Latest news with #Pakistani-Canadian
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Tihar authorities directed to respond to 26/11 mastermind Tahawwur Rana's plea to speak to family from jail
A Delhi court on Wednesday directed Tihar Jail authorities to submit a report in response to an application moved by Tahawwur Rana, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack conspirator, seeking permission to speak to his family members while in judicial custody. The court of Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit had in April dismissed a similar application moved by Rana when he was in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Rana is currently in judicial custody till June 6. The NIA had opposed his first application, stating that the investigation was at a crucial stage and that the agency didn't want any interference. There was also an apprehension, said sources, that Rana might leak sensitive information related to the case. For now, Rana is allowed to meet his lawyers every other day in the presence of NIA officials, who will be at a hearing distance. He will be provided with a pen and paper during the meeting. The Pakistani-Canadian was arrested in Chicago in 2009, the year after the terror attacks in which 166 people were killed. He arrived in Delhi on April 10 following his extradition from the US. According to the NIA, Rana was also involved in planning future attacks in India and had met Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operative Abdur Rehman in Dubai ahead of the Mumbai attacks. Rana is accused of aiding and abetting the reconnaissance carried out by LeT scout David Coleman Headley, with whom he went to school in Pakistan, for the 26/11 attacks and of participating in the conspiracy by providing crucial logistical support to the attackers. He was arrested in Chicago in 2009, months after the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008, in which 166 people were killed.
Hamilton Spectator
22-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Milton's South Asian Communities Embrace Peace After India-Pakistan Conflict
Milton is home to a vibrant and diverse immigrant population, including a significant number of residents from Pakistan and India. As tensions between the two countries have historically been high, recent news of a pause in hostilities has brought a sense of relief to the local community. Residents from both countries are now focused on moving forward in peace and harmony, thankful for the stability they have found in Canada. The recent easing of conflict between India and Pakistan has triggered mixed emotions worldwide. But for many Indo-Canadian and Pakistani-Canadian residents of Milton, the dominant feeling is one of relief. Many have expressed gratitude for the peaceful environment they enjoy in Canada and their hope that tensions overseas do not escalate further. 'I feel relieved that the fighting has stopped. We don't want to see any more conflicts between the two countries, especially after what has happened in the past,' said Rina Patel, a 35-year-old Indo-Canadian who has lived in Milton for more than a decade. 'We're lucky to live in Canada, where we can feel safe, work together and raise our families in peace. That's the most important thing for me.' Milton's growing population of Pakistani and Indo-Canadian immigrants has forged a path toward unity. These two communities, long divided by historic and political tensions, have found common ground in Canada's multicultural landscape. Residents from both backgrounds live in the same neighbourhoods, work in similar industries and, in many cases, have married across community lines. There is a growing sense that Canada's inclusive society encourages collaboration and mutual understanding—even when global events raise concerns. For many in the Indo-Canadian community, the message is clear: peace is essential. They are grateful for the opportunities available in Canada, especially the chance to live free from the geopolitical disputes that continue to affect their countries of origin. Many are hopeful not only for peace between India and Pakistan, but also for stronger local ties between the two communities. 'I've always said that if people can live together and work together here, they can do it anywhere,' said Harjit Singh, a 40-year-old business owner who immigrated from India 15 years ago. 'Canada has given us the chance to be who we are, while still finding ways to collaborate and live in peace.' Singh said that despite historic tensions between the countries, many families in Milton are not defined by political boundaries. He sees daily examples of co-operation—whether it's business partnerships or cultural events where both communities come together to celebrate. 'Milton has shown me that despite our past, we are capable of living side by side and building a better future for our kids,' he said. 'We live in Canada now. The emphasis should be on peace, not war.' Pakistani-Canadian residents in Milton share similar hopes. For many, the most recent conflict brought back painful memories of the instability back home. But they also expressed deep appreciation for the peaceful life they've built in Canada. 'Back home, we could never feel at peace, especially when things get worse between India and Pakistan. It's stressful,' said Ali Ahmed, a 30-year-old engineer who moved to Milton six years ago. 'But living here in Canada, I don't have to worry about that. The people here don't care about the divisions between our countries. They care about our humanity and how we contribute to this community.' Ahmed said that while he still feels a deep connection to Pakistan, he is equally proud to call Milton home. When news broke of the recent hostilities, he was concerned for family overseas. But the support and understanding he experienced locally reminded him of the strong bonds that exist in his Canadian community. 'My friends here, whether from India or Pakistan, all agree on one thing: we want peace,' he said. 'We don't want to see people suffering. We want a future where our kids can grow up without the burden of our past.' For many Pakistani-Canadians, the threat of conflict between their country and India has long loomed large. But in Canada, those fears no longer define their lives. One strong symbol of this unity is the increasing number of intercultural marriages between Indo-Canadian and Pakistani-Canadian residents. Many such couples are choosing to embrace both heritages and build a life together rooted in peace and shared values. 