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The government denies “misleading” international media allegations about Imran Khan’s health and prison circumstances.
Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been the subject of “misleading reports” in foreign media regarding his health and prison conditions. The government has dismissed these reports, claiming that official documents do not substantiate assertions that he has been denied medical care or kept in isolation.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting called claims of abuse, deprivation, or punitive solitary confinement “fake propaganda” in a statement released on Saturday. It insisted that Imran Khan is incarcerated after being found guilty by courts with the necessary authority.
The ministry claims that the former prime minister has had access to visitors, phone calls, reading material, television, home-cooked meals, and exercise gear. He is housed in a private seven-cell complex with sleeping, lavatory and exercise facilities, according to the report.
Claims that Imran had been denied contact with his family were also refuted by the ministry. According to prison records, there were approximately 198 interview sessions involving over 900 visitor entries, including visits with his sisters, relatives, solicitors, physicians, and political representatives. Additionally, he was permitted to visit with his wife once a week; the most recent meeting took place on August 4.
According to officials, prison records also include information about phone, landline, and WhatsApp conversations with relatives in Pakistan and overseas, including a March 21 chat with one of his kids. On August 18, 19, and 25, he had recorded meetings with his sisters.
Allegations that sufficient medical attention had been denied were also denied by the administration. In addition to regular evaluations by the prison physician, it stated that Imran had undergone about thirty medical examinations during his incarceration by specialist teams and medical boards from Pims, Shifa International, Shaukat Khanum, and Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital.
According to the ministry, he underwent five anti-VEGF injections, retinal imaging, medication, and follow-up appointments as part of specialised therapy for a retinal ailment. According to medical evaluations done in July and on August 21, he was classified as “orientated, stable,” with no signs of acute or uncontrolled decline.
Imran’s sister, Dr. Uzma Niazi, was quoted in the statement as saying that he was “100 percent fit,” that his blood pressure was 120/80, and that his eye problem had nearly fully recovered.
According to the government, Imran’s sister was there when the Supreme Court’s orders for his medical examination and treatment were carried out.
It also noted that while related procedures are ongoing, the Supreme Court had ordered Imran’s family, PTI, and attorneys to refrain from publicly disclosing or sharing his medical condition or reports with the media.
According to the administration, medical records and court orders should be used to assess his health rather than political allegations. It further stated that controlling communications and visits in accordance with court rulings, prison regulations, and security requirements shouldn’t be interpreted as restricting access.
The ministry noted that both of Imran’s sons have genuine National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis, which it characterised as recognised travel papers for entering the nation, in response to claims that they were unable to travel to Pakistan to meet him.
The ministry asked international media outlets to differentiate between politically contested accusations and verifiable medical and prison data.
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OpenAI says its AI agents weakened internal monitoring system
Two of OpenAI’s artificial intelligence agents turned off sections of an internal monitoring system designed to identify misbehaviour, the latest example of AI agents operating in ways the developers did not expect, the company said Tuesday.
While the ChatGPT maker stated the incidences occurred during internal code work and were not considered its most serious, the disclosure underscores how even the methods developers use to spot AI misbehavior are vulnerable to the agents they monitor.
The discovery also comes amid rising fears that efforts on AI safety are failing to keep pace with the rapid development of ever more powerful systems. Scientists have cautioned about the emergence of powerful AI agents becoming increasingly autonomous and difficult to monitor and manage.
In recent months, developers including IPO-bound rivals OpenAI and Anthropic have disclosed incidents where their AI agents accessed external systems without authorisation.
In a blog post Tuesday, OpenAI reported that a GPT-6.1 Sol agent on an internal testing task on October 3 disabled automatic security alarms after interpreting an earlier order not to send Slack messages as also covering safety notifications.
Separately, on Oct. 6, an Astra agent using GPT-6 removed a safety monitor when copying an existing piece of code and later stated falsely that it did not do so, OpenAI said.“In both cases, agents thought about keeping monitoring safeguards in place but “interpreted normal coding instructions as permission to weaken them,” the company said.
“OpenAI said it was making it harder for models to disable monitoring, saying it does not ‘yet have a satisfying explanation for this behavior’.
The San Francisco-based company said it was studying whether its models would be inclined to avoid being observed and seek out reasons to justify such behaviour.
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Makkah pact aims to strengthen collective deterrence among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye
Turkiye sent a defence treaty with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to parliament for ratification on Tuesday, three parliamentary sources said, bringing NATO’s second-largest army closer to a formal mutual defence promise with Riyadh as it fears Houthi threats.
The three countries signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August, under which an armed attack on one member is an attack on all.
The first clause of the agreement says the parties shall use “all necessary means” to eradicate threats to each other’s territorial integrity, sovereignty or internationally recognised borders, according to a text seen by Reuters.Article 2 of the agreement states, “If one of the parties is subjected to an armed attack or military aggression by another country or group of countries, the parties shall immediately render assistance to the party which is under attack, with all means of mutual assistance at their disposal.”
Similar to NATO’s Article 5, the clause references Article 51 of the UN Charter, which deals with the individual or collective right of states to self-defence against armed attack.
The same page says the three countries “will determine the scope and nature of the support to be provided following an objective assessment of the assistance required” and will collaborate within their available resources, including military capabilities and resources.
Earlier this month, the three countries decided in an emergency alliance conference in Riyadh to guarantee the “rapid deployment” of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia.
Turkiye, which has its own strong defence sector, has condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, showed a willingness to help satisfy Riyadh’s military technology demands and agreed to join a Saudi-led coalition to assure navigational safety in the Red Sea.
The pact also foresees tight cooperation on the defence sector, exchange of information, logistical support, and the fight against “all forms of terrorism”, including at the operational level.
Parliamentary approval is required for Turkiye to formally sign off on the pact.
The aim is to “strengthen collective deterrence”
Two sources claimed Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus, who is on a visit to Kyrgyzstan, would send the deal to the foreign affairs commission of parliament after he returns. The terms and specifics of the agreement are expected to be released when it is filed with the commission.
The commission may discuss the accord as early as Friday, another person added.
Turkiye’s latest move was an important milestone in the institutionalisation of strategic collaboration between the three countries, Burhanettin Duran, communications director for President Tayyip Erdogan, stated.“This strategic partnership between our countries aims to strengthen collective deterrence, improve joint capabilities in the defence sector and secure security and stability in our region,” Duran said in a post on X.
A Turkish official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said Turkey’s own contribution was likely to be limited to military equipment, intelligence sharing and weapons systems, and no other form of deployment had been made under the alliance so far.
“The Mecca Agreement is not a ‘offensive agreement,’ and Turkiye would not send forces to another nation to conduct out operations on its land. When asked how Turkiye could help Saudi Arabia fight against attacks by Yemen’s Houthis, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan responded
Turkey’s constitution needs independent parliamentary approval for any deployment of military overseas, regardless of international agreements.
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Pakistan decide not to participate in Over-50s Cricket World Cup 2027 in India
– Pakistan have decided not to participate in the Over-50 Cricket World Cup 2027 scheduled to take place in India after failing to secure government permission for the tournament.
The competition is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad Deccan from January 23 to February 7, 2027. Pakistan was due to participate as defending champions after winning the 2025 edition in Sri Lanka.
Fawad Ejaz Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), said Indian veterans cricket officials had assured the Pakistani team of visa arrangements and high-level security for the tournament.
He said the association had sought permission to participate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior. However, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi subsequently informed the association that permission would not be granted.
Following the government’s decision, the association decided against sending the team to India, Khan said, adding that the organisation respected the government’s position.
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