iran demands qatar
| | |

Iran demands Qatar probe over missing pilots

ByJustpaste.in

TEHRAN: Iran has asked Qatar to allow an Iranian military fact-finding team to enter the country to investigate the fate of pilots Tehran says went missing after an incident involving Iranian aircraft, adding another layer of tension to already strained regional relations.

Iranian military official Mohammad Baqerzadeh, commander of the Armed Forces General Staff’s Committee for the Search for Missing Persons, said an Iranian Air Force expert team had been waiting for months to travel to Qatar, according to Iranian media.

Baqerzadeh accused Qatari authorities of repeatedly delaying the investigation and called on the International Committee of the Red Cross to intervene in the case.

Qatar, however, has rejected Iran’s claim that it is holding Iranian pilots. Doha said its search-and-rescue teams recently recovered the remains of one pilot after Iranian aircraft entered Qatari airspace in March and failed to respond to repeated attempts to establish contact.

Qatari authorities said they had contacted Tehran to coordinate the transfer of the remains and invited Iranian officials to examine details of the search-and-rescue operation. Qatar said it had not received a response.

The dispute comes as Tehran continues to focus heavily on the security of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.

Iran says air defence capacity survived war

Separately, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps official claimed that more than 85 per cent of Iran’s air-defence production capacity survived the recent conflict.

According to Iranian media reports, the official said attacks on military production facilities had not significantly reduced the production or delivery of missiles and air-defence systems.

He also claimed that production in some areas had increased and that Iran’s operational air-defence capabilities were now stronger than at the beginning of the fighting.

The claims could not be independently verified.

Hormuz shipping talks continue

Iran has also announced progress in negotiations with Oman over new shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran and Muscat had reached an agreement on a shipping-route map following weeks of technical discussions. The negotiations began after a memorandum of understanding was signed in June to develop safer navigation arrangements.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that the technical talks with Oman should not be confused with negotiations over reopening the waterway.

He said existing maritime routes were no longer functional and that Iran and Oman were working on a temporary route that could eventually become permanent.

Tehran links security to US actions

Iranian officials continue to insist that the full restoration of security in the strait depends on an end to what Tehran describes as US military pressure, threats and a naval blockade.

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also declared that the Strait of Hormuz would remain under Iranian control, while accusing Washington of suffering strategic setbacks.

The statements underline the widening gap between Iran and the United States over the strategic waterway, despite technical discussions between Iran and Oman aimed at facilitating maritime navigation.

Hezbollah commander reportedly killed

Meanwhile, tensions have also continued along Iran’s regional front. Israel’s military said it killed Abu Hassan Alaa, described as a senior Hezbollah commander, in a strike in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli army said the attack targeted a Hezbollah headquarters in the Ansar area. Hezbollah had not immediately commented on the claim.

The developments show how multiple disputes remain intertwined across the region, from missing military personnel and air-defence claims to the sensitive question of shipping through Hormuz.

For Tehran, however, control and security of the strait remain central. While Iran and Oman appear to be making technical progress on navigation arrangements, Iranian officials continue to maintain that any broader reopening of the waterway will depend on wider political and security conditions.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    ECP backs Punjab polls from December 15

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Election Commission of Pakistan has agreed in principle to hold long-delayed local government elections in Punjab between December 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027. The decision was reached during an ECP meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja on Thursday. The meeting was held to discuss the proposed schedule and preparations for local polls in the province. A Punjab government delegation attended the meeting. The delegation included Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq, Mines and Minerals Minister Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani, Agriculture Minister Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah and Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat. The Punjab chief secretary and senior local government officials were also present. The ECP was informed that the delimitation process for Punjab had been completed, clearing an important hurdle in preparations for the elections. Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja stressed that elected local governments are a constitutional requirement under Article 140-A. He also pointed out that election authorities are legally required to conduct local government elections within the prescribed period after the expiry of elected local bodies. Punjab officials said the provincial government needed sufficient time to complete administrative preparations, arrange financial resources and deploy staff for the electoral process. The provincial government proposed the December 15 to January 15 window as the most suitable period for polling. Officials said school examinations would have concluded by then, allowing educational staff to be available for election duties. The government also cited weather conditions as a factor. Holding the elections during the proposed period could help avoid difficulties associated with heavy fog during other parts of the winter season. Punjab authorities further informed the ECP that they preferred conducting the elections in phases. Officials said phased polling would allow better security arrangements and make it easier for the administration to manage the large-scale electoral exercise. The ECP accepted the proposed timeframe in principle and directed the Punjab government to submit a detailed plan promptly if it wanted the elections to be conducted in multiple phases. The commission said the proposed arrangements could help move the province toward fulfilling its constitutional obligation of establishing elected local governments. The Punjab government has already allocated Rs12.52 billion for the local elections. It has also approved the recruitment of 900 Union Council secretaries to support the functioning of local bodies. Punjab has not held local government elections since 2015. The previous polls were conducted in several phases between October and December that year. The elected local councils began functioning in 2017 after mayors and chairpersons were selected through indirect elections. The local governments were dissolved in April 2019 by the then Punjab government before completing their full term. The Supreme Court subsequently ordered their restoration, and the councils eventually completed their tenure on December 31, 2021. Since then, local government elections have remained pending amid repeated changes to Punjab’s local government laws. Successive provincial administrations amended or replaced the relevant legislation, forcing the ECP to repeatedly revise its preparations and carry out fresh delimitation exercises.

