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SUICIDE BLAST KILLS FIVE, INJURES 10 AT HOUSE OF DI KHAN PEACE COMMITTEE HEAD
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Saturday, 24 January, 2026 | 4 Sha’ban, 1447
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RESCUERS AND POLICE SAY ATTACK OCCURRED DURING WEDDING AT NOOR ALAM MEHSUD’S RESIDENCE NEAR QURESHI MOR
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KP CM SOHAIL AFRIDI CONDEMNS BLAST, ORDERS BEST MEDICAL CARE FOR INJURED AND PROBE INTO ATTACK
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DERA ISMAIL KHAN
DISTRICT POLICE OFFICER CONFIRMS REMAINS OF SUICIDE BOMBER RECOVERED, EMERGENCY IMPOSED IN DHQ HOSPITAL KP GOVERNOR FAISAL KUNDI EMPHASIZES IMMEDIATE RELIEF AND SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS
Saleem Jadoon
T least five people were killed and 10 others injured in a suicide attack targeting the residence of a local peace committee head near Qureshi Mor in Dera Ismail Khan on Friday night, police and rescue officials confirmed. In a statement, spokesperson for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rescue 1122, Bilal Ahmed Faizi, said five bodies and 10 injured had been shifted to hospital. He added that rescue teams responded immediately to reports of a suspected blast, deploying seven ambulances, a fire vehicle, and a disaster response vehicle, with operations still ongoing. Police officials said the attack targeted the house of Noor Alam Mehsud, head of a local Aman Committee, during a wedding ceremony. DI Khan District Police Officer (DPO) Sahibzada Sajjad Ahmed told media that the blast occurred while several peace committee members and guests were present. “The explosion was a suicide blast. The injured are being moved to hospital for treatment, while the remains of the attacker have been recovered,” he added. An emergency has been imposed at the District Headquarter Hospital DI Khan. Regional Police Officer Syed Ashfaq Anwar warned that the casualty toll
could rise due to the number of attendees at the event. KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi strongly condemned the blast, describing it as deeply regrettable. He sought a detailed report from the provincial police chief and directed that injured victims receive the best possible medical care. He also instructed security agencies to carry out immediate investigations to identify those responsible and expressed solidarity with the families of the victims. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also requested a detailed report, while directing that all possible medical assis-
IMF chief lauds Pakistan for ‘seriously’ embracing reforms DAVOS/ISLAMABAD Staff report
tance be provided to the injured. Expressing grief over the loss of lives, he emphasised the need for immediate relief and support for victims and their families. This is not the first time Mehsud has been targeted. Earlier this month, armed assailants killed four members of a peace committee in Bannu district. In November 2025, seven people were killed in an attack on a peace committee office, including a former militant who had surrendered to the state. In 2022, two suicide bombers attempted to attack Mehsud at his DI Khan office but were killed outside the
premises, foiled by peace committee volunteers. The district has witnessed a spate of violence, including last month when three police officers were killed in a bomb attack targeting a police vehicle. In November 2025, six policemen, including trainees, were martyred while 12 others and a civilian were injured in a terrorist attack on the Police Training School. Dera Ismail Khan has seen 111 terror attacks in five years, claiming 71 police lives and injuring 100 others. Between 2020 and 2025, attacks fluctuated: 2020: 6 attacks, 4 police killed, 2 injured; 2021: 13 attacks, 3 killed, 4 injured; 2022: 24 attacks, 19 killed, 27 injured; 2023: 39 attacks, 7 killed, 27 injured; 2024: 17 attacks, casualties remained high and 2025 (as of Dec): 12 attacks, 15 killed, 16 injured. The Saraiki-speaking district of five tehsils borders Dera Ghazi Khan, Balochistan’s Zhob district, and South Waziristan. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Dera Ismail Khan emerged as one of the country’s hardesthit areas by terrorism. Last year, Pakistan saw a 25% surge in overall violence, recording at least 3,187 fatalities and 1,981 injuries among civilians, security personnel, and criminals, according to the Centre for Research and Security Studies.
