Latest news with #Indian-Illegally
Express Tribune
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistanis protest outside Indian High Commission in London
Listen to article A large protest was held outside the Indian High Commission in Aldwych, London, organised by the UK chapter of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The demonstration was in response to what organisers described as "baseless allegations" made by India against Pakistan following the April 22 incident in Pahalgam, located in Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Protesters waved Pakistani flags and carried placards while chanting slogans such as 'Pakistan Zindabad,' 'Kashmir belongs to Pakistan,' and 'Down with Indian terrorism.' They also raised chants supporting Pakistan's military leadership. Slogans were also directed against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Hindutva ideology, including 'Modi is a terrorist' and 'Reject Hindutva ideology.' Ahsan Dar, president of PML-N UK, addressed the crowd and said the gathering was a reflection of overseas Pakistanis' connection with their homeland. He accused India of launching a false flag campaign by blaming Pakistan without presenting any evidence regarding the Pahalgam incident. Dar also noted that members from various political groups, including PTI and PML-N, participated in the protest, calling it a sign of national unity. The protest remained peaceful but drew media attention. London police were present at the site and managed the security.
Express Tribune
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Army promises 'decisive' response to India misadventure
Army chief General Asim Munir presides over a special session of the Corps Commanders' Conference at the GHQ in Rawalpindi. Photo: ISPR Listen to article Top military brass on Friday delivered a clear and loud message to India, promising "decisive" response from Pakistan if any attempt was made by the neighboring country to impose a war. Army chief General Syed Asim Munir convened a special Corps Commanders meeting at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi against the backdrop of brewing tensions with India. New Delhi threatened to launch cross-border strikes after blaming Pakistan for the April 22 attack that killed 26 tourists in Pahalgam region of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan vehemently denied its role and offered to participate in any "neutral, transparent and credible" investigation. China and certain other countries backed Pakistan's proposal while the United States, contrary to Indian expectations, adopted a more balanced approach. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday spoke to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian External Affairs Minister S J Shankar, urging restraint. A statement issued by the military's media wing said the top brass conducted a comprehensive review of the prevailing geo-strategic environment, with particular emphasis on the current Pakistan-India standoff and the broader regional security calculus. The forum reaffirmed the unflinching resolve of the armed forces to uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country against any aggression or misadventure. The COAS lauded the unwavering professionalism, steadfast morale and operational preparedness of the armed forces, standing in unity with the people of Pakistan to defend the homeland at all costs. He underscored the critical importance of heightened vigilance and proactive readiness across all fronts. The forum expressed grave concern over the intensification of Indian atrocities in the Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), particularly in the aftermath of the recent Pahalgam incident, as well as the continued targeting of innocent civilians along the Line of Control (LoC) by Indian occupation forces. It was reiterated that such inhumane and unprovoked acts serve only to escalate regional tensions and will be met with a resolute and proportionate response. The forum noted, with serious concern, India's consistent pattern of exploitation of crises to achieve political and military objectives. They have been following a predictable template - whereby internal governance failures are externalised. These incidents have often coincided with unilateral moves by India to alter the status quo, as seen in 2019 when India similarly exploited the Pulwama incident to unilaterally alter the status quo of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, through revocation of Article 370. "In the latest instance, the Pahalgam episode appears to be part of a deliberate strategy to divert Pakistan's focus away from the western front, as well as ongoing national efforts for economic revival; the two fronts where Pakistan is decisively and sustainably gaining grounds. Such diversionary tactics aimed at providing operational breathing space to Indian terror proxies will never succeed," according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). While reaffirming Pakistan's abiding commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity, the forum made clear that any attempt to impose war will be responded to, surely and decisively and aspirations of people of Pakistan shall be respected at all costs, Insha'Allah. In the same vein, the forum expressed serious concern that India is now exploiting the Pahalgam incident to undermine the longstanding Indus Waters Treaty, seeking to usurp Pakistan's legitimate and inalienable water rights. This constitutes a dangerous attempt to weaponise water, threatening the livelihood and sustenance of over 240 million Pakistanis and escalating strategic instability in South Asia. The forum also voiced deep alarm over credible evidence of direct Indian military and intelligence involvement in orchestrating terrorist activities inside Pakistan. These state-sponsored actions are in blatant violation of international norms which are universally unacceptable. The forum reiterated that Pakistan's path to peace and development will not be deterred by terrorism, coercion, or aggression - whether directly or through proxies. Deliberate destabilisation efforts by the Indian government will be confronted and defeated with resolve and clarity. The forum concluded with the COAS expressing complete confidence in the operational readiness, deterrence posture, and morale of all formations and strategic forces to defend the nation across the entire threat spectrum.
