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Islamabad: Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is reportedly set for another visit to the United States, marking his third meeting with former President Donald Trump. The visit comes amid U.S. proposals urging Pakistan to deploy its military in Gaza as part of an international stabilization force, aimed at disarming Hamas. Munir, widely regarded as the most powerful figure in Pakistan’s political and military landscape, now faces a delicate balancing act. While his influence spans national security, domestic politics, and foreign policy, any misstep regarding the Gaza deployment could destabilize Pakistan’s internal order. U.S. Pressure and International Diplomacy According to two Reuters sources, Munir is expected to focus on the Gaza force during his Washington visi...

Dhaka: Rising security concerns for Indian diplomatic staff in Bangladesh have forced the temporary closure of Indian visa application centers (IVAC) in Rajshahi and Khulna. A notice on the IVAC website announced that both centers will remain closed on Thursday, December 18, 2025, citing the current security situation. Applicants who had booked slots for submissions today will be rescheduled for later dates. This marks the second consecutive day that Indian visa centers in Bangladesh have been shut due to safety concerns. On Wednesday, amid anti-India rhetoric and inflammatory statements in Dhaka, the Indian visa center was closed at 2 PM, with applicants informed that their submissions would be accommodated on later dates. India Lodges Diplomatic Protest Concerns over the safety ...

Washington: As China rapidly ramps up its military preparations for a potential takeover of Taiwan, the United States has announced its largest-ever arms package to the self-governing island. The deal, approved under the Trump administration, is valued at over $10 billion and includes medium-range missiles, howitzer artillery, and drones. The announcement was made late Wednesday by the U.S. State Department during President Donald Trump’s nationally broadcast address. While Trump largely focused on domestic issues in his speech, he made little reference to foreign policy or trade relations with China. Details of the Arms Package The massive arms sale comprises eight separate agreements, including: 82 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) 420 tactical missile syste...

Washington: In a nationally televised address, U.S. President Donald Trump once again positioned himself as a global peace broker, claiming credit for preventing eight wars over the past ten months, including potential conflicts between India and Pakistan. Trump attributed much of this success to his tariff policies, which he described as his “favorite word.” During the speech, Trump criticized former President Joe Biden, accusing him of leaving the United States in a troubled state, and outlined his administration’s agenda for 2026. Claims of Peacekeeping Success Trump asserted, “I have restored American strength. In ten months, I have prevented eight wars, neutralized the nuclear threat from Iran, ended the war in Gaza—bringing peace for the first time in 3,000 years—and success...

Islamabad/Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif remains under pressure at home following a decisive setback in Operation Sindoor against India. On Wednesday, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sharif publicly lauded the Pakistani military, claiming that the Modi government has been taught a lesson it will never forget, from Delhi to Mumbai. The statement comes amid mounting criticism within Pakistan, with supporters of former PM Imran Khan openly blaming Sharif and Pakistan’s de facto ruler, Field Marshal Asim Munir, for the operation’s failure. The Pakistani government faces internal pressure as public outrage grows over the military setbacks. Operation Sindoor and Military Claims During his speech, Sharif asserted, “During the India-Pakistan conflict, Pakistan delivere...

Islamabad/Patna: The ongoing hijab controversy surrounding Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has drawn criticism from Pakistan, with Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar condemning the incident in which a Muslim woman’s hijab was forcibly removed at a government event. Dar described the act as “shameful” and emphasized the urgent need to protect minority rights and curb rising Islamophobia. On social media platform X, Dar stated that respect for women and religious beliefs must remain a fundamental, non-negotiable principle in every society. Pakistan’s Human Rights Council also condemned the incident, urging the Indian government to conduct a transparent and impartial investigation. In its statement, the Council described the act as not just an insult to an individual, b...

Dhaka: Controversial Bangladeshi politician Hasnat Abdullah, leader of the National Citizen Party, has once again stirred tensions with India, demanding that the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka be expelled from the country. Known for his anti-India rhetoric, Abdullah made the remarks during a rally in Comilla on Wednesday, December 17, at a time when diplomatic strains between India and Bangladesh are already high. Expulsion Demand and Anti-India Statements Addressing the crowd, Abdullah said, “India summoned our High Commissioner and reprimanded him. Bangladesh should not only reprimand the Indian High Commissioner but also expel him from the country for sheltering the murderous Sheikh Hasina.” Earlier this week, Abdullah had threatened India’s northeastern states, commonly referr...

Islamabad: China has completed the construction of Pakistan Navy’s fourth Hangor-class submarine, named Ghazi, marking a significant milestone in Islamabad’s naval modernization program. The submarine was launched from the Shuangliu base in Wuhan on Wednesday, according to the Pakistan Navy. Officials stated that the deployment would help maintain stability in the region. Under a defense agreement between Pakistan and China, eight Hangor-class submarines are being acquired. Four of these are being built in China, while the remaining four will be constructed at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited in Pakistan. Advanced Capabilities The Pakistan Navy described the launch of Ghazi as a critical step in strengthening its maritime capabilities. All four submarines built in ...

Copenhagen: Denmark is set to extend its existing public face-covering ban to educational institutions, prohibiting burqas, niqabs, and other face-concealing garments in schools and universities. The Scandinavian country had already banned full-face coverings in public spaces, and now the law is being prepared for application in classrooms. Integration Minister Rasmus Stoklund emphasized, “There is no place for burqas, niqabs, or any clothing that hides the face in Danish classrooms.” The AFP news agency reported that Stoklund believes the restrictions already applied to public spaces should also be enforced in schools and universities to maintain security and social integration. Legislative Steps Ahead Denmark first imposed a full-face covering ban in August 2018, which included ...

Dhaka: A large group of protesters attempted to target the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Wednesday, escalating security concerns for Indian diplomats in Bangladesh. Marching towards the mission, demonstrators clashed with police barricades before being stopped. Earlier, India had summoned the Bangladeshi High Commissioner in New Delhi to express concerns over the safety of its diplomatic mission. Protesters Confront Police According to local media reports, hundreds of protesters gathered near the Rampura Bridge under the banner of “July Unity” around 3:15 PM, demanding the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and others following last year’s unrest. As the procession moved towards North Badda, police erected barricades to prevent further advance. Defying the initial blo...