi will remain KP chief minister with the trust and support of the PTI founder, and that he is, and will remain, the party’s chief minister in the province.
It says a ban has been imposed on calling any meeting regarding the nomination or replacement of the KP chief minister, and PTI leaders and office-bearers are prohibited from tabling any agenda on changing him.
The notification adds that no proposal or debate on nominating or replacing the chief minister will be permitted. No one other than PTI founder Imran Khan has the authority to nominate an alternative chief minister or alter the decision.
Barrister Gohar said the PTI founder’s decisions on the KP chief minister will be final and binding on all party members, and that a notification upholding Afridi’s status as chief minister has been issued.
The notification directs all PTI members and office-bearers to comply with it.
ISLAMABAD: The PTI on Thursday reaffirmed its support for Sohail Afridi, the ex-chief minister who was rendered nonfunctional after the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ruling out any move within the party to consider an alternative candidate for the office.
Afridi has not been seen since the Centre imposed governor’s rule and emergency in KP on Oct 11. The very next day, a federal minister confirmed that he and some of his cabinet members were in preventive custody.
In the notification issued by the party’s central secretariat for the “purpose of clarity and emphasis”, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said that Afridi “remains and shall continue” to serve as the KP chief minister with the “confidence and support” of party founder and ex-premier Imran Khan.
“All PTI members, office-bearers, parliamentarians and party functionaries are hereby directed not to convene or participate in any meeting, introduce any agenda, initiate or entertain any proposal, or encourage or engage in any discussion concerning the nomination, replacement or consideration for the office of chief minister,” the notification said.
“It is categorically reiterated that no one other than the founding chairman has the authority to nominate an alternative candidate or alter this decision in any manner whatsoever. His decisions in this regard are final and binding upon all party members,” it said.
In a post on X, Barrister Gohar said that all party members part of the KP Assembly were a “source of pride for us” and that they had stayed loyal to Imran, complied with every decision and remained steadfast.
“However, in view of the unnecessary speculation and discussions circulating on social media and certain TV channels regarding the chief minister, this notification has been issued to provide further clarification and reassure party workers and supporters that decisions within our party are made solely in accordance with the directives of Imran Khan sahib,” he said.
The development comes after several PTI members expressed dissatisfaction with the party leadership’s handling of the prevailing challenges, questioning its decisions and overreliance on Afridi.
Heated arguments were witnessed during a joint parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday that lasted over seven hours, with some questioning why the top leadership had handed so much authority to Afridi, who, they said, held no position within the party hierarchy.
Some criticised the PTI chairman and Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, questioning why the party leadership appeared to be functioning under Afridi.
They alleged that the top leadership had left everything to Afridi, who had become non-functional after the imposition of governor’s rule in KP, because of its interest in transfers, postings and financial matters in the province.
Adviser to the prime minister on political affairs, Rana Sanaullah, on Thursday informed the Senate that Noreen Niazi, the sister of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan, was fine after being provided medical treatment in Lahore.
Imran’s three sisters — Noreen, Aleema Khan, and Uzma Khan — have been in detention since Sept 21 under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960 (MPO) on the Lahore deputy commissioner’s (DC) orders.
On Wednesday, Noreen’s lawyer said that she was moved from Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat jail to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) due to high blood pressure. Her lawyer claimed that no family member had been informed about her deteriorating health condition.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate on Thursday, Sanaullah responded to the query by PTI parliamentary leader Barrister Ali Zafar, who sought information regarding Noreen’s health and her being taken to the hospital.
The PML-N senator said Noreen was “immediately provided with medical facilities”.
“As per the information available, she is fine and all her medical tests are normal,” he said.
On concerns about Noreen’s family allegedly not being allowed to meet her, the prime minister’s adviser said details would also be sought on the matter. He assured the PTI that if this was true, it would be addressed depending on the circumstances at the hospital.
During his address, PTI Senator Mashal Yousafzai continued to interrupt Sanaullah, questioning the need for Noreen’s detention.
