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Express Tribune
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Indian terrorism
Listen to article It is obvious and understandable as to why there is a terror spike in Balochistan. It is an outcome of Indian meddling and its bizarre attempt to sow the seeds of dissent. The fact that the cowardly Khuzdar attack has come close on the heels of a valiant success story by Pakistan over India in a four-day duel testifies that Delhi is now out for revenge by making use of its sleeper cells and terror outfits inside the restive provinces of Balochistan and K-P. The attack on a school bus and killing of six children is a crime against humanity. The fact that pro-India proxies mushrooming inside Balochistan are behind it must be taken note of by the world community, as has been done by the UNSC by condemning the "heinous and cowardly terrorist attack". It is no secret that India has nefarious designs against Pakistan. And now having tasted defeat in the recent military encounter, the Hindutva-driven dispensation is opting for overt and covert tactics in the form of water stoppage and gun-running terrorism. The military brass that met on Friday has rightly termed these malicious activities as 'Fitnah al-Hindustan' and vowed to exterminate the entire nexus of "externally-sponsored terrorism". Pakistan, likewise, in a befitting rejoinder to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's threat of 'water suspension' has made it clear that it is untenable, and would lead to an inevitable conflict. As per International Law and UN Charter, it is an act of war and Pakistan has every right to act in self defence. The point is, why is India opting for a policy of coercion when it has formally agreed to a ceasefire under American mediation, and why is it so obstinate on playing the water card? It is so because Delhi has lost its political currency by waging an aggression against Pakistan on the baseless pretext of its involvement in the Pahalgam attack, and the civil society in India is now getting to realise the stunt of going to war. The option, thus, left with the defeated BJP is to malign Pakistan by projecting it as an outcast, and trying to destabilise it from inside.
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First Post
20-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
It's Yunus vs Bangladesh Army chief over delayed elections as Dhaka stares at political crisis: Report
Tensions appear to be brewing in Bangladesh as Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman and interim ruler Muhammad Yunus appear to be at odds. While Zaman is pushing for elections at the earliest, Yunus is delaying and putting his weight behind anti-Zaman faction in the Army seeking his ouster. read more Bangladesh's interim ruler, Muhammad Yunus, and Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman appear to be at odds. While Zaman is pushing for elections at the earliest so that Bangladesh could have an elected government, Yunus appears to be delaying the exercise and putting his weight behind Zaman's rivals who are friendly with foreign powers, according to CNN-News 18. After weekslong street violence forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee the country for her life in August 2024, the Bangladeshi Army and agitating groups propped the unelected administration of Yunus to see through the governance until elections would be held. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While unelected with no democratic mandate, Yunus has gone about making significant chances to Bangladeshi polity. He has presided over the systemic removal of Bangladesh's founder Shekh Mujibur Rahman from the national conscience and the crackdown of Hasina's party Bangladesh Awami League (BAL). One reason for the tussle between Yunus and Zaman is also believed to be their opposite inclinations. While Zaman is usually seen as a pro-India figure with little sympathy for Islamists, Yunus and his administration are pro-Pakistan whose primary audiences are hardliner Islamists in Bangladesh and abroad. Army chief wants elections at the earliest, concerned about foreign influence Zaman wants elections at the earliest as foreign influence and interference in the country's affairs has risen to an unacceptable level under Yunus, according to CNN-News 18. The report further said that Zaman has called for an urgent meeting to explore the 'plan of action'. Army sources told CNN-News 18, 'The Army chief wants Yunus to declare elections as soon as possible. His biggest worry is instability due to foreign interference, which may be a possibility because of Yunus who is perceived as a puppet of foreign agencies." Sources further said that the 'Army's biggest worry is Yunus' release of prisoners through executive orders". Earlier, sources close to the Army chief had told CNN-News18 that the Bangladesh Army was on-board with Zaman. Yunus has released several Islamist