Newlywed couple among 8 killed in gas blast in Pak
Islamabad, Jan 11: A gas cylinder explosion in Pakistan’s capital killed eight people, including a newlywed couple, and injured 11 others early Sunday, officials said. The blast occurred at a house in Sector G-7/2 during a wedding celebration, collapsing the building and damaging at least four nearby houses. Rescue teams pulled 19 people from the debris, several alive. Authorities said the explosion was caused by a leaking gas cylinder, a common hazard in winter due to increased natural gas demand and the use of low-quality cylinders. Dr. Aneeza Jalil of PIMS confirmed an emergency was declared to treat victims. Islamabad Additional Deputy Commissioner Sahibzada Yusuf and rescue teams oversaw operations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani expressed grief and condolences, calling the incident “heart-wrenching” as a family celebration turned into tragedy. (PTI)
23-year-old Hindu farmer shot dead by landlord in Pak
KARACHI, Jan 11: In Pakistan’s Sindh province, 23-year-old Hindu farmer Kelash Kohli was shot dead allegedly by his landlord, Sarfaraz Nizamani, for building a shelter on Nizamani’s land in Talhar village, Badin district on January 4. Kohli succumbed to his bullet wounds in a hospital, sparking widespread protests by the Hindu community. Police arrested Nizamani and his facilitator, Zafarullah Khan, from Hyderabad on Saturday night after a special team tracked them down following their flight from the scene, SSP Badin Qamar Reza Jaskani said. The case was registered after an FIR was filed by Kohli’s brother, Poon Kumar Kohli. Hindu welfare activist Shiva Kaachi said arrests came due to public pressure from peaceful protests and sit-ins by hundreds of community members. Kaachi emphasized the need for a fair trial to restore confidence in authorities and ensure the safety of Hindus in the region. (PTI)
Hamas exits as new Palestinian body takes over Gaza
CAIRO, Jan 11: Hamas said it will dissolve its Gaza government once a US-brokered Palestinian technocratic committee takes over, though no timeline has been given. The politically neutral committee, still awaiting Israeli and US approval, will be overseen by the “Board of Peace,” responsible for disarmament, international security deployment, and Gaza’s reconstruction. Hamas will meet other Palestinian factions this week to finalize the committee, chaired by negotiator Khalil al-Hayya. Meanwhile, ceasefire violations continue, with three Palestinians killed by Israeli fire. The ceasefire, which began in October with hostage exchanges, remains in its first phase. Israel confirmed Nickolay Mladenov as the Board’s director-general. Separately, Netanyahu’s chief of staff, Tzachi Braverman, is being questioned over a military information leak, prompting opposition calls to suspend his ambassadorial appointment, though Israel’s Foreign Minister defended him pending formal charges. (PTI)
