DERA ISMAIL KHAN: President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday vowed to eradicate militant violence from the country after a suicide bomber rammed his vehicle into a security checkpoint in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing four policemen and one security personnel while injuring others.
The incident occurred near Mir Ali, a settlement in the volatile North Waziristan tribal district, where security forces have conducted several intelligence-based operations, though the militants’ capacity to launch deadly attacks has not been fully degraded.
The area has frequently been targeted by the banned militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), whose leadership is reportedly based in neighboring Afghanistan.
“Terrorists will never succeed in their evil designs,” the president said in a statement quoted by the state-owned Associated Press of Pakistan, expressing sorrow over the attack.
He condemned the incident as a “cowardly act,” paying tribute to those who lost their lives.
Speaking to Arab News, District Police Officer in North Waziristan Rohanzeb Khan confirmed the bomber used his explosive-laden car to target a checkpoint jointly manned by police and security forces.
“The attack on the security check post took place at around 12:30 PM,” Khan said over the phone. “One security official and four policemen were martyred, while five others suffered multiple injuries.”
He added that a heavy police contingent rushed to the area soon after the incident to begin the investigation.
KP has seen a surge in militant attacks since a fragile ceasefire between the government and the TTP collapsed in November 2022.
Earlier in the day, unknown militants targeted the residence of former Senator Saleh Shah in South Waziristan.
A day earlier, militants killed a 19-year-old Pakistan Military Academy cadet in his hometown of Lakki Marwat during evening prayers at a mosque.
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, last year saw more suicide attacks than any since 2014, with 29 such incidents claiming 329 lives, making it Pakistan’s deadliest year in a decade.
The provincial administration of KP also condemned the Mir Ali attack.
Pakistan president vows to eradicate militancy after suicide attack kills five in northwest
https://arab.news/w8vzs
Pakistan president vows to eradicate militancy after suicide attack kills five in northwest
- The incident in Mir Ali happened as a suicide bomber rammed his vehicle in a security checkpoint
- Unknown militants also targeted the residence of a former senator in Pakistan’s South Waziristan
Pakistan backs replacement of electricity-intensive fans ahead of summer
- Finance ministry sets aside $7 million guarantee to support bank financing
- Government seeks rapid scale-up after pilot with 11 commercial banks
KARACHI: Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb on Thursday reaffirmed support for a government-backed fan replacement program aimed at reducing electricity consumption ahead of the summer peak season, as authorities seek to ease pressure on the power system and promote energy conservation.
The initiative allows consumers to replace older, electricity-intensive fans with energy-efficient models through bank financing. To encourage commercial banks to participate, the Ministry of Finance has allocated Rs2 billion ($7 million) as a 10 percent first-loss risk guarantee, designed to absorb part of the credit risk and facilitate lending to households.
“From the perspective of the Ministry of Finance, the initiative remains a high priority, and the Ministry will continue to provide all necessary support to the Power Division to ensure its successful implementation and rapid scaling,” the finance minister said in a statement.
Electric fans are among the most widely used appliances in Pakistan, especially during the long and intense summer months when electricity demand typically surges and contributes to strain on the national grid.
According to the finance ministry, the program was formally launched on Thursday after a pilot phase conducted in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and 11 commercial banks.
During the trial phase, around 186 energy-efficient fans were installed, with disbursements of approximately Rs1.35 million ($4,800) benefiting 67 borrowers.
Officials said the financing and digital systems required to process applications and disburse funds are now operational, paving the way for expansion.
Aurangzeb said the next phase would focus on scaling up the program more rapidly in coordination with the SBP and commercial lenders so that its benefits are realized sooner rather than over a 10-year horizon.
