Author: Sudhir Ahmad Afridi
By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: Jamaat-e-Islami Landi Kotal organized a Gaza Solidarity March, raising fervent slogans against Israel and the United States. The march was held at Hospital Chowk in response to the nationwide call by Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Ameer, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman. Residents of the area turned out in large numbers to join the protest, chanting slogans such as “Save Gaza” and “Down with Israel and America.” Addressing the march, local JI leaders including Landi Kotal Ameer Murad Hussain Afridi, Abdul Rauf Shinwari, Maulana Rehmatullah Nasih, and Khayal Madar Shinwari, expressed deep outrage over the ongoing, months-long bombardment of…
By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi LANDI KOTAL: An Afghan woman gave birth to a healthy baby girl at District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Landi Kotal on her way back to Afghanistan, after experiencing severe labor pains during her journey. The woman, traveling with her family as part of the ongoing repatriation of Afghan refugees, urgently required medical assistance. Rescue 1122 personnel quickly transported her to DHQ Hospital, where she successfully delivered her baby under full medical supervision. Both mother and child received thorough postnatal care at the hospital. Once their condition was confirmed to be stable, the woman continued her journey to…
By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi PESHAWAR: The Maraka Humanitarian Observatory (MHO), in collaboration with the Department of Political Science at the University of Peshawar, successfully hosted a hybrid seminar titled “Legal and Policy Frameworks in the Context of Humanitarian Response.” This event brought together a diverse audience, including academicians, human rights activists, and research scholars, for an in-depth discussion on the critical intersection of law and humanitarian action. The seminar featured Dr. Clea Kahn, a renowned expert in Humanitarian Law, who served as the guest speaker. Dr. Shahida Aman, Chairperson of the Political Science Department, warmly welcomed Dr. Kahn and the…
By Sudhir Ahmad KHYBER: The annual matriculation exams have officially begun across Khyber district, with examination monitoring underway in all tehsils under the supervision of administrative officers. District administration officials conducted visits to various examination centers in Jamrud, Landi Kotal, and Bara, inspecting the conduct of exams. The inspections included opening of sealed question papers, assessment of facilities provided such as drinking water, staff deployment, and anti-cheating measures. Instructions were issued to the relevant education department staff present in examination halls to ensure smooth and fair conduct of the exams. To curb cheating, the district administration has enforced Section 144…
By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: A total of 2,655 Afghan nationals were deported to Afghanistan via the Torkham border crossing on Monday, as Pakistan continues its nationwide repatriation of undocumented Afghan refugees. According to border authorities at Torkham, the deported group included 1,805 Afghans sent directly by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and an additional 850 migrants from the Hamza Baba Gulab Ground transit camp in Landi Kotal. This mass deportation is part of Pakistan’s intensified campaign to remove foreign nationals residing illegally in the country, following the expiration of the government’s voluntary repatriation deadline. Authorities confirmed that entire families,…
As Afghan families return from across Pakistan, particularly Punjab, many are resorting to hired transport to carry their belongings, highlighting the strain of displacement and migration By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi TORKHAM: Afghan refugee families attempting to return home via the Torkham border crossing are facing mounting difficulties as Pakistani authorities continue to deny entry to vehicles lacking Temporary Admission Documents (TAD). The policy, in place since last year, bars any undocumented vehicle from entering Afghanistan, causing distress for many returning families, especially those carrying household belongings. On Saturday alone, 80 Afghan families – totaling approximately 450 individuals – crossed back…
By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi TANK: Power supply in North Waziristan and parts of Tank remains disrupted for the ninth consecutive day due to the collapse of key transmission towers. The affected areas include remote regions of South Waziristan, such as Kani Garm, Army Brigade, Sam, Ladha, and Makin. Despite efforts to restore electricity to some upper areas, significant parts of the region continue to experience prolonged outages. According to TESCO (Tribal Electric Supply Company) officials, the power disruption occurred after strong winds damaged three transmission towers nine days ago in the Baka Khel mountainous area. The collapse of these towers…
By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi TORKHAM: the first convoy of six Afghan families, who had been living illegally in various cities across Punjab, was cleared by customs officials at the Torkham border. This marks a pivotal moment in the enforcement of Pakistan’s decision to expel Afghan nationals residing unlawfully within its borders, following the expiration of the government’s deadline for their removal. The convoy, carrying families who had overstayed their permitted time in Pakistan, was allowed to cross into Afghanistan after a rigorous process at the Torkham border. The families, whose presence had raised both legal and humanitarian concerns, are among…
By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: The president of the Khyber District Press Club, Aman Ali Shinwari, has urged the provincial government to rename Peshawar University’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communication in honor of Khalil Gibran Afridi, a slain tribal journalist who gave his life for press freedom. Shinwari dismissed proposals to name the department after Arshad Sharif, arguing that Afridi’s contributions, particularly in the conflict-ridden tribal areas, warrant special recognition. “Tribal journalists have faced unimaginable hardships amid terrorism and continue to work under severe threats,” he remarked. Afridi was shot 19 times in a brutal assassination due to his…
By Sudhir Ahmed Afridi KHYBER: At the Pak-Afghan Torkham Border, 50 children involved in illegal smuggling were deported to Afghanistan through the intervention of a tribal jirga. These children, both boys and girls, are part of a much larger group—estimated at over 700 per day—who cross the border illegally by climbing over the fence. After being arrested, the children were initially taken to Landi Kotal police station for legal proceedings. However, in light of the holy month of Ramadan and as an act of goodwill, the tribal jirga requested their release and arranged for their deportation. Members of the jirga…