GENEVA: Last year was the deadliest on record for <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/india-plans-ai-tool-to-target-illegal-bangladeshis-and-rohingyas-in-maharashtra" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rohingya refugees</a> fleeing by sea, with deaths continuing to soar in 2026, the UN said Friday, after hundreds were lost in a shipwreck earlier this month. &quot;In 2025, nearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal,&quot; the United Nations refugee agency&#39;s spokesman Babar Baloch told a press briefing in Geneva. That marks &quot;the deadliest year on record&quot; for the region, according to data from UNHCR, he said. Baloch highlighted that out of the more than 6,500 Rohingya who had attempted perilous sea crossings last year, &quot;one in seven (were) reported missing or dead&quot;. That, he said, was &quot;the highest mortality rate worldwide of any major route for refugee and <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/21-bangladeshis-rescued-after-deadly-mediterranean-migrant-ordeal" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">migrant sea journeys</a>&quot;. The Rohingya mainly leave from huge camps in Bangladesh&#39;s Cox&#39;s Bazar, where more than a million refugees forced to flee across the border from war-torn Myanmar&#39;s Rakhine state live in squalid conditions. Rakhine state has been the scene of fierce fighting between the military and the Arakan Army, an ethnic minority rebel group. The Rohingya undertake perilous sea journeys every year in search of better living conditions, traveling aboard rickety boats often operated by trafficking networks. &#39;Unmarked graveyard for thousands&#39; Baloch roughly estimated that &quot;nearly 200,000 Rohingya refugees ... have taken these dangerous sea journeys since 2012&quot;. And, he estimated, &quot;more than 5,000 Rohingya refugees have lost their lives during these dangerous sea journeys over a decade&quot;. &quot;This makes, sadly, the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal an unmarked graveyard for thousands of desperate Rohingya refugees in recent years.&quot; Baloch pointed out that most Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh wanted to return to Myanmar &quot;once conditions allow for a voluntary, dignified and safe return&quot;. But he stressed that &quot;ongoing conflict, persecution and the absence of citizenship prospects leave them with little hope&quot;. Limited humanitarian aid in Bangladesh, &quot;compounded by insecurity in the camps and limited access to education and livelihoods&quot;, pushes refugees towards dangerous journeys, he explained. In recent years, more than half of those attempting such crossings have been women and children, according to UNHCR data. This year, Baloch said, &quot;with more than 2,800 Rohingya undertaking dangerous sea journeys between January and April 13&quot;. His comments came days after news emerged that a boat carrying about 280 Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi migrants had capsized in the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/about-250-people-feared-missing-after-boat-capsizes-in-andaman-sea-un" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Andaman Sea</a>. The boat, which left the southern Bangladeshi port of Teknaf on April 4 and was on its way to Malaysia, sank due to heavy winds, rough seas and overcrowding, according to the United Nations. Bangladeshi authorities said nine people had been rescued, while Baloch said an estimated 250 people are missing. &quot;UNHCR is providing counselling and referrals for medical and psychosocial support to Rohingya survivors,&quot; he said. The UN refugee agency said it was calling on states to &quot;address the root causes of displacement, expand safe and legal pathways, and strengthen regional cooperation to save lives and combat smuggling and trafficking&quot;.

Rohingya refugees sit together on board a National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) vessel after they were rescued from their capsized boat in waters some 29 kilometers off west Aceh on March 21, 2024. (AFP)

Asia

Nearly 900 Rohingya refugees dead, missing in shipwrecks in 2025: UN

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Myanmar signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on political consultations Monday, establishing a framework for regular diplomatic engagement between the two nations as they mark 78 years of bilateral relations, said a statement by the Foreign Office. According to the statement, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/myanmar-junta-stages-election-after-five-years-of-civil-war" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Myanmar</a>&nbsp;counterpart, Than Swe, signed the agreement following talks in Islamabad. <div> </div> <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; 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=2015722892173189190&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F3769%2F&sessionId=6dd8b0ae6a54b47262de1c203f9ca491599fae21&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div> The MOU &quot;will facilitate regular engagement and sustained dialogue on bilateral, regional, and international issues,&quot; Dar said at a joint press briefing. The Myanmar delegation arrived in Islamabad on Friday at Dar&#39;s invitation for an official visit focused on &quot;enhancing bilateral relations and promoting multi-sectoral cooperation,&quot; according to Myanmar&#39;s Foreign Ministry. Dar said the talks &quot;overran for one hour covering the full spectrum of bilateral relations.&quot; The discussions addressed trade, commercial ties, cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on consular assistance &quot;particularly with regard to victims of scamming gangs,&quot; Dar said. The ministers agreed to &quot;maintain close coordination through relevant channels.&quot; </div><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: 640px; 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=2015702948983218685&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F3769%2F&sessionId=6dd8b0ae6a54b47262de1c203f9ca491599fae21&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div> Than Swe said Myanmar plans to send a larger delegation to Pakistan to explore cooperation opportunities, during the briefing. He highlighted Myanmar&#39;s recent offshore gas discovery, which a Canadian operator estimated at 96 trillion cubic feet. &quot;The energy sector is very promising,&quot; Than Swe said. He described Myanmar as positioned at the center of markets containing 3.2 billion to 4 billion people across five neighboring countries and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/malaysia-to-host-47th-asean-summit-from-october-2628" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">ASEAN</a>&nbsp;community. Dar briefed his counterpart on Pakistan&#39;s Buddhist heritage and &quot;highlighted the potential of religious tourism as a means to strengthen cultural ties.&quot; The ministers also discussed capacity building, development cooperation, and humanitarian assistance. &quot;Pakistan supports a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Myanmar,&quot; Dar said. &quot;We are confident that Myanmar can play a very positive role in creating regional reconciliation.&quot; Than Swe referenced historical ties between the countries, noting both were under British colonial rule and that Pakistan&#39;s founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and Myanmar&#39;s independence leader,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/myanmar's-suu-kyi-health-worsening-in-military-custody,-son-says" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Aung San</a>, &quot;were very closely working together for the independence of our respective countries.&quot; The Myanmar minister invited Pakistani investors and business leaders to visit Myanmar despite what he acknowledged as &quot;some kind of conflicts and challenges&quot; in his country.</div>

