Maulana Hamidul-Haq's funeral held amid heavy security in Akora Khattak
Listen to article
A large number of people, including Afghan Consul General, attended the funeral of Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani - chief of the (JUI-S) - who was martyred in a suicide blast at the Darul Uloom Haqqania in Akora Khattak area of Nowshera district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
The bombing, which occurred after Friday prayers, killed Maulana Hamidul-Haq Haqqani and others.
Following the tragic incident, a large crowd gathered at the madrassa, where Maulana Hamid al-Haq's funeral prayers were led by his son, Maulana Sahibzada Abdul Haq Sani.
Tight security arrangements were in place around Darul Uloom Haqqania, with police forces deployed in large numbers, and scanners installed at the entry points of the madrassa.
Along with the funeral of Maulana Hamidul-Haq, the funerals of two other martyrs from Swabi, Abdul Waheed and poet and writer Tajamul Shah (known as Tajamul Farhan), were also held. Abdul Waheed's funeral was conducted in his village of Zida, while Tajamul Shah's was in his village of Jalsai.
Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed visited Nowshera to assess the security arrangements for the funeral of the deputy head of Darul Uloom Haqqania.
He also attended a meeting at the DPO office in Nowshera with regional and investigation officers, as well as officials from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).
During the meeting, the Regional Police Officer provided a detailed briefing on the progress of the investigation into the bombing.
The Inspector General condemned the attack on the sacred madrassa, calling it a cowardly act by the nation's enemies.
He urged his officers to use their professional skills to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
He reassured that such terrorist acts would not weaken the resolve of the nation, stating that the police would work with the public to foil the enemies' plans and restore peace in the country.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
8 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Stocks slide, oil and gold jump after Israel strikes Iran
TOKYO: Stocks dived in early Asian trade on Friday, led by a selloff in U.S. futures, while oil prices jumped after Israel conducted a military strike on Iran, sending investors scurrying to safe havens such as gold and the Swiss franc. The Israeli attack raises the risk of a fresh escalation in tensions in the Middle East, a major oil producing region, and comes at a time of heightened pressure on the global economy and financial markets from U.S. President Donald Trump's shakeup of trade policies. Market reaction was swift, with U.S. S&P E-mini futures slumping 1.5% as of 0055 GMT and Nasdaq futures skidding 1.7%. Japan's Nikkei lost 1.4% and South Korea's KOSPI slipped 1.2%. Brent crude jumped more than 6% to $73.56 per barrel. Gold climbed 1% to about $3,419 per ounce. Israel said it was declaring a state of emergency in anticipation of a missile and drone strike by Tehran, after what it called a 'preemptive strike' over Iran's nuclear programme. Explosions were heard northeast of Iran's capital Tehran early on Friday, the state-run Nour News said. Two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said Israel had begun carrying out strikes on Iran and there was no U.S. assistance or involvement in the operation. CNN reported that Trump was convening a cabinet meeting. 'Traders are scurrying for safety as reports of a strike on Iran cross the wires,' said Karl Schamotta, chief market strategist at Corpay in Toronto. 'But details on the scale and magnitude of the attack remain scarce and moves have been relatively limited thus far.' Stocks offer restrained response to US-China trade framework Tensions had been building as Trump's efforts to reach a nuclear deal with Iran appear to be deadlocked. U.S. and Iranian officials were scheduled to hold a sixth round of talks on Tehran's escalating uranium enrichment programme in Oman on Sunday, according to officials from both countries and their Omani mediators. The Swiss franc gained about 0.4% to 0.8072 per U.S. dollar, and fellow safe haven the yen appreciated 0.3% to 143.06 per dollar. The euro eased 0.3% to $1.1553, giving back a little of its 0.9% overnight jump.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Top US general praises 'phenomenal partner' Pakistan
Lieutenant General Michael Kurilla testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on his nomination to become Commander of Central Command during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, February 8, 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE Listen to article In a stunning rebuke to the Indian attempts seeking Pakistan's international isolation, a top US general on Tuesday publicly praised Pakistan as a "phenomenal partner" in the global fight against terrorism and insisted Washington must not ignore Pakistan while pursuing strategic ties with India. The testimony of General Michael Kurilla, Commander Central Command (CENTCOM), was seen as a major diplomatic win for Pakistan at a time when India was trying to build a narrative that Islamabad was sponsoring terrorism. The testimony stands in sharp contrast to persistent efforts, particularly from Indian lobbying groups, to paint Pakistan as an unreliable partner in the fight against terrorism. Gen Kurilla's candid remarks not only validate Pakistan's ongoing sacrifices but may also recalibrate the tone of future US policy in South Asia. Gen Kurilla's statement before the House Arms Services Committee led to a meltdown in India where the media and commentators questioned the US loyalty. The CENTCOM chief terming ISIS-Khorasan the most active terrorist groups, said the Afghan Taliban went after them and pushed "a lot of them into the trial areas on the Afghan-Pakistan border". "Through a phenomenal partnership with Pakistanthey (Pakistan) have gone after ISIS Khorasan, killing dozens of them," he told lawmakers. "Through our relationship we have with them, and providing intelligence, they have captured at least five ISIS Khorasan high-value individuals. They extradited back Jafar, who is one of the key individuals behind the Abbey Gate bombing," he added. "And the first person [ ] the [Pakistani] chief of the army staff Munir [called] me and said, "I've caught him, ready to extradite him back to United States, please tell the Secretary of Defense and the President." "So, we are seeing Pakistan, with limited intelligence that we provide, and go after them using their means to do that, and we're seeing an effect on ISIS Khorasan," General Kurila said. "And I would also tell you that since 2024the beginningPakistan has had over 1,000 terrorist attacks in the western area, killing about 700 security and [2,500] civilians. They have an active counterterrorism fight right now, and they have been a phenomenal partner in the counterterrorism world." Gen Kurilla highlighted the staggering toll terrorism continues to take on Pakistan itself, citing over 1,000 terrorist attacks in 2024 alonekilling approximately 700 security personnel and 2,500 civilians. "They have an active counterterrorism fight right now," he stated. "And they've been a phenomenal partner in the counterterrorism world." The CENTCOM chief emphasized that Pakistan's efforts over the last several months have severely degraded ISIS-K's capabilities. According to intelligence gained through interrogations and exploitation of captured militants, the terrorist group is currently at a "low point", though it still poses a transnational threat. "These are the same individuals that carried out the Crocus City Hall attack in Moscow and the bombing in Kerman, Iran," Kurilla said. "There are even ties to plots against the U.S. homeland, which I can discuss in a classified setting." In a significant diplomatic note, Gen Kurilla rejected the idea that US relations in South Asia must be zero-sum between India and Pakistan. "It's not a binary switch," he asserted. "We can't have one with Pakistan if we have a relationship with India. We should look at the merits of the relationship for the positives that it has." Paul Kapur Paul Kapur, US President Donald Trump's nominee for Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday that he would prioritise security cooperation with Pakistan where it aligns with US interests. He also expressed intent to explore opportunities for enhancing bilateral collaboration in trade and investment, He previously served on the State Department's Policy Planning Staff during Trump's first term, where he played a role in shaping US strategy in South Asia. Kapur, an academic of Indian origin, acknowledged the region's volatility, referring to the recent escalation between India and Pakistan. He said the crisis was narrowly averted due to "intense engagement" by US Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. "If confirmed, I will pursue security cooperation with Pakistan where it is in America's interest," says Paul Kapur who is set to become Trump's top diplomat on South Asia. On Pakistan, he said that if confirmed, he would "pursue security cooperation where it is beneficial to US interests while seeking opportunities for bilateral collaboration in trade and investment." He noted that "South Asia recently avoided a costly conflict with Vice President Vance and Secretary Rubio intensely engaged on the issue." He added, "If confirmed, I will continue to promote long-standing US security interests with India and Pakistan through the pursuit of peace and stability and the fight against terrorism."
