ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government on Friday decided to launch a coordinated operation against criminal gangs that have operated for decades in the riverine border areas of Punjab and Sindh provinces, following a rocket launcher attack by them on a police vehicle a day earlier that killed 12 law enforcement personnel.
The criminal gangs have benefited from the rugged terrain and dense forests of the region, known as the Kacha area, turning it into their stronghold and using it for armed robberies, extortion and kidnapping for ransom.
Over the years, the region has seen numerous law enforcement operations aimed at curbing the activities of these groups, but the challenging terrain has made these efforts difficult.
The criminal gangs are also known to be well-armed and sometimes have local support, further complicating efforts to fully eradicate them.
“A very tragic incident occurred, and our 12 brave policemen embraced martyrdom,” Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi said during a high-level meeting at the Rahim Yar Khan Airport where he was briefed about the incident.
“We will deal with the miscreants with an iron hand and go to the last extent to avenge the attackers,” he continued. “We will not rest until we avenge the blood of our brave sons.”
According to a statement circulated by the interior ministry, Naqvi ordered an “effective and coordinated operation” against the criminal gangs while interacting with Rangers and senior police officials.
He emphasized the need for safety measures concerning the operational forces in the region.
He also directed that the forces participating in the operation be equipped with modern weapons and safety gear.
The attack on the police vehicle took place while they were traveling through Rahim Yar Khan district in Punjab and their van broke down due to low-level flooding.
A police statement on Friday morning said the main culprit behind the deadly attack was killed in an overnight operation.
Government plans ‘coordinated operation’ against criminals in central Pakistan after 12 policemen killed
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Government plans ‘coordinated operation’ against criminals in central Pakistan after 12 policemen killed
- Criminal gangs based in Punjab’s riverine areas fired a rocket launcher at a police van which had broken down
- Pakistan’s interior minister says the government ‘will not rest until we avenge the blood of our brave sons’
Pakistan bank enables Shariah-compliant digital payment facility for passengers at Islamabad airport
Pakistan bank enables Shariah-compliant digital payment facility for passengers at Islamabad airport
- Pakistan is a cash-dominated market where a significant portion of transactions in the informal sector are made without any taxes, officials say
- The move comes amid Pakistan’s efforts to introduce a cashless model at airports under which only digital service providers can provide services
KARACHI: Aik, Pakistan’s first Islamic digital bank, has enabled fully digital payments at Islamabad International Airport to offer travelers and passengers secure, Shariah compliant digital transaction facility.
The development comes amid Pakistan’s efforts to introduce a cashless model at airports across the country, under which only digital service providers can provide services to customers.
Aik, a subsidiary of Bank Islami, said it has onboarded merchants across the Islamabad airport and integrated QR code deployments at key touchpoints to allow passengers and visitors to make secure, seamless, and Shariah-compliant digital transactions at all counters, retail outlets, and service points.
It said the implementation complies with the regulations and framework set by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and is a working model for a large-scale adoption of cashless systems in public infrastructure.
“This deployment reflects our commitment to building practical digital infrastructure that improves everyday transactions,” Aik Chief Officer Ashfaque Ahmed said in a statement.
“By enabling a fully cashless environment at a major national gateway, we are supporting efficiency, transparency, and financial inclusion at scale. This is not only a project; it is a foundation for Pakistan’s cashless future.”
Pakistan is a cash-dominated market where a significant portion of transactions, particularly in the informal sector, are conducted in cash. Officials say many of these transactions are aimed at avoiding taxes.
In recent years, the SBP has taken steps to ensure a transition toward a more cashless economy so that transactions are more traceable, reducing chances of tax evasion and corruption.
By digitizing Islamabad airport, aik said it continues to invest in secure and accessible financial solutions that “expand digital participation and support national economic modernization.”
