Category: 1. Pakistan

The conflict between Pakistan and India in May 2025 marked a major military escalation between the two nuclear powers. Following the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which killed 26 tourists, New Delhi immediately blamed Islamabad without providing any evidence. It also took a raft of major diplomatic measures to downgrade its ties with Pakistan. Islamabad denied the allegations and offered an impartial probe into the incident.

On the night of May 7, the Indian Air Force launched an unprovoked attack on civilian targets in Pakistan. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) immediately retaliated and shot down at least six IAF jets, including three French-built Rafales.

On the night of 9–10 May, India launched another round of strikes against Pakistan, but this time targeted military sites. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, striking back at Indian military installations, including missile storage sites, airbases and other strategic targets. On May 10, US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached following intense diplomatic efforts overnight.

Read: French intelligence official confirms downing of Rafale by Pakistan

While the Indian political leadership has consistently denied losses, a series of remarks from senior Indian defence officials over recent weeks suggest that the Indian Air Force (IAF) did suffer losses, and potentially more than previously acknowledged. It also shows that the political and military leadership are not on the same page and are at a loss on how to form a new narrative. 

Air Marshal AK Bharti

The first official hint came on May 11, when Air Marshal AK Bharti, Director General of Air Operations, responded to a journalist’s question at a press briefing on Operation Sindoor. He said, “Losses are a part of combat… All our pilots are back home.” Though he did not confirm the number or type of aircraft lost, it marked the first public admission of any kind regarding IAF losses.

General Anil Chauhan

On May 31, General Anil Chauhan, India’s Chief of Defence Staff, made a more pointed remark during an interview with Bloomberg Television at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

Dismissing reports that six Indian jets had been downed, he remarked, “What is important is not the jet being down, but why they were being down… That is more important for us. And what did we do after that.” General Chauhan also acknowledged that the IAF was “handicapped” in its flying operations for the next two days — a significant revelation from India’s top military official.

Captain (IN) Shiv Kumar

A third and particularly candid admission came on June 10 from Captain (IN) Shiv Kumar, India’s Defence Attaché to Indonesia, while speaking at a university seminar titled ‘Analysis of the Pakistan–India Air Battle and Indonesia’s Anticipatory Strategies from the Perspective of Air Power’, hosted by Universitas Dirgantara Marsekal Suryadarma in Jakarta.

“I may not agree that we lost so many aircraft, but I do agree we did lose some aircraft… The Indian Air Force lost fighter jets to Pakistan on the night of May 7, 2025, only because of the constraint given by the political leadership to not attack the military establishment or their air defences,” he said.

Read more: India again admits jet losses in Pakistan clash, citing political limits

Captain Kumar’s statement was notable not only for confirming the IAF’s losses but also for attributing them directly to political limitations imposed by New Delhi — an implication that contradicts official claims that the armed forces were given full operational freedom during the conflict.

Defence Secretary RK Singh

On July 8, Defence Secretary RK Singh added to the growing list of official acknowledgements in an interview with CNBC-TV18. Responding to speculation about the loss of multiple Rafale aircraft, he said, “You have used the term Rafales in the plural, I can assure you that is absolutely not correct.”

While aimed at denying the scale of losses claimed by Pakistan, Singh’s remark effectively confirmed that at least one Rafale may have been downed — again, without disclosing numbers.

Lt General Rahul Singh

Further confirmation came from Indian Deputy Army Chief Lt General Rahul Singh, who, two months after the fighting ended, acknowledged India’s military defeat in the operation.

Also read: Pakistan had real-time knowledge of Indian jets during Operation Sindoor: security experts

Though his remarks included accusations that Pakistan’s success was backed by foreign support from China and Turkey, regional analysts and security experts have dismissed these claims, asserting that Pakistan’s gains were achieved independently.

“Pakistan’s security forces were fully aware of Indian fighter jet movements in real-time… We have been preparing for decades to counter India,” security experts said, adding that the victory was the result of professionalism, strategy, and training, not external assistance.

Taken together, these statements paint a picture of guarded admissions by Indian officials, revealing more through what was left unsaid than what was openly confirmed.

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ISLAMABAD, Jul 11 (APP):The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday accepted the acquittal appeal of an accused Sita Ram in murder case declaring that the police cannot refuse or delay the registration of first information report (FIR) of any incident as it could lead to injustice or loss of evidence.

Justice Athar Minallah wrote a 30-page verdict, in which the court accepted the appeal of accused Sita Ram in murder case. The court said in the verdict that the prosecution had failed to present evidence against the accused. It should be noted that Sita Ram was accused of killing Chandra Kumar in 2018.

The court said in the verdict that despite the timely information of the plaintiff, the case was registered with a delay of 2 days. The SHO admitted that the information was registered in the newspaper, but not an FIR.

