Shaharyar Khalid

Pakistan&#39;s proposed 2026-27 budget includes increased spending on social welfare, healthcare, education and housing, reflecting the government&#39;s focus on public welfare. The budget allocates Rs838 billion to the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Rs71 billion to the Prime Minister&#39;s Housing Scheme and Rs25.1 billion for health sector projects. It also sets aside Rs22 billion for Daanish Schools, Rs26.3 billion for broader education initiatives and nearly Rs8 billion for youth skills development programmes. The government says the measures are aimed at strengthening social protection and supporting human development across the country.

Shorts

Pakistan's proposed 2026-27 budget includes increased spending on social welfare, healthcare, education and housing, reflecting the government's focus on public welfare.

Pakistan boosts safety net as budget expands social spending

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is preparing for a new spell of heavy rainfall and a sharp drop in temperatures just weeks after devastating floods, raising fresh concerns for recovery efforts, agriculture, and transport across the country.&nbsp;According to WeatherWalay, the weather system, linked to a developing low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, will impact large parts of Pakistan, northern India, and eastern Afghanistan from this weekend. Nighttime temperatures could fall by 8 to 10 degrees Celsius in some regions, accompanied by widespread showers, gusty winds, and even snowfall in mountainous areas.&nbsp;The forecast comes as Pakistan continues to recover from catastrophic flooding that displaced over 2.5 million people and killed more than 1,000, according to Reuters. The renewed rainfall threatens to complicate relief operations, particularly in flood-hit Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan, where damaged infrastructure and waterlogged fields remain critical challenges.&nbsp;Danish Baig, Head of Meteorology at WeatherWalay, said rainfall is expected across Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, with urban centres like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad likely to experience downpours, cooler nights, and travel delays. Mountainous areas such as Naran, Hazara, and Kalam may also see snowfall.&nbsp;In Punjab, the wet spell could last three to four days, with strong winds and hail possible. Islamabad&rsquo;s temperatures may dip to 14&ndash;15&deg;C. Traffic on major motorways (M-2, M-3, and M-4) is expected to slow due to slippery conditions, while crops in central and southern Punjab are at risk of damage from hail and waterlogging. In KP, tobacco crops may also be threatened.&nbsp;Health experts warn that stagnant water may trigger a rise in mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue. Authorities have urged intensified vector-control measures. In Gilgit-Baltistan, snow and rain could disrupt transportation on routes such as Babusar Top and the Karakoram Highway, potentially isolating remote communities.&nbsp;While the cold spell signals an early seasonal transition, forecasters stress that it does not mark the onset of winter. However, the development of La Ni&ntilde;a conditions could bring cooler-than-normal temperatures across the region later this year.

Climate & Environment

Pakistan braces for a new wave of heavy rain, hail, and snowfall, threatening flood recovery, crops, and transport. The Bay of Bengal weather system may drop temperatures by up to 10°C and trigger health risks.

Pakistan braces for heavy rains, temperature drop amid recovery

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said the world was closer &ldquo;than ever before&rdquo; to a peace agreement between the United States and Iran, announcing that the finalization of a landmark deal was expected within the next 24 hours. The development marks the culmination of more than 100 days of conflict, diplomacy and intensive regional engagement that saw Pakistan emerge as a key mediator between Washington and Tehran. Since the outbreak of hostilities, Islamabad has maintained sustained diplomatic contacts with both sides and worked closely with regional partners to facilitate dialogue, reduce tensions and support efforts toward a negotiated settlement.&nbsp; The mediation initiative, which Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later referred to as the &ldquo;Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding,&rdquo; has drawn support from countries across the region and international stakeholders seeking stability in the Middle East and the reopening of critical maritime routes. In a post on X, Sharif said the final stages of the agreement were now underway.&nbsp; &ldquo;The world is closer than ever before&rdquo; to an Iran-US peace deal, he said, adding that the finalization of the agreement was expected in the next 24 hours. The prime minister said Islamabad was preparing for the electronic signing of the peace accord and noted that technical-level talks between the two countries were scheduled for next week as part of the implementation process. US President Donald Trump also reshared the premier&#39;s post on his Truth Social account. Sharif thanked both the United States and Iran for their commitment to the negotiations and praised the sincere support of regional partners throughout the process. He said Pakistan remained confident that the historic agreement would provide a strong foundation for lasting peace, stability and cooperation in the region. Dar, Faisal discuss final-stage negotiations Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Saturday welcomed the United States-Iran negotiations entering their final stage, with both sides expressing optimism ahead of an electronic signing ceremony scheduled for Sunday. According to Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Office, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, during which the two leaders &ldquo;welcomed the US&ndash;Iran negotiations in their final stage, with the electronic signing ceremony scheduled for tomorrow.&rdquo; The two foreign ministers also expressed hope that the expected agreement would help stabilize the region.&nbsp; According to the statement, they voiced &ldquo;the hope that this important development will contribute to lasting peace and stability in the region.&rdquo; The Foreign Office said Prince Faisal appreciated Pakistan&#39;s role throughout the diplomatic process, commending Islamabad&#39;s &ldquo;consistent and sustained efforts in support of mediation and dialogue throughout the process.&rdquo;&nbsp; The two sides also discussed the forthcoming Regional Four Foreign Ministers (R-4) meeting, scheduled to be held in Egypt later this month. Deal imminent Both sides had already signaled progress in recent days.&nbsp; Washington indicated it expected an agreement to be signed shortly, while Araghchi described the proposed arrangement as evidence that Tehran had emerged a &ldquo;winner of the war.&rdquo;&nbsp; The Iranian foreign minister also said the agreement had &ldquo;never been closer,&rdquo; reflecting growing optimism among negotiators.

