PESHAWAR: Pakistani authorities have shared with China the preliminary findings of an investigation into a deadly attack that killed five Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver in the country’s volatile northwest, officials said Wednesday.
Authorities were doing DNA testing on the remains of a suicide bomber who rammed his explosives-laden car into a vehicle that was carrying the Chinese engineers and construction workers.
The attack took place in Shangla, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where thousands of Chinese nationals work on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which includes a multitude of megaprojects such as road construction, power plants and agriculture. The CPEC is a lifeline for Pakistan’s cash-strapped government, currently facing one of its worst economic crises.
The five Chinese nationals were heading Tuesday to the Dasu Dam, the biggest hydropower project in Pakistan, where they worked. Their remains were transported to the capital, Islamabad, local police official Altaf Khan said, adding that the deceased had a police escort when the attack happened.
Khan said DNA testing was necessary as the bomber’s face was beyond recognition. He hoped the results of the DNA tests will help in identifying the bomber.
Pakistani officials said they shared the latest investigation developments with their Chinese counterparts. China is expected to send its own experts to the attack site to conduct an independent investigation while collaborating with Pakistani authorities.
Khan also said they have further expanded a search started a day earlier for the attacker’s possible accomplices.
The UN Security Council in a statement Wednesday condemned “in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack.” The council “underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.”
No group had claimed responsibility for the attack as of Wednesday, but suspicion was likely to fall on separatists and the breakaway Gul Bahadur faction of the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, and is a separate group, but a close ally of the Afghan Taliban.
The TTP denied being behind the suicide bombing in a statement Wednesday, saying: “We are in no way related to the attack on the Chinese engineers.”
Tuesday’s attack came less than a week after Pakistani security forces killed eight Balochistan Liberation Army separatists who opened fire on a convoy carrying Chinese citizens outside the Chinese-funded Gwadar port in the volatile southwestern Balochistan province.
The Chinese foreign ministry condemned the attack and offered “deep condolences to the deceased” in a statement Wednesday.
The ministry said China has asked “Pakistan to thoroughly investigate the incident as soon as possible, hunt down the perpetrators, and bring them to justice” and added that “any attempt to undermine China-Pakistan cooperation will never succeed.”
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif promised a swift conclusion to the investigation during a visit with the Chinese ambassador, Jiang Zaidong, on Tuesday.
Zaidong, accompanied by Pakistani officials, visited the Dasu Dam Wednesday, according to a statement by Pakistan’s government.
The statement also said Sharif presided over a high-level security meeting, attended by the country’s powerful army chief Gen. Asim Munir. In the meeting, the premier said Tuesday’s attack was “creating mistrust” between Pakistan and China and vowed to bring “the barbaric perpetrators to justice.”
The army chief seconded Sharif’s promise and said they would ensure the safety of all foreigners in the country, “especially Chinese nationals, contributing to the prosperity of Pakistan.”
Chinese laborers working on CPEC-related projects in Pakistan have come under attack in recent years.
In July 2021, at least 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals, were killed when a suicide bomber detonated the explosives in his vehicle near a bus carrying several Chinese and Pakistani engineers and laborers, prompting the Chinese companies to suspend work at the time. Pakistani authorities initially insisted it was a road accident, but China disputed the claim, saying victims were the target of a suicide attack.
Pakistan shares initial findings with China on attack that killed five Chinese nationals
https://arab.news/mjr2m
Pakistan shares initial findings with China on attack that killed five Chinese nationals
- The Chinese citizens were working on a hydropower project in Pakistan’s northwest where a suicide bomber targeted them
- Pakistani officials say they are doing DNA testing on the remains of the bomber whose face is said to be beyond recognition
Pakistani minister, FIFA president discuss football’s growing popularity in country
- Football has been growing popular over the years in Pakistan, particularly among young fans
- Mohsin Naqvi invites Gianni Infantino to Pakistan, discusses potential of sports in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Friday to discuss football’s growing popularity in Pakistan and the potential that the sport has in the country, the minister said in a statement.
