Ibrahim Babakhel

ISLAMABAD: India Ministry of Communications has ordered all phone manufacturers to preload the state-run &ldquo;Sanchar Saathi&rdquo; application on new devices, local media reported Monday, with companies given 90 days to comply and no option for users to delete the app. In a press release issued last week, India&rsquo;s Information Bureau urged citizens to adopt the platform, stating: &ldquo;The government has also implemented the Sanchar Saathi initiative, providing digital tools for citizens to verify and secure their mobile connections.&rdquo; Although Indian media assert the application will help curb crime and support law enforcement, digital rights and cybersecurity experts warn the measure poses serious risks to user privacy. Digital Rights Expert Haroon Baloch told Pakistan TV that the app&rsquo;s surveillance reach is &ldquo;unconstitutional and breaches rights to safety and security.&rdquo; He said, &ldquo;a very big question of privacy arises,&rdquo; calling the mechanism &ldquo;spying on the users, thereby limiting the users&rsquo; privacy.&rdquo; Baloch explained that while tracking traffic data, such as IMEI numbers, SIMs, and tower signals, can reveal location, the app demands significantly broader access. &ldquo;This means the state can access information stored inside your mobile phone, including access to the gallery, phone book, and messages,&rdquo; he said. Pakistan TV Digital reviewed the extensive permissions sought by the application. Cybersecurity Analyst Anees Qureshi stressed that the undeletable nature of the app heightens the threat. &ldquo;You cannot uninstall this app, allowing it to tap your phone 24/7, and it can also download other apps without the permission of the user,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The concerning part is that they are making this app part of the Operating System, thus making these permissions mandatory.&rdquo; Experts also questioned whether the tool would meaningfully bolster national security. &ldquo;Terror groups and other non-state actors use more sophisticated communications and phones,&rdquo; Baloch noted, adding that such measures may only assist in addressing low-level crimes rather than serious threats.

Gadgets

India has mandated its “Sanchar Saathi” app on all new phones, making it undeletable. Experts warn it threatens privacy, granting the state extensive access to personal data and device functions

India imposes undeletable surveillance app, drawing sharp privacy backlash

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, in his opening address at the 6th Margalla Dialogue on Tuesday, warned of escalating geopolitical instability and the weakening of international institutions. &ldquo;In my recent statements on multilateral forums, including the UN Security Council, I have repeatedly warned that humanity is facing unprecedented challenges that threaten to disrupt global peace, security, and development,&rdquo; Dar told diplomats, policy experts, and academics attending the conference. This year&rsquo;s dialogue, organized by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute, focused on the theme &ldquo;The Future of Global Order: Cooperation or Confrontation.&rdquo; Dar described the forum as &ldquo;timely and essential,&rdquo; acknowledging the organizers for convening a strategic policy conversation at a critical moment. He said the erosion of global governance mechanisms had become increasingly visible. &ldquo;There is a strong perception, backed by the examples of Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir, that the Security Council is failing to fulfill its primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security,&rdquo; he said. Dar reaffirmed that Pakistan would prioritize geoeconomics, regional connectivity, and international partnerships to unlock growth. He urged participants to &ldquo;explore practical pathways toward a more peaceful and equitable global order.&rdquo; Senator Mushahid Hussain said at the conference that the world was &ldquo;witnessing the birth of a new global order,&rdquo; arguing that &ldquo;the old Western-led system is no longer credible.&rdquo; He added that recent conflicts had demonstrated that &ldquo;size no longer equals strength,&rdquo; referencing geopolitical shifts in South Asia and the Middle East. Victor Z. Gao, chairman of the Energy Security Institute, reiterated China&rsquo;s strategic partnership with Pakistan, saying, &ldquo;China and Pakistan are iron-clad friends,&rdquo; while noting that &ldquo;China and the United States should remain ever grateful to Pakistan for bringing them together in 1971.&rdquo; Danial Dunde, senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a US-based think-tank, told Pakistan TV Digital that Pakistan and the US were now &ldquo;the closest they have been in 15 years.&rdquo; He added that Washington was increasingly viewing Pakistan &ldquo;not from an Indian or Chinese lens, but from Pakistan&rsquo;s own image.&rdquo; The Gaza crisis featured prominently throughout the dialogue, with several speakers calling it &ldquo;a genocide unfolding in real time,&rdquo; warning that global inaction had further eroded the credibility of multilateral institutions. Sessions on Pakistan&rsquo;s copper and lithium reserves highlighted these resources as &ldquo;strategic assets&rdquo; capable of boosting Pakistan&rsquo;s economic position in the emerging global market for critical minerals.

