KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Tuesday the inspector general (IG) of police in the Sindh province, Mushtaq Ahmed Mehar, had been abducted on Monday by paramilitary troops, who forced him to sign an order to arrest an opposition leader.
Opposition leader Muhammad Safdar, a member of the Pakistan Muslim League (PMLN) party, was arrested on Monday following a protest at the tomb of the country’s founder in Karachi, capital of the southern province of Sindh that the PPP rules. He is the son-in-law of Nawaz Sharif, three time prime minister of Pakistan and the head of the PMLN, which is part of a recently formed opposition alliance that is leading street protests against the central government.
On Tuesday night, Pakistan’s army ordered a probe into the alleged abduction of the provincial police chief following an outcry over the incident.
“Who besieged the IG’s house at 2am,” the PPP chairman asked reporters at a press conference. “Who were the two people who entered his residence and where was he taken at 4am?”
Several top officials of Sindh police submitted leave applications to the provincial administration to protest the alleged abduction of their chief, saying they could not fulfill their duties in such a “stressful situation” and needed to take some time off to come out of the “state of shock.”
“The chief minister [Murad Ali Shah] has announced an investigation,” said the PPP chairman. “The officers are resigning and proceeding on leave one by one. This is matter of their dignity.”
Referring to Safdar’s arrest, he said: “It was shameful. No matter how much I condemn it, it will still be insufficient. I am ashamed. I am not able to show my face to anyone after what has happened in my province.”
“I demand of the [Director General Inter-Services Intelligence] General Faiz Hameed and [Chief of Army Staff] General Qamar Javed Bajwa to investigate their institutions to see how they are working in this province. Whoever has given you this advice, this is wrong and will damage the dignity of your institutions,” he added.
Safdar’s wife and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Vice President Maryam Sharif has said in a press talk that the Sindh police chief was picked up by Rangers, a paramilitary force, and “taken to the sector commander’s office” where he was forced to issue arrest orders for Safdar.
“Taking notice of the Karachi incident, the COAS has directed Commander Karachi Corps to immediately inquire into the circumstances to determine the facts and report back as soon as possible,” the army’s media wing said in a statement on Tuesday night.
It was later announced that the army chief also telephoned the PPP chairman to discuss the situation with him. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has also formed a ministerial committee to probe the matter.
Bilawal says Sindh police forced to arrest ex-PM's son-in-law as army orders probe
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Bilawal says Sindh police forced to arrest ex-PM's son-in-law as army orders probe
- Pakistan’s army ordered a probe into the alleged abduction of the provincial police chief following an outcry over the incident
- Several top officials of Sindh police submit leave applications to record their protest against the alleged abduction of their chief
Pakistan’s stabilization at risk as floods cut growth to 3 percent — World Bank
- Lender warns Pakistan’s FY26 growth to slow to 3 percent, inflation to rise to 7.2 percent after recent floods
- Exports remain just 10 percent of GDP, half Bangladesh’s, signaling weak integration into global markets
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s fragile economic stabilization is at risk from fresh floods that threaten to undo hard-won gains, the World Bank said in its Pakistan Development Update released this week, warning that growth will slow to 3 percent in FY 2026 and inflation will rise to 7.2 percent.
After a year of recovery marked by a sharp decline in inflation to 4.5 percent, a record primary surplus of 2.4 percent of GDP, and the first current-account surplus in two decades, the Bank cautioned that such growth was “insufficient to materially improve living standards,” particularly amid job market pressures.
The improvements reflect reforms under Pakistan’s $7 billion IMF Extended Fund Facility, which has helped narrow fiscal and external deficits through tighter policy and a market-based exchange rate.
“Recent floods threaten these gains, cutting projected growth to 3 percent in FY 2026 and raising inflation to 7.2 percent, which is insufficient for jobs and living standards,” the World Bank said in its report titled ‘Staying the Course for Growth and Jobs.’
The report said Pakistan’s labor force continues to expand by around 1.6 million workers each year, while limited private investment and weak productivity growth prevent the economy from creating enough jobs.
Exports remain another major constraint, accounting for only 10 percent of GDP — roughly half Bangladesh’s share — highlighting Pakistan’s low participation in global value chains. The Bank said high tariffs, complex customs procedures and standards compliance costs continue to “raise trade costs and reduce competitiveness.”