The PML-N senator replied: “She is in jail because she wanted to spread turmoil in the country. She wanted to attack Islamabad by launching a long march and inciting the people.”
Addressing Zafar, Sanaullah said that as the PTI founder was in jail under judicial custody, any relief regarding his health and meeting should be sought from the courts.
Imran’s sisters are currently serving the second term of a 30-day detention under the MPO, which was extended on Oct 7. The detention came amid reports of a crackdown on the PTI ahead of its countrywide protest and march to Islamabad, which the party had called to demand Imran’s release from jail and mobilise people for the supremacy of the Constitution.
‘Must never allow our humanity to fail’
In his remarks on the Senate floor, Zafar contended that Noreen had been detained despite not having committed any crime.
While Noreen’s lawyer had said she had faced high blood pressure, Zafar said she suffered a heart attack and claimed that her family was not being allowed to meet her.
Quoting Shakespeare’s phrase “milk of human kindness”, Senator Zafar said if even a little human kindness remained, the government must immediately stop grave human rights violations.
“If there is even a minimum of human kindness left in you, release her. At least allow her family to meet her and ensure proper medical care,” he said while speaking on a point of order.
He also condemned the detention of Imran’s nephews, asking why family members should suffer for their relationship with a political leader.
He alleged Imran had been kept in solitary confinement for a year and was being subjected to torture, claiming that the PTI founder’s wife Bushra Bibi was also facing inhumane treatment.
He demanded an immediate end to their mistreatment, which the government denies, saying both are being provided with the facilities they are entitled to.
Zafar claimed that the government believes the Constitution can be broken and suspended, as witnessed in the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has rendered the elected provincial government non-functional.
“There is one thing that cannot be broken, suspended or compromised: the fundamental human rights of the people of Pakistan,” he asserted.
Senator Zafar stressed that even if governor’s rule was claimed to be justified, it could never be a licence to violate fundamental rights, detain the chief minister, speaker and elected representatives, or keep their whereabouts undisclosed.
He warned that violating the sanctity of home and family honour, which hold deepest importance in Pashtun society, would provoke strong resentment among people of KP.
He also referred to reports of attacks on homes of MNAs and alleged violence against their wives and sisters, calling for impartial investigation.
“These are not merely political issues. These are matters of human rights, human dignity, family honour and rule of law. Human rights stand above politics,” he said.
Concluding, he said: “The Constitution may be violated by those who wield power, democratic mandates may be undermined, and institutions may fail in their duty. But we must never allow our humanity to fail.”
PTI condemns Noreen’s hospital transfer ‘sans informing family’
Meanwhile, in a statement, the PTI condemned the transfer of 70-year-old Noreen to the PIC without informing her family, expressing grave concern over her health and the treatment of “political prisoners”.
PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram criticised the authorities for not informing Noreen’s family after she felt unwell while in custody at the Kot Lakhpat jail.
He described the handling of her medical emergency as “callous and inhumane”, arguing that denying family members timely information about the condition of an elderly heart patient raised serious questions about prisoners’ rights, legal safeguards and basic human dignity.
“Noreen Niazi’s transfer to the PIC without prior notification to her family is alarming,” Akram said, demanding an immediate explanation from the Punjab government and the relevant authorities.
He demanded that Noreen receive the best possible medical treatment under the supervision of senior cardiologists without any delay, that her necessary diagnostic tests be conducted, and that her family be allowed access in accordance with applicable law.
“The authorities must provide her family with complete, credible and timely information about her condition,” the PTI leader further stressed.
Warning the government against disregarding fundamental rights in the alleged pursuit of political objectives, he said the PTI would not compromise on the protection of human life, health or constitutional freedoms under any circumstances.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday approved the expansion of Allama Iqbal International Airport and Jinnah International Airport as outlined in their respective masterplans while seeking to turn Karachi into an “air cargo hub”.
According to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the directives came during a meeting held in Islamabad under the premier’s chairmanship. It was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Khawaja Asif, Musadik Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar and other senior officials.