Security

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar says the international system is under severe strain, citing failures of multilateral institutions on Palestine and Kashmir, as Margalla Dialogue 2025 speakers urged renewed cooperation, geoeconomic priorities, and regional connectivity


At Margalla Dialogue 2025, Pakistan warns of global order facing historic reckoning

ISLAMABAD: India&rsquo;s ruling party released a music video, &ldquo;Modi Hai Toh Mumkin Hai,&rdquo; earlier this month, to promote and celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi; instead, it&rsquo;s become one of the most-rejected videos in recent Indian internet history.&nbsp;The track, produced by the heavyweight label T-Series, has garnered an estimated 90 percent dislikes, with approximately 440,222 of these by Wednesday, according to independent tracking tools. On YouTube, where dislike counts are hidden, such a ratio is almost unheard of. Even the notorious YouTube Rewind 2018, the most disliked video and long held as the internet&rsquo;s ultimate cringe event, didn&rsquo;t cross the 90 percent mark.&nbsp;In the video, Bollywood regulars such as Rajkummar Rao, Varun Dhawan, and Arshad Warsi, among others, featured singing along.&nbsp;Percent-wise, the rejection is extremely rare but not unprecedented. In 2020, Mahesh Bhatt&rsquo;s Sadak 2 trailer suffered a similar digital mutiny, with roughly 95% dislikes after calls to boycott &ldquo;nepotism cinema.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;BJP IT-cell head Amit Malviya dismissed screenshots as fake, arguing that dislike counts are hidden. Yet, multiple third-party audit tools confirm the ratio, revealing one of the largest online disapprovals for any state-endorsed media project. <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; line-height: 2;"><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=1978875505450586259&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=43b92c7a450fb8983d3be099a4d14e04c98508bd&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Ironically, a parody uploaded just days later: &ldquo;Godi Hai Toh Mumkin Hai&rdquo; by the YouTuber Khota Sikka amassed more likes than the original, turning satire into social commentary. <div class="fr-embed youtube-embed" style="line-height: 2;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d1Jv1Cv3Cv8?si=ImlUCGA_ZOyZhl0u" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" style="width: 100%; height: auto; aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; max-width: 100%; display: block;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe>&nbsp;</div>&nbsp;The episode fits neatly into a decade-long pattern of image-driven politics: hologram rallies, Modi photobooths, seaplane photo-ops, peacock-feeding videos, and the cosmetic &ldquo;city makeovers&rdquo; ahead of global summits. Each spectacle markets Modi as a brand; critics argue that each backlash suggests that brand fatigue has set in.&nbsp;What the BJP framed as a rousing anthem of hope now reads, to many, as a political remix no one asked for. The government&rsquo;s billion-dollar PR machine may still hum, but the audience seems to be reaching for the skip button.

India

India’s ruling BJP’s new promotional music video, “Modi Hai Toh Mumkin Hai,” has backfired spectacularly, drawing nearly 90% dislikes online. Despite official denials, third-party tools confirm massive public rejection, signaling growing fatigue with Modi’s image politics.

From melody to mockery: Modi’s anthem drowns in dislikes

Maryam Shah

ISLAMABAD: In a city better known for its politics than its cinema, a dark, slow-burning thriller is quietly rewriting Pakistan&rsquo;s film narrative.&nbsp;Jujji, a true-crime drama born out of Rawalpindi&rsquo;s narrow streets and indie grit, has captured international attention, earning a global distribution deal with US company Buffalo 8 and a feature on Variety, the Hollywood trade publication.&nbsp;Directed by Habib Shahzad and written by Ahmad Umar Ayaz, the film follows two police officers, one idealistic, one cynical, as they hunt a serial killer terrorizing Rawalpindi. What begins as a gripping manhunt unfolds into a reflection on morality, guilt, and the blurred line between justice and vengeance.&nbsp;Developed over two years and filmed entirely on location, Jujji will debut on Amazon Prime Video and Verizon Fios/Vubiquity in the US and UK on November 21, before its theatrical release in Pakistan.&nbsp;The trailer premiered on Variety, where critics hailed it as a bold, genre-defying work that &ldquo;merges authentic South Asian storytelling with the universal appeal of true-crime cinema.&rdquo;&nbsp;What began as a modest collaboration between BHM Films and Yūgen Studios has evolved into a statement on Pakistan&rsquo;s growing ability to tell globally resonant stories.&nbsp;The film swept multiple awards at the Gandhara Independent Film Festival and the Punjab Police Film Festival, where it was praised for its realism and emotional depth.&nbsp;&ldquo;Jujji is not just a film; it&rsquo;s a reflection of Pakistan&rsquo;s streets, fears, and resilience,&rdquo; said director Habib Shahzad. &ldquo;We wanted to tell a story that is rooted in our soil yet universal in its emotion.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hashim Zafar Wadhen, head of research and development at Yūgen Studios, told Pakistan TV Digital that the film&rsquo;s success demonstrates the global potential of locally grounded stories.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistani films can travel across borders when grounded in local realities but crafted with global sensibilities,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Beyond its crime and suspense, Jujji is also a cinematic love letter to Rawalpindi. Its flickering streetlights, crowded alleys, and flawed heroes.&nbsp;What started as a self-funded indie project now stands shoulder to shoulder with international releases. As its shadowy world prepares to stream worldwide, Jujji signals a confident new era for Pakistani cinema, one where local storytelling meets global ambition.&nbsp;Jujji will be available On Demand internationally from November 21, with its Pakistan release to follow. <div class="fr-embed youtube-embed" style="line-height: 2;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CAjSMv3Kj-I?si=K5RlaWp_G7NTfyUf" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" style="width: 100%; height: auto; aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; max-width: 100%; display: block;"></iframe> </div>