The World Bank backed Pakistan’s ongoing tariff reform plan, which aims to halve import duties by 2030 and, if fully implemented, could raise exports by 14 percent, increase GDP by 0.2 percent, and create about 300,000 jobs.
It called on Pakistan to sustain reforms that have restored short-term stability, including maintaining a market-determined exchange rate, broadening the tax base, improving customs efficiency, and advancing privatization to crowd in private investment.
“Staying the course on structural reforms will be critical to consolidate stability and generate the growth and jobs needed to lift living standards,” the report said.
Pakistan invites Meta to collaborate on AI ethics, digital safety and trade
- The development comes during a meeting between the commerce minister and a top Meta official visiting Pakistan
- Meta expresses interest in expanding collaboration in AI-driven innovation, SME support and digital safety initiatives
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday invited social media giant Meta to collaborate on artificial intelligence (AI) ethics, digital safety and e-commerce standards, said an official statement, as part of the government’s push to expand its digital economy and integrate AI governance into national trade policy.
The invitation came during a meeting between a Meta delegation, led by Rafael Frankel, the company’s Director for Public Policy (South Asia), and Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan in the federal capital.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has been expanding its footprint in South Asia through programs supporting small businesses and digital literacy.
“Pakistan’s digital economy is among the fastest-growing in South Asia, powered by a youthful population, growing connectivity and a strong IT talent base,” the minister said, according to the statement circulated after the meeting, adding the government was finalizing the National E-Commerce Policy to expand the market to $20 billion by 2030.
“We invite Meta to collaborate through the Ministry’s IT Sectoral Council on areas such as AI ethics, digital safety and e-commerce standards,” he added.
Khan said Pakistan’s IT and IT-enabled services exports rose 18% in the last fiscal year to $3.8 billion and had grown a further 21% year-on-year in the first quarter of FY2026.
He urged Meta to partner with Pakistan in youth-focused AI skilling programs and explore a Meta-Pakistan E-Commerce Accelerator Pilot to promote digital entrepreneurship.
The visiting Meta official commended Pakistan’s progress in digital transformation, according to the statement, saying the company was keen to expand cooperation in “AI-driven innovation, skills development and SME support.”
Both sides agreed to continue working closely to promote innovation, safe online practices and economic empowerment through technology.
Pakistan seizes 25 kilograms of smuggled silver from passenger bus in Karachi
- Passenger detained for interrogation after failing to produce import or purchase documents for the seized silver
- Smuggling of precious metals in Pakistan is not limited to international borders but extends to inter-city routes
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Tuesday announced the seizure of 25 kilograms of silver worth about Rs 12 million ($40,000) from a passenger bus at the Mochko Check Post in Karachi, in an operation aimed at cracking down on precious-metal smuggling.
The consignment was discovered during an inspection at the Mochko Check Post after officers of the Anti-Smuggling Organisation found silver bars hidden in a passenger’s luggage. The suspect failed to produce import or purchase documents, confirming the consignment’s illegal origin, according to the FBR.
The Mochko Check Post, located in Karachi’s Keamari district, is reportedly used by criminal networks to smuggle goods, narcotics and weapons into the city.
“The seized silver has been taken into custody under the Customs Act 1969, and the passenger has been detained,” the FBR said in a post on X. “Further investigation is underway to trace the source, route and intended recipients of the smuggled goods and to identify accomplices involved.”
Rising global silver prices, driven by renewed investor demand and strong industrial use in solar panels and electronics, have made the metal a lucrative target for smugglers in Pakistan.
Such trafficking is not confined to international borders, with smugglers increasingly using passenger buses and inter-provincial routes to move untaxed silver and gold within the country.
The FBR said enforcement operations would “continue with full vigour” to curb smuggling and ensure compliance with customs laws across all entry routes and checkpoints.
Depleted South Africa thump sloppy Pakistan in first T20I
- Reeza Hendricks hit a 40-ball 60 as South Africa posted 194-9 before bowling out Pakistan for 139
- Corbin Bosch took 4-14 and George Linde 3-31 to hand the visitors a 55-run victory in Rawalpindi
RAWALPINDI: Under-strength South Africa proved too strong for Pakistan in a convincing 55-run win in the first Twenty20 international in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
Without seven frontline players, either rested or injured, the Proteas reached 194-9 with opener Reeza Hendricks hitting a 40-ball 60.
