New Delhi: India has rejected Pakistan’s allegations that New Delhi is behind the ethnic violence raging in the neighbouring country, saying it should look inwards instead of shifting blame for its own problems and that the world knows where the epicentre of global terrorism lies.

In response to media queries on the remarks made by the Pakistan side, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Friday that India strongly rejects the allegations as baseless.

“We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan. The whole world knows where the epicenter of global terrorism lies. Pakistan should look inwards instead of pointing fingers and shifting the blame for its own internal problems and failures onto others,” said MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a statement.

India has snubbed Pakistan after it hinted at India’s role in fomenting trouble in the restive Balochistan region.

The government’s response came after a senior Pakistani official accused India of “sponsoring terrorism” and trying to destabilise its neighbouring countries.

The accusation came after the hijacking of the Jaffar Express by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) during its journey from Quetta to Peshawar. The siege lasted about 30 hours, and 21 hostages and four security personnel were killed.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said the train attack was orchestrated from abroad but did not directly implicate India. He said the rebels were in contact with their handlers based in Afghanistan throughout the train siege.

When asked if Pakistan had changed its policy from blaming India in the past for BLA activity, he said its accusations against India hold even today. “There is no shift in our policy. And again, the facts have not changed…India is involved in sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan. What I was referring to was, in this particular incident, we have evidence of calls being traced to Afghanistan,” said the Pakistani official addressing media.

IANS

Karachi: The driver of Jaffar Express, which was hijacked by Balochistan Liberation Army militants, has described the terrifying moment when the insurgents attacked the train as survivors praised the military for their rescue.

Tuesday, Jaffar Express travelling from Quetta to Peshawar and carrying 440 passengers was hijacked, and 21 civilians and four soldiers were killed.

Speaking after the attack, Amjad described how the militants first detonated an explosive under the train’s engine, causing the bogies to derail, the Express Train reported.

“As soon as the train stopped, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) terrorists launched an attack,” he said.

Meanwhile, one of the freed passengers recalled how the attackers took them hostage after the blast.

“They held us at gunpoint, but the commandos risked their own lives to rescue us,” he said, adding that the military’s courage gave them strength during the ordeal.

The ordeal began Tuesday when separatist militants ambushed the Jaffar Express, blowing up the railway track and attacking the train with rockets.

Security forces stormed the hijacked Jaffar Express Wednesday, bringing a dramatic end to a 30-hour siege in the rugged Bolan area of Balochistan, killing all 33 terrorists while successfully rescuing more than 300 passengers.

Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the chief military spokesperson, revealed that 21 people were killed during the day-long standoff.

However, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director general firmly said that no civilians were harmed in the final rescue operation carried out by the armed forces.

According to the DG ISPR, the attack occurred in a remote and difficult-to-access area. He stated that the rescue operation was launched immediately, with the Army, Air Force and Frontier Corps (FC) taking part.

This is the first time the BLA or any insurgent group in the Balochistan province have resorted to hijacking a passenger train, although since last year, they have stepped up their attacks on security forces, installations and foreigners in different parts of the province.

PTI

Pakistan: The holy month of Ramzan is currently underway, during which Muslims observe fasts for 30 days. They are allowed to eat only twice a day, Sehri in the morning and Iftaar in the evening. At many places, communal Iftaar meals are organised for large gatherings.

A video from Pakistan has recently gone viral on social media, showing a chaotic scene where a crowd rushes to grab free Iftaar, almost as if they were seeing food for the first time, resembling a hunter pouncing on its prey.

This is not a backward area. This is Faisal Masjid in most developed area of Pakistan, Islamabad. Free iftaar (food) was announced & desperate Pakistanis (not beggars but common men) are rushing to grab their share. This is the situation of common Pakistanis in nuclear power. pic.twitter.com/IKtbCSGnz5

— Arif Aajakia (@arifaajakia) March 10, 2025

Pakistan has been struggling with economic instability for a long time, and many people in the country find it difficult to afford two meals a day. Reports of food scarcity frequently surface on social media. Amid the ongoing month of Ramzan, a free Iftaar meal was organised at Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.

The video was shared with a caption that reads, “This is not a backward area. This is Faisal Mosque, located in the most developed part of Pakistan—Islamabad. Free Iftar (food) was announced, and desperate Pakistanis (not beggars, but common citizens) rushed to grab their share. This is the reality of ordinary Pakistanis in a nuclear-armed nation.”

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Reacting to the video, one user sarcastically commented, “Feed them nuclear bombs instead…” Another wrote, “The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has money for the Champions Trophy but not for renovating cricket stadiums.” A third user remarked, “Wars cannot be won through begging or weapons, sir.”