Express Tribune
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
India withdraw from Central Asian volleyball event in Pakistan
Listen to article The Indian volleyball team have withdrawn from the upcoming Central Asian Volleyball Championship, just weeks after confirming participation, in response to rising political tensions with following an attack in Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) had initially submitted entries for a 30-member contingent — comprising 22 players and eight support staff — to the Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF), organisers of the regional tournament. However, India's Union Sports Ministry advised the federation to pull out in protest of attack in Pahalgam, IIOJK, which left 26 people dead. The regional championship, scheduled from May 28 to June 4 at the Liaquat Gymnasium in Islamabad, is set to host national teams from Iran, Pakistan, and other Central Asian countries. Pakistan had successfully hosted the event in 2024, emerging as champions over Turkmenistan. While India's withdrawal affects the original lineup, officials noted the team's middling performance in past continental events — 11th place in the 2023 Asian men's tournament and 7th for the women — minimising the competitive impact. Tournament organisers have confirmed that four nations will still compete as planned. Earlier, Pakistan expelled 23 Indian nationals working for a Pakistan Super League broadcast partner in response to rising diplomatic tensions following the recent Pahalgam incident in IIOJK. The Indian staff were part of a technical team contracted by a broadcast company to cover the 10th edition of the HBL PSL, which began on April 11 and is scheduled to run until May 18.
Express Tribune
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Kashmiri Muslims pay the price for New Delhi's failures
As New Delhi hammers the panic button while turning a blind eye to simmering discontent in the occupied valley, Indian forces have launched yet another crackdown on innocent Kashmiri Muslims in the Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). According to sources, civilians are being deliberately targeted in a thinly veiled attempt to sweep state failures under the rug. They said that the Indian military has begun rounding up innocent civilians across various Muslim-majority areas in the occupied region in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. The move is part of an orchestrated effort to conceal the security lapse that allowed the attack to happen despite an overwhelming military presence. Meanwhile, a Kashmiri journalist who publicly questioned the official version of the Pahalgam incident has been forcibly detained by Indian troops. The journalist had posed sharp questions, asking how terrorism could rear its head in Pahalgam despite the ironclad security measures, and what exactly over 700,000 Indian troops and security agencies were doing when the attack took place. "While travelling to Pahalgam, I was stopped at ten different security checkpoints," he shared. His arrest, reportedly carried out by Indian military personnel, is being viewed as part of a wider crackdown on dissent and independent reporting in the region. The sources further claimed that anyone who questions the fascist regime of Prime Minister Narendra Modi – referred to by critics as the 'Butcher of Gujarat' – is either arrested or killed in staged encounters. This is a repeated pattern in Indian-occupied Kashmir, where more than 800,000 troops are deployed and frequently accused of conducting fake encounters, they added. "It has become a practice of the Indian army to target innocent Muslims after every false flag operation," the sources said, pointing to what they call a history of retaliatory action against civilians after such events.
