Mariam Ellahi

ISTANBUL: Pakistan&rsquo;s high-level security delegation began departing for Istanbul Airport on Friday after discussions with the Afghan Taliban government remained deadlocked, security sources told Pakistan TV Digital.&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s National Security Adviser Lieutenant General Asim Malik, who led the delegation, has also left as the round concluded without agreement, the sources confirmed.&nbsp;Earlier in the day in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan had submitted &ldquo;evidence-based, justified and logical&rdquo; demands to the mediators &ldquo;with the singular aim to put an end to cross-border terrorism.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;The mediators fully endorse Pakistan&rsquo;s stance on the basis of the evidence provided by our side as well as the tenets of international law and principles,&rdquo; Andrabi said, adding that the mediators are presenting Pakistan&rsquo;s demands to the Afghan Taliban delegation &ldquo;point by point.&rdquo;&nbsp;Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan appreciates the mediation efforts of T&uuml;rkiye and Qatar, but responsibility lies with Kabul to fulfill its counterterrorism commitments.&nbsp;&ldquo;Onus lies on Afghanistan to fulfill its long standing international, regional and bilateral pledges regarding control of terrorism, in which so far they have failed,&rdquo; Tarar said.&nbsp;He stressed that Pakistan&rsquo;s core concern is the presence of armed groups operating from Afghan territory and attacking Pakistani security forces and civilians.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan does not harbor any ill-will against the Afghan people,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;However, [Pakistan] shall never support the Afghan Taliban regime&rsquo;s measures that are detrimental to the interest of the Afghan people as well as neighboring countries.&rdquo;&nbsp;Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, speaking in an interview with GEO News, confirmed the stalemate and said the negotiation process is now uncertain.&nbsp;&ldquo;There is complete deadlock and the agreement has entered an indefinite phase. There is no hope of a third or fourth round,&rdquo; Asif said. He thanked Qatar and T&uuml;rkiye &ldquo;for sincerely making efforts.&rdquo;&nbsp;Asif cautioned that Pakistan would respond if attacks continue.&nbsp;&ldquo;If the situation flares up from the Afghanistan side, we will respond accordingly,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Until there is no ceasefire broken from their side, the ceasefire persists, but if they break it, we will respond.&rdquo;&nbsp;He said Pakistan&rsquo;s principal demand is the prevention of terrorist attacks inside Pakistan, including on schools and civilian targets.&nbsp;&ldquo;They have indicated they know the terrorists come from their side but they say they cannot do anything. So they should not stand between us and the terrorists, let us handle it. We have all the resources and information to control them,&rdquo; Asif said.&nbsp;With negotiations stalled, Tarar reiterated that Pakistan will continue diplomatic engagement, but not at the expense of national security.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan shall continue to exercise all options necessary to safeguard the security of its people and its sovereignty,&rdquo; he said.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar says Afghanistan must fulfill anti-terror pledges, Islamabad holds no ill-will but will take necessary security measures.

Pakistan NSA leaves as Afghan Taliban talks stall

ISTANBUL: The mediators involved in the talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan have endorsed Pakistan&rsquo;s stance based on the provided evidence and will be discussing Islamabad&rsquo;s demands with the Afghan Taliban, sources said on Friday. &nbsp; The Pakistan delegation handed over its evidence-based, justified, and logical demands to the mediators with the singular aim of putting an end to cross-border terrorism, the sources said. The mediators fully endorsed Pakistan&rsquo;s stance on the basis of the provided evidence as well as tenets of international law and principles, they added.&nbsp; The mediators are discussing Pakistan&rsquo;s demands point by point with the Afghan Taliban delegation.&nbsp;Any other information circulating on social media, especially on Afghan accounts, is either pure speculation or deliberate disinformation, the sources added.&nbsp; What is the conflict?The conflict centers on Pakistan&rsquo;s demand that Afghanistan prevent the use of its territory by terrorist groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) to carry out attacks against Pakistan.&nbsp; The situation has strained relations between the two neighboring countries, with recent border skirmishes resulting in casualties on both sides.&nbsp; Several rounds of talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan have taken place. Previous talksThe first round of talks was held in Doha on Oct. 18-19, where an initial ceasefire agreement was reached with mediation from T&uuml;rkiye and Qatar. The second round took place in Istanbul from Oct. 25 to 30 to strengthen and extend the ceasefire.&nbsp; A principal-level meeting began on Thursday in Istanbul to finalize further implementation details. Recent exchange of fire A brief exchange of fire along the Chaman-Spin Boldak border crossing coincided with the ongoing talks, with Pakistan&rsquo;s information ministry, in a post of X, rejecting Afghan claims that Pakistani forces opened fire first. Afghanistan&rsquo;s interim government, however, offered a different account. Afghan Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, claimed the firing started from the Pakistan side. Police in Chaman confirmed to Pakistan TV Digital that Pakistani border units returned fire after the initial shots but reported no casualties on either side.&nbsp; The exchange was brief and did not disrupt movement in nearby civilian areas, a police official said.

Afghanistan

Sources say Pakistan’s stance is evidence-based and meets tenets of international law and principles; mediators are discussing Pakistan’s demands with the Afghan Taliban delegation.

Istanbul talks: mediators endorse Pakistan’s stance, to discuss with Afghan Taliban

