The attack took place near an Eid Milad-un-Nabi (P.B.U.H) procession

MASTUNG, Sept 29: At least 52 people, including a police officer, lost their lives and several got injured in a massive “suicide attack” in Balochistan’s Mastung area on Friday, health officials and police told.

The police cordoned off the area after the explosion.

The deceased and injured were shifted to nearby hospitals. An emergency has been imposed in the hospitals.

Some injured are also being shifted to Quetta hospitals.

The explosion took place near an Eid Milad-un-Nabi (P.B.U.H) procession.

Mastung Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Nawaz Gashkori is also among the dead.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blast so far, which comes amid a surge in attacks claimed by militant groups in the west of the country, raising the stakes for security forces ahead of national elections scheduled for January next year.

“The bomber detonated himself near the vehicle of the Deputy Superintendent of Police,” Deputy Inspector General of Police Munir Ahmed told Reuters, adding that blast took place near a mosque where people were gathering for a Eid Milad-un-Nabi (P.B.U.H) procession.

President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar strongly denounced the explosion in Mastung, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.

In their separate statements, they expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of people in the incident, and also commiserated with the bereaved families.

They directed the authorities concerned to provide best possible medical treatment to the injured.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said the government is “determined to root out terrorism from the country”.

Caretaker Interior Minister Senator Sarfraz Bugti condemned the “heinous attack” in Mastung.

“Attacking innocent people during the Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession is a terrible act. We’ll use all resources for rescue and relief operations, ensuring best medical care for the injured. We’re committed to a zero-tolerance policy against terrorists,” he said.

Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai also condemned the attack, saying all LEAs, PDMA force and ambulances had reached the scene.

“Martyrs numbers are rising unfortunately. Emergency imposed in Quetta Hospitals,” he wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.

Achakzai said his will give the latest update on the incident in a press conference at 3:10pm.

He announced a three-day mourning period across the province in light of today’s tragic incident in Mastung, and to express solidarity with the affected families.

National flags will fly at half-mast on government buildings for next three days, the minister informed.

He also made an appeal for blood donations for the injured ones.

ISLAMABAD: Amid massive crackdwon on illigal activties there is a possibility of reduction in the prices of petroleum products from October 1st.

There is a proposal to reduce the price of petrol by Rs15 per litre and high-speed diesel by Rs10 per liter while the price of light diesel oil price is proposed to reduce by Rs12 per litre.

There is also a proposal to reduce the price of kerosene by Rs8 per litre. The final decision will be taken by the Prime Minister in consultation with the Finance Ministry.

The government is levying a levy of Rs.60 per liter on petrol and Rs.50 per liter on diesel and about Rs22 to Rs23 per liter duty is also being charged on petrol and diesel respectively.

Keep Reading:

Ifs and buts: Fin min fixes Pakistan petrol price puzzle

Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar finally revealed how and when the petrol price in Pakistan will be reduced.

She was giving a briefing on the overall economic situation of the country to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance on Thursday.

Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar said that expenditure in excess of income is the real cause of Pakistan’s economic problems, and that the country cannot afford Rs 1,300 billion in tax exemptions.

She also said that there is a need to impose capital gains tax on immovable assets.
The minister said that the exchange rate has stabilized, the dollar has come down to Rs 288, remittances have increased, and the ban on imports has been lifted.

QUETTA/MASTUNG: At least 45 people were killed, including a police officer, while over 50 sustained injuries in an explosion in Balochistan’s Mastung district on Friday — the second major blast in the district in September.

Mastung Assistant Commissioner Atta Ul Munim said that the explosion took place near the mosque where people were gathering to mark Eid Miladun Nabi — the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H).

The AC said that the explosion — which law enforcers believe is a suicide blast — took place near Madina Mosque. He said that the people had to participate in a procession later.

According to the district administration, Mastung’s Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Nawaz Gashkori is among the deceased.

Provincial Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai said those critically injured in the blast are being shifted to Quetta with emergency enforced across the city’s hospitals.

Achakzai said that if required, arrangements should be made for the immediate transfer of the seriously injured to Karachi. The hospitals in Karachi are being contacted on behalf of the health department, he added.

“The provincial government will bear all the expenses for the treatment of the injured,” he highlighted.

The district administration of Quetta said that more than 30 injured in the blast are being transferred to Shaheed Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital.

The hospital management said medical aid was being provided to the injured.

Balochistan Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Khalique Shaikh said DSP Mastung embraced martyrdom while stopping the suicide bomber.

“The aim of terrorism is to create insecurity and instability in Balochistan. Action has been ordered against the elements involved in the blast and those supporting it,” he said.

The IG added that three more police officials were injured in the explosion, while details of casualties will be released soon.

“The bomber detonated himself near the vehicle of the Deputy Superintendent of Police,” Munir Ahmed, the deputy inspector general of police, told Reuters.

At least 58 people were wounded in the Balochistan blast, said Abdul Rasheed, a district health official, adding that the toll could rise as many people were in serious condition.

Television footage of the attack’s aftermath showed hundreds of people helping the injured into ambulances.

This is the second major blast that has terrorised Mastung over the last 15 days. In the previous blast on September 14, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) leader Hafiz Hamdullah and several others were injured.

Mastung has remained a target of terror attacks for the past several years with a major attack in July 2018 being one of the deadliest in the district’s history during which over 200 were injured and at least 128 were killed, including Mir Siraj Khan Raisan — a provincial assembly candidate from the then-newly-formed Balochistan Awami Party (BAP).

‘3-day mourning’
Provincial caretaker Chief Minister Ali Mardan Khan Domki has announced three-day mourning across the province following the tragedy while Achakzai said the national flag will fly at half-mast on government buildings during the mourning period.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq strongly condemned the incident, expressing regret over the loss of lives in the incident.

PM Kakar also poured in his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the explosion. He directed the authorities concerned to provide medical aid to the injured.

Balochistan interim Interior Minister Zubair Jamali has condemned the Mastung blast, seeking a report of the incident.

President Dr Arif Alvi has also condemned the deadly explosion in the Balochistan district.

Condemning the terror attack, caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said the nation’s morale cannot be weakened by the cowardly acts of terrorism.

“Entire Pakistan is united against the scourge of terrorism. Terrorist elements do not deserve any concession,” the minister said.

He added that the government will completely eliminate terrorism with cooperation from the security forces and the public.

‘Zero-tolerance towards terrorists’
Interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti, in a statement, condemned the blast and noted that the state had a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorists.

Shehbaz Sharif, the former prime minister and president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, expressed sorrow over the lost lives while condemning it.

“It is concerning to see a rise in such incidents in Mastung,” he said, asking the government to ensure that those injured received the best of the treatment.

Sindh Interim Chief Minister Maqbool Baqar condemned the blast, according to a statement from his spokesperson.

The chief minister, the statement read, said that those involved in taking the lives of innocent people are the “enemies of humanity”.

‘Wretched beasts’
Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan (JUP) leader Maulana Owais Noorani said in a post on X — formerly known as Twitter — that he was deeply saddened to hear about the deaths and injuries.

The political leader, who served as a special assistant to the prime minister in the previous government, termed those involved in the blast as “wretched beasts”.

Former Sindh governor Imran Ismail “strongly” condemned the terrorist attack in Mastung and slammed the terrorists for their cruel act of taking innocent lives.

“The whole nation stands with the people of Mastung in this difficult time,” he said, hoping the law enforcers would soon hold the terrorists accountable.

Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the blast as he expressed sorrow over the loss of previous lives.

He extended his sympathies to the families who lost their loved ones in the explosion.

Makkah – September 29, 2023

After reaching Makkah al-Mukarramah on Thursday night, the Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar performed Umrah.

He prayed for the prosperity and progress of Pakistan and harmony among the Muslim Ummah.

As a special gesture of repect for Pakistan and the Prime Minister, the door of Khana-e-Kaaba was opened and the Prime Minister got the honour (Saadat) to pray inside the holiest place.

ISLAMABAD, Sep 25 (DNA):Police Khidmat Markaz of Islamabad Capital Police (ICP) has facilitated citizens with different services like issuance of character certificates, foreigners’ registration, registration of tenants and domestic servants. 

Following the special directions of Islamabad Capital City Police Officer (ICCPO) Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan said that the Islamabad capital police was taking all possible steps to provide maximum facilities to the citizens adding that several steps have been taken by the police in this regard, a police public relations officer said on Friday.

He said that Police Khidmat Markaz has received 73,563 applications for a general police verification certificate during the ongoing year. On which 73,378 general police verification certificates were issued to the citizens after complete verification by concerned police stations while the work on the remaining applications was under process.

For general police verification certificates, applicants must bring his/her original CNIC. In case, the Islamabad address is not mentioned on the applicant’s CNIC, he must bring residential proof or rental agreement.

For citizen’s facility, police mobile facilitation van service has also been working, while Khidmat Markaz in various areas including sectors F-6, G-10/4, H-11, Bani Gala, Swan Garden, Khanna and at different police stations were also facilitating the citizens.

ICCPO Dr Akbar Nasir Khan said that well-trained staff have been appointed there who are providing the best services to Pakistani nationals and foreigners. Such steps would improve the trust of people in the police.

Rawalpindi, 29 September 2023:
On 28 September 2023, at 1745 hours, own security forces thwarted an attempt of TTP terrorists to infiltrate from Afghanistan into Pakistan near Sambaza in Dist Zhob close to Pak-Afghan border.

In the ensuing operation, Havildar Sattar, Lance Naik Sher Azam, Lance Naik Adnan and Sepoy Nadeem fought valiantly and embraced shahadat.

During fire exchange, 3 x terrorists were also sent to hell and few got injured.

Security Forces of Pakistan will continue to thwart efforts of the enemies of peace and prosperity in the country.

QUETTA/MASTUNG: At least 35 people were killed, including a police officer, while over 40 sustained injuries in an explosion in Balochistan’s Mastung district on Friday — the second major blast in the same district in the same month.

An official said that the explosion took place near the mosque where people were gathering to mark Eid Miladun Nabi. 

Station House Officer (SHO) Javed Lehri said that the wounded are being shifted to a medical facility while an emergency has been imposed in the hospitals.

Mastung Assistant Commissioner Atta Ul Munim said that the explosion — which seems to be of a “massive” nature — took place near Madina Mosque. He said that the people had to participate in a procession later.

According to the district administration, Mastung’s Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Nawaz Gashkori is among the deceased.

“Some of the injured are in critical condition,” the administration added.

Earlier this month, a blast injured several people including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) leader Hafiz Hamdullah in the same district. 

‘Wretched beasts’

Interim Sindh Chief Minister Maqbool Baqar condemned the blast, according to a statement from his spokesperson.

The chief minister, the statement read, said that those involved in taking the lives of innocent people are the “enemies of humanity”.

Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan (JUP) leader Maulana Owais Noorani said in a post on X — formerly known as Twitter — that he was deeply saddened to hear about the deaths and injuries.

The political leader, who served as a special assistant to the prime minister in the previous government, termed those involved in the blast as “wretched beasts”.