The sources added that hideouts of the Fitna al Khawarij were targeted in Mir Ali and surrounding areas. Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

A large quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the terrorists killed during the operation, security sources said.

According to PTV, security forces also thwarted an attempt by the terrorists to intercept a ration truck near the Mir Ali Bazaar.

It added that security forces were committed to the complete elimination of terrorism under the counter-terrorism campaign ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have lauded security forces for their successful operation in Mir Ali, Radio Pakistan reported.

President Asif Ali Zardari said that the operation against terrorism would continue to ensure peace in the country, adding that the designs of the terrorists would be foiled at all costs.

PM Shehbaz, meanwhile, held that eliminating terrorism remained the government’s top priority, according to state media.

KP has been witnessing terrorist attacks and security challenges for a long time. The province, excluding the merged districts, recorded 54 terrorist attacks in August compared with 36 in July, representing an increase of 50 per cent, according to data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).

A day earlier, in an IBO in KP’s Bara area, security forces killed five terrorists. On Monday, four terrorists were killed during an IBO in Dera Ismail Khan.

Last week, a dozen people lost their lives while 35 others were injured in a suicide blast that targeted the Aman Mela police checkpost in DI Khan’s Darazinda tehsil.

On Sept 18, a major attack in the old Police Lines in KP’s Kohat claimed 23 lives and injured about 100 others. Eight terrorists were killed during an overnight clearance operation.

On Sept 17, security forces killed 10 terrorists in separate operations in KP between Sept 15 and 17. Earlier in the month, over 20 terrorists were killed during multiple engagements in KP between Sept 3 and 5.

A bench consisting of Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Kamran Hayat Khan Miankhel fixed Nov 11 for next hearing into the petition filed by former provincial minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra against the federal government’s what he called “failure to issue the new National Finance Commission Award, as required by the Constitution and meet the financial obligations” of the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

He requested the court to declare that the non-issuance of a fresh NFC Award is illegal, given significant changes in the “legal and factual realities” in the country, including the devolution of various subjects to provinces in line with the Constitution (Eighteenth Amendment) Act, the merger of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the 2017 population census.

The petitioner requested orders for the announcement of a revised NFC Award to determine Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s share to eliminate the existing disparity.

Petitioner Jhagra seeks revised award to determine KP’s share

The bench also adjourned until Nov 11 the hearing into two other connected petitions on almost the same matter.

One of the other petitions was filed by six former MPAs, especially Syed Ghazi Ghazan Jamal, challenging the non-issuance of the new NFC Award after the merger of the erstwhile Fata with the province.

The petitioners requested the court to declare that the people of tribal districts are entitled to three per cent share in the NFC Divisible Pool.

Similarly, the other petition was filed in 2022 by the then MPA Shafiq Afridi against the suspension of funding for free treatment of the residents of tribal districts under the Sehat Card Plus programme as well as the non-provision of the three per cent due share in the National Finance Commission Award for the region previously called Fata.

The petitioner has requested the court to declare that the people of tribal districts were entitled to their due NFC Award share, which was three per cent of the federal divisible pool.

Senior lawyer Ali Gohar Durrani appeared for the petitioners, whereas Advocate General Shah Faisal Uthmankhel and assistant attorney general Bilal Ahmad Durrani represented the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and federal government, respectively.

Mr Durrani argued that following the merger of Fata with KP, the province’s population had increased significantly; hence, there was a need to revise the NFC Award.

He argued that the 2017 and 2023 censuses had been completed, showing a substantial rise in the province’s population, therefore, in accordance with the Constitution, KP should be given its share in the new NFC Award proportional to its population.

He contended that releasing a new NFC Award was essential for the province’s development and to meet the requirements of the newly merged districts.

During the hearing, the bench inquired why KP was not given a new share when the petitioner’s political party was in power at the Center. The counsel said that whichever party was in power at the Center it failed to give Fata its due share.

Mr Durrani said that no new NFC Award had been issued since 2010, whereas the Constitution dictated that a new award must be constituted before every five years.

AG Shah Faisal Uthmankhel informed the court that the last NFC Award was announced prior to the Fata merger, and no new award had been issued since.

He added that the federal government submitted a report to the court indicating that Rs27 billion was released for Fata.

When the court inquired whether Fata had its own budget prior to its merger with KP, Mr Durrani replied in the affirmative.

The AG argued that the very purpose of merging Fata with KP was to ensure equitable distribution of funds and foster development in the region.

He claimed that at the time of the merger, the federal government had approved granting KP three per cent of funds from the Federal Divisible Pool for Fata’s development, which was separate from the NFC Award.

The AG noted that in 2023, Rs115 billion was payable under that head, while the amount had grown since.

He emphasised that those funds were distinct from the NFC Award money.

The petitioner’s counsel requested the court to direct the federal government to allocate KP’s share in the new NFC Award according to the 2023 census.

Assistant attorney general Bilal Durrani said the NFC Award was not solely the federal government’s responsibility, as finance ministers from all provinces were also part of it.

The bench observed that it appeared necessary to summon the attorney general of Pakistan on the matter.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2026

The All Political Alliance, Upper South Waziristan, organised the jirga.

Mehsud tribal elders, ulema, political and social figures attended the jirga.

The jirga passed a resolution, demanding an end to mortar firing and quadcopter strikes in populated areas, which put people’s lives and property at risk.

The resolution called upon the authorities to ensure that residents were not exposed to unnecessary risks. It demanded coordination between authorities and people to address public issues.

The participants called for relaxing the curfew imposed repeatedly in the area. They said that arrangements should be made to facilitate the movement of patients, elderly people and those facing medical or other emergencies during curfew hours.

The participants also highlighted difficulties residents faced at security checkpoints. They claimed some checkpoints closed before evening, inconveniencing people travelling between different areas. They demanded that checkpoints remain open for appropriate hours to facilitate residents’ smooth movement.

The jirga also discussed the installation of speed-breakers at checkpoints. Participants said three speed-breakers at a single location created difficulties for patients, elderly people and other travellers.

They demanded that speed-breakers be installed at appropriate distances to facilitate smooth traffic movement. They also called for suitable modifications to safety walls installed at checkpoints, particularly to facilitate the passage of large vehicles.

Another issue raised during the jirga was poor mobile phone and internet services in Shaktoi. The participants said the residents were still deprived of basic communication facilities in the region.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2026

Most IDPs told Dawn in Bara that the provincial government or the Khyber district administration had yet to issue a formal notification about their return, while no practical arrangements for any return plan had yet to be seen on ground.

“The Oct 10 return plan is a mere verbal announcement according to which 50 families would be sent back to their homes in Tirah Valley on a daily basis but we have yet to see the establishment of any registration centre or arrangements for transportation,” a displaced person said.

He said that with almost 27,000 families registered as displaced from different parts of Tirah until now, it would take around one and a half years to complete the return process as per the official plan of sending only 50 families on a daily basis from Oct 10 onwards.

Giving a breakdown of the tribes affected by the sudden evacuation in December 2025, Suhbat Khan, a spokesman for the Tehreek-i-Mutasreen Tirah (TMT), said 27,000 displaced families belonged to six major tribes of Tirah, with every major tribe divided into 30 sub-tribes each.

He said that most IDPs were still in a state of disbelief about the “verbal” return plan but if authorities actually executed it, only eight families from every major tribe would be entitled to go back every day with the subtribes left to scramble and quarrel about selecting the number of persons to be sent back.

“The return plan is confusing just like the IDPs’ hasty and forced evacuation during harsh winter last year, with the majority of the displaced families still awaiting compensation promised before their eviction from their houses in Tirah,” he said.

Gul Zarin, a resident of Bagh Maidan, who is currently staying with his extended family members in Bara, alleged that neither the provincial government nor the federal government was willing to shoulder the responsibility of taking care of Tirah IDPs who were still awaiting promised official assistance, both in cash and kind.

“We were deceived by all government departments when we arrived in Bara after the 110 kilometres long journey in snow and rain. A sizable number of children, women and elderly persons fell critically ill due to harsh weather, while authorities failed to honour their promise of helping them,” he said.

Mr Zarin flayed the provincial government over its “criminal silence” about the safe and honourable return of displaced families and said the district administration had abdicated their responsibilities in favour of a so-called 24-member committee of Tirah elders that had already lost the confidence of most IDPs as the committee failed to secure their legitimate official assistance during the last 10 months.

