Azhar Javaid

KUWAIT CITY: Pakistan on Thursday formally assumed the presidency of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) during a handover ceremony at the body&rsquo;s 5th General Assembly in Kuwait, attended by senior officials and representatives from 16 member states. Information Technology and Telecommunication Minister Shiza Fatima Khawaja represented Pakistan at the ceremony, taking over the presidency and reaffirming Islamabad&rsquo;s commitment to digital cooperation, inclusion and shared technological progress. In a video message posted by the DCO on its official Instagram page, Khawaja thanked the organization&rsquo;s leadership and accepted the presidency on behalf of Pakistan. &ldquo;First of all, I would like to thank the Secretary General, Deemah Al-Yahya, for her continuous leadership of the Digital Cooperation Organization over the past five years,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I would also like to humbly accept the presidency of the DCO on behalf of Pakistan. It is an absolute honor, and one that comes with great responsibility, to work collaboratively on our shared digital future,&rdquo; Khawaja added. Emphasizing cooperation among member states, she said, &ldquo;At the DCO, we believe in the power of collaboration, especially in the field of digital cooperation.&rdquo; The DCO is a multilateral platform focused on advancing digital infrastructure, data governance and international collaboration. Pakistan&rsquo;s presidency is expected to prioritize inclusive digital growth, cybersecurity, digital literacy and responsible adoption of emerging technologies. Officials said Pakistan&rsquo;s leadership of the organization reflects its expanding role in global digital policy discussions and its push for equitable access to technology across developing and emerging economies.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan IT Minister Shiza Fatima Khawaja assumes DCO presidency in Kuwait, pledging collaboration, inclusion and shared digital progress among member states at fifth General Assembly.

Pakistan assumes DCO presidency, pledges inclusive digital future

MUMBAI: At least 18 people died Thursday after an explosion ripped through an illegal coal mine in the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya, officials said.&nbsp;&quot;During the course of the rescue operation, a total of 18 dead bodies have been recovered from the site of the explosion,&quot; local police said in a statement.&nbsp;Eight other people were injured, said Manish Kumar, top official in East Jaintia Hills district where the explosion happened.&nbsp;Rescuers were digging through the rubble at the site to find out if more miners were trapped inside but the operations halted at sundown.&nbsp;Kumar said it was an &quot;illegal rat-hole mine&quot; and that authorities were awaiting personnel from state and federal disaster management agencies to resume the search on Friday morning.&nbsp;Rat-hole mines are deep vertical shafts dug mostly into hillsides that branch out into narrow tunnels to reach and retrieve coal and other minerals.&nbsp;A federal environment court banned rat-hole mining in Meghalaya in 2014 after local communities complained it was polluting water sources and putting lives at risk.&nbsp;But it&#39;s still widely practised across the state, especially in the East Jaintia Hills.&nbsp;District police chief Vikash Kumar told AFP that the explosion was likely due to a dynamite blast but added that further forensic investigation was underway.&nbsp;&quot;After the explosion, a fire happened. Lots of toxic gas has accumulated,&quot; Vikash Kumar said.&nbsp;Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K. Sangma said a &quot;comprehensive inquiry&quot; had been ordered into the incident and promised accountability.&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was &quot;pained by the mishap&quot;.&nbsp;&quot;Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest,&quot; he said in a statement on social media.&nbsp;The families of the deceased would receive 200,000 rupees ($2,216) compensation, the statement said.

Asia

At least 18 people were killed after an explosion at an illegal coal mine in India’s northeastern state of Meghalaya. Police said all bodies were recovered during rescue operations at the site on Thursday.

