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Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
ATC grants 10-day remand of key suspect in Quetta 'honour killing' case
Listen to article An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Quetta on Wednesday granted a 10-day physical remand of accused Sardar Sherbaz Sakazai in the high-profile double murder case of a woman and a man, Express News reported. The case stems from a gruesome incident in the Degari area, three days before Eidul Azha, in which a woman and man were killed in public. The accused was presented before ATC No 1 in Quetta, where the court approved the police's request for extended remand. The court directed his custody remain with the police's Serious Crime Investigation Wing. The grisly video of the attack circulated on social media three days ago, prompting Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti to take notice, leading to multiple arrests. Read More: 14 suspects arrested over 'honour killing' of couple in Balochistan However, in a startling development, the victim's mother, Gul Jan, claimed her daughter, Bano, had been punished under Baloch customary law. She said Bano had absconded with a man named Ehsan for 25 days before being pardoned by her husband, and that the decision to kill her followed a jirga-held, culturally sanctioned judgment. She added that Ehsan had threatened her sons and shouted provocations in TikTok videos. Gul Jan appealed for the release of Sardar Sherbaz and other detainees. Also Read: LHC grills CTD on kill pattern during 'encounters' Meanwhile, the Pakistan Ulema Council condemned the mother's statement as contrary to the Quran, Sunnah, and Pakistan's Constitution, accusing her of complicity in the crime. Senior clerics, including Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi and Maulana Maqbool Ahmed, urged the state and judiciary to take action against all perpetrators and facilitators, emphasising that even if family members seek forgiveness for perpetrators, 'Sharia does not allow pardon in unjust killings.' The religious body further stressed that parents implicated in the murder should also be held accountable, regardless of social or tribal customs, and urged full investigation and legal action in accordance with the law.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Five terrorists killed in K-P's Hangu, say police
Listen to article At least five terrorists were killed during a security operation in Hangu's Zargari area on Saturday, local officials said. The joint operation was carried out by police and other law enforcement agencies after receiving intelligence about terrorists present in the area, Express News reported. A fierce exchange of gunfire took place, during which Hangu District Police Officer (DPO) Mohammad Khalid Khan and Doaba SHO Nabi Khan were injured, along with one officer from the security forces. DPO was reported to be in stable condition. He was initially moved to Kohat and is expected to be airlifted to Peshawar. Regional Police Officer (RPO) Kohat Abbas Majid Marwat accompanied him. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed contacted the injured officers to inquire after their health. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a telephonic conversation with DPO, who was injured during an operation against the Indian-sponsored proxy 'Fitna Al-Hindustan.' He inquired about his condition and commended his bravery and leadership. 'Under your command, the police team displayed immense courage and eliminated five terrorists of Fitna Al-Hindustan,' he said. He lauded the entire Hangu police team for their successful operation and described their action as a significant blow to terrorism. Naqvi also offered prayers for the swift recovery of DPO and SHO, who was also injured in the operation. 'You are the pride of the nation. We are proud of you,' he added.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PR hikes passenger fares after diesel price surge
Pakistan Railways (PR) has increased passenger train fares by 2% following a rise in diesel prices. The freight sector has also seen adjustments, with coal rates up by 3% and fertiliser rates by 2%, officials confirmed, Express News reported. The price of diesel surged by Rs 11.37 per litre, imposing an additional daily cost of Rs 3.99 million and a monthly burden of around Rs 119.5 million on the state-owned operator. Pakistan Railways consumes approximately 350,000 litres of diesel per day. Meanwhile, PR is preparing to relaunch the refurbished Pak Business Express, a once-celebrated public-private partnership (PPP) train service that later collapsed due to operational and financial issues. Read: PR gears up for new Business Express The prime minister is expected to inaugurate the revamped train in the coming days, promising upgraded coaches, better seating, Wi-Fi, and improved catering. Launched in 2012 under a PPP between Pakistan Railways and Four Brothers Group, the train was intended to modernise travel on the Lahore-Karachi route. The private partner managed onboard services while PR provided locomotives and track access. However, the venture faced internal resistance from the railway bureaucracy and financial mismanagement by the private firm. Payment defaults led to legal disputes, and by 2015, PR took full control, ending the partnership.
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Cyber Crime Agency summons Aleema Khan over 'anti-state' posts
Listen to article The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has issued a notice summoning Aleema Khan in connection with alleged anti-state activities carried out through social media. According to sources within the NCCIA, Aleema has been directed to appear in person at the agency's Lahore office in Gulberg-II on Thursday at 11:30 am. The summons relates to an inquiry linked to a case registered against her on May 27, 2025. Officials told Express News that the purpose of her appearance is to record a statement in her defence. The inquiry pertains to allegations that Aleema was involved in online activity deemed hostile to the state. Read More: PECA aimed at tackling digital threats, not silencing free speech: Tarar The notice warned that failure to comply would be interpreted as a refusal or inability to present a defence. It further stated that in the event of non-compliance, legal proceedings would move forward in absentia. The NCCIA cautioned that failure to appear could result in action under Section 174 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deals with non-attendance in response to an order from a public servant. In such a case, the agency said, arrest could be warranted. The federal government formally established the NCCIA last year, replacing the Federal Investigation Agency's cybercrime wing. The new body had been tasked with handling a growing number of online offences. At the time of the NCCIA's creation, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had stated that the authority was set up to address issues such as online harassment, misinformation, and the spread of anti-state propaganda, while safeguarding the digital rights of citizens.
Express Tribune
15-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Another 'millionaire maid' arrested for jewellery theft in Karachi
Listen to article Police in Karachi's Defence area have arrested another domestic worker accused of drugging household members and looting their valuables, with investigators revealing that she had amassed wealth through similar crimes in both Karachi and Rawalpindi, Express News reported on Tuesday. According to South Investigation SSP Ali Hassan, the suspect — identified as Farzana Kausar alias Mehreen — allegedly stole jewellery worth Rs6.5 million from a bungalow in Karachi before fleeing the city. She was later traced and apprehended through technical surveillance. During interrogation, police said, the accused confessed to administering drug-laced green tea to the family members, rendering them unconscious before executing the theft. Read More: Govt strikes again with fuel price hike SSP Hassan revealed that the woman gained employment as a domestic help and used the position to target households in both Karachi and Rawalpindi. 'She admitted to committing multiple thefts in homes where she worked as a maid,' the senior officer said, adding that further investigation is underway to verify her claims and determine the full extent of her criminal activity. The police are also gathering details of similar thefts she claimed to have carried out in Rawalpindi, SSP Hassan confirmed. Also Read: Punjab speaker halts action against suspended PTI MPAs This arrest comes weeks after Clifton Investigation Police apprehended a domestic worker, Shahnaz, who was found to be leading an unusually lavish lifestyle. The accused had been employed for 14 years at a residence in Khayaban-e-Tanzeem, Defence Housing Authority, where she allegedly stole cash, jewellery, and other valuables in small increments without raising suspicion. According to Investigating Officer Saeed Theem, Shahnaz had accumulated multiple cars, motorcycles, flats, and a grocery store, and maintained bank accounts containing millions of rupees. Her assets came to light during the course of an ongoing investigation.
