23-10-2025

Month: August 2024

Pakistan, Bangladesh vow to work closely for South Asia’s progress

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday held a telephonic conversation with Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Professor Muhammad Yunus wherein the two leaders agreed that there was a need to work closely for the progress and prosperity of the people of both countries.

During the conversation, both leaders also agreed that greater regional cooperation could play a vital role in uplifting the lives of the people of South Asia, according to a statement issued by the PM Office.

The premier congratulated Yunus on assuming the office of chief adviser and lauded his contribution to the socio-economic development of Bangladesh. He expressed sympathies over the devastation caused by the recent floods in the country.

Moreover, the prime minister underscored the importance of revitalising bilateral relations through enhanced cooperation in different domains. Noting the historical, religious and cultural bonds between Pakistan and Bangladesh, he expressed a keen desire to boost commercial relations, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts.

The rare contact between the leaders of the two states came only days after PM Shehbaz offered Pakistan’s all-out support to Bangladesh after the relentless monsoon rains and subsequent flooding that affected millions in the South Asian country.

More than a dozen people have been killed in the neighbouring country while 4.5 million affected by floods following heavy rains, the disaster management and relief ministry said.

The prime minister offered the support in a letter written to Yunus.

The hopes for improvement in the ties between the two countries were rekindled following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina as a result of the student-led protests turning into a mass uprising that caused her to resign earlier this month.

More than 1,000 people also lost their lives in the violent protests that began against job quotas and swelled into a movement demanding Hasina’s ouster, she resigned and fled the country.

Jubilant crowds stormed unopposed into the opulent grounds of the presidential residence, carrying out looted furniture and TVs.

The flight into exile ended a 15-year second stint in power for Hasina, who has ruled for 20 of the last 30 years as leader of the political movement inherited from her father, assassinated with most of his family in a 1975 coup.

French League President poised for re-election amid mounting pressure

Under-pressure French league president Vincent Labrune is set to be waved through for a new term in elections on September 10 after none of his main rivals managed to secure the support needed to stand, sources with knowledge of the process told AFP on Friday.

Applicants needed to have the backing of two syndicates: Foot Unis, which brings together professional clubs in France, and the UAF union which comprises players, coaches, referees, doctors, and other administrative staff involved in running the sport.

Labrune was one of only two figures to receive the support of both syndicates. The other was Karl Olive, a serving deputy in the French National Assembly who was designated by the French Football Federation to represent it at the league.

But Olive is not a candidate to be president of the LFP, leaving the way clear for Labrune to remain in a position he has occupied since 2020.

That is despite Labrune, a former president of Ligue 1 giants Marseille, being the subject of criticism after the LFP’s search for a new domestic broadcaster for the next five years turned into a fiasco.

The LFP, which oversees the top two divisions in French football, had hoped to approach one billion euros ($1.1 billion) a year for the sale of its rights to domestic broadcasters.

In the end, it agreed to a deal worth only 500 million euros a year with British streaming platform DAZN and Qatar’s beIN Sports, with that amount 20 percent down on the previous contract.

Labrune, 53, was also behind a controversial deal with CVC Capital Partners, which saw the private equity firm offer 1.5 billion euros in exchange for a permanent 13 percent cut of the LFP’s commercial income.

The deal was struck at a time when French clubs were in desperate need of funds due to the economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gervais Martel, the former president of Ligue 1 side Lens who had hoped to stand against Labrune, described the governance crisis in French football as “crazy”.

“It is as if there were a presidential election with 15 candidates and it was decided only two were allowed to stand,” Martel told sports daily L’Equipe.

“We are in the land of the crazies. Where is the democracy in this? I have no intention of allowing myself to be pushed around.”

7 killed in Russian strike on high-rise in Kharkiv

Ihor Terekhov, the city’s mayor, said on Telegram one child was killed in the playground. Three people were killed in the 12-storey apartment block that caught fire as a result of the strike, he said.

About 20 of the injured were in severe condition, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

One end of the block was engulfed in black smoke, with many of the upper floors in flames. Several cars parked outside were gutted by fire. Emergency services and rescue volunteers rushed to carry survivors out of the building. The body of one of the victims lay under a carpet on the ground outside, surrounded by police.

Residents of all ages, some of them covered in blood, sat stunned on benches and walls outside as medics attended to their injuries. The authorities did not give the circumstances in which the two other people died in the strikes, which hit four areas of the city.

Kharkiv has been the focus of heavy Russian bombing throughout the war, although there had been a drop in intensity in recent weeks, possibly related to a shock incursion launched by Ukrainian forces into Russia’s Kursk region.