RAWALPINDI: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that India is planning another &ldquo;false flag&rdquo; operation, emphasizing that this time the operation would be in the &ldquo;deep sea.&rdquo; The head of the military&rsquo;s media wing was speaking with journalists in Rawalpindi on Monday ahead of the Coordination Meeting of Arab-Islamic Foreign Ministers in Istanbul. During the discussions, the spokesperson revealed that India is planning another false-flag operation in the deep sea, cautioning that Pakistan&rsquo;s response would be &ldquo;greater than before.&rdquo; &ldquo;If India wants to do something on sea, land, or air, they can do it. Pakistan will do whatever it takes to take care of it. We are very good at taking care [of things]. And when we take care [of things], the world will see,&rdquo; he remarked. He said the international community must recognize India&rsquo;s attempts to disturb regional peace through provocations and propaganda. On Trump&rsquo;s remarksResponding to a question about US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s recent remarks on nuclear weapons testing, he said that the strategy of any country is fluid, emphasizing that Pakistan will continue to carry out tests and trials as required for national security. &ldquo;The strategy of any country is fluid and always kept under abeyance, and we are not bound to make such moves public,&rdquo; he said. Counterterrorism operations figuresRegarding the ongoing operations against terrorists, the DG ISPR said that 62,113 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) have been conducted so far this year. This has resulted in the killing of 1,667 terrorists, including 128 identified Afghan nationals, he added. During these operations, 1,073 Pakistanis embraced martyrdom, including 584 army personnel, 133 law enforcement officers, and 356 civilians. The DG ISPR reiterated that Pakistan&rsquo;s counterterrorism actions are intelligence-based and aimed at eliminating terrorism in all its forms. Terror-crime nexus and narcotics fundingLt. Gen. Chaudhry warned of a growing &ldquo;terror-crime-political nexus&rdquo; that continues to obstruct counterterrorism efforts under the National Action Plan (NAP) -- a governmental strategy launched after the Army Public School attack in 2014 to combat terrorism across the country. He said that certain political elements and facilitators hinder operations against narcotics and terror-financing networks. The spokesperson disclosed that security forces destroyed over 12,000 acres of poppy fields in the northwestern district of Khyber, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and around 40 acres in southwestern Balochistan, adding that the profit per acre ranges between Rs1.8 million to Rs2.5 million ($6,000&ndash;$9,000). He explained that profits from these crops are used to finance terrorism, smuggling, and other cross-border crimes. At the same time, local populations are often co-opted into these activities in return for a share of the proceeds. He further revealed that &ldquo;khawarij&rdquo; (terrorists) collect &ldquo;usher&rdquo; &mdash; a form of tax &mdash; from locals on this illicit trade. &ldquo;When our law enforcement agencies intercept narcotics smuggling or attack these networks, they come under attack from terrorists and their facilitators,&rdquo; he said. Terror-criminal nexus in Khyber and Tirah districtsHighlighting the security situation in Khyber District and the Tirah Valley, the DG ISPR said there were 508 terrorist incidents reported in the area during 2025, resulting in 192 casualties among army, Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel, and civilians. He said that political stakeholders and criminal networks have &ldquo;financial stakes in this illegal trade.&rdquo; Whenever operations are launched, &ldquo;they start campaigns against the security forces under the pretext of protecting civilian areas.&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;When we check their logistical sustenance, they attack our convoys and check-posts. Our soldiers are laying down their lives to protect the motherland,&rdquo; he added. Afghan Taliban killed in Pakistan-Afghanistan standoffDiscussing the recent border clashes between Islamabad and Kabul, the DG ISPR said that intelligence estimates confirm 206 Afghan Taliban border forces and 112 militants were killed during Pakistan&rsquo;s operations. He said that Pakistan shared real-time evidence with the Afghan regime during the Doha and Istanbul talks held recently. He added that Islamabad shared Afghan identity cards and records of cross-border infiltration attempts. &ldquo;Our position is clear. Afghan soil must not be used against Pakistan,&rdquo; he stressed. &ldquo;Afghanistan needs a representative government. The people of Afghanistan are not terrorists,&rdquo; he said. The DG ISPR said that Islamabad&rsquo;s stance was well-received internationally, adding that &ldquo;Afghanistan&rsquo;s terrorism is now well internationalized, and the country has become an epicenter of terrorism.&rdquo; No negotiations with terroristsThe DG ISPR categorically ruled out any dialogue with terrorist outfits, saying: &ldquo;We will never talk to terrorists.&rdquo; He said the Afghan Taliban and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are &ldquo;closely linked,&rdquo; adding that the TTP itself claims to be a branch of the Afghan Taliban. He accused the Afghan authorities of providing human shields to terrorists and relocating them into civilian neighborhoods, which he termed &ldquo;criminal.&rdquo; &ldquo;If they are Pakistani, then hand them over to us. Why are Bashir Zeb (leader of the Baloch Nationalist Army), Noor Wali Mehsud, and Qari Amjad being protected? This must finish now,&rdquo; he warned.&nbsp;He clarified that Pakistan&rsquo;s dispute is not with the people of Afghanistan but with a non-representative regime patronizing terrorism and the narcotics trade. He also appreciated the constructive roles of Qatar and T&uuml;rkiye in promoting peace and dialogue. He said Pakistan remains open to verifiable and results-oriented mechanisms but will act decisively if terrorism persists. &ldquo;Our security is not to be guaranteed by Kabul. It is in our own hands. No appeasement policy with terrorists,&rdquo; he concluded. Gaza and regional peaceRegarding the Gaza International Stabilization Force, the DG ISPR said the decision lies with the Pakistan government and parliament, reiterating that national security and the protection of citizens remain the state&rsquo;s top priority.

Security

DG ISPR warns India planning deep-sea false-flag operation; Pakistan vows stronger response; reports counterterror successes; poppy cultivation funding militancy; rejects talks with terrorists; cites cross-border Taliban casualties and regional concerns


India planning false-flag operation in deep sea: spox Pakistan Army

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is hoping for a &ldquo;positive outcome&rdquo; in the next round of talks with the Afghan Taliban set for November 6, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Friday, while calling on Kabul to honor its security commitments and prevent cross-border terrorism.&nbsp;Briefing reporters in Islamabad, Andrabi confirmed the conclusion of four-day discussions in Istanbul between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, talks that were initially planned to last two days. He said Pakistan extended the negotiations &ldquo;in an effort to reach an amicable agreement.&rdquo;&nbsp;Responding to a Pakistan TV Digital question on the difference in tone between his remarks and those of Pakistan&rsquo;s defense minister, Andrabi said, &ldquo;It is our professional hazard to be optimistic.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;I would call it guarded optimism,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We have been engaged with the Taliban for four years.&nbsp;&ldquo;It&rsquo;s difficult to be optimistic, but one must remain hopeful.&rdquo;&nbsp;A joint statement issued by T&uuml;rkiye and Qatar on Thursday noted that Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to a ceasefire mechanism along with a monitoring and verification framework intended to maintain peace and impose penalties for violations.&nbsp;Andrabi stressed that Pakistan had engaged &ldquo;positively&rdquo; without compromising its stance that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism against Pakistan.&nbsp;He said Islamabad &ldquo;expects the Afghan Taliban regime to honor its commitments to the international community&rdquo; and take &ldquo;concrete and verifiable actions&rdquo; against terrorist groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), referred to by Pakistani officials as &ldquo;Fitna al-Khwarij,&rdquo; and militants linked to India, described as &ldquo;Fitna Al-Hindustan.&rdquo;&nbsp;He said Pakistan had repeatedly provided Kabul with credible intelligence on the presence of these groups inside Afghanistan, yet cross-border attacks had increased in recent months.&nbsp;The spokesperson referred to &ldquo;unprovoked aggression&rdquo; along the border in October, warning that Pakistan would respond &ldquo;resolutely&rdquo; if such provocations continued.&nbsp;Despite tensions, Andrabi said Pakistan remains committed to a stable relationship with its western neighbor, adding that Islamabad has supported Afghanistan through transit trade concessions, elevated diplomatic ties to ambassador level, and agreed to expand the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan.&nbsp;Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, he noted, has visited Kabul three times this year, including to sign the Joint Feasibility Study for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway project.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Government and armed forces of Pakistan stand ready to take all possible measures to protect Pakistan&rsquo;s sovereignty and ensure the safety and security of its people,&rdquo; Andrabi said, adding that Pakistan would continue to engage in mediation efforts.&nbsp;He thanked Qatar and T&uuml;rkiye for their &ldquo;constructive role.&rdquo;&nbsp;On GazaThe spokesperson said consultations on an international stabilization force for Gaza are ongoing among regional partners. Pakistan, he said, will continue working with Arab and Islamic countries to secure &ldquo;lasting peace&rdquo; and the Palestinians&rsquo; &ldquo;right to self-determination,&rdquo; while condemning renewed Israeli strikes as a &ldquo;flagrant&rdquo; violation of international law.&nbsp;On US sanctions waiver for India&nbsp;Regarding the US decision to allow India to operate Iran&rsquo;s Chabahar Port under a six-month sanctions waiver, Andrabi said Pakistan has &ldquo;taken note&rdquo; and &ldquo;welcomes any decision that leads to economic development in our brotherly country Iran,&rdquo; but cautioned that India must not &ldquo;abuse this opening to promote terrorism or subversion through adjacent borders.&rdquo;&nbsp;On US&ndash;India defense frameworkAndrabi described the recent US&ndash;India defense understanding as still under review, saying Islamabad is &ldquo;evaluating [it], particularly with reference to its impact on peace, security, and stability in South Asia,&rdquo; and would comment further at a later stage.&nbsp;Pakistan&ndash;EU migration dialogueThe spokesperson also discussed the third Pakistan&ndash;EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue held in Islamabad this week, in which both sides reviewed progress under the EU Readmission Agreement and Talent Partnership roadmap.&nbsp;He said both sides appreciated the &ldquo;growing level of cooperation&rdquo; and agreed to hold the next round in Brussels.

