Tag: India

  • Pakistan buys Russian oil amid chronic energy shortages

    Pakistan, which is facing a severe economic crisis and chronic energy shortages, has turned to Russia for oil imports. However, Pakistan’s petroleum minister, Musadik Malik, believes that the future of energy lies in diversification, particularly towards green energy sources.

    During his visit to the United States, Malik confirmed that Pakistan had placed an initial order for Russian oil, which will arrive within a month, and based on the results, the country will assess how much to import in the future.

    Pakistan, which imports 84 per cent of its petroleum products, mainly from Gulf Arab allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, has been transparent about its dealings with Russia. Malik stated that their initial dealings with Moscow were far less than those of other countries, particularly China and India, whose enthusiastic buying of Russian oil has cast a shadow over India’s warming relationship with Washington.

    Malik spoke with US companies during his visit about buying shale liquified natural gas, upgrading Pakistani refineries and storage facilities, exploring offshore oil and gas and starting horizontal drilling, a method that Pakistan has not yet used.

    However, he emphasized that his talks with the United States also included support for green energy sources, in line with Pakistan’s goal of generating 30 per cent of its electricity from renewables by 2030, including a plan for widespread solar power on rooftops.

    Pakistan is one of the nations most vulnerable to climate change, with floods last year submerging one-third of the country. Geoffrey Pyatt, the assistant secretary of state for energy resources, has promised US backing for Pakistan’s renewable goals during his visit to the country.

    According to France24, Malik also believes that the future of energy security lies in green energy sources. Although Pakistan’s share of Russian oil imports is small, it helps, and the country is open to cheaper sources of energy.

  • Sonam Kapoor’s mother on cloud nine after daughter performs at coronation concert

    Sonam Kapoor’s mother on cloud nine after daughter performs at coronation concert

    Sunita Kapoor, mother of Bollywood actres Sonam Kapoor, took to Instagram to express her happiness as her daughter delivered a “spoken word performance” at King Charles III’s Coronation Concert.

    The concert was organised to celebrate the monarch a day after the historic coronation held at Westminster Abbey. Sonam Kapoor introduced various choir performers from the Commonwealth and took the center stage at the event. Sunita Kapoor shared a video of her daughter’s speech on Instagram along with a note, “So proud! Such an honour.”

    Sonam Kapoor began her speech with “Namaste”. She said that the Commonwealth is a union. “Together we are one-third of the world’s people. One-third of the world’s ocean. One-quarter of the world’s land. Each of our countries is unique, and each of our people is special, but we choose to stand as one, learning from our history. Blessed by our diversity, driven by our values, and determined to build a more peaceful, sustainable, and prosperous future for everyone, where every voice is heard.”

    Sonam Kapoor’s dress was designed by Anamika Khanna and Emilia Wickstead.

  • Female wrestlers in India are protesting on roads, but why?

    Female wrestlers in India are protesting on roads, but why?

    Top female wrestlers in India are protesting against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, an influential politician who has been accused of sexually harassing and intimidating female athletes, calling for him to be held responsible.

    Singh has been accused of harassing seven female wrestlers and one minor.

    Who is Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh?

    Singh, who has been heading the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) since 2011, is a six-time member of parliament from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

    No action against harassment:

    Following accusations of sexual harassments, a panel was formed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in January to investigate the matter. The Sports Minister of India, Anurag Singh Thakur, had stated that the investigation would be concluded within four weeks. Although the inquiry report was prepared in April, the conclusions were not disclosed to the public.

    Despite mounting pressure for his resignation as President of the WFI, Singh has chosen to disregard these demands He has refuted the accusations, stating that they are part of a scheme to tarnish his image.

    The wrestlers in India have claimed that the government has not acted quickly enough in response to allegations of sexual harassment, despite the sport ministry’s January announcement that it would investigate the matter. This complaint comes three months after the ministry’s statement.

    Singh was booked by the Delhi Police on April 28, but has escaped further action thus far.

    Background of female wrestlers in India:

    Wrestling in India is plagued by sexual harassment, with many wrestlers hailing from humble backgrounds in the northern state of Haryana, which can make them vulnerable to intimidation by powerful officials.

    This problem is not limited to wrestling, as other sports in India have also seen incidents of sexual harassment, including the national cycling team and the women’s under-17 football team. The Sports Authority of India received 30 complaints of sexual harassment in the past five years, according to the sports minister’s response to a parliamentary query.

