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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...

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to escalate, with both governments pointing fingers at each other. Islamabad has once again held Kabul responsible for the worsening relations, citing internal divisions within the Taliban leadership as a key obstacle. Taliban Split Creates UncertaintyPakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that the Afghan Taliban is divided into two factions. One faction seeks to ease tensions with Pakistan, while the other maintains a hardline stance. This internal split has made it difficult for Pakistan to establish a coherent security framework or address groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Dar emphasized that every time Pakistan attempts to negotiate with Kabul, one Taliban faction agrees while the other immediately opposes the...

Pakistan’s recent 27th Constitutional Amendment, which significantly increases military powers at the expense of the judiciary and civilian government, has drawn international attention. The law is widely seen as enhancing the influence of Army Chief Asim Munir, particularly if he assumes the newly created position of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). However, political maneuvering behind the scenes suggests the path may not be straightforward. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his brother, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, are reportedly strategizing to curb Munir’s rise, potentially blocking him from taking on the CDF role or even removing him from his current position as Army Chief. Power Play in IslamabadFollowing recent by-elections, the ruling PML-N (Shehbaz Sharif’s party) has ...

The ongoing trade freeze between Pakistan and Afghanistan has sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s economy, causing fruit and vegetable prices to skyrocket while poultry businesses suffer heavy losses. Meanwhile, Afghanistan has successfully diversified its trade, mitigating economic damage at home. Trade Halt Hits Pakistan HardRelations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have plummeted following cross-border gunfire in October, disrupting trade at key border points. Initially, it was assumed that Afghanistan would bear the brunt of the economic fallout. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif even claimed Kabul’s economy would collapse. However, the reality has been the opposite: Pakistan is struggling as key industries dependent on Afghan trade face shortages and rising prices. Accord...

Pakistan is grappling with uncertainty over the appointment of its first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), a position created under a constitutional amendment. The deadline to appoint the country’s inaugural CDF has passed, yet no official notification has been issued. This delay has fueled political tension and created an unprecedented situation within the military hierarchy. Current Army Chief Asim Munir’s position and future remain unclear amid this ambiguity, raising questions about command and control. Expert Concern Over Rising RisksSpeaking to ANI, Tilak Devasher, former member of India’s National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), expressed serious concern over the situation. He warned that Munir, seeking to assert his authority, could potentially take actions that escalate tension...