The statement said the meeting was briefed on a survey recently completed by an international firm assessing the quality of travel facilities at major airports.
During the meeting, the premier directed that no compromise be made on quality in the expansion projects, that they be aligned with international requirements and that third-party validation be ensured for reforms aimed at improving the expansion projects.
The meeting was informed that work on the installation of automated border management systems (e-gates) at major airports was underway. Furthermore, “work is also ongoing on the air cargo village to make Karachi an air cargo hub,” the statement said.
Per the statement, it was discussed that facilitating passengers at Pakistani airports should be made the “top priority”. PM Shehbaz directed that facilities be improved in line with international standards. To that effect, he directed to obtain the services of internationally renowned institutions.
He also emphasised the provision of regular training in high-quality service delivery to officers and staff facilitating passengers at airports, along with an improvement in the coordination among various entities present at airports.
“The services of the best caterers [should] be obtained for passengers at airports, and there will be no compromise on the quality of food and beverages,” the statement said.
The meeting was further briefed on the upgradation of various airports across the country and ongoing development work by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Furthermore, the meeting was informed that the expansion of the runway at Jinnah International Airport had been completed. According to the PMO, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had also increased the number of staff and counters, keeping in view passenger convenience.
A meet-and-greet service had been launched at Islamabad airport, the statement added. Similarly, the FIA had established pre-departure desks at major airports in the country for timely guidance to passengers.
“The meeting was informed that the existing aviation institution in Hyderabad is being further improved to establish an international standard aviation university, with work to commence by February 2028,” PMO’s statement said.
Earlier this month, PM Shehbaz had also ordered the installation of “smart scanners” at all international airports to facilitate travellers.
WAZIRISTAN – Pakistani security forces again struck Afghan Taliban positions with heavy weapons after firing from across the border targeted residential areas in the Angoor Adda sector, triggering intense exchanges along the frontier.
Local residents called sustained gunfire and shelling, with both sides using light and heavy weapons. Journalists in the area reported that civilian settlements and houses on the Pakistani side were coming under fire.
Reports from the area said Pakistani retaliatory fire destroyed several Taliban checkpoints. Taliban fighters reportedly abandoned some positions, leaving behind the bodies of their comrades. These battlefield claims could not be independently verified.
The reported fighting follows a deadly confrontation in the same sector on October 27, when a mortar shell allegedly fired from Afghanistan struck a house. Security sources said one civilian was killed and five members of the same family were injured, deepening concern among border communities.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting described the October 27 firing and mortar attacks as unprovoked, accusing Afghan Taliban forces of targeting unarmed civilians.
According to the ministry, Pakistani troops responded swiftly, destroying seven Taliban posts and inflicting heavy losses in personnel and equipment. Security sources separately said several Afghan positions were hit during the retaliatory action.
The ministry also rejected statements by Afghan Taliban spokespersons, accusing them of spreading misinformation about the confrontation.
It further alleged that the firing took place at India’s direction and linked it to what it called a pattern of attacks by Indian-backed proxies. No independent evidence supporting that allegation was provided in the supplied material.
LAHORE – Vote counting for the presidential seat in the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) annual elections has been completed, and Syed Amjad Ali Shah, the candidate of the Ahsan Bhoon group, has been elected president, according to unofficial results.
According to unofficial results, Independent Group presidential candidate Syed Amjad Shah won with 644 votes from Lahore, while Professional Group candidate Sardar Aman Khan secured 400 votes.
Ahsan Bhoon congratulated the lawyers of the bar on the win and thanked all political parties. He also thanked Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi. Bhoon said they would support amendments made in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
The newly elected president, Syed Amjad Shah, expressed gratitude for the heavy mandate and thanked the legal community for its support. He said there would be no compromise on the supremacy of the Constitution and the law, adding that the welfare of lawyers is among his priorities.
LAHORE – The University of Health Sciences (UHS) has announced the results of the postgraduate entry test. A total of 8,271 candidates took the test, of whom 2,131 passed.