Islamabad: The standoff between the fighters of the Baloch Liberation Army’s (BLA) Majeed Brigade and the Pakistani military after the massive attack on Jaffar Express passenger train in Bolan district has finally ended after more than 24 hours, several reports indicated Wednesday evening.

Sources confirmed that the military operation to neutralise the attackers and rescue the hostages has concluded and a clearance operation has been successfully conducted in which at least 346 hostages have been rescued and around 50 attackers neutralized.

The train, on its way from Balochistan’s capital Quetta to Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), was hijacked by BLA militants and over 400 people were taken as hostages.

“Operation concluded, site has been cleared. All hostages released. Total rescued 346 – 168 last night and 178 rescued today. 50 terrorists eliminated,” confirmed a reliable security source.

Security sources stated that the militants were using women and children as human shields.

“The clearance operation was carried out with extreme caution and skill, resulting in many lives being saved. The number of passengers who had fallen victim to the brutality of terrorists is being determined,” the source added.

It was also revealed that the handler of the attackers, the mastermind behind the attack, was in active contact with the militants from Afghanistan.

The BLA separatist group claimed responsibility for the attack, along with multiple unverifiable claims of releasing all women and children, and keeping over 200 hostages, who hailed from Punjab province and were working with the security forces. BLA also claimed to have killed at least 20 of the abducted security personnel after checking their IDs.

Tuesday, a large number of BLA militants forced the Jaffar Express passenger train to come to a halt after blowing off the track in the Dhabar area of Bolan Pass in Balochistan.

Security forces and the railway authorities confirmed that the train had come under attack near Tunnel No. 8 of the Bolan pass.

Pakistan military launched a clearance operation reaching the site through cargo trains. Sources say that the hostages released in the initial stage had to walk at least seven kilometers to reach the nearby railway station where they were received by the security personnel.

“We came under attack from all sides. They were everywhere. We could hear gunshots fired from everywhere. Passengers were putting clothes over themselves to hide. It was horrific,” said a rescued hostage who detailed his ordeal during the whole incident.

“We all walked for about three-and-a-half hours, and about seven kilometres before reaching the Panir railway station. The militants told us to not look back and keep walking. Some of the ladies, who have come here, have had to walk hours without their shoes on to reach the Panir station,” he added.

The attack has been condemned by several countries, including the United States, Iran, and Germany.

Balochistan Chief Minister chaired a high-level meeting on law and order where he was briefed about the Jaffar train attack.

“They want to impose their ideology with guns and violence. Should we allow them to take people off buses and kill them?”, questioned Balochistan CM Sarfaraz Bugti.

Bugti said that the passengers in the train comprised of many soldiers headed home while on leave, emphasising that they were unarmed.

“There are rules in war and there are laws. What will history say? That innocent teachers, barbers, and doctors were murdered? Whoever commits acts of violence against the state, whoever tries to partake in it, whoever takes up arms, the state will punish them unequivocally,” he said.

“Terrorists can’t occupy even an inch. The terrorist attack aims to create an impression of a violent environment. The dream of anti-national elements to cut Pakistan like a cake can never be realised. We must rid ourselves of any confusion and fight the war against terrorism,” he added.

IANS

A rebel group in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province bombed a section of a railway track and attacked a train Tuesday afternoon, according to a video released by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). The militant group, which has been behind a surge in violence in the province bordering Afghanistan and Iran, claimed responsibility for the assault.

More than 450 passengers were aboard when the rebels seized the train at the entrance of a tunnel in a remote frontier district. An unknown number of hostages remain in captivity. Pakistani security forces have launched a full-scale operation to rescue those still being held.

A one-minute, 23-second video shows passengers huddled on the ground against a mountain backdrop while armed rebels stand guard.

#BIG

THe first Visuals of #TrainHijack released by #BalochLiberationArmy.
Video show how BLA fighters hijacked he train #jaffar_express & took the #PakistanArmy troops as hostage.#BLA #ViralVideo #Balochistan pic.twitter.com/CG0qTj3s3k

— ARMED FORCES (@ArmedForces_IND) March 12, 2025

Over two days, Pakistani forces have freed 190 hostages from the besieged train.

Passengers who escaped described trekking for hours through mountainous terrain to reach safety.

The BLA has demanded an exchange of hostages for its imprisoned members.

Security forces have long battled a separatist insurgency in Balochistan, one of Pakistan’s poorest provinces. Violence has escalated across the western border regions since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021.

The BLA claims the region’s natural resources are being exploited by outsiders and has increased attacks targeting Pakistanis from other areas.

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Last year, the group carried out coordinated overnight assaults, including seizing control of a major highway and killing travelers from other ethnic groups.

Punjabi and Sindhi laborers, as well as security forces and foreign infrastructure projects, are often targeted in these attacks.

