2025.2.20 Two shot dead in mall shooting
In a shooting incident at UK Mall in Iskandarabad claimed the lives of a 10-year-old boy and a security guard after two young men, caught stealing shampoo.
The suspects, identified as Waseem Abbas Ziaullah and Shahzaib Basheer alias Shabi from Dawood Khel, were initially caught shoplifting by mall staff, who confiscated their mobile phone and asked them to return the next day.
Instead, the duo returned on a motorcycle, fired indiscriminately, and escaped.
Bullets struck Luqman, a child visiting from Karachi for a wedding, a security guard, and Malik Faizan, a well-known TikToker who was shopping nearby.
The injured were rushed to the hospital, but Luqman and the security guard succumbed to their wounds, while Faizan remains in critical condition.
Following the attack, District Police Officer (DPO) Akhtar Farooq and DSP Musa Khel Imran Baig reached the scene, launching a manhunt.
The Dawood Khel Police, led by SHO Sub-Inspector Khurram Shahzad, conducted a search operation in the hilly areas of Dawood Khel.
Upon locating the suspects, police were met with heavy gunfire.
A 15-20 minute exchange ensued, after which law enforcement discovered the two main culprits injured – hit by bullets from their own accomplices.
2025.2.19 Man awarded life imprisonment, Rs500,000 fine by Rawalpindi court for raping niece
A Rawalpindi additional sessions judge convicted a man of raping his niece, sentenced him to life imprisonment, and awarded a Rs500,000 fine, it emerged on Wednesday.
According to the court order — dated February 18 and seen by Dawn.com — Raja Muhammad Shoaib was sentenced to life imprisonment and awarded the fine under Section 376(iii) (rape of a minor) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
“In default of payment of [the] fine, the accused shall further undergo simple imprisonment for a period of 06-months,” the order read. “The accused is given the benefit of section 382-B CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure).”
The order further read that the accused had the right to appeal the verdict within 30 days.
The case was initially reported on November 22, 2023, according to a first information report (FIR) seen by Dawn.com. The FIR, filed by the victim’s father, said he left his children at home on November 20 to attend a funeral, returning two days later. The children were left with Shoaib, their maternal uncle.
“When I returned home, my neighbour was there with my daughter. She cried and told me that her maternal uncle had raped her in my absence and even previously,” the victim’s father said in the FIR. “She said that he threatened to kill her if she told anyone.”
The FIR was filed with Saddar Wah police under section 376(iii), while the girl was taken to THQ Hospital in Taxila for a medical examination.
Despite the presence of strict anti-rape laws in the country, which could result in the death penalty or imprisonment lasting from ten to twenty-five years, incidents of sexual assault continue across the country.
Data collected by the non-governmental organisation Sahil revealed that that a total of 1,630 cases of child abuse were reported from across the country in the first six months of 2024.
The statistics included 862 cases of child sexual abuse, 668 cases of abduction, 82 cases of missing children and 18 cases of child marriages. In the six-month period, 48 cases of pornography after sexual abuse were also recorded.
2025.2.19 Gunmen kill policeman guarding polio team in KP’s Bajaur
Two motorcyclists opened fire, killing policeman on spot; polio team remained unharmed
PESHAWAR: A policeman guarding a polio vaccination team were shot dead by militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district on Wednesday, the police said.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries where polio is endemic and militants have for decades targeted vaccination teams and their security escorts.
Polio has resurged in Pakistan, with two cases reported so far this year, and at least 74 polio infections last year, compared to six in 2023.
“Two motorcycle riders opened fire… as a result, the police officer died on the spot, but the polio team remained unharmed,” Niaz Muhammad, a police officer in Bajaur district, told AFP.
Bajaur district shares a 52-kilometre border with Afghanistan.
The start of the polio campaign had been delayed in the district for security reasons, after a rise in militant attacks in the area, said Waqas Rafiq, a senior police official.
“Despite the attack, the campaign continues in all areas [of the district] except the site of the incident,” he said.
Polio mostly affects children under five and sometimes causes lifelong paralysis but can easily be prevented by the oral administration of a few drops of vaccine.
Over the past decade, hundreds of police officers and health workers have been killed by militants waging an offensive against the Pakistani state.
Pakistan has witnessed a dramatic uptick in attacks, mostly in KP and Balochistan, since the return of the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2021, with Islamabad claiming hostile groups plan their attacks from Afghan soil.
2025.2.19 FIA arrests key member of Chinioti gang as crackdown on human smuggling continues
FAISALABAD: In a continued crackdown against human traffickers, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested a key member of the infamous Chinioti gang, which has been operating a large-scale network of fraudulent immigration schemes.
The suspect, identified as Zaheer Butt, was apprehended in Gujranwala during an operation led by the FIA Composite Circle Faisalabad. According to FIA officials, the gang lured victims with promises of illegal travel to Europe, collecting millions in payments before vanishing.
Preliminary investigations suggest the gang extorted over Rs. 40 million from at least 31 individuals, providing fake travel documents to unsuspecting victims. While the FIA has already arrested seven members of the group, three others remain at large. Authorities have formed special raiding teams to track them down using advanced technology.
Additionally, two of the gang’s operatives are believed to be running the scheme from abroad. The FIA is actively coordinating with Interpol to bring them to justice. Victims have come forward with detailed testimonies, exposing how they were misled and financially exploited.
Officials reaffirmed their commitment to eradicating human trafficking networks and warned the public to be cautious of fraudulent immigration offers. The FIA is urging affected individuals to report such crimes as the investigation into the Chinioti gang continues.
2025.2.18 Muridke man dies due to lack of rabies vaccine as dog bite cases rise
MURIDKE: A man who was bitten by a dog 20 days ago succumbed to his injuries at Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital Muridke due to the unavailability of the rabies vaccine.
The victim, identified as Amir Shahzad, was critically injured in the attack. Local residents voiced concerns over the alarming number of dog bite incidents, revealing that 14 people were bitten in a single day. However, they said THQ Hospital lacked the necessary vaccines to provide immediate treatment.
According to residents, the poison from the dog bite remained in Shahzad’s body, affecting his mental state before his death. They urged authorities to ensure the availability of vaccines and take urgent steps to control the rising number of dog attacks in the area.
In a separate incident, a pet dog was shot dead and another critically injured in the village of Mohammad Alir Buzdar, Mirpur Mathelo, Dherki.
The owner of the dogs, Qurban Leghari, accused a man named Sudhir of shooting them without provocation. He claimed the dogs were kept for security purposes and termed the killing an act of cruelty.
However, Sudhir defended his actions, alleging that several children in the area had been bitten by the dogs and that no action had been taken against the owner. Frustrated by inaction, he said he decided to take matters into his own hands.
Police have registered a case against Sudhir, and an investigation is underway.
2025.2.17 Malakand University lecturer held for sexually harassing female student
University management suspends accused employee for further proceedings
SWAT: A lecturer of University of Malakand, was arrested over allegations of sexually harassing and intimidating a female student, while the management of university has taken strict action and suspended the employee for further proceedings.
According to a first information report (FIR) of the incident filed on February 4, at Levies post Pul Chauki of Malakand district, a girl-student namely Mst (H), a resident of Habitgram reported that she was a student at Malakand University’s Urdu department.
The FIR invoked sections 354, 365B,506, 511and 452 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
The victim alleged that a lecturer entered her home on the same day of the incident, forcibly held her hand, and tried to drag her away in front of her family, added that the suspect left after threatening her with “dire consequences” if she refused to marry him.
She further alleged in the FIR that the suspect from Peshawar, has been following her for the past several months, trying to harass and attempting physical assault, claiming that she reported the incident to the university provost.
2025.2.14 Explosion in Harnai kills 11 labourers, multiple injured
The explosion, caused by a bomb planted on the road, occurred near a vehicle transporting coal miners.
At least 11 labourers were killed and seven others injured in an explosion in the Shahrag area of Balochistan’s Harnai on Friday, according to police.
The explosion, caused by a bomb planted on the road, occurred near a vehicle transporting coal miners. The condition of the injured labourers is reported to be critical, Express News reported.
Deputy Commissioner Harnai confirmed that eleven workers were killed, and seven others were wounded in the blast. Most of the victims were from Swat and Shangla districts.
Law enforcement agencies quickly cordoned off the site and began collecting evidence.
The Balochistan government condemned the attack, with provincial spokesperson Shahid Rand stating that an investigation had been launched.
He confirmed that evidence was being gathered, and initial findings suggested the explosive material had been placed beside the road.
Federal Minister for Interior, Mohsin Naqvi, also condemned the bombing, expressing deep sorrow over the deaths of the workers.
Last week, another fatal accident in a coal mine in Darra Adam Khel claimed the lives of two workers from Shangla. Both victims, Rehman Ali and Sarbali Khan, hailed from the Dherai and Puran areas of Shangla district.
2025.2.14 India behind smuggling, IED incidents along LoC: AJK interior minister
Pakistan protests India’s destabilising activities, including IED smuggling.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Interior Minister Waqar Ahmad Noor has accused India of smuggling weapons and drugs across the Line of Control (LoC) and orchestrating sabotage activities in the region using improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Addressing a press conference in Muzaffarabad, Noor stated that India’s military and intelligence agencies were involved in destabilising the region through subversive activities, Express News reported.
