Page 17 - Pakistan

Credible inputs suggest Gogoi's 'proximity' with Pakistan govt: Himanta

Claiming that there are credible inputs suggesting Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi's "proximity" with the Pakistani establishment, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said his admission of visiting that country "is just the beginning" of something "far more serious". Debunking claims that he had alleged links with the Pakistani establishment, Gogoi told a press conference in New Delhi that he had gone to Pakistan only once, 12 years ago. "Finally, Congress MP Shri Gaurav Gogoi has admitted that he visited Pakistan. But let us be very clear -- this is just the beginning, not the end. What lies ahead is far more serious. There exists every reasonable ground, supported by credible inputs and documented information, to suggest that Shri Gogoi has maintained proximity with the Pakistani establishment," Sarma posted on X. He said the Assam government is committed to transparency and accountability and will make everything public on September 10, once the Special Investigation Team .

BSF maintains high alert along IB as Operation Sindoor continues, says IG

Asserting that Operation Sindoor is on as Pakistan cannot be trusted, Inspector General of BSF, Jammu Frontier, Shashank Anand on Tuesday said the border force has not let its guard down along the International Border. The IG expressed apprehension of infiltration attempts along the borderline and said the Border Security Force (BSF) remains on high alert. "We cannot let our guard down. We are maintaining the highest possible vigil along the border," Anand told a press conference on Operation Sindoor here. He was replying to a question about the possibility of infiltration of terrorists along the IB under the cover of Pakistani shelling and the security measures taken post Operation Sindoor. He said a high degree of operational preparedness has been maintained along the border. "There were inputs that the enemy may plan to conduct some kind of mischief, cross-border firing, or stage infiltration. We are ready and vigilant," he said. The IG said Pakistan cannot be trusted. "We be

Have roti in peace or face bullets: PM Modi's warning to Pakistan

PM Modi, speaking in Bhuj, said Pakistan must choose peace over terrorism and highlighted India's resolve against cross-border terrorism

Pakistan allocates 2,000 MW to bitcoin mining and AI data centres

The Pakistan government, in a major move to transform the country into a global leader in digital innovation, has allocated 2,000 megawatts of electricity to power Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence (AI) data centres. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in a statement on Sunday said this strategic allocation marked a pivotal moment in Pakistan's digital transformation journey, unlocking economic potential by turning excess energy into innovation, investment, and international revenue. "Pakistan is uniquely positioned geographically and economically to become a global hub for data centres. As a digital bridge between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, Pakistan offers the most strategic location in the world for data flow and digital infrastructure," the statement read. Since its inception, the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) has evoked tremendous interest from global Bitcoin miners and data infrastructure companies. Several international firms have already visited Pakistan fo

India under PM gave clear message, terrorism won't be tolerated: Dhankhar

India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a very strong reply to the horrific Pahalgam attack and has sent a clear message across the world that terrorism will not be tolerated at any cost, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said here on Monday. Twenty-six people were gunned by terrorists in Pahalgam in Kashmir on April 22, following which India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, resulting in massive damage to terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. "The stand of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was that those who have wiped off the vermillion of our sisters have no right to live on this earth and the entire country remained united with the feeling of patriotism against the terror attack in Pahalgam," Dhankhar said addressing the three-day-long Krishi Udyog Samagam here. "The world has acknowledged India's valour, especially the way it has replied to the terror attack through precise bombings at Bahawalpur, Muridke, .

Pakistan, Turkiye vow to boost strategic ties as Sharif meets Erdogan

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during which the two leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and reiterated their resolve to elevate the strategic partnership, according to media reports on Monday. Sharif arrived in Turkiye on Sunday on a two-day visit as part of his four-nation tour to friendly countries, which also include Iran, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan. According to state broadcaster PTV News, Sharif and Erdogan held a delegation-level meeting on Sunday. In his meeting with President Erdogan, the PM advocated joint ventures and enhanced bilateral investment, highlighting key sectors, including renewable energy, information technology, defence production, infrastructure development, and agriculture as potential areas of mutual interest. The two leaders also carried out a comprehensive review of the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and reiterated their resolve to elevate the strategic partnership. Both s

Pakistan modernising nuclear arsenal to counter India's edge: US intel

A US intelligence report warns of Pakistan's growing nuclear capabilities, China's support, and security flashpoints with India, Iran, and Afghanistan

Four terrorists affiliated with TTP militant group killed in northwest Pak

Four terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant group were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday, according to sources. The operation was conducted on the reported presence of Taliban affiliates in the Koi Bara area of the Dera Ismail Khan district, they said. Four security personnel, including a major-ranked officer, were injured during the exchange of fire, in which four terrorists were killed, they added. Those injured were immediately shifted to the hospital for treatment. Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist incidents, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, following the collapse of the ceasefire agreement between the government and the TTP in November 2022.

GST largest marginal contributor to rising poverty in Pakistan: World Bank

The General Sales Tax has the largest marginal contribution to the rise of poverty while a monthly cash transfer programme to the poorest families has the largest positive impact on inequality reduction in Pakistan, a World Bank study has said. The Effects of Taxes and Transfers on Inequality and Poverty in Pakistan' reports that the General Sales Tax (GST) payments account for over 7 per cent households' pre-tax expenditure, which leads to further impoverishment among poor and vulnerable households. Dawn reported on Sunday quoting the World Bank (WB) study that estimations of the marginal contributions of individual fiscal instruments or the additional impact that individual fiscal instruments have on poverty or inequality when all other fiscal instruments are included demonstrate that GST has the largest marginal contribution to the national poverty increase. The second-largest impact on inequality comes from pre-primary and primary education expenditures, the WB study said. It

