On Saturday, the Pakistan World Alliance announced that PTI leader Imran Khan has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership and efforts in human rights and democracy. A post on X from Partiet Centram stated that they collaborated with an eligible nominator to put forward Khan’s name. Previously, Khan was nominated for the prize in 2019 for his peace initiatives in South Asia.

A Pakistani court has sentenced five people to death for posting blasphemous content online. Legal Commission on Blasphemy lawyer Rao Abdur Rahim stated that the convicted individuals were found guilty of spreading defamatory content against the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Additionally, they received life imprisonment for desecrating the Quran and 10-year sentences for hurting religious sentiments. Among the convicted, one is an Afghan national, while four are Pakistanis.

Indian media outlets are reporting the deployment of Chinese troops in Balochistan, a claim Pakistan vehemently denies. According to Sama TV, following a failed terrorist attack on a train, India and its intelligence agency RAW have launched a new propaganda campaign in support of the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). India Today published unverified claims suggesting the presence of Chinese private military companies in Pakistan. Pakistani authorities clarified that apart from security personnel stationed at designated locations in Lahore and Karachi, no Chinese security forces are deployed in the country.

In an official statement, the Pakistani government refuted reports claiming that Pakistani journalists had visited Israel. It emphasized that Pakistani passports explicitly state they are not valid for travel to Israel. The statement reiterated Pakistan’s firm stance of not recognizing Israel and reaffirmed its unwavering support for Palestinian rights based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has declared that former Prime Minister Imran Khan will not apologize to anyone. He dismissed any possibility of negotiations with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), or Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). PTI is instead engaging in talks with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and other Sindh-based parties to form a larger opposition alliance. He also criticized reports suggesting that PTI must apologize for the May 9 events, stating that such demands were politically motivated.

Pakistan’s ISPR reported that at least 16 insurgents were killed in a security operation in Ghulam Khan Kalla, North Waziristan, while attempting to cross from Afghanistan into Pakistan. Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan government to enhance border management. The statement emphasized that Afghanistan must prevent its territory from being used for terrorist activities against Pakistan.

Abu Katal, also known as Faisal Nadeem, a key figure in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the mastermind behind the 2023 Jammu-Kashmir attacks, was shot dead in Pakistan. Unidentified gunmen ambushed his vehicle, leading to his death. Nadeem, identified by Indian authorities as a Lashkar-e-Taiba operative, was accused of orchestrating the attack in Rajouri, Jammu & Kashmir, which resulted in seven deaths and several injuries. Reports indicate that he was active in Kashmir in the early 2000s before retreating to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The Higher Education Commission of Punjab, Pakistan, has imposed a ban on Indian dance and songs along with immoral and unethical activities in all public and private colleges. The Commission clarified that it is the responsibility of college administrations to ensure the moral and disciplined education of students. A circular stated that any violation of the ban would lead to strict action against the offenders.

The Islamabad High Court had ordered that former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan be presented either via video call by 2 PM or in person by 3 PM on Friday. However, prison authorities failed to comply, citing security risks. Islamabad’s Advocate General stated that security concerns made it impossible to bring Khan physically or connect him via video call. The court has now ordered Adiala Jail’s superintendent and the advocate general to submit affidavits explaining the failure to comply with its directive.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s adviser, Rana Sanaullah, has accused India of orchestrating the Balochistan train attack, claiming the attacks are being carried out from Afghanistan. He also stated that India supports both the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). The rescue operation to free hostages ended successfully, with 33 militants killed. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry further claimed that India supports the terrorists involved in the attack. The militants had already killed 21 passengers before the operation began.

Renowned Pakistani architect Yasmeen Lari has refused to accept the 2024 Wolf Prize, citing Israel’s atrocities in Gaza. The award, established in 1978, honors outstanding contributions in science and arts. Lari, Pakistan’s first registered female architect, has gained global recognition for her innovative designs and humanitarian work. Speaking to Dawn, she stated she had no choice but to reject the award as a stance against injustice. She has previously received prestigious honors, including the 2023 Royal Gold Medal for Architecture.

India has declared two prominent Kashmiri organizations illegal under its laws: the Awami Action Committee (AAC), led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and the Jammu and Kashmir Ittehadul Muslimeen (JKIM), previously led by the late Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari. With this decision, the number of banned political parties and organizations in Kashmir has risen to 16. Pakistan has strongly condemned India’s move, stating that the ban on these two well-known organizations for five years disregards democratic principles and international human rights standards.

The Pakistan military has successfully completed an operation against the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which had attacked the Zafar Express train and taken passengers hostage in Balochistan. According to military spokesperson General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, all 33 militants involved in the attack were “eliminated.” However, 21 innocent hostages were killed before the operation commenced. Four members of the Frontier Corps were also martyred during the counterterrorism mission. The military stated that the attackers had links to Afghan criminal networks, highlighting the cross-border nature of the operation.

Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Munir Akram, has accused Afghanistan-based militant groups of operating against Pakistan, posing a severe security threat. While further details were not disclosed, the statement underscores rising tensions between the two neighboring countries over cross-border militant activities.

Militants have attacked a train in Balochistan, Pakistan, taking 182 passengers hostage, including military personnel. The attackers, identified as members of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), have threatened to kill all hostages unless security forces withdraw from the region. The train was carrying around 400 passengers at the time of the attack. The BLA, a separatist group, has been fighting for Balochistan’s independence for decades, accusing the government of exploiting the province’s gas and mineral resources. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has strongly condemned the attack, stating that the government will not back down.