Haji Zareef, another resident of Tirah, said that they also reserved the right to demand compensation for their damaged homes, illegal occupation of their farmlands during their absence in the name of so-called development schemes in the valley and ruthless and excessive felling of natural forest worth millions of rupees during the last 10 months.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Sipah elders from Sanda Pal, Dray Naghari, Drowta and Khapur areas in Upper Bara area of Tirah valley have met the 27 Brigade commander in Tirah Maidan and discussed with him the much-awaited registration and return of over 400 families to their houses.

Dawn has learnt that the Sipah elders told the regional security official that families from those areas were asked to vacate their houses in November 2023 on the pretext of a limited, targeted military operation with an assurance from the security forces that the displaced families would be allowed to return in a maximum 15 days’ time.

The brigade commander was further told that while the displaced families still awaited their return despite a lapse of almost three years, none of those families were registered, denying any official assistance.

Members of the Sipah delegation said that while the security official assured them that they had no objection to the return of over 400 families to their homes, they should instead consult the district administration for possible assistance.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2026

The villagers were held hostage by militants on Friday when the former were relocating to safer areas in the Hathikhel area.

A video received by Dawn purportedly showed the released individuals standing together, while local commander of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Nasir alias Gidarh and some local elders were also seen with them.

In the video, the militant commander asked the local elders not to get involved in the ongoing fighting.

Police have not issued any statement about the release of hostages.

The development came amid the continuing tensions in Hathikhel and adjoining mountainous areas among militants, police and a local peace committee. Several families are reportedly facing difficulties and moving to safer locations.

Local sources earlier claimed that militants were trying to prevent residents from leaving the area and had imposed certain restrictions on families seeking to relocate.

They also insisted that some houses were demolished after families failed to comply with those restrictions.

Meanwhile, another group in Hathikhel has taken up arms against militants and is reportedly engaged in an armed resistance.

Local sources said that the group was unwilling to negotiate with militants.

DETAINED: Eight suspects were detained during an operation against suspected militants in the Talgi area here on Tuesday.

The joint operation was led by Bannu district police officer Furqan Bilal.

The personnel from the counter-terrorism department, police, Elite Force and security forces participated in the operation, which led to the demolition of the hideouts of militants with the assistance of drone quadcopters and armoured personnel carriers.

The security personnel detained eight suspects and seized one Kalashnikov and two pistols.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2026

The federal government started Khyber Institute of Child Health (KICH) and its affiliated children hospital 14 years ago which was supposed to open in three years but still the chances of its becoming operational are dim.

A senior member of Pakistan Paediatrics Association (PPA) told this scribe that they were expecting that the hospital would be launched on Sept 1. “In spite of receiving 100pc cost of work, there are many things to complete. The communication and works department seems reluctant in handing over the building to relevant authorities for reasons best known to it,” he said.

He said that paediatricians were pushing through many sides with the hope that sense would prevail and the first children hospital would start work. All the provinces, except Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have more than one children hospitals.

C&W dept yet to hand over building to relevant authority

“If communication and works department leaves it and operational funds are released, we can make the hospital operational within one month,” said the PPA member.

Sources in health department said that they had requested an annual operational fund of Rs2.9 billion for the current year and Rs500 million one time for buying power generators. “Uninterrupted power supply is not a requirement but mandatory for the hospital,” they said.

However, handing over the building is main demand as for the last eight months they had been hearing to get the building in one month but that month was not coming and as result, the starting of the facility was in limbo, they said.

“The communication and works department has received all funds as per PC-1 but their tasks remain far from completion. Also, authorities have requested Rs4 billion for operational cost of the hospital and a summary is in process of approval,” said sources.

The hospital has been declared as medical teaching institution (MTI) on the demand of PPA. The status of MTI, according to sources, was demanded with the hope that things would get fast-tracked as its Board of Governors (BoG) would take decisions independently without bureaucratic control.

“However, it is a new hospital and requires funds. It cannot be run like other well-established and old hospitals that have been given MTI status and are now run by their respective BoG,” they said.

According to sources, the start of the hospital will be tiresome as at this stage. The hospital requires funds from government but when it becomes functional, it will start receiving its share of funds released to all the MTIs.

They said that the hospital had its own BoG with its members having a lot of experience but it was looking towards the government for want of funds.

Officials said that KICH and Children Hospital were desperately needed to act as an umbrella for hospitals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The hospital would be producing trained paediatricians, nurses and paramedics and would impart training to healthcare workers in paediatrics, they added.

They said that the facility would open doors of postgraduate training to doctors in sub-specialties for which medics, who could afford, presently visited other provinces. They said that with the passing of time, the hospital would become a centre of excellence not only for KP but also for healthcare providers from other provinces.

They said that children, who were half of the province’s population, required the best healthcare services. “Once it becomes operational, donor organisations will help to improve its services as they are interested in enhancing child health services,” they added.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2026

His assertion comes as the march — which the PTI has announced as part of its nationwide protest to demand the release of its founder, Imran Khan — remains a major bone of contention between the government and the main opposition party, with both taking entrenched positions.

The government has even threatened to send the PTI government in KP packing by imposing the governor’s rule or an emergency if its leadership did not withdraw its plan to march on Islamabad.

Afridi, however, sounded defiant while addressing a press conference in Peshawar on Tuesday.

He said the planned protest would be “unmatched in the country’s history”, adding in its first phase, the protesters would reach Swabi, which borders Punjab.

After reaching Swabi, he continued, “we must move forward“.

Afridi also warned against any “adventure” and said the “people of KP will protect their mandate as they did during the February 8 general elections”.

The KP CM also accused the ruling PML-N of conspiring to include its workers in PTI ranks to sow chaos.

“We are peaceful and our workers will be unarmed; anyone holding anything in his hand or creating chaos would not be from amongst us,” he said.

Afridi said that there was a chain of command of workers involved in the march and in case of the disappearance of a leader, another person would replace him.

In response to a question about backdoor contacts with the government, he said that the party leadership might have such contacts, but he had been tasked with the resistance.

Coming back to his criticism of the Centre, he said the federal government had the same counterterrorism policy in KP for the past 22 years and it had been unable to put an end to terrorism. Only the province could do this, he added.

On Monday, federal ministers slammed the PTI and Afridi for focusing on the party’s planned long march rather than the security challenges that KP was facing. They highlighted flaws in the KP government’s “leadership” and use of resources to fight terrorism and even presented a white paper on the KP government’s “failure” to equip police with sophisticated weapons.

In response, Afridi panned the Centre’s counterterrorism policy.

Meanwhile, calls from federal representatives for imposing governor’s rule or an emergency in KP intensified, with Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar saying that such a move could be made if required. The minister also cited the security situation in KP in this connection.

Kundi, Sanaullah say imposing governor’s rule, emergency can be considered

On Tuesday, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi joined the chorus and said governor’s rule or an emergency could be imposed in the province if lawlessness and political unrest continued to increase.

Speaking to journalists in Dera Ismail Khan at the District Headquarters Teaching Hospital, after visiting those injured in a Sept 26 attack on Aman Mela checkpost, Kundi said he was regularly briefing the president on the situation in the province.

“I keep my president informed about the situation in KP. Whatever decision he takes will be implemented,” he said.

Kundi said the possibility of imposing governor’s rule was covered in the Constitution, and could be considered if the president and prime minister deemed it necessary.

The governor also criticised the PTI for announcing its long march to Islamabad, and warned that action would be taken against anyone who took the law into their own hands.

He also questioned the party’s ability to carry out its march, saying: “Let them first cross Swabi.”

The governor said KP was facing serious security challenges and called for collective efforts to combat terrorism. He criticised the provincial government for focusing on political confrontation and long marches instead of addressing the security situation.

Separately, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah also referred to the security situation in KP and said it was affecting both civilians and law enforcers.

Speaking on the news programme ‘Nadeem Malik Live’ on Samaa, he alleged that the provincial government was not making efforts to curb terrorism and, instead, was getting in the way of the federal government that was trying to keep the peace and stop terrorists.

“They do not fulfill their legal and constitutional responsibilities, and they create problems for the federal government, such as announcing the long march,” he remarked.

In such situations, Sanaullah added, “all options” were on the table, including the imposition of an emergency.

“The Centre can take control of the province and appoint anyone as an administrator,” he said, further suggesting that governor’s rule could also be considered.

