Tuesday, February 17, 2026
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Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi passes away in Lahore

By
Shafek Koreshe
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ISLAMABAD, Nov 19 (APP): APP Digital NewsAllama Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the leader of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan breathed his last Thursday night at Lahore, his party announced. He was 55.

No reason for his death was given. His party officials said he was rushed to a hospital after he had problem breathing and had fever for past few days. However he was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital.

Senior TLP leader Syed Inayat-ul-Haq Shah also confirmed the news and asked the TLP workers to proceed to Lahore to participate in his last rites. The Tehreek-e-Labbaik announced that his funeral would be held on Saturday at 10 in the morning at Minar-e-Pakistan.

Videos on several social media accounts showed large number of his followers rushing to his home and crying over his sad demise.

The fire brand clerk was known for his protest marches, that often became violent and created law and order problems. His last protest was relatively shorter at Faizabad and ended only after a two day blockade of the twin cities on Monday.

Immediately after the confirmation of the news condolences poured in from all sections of society; including the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, Information Minister, Chief of Army Staff, Chief Minister Punjab and political leaders of many parties.

Prime Minister Imran Khan in a tweet expressed his grief over the sad demise of Allama Khadim Rizvi and conveyed condolences to his family.

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa also conveyed his condolences over the demise of the TLP leader.

 

Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information in Punjab also expressed grief over his sad demise.

Amir Jamat Islami also expressed his grief and prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the departed soul.

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s consistent stance on Kashmir

By
Shafek Koreshe
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0

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s stance on Kashmir at international fora to highlight gruesome human rights violations by India

 

Indian media’s fake “civil war” in Pakistan, falls flat on face

By
Shafek Koreshe
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0
APP Digital Small logo
By Shafek Koreshe

In an abortive attempt to create diversion from Narendra Modi’s human rights abuses in Kashmir, the Indian media went berserk by propagating fake news about a “civil war” like situation in Karachi, triggering a hilarious response from the twitterati in Pakistan, who enjoyed every bit of the ridiculous reports.

#CivilWarInPakistan and #KarachiCivilWar were in no time the top trends, with the young twitter users going crazy by posting video clips from action movies, comics, images of the Indian MiG pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, shot down by Pakistan Air Force inside Pakistan’s territory, as scenes from the Civil War, getting an equally enthusiastic response with numerous retweets and likes.

The arrest of PML-N leader Captain (Retd) Safdar on charges of political sloganeering at Quaid’s Mausoleum and leave applications by senior police officers was exploited by the top Indian news channels, who portrayed an administrative issue as a “civil war” and went to the extent of even reporting casualties, and armed clashes.

Indian Media ditches professionalism to dip at to its lowest 

#FakeNews CNN18News
#FakeNews CNN18News

The news reports were part of a persistent barrage of fake news from Indian mainstream media and its RAW controlled assets on social media over the past few months. The trend has witnessed a sharp spike as part of India’s fifth generation war (5GW) against Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office on the “malicious and fabricated propaganda” by Indian mainstream and social media claiming civil unrest in Pakistan, said planting such baseless stories were reflective of the “Pakistan-obsessed BJP-RSS” mindset.

“Needless to say that Indian media continues to hit new lows,” he said, when asked to respond over the series of fake news flashed as breaking news across the Indian media about a “civil war in Pakistan”.

“Indian media continues to hit new lows”: FO

The Spokesperson said through “peddling fake news and running propaganda machinery”, India could not wash away the truth about its own gross and systematic human rights violations in Indian Ilelgally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

“Rather than reporting on humanitarian crisis in IIOJK, the Indian media chooses to spread fake and sensational news about Pakistan to detract from core issues,” he said.

5th Gen War – Twitterati bust RAW’s #Fake letter attributed to COAS

 

#FakeNews - Yet another figment of imagination of Indian Media
#FakeNews – Yet another figment of imagination of Indian Media

The Indian media tried hard to appease its own consumers and to create a diversion from its human rights abuses in occupied Kashmir. However in its abortive attempt it created history by churning out fake news overpowered by the anti-Pakistan hysteria, undermining its professional ethics and credibility.

#FakeNews - India Today with its concocted news story
#FakeNews – India Today with its concocted news story

The unleashing of the Indian media did not go unnoticed, as Michael Kugelman, deputy director at the @AsiaProgram and South Asia senior associate @TheWilsonCenter in a tweet pointed that the Indian disinformation accounts were exploiting Pakistan’s current political crisis, and “falsely claiming that the country is no experiencing urban warfare.”

He described the trend as “dangerous and disturbing”, as several of these accounts were verified and had huge followings.

Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari said the Indian media was in “hyper drive with fake news on Pakistan” and regretted that it was “unfortunate that Twitter is [deliberately ignoring it].”

All major media outlets in so-called world’s biggest democracy decimated all journalistic norms as none bothered to fact-check such a huge gaffe. India’s News18, India Today, Zee News, India.com and several others quoted the International Herald which showed old videos of bomb explosions in Pakistan and portrayed it as the ongoing civil war.

#FakeNews - Indian International Herald tweet
#FakeNews – Indian International Herald tweet

The Institute of Policy Research in a report said their data indicates a pattern of Indian propaganda against Pakistan on digital media that grew exponentially after 2018 General Elections in #Pakistan. The propaganda hovers around largely 4 key themes.

IPRI Timeline of Indian Propaganda
IPRI Timeline of Indian Propaganda

Minister for Ports and Shipping pointed that the Indian propaganda was at its peak and “sadly fueled by the PDM Circus.” He said the food inflation was artificially manufactured, but was being brought under control.

Minister for Kashmir Affairs also lambasted the “fake, fabricated and malicious propaganda campaign to malign State institutions of Pakistan. He urged @Twitter to take action against Indian accounts for #FakeNews against Paksitan.

However, this idiocy of Indian media gave the Twitterati a perfect chance to enjoy as the microblogging site was flooded with messages to ridicule the Indian media’s insanity.

“Karachi civil war has gotten so bad that my food panda delivery boy had to crawl through mine fields carrying his AK47, RPG & 9mm along with my nihari and Biryani. This thing is getting so serious. Multiple cows have been killed & people are dying of over eating. #IndianMedia,” commented renowned singer Fakhr-e-Alam.

Besides numerous other fake photos, the Indian media also used an image of a building collapsed following a gas leakage blast in Karachi earlier in the day to substantiate its fake news of civil war.

“A little investigation would have informed Zee News that it wasn’t a bomb blast in ‘civil war’ in Pakistan but the result of a  gas leak in Karachi. Whither truth, objectivity, balance and fairness in reporting?,” said Farhatullah Babr, former senator of Pakistan Peoples Party which rules Sindh province.

“An Aircraft shot during civil war in Karachi… and the pilot captured…,” commented another Twitter user Fasihuddin while sharing the images of Indian aircraft MiG-21 and captured injured pilot Abhinandan following an aerial dogfight during India-Pakistan standoff in 2019.

Polyglot PM Shehbaz surprises Austrian chancellor with German proficiency

By
Ishtiaq Rao
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0

VIENNA, Feb 17 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has surprised the Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker with his command of the German language which he spoke during the delegation-level talks between the two leaders.

During his two-day official visit to Austria—the first by a Pakistani Prime Minister in over three decades— the prime minister addressed the Chancellor in German to express gratitude for the warm hospitality and optimism for deeper bilateral cooperation in the years ahead.

“Mr. Chancellor, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your very warm welcome today and I look forward to continuing cooperation in the coming years,” the prime minister said in the German – the national language of Austria.

German Chancellor also shared the video clip highlighting the moment with the caption, “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif surprised everyone with his German language proficiency.”

This is not the first time Prime Minister Shehbaz has demonstrated his multilingual abilities on the international stage. He has previously spoken German, Persian, Russian, and Arabic during various engagements.

ICT Police put Kabari Gang leader, two accomplices behind bars; Looted valuables recovered

By
Samina Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Feb 17 (APP):Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police’s Anti-Robbery and Dacoity Unit (ARDU) achieved a major success by arresting three members of an organized Kabari gang, including its leader, involved in multiple incidents of house theft.
An official told APP on Tuesday that the gang, comprising previously recorded offenders, used to conduct reconnaissance of houses during the day and commit thefts at night.
He said the arrested accused were wanted by Lohi Bher and Bani Gala police stations in several cases. The gang members were identified as Sudhir, Abdul Rehman, and Waheed Ullah.
Police also recovered looted valuables worth more than Rs 11.5 million, including Pakistani and foreign currency, expensive watches, mobile phones, tablet devices, and gold ornaments. Weapons used in the crimes were also recovered.
DIG Islamabad Muhammad Jawad Tariq said the Islamabad Police is conducting large-scale operations against organized and active gangs.
He said the protection of citizens’ lives and property remains the foremost priority of Islamabad Police.

Foreign exchange rates

By
Samina Ch
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KARACHI, Feb 17 (APP):The Exchange Rates Committee of Financial Markets Association of Pakistan issued the following Exchange rates bulletin, here on Tuesday.
CONVERSION RATES FOR FEBRUARY 17, 2026 FOR FOREIGN CURRENCY FOR FORWARD COVER FOR DEPOSITS (EXCLUDING FE-25 DEPOSITS)
SBP SETTLEMENT VALUE DATE FEBRUARY 19 ,2026
     USD      279.5767
     GBP      381.6780
     EUR      331.7736
     JPY        1.8236

PNS Khaibar visits International Islamic Port of Jeddah

By
Samina Ch
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Saudi Arab,Jeddah Feb 17 (APP):The newly commissioned state-of-the-art Pakistan Navy Ship Khaibar visited Saudi Arabia’s International Islamic Port of Jeddah.
During the goodwill visit at the International Islamic Port of Jeddah, the Consul General of Pakistan Syed Mustafa Rabbani and Captain Ali Raza, Commanding Officer of Pakistan PNS Khyber, hosted a grand reception-cum-dinner on the deck of the ship on the evening of Monday, (February 16), in which Consul General of Pakistan Syed Mustafa Rabbani, dignitaries of the Pakistani community, officers of The Royal Saudi Naval Force and officers of the Consulate General of Pakistan Jeddah attended.
The ceremony began with the national anthems of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Captain Ali Raza delivered a welcome speech and thanked all the guests for their participation. He said that PNS Khaibar has recently been taken from Turkey, and this is its first visit. PNS Khaibar is fully equipped with modern warfare capabilities and has been named PNS Khyber in honor of the Khyber Fort in Madinah al-Munawwarah, which was conquered by Hazrat Ali Karamullah Wajh (RA).
The Consul General of Pakistan thanked Captain Ali Raza and his crew for the banquet. A cake-cutting ceremony was also held to mark the occasion.

UN chief urges renewed push to complete decolonization of remaining 17 territories

By
NNPS Desk
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UNITED NATIONS, Feb 17 (APP): More than 60 years after the UN launched its formal decolonization drive, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Monday urged renewed commitment to completing the unfinished business of ending colonial rule.

Since 1945, more than 80 former colonies comprising some 750 million people have gained independence. However, 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories remain on the UN list, home to nearly two million people.

They range from Western Sahara in Africa to small island territories in the Caribbean and Pacific.

Opening the 2026 session of the Special Committee on Decolonization – known as the C-24 – the Secretary-General, in remarks delivered by his Chef de Cabinet Courtenay Rattray, stressed that decolonization has been a core objective of the Organization “since its earliest days.”

“This Organization was created as a place where nations could meet as equals, not as rulers and ruled,” he said.

Yet, Guterres cautioned that the legacy of colonialism continues to shape present-day realities.

“The legacy of colonialism has left profound scars through deeply rooted mechanisms of economic exploitation, as well as in the form of racism, inequality and persistent exclusion from the decision-making bodies,” he said.

The C-24 was established by the General Assembly in 1961 to monitor progress towards granting independence to territories that have not yet attained “a full measure of self-government,” as defined under Chapter XI of the UN Charter. Its mandate stems from the landmark 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.

Many of the remaining territories are small islands facing intensifying climate threats.

Rising sea levels, coastal erosion and more frequent extreme weather events are damaging homes and infrastructure, undermining tourism and fisheries, and straining already limited public resources.

“The majority of the Territories are small islands,” he noted, urging the Special Committee to place “resilience and adaptation at the heart of your discussions.”

The Secretary-General outlined three priorities to guide the remaining decolonization process.

First, he called for “inclusive dialogue among Non-Self-Governing Territories, administering Powers, Member States, and all stakeholders,” stressing that each case must be addressed individually and “in accordance with the UN Charter, the 1960 Declaration, and the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly.”

Second, he underscored “the central role of young people,” saying that “the vision and leadership of the next generation is vital to building a productive and inclusive future.”

Third, he highlighted the urgency of climate action, particularly for island territories confronting existential risks.

PM Shehbaz greets President Xi, Chinese people on Lunar New Year

By
Ishtiaq Rao
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0

VIENNA, Feb 16 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday extended his greetings to President Xi Jinping, the people of China, and the Chinese communities worldwide on the occasion of the Chinese New Year 2026.

“As we welcome the Chinese New Year 2026 – the Year of the Horse – I extend my heartfelt greetings to President Xi Jinping, the brotherly people of China, and to Chinese communities around the world,” the prime minister wrote in a message on his X timeline, which he started with the Chinese words “Gong Xi Fa Cai” translated as “congratulations and may you prosper.”

