ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who also serves as foreign minister, briefed his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on Islamabad’s response to India’s retaliatory moves after a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, saying his country would respond firmly to any external aggression.
The two leaders spoke over the phone amid heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors after gunmen killed 26 civilians in the tourist town of Pahalgam earlier this week.
India accused Pakistan of involvement in the attack — a charge Islamabad denied — before announcing a series of retaliatory steps, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, expelling Pakistani diplomats and shutting down the Attari-Wagah border crossing.
Pakistan held a high-level national security meeting in response, criticizing Indian actions and promising a forceful response if New Delhi diverted river waters or resorted to any military action.
“DPM/FM [Dar] briefed Prince Faisal on decisions taken by Pakistan’s National Security Committee in the wake of unilateral measures announced by India,” the foreign office of Pakistan said in a statement after the phone call. “He rejected India’s baseless allegations and cautioned against further escalatory moves.”
“DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to respond firmly to any aggression,” the statement added.
Both ministers also expressed satisfaction with the state of bilateral relations and agreed to maintain consultations on evolving regional dynamics.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long-standing ties, particularly in defense and diplomacy, and often coordinate positions at multilateral forums.
As part of its wider diplomatic outreach, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch briefed ambassadors and senior diplomats in Islamabad earlier this week, highlighting the National Security Committee’s stance and reiterating Pakistan’s rejection of militancy in all its forms.
Pakistan also hosted the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Special Envoy for Jammu and Kashmir, Yousef Al Dobeay, from April 19 to 22.
Officials briefed him on the situation in the disputed region of Kashmir while maintaining that the people of Kashmir looked to the Muslim world and the OIC for support in their struggle for self-determination.
Pakistan’s deputy PM briefs Saudi FM on response to India’s actions after Kashmir attack
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Pakistan’s deputy PM briefs Saudi FM on response to India’s actions after Kashmir attack
- Ishaq Dar criticizes India’s ‘baseless’ accusations against Pakistan, cautions against escalatory moves
- Pakistan denies involvement in a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in which 26 were killed
Police lodge case over Karachi mall blaze under mischief, negligence and murder clauses
- The fire broke out at the densely packed Gul Plaza in the heart of Karachi on Jan. 17 and has so far claimed 71 lives
- Traders have estimated losses at $53.6 million, while the government has announced $35,720 for family of each victim
ISLAMABAD: Police in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi have registered a case over a deadly blaze at Gul Blaza, which has so far claimed 71 lives, under mischief, negligence and murder clauses, a senior police official said on Saturday.
The fire broke out at the densely packed commercial complex in the heart of Karachi on Jan. 17, trapping workers and shoppers inside. It burnt for over 24 hours before being brought under control, leaving the building structurally unsafe.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire. Police said preliminary indications pointed to a possible electrical short circuit, though officials stress conclusions will only be drawn after investigations are completed.
A week after the incident, police have registered the first information report (FIR) of the incident under sections 427, 436, 337-H (i) and 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code, according to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Karachi South Asad Raza.
“The FIR of the Gul Plaza tragedy has been registered under the government’s prosecution, with case number 08/2026 at Nabi Bux police station,” Raza told Arab News.
Section 427 relates to mischief causing damage, 436 concerns mischief by fire or explosive substance, 337-H (i) details punishment for rash or negligent act, and 322 details punishment for homicide.
Deadly fires are a recurring problem in Karachi, a city of more than 20 million people, where overcrowded markets, aging infrastructure, illegal construction and weak enforcement of safety regulations frequently contribute to disasters. Officials say a blaze of this scale is rare.
Identification has been significantly slowed by the condition of the remains recovered from the site, Syed said, noting that many bodies were found in fragments, complicating DNA analysis and prolonging the process for families waiting for confirmation.
Traders have estimated total losses from the fire at up to Rs15 billion ($53.6 million). The Sindh provincial government this week announced compensation of Rs10 million ($35,720) for the family of each person killed in the blaze and said affected shopkeepers would also receive financial assistance.
Separately on Saturday, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) party urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to constitute an inquiry commission to hold those accountable whose negligence led to the Gul Plaza inferno.
“Incapability, mistake, apathy, shamelessness, impudence — these should be exposed,” MQM-P’s Farooq Sattar said, calling for an “independent judicial inquiry” into the Gul Plaza tragedy to ensure the truth comes to light.
LAHORE HOTEL FIRE
Meanwhile, a fire erupted at a hotel in the eastern city of Lahore in Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province, according to Rescue 1122 service.
Six people were injured due to the blaze at the hotel in the city’s Gulberg area who were shifted to hospital.
“All necessary steps be taken to quickly control the fire, instructions,” Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Aijaz directed authorities. “Immediate evacuation of all people from the building be ensured.”