4 killed in Israeli strike on aid convoy

“An Israeli air strike yesterday killed four Palestinians in the lead vehicle of an Anera aid convoy carrying food and fuel to the Emirati Red Crescent Hospital,” American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) said in a statement.

It identified the dead as “four community members with experience in previous missions and engagement in community security”, noting that they were not Anera staff.

They “stepped forward and requested to take command of the leading vehicle, citing concern that the route was unsafe and at risk of being looted”, the Anera statement said. ’’The Israeli air strike was carried out without any prior warning or communication.“

A statement from the Israeli military, which did not give a death toll, alleged the strike occurred after “a number of armed assailants seized control of the vehicle”. It also said “the presence of armed individuals was not coordinated” before the convoy departed.

“After ruling out potential harm to the trucks, as well as a clear identification of weapons, a strike was carried out targeting the armed individuals. The truck arrived at its planned destination,” the military said.

Anera said none of its staff were harmed in the strike “though one Anera employee, who was in the second vehicle, witnessed the incident at close range”.

Anera President and CEO Sean Carroll said information collected by the group indicated it was “a case of partners on the ground endeavouring to deliver aid successfully”. He added: “This should not come at the cost of people’s lives.”

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to a major humanitarian crisis in the besieged territory while putting aid workers at risk. The World Food Programme said on Wednesday it was pausing the movement of its staff in Gaza “until further notice” after one of its vehicles was struck by gunfire at an Israeli military checkpoint.

Labour MP renting flats with black mould and ant infestations, tenants say

Jas Athwal, the newly-elected MP for Ilford South, owns 15 rental flats, making him the biggest landlord in the House of Commons.

In one block of seven flats owned by Mr Athwal nearly half the tenants said they had to regularly clean their bathroom ceilings to remove mould.

Mr Athwal has now also admitted his flats do not have the correct property licences required under a scheme he introduced as Redbridge Council leader.

He had earlier claimed to the BBC that he had complied with the rules.

Mr Athwal said he was “shocked” and “profoundly sorry” to hear of residents’ issues, which he had not been aware of due to the properties being managed by an agency, and promised repairs and maintenance will be completed “swiftly”.

Jas Athwal owns a block of flats in Redbridge, east London

On top of the black mould, the BBC saw evidence of ant infestations in a number of the seven properties.

“The ants are everywhere,” one resident said, pointing to insects climbing up a door frame. “They are on my kid’s body and on their clothes.”

Another resident said they had been threatened with eviction by the letting agent if they complained about problems in their flat or started claiming benefits.

In 2018, Mr Athwal – who led Redbridge Council from 2014 until he became an MP last month – shared an article about a local landlord being fined by the council, writing: “Rogue landlords, we are coming for you.”

When I visited the properties, which are above an empty shop in Ilford, the communal areas were dirty and the lights did not work.

Fire alarms were hanging loose from the ceiling, and a washing machine had been dumped next to a set of stairs.

One resident showed me black mould growing on their bathroom ceiling, adding that a family member is a “clean freak” who keeps scrubbing the area with bleach to keep the mould at bay.

Another said they had googled black mould and realised it could be toxic.

“The whole ceiling would be black if we didn’t clean it every few weeks,” they said.

I knocked on every door and spoke to most of the tenants. None wanted their name to be used. Some specifically said this was due to a fear of being evicted.

“Please don’t use my name,” said a resident. “Finding a new flat is very difficult.”

Most of the people I spoke to said Mr Athwal and his property manager were slow to respond to complaints or were completely unresponsive.

While I was at the block, the property manager was tipped off about my visit and tenants started to get calls from him. After receiving these calls they became hesitant about talking to me. This appeared to me to be intimidation.

One resident who had spoken on camera about problems with their flat later asked that we not use the interview and another asked me not to use images of the mould two days after allowing me to take pictures of it.

In response to this, Mr Athwal said: “I am, of course, more than happy for tenants to provide updates to journalists.”

Tenants were reluctant to speak out about the condition of their homes

But Andrew Boff, a Conservative member of the London Assembly who has also visited the flats, is calling on the Labour Party and Redbridge Council to investigate.

“I’m deeply concerned,” said Conservative Andrew Boff, who has also visited the flats, spoken to residents and took pictures of the mould.

“I worry that there are people who are Jas Athwal’s tenants who are now frightened to speak for fear of being evicted.”

“We’ve heard this time and time again about how the threat of eviction is used to excuse poor maintenance of properties,” he added.

He has called for the Labour Party and Redbridge Council to investigate Mr Athwal.

“Here we have a situation where somebody who is the leader of Redbridge Council, which introduced a licensing scheme, which he told everybody else to sign up to, and he didn’t do it himself,” he said.

Mr Athwal stood down from his role as council leader last month after being elected to Parliament.

Labour’s 2024 general election manifesto included a commitment to “prevent private renters being exploited and discriminated against”.

The lights did not work in the communal area

In his first response to the BBC, Mr Athwal did not respond to a request for interview but said: “My properties are managed by an agency, selected for their quick response times and excellent customer service. This is evidenced by the long tenure of the tenants – over 87 years across 15 properties.

“I pride myself on being a good landlord and no tenants have ever been evicted. Repairs and improvements have been made to properties as recently as two weeks ago.

“To ensure tenants enjoy a secure, long-term home, rents are kept below market rate and, in many cases rents are frozen at the rate first agreed.”

He added he did not take on tenants on housing benefit to avoid conflicts of interest with his role as the local council leader.

In a lengthy later statement, Mr Athwal described himself as a “renters’ champion” who is “proud” to rent out homes with secure tenancies at below-market rents and who wants every one of his tenants “to have excellent accommodation”.

“I’m shocked at the reported condition of a number of the properties and have asked the managing agent for an explanation and immediate action to rectify any issues,” he said.

“I know it’s my responsibility to have issues addressed as soon as they arise and have met the property management company to understand failures in communication.

“I’m profoundly sorry that tenants have been let down and will be reviewing the property management and how matters are escalated going forward.”

On the licences, Mr Athwal said: “It was my understanding all the licences for my properties were up to date, but I have recently seen an email which shared that licences are due to expire. I am in the process of renewing all licences.”

Around 60 current MPs receive income from rental properties, according to Parliament’s latest register of interests.

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On Quetta visit, PM Shehbaz vows to rid Balochistan of terrorism ‘at all costs’

QUETTA: In response to a series of horrific attacks in Balochistan that resulted in over 50 deaths, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the provincial capital on Thursday and vowed to completely eradicate terrorism from the province at all costs, saying the “blood of martyrs will not go in vain”.

The premier made these remarks while chairing a high-level meeting of the National Action Plan’s provincial apex committee.

Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Balochistan Governor Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, security czar Mohsin Naqvi, federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Attaullah Tarar, Jam Kamal, corps commander , and other armed and civilian officials were in attendance.

The prime minister’s visit to Quetta comes against the backdrop of recent bloodshed in the country’s largest province by land wherein over 50 people, including 14 security personnel, were martyred in different terrorist attacks in Balochistan.

In one of the deadliest attacks on Monday, at least 23 passengers were killed after being offloaded from passenger buses and trucks in the Rarasham area of Balochistan’s Musakhel.

Separately, at least 10 people, including police and Balochistan Levies personnel, were martyred in a gun attack in Kalat.

Furthermore, at least 14 brave sons of soil, including 10 security forces soldiers and four personnel of law enforcement agencies (LEAs), were martyred in clearance operations, wherein at least 21 militants were neutralised.

The recent bloodshed has resulted in a strong reaction from both the federal and provincial governments with PM Shehbaz ruling out dialogue and a “soft approach” in dealing with the enemy.

Terming the incidents “tragic and barbaric” today, the prime minister said all terrorist organisations, the “Khawarij” and facilitators hatched the terror plot which resulted in martyrdom of innocent civilians and security personnel.

 

 

“The entire nation is grieved by the recent tragic incident occurred in Balochistan. Khawarij who shed the blood of innocent people will be crushed through joint efforts of the nation and the valiant forces of Pakistan,” he said.

Balochistan is an important and beautiful province of Pakistan, the premier noted, saying that all obstacles in its path to development and prosperity will be removed for good.

PM Shehbaz noted that terrorism had reared its head again after 2018, reiterating the government’s determination to crush those involved in the ghastly bloodshed.

Expressing his great trust in the professional capabilities of the armed and civilian forces, he said under the guidance of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, and with full cooperation from the federal government and the leadership of Balochistan, the terrorism will be rooted out.

“Sacrifices of those who laid down their lives for the motherland and the innocent civilians will not go to waste”, the PM further remarked.

The prime minister stated that enemies of Pakistan want to hinder the progress of Balochistan and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) but “will not be succeeded”.

He also emphasised the need for collective efforts to eliminate terrorism from the province, ruling out any dialogue with the terrorists.

He added that eradication of terrorism was essential for the country’s prosperity.

However, the premier said, talks should be held with those elements who believe in the Constitution and flag of Pakistan.

Furthermore, he noted that the government has chalked out a policy regarding appointment of “competent and talented officers” in Balochistan.

PM Shehbaz announced that 48 Common Training Programme officers will be deployed in the province for a year. “Half of the officers will be deployed immediately and remaining after six months,” he added.

He further announced incentives for officers deployed in the province, including air tickets for their families after every three months and additional three points for performance-based evaluations.

He also assured that the policy will be implemented in consultation with the Balochistan government.

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant attacks since the Taliban government returned to power in neighbouring Afghanistan in 2021, mostly in the northwestern border province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but also in southwestern Balochistan, which abuts Afghanistan and Iran.

There were at least 170 militant attacks killing 151 civilians and 114 security personnel in Balochistan last year, according to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies.

Islamabad accuses Kabul’s new rulers of failing to root out militants sheltering on Afghan soil as they prepare to stage assaults on Pakistan.

It’s official, Pakistan invites Indian PM Modi to SCO summit

Pakistan has extended invitations to all heads of government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the upcoming Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said on Thursday.

Baloch, addressing a weekly news briefing in the federal capital, said that Islamabad has also received some confirmations for the upcoming SCO moot to be hosted by Pakistan on October 15-16.

Responding to a question, Baloch said Pakistan does not have trade relations with India.

The official confirmation regarding Islamabad’s invitations to the heads of the SCO member states came two days after Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that Pakistan would certainly invite PM Modi to the regional summit.

Asif also said the host country could not pick and choose about inviting the heads of state, adding that not extending an invitation to any member state was inappropriate and the SCO would not accept any such move by any host member state.

Earlier this week, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had denied the media reports suggesting that PM Modi would not attend the upcoming SCO summit in Pakistan and urged media outlets to refrain from speculating on the matter.

The MEA’s statement emphasised India’s position that no official decision had been made regarding the prime minister’s participation in the SCO meeting in Pakistan.

The South Asian nations have a history of strained ties, particularly due to the longstanding Kashmir dispute.

The FO spokesperson said Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory.

She said the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions clearly state that the final disposition of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute shall be made in accordance with the will of the people through a UN-supervised plebiscite.

In this backdrop, Baloch said that any other process cannot serve as a substitute for granting the right of self-determination to the Kashmiri people.

Responding to another query, Baloch said Pakistan has no plans to engage in any talks with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

She said the presence of terror groups including the TTP in Afghanistan is confirmed by multiple international reports including the United Nations (UN).

“We expect the Afghan authorities to take robust action against these terror groups and prevent their activities that endanger Pakistan’s security,” she added.

The spokesperson reiterated Islamabad’s stance given on the matter last month in which the country ruled out any dialogue with the militant outfit, saying that dialogues are not possible with elements involved in the killings of Pakistanis and foreigners.

The federal government has taken a tough stance after witnessing a surge in terrorist attacks and launched a reinvigorated and re-energised national counter-terrorism drive, Azm-e-Istehkam (Resolve for Stability), in June to turn up the heat on militants targeting the state.

When asked about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the spokesperson said: “It is a transformational project that has contributed positively and transparently to Pakistan’s national development.”

She further said that the CPEC project enjoys support and popularity in all provinces and across the political divide in Pakistan.

The FO spokesperson clarified that Pakistan’s total public debt relating to CPEC projects is a small percentage of its total debt. Moreover, she said, the public debt obtained from China has longer maturity periods with low interest rates.

She reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to provide full security to all Chinese nationals, projects and institutions.

Local commander among 25 terrorists killed so far in Tirah IBOs since August 20: ISPR

At least 25 terrorists, including a ring leader, were gunned down by security forces in multiple ongoing intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Tirah valley of Khyber district since August 20, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the security forces are conducting “extensive IBOs” in Tirah valley against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) labelled as Fitna-Al-Khwarij and militant outfits “Laskar-e-Islam and Jamat-ul-Ahrar”.

These operations, it said, were based on robust intelligence and resulted into major setbacks to Fitna-Al-Khwarij and its affiliates.

During the intelligence-based operations being conducted since August 20, the security forces so far killed 25 terrorists, including a ring leader named Abuzar aka Saddam.

“However, four soldiers, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom”, the ISPR added.

“The heavy losses inflicted upon Fitna-Al-Khwarij in these operations is testament to the valor and commitment of security forces to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country,” it concluded.

On Aug 25, terrorists attacked a check post in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Central Kurram, resulting in martyrdom of one policeman.

Similarly, security forces killed seven terrorists and wounded five others during an IBO in the Kurram district earlier this month.