Film & TV

Jujji, a true-crime thriller set in Rawalpindi, follows two police officers hunting a serial killer. It has earned global acclaim and will stream internationally from November 21.

Rawalpindi’s crime drama ‘Jujji’ takes Pakistani cinema to world stage

ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom (UK) may suspend visa access for countries that refuse to take back deported nationals, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said after hosting a key meeting of the &ldquo;Five Eyes&rdquo; security alliance in London. &ldquo;If countries don&rsquo;t play ball, we will take action, including possibly cutting visas in the future,&rdquo; Mahmood told reporters at a press conference. The Five Eyes summit brought together security ministers from the UK, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The talks focused on joint efforts to dismantle people-smuggling networks, tackle online child sexual abuse, and curb the spread of synthetic opioids. Mahmood emphasized that securing the UK&rsquo;s borders is her &ldquo;top priority.&rdquo; The UK already has migrant return agreements in place with countries including Albania, India, Vietnam, and Nigeria. Nations that fail to cooperate on deportations now risk visa restrictions for their citizens. So far this year, more than 30,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats. A figure Mahmood described as &ldquo;utterly unacceptable.&rdquo; Critics warn of diplomatic falloutOpposition politicians and migrant rights groups have warned that imposing visa sanctions could damage diplomatic relations and complicate forced removals. Still, Mahmood defended the approach, citing the scale of the migration crisis: &ldquo;I will do whatever it takes.&rdquo; Historic appointment, high stakesMahmood&rsquo;s appointment as Home Secretary is historic: she is the first Muslim woman and first British-Pakistani to hold the role. The milestone has drawn both praise and heightened scrutiny. As she moves to reshape UK immigration policy, Mahmood faces the dual challenges of delivering swift, visible results while managing the diplomatic and public pressures that come with one of Britain&rsquo;s most politically charged portfolios.

United Kingdom

UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood warned that countries refusing to accept deported nationals could face visa suspensions

UK mulls visa restrictions for countries that refuse migrant returns

Faraz Saeed

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced the cancellation of her scheduled Basant-related engagements, including a major official event in Lahore, following a deadly suicide blast at a Shiite Imambargah in Islamabad.&nbsp;&ldquo;In the wake of the Islamabad tragedy, I am cancelling all my Basant-related activities that were scheduled for tomorrow,&rdquo; Sharif said in a post.&nbsp;She added, &ldquo;The mega Basant show at the Liberty Square also stands cancelled.&rdquo;&nbsp;She stressed that the decision was taken in light of the national security situation and called for unity against militancy.&nbsp;&ldquo;It is imperative that the nation remains united against the Khwarji [terrorists] menace and their &lsquo;sympathisers&rsquo;, shows them no mercy, and stands shoulder to shoulder with our Armed Forces in defense of the country,&rdquo; she wrote, concluding with, &ldquo;Pakistan Zindabad.&rdquo;&nbsp;The announcement followed a suicide blast at the Imambargah Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra mosque in Islamabad&rsquo;s Tarlai area during Friday prayers. At least 31 people were killed and 169 wounded, according to officials, with the toll expected to rise as several injured remain in critical condition.&nbsp;In a separate statement, the Punjab chief minister outlined emergency measures ordered by her government to assist victims. &ldquo;25 fully equipped emergency ambulances have been dispatched to Islamabad for the victims of the Imambargah blast,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;She added that &ldquo;all hospitals across Rawalpindi District have been placed on high alert, with surgical teams, anesthetists, orthopedic and neurosurgical specialists on standby.&rdquo;&nbsp;According to her post, &ldquo;blood banks are fully staffed, and operation theatres are fully equipped to ensure prompt and effective medical care for the injured,&rdquo; while the commissioner and deputy commissioner of Rawalpindi had been directed &ldquo;to extend every possible assistance.&rdquo;&nbsp;Expressing grief over the attack, Sharif said she was &ldquo;deeply saddened by the tragic blast at an Imambargah in Islamabad.&rdquo;&nbsp;She added, &ldquo;My heart goes out to the victims and their families during this painful time. Prayers for the swift recovery of the injured, and may Allah grant patience and strength to all those affected. Ameen.&rdquo;&nbsp;The blast occurred amid heightened security challenges in Pakistan and cast a shadow over Basant, the spring kite-flying festival that had just returned to Lahore after authorities lifted a ban in place for more than two decades for a limited three-day period.&nbsp;While Basant festivities continued across the city, Sharif&rsquo;s decision made clear that official government celebrations and her personal participation would not go ahead, reflecting the somber national mood following the Islamabad tragedy.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif, chief minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province, cancels her Basant activities and a Lahore event after an Islamabad suicide blast, while mobilizing emergency medical support.