During a Foreign Office press briefing in Islamabad, Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi says Pakistan expects meaningful progress in upcoming talks with the Afghan Taliban, urging Kabul to fulfill counterterrorism commitments and prevent cross-border attacks.

Pakistan expresses ‘guarded optimism’ ahead of Nov. 6 Taliban talks

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will carry out military strikes inside Afghanistan to target militant hideouts if ongoing talks in Istanbul fail to produce written guarantees preventing cross‑border attacks, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told Pakistan TV Digital in a wide‑ranging interview on Thursday.&nbsp;&ldquo;If we do not receive any arrangement or any agreement or any assurance from the other side that there&rsquo;ll be no incursions into our territory sponsored by Kabul, then obviously the only option we are left with is that we&rsquo;ll cross into their territory and bomb the hideouts of [the Tehreek‑e‑Taliban Pakistan],&rdquo; the minister said.&nbsp;Asif said four days of negotiations in Istanbul ended without a conclusion because the Afghan delegation offered only &ldquo;verbal guarantees but refused to commit in writing.&rdquo; He described the Afghan stance as &ldquo;stubbornness&rdquo; and said Pakistan could not accept assurances that were not formalized.&nbsp;&ldquo;We did not reach anywhere on this particular demand,&rdquo; he said, adding that the earlier preliminary accord reached in Doha, which took 11 hours to draft, left implementation mechanisms to be decided in later talks. T&uuml;rkiye and Qatar acted as mediators in the process, and Pakistan has sought their backing and monitoring for any new arrangement.&nbsp;After the Istanbul talks nearly collapsed this week, Turkish mediators persuaded the Pakistani delegation to give the process another chance.&nbsp;&ldquo;My optimism will be very, very guarded,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I won&rsquo;t pin unnecessary hopes on what is going on in Istanbul.&rdquo;&nbsp;Kabul sheltering TTPReiterating Islamabad&rsquo;s long-standing concern, Asif says the TTP is &ldquo;based mainly in Afghanistan&rdquo; and receives support from elements within the Kabul regime. &ldquo;They deny it publicly, but admit it privately,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Pakistan, he added, has repeatedly reported attacks on soldiers and checkposts that it says originate from Afghan soil.&nbsp;&lsquo;We will not be threatened&rsquo;&nbsp;Responding to reports in Taliban‑linked and Afghan media of possible attacks on Islamabad, the defense minister said he would &ldquo;not speculate&rdquo; but made clear Pakistan would not be intimidated. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t budge or get pressurized by their threats. We are ready to face anything,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;&ldquo;They&rsquo;ll pay a very heavy price for anything they are doing now or they intend to do in the future.&rdquo;&nbsp;Trade and smuggling concernsAsif highlighted the long‑term humanitarian burden Pakistan has borne, saying the country has hosted &ldquo;close to four million Afghan refugees&rdquo; for the past four to five decades. He said Afghanistan has shown &ldquo;absolutely no regard or respect for what Pakistan has done for Afghanistan over the decades.&rdquo;&nbsp;The minister also raised concerns about the misuse of transit‑trade facilities.&nbsp;&ldquo;This sort of facility is being misused for decades by Afghans and perhaps in collusion with some Pakistani businessmen,&rdquo; he said, adding trucks and containers bound for Kabul are often offloaded on Pakistani soil and diverted into local markets.&nbsp;On the economic impact of a breakdown in ties, Asif said Pakistan could &ldquo;survive&rdquo; without transit trade, but warned the loss would be more painful for land‑locked Afghanistan.&nbsp;He reiterated his support for enhanced regional connectivity, linking Central Asia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran, saying such ties could &ldquo;change the economic map of this particular region&rdquo; if Afghanistan embraces intra‑regional trade.&nbsp;Tri-service drills in IndiaTurning to wider regional tensions, Asif said Pakistan was monitoring Indian tri‑service exercises in the Sir Creek area near the Arabian Sea. While he called military drills &ldquo;routine,&rdquo; he warned that the current peace with India remains &ldquo;very tense&rdquo; and fragile.&nbsp;&ldquo;If there is some incursion or some provocation from the Indian side, it will be responded in kind and responded well,&rdquo; he said.

In a wide-ranging interview with Pakistan TV Digital, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif discusses Istanbul talks, trade with Afghanistan, and tri-service drills in India.

Pakistan warns of strikes unless Kabul provides written anti-TTP assurances

ISLAMABAD: Women parliamentarians are emerging as the driving force inside Pakistan&rsquo;s National Assembly, recording higher attendance and stronger participation than their male counterparts, according to a report by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).&nbsp;FAFEN reported that during the National Assembly&rsquo;s 19th session held from September 1 to 5, 2025, nearly 49% of the 71 women MNAs attended every sitting, compared to 29% of male members. The monitoring body also noted that women lawmakers demonstrated greater procedural discipline by consistently seeking formal leave when absent and maintaining presence during key proceedings.&nbsp;This trend aligns with FAFEN&rsquo;s Women Parliamentarians Performance Report 2024-25, released earlier this year, which found women, who make up only 17% of parliament&rsquo;s total strength, contributed nearly half of the total parliamentary agenda, including legislation, resolutions, questions, and committee work. In the National Assembly alone, women introduced 55% of all agenda items, marking a historic high since 2015-16.&nbsp;Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, MNA Alia Kamran of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) said women legislators have been consistently outperforming in attendance.&nbsp;&ldquo;Women&rsquo;s attendance has long surpassed that of men,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;Kamran explained that while male lawmakers often split time between Islamabad and their constituencies, many women, particularly those on reserved seats, are expected to remain present and actively engaged in parliamentary work.&nbsp;&ldquo;Women are contributing their full share to lawmaking. Real parliamentary work is legislation, not fund distribution,&rdquo; she added.&nbsp;Former provincial minister Sharmila Farooqui said the growing presence and performance of women is &ldquo;reshaping what leadership means in Pakistani politics.&rdquo;&nbsp;She noted that women are bringing dedication, preparation, and empathy to the legislative process. &ldquo;Women are showing that thoughtful, well-prepared participation can drive real progress,&rdquo; she said, adding that their consistency is inspiring younger women and signaling to political parties that women are essential decision-makers.&nbsp;Senator Seher Kamran highlighted that women&rsquo;s strong participation challenges traditional leadership structures.&nbsp;&ldquo;Women are demonstrating that effective leadership is not tied to gender, but to commitment and insight,&rdquo; she said, noting that inclusive decision-making is improving the quality of parliamentary debate.&nbsp;&nbsp;<p style='margin: 0.75rem 0px 0px; font-family: "Atlassian Sans", ui-sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; text-overflow: ellipsis; overflow-wrap: break-word; font-size: 0.875rem; line-height: 1.714; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.005em; color: rgb(41, 42, 46); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>