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan and Myanmar signed a political consultations agreement establishing regular diplomatic dialogue between the nations. Talks addressed scam victim assistance and Myanmar's investment opportunities

Pakistan, Myanmar sign MOU for regular diplomatic consultations

ISLAMABAD: Voting began Sunday in Myanmar&#39;s heavily restricted polls, with the ruling junta touting the exercise as a return to democracy five years after it ousted the last elected government, triggering a civil war. Former civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains jailed, while her hugely popular party has been dissolved and was not taking part. Campaigners, Western diplomats and the UN&#39;s rights chief have all condemned the phased month-long vote, citing a ballot stacked with military allies and a stark crackdown on dissent. The pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party is widely expected to emerge as the largest one, in what critics say would be a rebranding of martial rule. The Southeast Asian nation of around 50 million is riven by civil war and there will be no voting in rebel-held areas. In junta-controlled territory, the first of three rounds started at 6:00 am local time, including in constituencies in the cities of Yangon, Mandalay and the capital Naypyidaw. &quot;The election is very important and will bring the best for the country,&quot; said Bo Saw, the first voter at a polling station in Yangon&#39;s Kamayut Township near Suu Kyi&#39;s vacant home. &quot;The first priority should be restoring a safe and peaceful situation,&quot; the 63-year-old told AFP. Slow start Snaking queues of voters formed outside polling stations in the last election in 2020, which the military declared void when it ousted Suu Kyi and seized power in 2021. But this time journalists and polling staff outnumbered early voters at a downtown station near the gleaming Sule Pagoda &ndash; the site of huge pro-democracy protests after the coup. Among a trickle of early voters, 45-year-old Swe Maw dismissed international criticism. &quot;It&#39;s not an important matter,&quot; he said. &quot;There are always people who like and dislike.&quot; The run-up saw none of the feverish public rallies that Suu Kyi once commanded, and the junta has waged a withering pre-vote offensive to claw back territory. &quot;It is impossible for this election to be free and fair,&quot; said Moe Moe Myint, who has spent the past two months &quot;on the run&quot; from junta air strikes. &quot;How can we support a junta-run election when this military has destroyed our lives?&quot; she told AFP from a village in the central Mandalay region. &quot;We are homeless, hiding in jungles, and living between life and death,&quot; said the 40-year-old. Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has not responded to AFP requests for interview, but has consistently framed the polls as a path to reconciliation. Electronic voting The military ruled Myanmar for most of its post-independence history before a 10-year interlude saw a civilian government take the reins in a burst of optimism and reform. But after Suu Kyi&#39;s National League for Democracy party trounced pro-military opponents in the 2020 elections, Min Aung Hlaing snatched power in a coup, alleging widespread voter fraud. Suu Kyi is serving a 27-year sentence for charges rights groups dismiss as politically motivated. &quot;I don&#39;t think she would consider these elections to be meaningful in any way,&quot; her son Kim Aris said from his home in Britain. Most parties from the 2020 vote, including Suu Kyi&#39;s, have since been dissolved. The Asian Network for Free Elections says 90% of the seats in the last elections went to organizations that will not appear on Sunday&#39;s ballots. New electronic voting machines will not allow write-in candidates or spoiled ballots. &#39;Repression&#39; The junta is pursuing prosecutions against more than 200 people for violating draconian legislation forbidding &quot;disruption&quot; of the poll, including protest or criticism. &quot;These elections are clearly taking place in an environment of violence and repression,&quot; UN rights chief Volker Turk said this week. The second round of polling will take place in two weeks before the third and final round on January 25, but the junta has conceded elections cannot happen in almost one in five lower house constituencies. When the military seized power it put down pro-democracy protests, and many activists quit the cities to fight as guerrillas alongside ethnic minority armies that have long held sway in Myanmar&#39;s fringes. &quot;There are many ways to make peace in the country, but they haven&#39;t chosen those &ndash; they&#39;ve chosen to have an election instead,&quot; said Zaw Tun, an officer in the pro-democracy People&#39;s Defence Force in the northern region of Sagaing. &quot;We will continue to fight.&quot;

Former civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains jailed, while her hugely popular party has been dissolved and was not taking part.

Articles tagged with "myanmar civil war"

Nearly 900 Rohingya refugees dead, missing in shipwrecks in 2025: UN

Pakistan, Myanmar sign MOU for regular diplomatic consultations

Myanmar junta stages election after five years of civil war