Explosion in illegal Indian coal mine kills 18: police

KYIV: Ukraine and Russia have conducted their first prisoner exchange in months, each releasing at least 157 people, both countries said Thursday, amid US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi aimed at ending the war.&nbsp;The two sides have in the past conducted several rounds of prisoner swaps, one of the rare areas of direct cooperation between Ukraine and Russia amid the four-year war, but last month Kyiv accused Moscow of halting the exchanges.&nbsp;On Thursday, amid three-way talks in <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/ukraine-delegation-arrives-in-uae-for-russia-talks" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Abu Dhabi</a>, the countries swapped 157 captured soldiers and civilians each in an exchange mediated by Washington -- the first since October.&nbsp;&quot;Today&#39;s exchange came after a long pause, and it is critical that we were able to make it happen. I thank everyone who works to make these exchanges possible,&quot; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media.&nbsp;Images he posted showed the released prisoners, their heads freshly shaven, wrapped in Ukrainian flags and smiling amid falling snow.&nbsp;Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said among the 157 Ukrainians released &quot;are seven civilians and those whom the Russians unlawfully convicted.&quot;&nbsp;Zelensky&#39;s aide Kyrylo Budanov said that in the group of the freed prisoners were 19 Ukrainians &quot;who were illegally sentenced, 15 of them to life imprisonment.&quot;&nbsp;Russia, who said the United States and United Arab Emirates acted as mediators for the exchange, announced earlier it had handed over 157 Ukrainian soldiers and that 157 Russian servicemen were returned.&nbsp;&quot;In addition, three Russian citizens, residents of the Kursk region... &nbsp;will be returned home,&quot; the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;Ukrainian forces launched a surprise incursion into Russia&#39;s western Kursk region in 2024.

Europe

Ukraine and Russia carried out their first prisoner exchange in months, releasing 157 people each during US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi. The swap included soldiers and civilians and was welcomed by President Zelensky on Thursday.

Ukraine, Russia exchange POWs for first time in months

LONDON: England Test captain Ben Stokes has suffered a severe facial injury after being struck by a cricket ball.&nbsp;The 34-year-old all-rounder posted a picture on Instagram showing his right eye heavily swollen and bruised, a graze on his cheek and lip, and a bandage stuffed in his nose.&nbsp;&quot;You should see the state of the cricket ball,&quot; read Stokes&#39; caption of the picture, alongside a laughing face emoji.&nbsp;Stokes is back in England following a woeful Ashes tour, which ended with a 4-1 series loss to Australia last month.&nbsp;Although Stokes has made it clear he wants to continue to captain the red-ball side, his position remains uncertain amid an England and Wales Cricket Board review.&nbsp;England coach Brendon McCullum has labelled some of the ensuing fall-out from the Ashes &quot;out of order&quot;.&nbsp;Stokes is no longer a member of England&#39;s white-ball set-up and won&#39;t feature in the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka that starts this weekend.&nbsp;He could next play for Durham in the early rounds of the County Championship before England begin their home Test season against New Zealand at Lord&#39;s on June 4 -- Stokes&#39;s 35th birthday.&nbsp;Stokes is currently recovering from an adductor injury suffered during the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney in January.&nbsp;The injury prevented him from bowling in Australia&#39;s second innings and completed a frustrating tour for the England skipper, who bowled well throughout the series but struggled with the bat.&nbsp;Stokes&#39; groin problem is the latest of several injuries that have blighted his career.&nbsp;In 2024, he tore his hamstring twice and he finished last season&#39;s home series against India on the sidelines due to a shoulder problem, having undergone an operation in late 2023 to deal with knee issues.&nbsp;Stokes is contracted by England until the end of the 2027 home season summer and he may now avoid entering next month&#39;s auction for the Hundred, leaving him free to focus on the Test team.

Cricket

England captain Ben Stokes suffered a facial injury after being hit by a cricket ball. He is recovering from injuries and remains uncertain about his future after the Ashes loss.