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant attacks since the Taliban government returned to power in neighbouring Afghanistan in 2021, mostly in the northwestern border province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but also in southwestern Balochistan, which abuts Afghanistan and Iran.

There were at least 170 militant attacks killing 151 civilians and 114 security personnel in Balochistan last year, according to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies.

Islamabad accuses Kabul’s new rulers of failing to root out militants sheltering on Afghan soil as they prepare to stage assaults on Pakistan.

A day earlier, Balochistan faced a series of horrific attacks that resulted in over 50 deaths, including 14 security personnel, as militants affiliated with the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) targeted civilians, police, and security forces.

In response, security forces gunned down 21 terrorists and injured several others.

Against this backdrop, the federal cabinet in June this year approved Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, a reinvigorated national counter-terrorism campaign following the Central Apex Committee’s recommendations under the National Action Plan to root out terrorism.

Pakistan will ‘certainly invite’ India’s Modi to SCO summit, says defence minister

As Pakistan gears up to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) moot in October this year, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday said that Islamabad would definitely invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the regional summit.

Asif made the statement while speaking to a private news channel amid speculations that PM Modi will not attend the upcoming SCO meeting as per reports aired by some media outlets as both South Asian nations have a history of strained ties, particularly due to the longstanding Kashmir dispute.

Before the October summit, the Foreign Office spokesperson said in July that there would be a ministerial meeting and multiple rounds of senior officials meetings to concentrate on fostering cooperation in finance, economics, socio-cultural affairs and humanitarian efforts among SCO member countries.

“Yes, certainly there should be no doubt about it,” said the defence minister when asked whether Pakistan would invite the Indian premier to the SCO summit.

Elaborating on the matter, Asif recalled that India had invited then-foreign minister Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari to Delhi when it hosted the regional summit in July 2023.

The defence minister said the host country could not pick and choose about inviting the heads of state, adding that not extending an invitation to any member state was inappropriate and the SCO would not accept any such move by any host member state.

A day earlier, Indian government denied the media reports suggesting that PM Modi would not attend upcoming SCO summit in Pakistan.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a clarification urging media outlets to refrain from speculating on the matter, according to a report published in The News.

“We have noticed several outlets are running news that the PM [Modi] won’t attend an SCO meeting in Pakistan or EAM [external affairs minister] will attend an SCO meeting in Pakistan,” Indian media quoted the country foreign ministry as saying.

“MEA hasn’t commented on this matter and would request speculative news in this regard be avoided.”

The statement emphasised India’s position that no official decision had been made regarding the prime minister’s participation in the SCO meeting in Pakistan.

The SCO, led by Russia and China, is a crucial multilateral platform for India, primarily for regional security and collaboration with Central Asian nations.

India views the SCO as an essential forum for engaging with these countries, despite its cautious approach to China’s influence within the organisation. Unlike other member states, India has consistently refused to endorse China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has been a point of contention in SCO joint statements.

Speaking about the reports that Iran has announced moving an arbitration court against Pakistan for not constructing the pipeline under the IP gas project, Asif said Pakistan should complete the gas pipeline project saying it “suits [Pakistan] economically”.

“[…] Iran is our neighbourly country and if we need oil, gas or any other mineral resources then the neighbourly countries are economically beneficial,” he said.

Thai air force prefers Swedish Gripen fighter jets over F-16s

Thailand wants to renew its fleet of combat aircraft with Gripen fighter jets, the air force said, favouring the Swedish-made planes over American F-16s.

A procurement committee weighed the choice for 10 months before deciding the JAS 39 Gripen E/F was the most suitable, the Royal Thai Air Force said in a statement issued Tuesday.

“We have considered this purchase very carefully so that we can make the most out of it to defend our country for at least another 30 years,” it said.

The Gripen “can respond to the Thai air force’s strategic principles and collaborate with other security forces”, the statement added.

Lockheed Martin’s latest F-16s are still under consideration, with the final decision resting with the Thai government.

The Gripens would replace F-16 A/B jets bought in the late 1980s.

No details were given on how many Gripens Thailand might buy, but reports in specialist defence media outlets earlier this year suggested the kingdom was eyeing around a dozen.

Thailand currently operates 11 older Gripens as well as dozens of F-16s.

Gripen manufacturer Saab welcomed the statement.

“We can confirm the fact that the Thai Air Force has publicly confirmed that they would like to purchase the Gripen. This is a very positive news for Saab and Sweden,” Mattias Radstrom, press manager for Saab, told AFP.

“At this stage, there is no contract or order. We are looking forward to continuing the discussion with the Thai Air Force and the Thai authorities.”

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