News for 'Zia Ahmed'

Chinese doctors reach Dhaka amid tight security to treat Zia

Chinese doctors reach Dhaka amid tight security to treat Zia

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

Security has been tightened around former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia as a medical team from China arrived to assist in her treatment. Zia is in critical condition at a private hospital in Dhaka, suffering from heart and lung infections.

How Khaleda Zia rose to dominate Bangladesh's politics

How Khaleda Zia rose to dominate Bangladesh's politics

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

Khaleda Zia, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and a dominant figure in the country's politics, has died at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. Her career spanned decades and included periods of both power and controversy.

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's First Woman PM, Passes Away

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's First Woman PM, Passes Away

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's former first female prime minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, has died at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness.

Khaleda Zia laid to rest with state honour amid tight security

Khaleda Zia laid to rest with state honour amid tight security

Rediff.com1 Jan 2026

Funeral prayers were held for Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia amid tight security. Millions joined the namaz-e-janaza of Zia, a three-time Prime Minister and political icon of Bangladesh.

'God Does Not Make People Like Mohsina Kidwai Now'

'God Does Not Make People Like Mohsina Kidwai Now'

Rediff.com18 Apr 2026

'She was not a yes person. She would tell the truth and her feelings to Indira Gandhi, and Indira Gandhi would value her opinion. The same was the case with Rajiv Gandhi who would value her opinion.'

Tarique Rahman Sworn In As Bangladesh PM

Tarique Rahman Sworn In As Bangladesh PM

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri attended the swearing-in ceremony.

BNP nears clear victory in Bangladesh polls, set to form govt

BNP nears clear victory in Bangladesh polls, set to form govt

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

The voting for the 13th parliamentary elections was held along with a referendum on a complex 84-point reform package.

PM Tarique Rahman vows to turn Bangladesh into safe land for all faiths

PM Tarique Rahman vows to turn Bangladesh into safe land for all faiths

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

Bangladesh's newly-elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman pledged to strengthen the rule of law and ensure the country is a safe land for people of all faiths, while also addressing corruption and improving law and order.

T20 World Cup 2026: Dates, Venues, Past Winners, More

T20 World Cup 2026: Dates, Venues, Past Winners, More

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title. The 10th edition of the 20-overs global showpiece event will run from February 7 to March 8.

20 teams, 8 venues, one trophy: T20 World Cup is here!

20 teams, 8 venues, one trophy: T20 World Cup is here!

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title in familiar home conditions next month.

BNP sweeps Bangladesh polls; Tarique Rahman to be PM

BNP sweeps Bangladesh polls; Tarique Rahman to be PM

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

If the Bangladesh Nationalist Party wins, Tarique Rahman will be Bangladesh's first male prime minister in 36 years.

T20 World Cup: Can Afghanistan recreate 2024 magic in subcontinent?

T20 World Cup: Can Afghanistan recreate 2024 magic in subcontinent?

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Afghanistan unit will be heading into the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka with hopes of replicating their historic performance during the 2024 edition

'Indian agent' tag on Tamim divides Bangladesh cricket

'Indian agent' tag on Tamim divides Bangladesh cricket

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

A senior Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official has found himself at the centre of a major controversy after branding former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal an 'Indian agent', triggering widespread backlash across the country's cricketing fraternity.

'Bangladesh-Pakistan-China Nexus Is Alarming'

'Bangladesh-Pakistan-China Nexus Is Alarming'

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

'Should China's interest in the Teesta River projects be approved, it would likely result in heightened Chinese presence near the Siliguri corridor.'

SC stays execution of IM operative in 2013 Hyderabad blasts case

SC stays execution of IM operative in 2013 Hyderabad blasts case

Rediff.com25 Sep 2025

The Supreme Court has stayed the execution of an alleged Indian Mujahideen operative sentenced to death in connection with the 2013 Dilsukhnagar blasts.

Asim Munir Shuffles His Generals

Asim Munir Shuffles His Generals

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

Asim Munir will have to find a well trusted aide to fill the crucial ISI post's when Asim Malik retires soon.

Bangladesh court issues arrest warrant against ex-PM Zia

Bangladesh court issues arrest warrant against ex-PM Zia

Rediff.com25 Feb 2015

A court in Dhaka on Wednesday ordered the arrest of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia, scrapping her existing bail in connection with two graft cases after she did not appear for the hearing citing "security reasons".

'Don't worry': Rahul meets Pak shelling victims in Poonch

'Don't worry': Rahul meets Pak shelling victims in Poonch

Rediff.com24 May 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir, offering condolences to families affected by cross-border shelling and encouraging students who lost two classmates to the violence. During an hour-long visit, Gandhi met with students at the convent school that lost the twins, and visited families whose homes were damaged in the shelling.

Yunus to stay on as Bangladesh interim chief, says adviser

Yunus to stay on as Bangladesh interim chief, says adviser

Rediff.com24 May 2025

The chief adviser's decision to stay in office came two days after he told student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) leaders that he was mulling resignation as he felt "the situation is such that he cannot work", citing difficulties in working amid the failure of political parties to find common ground for change.

'US sabotaged General Zia-ul-Haq's aircraft'

'US sabotaged General Zia-ul-Haq's aircraft'

Rediff.com6 Sep 2009

In an interview with a private television channel, Former Pakistan Intelligence Bureau chief Brigadier (retd) Imtiaz Ahmad claimed that US masterminded the Bahawalpur plane crash, in which Haq was killed, in collaboration with 'internal powers of Pakistan'.

'Without US, Saudis, UAE in loop, there will be no retaliation'

'Without US, Saudis, UAE in loop, there will be no retaliation'

Rediff.com24 Apr 2025

'If Pakistan's army wants to escalate violence in Kashmir, they have an unlimited supply of jihadis they can train and send. That's not an issue for them.'

Bangladesh books former PM Khaleda Zia in sedition case

Bangladesh books former PM Khaleda Zia in sedition case

Rediff.com25 Jan 2016

Former Bangladeshi prime minister Khaleda Zia was booked for sedition over her alleged "slanderous comments" concerning martyrs of the 1971 liberation war against Pakistan.

HC upholds death for 5 Indian Mujahideen men in Hyderabad blast case

HC upholds death for 5 Indian Mujahideen men in Hyderabad blast case

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

The Telangana High Court upheld a trial court's verdict handing out death penalty to five senior operatives of banned terror outfit, Indian Mujahideen, involved in a bomb blast that left 18 people killed in 2013. The court dismissed the criminal revision appeal filed by the IM operatives while upholding the NIA court's judgment. The five members, including IM co-founder Mohd Ahmed Sidibapa alias Yasin Bhatkal, Pakistani national Zia-ur-Rahman alias Waqas, Asadullah Akhtar alias Haddi, Tahaseen Akhtar alias Monu and Ajaz Shaikh, were convicted in 2016. The special court for NIA cases here awarded capital punishment to five convicts treating it as a rarest of the rare case. The high court, after conducting a detailed hearing in the appeals filed by the convicts, confirmed the death sentence of the five IM operatives.

Bangla court upholds Zia's arrest warrant in graft cases

Bangla court upholds Zia's arrest warrant in graft cases

Rediff.com4 Mar 2015

A Bangladeshi court on Wednesday upheld the arrest warrants issued against former PM Khaleda Zia in two graft cases.

Bharti gets nod to invest $300m in Warid Telecom

Bharti gets nod to invest $300m in Warid Telecom

Rediff.com5 Jan 2010

Bharti Airtel, India's number one cellular operator on Tuesday received the nod from Bangladesh's telecom regulator to purchase 70 per cent stake in Warid Telecom and to invest $300 million in the company.

Security tightened in Sambhal ahead of Friday prayers, court hearing

Security tightened in Sambhal ahead of Friday prayers, court hearing

Rediff.com29 Nov 2024

Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, remains on high alert following violence that erupted on November 24 over a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. Police have deployed heavy security ahead of Friday prayers and a court hearing on the survey, which is expected to be tense. The violence, which left four people dead and several injured, stemmed from claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site of the mosque.

Probe commences against Sheikh Hasina, 9 others for genocide

Probe commences against Sheikh Hasina, 9 others for genocide

Rediff.com15 Aug 2024

The application accuses Hasina and others of orchestrating a violent crackdown on student protestors, resulting in widespread casualties and human rights violations.

