Body of senior police officer’s son found in northwest Pakistan amid rising attacks against police
Body of senior police officer’s son found in northwest Pakistan amid rising attacks against police/node/2573254/pakistan
Body of senior police officer’s son found in northwest Pakistan amid rising attacks against police
In this file photo, taken on November 3, 2023, Pakistan’s security personnel make way for an ambulance after a blast in Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan. (Rescue 1122/File)
PESHAWAR: Police on Sunday recovered bullet-riddled body of the son of a senior police officer in a remote district of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, an official said, amid rising attacks against police personnel and their relatives in the restive region.
The body was recovered from a hillside on the outskirts of KP’s Dera Ismail Khan district, according to local police station in-charge Habibullah Khan. The deceased’s father, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sayed Marjan, has been serving in the nearby Tank district.
The development comes amid deteriorating law and order situation and a surge in militant attacks as well as targeted killings of police personnel and their relatives, which have sparked widespread protests in the restive province that borders Afghanistan.
“The body of Muhammad Nauman, the son of DSP Sayed Marjan, was recovered from a hillside near Abdul Khel, a village on the outskirts of Dera Ismail Khan, this morning,” Khan told Arab News on Sunday. “There were several bullet marks on the victim’s body, which was shifted to hospital for postmortem.”
This is the second such incident this month. On Sept. 8, unidentified gunmen killed two brothers of a police official in the Lakki Marwat district of the province, police said.
No group has claimed responsibility for the killings, but suspicion is likely to fall on the Pakistani Taliban, who have claimed a number of attacks in KP in recent months.
The attacks against police this month sparked protests in the Lakki Marwat and Bannu districts. According to official data, more than 80 policemen have been killed in attacks, ambushes and targeted killings in the province so far this year.
Last week, a roadside bomb hit a convoy of foreign diplomats visiting Swat, killing one police officer and injuring three others, officials said.
Officials in Islamabad say militants associated with the Pakistani Taliban are primarily responsible for violence in the region. Islamabad has even blamed Kabul’s Afghan Taliban rulers for “facilitating” anti-Pakistan groups, a charge Kabul denies.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said Islamabad will launch its five-year National Economic Transformation Plan on Tuesday, state-run media reported, reiterating that it would be based on economic factors that Islamabad needs to address and achieve to ensure long-term progress and stability.
Iqbal said in July that Pakistan’s National Economic Transformation Plan will be based on the 5Es framework (exports, energy, economic growth, education and equality), adding that it would aim to foster stability and lay the foundation for future growth in Pakistan.
“Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal says National Economic Transformation Plan for next five years will launch tomorrow [Tuesday],” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Monday. “He said that the transformation plan is based upon several factors which need to be addressed and achieved if Pakistan wants to develop and progress in future.”
Speaking at the passing out ceremony of the officers of the 47th Specialized Training Program of Pakistan Administration Service in Lahore, the minister urged Pakistan to focus its resources on promoting an export-based economy.
He urged authorities to pay attention on automation, nanotechnology and artificial technology, stressing that these sectors will “reshape future economics.”
“He urged the civil servants to utilize all their capabilities to better manage public issues, as civil service is a huge responsibility rather than just a job,” the state broadcaster said.
Islamabad has been struggling to recover from a macroeconomic crisis that has plagued the country for the past two years. Inflation in the South Asian country surged to a record high of 38 percent in May 2023 fueled by rising prices of food and fuel, as the country’s national currency weakened against the US dollar while its foreign exchange reserves plummeted to historic lows.
Pakistan almost suffered a sovereign default before Islamabad clinched a last-gasp $3 billion bailout program from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2023 that helped its economy stay afloat. Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has repeatedly said Islamabad needs to adopt an export-led economy to achieve long-term and sustainable economic growth.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also urged the government to seek greater collaboration in trade, defense, agriculture and other key sectors of the economy to attract foreign investment and brighten Pakistan’s economic prospects.
In its move to attract foreign investment in key sectors, Pakistan has enhanced its bilateral trade and investment ties with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Central Asian states and other Gulf countries.
PESHAWAR: Ten people were killed and seven were injured when a passenger bus headed toward Pakistan’s capital overturned and crashed in the eastern city of Fateh Jang on Monday, police said in a statement.
The incident took place on the motorway when a passenger bus from Pakistan’s Bahawalpur city headed toward Islamabad overturned due to the bus driver’s negligence, the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) said in a statement.
“Ten people have been killed and seven injured as the bus met with an accident near Fateh Jang city,” the NHMP said, adding that senior officials of the motorways police reached the site of the accident immediately after hearing about it.
“All bodies and the injured have been shifted to DHQ Fateh Jang [hospital],” it said.
Fatal road accidents are common in Pakistan where traffic rules are rarely followed and roads, particularly in rural and mountainous areas, are in poor condition.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday he was “saddened” at the passing of ex-US president Jimmy Carter, saying that the former American leader will be remembered for his statesmanship and advocacy for global peace.
Carter, the longest-lived American president, died on Sunday at the age of 100 more than a year after entering hospice care at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia. A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer.
The former US president won the presidency in the wake of the infamous Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. He went on to endure a humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, building houses for the poor well into his 90s.
“Saddened to learn of the passing away of former US President Jimmy Carter,” Sharif wrote on social media platform X.
“I offer my sincere condolences to his family members and the American people. He will long be remembered for his humility and statesmanship as well as his advocacy for global peace and contribution to humanitarian causes.”
Saddened to learn of the passing away of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. I offer my sincere condolences to his family members and the American people. He will long be remembered for his humility and statesmanship as well as his advocacy for global peace and contribution to…
Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy.
Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan.
Pakistan has enjoyed varying relations with US presidents over the decades, reflecting ties between the two countries for over 70 years. Islamabad and Washington collaborated during the Cold War and in the fight against Al-Qaeda after 9/11.
However, ties have been strained due to coups in the South Asian country by Pakistan’s military, support for the Taliban’s 1996-2001 rule in Afghanistan, and over Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program.
ISLAMABAD: From cricket to field hockey and even track and field competitions, Pakistan’s sports journey was rife with several highs and lows throughout 2024 that left fans jumping with joy or extremely dejected and heartbroken.
As 2024 draws to a close, here is a snapshot of how Pakistani sports fared throughout the year in cricket, field hockey, mixed martial arts, and track and field competitions. ARSHAD NADEEM’S OLYMPIC HEROICS
Pakistan’s biggest sporting triumph this year was Arshad Nadeem. The star javelin thrower shocked the world in August when he threw the javelin at a record-breaking 92.97 meters, earning his country its first Olympic gold medal in javelin.
Nadeem became a household name overnight, earning cash prizes and awards from government officials for his notable achievement.
Gold medallist Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem celebrates on the podium during the victory ceremony for the men's javelin throw athletics event during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on August 9, 2024. (AFP/File)
NOOH DASTGIR LIFTS COMMONWEALTH GOLD
Pakistani weightlifter Nooh Dastgir Butt grabbed gold for Pakistan at the prestigious Commonwealth Games in South Africa in October. He lifted a staggering 370 kilograms in his first powerlifting competition at Sun City, becoming Pakistan’s first powerlifting gold medalist.
Butt has already received the Pride of Performance Award in Pakistan for his athletic heroics. SHEHROZE KASHIF SHATTERS MOUNTAINEERING RECORDS
Renowned Pakistani mountaineer Shehroze Kashif made history by becoming the youngest high-altitude climber from Pakistan to summit all 14 of the world’s tallest peaks this year. He was able to achieve the feat after his successful ascent of the Shishapangma mountain in Tibet.
These 14 peaks, known as the “eight-thousanders,” are each over 8,000 meters high and represent the ultimate challenge in mountaineering. At just 22 years old, Kashif’s remarkable journey in climbing began when he was only 11 years old. SOHAIL SISTERS BAG FOUR GOLD MEDALS
Two Pakistani female weightlifters, Cybil and Veronica Sohail, who also happen to be sisters, bagged four gold medals during a sports championship in South Africa in August.
The Sohails competed in the 52- and 57-kilogram categories, winning four gold medals each in the squat, bench press, deadlift, and total categories.
This photo, shared by Twinkle Sohail, shows Pakistani female weightlifters Twinkle Sohail (right), Cybil Sohail (center) and Veronica Sohail (left) at the Lahore airport as they leave for South Africa to compete at the Asian/African/Pacific Powerlifting Championship. (Photo courtesy: Facebook/TwinkleSohail)
SHAHZAIB RIND MAKES IT BIG IN KARATE
Pakistan’s Shahzaib Rind brought laurels to the country when he won the World Karate Combat Light Heavyweight Championship in September, defeating Brazil’s Luiz Victor Rocha in the final held in Singapore.
The World Karate Combat is a global professional martial arts league featuring fighters from various weight classes and countries. Rind, from Balochistan, triumphed in the Light Heavyweight division, which includes fighters weighing between 175 and 205 pounds (79 to 93 kg).
The picture posted on April 13, 2023, shows Pakistani ‘Karate Kid’ Shahzaib Rind holding Pakistani flag after winning a fight in US. (Shahzaib Rind)
PAKISTAN’S MMA STAR ANITA KARIM BEATS ITALIAN OPPONENT
Anita Karim, Pakistan’s first-ever female Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter, secured a victory over Italy’s Adriana Fusini in January 2024 in Thailand, making her country proud with a stellar performance.
Hailing from Hunza Valley, Karim has previously earned numerous accolades at both local and international levels.
Competing in the ‘Women’s Atomweight’ category, the match lasted just one round, with Karim defeating Fusini in 2 minutes and 20 seconds by forcing a submission with a keylock.
Pakistan's Anita Karim takes a bow after winning a fight against Italian newcomer Adriana Fusini at the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Jan. 26, 2024. (Anita Karim)
BISMAH MAROOF CALLS IT A DAY
Former Pakistan women’s captain Bismah Maroof announced she was retiring from international cricket in April this year.