England captain Stokes suffers facial injury after being hit by ball

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Islamabad on Thursday for a two-day state visit aimed at deepening Pakistan&ndash;Uzbekistan ties, according to a Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office statement.&nbsp;Mirziyoyev, accompanied by a high-level delegation of cabinet ministers and business leaders, was welcomed at Nur Khan Airbase with a red-carpet ceremony. A 21-gun salute was fired, while a contingent of the Pakistan Armed Forces presented a guard of honor. Children in traditional dress waved the flags of both nations and presented floral bouquets to the visiting leader.&nbsp;Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif greeted the Uzbek president, describing the visit as an opportunity to &ldquo;further strengthen the close and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan and translate political understanding into concrete economic outcomes.&rdquo;&nbsp;The visit comes amid intensified regional engagement by Islamabad, following the 10th session of the Pakistan&ndash;Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Commission earlier this week, where both sides agreed on a time-bound plan to raise bilateral trade to $2 billion within three years. It also follows a high-level visit by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, underscoring Pakistan&rsquo;s push to strengthen economic and connectivity links with Central Asian partners.&nbsp;During a joint press appearance, PM Sharif praised Mirziyoyev&rsquo;s contributions to regional peace and development, stating:&nbsp;&ldquo;I would also like to convey my heartfelt congratulations on being awarded the highest civil award of Pakistan, Nishan-e-Pakistan, for your great services and contribution to strengthen our brotherly relations and your commitment to convert these friendly relations into economic cooperation, trade, and investment.&rdquo;&nbsp;Sharif highlighted the shared historical, spiritual and cultural heritage linking the two countries, noting:&nbsp;&ldquo;The Mughal legacy from the valley of Fergana and the intellectual luminaries of Samarkand and Bukhara have marked Pakistan&rsquo;s history. These historical facts provide a very sound foundation for our durable relations and a very bright future.&rdquo;&nbsp;The leaders inaugurated the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), a mechanism to implement bilateral decisions more effectively. They discussed regional projects, including the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) railway, which Sharif described as &ldquo;a game changer, not only for our countries but for the entire region.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;We have agreed to constitute a working group to chart out a five-year plan covering all spheres of economic activity,&rdquo; Sharif added, emphasizing a commitment to move beyond virtual meetings:&nbsp;&ldquo;I will land in Tashkent with my delegation, drive straight to your office for a two-hour working session, and return. Then you will kindly come to Islamabad for a similar session. This will be a sure and speeded form to achieve great dividends.&rdquo;&nbsp;The two sides signed a Joint Declaration on the outcomes of Mirziyoyev&rsquo;s visit, along with 28 agreements and memoranda of understanding across trade, investment, mining, health, IT, agriculture, education and tourism.&nbsp;As part of the state visit, the leaders unveiled plaques for Tashkent Street and Babur Park in Islamabad. Mirziyoyev also visited the Global Industrial &amp; Defense Solutions facility, meeting Pakistan Chief of Army Staff &amp; Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir to discuss defense cooperation and review modern Pakistani military equipment.&nbsp;Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar described the visit as a milestone in Pakistan-Uzbekistan relations:&nbsp;&ldquo;Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen and diversify the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.&rdquo;&nbsp;This is Mirziyoyev&rsquo;s second visit to Pakistan in four years, reflecting what officials describe as the &ldquo;upward trajectory&rdquo; of bilateral relations, rooted in shared history, culture, and a common vision for peace and prosperity in Central and South Asia.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev begins two-day state visit as Islamabad, Tashkent sign 28 agreements, pledging to raise bilateral trade to $2 billion and expand cooperation.

Pakistan, Uzbekistan seal 28 deals, target $2 billion trade expansion

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong on Thursday, with both sides condemning recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan and reaffirming their commitment to strengthening security cooperation under the China-Pakistan strategic partnership.&nbsp;During the meeting at the Interior Ministry, the Chinese envoy expressed condolences over the loss of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/12-indianbacked-militants-killed-in-clearance-operation-after-terrorists-attack-in-police-station-banks-pakistan-army" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">civilian and security personnel&#39;s lives</a>&nbsp;in the attacks and conveyed China&rsquo;s solidarity with the affected families. He said Beijing strongly opposes terrorism in all its forms and stands firmly with Pakistan in its fight against militancy, according to an official statement.&nbsp;&nbsp;Naqvi said the attacks in Balochistan were carried out under what he described as a &ldquo;well-planned and organized scheme,&rdquo; adding that Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces had&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-security-forces-kill-216-terrorists-in-balochistan-operation-military" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">responded in a timely and effective manner</a>.&nbsp;He briefed the ambassador on ongoing security operations in the province and on measures being taken to protect Chinese nationals and projects in Pakistan, calling their safety a top priority.&nbsp;Naqvi said Pakistan was in the process of establishing a Special Protection Unit for Chinese citizens and added that modern Chinese technology and equipment would support coordinated counter-terrorism operations.&nbsp;The two sides discussed counter-terrorism, internal security cooperation, intelligence sharing, and collaboration in tackling cybercrime, according to an official statement.&nbsp;Both Naqvi and Jiang reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the China-Pakistan strategic partnership. The Chinese ambassador thanked Pakistan for the steps taken to ensure the security of Chinese nationals, while Naqvi expressed appreciation for China&rsquo;s continued support for Pakistan.&nbsp;Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, senior Interior Ministry officials, and Chinese embassy representatives were also present at the meeting.

