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Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Eight terrorists killed in Kalat IBOs: ISPR
Listen to article Security forces have killed eight terrorists during two successive intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Balochistan's Kalat district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday. According to the military's media wing, the first operation was launched on July 19, targeting a location suspected of harbouring terrorists linked to the group. 'During the operation, four terrorists were successfully neutralized,' the ISPR stated. Acting on intelligence gathered during the mission, a follow-up sanitization operation was carried out on July 21 in the surrounding areas. 'Four more terrorists of Fitna al Hindustan were hunted down and sent to hell,' the ISPR added. Security personnel also discovered and dismantled a terrorist hideout during the course of the operations. A large cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was recovered from the site. Also Read: 200 stranded tourists rescued in G-B after flash floods 'Security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain resolute in defeating all threats to the peace, stability, and progress of Balochistan,' the ISPR emphasized, reaffirming the military's commitment to eradicating terrorism. President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the security forces for the successful operation. In his statement, the President commended the forces for 'bringing anti-state elements to justice with courage and professional excellence.' 'Terrorists seek to sabotage peace and stability — something that will not be allowed under any circumstances. The nation is united, and terrorism will be defeated at all costs,' he stated, adding that operations would continue until terrorism is completely eradicated from Pakistan. Read: Bangladesh air force jet crash kills 27, mostly children Separately, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also praised the security forces, calling the operation in Kalat a significant success. 'We salute the security forces for sending Indian-backed terrorists to hell and foiling their malicious intentions through timely action,' he said. Naqvi added that the nation viewed such efforts with admiration. 'The humiliating end of these Indian-sponsored terrorists sends a clear message — there is no hiding place for such conspiracies in Pakistan. Every last terrorist will be eliminated from the country,' he asserted.
News18
4 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Pakistan's New Travel Policy For Shia Pilgrims Reveals A Deep Sectarian Fault Line
Last Updated: From January 1, 2026, Pakistani nationals undertaking pilgrimages to Shia sacred sites in Iran and Iraq will no longer be allowed to travel independently In a move justified through bureaucratic reasoning but deeply rooted in longstanding sectarian inequalities, the Pakistani government has unveiled extensive new measures that will significantly affect the country's Shia community. On July 15, interior minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that, starting from January 1, 2026, Pakistani nationals undertaking pilgrimages to Shia sacred sites in Iran and Iraq will no longer be allowed to travel independently. Instead, such religious journeys must be conducted exclusively in closely monitored groups, overseen by government-certified operators known as Zaireen Group Organisers (ZGOs). Presented as a necessary reaction to diplomatic concerns from Iran and Iraq regarding visa overstays and unauthorised activities, the newly announced policy has raised more concerns than clarity, drawing attention to the pronounced sectarian bias embedded within it. The government's rationale fails to hold under closer examination, particularly when contrasted with its tolerant approach to similar violations committed by Sunni pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia. Consequently, this directive represents more than a mere procedural alteration—it conveys a veiled message to Pakistan's Shia population that they are not deemed trustworthy to travel independently. The double standard is unmistakable. For example, in December 2024 alone, Saudi Arabia deported nearly 5,000 Pakistani citizens in just one month—primarily Sunni pilgrims who had overstayed their Umrah visas and were found begging. This issue is not limited to Saudi Arabia; other Gulf nations such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have also deported hundreds of Pakistanis for similar infractions. In fact, in April 2025, Saudi authorities imposed a temporary visa ban on 14 countries, including Pakistan, citing the need to curb unauthorised Hajj participation and widespread visa violations. Despite these developments, the Pakistani government has not implemented any restrictions on individual Sunni pilgrimages to Mecca or Medina, nor has it introduced a system of regulated group travel for them. If the core concern truly lies in visa breaches and diplomatic pressures, it raises a pressing question: why has only one sect been subjected to such punitive regulation, particularly when Gulf monarchies have consistently expressed concerns about Pakistani nationals engaging in begging and other illicit activities? The stance adopted by the Pakistani government reveals a clear sectarian inclination and forms part of a broader, long-standing pattern of discriminatory practices against the Shia minority, which constitutes an estimated 15-20 per cent of the national population. For decades, Pakistan's Shia citizens have faced state-backed marginalisation —ranging from explicit exclusion in key government positions to more covert institutional apathy that overlooks violence perpetrated by the Sunni majority, as notably seen in Parachinar within the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. While many such forms of bias are subtle, others have been overt and violently repressive. Viewed within the broader historical context, the newly introduced pilgrimage regulation is merely another addition to a persistent trend of policies that have implicitly, if not explicitly, relegated the Shia community to a subordinate status. This so-called 'administrative requirement" fails to withstand scrutiny when placed against the wider backdrop of the state's consistent alignment with Sunni orthodoxy. For many Shia Muslims, visiting the sacred sites of Najaf and Karbala in Iraq, as well as Qom and Mashhad in Iran, represents more than merely a religious duty—it serves as a profound emotional, spiritual, and cultural connection. These pilgrimages, primarily undertaken during the Islamic months of Muharram (for Ashura) and Safar (for Arbaeen), are vital expressions of faith and identity within the Shia tradition. Under the newly imposed regulations, such pilgrimages must now be conducted exclusively through state-approved organisers, many of whom impose prohibitively high charges and operate with little transparency. Independent travel options, which tend to be more affordable and allow for greater flexibility, will be rendered unlawful under this system. As a result, this policy effectively marginalises low-income Shia families and places additional constraints on their already restricted religious liberties. The disparity is striking. Sunni pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah continue to benefit from a largely unmonitored travel framework, despite persistent reports of visa overstays, unlawful employment, and even infractions such as widespread begging. The government's reaction has typically been to ignore these issues or, at most, issue mild advisories—without imposing any broad restrictions or invoking claims of 'administrative necessity". Although it is accurate that the Iranian and Iraqi authorities have raised concerns about certain pilgrims, particularly during mass gatherings like Arbaeen, it is misleading to argue that the new restrictions are solely a response to these issues. If that were genuinely the case, the Pakistani government would have already put in place a regulatory policy addressing Umrah travel to Saudi Arabia—especially given Riyadh's repeated complaints regarding visa violations and begging by Pakistani citizens. Yet, instead of devising such a framework, Islamabad has consistently chosen to overlook these infractions committed by Sunni nationals deported from these Gulf states. The sole discernible distinction appears to lie in sectarian affiliation. Pakistan's centres of power—particularly its military-intelligence apparatus and dominant Sunni religious institutions—have long influenced the definition of full citizenship. Consequently, this measure does not merely constitute a travel regulation; it symbolises what appears to be a litmus test for citizenship, wherein a Pakistani Shia is denied the right to undertake pilgrimages independently, while a Sunni remains free to do so. By implementing such exclusionary travel protocols, the state not only marginalises a segment of its population but also risks exacerbating sectarian divisions in a nation already burdened by deep polarisation, political suppression, and widespread instability. Historically, Pakistan's constitution guaranteed equal rights to all citizens regardless of their faith or sect, although it has explicitly discriminated against the Ahmadiyya community—another oppressed group alongside Hindus, Shias, and Christians. Yet, for many within the Shia community, as with other religious minorities, that constitutional assurance has rarely translated into practice. The introduction of the new travel regulation serves as a stark reminder that in the Islamic Republic, religious liberty is not a universal entitlement but rather a tightly controlled and selectively granted privilege, managed and rationed by the state. Although visa enforcement, like border control, is a legitimate responsibility of the state, its impartiality is compromised when its execution aligns with sectarian fault lines. At that point, it no longer remains a neutral administrative act but becomes a vehicle for discrimination. If Pakistan genuinely seeks to foster national unity, it must reject the selective application of the law and commit to governance grounded in fairness—applying rules uniformly across all communities without favour or prejudice. This approach should also support, rather than restrict, religious expression, regardless of sectarian identity. Crucially, it requires avoiding the misuse of bureaucratic mechanisms as tools of sectarian exclusion. top videos View all Until such principles are upheld, the concept of 'equal citizenship" in Pakistan will continue to ring hollow—serving more as a bitter irony than a constitutional assurance. This is particularly evident for communities that are repeatedly compelled to demonstrate their loyalty, even in their most sacred journeys of faith. The writer is an author and a columnist. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. tags : pakistan Shia sunni view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 22, 2025, 19:32 IST News opinion Global Watch | Pakistan's New Travel Policy For Shia Pilgrims Reveals A Deep Sectarian Fault Line Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Deccan Herald
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Iranian president to visit Pakistan on July 26
Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi discussed the upcoming visit with his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni during a telephone conversation on Monday.
NDTV
9 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Bad News For Pakistan: Amid Asia Cup Tussle, India Find Support From...
India have found support from both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan over the demand to shift the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) from Dhaka, according to a report by Cricbuzz. It has become a highly-contested topic between India and Pakistan with major implications on the next edition of Asia Cup. The AGM, which will be chaired by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), was supposed to take place in Dhaka on July 24-25. However, the BCCI have insisted on a change on venue and they have now received support from two key allies. In order for the meeting to take place, three permanent (Test playing) members will have to attend and as a result, this development has come as a major blow to PCB. According to the report, the ACC constitution states that at least 10 full or Associate members will also have to be present in the meeting. Nepal, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar are all full members. The Associates members are Bahrain, Bhutan, Cambodia, Tajikistan, Maldives, Japan, Iran, China, Myanmar and Indonesia. The report stated that among these nations, the presence of Oman, Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar and Indonesia seem doubtful. The BCCI wanted the venue to be changed from Dhaka considering the rise in diplomatic tensions between the two countries. However, Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB and ACC chief, has refused to consider any changes and even skipped the ICC Annual Conference in Singapore. Earlier, the BCCI even cancelled a white-ball series against Bangaldesh. "It now seems the event has turned into a geopolitical matter. Aminul (Islam, the interim head of the BCB) could have handled the situation more carefully when approached by the PCB president to host the meeting. I think he could have taken more time because, in situations like this, taking time is part of the game. Probably due to inexperience, he agreed to host it without fully understanding the geopolitical implications," a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) insider told Cricbuzz. "Bulbul (Aminul) was requested to cancel the meeting as some of the board directors were not ready to do anything that can hurt the BCCI but the president insisted that he had given his word so cannot return back after giving his words to PCB."
India.com
10 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
Asia Cup 2025 Uncertainty Deepens: BCCI Refuses To Attend Dhaka Meet, PCB Accused Of Political Pressure
Asia Cup 2025: The upcoming Asia Cup T20 tournament, scheduled for September 2025, is facing growing uncertainty due to strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan. Following the Pahalgam terror attack in April, bilateral ties between the two nations have deteriorated, casting a shadow over regional sports events. India vs Pakistan Sports Ties Hit a Wall The deteriorating relationship between the two neighbours has already started impacting scheduled sporting events. On Sunday, the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash at the World Championship of Legends was cancelled after multiple Indian players withdrew from the tournament. In a further blow, reports suggest the Pakistan government may prevent its hockey team from participating in next month's Asia Cup in India. Cricket Asia Cup Schedule Yet to Be Announced India is the designated host of the Asia Cup 2025, but the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has yet to release the official schedule or venue. Although September remains the unofficial window, uncertainty looms large. A crucial meeting to finalise the tournament was initially planned for July 24 in Dhaka, but India refused to attend, citing diplomatic concerns. ACC Politics Deepens the Crisis The ACC, led by PCB chairman and Pakistan's interior minister Mohsin Naqvi, is reportedly putting 'unnecessary pressure' on India, according to an ANI source. The BCCI had formally requested a change in venue for the meeting but has received no response so far. The situation has now escalated beyond cricket, with officials blaming poor geopolitical judgement for the current impasse. Geopolitical Tensions Overwhelm Cricketing Agenda A Cricbuzz report quoted insiders who believe the ACC meeting has evolved into a geopolitical matter. Interim BCB head Aminul Islam has come under scrutiny for hastily agreeing to host the meeting. Taking time is part of the game in such situations,' the source said, suggesting a lack of diplomatic foresight may have worsened the crisis. India-Bangladesh Series Also Deferred Amid the confusion, BCCI and BCB have also mutually agreed to postpone India's tour of Bangladesh. Initially scheduled for August 2025, the series will now take place in September 2026, further signalling the uncertain future of subcontinental cricket. With tensions rising and no clear resolution in sight, the Asia Cup T20's fate now depends on diplomatic manoeuvring rather than sporting logistics. Until then, players and fans are left in limbo as cricket continues to be caught in the crossfire of geopolitics.