Maroof is the only Pakistani woman batter to score over 3,000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 2,500 runs in T20 Internationals (T20Is). She holds the record for the most runs in both formats, cementing her status as one of the finest batters Pakistan has ever seen in women’s cricket.
She featured in 276 international matches throughout her 18-year career for Pakistan.
The picture uploaded by Pakistan Cricket Board on November 13, 2019 shows former Pakistan women’s captain Bismah Maroof playing a shot in a match against Bangladesh. (Pakistan Cricket Board)
PAKISTAN’S FIELD HOCKEY RESURGENCE
The Pakistan hockey team displayed a remarkable performance at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia this year, making it to the final for the first time in 13 years. In the final, Pakistan faced Japan and after a 2-2 draw at full time, Japan won 4-1 in a penalty shootout, claiming the title. PAKISTAN LIFT BLIND T20 WORLD CUP TROPHY
Pakistan won the Blind T20 World Cup in December after defeating Bangladesh by 10 wickets in a victory that coincided with the annual International Day Of Persons With Disabilities.
This was the first time Pakistan won the Blind T20 World Cup since the inception of the tournament in 2012, with India winning the previous three editions.
The hosts lifted the cup after taking part in a tournament where India did not feature due to its political tensions with Pakistan. MOHAMMAD ASIF WINS WORLD SNOOKER TITLE
Veteran Pakistani cueist Mohammad Asif won his third IBSF World Snooker Championship title in November, equaling India’s Pankaj Advani’s record of three individual world titles. Pakistan’s other pool players achieve remarkable results as well, with Awais Munir claiming the Asian 6-Red Snooker Championship and rising star Mohammad Hasnain defeating Ahsan Ramzan to win the Asian U21 Snooker Championship this year.
The picture posted by Radio Pakistan on November 6, 2024 shows Muhammad Asif posing for a pictue after winning his third IBSF World Snooker Championship title in Qatar. (Radio Pakistan
CRICKET HEARTBREAKS
Pakistan cricket was rife with bad news for enthusiastic fans throughout the year. The ICC T20 World Cup in June was disappointing for the green shirts, who crashed out of the tournament in the first round after a shock defeat at the hands of minnows USA and arch-rivals India.
To add insult to injury, Pakistan succumbed to its first Test series defeat against Bangladesh at home 2-0 in September.
However, the men’s squad turned their fortunes around by beating England 2-1 at home in a Test series before beating Australia in an ODI away series 2-1 for the first time in 22 years. Pakistan also became the first side to whitewash South Africa 3-0 in an away ODI series in December.
Pakistan's Haris Rauf (C) reacts to a run during the ICC men's Twenty20 World Cup 2024 group A cricket match between Pakistan and Canada at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in East Meadow, New York on June 11, 2024. (AFP/File)
PAKISTAN FAIL TO QUALIFY FOR FIFA WORLD CUP 2026
The year 2024 was another challenging one for Pakistani football, with the men’s national team failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
However, the national team reached a historic milestone by advancing to the second round of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualification for the 2026 World Cup this year. This success was especially notable because Pakistan secured their place in the second round after a historic 1-0 aggregate victory over Cambodia in the first round.
The picture posted on June 5, 2024 on Pakistan Football Federation's Instagram account shows group picture of Pakistan's men football team ahead of their match against Saudi Arabia. (Pakistan Football Federation)
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani health authorities have launched a week-long anti-polio vaccination drive in the country’s southwestern Balochistan, the province worst affected by poliovirus, on Monday, state-run media reported.
Balochistan has reported 27 polio cases this year, the highest among all Pakistani provinces this year out of a total of 67 cases. Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces have reported 19 cases each this year while Punjab and Islamabad have each reported one case of the infection.
Pakistan, along with neighboring Afghanistan, remains the last polio-endemic country in the world. The nation’s polio eradication campaign has faced serious problems with a spike in reported cases this year that have prompted officials to review their approach to stopping the crippling disease.
“In Balochistan, weeklong anti-polio vaccination drive across the province starts today,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said. “According to the Coordinator Emergency Operation Center Balochistan Inamul-Haq, more than 2.6 million children up to five years of age would be administered anti-polio drops.”
Haq said over 11,000 teams have been constituted for administering anti-polio vaccines to children up to five years of age at their doorstep. The official requested parents, media and citizens to play their role in making the anti-polio campaign a successful one.
Pakistani authorities this month conducted a large-scale sub-national polio vaccination campaign in Punjab, Sindh, KP, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad, vaccinating over 42 million children.
Poliovirus, which can cause crippling paralysis particularly in young children, is incurable and remains a threat to human health as long as it has not been eradicated. Immunization campaigns have succeeded in most countries and have come close in Pakistan, but persistent problems remain.
In the early 1990s, Pakistan reported around 20,000 cases annually but in 2018 the number dropped to eight cases. Six cases were reported in 2023 and only one in 2021.
Pakistan’s polio program began in 1994 but efforts to eradicate the virus have since been undermined by vaccine misinformation and opposition from some religious hard-liners, who say immunization is a foreign ploy to sterilize Muslim children or a cover for Western spies. Militant groups also frequently attack and kill members of polio vaccine teams.