'We're from two different cultures, but that doesn't matter in Canada,' said Saira Malik, a Pakistani-Canadian woman married to an Indo-Canadian man. 'In this country, we have the freedom to choose who we want to marry, regardless of where we're from or what our family history is. We're both here for the same reason: we want peace, love and opportunity.' Her husband, Arvind, shared a similar view. 'The world back home can be complicated, but here, it's a different story,' he said. 'People from all over the world live and work together, and that makes this country so unique. We've learned to respect each other's differences, and that makes life better.' As the threat of war remains a distant reality, both Indo-Canadian and Pakistani-Canadian residents in Milton remain hopeful. Many say that living in a peaceful, multicultural community has allowed them to focus on family, work and community engagement. 'I don't want to see any more bloodshed between our countries,' said Patel. 'We have a chance here in Canada to show what living together in peace really means. I'm hopeful that the next generation will continue this work of bringing people together, no matter where they come from.' Despite their diverse backgrounds, Milton residents are united in their call for lasting peace between India and Pakistan. For now, they are committed to building a shared future in the country they now call home—one grounded in respect, understanding and a strong desire to leave conflict behind. According to the 2021 Census, Milton, had a population of 132,979. Of that number, approximately 16,040 residents—or 12.2 per cent—identified as having Pakistani ethnic origins, while about 14,120 people, or 10.7 per cent, reported Indian ethnic origins. These two communities make up a significant portion of Milton's population, underscoring the town's growing diversity and strong South Asian presence.
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
The Hindu Morning Digest: May 16, 2025
Experts debate whether Presidential Reference is a ploy to bypass judicial review The legal fraternity was divided on whether the Presidential Reference to the Supreme Court on its order in the Tamil Nadu Governor case was merely a ploy by the Union government to 'bypass' the normal legal process of challenging the Supreme Court verdict. In a first, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar talks to Taliban's acting Foreign Minister Muttaqi Marking the first minister-level outreach to the Taliban administration in Afghanistan, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday (May 15, 2025) held a telephone conversation with the 'Acting Afghan Foreign Minister' Amir Khan Muttaqi. The conversation came days after the Taliban administration, that India is yet to officially recognise, condemned the deadly terror strike in Pahalgam of April 22 that left 26 innocents dead and dozens injured. Amid tension, MEA postpones credentials ceremony featuring Turkish ambassador In the backdrop of tension with Turkiye, the protocol division of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday (May 15, 2025) postponed the credentials ceremony of the new Turkish ambassador to India. The MEA, in a brief announcement, said, 'the credentials ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan which was to be held today has been deferred due to scheduling issues.' In Qatar, Trump once again claims he 'helped settle' tensions between India and Pakistan U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday (May 15, 2025) repeated his claim yet again that he 'helped settle' the tensions between India and Pakistan. '…And by the way, I don't want to say I did, but I sure as hell helped settle the problem between Pakistan and India last week, which was getting more and more hostile,' he said while addressing U.S. military personnel at al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Aviation security regulator revokes security clearance for Turkish airport ground handling company The aviation security regulator on Thursday (May 15, 2025) revoked the security clearance for Turkish ground handling service provider Celebi with 'immediate effect' on the ground of 'national security'. 'The security clearance is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of national security,' according to an order from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) issued on May 15 for Celebi Airport Services India Private Limited. U.K. court rejects Nirav Modi's fresh bail application, says CBI The High Court of Justice in London on Thursday (May 15, 2025) rejected a fresh bail petition filed by diamantaire Nirav Modi, who is held in a prison there and wanted in India in the ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case orchestrated with his businessman uncle Mehul Choksi. Govt appoints Tushar Mehta-headed team of lawyers for trial against Tahawwur Rana The government has appointed a team of lawyers headed by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to conduct trial against extradited Pakistani-Canadian terrorist Tahawwur Hussain Rana in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case. Trump says the U.S. and Iran have 'sort of' agreed on the terms for a nuclear deal President Donald Trump said Thursday (May 15, 2025) that the United States and Iran have 'sort of' agreed to terms on a nuclear deal, offering a measure of confidence that an accord is coming into sharper focus. Mr. Trump, in an exchange with reporters at a business roundtable in Doha, Qatar, described talks between American envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as 'very serious negotiations' for long-term peace and said they were continuing to progress. Harvard University ploughs $250m into research after U.S. govt cuts Harvard University says it will plough $250 million into funding 'critical research' after the U.S. government announced fresh budget cuts to the elite school. Federal agencies are slashing $2.6 billion in grants to Harvard, citing discrimination at one of the world's top universities.