Foreign Affairs

Development marks culmination of more than 100 days of conflict, diplomacy and intensive regional engagement that saw Pakistan emerge as a key mediator between Washington, Tehran; since the outbreak of hostilities, Islamabad has maintained sustained diplomatic contacts with both sides, worked closely with regional partners to facilitate dialogue, reduce tensions and support efforts toward a negotiated settlement. 




World closer than ever to Iran-US peace deal, says Pakistan PM

Pakistan TV Satellite

Islamabad: British High Commissioner Jane Marriott has said that Pakistan has already made a significant mark on the global stage as the World Cup gets underway. Talking exclusively to Pakistan TV for its documentary, &lsquo;Made in Pakistan: Sialkot to FIFA&rsquo;, Jane Marriott highlighted the longstanding role of Sialkot&rsquo;s craftsmanship in supplying official match balls to football&rsquo;s biggest stage.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2065784944136454638&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=6787c760a249a5acc03bd657f93b92b5bc2319dd&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2065784944136454638"></iframe></div></div>Pakistan TV&rsquo;s exclusive documentary &lsquo;Made in Pakistan: Sialkot to FIFA&rsquo; showcases how Sialkot continues to lead global sports manufacturing through innovation, precision craftsmanship, and unmatched quality. It reflects Pakistan&rsquo;s enduring contribution to the beautiful game and its growing recognition on the world stage. &ldquo;For years, the incredible craftsmanship of Sialkot has supplied the official match balls to the world&rsquo;s biggest stage,&rdquo; she said. She recalled iconic World Cup moments, from English footballer Geoff Hurst&rsquo;s 1966 hat-trick to Michael Owen&rsquo;s solo goal against Argentina, saying that many of them started with a ball made in Pakistan.&nbsp; The British high commissioner said football in the United Kingdom is more than just a sport, spanning the English Premier League, Scottish Premiership, grassroots clubs and casual games in parks. She said from the factories of Sialkot to stadiums across the United States, Mexico and Canada, Pakistan remains closely connected to the global game.

SAT News Desk

Talking exclusively to Pakistan TV for its documentary, ‘Made in Pakistan: Sialkot to FIFA’, Jane Marriott highlighted the longstanding role of Sialkot’s craftsmanship in supplying official match balls to football’s biggest stage.


Pakistan has already made mark in FIFA World Cup 2026: Marriott

Islamabad: Seasoned politician from Sialkot Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said the use of Sialkot-made footballs at the world&rsquo;s highest sporting stage is a major endorsement of the city&rsquo;s expertise. Speaking exclusively to Pakistan TV for its documentary, &lsquo;Made in Pakistan: Sialkot to FIFA&rsquo;, the defence minister said Sialkot&rsquo;s industries, including sports goods, surgical instruments, and textiles, supply renowned global brands.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2065780747794108898&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=6787c760a249a5acc03bd657f93b92b5bc2319dd&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 624px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2065780747794108898"></iframe></div></div>Pakistan TV&rsquo;s exclusive documentary &lsquo;Made in Pakistan: Sialkot to FIFA&rsquo; showcases how Sialkot continues to lead global sports manufacturing through innovation, precision craftsmanship, and unmatched quality. It reflects Pakistan&rsquo;s enduring contribution to the beautiful game and its growing recognition on the world stage. In his interview, Asif said it is a matter of great pride for him that he represents Sialkot, whose people are highly enterprising and produce products meeting international standards, including footballs used at the FIFA World Cup.Khawaja Muhammad Asif said the people of Sialkot are hardworking, innovative and highly enterprising.&nbsp; He said he fully supports them and remains available to assist them at the national level, adding that he owes his success to the city and its people.

