Current Final

Tag: India

  • ‘Pakistan or India?’: Sania Mirza finally puts the banter to rest by revealing who she supports

    Indian tennis player Sania Mirza and her cricketer husband Shoaib Malik were seen engaging in a cute banter over which side Mirza supports: India or Pakistan.

    During the recording of programme ‘Time Out with Ahsan Khan’, the host asked Mirza what is the worst question any journalist or any host has asked her.

    She replied, “One question that I am asked all the time, which is very bad and stale and I don’t want to be asked again is, “Who do I support when India is playing against Pakistan?”


    In a video, Malik can also be seen teasing his wife over this. He questioned Sania: “One second, this is not over yet. Who do you support when India and Pakistan play?”

    Sania in a witty reply questioned her husband back and asked him who he supports during India versus Pakistan tennis matches.

    Playing safe, the all-rounder said: “Of course I support my wife,” while adding that he loves his country.

    Mirza instantly said, “Same,” while requesting not to ask her this question again.

    The star tennis player is currently in Karachi.

  • Pakistan condemns Indian leader who called for ‘undoing’ of Partition

    Pakistan condemns Indian leader who called for ‘undoing’ of Partition

    Pakistan has strongly condemned and rejected the “highly provocative” and “irresponsible remarks” made by Hindu nationalist group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat. In a statement issued today, the Foreign Office said that this is not the first time that the RSS chief has publicly indulged in such “delusional thinking and historical revisionism”.

    Bhagat has called for the undoing of the Partition, terming it as the “the only solution to the pain of Partition.” “India’s suffering at the time of Partition should not be forgotten. It will go away when the Partition of India is undone,” he said while addressing a book launch ceremony.

    “Pakistan has repeatedly highlighted the threat posed to regional peace and stability by the toxic mix of the extremist ‘Hindutva’ ideology (Hindu Rashtra) and expansionist foreign policy (Akhand Bharat) being pursued by the ruling RSS-BJP dispensation in India,” the statement issued by Pakistani foreign office added.

    The statement further said: “The world is witness to the systematic usurpation of the rights of minorities, especially Muslims, in India and the unabated repression of Kashmiris in IIOJK. The reckless misadventures of India, including in February 2019, that seriously imperiled regional peace and stability are also in front of the world.”

    “Pakistan has consistently opposed India’s hegemonic impulses and demonstrated a firm resolve to thwart any aggressive designs. While committed to peace, the people and armed forces of Pakistan are fully capable of defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.”

    “Those belonging to the BJP and its ideological fountainhead RSS would be well- advised to refrain from making such provocative and irresponsible statements, accept the established realities, and learn to follow the imperatives of peaceful coexistence.”

  • India detains minor Pakistani boy who crossed LOC by mistake

    India detains minor Pakistani boy who crossed LOC by mistake

    .

    A young Pakistani boy, Asmad Akhtar has been captured after mistakenly crossing the Line of Control (LoC) and entering the Poonch Sector of Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, Channel 24 has reported.

    Asmad, a resident of Azad Kashmir’s Poonch District, crossed the Line of Control by accident on November 25 and was apprehended by Indian security forces. Through the media, the family of the young boy has been demanding his release.

    As per Indian Media, the Indian Army is investigating the minor boy.

    Earlier, this year in January a young boy who had crossed the LOC on December 31 from was handed over to the Pakistan Army on January

  • Fake social media profiles discrediting Sikhs in India exposed

    A network of fake social media profiles of people claiming to be Sikhs, and promoting divisive narratives, has been exposed, reports BBC.

    The network used so-called “sock puppet” accounts, which are fake ones controlled by real people posing as independent individuals, rather than automated “bots”.

    The fake profiles used Sikh names and claimed to be “Real Sikhs”. They used the hashtags #RealSikh to endorse, and #FakeSikh to discredit, different political viewpoints.

    The report, from non-profit organisation the Centre for Information Resilience (CIR), found many of the accounts in the network used the same fake profiles across several platforms. These accounts shared the same names, profile pictures, and cover photos, and published identical posts.

    According to the report, the accounts sought to label any notion of Sikh independence as extremist, and delegitimise the farmers’ protests, claiming they had been hijacked by “Khalistani terrorists”.

    Benjamin Strick who worked on the story wrote a detailed thread on Twitter sharing the details of his findings.

    “We can glean some obvious details from the content the accounts post. Here is some of the Facebook activity we looked at. It shows a strong focus on countering Sikh independence. Note the prominence of tags such as #PakistanBehindKhalistan,” tweeted, Benjamin.

    “There was also a common theme throughout the network of fake personas to retweet or tweet about the Indian Armed Forces and Indian Army content. This content was unique as it was not related to Sikh independence much like the other content,” shared Bejamin on Twitter.

