Pakistan Says Both This Week's Suicide Bombers Were Afghan Nationals; Parliament Grants Army Chief Lifetime Immunity

Pakistan identifies attackers as Afghan nationals amid arrests; parliament expands military powers

Islamabad, Pakistan — Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told parliament on Thursday that both suicide bombers involved in separate attacks this week were Afghan nationals, and authorities have made multiple arrests as investigations continue.

Islambad courthouse blast

On Wednesday a suicide bomber detonated at the entrance of the Islamabad District Judicial Complex, killing at least 12 people and injuring more than 30, several critically. The Counter-Terrorism Department in Rawalpindi said seven suspects have been detained in connection with the Islamabad blast. Officials told the Dawn newspaper the suspects were arrested in Rawalpindi's Fauji Colony and Dhoke Kashmirian, and security forces also conducted a raid in neighbouring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.

Attack on cadet college in South Waziristan

Earlier, on Monday, an explosive-laden vehicle rammed the main gate of a Cadet College in South Waziristan, close to the Afghan border. Police said two attackers were killed at the gate while three others managed to enter the campus. Authorities are investigating the attackers' identities and any wider networks involved.

Rising cross-border tensions

Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul have intensified in recent years, with Pakistan accusing militants sheltered across the Afghan border of carrying out attacks inside Pakistan. Afghanistan denies providing sanctuary to groups that target Pakistan. Dozens of soldiers and several civilians were reported killed in border clashes last month.

On Tuesday Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that Pakistan could carry out strikes inside Afghanistan in response to this week's attacks, stating the country was "in a state of war" and calling the Islamabad attack a "wake-up call."

Parliament approves sweeping 27th amendment

In a separate and controversial move on Thursday, parliament approved the 27th constitutional amendment by a two-thirds majority. The measure centralises military authority under a new chief of defence forces role, creates a Federal Constitutional Court, and grants lifetime immunity and expanded powers to the current army chief, Asim Munir, who was recently promoted to field marshal following a clash with India in May.

Under the amendment, officers promoted to the ranks of field marshal, marshal of the air force, or admiral of the fleet will retain rank and privileges for life, remain in uniform and be shielded from criminal prosecution. The amendment also bars courts from challenging any constitutional change "on any ground whatsoever." Opposition parties and civil society critics have strongly condemned the move as an unprecedented consolidation of military power.

Next steps

Authorities say investigations and security operations are ongoing. More arrests and details may follow as officials work to establish responsibility and any cross-border links.