Tag: Pakistan

In a statement made at the White House on Monday, US President Donald Trump praised his administration for playing a pivotal role in preventing a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan. Trump claimed that the United States used its trade leverage to de-escalate tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations, which were on the brink of full-scale aggression.

In a significant shift in trade relations, India on Thursday announced the end of an arrangement allowing the trans-shipment of Bangladeshi export cargo to third countries through Indian ports and airports. This decision comes as a response to a series of trade measures by Bangladesh, including the suspension of yarn imports from India and the closure of three land ports along the India-Bangladesh border.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told the Lok Sabha on Thursday that India is open to establishing good relations with Pakistan, similar to its ties with other neighboring countries. However, he emphasized that such relations must be free from terrorism. Jaishankar's remarks came in response to a query about improving India-Pakistan relations during Question Hour.

In anticipation of a planned protest by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, authorities in Islamabad have significantly increased security measures, sealing off the capital on Friday. The protest, aimed at demonstrating solidarity with the judiciary and pressuring for the release of the former Prime Minister, comes as Khan remains incarcerated at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

Pakistan is set to cut around 150,000 government jobs, close six ministries, and merge two others as part of economic reforms agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The cuts are tied to a USD 7 billion loan package from the IMF, which aims to help the country stabilize its economy.

In a recent statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India reaffirmed India's claim over the Shaksgam Valley, denouncing China's reported construction activities in the strategically significant region. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that India has never accepted the 1963 China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement, which attempted to transfer the Shaksgam Valley from Pakistan to China.

In a long-standing tradition dating back to 1992, India and Pakistan have once again exchanged lists of nuclear installations that are off-limits for attacks during hostilities. The 33rd consecutive exchange of these crucial lists occurred on January 1, 2024, despite the strained relations prevailing between the two neighboring nations.

Pakistan's political landscape is stirred as PTI's Imran Khan is imprisoned in a "C-Class" cell, sparking claims of danger and poor conditions. PTI leaders express worries about his safety and access to basic rights.

A suicide bombing believed to be orchestrated by the banned terrorist group ISIS struck a political convention in Pakistan, leaving at least 44 people dead and over 100 injured. The attack targeted the conservative Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) party's gathering in Khar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and authorities are conducting investigations to identify and punish those responsible.