In Medicine and Allied, 2,939 candidates appeared and 744 passed. Surgery and Allied Group One had 959 test-takers, of whom 248 passed, while Group Two had 1,031 candidates, with 274 passing. In Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1,136 candidates sat the test and 287 qualified.
In Paediatric Medicine, 485 candidates appeared and 126 passed, while Radiology saw 411 candidates, with 108 passing. In Anaesthesia, 338 candidates took the test and 86 passed.
Among the smaller specialities, 197 candidates appeared in ENT and 51 passed, and 189 appeared in Ophthalmology, with 51 passing. In Psychiatry, 186 candidates took the test and 52 passed, while Pathology had 114 candidates, with 29 qualifying.
In the dental specialities, 120 candidates appeared in Oral Surgery and 30 passed. Operative Dentistry had 64 candidates, of whom 18 passed, while Orthodontics had 62 test-takers, with 16 passing. In Prosthodontics, 26 candidates appeared and 7 passed, and in Periodontology, 14 candidates took the test and 4 passed.
The postgraduate entry test was held on October 25.
Several social media users, including PML-N supporters based on their past posts, shared a video on X on October 28 allegedly showing Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman asking for forgiveness in the National Assembly amid his tensions with the government.
However, the video is doctored using AI.
Fazl on Oct 28 accused the federal government of misusing the Constitution by imposing governor’s rule and an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Speaking in the National Assembly, he argued that the measures amounted to a forced transfer of power rather than change through public opinion. He also criticised Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for failing to protect the sanctity of Parliament and called for a new Charter of Democracy to prevent unconstitutional actions and political violence.
He also recounted his efforts to ease tensions between the federal government and the PTI, claiming that the government had abandoned attempts to reach a consensus. He rejected questions about his patriotism, highlighting his party’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and condemning the ridicule of martyrs.
The JUI-F chief has recently been consistently criticised by government officials for his criticism of the state and support of the PTI.
On Oct 28, a pro-PML-N account, based on its past posts, shared a video on X, allegedly showing Fazl asking for forgiveness in the National Assembly, with the following caption: “See how Fazlu kept grovelling in the assembly today for forgiveness, but no one will share this part of the speech.”
The post garnered 20,277 views.
In the clip, Fazl can be heard saying: “What is my fault? Why are they after me? I have asked for forgiveness, but they are not accepting it. Is my sin greater than PTI? What did I do wrong? Why am I being treated unjustly? These are the questions you should ask the media. But you are not doing it.”
Another PML-N supporter, based on their bio and past posts, shared the same video with the following caption: “All the antics, today in the assembly, the ripples of apology. Fazlu’s politics is also masterful — where he needs to show off, his speeches go viral, and where he has to apologise, the camera, workers, and share button all vanish. Just spread this clip too; the public has the right to see the full film.”
The post garnered 12,785 views.
Jalal Sherazi, who identifies himself as a coordinator in the Prime Minister’s Office in his bio, shared the same video with the caption, “Look, even today, Fazlur Rehman kept talking about demanding an apology in the assembly, but this part of his speech is being avoided from being shared on social media.”
The post garnered 1,775 views.
Shahzad Younas Sheikh, who, according to his X bio, is a former spokesperson for Punjab, also shared the video with the caption: “See how Fazlu kept mumbling apologies in the assembly even today, but no one shares this bit of his speech.”
The post garnered 661 views.
Similarly, several other PML-N supporters, based on their past posts, shared the same video in a similar context on X, as can be seen here, here, and here.
A fact check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to keen public interest in the tense relations between the JUI-F chief and the government amid his support for the PTI and criticism of the Centre’s actions in KP.
A keyword search conducted to determine whether credible mainstream media outlets had reported the alleged remarks yielded no results to corroborate them.
Investigating the clip showed discrepancies in the synchronisation between the audio and Fazl’s lip movements, suggesting that the video appeared to be dubbed.
The viral video was then analysed using AI detection tools. Diopter, an AI audio detection tool, flagged the audio as 100 per cent AI-generated.
Another audio detection tool, Deepfake Total, detected a 75.6pc likelihood of AI manipulation.
