<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" version="2.0"><channel>
                        <title>K-P - FATA News Updates and Insights - The Express Tribune</title>
                        <atom:link href="https://tribune.com.pk" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/>
                        <link>https://tribune.com.pk</link>
                        <description>Khyber pakhtunkhwa</description>
                        <lastBuildDate>Tue, 03 Nov 26 19:48:23 +0500</lastBuildDate>
                        <language>en-US</language>
                        <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
                        <sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
                        <generator>https://laravel.com/</generator><item>
			<title>K-P audit exposes billions in irregularities</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638401/k-p-audit-exposes-billions-in-irregularities</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638401/k-p-audit-exposes-billions-in-irregularities#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 26 03:41:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2638401</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Samar Bilour demands impartial investigation]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Adviser to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor on Information and Public Relations, Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement, Samar Haroon Bilour, has expressed serious concern over billions of rupees in financial irregularities and accounting discrepancies highlighted in the Audit Report for FY 2024-25.

In a press statement, she said expenditures amounting to Rs72.46 billion could not be fully verified, while additional entries of Rs104.26 billion were recorded beyond the budget approved by the Provincial Assembly.

She said the report also identified Rs153.68 billion in development expenditures incorrectly recorded under various accounting heads and a negative balance of Rs39.58 billion in the Public Account.

Bilour further pointed out that records of external loans worth Rs98.89 billion were incomplete, while payments of Rs51.85 billion against foreign loans and interest remained unverified. Records of provincial domestic loans had not been updated since 2017-18, while federal government loan records had remained incomplete since 2013-14.

She said additional entries were also identified in the development budget and key departments, including Health, Education, Police and Highways.

Calling for an impartial investigation, she stressed that public money was a national trust and those responsible for its management must be held accountable wherever irregularities were established.

Meanwhile, Samar Haroon Bilour has formally assumed charge of the Department of Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement.

On the occasion, she expressed her gratitude to the Governor for reposing confidence in her and entrusting her with this important responsibility.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/dddd1792895455-0/dddd1792895455-0.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Governor vows action against illegal Afghans</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638400/governor-vows-action-against-illegal-afghans</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638400/governor-vows-action-against-illegal-afghans#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 26 03:41:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Ahtesham Bashir]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2638400</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Kundi rejects encroachment pressure]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday declared that the provincial government&#39;s policy on Afghan nationals residing illegally in the province is fully aligned with the federal government&#39;s stance, and action against them will continue. He made it clear, however, that Afghans entering Pakistan on valid visas would be welcomed.

Speaking to the media in Peshawar, the governor said no country in the world permits foreigners to stay without legal status. &quot;Therefore, action will also be taken against Afghan citizens living illegally in Pakistan,&quot; he stated. Those arriving with proper visas, he added, would be received as welcome guests.

On the ongoing campaign against encroachments, Kundi was categorical. The operation to remove illegal structures would continue and no pressure of any kind would be accepted in this regard. &quot;Measures initiated in the public interest will be sustained,&quot; he said.

Addressing the issue of prolonged power load-shedding in the province, the governor said he would take up the matter with the relevant authorities. At the same time, he reminded the public that electricity is neither free nor a war trophy. &quot;Consumers must pay their bills for the power they use,&quot; he asserted. Kundi revealed that work is under way to introduce new technology that would improve the power distribution and load-shedding system. Under the proposed arrangement, load-shedding would be managed at the transformer level rather than the feeder level, allowing more precise and equitable cuts.

The governor also welcomed the federal government&#39;s decision to provide Rs 160 billion for development in K-P, describing it as a significant gesture of support. He said 70 per cent of the amount would be spent in areas that had historically been deprived of development projects and fair resource allocation.

Responding to a question about corruption allegations, Kundi said the law applies equally to everyone. Whether it concerns Chief Minister Sohail Afridi or any other individual, if there are credible charges of corruption, legal action must follow. &quot;No one should be considered above the law when allegations arise,&quot; he emphasised.

The governor also took note of the inconvenience caused by electricity poles standing in the middle of roads. He said he would discuss the matter with PESCO officials so that such poles could be relocated, reducing difficulties for citizens and easing traffic problems.

Kundi&#39;s remarks reaffirm the provincial administration&#39;s determination to enforce the law on illegal residency, protect public land from encroachments, and address long-standing issues of power supply and urban infrastructure while insisting that citizens fulfil their own obligations, particularly the payment of utility bills.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/61782415917-2/61782415917-2.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>JI questions PTI's lack of protests over governor's rule</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638402/ji-questions-ptis-lack-of-protests-over-governors-rule</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638402/ji-questions-ptis-lack-of-protests-over-governors-rule#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 26 03:41:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Yasir Ali]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2638402</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Baloch says a deep trust deficit existed between the government, state institutions, and the public]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Acting Amir Liaquat Baloch has questioned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership&#39;s failure to mobilise public protests against the imposition of governor&#39;s rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, saying the absence of public resistance despite the party&#39;s tall claims and popular mandate raises serious questions.

He said PTI leaders had made grand claims during their long march and held negotiations, while emergency and governor&#39;s rule had also been imposed. However, despite all these developments, the party failed to bring people onto the streets against governor&#39;s rule or even the removal of its provincial government. The lack of protests, he added, had strengthened unpopular measures.

He stressed that protecting the lives and property of people must remain the government&#39;s foremost responsibility. Establishing peace in terrorism-affected areas of the province should be the top priority, requiring serious and practical measures.

Addressing a press conference at Markaz Islami, the provincial headquarters of Jamaat-e-Islami in Peshawar, after attending a meeting of party office-bearers from 12 districts affected by the emergency, Baloch said a deep trust deficit existed between the government, state institutions and the public.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/1130902-LB-1467003028/1130902-LB-1467003028.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Cleric arrested after Bajaur madrassa child death</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638399/cleric-arrested-after-bajaur-madrassa-child-death</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638399/cleric-arrested-after-bajaur-madrassa-child-death#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 26 03:41:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[HANIFULLAH]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2638399</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[DPO Bajaur Khan Zaib Mohmand described the death of the innocent child as deeply tragic]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A 12-year-old boy died after allegedly being tortured at a madrassa in the Qaddafi Bandagai area of Bajaur district, prompting Regional Police Officer (RPO) Malakand Division Zahid Nawaz to take immediate notice and order swift action.

Acting on the RPO&#39;s notice and under the special instructions and supervision of District Police Officer (DPO) Bajaur, Utman Khel police station, led by SHO, launched a prompt and effective operation and arrested the fugitive cleric accused in the case.

A formal case has been registered against the suspect, who has been taken into police custody. Further investigation and legal proceedings are underway, and the accused will be brought to justice in accordance with the law.

DPO Bajaur Khan Zaib Mohmand described the death of the innocent child as deeply tragic, saying Bajaur police stand with the bereaved family in this hour of grief and that all legal requirements will be met to secure justice for them.

He made clear that the investigation will be conducted strictly on merit and that no one will be considered above the law. Bajaur police, he added, remain committed to upholding the rule of law, delivering justice to the oppressed, and protecting the lives and property of the public.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/arrested1783635212-0/arrested1783635212-0.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>4 polio immunisation workers abducted in K-P’s Tank</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638293/4-polio-immunisation-workers-abducted-in-k-ps-tank</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638293/4-polio-immunisation-workers-abducted-in-k-ps-tank#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 26 16:17:37 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Ramzan Seemab]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2638293</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Two others abducted from Azam Warsak, but subsequently let go]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Four polio immunisation workers were abducted by unidentified armed men after being fired upon in Khyber-Paktunkhwa&rsquo;s Tank district, while two other members of a polio vaccination team, who had been kidnapped in Azam Warsak, were subsequently released.

According to details, the abduction incident in Tank occurred in a village located in the Sheikh Attar union council, where unidentified armed men abducted the four polio vaccination workers.

Police said the gunmen took all the workers to an undisclosed location.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Read: Pakistan&#39;s polio tally reaches eight with new case in K-P

Further details about the identity of the perpetrators and the whereabouts of the kidnapped workers were not immediately available.

In a separate incident, two members of a polio vaccination team were abducted by armed men in the Azam Warsak area of Lower South Waziristan. However, both vaccinators were later released.

Sources said the suspects were affiliated with the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

The incidents have raised concerns over the security of polio vaccination teams working in the remote region, where they continue to face threats while carrying out the immunisation campaigns.

A day earlier, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) for Polio Eradication confirmed Pakistan&#39;s seventh polio case of the year, reported from K-P. The infected child was a 13-month-old girl belonging to Jan Baz Union Council in Bara tehsil, the NEOC said.

It was the second polio case reported from Khyber district this year.

Of the seven cases reported across the country so far this year, six have emerged from K-P and one from Sindh, according to the NEOC.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/732089-polio-1404681843/732089-polio-1404681843.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>K-P orders review of all ongoing procurements</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636269/k-p-orders-review-of-all-ongoing-procurements</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636269/k-p-orders-review-of-all-ongoing-procurements#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 26 03:24:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2636269</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Each case will be assessed individually on the basis of genuine need and merit]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary&#39;s office has issued a directive to all administrative secretaries and heads of attached departments, ordering a thorough review of every ongoing official procurement process across the province.

According to the letter, all departments have been instructed to examine current matters relating to the purchase of government goods, execution of construction works and acquisition of services. The review must be conducted in line with departmental requirements, established priorities and the relevant rules and regulations governing public procurement.

Each case will be assessed individually on the basis of genuine need and merit. Special emphasis has been placed on verifying the availability of funds, ensuring full compliance with legal requirements and maintaining complete transparency throughout the process.

The effective utilisation of government resources and the protection of public interest have been declared the fundamental considerations in the exercise.

The directive covers every stage of procurement, from initiation and scrutiny to formal review and final approval. Administrative secretaries have been made responsible for ensuring that the review is carried out not only in their parent departments but also in all attached directorates as well as divisional and district offices under their administrative control.

Further proceedings on any ongoing procurement will depend strictly on the findings of the review and will remain subject to the applicable legal and regulatory framework. The overarching purpose of the Chief Secretary&#39;s communication is to reinforce transparency, strict adherence to rules and the primacy of public interest in government procurement activities.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/kp1785121637-0/kp1785121637-0.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Five freed, 17 mill workers missing</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636265/five-freed-17-mill-workers-missing</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636265/five-freed-17-mill-workers-missing#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 26 03:24:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Ramzan Seemab]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2636265</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Residents staged a protest at Paroa Adda, blocking main Indus Highway to demand safe recovery of missing workers]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Some of the passengers abducted by unidentified armed men from a passenger coach and a sugar mills bus near Cheera Minor on the Indus Highway in DI Khan have been released, while 17 mill workers remain missing.

Residents staged a protest at Paroa Adda, blocking the main Indus Highway to demand the safe recovery of the missing workers.

According to reports, the incident occurred on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday within the jurisdiction of Paroa police station. Armed men intercepted a coach travelling from Dera Ghazi Khan to Rawalpindi and took several passengers away. Reports also emerged that security guards travelling in a sugar mills bus were abducted.

Sources said five passengers identified as Arsalan, Majid, Kashif, Shiraz and Hammad, who had been taken from the Hassan Coach, were subsequently released. According to the released passengers, they walked for approximately four hours to reach their destination.

However, 17 workers of the sugar mills remain missing, prompting local residents to take to the streets and block traffic on the Indus Highway in protest.

Police said an operation was under way to recover the abducted persons and that several teams had been formed for the purpose.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/2046124-kidnapped-1567232815/2046124-kidnapped-1567232815.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Fact check: Viral video does not show Peshawar BRT buses being moved to Punjab after governor's rule in K-P</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634980/viral-video-does-not-show-peshawar-brt-buses-being-moved-to-punjab-after-governors-rule-in-kp</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634980/viral-video-does-not-show-peshawar-brt-buses-being-moved-to-punjab-after-governors-rule-in-kp#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 15 Oct 26 06:46:57 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Fact Check By iVerify]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2634980</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The visuals date back to August 2026 and relate to the arrival of newly purchased buses for Peshawar's BRT system]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Several social media users, many of whom appear to be supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and pro-Afghan accounts, based on their profiles and posts, have been sharing visuals across multiple social media platforms since Wednesday, claiming that they show buses being transferred from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to Punjab following the imposition of governor&#39;s rule in the province. However, the visuals date back to August and are unrelated to the situation in K-P.

The federal government imposed an emergency and governor&rsquo;s rule in K-P on Sunday following the president&rsquo;s approval of the recommendations by the federal cabinet. The measures have been approved under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution.

The decision to impose the emergency provisions came during an emergency meeting of the federal cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where he was briefed on the security situation in K-P. Cabinet members reviewed the situation and took note of the &ldquo;provincial government&rsquo;s deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism&rdquo;, according to the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office.

A couple of hours after the imposition of emergency was announced, K-P Information Minister Shafi Jan, who had been accompanying now-dysfunctional K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on the PTI&rsquo;s long march, claimed the latter had been taken into custody.

Later, the PTI issued a statement, condemning the &ldquo;arrest&rdquo; of Afridi and others and describing it as an act of &ldquo;political victimisation and an attempt to weaken the province&rsquo;s elected leadership and democratic institutions&rdquo;.

Communication and internet services have also been disrupted in the province.

How it started

On Wednesday, an X account that appeared to be pro-Afghanistan, based on its previous posts, shared a video with the following caption: &quot;Following the imposition of governor&#39;s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 200 Peshawar BRT buses have been transferred to Punjab under the cover of darkness. Analysts say Punjab is attempting to take advantage of the governor&#39;s rule to seize Khyber Pakhtunkhwa&#39;s mineral resources and other assets.&quot;

The post gained 92,500 views.

The video was also shared by another pro-PTI account on the same day, repeating the same claim. The post gained 82,000 views.

Subsequently, the same claim was shared by several other users on X, as seen here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. The claim was also shared on Facebook.

Methodology

A fact-check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to its high virality and keen public interest in K-P&rsquo;s situation after the changes to its governance and the information gap amid the connectivity and internet issues.

A reverse image search was conducted to trace the source of the video, which yielded the same visual shared by several social media accounts in August 2026.

A TikTok user shared the same video on August 28, 2026, with a caption referring to a BRT bus in the Gulmuhmad area of Peshawar. The post described the footage as an update regarding the local BRT service.

A day later, on August 29, 2026, a TikTok user shared the same video, stating that a new fleet of Chinese-manufactured BRT buses had arrived in Peshawar after being shipped through Karachi port, marking a major upgrade to the city&#39;s public transport system.

Following the reverse image search, a keyword search was conducted, which led to a ProPakistani report published on August 27, 2026, titled &quot;Peshawar BRT to Get 52 New Buses.&quot;

The report stated that the K-P government had purchased 52 new buses to expand Peshawar&#39;s BRT fleet. Of these, 25 had arrived at Karachi port from China, while the remaining 27 had been dispatched. The addition of these buses was expected to increase the fleet from 244 to 296 vehicles.

Another report by ARY News, published on August 30, 2026, titled &quot;Peshawar BRT holds largest bus fleet in Pakistan, says Muzamil Aslam,&quot; quoted K-P Chief Minister&#39;s Adviser on Finance Muzzammil Aslam as saying that the province had received 25 new BRT buses, with another 27 expected to arrive from China. He stated that the fleet expansion would bring the total number of buses to 296, making Peshawar&#39;s BRT fleet the largest in Pakistan.

The Peshawar BRT administration also refuted claims circulating on social media that its buses were being relocated from Peshawar, stating: &ldquo;It should be clear that this news is completely baseless and misleading.&rdquo;

It clarified that the video being shared was from the time &ldquo;when the BRT buses were being brought to Peshawar&rdquo;.

Fact-check status: False

The claim that viral visuals show 200 Peshawar BRT buses being transferred to Punjab following the imposition of governor&#39;s rule in K-P is misleading.

The visuals date back to August 2026 and relate to the arrival of newly purchased buses for Peshawar&#39;s BRT system.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/whatsapp-image-2026-10-15-at-12-32-18-pm1792049755-0/whatsapp-image-2026-10-15-at-12-32-18-pm1792049755-0.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Sanaullah links reversal of K-P governor's rule to PTI support for counterterrorism efforts</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635209/sanaullah-links-reversal-of-k-p-governors-rule-if-pti-supports-counterterrorism-efforts</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635209/sanaullah-links-reversal-of-k-p-governors-rule-if-pti-supports-counterterrorism-efforts#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 26 11:50:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2635209</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PM’s adviser urges political consensus on security, saying federal govt remains open to cooperation with opposition]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Friday hinted that the federal government could consider foregoing interim governance in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) if the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) agreed to support law enforcement agencies in their fight against terrorism.

A day earlier, a joint session of parliament adopted two separate resolutions ratifying the presidential proclamations imposing a state of emergency and governor&rsquo;s rule in K-P for two months, amid protests from the opposition. Before that, both houses of parliament had separately approved the emergency in the province by majority vote under Clause 1 of Article 232 of the Constitution, despite objections from opposition lawmakers.

The emergency and governor&rsquo;s rule were declared on October 11 after negotiations between the government and opposition failed, culminating in a PTI long march towards Islamabad that began on October 4.

Speaking to a private news channel, Sanaullah said the government wanted all political parties to reach a consensus on counterterrorism, arguing that growing security challenges required a unified response from the federal and provincial governments.

He said the government&rsquo;s primary demand from the opposition was that it stand with Pakistan, its law enforcement agencies and armed forces. The fight against terrorism had cost the country precious lives, including those of military personnel, he added.

Sanaullah maintained that political differences should not undermine ongoing counterterrorism efforts, stressing that the strategy adopted to combat terrorism should not be questioned or made conditional on political demands.

Read More: Opp fails to thwart govt move in K-P

The remarks came amid renewed political engagement following meetings involving Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

Responding to questions about why the government was pursuing negotiations despite parliament&rsquo;s ratification of the emergency measures and governor&rsquo;s rule, Sanaullah said the administration continued to seek consensus among political parties on matters of national security.

He argued that the evolving security situation demanded cooperation rather than confrontation, adding that the federal and provincial governments needed to adopt a common strategy to counter the threat. &ldquo;Everyone should stand with Pakistan, its law enforcement agencies, and its armed forces,&rdquo; he added.

He stressed that the war on terrorism had cost precious lives among law enforcement personnel, including military servicemen, and said it was therefore essential to support them and recognise their courage. &ldquo;Together we need to win this war [against terrorism],&rdquo; he said.

India-Israel nexus

Sanaullah attributed the latest wave of terrorism to India&rsquo;s defeat in Marka-e-Haq, referring to the May 2025 Pakistan-India conflict. He said that India had subsequently launched a covert campaign against Pakistan under what he called &ldquo;Operation Sindoor 2&rdquo;.

&ldquo;They are trying to avenge their defeat in the war,&rdquo; he said, stating that India was using the Afghan Taliban as proxies in its conflict with Pakistan. &ldquo;They have housed terrorists in training camps and funded them,&rdquo; the prime minister&rsquo;s adviser said.

Sanaullah further alleged that Israel was providing technical training to terrorists in Afghanistan, enabling them to operate drones. &ldquo;In view of all these precarious circumstances, there is a strong requirement that the central and the provincial governments adopt a unified approach to eliminate the threat,&rdquo; he said.

He reiterated that the government wanted a collective response to what it described as a challenge to Pakistan&rsquo;s sovereignty, warning that counterterrorism efforts could not succeed without coordination between the federal and provincial governments.

Political differences and negotiations

Addressing contentious issues between the government and opposition, Sanaullah said previous rounds of negotiations had either produced agreements on specific matters or referred unresolved issues to a special committee comprising representatives from both sides.

He said these mechanisms were intended to facilitate dialogue and identify a way forward on outstanding matters.

The prime minister&rsquo;s adviser also criticised the PTI&rsquo;s response to legal proceedings against its leaders, arguing that allegations of political victimisation should be addressed through the judicial process.

Also read: Pakistan, others walk out as Israeli president speaks at CICA summit in Azerbaijan

He said cases could be resolved only in accordance with the law and that courts, rather than political parties, were responsible for determining the guilt or innocence of those accused.

Sanaullah contrasted the current government&rsquo;s engagement with the opposition with the tenure of former prime minister Imran Khan, claiming that the PTI founder had not contacted the then opposition leader during his four years in power.

He said Shehbaz, by comparison, regularly met the opposition leader in parliament and invited him to discuss issues of national importance. He added that Achakzai had declined repeated verbal and written invitations to meet the prime minister.

PTI arrests and law and order

Commenting on the detention of PTI leaders, including Imran Khan&rsquo;s sisters, Sanaullah alleged that those detained had been involved in planning or supporting unrest. He cited calls for attacks on the governor&rsquo;s house and rioting in Islamabad as grounds for the authorities&rsquo; actions.

He also accused the PTI&rsquo;s social media team of operating like a &ldquo;mafia&rdquo;, saying that it used artificial intelligence and manipulated images to advance the party&rsquo;s political agenda. &ldquo;Therefore, actions taken against them are a necessity bound by concerns regarding law and order,&rdquo; he said.

According to Sanaullah, those detained could be released if the PTI demonstrated that it would not engage in activities intended to provoke unrest in the future.

Read More: PTI disowns Imran&#39;s X account in IHC

The adviser maintained that the government remained open to political engagement but insisted that cooperation on national security, particularly the fight against terrorism, was essential.

Sanaullah said the federal government&rsquo;s position on K-P and other outstanding political matters should be viewed in the context of the broader security challenges facing the country.

He concluded that the threat posed by foreign-backed terrorist networks required a coordinated national response, with political parties, law enforcement agencies and the armed forces working towards the common objective of eliminating terrorism.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/rana-sanaullah1775219105-0/rana-sanaullah1775219105-0.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Fact check: Viral K-P Home Department notification ordering arrests of PTI workers is fake</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634828/fact-check-viral-k-p-home-department-notification-ordering-arrests-of-pti-workers-is-fake</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2634828/fact-check-viral-k-p-home-department-notification-ordering-arrests-of-pti-workers-is-fake#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 26 12:37:39 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Fact Check By iVerify]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2634828</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The purported notification is fake and AI-generated]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Several people, the majority of whom appear to be Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters based on their past posts, have been sharing an alleged notification on social media platforms since October 13, 2026, from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Home Department ordering the identification and arrest of PTI workers across the province. However, the notification is AI-generated.

The federal government imposed an emergency and governor&rsquo;s rule in K-P on October 11 following the president&rsquo;s approval of the recommendations by the federal cabinet. The measures were approved under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution.

The decision came during an emergency meeting of the federal cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where he was briefed on the security situation in K-P. Cabinet members reviewed the situation and took note of the &ldquo;provincial government&rsquo;s deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism&rdquo;, according to the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office.

Read: Govt was left with &#39;no option&#39; but emergency, governor rule: PM Shehbaz

A couple of hours after the imposition of emergency was announced, K-P Information Minister Shafi Jan, who had been accompanying now-dysfunctional K-P chief minister Sohail Afridi on PTI&rsquo;s long march, claimed that Afridi had been taken into custody.

Later, PTI issued a statement condemning the &ldquo;arrest&rdquo; of Afridi and others, describing it as an act of &ldquo;political victimisation and an attempt to weaken the province&rsquo;s elected leadership and democratic institutions&rdquo;.

Communication and internet services have also been disrupted in the province. Several PTI leaders and workers were also arrested in the lead-up to the imposition of governor&rsquo;s rule.

How it started

On October 13, YouTuber and self-described journalist Measum Abbas shared a post on X containing a purported notification from the K-P Home Department.

The document bore the name and alleged signature of the additional chief secretary of the province&rsquo;s Home Department. Its subject read: &ldquo;Arrest of PTI workers &ndash; submission of names from your respective areas.&rdquo;

It directed deputy commissioners across K-P to identify, verify and arrest PTI workers and submit their names, addresses, CNIC numbers and other details within seven days.

The post gained 17,000 views.

Another X account that appeared to support PTI, based on its past posts, shared the same notification with the following caption: &ldquo;Order to arrest PTI workers, notification issued.&rdquo;

The post gained 81,300 views.

Another apparent PTI supporter shared the same image with the following caption: &ldquo;A display of shamelessness and lack of honour. They&rsquo;ve made an illegitimate grab in the name of counter-terrorism, and instead of targeting the terrorists, these shameless people are demanding names to crack down on PTI.&rdquo;

The post gained 17,200 views.

Other pro-PTI accounts on X also shared the same notification, as can be seen here, here, here, here, here and here; collectively gaining 14,000 views.

Methodology

A fact-check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to its virality and keen public interest in the arrest of PTI workers in K-P following up to and after the implementation of governor&rsquo;s rule.

A keyword search was conducted to verify whether any credible Pakistani or local news outlets had reported on the alleged K-P Home Department notification ordering the arrest of PTI workers across the province, but nothing was found to corroborate it.

While news reports were plenty about PTI supporters being detained and arrested, none mentioned any such order from the K-P Home Department.

A visual and textual examination of the alleged document revealed discrepancies in its letterhead, which names the issuing authority as &ldquo;Government of Pakistan, Home Department, Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.&rdquo;

Whereas the official X account of the Home &amp; Tribal Affairs Department, Government of K-P, shared a notification on April 6, 2023, along with an authentic letter, which identifies the issuing authority as &ldquo;Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Home &amp; Tribal Affairs Department.&rdquo;

The viral notification features Pakistan&rsquo;s national emblem at the top, whereas the authentic notification carries the provincial government&rsquo;s emblem.



Furthermore, the alleged notification identified Muhammad Iqbal Khan as the additional chief secretary of the Home Department. However, a keyword search yielded an Oct 13, 2026, Dawn news report titled &ldquo;Massive reshuffle in K-P bureaucracy under governor&rsquo;s rule&rdquo;, which said Amjad Ali Khan, the industries secretary, was transferred and posted as the home and tribal affairs secretary.

Other reports by Dawn and The Express Tribune also identified him as the additional chief secretary, instead of any Muhammad Iqbal Khan.

The notification image was subsequently analysed using OpenAI&rsquo;s tool to detect the SynthID watermark, which identified a SynthID signal, indicating that the image was likely generated or edited using OpenAI tools.



SynthID works by embedding an invisible digital watermark directly into AI-generated media content. Unlike normal metadata, the watermark forms part of the content itself and is designed to remain detectable even after the media is doctored, such as cropping, applying filters or lossy compression.

The image was also analysed using other AI-detection tools. Undetectable AI flagged the visual as 99 per cent doctored, while Fake Image Detector flagged it as 71pc AI-generated.





Meanwhile, Truthscan flagged the image as 99pc AI-generated, and Sightengine labelled it as 72pc doctored.





iVerify also reached out to Express Tribune K-P bureau chief Shahid Hamid, who confirmed that the Home Department had been contacted to verify the alleged notification and that it was found to be fake.

Furthermore, Dawn correspondent Zahid Imdad said that a deputy inspector general of police posted in K-P had also confirmed the notification was fake and that nothing of the sort had been issued.

The official fact-check account of the K-P government also issued a statement on X dated Oct 13, 2026, saying the viral notification was fake.

The statement read, &ldquo;A fake notification is currently being circulated on social media, falsely claiming that the K-P Home Department has directed the identification and arrest of PTI workers across the province.&rdquo;



فیکٹ چیک ✅

فیک نیوز الرٹ‼️

سوشل میڈیا پر خیبر پختونخوا کے محکمہ داخلہ کی جانب سے پی ٹی آئی کارکنوں کی شناخت، فہرستوں کی تیاری اور گرفتاریوں سے متعلق ایک جعلی نوٹیفکیشن گردش کر رہا ہے۔

یہ جعلی نوٹیفکیشن عوام میں گمراہ کن تاثر پیدا کرنے کی کوشش ہے۔ نوٹیفکیشن پر درج چیف&hellip; pic.twitter.com/tSMPYbx5YB
&mdash; Fact Check - KP Govt (@factcheckkpgovt) October 13, 2026


It continued, &ldquo;The fabricated notification also bears the fake name of the chief secretary/official signatory, misleading the public and creating a false impression of politically motivated state action. The public is advised to verify official notifications through authentic government channels and refrain from sharing unverified information.&rdquo;

Fact-check status: False

The claim that a viral notification from the K-P Home Department ordered the identification and arrest of PTI workers across the province is false.

The notification is fake and AI-generated.

This fact check was originally published by iVerify Pakistan &mdash; a project of CEJ-IBA and UNDP.

&nbsp;]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/image41791983480-0/image41791983480-0.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>DC, DPO escape unhurt in ambush</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2621784/dc-dpo-escape-unhurt-in-ambush</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2621784/dc-dpo-escape-unhurt-in-ambush#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 26 02:59:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Nasruminallah]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2621784</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Officials then set out for the government chromite factory in Muhammad Khel, also in tehsil Boya]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Unidentified armed men opened fire on the convoy of North Waziristan&#39;s Deputy Commissioner Taimur Khan Afridi and District Police Officer (DPO) Sajjad Hussain on Sunday, but both senior officers and their accompanying personnel escaped unhurt with no loss of life or property.

According to police, the two officials were touring tehsil Boya during the district-wide curfew to assess the overall situation, inspect security arrangements and review developmental and administrative matters. They also visited the proposed site for a new police station in Boya and directed relevant authorities to complete preliminary arrangements to strengthen the police presence in the area.

The officials then set out for the government chromite factory in Muhammad Khel, also in tehsil Boya.

On the way, gunmen lying in wait suddenly opened fire on their convoy. Security personnel immediately took protective measures, foiling the attackers&#39; designs. No one was injured and no damage was reported.

In view of the security situation, the Deputy Commissioner and DPO cancelled their visit.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/north-waziristan1785728707-0/north-waziristan1785728707-0.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Three minor girls drown</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2621786/three-minor-girls-drown</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2621786/three-minor-girls-drown#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 26 02:59:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2621786</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Divers and rescue personnel conducted an extensive search]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Three minor girls drowned after being swept away by the strong currents of the Indus River while bathing in the Jhatkol area of Shangla.

According to Rescue 1122, the victims, aged between 10 and 15 years and residents of Jhatkol village, entered the river to bath when they were caught in the fast-flowing current. Local residents immediately alerted emergency services, prompting Rescue 1122 Shangla and Rescue 1122 Torghar to launch a joint search and rescue operation.

Divers and rescue personnel conducted an extensive search, but the operation was temporarily suspended late Saturday night due to poor visibility and the dangers posed by darkness. The search resumed early Sunday morning with additional teams deployed. Officials said recent monsoon rains had significantly raised the Indus River&#39;s water level.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/1440654-rescueonline-1498019897/1440654-rescueonline-1498019897.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>K-P Assembly passes resolution on Pakistanis’ plight in Gulf</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2608839/k-p-assembly-passes-resolution-on-pakistanis-plight-in-gulf</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2608839/k-p-assembly-passes-resolution-on-pakistanis-plight-in-gulf#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 18 May 26 18:36:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Ahtesham Bashir]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2608839</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Demands local hiring in South Waziristan, inquiry report on Kohat gold auction awaited]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution expressing concern over the problems faced by Pakistani expatriates in Gulf countries, particularly issues related to residency permits (iqama) and visa cancellations.

The resolution, moved by government MPA Obaidur Rehman, highlighted the difficulties confronting Pakistani citizens in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. It noted that visas of many Pakistanis were being cancelled in the United Arab Emirates&nbsp;and urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant departments to take immediate steps for their resolution.

The house also called for facilitating the prompt repatriation of deceased Pakistanis so that their bodies could be brought home without delay.

In the same session, the assembly witnessed sharp criticism over recruitment irregularities in the health department, particularly in South Waziristan. Government MPA Asif Khan launched a strong attack on the provincial government, accusing it of violating local domicile rules in Grade 11 appointments being conducted through the Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA).

