Latest news with #SaleemKhan


Indian Express
29-06-2025
- Indian Express
Five killed in two separate terrorist attacks in Pak's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
At least five people, including two security personnel and three members of a local peace committee, were killed in two separate incidents of terrorism in northwest Pakistan, police said on Sunday. Both terrorist activities occurred in the restive Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police confirmed. In the first incident, a roadside bomb targeted a patrolling vehicle early on Sunday morning killing two soldiers and injuring three others, according to police. Unidentified gunmen shot dead three members of the peace militia in another incident in the Shahab Khel area, local police added. Police identified the deceased as Dastagir, the head of a local peace committee, along with Saleem Khan and Salahuddin. Security forces cordoned off the areas following the incidents and investigations are underway. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks so far. Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist incidents, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, following the collapse of the ceasefire agreement between the government and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in November 2022. Militant attacks and counter-terrorism operations surged in March 2025, with the number of terrorist incidents crossing 100 for the first time since November 2014, a Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies report said. Pakistan ranked second on the Global Terrorism Index 2025, with terror-related deaths rising by 45 per cent over the past year to 1,081.


Hindustan Times
22-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Pakistan discovers new oil and gas reserve in Sindh
Pakistan's state-owned Oil & Gas Development Company (OGDCL) exploration firm has discovered a new oil and gas reserve in the Sindh province. Experts reportedly said that the latest discovery shows that Pakistani soil still houses some untapped energy.(Reuters/Representative Image) The exploration firm made the discovery earlier this month at Kharo at its Faakir-1 wildcat well, said Field Operations officer Saleem Khan on Saturday. 'The discovery was made after drilling to a depth of 4,185 metres, the well tested at 6.4 million cubic feet per day of gas and 55 barrels per day of condensate from the Lower Goru formation,' Khan added. According to experts, the latest discovery shows that Pakistani soil still houses some untapped energy, news agency PTI reported. ALSO READ | 5 facts on Strait of Hormuz, the focal point of global oil trade 'It's not a gusher by global standards, but it's a critical domestic win. It is a significant breakthrough and a step forward in tapping and finding new reservoir blocks," Khan said. Since last year, the ODCL has made at least two major discoveries; One in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province's Lakki Marwat, wherein gas and condensate reserves were found with an initial production of 2.114 million cubic feet of gas and 74 barrels of crude oil per day. Another discovery was when the firm found substantial oil and gas reserves in Attock, Punjab. ALSO READ | Massive oil discovery in Pakistan spurs hope of economic revival: Report The official reportedly said that with Pakistan's growing energy needs, the ODCL has been collaborating with private firms to conduct more such explorations across the country. Last year in September, it was reported that Pakistan had found large deposits of natural gas and oil in its territorial waters after a three-year survey. A senior security official at the time had said that these reserves hold the potential to significantly boost Pakistan's economy and would be key in forming a 'blue water economy'. At present, Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves in the world, holding more than 300 billion barrels, followed by Saudi Arabia, which has over 295 billion barrels in oil reserves. (With inputs from PTI)


Express Tribune
12-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Professional panhandlers thrive in capital
Amidst repeated action against beggars by Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration, the city continues to witness a rise in the number of beggars at its streets, markets and traffic intersections. In most of areas of main city and housing societies in the suburbs, they are seen in abundance with scores among them are permanent and professional seeming like to be part of a nexus operating in the city. Some residents have pointed out that many of these permanent beggars are travelled to designated places daily in the morning and picked up in the evening by their masters after day long begging in these areas. Particularly busy areas like F-6, F-7, F-10 Markaz, capital's main traffic signals and housing societies along Islamabad Expressway including PWD, Police Foundation and Pakistan Town commercial areas have witnessed a surge in beggars including women and children, soliciting money from commuters and shoppers. Expressing concerns on prevailing situation, the residents have demanded strict enforcement of anti-begging laws, arguing that unchecked beggary not only tarnishes Islamabad's reputation but also resulting in petty crimes. They are also perturbed on re-emergence of beggars groups after a couple of days of action by ICT administration who occasionally launch operation against these beggars, nab them and put behind the bars. But, this practice could not prove to be a permanent solution to this menace as there are also reports that many rag pickers conduct recce in different areas during the day that leads to theft and robbery after sunset. Citizens in many localities have expressed frustration over frequent encounters with organized groups of beggars as well as the crimes like snatching or plundering valuables and breaking into houses, also threatening human lives. "Once regarded as one of the most orderly and serene cities in South Asia, Islamabad is now grappling with a persistent and increasingly visible challenge of beggary," remarked a businessman, Saleem Khan. "From traffic signals to bustling markets, the city's thoroughfares are teeming with individuals with many of them seeming like part of organized groups or an unseen nexus operating in the city," Saleem Khan said. "Some of them aggressively seek alms and when refused either they abuse you or scratch your vehicles and run away. " Since they are professional engaged in this notorious practice for years, they have numerous techniques to allure people. "Their techniques range from sympathetic women holding infants, children selling flowers, some knocking windows of your car and some elderly begging for medical treatment or marriage of their daughters," said Aiman Baig, a working woman. "Some among them are too sticky and arrogant and also pass derogatory remarks when refused alms. " She said, whether it is intersection at Aabpara, traffic-laden Jinnah Avenue or other areas in the city, you can find them everywhere. Amina Rafeeq, a local resident describes it as very uncomfortable and says, "even if you desire to help someone needy, you cannot ascertain who is genuinely deserving and who belongs to a nexus."