Category: National

India Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor, considered one of the stalwarts of Congress, said on Thursday that India was “a little disappointed” with the Colombian government after it expressed condolences on the loss of lives in India’s attack on Pakistan last month.

“We were a little disappointed in the reaction of the Colombian government, which apparently expressed heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives in Pakistan after the Indian strikes, rather than sympathising with the victims of terrorism,” he said while addressing the media in Bogota, Colombia. 

“We will say to our friends in Colombia, there can be no equivalence between those who dispatch terrorists and those who resist them. There can be no equivalence between those who attack and those who defend,” he said.

Tharoor further said that New Delhi is exercising its right of self-defence, adding, “If there is any misunderstanding here, on this core, we are here to dispel any such misunderstanding.”

The Colombian government had offered condolences to Pakistan over the civilian deaths in the Indian strikes in multiple cities in Pakistan, including Bahawalpur and Muridke, on the night between May 6 and 7.

In response to India’s cowardly missile attack, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) reacted swiftly, downing multiple Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets, including three 4.5-generation Rafales.

Tharoor is currently leading a multi-party delegation to Guyana, Panama, Colombia, Brazil, and the United States after New Delhi faced humiliation when no country supported India’s aggression against Pakistan.

On the other side, Turkey, China and Azerbaijan came out openly in support of defending Pakistan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Pakistan Army’s young and valiant officer Lieutenant Daniyal Ismail embraced martyrdom during a fierce exchange of fire with terrorists in the Shawal area of North Waziristan on the night of May 28-29. At just 23 years of age, the brave son of Mardan laid down his life while leading his troops from the front, defending the motherland against an infiltration attempt by Indian-sponsored terrorists.

After he was martyred, a video of him recorded with a friend has gone viral on social media. In the short clip he laughingly says, “I will be martyred, but I don’t know what will happen to him,” pointing towards his friend who is walking with him. “Will he even come to my funeral or not? Just look at him; he doesn’t get a single day off from his platoon to come to Afghanistan. But for a martyr’s funeral, you do get one day off in the platoon.”

Destined for glory: lieutenant Daniyal Khiljy Shaheed 150L/C ex 15 SR pic.twitter.com/YJ1XUuYTT7

— Unarmed (@Soldier_Unarmed) May 29, 2025

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the infiltration bid took place on the night of May 28–29, when terrorists of the banned outfit Fitna al-Khawarij attempted to attack a check post. Pakistani troops responded swiftly and effectively, killing six terrorists. However, in the intense battle that followed, four brave soldiers, including Lt. Daniyal, were martyred.

Lt. Daniyal had joined the Pakistan Army just seven months ago. His father serves as a civilian driver in the Pakistan Air Force. Daniyal’s courage and commitment, despite his young age and brief service period, left a lasting impact. He is survived by his family, including his father and brother.

Alongside Lieutenant Daniyal Ismail, three other soldiers also embraced martyrdom during the operation. Naib Subedar Kashif Raza, 41, from Chakwal, had served in the Pakistan Army for 21 years and is survived by his wife, a daughter, and two sons. Lance Naik Fayaqat Ali, 35, from Haripur, served for 15 years and leaves behind his wife, a daughter, and three sons. Sepoy Muhammad Hameed, 26, from Abbottabad, had been serving for six years; his mother is among the mourners.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the fallen heroes, stating, “The great sacrifice of Lieutenant Daniyal and the other martyrs will never be forgotten. They not only defended the nation but also thwarted the evil plans of Fitna-ul-Hindustan.”

Many users praised Lieutenant Daniyal’s courage and spirit on X (formerly Twitter). One wrote, “You took the lead, Sir. You fought bravely.” Another asked, “How can India or anyone else ever fight a spirit like his?” Some called the moment a heartbreaking reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers, with one user posting, “May Allah bless you with the highest place in Jannah.”

An Indian-origin man, Ankit Love, appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, reiterating his claim to be “His Highness Maharaja of Kashmir” and asserting that, under British legislation, he is entitled to immunity under Section 20 of the State Immunity Act 1978, Geo News reported.

Love, a British-Kashmiri, was formally charged last month with criminal damage following an incident at the Pakistani High Commission in London, according to the Metropolitan Police.

In 2015, he publicly declared himself the Maharaja of the Dogra dynasty, claiming lineage as the son of the late Bhim Singh, former president of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party.

During his court appearance at Southwark Crown Court in December 2022, Love argued that, as the self-declared sovereign Maharaja of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, he should be immune from prosecution. 

Judge Griffith had issued a formal court order directing the Secretary of State to provide a certificate under Section 21 of the 1978 Act within seven days. The certificate was meant to clarify whether Jammu and Kashmir are recognised as states under the Act and whether Love is regarded as its head of state.

