ISLAMABAD, FEB 6 /DNA/ – Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Timothy Kane has issued a statement of profound sadness following a horrific attack at a mosque in Islamabad on Wednesday afternoon.

In a post on his official social media account, @AusHCPak, High Commissioner Kane stated he was “shocked and saddened by the horrific attack.” He extended his deepest sympathies to the victims, their families, and all those affected by the violence.

“My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and all those affected,” the High Commissioner wrote. In a gesture of solidarity, he added, “Australia stands and mourns with Pakistan 🇵🇰 at this difficult time.”

The attack, which occurred during Friday prayer, has resulted in numerous casualties and has sent shockwaves through the capital city. Local authorities have secured the area and are conducting a full investigation. Emergency services are responding to treat the wounded.

The swift expression of condolence from the Australian High Commissioner underscores the strength of the bilateral relationship and reflects the international community’s solidarity with Pakistan in the face of terrorism. Such messages of support from foreign diplomats are a common feature in the aftermath of tragic events, highlighting shared grief and a collective condemnation of violence.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 6: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the increase in economic relations and trade ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan is welcome.

Addressing the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Business Forum, the prime minister said that the establishment of textile plants would benefit both countries economically. He added that Pakistani textile exporters were interested in setting up plants in Uzbekistan.

PM Shehbaz said that Uzbek companies would be provided with a secure and attractive investment environment. He said that the IT sector in Pakistan is developing.

The prime minister stated that the inflation rate has been reduced from 30 per cent to single digits, adding that agreement had been reached to enhance cooperation in science and technology, energy and agriculture.

PM Shehbaz said that both countries agreed to raise the volume of bilateral trade to $2 billion. He said there was further potential to expand bilateral trade between the two countries.

The prime minister said that the business forum is an effective platform for promoting investment. He said that trade activities worth $450 million took place during the last year.

PM Shehbaz said that the previous business forum had led to an increase in bilateral trade activities.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 6: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s medical report has been submitted to the anti-terrorism court (ATC).

A hearing was held on the petition concerning Imran Khan’s medical examination. ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah heard the petition. Adiala jail Deputy Superintendent Jamat Ali Shah appeared in court. Imran Khan’s medical report was submitted to the ATC. The report said that Imran Khan was medically examined in accordance with jail rules. Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan are being provided with all medical facilities in accordance with jail rules.

Two days earlier, the court issued a contempt of court notice to the jail superintendent for not presenting the report. The court had requested Imran Khan’s report from Adiala jail authorities today. Imran Khan’s legal team has filed a petition seeking access for personal doctors to Adiala jail.

The hearing on the petition concerning Imran Khan’s medical examination has been adjourned until tomorrow, while the hearing on bail petitions in seven other cases has been adjourned until February 12.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 6: At least 15 people were killed in a suicide bombing in Islamabad’s Tarlai area on Friday, police and the district administration confirmed.

The police, in a statement, said the explosion took place during Friday prayers at Imambargah Khadijat-ul-Kubra, located in the federal capital’s Tarlai area.

According to officials, the suicide bomber detonated himself after being stopped at the entrance of the mosque.

Meanwhile, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon, in a post on X, said that more than 80 people were injured in the blast in the federal capital, while 15 victims have so far been brought dead to different hospitals.

He noted that an emergency has been imposed at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), Polyclinic Hospital and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) hospital.

The statement added that assistant commissioners have been deployed at various hospitals to supervise the treatment and medical care of the injured. The site of the blast has been completely sealed, he added.

Pims authorities said that so far, 11 bodies and 60 injured persons have been brought. They added that the hospital has reached its capacity to accommodate the wounded.

Due to the pressure on facilities in the capital, the injured are also being shifted to hospitals in other parts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Meanwhile, police, Pakistan Army troops and Rangers have cordoned off the area and security operations are underway in and around the site of the blast.

Condolences pour in
President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep grief and sorrow over the blast and offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the blast and prayed for their patience.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the bombing. He expressed deep sorrow and grief over the martyrdoms in the blast and extended his sympathies to the bereaved families.

Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry also said that he strongly condemns, in the strongest terms, the tragic explosion. “My heart is deeply grieved by the loss of precious lives in this cowardly act.”

Former finance minister Miftah Ismail termed the incident “absolutely horrendous” and wondered how can anyone bomb Friday prayers in a mosque”.

The blast comes days after Balochistan witnessed deadly attacks, carried out by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which claimed the lives of 36 innocent civilians, including women and children, along with 22 security and law enforcement personnel.

Terrorists struck civilians in Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar, and Pasni on January 31.

A day earlier, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, security forces concluded Operation Raddul Fitna 1, eliminating at least 216 terrorists in various coordinated engagements and clearance operations.

The attacks, since then, have drawn condemnations from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye, Iran, the UAE, France, Canada, the European Union, the OIC, the UNSC and others.

Expanding on the counterterror operations, the military’s media wing said that operations were initiated in Panjgur and the outskirts of Harnai district on January 29, 2026, after credible and verified intelligence confirmed the presence of terrorist elements posing an imminent threat to the local public.

“During this phase, security forces undertook operations against identified terrorist hideouts, resulting in the elimination of 41 terrorists affiliated with Indian proxy networks.”

“Subsequently, aggressive and steadfast responses by security forces effectively thwarted the desperate attacks of Fitna al-Hindustan to destabilise the peace of Balochistan,” remarked the ISPR, adding that as a sequel to these, a broader series of intelligence-based operations were launched in multiple areas to dismantle terrorist sleeper cells through sustained combing and sanitisation operations.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 6: Multiple casualties are feared after a blast was reported at the Terlai Imam Bargah in the Shehzad Town area of Islamabad on Friday. Police and rescue teams have been dispatched to the scene.

Scenes in videos show heavy injuries; no casualties have been confirmed. Emergencies have been declared at Polyclinic, PIMS, and CDA hospitals in the federal capital following a blast at an Imam Bargah in Islamabad.

A spokesperson for PIMS said the emergency was declared on the instructions of the hospital’s Executive Director. The injured are being transferred to PIMS and Polyclinic for treatment.

ISLAMABAD: President of Uzbekistan His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev, accompanied by senior ministers, visited Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS) during his official trip to Pakistan, highlighting the growing strategic cooperation between the two countries in defence and technology sectors.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff, warmly received the Uzbek President and his delegation and accompanied them during a detailed tour of the facility. The visit reflected the importance both nations attach to strengthening bilateral ties through industrial and defence collaboration.

During the briefing, the Uzbek delegation was introduced to GIDS’ diverse portfolio, showcasing advanced defence solutions, indigenous technologies, and Pakistan’s expanding industrial capabilities. Officials highlighted the country’s progress in research, innovation, and self-reliance in defence production. The visiting dignitaries also observed various defence products and systems, demonstrating Pakistan’s growing expertise in modern military technologies.

Discussions during the visit focused on enhancing cooperation through joint ventures, technology transfer, and knowledge sharing. Both sides underscored the significance of building long-term partnerships to promote regional stability, industrial growth, and innovation-driven development.

The visit is being viewed as an important milestone in Pakistan-Uzbekistan relations, reflecting a shared vision to expand collaboration across defence, technology, and industrial domains. Observers believe the engagement could pave the way for new avenues of cooperation and strengthen strategic understanding between the two friendly countries.