  • | |

    Two terrorists killed in Balochistan operation

    ByJustpaste.in

    Security forces have killed two terrorists and wounded three others during an intelligence-based operation in Killi Zaik, Balochistan, according to security sources. The operation was launched after intelligence reports indicated the presence of suspected terrorists in the area. Security personnel moved in on the reported hideout and conducted a targeted operation. Two terrorists were killed during the operation, while three others sustained injuries. Security forces also recovered ammunition, hand grenades and materials believed to have been used for preparing improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Officials said security operations against militant groups in Balochistan are continuing as part of ongoing efforts to prevent terrorist attacks and dismantle militant networks operating in the province. The latest operation comes amid an increase in security activity across Balochistan. In recent days, security forces have conducted several intelligence-based operations in different districts of the province. On Sunday, seven terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation in the Lajay area of Kharan. The previous day, 10 terrorists were killed and several others were injured during an operation in the Shor Pard area of Khuzdar district. Earlier, 18 terrorists were reported killed in operations in Surab district. Eight of them were killed after an explosive device detonated prematurely, according to security officials. Security forces have also carried out operations in Panjgur, where five terrorists, including a key militant commander, were killed in the Sarkini and Chedgi areas. The intensified security operations come as Balochistan continues to face serious security challenges. The province has witnessed a rise in militant activity and casualties in recent months. A recent security assessment by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies showed a sharp deterioration in the security situation in Balochistan during July. According to the assessment, deaths linked to violence in the province increased from 109 in June to 372 in July. The number of security personnel killed also rose significantly, from six in June to 62 in July. The report further recorded an increase in militant deaths, with 238 terrorists reportedly killed in July compared with 75 in June. Civilian deaths also rose from 28 to 54 during the same period.

  • |

    Hasina vows Bangladesh return despite death sentence

    ByJustpaste.in

    Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina has announced that she intends to return to Bangladesh from self-imposed exile in India in December, despite facing a death sentence following her conviction in a crimes against humanity case. Speaking through an audio message at an event in New Delhi marking the second anniversary of the 2024 uprising, Hasina said she was determined to return to her country regardless of the risks. She stated that serving the people remained her responsibility and that fear would not prevent her from going back. Hasina has been living in India since August 2024, when a student-led protest movement forced her from office after weeks of nationwide unrest. She was later convicted in absentia by a Bangladeshi court over allegations linked to the violent crackdown on demonstrators during the protests. She has consistently denied the charges. According to a United Nations report, nearly 1,400 people were killed during the 2024 unrest. Bangladesh has repeatedly requested Hasina’s extradition from India, but New Delhi has not handed her over. In her address, Hasina also demanded that the ban on her Awami League party be lifted and called for the release of political prisoners. She maintained that the party should be allowed to resume its political activities. Meanwhile, Bangladesh officially inaugurated the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum in Dhaka to commemorate the 2024 protests. The museum has been established in Hasina’s former official residence and contains photographs, audio and video recordings, personal belongings of victims and historical records documenting the events of the uprising. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the museum alongside interim government leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, whose administration took office after Hasina’s removal from power. The museum also highlights allegations of political repression during Hasina’s years in office.

  • | | |

    TTAP announces relief mission to AJK amid tensions

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: The opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP) has announced that its senior leadership will travel to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Monday with relief supplies, while criticizing the government’s handling of the situation in the region and calling for dialogue to address ongoing political tensions. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai said the delegation would carry humanitarian assistance for affected residents and express solidarity with people in Rawalakot, where a protest sit-in has continued in recent days. Yousafzai alleged that the government had responded to public dissent with force rather than engagement. He claimed that, according to what he described as verified information, dozens of people had lost their lives during the unrest. His claims have not been independently verified, and no official confirmation of the casualty figures was immediately available. The spokesperson also alleged that leaders associated with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) had either been killed or had bounties placed on them. Authorities have not publicly responded to these specific allegations. Political tensions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir have persisted since widespread demonstrations erupted last year over demands for constitutional, administrative and governance reforms. The JAAC-led protests called for a broad package of changes, including an end to privileges for the political elite, the abolition of 12 legislative assembly seats reserved for refugees and the removal of the existing quota system. The unrest resulted in deadly clashes before negotiations between the government and the JAAC produced an agreement covering several core demands. As part of that understanding, both sides agreed to establish a high-level committee to examine the issue of refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly. However, the issue remains unresolved. The JAAC continues to demand the abolition of the reserved refugee seats, while the government maintains its opposition to the proposal. Yousafzai argued that attempts to suppress opposing voices had deepened political divisions and contributed to the emergence of public movements in the region. He maintained that all outstanding issues could be resolved through meaningful negotiations rather than confrontation. The opposition alliance said its planned visit is intended to provide humanitarian support while also urging all stakeholders to pursue peaceful dialogue. Political observers say the coming days could prove significant as discussions over governance reforms and representation continue to shape the political landscape in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

