DELHI: At least 21 people were killed&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;when a fire ripped through a hotel in New Delhi, police said, in one of the deadliest blazes in the Indian capital in recent years. Building fires are common in India due to a lack of firefighting equipment and routine disregard for safety regulations. The fire broke out in the morning at Flourish Stay, a bed-and-breakfast in a congested neighborhood in the south of the city, Delhi Police said in a statement. &quot;It is with profound sorrow that 21 persons have been declared dead in this tragic incident,&quot; the force said. It said rescue and search operations were continuing, with more than 40 people taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Several of those killed were visitors from African countries who had come to the city for medical treatment, the Indian Express and other local media reported. The blaze was eventually brought under control with the help of eight fire engines, police said. &quot;All concerned agencies remain deployed at the spot to ensure every possible assistance to those affected,&quot; the force added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident &quot;tragic&quot;. &quot;My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones,&quot; his office said in a statement on X. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. Electrical short circuits, often caused by poorly maintained wiring, remain the leading cause of fire incidents in India. In March, a fire at a government-run hospital in eastern India killed at least 10 critically ill patients.

Forensics team members inspect the site following a fire that broke out at a hotel in New Delhi on June 3, 2026 (AFP)

India

The fire broke out in the morning at Flourish Stay, a bed-and-breakfast in a congested neighborhood in the south of the city, Delhi Police said in a statement. Rescue and search operations were continuing, with more than 40 people taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.


New Delhi hotel fire kills at least 21: Police

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Major Indian cities, including Jaipur, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi, face mounting challenges in urban infrastructure, pollution, and civic management, which highlight worsening liveability and environmental crises, according to multiple media reports. Across these cities, everyday civic and environmental challenges are visible on the streets, affecting residents&rsquo; safety, health, and overall quality of life. Here&rsquo;s a closer look at the challenges facing each city. JaipurJaipur continues to grapple with everyday urban problems that directly affect liveability.&nbsp; The Times of India reported on Dec. 27 that several pedestrian foot overbridges at major junctions, including Collectorate Circle, Narayan Singh Circle, and Tonk Road, are severely neglected, with nonfunctional escalators, foul odors, and closures that force pedestrians to risk crossing busy roads, raising serious safety concerns.&nbsp; In a separate article on Dec. 26, The Times of India highlighted how an illegal Thursday market in Mahesh Nagar swells the streets with unregulated vendors, choking narrow roads and hindering emergency access near Maya Devi Hospital. Residents complained that repeated pleas to the Jaipur Municipal Corporation have gone unaddressed.&nbsp; A recent BBC report, &ldquo;Toxic air, broken roads and unpicked rubbish - why India&#39;s big cities are becoming unliveable&rdquo;, highlights issues such as choked traffic, foul air, and heaps of uncleared rubbish facing many Indian cities, including Jaipur.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;In Jaipur, you will find the most sublime examples of centuries-old architecture defaced by tobacco stains and jostling for space with a car mechanic&#39;s workshop, the report states. BengaluruBengaluru&#39;s infrastructure and environmental quality remain key points of criticism in the Indian media.&nbsp; According to Bangalore Mirror on Dec. 29, air quality in the city deteriorated throughout 2025, with average AQI figures climbing sharply compared with previous years and the city seeing its worst pollution in five years, frequently entering unhealthy categories late in the year.&nbsp; Local media also report daily civic challenges beyond pollution: The Times of India on Dec. 25&nbsp;noted that Bengaluru&#39;s streets remain deadly for pedestrians, with nearly 28% of road fatalities involving pedestrians due to poor infrastructure such as broken footpaths, illegal pavement parking, and inadequate crossings, even as authorities plan repairs.&nbsp; In Bengaluru -- often called India&#39;s Silicon Valley for its many IT companies and start-up headquarters -- there were public outbursts from citizens and billionaire entrepreneurs alike, fed up with its traffic snarls and garbage piles, the BBC report highlights. MumbaiIn Mumbai, the civic administration&#39;s response to environmental degradation is under scrutiny.&nbsp; The Times of India on Dec. 25 reported a strong rebuke from the Bombay High Court to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for failing to enforce dust mitigation guidelines at construction and concrete sites, ordering daily surprise inspections and broader publicization of air quality measures to curb ongoing pollution problems.&nbsp; Although tall buildings and rapid development often feature in discussions, media criticism focuses on governance failings, particularly how rapid growth has outpaced effective implementation of environmental controls and infrastructure maintenance, forcing court intervention and highlighting systemic weaknesses.&nbsp; In Mumbai, the financial capital, citizens staged a rare protest against the worsening pothole problem, as clogged sewage lines dumped garbage onto flooded roads during the extended monsoon, the BBC report mentions. DelhiDelhi&#39;s air pollution continues to dominate headlines.&nbsp; Independent reporting by NDTV and associated data on Dec. 29 show the city&#39;s AQI frequently falls within &ldquo;severe&rdquo; bands.&nbsp; Moreover, a New Indian Express analysis published on Nov. 29 noted that Delhi had become the most polluted major city in India over the past decade based on longitudinal air quality&nbsp;data, with persistent unhealthy air quality exacerbated by seasonal smog, vehicle emissions, and crop-burning effects across the Indo-Gangetic Plain.&nbsp; According to the BBC report, in Delhi&#39;s annual winter of discontent, toxic smog left children and the elderly gasping, with doctors advising some to leave the city. Even footballer Lionel Messi&#39;s visit this month was overshadowed by fans chanting against the capital&#39;s poor air quality, the BBC report said.&nbsp;