Punjab CM cancels her Basant activities, Lahore event after Islamabad blast

TEHRAN:&nbsp;Iran on Friday said it expected to hold more negotiations with the United States after a day of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/iran-fm-calls-for-mutual-respect-ahead-of-talks-with-us" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">indirect talks in Oman&nbsp;</a>seen as a critical chance for diplomacy after President Donald Trump threatened new military action against Tehran.&nbsp;With an American naval group led by an aircraft carrier in Middle Eastern waters,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/iran-us-talks-to-be-held-friday-in-oman-iranian-media" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">US and Iranian delegations</a>&nbsp;held talks in Muscat mediated by the Gulf sultanate without publicly meeting face-to-face.&nbsp;Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who led Iran&#39;s delegation in Muscat, said talks solely focused on the nuclear issue, after the US had indicated Tehran&#39;s backing for militant groups and its ballistic missile programme also needed to be on the agenda.&nbsp;The talks were the first between the two foes since the United States joined Israel&#39;s war with Iran in June with strikes on nuclear sites.&nbsp;They also come just under a month after Iranian authorities launched a crackdown on protests that left thousands dead according to rights groups.&nbsp;US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, accompanied by Trump&#39;s influential son-in-law Jared Kushner, led Washington&#39;s delegation at the talks.&nbsp;&quot;In a very positive atmosphere, our arguments were exchanged and the views of the other side were shared with us,&quot; Araghchi told Iranian state TV, adding that the two sides had &quot;agreed to continue negotiations, but we will decide on the modalities and timing at a later date&quot;.&nbsp;&quot;The way forward will depend on our consultations with capitals,&quot; he added after the talks concluded.&nbsp;&quot;Our discussions are focused exclusively on the nuclear issue and we are not addressing any other subject with the Americans,&quot; Araghchi told the official IRNA news agency.&nbsp;In a symbol of the potential for US military action, Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of US Central Command, whose area of responsibility includes the Middle East, was also present at the talks, according to images published by the Oman news agency.&nbsp;A source with knowledge of the talks told AFP that the meetings took place at the residence of Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi.&nbsp;&#39;Don&#39;t want us to hit them&#39;&nbsp;Multiple sessions of talks in the morning and afternoon saw both sides shuttling to and from the residence of Albusaidi who appeared to be acting as mediator and passing on messages.&nbsp;Writing on X, Albusaidi described the talks as &quot;very serious&quot;.&nbsp;&quot;It was useful to clarify both Iranian and American thinking and identify areas for possible progress. We aim to reconvene in due course, with the results to be considered carefully in Tehran and Washington.&quot;&nbsp;The White House has made clear it wants the talks to rein in Tehran&#39;s ability to make a nuclear bomb, an ambition the Islamic republic has always denied.&nbsp;The US delegation intended to explore &quot;zero nuclear capacity&quot; for Iran, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, warning that Trump had &quot;many options at his disposal aside from diplomacy&quot;.&nbsp;&quot;They&#39;re negotiating,&quot; Trump said of Iran on Thursday.&nbsp;&quot;They don&#39;t want us to hit them, we have a big fleet going there,&quot; he added, referring to the aircraft carrier group he has repeatedly called an &quot;armada&quot;.&nbsp;There was no immediate comment from the American delegation in Muscat.&nbsp;&#39;Compromise or war&#39;&nbsp;The meeting comes just under a month after the peak of a wave of nationwide protests in Iran against the clerical leadership, which rights groups say were repressed with an unprecedented crackdown that has left thousands dead.&nbsp;Trump initially threatened military action against Tehran over its crackdown on protesters and even told demonstrators &quot;help is on its way&quot;.&nbsp;The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said that according to its latest toll 6,495 protesters were confirmed to have been killed as well as 214 members of the security forces and 61 bystanders.&nbsp;But it and other rights groups warn that the final toll risks being far higher, with the magnitude of the crackdown masked by the blanket internet shutdown imposed by the authorities for a fortnight.&nbsp;But Trump&#39;s rhetoric in recent days has focused on reining in the Iranian nuclear programme and the US has manoeuvered a naval group led by aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln into the region.&nbsp;Iran has repeatedly vowed it will hit back at US bases if attacked.&nbsp;&quot;We are ready to defend and it is the US president who must choose between compromise or war,&quot; state television on Thursday quoted army spokesman General Mohammad Akraminia as saying, warning that Iran has &quot;easy&quot; access to US regional bases.&nbsp;The US initially wanted to hold the talks in Turkey, include regional countries and explicitly expand the agenda beyond nuclear but then had to change course due to Iranian demands, a regional source close to the talks told AFP.

