QUETTA/PESHAWAR: Pakistan suffered the loss of 21 individuals, predominantly military personnel, following three separate militant assaults on police and security forces conveys in the western provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan on Friday, as confirmed by senior government functionaries and official statements.
The country has experienced an uptick in militant attacks since the year’s beginning, with a concentration of these violent incidents occurring in the two provinces along the Afghan border.
Despite the conclusion of nearly two decades of conflict following the withdrawal of international forces in August 2021, Afghanistan remains mired in crisis.
Pakistani officials have repeatedly asserted that the militants targeting their country operate from the neighboring state, urging the Taliban government in Kabul to prevent their territory from being used as a staging ground for such attacks.
“On 3 November 2023, 2 vehicles of security forces moving from Pasni to Ormara in [Balochistan’s] Gwadar District, were ambushed by the terrorists,” the army’s media wing, ISPR, said in a statement. “14 x soldiers embraced shahadat [martyrdom] in the unfortunate incident.”
Balochistan, where Pakistan and China are jointly undertaking infrastructure development and regional connectivity projects, has long been a battleground for a low-level insurgency.
Baloch nationalists argue they are fighting against the unfair extraction of the province’s resources by the federal government, an accusation Islamabad denies.
Baloch separatist groups have also expressed opposition to Pakistan’s decision to build a strategic port in Gwadar, where the recent attack took place, to gain economic advantage in the region and tap Central Asian markets.
Speaking to Arab News, the deputy commissioner of Gwadar, Major (r) Aurangzaib Badini, said the attack took place at 3pm near Pasni.
He informed the convoy was “ambushed by terrorists with an IED [improvised explosive device] blast and gunfire attacks.”
Pakistan’s caretaker interior minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the incident in a statement circulated by his office.
“The new wave of terrorism is a matter of concern,” he said, adding that Pakistan would continue to fight until the end of militant violence.
Earlier in the day, police and security forces also came under two separate attacks in Dera Ismail Khan district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, resulting in seven fatalities.
The area’s Regional Police Officer, Nasir Hussain Satti, told Arab News one of the blasts was set off by a bomb planted on a motorbike, which exploded near a police van in a congested neighborhood of the city.
“The powerful blast left six civilians dead and another 22 people, including two policemen, wounded,” he informed. “It was a planted device with initial investigations suggesting the use of eight to 10 kilograms of explosives.”
Footage released by Rescue 1122 officials shortly after the incident captured a chaotic scene, with ambulances transporting the injured to hospitals.
Mujtaba Ahmad, a property shop owner near the blast site, described the explosion as powerful enough to rattle the entire marketplace.
He informed most shops were closed for Friday prayers with many people inside mosques at the time of the blast, a factor that likely prevented further casualties and damage.
“Initially, when the explosion occurred, people didn’t know what had happened but they started running,” he continued. “When the cloud of dust settled after the blast, we saw people in blood and damaged motorcycles.”
The second blast, according to the police officer, took place in Takwarra, a small settlement on the outskirts of Dera Ismail Khan, targeting a security convoy which left soldier dead and another wounded.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s caretaker information minister Feroze Jamal Shah told Arab News the militant attacks during the day had led to precious loss of life, saying medical centers across the district were put on high alert after the explosions.
Expressing grief over the two incidents, he said the government would not bow to militants and continue to fight them.
“The blasts martyred several people and wounded 23,” he added. “We condemn both acts of terrorism in the strongest words. I have directed the district administration to provide best medical care to the wounded.”
Militant attacks in western Pakistan leave 21, including 15 security personnel, dead
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Militant attacks in western Pakistan leave 21, including 15 security personnel, dead
- Militants ambushed two vehicles of security forces moving in Balochistan’s Gwadar district, killing 14 soldiers
- Seven people also lost their lives and 23 injured in dual attacks on security convoys in Dera Ismail Khan district
On Ramadan nights, Islamabad residents are all cued up and ready to win
- Snooker tournaments at clubs often increase during holy month, providing social and recreational outlet after breaking the fast
- Pakistan has strong tradition in snooker, with players like Muhammad Asif achieving significant success on the international stage
Usman Sartaj reached for the small, cube-shaped chalk on the edge of the snooker table and rotated it over the cue tip in a smooth, circular motion.
He then struck the cue ball hard, sending it crashing into the others, dispersing them from their triangular formation to all parts of the table.
During Ramadan, snooker games and tournaments at cue-ball clubs often increase, providing a social and recreational outlet for people after breaking their fast. Things are no different in Islamabad where many youngsters like 25-year-old Sartaj, who runs a business of importing and exporting cars, frequent snooker clubs and play until the pre-dawn suhoor meal.
“There is a lot of buzz in snooker clubs during Ramadan, tournaments are held and various players come from different places,” Sartaj told Arab News at the “Snooker 13” club in Islamabad’s G-13 area where he had come to play after offering the voluntary Tarawih night prayers earlier this week.
Why does he prefer snooker over other games?
“Snooker is a great game, it eliminates a person’s tension and stress,” Sartaj said.
