Balochistan shut down on opposition alliance’s call
KARACHI, Feb 8: Parts of Balochistan came to a standstill on Sunday as the opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Aain Pakistan (TTAP) called for a complete shutter down and traffic strike to mark the anniversary of the February 8, 2024 general elections, which they allege were rigged. The alliance includes all major opposition parties, notably Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of manipulating results to seize power. Normal life was disrupted in Quetta and other parts of the province, with markets closed and public transport off the roads. The government deployed heavy police and Frontier Corps forces as TTAP supporters staged demonstrations, blocked highways, and clashed with law enforcement, resulting in several arrests. The shutdown comes amid heightened tensions in Balochistan, which recently experienced a deadly operation against terrorists that killed at least 216 militants, 36 civilians, and 22 security personnel, highlighting ongoing security and political unrest in the province. (PTI)
Stabbed Indian students in Russia recovering well
MOSCOW, Feb 8: Four Indian medical students injured in a stabbing attack at the State Medical University in Ufa, Russia, are “stable and recovering well,” the Indian mission said on Sunday. The attack on Saturday, carried out by a 15-year-old local school student armed with a knife, left at least six people wounded. The attacker also injured two police officers and a hostel guard while resisting arrest before attempting suicide; he remains hospitalized in serious condition. Authorities in Bashkortostan have opened a case of gross dereliction of duty against the university and juvenile delinquency prevention officials, citing prior knowledge of the attacker’s troubling behaviour. Bashkortostan Head Radiy Khabirov has strengthened security at educational institutions and is personally overseeing the treatment of the Indian students, coordinating with the Indian Embassy and victims’ families. Reports suggest the attacker belonged to a banned neo-Nazi group and shouted nationalist slogans during the incident. (PTI)
Air quality in Kathmandu deteriorates to ‘unhealthy level’
KATHMANDU, Feb 8: Air quality in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley worsened on Sunday, reaching an “unhealthy” level with an AQI of 175 recorded across all three districts. The Environment Department reported Kathmandu ranked seventh among the world’s most polluted cities, with Cairo topping the list at 273 AQI. Experts attribute the poor air quality to dry weather, factory and industrial emissions, vehicular smoke, and unregulated construction. The valley’s bowl-shaped geography traps pollutants, delaying improvement until rainfall or strong winds occur. Authorities expect air quality to improve with the onset of the summer season in April. AQI levels above 300 are considered a disaster under Kathmandu Valley’s Air Quality Management Procedure. (PTI)
