Yusara Askari, Author at The Singapore Post

Pakistan vows political, diplomatic support for Kashmiris on Kashmir Martyrs’ Day

13Jul

By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Pakistan vows political, diplomatic support for Kashmiris on Kashmir Martyrs’ Day

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday vowed to extend Pakistan’s diplomatic and political support to the people of Kashmir on Kashmir Martyrs’ Day, calling for the resolution of the dispute as per the United Nations Security Council resolutions, state-run media reported. Pakistan marks Kashmir Martyrs’ Day on July 13 every year to pay tribute to 22 Kashmiri protesters who were shot dead in Srinagar, the capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, in 1931 by soldiers of Maharaja Hari Singh, the Hindu ruler of the then princely state. Pakistan sees the day as a symbol of Kashmiris’ struggle against what it says is illegal Indian occupation in the disputed Himalayan valley. Both India and Pakistan have fought three wars since 1947, with two of them over Kashmir. Both claim terr

Government and Opposition in Pakistan Start Negotiations to Reduce Political Tensions

24Dec

By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Government and Opposition in Pakistan Start Negotiations to Reduce Political Tensions

The Pakistani government and opposition parties commenced talks on Monday to address ongoing political tensions that have persisted since 2022, Anadolu Agency reported. The initial meeting took place in Islamabad between representatives of the ruling coalition and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The discussions follow a recent PTI protest demanding Khan’s release, which resulted in casualties among both protesters and security forces. The National Assembly’s speaker is facilitating the negotiations, focusing on the release of Khan and PTI supporters, as well as a judicial inquiry into the May 9 riots and November 24 protests. Ruling party Senator Irfan Siddiqui expressed optimism about the talks, stating the government enter

Discussions Start Between the PTI and the Pakistani Government: Will Imran Khan Soon Be Freed?

24Dec

By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Discussions Start Between the PTI and the Pakistani Government: Will Imran Khan Soon Be Freed?

In a significant political development, the Pakistan government and the opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have initiated talks, sparking discussions about a potential shift in the country’s political landscape. The talks, which began on Monday, aim to ease tensions between the two factions, with the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan emerging as one of the key issues on the table. The political dialogue follows a series of events signaling a thaw in relations between the two camps. Notably, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was recently seen embracing PTI leader and Imran Khan’s aide, Ali Amin Gandapur, marking a significant shift in the relationship between the ruling government and the opposition. This gesture is especially significant as it comes just thre

Trump denies that Elon Musk is the true force driving the US president-elect.

22Dec

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Trump denies that Elon Musk is the true force driving the US president-elect.

United States President-elect Donald Trump has pushed back on the notion that he has “ceded the presidency” to billionaire Elon Musk, who has taken an outsized role in the president-elect’s transition into the White House. Trump made the comments during a speech in Arizona on Sunday, days after the Tesla and SpaceX owner intervened alongside the president-elect to scuttle a budget bill negotiated in Congress. The incident was the latest in which Musk has taken an atypically large role in the incoming Trump administration, prompting criticism from Democrats and from within Trump’s own Republican party. Directly addressing those criticisms for the first time, Trump praised Musk, before adding: “And no, he’s not taking the presidency.” Trump further called the suggestion that he

16Dec

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Bangladesh’s Fortunes Change for India

After a five-decade hiatus, a Pakistani cargo ship docked in the port city of Chittagong, Bangladesh, last month. The ship’s arrival signaled a significant shift in Bangladesh’s dealings with Pakistan, from which it seceded in 1971. Dhaka has also boosted its acquisition of arms and ammunition from Islamabad and dispensed with its practice of a full customs inspection of Pakistani imports. These developments have come in rapid succession since Bangladesh’s interim government took over a few months ago. Leader Mohammed Yunus, a Nobel-winning economist, was the consensus candidate after Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down under pressure in August. During her last two terms in office, she worked closely with India’s government. (Hasina has received asylum in New Delhi, a

The military of Pakistan accuses the former intelligence head of engaging in “political activities.”

10Dec

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The military of Pakistan accuses the former intelligence head of engaging in “political activities.”

Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan’s military has charged a former spy chief with “engaging in political activities”, in essence accusing him of working with ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan to destabilise the nation. The chargesheet against retired Lieutenant-General Faiz Hamid, the former head of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), follows months of investigations and proceedings under the Pakistan Army Act. Hamid was arrested in August this year. “During the process, the involvement of Lt Gen Faiz Hamid (Retd) in events related to creating agitation and unrest, leading up to multiple incidents, including but not limited to the events of May 9, 2023, aimed at fomenting instability at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests—is also being separately investig

The former spy head of Pakistan was charged with political meddling and other offenses.

10Dec

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The former spy head of Pakistan was charged with political meddling and other offenses.

Pakistan’s military said Tuesday that the former head of the country’s main intelligence agency has been charged with multiple criminal offenses, including political interference, during ongoing court-martial proceedings. The announcement was made four months after Faiz Hamid, a former lieutenant general, was taken into custody by military authorities to undergo an investigation and legal proceedings. The military’s media wing reported that Hamid, who formerly led the Inter-Services Intelligence agency, or ISI, “has been formally arraigned on charges of engaging in political activities, violations of the Official Secrets Act … misuse of authority and government resources.” The charges carry a potential prison sentence of up to 14 years. The statement noted the former ISI chief is

Imran Khan of Pakistan issues a warning about civil disobedience in the face of demonstrations and legal issues.

6Dec

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Imran Khan of Pakistan issues a warning about civil disobedience in the face of demonstrations and legal issues.

Islamabad, Pakistan – Less than two weeks after his “final call” protest in Islamabad was forcefully dispersed, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has pledged to continue his fight, threatening to launch a nationwide civil disobedience movement. In a message posted on X, Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023 on numerous charges, announced the formation of a five-member negotiation team. The team aims to discuss two key demands with the government: the release of under-trial prisoners and the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9, 2023 and November 26, 2024 – two dates on which Khan’s supporters held major protests but faced a backlash from the government and security forces. “If these two demands are not accepted, a civil diso

A Pakistani court accuses former Prime Minister Khan of inciting military violence.

5Dec

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A Pakistani court accuses former Prime Minister Khan of inciting military violence.

An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan indicted jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and several close associates Thursday for allegedly inciting supporters to attack military installations during anti-government protests in 2023. The special tribunal convened the hearing and announced the indictment at Adiala Jail, the detention facility near Islamabad where Khan has been incarcerated for more than a year in connection with various legal proceedings and charges against him. The 72-year-old former prime minister and his co-defendants asserted their innocence of Thursday’s charges stemming from the violent protests that occurred on May 9, 2023. The nationwide demonstrations, spearheaded by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or PTI, party, erupted in response to his brief arrest on c

Increased Militant Activity, Sectarian Conflicts, and Persistent Political Crisis in Pakistan

5Dec

By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Increased Militant Activity, Sectarian Conflicts, and Persistent Political Crisis in Pakistan

Bottom Line Up Front Pakistan is increasingly grappling with a volatile and multifaceted security crisis, characterized by militant attacks, sectarian clashes, and political violence.In 2024, Pakistan witnessed a steep increase in violent attacks, with the total number of incidents reaching 856, driven by both attacks from the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).Pakistan has also been plagued by sectarian violence, with a sharp rise occurring in late November after gunmen opened fire on a convoy of around 200 Shia passengers in the district of Kurram, near the border with Afghanistan, killing 52.Protests driven by discontent over the perceived political persecution of former Prime Minister Imran Khan by the government and military establishment hav...