Referring to the Year of the Horse, named under the Chinese zodiac calendar featuring a 12-year cycle represented by 12 animals, the prime minister said that the Horse symbolized energy, resilience and speed – values that resonated deeply with our shared journey.

Prime Minister Shehbaz, who is currently in Austria on a two-day visit, said that Pakistan and China were iron brothers, bound by an All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and a shared vision of peace, development and regional connectivity.

He wished that the new year would further strengthen the enduring bilateral friendship and deepen cooperation for the prosperity of two peoples.

“The entire Pakistani nation joins me in wishing our Chinese brothers and sisters continued good health, success and forward momentum in the Year of the Horse,” the prime minister added.

President wishes Chinese leadership, masses prosperous, happy new year

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Feb 16 (APP):President, Asif Ali Zardari has extended his heartfelt felicitations to the people, the government and the leadership of the People’s Republic of China on the occasion of Chinese New Year 2026.
In his message from the Presidency, the president said, “On the joyous occasion of Chinese New Year, ushering in the auspicious Year of the Horse, I extend my heartfelt felicitations to the people, the Government and the leadership of the People’s Republic of China.
The Year of the Horse is traditionally associated with energy, progress and resilience. These qualities reflect the spirit of renewal and forward movement that defines this festival and resonate strongly with the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China.”
President Zardari underlined that the year 2026 also marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries, established in 1951.
Over seven decades, he said Pakistan and China have built an All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership founded on mutual respect, trust and shared purpose.
“This iron-clad friendship has remained steadfast through changing global circumstances and continues to be a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Pakistan’s all-weather friendship with China is rooted in history.
Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was the last international leader to meet Chairman Mao Zedong, a moment that symbolised the confidence and strategic understanding that have guided our relations ever since,” the president said.
Pakistan and China have always supported each other on issues of core national interest, he said, adding that Pakistan has consistently upheld the One-China Policy, while China has extended principled support to Pakistan, including on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, emphasising its peaceful resolution in accordance with the United Nations Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions.
President Zardari also recalled his maximum visits to China during his tenure as President from 2008 to 2013 which were on numerous occasions, far more than most other world leaders visiting China during that period.
These frequent engagements reflected the priority Pakistan has always attached to its relationship with China and helped further deepen mutual trust, understanding and long-term cooperation, he added.
Under the visionary leadership of President Xi Jinping, he said China continues to play an important role in promoting peace, development and multilateral cooperation.
His leadership has further strengthened the bonds of Pak-China friendship and encouraged cooperation aimed at shared development and stability, he added.
Pakistan, he said deeply valued China’s leading and constructive role in regional and global affairs, including as a founding member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
China’s vision and sustained engagement have helped strengthen the SCO as a platform for dialogue, collective security and economic cooperation, contributing to regional stability and connectivity across Eurasia, he added.
Moreover, he said Pakistan and China have forged close cooperation in defence and security, which has contributed significantly to regional peace and stability.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to safeguarding common interests and promoting a stable and secure regional environment,” he added.
The president also praised the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as a transformative initiative under the Belt and Road framework, driving infrastructure development, industrial growth and connectivity between the two nations.
“As CPEC enters its next phase, Pakistan remains committed to realising its full potential for shared prosperity,” he said.
He added that Pakistan-China all-weather, time-tested, iron-clad brotherly relations, making the two nations, standing together in good times and in challenging moments, are grounded in sincerity and mutual support that remains a source of strength for both nations.
“On this auspicious occasion of the Chinese New Year, I extend my best wishes for health, happiness and continued success to the Chinese people. May the Year of the Horse carry our two nations towards greater achievements in trade, innovation, peace and people-to-people exchange.
Pakistan remains fully committed to further deepening this partnership for a shared future of prosperity. Gong xi fa cai, xin nian kuai le (Wishing you prosperity, and Happy New Year!),” the president said.

Ministry of Water Resources, IHE Delft delegation sign MoU to strengthen Pakistan–Netherlands water cooperation