PNN & Agencies

Karachi/Islamabad: Pakistani security forces killed at least 27 militants and rescued 155 passengers from a train hijacked by Baloch insurgents in the troubled Balochistan province as they continued to battle rebels for a second Wednesday.

Security sources said 37 passengers were injured during the rescue operation and have been sent for medical treatment.

The Jaffar Express, with around 500 passengers on board in nine coaches, was travelling from Quetta to Peshawar when armed men intercepted it in a tunnel near the mountainous terrain of Gudalar and Piru Kunri in the Bolan area Tuesday afternoon.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) later claimed responsibility for the attack.

Bolan is a mountainous area of more than 100 kilometres between Quetta and Sibi. There are 17 tunnels in this area through which the railway track passes. The speed of trains is often slow in the area due to the difficult terrain.

Security sources confirmed that in an ongoing gun battle with the militants, they managed to rescue 155 passengers, including women and children.Baloch insurgents

At least 27 militants have been killed by security forces so far.

According to security sources, the terrorists have positioned suicide bombers wearing suicidal vests very close to some innocent hostages.

In anticipation of possible defeat, the terrorists are using innocent people as human shields and the suicide bombers have taken women and children hostage at three different locations, they said.

Due to the presence of women and children with the suicide bombers, the operation is being conducted with utmost caution.

The security sources said the operation by security forces to eliminate the remaining terrorists is continuing.

“The militants have now formed small groups to try to escape in the dark, but the security forces have surrounded the tunnel and the remaining passengers will also be rescued soon,” a source said.

The Pakistan media reported intense firing and explosion near the tunnel, where the militants hijacked the train.

Pakistan Railways have set up an emergency desk at the Peshawar and Quetta Railway stations as frantic relatives and friends try to get some information about their loved ones on the train.

The rebels claimed that they had set women and children free but the claim was contested by officials and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said that the hostages were released by the security forces.

Rana Muhammad Dilawar, a district police officer in the area where the train was stopped, said the security forces had surrounded the area but there were reports that the militants had taken some women and children as hostages.

There were around four to five government officials on the train, he added.

Tariq Mahmood, a senior official of Peshawar Railway Station, said that people should not pay heed to rumours on social media and otherwise.

The BLA claimed it seized control of the train by derailing it. The group said it had killed six security personnel.

In a statement Tuesday, the BLA warned that if the Pakistan military launches an operation, “all hostages will be executed”. The group is banned in Pakistan, the UK and the US.

Balochistan has witnessed an uptick in terrorist attacks over the past year. In November 2024, at least 26 people were killed and 62 injured after a suicide blast ripped through a Quetta Railway Station.

Balochistan, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, is home to a long-running violent insurgency. Baloch insurgent groups frequently carry out attacks targeting security personnel, government projects and the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in the oil and mineral-rich province.

Karachi/Islamabad: Pakistani security forces killed at least 16 militants and rescued 104 passengers from a train hijacked by Baloch insurgents in the troubled Balochistan province as they continued to battle insurgents for a second Wednesday.

The Jaffar Express, with around 500 passengers on board in nine coaches, was travelling from Quetta to Peshawar when armed men intercepted it in a tunnel near the mountainous terrain of Gudalar and Piru Kunri in the Bolan area Tuesday afternoon.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) later claimed claimed responsibility for the attack.

Bolan is a mountainous area of more than 100 kilometres between Quetta and Sibi. There are 17 tunnels in this area through which the railway track passes. The speed of trains is often slow in the area due to the difficult terrain.

Security sources confirmed that in an ongoing gun battle with the militants, they managed to rescue 104 passengers, including women and children.

“In the gun battle, which is still going on, 16 militants have been killed and many others injured,” one source said, adding the clean-up operation will continue until all passengers are rescued from the train.

“The militants have now formed small groups to try to escape in the dark, but the security forces have surrounded the tunnel and the remaining passengers will also be rescued soon,” the source said.

The other militants are said to have taken some of the passengers into the mountains with the security forces pursuing them.

The source said that the rescued passengers, including 58 men, 31 women and 15 children, had been sent to Mach (a town in the Kachhi district in the Balochistan province of Pakistan) by another train.

The security forces had earlier managed to rescue 80 passengers, including 43 men, 26 women and 11 children, said Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind.

Though the authorities have not given any more details, Rind said the security forces, including military troops, had reached the rough terrain where the tunnel is located shortly after railway authorities were alerted to the train being stopped there.

The Pakistan media reported intense firing and explosion near the tunnel, where the militants hijacked the train.

Rind said that they had dispatched rescue teams amid reports of “intense” firing at a Peshawar-bound passenger train.