The order said that registration of a case is mandatory in a cognizable offence. Delay in registration of cases has been seen in most cases in Sindh. Registration and investigation of cases are executive processes and it is an important and fundamental part of the criminal system.

The Supreme Court said in its verdict that it is the legal responsibility of the duty officer to register a case as soon as possible after receiving information. A police officer cannot refuse or delay the registration of a case. Delay has an impact on the accused and the plaintiff, and it could lead to the loss of evidence and the involvement of innocent people.

The verdict said that the police force and police stations are for the service of the public. A report was also submitted by the IG Sindh and the Prosecutor General in the case. The reasons given in the order included cultural practices, attempts to reconcile the complainants, and religious beliefs that were not in accordance with the law.

According to the court decision, the police’s failure to register an FIR is a constitutional violation and is a denial of justice. The trend of delay in registering an FIR in Sindh is worrying. Delay in FIR is an injustice to the weak, poor and backward classes. The police are serving the powerful class, not the people.

The decision further said that the perception of a police state is dangerous, we need to move towards a constitutional state. Every police officer is strictly bound by the constitution. The Supreme Court, in its decision, directed the IGs of all provinces to ensure implementation of the law and said that the Prosecutor Generals should formulate SOPs and restore public trust.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged awareness on responsible parenthood and family planning to address population growth on the World Population Day on Friday, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.

Established by the then-Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989 and observed on July 11 every year, World Population Day seeks to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues, including their relations to the environment and development.

The president, in his message to the nation, said that the challenge of population growth continued to hinder the country’s national development process which necessitated a comprehensive, and inclusive approach, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

“When community leaders, elders, and civil society organisations promote the benefits of responsible parenthood and support access to family planning, societal attitudes begin to change. The media also has a central role to play in raising awareness and promoting healthy practices, and can significantly influence public behaviour,” he said.

The president said that this year’s theme — which was to empower young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world — captured the essence of Pakistan’s demographic reality.

“With our population exceeding 242 million, the urgency to adopt forward-looking, evidence-based population policies has never been greater than it is at present. We have a huge youth bulge — our greatest strength, if nurtured through access to education, healthcare, opportunities, and agency.”

Highlighting the pressure of population growth on the country’s national resources, health and education infrastructure, and public services, he said that the rising unemployment, environmental degradation, deforestation, and overstretched health and education systems were symptoms of the imbalance between population size and available resources.

President Zardari called to expand access to quality family planning services, particularly in rural areas, with a focus on women’s education and employment who should be given equal opportunities, as their empowerment directly influences family choices.

He also called for the government to enhance its focus on a comprehensive population agenda, guided by the principle of tawazun (balance) — achieving harmony between population growth and resource availability.

“This approach is supported by stakeholders across sectors, including religious leaders, policymakers, and development partners. It reflects our shared commitment to securing a healthier, more equitable, and resource-efficient future.”

He also stressed the need for adopting international best practices including integrating family planning into primary healthcare systems, promoting reproductive health through community-based outreach, deploying trained female health workers at the grassroots level, and using mass media to promote public education and behavioural change.

“Such strategies can help stabilise population growth,” he added.

Pakistan’s youth can become a dynamic force: PM

In his message, PM Shehbaz said that his government was fully committed to a comprehensive, rights-based population agenda with a focus on equitable access to healthcare, informed family planning, and strengthening systems allowing individuals to make choices about their future with dignity and autonomy, according to APP.

“These efforts are fully aligned with Pakistan’s commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals and Family Planning 2030 targets. The stability of population growth requires a coherent, multi-sectoral approach,” he said.

“With a population of 242 million, approximately 65 per cent of whom are under the age of 30, Pakistan stands at a critical juncture in its history. This huge youth population represents both an extraordinary opportunity and a significant challenge,” he remarked.

PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan’s young population could become a dynamic force driving innovation, productivity, and national development if attention was given to their good upbringing and empowerment.

“However, managing such a large and growing population also places immense pressure on public resources and governance systems,” he added.

He urged all stakeholders, including federal and provincial governments, development partners, civil society, the private sector, religious leaders, and local communities, to fulfil their shared responsibility and commitment to address these population challenges and build a healthier, more prosperous future for Pakistan.

At least five people died and four others were injured when a pickup vehicle plunged into a deep gorge in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district on Friday morning, police said.

Kurram Deputy Commissioner Ashfaq Khan told Dawn.com: “The accident occurred in the Para Chamkani Gondal, where five people died and four others sustained injuries.”

He said the vehicle was on its way to Sadda Bazaar Lower Kurram from Spin Ghar Manro when the incident occurred.

“The vehicle lost control on a narrow and dangerous bend and fell off the road, as a result of which five people died on the spot while four were seriously injured,” he added.