Americas

Central Asia

Iran says it expects further talks with the United States after indirect Oman negotiations, focused on the nuclear issue, as Washington warns of military options and both sides signal cautious openness to continued diplomacy efforts.

Iran FM says agreed with US to 'proceed with negotiations'

GENEVA: A senior US official on Friday criticised the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/trump-urges-new-nuclear-treaty-after-russia-agreement-ends" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">last nuclear treaty </a>between Russia and the United States for <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/last-usrussia-nuclear-treaty-ends-in-grave-moment-for-world" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">failing to include Beijing</a>, speaking at the United Nations a day after the New START deal expired.&nbsp;&quot;In a nutshell, New START was flawed,&quot; said Thomas G. DiNanno, US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, pointing out that it had not covered all nuclear weapons, &quot;and it didn&#39;t include China&quot;.&nbsp;Speaking to reporters in Geneva before addressing the Conference on Disarmament, he said US President Donald Trump &quot;has been pretty clear that he wants a better agreement&quot;, and &quot;clarified again last night that he wants a new treaty&quot;.&nbsp;&quot;He&#39;s been crystal clear. He&#39;s been consistent on it too, since his first administration,&quot; DiNanno said.&nbsp;&quot;So we&#39;ll see how it plays out.&quot;&nbsp;Asked if China had agreed to anything, DiNanno said: &quot;We&#39;re always willing to talk to them.&quot;&nbsp;China said on Thursday it would not join nuclear talks &quot;at this stage&quot; after the treaty&#39;s expiry that day triggered fears of a new global arms race.&nbsp;Campaigners have warned that the expiry, which ended decades of restrictions on how many warheads Russia and the United States deploy, could encourage China to expand its own arsenal.&nbsp;The New START treaty ended at the turn of the calendar on February 5, after Trump did not follow up on Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin&#39;s proposal to extend warhead limits in the agreement for one year.&nbsp;Russia and the United States together control more than 80 percent of the world&#39;s nuclear warheads, but arms agreements have been withering away.&nbsp;New START, first signed in 2010, limited each side&#39;s nuclear arsenal to 1,550 deployed strategic warheads -- a reduction of nearly 30 percent from the previous limit set in 2002.&nbsp;It also allowed each side to conduct on-site inspections of the other&#39;s nuclear arsenal, although these were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic and have not resumed since.&nbsp;The Conference on Disarmament negotiating forum, which is comprised of 65 member states and meets in Geneva.

China

A senior US official says the expired New START nuclear treaty is flawed for excluding China, as Washington pushes for a new deal and Beijing refuses talks, raising fears of a renewed global arms race.

New START nuclear treaty 'was flawed': senior US official

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan committed to providing landlocked Uzbekistan access to its war water seaports during a two-day state visit by Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, according to a joint declaration issued by the Foreign Office on Friday. The Uzbek president and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held talks covering bilateral relations and regional security issues during the February 5-6 state visit. Pakistan pledged to make available its seaports for Uzbek transit cargo and provide access to its road network for trade and transit requirements. It aims to enhance regional connectivity and economic integration between the two countries. The leaders also pledged to support each other&#39;s sovereignty and territorial integrity while advancing cooperation in areas including trade, culture and defense. Both sides expressed satisfaction with relations developed over 34 years since establishing diplomatic ties, citing shared historical and cultural bonds. The visit marked the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, established during PM Sharif&#39;s February 2025 visit to Uzbekistan. The mechanism provides top-level oversight of bilateral cooperation. Trade and connectivity The leaders agreed to reach a $2 billion bilateral trade target by 2029. Uzbekistan was the first Central Asian nation to sign transit and preferential trade agreements with Pakistan, according to the statement. Both countries welcomed the Framework Agreement signed in July 2025 for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Project, endorsing the Termiz-Kharlachi route. They committed to completing the project&#39;s feasibility study. The sides agreed to establish joint management of economic zones in both countries to facilitate industrial cooperation and exports to third markets, including the Commonwealth of Independent States and Europe. Cultural and defense cooperation The leaders signed an agreement on preserving and promoting the scientific, educational and architectural heritage of the Baburid dynasty. They agreed to expand tourism cooperation through direct flights between Tashkent and Islamabad and Lahore, and to activate a Tourism Working Group. Both nations expressed readiness to maintain dialogue on security and defense, agreeing to continue joint military exercises and training programs. They pledged cooperation between law enforcement agencies to combat terrorism, separatism, extremism and drug trafficking. Regional issues According to the statement, the two leaders called on Afghanistan to dismantle terrorist organizations operating from its territory, citing regional security concerns and the importance of stability for the railway project&#39;s implementation. Both sides expressed support for Palestinian self-determination and an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders. Uzbekistan voiced support for Pakistan&#39;s rotating chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for 2026-2027 and congratulated Pakistan on chairing the organization&#39;s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure for 2025-2026 and the Economic Cooperation Organization for 2026-2027. Meanwhile, Pakistan commended Uzbekistan for hosting the 43rd UNESCO General Conference session in Samarkand in 2025. Both nations pledged to deepen cooperation across trade, security and regional connectivity.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and President of Uzbekistan exchange protocol to improve the bilateral trade to $2 billion annually. (PMO)

Economy

As Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev concludes Islamabad visit, Pakistan pledges seaport access, boosts connectivity, sets ambitious trade targets, and deepens strategic cooperation across security, economy, and culture.