Pakistan, Somalia agree to bolster security, counterterrorism cooperation ISLAMABAD
Staff report
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Friday lauded the Pakistani government for “seriously” embracing reforms under its programme requirements, saying the initiatives were already yielding tangible results. “Pakistani government has seriously embraced reforms and the fruits of action are already there,” Georgieva said in an interview with Pakistan TV on the sidelines of the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. “We are finally seeing budget discipline bringing resources that can be deployed to improve the lives of people.” She described the programme as a Pakistani programme and expressed anticipation for its continued implementation. Georgieva highlighted the IMF’s long-standing constructive engagement with Pakistan and expressed respect for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling him “serious” and noting, “When he gives his word that something would be done, it gets done.” The IMF chief said meetings with the Pakistani leadership had been productive, focusing on identifying areas of progress as well as those requiring further work. She praised the prime minister and his cabinet for carrying forward difficult reforms with seriousness and dedication to the country’s betterment. Her remarks came a day after PM Shehbaz Sharif met Georgieva at the WEF and briefed her on Pakistan’s improving economic indicators. The premier highlighted progress on macroeconomic stability, institutional reforms, fiscal discipline, revenue mobilisation, and sustainable development. Georgieva commended the reform efforts and stressed the importance of maintaining the pace of implementation to ensure long-term economic resilience. Both sides also exchanged views on the global economic outlook, challenges facing emerging economies, and the role of multilateral cooperation in sustaining economic stability.
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Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Somalia’s Interior Minister Ali Yusuf on Friday agreed to significantly strengthen bilateral collaboration in police training, border management and disaster response, while jointly adopting a coordinated strategy to counter terrorism and extremism. The two sides also decided to deepen cooperation in internal security, counterterrorism and broader security coordination, reaffirming their shared commitment to addressing transnational security challenges.
The consensus was reached during a meeting between Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and a high-level Somali delegation led by Interior Minister Ali Yusuf at the Ministry of Interior here. Minister Naqvi warmly welcomed his Somali counterpart upon his arrival. During the meeting, both sides reviewed the state of bilateral relations and explored avenues for enhancing cooperation between Pakistan and Somalia across multiple sectors. The ministers underscored the importance of improved coordination to advance mutual interests and strengthen institutional linkages.
Somalia’s Interior Minister expressed a strong desire to benefit from Pakistan’s experience in policing and internal security. He also described Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s initiatives for Islamabad’s infrastructure development as “commendable.” Minister Naqvi assured his counterpart of Pakistan’s full support to Somalia, particularly in the fields of policing and counterterrorism. He said Pakistan would extend complete cooperation to Somalia across various sectors, including counterterrorism efforts. He also announced visa facilitation for Somali citizens travelling to Pakistan for medical treatment and educational purposes.
ATC issues permanent arrest warrants for seven PTI figures in May 9 cases LAHORE
Staff report
An anti-terrorism court in Lahore on Friday declared seven leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf as proclaimed offenders and ordered the issuance of permanent arrest warrants in cases related to attacks at Club Chowk and the GOR area. The order was passed by Administrative Judge of the Anti-Terrorism Court Munzir Ali Gul, who was hearing the proceedings. Those declared proclaimed offenders include Hammad Azhar, Zubair Khan Niazi, Akbar Khan, Masood Ahmad Subhani, Arsalan Bin Basharat, Farooq Anjum and Habib Ahmad. According to court records, the accused are nominated in case number 852/23. The prosecution informed the court that while some of the co-accused in the same case had already been convicted and sentenced, the trial of the individuals declared proclaimed offenders would proceed separately at a later stage. During the hearing, the government prosecutor submitted that the accused had deliberately gone into hiding to evade arrest. He said the court had repeatedly granted them opportunities to appear before it, but they consistently failed to comply. The prosecutor argued that the continued absence of the accused amounted to a willful attempt to obstruct the legal process, warranting their declaration as proclaimed offenders and the issuance of permanent arrest warrants. After hearing the submissions, the court accepted the prosecution’s plea and issued permanent arrest warrants for all seven individuals.
Imaan Mazari, husband sent to jail on judicial remand after arrest near IHC ISLAMABAD
Staff CorreSpondent
An anti-terrorism court on Friday sent activist and lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha to jail on judicial remand, hours after their arrest in connection with a protest outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The case pertains to allegations of protesting outside the IHC and manhandling the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) president. The proceedings were conducted under strict security, with lawyers and media barred from the courtroom. The hearing was presided over by ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain. Prior to their arrest, the couple had spent three consecutive nights at the office of IHCBA President Syed Wajid Ali Gilani, citing fears of arrest. Their detention triggered an immediate backlash from lawyers’ bodies, which announced a complete strike in protest. Mazari and Chattha were due to appear before a trial court on Friday in a separate case related to controversial social media posts, in which their bail had been cancelled earlier this month and arrest warrants issued. According to IHCBA officials, the couple — accompanied by the bar president — first attempted to surrender before IHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfaraz Dogar, but were informed he was not present. They later left for the district courts in an IHCBA vehicle. Police vehicles, already deployed outside the IHC for three days, followed the convoy. Near the Serena Hotel underpass, police intercepted the vehicle, arrested the couple and shifted them to an undisclosed location. IHCBA members alleged that despite assurances of safe passage, police forcibly stopped the vehicle, assaulted lawyers, broke car windows and manhandled Mazari during the arrest. Concerns were also raised over her safety in custody.