  • | |

    Sharmila Faruqui alleges AJK poll rigging

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Sharmila Faruqui has alleged that her party believes in the power of the vote, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) relies on other means to secure political success. Speaking during a television programme on Monday, Faruqui claimed that an atmosphere of fear and intimidation was created in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), giving the impression that the election mandate had already been secured. She argued that announcements of development initiatives, including Green Bus projects, before polling day amounted to pre-poll rigging. According to her, even if the PML-N succeeds in forming a government in AJK with the current mandate, it will struggle to effectively serve the people. Faruqui also questioned the handling of polling in constituencies where the PPP traditionally enjoys strong public support. She alleged that polling staff arrived late in several such areas, raising concerns about the transparency of the electoral process. Referring to the killing of a PPP worker, she claimed that the incident was initially described as resulting from either a push or a heart attack, despite the party maintaining that the worker had been deliberately targeted. The PPP leader further said the AJK elections should not be viewed through the political lens of Lahore or Karachi, as the region has its own unique issues and priorities. She maintained that the people of Azad Kashmir have a longstanding bond with the PPP and asserted that no other political party enjoys the same level of public support in the region. The PML-N has not publicly responded to Faruqui’s allegations. Meanwhile, results from the second phase of the AJK elections continue to emerge, with the PML-N maintaining a clear lead according to unofficial results.

  • | | |

    Imran hospital move: security tightened at Shifa

    ByJustpaste.in

    Security has been intensified around Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad as the deadline approaches for the government to comply with a Supreme Court directive regarding the transfer of PTI founder Imran Khan for medical treatment. A significant number of police personnel and senior officers were deployed outside the hospital on Thursday. Officials inspected security arrangements and cleared roads around the facility of parked vehicles. The heightened security comes ahead of the midnight deadline set under the Supreme Court’s order issued on Tuesday. The court directed authorities to shift Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment and also ordered arrangements for weekly meetings between him and his family. The federal government has challenged aspects of the order through a review petition, describing the decision as discriminatory and raising legal concerns over its wider implications. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the government still had time until midnight to implement the order. He said the responsibility for making arrangements rested with the Islamabad administration and that officials were working on the matter. Speaking in the Senate, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the government would follow the Supreme Court’s decision. He said the government had no intention of preventing Imran Khan from receiving necessary medical treatment. According to the minister, existing rules generally provide for convicted prisoners to receive medical care through government hospitals. However, he said a legal question concerning the scope of such arrangements was currently before the Supreme Court. Fazal said that if the required treatment was not available at a government hospital, the authorities would have to arrange treatment at Shifa International Hospital or another facility with better medical capabilities. He stressed that the government would comply with the court’s final determination regarding the matter. The minister also addressed concerns about the health of PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid. He said the government was concerned about her condition and would again contact the Punjab government and prison authorities to obtain an updated assessment. Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the government’s review petition was expected to be dealt with by the Supreme Court. Sanaullah said the government had raised technical and legal objections to parts of the court’s order. He argued that the decision could create difficulties for the broader judicial system if similar applications were filed by other prisoners seeking treatment at private hospitals. He maintained that the government would respect whatever decision the Supreme Court reached on its review petition. According to sources, the Supreme Court’s registrar’s office had returned the review petition after raising an objection concerning the completion of required paper books. The government was expected to address the objections and resubmit the petition, with possible amendments to its contents. The development has triggered a fresh dispute between the government and PTI over implementation of the court order. Imran Khan’s lawyer, Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, announced that he would approach the Supreme Court with a contempt petition if the government failed to transfer his client to the hospital. The lawyer accused the government of delaying implementation of the court’s directive and said the legal team was preparing the contempt proceedings. He also visited Adiala Jail to obtain Imran Khan’s signatures on the required documents, including the contempt petition and power of attorney. Earlier, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja claimed that the government had withdrawn its review petition after objections were raised by the Supreme Court’s filing branch. Raja demanded immediate implementation of the August 18 order and argued that there was no legal justification for further delaying Imran Khan’s transfer. The government, however, maintained that the legal process concerning the review petition was still underway and that it would act according to the law and the final position of the Supreme Court. Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khanum also reached Adiala Jail amid the ongoing developments.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *