Pakistan

Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir has reignited the 'two-nation theory,' emphasizing the distinct differences between Hindus and Muslims as the basis for Pakistan's creation. Speaking at the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad, Munir urged parents to instill this narrative in their children to preserve the nation's identity.

Following Tahawwur Rana's extradition, India has urged Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to justice, emphasizing Pakistan's continued shielding of those responsible. India reiterated its commitment to cooperating with Pakistan for a swift conclusion to the trial, while also highlighting Pakistan's reputation as a hub for global terrorism and ISI's involvement in the attacks.

Pakistan's army chief, Gen Asim Munir, delivered a provocative speech urging Pakistanis to uphold the 'two-nation theory,' sparking concerns in India. Intelligence sources view this as a diversionary tactic amid internal security challenges and escalating conflicts with the TTP and Baloch insurgents.

India strongly refuted Pakistan's "two-nation" theory, asserting that Pakistan's sole connection to India is the liberation of illegally occupied territories. This response followed Pakistan's army chief's endorsement of the theory, emphasizing fundamental differences between Hindus and Muslims. Assam's Chief Minister reacted by stressing the need to strengthen India's nationhood, dharma, and civilizational values.

Strategic guru K Subrahmanyam once explained that this theory provided ideological support without which Pakistan would lose its raison d'etre and face the threat of being sucked into the Indian orbit.

WHO has decided to extend travel restrictions on Pakistan for another three months, stressing that Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to pose a threat to polio eradication efforts being made globally. According to WHO, the committee reviewed the global spread of polio, the situation in Pakistan, and the government's efforts to control the spread of virus.

In Karachi, Pakistan, a member of the Ahmadiyya community was fatally beaten by a mob, including members of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), who attacked an Ahmadi place of worship. The mob accused the community of violating anti-Ahmadi laws, leading to violence and arrests.

Bangladesh urged Pakistan to formally apologize for the 1971 genocide and address unresolved bilateral issues to improve future relations. Pakistan expressed readiness for discussions on these matters, marking a resumption of talks after a 14-year hiatus. While previous calls for apology were made, current focus is on resolving lingering issues for stronger ties.

S. Jaishankar criticized Pakistan's role in promoting terrorism, highlighting their double-dealing in Afghanistan and persistent "bad habits." He emphasized that the 2008 Mumbai attacks marked a turning point in India-Pakistan relations, signaling a shift in India's tolerance. Jaishankar also linked national progress to the strength and quality of a nation's universities.

England's Sam Billings acknowledged the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the leading T20 tournament globally, surpassing competitions like the Pakistan Super League (PSL). While praising the talent in Pakistan cricket, Billings emphasised the importance of structured thinking for consistent success. He cherishes the opportunity to play cricket worldwide and entertain fans.

Following Tahawwur Hussain Rana's extradition, India's Ministry of External Affairs urged Pakistan to take action against those responsible for the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Rana, a key accused, is now in NIA custody for interrogation regarding the broader conspiracy, which targeted multiple Indian cities.

Dhaka and Islamabad are holding their first foreign office consultation in 15 years to repair ties that reached rock bottom during the deposed PM Sheikh Hasina’s regime. Here’s what we know

India's government has firmly dismissed Pakistan's criticism of the Waqf Amendment Act as unfounded and biased, asserting that Pakistan lacks the authority to comment on India's internal affairs. The external affairs ministry highlighted Pakistan's poor treatment of minorities and advised them to address their own issues instead of lecturing others.

Pakistani pacer Hasan Ali has apologised for his catchphrase supporting Babar Azam. The phrase faced criticism due to Babar's recent form. Hasan stood by Babar, calling him the best and expecting a comeback. He dismissed online trolling. Hasan took four wickets in a Pakistan Super League match. He previously defended Babar, calling him the king of Pakistan cricket.

Multan Sultans, a team in the Pakistan Super League, has launched a charitable campaign to support Palestinian charities. The team pledges to donate Rs 100,000 for every six hit and every wicket taken by their players during the PSL season. The league commenced with exciting matches, including Quetta Gladiators' victory and Karachi Kings' successful pursuit of Multan Sultans' score.

A joint operation by the BSF and Punjab Police near Amritsar resulted in the seizure of six pistols and 14 magazines from a field near the India-Pakistan border. Separately, in Tarn Taran, two alleged shooters linked to the Satta Naushera gang were injured in an encounter with police, leading to the recovery of Pakistan-made pistols.

Despite strained trade relations with Bangladesh, India asserts its commitment to regional trade, clarifying that the trans-shipment facility withdrawal aimed to ease port congestion without impacting Bangladesh's exports to Nepal and Bhutan. India has expressed concerns over Bangladesh's restrictive trade measures, including port closures and yarn import blocks, alongside its renewed ties with Pakistan, raising security concerns for India.

Despite strained trade relations and anti-India sentiments from Dhaka, India aims to avoid a trade war with Bangladesh. Recent actions, like withdrawing a trans-shipment facility, were intended to ease congestion, not harm Bangladesh's trade. Concerns rise over Bangladesh's renewed ties with Pakistan, especially amid increasing radicalization, as Pakistan seeks to boost exports and high-level contacts resume.

A moderate 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck Pakistan, with tremors felt in Jammu and Kashmir. The earthquake, occurring at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, raised concerns about potential aftershocks. Pakistan's location on the boundary of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates makes it highly susceptible to earthquakes. Earlier, Tajikistan, Pakistan’s neighbor, was also jolted by a 4.2 magnitude earthquake.