Latest news with #FayazAli
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Karnataka students in Iran seek state government's help for evacuation
Bengaluru: Students from Karnataka studying medicine at Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, reached out to the state govt for help to evacuate them from Iran. The students are currently with Indian embassy officials amid the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. The students are in constant touch with their parents. The state govt said one of the students and his parents in Bengaluru reached out to it seeking help in their evacuation. "Nine students are from Karnataka, of whom six are from Bengaluru. One student and his parents contacted us over the phone and expressed their fear and desire to return to India. Office of Non-Resident Committee vice chairperson Aarti Krishna wrote to the ministry of external affairs requesting it to take steps to immediately bring back the students. We are yet to hear back from them," said a senior official. "We are in constant touch with the officials concerned and are personally monitoring the situation," he said. "The students are unable to sleep at night. The conflict zones are 15-20 minutes away from their campus. They can see missiles flying over their hostels. They are extremely anxious and reached out to the university and the Indian embassy," said Fayaz Ali, father of a student in Iran and resident of Austin Town in Bengaluru. According to the parents, there are around 400 Indian students in the university. Exams were underway for the students. "They were supposed to come back by August after the exams get over. However, the exams stopped midway," said Shabab Zehra, mother of Nadeem Hussain. Nadeem is a second-year student at the university. "We are worried that the conflict will escalate and the students will be affected. We want them to come back safely as soon as possible," she said. "The embassy created a WhatsApp group with parents and students, and we are constantly kept posted on the developments. Currently, the students are being taken to a safer city," Fayaz said. Relatives in the state say there are students in other universities too. Hassan Abbas Syed, a class 12 student at Alipur, Gowribidanur, said his sister is pursuing her fourth-year BDS at Tehran University of Medical Sciences where there are three more from Karnataka. "They are being transported to a safer location in North Iran. One of their hospitals is very close to the conflict zone, and a blast happened quite close to it. When I last spoke to my sister, she said they have been instructed not to disclose the location but are being shifted and are in safe hands. Her internet connection has been patchy, and we have not been able to communicate frequently," he said. Union minister HD Kumaraswamy said on X that he spoke to several Kannadigas stranded in Israel via video calls and enquired about their well-being and safety. "I assured them of taking urgent steps to ensure their safe and speedy return to their homeland and will hold talks with @MEAIndia." He said he informed the students that the Union govt has taken "all necessary measures for the safety of Indian citizens in conflict-affected foreign countries..."
Express Tribune
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Cricket security disrupts local life in Rawalpindi
Several areas in Rawalpindi have been closed down as part of the security measures taken for the Champions Trophy cricket matches being hosted at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The closures have specifically affected the Rawalpindi Food Street, Shamsabad Double Road and the local markets, as well as schools situated along the route to the stadium. Schools are to remain closed until February 27, and the road closures will continue to severely restrict and block access to important locations, like the oldest church in Pindi, which is located adjacent to Double Road. Strong protests have been staged by Christian pastors and community leaders in response. To ensure maximum security, the routes leading to the cricket stadium have been completely sealed with barbed wires, tents and barricades. Snipers have been deployed on the rooftops of nearby areas and closed-circuit cameras have been installed to monitor the surroundings. Rawalpindi's largest recreational park, Allama Iqbal Park, has also been sealed off. Moreover, the closure of the food market, shops and private offices in the area has also caused traders and citizens to protest vehemently, as their livelihoods and daily businesses are put under jeopardy. The traders' association of Double Road, Shamsabad, has expressed deep concerns regarding the severe impact of the cricket matches on their livelihoods. They said that every time any matches are held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, their means of earning are snatched away, leaving them with significant financial losses. They described the week-long closure of shops and roads as an "economic massacre." Shopkeepers Iqbal Khan, Fayaz Ali and Mahmood Khan pointed out that the current week is actually crucial for business as it is the last few days before Ramazan when citizens stock up on essential groceries for the upcoming holy month. They urged the authorities to relocate the cricket stadium to the Parade Ground. A resident of Double Road, Amjad Ali Shah, stated that over the past three years, the cricket stadium has become a burden for residents. "While we previously welcomed matches as a boost to our businesses, we now hope that no matches are held or for heavy rain on match days so that matches are cancelled," he said. Shah also remarked that the deployment of thousands of police and intelligence agency personnel incurs millions of rupees in costs. The area around the stadium turns into a curfew-like situation for local residents, shopkeepers and traders. He demanded that the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium be relocated. Moreover, he expressed his worry that following these closures and restrictions, the onset of Ramazan will further paralyse business as citizens will have already completed their grocery shopping at other markets. Adding to the list of concerns, Pastor Qaiser and Christian leader Rashid Chauhan highlighted that the fasting period for the Christian community is also about to begin, and that they need daily access to the church.
