Latest news with #Pakistanis'
Hindustan Times
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Shashi Tharoor says Colombia withdraws statement for Pakistan after India's ‘disappointment'
Shashi Tharoor of the Congress on Friday (local time) said Colombia has reversed its earlier stance on the India-Pakistan conflict – a position that had earlier drawn criticism for expressing condolences for 'Pakistanis' following Indian airstrikes. Shashi Tharoor, who is leading an all-party delegation to different nations to expose Pakistan over terrorism as part of Operation Sindoor, added that Colombia would now release a statement offering 'strong' support for India's position. "We met with the foreign ministry - the senior vice minister received us. We had some good news: They have withdrawn their statement that disappointed us earlier and will issue a statement of strong support for our position and understanding of our position. Finally, here we are before this beautiful bust of Mahatma Gandhi on the campus of the main university," said Shashi Tharoor, referring to the delegation's visit to Tadeo Lozano University in Bogota, where they paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. Tharoor had previously expressed 'disappointment' over Colombia's reaction to India's Operation Sindoor, a series of military strikes targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan. He said that Colombia had expressed sympathy for Pakistani casualties rather than for the victims of the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people on April 22. 'We were a little disappointed in the reaction of the Colombian government, which apparently expressed heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives in Pakistan after the Indian strikes, rather than sympathising with the victims of terrorism,' Tharoor had said earlier. Tharoor is currently leading the multi-party delegation across the Americas as part of India's diplomatic push to communicate its zero-tolerance stance on terrorism. After visiting Panama and Guyana, the team reached Colombia on Thursday. Their next stops include Brazil and the United States. Appreciating Colombia's revised position, Tharoor told ANI, 'The Vice Minister very graciously mentioned that they have withdrawn the statement that we had expressed concern about and that they fully understand our position on the matter, which is something we really value.' Former Indian Ambassador to the United States and BJP leader Taranjit Singh Sandhu said the Colombian government revised its earlier position after receiving a thorough briefing from the Indian delegation. 'This morning we had a detailed interaction with the acting Foreign Minister and our leader and the entire team made specific points to them explaining to them the timeline which perhaps to an extent they might have missed out. The end result was that they are withdrawing one of the other statements which had come out and have promised and stated, actually quite clearly, on terrorism and the issue. The importance of Colombia, apart from other reasons, is also that it will be a member of the Security Council soon,' Sandhu told ANI. After the Indian delegation's meeting with Colombia's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio in Bogota, Sandhu told ANI, 'we are very confident with the explanation that we received today and the detailed information that we now have regarding the real situation, the conflict, and what happened in Kashmir, we can also continue the dialogue…' BJP MP Shashank Mani highlighted Colombia's past with terrorism and acknowledged that the country now aligns with India's position. "It is notable that terrorism has affected Colombia as well. However, after a long struggle, Colombia is now a peaceful country. We have come here with a message of peace. We have clearly stated that we will give a fitting response to every terrorist attack, and when it is over, we want nothing but peace." (With ANI inputs)
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Pakistani designer's post on 'our stars' Shah Rukh, Diljit Dosanjh at Met Gala irks fans: 'What is for us to celebrate'
The 2025 Met Gala saw a record representation from South Asia with as many as a dozen Indians walking the red carpet, including superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra, and musical icon Diljit Dosanjh and actor Kiara Advani. A Pakistani fashion designer wrote a post about the razor's edge Pak fans had to walk while praising these stars, but ended up getting criticised for calling them 'our stars'. Shah Rukh Khan and Diljit Dosanjh made their respective Met Gala debuts on Monday(AP, AFP) On Tuesday morning, hours after the Met Gala concluded in New York, fashion designer Zara Shahjahan took to Instagram to write a long note about the presence of Indian stars at the prestigious fashion event. "Last night, two of our stars lit up the Met Gala. Shah Rukh - the dream we grew up with. Diljit - the beat we move to now. And yet, in these moments - when the world opens its doors to the subcontinent, when our artists walk global stages - we are not allowed to clap. Our hands are tied by suspicion, our joy swallowed by our silence," she wrote. In another Instagram Story, the designer added, 'It is a strange thing, to grow up loving someone who may never be allowed to love you back. To dance to their songs, to weep with their films, and now - to see them step into the world's spotlight and feel like strangers watching from across the wall.' Zara further penned her thoughts on Pakistanis' inability to applaud Indian talent due to the political standoff between the two countries. Fans react However, fans from her home country were annoyed by her use of 'our stars' and 'our artistes'. One commented, "What is there for us to celebrate? Our stars? Humsayo kay bachay hain jo merzi karen. Hum kya karen (They are neighbours' kids and can do what they want)? Why do our stars, designers, anchors have this middle-child-people-pleasing-urge to own Indian talent, cinema, art? Personally Zara Shahjahan over Sabya anyday but problem is they dont need our support." Another added, "Our celebrities? I am unable to digest this! Since when has SRK been ours? Diljit? Can't cope with this sadness!" Others took the post as an indictment of Pakistanis' unhealthy obsession with Bollywood. "Why are we Pakistanis so obsessed with Bollywood celebs. Specially when they go to extreme cases to wage a war on our country when they threaten us," read one comment. The frigid Indo-Pak relations The recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where armed assailants killed 26 tourists, has escalated tensions between India and Pakistan. The Indian government has suspended trade with Pakistan partially and also banned several social media accounts originating in the country, including many actors and celebrities.