Pakistan Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training Farah Naz Akbar speaks during a National Assembly session in Islamabad on February 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy: Facebook/NationalAssemblyOfPakistan/File)

Politics

In a report published by FAFEN, women parliamentarians show higher attendance and stronger legislative contributions than men, driving over half of the National Assembly’s agenda and reshaping leadership norms toward a more inclusive and effective parliament

Pakistani women lawmakers lead attendance, drive stronger parliamentary performance

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will &ldquo;push deep into their territory in retaliation&rdquo; if evidence shows attacks are being staged from Afghan soil, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told Pakistan TV Digital late Wednesday, a day after talks in Istanbul with Afghan delegates ended without an agreement. &ldquo;We will hunt them down. Very simple. If we have to cross the border, we will do that,&rdquo; Asif said, warning that Islamabad was prepared to follow up incursions with both air strikes and ground operations. &ldquo;Whether we have to carry out air strikes or use ground forces, as before, we&rsquo;ve done air strikes, and we&rsquo;ll do them again.&rdquo; &lsquo;Always be a response&rsquo;&nbsp;Asif stressed that any Pakistani action would be conditional. &ldquo;If in the coming days they don&rsquo;t send new formations and cross-border terrorism doesn&rsquo;t occur, then we will not do anything,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It will always be a response, not an initiative; it will be a reaction to something committed by the Afghans.&rdquo; His remarks come amid a surge in militant attacks inside Pakistan that prompted the two warring sides to meet in Doha on October 19, leading to a 48-hour ceasefire after days of heavy cross-border clashes. Talks ongoingDelegations from Islamabad and Kabul later also met in Istanbul from October 25 to 29, where Pakistan sought a &ldquo;concrete and verifiable monitoring mechanism&rdquo; to prevent Afghan soil from being used to stage attacks on Pakistani forces and civilians. Officials said the Istanbul round, mediated by Qatar and T&uuml;rkiye, failed to produce a binding enforcement arrangement after Afghan representatives declined to accept that it would take verifiable measures against groups Islamabad blames for the violence. Negotiators exchanged near-final drafts, but according to Pakistani sources, the Afghan side repeatedly deferred to Kabul and would not sign off on mechanisms Pakistan described as necessary to guarantee the ceasefire. According to well-placed sources, Pakistan on Thursday agreed to extend the Istanbul dialogue process at T&uuml;rkiye&#39;s request. Sources said that the decision to resume the dialogue process was based on giving peace another chance. Talks are to begin at 2pm Pakistan standard time.&nbsp;Banned groups responsible for attacksIslamabad points to factions linked to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and other local networks as responsible for recent assaults on security posts and convoys.&nbsp; Pakistan security officials say precision strikes and targeted operations have degraded some militant leadership, but they argue that cross-border sanctuaries remain the core problem. Asif framed Pakistan&rsquo;s posture as one of last resort: Willing to keep pressing for diplomacy and to exercise restraint, but ready to use force again if attacks from across the frontier resume.

Pakistan on Thursday agreed to extend the Istanbul dialogue process at Türkiye's request; decision to resume dialogue process was based on giving peace another chance; talks are to begin at 2pm Pakistan standard time.

Pakistan will retaliate if Afghan-based militants continue attacks: defense minister

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani delegation in Istanbul has presented its final position to the Afghan Taliban, emphasizing that continued patronage of terrorists is unacceptable, security sources said on Sunday. &ldquo;The ongoing support and shelter for terrorists by the Taliban is not acceptable,&rdquo; a senior Pakistani security official said. &ldquo;Concrete and verifiable steps will have to be taken by the Taliban regime to eliminate cross-border terrorism from and inside Afghanistan.&rdquo; Security sources said the demands presented by Pakistan were clear, evidence-based, and formulated to address the core issue directly. They added that Pakistan conveyed there would be no compromise on its central security concerns. According to the sources, the Pakistani side provided intelligence showing the presence and operations of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) inside Afghanistan, including safe havens and leadership protection. &ldquo;The Taliban were urged to take decisive action against these groups and end the provision of safe havens,&rdquo; a security source stated. However, the sources said the Afghan Taliban&rsquo;s arguments were &ldquo;illogical and contrary to observable ground realities,&rdquo; raising questions about their approach. &ldquo;It seems that the Taliban are following someone else&rsquo;s agenda,&rdquo; a security official said. &ldquo;This agenda is not in the interest of Afghanistan, Pakistan, or the broader region.&rdquo; Security sources also indicated that the Taliban delegation&rsquo;s &ldquo;stubbornness, lack of seriousness, and non-cooperation&rdquo; had become clear to all parties involved, including the host country. The host government is continuing to make efforts to ensure the Afghan side understands the evidence and engages responsibly. &ldquo;Further progress depends on the Taliban adopting a positive and constructive attitude,&rdquo; the sources noted. The current talks in Istanbul follow a meeting held in Doha last week, where both sides agreed to a ceasefire after several days of cross-border clashes. According to intelligence sources, the Istanbul discussions lasted about nine hours and sought to move toward a verifiable mechanism to prevent militant movement, reaffirm mutual respect for territorial sovereignty, and address related matters involving trade, refugee repatriation, and the separation of bilateral issues from internal political pressures. The talks are taking place amid a recent surge in militant incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including attacks in Central Kurram and Dera Ismail Khan, in which at least 28 Pakistani security personnel, including senior officers, were martyred. In response, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif announced that Pakistan would send a delegation to Kabul, citing what he described as &ldquo;unbearable&rdquo; security conditions. The Istanbul round forms part of a wider effort led by Qatar and T&uuml;rkiye to preserve the ceasefire and reduce tensions along the Pakistan&ndash;Afghanistan frontier. The process follows a temporary 48-hour truce declared on October 15 and extended during the Doha talks. Security sources stressed that the responsibility for meaningful progress now lies with the Afghan Taliban. &ldquo;What happens next will determine the stability of the region,&rdquo; a senior Pakistani official said.

Security sources say Taliban’s arguments in Istanbul talks are illogical, contrary to ground realities, and suggest Kabul may be pursuing an agenda not aligned with regional stability. Further progress depends on Taliban’s positive engagement, officials add.