Pakistan opens seaports to Uzbekistan, strengthens regional connectivity push

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh&#39;s Election Commission said on Friday that all preparations for the country&#39;s general elections and referendum scheduled for Feb. 12 have been completed, with the largest security deployment in the nation&#39;s history in place. &quot;Now there is no preparation left except for the voters to go to the polling stations and exercise their right to vote,&quot; Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker told the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency in an interview. Sarker said ballot papers have reached 116 constituencies, with the remaining to be delivered by Friday. EC Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said ballots had to be reprinted in some areas following last-minute court orders reinstating candidates, causing minor delays. Security arrangements include deploying 900,000 law enforcement personnel, with the army remaining in the field for seven days before and after the polls, and Ansar paramilitary forces for eight days. Some 1,050 executive magistrates will operate mobile courts from Feb. 8 to 14, BSS reported. The 13th Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) elections will see 2,034 candidates contesting across 300 constituencies, though voting in Sherpur-3 has been cancelled following the death of a Jamaat-e-Islami candidate. According to BSS, the commission has registered 127.7 million voters for the polls and referendum, with voting to be held at 42,779 polling stations nationwide.&nbsp; Fifty-one parties are contesting, alongside over 250 independents, while more than 800,000 officials and around 56,000 observers will oversee the process.&nbsp; Over 1.5 million voters, including expatriates, have registered for postal voting.

Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker (Photo by BSS/File)

Bangladesh

With ballots largely distributed and extensive security in place, authorities say the Feb. 12 vote will involve millions of voters, thousands of candidates and unprecedented monitoring.

Bangladesh Election Commission says poll preparations complete

ISLAMABAD: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Feb. 5 used strong language in the Upper House of the Indian parliament, Rajya Sabha, while speaking during the motion of thanks on the President&rsquo;s Address, targeting what he described as &ldquo;ghuspaithiya&rdquo; (infiltrators) and accusing political opponents of shielding them at the expense of citizens&rsquo; rights.&nbsp;According to a post by Hindutva Watch on X, Modi claimed that while developed countries deport &ldquo;illegal citizens,&rdquo; in India, pressure was being exerted on courts to protect &ldquo;ghuspaithiyas.&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" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 696px; 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=2019672416478278043&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=209257b8a3a5226bf2a1a4f14b062bb8e8284cd7&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>He alleged that such infiltrators were stealing the rights of the country&rsquo;s youth, taking away their livelihoods, and grabbing land belonging to Adivasi communities.&nbsp;Indian media reported that Modi took a direct dig at the regional political party,&nbsp;Trinamool Congress (TMC), during his speech in the Upper House, saying &ldquo;some are trying their best to protect infiltrators.&rdquo;&nbsp;He argued that people living under what he described as ineffective governance faced an uncertain future, while those in power focused on political gains.&nbsp;Serious threat&nbsp;Modi alleged that infiltration posed a serious threat to livelihoods, land rights, and public safety, particularly for tribal communities.&nbsp; He warned that young citizens were being deprived of opportunities because policies, he said, prioritized &ldquo;infiltrators&rdquo; over citizens. Drawing a comparison with other nations, he said that developed and prosperous countries were serious about removing infiltrators, whereas in India, courts were being approached to save them. Quoting Modi, Indian media reported him as saying that those advocating for infiltrators were &ldquo;snatching away the rights of my country&rsquo;s youth, taking away their livelihoods, snatching away the land of the tribals&rdquo; and creating dangers for the lives of &ldquo;our sons and daughters.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;Special Intensive Revision dispute&nbsp;Modi further criticized TMC leaders, saying they spoke on many issues but failed to acknowledge their own shortcomings.&nbsp; He said people in West Bengal were suffering and accused the state government of approaching courts to protect infiltrators because it only cared about power.&nbsp;The remarks came a day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee argued in person before the Chief Justice of India, taking the Special Intensive Revision dispute to the country&rsquo;s highest court.

Warns young citizens are being deprived of opportunities because of policies that, according to him, prioritize ‘infiltrators’ over citizens.

