Connect with us
Friday,18-July-2025
Breaking News

International News

Pakistan gives thumbs down to Jammu and Kashmir delimitation report

Published

on

Pakistan has reacted aggressively after the Delimitation Commission for Jammu and Kashmir submitted its much-awaited report to the Indian government on Thursday, calling it a “blatant attempt to disenfranchising and disempowering the Muslim majority population of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK)”.

The Delimitation Commission in its report recommended 43 Assembly seats for Jammu division and 47 seats for the Kashmir region. The Commission also recommended giving representation to Kashmiri migrants and displaced persons from ‘Pakistan Occupied J&K’ in the Assembly.

Pakistan on Friday summoned the Indian Charge d’Affaires to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad and handed over a demarche, sharing what it called “categorical rejection of the report of the so-called Delimitation Commission”.

“The Indian side was conveyed that this entire exercise is farcical and has already been rejected by the cross-section of political parties in IIOJK. Through this effort, India only wants to lend legitimacy to its ‘illegal’ actions of August 5, 2019 (when Article 370 of the Indian Constitution was abrogated, removing the special status of the erstwhile state of J&K),” read a statement issued by the Pakistan Foreign Office.

“The ulterior motives of the Indian government is evident from the fact that under the garb of the so-called delimitation, the representation of Muslims in the re-designed constituencies has been reduced to their disadvantage,” the statement added.

Pakistan maintained that the ‘dented’ motives of India “shattered the rationale pushed by the Indian government that the delimitation effort was aimed to empower the local population”.

“However, in reality, the new electoral boundaries would further disempower, marginalise and divide the people of the ‘occupied’ territory. It would only pave the way for installing yet another puppet regime backed by the BJP-RSS combine,” the statement read.

Pakistan also reiterated its demand to the Indian Charged D’Affairs that India should recognise and understand that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is an internationally recognised dispute and a long-standing item on the agenda of the UN Security Council.

“Any illegal, unilateral and mischievous attempt by India to allow disproportionately higher electoral representation to the Hindu population to the detriment of the Muslim population is a mockery of all norms of democracy, morality and India’s obligation under the UN Security Council resolutions and international law,” the statement added.

Pakistan also emphasised that the Indian government should refrain from bringing about what it called ‘illegal’ demographic changes in Jammu and Kashmir and called for an immediate halt of what it termed as ‘oppression’ of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Let the Kashmiri people determine their own future through a free and fair plebiscite under the UN auspices as enshrined in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions,” the Foreign Office statement maintained

International News

Mumbai Police Reach Kapil Sharma’s House After Kap’s Cafe Firing In Canada

Published

on

Hours after shots were fired at comedian Kapil Sharma’s eatery, Kap’s Cafe, in Canada, the Mumbai Police on Friday reached his house in Mumbai to question him about the incident. Around 1 am on July 9 (Canada time), several rounds were fired at the cafe, located in Surrey.

Khalistani terrorist Harjeet Singh Laddi claimed the responsibility for the attack, and demanded an apology from Kapil for his alleged objectionable remarks.

the attackers felt that Nihang Sikhs were insulted on Kapil’s show. The report also mentioned that the attackers said the comedian ignored their calls seeking an apology, and that shots were fired at his eatery to warn him.

Kap’s Cafe team issues statement

Kapil is yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The management of the eatery, however, took to their social media handles and wrote, “We opened Kap’s Cafe with hopes of bringing warmth, community, and joy through delicious coffee and friendly conversation. To have violence intersect with that dream is heartbreaking. We are processing this shock but we are not giving up (sic).”

It further stated, “Your kind words, prayers, and memories shared via DM mean more than you know. This cafe exists because of your belief in what we’re building together. Let’s stand firm against violence and ensure Kap’s Cafe remains a place of warmth and community. From all of us at Kap’s Cafe, thank you and see you soon, under better skies (sic).”

Continue Reading

International News

Iran warns it will target Israel’s ‘secret nuclear sites’ if attacked

Published

on

Tehran, June 10: Iran’s top security body warned that its armed forces would immediately target Israel’s “secret nuclear facilities” if the Islamic Republic comes under military attack, following claims it has obtained “sensitive Israeli intelligence.”

The Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) issued the statement days after Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib said Iran had acquired a “significant cache” of Israeli documents through intelligence operations, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the council, months of intelligence gathering had enabled Iran’s armed forces to identify high-value Israeli targets for potential retaliatory strikes, should Israel initiate military action against Iranian interests.

“This forms part of a broader strategic initiative aimed at countering disinformation by hostile actors and reinforcing Iran’s deterrent capabilities,” the SNSC said.

Tehran’s access to Israeli intelligence would allow it to swiftly target “concealed nuclear sites” in the event of an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, the council said, adding that the information also supports proportionate retaliation against attacks on Iran’s economic or military assets.

Israel is believed by many to possess nuclear weapons, though it has never officially confirmed or denied this, maintaining a longstanding policy of strategic ambiguity.

Continue Reading

International News

‘True spirit of friendship’ between India and Iran hailed after rescue of kidnapped citizens

Published

on

Tehran, June 4: India on Wednesday thanked the Iranian government for its swift and effective efforts in securing the release of three kidnapped Indian citizens, emphasising that the timely support reflects “true spirit of friendship” that exists between the two nations.

“The three kidnapped Indian citizens have been safely rescued and are now under the care of the Embassy of India, which is facilitating their early repatriation. We sincerely thank the Government of Iran for their swift and effective efforts in securing their release,” the Embassy of India in Iran posted on X.

“Your support reflects the true spirit of friendship between two nations,” it added.

Late Tuesday, the Embassy of Iran in India confirmed that Tehran police had freed the missing individuals, citing a report from Media.

“Three missing Indian citizens freed by Tehran police. Local media in Iran say police have found and released three Indian men who had gone missing in Iran,” the Iranian Embassy stated.

The trio was reportedly rescued following a police operation targetting the hostage-takers in Varamin in south Tehran, Media reported.

According to reports, the three Indian men – all hailing from Punjab and identified as Jaspal Singh, Hushanpreet Singh, and Amritpal Singh – had disappeared shortly after landing in Tehran on May 1.

They were reportedly on their way to Australia after being promised lucrative jobs by a local travel company.

The Indian Embassy in Tehran had issued a statement on May 28, following an approach by the family members of the missing men, who expressed serious concern over their relatives’ sudden disappearance.

The statement read, “Family members of three Indian citizens have informed the Embassy of India that their relatives are missing after having travelled to Iran. The Embassy has strongly taken up this matter with the Iranian authorities and requested that the missing Indians should be urgently traced and their safety should be ensured. We are also keeping the family members regularly updated on the efforts being made by the Embassy.”

Reports also suggested that the families received ransom demands of Rs one crore from unknown individuals, with the threatening calls originating from Pakistani phone numbers.

The details raised serious alarm, prompting swift diplomatic engagement from both sides.

The Iranian Embassy in India, responding to the developments, stated that the case was being closely followed by the Consular Affairs Department of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Embassy also issued a warning to Indian citizens, advising them “not to be deceived by the promises of unauthorised individuals or illegal Indian agencies offering travel to other countries.”

India has also previously issued travel advisories for its nationals travelling to Iran, urging them to exercise caution, remain in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran and consulates, and avoid engagement with unverified travel agents or intermediaries.

Continue Reading

Trending