Latest news with #Youm-e-Takbeer
Business Recorder
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Nuclear weapons plan remains ‘sole guarantor of peace in SA': Adviser
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme remains the 'sole guarantor of peace and stability in South Asia,' said Lt Gen Khalid Ahmed Kidwai (retired), Adviser to the National Command Authority, on Friday. He made these remarks at a seminar hosted by the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) to mark the 27th anniversary of Pakistan's 1998 nuclear tests, widely commemorated as Youm-e-Takbeer. This year's observance assumed added significance in the aftermath of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. Indian military actions, including Operation Sindoor, were widely criticised by speakers at the event as reckless provocations designed to test Pakistan's thresholds in a nuclearised environment. Pakistan responded with a series of precise retaliatory measures under Operation Bunyan un Marsoos, part of the broader Marka-e-Haq campaign. Experts at the seminar said the response reasserted deterrence, restored strategic balance, and marked what they described as a 'decisive paradigm shift' in the regional balance. 'It showcased Pakistan's credible nuclear capability and reaffirmed that this deterrent —operationalised through Full Spectrum Deterrence (FSD) — serves as the cornerstone of peace and strategic stability in South Asia,' said one speaker, adding that the mini-war underscored the deterrent's enduring role in preserving peace. The seminar featured senior officials and strategic thinkers, including Ambassador SohailMahmood, Director General of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI); Muhammad Naeem, former Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC); Dr Adil Sultan, Dean of Air University; and Brig Dr Zahirul Haider Kazmi (retired), Adviser on Arms Control at the Strategic Plans Division (SPD). Speakers observed a pattern in India's behaviour — using false flag operations as a casus belli to justify limited strikes against Pakistan while disregarding the prevailing nuclear environment. They warned that such actions risk dangerous miscalculations. They emphasised that Pakistan's nuclear capability is a strategic necessity that has effectively deterred full-scale war, even as threats have evolved in complexity and domain. The panel stressed that Pakistan now possesses a comprehensive toolkit of both kinetic and non-kinetic options to respond to any future Indian provocations, and that its response will follow a Quid Pro Quo Plus (QPQ+) approach — swift, proportionate, and precise — designed to neutralize aggression and compel de-escalation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
NDTV
a day ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Pakistani Actor Hina Bayat Slams Karachi Airport Over No Water In Washrooms
Pakistani actor Hina Bayat has slammed the Karachi airport authorities over the unavailability of water in the washrooms. In a video posted to social media, Ms Bayat expressed her frustration about the inconvenience caused to travellers at the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, especially when the nation was celebrating Youm-e-Takbeer. The day is observed on May 28 to commemorate the nuclear tests that Pakistan conducted on May 28, 1998. Ms Bayat said that if important places like Karachi Airport didn't have water in the washrooms even on special days, there was no point in feeling proud about the country. "Today is Youm-e-Takbeer and I'm standing at the Karachi International Airport. On a day when we are supposed to celebrate Pakistan's achievements, what I see is that there is no water in any of the washrooms here. People want to pray (namaaz) or take their kids to washrooms, but there is no water," she said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hina Bayat (@hinakhwajabayatofficial) Many on Instagram reacted to her video and appreciated her honest assessment of the situation. "Appreciate her honest comments, some prompt action must be taken by concerned authorities!" said a user. "Absolutely, very well said," said another user. "First woman who has kept her thoughts clear clean and accurate. Kudos to u ma'am," read a comment. Ms Bayat further questioned how countries could focus on building big projects, including new trains while ignoring the basic fundamental concerns such as the lack of water at airport washrooms. She asked, "Why have our airports, our institutions, and our systems come to such a state, and no one is willing to admit that these mistakes need to be fixed as well? Big projects are being built, and there are discussions of new trains, but at the same time, the washrooms of international airports don't even have water. It's really unfortunate". Ms Bayat's statement came weeks after India suspended the Indus Water Treaty following the terror attack which claimed the lives of 26 people in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22. "As far as the Indus Water Treaty is concerned, it will remain suspended until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures terrorism," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at the time.
News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
Pakistan-Backed TRF-LeT-PMML Nexus Sums Up 21st-Century Hybrid Warfare: Sources
Last Updated: This situation mirrors LeT's 2008 Mumbai attacks, executed under pseudonyms like Deccan Mujahideen, the sources said The thin line between Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and The Resistance Front (TRF) was shattered following rallies in Pakistan on May 28, Indian intelligence sources have told CNN-News18. The world must take note of these global jihadists backed by the state of Pakistan and its military leadership, they added. 'The TRF-LeT-PMML nexus epitomises 21st-century hybrid warfare, where TRF masks violence, Pakistan Markazi Muslim League spreads ideology, and the Pakistani state ensures deniability. This ecosystem is evidenced by the increasing frequency of attacks from Pahalgam to Reasi, carried out with complete deniability," said a source. This situation mirrors LeT's 2008 Mumbai attacks, executed under pseudonyms like Deccan Mujahideen, the sources said. LeT and TRF employ grey zone tactics, such as disinformation and proxy attacks, similar to Russia's hybrid warfare in Crimea, they added. 'The merging of operational roles between Lashkar and TRF marks their foray into hybrid warfare, blending kinetic terrorism with political legitimisation and state-backed impunity," a source said. 'The TRF-LeT-PMML alliance operates a successful hybrid mechanism." According to the sources, TRF functions as LeT's operational front, claiming attacks like the Pahalgam massacre, where 26 people, mostly Indian Hindus, were killed, providing LeT with deniability. Saifullah Khalid later boasted about the Pahalgam attack at a Pakistan Markazi Muslim League rally, claiming global recognition. PMML rallies are attended by LeT leaders, such as Saifullah Khalid (PMML president) and Talha Saeed (son of LeT founder Hafiz Saeed), said sources. This illustrates the merging of terrorist ideology with mainstream politics, with even the Punjab assembly speaker present on stage, they added. 'They have state approval to celebrate events like Youm-e-Takbeer, Pakistan's nuclear test day, which grants LeT legitimacy while laundering recruitment and funding through activities like blood donation camps," a source told CNN-News18. 'LeT finances TRF operations via PMML front companies and charities like Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD). Earlier US treasury designations confirm PMML as an LeT alias. Gulf donations often reach Pakistan, where ISI allocates significant funds to TRF and LeT for operations in Kashmir. TRF and LeT operate in phases, as seen in the Pahalgam attack. Phase 1: TRF claimed responsibility, framing the attack as indigenous resistance. Phase 2: LeT validation, with Khalid admitting the role at a PMML rally, and Indian intelligence tracing attackers to LeT safe houses." In June 2024, TRF claimed a bus attack on Hindu pilgrims in Reasi, but forensic analysis linked the weapons to LeT smuggling networks. This tactic of targeting minorities to incite communal conflict is similar to LeT's 2008 Mumbai strategy, said sources. Post-2019, when India abrogated Article 370 sections in Jammu and Kashmir, LeT created TRF as a secular front, sources said. Despite the branding, 80% of TRF cadres are trained in LeT's Pakistani camps, they added.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
As India exposes Pakistan globally, its ministers seen sharing stage with Lashkar terrorists
Despite Pakistan's repeated denial of any links to terrorism or of sheltering terrorists, a recent event in Punjab province on May 29 told a different story. Several Pakistani ministers were seen sharing the stage with individuals listed among the world's most wanted terrorists. The public event in Kasur in Pakistan's Punjab, organised by the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), was held to mark Youm-e-Takbeer. Close aides of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz, food minister Malik Rasheed Ahmad Khan and Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, were purportedly seen sitting beside Lashkar-e-Taiba commanders Saifullah Kasuri, Talha Saeed, who is the son of Hafiz Saeed, and Amir Hamza. The speeches at the gathering saw designated terrorists and ministers spewing hate at India, including the mention of the Pahalgam attack by Kasuri. The Pakistani ministers were seen greeting and welcoming the extremists onto the stage and interacting with them at the Kasur event. According to an India Today report, Pakistan minister Malik Rasheed publicly equated terror figures with national identity, stating that in today's time, Pakistanis are represented by the likes of Hafiz Saeed and Saifullah Kasuri. Rasheed even announced that the Shehbaz Sharif-Pakistan government would offer a job to Lashkar commander Mudasir's brother after the LeT militant was killed in India's airstrike on the terror outfit's headquarters in Muridke. Saifullah Kasuri, believed to have coordinated the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26 persons, surprisingly appeared at this PMML rally. The Indian government attributed the Pahalgam terror attack to LeT's proxy outfit, The Resistance Front (TRF). The LeT commander did not only purportedly raise anti-India slogans but also hailed terrorists killed during India's Operation Sindoor as "martyrs". At the rally, Kasuri is heard saying, "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." couldn't independently verify the authenticity of the videos. Kasuri was reportedly believed to have been given shelter by the Pakistani spy agency ISI in Bahawalpur. Amir Hamza, a US-designated terrorist and co-founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, was also present at the rally