Istanbul talks: Pakistan demands concrete Taliban action to stop cross-border terrorism

ISLAMABAD: The second round of talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban has not yet concluded, with deliberations on Pakistan&rsquo;s proposal still underway in Istanbul, intelligence sources told Pakistan TV Digital late Saturday.&nbsp;According to the sources, the discussions spanned approximately nine hours.&nbsp;The latest engagement follows the Doha round held last week, where both sides agreed to a ceasefire after days of cross-border clashes. The Istanbul discussions are aimed at moving toward a verifiable framework to prevent further escalation and ensure stability along the Pakistan&ndash;Afghanistan border.&nbsp;Three-point agenda under reviewSources said the talks in Istanbul focused on a three-point agenda: establishing a joint monitoring and oversight mechanism to curb cross-border militant movement; ensuring respect for national sovereignty under existing laws and international obligations; and addressing trade matters, refugee repatriation, and the separation of bilateral issues from internal political pressures.&nbsp;Possibility of longer-term understandingOfficials confirmed that both sides also discussed the prospect of a longer-term political understanding.&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi had earlier described the Doha engagement as a &ldquo;positive marker.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;There has been no major full-scale terrorist attack emanating from Afghan soil in the last two to three days,&rdquo; he said on Friday. &ldquo;We would like the trend to continue in Istanbul and post-Istanbul.&rdquo;&nbsp;On the Afghan side, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated on X that Deputy Interior Minister Haji Najib is leading Kabul&rsquo;s delegation, noting that &ldquo;the remaining issues will be discussed at this meeting.&rdquo;&nbsp;Islamabad&rsquo;s core objectiveAndrabi reiterated that Pakistan&rsquo;s central aim is to halt attacks originating from Afghan territory, adding that the ceasefire &ldquo;by and large still stands.&rdquo;&nbsp;Officials in Islamabad said the decision to re-engage in dialogue was made at Kabul&rsquo;s request and through mutual understanding to reduce tensions, emphasizing that sustained engagement is important for regional stability.&nbsp;Background to the talksThe latest engagement follows a surge in militant incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including attacks in Central Kurram and Dera Ismail Khan, in which at least 28 Pakistani security personnel, including senior officers, were martyred. In response to the deteriorating situation, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced that Islamabad would dispatch a delegation to Kabul, citing what he described as &ldquo;unbearable&rdquo; security conditions. Shortly afterward, explosions were reported in Kabul, which Taliban officials linked to Pakistan, a claim Islamabad did not immediately address. On October 11, heavy clashes then broke out at several points along the 2,604-kilometre border. The Afghan side&rsquo;s 201st Khalid bin Walid Army Corps said its actions came in response to Pakistan&rsquo;s earlier strikes, while Pakistan also engaged multiple Afghan positions and temporarily closed the Spin Boldak crossing. A 48-hour temporary truce was put in place on October 15 and was subsequently extended through the Doha talks held last week with the facilitation of Qatar and T&uuml;rkiye. According to Qatar, both sides agreed to maintain an immediate ceasefire and continue follow-up engagements to support its implementation.

With discussions spanning nine hours, Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have yet to conclude talks in Istanbul, where deliberations on Pakistan’s proposal continue following last week’s Doha ceasefire

Istanbul talks ‘not concluded’ as deliberation on Pakistan proposal ongoing

ISLAMABAD: The second round of talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban has formally begun in Istanbul, T&uuml;rkiye, official sources confirmed on Saturday. The latest engagement follows the first round of discussions in Doha, where both sides agreed to a ceasefire after days of cross-border clashes. According to sources who spoke with Pakistan TV Digital, the Istanbul discussions are centered on a three-point agenda: establishing a joint monitoring and oversight mechanism to curb cross-border militant movements; ensuring respect for national sovereignty under existing laws and international obligations; and addressing issues related to trade flows, refugee repatriation, and the separation of bilateral matters from domestic politics. Exploring long-term political understandingOfficials also noted that both sides are exploring the possibility of reaching a longer-term political understanding. Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi speaking at a weekly briefing on Friday, called the Doha engagement a &ldquo;positive marker.&rdquo; &ldquo;There has been no major full-scale terrorist attack emanating from Afghan soil in the last two to three days,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We would like the trend to continue in Istanbul and post-Istanbul.&rdquo; On the Afghan side, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid earlier confirmed on X that Deputy Interior Minister Haji Najib is leading Kabul&rsquo;s delegation, noting that &ldquo;the remaining issues will be discussed at this meeting.&rdquo; Islamabad&rsquo;s primary expectationAndrabi reiterated that Pakistan&rsquo;s central objective is to stop attacks originating from Afghan territory, adding that the ceasefire &ldquo;by and large still stands.&rdquo; Pakistan has faced a renewed surge in militancy in its western border regions since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Clashes escalated earlier this month when Afghan forces targeted Pakistani posts while Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was on an official visit to India. Officials in Islamabad say the decision to re-enter dialogue was made at Kabul&rsquo;s request and through mutual understanding to pursue de-escalation. Pakistan maintains that continued engagement is vital for regional peace and stability. Prelude to Istanbul talksThe talks come after a series of deadly militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including incidents in Central Kurram and Dera Ismail Khan that claimed the lives of at least 28 Pakistani security personnel, among them senior officers. Following the attacks, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan would send a delegation to Afghanistan due to &ldquo;unbearable&rdquo; security concerns. Hours later, explosions were reported in Kabul, which the Taliban blamed on Islamabad. Pakistan did not immediately comment. Subsequently, Pakistan conducted aerial strikes in Paktika&rsquo;s Birmal district, which the military described as targeting militant hideouts. The next day, on October 11, clashes erupted along multiple points of the 2,604-kilometer border. Afghanistan&#39;s 201st Khalid bin Walid Army Corps claimed the attacks were in response to Pakistan&rsquo;s earlier strikes. Pakistan countered by targeting several Afghan bases and also temporarily closed the Spin Boldak crossing. A temporary 48-hour ceasefire was reached on October 15 and later extended until the Doha round of talks, which took place last week with Qatar and T&uuml;rkiye mediating. Qatar&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry stated that both sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire and committed to further follow-up meetings to ensure implementation and stability.