Then there was political dialogue, he said. “These three options are on the table,” he said, adding that “we will proceed once we make a final decision”.

He also said that the PTI may pursue its political demands, but on terrorism, it had to stand with the Centre and condemn terrorism.

“They have to fulfill their legal and constitutional responsibility to fight terrorism,” he said.

The affected girl is from the Khandar Khankhel union council of Domel tehsil in the Bannu district, a National Emergency Operations Centre official told Dawn. He added that four of this year’s five cases in the country had been detected in the Bannu division and three among them were from the Bannu district.

The development was also confirmed on the website of Pakistan’s polio eradication programme.

The statement on the website said vaccination had reduced polio cases by 99.8 per cent, from an estimated 20,000 cases in the early 1990s to and five so far this year, but transmission remained persistent in southern KP.

“This new case underscores the urgent need to maintain strong surveillance and vaccination efforts nationwide, because no child will be safe from polio until every child is vaccinated and safe,” it said.

With four cases detected in KP and one Sindh in the ongoing year so far, the tally remains considerably lower than 31 cases recorded in 2025 and 74 in 2024.

Officials expect a significant decrease in the 2026 polio tally compared to the past two years.

Officials attribute the drop to improved vaccination campaign performa­n­­ce and the onset of winter, which is said to be as a low-transmission season because the virus becomes largely dormant in cold temperatures.

“The ongoing calendar year has proved to be much better in terms of performance. More­over, as we have entered into the low-transmission season, there are fewer chances of polio cases,” Anwarul Haq, head of the Pakistan Polio Programme, told Dawn after the conclusion of the latest polio vaccination campaign in the country.*

The weeklong sub-national polio campaign concluded on Sept 27, and more than 28.2 million children were vaccinated during the drive.

But, severe security challenges threaten eradication efforts in the northwest, and the Bannu district remains a critical vulnerability.

“There are severe security-related issues in Bannu where not only polio campaigns are stopped, but at times polio team workers are also kidnapped,” a polio expert earlier pointed out to Dawn.

“There is a need to address the security-related issues in Bannu because it is the only place from where the polio virus can bounce back.”

Data released by Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Programme showed that a majority of the environmental samples for poliovirus collected during the first two months of 2026 had tested negative.

Moreover, a comparison of the first two months of 2025 with the current year shows a more than threefold reduction in positive environmental samples.

However, it had warned that the ongoing Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions could create an opportunity for the virus to rebound during the upcoming high-transmission season.

Polio is a highly contagious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis and, in some cases, death. It can, however, be prevented through safe and effective polio vaccines.

Large quantities of weapons and ammunition were recovered from the terrorists, who belonged to Fitna al Khawarij, security sources said on the operation in Bara.

Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. “As a result of the security forces’ operation, Fitna al Khawarij hideouts were completely destroyed,” security sources said.

“Security forces remain committed to the complete eradication of the scourge of terrorism from the country and the establishment of lasting peace.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan TV, citing security sources, reported that security forces killed two terrorists in operations in Balochistan’s Chagai.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement on Tuesday, commended security forces for successful operations in KP and Balochistan, according to Radio Pakistan.

He said the security forces had demonstrated their professional capabilities, courage and bravery, adding that the entire nation stood shoulder to shoulder with its brave security forces in the fight against terrorism.

PM further said that operations would continue until terrorism was completely eliminated from the country.

President Asif Ali Zardari also paid tribute to the security forces and law enforcement agencies for their successful operations in KP and Balochistan, state-run APP reported.

In a statement, the president said “the entire nation was proud of the courage of the security forces and law enforcement personnel”, stressing that anti-terror operations would continue with full force until the eradication of terrorism.

The president said the Pakistani nation and its valiant armed forces were capable of and determined to foil the designs of the enemies of peace and stability in Pakistan, the region and the world.

He reiterated that, with the cooperation of friendly countries and allies, every effort by enemies of peace and stability would be thwarted.

The engagement comes two days after more than 71 terrorists were killed in Shaban and other areas of Balochistan, according to the military’s media affairs wing.

On Sept 20, two officers and four others were martyred while eight terrorists were killed in a fire exchange in KP’s Hangu. On Sept 17, security forces killed 10 terrorists in separate operations in KP between Sept 15 and 17. Earlier in the month, over 20 terrorists were killed during multiple engagements in KP between Sept 3 and 5.

According to the monthly data by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), at least 378 people were killed as the number of terrorist attacks rose in August.

The data also showed that operations by security forces resulted in the elimination of 203 terrorists while 54 security personnel were martyred, marking a decrease compared to July. According to the report, Balochistan remained the “most affected” province, followed by KP.

Dr Warda Mushtaq, a medical officer at Abbottabad DHQ Hospital, went missing on Dec 4, 2025, after leaving the hospital with her friend, Rida Waheed. According to the police investigation, the case involved a dispute over 67 tolas of gold jewellery. Her body was recovered on Dec 8, 2025, from the Lari Banota forest area near Thandiani after a search operation.

Cantonment police station registered the case under kidnapping-related provisions. Following confirmation of Dr Warda’s death, Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code was added to the FIR, along with other relevant provisions and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Police arrested several suspects, including Rida Waheed, Nadeem Zeb and Pervez. Shamrez was declared the main accused. Waheed Ahmad, Rida Waheed’s husband, is also among the accused facing proceedings in the case.

In May 2026, the Peshawar High Court upheld the Anti-Terrorism Court’s jurisdiction in the case, observing that kidnapping for ransom under Section 365-A of PPC is a scheduled offence triable by an ATC. The court, however, noted that the applicability of the terrorism provision would depend on the prosecution establishing the required legal ingredients.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2026

The case was registered for terrorism, murder, attempted murder, damage to government property and under other provisions of the law. It named unidentified terrorists allegedly affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)’s Sherani faction and the Mishal Group.

Police launched an investigation into the attack. The FIR said an explosive-laden vehicle rammed into the joint police, customs and excise checkpoint at Aman Mela on Sept 26. Gunfire was also reported after the explosion but the firing stopped following retaliatory action by police and security personnel.

The blast destroyed a large portion of the checkpoint. Rescue teams searched the debris and recovered the injured and bodies of those killed in the attack.

The FIR contained the names of the injured, including policemen, customs and wildlife officials and locals. They included constables Faisal Khan, Fazal Rabbi, Taj Wali and Hezbollah, excise official Iftikhar, customs officials Afaqat, Mehboob and Afaq Shah, wildlife official Imran and several other civilians.

The deceased, according to the FIR, included customs assistant sub-inspector Farman Khan, customs official Usama, Mohammad Mehran, Mohammad Bilal, Sato Khan, Faisal Aziz, Khan Mohammad, Gul Melaena Bibi, Gul Zareena Bibi, Maqoo Bibi and Abdul Rahim.

The FIR also stated that another firing incident occurred near Al-Malika Hotel at Sardgar on the Dera Ismail Khan-Zhob Road after the checkpoint attack.

According to police, a Rescue 1122 ambulance was transporting the body of Khan Mohammad when suspected terrorists opened fire on the vehicle.

The firing killed Rescue 1122 worker Mohammad Sharif and injured two others, identified as Rais and Imtiaz.

Police initially described the attack as an act of terrorism and registered the case against unidentified terrorists. The FIR said that terrorists associated with the TTP’s Sherani and Mishal groups may have been involved.

The investigation is under way, with police attempting to establish the identity of those responsible and determine the circumstances surrounding both attacks.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2026

“Terrorism is a national issue, so a joint strategy is required for its elimination,” he told a news conference here.

Accompanied by special assistant to the chief minister for home and tribal affairs Tariq Saeed Marwat, the minister claimed that federal ministers had presented incorrect figures about the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police to “distort facts”.

He said that federal ministers were trying to create an impression that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was not taking measures to eliminate terrorism.

Calls for joint strategy to fight terrorism; says provincial govt committed to restoration of peace

Mr Jan said the statements of the federal ministers undermined the sacrifices of the KP police and were meant to create a negative narrative against the PTI government.

“If law and order is being cited as a justification to impose the governor’s rule in KP, then the situation in Balochistan should also be examined,” he said.

The minister warned that any such move in KP would attract a strong public response.

He said terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa emerged after 9/11 and that PTI founder Imran Khan had opposed drone strikes in the erstwhile Fata.

Mr Jan said the PTI government worked for the establishment of peace and development after coming into power in 2013.

