Ali Andaz Haider

Dhaka, Bangladesh: Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to Chief Executive Muhammad Yunus, has said the interim government faced an Indian misinformation campaign but remained steadfast in its commitment to ensure free and fair elections, and put in place strict security and administrative measures. Talking exclusively to Pakistan TV in Dhaka, Shafiqul Alam said the interim government has deployed some 900,000 police and other security forces, including over 100,000 military troops. &ldquo;We have never seen such unprecedented level of security before,&rdquo; he said. Alam said several thousand voting centres identified as vulnerable have received reinforced security, with 16 to 19 officers deployed at each location. He said the army will function as a striking force, ready to respond immediately to any disruption, while border guards will secure centres along the borders. The press secretary said the administration has carefully appointed neutral officials at every level, from district commissioners to police chiefs, to ensure no partisan influence over the electoral process. &ldquo;There is no way anyone can attack a voting centre or a voting booth, and then snatch a ballot box,&rdquo; he said, adding that, &ldquo;I think it will be a safe and very peaceful election&rdquo;. He said these arrangements reflect the government&rsquo;s commitment to neutrality and transparency. Central to the vote is the proposed July National Charter, a sweeping reform package developed after nine months of dialogue between the interim government and political parties. According to Alam, the reforms reflect a broad public demand for &ldquo;sanskar&rdquo;, or structural change, a call echoed widely by young people and civil society. He said whoever assumes power will have to implement the changes due to widespread national consensus. Shafiqul Alam also voiced concern over what he described as an unprecedented wave of misinformation and disinformation from sections of the Indian media. He said the government was &ldquo;taken aback&rdquo; by unprecedented level of misinformation and disinformation propagated by the Indian media. He said there was flood of misinformation coming from Indian media about the interim government and the minority Hindu community. &ldquo;These stories are false and fabricated,&rdquo; he said, rejecting allegations of widespread violence. Shafiqul Alam said the interim government had invited Indian journalists to visit Bangladesh, offering expedited visas and access to locations where alleged incidents were reported. Despite the tensions, he reiterated that Bangladesh seeks constructive regional relationships based on mutual respect and fairness. Alam said the country&rsquo;s focus remains firmly on protecting democracy and ensuring that its future is determined peacefully through the ballot box.

SAT News Desk

Shafiqul Alam said Bangladesh’s interim government will hold free and fair elections despite alleged Indian misinformation. He cited unprecedented security deployment, neutral officials, and electoral reforms, rejected violence claims, and reaffirmed commitment to a peaceful, transparent, and credible democratic process

Despite India-led misinformation campaign, interim govt stands firm on holding credible polls - Shafiqul Alam

