United News of Bangladesh

At least eight people were killed and more than 50 injured when the roof of a shop collapsed in a village in eastern Pakistan on Monday as women gathered to receive government welfare payments, police and rescue officials said. Rescue worker Ashiq Mahmood said the roof caved in due to the pressure of a large crowd. According to him, the shopkeeper had asked some of the more than 100 women present to move onto the roof while others stayed inside the shop, which caused the structure to give way. Six killed as militants attack house in southwest Pakistan    The incident occurred in Rahim Yar Khan district of Punjab province, where women had assembled to collect financial assistance ahead of Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The payments were being distributed under the Benazir Income Support Program, a government initiative named after former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was killed in a gun and bomb attack in 2007. The programme provides cash support to millions of low-income families across the country, many of them headed by women. Eligible families receive quarterly payments of 13,000 Pakistani rupees, equivalent to about $45. Crowding and stampedes are not uncommon in Pakistan during Ramadan when government bodies, charities and businesses distribute food and cash among poor families. In 2023, at least 11 women and children died in a stampede at a Ramadan aid distribution centre in Karachi after hundreds of people rushed to collect assistance outside a factory.

Director Aditya Dhar says he is not worried about a possible ban on his upcoming film ‘Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge’ in Pakistan. The action film, starring Ranveer Singh, is scheduled to hit theatres on March 19, with paid preview shows beginning on the evening of March 18. Dhar, who has directed only two films so far, has already gained wide recognition in India. He began his career as an assistant director under filmmaker ‘Priyadarshan ‘and also worked as a lyricist before establishing himself as a director and producer. He currently runs B62 Studios with his brother Lokesh Dhar. His first film, ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’ (2019), was based on India’s military response to the 2016 Uri attack carried out by Pakistan-based militants. The film, starring Vicky Kaushal, became a major box-office success and won four National Film Awards, including Best Director for Dhar and Best Actor for Kaushal. It also earned awards for Best Audiography and Best Music Director, with composer Shashwat Sachdev returning for the ‘Dhurandhar’ franchise. Responding to questions about a potential ban in Pakistan, Dhar said it does not concern him. According to the filmmaker, if Pakistani audiences watch the film, they will understand that it does not target the people of Pakistan but speaks only against terrorism. “If viewers trust us and watch the film once, they will realise it says nothing against the Pakistani public. It only speaks against terrorism,” he said. Despite restrictions, the first ‘Dhurandhar’ gained significant attention in Pakistan. Pirated DVDs reportedly sold for about Rs16, while the film saw more than two million illegal downloads in the country within 12 days of its release. When the film later arrived on Netflix in January, it reportedly became the platform’s top title in Pakistan. Source: NDTV

Pakistan’s military, supported by artillery and air power, launched strikes deep inside Afghanistan overnight and into early Saturday, killing more than 300 Afghan forces in days of fierce border clashes, officials said. The fighting began Thursday night after Afghanistan struck Pakistani positions in retaliation for attacks Islamabad said hit seven training camps and hideouts of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a separate group allied with Afghanistan’s Taliban. Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, said over 331 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed and more than 500 wounded. He added that Pakistan destroyed 102 Afghan posts, captured 22, and destroyed 163 tanks and armoured vehicles at 37 sites. State media reported that Pakistan Air Force targeted key military installations across eastern Afghanistan on Saturday. Authorities said hundreds of residents near the northwestern Torkham border have fled to safer areas, while dozens of Afghan refugees waiting at the border were transported to secure locations inside Pakistan. Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry confirmed its forces struck Pakistani military bases in Miranshah and Spin Wam overnight, destroying installations and causing heavy casualties in response to Pakistan’s airstrikes. The Afghan Department of Information and Culture accused Pakistan of hitting civilian areas, destroying homes, and killing at least 11 people. Mullah Taj Mohammad Naqshbandi, an Afghan border official said,  “brave forces of the Islamic Emirate destroyed the Pakistani military regime’s commissariat, military units, and three key security towers.” The Afghan government claimed 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed in its counterattacks, with Afghan losses far lower than Pakistan’s claims. Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the attacks were “a message that our hands can reach their throats” and criticised Pakistan for avoiding dialogue. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif declared on X that “our patience has run out” and warned of open war. Army spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Afghanistan had to “choose TTP or Pakistan.” Civilians are struggling amid the conflict, with Afghan refugees at Torkham unable to return home and locals near the border urging a ceasefire. Tensions, which escalated last October, had briefly eased under a Qatari-mediated truce, but peace talks in Turkey failed to produce a lasting deal. Regional powers including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and China are again seeking to mediate. Qatar’s state minister, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, spoke with the foreign ministers of both countries on Friday to try to reduce tensions.  

Pakistan has carried out airstrikes on Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, and other cities, marking a sharp escalation of hostilities along the two countries’ shared border. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared on Friday that Islamabad’s patience with the Taliban authorities had ended, describing the situation as “open war.” The strikes followed Afghan Taliban claims of “large-scale offensive operations” against Pakistani forces along the Durand Line, which separates the two countries, reports Al Jazeera. Pakistani officials said Afghan forces attacked border military posts, prompting Pakistan to hit Taliban targets in Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar provinces. The attacks reportedly destroyed brigade bases, ammunition depots, and multiple checkpoints. Gunfire and shelling were also reported near the Torkham border crossing. Casualty reports differ sharply. Pakistan’s Prime Minister spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi claimed 133 Taliban fighters were killed, over 200 wounded, and 27 Taliban posts destroyed. Pakistani media said two Pakistani soldiers died. The Taliban, however, reported only eight fighters killed and 11 wounded, while Afghanistan claimed its forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers and captured military posts. Independent verification of these figures was not available. The violence reflects ongoing tensions since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Afghanistan does not formally recognize the Durand Line, arguing it was a colonial imposition that split Pashtun areas. Pakistan accuses the Taliban of sheltering armed groups like the Pakistan Taliban (TTP), responsible for attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. Analysts say the Afghan Taliban has avoided cracking down on the TTP due to ideological ties and fear of defections to the Islamic State Khorasan Province, raising the risk of further escalation. Global reactions have been critical. India condemned Pakistan’s strikes, highlighting civilian casualties during Ramadan. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both sides to respect international law. Iran called for resolving differences through dialogue and neighborly principles, while Russia also urged an immediate halt to cross-border attacks and offered mediation. Experts warn that Afghanistan, lacking a strong air force and conventional military, remains vulnerable. The conflict is likely to continue along the border, with Pakistan retaining the upper hand due to superior military capabilities. Both nations are expected to continue artillery exchanges and targeted strikes, raising fears of prolonged instability in the region.

Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Saturday said anyone involved in institutional corruption will not only lose their job but also face imprisonment. The minister said the government has declared zero tolerance for corruption and that funds allocated for public will be properly monitored, he said at a meeting with the  members of parliament and government officials at the conference hall of Jhenaidah Deputy Commissioner. “If anyone tries to earn commission illegally, strict action will be taken against them,” he added. Asaduzzaman said there will be no compromise on the quality of development work. “If anyone uses substandard materials in road or infrastructure projects, their license will be canceled. Inform me if anyone tries to make a profit through commissions or extortion. The government and opposition will work together to eliminate corruption, terrorism, extortion, and drugs,” he said. The minister also criticised the quality of road construction from Garaganj Bazar to Shailkupa on the Jhenaidah-Kushtia road, saying the contractor will be blacklisted and face the maximum legal penalty. He said dishonest contractors will not receive future government contracts. The Law Minister said  using substandard materials in infrastructure projects should result in the highest legal action against the contractor. Departments failing in their duties will see disciplinary action against the heads along with complaints to the Anti-Corruption Commission, he added.

Afghan media outlet TOLOnews has reported that Taliban forces carried out drone strikes on Pakistani military installations in Miranshah and Spinwam, both located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Citing unnamed security sources, TOLOnews said the attack triggered a fire at the Spinwam military base, reports Al Jazeera . According to the report, the strikes were launched in response to air attacks carried out by the Pakistan Air Force on Thursday night.

Amid the ongoing war between two SAARC countries - Afghanistan and Pakistan, Bangladesh has decided not to make any public comments but stressed that such war does not bring anything good. "It is an unfortunate matter. We are not saying anything in public but we are trying to make our friends understand that such war is not good for anyone," Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman told reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon his return from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia early Saturday. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir was also present. The Associated Press (AP) says Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged cross-border attacks overnight in a dramatic escalation of tensions that led Pakistan’s defense minister to say on Friday that the two countries are in a state of “open war.” Pakistan, Afghanistan trade strikes as Defense Minister declares “Open War” Afghanistan launched an attack on Pakistan late Thursday, saying it was in retaliation for deadly Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan border areas Sunday. Pakistan then carried out airstrikes in Kabul and two other Afghan provinces early Friday, saying it targeted military installations. On the sidelines of the extraordinary ministerial session of the executive committee of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah, Foreign Minister Dr Rahman held bilateral talks with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar; Foreign Minister of the Gambia, Sering Modou Njie; Foreign Minister of Palestine, Dr Varsen Ohanes Vartan Aghabekian; Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkey, Ambassador Musa Kulaklikaya; and also the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Waleed A Elkhereiji, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday. The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh and Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to deepening ties and agreed to work closely together to promote 'peace, stability, and shared prosperity' in the region, according to Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Minister Dr Rahman, during his recent courtesy meeting with Secretary General of SAARC Md. Golam Sarwar on February 24, reiterated Bangladesh's conviction in abiding commitment to the principles enshrined in the SAARC Charter including sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs, and mutual benefit of the peoples of member states.  

Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood has disclosed that he was rejected for a coaching position in the Caribbean Premier League strictly because of his Pakistani nationality. Speaking on a recent cricket podcast, Mahmood detailed how a CPL franchise offered him a coaching role shortly after the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the offer was subsequently pulled when the team management informed him that they were not permitted to hire Pakistani coaches or players. Rain washes out T20 World Cup Super Eight opener between Pakistan- New Zealand Mahmood, who holds British citizenship and possesses extensive coaching experience in both the English county setup and the Pakistan national team, highlighted a growing barrier in global franchise cricket. He noted that as IPL-based ownership groups expand their reach into tournaments like the SA20 and Major League Cricket, securing opportunities has become increasingly difficult for Pakistani players and coaching staff. This revelation comes amid reports that four Indian-owned franchises in England's The Hundred tournament might actively avoid signing Pakistani cricketers in the upcoming draft. Pakistan, New Zealand clash in high-stakes Super Eight opener The England and Wales Cricket Board has responded by warning franchises that while it cannot dictate player purchases, any proof of discriminatory selection practices will trigger strict disciplinary actions and potential independent regulatory investigations. Prominent figures in English cricket have also voiced their disapproval. Current white-ball captain Harry Brook described the potential exclusion of Pakistani players from The Hundred as a sad development, while former captain Michael Vaughan firmly asserted that geopolitical issues must remain separate from cricketing decisions.

Seeking stronger cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Sunday held a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rehman, felicitating him on his recent appointment. Both leaders expressed a desire to further strengthen bilateral ties, with a shared vision of peace, stability, and prosperity, said the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka. They also agreed to expand cooperation across diverse sectors and in multilateral fora, building a forward-looking partnership for the peoples of Pakistan and Bangladesh. Pakistan PM congratulates Tarique Rahman on election win, pledges closer ties

The personal physician of former Prime Minister Imran Khan said Monday that while a team of doctors has reported an “improvement” in Khan’s eyesight, he is unable to independently verify the claim because authorities have not allowed him access to the jailed নেতা. Dr. Aasim Yusuf made the comments in a video posted on X, a day after eye specialists examined Khan at Adiala prison in Rawalpindi. The examination was conducted following directives from the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Pakistani ex-PM Imran Khan left with 15% eyesight in jail, Supreme Court intervenes Yusuf said prison medical staff informed him by phone on Sunday that Khan’s eye condition had improved and outlined the treatment provided since late January, when the former premier underwent a procedure at a hospital in Islamabad after reporting partial vision loss. He said he would have been “extremely happy” to confirm the reported progress but stressed that he had neither seen Khan nor been involved in his care. “Because I have not examined him personally or spoken to him, I cannot confirm or reject the accuracy of what we have been told,” he said. Yusuf also recommended that any further medical care be carried out at a hospital in Islamabad. Separately, cabinet minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on X that a comprehensive medical checkup was conducted inside Adiala prison and that doctors concluded Khan’s eyesight had improved, with no major complications detected. Former Pakistani PM Imran Khan, wife receive 17-year sentence in graft case Concerns over Khan’s vision arose after the government disclosed he had undergone a minor eye procedure. The Supreme Court subsequently directed his lawyer, Salman Safdar, to meet him in prison. Safdar later told the court that Khan had lost about 85% of vision in his right eye, triggering protests by supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in Islamabad and other cities. Some PTI lawmakers and allies have staged a sit-in outside parliament, demanding that Khan be transferred to a hospital. Khan, 73, has been imprisoned since 2023 after being convicted in a corruption case. He was removed from office in April 2022 through a parliamentary no-confidence vote. The former premier has claimed his ouster was the result of a U.S.-backed conspiracy involving political rivals and the military — allegations denied by Washington, Pakistan’s armed forces and his opponents, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Despite ongoing legal battles, Khan remains a key political figure with significant public support.