He claimed that the security situation improved during prime minister Imran Khan’s government but it started deteriorating after his removal.

The minister criticised federal information minister Attaullah Tarar for his remarks about KP and said that if he was visiting the province to assess the situation, he should also visit Balochistan.

Mr Jan said the KP government was ready to sit with all stakeholders to formulate a comprehensive strategy to eliminate terrorism.

He, however, questioned the federal government’s approach to address the issue.

About the postponement of the PTI’s march on Islamabad, the minister said the move was part of his party’s political strategy.

He said that the federal government was attempting to pit the people against state institutions but his government would foil such efforts.

“We stand with Pakistan. Pakistan is part of our faith,” he said.

Regarding the procurement of modern equipment for the provincial police, the minister said Rs7.4 billion had been paid to the relevant federal institutions for 57 items, but only 13 had so far been supplied to the KP police.

He alleged that unnecessary delays were being caused in the supply of the remaining equipment.

Mr Jan said the KP government had placed the strengthening of police and law and order among its top priorities. He said the police budget had been increased to Rs191 billion, while Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had allocated a special package of Rs35 billion for the police and counter-terrorism department.

“After health and education, the police have received the largest budgetary allocation,” he said.

Mr Jan said KP had to bear a heavy human and financial cost in the war against terrorism, claiming that around 80,000 people lost their lives over the years.

“Despite these sacrifices, KP is still being subjected to criticism and taunts instead of being given its due share,” he said.

The minister said that the federal government’s policies led to an increase in incidents of terrorism.

He said the chief minister had written several letters seeking a meeting of the apex committee but had yet to receive a response.

Mr Jan said that the KP government did not want confrontation with state institutions and was committed to restoration of peace and fighting terrorism.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2026

ATC Judge Wali Mohammad heard the case, while IO DSP Khushal Khan submitted a progress report. Defence counsel Ali Zaman appeared for the accused.

The IO told the court that additional time was required to complete the charge sheet. The court, however, directed him to submit the report.

The IO also informed the court that former provincial minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra had yet to join the investigation.

Defence counsel Ali Zaman sought a later date, saying he was engaged in other cases and required time to prepare the case.

In a previous progress report, police had nominated Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, former provincial ministers Taimur Saleem Jhagra and Kamran Bangash, PTI Peshawar district president Irfan Saleem and activist Amir Chamkani as accused in the case.

Police said they made the nominations on reports from the National Database and Registration Authority and the Punjab Forensic Science Agency’s identification from video footage and photographs.

The defence has disputed the identification and the connection of some video clips with the Radio Pakistan incident.

The case relates to the attack, vandalism and arson at the Radio Pakistan Peshawar building during the May 9-10, 2023 unrest.

The ATC had earlier directed the IO to submit a comprehensive report after declaring an earlier investigation report inconclusive.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2026

The police said two arrested car smugglers were killed when unidentified assailants exchanged fire with them in Jamrud tehsil on Sunday evening.

They said that as part of investigation, they took detainees Eshfaq Ahmad and Hidayat Khan to the site where alleged car smugglers had killed Malagori SHO Riaz Hussain Afridi earlier in the day.

The police insisted that their team, accompanying the two detainees, came under intense fire from different directions by unidentified gunmen, suspected to be the colleagues of the arrested men.

Jamrud residents stage protest against ‘extrajudicial’ killings

On Monday, scores of Jamrud residents held a protest demonstration to condemn the alleged extrajudicial killing of two suspects on Sunday evening.

Organised under the banner of Zwan Kukikhel Tanzeem, a local youth organisation, the demonstrators also blocked the main highway leading to Torkham while placing the coffins of the two men with their family members also in attendance.

They accused the police of “orchestrating” the extra-judicial killing of Eshfaq Ahmad and Hidayat Khan, both residents of Jamrud, who were arrested after an exchange of fire in the Malagori area. Police official Riaz Afridi was killed in the crossfire.

The protesters insisted that none of the two detainees was involved in the killing of SHO Riaz Afridi, with the police not transparently investigating the charges against them.

Demanding a transparent judicial enquiry into extrajudicial killing of the two detainees, the demonstrators also called for immediate suspension and registration of FIR against CCPO Peshawar Dr Saeed and DPO Khyber Waqar Ahmad.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took notice of the incident, ordering the suspension of the Khyber DPO over the killing of detainees as well as an inquiry into it.

A letter issued by the chief minister’s office said Mr Afridi had taken a serious note of the incident.

“In this context, under Section 9(2) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Act, 2017, the chief minister directs that the DPO Khyber be temporarily closed to Police Headquarters and that an inquiry into the incident be conducted within a period of seven days,” it said.

The letter added that the inspector general of police was requested to kindly take necessary action accordingly and furnish a comprehensive inquiry report to the secretariat at the earliest so that the matter was thoroughly examined, responsibility determined in accordance with law and appropriate action taken to uphold the principles of justice and accountability.

On Monday, a local jirga headed by Khyber MNA Iqbal Afridi met Mr Afridi to demand the removal of the DPO and other senior officials.

They also called for payment of compensation to the families of the deceased.

Though the chief minister’s directives regarding the inquiry and DPO’s suspension were issued after the meeting, the protesters refused to end their sit-in saying they had no faith in government promises.

On Sunday, SHO Riaz Afridi was critically injured during a shootout with the smugglers of non-customs paid vehicles when he tried to intercept them while they were trying to smuggle NCP vehicles to the bordering Mohmand district. He later succumbed to his injuries during treatment at the hospital.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2026

“Three traffic policemen travelling in the mobile van were martyred on the spot in the attack,” District Police Officer Abdul Samad Khan told Dawn, adding that the attackers fled the scene.

Khan said the attackers had also taken away the traffic police vehicle after the incident. However, the vehicle was later recovered from the Garah Budha area, he added.

He added that two passers-by were also injured in the firing and were shifted to a hospital for treatment.

“Police have sealed the roads and other possible routes, including pedestrian tracks, to prevent the attackers from escaping,” the DPO told Dawn. He said efforts were underway to trace and arrest those involved.

The attack triggered a security operation in the area, with police personnel deployed at various points and search efforts continuing. Further details about the identity of the attackers and the motive behind the attack were not immediately available.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed deep sorrow over the attack and sought a report from the relevant senior authorities. In a statement, the governor conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and colleagues of the martyred policemen.

Kundi directed the authorities to ensure that all possible medical treatment was provided to the injured and prayed for their early recovery.

Earlier this month, at least 21 people, including 15 police officials, were martyred when an explosives-laden vehicle detonated near a mosque in Kohat Police Lines, followed by terrorists storming the compound and attacking police facilities, according to senior police and district health officials.

On July 26, a terrorist attack on a joint police checkpost in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Tank district martyred 15 people, including 14 security personnel, the military’s media wing.

Among those martyred were 12 soldiers, two policemen and a government official.

In another attack during the same month, two cops were martyred and as many injured in what police suspected was an improvised explosive device (IED) attack.

KP has been facing security challenges, and according to monthly data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), mainland KP recorded 54 terrorist attacks last month, marking a 50 per cent increase compared to July.

M-1, sections of M-14 (Islamabad-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway) and the GT Road (N-5) were closed to traffic last week for an indefinite period amid government pushback ahead of PTI’s long march towards Islamabad — initially scheduled for September 27, but later postponed to October 4.

According to a Motorway Police spokesperson, restoration work remained underway on the M-14 motorway between Hakla and Kundal and on the loop connecting the M-1 motorway with the Hazara Motorway.

Traffic travelling from Islamabad to Abbottabad via the M-1 can exit at Burhan Interchange, use the GT Road via Hasan Abdal and rejoin the Hazara Expressway at Jhuri Kas Interchange, the spokesperson said.

The N-5, or GT Road, between Islamabad and Peshawar has also been reopened to all traffic, the spokesperson said.

In a statement issued later, the spokesperson said M-14 had been reopened from Hakla to Kot Belian and from Isa Khel to Yarik. Meanwhile, restoration work on the section between Kot Belian and Isa Khel was still under way, the spokesperson added.

In its Sept 22 directives, the motorway police announced that the M-1 was closed to all traffic in both directions between the Islamabad Toll Plaza and Chhachh Interchange, while the M-14 was closed between Hakla and Kundal. The GT Road was also closed at Attock Khurd.

Security arrangements were also intensified in Attock, with containers and sandbags placed at key bridges and security tightened at major entry and exit points as authorities prepared for the PTI protest.

However, on Sept 25, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said PTI’s long march towards Islamabad would now commence from Peshawar on Oct 4.

The party was set to hold a nationwide protest and march towards Islamabad to press for the release of its founder, Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail.

Ahead of the protest, the Punjab government imposed a ban on gatherings across the province for 13 days and prohibited inciting people to “unlawful assembly”. A similar ban under Section 144 has been enforced in Islamabad for two months.

The Punjab government also sent a letter to the interior ministry requesting mobile and internet services at specific locations in Rawalpindi and Attock to be downgraded or jammed on Sept 27. The federal government also approved the deployment of Rangers in Islamabad and several districts of Punjab from Sept 20 to Oct 5.

ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR: Amid rising demand in the Centre for the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, senior PTI leader Naeem Haider Panjutha has challenged the federal government to go ahead with the move, warning that it would further deteriorate the situation in the province.

“You have already stolen the people’s mandate, stripped them of their two-thirds majority and reserved seats, filed thousands of politically motivated cases, imprisoned tens of thousands, including Imran Khan, raided homes, violated the sanctity of chadar and chardiwari, and imprisoned women, including Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan’s sisters,” Advocate Naeem Haider Panjutha said while talking to Dawn.

He said the government should try imposing governor’s rule. “You have no idea what the people of KP are capable of. They will rise up and sweep your governor’s rule away,” he added.

Replying to a question, Mr Panjutha said PTI would never retreat from its struggle for Haqeeqi Azadi (true freedom). “Our movement will continue until constitutional supremacy and the rule of law are restored, all political prisoners, including Imran Khan, are released, and the people’s mandate is respected,” he said.

“Our struggle will not end until Pakistan stands upon the principles of justice, equality and accountability embodied in the vision of Riyasat-i-Madina,” he added.

He claimed that no threats, emergency, governor’s rule or political repression could break PTI’s resolve, and that its struggle for freedom could not be silenced.

“Haqeeqi Azadi is our destination, constitutional supremacy is our demand, and our struggle will continue until justice prevails,” Mr Panjutha said.

PTI’s parliamentary leader, Shahid Khattak, has also questioned the purpose of remaining in a parliament that, he said, could not even protect the dignity and security of its own MNAs.

“What is the point of sitting in a parliament that cannot even protect the dignity and security of its own MNAs?” he said.

“My proposal is that we resign from the assemblies and take our struggle to the streets. We are not afraid of arrest. We are not afraid of bullets, guns or any form of pressure. We are soldiers of Imran Khan. A public rally will take place under all circumstances, and we will not turn back until Imran Khan is released, political prisoners are freed, this failed system is replaced, and the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law are restored,” he stated.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi while talking to the media in Peshawar on September 25 disclosed that consultations were held over the possibility of governor’s rule in the province ahead of PTI’s protest march, which was scheduled for September 27 but was later postponed to October 4.

Details of arrested MPAs

Meanwhile, KP Speaker Babar Saleem Swati on Sunday sought details from the provincial police chief about lawmakers who had been arrested or detained.

The details were sought in a letter addressed to KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed, a copy of which is available with Dawn.

The speaker sought the information under Articles 66 and 67, read with Article 127, of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Procedure and Conduct of Business Rules, 2025, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026.

Mr Swati informed the police chief that, being the custodian of the House, he had directed the assembly secretariat to obtain information about any member of the KP Assembly, minister, adviser, special assistant to the chief minister or parliamentary secretary who had been arrested or detained.

He also sought details of the residences of lawmakers that had been raided, attacked, searched or subjected to similar action by any law enforcement agency.

Mr Swati sought a complete report and copies of FIRs concerning such incidents, including those listed in the enclosed list, that had occurred during the last two weeks. According to the letter, the report should be submitted to the assembly secretariat along with records of complaints lodged regarding such incidents at the relevant police stations.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2026

He said that Pakistan Peoples Party was ready to work jointly with the provincial government for resolving the province’s issues.

He stated this while speaking to mediapersons after attending the inauguration ceremony of a private hospital in Hayatabad here. Mr Kundi stated that the law and order situation was poor in both Balochistan and KP, but insisted that the Balochistan government was at the forefront of fighting against terrorism.

He said that PTI had given a second date for the protest march on Islamabad at a time when the prevailing law and order situation in the province was precarious.

He insisted that the KP government neither spoke against terrorism emanating from Afghanistan nor had it passed any resolution in the assembly against the menace, adding that there was a need for joint efforts beyond political differences for peace, development, and resolution of public issues.

Earlier, while speaking at the hospital’s inaugural ceremony, Mr Kundi said that due to limited health facilities in the province and a lack of substantial increase in government hospitals, the burden on existing hospitals continuously increased, and in such a situation, establishment of new hospitals in the private sector was a good step.

He said that the province’s population continuously increased, necessitating the establishment of more government and private hospitals in various areas, including remote districts.

“Establishment of private hospitals would not only provide better healthcare but would also create new employment opportunities,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2026

Kotnajibullah police quoted Qaisar Mehmood, an industrial worker from Muhallah Saeedabad Kotnajibullah as saying that on Saturday evening he came home from work, he found the main entrance door locked from inside.

He said that after receiving no response from his family despite repeated knocking he entered his home from the roof of his neighbour and found his wife Kiran Shehzadi, 32, lying dead in the stairs of the house, while his mother Shafai Khanum was lying unconscious in her bedroom.

According to police and doctors, unknown assailants stabbed the woman for reasons yet to be ascertained. The complainant’s mother was found unconscious, and police said the motive behind the murder of her daughter-in-law and the identity of the attackers could only be established after she regained consciousness.

The body and the unconscious woman were shifted to Rural Health Centre Kotnajibullah where the elderly woman was reportedly undergoing treatment. However, the complainant declined to nominate anyone for the murder of his wife, saying that he had no enmity with anyone.

The second murder was reported from Muhallah Khabal of Sector No 4 Khalabat Township, where a woman was also stabbed and injured. She later succumbed to her wounds in the Trauma centre.

Anwar Said, 45, a resident of Muhallah Khabal told the local police that he was at work when he received the information that his wife Salma Bibi, 35, was stabbed and injured by their real son Muhammad Asif, 17. The injured was removed to Trauma centre by her neighbours but she succumbed to her injuries within hours after reaching hospital.

The complainant said that the motive behind his wife’s alleged murder at the hands of her own son was an argument over an unknown issue. Police have arrested the suspect, Asif.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2026

Addressing party workers at Pul Chowki Interchange in Malakand, he said that they would reach Islamabad on motorcycles and bicycles adorned with party flags if they could not secure vehicles.

“We will reach Islamabad on foot to celebrate the birthday of our leader Imran Khan on October 5,” he told the workers. He said that the event at Pul Chowki was organised to show solidarity with Provincial Minister Shakil Khan, who was loyal to PTI founder Imran Khan.

The chief minister said that people in plainclothes could not stop them from following their ideology and vowed to stand by Shakil Khan until the very end.

About possible imposition of governor’s rule in the province, he said that he did not care about his position and would stick to his mission of securing Imran Khan’s release from jail.

He said that he neither sought office nor power, but rather justice, the rule of law, the Constitution, democracy, and ‘real freedom’ for the country.

Mr Afridi remarked that the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments paralysed the judiciary, noting that Imran Khan’s cases had not been heard for months.

He said whenever courts became ‘truly independent’ and heard Imran Khan’s cases, he would be set free within half an hour.

“We have decided to launch a march on October 4 to secure meetings with our leader, as well as his release from jail and his right to seek medical treatment,” he said.

He said that decisions made behind ‘closed doors’ would no longer be accepted. “You must stand up for your rights and your future, and have faith in your leadership,” he told PTI workers.

He said that rulers had undermined the economy. He said that labourers were not receiving their due wages and farmers were being driven to suicides while youth were leaving the country due to ‘flawed’ policies of the federal government.

He said that PTI workers were being treated as second-class citizens. “We are patriotic Pakistanis. We must stand up for an independent judiciary and a free press. No one can force me to retreat even an inch,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2026

“We have given a presentation to chief minister regarding the plan of deduction from public hospitals along with other initiatives to further improve the scheme,” Health Minister Khaliqur Rehman told Dawn.

