In partnership with
PM PLEDGES SWIFT RESOLUTION OF PUBLIC ISSUES, DEVELOPMENT IN KP
Profit
Sunday, 11 January, 2026 | 21 Rajabul Murajjab, 1447
g
PREMIER SHEHBAZ MEETS PARTY LEADERS, LAWMAKERS FROM KP, SAYS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AWARE OF KP’S CHALLENGES, TAKING TANGIBLE STEPS
P
g
g
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 187 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
SAYS TIMELY COMPLETION OF FEDERAL FUNDED PROJECTS, RESOLUTION OF PUBLIC ISSUES, AMONG TOP PRIORITIES
FORMS COMMITTEE LED BY AHSAN IQBAL TO REVIEW PROGRESS OF UPLIFT PROJECTS IN PESHAWAR, URGING ELECTED REPS TO PRIORITIZE RESOLUTION OF CITIZENS’ PROBLEMS ISLAMABAD
staff report
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said the federal government was fully aware of the problems faced by the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and was taking tangible steps, within its jurisdiction, to ensure sustainable solutions to these issues. “Timely completion of ongoing federal government-funded development projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the resolution of public issues are among the top priorities of the incumbent federal government,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) cited Shehbaz Sharif as saying. The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with political representatives from KP, where a detailed discussion was held on the overall political situation in the province and the challenges faced by the public. Matters related to public welfare, development projects, and governance were also discussed, according to the PMO. The meeting was attended by a
broad range of federal and provincial leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Minister Amir Muqam, Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana
Religious scholar Maulana Hafiz Sultan Muhammad martyred in IED attack
Sanaullah, Captain (Retd.) Safdar, MNAs Babar Nawaz and Samar Bilour, Ikhtiar Wali (Coordinator to the Prime Minister), former Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi, former Senator Zahid Khan, MPA Dr. Ibadullah, Pir Sabir Shah, former MNAs Sardar Mushtaq and Shah Jee Gul Afridi, Shahabuddin Khan, Rehmat Salam
Khattak, and Behramand Tangi. Participants highlighted that the provincial government had failed to ensure effective governance, with no clear policy on health, education, infrastructure, or public welfare, and that public issues remained largely unaddressed. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged political representatives to prioritize the resolution of public problems. He also highlighted the recent distribution of laptops, provided on merit, to male and female students across KP in Haripur, describing the youth as a future asset of Pakistan. “The policy of distributing laptops on merit will continue so that these young people can play their due role in the country’s development,” he added. Regarding federal governmentsponsored uplift projects in KP, the prime minister announced the formation of a committee headed by Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal. The committee will visit Peshawar and, in coordination with public representatives, review progress on ongoing development projects to ensure timely completion and maximum public benefit.
Iraqi air chief shows interest in JF-17 jets during meeting with Pakistan’s air chief
SOUTH WAZIRISTAN
staff Correspondent
A deadly terrorist attack in South Waziristan has claimed the life of prominent religious scholar Maulana Hafiz Sultan Muhammad, who succumbed to injuries after an improvised explosive device (IED) blast that also targeted his young daughter. Terrorists targeted Maulana Hafiz Sultan Muhammad and his daughter in Wana, a key town of South Waziristan. Maulana Sultan, who was critically injured in the IED explosion, later succumbed to his injuries. The attack did not spare his family, as his young daughter was also injured in the explosion. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, which has strongly condemned the targeting of civilians and religious figures. According to reports, foreign terrorists were involved in the attack that led to the martyrdom of the religious scholar. The assault is being described as part of a broader pattern of militant violence in the region. The Pakistan Ulema Council expressed deep sorrow and regret over the martyrdom of Maulana Hafiz Sultan Muhammad. The council strongly condemned the killing and called it an attack on peace, religion and humanity. Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi said that terrorists were targeting every Pakistani without discrimination. He stressed that such acts of terrorism aim to destabilise the country and spread fear among the public. Religious leaders and community members urged unity against extremist violence. They emphasised that targeting scholars and innocent families would not weaken Pakistan’s resolve to stand against terrorism.
ISLAMABAD
staff report
The commander of the Iraqi Air Force expressed keen interest in JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and praised the professionalism of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) during a meeting with Pakistan’s air chief, the military’s media wing said on Saturday. According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), PAF Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, who is on an official visit to Iraq, called on Iraqi Air Force Commander Lt Gen Staff Pilot Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi. The meeting took place at the Iraqi Air Force headquarters, where ACM Sidhu was presented with a guard of honour upon arrival. ISPR said discussions focused on strengthening bilateral military cooperation, with particular emphasis on joint training, capacity building and enhanced operational collaboration. During the interaction, ACM
Sidhu highlighted the deep-rooted religious, cultural and historical ties between Pakistan and Iraq, and reaffirmed PAF’s commitment to supporting the Iraqi Air Force in training and capacity development. Both sides agreed to pursue joint exercises and training initiatives aimed at improving interoper-
ability between the two air forces. The Iraqi air chief commended the PAF’s professionalism and technological advancement and expressed interest in benefiting from its world-class training facilities. He also showed keen interest in the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, the statement added. The Iraqi commander further appreciated Pakistan’s role in promoting regional stability. ISPR said the visit underscored the shared resolve of both air forces to further strengthen defence ties and professional cooperation. The JF-17 Thunder is a multirole combat aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China. Earlier this week, Bangladesh also expressed interest in the potential procurement of the aircraft.
