Pakistan

• Educational institutions remain open, exams underway • Security beefed up across province • Rescue-1122 ready to meet any eventuality KARACHI: Although routine life in Karachi and other parts of the province remained unaffected by the Indian strikes in Azad Kashmir and Punjab, the provincial authorities on Wednesday prepared a contingency plan and beefed up security across Sindh to tackle any situation. Almost all educational institutions remained opened on Wednesday and intermediate exams were held as per their schedule in Karachi and other parts of the province. The director general of Rescue-1122, retired Brigadier Wajid Sibghatullah Mahar, told Dawn that the Sindh Emergency Rescue Service had prepared an emergency plan, outlining preparedness and resource allocation in anticipation of the situation. “Rescue-1122 (Sindh) is on high alert and prepared with manpower, resources and coordination protocols to deal with any emergency efficiently,” according to the content of the plan reviewed by Dawn. “Rescue ...

Panic gripped residents of Walton Road and surrounding localities on Thursday after three back-to-back explosions were heard, prompting people to rush out of their homes in fear.

• Dar briefs Islamabad-based ambassadors on unprovoked Indian attacks • Discusses security situation with Chinese, Turkish and Italian reps ISLAMABAD: Amid escalating tensions, the Indian chargé d’affaires was summoned to the foreign ministry on Wednesday to receive a strong protest over the unprovoked Indian strikes at multiple locations across Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. These strikes resulted in the deaths and injuries of several civilians, including women and children. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Pakistan conveyed to the envoy that India’s blatant act of aggression constitutes a clear violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty. The statement emphasised that such actions contravene the UN Charter, international law, and established norms governing inter-state relations. Pakistan firmly rejected India’s baseless justifications for its hostile actions. The Indian side was warned that such reckless behaviour poses a serious threat to regional peace and stability, the statement add...

• PM offers to meet political leaders, including PTI’s, to offer joint front against Indian aggression • Barrister Gohar welcomes premier’s offer • Lawmakers laud forces on successful defence of the realm ISLAMABAD: Lawmakers in the National Assembly on Wednesday stro­ngly condemned the brutal aggression demonstrated by India resulting in loss of civilian lives in Pakistan. In an impassioned speech on the floor of the lower house of parliament, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said: “Only thieves and cowards attack at night. If they had even an ounce of courage, they would have announced their attack during the day.” Mr Bhutto-Zardari said that India has become barbaric and blind due to its arrogance, but the valiant people of Pakistan will make them see. “We do not condone war and never have, but India should brace itself because Pakistan is yet to respond, and it will not do so during the night, or on the basis of lies, but as per international laws and UN Charter.” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his ...

RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Airports Auth­ority (PAA) announced on Wednesday that air traffic had been restored on major routes, while at least 21 airports across India’s northern and north-western regions have been closed for passenger flights until May 10. According to PAA, some airspace, particularly sections over Lahore, will rem­ain closed for another 24 hours due to “operational reasons,” a revised notice to airmen (NOTAM) said. The NOTAM specified that certain airspace sections over Lahore would be temporarily unavailable at all altitudes from 10:50am on May 7, until 12:20pm on May 9, while flights taking off from or landing at Islamabad International Airport were directed to contact Air Traffic Control (ATC) for clearance. The PAA said in a statement that it has formally conveyed its concerns to the International Civil Avi­ation Orga­n­isation (ICAO) “rega­rding the seri­ous risks posed to civil aviation safety by India’s rec­kless and provocative actions.” This followed an earlier complete closure of Pa...

NEW DELHI: Hours after India’s cross-border strikes inside Pakistan, the Indian government urged several sensitive states from the west to the east to brace for Pakistan’s response. According to the Indian Express, Indian Home Min­ister Amit Shah chai­red a security review meeting via video conferencing on Wedn­esday after­noon with the Lieutenant Governors of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Uttara­khand, Punjab, Rajas­than, Gujarat and West Bengal, and a representative from the Sikkim government. “All states should make their preparations as per the guidelines issued for the mock drill. Arrang­ements should be made for smooth operation of essential services like hospitals, fire brigade etc. and uninterrupted supply of essential goods should be ensured,” said Home Minister Shah in a statement. “Strict vigil should be kept on anti-national propaganda by unwanted elements on social and other media platforms and prompt action should be taken in coordination with state governments ...

• India will have to bear consequences of its actions, says PM • Military’s response proved ‘superiority in conventional war’ • NSC authorises military to act at ‘time, place, and manner of its choosing’ • Forum terms blatant violation of sovereignty, territorial integrity ‘act of war’ • Apex committee warns India ‘has once again ignited an inferno’ • Two cabinet members hint at lowering of tensions if India avoids further escalation ISLAMABAD: PM Shehbaz Sharif declared that Pakistan has decided to avenge the overnight incursion as the National Security Comm­ittee — the apex security forum — authorised the armed forces to undertake corresponding actions in self-defence at a time, place, and manner of its choosing. India conducted several strikes inside Pakistan, including in Azad Kashmir, early on Wednesday. Pakistan respo­nded swiftly and downed “five jets” of the Indian air force, immediately forcing them to retreat. As the fear of an India-Pakistan war loomed large, PM Shehbaz convened a meeting of the Na...

• ISPR says 31 lives lost, 57 injured in six Indian strikes, Lt-Gen Chaudhry accuses India of perpetrating ‘terrorism’ against innocent civilians • Military touts shooting down five jets including Rafales; India claims three planes ‘crashed’ in its territory • Firing continues across LoC; Neelum-Jhelum hydel project also targeted • Trump urges both countries to stop, offers to help however he can • Erdogan conveys message of solidarity • UN says world can’t afford conflict in S. Asia • Dar confirms contact between national security advisers on both sides • UNMOGIP team visits damaged sites in AJK as emergency response centre set up to coordinate relief efforts ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday mourned the loss of 31 lives in attacks by Indian forces on civilians, terming New Delhi’s actions “terrorism” and accusing it of continuous ceasefire violations on the Line of Control (LoC). Despite a ramping up of rhetoric from the Indian side, diplomatic channels remained open, as Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed ...

ISLAMABAD - The National Security Committee (NSC) at its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Wednesday emphatically stated that Pakistan reserves the right to respond, in self defence, at a time, place and manner of its choosing to avenge the loss of innocent Pakistani lives and blatant violation of its.

Lieutenant-General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry says no religion allows targeting mosques, worship places Pak Armed Forces selected only military targets contrary to India Every drop of blood of our innocent people will be avenged with full might.

ISLAMABAD - War panic gripped the whole South Asia as the Indian aggression against Pakistan sparked global alarm yesterday.

Islamabad - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday evening.

ISLAMABAD - Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir visited Air Headquarters in Islamabad on Wednesday.

ISLAMABAD - India launched multiple missile attacks targeting various locations in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir Tuesday midnight.

ISLAMABAD - The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday denounced the decision of the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench (CB), which authorized the trial of civilians involved in the May 9 riots in military courts, by calling it illegal, irrational and unconstitutional.

Islamabad - The funeral prayer for seven-year-old Irtaza Abbas Turi, son of Lieutenant Colonel Zaheer Abbas Turi, who was martyred in Dawarandi, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, due to unprovoked Indian cross-border aggression, was solemnly held in Islamabad.

ISLAMABAD - Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday separately met with Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker, and his Italian counterpart to apprise them about the escalation between Pakistan and India.

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday, while stressing upon a display of unity in the aftermath of India’s attack, said that a crushing blow delivered by the country’s Armed Forces had made India realize the preparedness and capabilities of Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday reiterated that Pakistan’s financial system remains stable and secure, and that all relevant authorities are working in close coordination to uphold national economic integrity in the face of emerging challenges.

ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan political forces, across the aisle, ignoring internal clashes stood united over the national cause against the Indian aggression, giving a loud and clear message of backing the state at all levels.