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Govt appoints Tushar Mehta-headed team of lawyers for trial against Tahawwur Rana
The government has appointed a team of lawyers headed by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to conduct trial against extradited Pakistani-Canadian terrorist Tahawwur Hussain Rana in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case. In a notification, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the appointment has been made exercising the powers conferred under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. The central government hereby appoints a team of Special Public Prosecutors headed by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and comprising Additional Solicitor General S. V. Raju, senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and advocate Narender Mann for conducting trial and other matters related to the case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI on behalf of the NIA before the NIA Special Courts at Delhi, High Court of Delhi and Supreme Court of India for three years or till the completion of trial of the said case, whichever is earlier, the notification said. The RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI pertains to the case registered with the NIA in Delhi involving the trial of Rana and David Coleman Headley in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The NIA secured Rana's extradition from the U.S. following years of sustained efforts and arrested him on April 10 upon his arrival here. Rana is accused of being involved in the larger conspiracy behind 2008 dastardly strikes orchestrated by Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba in which 166 people were killed and over 238 injured. He was sent to judicial custody on May 9 and lodged in Tihar jail after his custodial interrogation by the NIA. During the custody, Rana was grilled by the NIA investigators for around eight to ten hours daily to unearth the larger conspiracy behind the 2008 terror attack case. The 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian terrorist was also accused of making a large number of phone calls to his co-conspirator David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a U.S/ citizen currently in prison in that country. Rana had also allegedly travelled in parts of northern and southern India days before the carnage in the country's financial capital on November 26, 2008. Rana has been charged with numerous offences, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act and forgery in the country. The anti-terror agency had registered a case on November 11, 2009 under sections 121 A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Section 6(2) SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act against Headley, his childhood friend Rana and others. During the NIA investigation, the roles of senior functionaries of terror groups LeT and Harkat-ul Jihadi Islami (HuJI) -- Hafiz Muhammad Saeed alias Tayyaji, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, Sajjid Majid alias Wasi, Illyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed alias Major Abdurrehman alias Pasha -- had also emerged. These conspirators worked in active connivance with officials from Pakistan's spy agency ISI, namely Major Iqbal alias Major Ali and Major Sameer Ali alias Major Samir, according to the NIA probe.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Tahawwur Rana trial: Govt appoints special public prosecutors, SG Tushar Mehta to lead
Tahawwur Rana NEW DELHI: Solicitor general Tushar Mehta will lead a team of senior lawyers who will be special public prosecutors for the trial against Pakistani-Canadian national Tahawwur Rana, a "key conspirator" of the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks , the government announced on Thursday. In a notification, the Ministry of home affairs (MHA) said the appointments are under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, 2008, and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, news agency PTI reported. "The central government hereby appoints a team of special public prosecutors headed by Tushar Mehta, solicitor general of India, with S V Raju, additional solicitor general along with Dayan Krishnan, senior Advocate, and Narender Mann, advocate, for conducting trial and other matters related to the case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI on behalf of the NIA before the NIA special courts at Delhi, high court of Delhi, and Supreme Court of India for three years or till the completion of trial of the said case, whichever is earlier," the notification read. The RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI pertains to the case registered with the NIA in Delhi involving the trial of Tahawwur Rana and co-conspirator David Headley in connection with the November 26, 2008 terrorist attacks in the country's financial capital. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 1 minute and see why everyone is crazy about it Undo The NIA secured Rana's extradition from the United States following years of sustained efforts and arrested him on April 10 upon his arrival in the national capital. He is accused of involvement in the "larger conspiracy" behind the terrorist strikes orchestrated by the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, in which 166 people were killed and over 238 injured.