Urban centers, including Jaipur, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi, face mounting challenges in infrastructure, pollution, and civic management, which highlight worsening liveability and environmental crises, according to multiple media reports.

India’s major cities grapple with pollution and failing infrastructure: Reports

ISLAMABAD: In India&rsquo;s capital region, including Delhi, the air quality has taken a serious hit post-Diwali and with the onset of winter.&nbsp; An Indian media outlet, while quoting an online survey by citizen engagement platform LocalCircles, reported Saturday that three out of four households in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) are &ldquo;already experiencing the ill-effects of toxic air, with common complaints ranging from sore throat and cough to burning eyes, headaches, and disturbed sleep.&rdquo;&nbsp; On Oct. 7, air quality in Delhi reached &ldquo;hazardous&rdquo; levels, according to the Swiss air quality technology company IQAir.&nbsp; <figure id="isPasted"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/e3ef0795-4d2e-4730-ad00-69d4e82b7f69-Delhi air quality.jpg" alt="Delhi air quality.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 1000px; height: 563px;"><figcaption>Screengrab: IQAir.com</figcaption></figure> &lsquo;Sore throat and burning eyes&rsquo;&nbsp;&quot;The survey, based on over 44,000 responses from residents across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad, found that 42 per cent of the households reported that one or more members were suffering from sore throat or cough, while 25 per cent said family members had burning eyes, headaches, or difficulty sleeping,&quot; according to the media report. Sachin Taparia, founder of LocalCircles, in a post on X on Monday, while highlighting the poor air quality level in the Indian capital, stated: &ldquo;This is why 3 in 4 Delhi-NCR households have someone having sore throat, cough, headache, burning eyes.&rdquo;&nbsp; &lsquo;Gimmicks won&rsquo;t change reality&rsquo;&nbsp;Taparia categorically added: &ldquo;Politicians can do whatever gimmicks they like, but the reality won&rsquo;t change, until it actually changes.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 1251px; 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=1982634396227453333&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=4c2aa17d320639d2f03ee159a36a7a7bf32d601f&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="1982634396227453333"></iframe></div></div>Pollution post Diwali&nbsp;According to the Central Pollution Control Board of India, before Diwali on Oct. 17, there was just one city in the &ldquo;very poor&rdquo; air quality category and 25 cities in the &ldquo;poor&rdquo; air quality category.<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" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 921px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1979143439456313355&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=4c2aa17d320639d2f03ee159a36a7a7bf32d601f&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="1979143439456313355"></iframe></div></div>But this changed with Diwali. According to statistics shared by the board on the social media platform X, the number of cities in the &ldquo;very poor&rdquo; air quality category shot to 14 on Oct. 21, and the number in the &ldquo;poor&rdquo; category increased to 79.<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" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 921px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1980612325729267765&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=4c2aa17d320639d2f03ee159a36a7a7bf32d601f&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="1980612325729267765"></iframe></div></div>