Abdul Hadi, the supervisor at Snooker 13, said around 500 people visited the club daily, a number that surged to around 1,500-1,600 in Ramadan during the hours between the iftar and suhoor meals.
One reason for its popularity was affordability, Hadi said.
“It’s around Rs150-200 [$0.54-0.71] for a normal frame,” he told Arab News. “It’s a regular rate, not too cheap and not too expensive. So everyone can afford it, even the students and people under 18 years.”
Muhammad Shahbaz, a 27-year-old driver who works in Dubai but was in Pakistan to spend Ramadan and Eid with his family, was a fan of famed British snooker player Ronnie O’Sullivan, and said he hoped to emulate his favorite athlete’s performances during Ramada games.
“We admire Ronnie’s game and love to watch and follow him,” Shahbaz said. “We try to follow his tricks and his shots.”
Pakistan has a strong tradition in snooker, with players like Muhammad Asif achieving significant success on the international stage, including multiple IBSF World Snooker Championship titles.
“There is a lot of snooker talent in Pakistan and if we want to promote it [further], the government has to support it,” Shahbaz said.
Shavez Ahmed, a 30-year-old realtor who was enjoying a game at one of the nine tables at the club, said there was no doubt snooker was one of the most popular games in Ramadan.
“Other games are impressive too, we play cricket and badminton as well,” he said. “But the craze for snooker in Ramadan never ends.”
Chapman ton lifts New Zealand to 344-9 in first Pakistan ODI
- New Zealand had slumped to 50-3 in the 13th over, having been asked to bat
- But Chapman’s career-best 132 formed the foundation of imposing team score
NAPIER: Mark Chapman struck a sublime century and Muhammad Abbas provided record-breaking late fireworks as New Zealand posted 344-9 on Saturday in the first one-day international against Pakistan in Napier.
Chapman’s career-best 132 formed the foundation of the imposing team score at McLean Park, after New Zealand had slumped to 50-3 in the 13th over, having been asked to bat.
Pakistan-born allrounder Abbas ignited the end of the innings with his 52, setting a world record for the fastest half-century on debut when he reached 50 off the 24th ball he faced.
Pakistan’s seam-heavy attack capitalized on lively bounce and movement early on, but their hold on the game slipped when Chapman was joined by Daryl Mitchell (76 off 84 balls), with the pair putting on 199 for the fourth wicket.
Left-hander Chapman was the more aggressive of the pair, facing just 111 balls and striking 13 fours and six sixes.
The 30-year-old was fortunate to survive a dropped catch in the slips by Salman Agha when on just five.
Mitchell’s dismissal in the 42nd over sparked a mini-collapse before 21-year-old Abbas launched his spectacular innings, featuring three fours and three sixes.
All four specialist Pakistan seamers were effective early on but were punished late.
Left-arm quick Akif Javed claimed 2-55 on his international debut, but the best figures were recorded by part-time seamer Irfan Khan, who took 3-51 off five expensive overs at the death.
Both teams feature numerous changes to those who played out a five-match T20 series, won 4-1 by New Zealand.
The tourists have welcomed back captain Mohammad Rizwan and batsman Babar Azam after the key veterans were omitted for the T20 series.
Along with Javed’s debut, opening batsman Usman Khan and seamer Mohammed Ali are both playing their first ODI for Pakistan.
New Zealand handed international debuts to Abbas and opening batsman Nick Kelly, who scored 15.
Danish firm to train 100 Pakistani engineers in mining as Islamabad seeks to exploit mineral resources
- Pakistan’s landscape is a treasure trove of diverse mineral deposits from huge coal reserves to gold and copper deposits to gemstone
- The South Asian country is currently making efforts to utilize these vast mineral resources to stabilize its $350 billion fragile economy
ISLAMABAD: A Copenhagen-based multinational mining company, FLSmidth, will train 100 Pakistani engineers in mining, the Pakistani government said on Friday, amid Islamabad’s efforts to utilize the country’s vast mineral resources for economic gains.
The statement by Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID) came after Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik’s meeting with Danish Ambassador to Pakistan Jakob Linulf in Islamabad that focused on bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, particularly in mining and technological collaboration.
Malik recognized that FLSmidth’s advanced solutions in cement production, mineral processing and decarbonization align with Pakistan’s goals of increasing efficiency and reducing environmental impact in its extractive industries, according to the PID.
He emphasized the Pakistani government’s commitment to creating an investor-friendly environment and invited Danish companies, including FLSmidth, to explore partnerships with Pakistani firms during the Pakistani Minerals Investment Forum on April 8-9.
“FLSmidth will be launching a training program named BRIMM (Bradshaw Research Initiative for Minerals and Mining) under which hundred Pakistani engineers will be provided training,” the PID said, citing the Danish ambassador.
“FLSmidth has already entered into 5 partnership agreements in minerals sector of Pakistan.”
Pakistan’s landscape is a treasure trove of diverse mineral deposits from huge coal reserves in the southern Sindh province to gold and copper deposits in the southwestern Balochistan province. The northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is home to several gemstone mines, including emerald mines in Swat, Mardan’s pink topaz mines, and peridot mines in Kohistan.