Football in Pakistan has long existed in the shadow of cricket. However, the sport has been growing popular over the years, particularly among the youth, who form a passionate fan base in urban centers.
Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), met Infantino in Washington on Friday.
“Had an excellent meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino,” Naqvi said in a post on X following his meeting with him during a trip to the US.
“We discussed the immense potential of sports in Pakistan — especially the growing popularity of football following cricket,” he added.
Pakistan and FIFA share a complex yet evolving relationship, shaped by ongoing efforts to develop football infrastructure and promote the sport in the country.
Pakistan has faced repeated administrative challenges and international suspensions, largely due to government interference in football affairs.
In 2019, FIFA appointed a normalization committee to restore order within the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and facilitate the holding of democratic elections.
FIFA suspended the PFF earlier in February after its elected congress rejected the constitutional amendments proposed by the global football body but the ban was reversed in March after PFF accepted the proposed constitutional amendments.
However, Pakistan remains committed to elevating its football profile despite recurring setbacks such as suspensions.
The Pakistan national football team last played a match in March, losing 2–0 to Syria in an AFC Asian Cup qualifier.
The next FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Pakistani FM in Istanbul to demand Iran-Israel ceasefire at this week’s OIC meeting
- OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) 51st session will be held from June 21-22
- Meeting to take place as Iran-Israel conflict intensifies with no sign of either side letting up
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Istanbul on Friday to attend the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, his office said, as Israel and Iran continue to engage in military conflict while the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorates.
The 51st session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers is expected to focus on coordinated efforts to de-escalate tensions between Iran and Israel, the two regional rivals, along with the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The meeting comes at a time when Middle East tensions are high, with Iran and Israel trading missiles and strikes for seven days now. Pakistan has condemned Israel for launching a surprise attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership last Friday, calling for peace and diplomacy to resolve the issue.
“Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, arrived in Istanbul to participate in the 51st Session of the Council of the Foreign Minister (CFM) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) being held on 21-22 June 2025 and to attend the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum award ceremony where President Erdogan will be honored,” the Foreign Office said in a press release.
The Pakistani foreign office said Dar was received by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye, Dr. Yousaf Junaid, Consul General Nauman Aslam and the representatives of the Turkish ministry of foreign affairs.
“During the plenary session, the DPM/FM will share Pakistan’s perspective on the developments in South Asia following the ceasefire arrangement between Pakistan and India and the situation in the Middle East after Israel’s recent aggression against Iran and other regional states,” the foreign office spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, said in a statement on Thursday.
He added that Dar would advocate for peace in the Middle East and highlight the need for humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza during the meeting on June 21 and 22.
Beyond the Middle East, Dar is also expected to address broader issues of concern to the Muslim world, urging the international community to “combat the escalating tide of Islamophobia” by addressing rising extremism and militancy, as well as the growing threat of climate change.
He will also reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to the principles and objectives of the OIC in addressing challenges faced by Muslim nations globally.
Dar, who also holds the portfolio of foreign minister, is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other OIC member states on the sidelines of the conference.
The high-level meeting is taking place amid media reports that the United States is weighing options, including potentially joining Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Pakistan army chief calls for dialogue, diplomacy to resolve regional conflicts
- Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir interacts with American scholars, analysts, foreign media outlets’ representatives in Washington
- Munir calls for “broader” relationship with Washington based on mutual respect, shared strategic interests and economic interdependence
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief advocated for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve regional conflicts in his interaction with American policy experts, analysts, scholars and representatives of foreign media outlets, the military’s media wing said on Friday amid Islamabad’s simmering tensions with New Delhi.
Munir is on a solo trip to the US, where he met President Donald Trump for lunch on Wednesday in an unprecedented White House meeting. Trump told reporters afterward that the two had discussed the ongoing Iran-Israel crisis, and that the main reason he wanted to meet Munir was to thank him for not pursuing war with India last month.
Pakistan and India remained engaged in a military confrontation for four days last month before Washington brokered a ceasefire between the two on May 10. Pakistan has since then sent delegations to various capitals around the world, urging countries to persuade India to resolve bilateral issues with Islamabad via dialogue and diplomacy.
“The Army Chief also provided a detailed exposition of Pakistan’s balanced approach to regional and global conflicts, advocating for dialogue, diplomacy, and adherence to international law,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said. “He reaffirmed that Pakistan continues to play a responsible and proactive role in mitigating regional tensions and promoting cooperative security frameworks.”
Munir also spoke about Pakistan’s recent conflict with India, elaborating on Pakistan’s perspective on “terrorism.” Without naming anyone in particular, the Pakistan army chief spoke about the influence of regional actors in sponsoring and perpetuating “terrorism” as a tool of hybrid warfare.
“The COAS emphasized that Pakistan has been on the front lines of the global war against terrorism, having rendered immense sacrifices— both human and economic— in pursuit of a safer and more secure world,” the statement said.
Pakistan denies India’s allegations it supports militant attacks in the part of disputed Kashmir that New Delhi governs. After the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, a tourist resort in Indian-administered Kashmir, tensions between the two countries surged as New Delhi blamed Islamabad for being involved. Pakistan denied the allegations and called for an impartial, international probe into the incident.
The Pakistan army chief spoke about his country’s untapped potential in information technology, agriculture and its underexploited reserves in the mining and mineral sectors. Munir invited international partners to explore collaborative opportunities in these sectors to unlock “shared prosperity,” the ISPR said.
The discussion between Munir and the participants also involved an evaluation of the long-standing Pakistan–US partnership, the military’s media wing said.
“The COAS [chief of army staff] underlined the historical convergences between the two nations, particularly in areas such as counterterrorism, regional security, and economic development,” the ISPR said.
“He underscored the immense potential for a broader, multidimensional relationship built upon mutual respect, shared strategic interests, and economic interdependence.”
The ISPR said the interaction was marked by mutual understanding and was widely regarded as a “positive step” toward enhancing strategic dialogue between the two countries.
Pakistan’s military plays a key role in shaping the country’s foreign policy, and Munir’s high-profile White House invitation is being seen as part of Washington’s broader effort to recalibrate ties with Islamabad, a vital but often difficult ally for the US in South Asia.
Under Trump, Islamabad and Washington both have appeared eager to rebuild military and economic cooperation after years of strained ties, largely over counter-terrorism disagreements.
Islamabad’s first woman to lead men’s police station takes on drug lords, land mafia
- Misbah Shahbaz is SHO of Phulgran, Islamabad suburb long a magnet for drug and land-grabbing gangs
- Only about 3.2% of officers in Pakistani police are women, just 15,509 women out of 489,645 total
ISLAMABAD: Tucked amid the dust and bustle of Islamabad’s fringes, the suburb of Phulgran has long been a magnet for trouble: drug dens, land-grabbing, and a loose grip on law and order.
But now, it has something new: a phenomenon.
In her blue uniform and a modest headscarf, Misbah Shahbaz quietly took charge in 2025 as Station House Officer (SHO) of Phulgran, Islamabad’s first-ever female SHO at a general, or men’s, police station.
The post of SHO is one of the most visible and operationally significant leadership roles in Pakistan’s police hierarchy, responsible for crime investigation, public safety, and station-level administration. Until now, female SHOs in Islamabad had only led women police stations.
“It’s a historic decision, and I feel very proud,” Shahbaz told Arab News as she walked through a briefing with her team.
Phulgran sits at the nexus of rural sprawl and urban ambition, where narcotics and land mafias thrive. Shahbaz’s three-fold roadmap is simple: Clean up the drug trade, target land-grab networks, and raise the ethical bar in policing.
Methodical yet unspoken in her stride, she is already tackling the tough territory:
“Drug trafficking is a major concern. I’ve already developed strategies … and God willing, you’ll soon see the results.”
Her academic résumé reads like an MBA case study: she holds a Master’s and an MBA. But she insisted:
“I’ve always been drawn to the uniform … This was never about the degree, it was about a passion to serve.”
Back in 2012, Shahbaz took one of the 87 Assistant Sub-Inspector slots based strictly on merit. And that was just the beginning of a journey in which she says her male colleagues largely treated her as an equal.
“I was lucky to have excellent mentors, all-male officers who treated me no differently,” she said. “They taught me the finer points of investigation, from identifying subtle clues to interviewing techniques.”
Today, when Shahbaz rolls through Phulgran in her official vehicle, residents pause. Men nod, women whisper encouragement and in the sidewalks, young girls see her, and absorb a message: you, too, can wear the badge.
“She’s not less than any man,” a constable under her command said. “In fact, she leads better.”
TURNING TIDE?
Let’s zoom out: Pakistan’s police force is staggeringly male.
According to the National Police Bureau (NPB) and UN Women Pakistan as of 2023, only about 3.2 % of officers are women, just 15,509 women out of 489,645 total. And while Islamabad fares slightly better, with around 5% of women, most provinces hover at 1–4%.
A mandatory 10 % quota exists but the officers actually recruited, trained, and retained are far fewer. In some provinces, it’s under 1%.
So, Shahbaz’s promotion is more than symbolic. She’s a breakthrough not just for Islamabad but for an entire force held back by gender disparity.
With so few female officers, women are often reluctant to report crimes, especially those involving domestic or gender-based issues. Experts also say the absence of women in decision-making and field leadership reduces community trust in law enforcement.
Female officers like Shahbaz could change that balance.
And her rise isn’t just a personal triumph. It’s the latest clue in the slow shift in a system where less than 1 in 30 cops is a woman.
As the police officer said:
“Islamabad Police already have a reputation for professionalism but I want to raise the bar so that every citizen feels heard and respected.”
Veteran Pakistani actress Ayesha Khan passes away in Karachi
- Khan, 77, passed away in her Karachi flat “naturally,” confirms senior police official
- She essayed prominent roles in drama serials “Afshan,” “Uroosa” and “Shaam Se Pehle”
KARACHI: Veteran Pakistani actress Ayesha Khan was found dead in her flat in Karachi this week, a senior police official confirmed on Friday as tributes poured in from actors and fans of the deceased.
Khan, 77, starred in several high-profile Pakistani drama serials such as “Afshan,” “Uroosa,” “Aanch,” “Bandhan” and “Shaam Se Pehle.” As per reports in prominent Pakistani news websites such as The News, Geo.tv and other publications, Khan was found dead in her flat in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal area on Thursday.
Quoting police, local media reports said Khan’s body seemed to be around a week old when it was found, adding that the actress was living alone.
“As per the station house officer, she passed away naturally,” Senior Superintendent of Police Dr. Farrukh Raza told Arab News. “She was shifted to the hospital for further process.”
Karachi police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed said authorities were waiting for the actress’ son to retrieve her body, adding that it is being kept in the morgue for now.
Tributes poured in for Khan on social media platforms from fans and former colleagues.
“She was my on-screen mother but brought a compassion reminiscent of a maternal figure, a presence that soothed, grounded and made a space feel more human,” Renowned Pakistani actor Adnan Siddiqui wrote on Instagram.
Siddiqui said Khan was a calm person who let her “acting do the talking.”
“Ayesha jee wasn’t just an actor; she was an atmosphere. And her absence will be deeply felt,” he wrote.
“Devastating. Rest in peace, Ayesha ji,” Pakistani actress Anoushay Abbasi wrote beneath Siddiqui’s post.
As per Geo News, Khan’s body was discovered when her neighbors informed her family about a “foul smell” emitting from the actress’ apartment.
“After being informed, police rushed to the scene and shifted her body to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center for medico-legal formalities,” the report said. It added that police said a post-mortem would be conducted if requested by the family.
