Khyber is a district of stark contrasts bordered by Afghanistan on one side and the mysterious valleys of Tirah on the other. Those valleys weekly transform into open markets where raw hashish and other lethal narcotics are sold openly. These illicit bazaars are so active their echo can be heard across the area, yet, alarmingly, […]
Narcotics, Militancy and the State’s Struggle for Control in Tirah Valley Read More »
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has confirmed that a violation of the ceasefire occurred along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. In an official statement issued from the federal capital, the ministry said that certain elements from across the border in Afghanistan opened unprovoked fire on Pakistani border posts in the Chaman sector. The security forces responded
Pakistan Rejects Afghan Claims, Confirms Ceasefire Violation from Across Border Read More »
The Taliban governor of Herat province has issued a new order making it compulsory for women to wear the burqa to receive public services or enter markets, hospitals, or government offices, according to local sources. The directive, issued by Governor Noor Ahmad Islamjar, instructs all district and municipal administrations to prevent women without burqas from
Taliban in Herat Makes Burqa Mandatory for Women in Public and Official Places Read More »
Four terrorists were killed and several others injured in an exchange of fire with the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and police in the jurisdiction of Cantonment Police Station, Bannu, on Thursday. According to officials, the clash erupted when security forces launched an intelligence-based operation against suspected militants. During the crossfire, one police constable, Abid Khan, was
Four Terrorists Eliminated, Policeman Martyred, 13 Injured in Bannu Operation Read More »
When Ali Amin Gandapur was in power, we were told we wanted to negotiate for peace. Even then, the authorities said, “you can try.” I remember inviting jirgas from Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, North and South Waziristan, and Orakzai, almost all of our merged areas. We sat with them and talked in great detail, for hours.
Another Jirga, Another Illusion: Peace Demands Action, Not Promises Read More »
Pakistan and Türkiye have agreed to establish a joint working group aimed at enhancing coordination across multiple security and administrative sectors, particularly in counter-terrorism. During a visit to Islamabad, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya met with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for one-on-one and delegation-level talks at the Interior Ministry. The two sides discussed ways
Pakistan, Türkiye Agree to Form Joint Working Group to Boost Counter-Terror Cooperation Read More »
Just a day after enforcing a burqa mandate for women entering regional hospital in Herat, and amid reports of female doctors being beaten by Taliban enforcers, the Afghan Taliban have appealed to the United Nations not to comment on public protests in Badakhshan over poppy-eradication drives. According to a new report by the UN Office
Taliban Ask UN to Stay Silent on Badakhshan Protests Amid Fresh Curbs on Afghan Women Read More »
( Shamim Shahid ) As Pakistan and Afghanistan engage in yet another round of talks on November 6, one cannot help but ask whether these discussions will yield any meaningful outcome or, as in the past, remain confined to statements and symbolic gestures. The atmosphere is charged with tension, mistrust, and conflicting claims that make
Pakistan-Afghanistan Talks: Between Mistrust, Militancy, and Missed Opportunities Read More »
A fresh wave of terrorism has gripped Bannu as armed militants targeted the Basic Health Unit (BHU) in Serai Baka Khel with an improvised explosive device (IED), causing extensive structural damage to the facility. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the attack. According to police, the explosion was followed by a swift security response as
Terror Strikes Bannu Again as Militants Bomb Health Facility, Clash with Security Forces Read More »
General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, NI (M), NI, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), is on an official visit to Brunei Darussalam, where he held high-level meetings aimed at expanding bilateral defence collaboration and promoting regional peace and stability. During the visit, the CJCSC had an audience with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin
