Pakistan has closed the Angoor Adda crossing on Afghanistan border in South Waziristan as part of its ‘one document regime’, eliciting widespread criticism from Pashtuns living in the region and those who frequently traverse the border for trade or familial connections.

The closure has drawn condemnation from various quarters, including the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), which lambasted the Pakistan Army’s decision. PTM took to social media, stating, “Angoor Adda crossing in South Waziristan with Afghanistan remained closed, creating tragic problems for the locals. All these are colonial tactics to displace, alienate, implement ‘one document regime’ & block the mobility of Pashtuns on their own land.”

Previously, individuals crossing the border were issued Tazkira, a paper pass. This facilitated trade and familial ties between people on both sides of the border. However, the abrupt termination of the Tazkira provision and the imposition of the ‘one document regime’ requiring a passport for cross-border travel has sparked distress among Afghan Pashtuns residing in the border area.

The move came on October 21st last year, in the wake of strained relations with the Afghan Taliban and attacks by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistan responded by deporting Afghan migrants and imposing stringent travel requirements. The sudden policy shift had further exacerbated tensions and disrupted the livelihoods of individuals dependent on cross-border activities across Afghanistan border.

The resentment of people culminated into months long protest at Chaman border in Pak occupied Balochistan, which was eventually dealt with violence by Pakistan Army.

The closure of the Angoor Adda is the latest development that highlights the ordeal of Pashtuns and Afghans living in Pakistan.

Sheikh Muhammad Umar Jan Akhundzada, a prominent Afghan Taliban ideologue, was shot dead by unknown assailants in a mosque in Quetta’s Nawa Kali area. He was 50 years old and the son of Mullah Bayan, originally from Zabul, Afghanistan, according to Pakistani officials. Akhundzada served as an Imam in a local mosque in Quetta.

The Afghan Interim Government (AIG) spokesman confirmed Akhundzada’s assassination and revealed that he had been a teacher at the Kandahar Jihadi Madrassa in Kandahar. Zabihullah Mujahid, the AIG spokesman, expressed condolences over Akhundzada’s death and condemned the assassination, urging authorities to apprehend the perpetrators.

Maulanas like Akhundzada have played a significant role in perpetuating terrorism under the guise of Islamic jihad. They often portray heinous acts as acts of bravery and religious crusades, deceiving individuals, particularly impressionable youth. In past few months, people like him – associated with terrorism – are being killed by unknown assailants in Pakistan. Clearly, harbouring terrorist elements has made a significant dent on Pakistan. In fact, terrorism has been one of many issues that has led to Pakistan’s current detriment. But now it seems they are getting rid of those, who are either useless or are dis-aligned with ‘Pak Terrorism’.

Akhundzada can be categorised in latter, as he was close to Afghan Taliban and living in Pakistan, at a time when bitterness between Afghan Taliban and Islamabad is at all time high.

At least three explosions occurred above Isfahan, a central Iranian city hosting facilities for the country’s nuclear program, weapons factories, and a major airbase. Witnesses, including travelers at the city’s airport, reported hearing loud booms as air defense systems engaged “suspicious objects”.

“While Iranian officials provided contradictory accounts to downplay the events, US officials promptly attributed the attack to Israel. An Iranian official suggested the attack involved small drones, possibly launched domestically. Previous incidents, including a drone strike on a weapons factory in Isfahan in January 2023, have been attributed to Israel.

Israeli officials, though declining public comment, were reportedly, quoted off the record suggesting Israeli involvement, indicating the attack aimed to demonstrate Israel’s capability to strike deep within Iran.

Reports indicate Israeli military operations against Iran, though Washington did not specify their character or scale. Iranian state media reported the downing of drones over Isfahan province, displaying live shots of a calm Isfahan city post-sunrise to reassure the public.

Attack after Iranian retaliatory strike

The apparent attack follows Iran’s firing of over 300 missiles and drones at Israel in response to an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria, killing seven Iranian officials on April 1.

Israel also struck targets in Iraq and Syria. Internal Iranian flights were canceled, passengers evacuated from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini airports, and explosions reported over Tabriz.

Meanwhile, Iranian official has told the media that there is no plan for immediate retaliation against Israel. Additionally, Vienna-based UN nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) called for ‘extreme restraint for everybody’ adding that “nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts”. IAEA has confirmed no harm to the nuclear facilities in Iran in the attack.

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has once again unleashed terror, this time targeting a customs officials in the Saggu area of Draban Tehsil in Dera Ismail Khan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has confirmed the deaths of five Pakistan Customs officials in the assault, including Officer Aslam Khan from Peshawar customs intelligence.

The attack also claimed the lives of two additional victims from Bannu district, including a 5-year-old child and a man who were unfortunate bystanders caught in the crossfire. A senior customs official highlighted the significance of the Saggu area, known as a hotspot for militant networks engaged in smuggling operations.

While taking the responsibility of the attack, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) alleged that its terrorists seized weapons from the customs officials during the assault. Following the devastating incident, a large-scale search operation has been initiated in the region to apprehend the perpetrators.

On Friday, a deadly suicide blast shook Karachi, Pakistan, targeting a vehicle transporting Japanese nationals. The attack resulted in at least two fatalities, while miraculously, all five foreigners in the vehicle survived.

According to Abrar Hussain Baloch, spokesperson for the police, the Japanese survivors have been relocated to a secure location under police custody. Despite the severity of the attack, there has been no immediate claim of responsibility from any group.

Karachi Police have confirmed the nature of the incident, labeling it a suicide attack. Additionally, another vehicle sustained damage in the explosion. Details emerged that while one assailant detonated himself, the other was neutralized by law enforcement forces.

Further investigations revealed that the targeted foreign nationals were employed in the export processing zone. Among the casualties, three individuals sustained injuries and were promptly transported to medical facilities. Two of the injured are reported to be in critical condition. The identified victims include security guards Noor Muhammad and Langar Khan, along with passerby Salman Rafiq.

The attack on foreign nationals have increased significantly in Pakistan. Last month, a convoy of Chinese engineers working at Dasu dam was targeted in a suicide attack in Besham, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 6 people, including 5 Chinese engineers were killed in the attack.

A senior Civil Judge has issued an arrest warrant for Khalid Khurshid Khan, the former chief minister (CM) of Pak-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan, in a fake degree case.

The senior Civil Judge, Hidayat Ali, issued a bailable arrest order for the former POGB chief minister due to his repeated absences from court proceedings.

Khalid Khurshid, who was also the president of the Gilgit-Baltistan branch of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), is accused of obtaining a lawyer’s license from the Gilgit-Baltistan Bar Council by submitting an affidavit and a “fictitious” law degree from the University of London. He did this in order to obtain an equivalency certificate from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Islamabad.

A three-member bench of the POGB Chief Court had rendered a decision in July 2023 regarding a petition brought up by Shahzad Agha, a member of the GB Assembly, disqualifying Khalid Khursheed Khan in the fake degree case. The petitioner had claimed that Khursheed ought to be disqualified in accordance with Articles 62 and 63 of the constitution since his law degree was found to be forged.

While Khurshid claimed to have graduated from London with a legal degree, however this could not be confirmed. Khalid Khursheed had been in office as the Pak-occupied- Gilgit-Baltistan’s CM since December 2020 and was considered a close aide of PTI chairman Imran Khan.

This is the real face of the occupying forces. They not only fail to address the rampant lawlessness, but even participate in it. The innocent people of Pak-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan have no way to get their grievances addressed when the puppet authority in power is fraudulent itself.