Parliament seeks accountability, urgent reforms and compensation to families of Gul Plaza victims ISLAMABAD
Staff report
The joint sitting of Parliament on Friday adopted a resolution expressing profound grief over the deadly fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza Shopping Mall, paying tribute to the victims and calling for urgent systemic reforms to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The House also passed the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2025, the Daanish Schools Authority Bill, 2025, and the National Commission for Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025, with a majority vote.
The resolution on the Gul Plaza tragedy, moved under Rule-157, conveyed the House’s deepest sorrow over the catastrophic blaze and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. It also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured. In a special tribute, Parliament honoured firefighter Furqan Ali, who laid down his life in the line of duty during rescue operations, and saluted the courage and sacrifices of all firefighters involved in controlling the inferno. The House expressed grave concern over the reported shortcomings and lapses which, it observed, turned an ac-
cident into a mass tragedy. Emphasising accountability and preventive action, the resolution urged the Government of Sindh to ensure appropriate compensation for the families of the victims and to facilitate the immediate recovery of businesses affected by the fire. It further called for the immediate launch of a city-wide emergency fire-risk audit of all commercial and residential buildings in Karachi, stressing the need to increase the number of fire stations and upgrade firefighting equipment to enhance emergency response capacity. The Parliament also appealed to the federal government to extend all neces-
sary assistance and support to the Sindh government in managing the aftermath of the tragedy and strengthening fire safety and disaster management systems. Reaffirming solidarity with the people of Karachi and the bereaved families, the House resolved that the lives lost in the Gul Plaza fire would not be forgotten and demanded concrete and lasting measures to ensure that such a disaster is never repeated. Parliament passes Domestic Violence, Daanish Schools bills Earlier, the joint sitting passed the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2025.
PM vows youth empowerment through quality education, skills development ISLAMABAD
Staff report
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said the Government of Pakistan was paying special attention to the promotion of higher education and skills through various programs to make the education system effective and empower the youth. In a message on World Education Day observed on January 24, he said, “Today, on World Education Day, Pakistan joins the world community in paying tribute to all those associated with education and training around the world, especially in Pakistan. “Personally, today, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the people, students, teachers, parents, educators and researchers
who are striving for education and training and the promotion of knowledge across the country. This year, this international day is being celebrated under the very appropriate title of the power of youth in co-creating education,” he added. The prime minister said this title expresses the role of the youth in our era as active partners in the education system. An education system that is compatible with the demands of the present, modern and future, comprehensive and effective. The creative abilities and innovative aspirations of the youth will definitely lead to the development of the education system in the right direction. Pakistan’s talented youth are a valuable asset of our country. Providing them with quality education, quality skills and the best opportunities for
skill development is one of the top priorities of the government. The Constitution of Pakistan, especially Article 25-A, will continue to guide the federal and provincial governments in the promotion and reform of education, he remarked. He said, In today’s interconnected and technologically advanced world, the secret of individual and national prosperity and development lies in the absorption of critical thinking, innovation, digital skills, ethical values and practical skills in the current mode of education and knowledge. These programs include expanded scholarships for higher education, merit-based financial assistance and the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme. The aim of these programs is to provide students with access to digital resources, enhance research capacity and in-
tegrate with the international knowledge and economy, he added. The prime minister said that a key aspect of the strategy to empower youth from all walks of life is the promotion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). So that skills and expertise are aligned with national needs and global opportunities. Under the Prime Minister’s Youth Skills Development Program, several effective and customized training initiatives are being taken across the country through the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC). These initiatives include skills training in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, automation and advanced technologies. Through national-level skilling initiatives, youth from madrassas are also
being included in the national system so that they can play a positive role in society by benefiting from decent employment and business opportunities, he added. The prime minister said that special programs for women are being developed to promote technical, digital and home-based skills to strengthen women’s economic inclusion and economic self-reliance. Today, on World Education Day, I appeal to all educational institutions, students, teachers, parents and civil society to come together to create an educational environment for the youth and future generations that promotes quality ideology and thought, inclusion of all classes, the greatness of hard work, modern requirements of knowledge and research, and the spirit of lifelong learning, he added.