According to him, the plan once finalised will be presented to cabinet for approval. The plan also includes strengthening oversight on the programme to ensure that funds are utilised for deserving patients and people don’t suffer.

“We want to further expand Sehat Card Plus (SCP) services to local level. It is the flagship programme of PTI for which we have enhanced budget from Rs35 billion in 2025 to Rs41 billion with a view to improve services,” said Mr Rehman.

Law to be amended for giving legal cover to the plan

Sehat Card Plus (SCP) programme was launched in 2015, covering 3pc population in four districts of the province. It was expanded to 51pc people in 2016 to provide free health services to poor population. It was expanded further to 69pc in 2017, and eventually started universal 100pc coverage across the entire province in 2020.

So far, the provincial government has spent more than Rs155 billion to provide cashless medical services to 5.7 million patients in designated hospitals. The government has empanelled public and private hospitals where 10.6 million families of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are eligible to seek treatment up to Rs1 million per year. Of the spent amount, more than 50pc has gone to public hospitals.

The programme is implemented through State Life Insurance Corporation all over the country. There are a total of 1,000 empanelled hospitals across the country where residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are entitled to receive free services on their national identity cards.

Sources in health secretariat said that a fortnight ago, a briefing was given to Chief Minister Sohail Afridi wherein the issue regarding deduction from the income of SCP from medical teaching institutions and public hospitals came under discussion.

“Public hospitals receive funds from government while doctors, nurses, paramedics and other employees receive salaries, therefore, deduction should be done from the income they generate through SCP,” they said.

For this purpose, the department has also started work on a summary to incorporate amendments to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universal Health Act, 2020, to give legal cover to the plan regarding deduction.

The Act says that empanelled hospitals shall be paid by the insurance firm for the provision of services in a manner, as may be prescribed by regulations and public hospitals shall retain, without loss of budget, all of the additional income.

The additional income shall be retained and utilised for the improvement of quality of healthcare services and payment of incentives to hospital staff in such a manner, as may be prescribed.

“So, an amendment is needed to be inserted and passed from the cabinet and subsequently from provincial assembly to pave the way for deduction,” sources said.

As per the plan, the government will retain 20pc of the total income from respective public hospitals. The logic behind the plan is that doctors and other staff earn money from institution-based practice (IBP) while the whole income is retained by hospitals.

The hospitals also generated funds from users’ charges, like investigation, admission and operation theatre charges and got regular budget from the provincial kitty, they said.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2026

In a statement, a spokesman at the district police office said that after Saturday’s terrorist attack, which resulted in the killing of three villagers and injuries to as many others, district police officer Sajjad Ahmad Sahibzada dispatched a large police contingent, along with CTD commandos, to the rural area to engage terrorists.

He said that the law enforcers surrounded the area and launched an operation in the mountainous terrain, which lasted for several hours. “During the operation, an exchange of fire occurred between the law enforcement personnel and terrorists. The forces’ personnel managed to neutralise and eliminate a terrorist commander, identified as Manzoor, a resident of Abdulkhel,” the official said.

The statement said that the killed terrorist was wanted by CTD in various terrorism-related cases. “A search operation is underway to arrest his accomplices,” he said.

Meanwhile, a house was targeted in a quadcopter attack by terrorists in the Bittani subdivision of Lakki Marwat district on Saturday night.

Police confirmed the attack, saying that a quadcopter dropped its payload on the house of Nazar Jan in the Azadkhel area, causing partial damage to the house.

They said inmates of the house remained safe. The house is located near the OGDCL oil and gas plant in the region.

Separately, a robber was killed in an exchange of fire with the police on Hayatkhel Road on Saturday night.

A police official said that upon receiving a report of a robbery, a police team from Shahbazkhel police station arrived at the scene, but robbers opened fire. He said that the police returned fire in self-defence, triggering a gun battle.

”After the firing ceased, the police recovered a body during a search and transferred it to the hospital,” the official claimed, adding that police initiated an investigation after registering a case under the relevant sections of law.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2026

The development comes after reports of the detention of several PTI members and supporters, including party founder’s sisters and provincial ministers, ahead of a protest that has now been postponed to Oct 4.

Swati has already asked the provincial inspector general of police, Zulfiqar Hameed, to seek his approval before arresting any sitting lawmaker.

A second letter from Sept 25, which Swati shared on his X account on Sunday, cited Articles 66 and 67 read with Article 127 of the Constitution, the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Procedure and Conduct of Business Rules, 2025, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026.

The letter from the KP Assembly secretariat to the provincial police chief stated that Swati, being the custodian of the house, had directed the secretariat to obtain information regarding any member of the KP Assembly, minister, adviser, special assistant to the chief minister and parliamentary secretary, who had been arrested or detained or whose residence had been subjected to an “attack, search or similar action by any law enforcement agency”.

The secretariat asked for a “complete report and FIRs of such incidents [which] occurred (including the enclosed list) during the last two weeks” to be submitted to it, along with the record of those who have filed a complaint of such incidents at police stations.

The first letter to the police chief stated: “When a member has to be arrested on a criminal charge or for a criminal offence or has to be detained under an executive order, the magistrate or the executive authority, as the case may be, shall seek prior permission of the speaker, indicating the reasons for the arrest or detention of the member in the appropriate form set out in the Second Schedule.”

The letter also pointed out that where the speaker deemed it necessary in the public interest, he could ask the relevant police officer to submit the police report, as the case might be, to ascertain the facts of the matter.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has taken exception to the move and questioned the speaker’s consent requirement.

He wondered in a post on X whether the police would wait for the assembly speaker’s permission for arrest even if the lawmaker killed someone.

The interior minister mockingly described it as an “extraordinary version of equality before the law”.

In response to Naqvi, Speaker Swati posted on X that his initiative was not something new, and that the privileges the interior minister criticised were enjoyed by himself and his colleagues.

He noted that the privilege in question existed to prevent the executive from silencing elected representatives through police and to enable the assembly to function without fear.

The speaker said that the law did not place an MPA above the law and that an accused member remained subject to investigation, prosecution and judicial process.

“The speaker’s role is only to ensure that no arrest is made with the intent of political revenge or disrupting the House,” he said.

Swati wondered why no issues were raised when people were abducted, laws were passed in the dark and people were given immunity, but Naqvi had complaints about the laws passed jointly by the treasury and opposition lawmakers in KP.

“Today, we are witnessing a far more serious attack on democracy, without warrants, masked individuals are raiding homes of MNAs, MPAs and PTI leadership and abducting them in order to prevent peaceful protest. Is this democracy? When bullets were fired and massacres took place on November 24, May 9 and May 25, it became clear that this is not democracy but a state run by a few individuals, where the Constitution has been reduced to mere paper,” he insisted.

The exchange comes amid an already heated debate over the new KP Police Act, with the interior ministry arguing that the provincial legislation violates the constitutional framework and weakens the police command structure at a time when KP remains on the frontline of the fight against terrorism.

The KP Police Act 2026 links the police chief’s operational, administrative and financial decisions to the approval of the provincial government or the chief minister for implementation.

During a cabinet meeting that approved the Police Act, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said that if his government was forcing the local bureaucracy, police, district commissioners or others to do anything wrong, then they should not obey those orders.

In a statement issued here on Saturday, Mr Khan said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was passing through what he described as one of the darkest periods in its history and alleged that the Pakhtun population was facing “systematic genocide”.

He said the continuing violence had left the province “burning in the fire of terrorism” while, according to him, the state appeared to be a silent spectator.

Mr Khan also condemned a reported attack on the ambulance carrying the body of one of the victims of the blast, describing it as inhumane.

The ANP leader questioned the government’s response to the worsening security situation and said blaming “Fitna al-Khawarij” and “Fitna al-Hindustan” could not absolve the state of its responsibilities.

“If these incidents are also the result of an external conspiracy, then whose constitutional responsibility is it to prevent them?” he asked.

He alleged that the federal and provincial governments had become detached from the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and were more concerned with their own interests than with the province’s security and other problems.

Mr Khan urged the governments to stop blaming each other and accept responsibility for maintaining peace and protecting citizens.

“The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa can no longer afford more funerals,” he said, adding that they needed peace and security rather than further experiments, promises and condemnations.

He expressed solidarity with the families of those killed and prayed for the early recovery of the injured.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2026

During a hearing into a petition filed by Mr Fazal’s brother Anwar Aziz, a bench consisting of Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Kamran Hayat Miankhel declared that since the offence had allegedly taken place within the territorial jurisdiction of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the IGP should look into it and inform the court about the minister’s whereabouts.