  • Fact Check: Did Bilawal visit graves of Indian soldiers who died in Kargil war?

    Fact Check: Did Bilawal visit graves of Indian soldiers who died in Kargil war?

    Claim: A tweet is being circulated on social media, stating that Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited the graves of Indian soldiers who died in Kargil war against Pakistan. Along with the tweet is a photo of the Foreign Minister wearing a heavy black coat as he stands before a wreath placed at a memorial.

    The tweet has been shared more than 4093 times.

    https://twitter.com/p4pakipower1/status/1654573262955839488

    Fact: The picture is from foreign minister’s visit to Lithuania earlier this year. During the visit, Bilawal laid a wreath at the monument of Lithuanian martyred freedom fighters.

    Verdict: The claim is false.

    Verdict: The claim is false

  • Turkish actor Burak Deniz visits India, expresses admiration for Bollywood actors

    Turkish actor Burak Deniz visits India, expresses admiration for Bollywood actors

    Turkish actor Burak Deniz is currently in India to attend the 23rd edition of FICCI Frames in Mumbai. Deniz, a Bollywood fan, has expressed admiration for Indian celebrities in different interviews.

    During a talk with India Today he was asked if he has watched Indian movies. Burak Deniz expressed admiration for Aamir Khan and said that he has watched PK and 3 Idiots. “Who doesn’t love Aamir Khan? He is an actor but more than that he is involved in a lot of other activities. He is very impressive and the greatest actor in the world! I have a lot of respect for him,” he said, adding that he would love to act in a Bollywood film. “I’ll need to learn Hindi first and how to sing and dance,” he jokingly said.

    Burak Deniz was also captured on video mimicking Shah Rukh Khan’s renowned hand gesture, known as his signature pose. The video shows a host instructing Burak on how to execute the pose, but before he could finish the lesson, Burak seemed to grasp the reference and effortlessly performed the gesture.

    —-Video link—

  • ‘Of course’: Bilawal confirms he shook hands with Indian FM but no bilateral engagement held

    ‘Of course’: Bilawal confirms he shook hands with Indian FM but no bilateral engagement held

    Pakistani Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who just wrapped up his visit to Goa, said that he did shake hands with his Indian counter partner S. Jaishankar at a dinner that was held in an unofficial capacity.

    During an interview with India Today, Bilawal said, “In all our unofficial engagements we always shake hands and we had dinner conversations amongst other foreign ministers but we did not hold a bilateral engagement.”

    Earlier, when both ministers greeted each other in front of the media they didn’t shake hands and this created headlines in India.

    Clearing up the confusion, Bilawal said that his aim to visit India was to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). “Unless India reviews the action it took on August 5, 2019 (abrogation of Article 370), Pakistan is not in a position to engage bilaterally with India.”

    When pointed out by a journalist that “Pakistan can’t sponsor terror directed against India”, the minister, taking a jibe at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said “This wolf whistling around the word terrorism which is ultimately an Islamophobic wolf whistle not only to whip up Hindu sentiment in India but also to brow beat Pakistan, that might be election strategy for some but not effective terrorism strategy”

    The Pakistani foreign minister said the country wishes to quell terrorism “not because India said it or the Indian government said so, but because we want to end this menace”. He said terrorism has caused the “largest number of casualties” in Pakistan among any of the other SCO countries.

    “India will have to explain what Kulbhushan Jadhav, a state actor, a navy commander, was doing in Pakistan carrying out terrorist attacks on Pakistani soil. Does that not come under cross-border terrorism?” he asked.

    Bilawal also reminded Indian Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai that Pakistan is the only country on Earth that has completed two Financial Action Task Force (FATF) objectives.

    He said that it is not productive for India to continue accusing Pakistan of sponsoring terror activities.

    Pointing out that India violated bilateral agreements and international agreements on Aug 5, 2019, by revoking the special status of Jammu Kashmir, Bilawal Bhutto also mentioned the 2007 Samjhauta Express bombing where around 70 people, mostly Pakistanis, were killed. “We are yet to see any justice,” he reminded Sardesai.

    He repeatedly said that both India and Pakistan have different perspectives on terrorism, adding that Pakistan is “willing to engage with any concerns that India might have but India will also have to address our concerns.”

  • Here is what Bilawal Bhutto said in his address at SCO Foreign Ministers meeting in India

    Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Minis­ters (CFM) in India, Goa on Friday.

    During his address, the young minister who is leading Pakistan’s delegation, talked about climate change, importance of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, poverty alleviation and Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism among other things.

    Bhutto started his address by reiterating Pakistan’s strong commitment to SCO saying,“There couldn’t be a more powerful indication of the importance that Pakistan attaches to the SCO than my presence here in Goa for this CFM”.

    Bilawal also talked about eradicating the menace of terrorism. “Let’s not get caught up in weaponising terrorism for diplomatic point scoring.”

    Bilawal reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism for maintaining international peace and harmony.

    “A peaceful and stable Afghanistan is a key not only to regional integration and economic cooperation but also to global peace and stability,” said Bilawal while talking about the importance of peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

  • Bilawal leaving for India today to attend SCO Foreign Ministers meeting

    Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is leaving for India today to attend a moot of the Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) being held in Goa today (Thursday).

    The foreign minister shared a video message on Twitter in which he said that his attendance in the meeting will give a clear message on how much importance Pakistan gives to SCO.

    He added that he is looking forward to engaging bilaterally with the member countries.

    Alongside the CFM meeting, the Foreign Minister will also hold meetings with counterparts from friendly nations. Pakistan became a member of SCO after joining the body in 2017.

  • Fact Check: Is Asia Cup getting delayed?

    Fact Check: Is Asia Cup getting delayed?

    There is no possibility of postponing the Asia Cup or shifting the tournament to a neutral venue, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) sources have confirmed to Dawn News, stating that it did not send any notification to the member countries.

    Pakistani media reports have claimed that if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) does not agree to play the Asia Cup at a neutral venue, the tournament may be out of the hands of the country.

    Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah and the Chairman Asian Cricket Council (ACC) have stated that India will not travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023. The tournament is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan but BCCI continuously threatens PCB that they will not send their team to the host country and force the Cup to shifted to a neutral venue.

    Asia Cup 2023 is scheduled to be played in September but the final date has not been announced yet.

    PCB management committee has proposed a hybrid model in which Pakistan will play their matches in Pakistan but India will play their matches in Dubai. Najam Sethi had clarified that “We will decide where the Indian team will play their matches, not them. We have the right to decide and we will not back off from the hosting”

    The Indian cricket board is believed to want the entire tournament to be shifted to the UAE, as was done in 2018 and 2022 when India and Sri Lanka hosted the tournament.

    A member of the ACC board said on condition of anonymity that “messages have been exchanged but no discussion or proposal has been made to postpone the Asia Cup”.

    He further said that if the Asia Cup is canceled, the PCB will be informed first, but nothing has happened so far.

    According to him, the ACC will have to convene an executive board meeting to postpone or cancel the event.
    Sources further said that Chairman Jay Shah can call a meeting (virtual or physical) in 7 days, but so far there is no information about any such meeting.

    ACC sources said that to the best of their knowledge, the last official exchange of mail between the PCB, ACC and BCCI was an invitation to assure the Indian team of maximum security and best hospitality.

    He said that however, obviously, it is difficult for India to travel to Pakistan in the current sensitive political environment.

    Another issue is how much money the official broadcaster has promised on contracts, which include at least two guaranteed Pak-India matches and a bonus third match if both teams reach the final.

    “We should remember the media rights and the deal with Star Sports who have paid crores of rupees for at least two Pak-India matches in the Asia Cup,” he said.

    Sources are clear that if the board meeting of ACC will decide to cancel the tournament so it will not only effect the participation of Pakistan in World Cup 2023 but will be a dangerous thing for the bilateral relationships of Pakistan with other countries.

  • From 157 to 150: Pakistan’s press freedom ranking improves

    In a positive development, Pakistan’s press freedom ranking has improved, with the country moving up seven spots to number 150 on the list.

    However, India’s position has slipped to 160 compared to last year’s stats when the country was placed at 150. China has been placed in the second last spot in the ranking list and North Korea has been put in the last.

    May 3rd marks World Press Freedom Day, an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom; to assess the state of press freedom throughout the world; to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

    The World Press Freedom Index also revealed a shocking general slide, with an unprecedented 31 countries deemed to be in a “very serious situation”.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif took to Twitter to pay his tributes to all journalists across the world “for the commendable work they are doing to inform and educate the people.”