Hive also showed a 92pc likelihood of AI-generated speech.
Similarly, the SORA AI Video Detector flagged the video as 66.67pc AI-generated.
Meanwhile, Meta AI’s detector identified a digital watermark in the clip, suggesting that it had been generated using OpenAI.
A reverse image search conducted to trace the original clip yielded a video posted on the National Assembly of Pakistan’s official YouTube account, dated October 28, 2026, with the following title: ‘JUI F chief/MNA Maulana Fazal Ur Rehman expresses his views during National Assembly Session.’
The viral clip starts at the 3:25-minute mark and continues until 3:51.
In the original clip, Fazal said, “Gauhar Sahib was also there; Asad Qaisar Sahib was also there. And he said to me that if they are calling you and you wish to meet them and if there is any further discussion on this topic, then we are 100pc ready to accept your mandate.
“Although I have not met the prime minister for the past four to five months. And for the purpose that I can save the citizens of Pakistan from their blood, save the country from extremism, pave the way for the government and pave the way for the opposition, and that the country does not go towards bloodshed.”
At no point in his entire speech did he apologise or make such remarks as shown in the viral video.
The same was also corroborated by a keyword search that yielded a news report from the Express Tribune, dated October 29, 2026, with the following title, ‘Fazl calls for new Charter of Democracy.’
As per the report, the JUI-F chief urged political forces to resolve their differences through dialogue rather than resorting to unconstitutional measures or violence.
Further searches also yielded the original video shared by Jamiat Digital Media on X on October 28, 2026. The clip, too, contained no apology or any such remarks.
The claim that a viral video shows JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman asking for forgiveness in the National Assembly is false.
The clip is doctored and has been dubbed over using AI.
The presence of Saudi, Turkish, and Pakistani officials in Tehran on 26 October reflected a growing recognition that Iran cannot be excluded from any serious regional security arrangement. Despite the US–Israeli war against Iran, Tehran remains central to the region’s military and political balance.
For Riyadh and its partners, the meeting also exposed the limits of the Mecca defense pact, particularly as Saudi Arabia faces renewed confrontation with the Ansarallah-aligned Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF).
Much of the speculation surrounding the four-country meeting centered on what Iran might be expected to surrender, particularly its relationship with Sanaa. Such expectations rested on the assumption that Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan had established a regional security order into which Iran was now seeking admission, with Tehran potentially offering concessions over Yemen in return.
Yet the political and military circumstances that brought the participants to Tehran suggest a different calculation. Iran has withstood sustained American and Israeli attacks, while Saudi Arabia and its partners have struggled to contain the YAF’s military operations. Any agreement that disregards these realities risks reproducing the confrontations it seeks to resolve.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry had identified Israel’s expansionist policies, Lebanon, and the US war against Iran among the subjects for discussion. Yemen was absent from the announced agenda and the subsequent press statement.
Ali Bagheri, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said the gathering also served to congratulate Mohsen Rezaei, the council’s newly appointed secretary, and discuss regional security, including opposition to foreign interference, particularly by Washington. According to information obtained by The Cradle, Yemen was not discussed during the meeting.
On the morning of 27 October, a day after the talks, Rezaei met Yemen’s ambassador, Ibrahim Mohammad al-Dailami, in Tehran. Rezaei praised Yemen’s defense of Gaza and its confrontation with Israel, while the ambassador thanked him and the Iranian government for their positions.
The encounter came amid speculation that Tehran’s diplomatic engagement with Riyadh might come at the expense of its relationship with Sanaa. By publicly reaffirming those ties immediately after the summit, Iran signaled its intention to pursue regional diplomacy while maintaining its existing alliances.
Hossein Shariatmadari, editor of Iran’s conservative daily Kayhan, wrote in a 27 October editorial that “Yemen’s revolutionaries are allies of Islamic Iran.” He warned that the visiting delegations might seek to create the impression that Tehran was distancing itself from Sanaa, offering Washington and its allies “breathing room, however brief” by encouraging expectations of an imminent settlement.