 Modi targets TMC, claims ‘infiltrators’ stealing rights of youth, tribals 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the explosion at a mosque on the outskirts of Islamabad.&nbsp; The prime minister expressed deep sorrow and grief over those martyred in the blast and conveyed his condolences to the families affected. Sharif met with and directed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to conduct a full investigation into the incident and identify those responsible immediately. The PM also instructed that the injured receive the best possible medical treatment and told the health minister to personally oversee their care. &ldquo;The perpetrators of the blast must be identified and brought to justice,&rdquo; the prime minister said. &#39;Crime against humanity&#39;: President Zardari&nbsp;President Asif Ali Zardari said that targeting innocent people was a crime against humanity and reaffirmed that the entire nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the affected families in this hour of grief, Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported. According to the Islamabad administration, the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber who was stopped at the mosque&rsquo;s gate. At least 31 people have been reportedly killed in the blast, with 101 injured. Police and law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the area and launched search and investigation operations, officials said. International condemnationThe United States strongly condemned the attack, calling acts of terror and violence against civilians and places of worship unacceptable. &ldquo;On behalf of the United States, I offer our sincere condolences to those injured and to the families and loved ones of those killed by this attack,&rdquo; US Charg&eacute; d&rsquo;Affaires Natalie A. Baker said in a statement.&nbsp;<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=2019740422512263430&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=1dba707bd2e2650474dbe2f0d2d63a8da7f99ad4&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> The statement said Washington continues to support Pakistan&rsquo;s efforts to advance peace and security and remains committed to its partnership aimed at promoting stability. Separately, British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott said she was &ldquo;outraged and heartbroken&rdquo; by the attack. &ldquo;My thoughts and prayers are with those killed and injured and their families. Such violence is abhorrent. We stand with Pakistan,&rdquo; she said in a post on X. <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=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2019723589495468111&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=1dba707bd2e2650474dbe2f0d2d63a8da7f99ad4&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 321px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>

The prime minister expressed grief over the loss of lives, ordered a comprehensive probe and medical care for the wounded, as police said a suicide attacker was behind the attack, leaving at least 12 dead.

PM Sharif condemns mosque blast, orders probe

For the first time in nearly 20 years, the skies above Pakistan&rsquo;s cultural capital are once again alive with color. As midnight passed into Thursday, fireworks flared across Lahore. Kites began lifting from rooftops, and music echoed through the narrow streets of the Walled City. By dawn, the message was unmistakable: Basant, once a defining symbol of Lahore&rsquo;s spring, had returned openly, officially, and under the watchful eye of the state. <img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/2f944219-e304-4aeb-ae82-623b092b71ee.jpg" style="width: 605px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> The three-day festival, beginning Feb. 6, marks a turning point for a city that has long associated kite flying with its identity, yet has seen the celebration pushed into the shadows following years of bans and safety concerns. This year, the revival is neither symbolic nor tentative. It is public, regulated, and visibly embraced by the provincial government. Across Lahore, the transformation was immediate. Main roads, underpasses, and traffic circles were decorated with bright banners and large kite-themed installations.&nbsp;<img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/94b0046a-9b63-4a63-8b17-71305e14ce7f.jpg" style="width: 605px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> In older neighborhoods, rooftops were adorned with lights, strings, and spools, while entire blocks seemed to pause their daily routines in anticipation of the festivities. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz acknowledged the occasion shortly after midnight, describing Basant as a cultural inheritance rather than a mere event, and extended greetings to citizens as the festival began. Traditional kite markets, including Mochi Gate, Delhi Gate, Shah Alam Market, and Anarkali, remained busy late into the night as families and young buyers stocked up on supplies. Vendors said interest was cautious in the early days, but demand surged once people became convinced the government-backed revival would proceed as announced. Liberty Chowk emerged as a focal point of the celebrations, repurposed into a public gathering space illuminated with lights and oversized kite displays. Families, couples, and groups of friends gathered there, signaling a notable shift: Basant was no longer confined to private rooftops but had returned to shared civic life. As evening fell, the city&rsquo;s rooftops reclaimed their historic role as the heart of Basant.&nbsp; Strings of lights connected neighboring homes, grills were fired up, and relatives gathered for shared meals under open skies. Folk music drifted across districts, punctuated by cheers and the familiar cry of triumph when a kite string snapped mid-air. Women prepared traditional yellow and white clothing adorned with floral jewelry, while children and elders sorted kites with an ease learned over generations. For many Lahoris, these rituals had never disappeared &mdash; only paused. Yet for a younger generation, the experience was entirely new. Many teenagers and young adults were celebrating Basant for the first time, encountering a festival they had previously known only through family stories and old photographs. Their enthusiasm blended discovery with inherited nostalgia, giving the revival a renewed emotional charge. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister made an unannounced visit to Liberty Chowk and later to Mochi Gate. Moving through the crowd with minimal security, she interacted with residents, posed for photographs, and addressed safety concerns directly. During the visit, she stopped a motorcyclist who was riding without a safety rod, a newly enforced requirement, and explained that the measure was designed to prevent injuries and could be installed free of charge at designated points. She reiterated that motorcycles were not banned during Basant, but warned that vehicles lacking safety equipment would be impounded. Officials and residents alike viewed the visit as a calculated political gesture, reinforcing the message that the festival&rsquo;s return was both sanctioned and here to stay.<img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/129a53d5-6723-4beb-b8be-1324f2107e8f.jpg" style="width: 570px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> According to Malik Faizan Ahmed, legal adviser to the Kite Flying Association, the scale of public participation has altered the political calculus surrounding Basant. &ldquo;The response has been so strong that reversing this decision would now be extremely difficult for any future government,&rdquo; he said, adding that the festival has regained broad social acceptance. Administratively, the celebrations are unfolding under strict controls. The Punjab Home Department has designated February 6-8 as &ldquo;Safe Basant&rdquo; and has imposedcertain restrictions to regulate public order. Metallic and nylon kite strings remain banned, motorcycles must be fitted with safety rods, and emergency services have been placed on high alert. More than 10,000 police personnel have been deployed across Lahore, supported by checkpoints, surveillance systems, and zero-tolerance enforcement.&nbsp;Authorities insist the objective is not to restrict, but to ensure the festival&rsquo;s sustainability beyond this year. For Lahore, a city shaped as much by memory as by movement, Basant&rsquo;s return is more than seasonal festivity. It is a reclamation of public space, cultural confidence, and the simple act of looking up together.

