Islamabad/Patna: The ongoing hijab controversy surrounding Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has drawn criticism from Pakistan, with Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar condemning the incident in which a Muslim woman’s hijab was forcibly removed at a government event. Dar described the act as “shameful” and emphasized the urgent need to protect minority rights and curb rising Islamophobia. On social media platform X, Dar stated that respect for women and religious beliefs must remain a fundamental, non-negotiable principle in every society. Pakistan’s Human Rights Council also condemned the incident, urging the Indian government to conduct a transparent and impartial investigation. In its statement, the Council described the act as not just an insult to an individual, b...

Dhaka: Controversial Bangladeshi politician Hasnat Abdullah, leader of the National Citizen Party, has once again stirred tensions with India, demanding that the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka be expelled from the country. Known for his anti-India rhetoric, Abdullah made the remarks during a rally in Comilla on Wednesday, December 17, at a time when diplomatic strains between India and Bangladesh are already high. Expulsion Demand and Anti-India Statements Addressing the crowd, Abdullah said, “India summoned our High Commissioner and reprimanded him. Bangladesh should not only reprimand the Indian High Commissioner but also expel him from the country for sheltering the murderous Sheikh Hasina.” Earlier this week, Abdullah had threatened India’s northeastern states, commonly referr...

Islamabad: China has completed the construction of Pakistan Navy’s fourth Hangor-class submarine, named Ghazi, marking a significant milestone in Islamabad’s naval modernization program. The submarine was launched from the Shuangliu base in Wuhan on Wednesday, according to the Pakistan Navy. Officials stated that the deployment would help maintain stability in the region. Under a defense agreement between Pakistan and China, eight Hangor-class submarines are being acquired. Four of these are being built in China, while the remaining four will be constructed at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited in Pakistan. Advanced Capabilities The Pakistan Navy described the launch of Ghazi as a critical step in strengthening its maritime capabilities. All four submarines built in ...

Copenhagen: Denmark is set to extend its existing public face-covering ban to educational institutions, prohibiting burqas, niqabs, and other face-concealing garments in schools and universities. The Scandinavian country had already banned full-face coverings in public spaces, and now the law is being prepared for application in classrooms. Integration Minister Rasmus Stoklund emphasized, “There is no place for burqas, niqabs, or any clothing that hides the face in Danish classrooms.” The AFP news agency reported that Stoklund believes the restrictions already applied to public spaces should also be enforced in schools and universities to maintain security and social integration. Legislative Steps Ahead Denmark first imposed a full-face covering ban in August 2018, which included ...

Dhaka: A large group of protesters attempted to target the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Wednesday, escalating security concerns for Indian diplomats in Bangladesh. Marching towards the mission, demonstrators clashed with police barricades before being stopped. Earlier, India had summoned the Bangladeshi High Commissioner in New Delhi to express concerns over the safety of its diplomatic mission. Protesters Confront Police According to local media reports, hundreds of protesters gathered near the Rampura Bridge under the banner of “July Unity” around 3:15 PM, demanding the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and others following last year’s unrest. As the procession moved towards North Badda, police erected barricades to prevent further advance. Defying the initial blo...

Ankara: Turkey is reportedly seeking to return the S-400 air defense systems it purchased from Russia nearly a decade ago, a move that could end a long-standing, controversial deal which strained its relations with the United States and other NATO allies. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reportedly raised the issue directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin. If Russia agrees to take back the S-400 systems, it would resolve a major diplomatic stumbling block. The original purchase led to Turkey’s exclusion from the U.S.-led F-35 fighter jet program, as American officials expressed concerns that operating the Russian system could expose some of the stealth jet’s classified capabilities to Russian intelligence. Discussions Between Leaders According to sources familiar w...