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Beyond the divide: rethinking federal-provincial collaboration for economic transformation—II
Agriculture, livelihoods, and forests: climate impacts and systemic constraints Agriculture remains the backbone of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's rural economy—contributing 30% of provincial GDP and employing 32% of the labour force. KP hosts 45% of Pakistan's forest cover and contributes over 50% to the country's carbon sink—yet receives little recognition or fiscal compensation for its stewardship role. Forest conservation, reforestation, and sustainable land-use initiatives remain underfunded and excluded from federal climate finance frameworks. Beyond the divide: rethinking federal-provincial collaboration for economic transformation—I Despite constitutional devolution, KP lacks the fiscal autonomy and institutional access to key instruments such as green climate funds, carbon markets, and agricultural risk insurance schemes. Without flexible financing, targeted climate adaptation resources, and greater programmatic authority, the province remains constrained in addressing both the short-term needs of farmers and the long-term challenge of climate change. Misaligned policies and data disconnect One of the gravest flaws in Pakistan's fiscal governance is the siloed preparation of budgets. Federal and provincial budgets are formulated in isolation, without integrated data or joint economic planning. Decisions like changes in property taxation, sales tax, etc., are taken unilaterally by the federal government, with little regard for provincial fiscal autonomy or local economic realities. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), central to data generation, remains under federal control—leaving provinces dependent on potentially outdated or misaligned datasets for planning and investment. Rethinking the NFC: misaligned incentives and a disconnected federation The current National Finance Commission (NFC) Award—structured predominantly around population size — has become increasingly disconnected from Pakistan's development needs and federal realities. Provinces like Punjab and Sindh, by virtue of their demographic weight, receive nearly 80% of the divisible pool. In contrast, regions such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir — despite facing deeper development deficits, climate vulnerability, and regional instability — remain chronically underfunded. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa exemplifies this imbalance. The province that hosts over 1.5 million Afghan refugees has absorbed the Ex-FATA region without corresponding fiscal adjustment, and accounts for 45% of Pakistan's forest cover. Its vital contributions to national security, environmental preservation, and humanitarian burden-sharing go largely unrecognized in the current NFC formula. By rewarding population growth over economic performance, resilience, or service delivery, the NFC structure not only neglects disadvantaged regions but also distorts provincial incentives. International models—such as Vietnam's capped population shares and performance-linked transfers—offer more equitable frameworks, aligning resource allocation with outcomes rather than demographics alone. Efforts to reform the fiscal compact have been insufficient. KP's National Dialogue on the NFC in February 2025 signaled an intent to revisit the distribution model, but the absence of key federal and provincial actors reflected a broader lack of political will. The debate over vertical and horizontal allocations remains hostage to entrenched interests, especially in larger provinces that dominate federal politics. Federal fiscal policies further compound the imbalance. IMF-mandated surplus targets require provinces to underwrite federal deficits, while unfunded mandates—such as the devolution of higher education, social protection, and climate adaptation—shift responsibilities to provinces without the resources or autonomy to meet them. These gaps between constitutional obligations and fiscal reality are growing wider. If Pakistan is to function as a true federation, the NFC must evolve. A reformed framework should account for provincial contributions to national stability, equity, and long-term development—not just population figures. Until then, regions like KP will continue to carry disproportionate burdens, with limited fiscal space to realize their full potential. Toward a functional federation: empowering provinces, energizing Pakistan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's experience offers a window into a broader national truth: Pakistan's progress is only as strong as the sum of its provinces. Yet today, provinces are expected to deliver on national priorities without the authority, autonomy, or tools to do so. Fiscal transfers alone are not enough. What Pakistan needs is a new federal compact—one that shifts from control to coordination, from entitlement to performance. The National Finance Commission (NFC) Award must evolve to reward results, resilience, and resource stewardship—not just population size. Provinces should have the power to issue bonds, tap into international climate and diaspora finance, and generate their own revenues. Control over key sectors—energy, minerals, tourism, trade logistics—must be operationally devolved, backed by institutional coordination rather than political gatekeeping. Federal planning must reflect provincial realities, not override them. KP has shown initiative—reforming regulations, attracting investors, and pushing innovation—but its efforts remain stifled by a system that doesn't keep pace. To unlock Pakistan's full potential, we must empower its provinces—not just with mandates, but with the means to lead. Conclusion: expand the pie, don't just fight over slices — unlocking Pakistan's true potential Pakistan's future won't be won by provinces fighting over shrinking slices of a fixed pie or by a federal system that clings to outdated formulas. Instead, real progress will come from expanding the pie—by empowering provinces to unlock their unique strengths, invest boldly, and drive growth that benefits all. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's story is a powerful reminder: it's not a tale of dependency or deficit, but of immense potential held back by an inflexible system. Despite bearing heavy burdens—from hosting millions of refugees to safeguarding nearly half of Pakistan's forests—KP remains shackled by fiscal constraints and limited autonomy. Imagine the possibilities if these provinces were trusted to lead their own growth with the tools and resources they deserve. The National Finance Commission must transform—from a zero-sum contest focused on population numbers to a dynamic framework that rewards innovation, resilience, and results. Provinces should be architects of their own destinies, empowered to build infrastructure, attract investment, and pioneer solutions aligned with national goals. This is not just a fiscal debate—it's a call for a new social contract: a federation that shares opportunities, not just resources; a Pakistan where every province sees itself not as a burden, but as a vital partner in shaping a prosperous, sustainable future. The true test of federalism lies in creating an ecosystem where provinces grow not in spite of the system, but because of it. Reform the structure, and provinces like KP won't just survive—they will thrive and lead Pakistan toward green growth, enhanced regional trade, and lasting unity. The road ahead demands courage and vision. But if Pakistan can embrace a federation that trusts its provinces, values their contributions, and grows the pie together, the promise of inclusive, resilient development will finally be within reach. (Concluded) (The writer is an expert in public policy and finance, focusing on fiscal federalism, economic development, and governance reforms) Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
