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India Gazette
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
UBT Sena MP Sanjay Raut supports call for special Parliament session, says party already signed draft proposal
New Delhi [India], June 3 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday supported the call for a special session of Parliament during the INDIA alliance meeting, saying that his party had already signed the draft proposal prepared for the special session demand. Speaking to ANI, Raut said, 'I was told that we are meeting today in the Constitution Club regarding a draft on the Special Session of the Parliament. Our party has already signed the draft. If the Opposition parties demand that a special session should be held, then it should be done...' The meeting will be held today at the Constitution Club in New Delhi. The meeting of opposition leaders under the INDIA alliance aimed to build consensus on demanding a special parliamentary session on major national issues. Meanwhile, reacting to Congress leader Salman Khurshid's controversial remark regarding Article 370, he said, 'You go abroad as a representative of the country, not of any party. No one can set the standard of patriotism on opposing or supporting Article 370...' Earlier on Friday, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also responded to Congress leader Salman Khurshid's comments on Article 370, acknowledging that the former External Affairs Minister had admitted the provision was a blunder. Poonawalla highlighted the positive changes in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, citing increased prosperity and people's voices being heard. Speaking to ANI, Poonawala said, 'Salman Khurshid is a senior Congress leader and has been External Affairs Minister previously and today he also accepts how 'Pakistan-Parasti, Pattharbazi and Problem of Pakistan' was increasing. Now that Article 370 has been removed, there is Prosperity and People's voice is audible... Article 370 was a blunder of the then governments and especially Nehru, this is accepted by Salman Khurshid himself... But even today, some Congress leaders back the Article 370...' Khurshid had earlier defended Congress's stand on Article 370. He said that Article 370 had created a feeling that Jammu and Kashmir was separate from the rest of India. While addressing Indonesian think tanks and academics in Jakarta, Indonesia, Khurshid stated, 'Kashmir had a major problem for a long time. Much of that was reflected in the thinking of the government in an article called 370 of the Constitution... But Article 370 was abrogated and it was finally put to an end.' Also, earlier today, all-party delegation member Salman Khurshid, said that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir must be given back to India. Khurshid, in conversation with ANI, said that India has clearly stated that talks, including talks on the Indus Water Treaty, can happen only when Pakistan's commitment to peace is clear. 'There is a long standing unanimous resolution of parliament of India saying that the Pakistan occupied Kashmir must be re-vacated and given back to India and as you know that even in the assembly of Jammu andKashmir, the seats that should have been in that area are kept vacant just for this reason that we have we have a long term commitment that the area is to come back to us. That's one important factor,' he said. Khurshid further said that Pakistan negated attempts at making peace, as it continued to attack India over the years. 'The second is that the government has reiterated this because, you know, often questions are asked about whether you will talk or not, etc. We have expressed our distress that repeated attempts to speak and negotiate have been betrayed by Pakistan by a subsequent attack and several attacks that happened over the years,' he said. Khurshid is part of an all-party delegation led by JD-U MP Sanjay Kumar Jha. The delegation includes Aparajita Sarangi (BJP), TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, Brij Lala (BJP), John Brittas (CPI-M), Pradan Baruah (BJP), Hemang Joshi (BJP), Salman Khurshid, and Mohan Kumar. The delegation is visiting many countries as part of India's global outreach against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. The delegation has visited Japan, South Korea, and Singapore so far. (ANI)
India Gazette
7 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Khurshid...also accepts how 'Pakistan-Parasti, Pattharbazi and Problem of Pakistan' was increasing": Shehzad Poonawalla
New Delhi [India], May 30 (ANI): BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Friday responded to Congress leader Salman Khurshid's comments on Article 370, acknowledging that the former External Affairs Minister had admitted the provision was a blunder. Poonawalla highlighted the positive changes in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, citing increased prosperity and people's voices being heard. Speaking to ANI, Poonawala said, 'Salman Khurshid is a senior Congress leader and has been External Affairs Minister previously and today he also accepts how 'Pakistan-Parasti, Pattharbazi and Problem of Pakistan' was increasing. Now that Article 370 has been removed, there is Prosperity and People's voice is audible... Article 370 was a blunder of the then governments and especially Nehru, this is accepted by Salman Khurshid himself... But even today, some Congress leaders back the Article 370...' Poonawalla's remarks came after Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Thursday spoke about Article 370. He said that Article 370 had created a feeling that Jammu and Kashmir was separate from the rest of India. While addressing Indonesian think tanks and academics in Jakarta, Indonesia, Khurshid stated, 'Kashmir had a major problem for a long time. Much of that was reflected in the thinking of the government in an article called 370 of the Constitution... But Article 370 was abrogated and it was finally put to an end.' Also, earlier today, all-party delegation member Salman Khurshid, said that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir must be given back to India. Khurshid, in conversation with ANI, said that India has clearly stated that talks can happen only when Pakistan's commitment to peace is clear, including talks on the Indus Water Treaty. 'There is a long standing unanimous resolution of parliament of India saying that the Pakistan occupied Kashmir must be re-vacated and given back to India and as you know that even in the assembly of Jammu and Kashmir, the seats that should have been in that area are kept vacant just for this reason that we have we have a long term commitment that the area is to come back to us. That's one important factor,' he said. Khurshid further said that attempts at making peace were negated by Pakistan, as it continued to attack India over the years. 'The second is that the government has reiterated this because you know, often questions are asked about will you talk, will you not talk, etc. We have expressed our distress that repeated attempts to talk and negotiate have been betrayed by Pakistan by a subsequent attack and several attacks that happened over the years,' he said. Khurshid is a part of an all-party delegation. The delegation, led by JD-U MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, includes Aparajita Sarangi (BJP), TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, Brij Lala (BJP), John Brittas (CPI-M), Pradan Baruah (BJP), Hemang Joshi (BJP), Salman Khurshid and Mohan Kumar. The delegation is visiting many countries as part of India's global outreach against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. The delegation has so far visited Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. (ANI)
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
90bps drop in Market Treasury Bills yield
KARACHI: The margin on short-term government securities declined by up to 90 basis points (bps) in the Treasury Bills (T-bills) auction held on Wednesday, reflecting market reaction to the recent monetary policy easing. On behalf of the federal government, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) invited tenders for the sale of 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month Government of Pakistan Market Treasury Bills (MTBs) through primary dealers on May 14, 2025, with settlement scheduled for May 15, 2025. The auction witnessed robust participation by the primary dealers, with total bids amounting to Rs 1.987 trillion. The highest interest was observed in the 1-month T-bills, attracting bids worth Rs 667.6 billion. Bids for other tenors included Rs 453.55 billion for 3-month, Rs 225.15 billion for 6-month, and Rs 641.6 billion for 12-month MTBs. Rate cut fallout: Foreign investment in T-Bills takes a hit The federal government accepted bids worth Rs 664 billion, including Rs 102 billion in non-competitive bids, exceeding the auction target of Rs 550 billion, but falling short of the maturing amount of Rs 716 billion. The cut-off Yields on different bonds decreased by 66-90bps, with the current yields standing at 11.25 percent for the 1-month T-Bill, 11.24 percent for the 3-month, 11.28 percent for the 6-month MTBs, and 11.35 percent for the 12-month T-Bill. The decline in yields is largely attributed to the 100-bps cut in the SBP's policy rate announced earlier this month by the Monetary Policy Committee. This policy shift has led to improved investor sentiment and expectations of further monetary easing. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
90bps drop in MTBs yield
KARACHI: The margin on short-term government securities declined by up to 90 basis points (bps) in the Treasury Bills (T-bills) auction held on Wednesday, reflecting market reaction to the recent monetary policy easing. On behalf of the federal government, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) invited tenders for the sale of 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month Government of Pakistan Market Treasury Bills (MTBs) through primary dealers on May 14, 2025, with settlement scheduled for May 15, 2025. The auction witnessed robust participation by the primary dealers, with total bids amounting to Rs 1.987 trillion. The highest interest was observed in the 1-month T-bills, attracting bids worth Rs 667.6 billion. Bids for other tenors included Rs 453.55 billion for 3-month, Rs 225.15 billion for 6-month, and Rs 641.6 billion for 12-month MTBs. Rate cut fallout: Foreign investment in T-Bills takes a hit The federal government accepted bids worth Rs 664 billion, including Rs 102 billion in non-competitive bids, exceeding the auction target of Rs 550 billion, but falling short of the maturing amount of Rs 716 billion. The cut-off Yields on different bonds decreased by 66-90bps, with the current yields standing at 11.25 percent for the 1-month T-Bill, 11.24 percent for the 3-month, 11.28 percent for the 6-month MTBs, and 11.35 percent for the 12-month T-Bill. The decline in yields is largely attributed to the 100-bps cut in the SBP's policy rate announced earlier this month by the Monetary Policy Committee. This policy shift has led to improved investor sentiment and expectations of further monetary easing. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'New normal' for Congress? Shashi Tharoor's praise for PM Modi's policies
NEW DELHI: Has Shashi Tharoor set a "new normal" for the Congress post India's " Operation Sindoor "? Well, it seems so. The Thiruvananthapuram MP has been unequivocal and unwavering in his praise of the steps taken by the Narendra Modi government against Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack . So much so, the BJP leaders have cited Tharoor's strong defence of the government to school and shame the opposition, including the Congress. While the Congress has heaped praise on the armed forces over the success of "Operation Sindoor", it has questioned the Modi government's decision to announce sudden ceasefire, which, ironically, was first announced by US President Donald Trump . While making the ceasefire announcement, Trump also claimed that India and Pakistan had agreed to talks at a neutral venue. Later, Trump went on to claim, not once but twice, that he used trade deal as a leverage to force India and Pakistan to agree to the ceasefire. While India did not react to Trump's claim publically, the external affairs ministry made it clear that trade was never a part of any discussions with the US. India also categorically declared that it was Islamabad that had approached us for ceasefire after the May 10 strike by our armed forces which destroyed many air bases in Pakistan. The Congress raised tough questions for Prime Minister Modi in the light of these US claims. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said: "The Prime Minister did not speak one word on the claims made by President Trump minutes before his address to the nation. Has India accepted America's mediation? Has India agreed to hold talks with Pakistan at a neutral venue? Will India now accept US demand for opening of markets in automobile, agriculture and other sectors?" Other opposition leaders also targeted the government over US claims of playing the mediator. However, Shashi Tharoor strongly defended the Modi government and called the US President "a politician wanting to take credit for something." Tharoor also justified India's decision to agree to a ceasefire. "Peace is essential. I am very glad, India never wanted a long-term war. India wanted to teach terrorists a lesson, I believe that lesson has been taught. The other details are awaited," Tharoor said in his first recation on ceasefire. For US President Trump's claims, Tharoor had a sharp retort. "I see it as a particular politician wanting to take credit for something and I can see that the government of India probably said 'let them take the credit if they want to', but from our point of view we have made it clear that the peace followed a request from the DGMO of Pakistan who called his Indian counterpart at 3:35 pm (Saturday) and we did not take very long to say yes because we had never wanted a long war," Tharoor said. Clarifying that he was speaking as an individual MP, Tharoor said he did not like Trump's social media posts on the issue. "You are making equivalent the victim and the perpetrator, which is really shocking. It is completely wrong to imply that as a result of this India is going to give some sort of negotiation to Pakistan. We will never negotiate to the point of a gun, we are never going to give the satisfaction to Pakistan of feeling that by unleashing a terrorist attack in Pahalgam they have somehow earned the right to negotiate with India," he said. "I don't think that Mr Trump should have in any way, shape or form implied that the Kashmiri dispute has been internationalised by the American involvement. We don't even accept that there is a dispute of that nature, Kashmir is an integral part of India ... we are not interested at all in internationalising the dispute," he added. Earlier also Tharoor was effusive in his praise for "Operation Sindoor" and had said: "The operation was well-calibrated, well-calculated, and effectively executed. I am very impressed, from the naming of the operation to how it was presented to the world. We had to respond. We could not allow Pakistani terrorists to believe that they can walk into our country, kill civilians, and get away with it. They had to be punished. At the same time, an indiscriminate action on our part could have needlessly provoked an escalation and cost us the sympathy of the world." The Congress MP also praised the government's messaging on the issue: "We are doing all the right things so far. The nature of Operation Sindoor was right. The messaging of the press conference in which the foreign secretary, a Kashmiri Pandit, was flanked on both sides by women officers, one of whom was a Muslim, demonstrates a narrative against the one of Hindu-Muslim hostility being spread by the Pakistanis like silly general Munir. It sends a very good message." And when some Congress leaders spoke of 1971 war and the role of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Tharoor had this message for his party leaders. "Today's Pakistan is a different situation. Their military equipment and the damage they can do are different. Bangladesh was fighting a moral cause to actually bring people to freedom and liberation. That was a completely different story. This is a different story. We would have ended up with much longer, protracted conflicts with a lot of loss of lives on both sides. Is this the biggest priority for India today? No, it is not." While Tharoor heaped praised on Modi government's actions against Pakistan, he did not hesitate to slam the BJP when the safrron party put out a social media post criticising the previous UPA government and said the "petty attempt to divide us politically is deplorable". Tagging the BJP's post on X, Tharoor said, "At a time when the nation stands united as Indians, this petty attempt to divide us politically is deplorable. Our government has learned the futility of past approaches the hard way -- after inviting Pakistan to participate in the investigation of the Pathankot blasts in 2016. It is only then that it took to the path of military action, carefully calibrated and maturely conducted. This advertisement is neither appropriate nor mature. Delete it, please, @BJP4India. Jai Hind." Tharoor, a leading opposition leader, gave the BJP enough ammunition to target the critics of the government and accuse the Congress of playing politics. "I am really surprised that Congress is not listening to what Shashi Tharoor is saying. He is a senior Congress leader and is very clear that let anybody take the credit, but India decided to have this understanding with Pakistan. We didn't want a war. It was an understanding based on our terms and conditions. But you (Congress) want to politicise everything," Tamil Nadu BJP vice president Narayanan Thirupathy said slamming the grand-old-party. Tharoor has been at loggerheads with the Congress over his repeated praise for PM Modi and his policies. When Tharoor had first praised Prime Minister Modi for his US visit and then lauded India's role under the PM in the Russia-Ukraine war, the Congress had reacted very sharply to his remarks. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had then laid stress on discipline and had given a stern warning to the state leaders that strong action will be taken against those making comments that go against the party's interests. The Congress has officially not reacted to Tharoor's statements but Jairam Ramesh has made it clear that "When Mr. Tharoor speaks, it does not reflect the views of the party." Party sources say that Tharoor has crossed the 'lakshman rekha' with his repeated comments on the India-Pakistan conflict.
