Peshawar

The PTI is organizing nationwide protests to mark three years since Imran Khan's imprisonment, with a central rally in Peshawar. The Rawalpindi administration denied permission for a rally, and PTI lawyers were not allowed to meet Imran Khan at Adiala jail. The party emphasizes peaceful protests and demands his release.

A suicide bomber struck an anti-militant rally in northwestern Pakistan, killing at least 14 people, according to officials. The attack occurred in Peshawar, as reported by the AP.

Two police personnel sustained minor injuries in an IED explosion targeting a police van near Pir Zakorhi Bridge on the Peshawar-Islamabad motorway. The bomb was planted in the green belt next to the vehicle, and the bomb disposal unit is scanning the area for other devices. The incident occurred days after multiple attacks on security personnel in Hangu and Swat.

A split among petroleum dealers in Pakistan led to the cancellation of a nationwide fuel pump shutdown after the government assured implementation of a commission increase. Most stations remained open, though some in Peshawar and rural areas closed, with rival factions within the association undermining the protest's impact.

Pakistan has seen a significant decline in poliovirus detection in environmental samples, with positivity rates dropping from 48.1pc to 13.1pc between 2025 and 2026. The National Emergency Operations Centre reported 10 positive samples in June 2026, down from 369 to 100 positive cases year-to-date. Cross-border transmission from Afghanistan remains a concern, with poliovirus strains linked to Kandahar and Nangarhar detected in Quetta and Peshawar.

Afghan settlements in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province faced a government crackdown involving housing demolitions, identity checks, and demands for undocumented residents to leave. Community members in Mattani, near Peshawar, reported hurriedly packing belongings or hiding as authorities intensified enforcement actions.

A member of the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police, Khaisat Rehman, was killed while defusing an improvised explosive device (IED) in an abandoned police post in Peshawar’s Hassan Khel subdivision. The area has seen multiple terrorist attacks, including a drone strike in July and an assault in June that killed six Federal Constabulary personnel.

At least 32 people died when an overcrowded bus crashed into a ravine in Pakistan's Dana Sar mountain range. The bus was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar at the time of the accident.

A woman was killed and six others injured in a suspected drone strike in Peshawar outskirts. The attack occurred in the Pastawana area of Hassan Khel subdivision, with two injured, including Sher Mast and his son, still in the hospital. A previous drone strike in April damaged a mosque in the same area without casualties.

Mourners observed Ashura with processions in cities like Karachi, Peshawar, and Rawalpindi under elaborate security arrangements. Security measures included road closures, thousands of personnel, and suspended internet services in some areas. Commuters were advised to use alternative routes during the processions.

The country observed Muharram 9 with central mourning processions in Peshawar, Islamabad, and Karachi to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions in the Battle of Karbala. Tight security arrangements, including road closures and deployment of 20,181 police personnel in Karachi, were implemented for the events.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly passed an Rs2.17 trillion budget for FY27, with Chief Minister Sohail Afridi emphasizing peace and development. The budget includes increased police funding, allocations for health and education, and projects like the Khyber Institute of Child Health. Afridi criticized the federal government for withholding NFC awards and delaying the Swat dam project.

Residents of Bara tehsil in Khyber district, KP, have been forced to flee their homes due to ongoing clashes between security forces and terrorists. Displaced families from Sturikhel area, including villages like Meero Darra and Sal Gazai, report vulnerability to drone strikes and artillery shelling, with some relocating to Peshawar. Tribal elders held a jirga to demand recognition as internally displaced persons and official assistance.

A 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad at 3:22pm with its epicenter in Afghanistan's Hindu Kush region. The quake, felt in multiple areas, prompted Rescue 1122 to urge emergency contact. Pakistan's location on three tectonic plates contributes to frequent seismic activity.

Pakistan conducted strikes on terrorist hideouts along its border with Afghanistan, killing 26 militants linked to Fitna-al-Khawarij, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. The strikes followed recent attacks in Peshawar’s Hassan Khel area and a suicide bombing in Bannu, which killed 15 police personnel. Pakistan has urged Afghanistan to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries, but the Afghan Taliban denies the allegations, while China mediates tensions between the two countries.

Six Frontier Constabulary personnel were killed and four injured when terrorists attempted to capture a post in Peshawar’s Hassan Khel area. Three FCN personnel were held hostage, and eight terrorists were killed in retaliatory action. Security forces cordoned off the area and continued operations against the attackers.

The US is closing its consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan due to security concerns. The closure will be phased and diplomatic engagement will be handled by the US Embassy in Islamabad. The move affects the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.