The deceased were identified as Gul Wali, son of Abdul Hanan (driver); Naimatullah, son of Gul Khan; Naseeb, son of Hamad Jan, residents of Manro; Dolly Khan, son of Islam; and Riazuddin, son of Zahiruddin, residents of Kimal Baza Zangi.

According to the deputy commissioner, locals voluntarily started relief operations to rescue the injured and recover the bodies soon after the incident.

The injured were immediately taken to the Sadda Hospital with the help of locals, where the condition of some of the injured is said to be critical, he said.

Fatal accidents are common on roads in the mountainous regions of the country due to traffic rule violations, treacherous terrain and poor infrastructure.

A day earlier, at least five people were killed in a collision between a car and a truck on Chashma Road in Dera Ismail Khan district, rescue officials said.

Eight members of a family died on May 1 when a Rawalpindi-bound car plunged into a deep ravine in the Matta Banda area of Lower Kohistan district, police said.

At least 10 people died and nine others were injured on April 15 when a speeding trailer ran over a Peshawar-bound van on the Indus highway in KP’s Karak district.

Five people were killed when a three-wheeler fell into a canal in the Gohati area of KP’s Swabi on April 7.

The United Arab Emirates’ Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Friday assured “full support” in expediting visas for Pakistani citizens, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.

Al Nahyan’s statement came during a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who is currently on an official visit to the UAE. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in security, counter-narcotics, and immigration matters.

The minister received a warm welcome at the UAE Ministry of Interior, where he was presented with a guard of honour. He was introduced to senior UAE officials and engaged in high-level discussions focusing on visa facilitation for Pakistani citizens, especially work visas.

During the visit, Naqvi emphasised the importance of easing the visa policy, stating, “We want Pakistani citizens to come to the UAE with ease. Relaxation in visa policies will bring great relief.”

The UAE interior minister assured full support in this regard.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in key areas, including security, anti-smuggling efforts, and the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence to tackle emerging security challenges.

Naqvi also toured the modern policing and operations centre of the Abu Dhabi police, where he was briefed on the city’s advanced surveillance and crime-prevention systems. He praised the technological innovations and expressed interest in adopting similar systems in Pakistan.

The minister concluded his visit by calling the brotherly relations between the UAE and Pakistan a “national asset”, and expressed Pakistan’s desire to deepen cooperation in all areas, particularly security and public welfare, APP reported.

Pakistan and the UAE share close diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties. The UAE is one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners in the Middle East and a major source of remittances, with a large Pakistani expatriate population living and working there.

Pakistan and Vietnam have agreed to initiate negotiations on a Pakistan-Vietnam Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) within this year.

The development came during the 5th Meeting of the Pakistan–Vietnam Joint Trade Committee (JTC) convened on Friday in Hanoi, reactivating this institutional forum after a hiatus of eight years.

The session was co-chaired by Nasir Hamid, Additional Secretary of Commerce, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and Phan Thi Thang, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The signing ceremony of the agreed minutes was solemnly witnessed by Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for Commerce of Pakistan, and Nguyen Hong Dien, Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

The JTC reviewed the current state of bilateral trade and outlined future cooperation in key areas, including trade facilitation, market access, textiles and fisheries, Halal certification, civil aviation, healthcare, and banking channels.

Vietnam envoy for expanding economic ties with Pakistan

During the meeting, both sides emphasised enhancing institutional and business linkages for sustained trade growth.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to unlocking the untapped trade potential between the two countries.

Earlier, Jam Kamal Khan held a bilateral meeting Nguyễn Hồng Diên to strengthen economic cooperation and explore new avenues for trade and investment between the two countries.

The high-level meeting took place in a spirit of mutual friendship and partnership, reflecting the growing economic and diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Vietnam, read a statement released by the Ministry of Commerce.

During the meeting, the two ministers emphasised the need for enhanced business-to-business linkages, promotion of joint ventures, and cooperation in sectors such as textiles, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and energy.

Discussions also focused on reducing trade barriers and working towards a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to facilitate smoother trade flows.

A PTA is a trade pact between two or more countries where they agree to reduce or eliminate tariffs and other trade barriers on certain goods and services traded between them.

During the meeting, Jam Kamal highlighted Pakistan’s strategic location and offered Vietnam greater access to Central Asian and Middle Eastern markets through regional connectivity projects.

Meanwhile, Nguyễn Hồng Diên expressed Vietnam’s interest in increasing imports of Pakistani rice, textiles, and leather products, and welcomed Pakistani investment in Vietnam’s manufacturing and technology sectors.

The meeting concluded with a shared vision to elevate Pakistan-Vietnam bilateral trade volume and to foster long-term economic partnership for the mutual benefit of both nations.