In his defence, Love submitted a certificate dated December 13, 2022, issued by Jeremy Pilmore-Bedford, Deputy Director of Protocol at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It stated:

“Under the authority of His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs conferred on me and in accordance with section 21(a) of the State Immunity Act 1978 (“the Act”), I Jeremy Pilmore-Bedford, Deputy Director of Protocol at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (“FCDO”) hereby certify that: 1. His Majesty’s Government does accord recognition to Jammu and Kashmir as a State for the purposes of Part I of the Act; and 2. The FCDO has a record of Mr Ankit Love (born in August 1983) as a sovereign head of State on which immunities and privileges are conferred by Part I of the Act.”

Speaking to Geo News outside the courtroom, Love said he was emotionally distressed at the time of the alleged attack on the Pakistan High Commission following the April 22 Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

He said,  “My mother, Jay Mala, passed away two years ago, exactly around the same time on 26 April. This was on her anniversary, a very emotional night for me, given the fact that she died in mysterious circumstances, and I am still in a legal battle with the Home Ministry of India to have the results of my mother’s post-mortem revealed to me.

“My father, Prof. Bhim Singh, founder of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party, died in a similar situation on 31 May 2022. I have no doubt that the BJP’s Indian state agents are behind the mysterious deaths of my parents. I went outside the Pakistan High Commission in protest, not to break the law. We, as Kashmiris, have suffered, and at least three major regional players have played games with us.”

Love also admitted to previously causing damage of more than £10,000 during a protest outside the Indian High Commission five years back. He described the act as a “rightful protest” against the “illegal and undemocratic annexation attempt” through the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019, as well as the 1991 Kunan Poshpora incident, in which Indian security forces were accused of mass rape – a case that, he noted, has yet to result in a single court-martial.

Expressing his love for Lahore and wishing to visit the city one day, Love said that his ancestral kinsman Raja Dhian Singh Dogra lived in the current Punjab’s capital in the 19th century, who was the longest-serving prime minister of the Lahore State.

“It’s my dream to visit Lahore one day, but I’m not sure if I will get the visa after what happened. Banned by India and now probably the same from Pakistan. I understand Gandhi and Jinnah faced sanctions too,” Love remarked.

Kuwait has officially lifted a 19-year ban on visas for Pakistani citizens, resuming the issuance of work, family, visit, tourist, and business visas, according to a statement by the Government of Pakistan on X.

The restrictions were originally imposed in 2011, when Kuwait stopped issuing visas to nationals of Pakistan, Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan, citing security concerns in those countries. Over the years, Pakistan made several attempts to lift the ban, including an appeal by then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his 2017 visit to Kuwait.

In a post shared on Tuesday, the Government of Pakistan called the development a “significant diplomatic success” and stated that it would strengthen bilateral cooperation. The statement also noted that the policy shift would encourage people-to-people connections, create job opportunities, and deepen economic ties.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr. Zaffar Iqbal, confirmed the development, stating that members of the Pakistani community in Kuwait had started receiving visa approvals. He also mentioned that both countries were nearing finalising a new labour memorandum of understanding to aid workforce mobility and formal collaboration on labour-related matters.

This is not the first time Kuwait has eased restrictions. In 2021, it partially resumed visa issuance, allowing Pakistani businessmen and their families to enter. At that time, it was also agreed that skilled professionals, particularly in the medical and oil sectors, could obtain specialised work permits.

Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Kuwait were officially established in 1963. Since then, the two countries have engaged through various regional and international platforms, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. According to Kuwaiti government estimates, approximately 95,000 Pakistanis currently reside in the Gulf state.

A senior Chinese analyst, Professor Victor Gao, countered Indian (R) Major General G.D. Bakshi’s grasp of history during a heated debate on Republic TV, hosted by Arnab Goswami on Wednesday. Gao reiterated that the friendship between Beijing and Islamabad is “as solid as a rock.”

The exchange escalated when Gao challenged Bakshi’s weak historical knowledge, asserting that China had acquired the Xinjiang region “before the time of Jesus Christ,” and advised him to “read history first” before making comments on the region.

Gao went on to mock Bakshi’s limited understanding, saying, “I know you study the military, but studying military without historical context will not make you a great military leader.”

His sharp rebuttal came after Bakshi accused China of invading Tibet in the 1950s, which he claimed marked the beginning of deteriorating relations between India and China.

Gao responded by emphasising that no force in the world could shake the friendship between Beijing and Islamabad, noting that this alliance did not begin in May 2025 but has spanned decades and remains unbreakable.

“Don’t pretend to be surprised if China and Pakistan closely cooperate in defending the legitimacy of Pakistan, its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Gao clarified.