''Baloch Are Humiliated As Indian Agents'

''Baloch Are Humiliated As Indian Agents'

Rediff.com9 Sep 2024

'It has been 14 years since I began living in exile and it's shocking that the situation in Balochistan has only worsened rather than improved.'

Benazir's daughter: Meet Pakistan's first lady

Benazir's daughter: Meet Pakistan's first lady

Rediff.com12 Mar 2024

Glimpses into the life of Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, who at 31, is Pakistan's youngest first lady.

Sheikh Hasina sworn in as Bangladesh PM for 5th term

Sheikh Hasina sworn in as Bangladesh PM for 5th term

Rediff.com11 Jan 2024

Sheikh Hasina was on Thursday sworn in as the prime minister of Bangladesh for the fifth term, days after her Awami League won an overwhelming majority in the general elections boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies.

Shenanigans Surface In Pakistan Military

Shenanigans Surface In Pakistan Military

Rediff.com21 Nov 2023

Recent disclosures allege large scale corruption, nepotism and kickbacks by Pakistan air chief Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhuin housing land deals in Islamabad and in buying of new aircraft, points out Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at RA&W.

Yasin Bhatkal planned to nuke Surat town, notes court, orders 'waging war' charge

Yasin Bhatkal planned to nuke Surat town, notes court, orders 'waging war' charge

Rediff.com3 Apr 2023

A Delhi court has ordered framing of charges against banned terrorist organisation Indian Mujahideen's (IM) co-founder Yasin Bhatkal and several of its operatives, including Mohammed Danish Ansari, in a case of conspiring to wage war against India in 2012.

Pakistan Army Chief Shuffles Generals

Pakistan Army Chief Shuffles Generals

Rediff.com2 Oct 2023

But the ISI chief did not retire giving the impression that he has won General Asim Munir's trust, notes Rana Banerji who headed the Pakistan desk at RA&W.

Hasina's daughter joins mother at G20, fuels political speculation

Hasina's daughter joins mother at G20, fuels political speculation

Rediff.com8 Sep 2023

This is possibly the first time Hasina's daughter will be by her mother's side during an official visit to close neighbour and ally India, and analysts believe this to be significant in many ways.

Will General Munir Take On Imran Khan?

Will General Munir Take On Imran Khan?

Rediff.com24 Nov 2022

If General Asim Munir, Pakistan's new army chief, wants to help defuse the current polarised atmosphere and shepherd civilian politicians towards negotiations on an acceptable date for elections, he may need to distance himself from any perception of needless hostility to Imran Khan, explains Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at RA&W, India's external intelligence agency.

Disastrous Decisions, Achievements: Pervez Musharraf's Mixed Legacy

Disastrous Decisions, Achievements: Pervez Musharraf's Mixed Legacy

Rediff.com6 Feb 2023

Learning perhaps from the Kargil debacle, Musharraf tried hard to evolve as a statesman in his dealings with India, recalls Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at RA&W.

Bangladesh: BNP makes changes in top leadership

Bangladesh: BNP makes changes in top leadership

Rediff.com30 Oct 2007

With former prime minister Khaleda Zia in detention over graft charges, her Bangladesh Nationalist Party has made a dramatic change in the top leadership by appointing former finance minister Saifur Rahman as the party's acting chairman.

'Ridiculous to paint Faiz's Hum Dekhenge as anti-Hindu'

'Ridiculous to paint Faiz's Hum Dekhenge as anti-Hindu'

Rediff.com2 Jan 2020

'This poem was written against a fundamentalist called Zia-ul-Haq, a dictator. It is interesting that fundamentalists, all kinds of, don't like this poem'

'Imran Khan will win elections hands down'

'Imran Khan will win elections hands down'

Rediff.com17 May 2023

'Therefore, these people want Imran Khan out of the elections whenever it is held.' 'For this, he will have to be disqualified from contesting on the basis of cases against him, declaring that he is not sadiq (honest) and ameen (righteous).'

Akhtar likely to be appointed as Pakistan's bowling consultant

Akhtar likely to be appointed as Pakistan's bowling consultant

Rediff.com19 Nov 2016

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is mulling over approaching former speedster Shoaib Akhtar for the bowling consultant role as it continues its search for big names to mentor cricketers at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) Akhtar's name has come into consideration because of the unavailability of former pacer Aqib Javed, whose name was earlier finalized for the role.