United News of Bangladesh

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has cautioned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that it could face legal action from the T20 World Cup’s official broadcasters, JioStar, over Pakistan’s decision to boycott its February 15 match against India, a PCB source said on Tuesday. Pakistan decided not to play the high-profile match in Colombo following instructions from its government, but the PCB has yet to formally convey the reasons for the boycott to the ICC. According to a PTI report, the ICC is considering withholding Pakistan’s entire annual revenue share, estimated at around USD 35 million, and using that amount to compensate the broadcasters. A PCB source said chairman Mohsin Naqvi had consulted the board’s legal team before briefing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the matter last week, but the board is now preparing for serious repercussions. “If Pakistan does not back down and play against India, they could face heavy financial penalties, a possible lawsuit from broadcasters, and even an appeal to the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee is unlikely to succeed,” the source told PTI. Prove you are fair: Pakistan legend Afridi tells ICC supporting Pakistan’s boycott The ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee is an internal body that does not entertain appeals against decisions taken by the ICC Board itself. Another PCB source pointed out that Pakistan’s position could be further weakened because the team is already playing all its matches at a neutral venue in Sri Lanka, a condition it had sought instead of playing in India. The source also noted that while the Indian government has not allowed its team to tour Pakistan, it has not prevented India from playing Pakistan at neutral venues in Asia Cup or ICC tournaments, even after the conflict in May. The PCB has not yet sent a written communication to the ICC, though the boycott is reportedly being viewed as an act of solidarity with Bangladesh following their ouster. India to show up at stadium as Pakistan confirms boycott of Feb 15 clash “When the ICC signed a four-year broadcasting deal for its events, India-Pakistan matches were a key component of that contract, and payments were made accordingly,” the source said. “As a result, the broadcaster would be well within its rights to take both the PCB and the ICC to court over what it sees as a major breach of contract.” #With inputs from NDTV

At least 10 members of Pakistan’s security forces were killed and dozens of insurgents died as armed groups launched nearly a dozen coordinated attacks across the country’s southern Balochistan province early Saturday, targeting prisons, police stations and paramilitary facilities, officials said. Authorities said gunmen armed with firearms and grenades struck multiple high-security sites almost simultaneously, triggering fierce gunbattles. Security forces killed at least 37 attackers while repelling most of the assaults. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the deaths of 10 security personnel in a statement, while praising the response by law enforcement agencies. He said forces came under attack at several locations but managed to eliminate dozens of militants. Naqvi alleged the violence was carried out by Indian-backed “Fitna al-Hindustan,” a term the government uses to describe the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army, or BLA, along with other separatist groups. Shahid Rind, a spokesman for the Balochistan government, said the majority of the attacks were thwarted. The assaults came a day after the military announced that security forces had raided two militant hideouts elsewhere in the southwest this week, killing 41 insurgents in separate operations. Police and government officials said attackers also sabotaged railway tracks, forcing Pakistan Railways to suspend train services linking Balochistan with other parts of the country. Provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar said the attacks began almost at the same time across the province. In Quetta, the provincial capital, two police officers were killed when militants hurled a grenade at a police vehicle. Following the violence, the government declared an emergency at all hospitals. In Mastung district, dozens of insurgents stormed a prison and freed more than 30 inmates, police said. In Nushki district, militants attempted to overrun the provincial headquarters of paramilitary forces, but the attack was repelled. Local officials said attackers also threw grenades at the office of a government administrator in Dalbandin district, though security forces responded swiftly and forced them to retreat. Assaults on security posts in Balincha, Tump and Kharan districts were foiled, while in Pasni and Gwadar, militants attempted to abduct passengers from buses traveling along highways. Kakar blamed the wave of violence on the BLA, which is banned in Pakistan and designated a terrorist organization by the United States. Islamabad has long accused the group of receiving backing from India, a charge New Delhi has denied. Pakistan has also repeatedly said that Baloch separatists, the Pakistani Taliban and other militants operate from Afghan soil to carry out attacks inside the country, an allegation Kabul rejects. Attacks by Baloch separatist groups and the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, have surged in recent months. The TTP is a separate organization but maintains close ties with Afghanistan’s Taliban, who returned to power in August 2021. Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, has for decades been plagued by an insurgency led by separatist groups seeking independence from the central government in Islamabad.

Pakistan’s security forces carried out coordinated raids on two militant hideouts in the country’s southwestern Balochistan province, killing 41 insurgents in separate gunfights, the military said on Friday. According to a military statement, 30 militants were killed during the first operation in Panjgur district, while another 11 died in a second raid in Harnai district. Both operations were conducted on Thursday and no security personnel were reported killed. The military alleged that the slain militants were backed by neighboring India, though it did not provide evidence to support the claim. It said those killed had been involved in a series of attacks on security forces as well as bank robberies in the region. The statement said sanitization operations were continuing in both districts to track down and eliminate any remaining militants. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in separate statements, praised the security forces for what they described as successful counterterrorism operations. Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in militant violence in recent months, which authorities largely attribute to Baloch separatist groups and the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. The TTP is a separate organization but maintains links with Afghanistan’s Taliban, who returned to power in August 2021. Balochistan, which shares a long border with Afghanistan, has for decades faced an insurgency led by separatist groups seeking independence from Pakistan’s central government. The province has also seen attacks by the Pakistani Taliban, the banned Baloch Liberation Army and other militant groups, including the Islamic State group. While officials claim the insurgency has been largely brought under control, violence continues to persist across parts of the province.

