Latest news with #UN-sanctioned
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- 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.
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Shashi Tharoor Urges Global Unity Against Terrorism After Pahalgam Attack
On May 24, 2025, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, addressing an audience at the Indian Consulate in New York, called for global solidarity in the fight against terrorism in the wake of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Leading an all-party delegation, Tharoor emphasized India's measured yet firm response to the attack, which targeted victims based on their religion, primarily Hindus, in an attempt to provoke communal unrest. Speaking after visiting the 9/11 Memorial, Tharoor highlighted the shared global challenge of terrorism, drawing parallels between the Pahalgam attack and the 9/11 tragedy. 'This is a global scourge, and we must unite to fight it,' he said, underscoring the delegation's mission to engage with political leaders, think tanks, and media across multiple countries to convey India's concerns and resolve. Tharoor detailed the Pahalgam attack, noting that the perpetrators, linked to the Resistance Front—a known front for the U.S.- and UN-sanctioned Lashkar-e-Taiba—claimed responsibility within an hour. He criticized Pakistan's denial of involvement and its role, with China's support, in removing references to the Resistance Front from a UN Security Council statement. Despite being an opposition leader, Tharoor praised India's response, which involved precise strikes on nine terrorist bases, including Lashkar-e-Taiba's headquarters in Muridke and Jaish-e-Mohammad's in Bahawalpur. He described these as 'calibrated' actions meant to deliver retribution without escalating into broader conflict. The delegation, including members like Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), and Tejaswi Surya (BJP), aims to project India's unified stance against terrorism. Tharoor noted the remarkable solidarity shown in Jammu and Kashmir, where people across religious lines condemned the attack, thwarting attempts to sow division. The group will continue its global outreach to reinforce India's zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism.
Asia Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Asia Times
Operation Sindoor: India's new normal dominance of Pakistan
The recently announced ceasefire – referred to as an 'understanding' by New Delhi – has drawn considerable criticism within India. Many argue that it failed to impose a sufficient cost on Pakistan, particularly when India held a dominant position across multiple domains – land, air, naval, cyber and informational. Critics saw the move as yet another example of India's historical tendency to forgo strategic advantages in favor of political or diplomatic expediency. Concerns were also raised over the nature of the agreement, especially its oral format and perceived openness to third-party mediation in what India considers a strictly bilateral issue. While such critiques are understandable, a more careful examination of the post-Pahalgam attack timeline, patterns of escalation and actions by both militaries reveals a more nuanced and compelling picture. A deeper analysis of the sequence of events reveals a calibrated Indian response that has redefined both the deterrence equilibrium and the normative boundaries of regional conflict. First, India's response adhered to its doctrine of limited war under the nuclear threshold, but the scale and precision of strikes, extending from Karachi to Rawalpindi, marked a departure from previous patterns. By targeting key military and terrorist infrastructure across Pakistan's heartland, India expanded the operational bandwidth of conventional force within a nuclear context. This reset the escalatory ladder, tilting it in India's favor and exposing the limitations of Pakistan's nuclear posturing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on May 13 – that Operation Sindoor represents a 'paradigm shift' in India's approach – was not a rhetorical flourish. India's ability to dictate the terms of engagement, maintain escalation dominance, and avoid international backlash represents a substantive change in regional deterrence dynamics. Second, the most notable development was India's targeting of Pakistan's presumed nuclear infrastructure, including the Kirana Hills and Noor Khan Airbase. These strikes, unprecedented between two nuclear states, directly challenged the long-held notion that nuclear capabilities would shield Pakistan from kinetic retaliation. New Delhi has, in effect, called Islamabad's nuclear bluff – sending a signal that nuclear weapons are no longer a carte blanche for proxy warfare or cross-border terrorism. Third, India has successfully institutionalized the new normal. Since the surgical strikes in 2016 and the Balakot air strikes in 2019, India has consistently moved toward a policy of prompt military retaliation for major terrorist provocations. Operation Sindoor further institutionalized this 'new normal.' The targeted bombing of Jaish-e-Mohammad's headquarters in Bahawalpur and the Lashkar-e-Taiba base in Muridke, combined with the elimination of UN-sanctioned terrorists, reaffirmed India's zero-tolerance approach to cross-border terrorism. Pakistan's inability to deter this response or to retaliate proportionally underscores a shifting deterrent equation. The message is clear: India will no longer be restrained by past doctrines of strategic restraint. Fourth, unlike previous episodes of conflict, India also ensured dominance in the information domain. It did not allow the Pakistan Army to get away with an off-ramp. Timely, evidence-based briefings from Indian authorities helped counter Pakistani disinformation. A particularly symbolic moment came with Prime Minister Modi's visit to Adampur airbase, where an intact S-400 system was prominently displayed – debunking Pakistani claims of its destruction and reinforcing Indian credibility both domestically and internationally. This strategic narrative management has helped consolidate public support while shaping international perceptions, marking a maturation in India's strategic communications. Fifth, India's decision to avoid strikes in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, regions which are already plagued by internal dissent, could be a calculated act of restraint. This denied Pakistan the opportunity to unify its restive peripheries around a nationalist cause and kept the conflict limited to strategic and symbolic targets. Simultaneously, India restored access to Baloch voices on social media platforms, giving visibility to indigenous resistance movements and subtly challenging Pakistan's internal cohesion. Sixth, in what could be seen as an official doctrinal shift, Prime Minister Modi's May 13 speech firmly delinked future engagement with Pakistan from the issue of Kashmir, except in terms of terrorism and the return of Pakistan-occupied territory. This builds on the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, which had already complicated Pakistan's ability to internationalize the Kashmir issue. The new formulation makes it harder for Islamabad to revive global interest in a bilateral dispute that India now frames primarily in terms of security and territorial integrity. Finally, the most significant long-term development was New Delhi's decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in 'abeyance.' Despite being a cornerstone of India-Pakistan hydro-diplomacy since 1960, the treaty has increasingly constrained India's ability to respond asymmetrically. By suspending its obligations without provoking international censure, India has introduced a new tool of leverage, particularly relevant as Pakistan's water crisis deepens. This is not just a strategic maneuver but a paradigmatic assertion of India's upper riparian rights. It suggests a new willingness to use geo-economic pressure as part of a broader strategic toolkit. Operation Sindoor marks a watershed moment in India's national security strategy. It combined kinetic precision with narrative control and diplomatic calibration, fundamentally shifting the deterrence landscape in South Asia. For the first time in decades, Pakistan finds itself without a viable off-ramp, facing sustained pressure on military, political, and economic fronts. However, while tactical successes are important, they must serve long-term strategic objectives. India's challenge now is to consolidate these gains without slipping into strategic complacency. The focus must move from merely deterring Pakistan's provocations to systematically dismantling the conditions – ideological, institutional, and structural – that enable its continued hostility. Sustained efforts must be made towards its further disintegration to create better conditions of peace in the region in the future. As Clausewitz reminds us, war is politics by other means. India's task, therefore, is not just to win battles but to reshape the strategic imagination of the region. Jyotishman Bhagawati is a Senior Research Fellow in the Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia. He can be reached at .