Commenting on India’s aggressive rhetoric following the April 22 Pahalgam incident, Gao asserted that no nation should respond to terrorist attacks by launching military offensives without proper investigations or evidence. 

When host Arnab Goswami made an illogical claim that Chinese technologies were ineffective when India launched a missile at Pakistan on the night of May 6–7, Professor Gao reminded him of India’s defeat in the aerial confrontation with Pakistan.

“Only one country lost the aerial combat [on the May 6-7 night], and that is not Pakistan,” he said, referring to the five Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets which the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had downed, including three Rafales, during the dogfight earlier this month.

The Chinese analyst’s well-grounded arguments left both Bakshi and Goswami attempting to divert the topic.

When Goswami suggested that China should reconsider its close ties with Pakistan, Gao said, “Let both countries handle China-Pakistan relations.”

Junaid Safdar, the son of the current Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab Maryam Nawaz and grandson of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, is set to tie the knot with the granddaughter of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif’s first cousin in Lahore, media outlets have reported. 

This would be Junaid Safdar’s second marriage. He had tied the knot with Ayesha Saif in August 2021 at a reception held at Lanesborough, located in Knightsbridge, London. The marriage ended in a quiet divorce.

Junaid Safdar’s parents, Maryam Nawaz and Captain Safdar, did not attend the wedding as they were not allowed to leave Pakistan at the time. However, his grandfather, Nawaz Sharif and the incumbent Deputy Prime Minister (PM), Ishaq Dar, were present at the wedding.

Citing family sources, Geo News reported that Junaid Safdar will now be engaged to the granddaughter of Javed Shafi, a first cousin and confidante of three-time former premier Nawaz.

Shafi runs Ittefaq Group Industries alongside the sons of Mian Tariq Shafi and the rest of the wider Sharif clan. Junaid Safdar’s fiance is the daughter of 48-year-old Usman Javed, the son of Mian Javed Shafi, who resides in Model Town.

“The families from both sides, including Mian Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Mian Javed Shafi, met on Wednesday in Model Town,” said Geo News, citing a source, while another said, “The rishta has been settled and the engagement will follow soon. The families will mutually decide the dates for the nikah and engagement ceremony.”

Junaid Safdar’s education

Junaid Safdar is a Cambridge graduate who holds two bachelor’s and two master’s degrees from prestigious UK universities. 

Completing a master’s in International Relations (IR) from the London School of Economics (LSE) in 2020, Junaid Safdar also completed a master’s in Global Governance and Ethics from University College London (UCL).

Earlier, he earned a first-class honours degree in Politics from Durham University.

Junaid is also a keen polo enthusiast and has won multiple competitions representing British universities.

Commander of the Afghan Taliban, Saeedullah Saeed, has stated that, according to directives from their Ameer, it is illegitimate to fight against any country, particularly Pakistan.

Addressing a police passing-out parade on Wednesday, Saeed warned militants affiliated with Fitna Al Khwarij against fighting Pakistani forces or carrying out attacks under the banner of Jihad.

“Those who fight against foreign countries while joining different groups cannot be called a real Mujahid,” he maintained.

Clarifying that only the Ameer of the state has the authority to declare or authorise Jihad, Saeed said, “It is not the discretion of any individual or a group to decide about waging Jihad.”

The Afghan Taliban commander also stated unequivocally that anyone who goes to Pakistan to fight against the leadership’s directives is committing an act of disobedience. 

“It will be considered ‘Fasad’ not ‘Jihad’ if anybody fights for the sake of ego or on the basis of association with any group,” he stated.

Saeedullah Saeed also declared that those who carry out attacks in the name of ‘Jihad’ disobey Shariat and the Afghan Emirate.

Citing Defence analysts, media reports claimed that the statement of the Afghan Taliban Commander consolidated Pakistan’s internal security, its narrative and its diplomatic position globally.

They further stated that the supposed jihad of the Khwarij, carried out at the behest of Indian proxies, is in fact terrorism against Shariah, the State and peace.

Separately, 22 people were injured in an alleged quadcopter strike in the Wana tehsil of South Waziristan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to a hospital list cited by a leading English daily on Wednesday.

According to details, an incident report issued by the district headquarters hospital (DHQ) in Wana mentioned a “drone attack” at 8pm, which injured 22 people, including seven minors.

While the condition of a 13-year-old and an adult man was listed as “serious” and they were referred for tertiary care, seven others, including individuals aged 15, 18, and 19, sustained major injuries. The remaining 13 suffered minor injuries, of which two were discharged from the hospital.

The incident occurred within a fortnight of a suspected quadcopter munitions drop that killed four children and injured five others in Mir Ali tehsil of North Waziristan District. The military clarified that security forces were “falsely implicated” in the attack, stating that it was carried out by Fitna-Al-Khwarij.