leaders from jail, such as Jashimuddin Rahmani Hafi, the chief of terrorist group Al Qaeda's affiliate Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT). As a result, Islamist extremists have taken the centre-stage in Bangladesh since Yunus' appointment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While Yunus has released terrorists from jail, he has banned Hasina's BAL and all of its affiliates. Yunus putting weight behind Army chief's rival As Zaman is seen as a pro-India figure, Yunus is putting weight behind a rival general who is believed to share his own pro-Pakistan nature, according to CNN-News 18. Lieutenant General Faizur Rahman, the Quarter-Master General of Bangladeshi Army, has held a closed-door meeting with National Security Advisor (NSA) Khalilur Rahman, a confidant of Yunus. CNN-News 18 reported sources as saying that the attempt of the NSA would be to remove Zaman as Army chief. However, sources said that most of the commanders are on board with Zaman and a successful coup is unlikely. Separately, Pakistani intelligence tsar Lt Gen Asim Malik has also met Rahman, which suggested that Pakistan had overtly joined hands with the anti-Zaman faction of the Army. Earlier, CNN-News 18 had reported that Bangladeshi Army was divided into pro-Pakistan and pro-Awami League factions and that the pro-Pakistan faction of Rahman —supported by Yunus and NSA— considered a coup but most of the generals and officers refused to align with them. However, the report quoted sources as saying that Rahman's pro-Pakistan stand continued to cause friction in the Army. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
News18
20-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Bangladesh's Yunus, Army Chief At Loggerheads: Is Emergency Looming? Exclusive
Bangladesh Army chief has called for an urgent meeting to explore the 'plan of action'. 'The Army chief wants Yunus to declare elections as soon as possible,' said Army sources Has the rift between Bangladesh's chief of interim government Mohammad Yunus and Army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman widened? News18 had earlier reported on the tussle between the two. The Bangladesh Army chief has called for an urgent meeting to explore the 'plan of action". 'The Army chief wants Yunus to declare elections as soon as possible. His biggest worry is instability due to foreign interference, which may be a possibility because of Yunus who is perceived as a puppet of foreign agencies," said sources from the Army. 2 MAJOR WORRIES Zaman plans to bring the parties of Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia to come together and contest elections for the country, said sources. 'The Army's biggest worry is Yunus's release of prisoners through executive orders." Earlier, sources close to the Army chief had told CNN-News18 that the Bangladesh Army was on-board with Zaman. The second biggest worry is Yunus's attempt of division of Army with his appointment of a National Security Advisor in the absence of the Army chief. Earlier, Quarter-Master General Lt Gen Faizur Rahman held a closed door meeting with NSA Khalilur Rahman, a confidant of Yunus. Sources say the attempt of new NSA and Yunus will be to remove the Army chief, but most of the commanders want the elections as soon as possible. In the meantime, the Army chief is also clear that he will not take pressure of any civil group and stopped movement of any protests towards his office or home. Sources say he tried to help Yunus initially, but given the foreign interference, the Army chief wants the elections soon. 'He has already made backchannels with all the parties to contest together for the sake of democracy." top videos View All WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR DIFFERENCE OF OPINION: Zaman, appointed Army chief in June 2024, is widely respected as a balanced leader with a pro-India tilt. In stark contrast, Lieutenant General Mohammad Faizur Rahman, the Quartermaster General (QMG), is seen as harbouring pro-Islamist and pro-Pakistan sentiments, putting him at odds with the Army chief's vision, News18 had reported. ARMY CHIEF WASN'T KEEN TO MAKE YUNUS THE ADVISOR: News18 had reported how Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser of the National Citizen Party (NCP), recently put up a 28-second video in which Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan said that the Army chief was not keen on making Yunus the advisor. In the recording, Asif indicated that the Army chief had questioned the credentials of Yunus. He said despite his Nobel laureate status and reformist credentials, he was not the right person for the role. 'This suggest a hesitation within the military establishment about Yunus. This video is evidence of internal divisions within the Army. It also hints at possible interference by external forces. It is possible that Yunus knows about this development and wants the Army chief to go. Earlier, the Army chief had asked civilians to handover the country into right hands," said top intelligence sources from India. ISI CHIEF MET QMG: News18 had reported about a recent meeting between Pakistan's ISI chief Lieutenant General Asim Malik and Rahman earlier this year, suggested a clear division, further fuelling tensions within the Army and seen as a snub to the Army chief. The visit to Dhaka also showed the country's open ambition to cause more 'trouble and infiltration" in India's northeast. RIFT WITHIN ARMY: News18 had also reported how the Bangladesh Army was divided, with pro-ISI and pro-Awami League factions. There were also reports of a coup by QMG, which failed as disciplined officers refused to go against the Army chief. Sources said the QMG's pro-Islamist and pro-Pakistan stand and Army Chief's pro-India position was causing friction. Zaman has publicly expressed frustration with the interim government's inability to stabilize the country. He wants the military to return to barracks once stability is restored, while Rahman's actions suggest a preference for a more active military role, potentially aligned with specific ideological or external agendas. ARMY CHIEF HAD HINTED AT A COUP: 'I can see a potential threat to the independence and sovereignty of the country. I have no other aspirations but want to see the country in safe hands. I had enough in the last 7-8 months…I'm warning you in advance so that you don't say tomorrow I have not told you," News18 had reported Zaman as saying. 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 20, 2025, 15:03 IST
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Modi's two-front war
After failing to win the latest, four-day war with Pakistan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is acting like a wounded lion whose ego is deeply hurt. Following the ceasefire with Pakistan on May 10, Modi now seems obstinate on winning what he calls a two-front war by holding the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in abeyance and supporting the so-called declaration of independence from Pakistan by BLA, the Baloch Liberation Army. Indian strategic thinkers and decision-makers miscalculated the response from Pakistan when they fired as many as 24 missiles into AJK and Punjab. While it was a clear defeat for New Delhi evident from the downing of its war planes worth millions of dollars, the bigger debacle for the Modi government came in the form of President Donald Trump announcing ceasefire between India and Pakistan in a tweet on May 10 - something that can only be analysed and interpreted as US mediation between the two adversaries. The US - an important member of the QUAD bloc, also featuring India, Australia and Japan - avoided rendering any political or strategic support to the Modi government during the war with Pakistan, thus spoiling its years of strategic investment into its relationship with the US. New Delhi, however, did not concede that the ceasefire was a result of President Trump's direct intervention, and rather insisted that the activation of hotline for communication between the military commanders of the two countries worked to prevent further escalation of the armed conflict. An enraged opposition as well as some BJP stalwarts, who termed Trump's claim to mediate the ceasefire a stab in the back, will now attempt to shape an anti-US narrative in India. New Delhi is expected to activate its pro-India lobby in the US to drumbeat a narrative that the Trump administration officials announced the ceasefire with Pakistan without its approval. Indian circles are also blaming Trump that he has a vested interest because of his ambition to seek a Noble Peace Prize at India's expense. Indian media is also alleging that Trump lied when indicating that he threatened to stop trade with Pakistan and India for the two sides to agree to a ceasefire. If the superiority of the Chinese weapons used by Pakistan has been established over the French, Israeli, Russian and American weapons used by India, the four-day war caused the causality of Indo-US rapport. In the days to come, it will be difficult for the President of America to encounter India's adversarial posture and the growing lack of trust between the two countries. Both India and Pakistan claim victory in the war, but there are ample proofs that New Delhi miserably failed to dent Islamabad and had to accept a ceasefire because of its military failures. The Indian brags that Pakistan - due to its economic predicament and worldwide condemnation of the Pahalgam attack of April 22 - will not be able to survive Indian military pressure failed to stand in the battlefield. Now, instead of accepting that the Indian military, particularly its air force, failed to perform, the Modi government is threatening Islamabad that it would not tolerate 'nuclear blackmail' next time. The Indian Prime Minister's televised speech of May 12 and another one at the air force base in Adampur on May 13 were an attempt to compensate for the bad performance of Indian military. In both the speeches, he adopted a belligerent posture and declared that India would only discuss "Pakistan occupied Kashmir" in any future talks with its neighbor and would not restore the IWT. He also said that Operation Sindoor was continuing and any future terrorist attack from Pakistan would be met with full force. He also accused Pakistan of violating ceasefire, but it was strongly rebuffed by Islamabad calling it fake news. After failing to implicate Pakistan in its false-flag operation in Pahalgam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now trying to focus on two fronts. Given the bad performance of the Indian air force in the four-day war, Modi is now concentrating on patronising the so-called liberation movement in Balochistan and continuing to hold the IWT in abeyance. This two-front policy of the Modi government needs to be analysed from three sides. First is the Indian attempt to destabilise Pakistan by propagating and assisting BLA's declaration of independence. In its so-called independence declaration, BLA has appealed to India and other countries to recognise an independent state of Balochistan. Henceforth, the nexus between New Delhi and BLA is an open secret. India has long been involved in a proxy war with Pakistan in Balochistan and Afghanistan - something that it now seeks to expand. According to reports, "Mir Yar Baloch, a prominent Baloch activist and writer, shared a series of statements on social media last week proclaiming the formation of a 'Republic of Balochistan' and calling on the Indian government to establish a Baloch embassy in New Delhi. He also appealed to the United Nations to recognise the declaration and provide funding for basic state functions, including currency and passport issuance." Pakistan needs to handle BLA's move with prudence instead of considering it just a law and order issue. What is required is effective political, economic and governance reforms in Balochistan so that the people of the province remain supportive to Pakistan at all the levels. Second, Pakistan must approach the World Bank and the International Court of Justice in order to expose New Delhi's violation of IWT. According to treaty, neither India nor Pakistan can unilaterally suspend or revoke it, as any change in the status of the treaty must be through consensus. Furthermore, India cannot stop waters of Indus, Chenab and Jhelum - the three rivers exclusively for the use by Pakistan under the IWT - because it has neither the capacity not the skills to achieve the objective. In the meantime, Pakistan needs to take steps to conserve water and improve its water storage capacity. Third, resumption of a dialogue between India and Pakistan is the only way to prevent further escalation of the conflict. The two sides need to revert to the politics of the 1980s when they acted as responsible neighbours, and revive the Composite Dialogue of the 1990s for a just and honourable settlement of their outstanding issues.
India.com
19-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey: US president Donald Trump is selectively joining hands with India's enemies due to...
US President Donald Trump US President Donald Trump was recently in news as he had claimed of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during the recent tensions between the two countries after India conducted 'Operation Sindoor' where it attacked nine terror camps located in PoJK and Pakistan killing more than hundred terrorists. However, US President Trump is again in spotlight as the close associates of President Trump is reported meeting various leaders from across the world not known for being pro-India. A recent report has indicated that Donald Trump's son Donald Trump Jr.'s college friend Gentry Beach visited Pakistan, Bangladesh and Turkey very recently. Donald Trump's close aid meeting leaders of Turkey, Bangladesh and Pakistan It has also been reported that Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif hosted Gentry Beach twice after which Beach heaped praises on Pakistan. Similarly, Gentry Beach also visited Muhammad Yunus, who is the chief advisor to the interim government of Bangladesh. The close associate of Trump had reportedly promised Dhaka to bring huge FDI in oil and gas exploration, aerospace, defense and real estate. Last but not the least, Gentry Beach was in Istanbul on April 17 days before the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. During the meeting, Beach signed an agreement with a Turkish group Terra Holding to set up a joint venture for oil and mining in Dubai and also proposed to make Turkey the next factory of the world instead of China. Why Trump administration is aligning with anti-India countries Although there is no specific reason behind the move by the Trump close aid, various reasons including resources, market for US goods and minerals could drive the administration towards the 'enemies' of India in Asia.
