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The constitutional amendment in Pakistan may have cleared the path for Army Chief General Asim Munir to become the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), but the powerful Sharif family appears unwilling to let that happen. The decision on Munir’s elevation has been delayed repeatedly, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s unexpected diversion to Lahore after returning from London has triggered fresh speculation. Shehbaz’s Flight Diverted — A Political Signal? ISLAMABAD: The appointment of General Asim Munir as Pakistan’s first CDF continues to hang in the balance. Hours after landing in Pakistan from his London visit, PM Shehbaz Sharif’s aircraft—expected to arrive in Islamabad—was redirected to Lahore on Tuesday. The sudden change of destination instantly activated intellig...

Islamabad: Speculation continues to mount over the wellbeing of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been detained in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, for over a month and a half. No information about his condition has been officially shared, and his family has been denied access. Khan’s sons, Qasim and Suleman, have voiced deep concerns, suggesting that authorities may be hiding something “irreversible” about their father’s situation. The fear comes amid circulating rumors, including on Afghan social media accounts, suggesting possible foul play during his detention. According to Reuters, Khan’s family has had no direct or official contact with him, despite weekly court orders mandating family access. His former wife and mother of his children, Jemima Goldsmith, claimed on X ...

Islamabad/Kabul: Efforts to ease tensions between Afghanistan’s Taliban and Pakistan appear to be faltering. A Taliban delegation sent to Saudi Arabia for high-level talks returned without any agreement, raising concerns of renewed hostilities along the border. The delegation, which included Deputy Interior Minister Rahmatullah Najib, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abdul Kahar Balkhi, and senior Taliban leader Anas Haqqani, met officials in Riyadh as Saudi Arabia attempted to mediate peace between the two sides. However, the meeting concluded without a breakthrough. This follows earlier rounds of discussions in Istanbul, Turkey, which also ended unsuccessfully. In previous talks hosted by Qatar and Turkey, three rounds of negotiations took place, including one in Doha where a temporar...

Dhaka: The main opposition in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has expressed its gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he extended his support for the health of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi expressed concern over the deteriorating health of the former Bangladeshi Prime Minister and offered assistance. Khaleda Zia has been hospitalized since 23 November due to a severe lung infection, and her condition remains critical. PM Modi Offers AssistanceIn a post on social media platform X, PM Modi wrote, “I am deeply concerned to hear about the health of Begum Khaleda Zia, who has contributed significantly to public life in Bangladesh over many years. Our heartfelt prayers and best wishes are with her for a speedy recovery...

Islamabad: Under growing international scrutiny, Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif government may allow former Prime Minister Imran Khan to meet his sister at Adiala Jail on Tuesday, December 2. Khan has been in custody since August 2023. Authorities have imposed Section 144 in Rawalpindi, prohibiting public gatherings, amid fears of protests. Limited Meeting Arrangements According to sources close to Khan and reported by CNN-News18, the jail authorities have permitted only Khan’s sister, Uzma, and a prominent lawyer to meet him. The meeting is subject to strict conditions, including no interaction with the media or social media coverage. Authorities Fear Public Backlash Pakistani officials are reportedly anxious about Khan’s physical and mental condition becoming public. They fear tha...

Islamabad: In a sudden political development, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has convened an emergency session of both houses of Parliament on December 2, reportedly citing national security concerns. The move comes amid heightened tensions over internal political issues, cross-border operations, and rising security threats in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was abroad, returned urgently to Islamabad on Monday night. Reports suggest that the emergency session will address Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, security operations along the border, and potential imposition of presidential rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party currently holds power. Field Marshal Asim Munir Plays Key Role Top intelli...

Caracas: In the midst of escalating tensions with the United States, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro delivered a defiant message to thousands of supporters in the capital, condemning Washington’s military presence near Venezuelan waters. Maduro asserted that his country will not bow to U.S. pressure and rejected any “slave-like peace.” Addressing the crowd, Maduro said, “We want peace, but peace with sovereignty, equality, and freedom! We do not want the peace of slaves, nor the peace of occupied colonies.” He pledged unwavering loyalty to the Venezuelan people, reinforcing his stance against foreign attempts to impose political change. Trump Demands Resignation, Maduro Refuses According to reports by the Miami Herald, former U.S. President Donald Trump had issued a clear ulti...

Islamabad/Colombo: Pakistan is facing severe criticism after reportedly sending expired food items to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka under the guise of humanitarian aid. Images of the supplies, including water, milk, and biscuits, went viral on social media, exposing the substandard nature of the relief. The supplies reportedly carried an expiration date of October 2024. Social media users widely condemned Pakistan for the move, calling it irresponsible and highlighting a pattern of sending inadequate or expired aid. Some users recalled similar incidents during the 2023 earthquake in Turkey, where Pakistan had allegedly sent substandard relief materials. Diplomatic Backlash from Colombo The incident has angered the Sri Lankan government, prompting both formal and informal objections to Pak...

Islamabad: In a significant escalation of violence in Balochistan, the armed separatist group Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) carried out an unprecedented attack using a female suicide bomber against a heavily guarded Pakistan Frontier Corps complex. The complex, located in Chagai district, is a hub for Chinese copper and gold mining projects. Reports confirm that six Pakistani personnel were killed in Sunday evening’s assault. This marks the first time the BLF has deployed a female fidayeen, following in the footsteps of another Baloch insurgent group, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which previously used female attackers through its Majid Brigade. BLF Releases Identity of Female Bomber BLF released the photo of the attacker, identified as Zarina Rafiq, also known as Trang Mahu. ...

Ankara: Turkey is intensifying its focus on Kashmir, raising eyebrows worldwide by bringing the issue to its parliament despite not being a direct stakeholder. While Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir might not surprise anyone, Turkey’s move marks a significant step in its assertive foreign policy and signals a fresh strain in India-Turkey relations. Earlier, Turkey had even denied passage to Indian Apache helicopters through its airspace, forcing the US company to reroute. Analysts suggest that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is following the path of the Ottoman rulers, seeking to revive Islam and establish himself as the spiritual leader or ‘Caliph’ of the Muslim world. In this vision, nuclear-armed Pakistan is a key ally, and Bangladesh under Mohammad Yunus is emerging as another st...