Ambassador Jiang Zaidong meets Mohsin Naqvi

Security

The Chinese envoy expresses condolences over the loss of civilian and security personnel's lives in the attacks and conveyed China’s solidarity with the affected families

Pakistan, China reaffirm security cooperation after Balochistan attacks

TOKYO: Japanese giant Sony hiked its full-year forecasts on Thursday, as a weaker yen compensates for its ageing PlayStation games console and a memory chip crunch.&nbsp;Sony now expects net profit of 1.13 trillion yen ($7.2 billion) in the 2025-26 fiscal year, up from its previous projection of 1.05 trillion yen, and a 6%&nbsp;rise on last year.&nbsp;It also projected a 20.6%&nbsp;rise in operating profit and revenues of 12.3 trillion yen, up 2.2%, as well as an improved operating margin of 12.5%, a statement said.&nbsp;For its third quarter, Sony&#39;s net profit rose 11%, and revenues were up 1%. Operating income of 515 billion yen beat analysts&#39; expectations.&nbsp;Sony&#39;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/marvels-wolverine-trailer-delivers-cuttingedge-graphics-gritty-violence" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">PlayStation 5</a>&nbsp;(PS5), launched in 2020, is beginning to get old, and sales volumes of the games console fell 16%&nbsp;in the last quarter.&nbsp;The company offered steep discounts on the device last year in an attempt to boost demand.&nbsp;However, the Japanese group, like its competitors worldwide, is suffering from a growing shortage of memory chips.&nbsp;That is driving up the prices of the chips and eroding the profit margins of all sorts of electronic goods.&nbsp;Shares in Nintendo, maker of the rival Switch 2, dived 11%&nbsp;on Wednesday over concerns about software sales and the impact of the memory chip supply crunch.&nbsp;Sony shares initially soared almost 6%&nbsp;on Thursday but were flat in late trade in a falling overall market.&nbsp;&lsquo;AI boom&rsquo;The artificial intelligence boom has pushed up prices and shipments of conventional NAND and DRAM memory chips, while demand for high‑bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in AI servers has soared.&nbsp;&quot;It will definitely get more difficult to offer reduced prices (of the PS5) this year than in 2025,&quot; gaming industry consultant Serkan Toto told AFP.&nbsp;Sony did not comment on the chip issue in its earnings release, which analysts say could also hit its hardware products, such as cameras, TVs, and smartphones, as well as its image sensor segment.&nbsp;Last month, Sony said it was spinning off its home entertainment business, which includes TVs, into a joint venture with Chinese giant TCL.&nbsp;It might also force Sony to delay the launch of a potential PlayStation 6 to the second quarter of 2028, Yasuo Nakane from Mizuho said in a recent note. &#39;Grand Theft Auto VI&#39;&nbsp;The hotly anticipated upcoming release of &quot;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/grand-theft-auto-vi-video-game-delayed-again-until-nov-2026" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Grand Theft Auto VI</a>&quot; is also important for PlayStation&#39;s continued sales.&nbsp;GTA&#39;s creators, Rockstar Games, delayed the launch again last year, this time until November.&nbsp;&quot;In 2026, GTA VI will do to PS5 what Covid did a few years ago to Sony: provide a massive boost, enough to carry the platform to 2028,&quot; Toto said.&nbsp;&quot;Nobody doubts that GTA VI will be the biggest game launch (and perhaps of an entertainment product) of all time.&quot;&nbsp;Sony is also banking on growth in the music division thanks to increased sales related to concerts and merchandise, while results are expected to stagnate in film and consumer electronics.&nbsp;It began reducing its exposure to this low-margin sector several years ago to focus on entertainment and imaging technologies, its main growth drivers.&nbsp;Sony&#39;s forecast for the estimated impact of tariffs this year imposed on Japanese imports by US President Donald Trump&#39;s administration remained at 50 billion yen.