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Feb 16 (APP):A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Water Resources and the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education on Monday to strengthen cooperation in the water sector between Pakistan and the Netherlands.
The agreement aims to enhance the capacity of professionals from the Ministry and its affiliated organizations in the areas of water resources planning, development, and integrated management.
A high-level delegation from IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, one of the top-ranked international institutions in water sector education, called on the Federal Minister for Water Resources Mian Muhammad Mueen Wattoo during a 2–3 day official visit to Pakistan aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in water resources development and management.
The delegation was led by Prof. Graham Jewitt, Vice Rector and Academic Director of IHE Delft, and Associate Professor Dr. Ilyas Masih, and was accompanied by Ambassador Robert-Jan Siegert and Deputy Head of Mission Hajo Provó Kluit of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Federal Minister Wattoo warmly welcomed the delegation and appreciated the longstanding cooperation between Pakistan and the Netherlands in the water sector. He acknowledged the Netherlands’ global leadership and technical expertise in water management and emphasized the importance of further strengthening collaboration to address emerging challenges, including climate change impacts, flood management, and sustainable water utilization.
During their stay, the delegation will engage with leading water-sector universities, disaster risk management institutions, and other key stakeholders across the country. A national-level technical workshop will also be organized with participation from major water-sector departments and academic institutions from across Pakistan.
The visit will conclude with the development of a practical roadmap for effective implementation of the MoU, aimed at strengthening technical capacity, promoting research collaboration, and enhancing knowledge exchange to support sustainable water resources management in Pakistan.
The meeting was also attended by Federal Secretary for Water Resources Syed Ali Murtaza Shah at the Ministry of Water Resources.

Housing Ministry committed to addressing allottees’ issues on priority: Riaz Pirzada

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Feb 16 (APP):Federal Minister for Housing and Works, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, has assured that the ministry was fully committed to addressing the issues of allottees on a priority basis.
He expressed these views during the groundbreaking ceremony for infrastructure development work in Sectors F-14 and F-15, launched by the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA). He added that the formal commencement of development work in Islamabad’s Sectors F-14 and F-15 is a practical demonstration of this resolve.
He noted that the project was originally launched in 2015 but faced delays due to various reasons. However, he said it is now being revived and moved forward at full pace.
Housing Ministry committed to addressing allottees’ issues on priority: Riaz Pirzada
The minister stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, special emphasis is being placed on housing projects, resulting in a significant acceleration of development activities.
He expressed satisfaction that all sectors of the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority have started returning to track.
Pirzada assured that all concerns of landowners and allottees would be addressed, fair compensation would be ensured, and the project would be completed within the stipulated timeframe. He said that, under the agreement, development work will be carried out by the National Logistics Cell (NLC), whose cooperation he described as commendable.
The federal minister emphasized that continuous engagement will be maintained with all stakeholders and that restoring the institution’s credibility remains a top priority.
He urged allottees to ensure the timely payment of installments to sustain the pace of development work and reiterated the government’s commitment to restarting all stalled projects in phases.
Secretary Housing and Works, Capt. (Retd.) Muhammad Mahmood, said there would be no negligence in the full payment of claims to landowners, adding that his doors would always remain open to them and that their concerns would be addressed through the mediation of respected parliamentarians.
He further stated that allottees must immediately clear their outstanding dues; otherwise, under the law, the plots of defaulters could be cancelled. He urged them to ensure the timely payment of installments to maintain the pace of development work and reiterated that all stalled projects would be restarted in phases.
Earlier, Director General (DG) of Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) Capt. (Retd.) Muhammad Zafar Iqbal said that the Authority is striving to complete all its projects on time, with the special guidance and efforts of the Federal Minister for Housing and Works playing a key role.
Members of the National Assembly Malik Ibrar Ahmed and Anjum Aqeel Khan, CEO of the Pakistan Housing Authority Foundation (PHAF) Muhammad Shahid Hussain, Commander Engineer of the National Logistics Cell (NLC), Brigadier Muhammad Salman Malik, members of civil society, and a large number of allottees also attended the ceremony.

President Zardari offers condolence on demise of Gopang tribe chief

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
MULTAN, Feb 16 (APP):President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari visited Basti Ranjhay Khan to offer condolence and participate in the Fateha for the late chief of the Gopang tribe, Sardar Ranjhay Khan Gopang.
The President extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul. He met with the deceased’s brother, Sardar Habibur Rehman Khan Gopang, who serves as a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) and also as the District President of Pakistan Peoples Party Rahim Yar Khan.
During the visit, prominent representatives and elders of the Gopang tribe were also present. They expressed gratitude to the President for personally visiting and standing with the family in their moment of grief.
The visit reflected solidarity, respect for tribal leadership, and the strong bond between the political leadership and the local community of Rahim Yar Khan.
On this occasion, President Asif Ali Zardari also placed the traditional turban of chieftainship upon the head of the late leader’s eldest son, Chief Sardar Noor-ul-Zaman Khan Gopang, formally conferring upon him the honour and responsibilities of tribal leadership.
Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider, MNA Makhdoom Mustafa Mahmood, and President Pakistan People’s Party South Punjab Makhdoom Ahmed Mahmood were also present on the occasion.
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