Ayesha Mir

Muhammad Ibrahim

DHAKA: On the eve of Bangladesh&rsquo;s 13th parliamentary election, the capital feels unusually still. Streets that are normally choked with rickshaws, buses, and pedestrians are noticeably empty. Shops are shuttered, offices closed, and public transport thinned out, as the country observes a government-declared holiday ahead of polling.&nbsp;Dhaka, one of the world&rsquo;s busiest and most densely populated cities, is taking a pause. Security personnel patrol intersections and outside polling centres, while election officials make last-minute preparations, stacking ballot papers, checking voter lists, and securing transparent ballot boxes. For most residents, life has slowed; for those running the vote, work has intensified.&nbsp;Inside the Election Commission headquarters, however, the atmosphere is a stark contrast. The building is a hive of activity, crowded with domestic and international journalists, election staff, and observers from around the world. Television crews set up live positions, while staff coordinate logistics and field queries from returning officers across the country.&nbsp;Departure from past pollsBangladesh&rsquo;s 13th Jatiya Sangsad election represents a marked departure from recent voting history, with broad participation by opposition parties and heightened voter expectations following years of one-sided polls dominated by the now-banned Awami League.&nbsp;For more than a decade under former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, elections were defined by opposition boycotts, arrests of senior leaders, and low-competition races. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) stayed away from the 2014 election entirely and formally boycotted the 2024 polls, while Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) was barred from electoral politics for years. As a result, voter turnout and political competition were widely questioned.&nbsp;&ldquo;This election is fundamentally different from the last three,&rdquo; said Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah. &ldquo;There is real competition in most constituencies, and voters have meaningful choices.&rdquo;&nbsp;In the 2024 election, the Awami League and its allies won an overwhelming majority after the BNP refused to participate, calling the polls &ldquo;illegitimate.&rdquo; According to the Election Commission, turnout stood at around 41%, though opposition groups disputed the figure and described voter participation as far lower.&nbsp;The 2018 election, in which the BNP did contest, was marred by allegations of vote rigging, intimidation and overnight ballot stuffing. International observers and rights groups raised concerns and the credibility of the outcome was sharply contested. Analysts noted that opposition supporters often stayed away because the outcome felt predetermined.&nbsp;&ldquo;People stayed home not because they were apathetic, but because the outcome felt predetermined,&rdquo; said Dhaka-based political analyst Ali Riaz. &ldquo;Turnout reflected the absence of trust, not the absence of interest.&rdquo;&nbsp;Opposition returns, ruling party absentThis election reverses that pattern. The Awami League has been barred from contesting after its registration was suspended by the Election Commission, while 51 political parties, including the BNP and candidates linked to Jamaat-e-Islami, are actively contesting seats. More than 2,000 candidates are in the race, including hundreds of independents.&nbsp;BNP leaders say the party&rsquo;s return to the ballot has reactivated its voter base.&nbsp;&ldquo;For the first time in years, our supporters believe their vote will matter,&rdquo; BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury told reporters. &ldquo;That belief is the single biggest driver of turnout.&rdquo;&nbsp;While Jamaat-e-Islami is not contesting under its former banner, candidates linked to the party are running as independents or under allied platforms. Party leaders say their supporters, long excluded from formal politics, are motivated to re-engage.&nbsp;&ldquo;This is the first election in years where Jamaat supporters feel politically visible again,&rdquo; said a senior party figure, speaking on condition of anonymity.&nbsp;Voter expectations and youth engagementVoter expectations have also shifted. Instead of choosing between participation and boycott, citizens are weighing party platforms, candidates&rsquo; credibility, and post-election stability. Interviews with voters in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Rajshahi suggest high, though cautious, &nbsp;optimism.&nbsp;&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t vote in the last election,&rdquo; Rahima Begum, a 32-year-old garment worker in Gazipur told Pakistan TV Digital. &ldquo;There was no point. This time, I want to vote because the Awami League is not there, and the result feels open.&rdquo;&nbsp;Younger voters, many of whom reached voting age after 2018, see the election as their first meaningful political exercise. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus acknowledged this sentiment in a televised address on Tuesday, calling the vote &ldquo;the first national election following a mass uprising.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Through your ballots, the demands once voiced on the streets will now be expressed constitutionally,&rdquo; Yunus said.&nbsp;Turnout expectations and stakesElection officials have not issued turnout projections but privately acknowledge that participation is expected to be higher than in 2024, driven by competitive races and opposition participation.&nbsp;Political scientist Meghna Guhathakurta said turnout this time will be driven less by party loyalty and more by uncertainty.&nbsp;&ldquo;When outcomes are uncertain, turnout rises,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;This election has uncertainty, not because one party dominates, but because several forces are competing.&rdquo;&nbsp;Analysts caution that participation alone will not guarantee legitimacy.&nbsp;&ldquo;Turnout will matter,&rdquo; said Riaz, &ldquo;but credibility will depend on whether voters believe the process was fair, the count accurate, and power transferred peacefully.&rdquo;&nbsp;The calm before the voteAs night falls over Dhaka, the city appears to be holding its breath. Roads remain unusually quiet, markets are closed, and public life has paused. Yet inside the Election Commission headquarters, the energy is palpable. A reminder that behind the city&rsquo;s calm, a massive and historic electoral exercise is underway.

Asia

Dhaka pauses ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, marked by broad opposition participation and the Awami League’s absence. officials expect a higher turnout, as voters weigh uncertainty, credibility, and hopes for a fair process.