People walk past the Sony headquarters in Tokyo on February 10, 2025. (Photo: AFP/File)

Business

It also projects a 20.6% rise in operating profit and revenues of 12.3 trillion yen, up 2.2%, as well as an improved operating margin of 12.5%, a statement said.

Sony hikes forecasts even as PlayStation falters

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces have successfully concluded Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-1 in Balochistan, killing 216 terrorists in a series of intelligence-based clearance operations against what the military described as Indian-sponsored terrorist elements, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.&nbsp;In a statement, the military&rsquo;s media wing said the days-long operation involved coordinated, swift, and intelligence-driven actions aimed at neutralizing terrorist networks attempting to disrupt peace and development by targeting innocent civilians, including women and children.&nbsp;The operation was launched following a spate of coordinated <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/12-indianbacked-militants-killed-in-clearance-operation-after-terrorists-attack-in-police-station-banks-pakistan-army" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">terrorist attacks across Balochistan</a> on Jan. 31, which paralyzed normal life in several parts of the province.&nbsp;&ldquo;As a result of these well-coordinated engagements and subsequent clearance operations, 216 terrorists have been sent to hell, significantly degrading the leadership, command-and-control structures and operational capabilities of terrorist networks,&rdquo; the ISPR said.&nbsp;It said Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces, law enforcement agencies, and intelligence services carried out the operation through meticulous planning, actionable intelligence, and seamless joint execution, responding with precision and resolve.&nbsp;According to the ISPR, 36 civilians, including women and children, were martyred during the terrorist violence, while 22 personnel of the security forces and law enforcement agencies laid down their lives in defense of the country. &ldquo;Their courage, professionalism, and unwavering commitment reflect the highest traditions of service. The nation honors their sacrifices and stands in solidarity with the families of all martyrs,&rdquo; the statement said. Detailing the operational timeline, the ISPR said actions were initiated on Jan. 29 in Panjgur and the outskirts of Harnai district after credible intelligence confirmed the presence of terrorists posing an imminent threat to local populations. During the initial phase, security forces targeted identified terrorist hideouts,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-security-forces-kill-41-terrorists-in-operations-ispr" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">eliminating 41 terrorists linked</a>&nbsp;to Indian proxy networks, the military said. It added that subsequent aggressive responses by security forces thwarted attempts by Fitna-al-Hindustan to destabilize Balochistan, prompting a broader series of intelligence-based operations across multiple areas. &ldquo;These operations focused on dismantling sleeper cells through sustained combing and sanitization actions,&rdquo; the ISPR said, adding that a large cache of foreign-origin weapons, ammunition, explosives, and equipment was recovered. Preliminary assessments, according to the military, indicate systematic external facilitation and logistical support to extremist proxies operating in the province. Reaffirming its resolve, the ISPR said the armed forces remain committed to combating terrorism in all its forms under the framework of the government&rsquo;s National Action Plan (NAP). &ldquo;Counter-terrorism operations will continue with full determination until the complete elimination of terrorist threats,&rdquo; the statement said. The military described Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-1 as a reflection of Pakistan&rsquo;s resolve, particularly that of the people of Balochistan, to choose peace, unity, and development over violence and extremism. Following the Jan. 31 attacks, security forces and law enforcement agencies continued mop-up operations in Nushki district and other areas of the province. Mobile internet services remained suspended in parts of Balochistan for a fifth consecutive day on Wednesday, while train services were also halted as a security precaution.

Security personnel cordon off a road leading to the blast site in Quetta on February 1, 2026, a day after an attack by Baloch separatists. (Photo: AFP/File)

According to the ISPR, 36 civilians, including women and children, were martyred during the terrorist violence, while 22 personnel of the security forces and law enforcement agencies laid down their lives in defense of the country.


