News Analysis India

Tag: Pakistan

  • Iran’s Second Surgical Strike On Pakistan Within 40 Days; Know All About Jaish al-Adl Terror Outfit | world news

    Within 40 days of carrying out a targeted missile attack on terrorist groups inside Pakistan, Iran yesterday once again carried out a surgical strike on its neighbour. Iran’s state-run media claimed that the country’s forces killed senior Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) militant group commander Ismail Shahbakhsh and other terrorists by entering the Pakistan territory. Iran’s forces, in an armed clash, attacked a militant group, one month after the two countries conducted air strikes on each other.

    Iran has accused Pakistan of inaction against terrorist groups alleging that these groups carry out terror attacks inside Tehran’s territory.

    Iran’s attack is going on in Pakistan! #Pakistan #Iran #Attack #WorldNews | @JournoPranay pic.twitter.com/0Jc8enH7mT — Zee News (@ZeeNews) February 25, 2024

    Who Are Jaish al-Adl?

    Jaish al-Adl is a Pakistan-based terror group formed in 2012. It has been designated as a ‘terrorist’ organization by Iran. It is a Sunni terrorist group that operates in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan. Iran shares around 900 km of border with Pakistan and is suffering from terrorism just like India due to Pakistan.

    Over time, Jaish al-Adl has carried out multiple attacks targeting Iranian security forces. In December, the group claimed responsibility for an assault on a police station in Sistan-Balochistan, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 11 police personnel.

    January 16 Missile Attack

    Tensions between Iran and Pakistan escalated following mutual missile strikes targeting alleged “terror units.” Iran conducted missile and drone strikes in Pakistan on the night of January 16, targeting two significant headquarters of Jaish al-Adl. Pakistan claimed that the strikes led to the unfortunate death of two children and the injury of three girls. In response, Pakistan withdrew its ambassador from Iran on January 17 and declared that the Iranian envoy, who was visiting Pakistan at the time, would not be allowed to return as a protest against what Islamabad deemed a ‘blatant breach’ of its sovereignty.

    The situation further intensified on January 18, when Pakistan launched retaliatory strikes inside Iran. Islamabad stated that the strikes targeted hideouts used by “terrorist militant organizations,” specifically mentioning the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF).

    Failed Peace Attempt

    After both the countries hit each other, they mutually agreed to expand security cooperation. They agreed on the return of ambassadors of both countries to their respective posts and also decided to mutually work for the ‘de-escalation’ of tensions. Both Iran and Pakistan stated that they can resolve ‘misunderstandings’ fairly quickly. The two countries also agreed to fight terrorism in their respective areas and allay each other’s concerns, he added. However, yesterday’s surgical strike again shows that those were mere rhetoric and Iran doesn’t trust Pakistan on terrorism.

  • Iran Forces Kill Jaish al-Adl Commander In Pakistan Soil A Month After Air Strikes: Report | world news

    New Delhi: Iran’s military forces killed senior Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) militant group commander Ismail Shahbakhsh and some of his associates in the Pakistan territory, news agency ANI reported, citing Iran International English. In the latest development, Iran’s forces, in a gunfight, assaulted a militant group, one month after the two countries exchanged air strikes. Jaish al-Adl, formed in 2012, is a Sunni terrorist group that operates in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, and is labeled as a “terrorist” organization by Iran, ANI reported, citing Al Arabiya News.

    Jaish al-Adl has carried out numerous attacks on Iranian security forces over the years. In December, Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for an attack on a police station in Sistan-Balochistan that killed at least 11 police personnel.

    However, last month, weeks after launching missile strikes against “terror units” in each other’s territories, Pakistan and Iran agreed to enhance security cooperation, The News International reported. The agreement was announced during a joint press conference by Pakistan Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at the Pakistan Foreign Office.

    Jilani said that both Iran and Pakistan can settle “misunderstandings” fairly quickly. The two countries also agreed to combat terrorism in their respective areas and address each other’s concerns, he added. However, the recent attack showed the opposite. Notably, tensions between the two nations rose after Tehran and Islamabad conducted missile strikes against each other targeting ‘terror units’.

    Iran carried out missile and drone strikes in Pakistan on the late night of January 16, to destroy two “important headquarters” of Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice). Islamabad claimed that the strikes killed two children and injured three girls, Al Arabiya News reported, citing Tasnim News Agency. Pakistan pulled out its ambassador from Iran on January 17 and announced that it would not allow the Iranian envoy visiting his home country at that time to return to protest a “blatant breach” of its sovereignty.

    The next day, on January 18, Pakistan launched strikes inside Iran in a retaliatory attack. Islamabad said it targeted the hideouts used by ‘terrorist militant organizations,’ namely the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF). However, later, both countries agreed on the return of ambassadors of both countries to their respective posts and also decided to mutually work for ‘de-escalation’ of tensions, Geo News reported.

  • Pakistan: PML-N And PPP To Form Coalition Government; Shehbaz Sharif To Be PM, Asif Ali Zardari President | world news

    After almost two weeks of poll results, two key political parties in Pakistan have agreed to form a coalition government, bringing an end to the deadlock and keeping Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf in the opposition. Addressing the media, PML-N President and former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the parties have agreed on a power-sharing formula.

    As per the deal, it has been decided that Shehbaz Sharif will be the joint candidate for both parties for the slot of Prime Minister and PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari will be the joint candidate for the President’s slot, informed Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

    Shehbaz Sharif said that the independent candidates, who emerged victorious in the majority by securing more than 100 seats, were invited to form the government, but they failed to achieve the required numbers. He added that other parties such as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, the Pakistan Muslim League, and the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party supported PML-N and PPP in the government-making endeavour.

    The upcoming government will work together to pull the country out of the ongoing crises, said Shehbaz Sharif, expressing the hope to be able to deliver. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto said the details of the sharing of key constitutional offices between the PPP and PML-N will be announced in the coming days.

    Previously, the Election Commission of Pakistan released the outcomes for 265 out of 266 seats in the National Assembly following the general elections held on February 8. No single political party attained a simple majority, necessitating alliances among parties to establish the central government for the next. five-year term.

  • Amid Poll Rigging Allegations, Twitter (X) Services Down Across Pakistan; ECP Orders Probe | world news

    As Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf continue to protest claiming rigging in the national election aided by former Rawalpindi commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha’s claim that he declared losers as winners by changing ballots under pressure, social media platform across Pakistan as users are facing difficulty in loading the page. Liaquat Ali Chatha also alleged that the chief election commissioner and chief justice were involved in the malpractice.

    The interruption in services is attributed to the “escalating unrest and protests” surrounding allegations of election fraud, according to the Internet tracking organization NetBlocks.

    Responding to the allegations, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has established a high-level committee to investigate the claims of rigging made by Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha.

    In a press release issued yesterday, the electoral watchdog announced that the committee would include senior election commission officials such as the secretary, special secretary, and additional director general of law. The committee is tasked with recording statements from returning officers and district returning officers and is expected to submit a report to the commission within three days.

    Despite the rigging allegations made by former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha, a group of five district returning officers, including four male officers and a female officer, rejected the claims during a press conference alongside the new Pindi Commissioner Saif Anwar. They also urged the Election Commission of Pakistan to conduct an independent inquiry into the allegations, asserting that they were not influenced by any external pressures and conducted the polls in accordance with the Election Act and the directions provided by the electoral watchdog.

    Meanwhile, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa commented that baseless allegations lacking evidence hold no weightage. The chief justice made these remarks in response to claims by Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha, who asserted that the chief election commissioner and the chief justice were “also completely involved” in alleged election rigging.

  • Delayed Election Results Reminds Pakistan Of EVMs’ Efficiency | world news

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Arif Alvi expressed his frustration on Saturday over the postponed election results and stated that if the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) had been in use during the general elections on February 8, the nation would not be facing this current crisis, Geo News reported. Despite the commission’s lofty claims, the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) new Election Management System (EMS) failed, he said.

    Notably, the election regulator has yet to release the preliminary results for every constituency, nearly seventy-two hours after the polls closed. In a post on social media platform President Alvi recalled the fight for the EVMs waged by the previous PTI-led government, saying that the entire endeavor–which involved more than 50 meetings at the presidency alone–was abandoned.