Sialkot-made footballs reflect city’s expertise at world stage: Khawaja Asif

BANGKOK: The body of the Thai king&#39;s eldest daughter was brought to the royal palace in Bangkok on Saturday, as thousands of black-clad mourners lined the procession route. Princess Bajrakitiyabha, known as Princess Bha, died aged 47 on Thursday following an abdominal infection. She had already spent more than three years in a coma due to a cardiac condition. &quot;When it comes to saying goodbye, it&#39;s not easy for us,&quot; mourner Donnapha Kladbupha, a 54-year-old English teacher and self-described royalist, told AFP. The monarchy represented &quot;unity&quot; for Thai people during times of distress, she said. Others queued nearby for their turn to perform a Buddhist ritual of pouring holy water into a ceremonial bowl placed before a portrait of the princess. &quot;I&#39;m sad that she passed away, especially when I saw her pictures as a child,&quot; another mourner, Nitikan Tephakham, 79, from the northeastern province of Roi Et, told AFP. &quot;When she was sick, I prayed for sacred beings to protect her and hoped for a miracle,&quot; she said. Strict protocol Thousands of mostly older mourners sat in sweltering temperatures along the 10-kilometer route to the Grand Palace from Chulalongkorn Hospital, where the princess had been treated. Her body arrived at the palace at around 5:00 pm local time in a solemn and orderly procession. Police closed roads and traffic ground to a halt in parts of Bangkok&#39;s commercial center as the royal motorcade passed, led by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida. Thailand&#39;s public broadcaster Thai PBS reported that the princess&#39;s body was carried in the same vehicle that had transported the body of her grandfather, King Bhumibol, who died in October 2016. &quot;I feel sad, very sad, because Her Royal Highness was so beloved by the Thai people, well-known for what she had done and contributed,&quot; Pongsanguan Paranan, 63, told AFP. Buddhist rites were chanted behind closed doors in the palace after the procession. Live footage broadcast by a public television station showed monks chanting before the king and queen, who were seated on gilded chairs with a portrait of the princess behind them. The Thai government has yet to announce details of the funeral, but it has instructed state officials to wear black and ordered that flags be flown at half-mast for 15 days. The proceedings were carried out under tight security and strict protocol, with attendants wearing formal attire, media access restricted and dozens of police officers standing guard. Tourists at the palace grounds, one of Bangkok&#39;s most popular attractions, had to find workarounds. &quot;It&#39;s something quite unique that someone can be this much loved,&quot; Maria Marcais, a 22-year-old visitor from Canada, told AFP. &quot;It&#39;s profound,&quot; she said. Second death in months It is the second bereavement for the royal family in months, after Queen Sirikit, the king&#39;s mother, died in October at the age of 93. Bajrakitiyabha was the only child of Vajiralongkorn&#39;s marriage to Princess Soamsawali. A trained prosecutor and diplomat, she was educated in Britain, Thailand and the United States, and served for a time as ambassador to Austria. The 73-year-old king, who has seven children from four marriages, has not announced his chosen heir, although succession rules favor men. Strict rules govern what can and cannot be said about the Thai royal family, who are protected from criticism by lese-majeste laws that carry prison sentences of up to 15 years per charge.

Asia

Thousands of mourners lined Bangkok's streets as the body of Thailand's Princess Bajrakitiyabha was taken to the Grand Palace, following her death at 47 after years in a coma.

Thousands gather in Thai capital to mourn late princess

KANSAS CITY: England&#39;s World Cup preparations have been hit by the theft of equipment ahead of the squad&#39;s arrival at their Kansas City training base on Saturday. Balls and boots are reportedly among items stolen after vehicles transferring equipment to the team&#39;s Swope Soccer Village base were broken into, according to the BBC. The Football Association confirmed to Britain&#39;s Press Association that an incident had occurred but was unable to provide further information given it was now a police matter. The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department told the Daily Mail: &quot;We are investigating a possible theft of equipment from a team vehicle that arrived in Kansas City with items missing this evening. The investigation is ongoing.&quot; The BBC said it was understood that two arrests have been made in connection with the episode. Thomas Tuchel&#39;s England are due to train at Swope Soccer Village for the first time at 5:00 pm (2200 GMT) on Saturday after transferring from their pre-tournament base in Florida. They open their World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday, before further games in Group L against Ghana and Panama.

Football

Balls and boots are reportedly among items stolen after vehicles transferring equipment to the team's Swope Soccer Village base were broken into, according to the BBC.



US police probe theft of England training equipment

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for national unity and respect for security forces while detailing government investment in provincial development and counter-terrorism operations, Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported Saturday. PM Sharif addressed the National Assembly one day after the government released its fiscal year 2027 budget proposal. He warned that future generations will not forgive national negligence in supporting those who died fighting terrorism, according to APP Urdu News Service. PM Sharif stated a helicopter crash three days prior killed 22 military officers and soldiers, including two Christians. He noted the military continues daily combat operations against terrorist networks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He stated that foreign actors provide financial and technical support to terrorist groups operating in both provinces. The government has erected a security fence on the Balochistan border to protect military personnel, he said. PM Sharif tied security operations to broader resource distribution. Punjab transfers Rs11 billion ($39.5 million) annually to Balochistan from provincial revenue, demonstrating shared burden, he stated, according to APP. The prime minister stated that federal investment in Balochistan includes agricultural and infrastructure projects. Solar panel installations for farmers cost Rs70 billion ($251.6 million), with the federal government providing Rs50 billion ($179.7 million). Meanwhile, the Gwadar-Chaman dual carriageway project costs Rs300 billion ($1.078 billion). PM Sharif referenced the 2010 National Finance Commission Award, Pakistan&#39;s tenth such fiscal pact, which doubled Balochistan&#39;s share. He stated that a functioning nation requires both security and economic justice.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressing the Budget Session of the National Assembly in Islamabad on June 13, 2026. (PMO)

Security

Shehbaz Sharif states terrorism persists in two provinces of the country with foreign backing, with the government investing in border security to curb it.

Pakistan PM urges national unity, respect for military sacrifices

DHAKA: Bangladesh&#39;s cricket board called on Saturday for authorities to thoroughly investigate and take action after a Test player said he was assaulted by police. Nayeem Hasan, an off-spinner who has played 14 Tests, said he was stopped by police in the city of Chattogram and physically abused as he was going home in a tuk-tuk around midnight on Friday. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said it was &quot;deeply concerned&quot; and called for a thorough and impartial probe. Following the allegations, police confirmed that three officers were removed from duty pending further investigation. Nayeem said the incident happened as he was returning to his home in Chattogram, Bangladesh&#39;s second-largest city, from his match in the Dhaka Premier League. &quot;I got down and told them to check my bag. But one of the police officers told me, &#39;Get into the vehicle, you are an accused person,&#39;&quot; Nayeem told reporters. The 26-year-old said police officers grabbed him by the throat, forced him into a vehicle and beat him with a pipe even though he repeatedly identified himself as a Bangladesh national player. &quot;After bringing me to the station, the officer-in-charge told me, &#39;Keep your eyes down. Talk with your eyes down,&#39;&quot; he said. It was not immediately clear why the police officers took action against Nayeem. The BCB said it &quot;strongly condemns the unacceptable and inappropriate conduct displayed towards the player and views the matter with the utmost seriousness&quot;. &quot;Such treatment of a national athlete is deeply regrettable and warrants immediate attention.&quot; The BCB added that it &quot;expects a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident and urges the relevant authorities to take appropriate action against those found responsible&quot;. The Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh also condemned the incident, urging police to take strict action.

Bangladesh spinner Nayeem Hasan celebrates after claiming six wickets in the Test against Sri Lanka, Chattogram, May 16, 2022. (File photo: X/@NH33Official)

Cricket

Hasan says he was stopped by police in the city of Chattogram and physically abused as he was going home in a tuk-tuk around midnight on Friday.

Bangladesh cricket board urges probe after player alleges police assault

Malik Waqar Ahmed

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Team 4Thrives returned home Wednesday to a hero&rsquo;s welcome after winning the PUBG Mobile Global Open 2026 in Jakarta &mdash; the biggest international esports victory in Pakistan&rsquo;s history. The Infinix‑sponsored homecoming drew Islamabad&rsquo;s gaming community to celebrate the squad that topped a 32‑team field with 122 points. Team captain Shayan Asad said the win carried special meaning after a tough start. &ldquo;Winning globally is not a common thing. It&rsquo;s a very big thing,&rdquo; he said. 4Thrives overcame a difficult group stage to peak in the knockout rounds and clinch the title. Veteran player T24OP called the moment the payoff for years of grind.&nbsp; &ldquo;Working hard for six or seven years for PUBG Mobile and finally achieving it &mdash; it&rsquo;s an incredible feeling,&rdquo; he said. Noki added that confidence never wavered: &ldquo;There was no biggest challenge. We were confident we would win the PUBG Mobile championship.&rdquo; The victory arrives as Pakistan prepares to host the PUBG Mobile Global Open Season 2 in October, a sign of the country&rsquo;s expanding footprint in international esports. Organisers and fans say 4Thrives&rsquo; success could mark the start of a new chapter for Pakistani competitive gaming.