FY26 budget talks with Pakistan 'constructive', to continue ahead: IMF

IMF concludes staff visit to Pakistan, says FY26 budget talks constructive and ongoing; confirms next review of Pakistan's funding programme set for second half of 2025

India slams Pakistan at UNSC over decades of Islamabad-backed terror

India on Friday slammed Pakistan at the UN Security Council, saying it has experienced decades of Pakistani sponsored terrorist attacks ranging from the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to barbaric mass murder of innocent tourists in Pahalgam last month. India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish made these comments while delivering a statement at the UN Security Council Open Debate. I am constrained to respond to the baseless allegations of the representative of Pakistan on a number of issues, Harish said in his statement at the debate on the theme 'Addressing emerging threats, ensuring safety of civilians, humanitarian and UN Personnel, journalists and media professionals and enhancing accountability mechanisms' under the agenda item Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict. India has experienced decades of Pakistani sponsored terrorist attacks across our borders. This has ranged from the horrific 26/11 attack on the city of Mumbai to the barbaric mass murder o

Pakistan extends closure of airspace for Indian flights till June 24

Pakistan on Friday extended closure of its airspace for Indian flights until June 24, according to a new NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority. The extension follows the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) rules that restrict such closure for a month at a time. The ban on Indian aircraft flying over Pakistan airspace has been extended until 4:59 am June 24, 2025, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said in a statement here. All aircraft that are Indian-registered, operated, owned, or leased will remain subject to the ban, the PAA statement said. This ban will also apply to Indian military aircraft. No flight operated by Indian airlines or operators will be allowed to use Pakistani airspace, the statement said. Under the directive, no flight operated by Indian airlines or operators will be allowed to enter or transit through Pakistani airspace, the PAA said. Pakistan had banned its airspace for India last month after steps taken by New D

Rahul takes swipe at Jaishankar, says India's foreign policy has collapsed

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday claimed that India's foreign policy has "collapsed" and asked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to explain why has India been hyphenated with Pakistan and who asked US President Donald Trump to "mediate" between the two South Asian neighbours. Gandhi tagged a post by the Congress which carried a video clip of Jaishankar answering questions on the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent tensions between India and Pakistan, during an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS "Will JJ explain: Why has India been hyphenated with Pakistan? Why didn't a single country back us in condemning Pakistan? Who asked Trump to mediate between India & Pakistan?" Gandhi said. "India's foreign policy has collapsed," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha claimed. Gandhi on Thursday had accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of having compromised with India's prestige and asked him why he sacrificed the nation's interests by agreeing to halting of military ..

Despite terror concerns, what led IMF to approve Pakistan's bailout package

India abstained from the IMF vote, warning of potential misuse of funds; the IMF said Pakistan met reform targets and that disbursed funds were directed to the central bank

Pakistan met all conditions: IMF on financial assistance to Islamabad

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said its executive board granted USD one billion in assistance to Pakistan this month after finding out that the country met all conditions and targets for it. The IMF carried out a review of its extended fund facility (EFF) granted to Pakistan in September last year and based on it, the board approved the amount on May 9, said Julie Kozack, a director at global body's communications department. The IMF executive board approved the fresh assistance to Pakistan notwithstanding New Delhi's apprehensions that the funds could be used for cross-border terrorism. India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on May 16 pressed the IMF to reconsider the financial assistance, saying Islamabad could use a large part of it to fund the terrorist infrastructure. At a media briefing Kozack, answering a question, said the IMF executive board approved Pakistan's EFF programme in September last year and the first review at that time was planned for the first quart

MP delegation arrives in Moscow to expose Pak-sponsored terrorism globally

A multi-party delegation of Members of Parliament led by Kanimozhi Karunanidhi arrived here on Thursday night on the first leg of five-nation tour to sensitise international community on Pakistan-sponsored cross border terrorism, a month after the Pahalgam attack in which 26 people were killed. At the Domodedovo International Airport, Karunanidhi and members of her team were received by Indian Ambassador Vinay Kumar and other officials. The delegation is scheduled to meet on Friday with the members of Russian Duma and foreign ministry officials and interact with top experts of local think-tanks. On Saturday, they are scheduled to address a press conference and interact with the local media before leaving for Slovenia. The Indian delegation is also scheduled to visit Greece, Latvia and Spain as part of the Indian government's diplomatic outreach post-Pahalgam, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a new normal that New Delhi will consider any act of cross border terrorism as an a

With a stagnant economy, Pakistan needs to focus on citizens' welfare

In a low-income country, there will always be competing demands for resources

Centre justifies revoking Celebi clearance, cites national security risk

The Indian government defended revoking Celebi's security clearance in court, citing national security concerns. Celebi claims the move was sudden, vague, and impacts jobs and investor confidence

'Relationship built on sensitivities': India warns Turkey over Pak ties

India asked Turkey to press Pakistan on terrorism and warned that bilateral ties must be built on mutual sensitivities amid tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack

Pakistan expels Indian high commission staffer in tit-for-tat move

Pakistan government on Thursday announced expulsion of a staffer of the Indian High Commission. India on Wednesday expelled a Pakistani official working at the Pakistan high commission on charges of involvement in espionage, in the second such expulsion in a week, people familiar with the matter said. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the staffer at the Pakistan mission has been declared "persona non grata" for indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status and that he has been given 24 hours to leave India. On May 13, India had expelled another Pakistani official for allegedly indulging in espionage. Following India's action, Pakistan had also expelled an Indian staffer posted at the Indian high commission in Islamabad. According to a statement by the Foreign Office, the "Government of Pakistan has declared a staff member of the High Commission of India, Islamabad, as persona non grata for engaging in activities inconsistent with his privileged status.