Artists play traditional drums next to a hoarding with portraits of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) party leaders, as vendors sell kites to mark Basant Festival in Lahore on February 4, 2026. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP)

Culture

Lahore welcomes the regulated return of Basant after nearly two decades, as government-backed celebrations revive kite flying across rooftops and public spaces, combining nostalgia, civic life and strict safety enforcement.

Lahore reclaims its skies as 3-day Basant festival returns after two decades

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan armed forces killed 24 khwarij (terrorists) in two separate engagements in the province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. &nbsp;&nbsp;This was stated by Pakistan military&rsquo;s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (<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">ISPR</a>), in a statement released on Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;The ISPR press release stated: &ldquo;On 4-5 February 2026, twenty-four khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khwarij were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.&rdquo;&nbsp;On the reported presence of terrorists, an intelligence-based operation was conducted by the&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">security forces</a>&nbsp;in Orakzai District, the ISPR said.&nbsp;&nbsp;During the conduct of the operation, troops effectively engaged the terrorists&#39; location, and after an intense fire exchange, 14 terrorists were killed.&nbsp;Another intelligence-based operation by security forces was conducted in Khyber District, the&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">ISPR</a>&nbsp;said.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the ensuing fire exchange, 10 more terrorists were effectively neutralized.&nbsp;Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists found in the area as a relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under the vision &ldquo;Azm e Istehkam&rdquo; (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country, the ISPR said. PM lauds security forces&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the professional capabilities of the officers and personnel of the security forces for killing 24 terrorists during the operations, said a press release issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office on Friday. &ldquo;We will continue the war against the menace of terrorism until its complete eradication from the country,&rdquo; said the prime minister. &ldquo;Under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, the entire nation, including myself, stands shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in our unwavering resolve to foil the nefarious designs of the terrorists,&rdquo; the prime minister said.&nbsp;President pays tribute&nbsp;Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the security forces for successful IBOs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said a press release issued by the President&rsquo;s Secretariat on Friday.&nbsp; &ldquo;The killing of twenty-four Khawarij in effective operations against terrorist elements is a commendable achievement,&rdquo; said the president. &ldquo;The war against terrorism caused by external interference is continuing successfully,&rdquo; President Zardari said. &ldquo;The war against the menace of terrorism will continue until its complete eradication from the country,&rdquo; said the president of Pakistan.

ISPR says, ‘On 4-5 February 2026, twenty-four khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khwarij were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.’

Pakistan security forces kill 24 terrorists in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa IBOs

ISLAMABAD: The Bangladesh interim government has decided to request an international investigation into the killing of political activist Sharif Osman Hadi. It plans to propose that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) conduct the investigation, as announced by the Chief Adviser&rsquo;s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, on Thursday. Alam said the decision had already been taken, and the proposal would be made to the OHCHR &ldquo;at the earliest opportunity,&rdquo; the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency reported. &ldquo;The interim government remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring full justice in this case and will extend all possible cooperation to such an investigation,&rdquo; Shafiqul&nbsp;Alam said when asked whether an international inquiry would be pursued. The government did not specify a timeline for submitting the formal request to the UN human rights office. Bangladesh has been under interim administration following political upheaval that led to the departure of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. The caretaker government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as chief adviser, has pledged to hold free and fair elections.

Authorities said the proposal would be made at the earliest opportunity, underlining the interim administration’s pledge to cooperate fully with an international human rights investigation into the killing.

Articles by Ibrahim Babakhel