Author: Sudhir Ahmad Afridi

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi LANDI KOTAL: Students of Landi Kotal Postgraduate College took to the streets at Bacha Khan Chowk in Landi Kotal Bazaar on Friday, staging a protest against the provincial government’s decision to affiliate their college with FATA University. The students, led by Raj Wali Shinwari and others, voiced their dissatisfaction, stressing that the already burdened students would suffer further under the new affiliation. Addressing the protest, the students expressed deep concerns over the impact of the decision, stating that the affiliation with FATA University could endanger the academic future of 500 students. They argued that their current…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi JAMRUD: A tribal Jirga was convened at the Tehsil Jirga Hall in Jamrud under the supervision of the Khyber District Administration, following the directives of the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The gathering was part of an ongoing initiative aimed at identifying and addressing the grievances of local communities. The Jirga was attended by prominent officials, including Khyber Deputy Commissioner Captain (R) Sanaullah Khan, Additional Deputy Commissioner Ehsanullah, and Assistant Commissioner (Jamrud) Dr. Aamir Zaib, along with representatives from the local government, journalists, and members of the Kokikhel and Mullagori tribes. The session provided an open…

District Police Officer Swabi says, “The explosion has severely damaged the building, and rescue teams are on the ground,” underscoring the urgency of the situation By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi SWABI: In a harrowing incident that has sent shockwaves through Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, a powerful explosion at the Swabi City police station resulted in the death of one individual and injuries to at least 16 others, including police officers on duty. The explosion, which occurred in the station’s storage room housing explosive materials confiscated from terrorists, caused significant structural damage, leading to the building’s partial collapse. Initial reports suggest that the explosion was…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: In a recent press conference held at the District Press Club Khyber, Shah Faisal Afridi, Chairman of the Tribal Rights Movement (TRM) and Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Khyber Chapter, condemned the resurgence of terrorism in tribal areas, stressing that such violence would not be tolerated. Afridi highlighted the increasing incidents of bomb blasts, kidnappings for ransom, and targeted killings as deplorable, urging authorities to take decisive action. Afridi questioned the effectiveness of security measures, particularly the border fencing with Afghanistan, which had been erected at a substantial cost. He asserted that the region’s vast natural…

President of the Transport Union Azeemullah Shinwari Zahid Shinwari expressed deep appreciation for the support and advocacy for the resolution of issues being faced by tribal traders By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi LANDI KOTAL: In a significant show of support for the tribal business community, a delegation from the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), led by representatives of the Businessman Forum (Ilyas Bilour Group), visited Landi Kotal. The delegation’s visit, part of the SCCI’s annual election activities, took place at the hujra of Torkham Customs Clearing Agents Association President, Aimal Shinwari. Key figures in the region’s trading and transport…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi PESHAWAR: The protest by police personnel in Bajaur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa came to an end on Friday following successful negotiations with the civil administration. The sit-in had been triggered by the recent assassination of a polio worker and a police sepoy. Assistant Commissioner Khar Bajaur, Dr. Sadiq Ali Khan, announced that the slain polio worker would be granted the Shaheed Package, as directed by Deputy Commissioner Shahid Ali. This assurance led to the termination of the police protest, sources revealed. The Jirga Committee, which had been negotiating on behalf of the protesters, set a four-day…

In a message circulated among the Khyber police, DSP Jehangir Afridi encouraged his colleagues to align with Bajaur’s stance and abstain from providing security for the polio campaign By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi BAJAUR: The District Bajaur police have announced a boycott of the ongoing polio campaign in response to heightened security concerns following the killing of one of their colleagues along with a polio vaccination team was attacked in Tehsil Silarzai Banda, Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa wherein the gunmen opened fire on the team, resulting in the killing of a polio worker and a police officer assigned for security.…

KARACHI: Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) personnel in Karachi have seized a substantial quantity of heroin concealed in a container of potatoes bound for Sri Lanka. Acting on intelligence reports, the ANF conducted a successful operation at the Karachi International Container Terminal. According to an ANF spokesperson, nearly 5 kilograms of heroin were discovered during the inspection of a suspicious refrigerated container, meticulously hidden in 122 potatoes from a total of 1,198 sacks. Each of the 80 sacks contained one or two heroin-filled potatoes, which the ANF team carefully identified and seized during the operation. The narcotics were expertly concealed, but the…

By Nasir Dehlvi KARACHI: The National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) has reported a dramatic 99 percent decrease in net profit for the first half of the current calendar year, falling to Rs251 million from Rs26 billion in the same period last year. This significant drop is attributed to a Rs49 billion pension payment mandated by a court order. In a corporate briefing held on Monday, NBP management revealed plans to launch credit cards in 2025, following a strong performance as one of the top debit card issuers from January to June 2024. However, the bank faces challenges with a low…

By Nasir Dehlvi KARACHI: In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has arrested three individuals, including a woman, involved in smuggling and distributing narcotics under the pretense of an NGO. The operation was conducted in the Landhi area of Karachi. The ANF’s investigation uncovered that the suspects, led by the female individual, were using human rights work as a facade for their illegal operations. The group was found to be highly organized and sophisticated, focusing on smuggling drugs into Karachi’s universities and hostels. The arrest was prompted by a tip-off. The woman, identified as the primary…