Focus on establishing a verifiable monitoring mechanism, Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban resume talks in Istanbul after a Doha-brokered ceasefire, following deadly cross-border clashes and strikes on militant hideouts along the Pak-Afghan frontier

Pakistan, Afghan Taliban in second round of talks in Istanbul: sources

MUMBAI: Legendary Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle, whose voice defined Bollywood music through the 1970s and 80s, died Sunday in Mumbai aged 92, her family said. Two-time Grammy nominee Bhosle breathed her last at the Breach Candy hospital, where she was admitted with complaints of &quot;extreme exhaustion&quot; and chest infection. &quot;My mother passed away today (Sunday). Her last rites will be held tomorrow at Shivaji Park in Mumbai,&quot; her son Anand Bhosle told reporters. Bhosle recorded more than 12,000 songs in multiple Indian languages over a seven‑decade career. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was &quot;deeply saddened&quot; by her death. &quot;Her extraordinary musical journey, spanning decades, enriched our cultural heritage and touched countless hearts across the world,&quot; he said in a post on X. &quot;She will continue to inspire generations, and her songs will forever echo in people&#39;s lives.&quot; Born on September 8, 1933, to a musical family, Bhosle began singing as a child alongside her elder sister, Lata Mangeshkar, after their father&#39;s death. Often compared to Mangeshkar &mdash; revered as &quot;India&#39;s nightingale&quot; who died in 2022 &mdash; Bhosle forged her own path, embracing genres from pop to folk. Her early life was marked by struggle, including a turbulent marriage at 16. She went on to become one of Indian cinema&#39;s most versatile and celebrated voices, receiving the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2001 and earning two Grammy nominations. Bhosle continued collaborating with global artists well into her later years, including a recent feature on British virtual band Gorillaz&#39;s album The Mountain (&quot;Parvat&quot;). Beyond music, she nurtured her passion for food, launching her &quot;Asha&#39;s&quot; restaurant chain in Dubai and Britain.

India

Two-time Grammy nominee Bhosle breathed her last at the Breach Candy hospital, where she was admitted with complaints of "extreme exhaustion" and chest infection.



Legendary Indian singer Asha Bhosle dies aged 92

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar briefed regional counterparts on the outcome of high-stakes Iran&ndash;US negotiations in Islamabad, the Foreign Office said late Sunday, urging all parties to uphold a fragile ceasefire following 21 hours of intensive talks between Washington and Tehran. The negotiations, brokered through Pakistan&rsquo;s diplomatic engagement, come after weeks of conflict that disrupted global energy flows, pushed oil prices higher and unsettled financial markets, before a two-week truce created space for dialogue. While the United States said it had presented a &ldquo;final and best offer,&rdquo; Iran maintained that progress depends on &ldquo;seriousness and good faith&rdquo; and respect for its rights and interests. Speaking with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Dar shared updates on the Islamabad Talks and stressed that &ldquo;it is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to ceasefire.&rdquo; He reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s role in facilitating dialogue and supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving lasting regional stability. In separate calls with Egypt and T&uuml;rkiye, Dar reiterated the importance of sustained engagement, with the Foreign Office noting that he emphasised continued diplomacy as essential for peace. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan commended Pakistan&rsquo;s efforts, according to statement, with both sides reaffirming support for dialogue and de-escalation. The outreach comes as both Washington and Tehran signal continued engagement following the initial round of talks. US Vice President JD Vance said no agreement had been reached after extended discussions, while Iran&rsquo;s foreign ministry said the two sides had reached &ldquo;an understanding on a number of issues&rdquo; despite &ldquo;differences of opinion on 2-3 important&rdquo; matters. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said &ldquo;no one&rdquo; had expected an agreement in a single round, emphasising that &ldquo;diplomacy never ends&rdquo; and that contacts with Pakistan and regional partners would continue, underscoring a shared willingness to keep the process moving forward.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar briefs counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt following high-stakes US-Iran talks in Islamabad, urging ceasefire adherence, continued diplomacy, and sustained engagement to build on a fragile truce and support regional peace efforts

Pakistan briefs allies on Islamabad Talks, urges ceasefire adherence

LONDON: The Irish government was on Sunday due to hold an emergency cabinet meeting to sign off on measures aimed at ending fuel cost protests that have endangered the functioning of the country&#39;s emergency services. Hauliers and agricultural contractors began a series of &nbsp;protests on Tuesday over spiralling petrol and diesel prices amid the Middle East war. Since then the protests have grown from slow-moving convoys on motorways and restricted access to Dublin&#39;s busiest streets, to a part blockade of Ireland&#39;s only oil refinery and restricted access to at least two other fuel depots. Finance Minister Simon Harris said later on Saturday ministers had held meetings with transport and agriculture sector representatives ahead of Sunday&#39;s meeting. The government was in the process of &quot;finalising a significant support package to address the ongoing crisis&quot;, a government statement added. Some protests rolled into a sixth day on Sunday. The government has urged the public not to panic buy as pumps at many fuel stations have run dry. Police on Saturday with the support of the armed forces deployed public order units to clear the blockade at Whitegate Refinery in southern Ireland. Irish police chief Justin Kelly said the action was taken as a last resort. The blockading of &quot;critical national infrastructure&quot; had &quot;resulted in fuel shortages that are directly impacting on emergency services such as hospitals, the ambulance service, and the fire service&quot;, he said. Elsewhere, police dismantled a makeshift barrier erected by protesters blockading western Galway docks. A late-night operation also targeted the blockade of the capital Dublin&#39;s main thoroughfare O&#39;Connell Street after multiple vehicles including tractors and lorries were removed. Justice Minister Jim O&#39;Callaghan said earlier the continuation of the protests despite the increasingly difficult situation had been &quot;unacceptable&quot;. &quot;While we all acknowledge the impact of higher fuel prices, and seek to minimise that impact, no groups are entitled in our republic to hold our people to ransom in such a manner,&quot; he said. In March, Dublin announced a 250 million-euro package to reduce fuel costs, notably including a diesel rebate for road haulier There were now the &quot;bones of an agreement&quot; with the government, the president Ger Hyland of the Irish Road Haulage Association said on Saturday. &quot;It is a substantial package and we hope to have this over the line either late tonight or tomorrow,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

Europe

The Irish government was on Sunday due to hold an emergency cabinet meeting to sign off on measures aimed at ending fuel cost protests that have endangered the functioning of the country's emergency services

Irish ministers to hold emergency meet over fuel cost protests

PORT-AU-PRINCE: A stampede at historical fortress in Haiti has killed at least 30 people, a government minister told AFP on Sunday, with the crush reportedly involving several young visitors. &quot;The Minister of Culture and Communication has confirmed the deaths of 30 people at the Citadelle Henri on Saturday, April 11, 2026,&quot; culture minister Emmanuel Menard told AFP in a written message. &quot;The injured are currently receiving the necessary medical care, and a rescue team is searching for any missing persons,&quot; Menard said, without giving an exact figure of those injured. Citadelle Henri, also known as Citadelle Laferriere, is a 19th-century fortress and popular tourist spot. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was closed to visitors &quot;until further notice,&quot; Menard said. Haiti&#39;s prime minister&#39;s office expressed &quot;deep sadness&quot; in a government statement posted on Facebook, adding that the crush occurred during &quot;a tourist activity bringing together many young people.&quot; Jean Henry Petit, head of the civil protection office in Northern Haiti, told local newspaper Le Nouvelliste that the toll could rise due to the large number of people reported missing. Several dozen people were also injured and taken to hospital, the outlet reported. Initial reports said visitors, mostly young people, were crammed against a single entrance and a scuffle broke out between those trying to leave and enter the site. Other local media reports said the gathering took place after being advertised on TikTok. AFP was not able to immediately confirm the reports. The government urged citizens to &quot;be calm and cautious&quot; while it investigates. &quot;All competent authorities are fully mobilized and placed on maximum alert to provide, without delay, the necessary assistance, care and support,&quot; it added in its statement.