Asif warned that candidates from other districts were being favoured for posts in Upper and South Waziristan, while local residents were being sidelined. &ldquo;We contest elections on the name of Imran Khan and carry the hopes of the people. If this practice continues, I will resign,&rdquo; he said, adding that such decisions taken in &ldquo;closed rooms&rdquo; were unacceptable.

He lamented that the provincial health minister had not visited Waziristan even once in seven months despite poor conditions in hospitals and basic health units (BHUs), where doctors were reportedly absent from duty.

Speaker Babar Salim Swati supported the concerns raised by Asif and issued a ruling to halt the recruitment process until the concerned standing committee examined&nbsp;the matter and gave its recommendations.

Law Minister Aftab Alam also endorsed the principle that district-level posts should preferably go to local candidates and suggested necessary amendments in the rules.

The health recruitment controversy dominated much of the proceedings, with members stressing that terrorism-affected areas like Waziristan deserved special attention and that new appointees must give written assurances to serve in the region.

Separately, the house was informed about the completion of an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the auction of gold mineral blocks in Kohat.

PPP MPA Shazia Tahmase raised the issue through a question. In response,&nbsp;Alam and Minister Riaz Khan stated that the provincial cabinet had constituted an inquiry committee as soon as complaints surfaced. The committee had&nbsp;finalised its report, which would&nbsp;be presented before the next cabinet meeting. The report would&nbsp;subsequently be laid before the assembly. The National Accountability Bureau was&nbsp;also continuing its own investigation into the matter.

The day&rsquo;s proceedings reflected growing concern within the ruling alliance over expatriate welfare, fair recruitment practices in backward districts&nbsp;and transparency in the award of mineral contracts. Observers see the speaker&rsquo;s ruling on recruitments and the impending cabinet discussion on the Kohat gold inquiry as significant steps towards addressing public grievances and ensuring accountability in provincial governance.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/kp-assembly1593753278-0/kp-assembly1593753278-0.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>17 nursing students faint after gas leak in Abbottabad</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2589936/17-nursing-students-faint-after-gas-leak-in-abbottabad</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2589936/17-nursing-students-faint-after-gas-leak-in-abbottabad#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 30 Jan 26 17:11:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ZUBAIR AYUB]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2589936</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Five are said to be in critical condition while 12 stay under observation]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[At least 17 students of the Government Nursing School in&nbsp;Abbottabad&nbsp;fainted during a class after inhaling a suspected discharge of chemical from the Sui gas supply. Five of the affected students are reported to be in critical condition, while the remaining are said to be out of danger.

According to initial reports, the incident occurred during class hours when a strong, noxious odour spread in the classroom. The affected students immediately experienced severe nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and difficulty in breathing, before collapsing.

The incident was promptly reported to Ayub Medical Complex, which dispatched ambulances and medical personnel to the school. All 17 students were transferred to the hospital for emergency treatment.

Hospital authorities confirmed that after receiving initial medical attention, one student was shifted to the Medical ICU, two were admitted to the CCU, one was moved to Medical Ward C, and thirteen were kept under emergency observation.

Medical Director Professor Dr Saqib Malik and Hospital Director Dr Dawood Iqbal, together with Dr Goharur Rehman, stated that the students lost consciousness following exposure to a chemical mixed in the gas supply.

Dr Rehman added that upon contacting Sui Gas authorities, they were informed that only a &#39;routine chemical&#39; had been injected in the gas supply. However, hospital officials maintained that the severity of the students&rsquo; symptoms was inconsistent with exposure to a standard precautionary odourant.

Responding to the incident, Sui Gas Department spokesperson Sajjad Ahmed said that a special odourant is injected into the gas solely as a safety measure to alert users in the event of leakage.

He clarified that the leakage was internal, confined to the classroom, and no similar complaints had been received from other areas of the city. He added that responsibility for internal leaks lies with the user.

Ahmed further confirmed that the senior management of Sui Gas Abbottabad, including General Manager Rehmatullah and the operations head, visited the site with a technical team to conduct a thorough inspection.

During the inspection, officials observed that a large waste drain from nearby small-scale industries runs adjacent to the hostel building. Authorities are examining the possibility of external pipeline leakage, particularly in areas affected by contaminated water.

Ahmed also confirmed that all affected students are out of danger and recovering fast. He said that and that the entire building had been checked to ensure there is no further leakage. Investigations are ongoing to determine the precise cause of the incident.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/335107-AmbulancePHOTOSEXPRESS-1329026395/335107-AmbulancePHOTOSEXPRESS-1329026395.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Teacher breaks student's arms over homework</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603670/teacher-breaks-students-arms-over-homework</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603670/teacher-breaks-students-arms-over-homework#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 26 21:17:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2603670</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Accused teacher beat 5th grader at Government Primary School Osherai Dara Sadiqa Banda Bela]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[In yet another incident of corporal punishment, a government primary school teacher in the remote area of Osherai Dara, Dir Upper district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, allegedly broke both arms of a fifth-grade student for not completing his homework.

The disturbing images and video of the violence quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage.