Pakistan Railways have set up an emergency desk at the Peshawar and Quetta Railway stations as frantic relatives and friends try to get some information about their loved ones on the train.

Pakistan Railways had resumed train services to Peshawar from Quetta after a suspension of more than a month and a half.

The rebels claimed that they had set women and children free but the claim was contested by officials and Minister of State for Interior Talal    Chaudhry said that the hostages were released by the security forces.

Rana Muhammad Dilawar, a district police officer in the area where the train was stopped, said the security forces had surrounded the area, but there were reports that the militants had taken some women and children as hostages.

There were around four to five government officials on the train, he added.

Tariq Mahmood, a senior official of Peshawar Railway Station, said that people should not pay heed to rumours on social media and otherwise.

Official data on civilian casualties was not available, but security sources said that the train driver and several passengers were injured in the gunfire.

The BLA claimed it seized control of the train by derailing it. The group said it has killed six security personnel and taken over 100 people in custody, including security personnel.

In a statement, the BLA warned that if the Pakistan military launches an operation, “all hostages will be executed”. The group is banned in Pakistan, the UK and the US.

Balochistan has witnessed an uptick in terrorist attacks over the past year. In November 2024, at least 26 people were killed and 62 injured after a suicide blast ripped through a Quetta Railway Station.

Balochistan, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, is home to a long-running violent insurgency. Baloch insurgent groups frequently carry out attacks targeting security personnel, government projects and the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in the oil and mineral-rich province.

PTI

Islamabad: The targeted attack of Jaffar Express passenger train by militants of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) at Mashkaf, Dhadar, Bolan, has now become a standoff between the security forces and the militants, who have taken over 100 passengers as hostages.

While BLA claims that it has taken at least 100 Pakistani military officials and personnel hostage after derailing the express train, Pakistani authorities said that the passenger train was carrying civilians and families, including women and children, who it says are under the custody of BLA militants after stopping the train in a tunnel.

“Terrorists have halted the train inside a tunnel to keep the hostages in control. Security forces have reached the area despite it being away from the roads. Terrorists are also in contact with their facilitators outside the country,” stated sources in the security forces.

Other sources revealed that Pakistani forces have conducted multiple attempts to carry out a rescue operation but have been forced to retreat after heavy clashes with the militants.

“Pakistani helicopters and drones continue to hover over the area and, at times, have done airstrikes also,” said a local source.

On the other hand, the BLA has warned the Pakistani forces that it will start executing the hostages if the airstrikes do not stop.

The BLA claims that it has taken personnel from the Pakistan military, police, ISI and ATF, who were going on leave to Punjab, into their custody. BLA also claims that it has already released women and children.

The BLA claims, however, have been rejected by the Pakistani forces, who say that the BLA militants have targeted civilians and their families, who are still held as hostage.

Tuesday’s attack is one of the biggest carried out by the BLA Majeed Brigade (Suicide Unit), with STOS, Fateh squad and Zarb Unit actively coordinating and resisting any military incursion.

The situation continues to remain highly critical, sources said.

Pakistani security forces have faced major resistance from separatist groups like the BLA in Balochistan, which has been carrying out targeted attacks and killings of security personnel from other provinces in the country, especially Punjab.

Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces have continued to be one of the most volatile regions of the country with militant groups carrying out targeted attacks on security forces.

Pakistan maintains that these militant groups are getting all their support from across the border in Afghanistan as the Taliban regime is supporting, funding, facilitating and harbouring anti-Pakistan elements and promoting them to spread unrest in the country.

Islamabad: A passenger train in Pakistan’s Balochistan province came under a major attack Tuesday, forcing the train to derail and allowing enough time for the attackers to take over 100 passengers hostage.

As per the latest reports, at least six people are confirmed dead, while several others have been injured in the terror incident.

The attack was carried out on the Jaffar Express passenger train when it was crossing from the Ab-e-Ghum area of Mach Town in the Kachhi district (formerly named Bolan District) of Balochistan province.

Details reveal that about six armed men opened fire on the train. The heavy firing forced the train off the track, spreading panic among the passengers.

Pakistan-based militant group, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it had taken over 100 passengers as hostages.

“The Baloch Liberation Army has carried out a strategic operation in Mashkaf, Dhadar, Bolan, seizing control of the Jaffar Express by derailing it. During the resistance, six military personnel were killed while over 100 passengers have been taken into the BLA custody,” read a statement issued by BLA.

The latest attack is by far one of the biggest conducted by the BLA in recent times. The BLA claims of taking 100 hostages, the majority of them security personnel, have not been confirmed or verified by the security forces till now. A cleansing operation to take out the attackers and rescue the hostages from militant custody is underway.

Local media cited that railway officials have deployed emergency protocols and facilities in nearby hospitals activated as ambulances have been dispatched from Sibi.