Pakistan security forces kill 216 terrorists in Balochistan operation: Military

ISLAMABAD: Former England cricketer Mark Butcher has said the International Cricket Council (ICC) had &ldquo;made its own bed&rdquo; by allowing some teams to refuse to play in certain countries while denying the same option to others.&nbsp;Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast alongside David Lloyd, Michael Vaughan, and Phil Tufnell, Butcher criticized what he described as the &ldquo;nonsense&rdquo; surrounding India&rsquo;s refusal to play Pakistan outside ICC tournaments, calling the overall approach hypocritical. &#39;Pakistan pulled a blinder&#39; Butcher said Pakistan&rsquo;s stance had dealt a major blow to India and the ICC, given the commercial importance of an India-Pakistan fixture.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan have basically pulled a blinder. They have said they still&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-departs-for-t20-world-cup-will-not-play-against-india" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">want to be involved in the tournament</a>, but they are not going to play India. That is the only lever Pakistan have to pull in this situation. For India, that&rsquo;s a disaster,&rdquo; he said.<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" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 524px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" 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=2018975086917964182&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fmedia-library%2F&sessionId=ad2152ad0bfbd2fe032e994bdc015718dac83bd2&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2018975086917964182"></iframe></div></div>Butcher criticized the ICC&rsquo;s handling of security concerns raised by different teams, pointing to Bangladesh&rsquo;s case ahead of the T20 World Cup in India. He said Bangladesh was not given the same options that India had previously received when it refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. He noted that India played all of its Champions Trophy matches, including the semi-final and final, in Dubai after citing security concerns, while Bangladesh&rsquo;s request for similar flexibility was denied.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Pakistan-India game is the most lucrative fixture in world cricket. That&rsquo;s why these two teams are always placed in the same group. It&rsquo;s not a coincidence. Everything is arranged from the top,&rdquo; Butcher said.&nbsp;He added that while most teams qualify and are placed in groups through standard procedures, special arrangements are often made for India due to commercial considerations. &ldquo;With these two teams, it&rsquo;s all about money,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Former England captain Michael Vaughan also questioned the consistency of ICC decisions, saying the governing body appeared to apply different rules to different teams.&nbsp;&ldquo;Is it one rule for one and another for another? India refused to play in Pakistan and got a neutral venue. Bangladesh didn&rsquo;t get the same treatment. That&rsquo;s why Pakistan are taking this stance,&rdquo; Vaughan said.&nbsp;The comments come as reactions continue after the Pakistani government confirmed that the national team would&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-to-play-t20-world-cup-2026-skip-india-match" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">skip the group-stage match against India</a>&nbsp;scheduled for February 15. The decision followed consultations between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. &#39;ICC double standards&#39; Pakistan&rsquo;s move was described by officials as a response to the ICC&rsquo;s &ldquo;double standards&rdquo; in dealing with Bangladesh&rsquo;s security concerns ahead of the tournament.&nbsp;Butcher said Pakistan&rsquo;s refusal to play India was a direct reaction to that decision. &ldquo;If you won&rsquo;t come to us, we won&rsquo;t play against you,&rdquo; he said, summing up Pakistan&rsquo;s position.&nbsp;Following Pakistan&rsquo;s decision, reports say the ICC has been left concerned about the potential financial and logistical fallout, given the massive broadcast and commercial value attached to an India-Pakistan clash.&nbsp;Butcher also highlighted what he described as a power imbalance within international cricket, calling India the most influential and wealthiest nation in the sport.&nbsp;&ldquo;When this happens, it affects all the other teams. Schedules change, teams have to travel to suit India, and everyone else has to fit in,&rdquo; he said.

Former England cricketer says Pakistan’s stance had dealt a major blow to India and the ICC.