At least seven people were killed and 25 others injured when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest during a wedding ceremony in northwestern Pakistan on Friday, police said. The blast occurred at the home of Noor Alam Mehsud, a pro-government community leader in Dera Ismail Khan, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to local police chief Adnan Khan. Victims were rushed to a hospital, where some of the wounded were reported in critical condition. The attack struck while guests were dancing to drumbeats during the ceremony. No group has yet claimed responsibility, but suspicion may fall on the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has carried out multiple attacks in the country over recent years. The TTP, allied with but distinct from the Afghan Taliban, has gained strength since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces. Many TTP leaders and fighters have reportedly found refuge in Afghanistan since then.

The diplomatic crisis surrounding the T20 World Cup has intensified just hours before a prospective deadline, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) formally intervening to support Bangladesh's refusal to play in India. On Tuesday, as ESPNcrinfo reported, the PCB sent a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its board members, backing the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) stance that the political climate in India poses a security risk. This move comes just a day before the ICC board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to make a final call on Bangladesh's participation in the tournament. The ICC has called an urgent board meeting for Wednesday to resolve the impasse, which threatens to derail the event less than three weeks before it begins. While the timing of the PCB’s email has raised eyebrows, sources suggest it is unlikely to alter the ICC's firm position. Read more: Bangladesh not to accept any illogical ICC conditions under Indian pressure: Sports Adviser The global body has repeatedly conveyed to the BCB that the World Cup schedule will not be changed to move Bangladesh's matches to co-host Sri Lanka. Both sides have remained deadlocked, with the ICC insisting on the original itinerary and the BCB, backed by their government, refusing to travel to India. Speculation regarding Pakistan's involvement has been rife for days, with unverified reports suggesting the PCB might review its own participation contingent on the outcome of the Bangladesh issue. While the PCB has not publicly commented, their email confirms a unified front with Bangladesh. This diplomatic row originated when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL, citing worsening political ties—a move that prompted the Bangladesh government to bar the national team from playing in India. Read more: T20 World Cup: PCB suspends preparations, Pakistan signals Support for Bangladesh

The death toll from a major fire at a shopping plaza in Karachi climbed to 23 on Monday as rescue teams pulled more bodies from the heavily damaged structure, police said, while dozens of people are still unaccounted for. The blaze, which broke out on Sunday, was brought under control late that night—almost 24 hours later—allowing rescuers to begin searching inside the multistory building. City police chief Asad Raza said authorities are concerned the number of fatalities could increase as efforts continue to locate 46 missing individuals. Speaking to The Associated Press, Raza said only six victims have been identified so far. Police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed said most of the bodies were badly burned and unrecognizable, making DNA testing necessary. Doctors are collecting DNA samples from relatives of those reported missing. Local media outlets have reported that at least 26 people may have died in the incident. Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah told reporters that search operations were ongoing for both survivors and victims. He confirmed that a firefighter was among those killed and announced that the provincial government would provide compensation of 10 million rupees ($36,000) to each bereaved family. Read More: At least 25 injured in fireworks storage blast in Karachi Rescue workers continued operating into the night, facing difficulties accessing certain parts of the unstable building where some people were believed to be trapped after losing contact with their families. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said operations would continue until everyone missing was located. According to Karachi’s chief rescue officer, Dr. Abid Jalal Sheikh, the fire spread rapidly because many shops stored flammable items such as cosmetics, clothing and plastic materials. Outside the charred plaza, anxious relatives gathered on Monday, waiting for updates. Qaiser Ali said his wife, daughter-in-law and sister had gone shopping for an upcoming wedding when the fire broke out. He said he was in contact with them by phone on Sunday before communication suddenly stopped. Read More: Death toll rises to 10 in Karachi shopping plaza fire “I don’t know what has happened to them or if they are still alive,” Ali said, adding that the family continued to pray for the safe return of all those missing. Another survivor, Saifur Rehman, said he managed to escape the building when the fire started, but his brother Mohammad Abrar, who owns a shop in the plaza, remained inside. Rehman said he feared the worst. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and police have launched an investigation. Karachi, the capital of Sindh province, has experienced several deadly fires in the past, often linked to weak safety regulations and illegal construction. In November 2023, a shopping mall fire in the city killed 10 people and injured 22. An even deadlier incident occurred in 2012, when a garment factory fire claimed 260 lives.

The death toll from a devastating fire at a shopping plaza in Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, rose to at least 23 on Monday as rescue teams recovered more bodies from the severely damaged building, police said, while dozens of people remain unaccounted for. Firefighters brought the blaze under control late Sunday, nearly 24 hours after it broke out at the multistory plaza, allowing rescuers to begin searching inside. Authorities warned that the number of fatalities could increase as efforts continue to locate 46 missing people, according to Karachi Police Chief Asad Raza. Raza told The Associated Press that only six of the recovered bodies have been identified so far. Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Sye said the remaining bodies were badly charred and beyond recognition, making DNA testing necessary for identification. Read More: Death toll rises to 10 in Karachi shopping plaza fire Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said rescue teams were continuing operations to find survivors and recover bodies. He confirmed that a firefighter was among those killed and announced that the provincial government would provide compensation of 10 million rupees (about $36,000) to the family of each victim. Karachi’s Chief Rescue Officer Dr Abid Jalal Sheikh said the fire spread rapidly through shops storing highly flammable materials, including cosmetics, garments and plastic products. Relatives of the missing gathered outside the gutted building on Monday, anxiously awaiting information. Qaiser Ali said his daughter, daughter-in-law and sister were inside the plaza when the fire broke out on Saturday. He said he remained in contact with them by phone until Sunday, after which communication ceased. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Police said an investigation is underway.

While headlines over the weekend suggested a sudden shift in the venue drama of Bangladesh’s matches in the upcoming T20 World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) recent overture regarding Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches is more of a strategic contingency than a confirmed relocation plan. Contrary to rumors of an immediate venue swap, PCB sources clarified that Pakistan is positioning itself as a “Plan B.” The offer to host the Liton Das-led side is specifically on the table as an alternative “if Sri Lankan venues are unavailable”, as Pakistani media reported.  Pakistan’s venues are described as “ready and fully equipped,” with the board leveraging its recent experience hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 to showcase operational readiness. This offer arrives at a critical juncture in the deepening rift between the BCB and BCCI. Read More: Women’s World Cup Cricket: Bangladesh to start gearing up from Thursday The standoff began with the abrupt removal of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad— which Bangladesh’s Information Ministry termed “illogical” before banning the IPL broadcast in protest. Since then, the situation has hardened into a matter of principle. Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul has explicitly stated that the team will not compromise on “national honor” or security by traveling to India. Under the original schedule, Bangladesh was set to play three group matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. By offering its stadiums, the PCB is attempting to capitalize on the “strained relations” between its neighbors, presenting Lahore or Karachi as viable neutral grounds. Ultimately, while Pakistan has signaled it can host the games, the final decision remains with the ICC, which must now weigh this new option against the BCB's primary preference for Sri Lanka. According to the latest development, a decision may arrive on Monday from the ICC.

Pakistan Navy ship ‘PNS Saif’ (FFG-253) arrived at Chittagong Port on Saturday (8th November 2025) on a four-day goodwill visit to Bangladesh, as both countries seem to rebuild ties after decades of cold relations. Chief Staff Officer of Commander Chattogram Naval Area received the vessel on behalf of the Commander, Chattogram Naval Area. A well-decorated naval band of the Bangladesh Navy performed ceremonial tunes in keeping with naval tradition. Officials from the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka and senior officers of the Bangladesh Navy were also present to welcome the visiting ship and its team. Dhaka eyes new horizons in partnership with Kathmandu Earlier, upon entering Bangladesh’s maritime boundary, the ship was welcomed at sea by Bangladesh Navy ship BNS Shadhinota. During the visit, the commanding officer of ‘PNS Saif’ and other members of the delegation are scheduled to pay courtesy calls on Commander Chattogram Naval Area, Commander BN Fleet, and Area Superintendent Dockyard. Officers, sailors, and trainees from the visiting ship will also visit various historic and tourist sites, naval ships and establishments in Chattogram. In turn, officers and sailors of the Bangladesh Navy will visit PNS Saif. The ship is scheduled to depart Bangladesh on November 12, 2025. Read more: Pakistan keen to deepen cooperation with Bangladesh: Visiting CJCSC

Putting an end to all speculation, the highly popular subcontinental 'Jal The Band' is once again coming to Bangladesh to rock the Dhaka stage. The year's best open-air musical event, the 'Sound of Soul' concert, will be held on November 28, 2025, at the 'Shodesh Arena' grounds near Dhaka's 300 Feet Road. Sharing the stage with Jal will be the pioneer of the country's rock music, Warfaze, and the popular contemporary band, Level Five. Read more: Top Pakistani Dramas in 2025 Showcasing Strong Female Leads The organizers promise this will be the biggest and most musically rich open-air concert of the season. Attendees will experience Jal's emotional melodies and live performance, along with the electrifying rock performances of Warfaze and Level Five. After a long one-year hiatus, 'Stage Co.' is primarily responsible for organizing this international-standard concert for music lovers. Interested audience members can purchase tickets online by visiting the link: getsetrock.com/buy-ticket/sound-of-soul-2km