“Security forces have reportedly surrounded the area Mach mountains, which is known for its difficult terrain. The authorities have deployed additional convoys to assist in the operation. Sources further indicated that explosives may have been used to damage the railway tracks before the firing began, and the driver was among those seriously injured. The gunmen have reportedly continued to fire sporadically, with ongoing efforts to free the hostages and secure the passengers,” reported Express Tribune.

IANS

Peshawar: Mufti Shah Mir, a prominent Pakistani scholar, was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Balochistan province, according to a media report.

Mir was targeted in the Turbat town of Kech Friday when he was leaving a mosque after night prayers, the Dawn newspaper said.

“Armed men riding motorcycles opened fire on Mufti Shah Mir, leaving him seriously injured,” the paper quoted police as saying.

He was immediately shifted to Turbat Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The deceased received multiple bullet injuries that caused his death.

Mufti Shah Mir was close to the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F). He previously survived two attempts on his life. The attack came days after two leaders of JUI-F were shot dead in Khuzdar.

PTI

Islamabad: The Pakistan government has set March 31 as the deadline for Afghan Citizen Card (ACCs) holders to leave Pakistan voluntarily as part of a plan to repatriate all illegal foreigners, according to an official document.

The document, purportedly leaked to the media Friday night, indicated that the ACC holders staying in Islamabad and Rawalpindi would be moved out and sent back to Afghanistan as part of a multiphase relocation plan for Afghan migrants, including those awaiting resettlement in third countries.

The decision comes amidst deteriorating ties between Islamabad and Kabul over the issue of terrorism and it may impact over 800,000 documented Afghan refugees holding Afghan Citizen Cards and are included in the category of documented refugees, contrary to hundreds and thousands of undocumented ones.

It stated that the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Programme (IFRP) has been implemented since November 1, 2023 and in “continuation to the government’s decision to repatriate all illegal foreigners, the national leadership has now decided to also repatriate ACC holders”.

“All illegal foreigners and ACC holders are advised to leave the country voluntarily before March 31, 2025; thereafter, deportation will commence with effect from April 1, 2025,” it warned.

It highlighted that sufficient time has already been granted for their dignified return and emphasised that no one will be maltreated during the repatriation process and arrangements for food and healthcare for returning foreigners have also been put in place.

It concluded by saying that Pakistan has been a gracious host and continues to fulfil its commitments and obligations as a responsible state.

It is reiterated that individuals staying in Pakistan will have to fulfil all legal formalities and abide by Pakistan’s Constitution,” it said.

The decision may also further complicate the resettlement of about 15,000 Afghans awaiting relocation to the United States after President Donald Trump last month halted the US Refugee Admission Programme, jeopardizing the repatriation of those Afghans who moved to Pakistan after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and were promised resettlement in the US.

Pakistan has been home to millions of Afghans, most of them moved across the porous border in the 1980s when the former USSR forces were in Afghanistan.

London: The Kashmir dispute would be solved after the “return of the stolen part of Kashmir which is under illegal Pakistani occupation,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said.

Jaishankar was speaking at a session at the Chatham House think tank in London Wednesday, prompting Pakistan Thursday to reject as “baseless” his remarks regarding Kashmir while making counter-demands to address the issue.

Responding to an audience question on “solving” issues in Kashmir, Jaishankar stated, “On Kashmir, actually we have done, I think, a good job solving most of it.”

“Removing Article 370 was step number one, restoring growth and economic activity and social justice in Kashmir was step number two, and holding elections with a very high turnout was step number three.

“I think the part we are waiting for is the return of the stolen part of Kashmir, which is under illegal Pakistani occupation; when that is done, I assure you Kashmir will be solved,” Jaishankar said.

In Islamabad, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan rejected Jaishankar’s remarks.

“Instead of making baseless claims about Azad Jammu and Kashmir, India should vacate the large territories of Jammu and Kashmir under its occupation from the last 77 years,” he said while addressing a weekly press briefing.

“The relevant UN Security Council resolutions stipulate that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be determined through a free and impartial plebiscite under the UN auspices. India’s prevarication cannot change this reality,” Khan said.

He also rejected the claims by the Indian minister about the elections held in its part of Kashmir last year and said, “any electoral exercise pursuant to the Indian constitution cannot serve as a substitute to grant of right to self-determination.”

India has repeatedly told Pakistan that Jammu and Kashmir “was, is and shall forever” remain an integral part of the country.

The India-Pakistan bilateral ties nosedived and the trade between the two countries stopped after India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution, revoking the special status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating into two Union Territories August 5, 2019.

PTI

Dhaka: Top officials of Bangladesh and Pakistan held talks here Wednesday ahead of a possible visit by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in April.

