Efforts to rake up the alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir by backbenchers in the United Kingdom Parliament virtually fell flat as the debate on the issue drew few takers, even as the government asserted that it was for India and Pakistan to resolve the problem bilaterally.
Counting has begun for the election which will be the second democratic transition of power in the nation's 70-year history.
The minister also rejected Gandhi's allegation that the Narendra Modi government brought Pakistan and China together.
The United Kingdom Border Agency has refused to clarify the exact status of Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik's British citizenship, an issue that resulted in the suspension of his membership of Pakistan's parliament.
Interacting with media persons outside Parliament in Islamabad, Malik said the world must take notice of New Delhi's growing intervention in Afghanistan and Pakistan and ask it stop meddling with issues concerning the two troubled nations.
Khan said that India, which is a part of Quad, has imported oil from Russia despite American sanctions.
'We support the importance of a free press around the world. We continue to highlight the importance of democratic principles, such as freedom of expression, freedom of religion or belief'
According to a Union home ministry notification, those Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians residing in the districts of Anand and Mehsana in Gujarat will be allowed registration as a citizen of India under Section 5 or will be granted certificate of naturalisation under section 6 of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and in accordance with the provisions of the Citizenship Rules, 2009.
Ignoring India's assertions that Islamabad should not interfere in its affairs, Pakistan's Parliament decided on Tuesday to set up a panel to monitor human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir and mobilise world opinion in support of the 'right of self-determination' for Kashmiri people.
Environmental activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk accused the BJP of reneging on its promise of including Ladakh under the sixth schedule.
Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday said he would not seek a vote of confidence from parliament against the backdrop of an escalating row with the judiciary and military as his government did not want any clash between state institutions. "I have no need for a vote of confidence," Gilani told a special session of the National Assembly or lower house of parliament that was convened by the ruling coalition after the Supreme Court warned action could be taken.
While in power, Khan repeatedly talked about making Pakistan an Islamic welfare state. However, he failed to fix the economy and the basic problem of keeping the prices of commodities in control.
Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday made a triumphant return as Pakistan's prime minister, calling on all parties and stakeholders to be on the same page for tackling the country's massive political and economic challenges.
How the two South Asian neighbours will interact with each other in the coming months will be decided by the two prime ministers in Washington.
Islamabad high court will hear the petition seeking to include the former Pakistan Minister Imran Khan in the exit control list (ECL) on Monday.
Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, won the Pakistan presidential election on Saturday, according to an unofficial tally of results. Zardari, who had been widely expected to win, had secured 458 out of 702 electoral college votes, according to partial Election Commission results.
Grant of the status to India would help in further boosting trade between the countries.
Niazi, hand-picked by his party chief Imran Khan, resigned on Thursday after 25 lawmakers of his party moved a resolution of no-confidence motion against him to replace him with party's regional president Sardar Tanveer Ilyas.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday described Pakistan as China's "dependable" friend and firmly backed its territorial integrity
'The army has been open about its determination to keep the PML-Nawaz out of power at all costs.' 'Both the military and the higher judiciary have indicated a preference for Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehrik e Insaaf,' says Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan Desk at the Research and Analysis Wing, India's external intelligence agency.
The prime minister needs 172 votes in the lower house of 342 to foil the Opposition's bid to topple him.
'The government is scared of this Congress yatra, that is why various orders and letters are being issued'
Former information minister and senior leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party Fawad Chaudhry said that the premier made the decision after approval from the party's core committee.
Amar Bhushan, former special secretary with the Research and Analysis Wing, says that the country's leadership is to be blamed for Pakistan media lapping up the IB-CBI tussle and an officer's latest revelations on 'India's role in 26/11 attacks'
Hence, "it will be better for Pakistan if we hold elections again," he was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.
Khan was ousted from power after losing a no-confidence vote in his leadership following days of high drama.
Pakistan said on Monday that its close ally Saudi Arabia has asked for ground troops, warships and fighter planes to oust the Shia rebels in war-torn Yemen as lawmakers debate whether the country should join the conflict which has sectarian and domestic implications.
The change of government in Pakistan after the exit of hawkish Imran Khan and his likely replacement by hard-core realist Shehbaz Sharif may provide a little window of opportunity for the leaders of India and Pakistan to reset their nearly frozen bilateral ties, according to experts.
Pakistan's Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Thursday noted that National Assembly deputy speaker Qasim Suri's move to dismiss a no-confidence motion against embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan through a controversial ruling is, prima facie, a violation of article 95 of the constitution as the apex court heard the high-profile case for the fourth day.
In democratic India, a citizen can be a patriot and at the same time be critical of the government, unlike China which promulgated a national security law in Hong Kong prescribing patriotism to contest elections, observes Rup Narayan Das.
The session started on December 15 ended on January 5.
"Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has decided to rename the Prime Minister's Secretariat as Prime Minister's Office with immediate effect," said a brief statement issued by the premier's media office.
The resolution demanded withdrawal of the title, saying that the decision has hurt sentiments of the Muslims across the world.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said India would like to see a "strong, stable and prosperous" Pakistan. He also said that he was happy to see democracy flourish over there as he received a Parliamentary delegation from that country. Dr Singh also told the delegation, led by Chairman of Pakistan's Senate Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, that closer relations between parliaments in the two countries was necessary for strengthening bilateral relations.
The country's top security body "concluded that India has committed uncalled for aggression to which Pakistan shall respond at the time and place of its choosing," it added.
The Standing Committee on Culture of the Senate, the Upper House of Pakistan's Parliament, last week sent a report backing the lifting of the ban and containing a mechanism for importing Indian movies on a reciprocal basis.
The cross-Line of Control surgical strikes, policy towards Pakistan, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, besides One Rank, One Pension and the plight of farmers were also among issues that were raised at the meeting with parties demanding discussion on them.
Pilot said "opportunist" people are ruling at the Centre after taking votes on emotions but they have failed the country on all fronts.
According to sources, Interior Minister Rehman Malik -- during a closed-door meeting with the committee members -- tabled evidence regarding New Delhi's involvement in terror activities in the country, especially in the North West Frontier Province and Balochistan.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances