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Articles by Tariq Butt
3,767 terror incidents recorded in KP under CM Afridi
Gulf Today | October 17, 2026 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) recorded 3,767 terrorism incidents resulting in 1,149 deaths and 2,595 injuries during the tenure of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, a report said. It quoted an official report prepared against the backdrop of the imposition of emergency and governor's rule in KP.
Joint session of Parliament approves emergency in KP
Gulf Today | October 16, 2026 The joint session of NA and Senate was held a day after both Houses of Parliament, in separate sittings, passed resolutions; opposition compares the KP imbroglio to the 1971 separation of East Pakistan A joint session of the Parliament on Thursday passed a resolution approving the imposition of governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
PTI top leadership ‘prefers to stay’ out of public view
Gulf Today | October 16, 2026 A large number of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) stalwarts have preferred to be out of public view after the imposition of the emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Sunday, it has been noted. The reason: fear of a severe action by the State agencies for making any illegal hullaballoo and mayhem over the federal action. There have also been arrests of a number of PTI leaders and activists to prevent them from organizing protests.
At least 34 children, teacher die in Pakistan school roof collapse
Gulf Today | October 16, 2026 The roof of a private school collapsed in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar on Thursday, killing at least 34 children and a teacher and injuring more than 50 other people in the deadliest building collapse ever in the country, authorities and a hospital official said. The children killed or injured at Al Khair school were between 6 and 12 years old, while the oldest was 14, Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson Mohammad Asim said.
Imaan and Hadi lawyers boycott ATC's proceedings
Gulf Today | October 16, 2026 Lawyers representing human rights activists and lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, along with Shireen Mazari, have boycotted proceedings of an anti-terrorism court (ATC) after the judge decided to record prosecution witnesses’ statements despite the defence’s request to defer the exercise until they could meet the jailed couple.
National Assembly, Senate endorse emergency in KP
Gulf Today | October 15, 2026 Shortly after the National Assembly passed a resolution endorsing the federal government's imposition of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Wednesday, the Senate also gave its approval for the measure. The Centre had imposed governor's rule and emergency in KP on Sunday, citing the KP government's ‘‘deliberate disengagement’’ from the fight against terrorism.
Pilots martyred after training aircraft crashes in Quetta
Gulf Today | October 13, 2026 Two Pakistan Army pilots were martyred on Monday after a training aircraft crashed in Quetta due to a technical fault, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. At midday, a Mushshak training aircraft of Pakistan Army Aviation crashed near Nawan Killi, Quetta due to a technical fault, it added. The statement said both pilots, Major Husnain Shehzad Humayun, the instructor, and Captain Abdul Samad, a student, embraced martyrdom in the crash.
People happy with emergency in KP: Governor
Gulf Today | October 12, 2026 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said on Sunday that the people of the province welcome the presidential proclamation, asserting that they want peace, stability, development and prosperity rather than unrest and insecurity. In a video message addressed to the people of KP, the governor said KP’s peace-loving residents did not support terrorism or violent activities.
CM, Akbar taken into custody as emergency imposed in KP
Gulf Today | October 12, 2026 After many decades, a state of emergency and governor's rule [or presidential rule] was imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), dismissing the provincial government led by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday. Immediately after the issuance of the proclamation of emergency, Afridi and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) KP President Junaid Akbar were taken into protective custody. Some other arrests of PTI leaders and activists were also made.
Governor demands KP CM’s resignation
Gulf Today | October 11, 2026 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has asked Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to resign if his government couldn't protect its own ministers and criticised the provincial administration for “ignoring” governance, terrorism and public issues. He called upon the chief minister to tender his resignation if the government could not protect the rights and resources of the people, he said in a statement.
Federal government mulls imposing emergency in KP
Gulf Today | October 11, 2026 Federal cabinet will be asked to approve the decision today, while separate sessions of the National Assembly and Senate will be convened to secure parliamentary endorsement: Sources The federal government has decided to impose an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif reaching an agreement on the move during a meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Saturday, according to sources.
PBC declares Bhoon's law degree is genuine
Gulf Today | October 10, 2026 While Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's husband Capt (retd) Muhammad Safdar continues to question the law degree of prominent lawyers’ leader Ahsan Bhoon, the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) controlled by his group of attorneys, has declared his educational certificate genuine, valid and legitimate.
Government must act as a model employer: SC
Gulf Today | October 09, 2026 The Supreme Court says the government, being the largest public employer, must conduct itself as a model employer, as good governance requires clarity not only at the policy stage but also in rule-making and subsequent implementation. ‘Where rules do not prescribe coherent promotional tracks or options, the resulting uncertainty leads to failure in governance,’ regretted Justice Ayesha A. Malik in a six-page judgement she authored.
Govt won’t succumb to PTI’s pressure: Sanaullah
Gulf Today | October 08, 2026 Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said on Wednesday that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) cannot pressure the government into accepting its demands by holding the state hostage and creating political instability. He told reporters that the government would not allow the opposition to use talks as a tool for making political demands.
No compromise on anti-terror policy, KP govt told
Gulf Today | October 07, 2026 The federal government and the establishment have conveyed a clear message to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) administration cannot pursue a security policy independent of the Centre and that there can be no compromise on Pakistan's counter-terrorism policy, a report said.
ADC's spouse held for illegal confinement and assault
Gulf Today | October 07, 2026 The Rawalpindi police have arrested the husband of an additional deputy commissioner (ADC) on the charge of physically assaulting her, keeping her in illegal confinement and threatening her. ADC Maliha Sahar belongs to the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), the elite professional group of the government services. The suspect has been sent to Adiala Jail Rawalpindi on judicial remand. This story is from the October 07, 2026 edition of Gulf Today.
PM urges Imran supporters to end their march to Islamabad
Gulf Today | October 07, 2026 Shahbaz says end your long marches, sit-ins and we'll certainly sit down with you and talk; defiant KP CM continues PTI’s long march, reaches Peshawar Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif urged the party of Imran Khan on Tuesday to call off a protest march moving through the country’s northwest towards Islamabad and re-enter negotiations with the government.
Thousands of Imran supporters start march to Islamabad: PTI
Gulf Today | October 06, 2026 Thousands of supporters of Pakistan's jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan have started a long march to Islamabad to demand his release, his party said on Monday, amid deep divisions with the Pakistani leadership. The rally began on Sunday in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which is ruled by Imran’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, with stops planned at several places before reaching Islamabad.
Documentary on tragic 2021 K2 expedition released
Gulf Today | October 06, 2026 The documentary The Last First: Winter K2, which follows the tragedy of the 2021 winter expedition of K2 in which legendary Pakistani climber Mohammad Ali Sadpara, Iceland's John Snorri and Chile's Juan Pablo Mohr Prieto lost their lives while attempting to scale K2 in winter for the first time, has been released for a worldwide audience.
Talks with govt stalled over access to Imran: PTI
Gulf Today | October 06, 2026 The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has stated that the main reason for the breakdown of its talks with the federal government was that the latter refused to incorporate terms regarding access to incarcerated party founder Imran Khan into a proposed agreement.
Afridi to lead PTI's long march from southern districts
Gulf Today | October 04, 2026 Despite talks with the federal government, the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) will start its protest long march from the terrorism-hit southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Sunday and be led by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
Govt, opposition agree to resume talks today
Gulf Today | October 03, 2026 In a major development, the first round of talks between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposition and the ruling coalition mainly the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over the former's Oct.4 long march was held on Friday, with both sides agreeing to resume the dialogue on Saturday.
Row between Safdar, Bhoon intensifies
Gulf Today | October 03, 2026 An intense tussle between Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s husband Capt (retd) Muhammad Safdar and a prominent lawyers’ leader Ahsan Bhoon, whose group supports the federal government is intensifying day by day, causing embarrassment to many in the corridors of power. The chief minister has not said a word on the fight.
No plan to postpone Oct.4 long march on capital: PTI
Gulf Today | October 02, 2026 The Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) says it would not postpone its protest march scheduled for Sunday (Oct.4), warning the government that imposing emergency or governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) would not resolve the issue. Meanwhile, the PTI has decided in principle to launch its Oct.4 long march from KP's southern districts, although the party has yet to finalise the city from where the procession will begin.
Pak confirms 'calibrated' strikes in Helmand
Gulf Today | October 02, 2026 Pakistan has carried out "well-planned and calibrated" air strikes against terrorist hideouts and camps in Afghanistan, said ministry of information on Thursday. Two Helmand residents told AFP that three airstrikes hit their village.
Punjab denies Aleema's charges of denial of basic services in jail
Gulf Today | September 30, 2026 The Punjab government has informed the Lahore High Court (LHC) that imprisoned former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's sister, Aleema, had been provided basic facilities and all essential items during her detention at Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore.
Centre exploring constitutional options to fire KP govt
Gulf Today | September 30, 2026 Constitutional options are being closely examined by the federal government to show the door to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) led by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on various grave charges, said a report.
Two jailed for sending 92 nurses abroad on fake papers
Gulf Today | September 28, 2026 Two persons have been sentenced to a total of 41 years in two cases for sending 92 nurses to a Gulf country on fake experience certificates. They were also imposed fines of over Rs7 million. The Islamabad zone of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) secured the conviction of two accused.
Afridi dismisses reports about his removal as KP chief minister
Gulf Today | September 28, 2026 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has dismissed reports about his possible removal as baseless, saying only Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan could decide his political future, and warned that any attempt to remove him could trigger a strong public reaction. ‘I have been brought into the provincial leadership by Imran Khan and would accept whatever decision he would take.
Govt to pay Rs46.5m per day to 1,550 containers’ owners
Gulf Today | September 28, 2026 The rent of hundreds of shipping containers acquired by the government to block roads in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and elsewhere will triple if the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) protest as changed from Sep.27 to Oct.4 remained in place. At present, the government will pay Rs46.5 million per day to the owners of 1,550 containers arranged to counter the agitation in the federal capital, officials said.
SBP unveils Rs16b remittance reward scheme for Pakistanis
Gulf Today | September 27, 2026 Rs4 billion to be distributed among 2,521 winners in each quarterly draw; first draw on Jan.
Dower is wife's exclusive right, not bargaining, rules top court
Gulf Today | September 27, 2026 The Supreme Court (SC) has held that true dower is given with a good heart, at the time agreed, without conditions that demean the wife. “When it is not given, the courts must step in, not with hesitation, not with apology, but with the full authority of the law,” a four-member apex court bench, headed by Justice Shahid Waheed and comprising Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan, ruled.
Punjab govt to cut primary textbook burden by 25%
Gulf Today | September 26, 2026 The Punjab government has decided to reduce the burden of textbooks on students from Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) to Grade 5 and shift them from rote learning. It has approved revised syllabus for implementation from the academic year 2027. The approval was given at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, which reviewed the curricula for English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Urdu and ECCE.
Pakistan carries out strikes on 10 Afghan bases after drone attacks
Gulf Today | September 25, 2026 Pakistan has conducted precision aerial and drone strikes in 10 locations across Afghanistan in retaliation for drones launched from the neighbouring country a day earlier. “In exercise of its sovereign right to self-defence, Pakistan conducted precision aerial and drone strikes against 10 locations in Afghanistan used for launching and storing these drones,” Information Minister Atauallah Tarar said in a post on social media platform X early on Thursday.
PML-N’s Dr Naqi elected president of Azad Kashmir
Gulf Today | September 25, 2026 Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) nominee Dr Najeeb Naqi was elected as the president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Thursday. Dr Naqi secured 32 votes in the election held at the AJK Legislative Assembly Secretariat, while Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) representative Chaudhry Latif Akbar secured 13 votes. Polling began at 11am and concluded at 1pm.
Forces shoot down 8 Afghan drones near Torkham, Kohat
Gulf Today | September 24, 2026 The armed forces on Wednesday shot down eight drones launched by the Afghan Taliban after they entered Pakistani airspace near the Torkham border and Kohat, security officials said. They added that the drones were intercepted by the air defence systems, which they described as “active and vigilant.” The armed forces and the Pakistan Air Force professionally thwarted the Afghan Taliban regime’s cowardly attempt to target public areas, security sources said.
Lt Gen Nauman appointed first secretary general of Makkah pact
Gulf Today | September 24, 2026 The Pakistan Foreign Office announced on Wednesday Lt-Gen (retd) Nauman Mahmood has been appointed as the first secretary general of the Makkah Defence Alliance between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Halt deportation of Afghan students in KP colleges: PHC
Gulf Today | September 23, 2026 The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has halted the forced deportation of Afghan students enrolled in various medical and dental colleges across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The LHC issued notices to the concerned parties and sought their written replies within 14 days. A division bench comprising Justice Waqar Ahmad and Justice Farah Jamshed was hearing a writ petition filed by 14 Afghan students.
Forces firm on eradicating terrorism from Pak: Munir
Gulf Today | September 23, 2026 Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir said on Tuesday that the armed forces remained resolute in defeating terrorism and ensuring lasting peace and stability. Field Marshal Munir made the statement while visiting Peshawar Corps Headquarters, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. He was received by the Peshawar Corps commander. This story is from the September 23, 2026 edition of Gulf Today.
2 more sisters of Imran Khan held under MPO for 30 days
Gulf Today | September 22, 2026 Another two sisters of jailed former prime minister and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, Dr Uzma and Noreen, were “arrested” on Monday, his party said. The development follows the detention of his sister, Aleema, after the Lahore Deputy Commissioner (DC) ordered her detention or arrest for 30 days.
Sharp decline in candidates appearing for MDCAT
Gulf Today | September 22, 2026 There was a sharp decline in candidates appearing for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), conducted on Sunday in a large number of centres across Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, this year compared to the past, officials said. PMDC figures showed that the number of MDCAT candidates has fallen from 204,253 in 2022 to 138,160 in 2026.
PTI chief demands immediate release of Aleema
Gulf Today | September 21, 2026 The Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Sunday condemned the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan's sister Aleema Khan, terming it the “First step towards worsening the situation.” In a statement on X, Gohar Ali Khan called for Aleema Khan's release and said PTI will soon announce its course of action. He said that Aleema Khan's sister, Noreen Niazi Sahiba, informed him about her arrest.
Protests, sit-ins may cost economy Rs120b a day, warns minister
Gulf Today | September 21, 2026 Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Sunday warned that protests, long marches, sit-ins and strikes could cost Pakistan’s economy around Rs120 billion a day, describing disruptions to economic activity as “self-inflicted pain” at a time when the country was trying to shift from economic stabilisation to sustained growth.
Top court warns Sindh police of contempt over delay in FIRs
Gulf Today | September 20, 2026 The Supreme Court (SC) has warned Sindh police officials of possible contempt proceedings over delays in registering first information reports (FIRs), reiterating that any future defiance of its directions on prompt registration would invite action against the responsible officers.
Kohat Old Police Lines blast, attack death toll rises to 31
Gulf Today | September 20, 2026 IGP says 8 militants killed in retaliatory action, clearance operation concluded after 20 hours; local Taliban group claim attack; some officials, politicians and NGOs financing terrorists in Balochistan: Minister The death toll from an explosion and gun attack at a police headquarters in Kohat city rose to at least 31, including 16 police personnel, a senior police official told AFP on Saturday.
At least 16 killed in suicide attack on Kohat police lines
Gulf Today | September 19, 2026 At least 16 persons including five policemen were killed and more than 50 injured in an explosion in a mosque in the police lines in Kohat during the Friday prayers, officials said. TV footage showed people gathered next to a building with a collapsed wall, digging through rubble and helping the injured.
SC suspends sentences and grants bail to Imaan, Hadi
Gulf Today | September 18, 2026 The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday suspended the sentences of human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her spouse, Hadi Ali Chattha, in the controversial social media posts case. The development came as a two-judge bench, comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, took up the couple's appeals against the refusal of the Islamabad High Court's (IHC) in February to suspend the sentences. On Jan.
Pakistan launches new austerity drive, cuts official fuel use by 50%
Gulf Today | September 18, 2026 Pakistan has introduced a fresh austerity drive aimed at reducing petroleum consumption and public expenditure, ordering a 50 per cent cut in fuel use for government vehicles and imposing restrictions on new purchases, foreign travel and official events.
KP assembly condemns mistreatment of Afridi in Lahore
Gulf Today | September 17, 2026 The visit of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, belonging to the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), to Lahore has created a big stir in the placid political waters of Punjab, alerting his main rival, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the majority province.
Facing police ire for saying Raza didn’t use drugs: Manager
Gulf Today | September 17, 2026 An employee of murdered businessman Mir Raza Ali has told a judicial commission that he faced investigators’ anger after saying the deceased did not use drugs. The one-man commission comprising a Sindh High Court (SHC) judge in the Mir Raza Ali murder case continued its proceedings and recorded statements of a police officer, an employee of the deceased and his two investors.
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