    “Remember ‘our’ long struggle for EVMs. EVM had paper ballots that could be counted separately by hand (like it is being done today) but it also had a simple electronic calculator/counter of each vote button pressed,” he said. The president, according to Geo News, said that the totals of every candidate would have been available and printed within five minutes of the closing of the poll if the machines were used.

    On February 10, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) staged a protest over alleged rigging and alteration of results in Sindh’s PS-22 constituency. “Our [JUI-F’s] the candidate was made to lose via [deliberate] change of results,” JUI-F leader Rashid Mehmood Soomro said. “We have won by [margin of] 7,000 votes as per the Form 45s in our possession,” he said while calling for fresh elections in multiple constituencies, according to Geo News.

    Amid the delay in the publication of Pakistan’s election results, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has given a call for a nationwide protest on Sunday to protect the sanctity of the vote as independent candidates are in the lead with 100 seats. According to the report, the decision comes after the party’s core committee meeting was held and it was announced to hold ‘peaceful protests’ across the country to protect the sanctity of the vote. The meeting also deliberated on election results and the future course of action.

    The core committee also discussed matters related to affiliation with specific political parties. Important decisions were made during the meeting, which the party said would be implemented after consultation with PTI founder Imran Khan.

  • Imran Khan’s PTI-Backed Candidates Spring Surprise; Nawaz Sharif Loses From Mansehra | world news

    The counting of votes is underway in Pakistan for the country’s national and provincial elections. The polls did not bring good news for Nawaz Sharif who is said to have the backing of the Pakistani army. While Sharif was expecting a win, in an unexpected turn of events, independent candidates receiving support from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) appeared to be gaining momentum in the initial results released late on Thursday, creating ripples throughout the political landscape. This surprising development unfolded despite the continued imprisonment of the party’s founder, Imran Khan, and amid concerns about an uneven playing field.

    The situation is such that Nawaz Sharif, who contested two seats – Lahore and Mansehra – faced defeat from one of them. Sharif won the Lahore seat but lost to PTI-backed independent candidate Yasmin Rashid from the Mansehra seat.


    Despite assurances from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding the timely disclosure of election results, not a single constituency’s result was announced by 2 o’clock, causing frustration and heightened uncertainty in an already tense political environment. The results were to be declared by 2 am but the same has not been achieved even by 1 pm today. Since the counting was halted, PTI alleged rigging of votes in favor of PML-N.

    However, in the early hours of Friday, as a limited number of results started to emerge, supporters of all PTI-backed independent candidates gathered at the party’s central secretariat, initiating celebrations labeled as victory. PTI Chairman Gauhar Khan asserted that their candidates were leading on 150 National Assembly seats. Sharif’s PML-N and Bilawal Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party were leading on 47 seats each.

    These projections came as a shock for the party of three-time former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. However, similar to the ECP, the PML-N also maintained a reserved stance without making any public statements. Voters will elect 266 candidates to the Pakistan National Assembly, who will later, by a majority vote, elect the next prime minister.

  • Pakistan: 10 Killed, 6 Injured In Terror Attack On Police Station In Dera Ismail Khan

    Police forces have implemented a cordoned-off perimeter around the area and initiated a search operation to apprehend the escaping militants.

  • Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan, Wife Bushra Bibi Get 14 Years Jail Term In Toshakhana Case | world news

    Islamabad: In another stunning development shaking Pakistan’s political landscape, former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were on Wednesday sentenced to a 14-year prison term with rigorous punishment in the infamous Toshakhana case.

    Court Ruling And Penalties

    An Islamabad accountability court, in a decisive move, not only sentenced Khan and Bibi but also barred them from holding any public office for 10 years. Additionally, they were slapped with a hefty fine amounting to Rs 787 million, as reported by Pakistan’s Dawn.

    This verdict swiftly followed another significant ruling just the day before, where Khan and his Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, received a 10-year imprisonment sentence for breaching state secrets. These legal pronouncements occurred amid heightened tensions and just days before the crucial general elections scheduled for February 8.

    Background: What is the Toshakhana Case?

