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Opposition to all terror outfits, not only TTP, says KP CM Sohail Afridi
- 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.
After decades of car chases, crime thrillers and casino capers, John Travolta may finally be ready to trade the action hero life for something a little softer – and a lot flirtier.
Nearly 50 years after Grease turned him into Hollywood’s ultimate heartthrob, the 72-year-old star is reportedly hunting for the perfect romantic comedy comeback.
And according to insiders, there’s one woman at the top of the wish list: Sandra Bullock.
“John’s had such a long run in action and drama, that’s been his bread and butter,” a source told Closer magazine.
“But the truth is he’s actually more of a rom-com guy, those are the movies he loves watching, and he wants to try making one before it’s too late.”
Hollywood apparently agrees. While names like Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts and Meg Ryan have floated around, insiders claim Sandra is the “dream pick.”
And honestly? Danny Zuko flirting with the queen of rom-coms sounds like the kind of movie people would absolutely stream on a rainy Sunday.
“They haven’t worked together before, but they have a fantastic rapport, and people think they’d work really well as an on-screen couple,” the insider said. “Of course, people in his world are also secretly hoping that something more might spark between them once they start working together.”
The pair have crossed paths for years in Hollywood circles and famously shared a playful moment onstage at the Oscars. They also reportedly share mutual friends, including Nicole Kidman.
Behind the scenes, friends believe their connection goes deeper than Hollywood small talk. Both stars know devastating loss – John lost wife Kelly Preston in 2020 after her battle with breast cancer, while Sandra mourned longtime partner Brian Randall following his ALS battle.
“They share the same painful history of losing their soul mates far too soon,” the source said. “Sandra’s still grieving Brian intensely, and there’s no doubt John misses Kelly every day too.”
For now, there’s no romance – and maybe no rom-com yet either.
But insiders say if the right script lands on both their desks, Hollywood could get its next unexpected dream pairing.
Queen Camilla sat down for a surprise interview with former US President George W Bush’s daughter, Jenna Bush Hager, who’s a renowned journalist.
The Queen, 78, made a stunning confession in chat with Jenna during her visit to the New York Public Library on Wednesday.
The conversation, recorded on day three of the King Chares and Camilla’s State Visit to America, focused on the Queen’s dedication to promoting literacy and her experiences during the trip.
The Queen reportedly spoke of her reading habbits, nature and personal choices during the chat.
NBC’s TODAY programme announced the interview on Instagram, stating: “In a TODAY exclusive, Jenna Bush Hager spoke to Her Majesty Queen Camilla about her visit to the U.S. and the Queen’s passion for reading.”
Vicki Perrin, who serves as Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, also accompanied the journalis at the library event.
The reception attracted impressive gathering of literary and cultural figures, with approximately 100 guests from the publishing world in attendance.
Among those present were Vogue editor Anna Wintour, author Harlan Coben, and actress Sarah Jessica Parker, herself a prominent advocate for reading initiatives.
Parker remarked: “Every time you shine a spotlight on reading and the relationship between a reader and a book and how it changes lives and enriches lives and cultivates empathy and curiosity, I’m so grateful.”
The Queen was all excited as she presented a special gift to the institution’s famous collection of Winnie the Pooh teddy bears, which originally belonged to author A.A. Milne’s son.
She donated a replacement Roo doll, crafted by British toymaker Merrythought, as the original character has been missing from the collection for some time.
- Possible strikes may focus on key Iranian infrastructure sites.
- Another plan involves securing Strait of Hormuz shipping route.
- Operation could include ground forces to reopen key oil passage.
President Donald Trump will receive a briefing on Thursday from the leader of the US Central Command, Brad Cooper, on new plans for potential military action against Iran, Axios reported on Wednesday.
The report cited unidentified sources. The White House and the US Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Centcom has prepared a plan for a “short and powerful” wave of strikes on Iran, likely including infrastructure targets, Axios reported, citing sources.
A fragile ceasefire in the Iran war began three weeks ago.
The war began when the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. Iran responded with its own strikes on Israel and the Gulf states with US bases. US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed thousands and displaced millions.
Trump has previously threatened to destroy Iran’s civilian infrastructure. International law experts say such strikes may amount to war crimes. The 1949 Geneva Conventions on humanitarian conduct in war prohibit attacks on sites considered essential for civilians.
Another plan expected to be shared with Trump is focused on taking over part of the Strait of Hormuz to reopen it to commercial shipping, the report added, saying such an operation may involve ground forces.
The Iran war, which remains unpopular in the US, has shaken markets and raised oil prices. The war has brought traffic through the strait, a chokepoint for about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, close to a standstill.
Washington hopes to make Iran more flexible at the negotiating table on nuclear issues, Axios reported.
Another option that might come up in the briefing is a special forces operation to secure Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, Axios said.
Trump has cited Iran’s nuclear programme as an imminent threat. Tehran denies seeking nuclear weapons but says it has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including enrichment, as a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine is also expected to attend Thursday’s briefing, Axios reported.
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