It said the police chief should take all possible steps for the recovery of the minister and produce a report within a week.

The bench later fixed the next hearing for Oct 1.

Seeks information about Fazal Shakoor’s whereabouts

The petition challenged the minister’s alleged abduction by unidentified armed men on Sept 21 near Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway Toll Plaza here.

Lawyers Bashir Khan Wazir, Ali Zaman and Sarwar Muzaffar Shah appeared for the petitioners, whereas the provincial government was represented by assistant advocate general Mohammad Adnan Sher.

Advocate Mohammad Yousaf Orakzai appeared for the respondents, including KP IGP, Peshawar capital city police officer (CCPO) and others, along with DSP (Legal) Nasrullah Khan and investigating officer (IO) Haleem Gul.

The petitioner has sought the recovery of his minister brother, who, according to him, was abducted in broad daylight from a thickly populated area near the entry and exit point of the motorway.

The local police have registered an FIR against unidentified persons.

During the previous hearing, the court had summoned the IO for responding to the petition. The IO later revealed that the two people accompanying the minister had safely returned home and recorded their statements under Section 161 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

He added that according to those statements, some 14 people abducted the two men and took them to an unidentified place before releasing them but the minister remained in custody.

The petitioner’s counsel said that police checkpoints were present on the other side of the road, but no action was taken by them to thwart the abduction of the minister.

Advocate Wazir wondered that when a provincial minister was not safe, what the common man’s situation would be.

He requested the court to summon the police chief on the matter.

Lawyer Zaman said that while the minister had been abducted, similar incidents had been occurring for the last couple of days.

The petitioner sought the court’s orders for the respondents (police officers) to immediately ascertain and disclose the whereabouts of Fazal Shakoor and produce him before the court to address questions about the legality of the detention.

He said in case the minister was found to be illegally or unlawfully detained by any person, authority or official, the court should direct his immediate release in accordance with law.

The petitioner also requested the court to order respondents, including senior police officers, to take immediate and effective steps for the safe recovery of the minister.

He also sought directives to the IGP and Peshawar CCPO to constitute a high level, impartial and competent investigation team for tracing the minister and investigating hisalleged interception, abduction and illegal detention.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2026

According to sources, the people were stopped while they were transporting their belongings in vehicles to leave the area.

The hostages were identified as four brothers, Rehmanullah, Farmanullah, Laiq and Sadiq; Mir Ali, Mohammad Raziq, Azim Khan and three brothers, including Sameen, Hamidullah and Rakhidullah. Three other individuals could not be identified.

Police have not issued an official statement regarding the incident. However, police sources confirmed the incident.

Meanwhile, a photograph purportedly showing the alleged hostages has also circulated on social media.

The photograph also appears to show Nasir alias Gidarh, a local commander of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. The photograph and the identities of those shown in it could not be independently verified.

Local sources said terrorists were allegedly trying to prevent residents from leaving the area and had imposed certain restrictions on those seeking to relocate.

According to the sources, some families who failed to comply with the conditions allegedly had their houses demolished. These claims, however, could not be officially confirmed.

The deteriorating security situation in Hathikhel and adjoining mountainous areas has continued to cause difficulties for residents, with several families reportedly moving to safer locations.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2026

A police official confirmed that the attack took place within the limits of Shaheed Haibat Ali Khan police station of Darra Pezu town.

He said based on initial information, the victims were on the way to their village from Shah Hasankhel when armed men opened fire on them.

He identified the slain villagers as Umair, Sadiq Amin and Alyian and said that the injured included Imdadullah, Asifullah and Ijaz Khan.

“The assailants escaped after the attack,” he said.

The bodies and the injured were taken to Government City Hospital.

A resident said that villagers, mostly young boys, had gone to Shah Hasankhel to watch a cricket match. He said that they were returning to their village in a rickshaw when armed men opened fire on them.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2026

Speaking to reporters at the press club after a meeting with the Lower Chitral deputy commissioner, Chitral Mine Owners Association president Ashfaq Ali Khan said that the DC had directed the police to streamline the verification process for labourers. “Instead of prolonged delays, police will now use a specialised proforma to gather labourer details and submit them directly to the DC office for prompt security clearance,” he said.

“To obtain a working NOC in settled areas, mine owners must now submit a streamlined set of documents to the DC office: a valid prospecting licence or lease work order, an affidavit from the licence or leaseholder, and the leaseholder’s family tree for all labourers,” he said and added: “In the affidavit, the licence or leaseholder will give an assurance that he and his labourers will not be involved in any anti-state activities.”

He said owners can resume operations immediately after submitting the documents.

He said that the DICC had also removed major bottlenecks hindering mineral transport, as under the new mechanism, transporters only need to submit a copy of the consignment proforma to the DC’s office and another copy to the Lowari Tunnel checkpoint.

Mr Khan thanked the DC, DICC members, and heads of relevant institutions for addressing the community’s grievances.

He said that resumption of mining activities would benefit thousands of families dependent on the mineral sector directly or indirectly.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2026

Separately, two rescue workers were killed and another was injured when a Rescue 1122 ambulance came under fire while transporting bodies of victims from the blast.

DI Khan Regional Police Officer (RPO) Ghulam Mubashir Maken, citing an initial assessment, confirmed the casualties from the blast. He clarified that no law enforcement or security personnel were among the deceased, which included a Customs official and civilians.

The deceased comprised nine men, two women and a minor.

According to police and Rescue 1122 officials, an unidentified attacker rammed the explosives-laden tractor trolley into the checkpost. DI Khan District Police Officer (DPO) Ziauddin Ahmed confirmed that it was a suicide blast.

The blast destroyed a large portion of the checkpost and completely demolished a house adjacent to the post. The intensity of the explosion was such that it was heard over a considerable distance, according to local officials and residents. Heavy firing was also heard following the blast.

The Aman Mela checkpost, located near Mughal Kot and Darazinda on the DI Khan-Quetta Road, is used by police for security and checking along the route. It is situated close to the border between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

According to RPO Maken, 25 of the injured were taken to the district headquarters (DHQ) hospital. Meanwhile, District Excise Officer Faheem Wazir said Excise personnel present at the checkpost remained safe.

A bomb disposal team was also sent to the site to determine the nature of the explosion and examine the scene, police said.

DPO Ahmed and the superintendent of police for the Saddar area had reached the site soon after the explosion and supervised the rescue operation. A Rescue 1122 spokesperson noted that their teams were on the site for relief operations, but mobile phone services were unavailable in the area.

Later in the day, a Rescue 1122 spokesperson said the search, recovery and relief operation at the site had been completed.

More than 25 personnel, six ambulances and a fire vehicle took part in the relief operations, according to the rescue service. On the directions of District Emergency Officer (DEO) Mohammad Arif Khan, four additional ambulances with staff were dispatched from DI Khan to assist in evacuating the injured.

2 killed as ambulance comes under fire

Rescue 1122 said two of its workers were killed while another was seriously injured when an ambulance transporting some bodies recovered from the blast site was targeted by unidentified assailants near Aman Mela.

The deceased rescue workers were identified as Sharifullah and Imtiaz, while Anees sustained injuries in the firing, according to a Rescue 1122 spokesperson.

The injured worker was provided immediate medical treatment and taken to a hospital. Despite the firing incident, rescue teams had continued the operation to transport the bodies and assist those affected by the blast.

State broadcaster Radio Pakistan attributed the attack to Fitna al Khawarij, a term the state uses to refer to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The report added that an operation by the security forces against the terrorists was underway.

‘Political priorities must reflect the pain of our people’

Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, in a video statement, condemned the attack and highlighted the funds allocated for police in KP’s budget. He also once again called for a “policy shift” on the federal government’s part regarding counterterrorism.

Meanwhile, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi sought a report from senior officials on the incident and directed that every possible medical facility be provided to those injured.

“The attack is a nefarious conspiracy by Fitna al-Hindustan Khawarij,” the governor said.

The state refers to designated Balochistan-based groups as Fitna al Hindustan to highlight India’s role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.

In the wake of the blast, Kundi also requested the PTI to call off its march to Islamabad planned for Oct 4.

Tagging CM Afridi’s X account, he wrote: “For the sake of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and our people, let us put political differences aside and stand together as one.