Ties between the two countries saw a sudden revival after the change of government in August last year, following a drought in their relationship during the regime of Sheikh Hasina.

Wednesday, Pakistan’s Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific), Imran Ahmed Siddiqu, called on Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary, Md. Jashim Uddin at the ministry office here, the state-run BSS news agency reported, citing a press release issued by the ministry.

Siddiqui carried a letter from Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar addressed to Bangladesh foreign affairs adviser and handed it over to the Foreign Secretary, it added.

During their meeting, the two sides recalled the substantive discussion between Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during their meetings in Cairo on the sidelines of the D-8 Summit in December 2024 and in New York in September 2024 on the sidelines of the 79th UNGA.

The two sides also discussed the importance of holding the Foreign Secretary Level Consultations, the last meeting of which was held in 2010 and the meeting of the Joint Economic Commission, the last meeting of which was held in 2005.

Deputy Prime Minister Dar will visit Bangladesh in April this year, the Daily Star reported.

Today’s discussion covered the issue of strengthening cooperation to enhance trade and reduce the trade gap.

“Both sides expressed satisfaction over recent visits of several trade delegations from Pakistan to Bangladesh and emphasized the importance of visits by the product-specific trade delegations from Bangladesh to Pakistan,” the BSS news agency reported.

The two sides also discussed cooperation in the sectors of tourism, people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges, the issue of forcibly displaced Rohingyas and cooperation in the international forum, it said.

The importance of strengthened regional and multilateral cooperation through SAARC, OIC, and D-8 was also highlighted.

Pakistan’s then foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar last visited Bangladesh in 2012. In 2022, the then foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attended D-8 ministerial conference virtually, reflecting the low-level of diplomatic relations under Hasina over the last 15 years.

As their ties continue to improve, Bangladesh has simplified the visa process for Pakistanis, intending to strengthen trade and economic relations. The two countries are planning to resume direct shipping and flights.

PTI

Mumbai: With India defeating Australia in the semifinal of the Champions Trophy (CT) 2025 with a four-wicket victory in Dubai Tuesday, Pakistan will not be able to organize the final of the event of which they were the host. As per the hybrid formula agreed by Pakistan and ICC, the final now will be played in Dubai, instead of the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan.

This has resulted in Indian fans trolling Pakistan on social media, making fun of the hosts missing their own party.

Virat Kohli’s 84 supported by KL Rahul’s unbeaten 42 and Hardik Pandya’s 28-run cameo led India to a four-wicket win against Australia in the first semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy at Dubai International Stadium.

With this win, India became the first team to qualify for the Champions Trophy final for a third consecutive time. They will now take on the winner of the second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand in Dubai March 9.

India played all their matches in Dubai and it was agreed before the start of the tournament that India will not travel to Pakistan and thus the final will be played in Dubai if India was in contention.

“Gaddafi Stadium knocked out of the Champions Trophy,” said a fan in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Pakistan were knocked out of the tournament in the league stage after losing to New Zealand and India in their first two matches.

“Host Pakistan Can’t Host Champions Trophy 2025 Final In Pakistan. Thank You Kohli For Cooking Pakistan Again,” wrote another fan, trolling Pakistan for missing out on the opportunity.

Pakistan had failed to win a single match and even three of the league matches were washed out by rain, thus impacting Group B matches.

“Now, the Champions Trophy 2025 final won’t happen in Pakistan. Two minutes of silence for all Australian fans from Pakistan,” wrote another fan.

Many fans also poked fun at Pakistan for spending Pakistani rupees 1280 crore for refurbishing stadiums for the mega event only to see the hosts play one game at home, the 60-run loss vs New Zealand with the final group game against Bangladesh being washed out with a single ball bowled.

“Pakistan as a country knocked out twice of the Champions Trophy 2025. -No team in Final. -No stadium in Final,” said a post on X.

Lahore: Captain Muhammad Rizwan and Babar Azam were Tuesday dropped from the Pakistan squad for the five-match T20 series in New Zealand.

Salman Ali Agha replaced Rizwan as captain of the T20 outfit with all-rounder Shadab Khan being recalled and named his vice-captain.

Rizwan has been retained as captain of the ODI squad after the team’s disappointing show in the Champions Trophy. The selectors have avoided an overhaul in the one-day squad and retained majority of the players who flopped in the ongoing ICC event.

Babar is also retained in the ODI squad but batters Saud Shakil and Kamran Ghulam have been axed.

The selectors have also sidelined fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf from the one-day squad.

Pakistan play five T20s and three ODIs in New Zealand starting March 16.