The households are ‘already experiencing the ill-effects of toxic air, with common complaints ranging from sore throat and cough to burning eyes, headaches and disturbed sleep.’ 

Survey finds 3 in 4 Delhi households feeling toxic air impact 

&nbsp;ISLAMABAD: The air quality of the National Capital Region (NCR) of India, Delhi, plummeted on the occasion of Diwali on Tuesday. The use of firecrackers with little check usually results in a spike in air pollution every year during Diwali celebrations.&nbsp;This year has been no different. According to the Swiss global air quality monitoring company, IQAir, Delhi&rsquo;s air quality index (AQI) touched 772 after the Diwali celebrations, the highest of any city in the world.&nbsp; AQI values above 300 are considered a public health emergency, when everyone is at risk of experiencing serious health effects, and should avoid all physical activity outdoors. The spike in air pollution also has an impact on other cities in the region, including Lahore in Pakistan, which IQAir listed as the world&#39;s second most polluted city.&nbsp; Sajid Bashir, spokesperson for the Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA) in Pakistan, while speaking to Pakistan TV Digital on Tuesday, said, &ldquo;Winds blowing from New Delhi and other parts of India at a speed of up to 7 kilometers per hour are moving toward Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan.&quot;<div class="fr-embed youtube-embed"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8fZyiTo6qi8" title="Punjab government deploys anti-smog guns across Lahore to combat pollution" 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>&nbsp;</div>&quot;Similarly, the southern districts of Multan, Bahawalpur, and Bahawalnagar will also be affected due to pollutants crossing the border in the wake of Diwali festivities that feature fireworks,&rdquo; he added. <figure><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/d315d3ef-453d-42e0-a459-f1d613845701-AQI--.jpg" alt="AQI--.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><figcaption>Photo: IQAir&#39;s website</figcaption></figure>Diwali, which literally means &ldquo;row of lights,&rdquo; is a Hindu celebration of the triumph of light over darkness.&nbsp; Traditionally, it has been marked by the lighting of earthen lamps and candles.&nbsp; The use of firecrackers has, over the years, become a predominant part of celebrations, raising concerns about contributing to pollution and worsening air quality, according to an Indian media report. The territory that covers the Indian capital, New Delhi, consistently remains among the most polluted cities in the world, especially during the winter season. The smog and air pollution also usually have an impact on cities and towns in neighboring Pakistan. &nbsp; &lsquo;Very poor&rsquo; air qualityThe Diwali celebrations have apparently adversely impacted the air quality in multiple cities, among other likely factors.&nbsp; According to the Indian Central Pollution Control Board&rsquo;s post shared on the social media platform X on Monday, at least 36 cities of India were categorized under &ldquo;poor&rdquo; to &ldquo;very poor&rdquo; air quality. &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-4" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 921px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-4&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1980238542065566131&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard%2F&sessionId=76442ff8a65ece78e2641ab07323ba54ea4f092d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;Noise and air pollution&nbsp;Another recent Indian media report highlighted the toll it takes on pets and the trauma they face because of the constant loud noise of the crackers.<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-5" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 920px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-5&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1980209285629157625&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard%2F&sessionId=76442ff8a65ece78e2641ab07323ba54ea4f092d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>The use of firecrackers, which are a cause of noise and air pollution, became part of urban celebrations only after the independence of India and became an integral part of Diwali by the 1980s, according to Indian media. A ban on firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR area was first imposed in 2014-15 by the Indian Supreme Court. However, &ldquo;enforcement challenges and lack of public compliance have always prevailed,&rdquo; the Indian media admits. -- With additional input from our correspondent in Lahore.