He revealed that since 2016, there have been 54 incidents of IEDs being planted along the LoC, with an increasing number of such activities in recent years.
Noor provided specific details of Indian IEDs being discovered and detonated in multiple locations, including Chakothi, Nezapir, Chirikot, Rakh Chakri, and Deva.
The number of these incidents has risen in areas such as Battal and Kot Kotera, resulting in civilian casualties.
“India’s long-standing sabotage activities along the LoC have intensified, with IEDs, weapons, and drugs being smuggled through sectors like Bagh, Battal, and Deva,” said Noor.
According to the minister, four Indian IEDs were recovered between February 4 and 6 in the Battal sector and Rawalakot. He also mentioned that Indian forces violated the ceasefire on February 12 in Deva and Bagsar sectors.
The minister also accused India of using military channels to smuggle drugs and weapons across the border, with weapon supplies reaching Indian border units through double agents.
According to Noor, the Indian army eliminates these agents by falsely presenting them as Pakistanis and conducting fake encounters.
He added that Pakistan has provided evidence of India’s subversive activities to the United Nations.
Noor emphasized that India’s unprovoked firing on innocent civilians and its destabilising activities along the LoC have a long history, and India should not forget that Pakistan has the full capacity to respond forcefully. He warned that India’s malicious activities could pose a threat to regional security.
Security sources also reported that two Pakistani soldiers were wounded during ceasefire violations by Indian forces at Bagsar and Deva sectors on February 12.
2025.2.14 131 Pakistanis deported from 12 countries over legal violations
Immigration authorities at Karachi airport offload 86 passengers for various reasons during past 48 hours
KARACHI: A total of 131 Pakistani nationals were reportedly expelled from 12 different countries during the last 48 hours due to various offences, including drug trafficking, illegal entry, and leaving jobs without notice.
According to immigration sources, Saudi Arabia deported 74 Pakistanis for drug peddling and leaving jobs without notice.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) also expelled several Pakistanis on charges of illegal entry, theft, and drug-related offences.
Among them, one individual was denied entry upon arrival and sent back to Pakistan immediately. Another individual was deported from the UAE for allegedly attempting to die by suicide.
Additionally, some Pakistani nationals were deported from Oman, Cambodia, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Iraq, and Mexico.
In a separate incident, two individuals accused of human smuggling were deported from Mauritania and Senegal.
Out of the deported individuals, 16 were transferred to the the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Circle, while six were handed over to police in Larkana, Kalat, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, and Rawalpindi for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the immigration authorities at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, also offloaded 86 passengers for various reasons during the same period of time.
According to immigration sources, 30 Umrah pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia were not allowed to board their flights due to a lack of advance hotel bookings and sufficient funds for expenses.
Seven young passengers traveling on student or study visas to Cyprus, the UK, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan were also offloaded.
Additionally, travelers on tourist visit visas to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Azerbaijan, Malawi, Congo, Bahrain, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, and Zimbabwe were denied travel.
Individuals blacklisted from working in Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia were also stopped from boarding their flights.
2025.2.13 Father takes own life after killing four children in Swabi
Victims included two sons and two daughters, aged between two and twelve years
SWABI: In a horrific incident in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swabi district, a father brutally murdered his four children before taking his own life.
According to rescue officials, the tragedy unfolded early Thursday morning in the Yar Hussain Sarra China area.
The man, identified as Saif-ul-Islam, used a sharp-edged weapon to kill his children before ending his own life.
The victims included two sons and two daughters, aged between two and twelve years.
The deceased have been identified as 12-year-old Zia, 10-year-old Abdul Rehman, 8-year-old Sana, and a two-year-old girl.
Locals said that Saif worked as a tailor, and his wife had left for her parental home following domestic disputes.
Police have started collecting evidence from the crime scene. While the initial findings suggest murder-suicide, officials say further investigation will determine the exact circumstances of the incident.
2025.2.13 Minor girl ‘tortured to death’ by employer in Punjab
SARGODHA: An underage house help was allegedly tortured to death by her employer and his family over allegation of stealing a chocolate.
Sanaullah, father of the victim, a resident of Chak 43 SB, told journalists here on Wednesday that Abdul Rasheed, a trader of Rawalpindi, employed her daughter Iqra (15) as house help around two years ago.
He said that a few days ago the trader and his family brutally tortured his daughter, accusing her of stealing a chocolate bar.
He said the suspects inflicted injuries to his daughter’s head, arms, legs and face with a sharp instrument. They also fractured Iqra’s arms and legs, he said, adding that his daughter succumbed to the torture.
Sanaullah appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to take notice of this brutality, demanding strict legal action against the suspects.
The police have arrested the trader and his wife, who are being interrogated.
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