A view of Citadelle Laferrière, a 200-year-old fortress built by King Henri-Christophe of Haiti, near Cap-Haïtien. (UN Media)

Americas

Haitian authorities say dozens died in a stampede at the historic Citadelle Henri, with many young visitors involved, as rescue teams search for missing and treat injured.

Haiti fort stampede kills at least 30: authorities

INDIO: With a minimalist set and a trip through his musical past, pop superstar Justin Bieber returned to the stage on Saturday night to headline the second day of Coachella. The Canadian singer has not performed at a venue of Coachella&#39;s size since 2022, when he appeared at Rock in Rio in Brazil before canceling the remainder of his international tour due to health issues. Last year Bieber released the album &quot;Swag,&quot; quickly followed by his eighth studio album &quot;Swag II.&quot; While Bieber has recently played smaller shows, Coachella was billed as the start of his full-scale comeback. Bieber earlier said in an Instagram post that &quot;We WILL be singing at the top of our lungs on Saturday.&quot; Dressed in a red sweater, shorts and black boots, the 32-year-old artist made good on his promise, playing the role of DJ and taking requests from online viewers. After opening with several tracks from &quot;Swag II,&quot; Bieber sat at a computer and began a journey into the past, searching for his videos on YouTube and singing snippets from &quot;That Should Be Me,&quot; &quot;Beauty and a Beat,&quot; &quot;Never Say Never,&quot; the teen pop anthem &quot;Baby&quot; and others hits. &quot;This is special,&quot; he told the crowd. &quot;This is a night I dreamed about for a long time, so to be here is amazing.&quot; Bieber also showed his old clips on YouTube, as well as moments captured by the ever-present cameras following him and his wife, Hailey Bieber. Eclectic offerings Earlier in the day, New York City rockers The Strokes took the stage and announced a new album for June, following a six-year hiatus for the band. They played anthems including &quot;Hard to Explain,&quot; &quot;Reptilia,&quot; &quot;Last Nite&quot; and &quot;Someday.&quot; Other acts in the spotlight Saturday included Nine Inch Noize &ndash; the collaboration between legendary industrial band Nine Inch Nails and German producer Boys Noize &ndash; who also have an album on the way. With dramatic lighting and intense sound, the band had fans jumping with versions of songs like &quot;Closer,&quot; &quot;Heresy,&quot; &quot;The Warning&quot; and &quot;Copy of A.&quot; The set by rising indie star Sombr featured Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, and together they performed the rock band&#39;s 1990s hit &quot;1979.&quot; With nine stages, the festival hosted a wide range of genres, including Brazil&#39;s Luisa Sonza, influencer-turned-singer Addison Rae, Britain&#39;s PinkPantheress, K-pop star Taemin and David Byrne, the legendary co-founder of the band Talking Heads. Coachella kicked off Friday with performances from headliner Sabrina Carpenter, Moby, Devo and surprise appearances from Lizzo, David Lee Roth and HUNTR/X, who performed their Oscar-winning &quot;Golden&quot; alongside KATSEYE. Carpenter&#39;s performance of hits like &quot;Manchild,&quot; &quot;Espresso&quot; and &quot;Please, Please, Please&quot; was helped by big-screen stars Sam Elliott, Susan Sarandon and Will Ferrell, who rounded out her 90-minute set. The festival runs this weekend and next weekend, with a nearly identical lineup. It can be viewed on YouTube.

An employee shows a Justin Bieber shirt to a fan during during the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California on April 11, 2026. (AFP)

Entertainment

The Canadian singer has not performed at a venue of Coachella's size since 2022, when he appeared at Rock in Rio in Brazil before canceling the remainder of his international tour due to health issues.

Justin Bieber reconnects with fans on Coachella's second day

Moscow/Kyiv: Russia on Sunday claimed that Ukraine had committed nearly 2,000 truce violations, as the warring neighbors traded accusations of breaching an agreement to temporarily halt hostilities for Orthodox Easter. &quot;A total of 1,971 ceasefire violations by units of the Ukrainian armed forces were recorded between 4:00 pm Moscow time on April 12 and 8:00 am on April 12,&quot; the Russian <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/ukraine-reports-469-easter-truce-violations" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">defense ministry</a> said, as reported by the TASS news agency. Ukraine reports 2,299 Easter truce violationsMeanwhile, Russia has violated a truce in place for <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/easter-truce-between-russia-and-ukraine-begins" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Orthodox Easter</a> nearly 2,300 times since it came into effect, the Ukrainian army said on Sunday. &quot;As of 7:00 a.m. on 12 April, 2,299 ceasefire violations were recorded. Specifically: 28 enemy assault actions, 479 enemy shellings, 747 strikes by attack drones... and 1,045 strikes by FPV drones,&quot; the Ukrainian military&#39;s general staff said in a post on Facebook. &quot;There were no missile strikes, guided aerial bomb strikes, or Shahed-type UAV strikes,&quot; it added.

Russia on Sunday claimed that Ukraine had committed nearly 2,000 truce violations, as the warring neighbors traded accusations of breaching an agreement to temporarily halt hostilities for Orthodox Easter.