The Mecca pact’s limits
Iran has good reason to approach the Saudi–Turkish–Pakistani framework, commonly known as the Mecca pact, with caution. The agreement brings together three states with substantial military capabilities and extensive relations with Washington, raising questions about whether their security cooperation could eventually be directed against the Axis of Resistance.
For Riyadh, Yemen remains a central concern. Years of confrontation with the YAF have demonstrated Sanaa’s ability to impose high military and economic costs beyond Yemen’s borders. Saudi Arabia’s renewed campaign has again brought its energy infrastructure and military installations within range of Yemeni retaliation, exposing the limits of the kingdom’s reliance on foreign military protection.
In Tehran, closer military coordination among the pact’s members could be seen as an attempt to contain the Axis of Resistance at a time when American security guarantees are becoming increasingly uncertain.
Iran’s participation in talks with the pact’s members carries no commitment to join their alliance. Tehran has made no such announcement, while Rezaei’s explanation of the summit emphasized the establishment of security through regional cooperation, the withdrawal of foreign forces, and an end to outside interference.
These objectives leave considerable differences between the participants. Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan maintain security relationships with Washington, while Iran regards the American military presence as a principal source of regional instability. Their respective positions on armed resistance movements, Israeli aggression, and the obligations of any collective defense arrangement also remain unresolved.
The meeting produced a brief press statement confirming the participants’ intention to continue their dialogue, without setting out binding commitments. Rezaei indicated that further meetings would follow, suggesting that the four governments were exploring the foundations of a wider regional accommodation.
The initiative itself emerged from Pakistani army chief Asim Munir’s visit to Tehran the previous week, according to information obtained by The Cradle. Iranian officials also confirmed Pakistan’s proposal, describing the gathering as an opportunity to advance regional security arrangements based on shared interests and mutual trust.
Riyadh’s security dilemma
The Saudi–Turkish–Pakistani alliance combines considerable military resources, diplomatic influence, and strategic relationships. Its effectiveness, however, depends on the willingness of its members to confront threats that may carry very different consequences for each country.
The limited assistance Pakistan and Turkiye have provided during the renewed confrontation between Yemen and Saudi Arabia illustrates these constraints. Although both countries have pledged support for Riyadh, their involvement has fallen short of the decisive intervention that might alter the military balance with the YAF.
Saudi Arabia’s own account of the visit was more restrained. In a statement following the meeting, Riyadh said the talks formed part of efforts to de-escalate tensions, encourage diplomatic solutions, and support mediation by Qatar and Pakistan. It also reaffirmed the Mecca pact’s role in promoting regional security and stability.
Islamabad and Ankara have also sought to limit their military involvement. Turkish officials have ruled out offensive operations against Yemen, while Pakistan has denied reports that its aircraft carried out strikes on Yemeni forces. These restrictions expose the distance between the pact’s collective defense commitments and its members’ willingness to enter a wider war.
The continuing Yemeni operations against Saudi targets have consequently strengthened the argument for direct engagement with Tehran. Riyadh must weigh the costs of further confrontation against the possibility of reaching an understanding with Iran, whose regional relationships and military capabilities remain central to the wider balance of power.
Despite the damage inflicted during the war, Tehran has retained the ability to influence the course and costs of regional confrontation. Its leverage over the Strait of Hormuz and its capacity to retaliate against military infrastructure have complicated Washington’s efforts to impose a settlement on its own terms.
These developments have strengthened Tehran’s negotiating position, although translating military endurance into a durable security arrangement will require more than the recognition of its regional weight. Tehran must also demonstrate that cooperation with its neighbors can reduce the likelihood of renewed war without undermining the relationships that have helped it withstand external pressure.
For Saudi Arabia, the lesson is equally significant. Its security cannot be guaranteed indefinitely through military partnerships that exclude one of the region’s principal powers, particularly when those partnerships have struggled to prevent attacks on Saudi territory.