Pakistan Navy test fires surface-to-air missile in Arabian Sea ISLAMABAD
staff report
The Pakistan Navy has demonstrated its operational readiness through a comprehensive naval exercise in the North Arabian Sea, featuring live missile firing and advanced unmanned systems, according to ISPR. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, the exercise was conducted to validate Pakistan Navy’s combat preparedness in line with evolving naval warfare. The drills showcased both
conventional and unmanned capabilities across multiple operational domains. A key highlight of the exercise was the successful live firing of the LY-80(N) Surface-toAir Missile from a Vertical Launching System at extended range. The missile accurately engaged and neutralised an aerial target, validating the long-range air defence capability of Pakistan Navy’s modern systems. The exercise also included successful engagement of surface targets using Loitering Munition (LM).
Turkiye seeks entry into Pak-Saudi defence pact: Bloomberg ISLAMABAD
staff report
Turkiye is reportedly seeking to join a strategic mutual defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, a move that could reshape regional security dynamics in the Middle East and beyond, according to a Bloomberg report. Citing people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg said discussions are at an advanced stage and that an agreement is likely. The defence pact, signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in Riyadh in September last year, commits both countries to treat any aggression against one as an attack on both. The report said Turkiye views the arrangement as a means to strengthen security cooperation and deterrence at a time when questions persist over the reliability of the United States and US president Donald Trump’s commitment to Nato, despite Washington’s strong military ties with all three countries. According to Bloomberg, Turkiye’s strategic interests increasingly align with those of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia across South Asia, the Middle East and parts of Africa, making its inclusion in the pact a logical expansion. Analysts cited in the report highlighted the complementary strengths of the three countries, with Saudi Arabia providing financial resources, Pakistan offering nuclear capability, ballistic missile capacity and manpower, and Turkiye contributing military experience and a developed defence industry. Nihat Ali Ozcan, a strategist at Ankara-based think tank TEPAV, was quoted by Bloomberg as saying that shifting regional dynamics and the fallout from ongoing conflicts were prompting countries to develop new frameworks to identify allies and security partners. Pakistan’s information ministry and Turkiye’s defence ministry declined to comment on the development, while Saudi authorities were not immediately available for comment, Bloomberg said. The report noted that Turkiye’s potential entry into the pact would underline a new phase in its relations with Saudi Arabia, following years of strained ties. The two countries are now expanding cooperation in the economic and defence sectors and recently held their first-ever naval meeting in Ankara. Pakistan and Turkiye already maintain close defence ties. Ankara has been involved in building corvette warships for the Pakistan Navy and upgrading Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter jets. Turkiye is also sharing drone technology with both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and has proposed their participation in its Kaan fifth-generation fighter jet programme, according to Bloomberg. The trilateral defence discussions follow a ceasefire between Pakistan and India that ended a brief but intense military confrontation in May 2025. Bloomberg also noted ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as mediation efforts by Turkiye and Qatar that have so far failed to yield a breakthrough.
Security forces kill 11 Khwarij in North Waziristan IBO RAWALPINDI
staff Correspondent
Eleven Khwarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna Al Khwarij have been killed by security forces in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. According to ISPR, an intelligence based operation was conducted by the Security Forces in North Waziristan District. During the operation, the troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and after an intense fire exchange, six khwarij were killed. Another joint intelligence-based operation by police and security forces was conducted in Kurram District. In the ensuing fire exchange, five khwarij were effectively neutralised. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the Indian sponsored khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces, law enforcement agencies, and target killing of innocent civilians. Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored kharji in the area.
Pakistan advises nationals against unnecessary travel to Iran amid protests ISLAMABAD
staff report
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday advised its nationals to avoid all unnecessary travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until conditions improve, citing the prevailing security situation, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a press statement. In a travel advisory, the FO urged Pakistani nationals currently residing in Iran to exercise extreme caution, remain vigilant, minimize non-essential movement and stay in regular contact with Pakistani diplomatic missions in the country. For assistance, the Foreign Office shared the following contact details of Pakistan’s missions in Iran: Embassy of Pakistan, Tehran: +98-2166-9413-88/89/90/91 (landline); +98-2166-9448-88/90 (landline); +98 910 764 8298 (mobile) Consulate, Zahidan: +98 54 33 22 3389
(landline); +98 904 614 5412 (mobile); Consulate, Mashhad: +98 910 762 5302; +98 937 180 7175 The advisory was issued amid anti-government protests and unrest across Iran, triggered by what protesters describe as rising prices and worsening economic conditions, according to media reports. “For their safety and security, Pakistani nationals are advised to avoid all unnecessary travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until conditions improve,” the advisory said. It further urged Pakistanis living in Iran to remain in close and constant contact with the country’s diplomatic missions and to use the provided numbers in case of any emergency. Meanwhile, Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani reported extensive damage to the capital’s infrastructure, stating that rioters had targeted 26 banks, two hospitals, 25 mosques, police facilities and 48 fire trucks during the unrest. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei, on Friday, insisted that the government would “not back down” in the face of protests, which have marked the largest demonstrations in nearly two weeks amid public anger over the rising cost of living. Reacting to the situation, US President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran’s leadership, saying the United States could come to the aid of protesters. “I just hope the protesters in Iran are going to be safe, because that’s a very dangerous place right now,” he said. Iran, in a letter to the United Nations Security Council, accused the United States of turning the protests into what it described as “violent subversive acts and widespread vandalism.” Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during a visit to Lebanon, alleged that Washington and Israel were “directly intervening” to try to transform peaceful protests into divisive and violent ones.” In a thread posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, Iran’s
Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam termed the protests a “conspiracy,” saying that “this latest conspiracy, like
all previous ones, will be defeated, and the Islamic Revolution will continue its principled and independent path.”