According to police, the accused teacher, Sultan Nabi, severely beat 5th grader Adnan Khan at Government Primary School Osherai Dara Sadiqa Banda Bela. The brutal assault left the young student with injuries to both his arms.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/191776633482-2/191776633482-2.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>PTI leaders acquitted in May 9 case</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2594032/pti-leaders-acquitted-in-may-9-case</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2594032/pti-leaders-acquitted-in-may-9-case#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 26 20:24:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[MUHAMMAD SHOAIB]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category><category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2594032</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Charges were later amended, with the anti-terrorism provisions removed]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[In a significant development related to the May 9, 2023 protests, an Additional Sessions Judge in Chauta Lahore (Swabi circuit) has acquitted former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, several provincial ministers, and more than 250 leaders and workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from Swabi district.

The cases stemmed from alleged vandalism and other offenses at the Swabi Interchange during PTI&#39;s nationwide demonstrations on May 9. Police at Lahore police station registered an FIR against over 252 named individuals under various sections, initially including anti-terrorism charges. Of those implicated, 62 workers were arrested and spent about a month in custody, while 117 had already been released earlier.

The charges were later amended, with the anti-terrorism provisions removed. The police submitted the challan (charge sheet) to the Additional Sessions Judge, and court proceedings were underway with dates fixed for appearances.

According to sources, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provincial government, led by PTI, directed the public prosecutor to withdraw the prosecution&#39;s case against the accused. Following the formal request for withdrawal, the court accepted it and acquitted all the named individuals.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/431724281817-8/431724281817-8.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Constable killed in siblings' scuffle</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2593882/constable-killed-in-siblings-scuffle</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2593882/constable-killed-in-siblings-scuffle#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 26 20:46:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category><category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2593882</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Fahim Marwat of Masti Khel tribe, sustained severe injuries in clash]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[In a heartbreaking turn of events in the rural village of Wanda Mudat, Panyala area on the outskirts of Dera Ismail Khan, a fierce altercation between two brothers escalated tragically, resulting in the deaths of Frontier Constabulary solider and a police constable who attempted to intervene.

According to local sources, during the heated dispute between the siblings, Ijaz Marwat stepped in to mediate and restore peace. Unfortunately, he was fatally injured at the scene and succumbed to his wounds on the spot. One of the brothers, Fahim Marwat son of Muhammad Ahmad Jan of the Masti Khel tribe, sustained severe injuries in the clash.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/kp-police1674145542-0/kp-police1674145542-0.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>K-P reopens major roads after PHC order</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2593329/k-p-reopens-major-roads-after-phc-order</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2593329/k-p-reopens-major-roads-after-phc-order#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 26 20:49:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Yasir Ali]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category><category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2593329</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PTI protesters dispersed; traffic restored on motorways, highways following directive]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government informed the Peshawar High Court (PHC) that all motorways and major highways blocked due to protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers have now been cleared and reopened for traffic.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhel submitted a report to the court, stating that traffic is flowing smoothly across the province. Protesters have been removed from roads, and all routes are open to vehicular movement.

The hearing took place before a two-member bench comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Farah Jamshed on petitions challenging the road blockages caused by PTI sit-ins. Appearing before the court were Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhel, Additional Attorney General Sanaullah, Additional Advocate General Muhammad Inam Yusufzai, and counsels for the petitioners including Tariq Afghan, Barrister Hudaifa Ahmed, Intikhab Chamkani, Shahid Ali Yaftai, Barrister Yasin Reza, along with petitioners Subia Shahid, Yusuf Khan, Shaur Wardag, and Muhammad Bilal.

The Advocate General informed the bench that reports from all regions had been received and placed on record. He added that the Inspector General of Police had issued instructions the previous day to all officers to clear the roads, resulting in all routes being reopened.

Justice Ijaz Anwar remarked that the roads had not been fully cleared until late the previous night. Petitioners&#39; counsel Tariq Afghan stated that the Swabi motorway had also been reopened, confirming that all routes were now accessible. However, he highlighted that during the closures, patients had tragically passed away en-route, yet no FIRs had been registered against those responsible.

In response, Justice Ijaz Anwar noted that no such case had come before the court yet, but any matter brought forward would be examined in accordance with the law.

Petitioners&#39; counsel urged the court to issue directions preventing future road blockages during protests, so citizens would not have to approach the courts repeatedly. Justice Ijaz Anwar observed that K-P suffers from the worst traffic situation in Pakistan, where any protest leads to the complete shutdown of cities.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/pakistan-tehreek-e-insaf-sit-in-outside-khyber-pak1771246610-0/pakistan-tehreek-e-insaf-sit-in-outside-khyber-pak1771246610-0.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Kundi calls dialogue key to peace</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2593331/kundi-calls-dialogue-key-to-peace</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2593331/kundi-calls-dialogue-key-to-peace#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 26 20:49:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category><category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2593331</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to fostering excellent relations, promoting trade with all neighboring countries.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi emphasized the need for political dialogue with Afghanistan, stating that sustainable peace in the region depends on leaders from neighboring countries coming together to resolve both internal and external issues.

Speaking as the chief guest at a dialogue session organized by the Department of International Relations at the University of Peshawar on &quot;Pakistan-Afghanistan Security, Trade, and Regional Economic Affairs,&quot; Governor Kundi highlighted that a peaceful Afghanistan is not only vital for Pakistan but for the entire region. He reaffirmed Pakistan&#39;s commitment to fostering excellent relations and promoting trade with Afghanistan and all neighboring countries.

&quot;Sustainable peace across the region is essential for economic and business progress,&quot; he said. &quot;We stand for the best possible relations and the expansion of commercial activities with Afghanistan and other neighbors.&quot;]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/kundi1764510275-0/kundi1764510275-0.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item>	</channel>
                </rss>
