Category: District

Manila: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Thursday called upon the international community and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) to support a peaceful resolution of core regional conflicts, emphasizing that the unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute and Indian unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance remained at the heart of South Asian instability.

The deputy prime minister, addressing the 33rd ARF Ministerial Meeting here, outlined eight key challenges threatening global and regional security, highlighting South Asian stability, the Gulf situation, Gaza, counter-terrorism, Afghanistan, Ukraine, the South China Sea, and climate change.

He told the meeting that the failure to resolve long-standing disputes, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan, accelerated serious regional stability issues. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to advocating for a just and peaceful settlement in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions, and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Expressing deep concern over India’s unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, Dar warned that attempting to weaponize water resources violated international obligations and threatened the lives and livelihoods of 250 million people in Pakistan.

“We simply cannot afford to let this serious, provocative development remain unaddressed. Let us all be the architects of peace and stability and work together to address the challenges posed by arbitrary, illegal, unilateral actions,” he commented.

He urged the international community, particularly ARF members, to address these arbitrary, illegal, and unilateral actions and uphold international law.

Turning to the situation in the Gulf, the deputy prime minister noted that regional developments have impacted nations globally. Reaffirming Pakistan’s role in facilitating peace and de-escalation, he highlighted Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts, including facilitating a ceasefire and convening leadership-level talks that led to the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

Dar expressed gratitude for the trust reposed in Pakistan by the United States, Iran, Gulf nations, and international partners, urging all parties to uphold their commitments, exercise restraint, and support dialogue to ensure regional stability, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the unconditioned resumption of international shipping.

Addressing the humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory, DPM Dar condemned the atrocities in Gaza and reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast support for an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

On global counter-terrorism, he highlighted Pakistan’s immense sacrifices-losing over 90,000 lives and incurring over $150 billion in economic losses. He urged the Afghan Taliban regime to ensure its territory is not exploited by terrorist groups, including TTP (Fitna Al-Khawarij) and affiliated factions, against neighboring states, emphasizing that honoring these commitments would unlock vast trade and connectivity opportunities across South and Central Asia.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s stance on other global priorities, Deputy Prime Minister Dar reiterated support for diplomatic resolutions in Ukraine and the South China Sea while reaffirming Pakistan’s firm adherence to the One-China policy. He also highlighted Pakistan’s high vulnerability to climate change despite contributing less than 1% to global emissions, calling for international cooperation based on common but differentiated responsibilities.

The deputy prime minister welcomed the adoption of the Manila Plan of Action 2026 and commended the host nation, the Philippines, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to the cardinal principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) and the consensus-driven vision of the ASEAN Regional Forum.

He said that Pakistan deeply valued ASEAN’s consensus-based approach and supports stronger cooperation to address both traditional and emerging challenges, including artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, climate change, food and energy security, disaster resilience, and public health preparedness.

ARF must continue to promote dialogue, practical cooperation, and strengthen its capacity to address evolving regional and global security challenges, he added.

Dera ismail khan: Assistant Commissioner Dera Dr. Muhammad Hamid Siddique has ordered immediate protective measures after inspecting a Basic Health Unit (BHU) in Mouza Kanera that has been severely damaged by ongoing river erosion.

Accompanied by the Gardawar Circle Dera Ismail Khan and revenue officials during the visit, the assistant commissioner assessed the extent of damage caused by the advancing riverbank erosion in the riverine area.

According to the district administration, emergency teams responded promptly after receiving reports of erosion and initially installed sandbags to slow the encroaching river.

However, the continued erosion caused extensive damage to the BHU, resulting in the collapse of several rooms and sections of its boundary wall. The remaining structure has also been declared unsafe, rendering the facility unfit for use.

Taking notice of the situation, Dr. Siddique directed the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Flood Irrigation to immediately construct a protective T-bund using stones to contain the erosion and safeguard government property, agricultural land and nearby settlements from further damage.

He also instructed the revenue staff to carry out an urgent survey of losses to crops, residential houses and other properties in the affected areas. The officials were directed to prepare compensation cases on a priority basis and submit a comprehensive report to the Assistant Commissioner’s Office within four days to facilitate timely financial assistance and relief for affected families.

In addition, the SDO Flood Irrigation was directed to ensure round-the-clock deployment of staff at vulnerable riverbank locations, maintain continuous monitoring and share daily situation reports to enable the district administration to take timely decisions and emergency action.

During the visit, the assistant commissioner emphasized close coordination among all relevant departments and called for prompt implementation of government directives, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to protecting lives, public infrastructure and agricultural land from the threat of river erosion.

Rawalpindi: In response to heavy monsoon rains and heightening landslide risks across hilly terrains, the Murree administration on Thursday tightened precautionary protocols and intensified vigilance across vulnerable zones.

According to details, Assistant Commissioner Murree Captain (Retd) Arshad Iqbal, along with District Disaster Management Coordinator Haroon Zahoor, conducted an inspection of landslide-prone locations and key road networks.

Reviewing steep slopes and dangerous sections exposed to mudslides and falling stones, , the assistant commissioner instructed line departments to maintain round-the-clock monitoring, ensure uninterrupted drainage flow, and keep heavy machinery and relief personnel fully alert for immediate emergency response.

Speaking to local residents and visitors, Captain (Retd) Arshad Iqbal emphasized that safeguarding human lives remains the administration’s top priority. He urged tourists and commuters to avoid unnecessary travel along mountain highways during heavy downpours, cautioning against stopping, parking vehicles, or taking photographs near unstable slopes where sudden earth slips can occur.

He reaffirmed that the district administration, Rescue 1122, police and relevant agencies are operating in close coordination via a 24/7 central monitoring framework to respond swiftly to any untoward incident.

The district administration advised the public to follow official weather advisories, disregard unverified rumors, and report any signs of land movement, rockfalls, or road blockages immediately. In case of emergency, citizens can contact the District Control Room or Rescue 1122.

Mirpur: Internet services were restored across various parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including the three districts of Mirpur division, Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber, on Thursday, bringing relief to residents after a suspension of around 45 days, official sources said.

The internet outage began on June 5 following a protest and shutdown call by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, which was later declared a proscribed organization by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir government. The group had been demanding the implementation of its charter of demands, including the abolition of the 12 reserved seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly allocated to Pakistan-based Kashmiri refugees.

The restoration of internet connectivity was welcomed by residents, who said the prolonged disruption had affected communication, business activity, education, media operations and access to online services across the region.

With services resuming, normal life has begun returning to the region as businesses, educational institutions and the public reconnect to digital platforms after weeks of limited communication and online access.

Peshawar: A police official and a 13-year-old boy died in a shooting incident near Chashma Jat in Jangal Khel area of Kohat on Thursday.

According to Rescue 1122, the victims sustained critical injuries in the firing. Rescue medical teams reached the scene promptly, provided first aid and shifted both victims to DHQ Hospital Kohat in critical condition.

Hospital doctors later confirmed that both had succumbed to their injuries.

The deceased were identified as 50-year-old police Havaldar Rahim, a resident of Jangal Khel and 13-year-old Naqeebullah, a resident of Mian Ghari.

Police collected evidence from the scene and launched an investigation. Police said efforts are underway to determine the motive behind the shooting and trace those responsible.

Nowshera virkan: A 10-year-old boy was killed after the roof of his house collapsed in a Village, Manj Wali here following days of heavy rainfall, the official sources said on Thursday. The incident occurred in Manj Wali village near Nowshera Virkan, where the victim, identified as Azan Ali, was trapped beneath the debris when the weakened roof gave way.

The residents launched a rescue effort and pulled the child from the rubble, but he had already succumbed to his injuries. The tragedy comes amid persistent rains that have damaged vulnerable structures in several parts of the province.