in Kasur. He delivered anti-India speeches and raised slogans at the event. Pakistani journalist Taha Siddiqui shared a video of Hamza on X, where he is heard saying, "Kashmir will become Pakistan, Jammu will become Pakistan, Indian Punjab will become Khalistan." These collaborative appearances between Pakistan's ministers and extremists only cement the global belief of the growing nexus between ISI and terror organisations. Meanwhile, PMML organised rallies in Karachi and Rawalpindi as well, to witness the Youm-e-Takbeer day. Terrorists were seen openly gathering in Kasur, carrying holders and billboards of Field Marshal Asim Munir and Hafiz Saeed. PMML organised another rally in Gujranwala to mark the anniversary of Pakistan's nuclear test on May 28, wherein LeT commander and US-designated terrorist Muzammil Hashmi sent a message to "his enemy". "Listen carefully, you threaten us with your bullets. Modi, we are giving you a message that when our children did not get afraid of your missiles, how will we fear your bullets," Hashmi was purportedly heard saying at the event. He further said that neither could India's elders make us afraid, nor can you (Modi). Hashmi said that Pakistan is a country that never forgives its enemies. Pakistan has repeatedly denied sheltering terror outfits and terrorists while blaming India for accusing it of encouraging cross-border terrorism. These purported photos and videos of the militants with Islamabad's politicians are proof enough to indicate the growing nexus between them. India's all-party delegations have been visiting the nation's international partner countries over the past week, briefing them about New Delhi's stance on terrorism against the backdrop of Operation Sindoor. From the Shashi Tharoor-led delegation to that led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha, the teams, with members cutting across party lines, have exposed Pakistan and its links to terror outfits. Recently in Panama, the Tharoor-led delegation met with the country's President and foreign minister, and showed them pictures of Pakistani Army officials at the funeral of UN-designated terrorists who were killed during Operation Sindoor. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, a member of the delegation led by BJP leader Baijayant Panda, on Thursday said that there is clear evidence of Pakistan's involvement with terrorism. Exposing Islamabad, Owaisi pointed out the promotion of Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir as Field Marshal and how a US-designated terrorist was seen sitting beside him at a celebratory event. Similary, all 7 delegations have been exposing Pakistan's links with terror outfits and terrorists.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Shehbaz Sharif Scrambles For Diplomatic Support As World Backs India's Anti-Terror Stance
Last Updated: Faced with mounting diplomatic isolation, Shehbaz Sharif turned to traditional partners such as Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is making urgent diplomatic rounds across allied nations in a bid to shore up political support as Islamabad counters New Delhi's growing narrative following Operation Sindoor. The international response to India's operation- which targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)- has been sympathetic to New Delhi as major powers including the United States, France, Japan, and the European Union openly backed India's right to self-defense while condemning cross-border terrorism. Shehbaz Sharif's Diplomatic Overtures Faced with mounting diplomatic isolation, Shehbaz Sharif turned to traditional partners such as Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Tajikistan. This week, Shehbaz Sharif met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Lachin on a symbolic day that saw the confluence of Pakistan's Youm-e-Takbeer (nuclear test commemoration) and Azerbaijan's Independence Day. In a tweet, Shehbaz Sharif wrote, 'Honoured to join my dear brothers, President Tayyip Erdogan @RTErdogan and President Ilham Aliyev @azpresident, in the beautiful city of Lachin on a historic day—when Pakistan marks Youm-e-Takbeer and our brotherly country, Azerbaijan, celebrates its Independence Day." 'We are now three nations, one heart," Shehbaz Sharif tweeted, signaling a deeper alignment between Pakistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan as Islamabad seeks to counter India's expanding diplomatic alliances. Earlier, the Pakistan PM held a high-level meeting in Dushanbe with Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon, describing it as 'warm and cordial." In another tweet, Shehbaz Sharif stated, 'I also briefed him regarding the recent Indian aggression against Pakistan. We agreed on the importance of regional peace and stability which are vital to the progress and prosperity of our peoples." India's Global Diplomatic Outreach In contrast, New Delhi is leveraging the success of Operation Sindoor as India swiftly dispatched diplomatic delegations to key global capitals in a coordinated effort to consolidate support and reinforce its anti-terror narrative. Led by senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and National Security Council, these delegations have engaged with counterparts in various countries, presenting detailed briefings on the operation and intelligence. A key message conveyed was that there can be no equivalence between those who dispatch terrorists and those who defend themselves, and that India will not differentiate between governments sponsoring terrorism and the masterminds of terror. The delegations also highlighted Pakistan's continued support for UN-designated terrorists and the need for accountability. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 30, 2025, 09:20 IST
