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Chitral: Two people have died after glacier bursts and cloudbursts triggered floods at more than a dozen locations across Chitral, disrupting daily life and bringing business activities to a standstill.

According to reports, the Chitral-Peshawar Main Road and the Chitral-Shandur Road have been closed to all kinds of traffic after floodwaters washed away sections of the roads and damaged bridges.

Rescue officials recovered one body from the Chitral River, while the identification process is underway. The search for the body of another victim is continuing.

Telephone and internet services in the area were partially restored after remaining disrupted for 24 hours.

A cloudburst at Broz village on the Chitral-Peshawar Road triggered massive flash floods in Gumbas Gol and Broz Gol. The floodwaters swept away bridges, cutting off Chitral’s road link with the rest of the country. The flooding also damaged the fiber optic line at these locations.

In Karimabad Valley of Lower Chitral, floodwaters washed away nearly a dozen bridges, severing links between communities living on opposite sides of the stream.

A high-level flood was also reported in Preet Gol. However, because the stream is located at a lower depth, floodwaters did not enter the village. The flood surge blocked the flow of the Chitral River for several hours.

Meanwhile, the Chitral-Mastuj-Shandur Road was also washed away at the Koragh area, leaving travelers facing severe difficulties.

Also Read: Heavy Rains Trigger Flash Floods Across Diamer, Power and Road Links Severed

Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Monday raised serious questions over the Customs Department’s handling of a cigarette seizure case and the performance of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), while allegations of bribery against the tax authority also came under discussion.

The committee, chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro, reviewed the cigarette seizure case, the Customs operation and the role of the FBR during its meeting.

Committee members also expressed concern over the absence of the Federal Secretary for Interior. Responding to the criticism, the Joint Secretary of the Interior Ministry informed the committee that a new secretary had recently been appointed and would attend future meetings after assuming charge.

During the proceedings, Chairman Abro referred to a recent statement by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, saying that if the minister himself had stated that “everything has been destroyed,” there was little left to be said.

Briefing the committee, Customs officials said the seized trucks remained in their custody and that Customs had alerted the Motorway Police after suspecting the cigarettes were smuggled.

However, Senator Talha Mahmood disputed the claim, arguing that the matter fell under sales tax rather than Customs jurisdiction. He also questioned allegations that the cigarettes had been smuggled from Afghanistan, noting that the border remained closed.

Customs officials further informed the committee that no individual had been nominated in the case. Chairman Abro questioned why the names of relatives of Senator Faisal Saleem had appeared in media reports despite the absence of evidence against any individual.

The committee directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to immediately investigate how the news report linking the senator emerged. It also instructed investigators to record statements from officials of the FBR, Customs and the Motorway Police.

Chairman Abro sought a report by the end of the day, directing the FIA to determine the ownership of the seized cigarettes and the circumstances surrounding the media coverage.

Senator Dilawar also objected to the case, stating that if the recovered cigarettes were not smuggled, authorities should explain why his name had been associated with the matter.

Pakistan Issues New 2026 Guidelines for Registration and Accreditation of Foreign Media

ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan has issued the Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026, introducing a new regulatory framework for the registration, accreditation and movement of foreign media organizations, journalists and their local associates working in the country.

The five page guidelines, issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s External Publicity Wing (EP Wing), make registration with the EP Wing mandatory for all journalists, freelancers, contributors, stringers, fixers, sponsors, media professionals, media owners and other individuals associated with foreign or international media operating in Pakistan.

According to the document, the guidelines apply to all foreign print, electronic, digital and social media platforms, as well as web based news outlets.

The guidelines state that all Pakistan based journalists contributing to foreign media must register through the EP Wing’s online portal. Pakistani journalists residing abroad who seek registration are required to submit their applications through the EP Wing portal and simultaneously route them through the nearest Pakistani embassy, high commission, consulate or mission.

The document also makes registration compulsory for companies, production houses and other entities facilitating foreign media operations in Pakistan. It clarifies that registration provides professional recognition only and does not confer any official status.

Under the new framework, journalists seeking press accreditation must first complete the registration process before applying online with the required documents. Permanent accreditation will be issued on an annual basis, while visiting foreign journalists may receive temporary accreditation valid for up to three months.

The guidelines further clarify that an EP Wing accreditation card does not make the holder an official representative of the Government of Pakistan and cannot be used for visa purposes unless specifically recommended by the Ministry through diplomatic channels.

According to the document, registration cards may be issued within seven working days, while accreditation cards may take four to six weeks. The EP Wing may also request additional information or supporting documents during the application process.

The guidelines provide that registration or accreditation may be suspended or withdrawn in cases involving misuse of accreditation cards, submission of false documents, failure to notify the EP Wing of organizational changes within the prescribed period, misuse of journalist visas or no objection certificates (NOCs), or activities deemed to be against Pakistan’s ideology, sovereignty, security or public order.

The document also introduces new travel requirements for accredited foreign media personnel. Journalists already registered or accredited with the EP Wing must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) before travelling outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi for official reporting, documentaries, films or social media content. However, NOCs for leisure visits to Abbottabad and Murree may be issued within three working days upon request.

The guidelines add that only QR code enabled PVC accreditation cards issued by the EP Wing will be recognized under the new system.