20 dead in Pak’s Punjab factory explosion
LAHORE, Nov 21: At least 20 people were killed and several injured after a boiler explosion at a chemical factory in Malikpur, Faisalabad district, Punjab, Pakistan, on Friday morning. The powerful blast caused nearby structures, including a building, to collapse, trapping workers under the rubble. Faisalabad Deputy Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar said rescue teams had recovered 20 bodies and shifted seven injured to hospitals, while operations continue to search for more potential victims. The Punjab Inspector General of Police, Dr. Usman Anwar, directed full support for Rescue 1122, the fire brigade, and all relevant agencies to assist in the efforts. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, extended condolences to the families of the victims, and requested a detailed report from the Faisalabad Commissioner. Local authorities mobilized the entire district machinery to ensure swift rescue operations amid fears that more people may still be trapped under the debris. (PTI)
Militant attack in NW Pakistan kills seven
PESHAWAR, Nov 21: At least seven members of a local peace committee were shot dead and several others injured after unidentified militants attacked their office in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwest Pakistan, police said Friday. The gunmen stormed the committee office in the Dara Dariz area of the Bannu district late on Thursday, targeting the headquarters of Peace Committee chief Qari Jaleel. One person was injured in the assault, officials added. Police said the attackers used automatic weapons and possibly heavier munitions during the late-night strike. Law-enforcement agencies have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace the assailants. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistan continues to reel under terrorism with overall violence surging by 46 per cent in the third quarter of 2025, a media report said in October. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the worst-hit region, suffering nearly 71 per cent of the total violence-linked fatalities, it had said. (PTI)
Opposition rallies in Sri Lanka against Dissanayake
COLOMBO, Nov 21: Thousands of opposition activists rallied near Sri Lanka’s capital demanding that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government fulfill promises to ease taxes and restore public order, marking the first major protest against his administration. Opposition leaders accused the government of politicizing law enforcement, failing to curb rising crime, and neglecting election pledges. While Dissanayake has cut state expenses and reduced electricity bills, income taxes remain high. His administration has also pursued corruption investigations, including the arrest of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The opposition hopes to rebuild after election defeats last year, criticizing the government for not delivering on commitments amid ongoing economic challenges following the 2022 crisis. (AP)