Pacer Corbin Bosch (4-14) and spinner George Linde (3-31) then led a disciplined bowling as Pakistan never looked like hunting down the target, folding for 139 in 18.1 overs.
The win gives tourists a 1-0 lead in the three-match series with the remaining matches on Friday and Saturday, both in Lahore.
Opener Saim Ayub hit four sixes and a four in his 28-ball 37. Down the order Mohammad Nawaz knocked 20-ball 36 with two sixes and four boundaries.
A packed 16,000 crowd at Rawalpindi stadium were left disappointed when their favourite Babar Azam failed to cap a T20I comeback after ten months, falling for a second-ball duck.
South African captain Donovan Ferreira praised a team effort.
"I am very proud of the collective effort," said Ferreira. "We had a good powerplay batting effort and Linde finished it well."
Pakistan skipper Salman Agha rued poor batting.
"We didn't start well with the ball but we pulled things back," said Agha. "With the batting, we are losing wickets quickly and we need to have a quick turnaround."
Earlier, South Africa had a blazing start of 74 runs in the power-play and knocked 100 in just nine overs.
Hendricks put on 44 in just 3.5 overs with Quinton de Kock (23) after the tourists were put in to bat.
Hendricks's knock was studded with a six and five fours while De Kock smashed five fours in his 13-ball knock.
Hendricks continued to build up the innings, adding 49 for the second wicket with debutant Tony de Zorzi who scored a brisk 16-ball 33 with a six and five fours.
Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz, who took 3-26, stopped the flow of runs by dismissing De Zorzi, Dewald Brevis (nine) and Ferreira (ten).
Hendricks finally fell in the 18th over after scoring his 18th T20I half century.
Linde gave the final touches to the innings with a rapid 22-ball 36 with a six and four fours.
Pakistan players wore pink kits to spread breast-cancer awareness while South Africans wore pink ribbons.
Pakistan says decision on joining Gaza peace force ‘still under process’
- Defense Minister Khawaja Asif says joining Gaza peace force would be a ‘matter of pride’ for Pakistan
- Proposed International Stabilization Force aims to monitor ceasefires, restore order in war-torn Gaza
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said on Tuesday that a decision by the Islamic world on deploying Pakistani troops as part of a Gaza peace force was “still under process,” adding it would be a “matter of pride” for the country to play a role in protecting Palestinians.
The clarification comes after a report published last week by the US-based news outlet Politico, which cited a current and a former US defense official saying that Pakistan, Indonesia and Azerbaijan were the leading contenders to contribute troops to the International Stabilization Force (ISF).
The ISF is a proposed international security mission aimed at stabilizing the Gaza Strip by protecting civilians, monitoring ceasefires and preventing further escalation.
"If the Islamic world takes such a decision and Pakistan wishes or needs to participate in it, then I believe it would be a matter of pride for us to play a role in protecting and ensuring the well-being of our brothers," Asif told a private Pakistani news channel.
"This matter is still under process and yet to be finalized," he added. "I think this is an opportunity that Pakistan should avail if it becomes available to us, you know."
Responding to a question, he said the government would take parliament into confidence along with all the relevant institutions over the issue.
Asif's statement comes when Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir recently visited Jordan and Egypt. The visits fueled speculation among international and local media over whether Pakistan was asked to provide troops for the Gaza peace force.
Earlier this week on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would decide which foreign forces it would allow as part of the planned international force in Gaza to help secure a ceasefire under US President Donald Trump's plan.
Pakistan has a long history of involvement in UN peacekeeping operations since it first started participating in 1960.
As one of the largest contributors of troops, Pakistani military personnel have served in missions in Sierra Leone, Somalia, Liberia, Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire, Yemen and Lebanon, among other places.
In 2022, eight Pakistani UN peacekeepers were awarded UN medals of courage for sacrificing their lives for the cause of peace.
In recent years, Pakistan has also actively promoted the inclusion of female peacekeepers to help empower local women in conflict zones.