Yemen cannot be traded
The suggestion that Tehran might trade its relationship with Ansarallah for concessions from Riyadh overlooks the movement’s independent political interests and roots in Yemen. Ansarallah’s resistance to Saudi intervention grew out of a prolonged struggle over the country’s political future, during which its ties with Iran deepened.
The two sides share important strategic interests, but Yemen’s military and political decisions cannot be reduced to directives from Tehran. The YAF’s intervention in support of Gaza, its confrontation with Israel, and its continuing war with Saudi Arabia reflect calculations shaped by Yemen’s own circumstances.
Iran’s regional relationships have also evolved through years of confrontation with Washington and Tel Aviv. The Islamic Republic’s resistance to American and Israeli pressure has become inseparable from its wider regional security calculations, particularly as the war has intensified the threats facing its allies.
Sanaa has paid a substantial price for its military and political positions, enduring years of bombardment, blockade, and attempts to dismantle its authority. Ansarallah’s survival has given it considerable influence over Yemen’s future, making any settlement negotiated without its participation unlikely to produce lasting results.
The assumption that Tehran could simply secure Yemeni compliance also underestimates the political consequences of such an arrangement. The Sanaa government would have little reason to accept an agreement that disregards its security interests or leaves Saudi military pressure intact.
Rezaei’s meeting with the Yemeni ambassador therefore served an important political purpose. As Tehran opened discussions with the Mecca pact’s members, it reaffirmed a relationship whose continuity remains important to the wider Resistance Axis.
Israel’s declining leverage
The summit’s joint statement made no reference to Israel, but Rezaei’s subsequent account of the talks placed Israeli military operations among the issues discussed. He said the participants had emphasized ending Israeli attacks and securing Israel’s withdrawal from occupied territories in Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine.
Before Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, Saudi–Israeli normalization was a serious diplomatic prospect. Washington sought to advance Israel’s integration into a regional security and economic framework that would strengthen its position while isolating Iran and its allies.
The wars that followed have disrupted those calculations. Israel’s military campaigns across West Asia, alongside the American war against Iran, have exposed the risks associated with a regional order built around Israeli military superiority and US security guarantees.
Rezaei’s public emphasis on Israeli aggression reflects the changing circumstances in which the talks took place. Riyadh has not formally adopted his characterization in the joint statement and maintains its longstanding relationship with Washington, but Saudi security concerns have increasingly brought it into direct contact with Tehran despite years of hostility.
The contrast with 2017 is especially revealing. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) then threatened to take the confrontation inside Iran, reflecting Riyadh’s confidence in its ability to challenge Tehran through regional pressure and military alliances.
Nearly a decade later, Saudi officials are in Tehran discussing regional security with the same government Riyadh once threatened to attack. Years of confrontation have failed to break Iran’s regional influence, while Washington’s ability to shield its allies from another war is increasingly in doubt.
Yemen’s ability to remain a consequential military actor despite years of Saudi-led operations has also shaped this reassessment. Its continued resistance has demonstrated the limits of attempts to impose regional arrangements through military force.
Tehran’s next move
The summit’s lasting significance will depend on whether the participating governments can translate their discussions into practical security arrangements. Iran has an opportunity to advance its longstanding position that West Asia’s security must be determined by the countries of the region, without dependence on foreign military intervention.
Such an arrangement would require Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan to recognize Iran’s security concerns and its existing alliances. Tehran would also have to address its neighbors’ security concerns without compromising those relationships.
The presence of all four countries in Tehran suggests that these questions are now receiving serious attention. Rezaei’s subsequent meeting with Yemen’s ambassador also indicated the basis on which Iran intends to participate: regional cooperation alongside continued support for its established allies.
Any regional agreement must also account for Yemen and the other members of the Axis of Resistance. Their military and political weight cannot be ignored, nor can their futures be decided through negotiations between Tehran and its neighbors.
Iran has emerged from the war with its regional alliances intact and greater room to negotiate. The question now is whether Riyadh and its partners are prepared to reach an understanding with Tehran that recognizes those alliances rather than seeking to dismantle them.
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