ICC ‘hypocrisy’ exposed as Pakistan skips India clash in T20 WC: Mark Butcher

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is observing Kashmir Solidarity Day on Thursday, reaffirming its political, moral, and diplomatic support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and their right to self-determination, as guaranteed under United Nations Security Council resolutions.&nbsp;The day is being marked with rallies, demonstrations, and seminars across the country, while human chains are being formed at all entry points to Azad Jammu and Kashmir to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people.&nbsp;Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed every year on Feb. 5 to show support for the people of the occupied territory in their just struggle for the right to self-determination. Over the last couple of years, international organizations, including the United Nations experts, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Freedom House, and the US State Department, have <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/11/un-experts-alarmed-indian-counter-terrorism-operations-violating-human?utm_source=chatgpt.com" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">documented</a> arbitrary detentions without court orders or due process, restrictions on press and internet access, abuse in custody, <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/09/india-authorities-must-end-repression-of-dissent-in-jammu-and-kashmir/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">repression of dissent</a>, <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/08/14/india-new-reports-extrajudicial-killings-kashmir" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">extrajudicial killings</a> and <a href="https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/india/" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">minimal credible</a> steps or action to identify and punish officials who committed human rights abuses.&nbsp;&lsquo;Call for international action&rsquo;In his message on the occasion, President Asif Ali Zardari said the people of Pakistan stood united with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their &ldquo;just and legitimate struggle&rdquo; for freedom. He reiterated that Kashmiris have an inalienable right to determine their future through a free and impartial plebiscite.&nbsp;The president expressed deep concern over the prevailing situation in IIOJK, particularly following India&rsquo;s unilateral actions of Aug. 5, 2019, which he said had further aggravated the plight of the Kashmiri people.&nbsp;He said India had intensified efforts to consolidate its control through administrative and legislative measures, curbed media freedoms, incarcerated political leadership, and attempted to alter the demographic composition of the territory.&nbsp;Citing international reports, President Zardari highlighted arbitrary detentions, collective punishment, punitive house demolition,s and restrictions on digital freedoms, including the blocking of thousands of social media accounts. He termed the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-condemns-reported-profiling-of-mosques-in-iiojk" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">profiling of mosques</a>&nbsp;and their management committees as deliberate intimidation and a violation of religious freedom.&nbsp;The president warned that India&rsquo;s military escalation in May 2025 underscored the fragility of peace in South Asia, stressing that lasting regional stability was not possible without a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He urged the international community to move beyond expressions of concern and press India to end human rights violations and allow unhindered access to international observers.&nbsp;&lsquo;Violations of UN Charter&rsquo;Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message, said Kashmir Solidarity Day was a reminder of Pakistan&rsquo;s unwavering commitment to the Kashmiri cause. He described the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as one of the oldest unresolved issues on the UN agenda. He said Kashmiris had been denied their right to self-determination for nearly eight decades due to India&rsquo;s intransigence.&nbsp;The prime minister said Indian actions since August 2019 violated the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions and the Fourth Geneva Convention, adding that efforts to change the legal and demographic status of the territory could not absolve India of its international obligations.&nbsp;Sharif said Pakistan had consistently raised the Kashmir issue at international forums, including the UN General Assembly, and would continue to support the Kashmiri people until they achieved their right to self-determination. &ldquo;Pakistan will stand shoulder to shoulder with Kashmiris until freedom is achieved,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;&lsquo;Unwavering support&rsquo;Meanwhile, in their messages on Kashmir Solidarity Day, Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and the armed forces of Pakistan reaffirmed unwavering support for the resilient people of IIOJK in their struggle for self-determination.&nbsp;According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistan Armed Forces said a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, remains essential for lasting peace and stability in South Asia.&nbsp;&lsquo;Tribute to resilient Kashmiris&rsquo;Leaders in Azad Jammu and Kashmir also reiterated full solidarity with the people of IIOJK, paying tribute to their resilience and sacrifices. They said continued repression, heavy militarization and curbs on political and religious freedoms had failed to break the resolve of the Kashmiri people.&nbsp;They called on the international community to take concrete steps to address what they described as grave human rights violations in the occupied territory and to ensure the implementation of UN resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.

The day is being marked with rallies, demonstrations, and seminars across the country, while human chains are being formed at all entry points to Azad Jammu and Kashmir to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people

Articles by Azhar Javaid

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