E-Sports

The victory arrives as Pakistan prepares to host the PUBG Mobile Global Open Season 2 in October, a sign of the country’s expanding footprint in international esports.

Pakistan team receives rousing welcome after PUBG tournament win in Indonesia

NEW DELHI:&nbsp;Five Indian air force personnel were killed when a military plane crashed while landing at a base in the country&#39;s remote northeast on Saturday, the military said in a statement. &quot;The Indian Air Force deeply regrets the loss of five personnel in the An-32 accident at Jorhat&quot;, a city in Assam state, the air force said in a statement. It did not say how many people were on board at the time, or whether there were any survivors. However, an air force official, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to brief the media, told AFP the co-pilot had survived. News channel NDTV broadcast images of the crash site, showing a thick black plume of smoke and the aircraft apparently broken into pieces. The air force said it &quot;extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and stands firmly with them in this hour of grief&quot;. It said earlier that the Russian-made Antonov An-32 was on a &quot;routine sortie&quot; when it crashed as it came in to land. &quot;A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident,&quot; the air force said. The An-32, a twin-engine turboprop, is specially designed to perform well at high altitudes and in extreme climates. The Indian air force operates about 100 of them for military supplies and civilian aid in the country&#39;s remotest mountain areas. The last major crash involving the plane occurred in 2019 in Arunachal Pradesh state, near the border with China, when 13 people were killed. News channel NDTV broadcast images of the crash site, showing a thick black plume of smoke and the aircraft apparently broken into pieces.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2065673634858008613&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=7474582a4d57c764b8a5ee0cd9e1a14e9b58ebad&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 552px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>

A Russian-made Antonov An-32 (File Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

India

Five Indian Air Force personnel were killed and one survived when an An-32 military transport aircraft crashed while landing at Jorhat air base in Assam.

Five killed in India military transport plane crash

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces have killed 21 terrorists (Khwarij) during a series of intelligence-based operations conducted over the past 72 hours in North Waziristan district on Saturday, according to a statement released by Pakistan military&#39;s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Saturday. According to the statement, security forces engaged multiple terrorists&#39; locations in and around Miran Shah, resulting in fierce exchanges of fire. The military said the terrorists belonged to Indian sponsored &quot;Fitna-al-Khwarij&quot;.&nbsp; Among those killed were four terrorist ring leaders identified as Kharji Khalid Raza alias Salar, Kharji Muftoon, Kharji Musa and Kharji Imran alias Ayan, thereby, causing a significant blow to the terrorists&rsquo; network operating in the area.&nbsp; Killed terrorist ring leaders were highly wanted for their involvement in numerous terrorist activities including killing of security forces personnel and innocent civilians.&nbsp; So far, in total, 48 terrorists have been killed in these highly skilful and precise operations, said the statement.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2065683817655046313&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F4092%2F&sessionId=1016b562c214d8c3a461466ae24f3105f20c9720&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Security forces also recovered weapons and ammunition from the Indian-sponsored khwarij who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities and killing of innocent civilians, the statement said. The military said clearance operations were continuing in the area to locate and eliminate any remaining terrorists.&nbsp; It added that Pakistan&#39;s counterterrorism campaign under the &quot;Azm-e-Istehkam&quot; initiative (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan would continue in an effort to combat the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country. PM lauds security forcesPakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the security forces for eliminating 21 terrorists belonging to the Indian-backed Fitna al-Khwarij during a security operation conducted in the Miran Shah area and its surrounding localities in North Waziristan, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister&#39;s Office.&nbsp; &quot;The security forces, through a successful operation, eliminated several terrorists, including four highly wanted Khwarij ringleaders,&quot; Sharif said. &quot;Under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, our brave security forces are achieving major successes in the fight against terrorism,&quot; the prime minister added. &quot;Our war against terrorists will continue until terrorism is completely eradicated from the country,&quot; the prime minister stated.&nbsp;

Pakistan Army clearance operation in Mirali, North Waziristan (File Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Says, 'So far, in total, forty eight khwarij have been killed in these highly skilful and precise operations.'

Articles by Shaharyar Khalid