Dhaka holds its breath as Bangladesh prepares for historic election

AHMEDABAD: South Africa prevailed in a double super over thriller as Afghanistan came up agonizingly short of a famous victory after their T20 World Cup clash ended in a tie on Wednesday.&nbsp;Afghanistan were 187 all out after South Africa scored 187-6 in the Group D encounter in Ahmedabad.&nbsp;The teams were tied again after a breathless first super over saw them both score 18, before South Africa won off the final ball of a heart-thumping second sudden-death showdown.&nbsp;After South Africa bludgeoned 23 from their second super over and Afghanistan lost a wicket off the second ball of theirs, Rahmanullah Gurbaz was left needing four sixes off four balls for an unlikely victory.&nbsp;Gurbaz sensationally launched Keshav Maharaj into the crowd three times with some huge blows.&nbsp;A wide off the fifth ball meant Afghanistan still needed six to win, but now a four would send it, incredibly, to a third super over.&nbsp;With nerves jangling and pulses racing, the left-arm spinner held his nerve to bowl a wide yorker that Gurbaz smacked into the grateful hands of David Miller at point as he looked to hit a boundary.&nbsp;Afghanistan semi-finalists in 2024 also lost to the group&#39;s other heavyweights, New Zealand, leaving their chances of advancing as one of the top two teams all but over.&nbsp;&quot;The boys did an amazing job, especially with the way they started with the bat,&quot; said Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan.&nbsp;&quot;To restrict them under 190 was amazing. &nbsp;So, so unlucky to be part of a losing team.&quot;&nbsp;It was South Africa&#39;s second win. New Zealand have also won both their matches and are top of the group on net run rate.&nbsp;&quot;There&#39;s areas we can improve,&quot; said South Africa captain Aiden Markram.&nbsp;&quot;Small little phases, and it adds up to a lot in this format. You need to win games like this.&quot;&nbsp;A few minutes earlier, after Gurbaz scored a brilliant 42-ball 84 in the chase, Afghanistan had needed 13 off the last over of the match to win with one wicket in hand.&nbsp;After Kagiso Rabada bowled two no-balls and a wide, and Noor Ahmad hit a six, Afghanistan needed two to win off three balls.&nbsp;But after Noor turned for the second run that would have won the match, Fazalhaq Farooqi was run out at the non-striker&#39;s end, and the scores were tied.&nbsp;South Africa pace bowler Lungi Ngidi was named player of the match after his 3-26 in four overs.&nbsp;&quot;I&#39;ve lost so much weight today,&quot; said a smiling Ngidi.&nbsp;&quot;Never been that stressed in my life in a cricket game. Happy to come out on the winning side.&quot;&nbsp;Quinton de Kock (59) and Ryan Rickelton (61) were the mainstays of South Africa&#39;s innings as they put on 114 for the second wicket.

Cricket

South Africa beat Afghanistan in a dramatic double super over after both scored 187 in Ahmedabad. Afghanistan's right-hand batter Gurbaz’s 84 nearly sealed victory, but Afghanistan fell short. Ngidi starred with 3-26 as South Africa secured their second win

South Africa pip Afghanistan in double super over T20 thriller

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Fresh violence in Manipur&#39;s Ukhrul district in India has led to a strict security clampdown with curfew and internet suspension to restore peace, Indian media reported on Tuesday. Fresh violence in Ukhrul district of <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/execution-video-exposes-how-manipur-became-indias-invisible-conflict-zone" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Manipur </a>has prompted authorities to impose a curfew and suspend internet services for five days to restore order. The unrest began late on Monday when armed individuals allegedly set houses on fire in Litan Sareikhong village and fired rounds into the air, causing <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/civil-unrest-under-bjp-manipurs-ethnic-conflict-becomes-indias-warning-sign" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">widespread panic.</a> Residents were forced to flee their homes, with many taking shelter in neighboring Kangpokpi district. The Manipur government responded, citing the violence as a serious threat to public safety and peace. To prevent the situation from escalating, a temporary internet shutdown was ordered across Ukhrul district. The tensions have sparked widespread concern. Ashok Swain, a prominent Indian academic, in a post on X on Tuesday stated: &ldquo;Manipur burning again, curfew imposed and internet is blocked!&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2021257247951561043&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=eeb56533bd6554b017d39a1e884b9d48eaec654c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 777px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2021257247951561043"></iframe></div></div>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit to troubled Manipur state in Sept. 2025 since more than 250 people were killed in ethnic clashes there in 2023, according to AFP.

India

Fresh violence in Ukhrul district of Manipur has prompted authorities to impose a curfew and suspend internet services for five days to restore order.

Curfew imposed, internet suspended in India's Manipur after fresh violence

TEHRAN: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Wednesday that his country would &quot;not yield to excessive demands&quot; on its nuclear programme, after Tehran resumed talks with the United States.&nbsp;He also said Iran was ready for &quot;any verification&quot; of its nuclear program and insisted it was not seeking an atomic weapon.&nbsp;Iran and the United States resumed negotiations last week for the first time since the war with Israel last June, which saw the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/iran-warns-against-instability-after-us-strike-group-arrives" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">US conduct strikes</a>&nbsp;on nuclear sites in Iran.&nbsp;&quot;Our Iran will not yield in the face of aggression, but we are continuing dialogue with all our strength with neighbouring countries to establish peace and tranquillity in the region,&quot; Pezeshkian said.&nbsp;He was speaking at Azadi Square in the capital Tehran, to mark the 47th anniversary of Iran&#39;s Islamic revolution.&nbsp;&quot;Our country, Iran, will not yield to their excessive demands,&quot; he added.&nbsp;Iran wants the talks to remain centred purely on its nuclear programme, while the United States also wants the Islamic republic&#39;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/netanyahu-to-push-trump-on-iran-missiles-in-white-house-talks" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">ballistic missile program</a>&nbsp;and its support for fighter groups in the region to be discussed.&nbsp;Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful, though Western countries and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/netanyahu-to-discuss-iran-talks-with-trump-in-washington-wednesday" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Israel believe</a>&nbsp;it is seeking to acquire a nuclear weapon.&nbsp;Every year, supporters of Iran&#39;s leadership turn out in force to mark the anniversary of the revolution that ousted the US-backed shah in 1979.&nbsp;At Azadi Square on Wednesday, an AFP correspondent saw a large security presence, bigger than in previous years.&nbsp;Veiled women waved the flag of the Islamic republic and carried pictures of Iran&#39;s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In this handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian addresses cabinet members, as they visit the tomb of the late Iranian revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in Tehran on January 31, 2026.(Photo: AF

Middle East

Says Iran is ready for "any verification" of its nuclear programme and insists it is not seeking an atomic weapon.

Iran president says will not 'give in to excessive demands'

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan remains one of the world&rsquo;s most corrupt countries, according to the latest annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) published by Transparency International.&nbsp;The latest 2025 CPI shows that Afghanistan scored just 16 points out of 100, placing it 169th out of 182 countries and territories. The latest figures show a slight drop from last year&rsquo;s score of 17 and ranking of 165th.&nbsp;Transparency International measures perceived levels of public-sector corruption on a scale from zero, indicating very high corruption, to 100, indicating very clean governance.&nbsp;The report also shows that Afghanistan&rsquo;s position has worsened steadily over recent years under the Taliban administration &mdash; falling from 150th place in 2022, with 24 points, to its current standing.&nbsp;Globally, the CPI paints a troubling picture: the average score dropped to a historic low of 42, with 122 out of 182 countries scoring below 50, reflecting widespread corruption in public sectors worldwide. Only five countries scored above 80, compared with 12 just a decade ago.&nbsp;At the top of the index, Denmark, Finland, Singapore, New Zealand and Norway rank as the least corrupt nations. At the bottom are South Sudan, Somalia, Venezuela, Yemen and Libya &mdash; together with Afghanistan among the worst performers.&nbsp;Transparency International highlights the growing global challenge of corruption, noting that weaker democratic checks and restricted civic space often coincide with deteriorating perceptions of transparency and governance. In the 50 countries with the steepest declines in CPI scores, 36 have tightened restrictions on civil liberties, the report finds.&nbsp;Fragile states like Afghanistan are especially vulnerable, Transparency International says, due to limited civic space, opaque political financing systems and a lack of independent judicial institutions &mdash; conditions that undermine accountability and enable corruption to persist.

Afghanistan

The 2025 Corruption Perception Indes shows Afghanistan scored just 16 points out of 100, placing it 169th out of 182 countries and territories; the development represents a drop from last year’s score of 17 and ranking of 165th.

Afghanistan ranks among world’s most corrupt countries in 2025: Report

The measures, announced by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz, include canceling decades-old prohibitions on land sales to Jewish citizens in the West Bank, declassifying land registry records to facilitate land acquisition, and expanding Israeli enforcement powers into Areas A and B — zones that under the Oslo Accords fall under Palestinian Authority administration.

