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Opposition to all terror outfits, not only TTP, says KP CM Sohail Afridi

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Opposition to all terror outfits, not only TTP, says KP CM Sohail Afridi


Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is seen visiting an area in Karachi on January 9, 2025. — X@faizannriaz
  • Sohail Afridi to meet Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah: Shafi Jan.
  • KP’s development being reversed, says chief minister.
  • KP CM laments treatment meted out in Lahore.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said on Thursday that he opposes all terrorist organisations, not just the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — also referred to as ‘Fitna al-Khawarij’.

The chief minister’s clarification comes after the government accused the government in KP of facilitating terrorists, with Information Minister Ataullah Tarar calling PTI the “political wing” of TTP. The military’s spokesperson has also said that the provincial government was responsible for rising terrorism.

Speaking to reporters at the Karachi Press Club, the chief minister stressed that he would also meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, if invited, to address the issue of terrorism.

“I will meet the PM 100%. I will meet him because my province is being affected by terrorism,” he assured the journalists and noted that the “development” in the province was “being reversed” due to the menace.

He also mentioned that terrorists were relocated in the province earlier. The KP CM stated that all parties, including provincial and federal governments, as well as law enforcement agencies, will need to join forces to address the issue of terrorism.

“A decision made collectively, with our input included, will be effective,” he added.

The KP CM is in Karachi for his party’s street mobilisation campaign. After his Punjab tour, he is now in Sindh. From the airport, the KP chief minister reached Karachi Press Club in six hours along with large crowd of party supporters.

Speaking to journalists at the press club, Afridi said that he had also visited Punjab but was not treated well there. “In Lahore, wherever we went to eat, the market would be shut,” Afridi said, questioning where the Constitution barred a chief minister from engaging in politics in another province.

Commenting on Sindh, the chief minister said the legacy of Benazir Bhutto and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was still visible in the province. He added that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had assured him of cooperation during his visit to Karachi. He said that if the Sindh chief minister visited Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he would be accorded full respect and hospitality.

Afridi said welfare initiatives, including programmes under Ehsaas, were ongoing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, providing free medical treatment of up to Rs2 million to citizens. He alleged that the federation was not releasing the province’s due share of funds.

The chief minister said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was producing the cheapest electricity in the country, benefiting all of Pakistan. He added that if the province received funds according to its constitutional rights, it would have progressed more than other provinces.

Afridi said only a party with 17 seats was sitting in the federal government, alleging that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was being treated unfairly. He claimed that while other provinces had received their NFC shares from 2018 to 2025, KP had not.

Upon arrival at Karachi airport, the KP CM was welcomed by Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Saeed Ghani at the airport, who presented him with Sindhi topi and Ajrak.

“I will hold a rally at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi at 4:30pm on Sunday,” said CM Afridi in a message ahead of his Sindh visit, which has commenced after he landed at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport today.

The KP chief minister said he will spread the message of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan to every nook and corner of Sindh and urged the people of Sindh to extend all-out support to the PTI in the preparations for the street movement. “We will hold the largest rally in Karachi’s history,” CM Afridi said.

However, contrary to the KP CM’s announcement, the district administration has said that no permission has been given to the PTI yet to hold a public rally.

Permission to hold a rally will be granted after security clearance is received, added the administration.

Meanwhile, KP CM’s aide on information, Shafi Jan, said that CM Afridi will also meet Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah on Monday (January 12), and will also hold meetings with party leadership at the Insaf House, followed by a visit to the press club during his stay in Sindh.

“A big rally will be held at the Mazar-e-Quaid on January 11. [KP] CM’s visit to Sindh is important to further accelerate the street movement,” Jan remarked.

Afridi will travel to Hyderabad today, his office has said. According to Jan, the chief minister will address members of the Hyderabad Bar Council and the Press Club.

After his addresses, he is expected to attend the ISF Convention, meet with the party cabinet and hold discussions with local community leaders on the same day. Afridi will also lead rallies in both Hyderabad and Kotri, according to Jan.

Sindh govt assures facilitation

Meanwhile, speaking on KP CM’s visit on Geo News’ programme “Geo Pakistan” today, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon said that the provincial government will ensure free movement of CM Afridi and welcome him.

“KP CM will have full liberty to go wherever he wants [during Sindh visit] and take part in political activities,” Memon said, while adding that the dignitary will be provided due security and protocol.

When asked about repercussions of possible political activities, such as traffic jams, the Sindh minister said that the provincial government’s stance is that the PTI should inform them about their political activities, and if needed, they would be provided ground to hold any public gathering.

However, Memon warned against any activity contrary to the law or which causes nuisance for the public.

“[KP CM] can undertake whatever activities he wishes while adhering to the law,” he remarked.

Pointing out the ideological differences with the PTI, Memon said that criticism is part of politics, but it should not result in intolerance.

PM’s aide warns of FIRs

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah claimed that the PTI was not in a position to launch any street movement, warning that its planned wheel-jam strike on February 8 was illegal and would not be allowed under the law.

The PM’s aide, speaking on Geo News programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath”, said that the Imran Khan-founded party wanted to paralyse traffic on February 8, but such a strike had no legal cover.

He cautioned that if the party resorted to any disruptive actions, it would face legal consequences, including the registration of FIRs, and would later have no grounds for complaint.

He went on to say that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister was himself engaged in unlawful activities, adding that his travel was illegal. He maintained that there was no possibility of success for PTI’s protest movement.

He said there was no objection to PTI’s political activities in Karachi; however, he made it clear that the Sindh government would not grant permission for any wheel-jam strike.





