QUETTA: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province has arrested eight suspects for allegedly being involved in and facilitating last week’s suicide blast in Mastung, a source in the department with direct knowledge of the development said on Wednesday.
Sixty people were killed and scores were injured on Friday when a suicide blast targeted a gathering held to celebrate Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) birthday in Balochistan’s Mastung city. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the incident while banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has distanced itself from the incident.
A spokesperson for the CTD Balochistan said the department has intensified its investigation into the Mastung suicide bombing. He added that the CTD and other law enforcement agencies were carrying out operations in Mastung and other districts of the province to arrest those involved in the bombing.
“Eight persons have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in the incident [Mastung bomb blast] and facilitating it,” a CTD source told Arab News. “Further action is being taken on the information extracted from those detained.”
Meanwhile, the CTD spokesperson said authorities have not received any data relating to the suicide bomber yet, adding that various methods are being used to identify him. “We have still not received the DNA and forensic reports,” the spokesperson said. “There is no negligence in the investigation of the incident, however, results will take time.”
Situated near the provincial capital of Quetta, Mastung is mostly mentioned in the news due to incidents of sectarian violence, insurgency, and militant attacks. The security situation in the area has been volatile for years and it is widely considered as one of the more sensitive districts in Balochistan from a security perspective.
Abdul Basit, a research fellow at the International Center for Political Violence and Terrorism Research in Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said the Daesh-Khorasan outfit was most likely behind the Mastung bomb blast.
The regional affiliate of Daesh is a key rival of the Taliban. The militant group has increased its attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover of the country in August 2021. Targets have included Taliban patrols and members of Afghanistan’s Shia population.
Basit said the militant group has been struggling to survive as it faces tough opposition in Afghanistan and Pakistan. “If we look at all the data points and substantial evidence, it will give us a clear picture of which group has a stronghold in Mastung and attacks soft targets,” Basit told Aran News over the phone.
He said Daesh has conducted lethal attacks in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and Balochistan as both provinces share borders with Afghanistan, where it has a strong presence in some towns.
“Daesh has been struggling to show its relevance in Pakistan through more attacks and the militant group might attack soft targets in the next general elections.” Basit added.
Pakistan’s Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti vowed on Tuesday to take decisive action against militants in the country, adding that the state would maintain its monopoly on violence and would not succumb to pressure on gunpoint. He gave “illegal immigrants” in the country till November 1 to leave, threatening that after the deadline passes, the administration would deport them.
The move is likely to impact millions of Afghans living in Pakistan, with a sizable number not even registered as refugees in the country.
Balochistan’s Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai told reporters on Wednesday that out of the 24 suicide bombings that have taken place in Pakistan since January, 14 were conducted by Afghan nationals.
“During the recent attacks on security forces’ camps in Zhob and Muslim Bagh, the majority of the attackers were Afghan citizens,” Achakzai said. He added that Balochistan was hosting 584,000 Afghans out of which 313,000 are registered as refugees and 274,000 are registered with Afghan citizen cards.
“In future, the Balochistan government will expel Afghan citizens living without visa here,” he said.
Balochistan police arrest 8 on suspicion of involvement in Mastung suicide blast
https://arab.news/r2hfr
Balochistan police arrest 8 on suspicion of involvement in Mastung suicide blast
- 60 people were killed, scores injured when a suicide blast targeted a gathering in Mastung on Friday
- CTD Balochistan spokesperson says various methods are being used to identify the suicide bomber
Pakistan set to hold policy rate as Israel-Iran conflict overshadows growth push
- Eleven of 14 respondents in a snap poll expected central bank to leave the benchmark rate unchanged at 11 percent
- Central bank paused its easing cycle in March after cumulative cuts of 1,000 basis points from a record high of 22 percent
KARACHI: Pakistan’s central bank is expected to hold its policy rate today, Monday, a Reuters poll showed, as many analysts shifted their previous view of a cut in the wake of Israel’s military strike on Iran, citing inflation risks from rising global commodity prices.
Israel said on Friday it targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders in a “preemptive strike” to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.
Several brokerages had initially expected a cut but revised their forecasts after the Israeli strikes sparked fears of a broader conflict.
The escalating hostilities triggered a sharp spike in oil prices — a worry for Pakistan given the broader impact on imported inflation from a potentially prolonged conflict and tightening of crude supplies.
Eleven of 14 respondents in a snap poll expected the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to leave the benchmark rate unchanged at 11 percent. Two forecast a 100 basis-point cut and one predicted a 50 bps cut.
“There remains an upside risk of a rise in global commodity prices in light of geopolitical tensions which could mark a return to inflationary pressures,” said Ahmad Mobeen, senior economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.
“The resultant higher import bill could also threaten external sector performance and bring pressure to the exchange rate.”
Inflation in the South Asian country has been declining for several months after it soared to around 40 percent in May 2023.
Last month, however, inflation picked up to 3.5 percent, above the finance ministry’s projection of up to 2 percent, partly due to the fading of the year-go base effects. The SBP expects average inflation between 5.5 percent and 7.5 percent for the fiscal year ending June.
The central bank paused its easing cycle in March after cumulative cuts of 1,000 basis points from a record high of 22 percent, and resumed it with a 100-basis-point reduction in May.
The policy meeting follows the release a tight annual budget, which saw Pakistan raise defense spending by 20 percent but overall expenditure was reduced by 7 percent, with GDP growth forecast at 4.2 percent.
Pakistan says its $350 billion economy has stabilized under a $7 billion IMF bailout that had helped it staved a default threat.
Some analysts are skeptical of the government’s ability to reach the growth target amid fiscal and external challenges.
Abdul Azeem, head of research at Al Habib Capital Markets, which forecast a 50-bp cut, said a lower rate could “support the GDP target of 4.2 percent and reduce the debt financing burden.”
Pakistanis rally to demand Muslim solidarity with Iran as conflict with Israel deepens
- Israel’s surprise attack on targets across Iran on Friday has been followed by four days of escalating strikes
- Israeli attacks in Iran have killed over 220 people, mostly civilians, since Friday, 23 dead from Iran’s retaliatory strikes
LAHORE: Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the Pakistani city of Lahore on Sunday to protest Israel’s military strikes on Iran, calling for unity among Muslim nations and stronger action against what they described as Israeli aggression.
Israel’s surprise attack on targets across Iran on Friday has been followed by four days of escalating strikes, as both sides have threatened more devastation in the biggest ever confrontation between the longstanding enemies.
Clutching banners and chanting slogans, protesters in Lahore urged Muslim countries to stand with Iran and resist Israel’s actions.
“The only solution to this is that the atrocity and barbarism that Israel started is put to an end by getting together with Iran,” said Nida Fatima, a student who joined the rally. “For every Muslim, every proud Muslim, every proud individual in any Muslim nation, it is their duty to stand up for Palestine with Iran.”
Hussnain Zaidi, a local marketing manager in his 50s, demanded immediate international pressure on Israel.
“The oppression and brutality that Israel has committed against Iran must end, and the international community must propose a punishment for it so that it does not attempt to destroy any country in the future like Israel did with Gaza,” he told AFP.
The death toll in Iran since Friday has reached at least 224, with 90 percent of the casualties reported to be civilians, an Iranian health ministry spokesperson said. At least 23 fatalities have been reported in Israel, including in Tel Aviv and Haifa, as per Israel’s national emergency services/.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has condemned Israeli missile strikes on Iran as a “grave violation of international law” and urged the United Nations to take immediate steps to halt the aggression and hold Israel accountable.
Pakistan, which does not recognize Israel, has for decades called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
The Lahore demonstration reflects growing domestic pressure on the Pakistani government to take a stronger stance against Israel as the conflict deepens and oil prices rise, potentially squeezing Pakistan’s economy and foreign exchange reserves.
Israel has long been determined to prevent Iran, its fiercest enemy, from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Since the rise of the Islamic Republic at the end of the 1970s, Iran’s rulers have repeatedly pledged to destroy Israel.
Military-linked Fauji Fertilizer to bid for stake in Pakistan’s PIA
- Islamabad is trying to offload 51-100 percent stakes in PIA under $7 billion IMF program to overhaul state-owned firms
- 2024 auction drew only one offer of $36 million, far below government’s $305-million floor price, and was rejected
ISLAMABAD: Fauji Fertilizer Company Ltd. (FFC), a unit of the Pakistan army-run Fauji Foundation, said on Monday its board had approved submitting an expression of interest to acquire a stake in loss-making national carrier PIA, according to a filing with the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX).
Islamabad is trying to offload a controlling stake of 51-100 percent in PIA under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund program aimed at overhauling state-owned firms. Authorities last month pushed back the deadline for expressions of interest to June 19.
“The board … has approved submission of an expression of interest and pre-qualification documents to the Privatization Commission … and undertaking a comprehensive due-diligence exercise,” FFC said in the filing.
FFC is Pakistan’s biggest fertilizer maker and has diversified interests in energy, food and finance. Any deal on PIA would expand the military group’s footprint into aviation, though final terms will hinge on the government’s privatization process and regulatory approvals.
FFC’s move marks Pakistan’s second attempt to sell PIA.
A 2024 auction drew only one offer – Rs10 billion ($36 million) for 60 percent of the airline from real-estate developer Blue World City – far below the government’s Rs85 billion ($305 million) floor price and was rejected.
Pakistan had offloaded nearly 80 percent of the airline’s legacy debt and shifted it to government books ahead of the privatization attempt. The rest of the debt was also cleaned out of the airline’s accounts after the failed sale attempt to make it more attractive to potential buyers, according to the country’s privatization ministry.
In April, PIA posted an operating profit of Rs9.3 billion ($33.1 million) for 2024, its first in 21 years.
The airline has for years survived on government bailouts as its operational earnings were eaten up by debt servicing costs.
Officials say offloading the debt burden and recent reforms like shedding staff, exiting unprofitable routes and other cost-cutting measures led to the profitable year.
Ahead of the attempt to sell the airline last year, PIA had faced threats of being shut down, with planes impounded at international airports over its failure to pay bills and flights canceled due to a shortage of funds to pay for fuel or spare parts.
The state carrier’s 34-plane fleet commands only 23 percent of Pakistan’s domestic market, while Middle Eastern rivals take about 60 percent of overall traffic, thanks to wider route networks and direct connections.
Punjab to unveil new budget today, pledges ‘people-friendly’ spending amid economic pressures
- Punjab, home to over half of Pakistan’s 240 million population, contributes roughly 60 percent to GDP
- Punjab’s budget for fiscal year 2024–25 was about $19.6 billion, with development outlay of $3 billion
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Punjab province, the country’s most populous and economically crucial region, will present its budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year today, Monday, with officials promising a “people-friendly” plan, Radio Pakistan reported.
Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman is scheduled to table the budget in the provincial assembly in Lahore after the cabinet’s formal approval.
Punjab’s budget is seen as politically significant for the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which faces tough economic and governance challenges nationwide.
“This budget reflects Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision to prioritize people’s welfare and accelerate development projects across the province,” Rehman was quoted as saying by state-run Radio Pakistan.
Punjab, home to over half of Pakistan’s 240 million people, plays a dominant role in the national economy, contributing roughly 60 percent of the GDP. It also receives the largest share of federal funds under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. Last year, Punjab’s budget for FY2024–25 was about $19.6 billion, with a development outlay of $3 billion.
Officials have said the upcoming budget will maintain a focus on infrastructure upgrades, agriculture support and social welfare schemes to help shield the population from rising prices.
Local media reports suggest the government could announce new initiatives in education, health care and urban transport, along with efforts to address power shortages in rural areas.
In parched Karachi, mosques give back to the earth by saving ablution water
- Project started at Jamia Uloom Islamia Banuri seminary has now spread to 20 city mosques
- From India to Indonesia, communities have long explored ways to reuse water from places of worship
KARACHI: On a sweltering afternoon in Karachi’s Gulberg neighborhood earlier this month, rows of men lined up under shaded arcades at a seminary to perform wudu, the ritual ablution Muslims perform before prayers.
In a city battered by chronic water scarcity, each drop of this cleansing water is precious but until last year, gallons of it flowed straight into Karachi’s aging sewer lines, lost forever.
Now, at over 20 mosques scattered across this sprawling megacity of more than 20 million people, this water has found a second purpose. It is being stored underground to help replenish the city’s shrinking aquifers, drop by precious drop.
The unconventional fix is the brainchild of Dr. Syed Imran Ahmed, who heads the Panjwani Hisaar Water Institute at Karachi’s NED University. He convinced the administrators of Jamia Uloom Islamia Banuri, one of Pakistan’s biggest seminaries, to store ablution water in underground wells instead of letting it drain away.
And what started as a pilot at the Banuri mosque has since spread to more than 20 mosques citywide.
“A lot of people go to the mosque and use water there without any thinking. Now this water directly goes to wastewater, so it becomes part of wastewater,” Dr. Ahmed told Arab News.
“But what if you divert it to a tank or to a well in the mosque?”
Karachi is Pakistan’s economic engine but also one of its thirstiest cities. Official estimates show it needs about 1,200 million gallons per day but gets barely half that on average.
As residents bore deeper and deeper wells to tap the ground beneath them, they have left behind hollow pockets in the earth, literal sinkholes that are swallowing parts of the city.
A landmark study by Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University found Karachi ranks second in the world for urban land subsidence, just behind China’s Tianjin. Between 2014 and 2020 alone, parts of the city sank by as much as 15 centimeters due to excessive groundwater pumping.
“And that rate of sinking is higher than the sea level rise due to climate change. Now they are calling them bowl cities ... the city is like a bowl because different areas of it are sinking.” said Yasir Husain, founder of the Climate Action Center in Karachi.
The mosque project, he explained, addressed this destructive cycle in which countless homes had bore ever deeper into the earth for water.
“People have on every street two or three houses which have bores, and they suck water from the ground,” he said. “And they’ve gone deeper and deeper.”
Recharging wells, however small, could help restore the balance, Hussain added.
OTHER FAITHS, OTHER CITIES
The idea isn’t unique to Karachi. From India to Indonesia, communities have long explored ways to reuse water from places of worship.
In India’s Hyderabad, the centuries-old Charminar mosque installed a water recycling system in 2019 that filters ablution water for reuse in gardens.
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a green mosque project uses treated wudu water for toilet flushing and irrigation.
In the Middle East, where water stress is even more acute, countries like the UAE have pioneered mosque greywater reuse for landscaping, transforming prayer halls into unexpected allies for urban water security.
At the Jamia Masjid Falah in the city’s Gulberg neighborhood, Abdullah Malik, a mosque committee member, said he could see the water recycling results firsthand.
“It’s essential that any sweet water used should be saved instead of being wasted into the gutter lines,” he said, estimating that 700–800 people performed ablution at his mosque daily.
Even saving three liters per person could mean thousands of liters recharging the earth every day, Malik added, a small, steady buffer against Karachi’s mounting water emergency.
Indeed, encouraged by the community response, Dr. Ahmed has mapped 27 flood-prone areas in the city where monsoon rain can also be stored in recharge wells.
He hopes local authorities will greenlight the proposal soon.
“I think that these 27 wells would be soon active, god willing,” he said.
Meanwhile, supporters like Husain believe mosques and local leaders could play a crucial role in changing habits.
“The water which is used for wudu [ablution] will not end up in your gutter,” he said. “That water is precious.”
No doubt, for Karachi, every drop saved, and returned to the earth, is a promise that the city’s lifeline might yet endure.