Pakistan will still be without dashing opener Saim Ayub, who is yet to recover from a ankle injury while opener, Fakhar Zaman has also been ruled out of the tour with an injury he sustained in the first match of the CT.

His injury came after making a comeback to the Pakistan squad last month in the three-nation event while Saim got injured while fielding during the Test series in South Africa earlier this year.

Pakistan squads:

ODI: Muhammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (VC), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam Faheem Ashraf, Imam ul Haq, Khushdil Shah, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Wasim junior, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah Sufyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir.

T20: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (VC), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Muhammad Abbas Afridi, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Haris, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Muqeem, Usman Khan.

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked former pacer and national selector, Aaqib Javed, to continue as interim head coach for the white-ball tour of New Zealand.

A PCB official said due to time constraints between the Champions Trophy and New Zealand tour, Aaqib will continue as interim head coach.

“The PCB meanwhile has started the process of finding a new head coach for the national team and due process would be followed,” he said.

The official said Pakistan should have a new head coach when they begin their new cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) in August.

Last year, the PCB had appointed Jason Gillispie and Gary Kirsten as the red ball and white ball coaches respectively, but both resigned within six to eight months of their appointment citing issues with the Pakistan board.

Aaqib, a senior selector, was then asked to take over as interim head coach of the white ball squad and then also the red ball team for the Test series in South Africa and against West Indies at home.

He also continued in the post in the three-nation event in Pakistan and the Champions Trophy from which the team bowed out without registering a win.

Former Pakistan captain, Mohammad Yousuf, will now work as batting coach of the national side.

The PCB also said that it has appointed Salman Ali Agha as captain and Shadab Khan as vice-captain of the T20 squad keeping in mind the T20 World Cup next year.

“The decision to appoint Salman and Shadab as T20I captain and vice-captain, respectively, has been made with an eye on two major upcoming tournaments – the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 (September 2025) and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (February/March 2026),” the board said.

Salman has previously led Pakistan in a T20I series against Zimbabwe, winning it 2-1.

As part of preparations for the T20 World Cup, Pakistan are set to play a minimum of five T20Is in the Asia Cup 2025 and three T20Is each against West Indies (away in July), Afghanistan (home in August), Ireland (home in September), South Africa (home in September/October), Sri Lanka (home in November) and Australia (home in January 2026).

The board said that Mohammad Rizwan will continue leading the ODI side as Pakistan build for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will take place in Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The board also confirmed that openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were not considered for either format for the New Zealand tour on medical advice.

“Fakhar suffered a left lower intercostal muscle sprain during Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand, while Saim is recovering from a right ankle fracture sustained on the first day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa in January,” the board said.

It confirmed that both are expected to be fully fit for the Pakistan Super League 10, starting in Rawalpindi 11 April.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has held using terms such as”miyan-tiyan” and “Pakistani” was not an offence of hurting religious sentiments though made in poor taste.

A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma therefore discharged a man in a criminal case filed by a Urdu translator and acting clerk Right to Information (RTI) in the sub-divisional office, Chas in Jharkhand.

The February 11 court order said, “The appellant is accused of hurting the religious feelings of the informant by calling him ‘miyan-tiyan’ and ‘Pakistani’. Undoubtedly, the statements made are poor taste. However, it does not amount to hurting the religious sentiments of the informant. Hence, we are of the opinion that the appellant shall also be discharged under Section 298 IPC.”

Section 298 of IPC deals with words or gestures made with a deliberate intent to wound religious feelings.

It came on record that accused, Hari Nandan Singh, sought information under the RTI Act from additional collector-cum-first appellate authority, Bokaro, and the information was dispatched to him.

However, he filed an appeal before the appellate authority, allegedly after manipulating the documents sent to him by the office through the registered post and making false allegations of manipulation in the documents.

The appellate authority directed the translator to personally serve the information to the appellant.

On November 18, 2020, the informant, accompanied by the messenger of the sub-divisional office, Chas, went to the accused’s home to hand over the information.

The accused initially refused to accept the documents but upon insistence by the informant, accepted it.

It was alleged that he abused the informant while referring to his faith and used criminal force against him.

The matter prompted the translator to an FIR registered against the accused.

Following an investigation, the trial court ordered framing of charges against the accused also under Sections 353 (assault or criminal force on a public servant) and 504 (intentional insult) of IPC.

The Jharkhand High Court dismissed the accused’s plea for quashing the proceedings.

While hearing the man’s plea against the high court order, the bench discharged him of the offence of intentional insult observing “no act on his part that could have provoked a breach of peace” apart from Section 353.

“We set aside the order of the high court which has sustained the order of the trial court and consequently allow the application filed by the appellant and discharge the appellant from all the three offences alleged against him,” it added.

