ISLAMABAD, Jun 05: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has commended the security forces for carrying out a successful operation against militants identified by the government as “Fitna al-Hindustan” in the Panjgur area of Balochistan.

In a statement on Friday, the interior minister praised the bravery and professional capabilities of the security forces for eliminating six terrorists during the operation.

Mohsin Naqvi said the security forces acted in a timely manner and thwarted the nefarious designs of what he described as Indian-sponsored terrorists in Panjgur. He paid tribute to the forces for bringing six Indian-sponsored militants to what he termed an exemplary end.

The minister further stated that the ongoing operations by security forces against “Fitna al-Hindustan” terrorists in Balochistan are commendable and reflect the forces’ commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Reaffirming national support for counterterrorism efforts, Naqvi said the entire nation stands firmly alongside the security forces in the fight against terrorism.

ISLAMABAD, Jun 5: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday commended the security forces for successfully carrying out an operation against Indian-backed Fitna-al-Hindustan terrorists in Panjgur, resulting in the killing of six militants.

In separate statements, both leaders said that operations against terrorists under Operation Azm-e-Istehkam would continue until their logical conclusion.

President Zardari reaffirmed the nation’s resolve to eliminate terrorism, stating that Fitna-al-Hindustan and its facilitators would never succeed in undermining Pakistan’s peace and stability.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for neutralizing the terrorists, who, he said, were plotting to harm the lives and property of innocent and unarmed Pakistani citizens.

The prime minister also reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating terrorism from the country and ensuring lasting peace and security.

RAWALPINDI, JUN 5: Security forces neutralised six militants belonging to India-sponsored Fitna al-Hindustan in an intelligence-based operation in the Panjgur district of Balochistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations said on Friday.

According to the military’s media wing, the IBO was conducted on the reported presence of India-backed terrorists.

“During the conduct of operation, own forces effectively engaged multiple terrorist locations,” the ISPR said, adding that after intense fire exchanges, six terrorists were killed.

The IBO follows two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan and Mohmand districts that killed four terrorists belonging to India-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij.

The military’s media wing said that weapons, ammunition, improvised explosive devices, and vehicles have also been recovered from killed terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area.

“Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored terrorist found in the area.”

The ISPR reiterated that the relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision “Azm e Istehkam” — as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan — by security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.

The security forces intensified counter-terrorism efforts in Balochistan following a deadly blast near a railway track on May 24 that left several people martyred and injured.

At least 14 people, including three Frontier Corps (FC) personnel, were martyred and several others injured when an explosion occurred near the railway track close to Chaman Phatak in Quetta, the Balochistan government spokesperson said.

Pakistan has experienced a sharp rise in terrorist activity, particularly in the KP and Balochistan provinces, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021.

Pakistan subsequently launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, during which around 684 Afghan Taliban fighters and allied militants were killed. According to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, more than 900 militants were injured, and 252 militant checkpoints were destroyed.

In October 2025, border tensions escalated when Afghan Taliban fighters and affiliated militants carried out unprovoked attacks on Pakistani border positions. More than 200 Taliban fighters and allied militants were killed in the ensuing clashes, while 23 Pakistani soldiers embraced martyrdom while defending the country.

Despite multiple rounds of negotiations, the two sides have failed to achieve a breakthrough, mainly because of the Afghan Taliban administration’s unwillingness to act against terrorist groups operating from its territory.

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD, JUN 5: Gilgit-Baltistan’ Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Raja Shahbaz Khan Friday assured all arrangements have been finalized for the June 7 elections, with strict security measures in place to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling, warning that any violation of the election code of conduct will invite strict action.

While speaking to PTV News, the CEC said that the entire region was under strict security arrangements ahead of elections on Sunday, adding, all necessary measures have been taken to ensure peaceful and smooth polling across constituencies and the election drive has ended peacefully.

He warned that strict action will be taken against any violation of the election code of conduct. The CEC urged political parties and candidates to strictly follow the election code to maintain discipline and ensure free, fair and transparent elections.

He further said that all necessary administrative arrangements had been finalized, and teams were working in close coordination to ensure that polling was carried out in a fair, transparent and orderly manner.

The Returning Officer for Constituency GBA-12 Shigar Faisal Hayat further added that voters are actively taking part in the electoral process, reflecting strong public engagement across the constituency.

He stated that transport facilities had been arranged for polling day, while sensitive locations have been clearly identified to ensure effective monitoring and response.

He added that security deployment had been divided across three key points, with around 120 personnel assigned to maintain order and safeguard the electoral process in Shigar.

He added that a policy of zero tolerance would be enforced to ensure peaceful elections, urging all stakeholders to extend fully cooperation for the smooth conduct of the polling process.

Report proposes autonomous ICT government with elected assembly structure

Monitoring Desk

ISLAMABAD: The government has prepared a major reform blueprint for sweeping changes to the governance system of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), including the creation of an elected territorial government led by chief minister or mayor, consolidation of fragmented institutions, and a shift towards an integrated “Smart City” model aimed at improving service delivery and long-term urban planning in the federal capital.

The 138-page report on “ICT Governance Model” was prepared by a high-powered committee under Planning Commission Minister Ahsan Iqbal, amid concerns that Islamabad’s rapid transformation from a planned administrative capital into a metropolitan city of more than 2.42 million people has not been matched by institutional evolution. The report has been presented to PM Shehbaz Sharif.

At the centre of the proposal is the creation of a representative Islamabad Capital Territory Government (ICTG) with administrative and financial autonomy comparable to provincial governments, while preserving Islamabad’s special federal character.

The proposed structure includes an elected Islamabad Capital Territory Assembly comprising 27 members: 21 directly elected members, five reserved seats for women and one reserved seat for minorities. The assembly would elect its chief executive, to be designated either as chief minister or mayor, as determined by the federal government.

Under the plan, all subjects would be devolved to the ICT government except law and order and master planning, which would remain under the federation due to Islamabad’s capital status. Operational responsibilities currently handled by federal ministries and organisations, including the CDA, would be transferred to ICT government to eliminate duplication and institutional overlap.

The reform package also proposes a unified Islamabad Capital Territory Government Act, consolidating existing local government and development laws into a single legislative framework. The ICT government would operate under its own Rules of Business, with defined departmental structures, administrative hierarchy and financial authority.