Diwali has been traditionally celebrated by lighting lamps and candles; the use of firecrackers contributes to air pollution every year; Indian media reports cites enforcement challenges and lack of public compliance with regulations as a contributing factor. 

Indian capital Delhi’s air quality nosedives post Diwali celebrations

Mariam Ellahi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday voiced strong concerns over continued border violations from Afghanistan and dismissed allegations made by the Taliban government, underscoring Islamabad&rsquo;s right to self-defense amid escalating tensions along the shared frontier. Speaking at the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said Pakistan was &ldquo;deeply concerned&rdquo; about what he described as &ldquo;unwarranted aggression&rdquo; by militant groups affiliated with &ldquo;Fitna al-Khawarij,&rdquo; Islamabad&rsquo;s term for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and &ldquo;Fitna al-Hindustan,&rdquo; referring to what Pakistan says are Indian-sponsored proxies operating in southwestern Balochistan. &ldquo;Pakistan exercised its legitimate right to self-defense after repeated cross-border attacks,&rdquo; Khan said. &ldquo;Our retaliatory actions were carefully targeted and not directed against Afghan civilians.&rdquo; Rebuttal to Taliban and Indian remarksKhan rejected recent comments by Afghan interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, who during a visit to India termed terrorism &ldquo;an internal issue of Pakistan.&rdquo; &ldquo;Islamabad completely rejects such assertions,&rdquo; the spokesperson said, adding that the Taliban administration was attempting to &ldquo;divert attention from the presence of terrorist elements inside Afghanistan.&rdquo; Khan pointed to multiple United Nations Monitoring Team reports documenting the continued presence of TTP and other militant groups within Afghan territory. He also condemned the Afghanistan&ndash;India joint statement, which described Indian-administered Kashmir as part of India, calling it &ldquo;a blatant denial of the Kashmiri people&rsquo;s right to self-determination&rdquo; and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. &ldquo;Pakistan has conveyed its objections to the Afghan envoy in Islamabad,&rdquo; Khan said. &ldquo;We remain sensitive to the sacrifices and sentiments of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in their struggle for self-determination.&rdquo; Ceasefire and diplomatic engagementConfirming a temporary truce, Khan said both countries had agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire at Kabul&rsquo;s request to de-escalate hostilities and pursue dialogue. &ldquo;During this time, both sides are making sincere efforts to find a constructive and sustainable resolution to these complex but solvable issues,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Pakistan believes in dialogue and remains committed to peace.&rdquo; Afghanistan&rsquo;s interim spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told Ariana News that the ceasefire &ldquo;has been extended until the conclusion of planned talks,&rdquo; according to Reuters. Khan stressed that Islamabad continues to maintain diplomatic channels with Kabul, adding: &ldquo;There is no downgrade in relations. But Pakistan will continue to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and people at all costs.&rdquo; Refugees and governance in AfghanistanThe spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan hosts more than four million Afghan nationals and will regulate their presence &ldquo;in accordance with international norms and domestic laws.&rdquo; He urged the Taliban to act &ldquo;responsibly&rdquo; and work toward &ldquo;a peaceful, stable, friendly, and inclusive Afghanistan.&rdquo; &ldquo;We hope one day the Afghan people will be emancipated and governed by a genuine representative government,&rdquo; Khan said. militant presence and regional SecurityKhan accused India of &ldquo;training, financing, and sheltering&rdquo; militant outfits such as the TTP and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), adding that &ldquo;India&rsquo;s negative role in Afghanistan is well-documented.&rdquo; He also condemned reports of mutilation of Pakistani soldiers&rsquo; bodies, calling the act &ldquo;unforgivable and deeply offensive.&rdquo; &ldquo;This kind of savagery cannot be condoned,&rdquo; Khan warned. &ldquo;Pakistan reserves the right to respond at a time and place of its choosing.&rdquo; Broader foreign policy and human rightsKhan reaffirmed that Pakistan&ndash;China relations remain the &ldquo;cornerstone&rdquo; of Islamabad&rsquo;s diplomacy, with both countries working to advance an upgraded phase of the China&ndash;Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He further highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s re-election to the UN Human Rights Council, describing it as &ldquo;a reaffirmation of the international community&rsquo;s confidence in Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to human rights and multilateralism.&rdquo;

