Author: Sudhir Ahmad Afridi

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: In an era when digital connectivity defines progress, opportunity, and freedom, Pakistan’s remote tribal areas like Bazaar Zakha Khel and Shelman remain isolated in a digital dark age. Here, internet access is either nonexistent or so poor as to be unusable. Ironically, this digital deprivation is not confined to distant regions. Even urban centers now suffer from deteriorating internet quality, with mobile operators throttling speeds and weakening signals despite charging full fees for their services. This systematic degradation amounts to a denial of a basic human right. The government’s failure to intervene, combined with judicial…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi LANDI KOTAL: A jirga held in Landi Kotal has demanded that the local administration facilitate the import of sacrificial sheep (dumbas) from Afghanistan to ensure residents can perform Sunnat-e-Ibrahimi during Eid-ul-Adha. The jirga was chaired by Tehsil Chairman Shah Khalid Shinwari and attended by tribal elders, municipal representatives, and local residents. In a joint declaration, the jirga stated that while the government plans to establish border markets to benefit residents on both sides, it is simultaneously imposing bureaucratic and legal obstacles that prevent the import of sheep from Afghanistan, causing thousands of families to miss out…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi TORKHAM: Residents of Khyber district marked Youm-e-Tashakur (Thanksgiving Day) with a grand rally at the Torkham border, voicing unwavering support for the Pakistan Armed Forces. The event echoed similar commemorations across the country and was a vivid display of public patriotism. Organised by the local administration, the rally began at the Machni checkpoint in Landi Kotal and proceeded to the Torkham border. A large and diverse gathering including tribal elders, customs clearing agents, police officials, youth, and local citizens took part. Chants of “Pakistan Zindabad” and “Pak Fauj Zindabad” rang out, accompanied by vocal condemnations of…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi PESHAWAR: Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Syed Shahab Ali Shah, on Thursday assured that the challenges faced by journalists from the merged tribal districts will be addressed as a priority. The commitment was made during a meeting with Aurangzeb Mehsud, Central President of the Tribal Union of Journalists (AUJ), who highlighted several urgent issues affecting media workers from the former FATA regions. The discussion focused on delays in the implementation of the martyr package for journalists killed in the line of duty, the allocation of special funds for press clubs in the merged areas, and the announced…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi PESHAWAR: The Pakistani media is facing an unprecedented crisis, as highlighted in the Freedom Network’s annual Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom Report 2025. Released to coincide with World Press Freedom Day, the report paints a grim picture of a media landscape under siege by state repression, escalating legal restrictions, rising violence, and a shrinking space for free expression. Titled “Free speech and public interest journalism under siege,” the report offers a stark assessment of the media environment between May 2024 and April 2025, warning of an “existential threat” to independent journalism in Pakistan. The report…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) organized a major protest at the historic Bab-e-Khyber in Jamrud, Khyber district, demanding the immediate release of party chairman Imran Khan. The demonstration attracted a large crowd, including PTI leaders, youth activists, and local residents, who rallied under banners calling for Khan’s release with slogans like “Free Imran Khan,” “Reject Political Prisoners,” and “Stop the Murder of Democracy.” Speakers at the rally condemned the imprisonment of Imran Khan, describing it as politically motivated revenge, and launched a fierce criticism against the government. PTI leadership issued a three-day ultimatum for Khan’s release, warning…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: The entire nation has paid solemn tribute to Nisar Ali, a valiant soldier of the Pakistan Rangers who was martyred while defending the country during a fierce clash with Indian forces at the Sialkot border. Hailing from the Shalman region in Khyber District, Nisar Ali’s ultimate sacrifice has stirred an outpouring of respect and pride across Pakistan. Ali was killed in action during a skirmish at the volatile border, where he stood his ground with exceptional courage. His body was brought home to Lower Shalman and buried with full state honours, in the presence of…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi BANNU: In a tragic incident that has cast a somber shadow over the domestic cricket scene, 24-year-old fast bowler Aleem Khan passed away after suffering a fatal heart attack during a PCB Challenge Cup match in Bannu. The young cricketer collapsed on the field while delivering a ball and was rushed to hospital, but doctors were unable to revive him. According to umpire Inamullah Khan, the moment was sudden and shocking. Aleem was mid-delivery when he faltered and fell to the ground, prompting immediate concern from players and officials alike. The match was halted as efforts…

Torkham border to require passports for drivers By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: Authorities at the Torkham border have reinstated the requirement for both Afghan and Pakistani drivers to possess valid passports and visas, effectively ending the temporary relaxation that previously allowed cross-border trade with temporary documents. This decision is set to take effect after May 30, when the facility permitting the use of Temporary Admission Documents (TAD) for transporting commercial goods will expire. From that point onwards, no driver will be allowed to enter without the proper travel documentation, which includes a valid passport and visa. To ensure a smooth…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged a protest demonstration at Bacha Khan Chowk in Landi Kotal Bazaar, demanding the immediate release of PTI Chairman Imran Khan and other political detainees. The protest saw significant participation from PTI workers, local leadership, members of the Insaf Students Federation (ISF), and representatives from the Insaf Youth Wing. The rally featured several speakers, including Abdul Razzaq Shinwari, Molana Shoaib Qadri (focal person to Provincial Minister Muhammad Adnan Qadri), Chairman Abu Darda Shinwari, Fakhruddin Shinwari, Mehrab Shah Afridi, and ISF’s Basit Ali and Nizamuddin, along with Youth Wing leaders Sajjad Khan, Jafar…