Day: September 27, 2026

Quetta:Balochistan: Security forces in Balochistan have killed over 71 terrorists in various operations over the past 96 hours.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Pakistan Army’s operation has significantly impacted Indian-backed Afghan proxies. The Afghan Taliban regime, allegedly supported by India, continues to engage in activities that threaten peace and stability in Pakistan, resulting in numerous casualties.

Intelligence agencies identified terrorist hideouts sponsored by India in the Shaban area of District Quetta, posing a danger to local citizens. In response, Pakistan Security Forces launched an operation on September 21 in Ziarat and nearby areas. The operation, known as Operation Shaban, led to the killing of 33 Indian-sponsored terrorists after intense firefights, and the recovery of weapons, ammunition, and explosives.

The operation intensified over 72 hours, resulting in an additional 23 terrorist deaths. Security forces have cleared extensive areas of the threat posed by groups such as Fitna
Al-Khawarij and Fitna Al-Hindustan, and the operation will continue until the threat is fully neutralized.

In separate operations in District Nushki on Friday, security forces engaged a terrorist hideout, killing 11 Indian-sponsored terrorists. In Mand, six Fitna Al-Hindustan terrorists were neutralized, and a large cache of weapons and ammunition was seized.

The counter-terrorism campaign, guided by the ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ initiative and approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, remains steadfast. Security forces and law enforcement agencies are committed to eradicating foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.

Lahore:Patient numbers at major public tertiary-care hospitals in Punjab have surged by 16 percent, with over 45.7 million patients treated at major government hospitals.

According to Radio Pakistan, Outpatient Department visits have increased by 21 percent. Additionally, inpatient admissions saw an 11 percent rise, and emergency patients increased by 9 percent.

The meeting, chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education, also revealed that more than 2.1 million parcels of cancer and cardiac medicines have been delivered to patients.

Islamabad:Khurram Schehzad, the Finance Minister’s Adviser, has clarified that the government is not purchasing aircraft for a privatized Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), nor has it announced any sovereign guarantee or taxpayer-funded loan for this purpose.

According to Radio Pakistan, Schehzad addressed misunderstandings circulating about the privatization process and the role of export credit agencies. He explained that the US Export-Import Bank, like other export credit agencies, supports its country’s exports and jobs. Boeing aircraft are categorized as US exports, and the US EXIM provides financing support to foreign purchasers of US-manufactured aircraft, including airlines, through established financing structures.

Schehzad emphasized that the Finance Minister’s discussions with US EXIM were broader and not limited to PIA. The engagement also covered potential financing for aviation, refinery upgrades, and the Reko Diq project as part of enhanced economic cooperation between Pakistan and the US.

He reiterated the government’s policy to reduce its role in commercial activities, pursue privatization, and create more space for private capital. This approach aims to enable private-sector-led growth rather than having the government run businesses.

Schehzad further clarified that there has been no announcement of a public loan, hidden subsidy, state backstop, or taxpayers assuming PIA’s commercial risk. The official statement only refers to potential US EXIM financing support, not government borrowing or a sovereign guarantee for PIA.

He concluded by stating that privatization involves transferring ownership and commercial management, but the government will still facilitate opportunities for Pakistani companies.