New Israeli West Bank settlement measures draw global backlash

ISLAMABAD: WhatsApp Web has rolled out voice and video calling, allowing users to make and receive calls directly from their desktop or laptop.&nbsp;According to WABetaInfo, a leading source for real-time updates on <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/eu-says-whatsapp-to-face-stricter-content-rules" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">WhatsApp</a>, the feature is available on Windows and macOS for users with the latest version of WhatsApp installed on both their smartphone and desktop. How to useTo make a call, users must log in to WhatsApp Web via web.whatsapp.com by scanning the QR code with their phone. Voice calls can be initiated by clicking the phone icon, while video calls start by selecting the video camera icon in a chat window. Features and securityCalls on WhatsApp Web offer high-quality audio and HD video, depending on device and internet connection. Like all WhatsApp communications, these calls are protected with end-to-end encryption. The platform also supports multi-device use, enabling users to switch between smartphones and desktops during calls. Requirements&nbsp;- The latest version of WhatsApp on smartphones and desktops&nbsp;-&nbsp; Compatible web browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge&nbsp;- Functional microphone for voice calls; microphone and webcam for video calls&nbsp;- Stable internet connection for smooth performance LimitationsCall quality may be affected by poor internet connectivity. Older or low-performance devices may experience reduced performance, particularly during video calls.This update brings the full WhatsApp experience to desktop users, eliminating the need to switch between devices for calls and enhancing convenience for both personal and professional use.

Gadgets

The feature is available on Windows and macOS for users with the latest version of WhatsApp installed on both their smartphone and desktop.

WhatsApp Web adds voice and video calling feature

ISLAMABAD: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has declared a continued &quot;war&quot; against illegal immigrants, following the removal of 0.24 million names from the state&#39;s voter rolls. In the Indian state of Assam, the&nbsp;Election Commission&#39;s special revision of voter rolls has resulted in&nbsp;a significant reduction in the number of voters, according to an Indian media report. The final list, published on Feb. 8, shows a drop of 0.243 million voters, leaving a total of 24.9 million voters across the state&#39;s 126 assembly constituencies. Over the past months, India&rsquo;s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has come under opposition criticism for the conduct of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), a voters&#39; verification exercise, across multiple states, which it claims has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/deletions-in-draft-electoral-rolls-trigger-fears-of-disenfranchisement-in-india" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">targeted minorities</a>. &nbsp; According to an Indian media report, the revised list in Assam comes after the filing of claims and objections and marks the end of the Special Revision 2026, which falls between the Special Intensive Revision&nbsp;and the Special Summary Revision exercises. As per another Indian media report, on BJP complaints against &ldquo;doubtful voters&rdquo; during Special Revision in the state of Assam, Assam chief minister Sarma said, &quot;The war against illegal Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh will continue. Lakhs of &#39;doubtful voters&#39; have been deleted.&quot;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2021486911823675447&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=88e5b5d00d80ee26809a300dd6a9943ea7e521aa&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Sarma has said that the SIR will be conducted in Bihar after the assembly elections to the 126-member House, which are likely to be held in March-April. &lsquo;Call to mass violence and genocide&rsquo;On Feb. 7, in a separate political development, the ruling BJP&#39;s official Assam Pradesh Twitter handle stirred controversy with a video that allegedly glorifies the murder of minorities. The video, which appeared to feature Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, sparked outrage from opposition parties. The Congress condemned the video, calling it a &quot;call to mass violence and genocide,&quot; and accused the BJP regime of promoting hatred for over a decade.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2020400481382850676&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=88e5b5d00d80ee26809a300dd6a9943ea7e521aa&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 720px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Congress demanded strict judicial action against those responsible for spreading social hostility. Outrage and protest&nbsp;Similarly, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) joined the protests, expressing outrage over the video, which shows Sarma firing a gun at the minority Muslim community. The CPI-M staged a protest at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday, calling for accountability from both the BJP and the judiciary. Both the Congress and CPI-M emphasized the severity of the situation, demanding immediate action to prevent further incitement to violence and ensure social harmony in the state.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2021191829727699151&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=88e5b5d00d80ee26809a300dd6a9943ea7e521aa&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 600px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>SIR in West Bengal&nbsp;Last month, Nobel laureate economist&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/amartya-sen-flags-hurried-bengal-voter-roll-revision-as-unjust-to-democracy" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Amartya Sen</a>&nbsp;raised serious concerns over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal, calling the exercise hurried, unjust to voters, and potentially damaging to democratic participation as the state heads toward assembly elections in the coming months. He said that, though he was not an election expert, others had told him the BJP might benefit from undercounting.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says, ‘The war against illegal Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh will continue. Lakhs of 'doubtful voters' have been deleted.’

Assam CM declares 'war' on illegal immigrants; 0.24M names removed from voter rolls

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh&rsquo;s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called on citizens to vote &ldquo;without fear and with courage&rdquo; in Thursday&rsquo;s 13th Jatiya Sangsad (<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/younger-bangladesh-voters-primed-for-first-posthasina-election" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">parliamentary elections</a>) and a landmark referendum on the July National Charter, describing the twin votes as a historic turning point for the country&rsquo;s democratic future.&nbsp;In a televised address to the nation on Tuesday evening, Yunus said the polls mark a decisive moment following a long struggle against authoritarianism and the July mass uprising that reshaped the political landscape.&nbsp;&ldquo;Some days come in the life of every nation that have far-reaching significance,&rdquo; he said, adding that voters will not only elect a new government but also determine the future structure of the state through the referendum.&nbsp;The Chief Adviser said 51 political parties &mdash; the highest number in the country&rsquo;s history &mdash; and more than 2,000 candidates, including independents, are contesting the election. He termed the campaign period &ldquo;remarkably peaceful&rdquo; compared to previous polls, while expressing sorrow over isolated incidents of violence that claimed lives.&nbsp;&ldquo;This election is not just another routine poll but the first national election following a mass uprising,&rdquo; Yunus said. &ldquo;Through your ballots, the demands once voiced on the streets will now be expressed constitutionally.&rdquo;&nbsp;He urged young and women voters, many of whom he said were deprived of meaningful voting opportunities for 17 years, to treat the ballot as their &ldquo;first true political statement.&rdquo; A single vote, he added, would not only choose a government but respond to years of &ldquo;silence and unchecked fascism.&rdquo;&nbsp;Massive security, record staffingAuthorities have mounted one of the largest election operations in Bangladesh&rsquo;s history.&nbsp;According to the Election Commission (EC), a total of 7,85,225 officials will be deployed nationwide to conduct the polls at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladesh-elections-2034-candidates-in-race-as-electioneering-ends-tuesday" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">42,779 polling centers.</a>&nbsp;The workforce includes 69 returning officers, 598 assistant returning officers, 42,779 presiding officers, 2,47,482 assistant presiding officers and 4,94,964 polling officers.&nbsp;In parallel, security has been significantly reinforced. The Bangladesh Army has deployed at least 150,000 troops across the country ahead of the February 12 vote to ensure public safety. Overall, around 900,000 personnel from the military, paramilitary and law enforcement agencies are in the field, with deployments set to continue for seven days after the elections.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2021192821349417442&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin%2F&sessionId=ac6479d70a349e5b3229f44cd4ec8849e9268f08&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>The security apparatus includes armoured vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), electronic surveillance systems, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams and specialised intelligence and reconnaissance units.&nbsp;Yunus said law enforcement agencies, supported by armed forces personnel vested with magisterial powers, would act firmly against violence, intimidation, vote manipulation or rumour-mongering &mdash; both offline and online.&nbsp;Technology is also being used extensively, with CCTV cameras installed widely, body-worn cameras for polling officials, and drones deployed to monitor sensitive areas.&nbsp;Referendum to shape future reformsAlongside parliamentary elections, voters will decide on the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladesh-elections-2034-candidates-in-race-as-electioneering-ends-tuesday" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">July National Charter,</a> a reform document drafted after nine months of consultations with more than 30 political parties through the National Consensus Commission.&nbsp;Yunus described the charter as a roadmap for political stability, accountable governance, economic restructuring and equal rights, saying its implementation requires direct public endorsement.&nbsp;&ldquo;Your every vote here will lay the foundation for the future state system. Its impact will last for many generations,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Dismissing rumours that the interim administration would delay transferring power, Yunus assured citizens that the elected government would assume office promptly once the results are finalised.&nbsp;Calling on voters to head to polling stations &ldquo;with hope, not fear,&rdquo; he said: &ldquo;The key to the country is in your hands. Use that key properly.&rdquo;&nbsp;Polling for both the general election and referendum will be held on February 12 nationwide.

Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. (Photo: BSS)

Bangladesh

Chief Adviser says the polls mark a decisive moment following a long struggle against authoritarianism and the July mass uprising that reshaped the political landscape.

Articles by Ali Andaz Haider

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