Russia, Ukraine accuse each other of nearly 2,000 Easter truce violations

NEW DELHI:&nbsp;Domestic migrants in India, who often travel thousands of kilometers for work are weighing up whether to leave New Delhi for good as energy resources choked by the US-Israel war on Iran war dwindle. Black market prices of cooking <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/fuel-panic-deepens-indias-economic-strain" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">gas cylinders</a> have soared beyond what laborers living hand-to-mouth can earn and, even if energy flows resume soon, they worry it could take weeks for the impact to filter down to them. Crouched over smoky fires at dawn, using wood shavings to cook a breakfast of flat bread chapatis, dozens of construction workers say they are ready to return home. &quot;We will just leave when (the) money finishes,&quot; said Milan Kumar Mondal, who will make the 1,100-kilometer (685-mile) journey home to Katihar in <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/panic-and-chaos-in-india-as-lpg-supply-dwindles-and-prices-surge" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bihar state</a>, when the last of his savings runs out.&nbsp;Millions of internal migrants&nbsp;India has more than 450 million internal migrants, according to the last census in 2011 and government estimates, forming the backbone of its informal economy. Many move seasonally from poorer states such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to cities in search of construction, factory and daily wage work. The South Asian nation, heavily dependent on imported energy, including roughly 60% of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) needs, has seen supply chains strained by the war. And while the government says there is no overall LPG shortage, and is ensuring the most vulnerable receive cooking gas, migrants in informal settlements say they are left out. <h2 style="line-height: 2;">&#39;Savings uncertain&#39;&nbsp;</h2>Government rules mean a household can have only one registered LPG connection.&nbsp; For domestic migrants, that is back in their home village. Incomes are volatile and savings minimal, making them particularly vulnerable to sudden price spikes or supply disruptions. Mondal earns around 600&ndash;700 rupees ($6.50-7.50) a day for construction work but, with LPG prohibitively expensive, he is barely breaking even.&nbsp;Surge in prices&nbsp;Prices of cooking gas have surged by as much as five times on the black market, the only source he can access without formal paperwork. &quot;Earlier cooking gas was 80&ndash;90 rupees ($0.86-0.97) per kilogram... Now it is 300&ndash;400 rupees, even 500 ($5.40),&quot; Mondal said. Workers&#39; union leader Rajiv Kumar Pandit said swaths of migrant workers had left the city already. &quot;The situation is very bad,&quot; he said. &quot;Wages are irregular, gas is not available, and prices are extremely high.&quot; Ramesh Kumar Mahto, also from Bihar, is ready to return home once he is paid. &quot;I don&#39;t think I will return to Delhi,&quot; he said. &quot;The crisis has made savings uncertain,&quot; he said.<h2 style="line-height: 2;">&nbsp;</h2><h2 style="line-height: 2;">&#39;What is left?&#39;&nbsp;</h2>Many initially turned to firewood gathered from city forests or wood shavings from construction sites, but even the cost of that has now nearly doubled. &quot;We were cooking on firewood for the first 15 days of the crisis,&quot; said Suresh Kumar from Bhagalpur district, noting that they cannot cook when it rains.&nbsp; &quot;Now, even wood has become expensive.&quot; Electric stoves are not an option, since their power connection in tight-packed rooms is often only strong enough for a single charging point. &quot;If we use a heater or induction stove, the fuse goes off, the wiring burns,&quot; Kumar said. Food stalls are unaffordable -- or mean the worker spends all that they earn. &quot;A laborer needs three meals a day because the work is heavy -- lifting stones, working on multi-story buildings,&quot; construction worker Lalu Singh said. &quot;If we spend almost everything on food, what is left? It is better to go home and be with your family&quot;. Work is uncertain back in their villages -- farming on leased land or daily wage labor -- but living costs are lower and families share expenses. Five-month pregnant Naseema, in Delhi&#39;s Noor Nagar district, gathers wood from scrubland to cook for her six children and husband. &quot;If we can manage with the wood, we will,&quot; she said. &quot;After that, what option do we have -- than to return back to our village?&quot;

The South Asian nation, heavily dependent on imported energy, including roughly 60% of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) needs, has seen supply chains strained by the US-Israel war on Iran.

Domestic Indian migrants weigh return home in energy crunch

JAKARTA: Indonesia&#39;s President Prabowo Subianto will depart for Russia on Sunday for talks with counterpart Vladimir Putin on oil, Prabowo&#39;s office said.&nbsp;The presidency in Jakarta confirmed to AFP that Prabowo would leave Sunday evening.&nbsp;Foreign Minister Sugiono said Saturday that oil, which is &quot;of strategic importance for the Indonesian nation&quot;, would be on the agenda.&nbsp;&quot;He will meet with President Putin and will also discuss global geopolitics and, certainly, the energy situation,&quot; said Sugiono, who like many Indonesians has only one name.&nbsp;Prabowo, who recently travelled to South Korea and Japan, has defended his foreign travels.&nbsp;&quot;Brothers and sisters, it&#39;s to secure oil, I have to go everywhere,&quot; he said in an address to his cabinet last week.&nbsp;Like many nations, Indonesia has come under pressure from soaring global oil prices over the war in the Middle East.&nbsp;Southeast Asia&#39;s largest economy, where fuel is heavily subsidised, is an oil producer but nevertheless a net importer.&nbsp;Last month, Prabowo&#39;s government announced fuel rationing and mandated a day-per-week work-from-home policy for civil servants to conserve energy stocks.&nbsp;It has vowed not to increase the price of fuel in the near future.&nbsp;Russia&#39;s ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov told reporters in March that his country was open to selling oil to Indonesia.&nbsp;&quot;If Indonesia needs it, so please tell us and you will have it,&quot; Tolchenov said as the countries prepared for joint military exercises at a Jakarta port.&nbsp;Last year, Jakarta joined the BRICS bloc of emerging economies that includes Russia and China.&nbsp;But Prabowo has also signed a trade deal with US President Donald Trump and joined his so-called &quot;Board of Peace&quot;.&nbsp;

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto will visit Russia to meet Vladimir Putin, focusing on oil supply, energy security, and geopolitics, as Jakarta faces rising prices, fuel subsidies pressure, and seeks stable imports amid Middle East tensions.

Indonesian president to meet Putin in Russia for oil talks

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that it is imperative that the US and Iran continue to uphold their commitment to ceasefire.&nbsp; Dar said this while briefing media on Islamabad Talks on Sunday. The Pakistani foreign minister, expressed his deep gratitude to the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America for responding to the call made by Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for an immediate ceasefire in the region as well as for accepting prime minister&#39;s invitation for holding peace talks in Islamabad.<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" allowtransparency="true" 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=2043183031121330312&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=76100c9e5ba0cf395b19894855d58680eb56c856&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 777px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2043183031121330312"></iframe></div></div>The foreign minister said that &quot;I along with the Chief of Defense Forces and Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir helped mediate several rounds of intense and constructive negotiations between the two sides that continued through the last 24 hours and ended this morning.&quot;&nbsp; Dar said, &quot;On behalf of Pakistan, I would like to express gratitude to the two sides for appreciating Pakistan&#39;s efforts to help achieve the ceasefire and its mediatory role.&quot;&nbsp;&quot;We hope that the two sides continue with the positive spirit to achieve durable peace and prosperity for the entire region and beyond.&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-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2043175378488041726&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=76100c9e5ba0cf395b19894855d58680eb56c856&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 877px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2043175378488041726"></iframe></div></div>The foreign minister said, &quot;It is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to ceasefire.&quot;&nbsp; &quot;Pakistan has been and will continue to play its role to facilitate engagement and dialogue between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America in the days to come.&quot;&nbsp;

Ishaq Dar Says, 'Pakistan has been and will continue to play its role to facilitate engagement and dialogue between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America in the days to come.' 

Pakistan foreign minister says 'imperative' for US, Iran to uphold ceasefire

KYIV: Ukraine&#39;s military command on Saturday reported nearly 470 Russian violations of a truce agreed to mark the Orthodox Easter.&nbsp;&quot;After 4:00 pm, 469 ceasefire violations were recorded, namely: 22 enemy assault actions, 153 shelling attacks, 19 strikes by attack drones... &nbsp;and 275 strikes by FPV drones,&quot; it said on Facebook.&nbsp;&quot;Today in total, the enemy carried out 57 air strikes and dropped 182 guided aerial bombs. In addition, it deployed 3,928 kamikaze drones and conducted 2,454 shelling attacks on populated areas and positions of our troops&quot;.

Ukraine’s military reported 469 Russian violations of an Easter truce, including assaults, shelling, and drone strikes. It said Russia also launched dozens of air strikes, dropped bombs, and carried out thousands of attacks on troops and populated areas, showing the ceasefire was largely ignored.

Articles by Mariam Ellahi