Author: Sudhir Ahmad Afridi

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi TORKHAM: Chief Collector of Customs Appraisement (North), Khwaja Khurram Naeem, visited the Torkham Customs Station, accompanied by Customs Collector Appraisement Mateen Alam, Additional Collector Shakir Muhammad, and other officials. During the visit, they held a meeting with key representatives from the Customs Agents Association, including President Mujeeb Shinwari, cabinet members Manan Shinwari, Hazrat Umar, Nasir, former President Amal Shinwari, and Transport Union President Azimullah Shinwari, to discuss and address the issues faced by the customs agents. In his address, Khwaja Khurram Naeem emphasized that the recent reforms in customs were not limited to transfers, postings, and…

Customs authorities have committed to further reforms aimed at bolstering trade efficiency and transparency along the Pak-Afghan border By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi TORKHAM BORDER: The trade relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has experienced remarkable growth over the past three months, leading to a significant boost in customs revenue for Pakistan. According to official documents, both imports and exports have surged, underpinned by improved customs operations and streamlined processes at key border points such as Torkham. In August, the import value reached approximately Rs. 6.92 billion, facilitated by nearly 4,947 vehicles, which generated Rs. 1.6 billion in customs duties and taxes.…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi ISLAMABADIn a distressing development from Bannu, seven police officers have been abducted by unidentified armed men in a brazen attack on the Ahmadzai subdivision. The incident occurred when the assailants seized control of the Rucha checkpoint, a strategic security post, before taking the officers hostage. District Police Officer (DPO) Ziauddin confirmed the incident, providing details of the unfolding situation. Following the abduction, authorities swiftly cordoned off the area, initiating a comprehensive search operation aimed at locating and rescuing the kidnapped personnel. As of now, the exact whereabouts of the officers remain unknown, and law enforcement agencies…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi LANDI KOTAL: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Landikotal staged a significant protest on Saturday, demanding the immediate release of their party leader, Khan Wali Afridi, in Landikotal Bazaar. The demonstration was marked by a strong turnout, including members of the Awami National Party (ANP), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), civil society representatives, and local community leaders. Protesters accused the police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of targeting Khan Wali Afridi with a fabricated First Information Report (FIR) to intimidate citizens. Addressing the crowd, Shah Faisal Afridi, JI District Khyber Chief, denounced the FIR as a form of state terrorism, asserting…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi BAJAUR: In a tragic turn of events on Thursday evening, Hameed Sofi, the General Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) in Bajaur District, was shot dead by unknown assailants in the Anat Kala area. Sofi, an active political worker and businessman, was reportedly shot after completing his evening prayers at a mosque. According to local sources, as he left the mosque, armed attackers opened fire indiscriminately, killing him on the spot. The assailants fled the scene immediately after the attack. The news of Sofi’s death quickly spread through social media, with widespread condemnation from both political leaders and…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi MIRANSHAH: In a decisive move against militancy in North Waziristan, Pakistani security forces have reportedly killed eight militants and injured six others in an operation that has drawn attention to the continuing battle against insurgency in the region. The operation, which took place in the strategic Miranshah area, was based on intelligence reports that pinpointed the location of militants who had been operating in the area. A statement from Pakistan’s military public relations wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), confirmed the operation’s success, but also highlighted that it is still ongoing, with forces working to secure…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi BAJAUR: In a significant counter-terrorism operation in the Shaakot area of Bajaur, Malakand, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) successfully eliminated three terrorists, reinforcing ongoing security efforts to dismantle extremist networks in Pakistan’s northwest. The operation, conducted as part of a broader campaign to disrupt militant activities in the volatile region, underscores the persistent commitment of law enforcement agencies to restore peace and stability in areas historically affected by militancy. According to the CTD, the operation began as a targeted search aimed at locating key operatives within an established terrorist network. As the mission unfolded, officers encountered resistance,…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi LANDI KOTAL: In an effort to restore order and cleanliness, authorities in Landi Kotal have launched a campaign to remove illegal parking spots and encroachments along the roadside. The initiative was led by Assistant Commissioner Adnan Mumtaz, Tehsil Municipal Officer (TMO) Shahbaz Khan, President of the Traders Union Yadozai Shinwari, and Assistant Sub-Inspector Shah Zeb Afridi of the Traffic Police, who visited the Landi Kotal bazaar to assess the situation. During the visit, Assistant Commissioner Adnan Mumtaz issued orders to clear all illegal parking spaces and encroachments set up by shopkeepers along the roadside. He emphasized…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KARAK: In a sweeping and contentious decision, all 800 primary school teachers in the Karak district have been suspended for participating in protests, escalating an already tense standoff between the educators and provincial authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The move, formalized through an official notification from the District Education Officer (DEO), has drawn public scrutiny and amplified concerns over the region’s approach to handling dissent within the public sector workforce. For the past four days, teachers have rallied in Peshawar, raising their voices against the privatization of primary schools and calling for long-sought upgrades in their roles.…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi LANDI KOTAL: In a heartbreaking tragedy in the remote mountainous region of Bazarkheela Tubai, located in the Landikotal Tehsil of Khyber District, three young girls have tragically drowned in a local irrigation dam. Government sources have confirmed that the bodies of the girls were retrieved through a collective effort by local residents, who worked tirelessly to recover them from the water. The community’s swift action and determination to recover the victims were crucial, as they were eventually able to hand over the bodies to the grieving families. The tragic incident has left the entire region in…