Express Tribune
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Senate rejects Indian allegations linking Pakistan to Pahalgam
Listen to article The Senate on Friday unanimously passed a strongly-worded resolution rejecting India's allegations that Pakistan was involved in the April 22 attack at Pahalgam in the Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The resolution, moved by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, categorically denounced what it described as "baseless and frivolous" attempts to malign Pakistan. It condemned terrorism in all forms and emphasised that the killing of innocent civilians goes against the core values upheld by the Pakistani nation. The Senate resolution accused the Indian government of orchestrating a "mala fide campaign" to exploit the issue of terrorism for narrow political purposes. Lawmakers also strongly condemned India's recent unilateral move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a blatant violation that "clearly amounts to an act of war." The resolution warned that Pakistan remains fully capable and prepared to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, citing the country's "robust and valiant" response to Indian aggression in February 2019 as a precedent. It stressed that any further misadventure by India would be met with a firm, swift, and decisive response. While reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to peace, the Senate declared that no compromise would be made on national sovereignty, security, and vital interests. The resolution also called for India to be held accountable for its alleged involvement in acts of terrorism and targeted assassinations on foreign soil, including within Pakistan. Furthermore, the Senate reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering support for the Kashmiri people's struggle for self-determination and vowed to continue its moral, political, and diplomatic backing for the cause. Meanwhile, Addressing the Senate Dar issued a strong response to India's announcement of unilaterally revoking the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a violation of international agreement and a direct threat to the national security of Pakistan. "Water is the lifeline for 240 million Pakistanis. The Indus Waters Treaty is a crucial, internationally recognized agreement that cannot be terminated by one party alone. Its annulment is only possible through mutual consent," the deputy prime minister added. He emphasized that the issue of water is tied directly to Pakistan's national security, warning that future wars could be fought over water. "We will not show any leniency on this matter," he said. Dar also revealed that the National Security Committee had made several key decisions in light of the current situation. Among them was the immediate suspension of all forms of trade with India, including indirect trade via third countries. Furthermore, the Wagah border crossing has been closed with immediate effect. "Anyone who looks at Pakistan with ill intent will receive a response just like in the past - only stronger and more decisive this time," Dar warned, highlighting that Pakistan has already taken two more countermeasures compared to India. The foreign minister further disclosed that extensive diplomatic efforts are underway. "Yesterday, 26 foreign ambassadors were briefed on the situation. More briefings are scheduled for today," he added, noting that Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister is expected to speak with him later in the evening. In response to rising regional tensions, Dar announced that all Indian nationals currently in Pakistan under the SAARC visa exemption must leave the country within 48 hours. He thanked opposition parties for their unified stance against India's recent aggression, praising national unity as Pakistan's real strength. "Political leadership has given a clear message to the enemy: there will be no compromise on the defense of our homeland." Referring to the recent Pahalgam incident, Dar noted that India had not directly accused Pakistan nor provided any evidence linking the country to the event. He also criticized India for hindering regional progress. "SAARC wants development, but one country's stubbornness holds the entire region back," he said. Concluding his address, Dar assured the nation that Pakistan's armed forces are fully prepared to defend the country and that the government stands united in its response to any threat. Senator Sherry Rehman also spoke during the Senate hearing. "I have said in this house before that it was Modi's wish in his first term to weaponise water and engage in water terrorism," said Rehman, a former climate change minister. "The treaty that has survived every war and remained untouched throughout every war; but now they want to weaponise this and we won't allow it." She highlighted that peace is the best option for everyone saying, "we are not in the era of World War II, but if that's what they want to revive, no one will step back. "We won't still beg them to talk about peace, because we have done so enough times previously," she said to much applause from fellow senators. "We are one Pakistan, we are a united Pakistan, and no one will bring us to a war without decisive, firm, speedy and very clear action." Rehman pointed out that if a serving military officer was caught spying in India, there would have been commotion and chaos from India. "You tested it out [after] Pulwama. Had Pakistan's tea. We still have water. We will mix it with milk and serve you tea," she said in a light-hearted reference to captured Indian pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman praising the Pakistan Army in a video while holding a cup of tea. Rehman, however, warned India to remember that PPP founder and former prime minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto made Pakistan a nuclear nation before it engaged in "any more misadventure and theatricals. "We did not militarise this region did, you did. Even today, your military formations stand against Pakistan. The majority of your military formations are against Pakistan," she said. "You have an obsession with Pakistan. We certainly do not have any obsession with you," Rehman said to applause. "We say that we are peaceful. Even right now, instead of de-escalating, you are taking irresponsible actions. You are putting your people at risk. "These are two nuclear nations, with no risk reduction measures left. Do you want to go to war? This is an act of war. Pakistan does not like to go to war. "But when we do, when we are provoked, we will not be losing anything to them. I am very clear," she said.