“Our people are paying the price in blood. They deserve solidarity, security and leadership focused on protecting their lives.”

In an earlier post on X, Kundi said, “At a time when KP is mourning, political priorities must reflect the pain of our people.”

He asserted that the provincial government “must take responsibility and put the security and lives of our people at the centre of its priorities”.

“They do not need test matches or long marches. They need peace.”

Condemnations

President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the blast in a statement issued by the Presidency and expressed grief over the lives lost.

The president ordered that the best medical facilities be provided to the injured, and that relief operations be made “more effective”.

“Making innocent citizens and law enforcement personnel a target of terrorism is highly condemnable,” he was quoted as saying.

“Operations against terrorists belonging to Fitna al Hindustan and Fitna al Khawarij, who perpetrate heinous acts with foreign support, must be made more effective.”

Denouncing the attack, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the loss of precious human lives.

He said the sacrifices of the nation’s guardians in the war against terrorism “will never be allowed to go in vain”. “The government is determined to completely eradicate terrorism from the country,” he was quoted as saying.

In a statement issued by his ministry, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also strongly condemned the “suicide blast at the anti-smuggling Aman Mela police checkpost” and expressed his condolences to the bereaved families.

“The cowardly acts of kharjis cannot weaken the nation’s firm resolve against terrorism,” he was quoted as saying, using a term the state employs to designate terrorists.

“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is on the front lines of the fight against terrorism.”

Naqvi noted that people from all walks of life have made sacrifices against terrorism, adding that the state deeply values the sacrifices of martyrs.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that the “terrorist attack” in DI Khan, following the recent bloodshed in Kohat, was “another painful reminder of the terrorism threat Pakistan continues to confront”.

“My deepest condolences to the families of our martyrs and prayers for the injured. The nation stands firmly with our courageous police, law-enforcement agencies and security forces,” he said.

“Pakistan has defeated terrorism before, and we will defeat it again. Terrorists, their facilitators, financiers and sponsors will be held accountable and no territory beyond our borders will be allowed to serve as a sanctuary for terrorism against Pakistan,” he said.

“We will neither be intimidated nor divided. Pakistan will prevail,” Bilawal said.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb also condemned the blast at the “Customs joint check post”.

Rise in terrorism

KP has witnessed an increase in terrorist activity in recent months, with law enforcement agencies and security forces being targeted, prompting authorities to intensify counterterrorism operations.

Earlier this month, police said they foiled an attack by TTP terrorists on a checkpost in DI Khan’s Daraban area. No casualties were reported among the police personnel.

On Sept 18, a major attack in the old Police Lines in KP’s Kohat claimed 23 lives and injured about 100 others. Eight terrorists were killed during an overnight clearance operation.

In response to that and other terrorist incidents, Pakistan days later conducted “calibrated” airstrikes in the border region with Afghanistan against terrorist hideouts, with the government saying over 28 terrorists were eliminated.

Mainland KP, excluding the merged districts, recorded 54 terrorist attacks in August compared with 36 in July, representing an increase of 50 per cent, according to monthly data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).

The PTI had been gearing up for a nationwide protest and march towards Islamabad to press for the release of its founder, Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail. However, CM Afridi announced a day ago that the march has been postponed to Oct 4.

Speaking to journalists during an informal discussion at KP House, Afridi said that his party had agreed to postpone the march to try and find amicable solutions to the issues through dialogue.

However, he warned that any “misadventure” could lead the situation to a point of no return.

Moreover, Afridi said that the federal government had 52 days to consider these demands, claiming the Centre was seeking time to discuss the issues.

“We are not an armed group”, he asserted. “We want issues resolved through dialogue. No one has refused to engage in a dialogue.”

The KP CM insisted that the PTI’s demands were genuine, including allowing Imran medical treatment at a private hospital in Islamabad, as well as granting him access to his lawyers, relatives and the court-nominated 18 party members.

CM Afridi stressed that he had approached courts and written to the federal government for permission to meet the jailed ex-premier, but was “forced” to announce the Islamabad march in August as concerns regarding Imran’s health persisted.

Asked about speculations regarding the imposition of governor’s rule in KP, the chief minister said his supporters will be “on the road on a 24-hour notice”. “They would not be able to afford my removal,” he contended.

Asked if there was any likely successor in the event of his removal from his office, the KP CM replied that it would be Imran’s prerogative. Afridi had been elected as the chief minister in October 2025, after the PTI founder had told Ali Amin Gandapur to resign.

The chief minister also criticised his counterpart in Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and others for allegedly singling out Pakhtuns, claiming that there was a “well-hatched conspiracy” to divide Pakistan.

“We are patriotic Pakistanis, and we are peaceful people. We will not allow any conspiracy to succeed,” he said.

Defending his performance as the chief minister, Afridi highlighted that his government met high revenue targets and provided resources to the police to fight terrorism in the province.

The PTI leader also reiterated his criticism of the federal government’s current Afghanistan policy and its failure to overcome terrorism.

Afridi recalled that he had presented his own plan to the country’s military and civilian leadership to restore peace in the province by re-engaging with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, reopening the border and ending the distinction between the so-called “good and bad Taliban”.

Soon after the decision to postpone the long march, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday invited Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mehmood Achakzai for direct talks, apparently in a bid to ensure political stability in the country.

According to a source close to the prime minister, PM Shehbaz extended the invitation for dialogue, but no response had so far been received from the opposition leader. “Yes [the PM has invited Mr Achakzai], but nothing yet [from the opposition side],” the source said.

A PTI spokesman conf­irmed that the opposition leader had received the prime minister’s invitation.

Meanwhile, in the Rawalpindi Division and the federal capital territory, security measures and preparations to deal with any emergency situation remain in place despite the postponement of the march.

Punjab had already imposed a ban on gatherings across the province until Oct 5 and prohibited inciting people to “unlawful assembly”. A similar ban under Section 144 has been enforced in Islamabad for two months.

The federal government has also approved the deployment of Rangers in Islamabad and several districts of Punjab from Sept 20 to Oct 5.

Governor asks PTI to call off march after DI Khan bombing

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi requested that the PTI call off the Islamabad march in the wake of a deadly suicide bombing in the province’s Dera Ismail Khan district, which left 12 dead and 30 injured.

“Considering today’s tragic suicide attack in DI Khan and the overall law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, I’d advise the CM [Sohail Afridi] and [PTI] leadership to unconditionally call off the long march,” he wrote on X.

“Our people need a united front. At a time when our province is facing the devastating consequences of terrorism, we must stand together, shoulder to shoulder with our police and security forces, in this fight against terrorism,” Kundi added.

He implored Afridi to put political differences aside and stand together as one.

“Our people are paying the price in blood. They deserve solidarity, security and leadership focused on protecting their lives. This is the time to stand with KP, stand with our people and stand with those defending them,” he wrote.

Info minister calls Afridi a ‘coward’

Meanwhile, Information Minister Tarar defended the Centre’s counterterrorism policy and slammed the KP chief minister for his stance on the issue.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside the prime minister’s coordinator for KP Ikhtiar Wali, Tarar said: “Sohail Khan Afridi has lost his credibility and does not fight terrorists.

“Why do I call him a coward? This is the one party that is the TTP’s B-team and the TTA’s C-team,” he said, referring to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Tehreek-i-Taliban Afghanistan.

“He does not want to take ownership of operations against terrorists, nor does he believe in them. Nor has he done anything, because of cowardice,” Tarar added.

He claimed that the PTI had become weaker than ever and lost its political standing, alleging that the party had links with terrorists and was reluctant to condemn militant activities.

“You don’t want to fight terrorism, and you are finished on the political front as well.”

The minister asserted, “Our policy is not cowardice. We say openly that terrorists will be eliminated completely.”

Recognising the sacrifices made by the police and security forces, Tarar emphasised that the government was determined to completely eliminate terrorism.

“In 2026, over 4,600 suicide attacks may have happened, over 400 people may have been killed and over 1,500 injured, but will the provincial government listen?” he said.

Speaking about the PTI’s march, he contended, “They said they will come for the march at their own time […] You can claim it is your choice, but it is not your decision and it is not your march.”

In an X post in the evening, seemingly in response to Tarar’s remarks, Afridi asserted that his party was fully prepared for the march.

“Our workers are eager for a peaceful long march. In any emergency situation, hundreds of thousands of our workers will be on the streets within a 24-hour deadline,” the PTI leader said.