PTI

Karachi: Pakistan will be the venue for the six-team Women’s 50-overs World Cup qualifiers later this month after being confirmed as the hosts for another ICC tournament.

An official from the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed Monday that they are working with the ICC to confirm the dates and venues for the competition.

The six-team event will consist of Pakistan, Scotland, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the West Indies.

The official informed that Karachi, Multan and Faisalabad are being considered as the possible venues given that the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will begin April 11.

“It is a big boost for us that soon after the Champions Trophy we are getting ready to host another ICC event,” the official said.

Pakistan will be hosting a multi-team women’s ICC event for the first time, having held the eight-team ongoing Champions Trophy as well as a ti-series also involving New Zealand and South Africa earlier.

Rawalpindi: Pakistan’s campaign in the Champions Trophy ended on a winless note after their match against Bangladesh was called off without a ball being bowled due to incessant rain here Thursday.

The match was effectively a dead-rubber, with both teams already out of contention after failing to secure a win in their two previous matches. Pakistan, hosting an ICC tournament for the first time in 29 years, had hoped for a strong finish but ended their disastrous campaign without a victory.

Persistent downpours left the ground soaked, with covers in place and puddles forming around the field. With weather not improving, match officials called off the game nearly two hours after the scheduled start time. The gloomy weather prevented even the toss from taking place.

As a result, the two teams shared one point each, though both Pakistan and Bangladesh finished the tournament winless.

This is the second match in Rawalpindi to be called off without a ball being bowled, following the washout between South Africa and Australia earlier this week.

The rain-induced abandonment left the home fans frustrated, as they hoped to play at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan have faced criticism for their poor showing in the tournament, having suffered defeats to New Zealand (by 60 runs) and India (by six wickets).

“We wanted to do well and perform well in front of our nation. The expectations are very high. We didn’t perform well and it is disappointing for us,” Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan said.

Reflecting on the road ahead, Rizwan said: “You can learn from your mistakes. We have made mistakes in the last few games. Hopefully, we can learn from these.

“We are next going to New Zealand and, hopefully, we can perform there and the mistakes that we did against New Zealand here in Pakistan, we can learn from that. And we will do better in New Zealand. ”

‘We put a lot of pressure on ourselves playing against India’

Pakistan’s assistant coach, Azhar Mahmood, who hails from the city, attributed his team’s poor show in the tournament to injuries to key players, and the fact that the team took too much pressure against India.

“We haven’t played well in this tournament. We have played good cricket in this format, but in the tournament, it has not gone well because of injuries. Against India, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves,” he said.

“We know where we need to improve. It is all about adapting and taking responsibility. The results have also been a surprise for us,” he added.

The former Test all-rounder said that the people need to keep faith in the players.

“We have to stick with the talent we identify for it to come good over the months,” said Mahmood.

Pakistan had lost two top players — Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub — to injuries, affecting their campaign.

“The guy who has been performing from the last few months in Australia, South Africa, Zimbabwe… the team was combined and then suddenly when someone is injured, the team will be disturbed,” added Rizwan.

“As a captain, you can look forward to that as well. On one side you can say that the team is disturbed, but this is no excuse. Yes, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were injured, but we will learn from this,” the captain added.

“We are all very disappointed. We are all here for the nation. Pakistan is our priority and the expectation from us is very high. We are upset and we are accepting that we didn’t do well. Hopefully, we will do more hard work and come back,” added Rizwan.

Much to reflect for Bangladesh

Bangladesh, who also ended their tournament winless, will return home with much to reflect on after losing to India by six wickets and New Zealand by five wickets.

“I am very disappointed. We really wanted to play this match, but can’t do anything about the weather. The way we held the game for long periods was very inspiring for us in the two matches,” Bangladesh captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto said.

“We hope we can learn from our mistakes. We will make a proper plan and execute the plan.”

Talking about their bowling unit, Shanto said: “We have always struggled with our fast bowling unit, but in the last few years a lot of fast bowlers are coming through.

“Some of the fast bowlers back home are doing very well. The likes of Taskin, and Rana coming in. Fizz is there. We have a very good bowling attack. I hope they will do the job and do the best for the team.”

PTI

Rawalpindi: The Champions Trophy match between hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh here Thursday was called off without a ball being bowled due to incessant rain.

Hosting an ICC tournament for the first time in 29 years, Pakistan thus ended their disastrous campaign without registering a single victory.

Bangladesh, too, concluded their journey without a win and will go back home with plenty to introspect.

One point will be shared by both teams.

Pakistan has attracted criticism for their forgettable outing in the tournament, which included a six-wicket defeat at the hands of traditional rivals India in Dubai.

This is the second time a match has been called off without a ball being bowled in Rawalpindi, the first being the washout between South Africa and Australia earlier this week.