  • #AbhiNoneDoneAward: ‘Classic case of Indian fabrication and pure fantasy to hide embarrassment,’ says Pakistan

    #AbhiNoneDoneAward: ‘Classic case of Indian fabrication and pure fantasy to hide embarrassment,’ says Pakistan

    In a statement issued a day after Abhinandan Varthaman was given the Vir Chakra medal by Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, the Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) said this was a “classic case of Indian fabrications and pure fantasy to appease the domestic audience and hide embarrassment”.

    “Pakistan categorically rejects the entirely baseless Indian claims that a Pakistani F-16 aircraft was shot down by an Indian pilot before he was captured by Pakistan in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in February 2019,” said the FO in a statement.

    “India’s insistence on propagating a lie that has been thoroughly exposed is ludicrous and nonsensical. Granting military honours for imaginary feats of gallantry is contrary to every norm of military conduct. By giving such [an] award, also as an afterthought, India has only made a mockery of itself,” the FO statement added.

    “Indian Air Force was completely outplayed on the day. It is obvious that India’s farcical story has no credibility whatsoever before the international community.”

    “Pakistan stands as ready and resolute to thwart any hostile designs as it was in February 2019. India would do well to learn a lesson from its botched attempt to violate Pakistan’s sovereignty and refrain from any misadventure in [the] future,” the FO warned.

    Abhinandan was arrested on Feb 27, 2019, after his aircraft was shot down by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) upon violating Pakistani airspace.

    He was initially captured by locals in Azad Kashmir before being taken into custody by Pakistan Army personnel. 

  • ‘Tea is fantastic’ Abhinandan awarded India’s third-highest gallantry medal

    ‘Tea is fantastic’ Abhinandan awarded India’s third-highest gallantry medal

    Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan in 2019 after his MiG 21 Bison aircraft was shot down by a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jet, and later returned to India — was awarded India’s third-highest gallantry medal on Monday, reports Asian News International (ANI).

    According to the report, the citation for the award stated: “Wing Commander Abhinandan showed conspicuous courage, demonstrated gallantry in the face of the enemy while disregarding personal safety and displayed [an] exceptional sense of duty.”

    Pakistani Twitterati reacted to the news of Pak-fame Abhinandan and yet again reminded the world of his famous dialogue,  ‘Tea is fantastic’.

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Vice President Sherry Rehman tweeted, “Is this for real? Award for drinking tea in Pakistani custody ?”

    Journalist Abbas Nasir tweeted, “India edges past us in the race for being the most delusional country in the Subcon.”

    Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera tweeted, “Feel so sorry for the poor bloke!!!”

    Journalist Fereeha Idrees commented, “Bollywood fantasyland taken next level. Indian Air force is awarding their man for getting shot in air by Pakistani pilots and then landing in Pakistan while thinking he was in India.”

    Abdullah Saad tweeted, “Not the first time that an IAF officer was given Vir Chakra for a fictitious kill.”

    A Twitter user wrote, “Never ever feeling guilty or ashamed about receiving credit for work I didn’t do.”

    Abhinandan was arrested on Feb 27, 2019, after his aircraft was shot down by the PAF upon violating Pakistani airspace.

    He was initially captured by locals in Azad Kashmir before being taken into custody by Pakistan Army personnel. 

  • Gujarat man loses 10 kgs in three months to commit burglary

    Gujarat man loses 10 kgs in three months to commit burglary

    Moti Singh Chauhan from Ahmedabad shed 10 kg for a very special reason and that is to commit a burglary, reports News 18.

    During police interrogation, he revealed that he ate only once a day for three months continuously, which enabled him to slim down and slide through a ventilator.

    According to the news outlet, two years ago, 34-year-old Singh was working at the house in Bhopal. He had gathered information about where the valuables were kept and he was also aware of the location of cameras.

    His former employers told the police that he would skip his dinner often.

    The local police found him in the footage of a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) camera of a hardware shop where he had gone to buy a trowel and a saw to cut the glass of the kitchen window to get inside the house.

    He managed to steal INR 37 lakh from the house on November 5, the police said.

  • ‘Victory against injustice’: Rahul Gandhi’s response to Modi’s U-turn on controversial farm laws

    Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has taken a U-turn by announcing that his government will repeal three controversial agricultural reform laws, which set off huge protests across India by the farmers.

    “Today I have come to tell you, the whole country, that we have decided to withdraw all three agricultural laws,” announced Modi.

    “In the parliament session starting later this month, we will complete the constitutional process to repeal these three agricultural laws.”

    “I appeal to all the farmers who are part of the protest … to now return to your home, to your loved ones, to your farms, and family. Let’s make a fresh start and move forward,” said the Indian prime minister.

    “Friends, I apologise to the countrymen and want to say with a clean heart and conscience that we must have fallen short in our efforts to explain (the benefits of the farm laws) to a section of the farmers.”

    Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Congress party, took to Twitter and wrote, “Congratulations on this victory against injustice!”

    In a high-profile protest against controversial agricultural reforms, tens of thousands of farmers drove a convoy of tractors festooned with brightly-coloured flags through the outskirts of India’s capital of New Delhi on the country’s Republic Day, January 26.

    Three laws pertaining to agriculture and farming were passed in India, which the farmers said would affect their livelihood. Modi billed these laws as necessary to modernise Indian farming.

  • ‘Brotherhood, humanity’: Sikhs open gurdwaras for Friday prayers after Muslims attacked by Hindu extremists

    ‘Brotherhood, humanity’: Sikhs open gurdwaras for Friday prayers after Muslims attacked by Hindu extremists

    After an official ban on Muslim prayers at open places in India’s Gurugram city near New Delhi, a local organisation taking care of gurdwaras, holy places of the Sikh religion, has announced opening the doors of a gurdwara for Muslims.

    Hindu extremists have been protesting against the Muslims’ act of offering Friday prayers at open places outside mosques for the last several weeks. As Muslims in larger numbers swarm to mosques to say their weekly Friday prayers, mosques mostly cannot accommodate these big numbers of worshipers and they have to use the open places outside the mosques to say their prayers.

    Keeping in view the protests by Hindu extremists, the local authorities in Gurugram city have stopped Muslims from using the open places outside the mosques to offer their Friday prayers and cancelled the permission letters issued earlier in this regard.

    Hindu extremists have also been disrupting the Muslim Friday prayers at open places by raising their religious slogans.

    Last week, Hindu extremists filled an open place with cow dung where Muslims were going to say their Friday prayers the next day. They said they wanted to turn that place into a volleyball court.

    Against this backdrop, an organisation associated with gurdwaras of the Sikh religion has come forward and announced opening a gurdwara in Gurugram so that Muslims can offer their Friday prayers there.

    Harteerath Singh, Community Development Director at Hemkunt Foundation, wrote on Twitter, “Gurgaon’s Sadar Bazaar Gurudwara is now open for our Muslim brothers to offer their daily namaz keeping in mind the recent events that took place in the city.”

    Despite of death threats, he said that he will “always stand up for truth and sewa (help).”

    https://twitter.com/HarteerathSingh/status/1461355592027496467?s=20

    In another tweet, he added: “The best part is tomorrow is Guru Nanak Dev jis Gurpurab and Friday namaaz too. What a spectacular sight it will be tomorrow- prime example of brotherhood and humanity!”

    Thousands of Sikh pilgrims will attend the 552nd birth anniversary commemorations in Kartarpur today. An 18-member delegation led by Indian Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh entered Pakistan from the Kartarpur corridor on Thursday.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan has also extended felicitations to Sikhs.

  • Indian government has apprehensions about participation in 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan

    Indian government has apprehensions about participation in 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan

    Pakistan has recently been awarded the rights to hosting the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. Just a day has passed and the Indian government expressed apprehensions about participation in the international tournament. India’s Sports Minister and Former BCCI President, Anurag Thakur on Wednesday, said that the Indian government will monitor the security situation at the time in Pakistan before taking a decision on whether the India team will travel for the eight-team global tournament.

    “The Indian government had earlier also made its decision,” Thakur said while talking to reporters in Delhi on Wednesday. “When such global tournaments happen several factors are considered.”

    He added: “Even in the past, you would have seen many countries have pulled out to go there (Pakistan) and play because the situation there is not normal. Security is the main challenge there, like teams have been attacked in the past, which is a concern. So when the time comes, the Indian government will take a decision depending on the circumstances then.”

    Read More – Threatening e-mail was sent to New Zealand cricket team from India: Fawad

    The Champions Trophy is the first ICC tournament that will be hosted in Pakistan since the 1996 men’s ODI World Cup which was co-hosted by two other countries: India and Sri Lanka. No Indian team has played cricket in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.

    The two neighbours have not played any bilateral cricket in Pakistan since Rahul Dravid’s side travelled to Pakistan in 2005-06 for a full tour comprising three Tests and five ODIs. Pakistan toured India for a reciprocal tour in 2007-08 but the strained political equation between their governments since then has restricted ties to one white-ball bilateral series in 2012-13 in India and games between the two in ICC tournaments. Pakistan traveled to India to play in the 2011 ODI World Cup semi-final and later to participate in the 2016 T20 World Cup.

    The 2023 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to be played in India during October and November. Earlier, the global tournament was shifted from India to UAE and Oman citing fears of the second wave of Covid-19 in the country.