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.
NDTV
04-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Minister Denies 'Welcome' Bouquets Till Pahalgam Attack 'Avenged'
Surat: Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil has said that he won't accept any welcome bouquets or mementoes until India avenges the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. Arriving at an investors' conference in Gujarat's Surat city, Mr Paatil politely turned down any bouquets or mementoes. The Union Minister's decision was announced by an organiser who said that the former "decided that he would not be welcomed with bouquets or mementos until Pahalgam is avenged", triggering applause from the audiences. "No welcome, till there is revenge," Mr Paatil later said in Gujarati. Following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as part of India's action against Pakistan, the Union Minister had said that New Delhi won't allow a "single drop" of water to flow into Islamabad. In a post on X, he said: "The historic decision taken by the Modi government on the Indus Water Treaty is completely justified and in the national interest. We will ensure that not even a drop of water from the Indus River goes to Pakistan." Mr Paatil has been stern about his stance on the terror attack in Pahalgam and Pakistan's role in it. On April 22, terrorists killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in Baisaran meadow near Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Additionally, India took several actions against Pakistan in the aftermath of the terror attack, including closing the integrated check post at Attari, revoking all Pakistanis' visas and reducing the overall strength of Pakistan's High Commissions across the nation. Mr Paatil, at the seventh Global Investor Conference in Surat, said that he had a very meaningful dialogue on matters such as entrepreneurship, investment, and innovation regarding the developing future of India. "...under the leadership of Narendra Modi, the vision of a 'Developed India' is rapidly becoming a reality. Today's India is not just a consumer but is emerging as a global leader in investment," he said in a post on X. The escalating tensions between India and Pakistan have triggered several actions from both sides. On Saturday, India banned the direct or indirect import of all goods from Pakistan with immediate effect. India suspended the exchange of all categories of mail and parcels from Pakistan through air and surface routes. New Delhi also placed a ban on Pakistan-flagged ships from entering Indian ports and prohibited Indian-flagged vessels from visiting ports in Pakistan.
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Minister turns down ‘welcome' bouquets at event: ‘Till Pahalgam is avenged…'
Union Jal Shakti minister CR Paatil on Saturday said that he won't accept any welcome bouquets or mementoes until India gets its revenge for the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. Arriving at an investors' conference in Gujarat's Surat city, Paatil politely turned down any bouquets or mementoes, a news agency PTI report said. Paatil's decision was announced by an organiser who said that the Union Jal Shakti minister "decided that he would not be welcomed with bouquets or mementos until Pahalgam is avenged", triggering applause from the audiences. "No welcome, till there is revenge," Paatil later said in Gujarati. Paatil has been stern about his stance on the terror attack in Pahalgam and Pakistan's role in it. Following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as part of India's action against Pakistan, the union minister had said that New Delhi won't allow a "single drop" of water to flow into Islamabad. In a post on X, he said: "The historic decision taken by the Modi government on the Indus Water Treaty is completely justified and in the national interest. We will ensure that not even a drop of water from the Indus River goes to Pakistan.' On April 22, terrorists gunned down 26 people, mostly tourists, in Baisaran meadow near Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Additionally, India took several actions against Pakistan in the aftermath of the terror attack, including closing the integrated check post at Attari, revoking all Pakistanis' visas and reducing the overall strength of Pakistan's high commissions across the nation. Paatil, at the 7th Global Investor Conference in Surat, said that he had a very meaningful dialogue on matters such as entrepreneurship, investment, and innovation regarding the developing future of India. '...under the leadership of Honourable Shri Narendrabhai Modi Sir, the vision of a 'Developed India' is rapidly becoming a reality. Today's India is not just a consumer but is emerging as a global leader in investment,' he said in a post on X. The escalating tensions between India and Pakistan have triggered several actions from both sides. On Saturday, India banned the direct or indirect import of all goods from Pakistan with immediate effect. India suspended the exchange of all categories of mail and parcels from Pakistan through air and surface routes. New Delhi also placed a ban on Pakistan-flagged ships from entering Indian ports and prohibited Indian-flagged vessels from visiting ports in Pakistan.