    The Toshakhana case, which has been a focal point of legal scrutiny, stems from allegations lodged by Pakistan’s coalition government, spearheaded by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The accusations revolved around Khan’s purported failure to disclose complete information regarding gifts received through Toshakhana and the alleged clandestine sale of certain items.

    Toshakhana, a department under Pakistan’s cabinet division, is tasked with housing gifts and valuables bestowed upon officials, who are mandated to report all such acquisitions to the department.

    During Khan’s tenure as Prime Minister, he reportedly received numerous gifts, yet refrained from disclosing details citing potential diplomatic repercussions. However, Pakistan’s Information Minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb, alleged that Khan profited from the sale of state gifts, pocketing a substantial sum.

    Legal Proceedings And Verdict

    The legal saga unfolded with Khan’s indictment earlier last month by Pakistan’s anti-corruption court, acting upon charges pressed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Khan, already incarcerated in connection to the Al-Qadir Trust case, found himself further entangled in legal complexities.

    In a written response submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in September 2023, Khan acknowledged selling several gifts received during his tenure, divulging transactions totaling millions. This admission, coupled with subsequent investigations, led to his disqualification from the assembly for a five-year term by the ECP in October of the same year.

    As the political landscape continues to convulse under the weight of legal entanglements, Khan’s once-towering stature faces profound erosion, while questions linger over the future trajectory of Pakistan’s governance.

  • Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi Sentenced To 10 Years In Jail In Cipher Case | world news

    ISLAMABAD: In a big political development, former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and ex-Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi have been sentenced to 10 years in jail in the Cipher case, just days ahead of the general elections in the country. The Cipher case pertains to a diplomatic document that the Federal Investigation Agency’s charge sheet alleges was never returned by Imran. The verdict was announced by special court Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain during a hearing held at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, according to Pakistani media reports.

    PTI founder Imran Khan & Shah Mehmood Qureshi have been given 10-year prison sentences in the Cipher case, reports Pakistan media.

    (file photos) pic.twitter.com/EieM801kgm — ANI (@ANI) January 30, 2024

    Verdict Shakes Islamabad: Imran, Qureshi Face 10-Year Jail Term

    Established under the Official Secrets Act, a special court delivered the verdict on Tuesday, citing the duo’s involvement in withholding a crucial diplomatic document. The Federal Investigation Agency’s charge sheet alleges Imran Khan failed to return the document, sparking the legal turmoil.

    PTI’s Allegations And General Elections

    Amid allegations by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that the document contained a veiled threat from the United States aimed at toppling Imran Khan’s premiership, the timing of the verdict, just days ahead of the February 8 general elections, amplifies the political tensions gripping the nation. Notably, the PTI is navigating these turbulent waters sans an electoral symbol, amid a state-led crackdown on the party.

    Legal Battle

    December witnessed the Supreme Court granting post-arrest bails to Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, offering a brief respite. However, their legal battles persisted, with Qureshi’s anticipated release thwarted by a fresh legal entanglement on May 9. Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb’s intervention temporarily halted the proceedings, citing legal irregularities in the case.

    Fresh Trial Against Imran, Qureshi

    The judicial saga took another twist as the special court recommenced the Cipher trial at Adiala district jail last month. Imran and Qureshi, facing indictment for the second time, maintained their innocence, echoing their initial plea despite mounting legal pressure. The Islamabad High Court’s rebuke of the government’s handling of the case further underlined the tumult surrounding the trial.

    Allegations Of Bias And Government Interference

    As state-appointed counsels assumed responsibility due to the absence of previously designated representatives, Imran Khan decried the trial as a farce, citing concerns of bias with both prosecution and defense teams aligning with the government. Such claims further fueled the contentious nature of the proceedings, amplifying calls for judicial transparency and impartiality.

    The ramifications of this landmark verdict resonate far beyond the confines of the courtroom, casting a long shadow over Pakistan’s political landscape and igniting debates on accountability, transparency, and the rule of law.

  • As Pakistan Knocks United Nations’ Door Over Ayodhya Ram Temple, Can UN Intervene?

    The dispute over the temple and mosque ended after decades in Ayodhya but Pakistan has formally written a letter to the United Nations (UN) to complain about the temple.