Foreign Affairs

Islamabad and Kabul have agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire following recent cross-border clashes, officials confirmed Wednesday, with both sides saying the truce aims to ease tensions and pave the way for constructive dialogue toward a lasting resolution.


Pakistan condemns Afghan border violations, rejects Taliban allegations of aggression

Aleena Zara Malik

ISLAMABAD: &ldquo;This is the ultimate dishonour to the women of India,&rdquo; Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra lashed out against the government in her post on X after media reports stated that women journalists were excluded from the Taliban minister&rsquo;s Delhi press conference on his request.&nbsp;Moitra&rsquo;s remarks that the government enabled gender discrimination on Indian soil coincided with a wave of anger on the internet against keeping women journalists away from the press conference. On Friday, October 10, 2025, a press interaction was held in New Delhi, reportedly at the Afghan Embassy, following bilateral talks between visiting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi and External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;In her video posted on the social media platform X, Mahua Moitra termed the government officials as &ldquo;a shameful bunch of spineless hypocrites.&rdquo; &nbsp; &nbsp;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 560px; 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: 560px; height: 560px; 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=1976727137265803594&lang=en&maxWidth=560px&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=abdb2d0a42b5d866a3e7af687aa8489d87491526&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Expressing disdain, another X user, Nayanima Basu, said: &ldquo;Right under the Indian government&#39;s nose, in the heart of the capital city, the Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi holds a press conference, intentionally excluding any female journalists. How can this be allowed? Who approved such an outrageous disregard for representation?&rdquo; &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-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 735px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1976609063732437424&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=abdb2d0a42b5d866a3e7af687aa8489d87491526&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Despite the Ministry of External Affairs&#39; clarification that the press interaction was managed by the Afghan side, MP Moitra blamed the Indian government. Moitra said the government not only yielded to the Taliban&rsquo;s discriminatory policy against women but also &ldquo;dishonoured every single Indian woman by allowing a Taliban minister to exclude women journalists.&quot;&nbsp; &nbsp;Agreeing with another user on X, a prominent Indian journalist, Suhasini Haider, said: &ldquo;Quite right, Uma, our expectations are not from the Taliban [government], which has enacted laws to erase women from public life, but from our own government in particular that they would protest such discrimination even if they felt powerless to stop it.&rdquo;&nbsp; &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-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 530px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1976715779295920619&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=abdb2d0a42b5d866a3e7af687aa8489d87491526&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> &nbsp;Expressing disappointment on another post on X, Anjali Modi stated: &ldquo;Our expectations are also from our male colleagues to stand up for what is right, rather than endorsing the Taliban&#39;s ideological sexism by attending a male-only press conference!&rdquo; &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-3" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 656px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-3&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1976720991276695710&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=abdb2d0a42b5d866a3e7af687aa8489d87491526&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Mahua Moitra said on the one hand, the government ran campaigns like &#39;Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao&#39; (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter), and on the other hosts an official who would not sit with women. She also criticized male journalists, who attended the press conference, for their &quot;silence,&quot; noting they failed to protest or walk out in solidarity with their female colleagues.&quot;&nbsp;

Outrage erupted after women journalists were banned from a Taliban minister’s Delhi press conference. Critics, including MP Mahua Moitra, accused the Indian government of enabling gender discrimination and failing to protest the exclusion.

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