The South Asian country is currently making efforts to utilize these vast mineral resources through foreign investment and collaboration to stabilize its $350 billion economy.
Petroleum Minister Malik expressed Pakistan’s keen interest in leveraging Danish technology and investment to optimize resource extraction and processing as the South Asian country has significant mineral reserves. He extended his full support and offered the government’s good offices to facilitate Danish investment and technology transfer in Pakistan’s growing mining sector, according to the statement.
The ambassador reaffirmed Denmark’s support for Pakistan’s energy transition and industrial growth, and said they were looking forward to Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum.
“He noted that Danish companies are eager to share their expertise in green mining solutions, automation, and digitalization to help Pakistan achieve its economic and environmental objectives,” the PID said.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to facilitate further engagement between Pakistani stakeholders and Danish technology providers, with FLSmidth playing a pivotal role in advancing modern mining practices in Pakistan.
Islamabad expresses solidarity with Myanmar, Thailand after earthquake kills over 150
- The shallow 7.7-magnitude tremor hit Myanmar’s Sagaing on Friday afternoon and was followed minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock
- The quake flattened buildings, downed bridges, and cracked roads across swathes of Myanmar, demolished a 30-story skyscraper in Bangkok
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday expressed solidarity with Myanmar and Thailand after a powerful earthquake killed more than 150 people and injured hundreds in the two Southeast Asian countries.
The shallow 7.7-magnitude tremor hit northwest of the city of Sagaing in central Myanmar in the early afternoon, and was followed minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock.
The quake flattened buildings, downed bridges, and cracked roads across swathes of Myanmar, and even demolished a 30-story skyscraper under construction hundreds of kilometers (miles) away in Bangkok.
The Foreign Office in Islamabad said the Pakistani people were saddened by the heartbreaking news of the devastating earthquake and their thoughts were with everyone impacted by this tragedy.
“We applaud the courageous individuals and emergency responders who are working diligently on the ground to deliver rescue and relief efforts. Their bravery and commitment during this urgent time are truly admirable,” it said.
“We express our solidarity with the governments and communities affected during this challenging period. May strength and resilience lead those impacted toward healing and recovery.”
While the full extent of the catastrophe is yet to emerge, the leader of isolated Myanmar, in the grip of a civil war, issued a rare plea for international aid.
Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said 144 people had been killed, with 732 confirmed injured, but warned the toll was “likely to rise.” Eight deaths have been confirmed so far in Thailand, with more expected.
“In some places, some buildings collapsed,” he said in a televised speech. “I would like to invite any country, any organization, or anyone in Myanmar to come and help. Thank you.”
Across the border in Thailand, a 30-story skyscraper under construction collapsed to a tangled heap of rubble and dust in a matter of seconds.
Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said eight dead bodies have been recovered and, with between 90 and 110 people unaccounted for, the toll is expected to rise.
“We see several dead bodies under the rubble. We will take time to bring the bodies out to avoid any further collapses,” he told reporters.
Earthquakes are relatively common in Myanmar, where six strong quakes of 7.0 magnitude or more struck between 1930 and 1956 near the Sagaing Fault, which runs north to south through the center of the country, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake in the ancient capital Bagan in central Myanmar killed three people in 2016, also toppling spires and crumbling temple walls at the tourist destination.
Pakistan PM calls for national unity to tackle militancy, economic issues
- The statement comes amid Pakistan’s efforts for economic recovery under a $7 billion IMF bailout program
- The country is also battling twin insurgencies in its western provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for unity and harmony in the society to eradicate militancy and address the country’s economic issues.
The prime minister said this while addressing a National Youth and Ulema Convention in connection with Jumatul Wida in the federal capital of Islamabad.
The statement came amid the South Asian country’s efforts to recover from an economic meltdown under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout program secured last year.
Pakistan is also battling twin insurgencies: one led my religiously motivated groups, mainly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the other by ethno-nationalist Baloch separatist groups in Balochistan.
“Unfortunately, the society is being poisoned by disinformation and propaganda,” Sharif said. “We have a chance today as well to place our personal wishes and ego beneath Pakistan.”
According to the 2025 Global Terrorism Index (GTI), Pakistan is now the world’s second-most affected country by militant violence, with deaths rising 45 percent to 1,081 in 2024.
The 12th annual GTI report, published by Australian-based think tank Institute for Economics and Peace, ranked 163 countries in 2024, covering 99.7 percent of the world’s population and analyzing the impact of militant activities worldwide. Pakistan is second only to West African country Burkina Faso on the list.
Sharif emphasized that people from all walks of life, especially religious scholars, have the responsibility to play their role in ending internal divisions based on religious and ethnic divides.
“We have treasures worth billions present in our mountains,” he said. “Pakistan did not come into being so that we keep taking loans and live a life in debt.”
Sharif underscored the importance of setting aside personal desires and egos in the best interest of Pakistan, saying that Pakistan’s armed forces were making unparalleled sacrifices in the fight against militancy.
He urged the attendees to forge national unity, calling it the “only path to achieving a respectable position in the comity of nations.”
