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Hindustan Times
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pak's Punjab Speaker backs Saifullah Kasuri, a key Lashkar terrorist involved in Pahalgam attack
Malik Ahmed Khan, the Speaker of Pakistan's Punjab Assembly, has come under scrutiny after publicly defending Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri — a key terrorist allegedly involved in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people. In a video circulating on social media, Malik Ahmed Khan defended Kasuri during a rally, dismissing allegations against him by insisting he should not be treated as an accused "without an investigation." Earlier, on May 28, Khan was seen seated in the front row at a public programme in Kasur, Punjab, alongside Saifullah Khalid — considered a mastermind of the Pahalgam attack — and Talha Saeed, son of UN-sanctioned terrorist Hafiz Saeed and de facto head of LeT. Both Khalid and Talha are listed as global terrorists, with Khalid being officially designated by the US. The rally, organised by the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) to mark Youm-e-Takbeer, also featured senior leaders, including food minister Malik Rasheed Ahmad Khan and close associates of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz. The LeT-linked figures, including Saeed, Kasuri, and Amir Hamza, were seen prominently seated and interacting with political leaders. In the video shared on X, Malik Ahmed Khan also mentioned his personal ties to Kasur — the town where the rally took place — further deepening the controversy. The presence of top LeT operatives at the rally attracted attention from foreign policy observers, especially after some of them boasted publicly about having avenged Pakistan's 1971 defeat to India. US-designated terrorists Saifullah Kasuri and Muzammil Hashmi claimed credit for their involvement in a so-called "coup" in Bangladesh while addressing supporters at rallies held last week. "We emerged victorious against you in Bangladesh last year," they declared. Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the target of their vitriol during a rally organised by the Lashkar-e-Taiba's political front, the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), in Gujranwala on May 28. Hashmi was heard proclaiming: 'Tum hamein apni goli se darate ho, Modi hum tujhe paigham dete hain, humare bachche teri missailon se nahi dare, hum teri goli se kya darenge.' (You try to scare us with your bullets, Modi, but we send you a message — our children are not afraid of your missiles, why would we fear your bullets?) At another rally in Rahim Yar Khan, Kasuri drew historical parallels with the 1971 Bangladesh war, claiming that his outfit had avenged Pakistan's defeat. "I was four years old when Pakistan was dismembered in 1971. The then Indian PM Indira Gandhi had declared that she had drowned the two-nation theory in the khaleej (Bay of Bengal). On May 10, we took the revenge of 1971," he told supporters. Kasuri also spoke of the Indian airstrikes on Muridke that killed fellow terrorist Mudassar, expressing emotional pain over being prevented from attending his funeral. "I was not allowed to attend his funeral. On the day of his funeral, I cried a lot," he said. Several Pakistani ministers were seen at the same events, where they shared the stage with LeT operatives. They were seen greeting and interacting with them at the rally in Kasur. Kasuri, believed to be the key planner behind the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, made a surprise appearance at the PMML gathering. The Indian government has linked the attack to LeT's proxy outfit, The Resistance Front (TRF). While addressing the crowd, Kasuri not only raised anti-India slogans but also referred to slain terrorists killed in India's Operation Sindoor as 'martyrs.' "India labelled me the mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack while I was busy taking part in events and people's happiness took the name 'Kasur', 'Kasuri', so many times that now the entire world knows me as famous," he said at the rally. could not independently verify the authenticity of these videos. Reports suggest Kasuri has been given refuge by Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI, in Bahawalpur.
The Citizen
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Kashmir conflict: Pakistan calls for peace with India
Amid rising tensions over Kashmir, Pakistan's envoy to South Africa has called for dialogue while condemning India's recent air and drone strikes. Pakistan Markazi Muslim League activists take part in a rally in Karachi this week marking the country's national day in commemoration of the Chagai-I and Chagai-II series of nuclear tests. Picture: Rizwan Tabassum / AFP 'We don't want war, we want peace with India, but we will always defend our sovereignty and our territorial integrity against any invasion,' says Pakistan's acting high commissioner to South Africa, Fahad Amjad. He was reacting to the recent war between India and Pakistan over Indian-administered Kashmir. Amjad was explaining Pakistan's position regarding what Islamabad called India's 'unprovoked and unjustified attacks' using coordinated missile, air and drone strikes on multiple locations inside Pakistan recently on 6 and 7 May. Areas affected by the attack included Sialkot, Shakargarh, Muridke, Bahawalpur, Kotli and Muzaffarabad. The conflict began with alleged terrorist attacks on tourists on 22 April, killing 26 people. But Amjad said India blamed the attack on Pakistan. The disputed territory is the subject of various UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions. Long-standing dispute rooted in history and religion The core issue stems from a long-standing territorial dispute between India and Pakistan, dating back to the 1947 partition of India. Both countries claim the entire region, but control only parts of it, leading to conflict and ongoing tensions. The issue is further complicated by the region's Muslim-majority population and the unresolved question of self-determination, which has been a major point of contention between India and Pakistan. Since 2019, India has taken over the area as part of its union territory. But Amjad said India was not allowed to act unilaterally regarding the area and the final decision lay with the Kashmiri people through a plebiscite and via the UNSC. ALSO READ: Six killed in school bus bombing in SW Pakistan Water treaty dispute deepens mistrust The 1960 Water Treaty between the two countries, which was brokered by the World Bank, often also fuelled the conflict. India accused Pakistan of unilaterally suspending the treaty, which governs the use of water sources that flow between the two nations. 'We are dependent for our water needs on those rivers which come from India-controlled territories. 'We can't do it unilaterally because the treaty is guaranteed by the World Bank, and the treaty has a mechanism that, in case of a dispute, we can refer it to a third party, like arbitration, or the World Bank can decide about it. 'We will always follow the steps that we have in terms of the treaty,' Amjad said. Civilian casualties and retaliation raise alarm The situation was also exacerbated by the pro-government Indian media's narrative that 'we should crush Pakistan' and 'we should attack Pakistan', he said. On 6-7 May, India hit between seven and eight targets in Pakistan. Between 20 and 22 people died in the attacks on the areas that India described as terrorist areas. But according to Amjad, most of the victims were civilians, including children. Pakistan retaliated by shooting down some of the fighter jets that India used in the attacks. 'In our response we said we will not target any civilians but only the military installations.' The confrontation between the two countries continued for two to three days. It subsided when various international players engaged with the leaders of both countries. ALSO READ: India and Pakistan agree to ceasefire after days of attacks A ceasefire brokered by the US was achieved. 'As the policy of our government, we want to continue the ceasefire. But the Jammu-Kashmir issue remained unresolved.' Calls for South African mediation and global peace effort During a seminar with civil society organisations in Sandton on Wednesday night some suggested that South Africa, which championed the Palestinian cause in the ongoing Middle East war, should be involved in attempts to resolve the Pakistan-India Kashmir dispute. They claimed South Africa had to fulfil Nelson Mandela's wish that the conflict should be resolved peacefully. An international solution is needed, including taking the issue to the International Court of Justice. Zohra Kathrada, a niece of the late ANC stalwart Ahmed Kathrada, said as a family, they always stood with countries that were occupied. 'We stand in solidarity with any occupied country,' Kathrada said. Salman Khan said the Indian occupation of Jammu-Kashmir was as important as the occupation of Palestine by Israel. Fatima Domingo, of the SA Kashmir Action Group, said Pakistan response to India's attacks was not aggression, but self-defence. She condemned India for allegedly monopolising the water resources in the region. Speaking at the seminar, Amjad said Pakistan was ready for dialogue with India on all the issues, including Jammu-Kashmir. 'We want to live in peace' 'We also welcome any kind of mediation from a friendly country. We want to live in peace. We don't want war with any country. 'First, on this old issue, we will not attack. But if India attacks us, then we will have to respond. Second, we believe in the supremacy of international law, which we respect. We also expect that other countries should follow the policies, rules and regulations of international law,' Amjad said. He expressed concern that India would do it again. 'If something is done to Pakistan, we will respond to it. 'We also request that our international partners talk with India so that sense prevails and there are no confrontations. We want to resolve all issues with India through dialogue and in a peaceful manner.' ALSO READ: Pakistan tests missile weapons system amid India standoff
Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Hafiz Saeed-linked outfit holds massive rallies backing Pakistan military: Report
Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), the political offshoot of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) of the Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, held rallies in over 50 Pakistani cities to express its support to the country's military. As per a PTI report, these rallies were conducted with the support of the federal, Punjab and Sindh governments and most of them happened in the country's Punjab province. Also read | Shehbaz Sharif's big admission: 'India's BrahMos foiled Pakistan's planned offensive' Other cities where the PMML held rallies include Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Mianwali, Sialkot, Narowal, Abbottabad, Nowshera, Rawalpindi, Nankana Sahib, Hyderabad and Sukkur. Speaking at one of the rallies, the president of the outfit, Khalid Masood Sindhu, said, 'On Youm-e-Takbeer (May 28), the entire nation stands with the Pakistan armed forces as on that day 27 years ago (1998), Pakistan became a nuclear power.' On May 28, 1998, Pakistan conducted six nuclear tests inside a deeply dug tunnel in the remote Chaghi mountain of Balochistan province and declared itself a nuclear power. Also read | In 4 days, India's 'Operation Sindoor' caused massive damage in Pakistan The outfit became active across the country after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 and launched several protests against New Delhi. After the two countries arrived at a ceasefire on May 10 following a brief armed conflict, the outfit conducted several anti-India rallies and expressed support for the Pakistan military and the army chief, Asim Munir. Recently, he was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal, which is considered to be the highest rank in the country. PMML also held a 'Kisan March' recently in Lahore to protest India's decision to suspend water sharing under the Indus Waters Treaty. 'We will not remain silent in the face of violation of the Indus Waters Treaty,' the PMML President had said.
Economic Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Pakistan govt assures to rebuild Muridke's JuD headquarters destroyed in Indian strike
ANI FILE: Terror hotbed in Muridke turns into rubble after India's strike Pakistan government has assured to rebuild the mosques -- the JuD headquarters -- at Muridke destroyed in the Indian strike, the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League said on Saturday. The Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) is a political wing of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) and is a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) that has carried out terror strikes in many parts of India, including the horrific 26/11 Mumbai attack in 2008. As part of the Operation Sindoor, Indian military carried out missile strikes on May 7 on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) stronghold of Bahawalpur and the LeT's base at Muridke in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Pakistan claims it was a mosque and an educational complex that were hit in the strikes at Muridke, located at about 40 kms from Lahore. Three JuD activists were killed and a controversy erupted when the Pakistan Army, police and civilian bureaucracy senior officers attended their funeral. "The government has announced to rebuild the mosques destroyed in the Indian attack. It is a welcoming step," PMML president Khalid Masood Sindhu said in a statement. Pakistan's armed forces had claimed to have "delivered precise and notch-up retributive strikes" through Operation Bunyanum Marsoos in response to India's Operation Sindoor. "The success of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos sends a clear message to India that Pakistan knows how to defend its homeland," Sindhu said. "We have not forgotten, nor will we ever forget, the martyrs of our nation. Every worker of the PMML stands vigilant and ever-ready to defend the country." India on Friday pressed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reconsider its USD one billion assistance to Pakistan, saying Islamabad could use a large part of it to fund the terrorist infrastructure. The IMF in its board meeting in Washington on May 9 had cleared a USD one billion tranche for Pakistan as part of its USD 7-billion funding programme for the country. In his address to air warriors at Gujarat's Bhuj Air Force station, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Pakistan has again started trying to rebuild the terror infrastructure destroyed by India last week. Islamabad will "spend the money collected from the common citizens of Pakistan to pay around Rs 14 crore to Masood Azhar, the head of the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad" and a UN designated terrorist. "The Pakistan government has announced financial assistance to rebuild the terror infrastructure of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed located in Muridke and Bahawalpur. Certainly, a large part of IMF's USD one billion assistance will be used to fund the terror infrastructure," Singh said. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami former chief Siraj-ul visited the Jamia Masjid Umm al-Qura (JuD headquarters) at Muridke and condemned the Indian attack. He said India fired four missiles on the mosque and the educational complex in Muridke (JuD headquarters) destroying the mosque, homes, and hostel. Despite this, the spirit and resolve of the local population remain high, he said.
Deccan Herald
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Pakistan govt assures to rebuild Muridke's JuD headquarters destroyed in Indian strike
The Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) is a political wing of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) and is a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) that has carried out terror strikes in many parts of India, including the horrific 26/11 Mumbai attack in 2008.