News18
21-05-2025
- Business
- News18
International Tea Day 2025: History, Significance, Quotes And Chai's Facts
Last Updated: International Tea Day 2025: Celebrated on May 21, this day honours tea's cultural, economic, and social significance. International Tea Day 2025: Tea is the second most consumed beverage globally, and plays a vital role in many cultures. In India, chai is more than just a drink; it's an integral part of daily life and social interactions. Similarly, Japanese tea ceremonies lay emphasis on harmony and respect, while British afternoon teas are steeped in tradition. But do you know there is a day to celebrate this drink worldwide? International Tea Day is marked annually on May 21. This annual observance celebrates tea's profound cultural, economic, and social significance across the globe. It also aims to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable tea production and the support workers in the tea industry. The origins of this day trace back to 2004, when the World Social Forum declared December 15 as International Tea Day. In 2005, the day was first celebrated in New Delhi. Later, other tea-producing countries- Sri Lanka, Nepal and Kenya, also marked the occasion. In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly officially recognised May 21 as International Tea Day, with the first UN-sanctioned celebration in 2020. Since then, May 21 has been considered International Tea Day. International Tea Day 2025: Significance The industry supports employment in rural and economically disadvantaged areas, making it crucial for poverty reduction and sustainable development. This day aims to spread awareness about sustainable tea production and support the well-being of tea workers across the globe. The famous beverage has a history stretching back nearly 5,000 years to China. It is said that the then Chinese Emperor Shen Nung had discovered the beverage. As the story goes, while the emperor and his men rested under a tree, some leaves were blown into a pot of boiling water, resulting in the first cup of tea. Since then, this humble beverage has been part of traditions and lifestyles around the world. Beyond its rich taste and numerous health benefits, tea also plays a vital role in culture and socio-economic development. Cultivated in over 35 countries, it provides a livelihood to more than 13 million people worldwide. International Tea Day 2025: Quotes International Tea Day 2025: Celebrations Of Chai Day Host a tea party – Invite your friends, brew different blends, and share laughter over steaming cups. Brew a special cup for family – Surprise them with their favourite chai and some nostalgic conversations. Explore global tea cultures – From Darjeeling tea to matcha and Moroccan mint to chamomile, explore the diverse flavours of the beverage from around the world. Share the joy – Offer a cup to a neighbour, house help, or a friend – spread warmth through tea. Visit a local tea shop – Walk into your city's favourite tea spot and order your usual, the one that keeps your hands and heart warm. First Published: May 21, 2025, 07:10 IST
Express Tribune
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan takes up arms flows to TTP, BLA at UNSC
A Pakistani diplomat has called for concerted efforts to intercept clandestine flows of modern and sophisticated weapons that support UN-sanctioned armed groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and its Majeed Brigade who, he said, use safe havens in Afghanistan to launch deadly cross-border attacks inside Pakistan. "Terrorist armed groups are in possession of billions worth of illicit arms abandoned in Afghanistan," Syed Atif Raza, a counselor at the Pakistan Mission to the United Nations, told an Arria-Formua meeting of the UN Security Council, convened by Sierra Leone. This format of Council's meeting is named after a former Venezuelan Ambassador to the UN, Diego Arriva. It is a consultation process which affords members of the Security Council the opportunity to hear persons in an informal setting. Speaking in a debate on 'Small Arms and Light Weapons Management in UN Sanctions Regimes', the Pakistani delegate said such armament was being used by TTP and BLA terrorists in violence against civilians and armed forces of Pakistan. "These terrorist entities also receive external support and financing from our principal adversary," Counselor Raza said in an obvious reference to India. "We call upon our international partners to recover the vast stockpile of abandoned weapons, prevent their access to armed terrorist groups and take measures to close this thriving black market of illicit arms." The misuse and illicit flow of small arms and light weapons aggravates conflicts, threatens socio-economic progress and subverts peace and security, he said, pointing out that they have become instruments of choice for state and non-state actors. He said that these concerns were further compounded with increasing sophistication of illicit arms and access to modernized weapons at the disposal of illegal armed groups often operating across national boundaries. "We know that non-state actors do not have many of the capabilities to manufacture advanced illicit arms, thus raising questions of culpability of certain state actors in these nefarious activities," the Pakistani delegate added.
