Latest news with #ShahidRind
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Balochistan govt reassures public after Mastung incident
Spokesperson for the Government of Balochistan, Shahid Rind, on Thursday addressed a press conference in Quetta, outlining the provincial government's swift response to recent security incidents and reiterating its commitment to improved governance and institutional transparency. Commenting on the security breach that occurred in Mastung a day earlier, Rind acknowledged that the incident briefly created a sense of unease among the public. However, he emphasized that the state responded promptly, with security forces neutralizing four militants in an immediate counter-operation, helping to restore calm and public confidence. Rind also confirmed that Rs40 million were looted during the incident, largely from private banks operating with independent security arrangements. He said the provincial administration is now reviewing security protocols and is working to bolster protection for both public and private financial institutions to prevent such incidents in the future. Addressing concerns regarding the formation of District Coordination Committees (DCCs) — a new initiative under the provincial budget — Rind defended the move, describing it as a step toward enhanced accountability and better oversight of development schemes. He rejected allegations of administrative overreach, clarifying that Deputy Commissioners have not been given the role of Project Directors in these committees.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Militants attack govt offices in Balochistan; 2 terrorists, teen dead
Heavily-armed militants attacked government offices and a bank in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province on Tuesday, killing a boy and wounding seven civilians, officials said. The militants targeted local administration offices and the bank building in Mastung district in the restive province. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. According to Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind, militants launched the armed attack and the security forces responded to it. The paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC), Counter Terrorism Department and Levies personnel cordoned off the site and surrounded the terrorists. Two terrorists were killed and three others injured in the exchange of fire between the security forces and the terrorists, Rind said on X. He also said that a 16-year-old child was killed and seven people were injured in the firing by militants. He said a full-scale operation is underway against the militants present in the area. Intelligence-based action is being taken to protect the citizens and arrest the terrorists, he said. He alleged that militants were affiliated with a proxy group linked to India. In the past, India has rejected such allegations and slammed Pakistan for attempting to blame it for attacks in the country. Balochistan, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, has been in the grip of low-level violence for the last two decades. Ethnic Baloch groups involved in armed struggle accuse the federal government of exploiting the mineral wealth of the region.
Arab News
24-06-2025
- Arab News
Five dead, five injured as passenger bus catches fire in southwestern Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Five persons were killed and five others were injured in southwestern Pakistan on Tuesday after a passenger bus caught fire following its collision with a three-wheeled qingqi rickshaw, a senior official said. The incident took place on the Western Bypass road in Balochistan's provincial capital Quetta, the provincial government's spokesperson Shahid Rind said. He said the passenger bus caught fire after colliding with the qingqi, which was reportedly carrying petrol. 'We express our heartfelt sympathy to the families of the passengers who died in the tragic accident,' Rind said in a statement. 'The injured are being provided with immediate and best medical assistance.' Three of the injured are being treated in the city's Civil Hospital while two have been admitted to the Bolan Medical Complex, Rind said. He said the provincial government has started probing the incident, adding that strict action will be taken against all those found responsible for the accident once the investigation is completed. 'All possible help and support will be provided to the affected families,' Rind said. Road accidents are frequent in southwestern Pakistan, where drivers often lack proper training and often disregard traffic rules and regulations. In April, 19 people were killed and over 40 injured in an oil tanker blast that took place in Balochistan's Nushki district.
The Star
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Pakistan shut borders with Iran amid rising Iran-Israel tensions
KARACHI (Pakistan), June 16 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Pakistan has closed its air and land routes with neighbouring Iran amid the latter's escalating conflict with Israel, leaving hundreds stranded on both sides of the border, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) quoted officials on Monday. The closure, effective since Sunday, is expected to cause food and fuel shortages in parts of Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, which relies heavily on supplies and smuggled oil from Iran, local residents fear. Multiple land routes link Pakistan with Iran, with the Taftan border crossing in Chaghi district and the Gabd-Rimdan crossing in Gwadar district among the most prominent. Balochistan government spokesman, Shahid Rind told AA that the closure followed a similar move by Iran. "All border crossings between the two countries have been closed for trade and pedestrian movement after Iran initiated the closure," he said. However, he added that Pakistanis stranded in Iran would be allowed to return, although new entries into Iran are barred until further notice. The first group of stranded citizens, comprising mainly pilgrims and students, was expected to return via the Taftan crossing later on Monday. Meanwhile, several airlines operating flights from Pakistan to Iran and Iraq have suspended operations due to rising regional tensions, according to a Civil Aviation Authority spokesman. - Bernama-Anadolu
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Israel-Iran conflict disrupts Iranian fuel supply, triggers crisis in Pakistan's Balochistan
The Israel-Iran conflict has triggered a fuel crisis in Pakistan's Balochistan province, which shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan, PTI reported. Since Sunday, many petrol stations that rely on smuggled petrol and diesel from Iran began shutting down across Balochistan, creating panic among residents. Hundreds of vehicle owners, who queued at petrol stations, returned disappointed as these outlets closed operations. Deputy commissioners across Balochistan later issued notifications suspending all pedestrian and trade movement, including fuel deliveries, indefinitely as a "precautionary security measure." The notifications also stated that the border crossings with Iran in Panjgur and Gwadar districts were sealed for security reasons. The Gabd-Kalato 250 border point in Gwadar, a key route for local trade and oil transport from Iran, was also closed until further notice, a Levies official confirmed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Windows Users & Owners Don't Forget To Do This Before Monday Read More Undo The federal government's recent hike in fuel prices added to the crisis. Petrol prices were increased by Rs 4.80 per litre and diesel by Rs 7.95 per litre. Despite bans in certain areas, Iranian fuel remains the primary supply source for Balochistan due to its lower price compared to locally processed fuel. The Levies official said the Israel-Iran conflict disrupted the fuel supply from Iran as the smuggled fuel enters Pakistan through border towns. Live Events Border districts such as Turbat, Gwadar, Panjgur, Chagai, Washuk, and Mashkail have been worst-hit, facing not only fuel shortages but also food scarcity, as most edible supplies come from Iran. Around 60 to 70 per cent of petrol stations have shut down due to the disruption in Iranian oil smuggling through Makran, Rakhshan and Chagai areas. However, Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind dismissed reports of a province-wide fuel shortage. "There is no fuel shortage in the province, as most petrol stations are open in the provincial capital," PTI quoted him as saying. Rind added, "Petrol stations selling Iranian oil are a safety hazard, which is why the government initiated action against them earlier this month." He also alleged that, "People minting money by selling Iranian petrol and diesel had started spreading rumours to create panic." "These so-called shortages are being exaggerated by those who want to lift the ban on smuggled Iranian fuel," he said. (With PTI inputs)