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Security forces kill 11 India-backed terrorists in two KP IBOs: ISPR

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Security forces kill 11 India-backed terrorists in two KP IBOs: ISPR


Pakistan Army personnel can be seen in this undated image. — Reuters
  • Six khwarij gunned down in North Waziristan, says ISPR.
  • Five terrorists killed in Kurram IBO: military’s media wing.
  • Adds sanitisation continues to hunt remaining militants.

RAWALPINDI: Security forces neutralised 11 terrorists belonging to India proxy Fitna al-Khawarij during two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday.

The operations were conducted in North Waziristan and Kurram districts on January 8, a press release issued by the military’s media wing said.

“On January 8, 2026, eleven khwarij belonging to India proxy Fitna al-Khawarij were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province,” the ISPR added.

It said that on the reported presence of khwarij, an intelligence-based operation was conducted by the security forces in the North Waziristan district.

“During the conduct of the operation, troops effectively engaged the khwarij location, and after an intense fire exchange, six khwarij were sent to hell,” the ISPR press release stated.

In a separate engagement, the military’s media wing said five khwarij were effectively neutralised by police and security forces in Kurram district.

“Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from killed India-sponsored khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces, law enforcement agencies, and target killing of innocent civilians,” the ISPR said.

“Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other India-sponsored kharji found in the area as a relentless counter terrorism campaign under vision “Azm e Istehkam” will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” it added.

Pakistan has experienced a rise in cross-border terrorist incidents since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021. The provinces of KP and Balochistan, which border Afghanistan, have been particularly affected by these attacks.

ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, in his presser on January 6, said that law enforcement agencies carried out 75,175 IBOs across the country in 2025.

Giving a breakdown, he said 14,658 IBOs were conducted in KP, 58,778 in Balochistan, while 1,739 operations took place in the rest of the country.

Lt Gen Chaudhry said that 5,397 terrorism incidents were reported nationwide during the last year. Of these, 3,811 incidents, he said, occurred in KP, 1,557 in Balochistan, and 29 incidents were reported in other parts of the country.

He said that 2,597 terrorists were killed during counterterror operations last year. While providing details of 10 major terror attacks across the country, he said that civilians and soft targets had been deliberately targeted, and Afghan militants were involved in all attacks.





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Ashley Tisdale urges to ‘find strength within’ amid mom group drama

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Ashley Tisdale urges to ‘find strength within’ amid mom group drama


Ashley Tisdale shares new message amid mom group drama

Ashley Tisdale appears to be focusing on inner calm and resilience as conversation around her recent mom group fallout continues to unfold online.

The actress and wellness entrepreneur shared a quiet but pointed message on Instagram that many fans interpreted as a response to the ongoing drama she publicly addressed earlier this month.

On Friday, the former Disney Channel star posted a short Reel showing herself holding a yoga pose against a wide desert backdrop. 

As the camera slowly pulled back, Tisdale moved through gentle stretches, set to soft instrumental music. 

Overlaying the video was a simple message, “Find your strength within,” followed by the words, “Coming 2.1.” 

She wore her hair in a loose bun and workout attire, her silhouette standing out against the muted landscape.

While she did not directly reference the controversy, Tisdale tagged her wellness brand, Frenshe, suggesting the post may also connect to an upcoming project. 

The caption offered no further explanation, but fans quickly filled the comments with messages of encouragement and solidarity. 

Several voiced support amid the situation, with remarks like “#TeamAshley!!” and “We will always support you. Never forget that!”

Others praised the calm tone of the video, calling it a symbol of growth and transformation.

The post arrives as discussion continues around an essay Tisdale recently published for The Cut, in which she reflected on stepping away from a former mom group she described as “toxic.” 

In the piece, she shared that she felt excluded, judged, and no longer comfortable in the circle, recalling a text she sent that read, “This is too high school for me and I don’t want to take part in it anymore.”

Although she avoided naming anyone directly, the group reportedly included well-known figures such as Hilary Duff, Meghan Trainor, and Mandy Moore. 

The essay sparked widespread conversation online, with mixed reactions across social media.

For now, Tisdale seems intent on shifting the focus inward. 

Through a quiet visual and a few carefully chosen words, she appears to be signaling healing, strength, and a forward-looking mindset, rather than continuing the public back-and-forth.





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Baftas 2026 leave behind major A-list stars

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Baftas 2026 leave behind major A-list stars


Baftas 2026 longlist doesn’t include these actors 

The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards are shaping up to be one of the most talked-about ceremonies of the year, with the longlists revealing a mix of big international titles and some notable absences that have left fans and industry watchers debating who has been overlooked.

The longlists were published ahead of the official nominations, which will be unveiled on Jan. 27, and the ceremony itself is set for Feb. 22, 2026, at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London.

At the top of the list, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another dominates with a record-breaking 16 longlist mentions across major categories including best film and best director, led by Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance. 

Other strong contenders such as Hamnet and Sinners also earned widespread recognition with 14 entries each.

However, the longlist announcement also sparked controversy among some fans, who pointed out that several major international films and stars have been pushed aside or left off key categories, leaving observers to question what it means for the British Academy’s selection process this awards season.

Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars left on the sidelines at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards are George Clooney, Dwayne Johnson and Julia Roberts, who failed to make the acting longlists, despite all three earning Golden Globe nominations for their latest performances.

Another example of a high-profile omission discussed in media coverage is Netflix’s Kpop Demon Hunters

Despite being one of the most popular films of 2025, it did not make the longlist because it failed to meet BAFTA’s eligibility requirement for UK theatrical screenings. 

This technicality left many streaming audiences surprised, and highlighted how awards qualification rules can affect which films are considered. 

The upcoming final nominations will narrow these longlists down, determining who will compete for the top BAFTA trophies. 

With films ranging from intimate dramas to global blockbusters, expectations are high, but the discussion around who’s included and who’s not will no doubt continue up to the awards night on 22 February.





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