Al Jazeera English
중도 성향
정치
Iran losing patience with Israel and US over ceasefire violations
Iran’s patience has reached its limit with the continuous violations of the ‘ceasefire’.
"VIOLATIONS" · 총 167건
필터 보기현재 지수
50.3
0 = 부정 우세
50 = 중립
100 = 긍정 우세
최근 7일 기준 88,713건을 분석한 결과, 뉴스 심리지수는 50.3(균형)입니다. 긍정 4,473건(5.0%)·중립 82,139건(92.6%)·부정 2,101건(2.4%)이며, 중립 비중이 뚜렷하게 높습니다. 성향 지수는 종합 15.0(중도 균형)입니다.
Iran’s patience has reached its limit with the continuous violations of the ‘ceasefire’.
Through the naval blockade and violations of the agreements regarding Lebanon, they have shown that they only understand the language of force, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said
*Details violence, intimidation, state interference*Says Nigeria has turned rights crisis into a “malignant cancer” By Victor Ahiuma-Young GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — The Organised Labour has dragged the Federal government before the International Labour Organization, ILO, accusing authorities at both federal and state levels of systematic violations of workers’ rights, trade union freedoms and collective bargaining agreements […] The post Labour drags FG before ILO over workers, rights abuses appeared first on Vanguard News.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said on Sunday that its Lahore unit has arrested four suspects during separate raids for their alleged involvement in hawala/hundi operations and violations of the Copyright Act. An FIA spokesperson told the media that the raids were conducted by the agency’s Lahore Corporate Crime Circle at different locations in the provincial capital. Two suspects were arrested for allegedly running illegal currency exchange and hawala/hundi businesses. During the operation, FIA said it recovered cash worth Rs20.4 million from the suspects, as well as foreign currency, including $1,080, AU$320, AED4,015, £85 and 160 Saudi riyals. Documentary records and digital evidence related to hawala/hundi transactions were also recovered from the suspects’ possession. In separate actions, FIA arrested two other suspects for their alleged involvement in violations of the Copyright Act, 1962. The suspects were found to be in possession of a large quantity of counterfeit products of well-known registered companies. The spokesperson said the suspects were allegedly involved in stocking and selling falsely branded products. Further investigation into the cases was underway. Last month, the FIA arrested two suspects for their alleged involvement in hawala/hundi and copyright violations. The interior ministry, in collaboration with the finance ministry, in March announced a massive crackdown on money-laundering and hawala-hundi networks across the country. In a meeting in January, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi made it clear that the hawala/hundi business would not be tolerated under any circumstances, and directed the officials that indiscriminate action must be visibly ensured.
Unauthorised building alterations, illegal structures, safety violations and neglected compliance requirements are hardly unique to one property in Johannesburg’s city centre
iran’s foreign ministry denounced the latest US strikes as ‘flagrant’ violations and ‘hostile and provocative behaviour’.
• Water, hydropower projects may get only Rs179bn in PSDP • Officials say at least Rs500bn is needed; warn low allocation may slow major dam, power projects • Ex-Wapda official fears Diamer-Bhasha, Dasu may miss timelines • Wapda says eight mega projects are under construction, expected to double hydel generation by 2030 THE country’s persistent failure to invest adequately in water storage and hydropower infrastructure has once again come into focus, as the government is expected to earmark only Rs179 billion under the proposed Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2026-27 for a sector considered critical to the nation’s water, food and energy security. The proposed allocation has raised concerns over the pace of work on major ongoing hydropower projects, reservoirs and flood mitigation schemes at a time when the country is struggling with recurring floods, shrinking per capita water availability and high electricity costs. Officials and experts say accelerated investment in water infrastructure is essential for managing the impact of climate change and producing clean, reliable and low-cost electricity needed for sustainable economic growth. They argue that the country needs at least Rs500bn to speed up four major ongoing hydropower projects and start civil work on new water storage projects, especially in view of concerns over upstream water developments by India. “At a time when our country faces mounting water scarcity and growing need for affordable and clean energy, the water and power sectors appear to have received less attention in public investment priorities, with development allocations falling short of the resources required for the timely completion of critical ongoing projects and the launch of new water infrastructure schemes,” a senior official of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) said. The official, who requested anonymity, said the proposed allocation of Rs179bn would be insufficient for multibillion-dollar dams and hydropower projects already losing their required fast-track pace due to meagre funding of around Rs106bn under the PSDP 2025-26. “What will we do with this limited allocation for such major ongoing projects?” the official asked, adding that the government should place the water and power sector at the top of its budget priorities by allocating at least Rs500bn. “With just Rs179bn, we may not be able to start work on new dams, including the Chiniot Dam on the Chenab, which is currently at an advanced stage ahead of its launch,” the official said. Pakistan urgently needs additional reservoirs, hydropower projects and flood mitigation infrastructure to enhance water security, reduce the impact of floods and droughts, adapt to climate change and provide affordable electricity to consumers. The challenge has assumed greater significance amid growing concerns over upstream developments on the western rivers, particularly the Chenab, where Indian plans for additional water infrastructure have heightened calls for accelerating domestic investments in water storage and river management capacity. Analysts warn that delays in expanding the country’s water infrastructure could deepen existing water and energy challenges and limit Pakistan’s ability to respond effectively to emerging regional and climate-related pressures. Projects at risk At present, Wapda is executing several major water and hydropower projects, including Mohmand Dam, Tarbela 5th Extension, Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Dasu Hydropower Project and the K-IV Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme. The Mohmand Dam Project is being constructed on the Swat River. It is designed to store 1.29 million acre feet (MAF) of water, generate 800MW of low-cost and environment-friendly electricity and provide 300 million gallons per day of water to Peshawar for municipal use. The Tarbela 5th Extension project is also under construction, with work progressing on the intake structure, connecting tunnel, penstock, low-level outlet, powerhouse, tailrace culvert, tailrace canal and switchyard. The project has an installed generation capacity of 1,530MW. The World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are providing $390m and $300m, respectively, for its construction. After completion, Tarbela’s installed power generation capacity will increase from 4,888MW to 6,418MW. The Diamer-Bhasha Dam is considered one of the most vital projects for Pakistan’s water, food and energy security. It is being constructed across the Indus River to store 8.1 MAF of water and generate 4,500MW of clean and affordable electricity. On completion, the project is expected to irrigate an additional 1.2m acres of land and contribute 18bn units of low-cost electricity to the national grid every year. The 4,320MW Dasu Hydropower Project is also under way and planned to be completed in two stages. Wapda is currently constructing Stage-I, with an installed capacity of 2,160MW and annual generation of 12bn units of low-cost and environment-friendly electricity. The World Bank is providing financial assistance worth $1.57bn for Stage-I, which is expected to start electricity generation in December 2027. Work on the K-IV Project, or Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme Phase-I, is also in progress. These projects are scheduled to be completed in phases from 2026 to 2030, targeting a combined increase of 9.7 MAF in water storage and over 9,000MW in clean hydropower. However, funding availability and local coordination remain the primary factors determining whether these timelines can be met. Chenab storage concerns The need for new water storage projects is particularly urgent on the Chenab River, which is vital for Pakistan’s agriculture under the Indus Waters Treaty. “As far as new dam projects are concerned, the Chenab is very important because we have no dam to store its water,” another Wapda official said. The planned water reservoir projects on the Chenab include Chiniot, Shah Jeewna, Mid Ranjha and Wazirabad dams. However, officials say work on Chiniot Dam should begin immediately. The proposed Chiniot Dam site is located on the Chenab River about five kilometres from Chiniot city and around 100 metres upstream of the existing railway bridge. The project has a gross storage capacity of 0.9 MAF, including 0.85 MAF of live storage, and is also expected to generate 80MW of electricity. Inadequate allocations are expected to delay these projects and lead to further cost escalation. The Wapda official said Pakistan had last year asked India to refrain from any unilateral manipulation of river flows and fulfil its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty after fluctuations were observed in Chenab flows from Dec 9 to 18. According to the official, the river’s upstream control is handled by Indian authorities through various run-of-the-river hydropower projects. He said that sudden flushing of water from upstream structures without informing Pakistani authorities could sharply increase flows downstream in Pakistan, while holding water for days could massively reduce flows. Neelum-Jhelum delay Officials and experts also point to the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project as an example of how delays in repair work, funding and accountability can deprive the country of vital hydropower generation. Although the project’s first unit was commissioned in 2018, the contractors reportedly failed to complete pending works, fulfil contractual obligations and supply spare parts needed for smooth operation. The Auditor General of Pakistan, in its performance audit report for 2022-23 submitted to parliament last year, raised questions about the quality and design of the project after a major collapse in the tailrace tunnel of the powerhouse a few years after construction. The 969MW project has remained shut since the collapse in the tailrace tunnel, while repair work has yet to be launched despite the passage of several years. “This project has been closed for the last three years due to delay in repair work at the affected portion. Until when will we continue holding inquiries and fixing responsibilities in the wake of this 969MW project?” asked Jawaid Latif, a former member (water) of Wapda. Talking to Dawn, Mr Latif said he was not against accountability, but the government should have provided funds to Wapda to launch repair work, including concrete lining of the tunnel, alongside conducting inquiries and fixing responsibility. “Had this been done earlier, hydel power generation from this vital project would have resumed well on time,” he said, adding that he had heard the repair project was currently passing through the award process. Mr Latif also criticised meagre PSDP allocations for the water and power sector, saying the government lacked an effective policy framework under which strategic projects were given priority with adequate funding and work on a war-footing basis. “I am not seeing Bhasha or Dasu Dam and other projects being completed on time, as the government seems to be giving less attention to the water and power sector despite knowing about water aggression and violations of the Indus Waters Treaty by India,” he said. He said water and power sector projects should be given top priority among projects of national interest, while the country should also keep a close watch on upstream activities by India. When contacted, a Wapda spokesperson said the authority had been playing a pivotal role in national development since its inception in 1958. In a statement, he said Wapda was committed to Pakistan’s water, food and energy security and was implementing its largest development portfolio, comprising eight mega projects in the water and hydropower sectors. These projects, he said, were destined to “revolutionise the economic landscape of Pakistan” by providing much-needed water and affordable hydel electricity for a green and bright Pakistan. Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2026
• Iran launches fresh missile, drone attacks on Kuwait, Bahrain • Kuwait says new attack ‘dangerous escalation’; Bahrain denounces ‘blatant aggression’ • Falling debris causes ‘material damage’ in Kuwait • Centcom says four attack drones downed near Hormuz; Iranian coastal radar sites also hit • Trump says Iran has ‘22pc’ of missiles left • US okays sale of $2bn in anti-drone weapons to Kuwait KUWAIT CITY: Iran launched fresh missile and drone attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait early on Saturday, while the United States said it struck Iranian coastal radar sites after intercepting missiles and drones aimed at Gulf allies and the Strait of Hormuz, further straining a fragile ceasefire. Bahrain and Kuwait intercepted seven Iranian missiles, while Bahrain also destroyed several drones, officials said. It was the second attack on both Gulf states since Wednesday. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had targeted “enemy bases” with missiles after the US military said it struck radar sites in Iran and downed drones headed towards the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Bahrain, home to the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet, denounced the attacks against its territory and neighbouring Kuwait as “blatant aggression” and “a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of both countries”. In Bahrain’s capital Manama, an AFP journalist reported hearing three explosions, while the interior ministry said air raid sirens had sounded across the country. Later, Bahrain’s military said its air defences had “successfully intercepted and destroyed three missiles and several drones”. Kuwait also condemned the attacks, calling them a “direct threat” to the lives of citizens and residents and a “dangerous escalation” at a time when the international community was making efforts to stop combat operations. In Kuwait, an AFP journalist reported hearing repeated blasts near the country’s international airport, which had been struck on Wednesday in an attack blamed on Iran that killed one person. “We woke up to a huge explosion. The explosions were very loud,” Reem, an Egyptian mother of two, said, referring to the Saturday attacks. “My children were terrified, and I couldn’t calm them down,” she said. Kuwait’s military said it had “engaged seven hostile ballistic missiles” in Kuwaiti airspace. It added that some interceptions over residential areas caused falling debris, resulting in material damage but no casualties. In the hours after the barrages, Kuwait’s aviation authority announced the resumption of air traffic, saying 11 Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways flights had been diverted during an airspace closure caused by the Iranian attack. Qatar, Egypt and Jordan joined Bahrain and Kuwait in condemning the attacks, calling them violations of sovereignty and international law. In a statement, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for de-escalation and stressed the necessity of sparing the region the consequences of “unjustified attacks”. Egypt also strongly condemned the “heinous Iranian attack that targeted Kuwait and Bahrain”, terming them a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the two countries and “a dangerous escalation that threatens the security and stability” of the entire region. The Jordanian foreign ministry said in a statement that the attacks constitute a blatant breach of international law and the United Nations Charter. US strikes Iranian sites US Central Command said six of the seven ballistic missiles fired towards Kuwait and Bahrain were downed, while the seventh “did not reach its intended target”. Centcom also said US forces downed four one-way attack drones before they could threaten maritime traffic near the Strait of Hormuz. US forces then struck Iranian coastal radar sites to prevent further attacks. No US personnel were harmed, Centcom said. Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the US attack on coastal radar installations in the Gulf, calling it a “flagrant” violation of the ceasefire in place since April. It described the strikes as an attack “on the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic republic” and denounced Washington’s “hostile and provocative behaviour”. Trump says Iran still has missiles US President Donald Trump claimed Iran still had “21, 22 per cent” of its missiles left after Tehran fired dozens across the region. “They still have capacity. They have some missiles, they have some drones. I would say, percentage-wise, maybe 21, 22pc of their missiles,” Trump told NBC News. The estimate is higher than the 18pc he gave in May. Trump has often claimed to have completely destroyed Iran’s war-fighting capacity. Weeks of complex talks marked by threats and flare-ups of violence have failed to secure a deal to end the war. However, Trump said Iran had “got no choice” except to reach an agreement. “They’re strong, they’re proud, there are things they never thought they’d be doing that they’re going to have to do,” he said. Meanwhile, the United States also announced its approval of a $1.98 billion arms sale to Kuwait, one of the Gulf countries hit by Iranian strikes during the Middle East war. In a statement, the US State Department said it would allow purchases of counter-drone technology from defence company Anduril, which was founded by a supporter of President Trump. “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major non-Nato ally that has been an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” the statement said. Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2026
Around 70 vehicles were booked for various violations during the first week after schools reopened on June 2
Delhi Police arrested cook Keshav Negi for negligence in Flourish Stay B&B fire that killed 21, probe finds safety violations, owner admits lack of Fire NOC.
The devastating fire at a hotel in Delhi's Malviya Nagar has claimed 21 lives, triggering widespread outrage and raising serious questions about building safety norms, regulatory oversight, and civic accountability. As investigators continue to probe the tragedy, reports of alleged building code violations and safety lapses have intensified scrutiny of both the establishment and the authorities responsible for enforcement.The incident has sparked concerns over the safety of hotels, guest houses, and commercial establishments operating in densely populated urban areas. Families of the victims are demanding justice, while authorities face mounting pressure to identify those responsible and ensure such tragedies are not repeated. n18oc_breaking-newsn18oc_IndiaNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube
Pakistan and India again traded barbs at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) — this time on occupied Kashmir — with Islamabad slamming the other side for “misleading” the council. Speaking during the presentation of the UNSC’s Annual Report to the General Assembly on Friday, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad called for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute, according to a press release. Pakistan coordinated and drafted the introduction to the annual report. Subsequently, in his statement, India’s UN envoy, Harish Parvathaneni, accused Pakistan of misusing the UN platforms for its so-called “divisive political interests”. He also asserted that the occupied region of Jammu and Kashmir “was, is and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India”. In turn, Political Coordinator at the Pakistan Mission Gul Qaiser Sarwani, utilising the right of reply, pointed out that Jammu and Kashmir “remains an internationally recognised dispute on the agenda of the Security Council”. “No amount of obfuscation can alter the historical, legal and international character of this dispute. Jammu and Kashmir never was, neither is, and nor will ever be so-called an integral part of India,” the official declared. “I would advise the Indian representative to carefully read the report, rather than denying facts, deflecting attention and misleading the august Assembly,” Sarwani said, highlighting facts stated in the Annual Report. He continued: “Nearly eight decades after the Council’s resolutions, calling for a UN-supervised plebiscite, the Kashmiri people continue to be denied their inalienable right to self-determination. “Meanwhile, arbitrary detentions, restrictions on fundamental freedoms, demographic engineering and other human rights violations continue in the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The gravity of the situation was reflected in the Joint Communication issued by United Nations Special Procedures on 16 October 2025.” Sarwani emphasised that “by refusing to implement Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, India continues to disregard its obligations under the UN Charter, including Article 25, which requires member states to accept and carry out” the UNSC’s decisions. He then went on to shed light on New Delhi’s “troubling record: sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan, perpetrating state terrorism in the IIOJK, conducting state-backed assassination campaigns in foreign countries, stoking violence against minorities, support for destabilising activities in the region and disregard for international law, including its unlawful attempt to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance”. Continued relevance of Kashmir, Palestine issues In his remarks, Ambassador Ahmad said the UNSC’s Annual Report for 2025 highlighted the continued relevance of long-standing disputes on the council’s agenda, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the Question of Palestine. “Pakistan believes that durable peace in South Asia requires a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, who must be allowed to exercise their right to self-determination promised to them by the Security Council and the international community,” he said. Ahmad highlighted that more than 20 communications concerning the India-Pakistan Question were brought to the attention of the UNSC during the reporting period, adding that the council also held closed consultations under this agenda item in May 2025. This, he said, underscores that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which has remained on the UNSC’s agenda for more than seven decades, continues to engage its attention. Ambassador Ahmad also raised the Palestine question, calling for the implementation of the UNSC’s Resolution 2083, which was adopted in November 2025 and endorsed US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. He noted that the continuing tragedy in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in Gaza, remained high on the UNSC’s agenda. Referring to the unanimous adoption of Pakistan-sponsored Resolution 2788 in July 2025, Ambassador Ahmad said that it reflected a shared commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes and the fuller utilisation of the UN Charter’s mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution. The envoy noted that Pakistan coordinated and drafted the introduction to the UNSC’s 2025 Annual Report in its capacity as the Council President in July 2025. “As a penholder, Pakistan’s objective was to make the report comprehensive, objective, analytical, and consensus-based, while recognising that further improvements remain possible,” the press release noted. Underscoring the importance of a more democratic and accountable multilateral system in light of current global challenges, the envoy expressed Pakistan’s concern over the use of veto among the member states and called for reforms within the UNSC. Ahmad opposed the expansion of permanent seats and veto powers, arguing that such measures would undermine the objectives of reform. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to comprehensive UNSC reform that serves the interests of the wider UN membership, encapsulated in its position: “Reform for all, privilege for none.”
A cook has been arrested in connection with the devastating south Delhi hotel fire that claimed 21 lives, with investigators suspecting his negligence may have sparked the blaze. This arrest follows the detention of other hotel staff as authorities probe safety violations and unauthorized construction.
Eight suspected fake pastors arrested in parts of Anambra State have been arraigned before the State High Court sitting in Awka over alleged violations of the 2025 Homeland Security Law recently passed by the state House of Assembly. The post Anambra: Eight suspected fake pastors arraigned over alleged law breach appeared first on Vanguard News.
Staff at a federal immigration detention center in Louisiana subdued detainees with prohibited use-of-force techniques including chokeholds and stabbing one with a pen, a federal watchdog has found.
The Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission on Friday announced the end of election campaigning 48 hours before polling day, prohibiting all election-related activities in the region, according to a press release. The general elections for the GB’s legislative assembly are scheduled on June 7, after a four-month delay. “The commission informs the public, political parties, candidates and their supporters that under Section 182 of the Elections Act 2017 and the Code of Conduct, no election-related activities will be allowed during the 48 hours preceding polling,” said the statement by the commission’s public affairs wing. According to the law, no person would be permitted to organise, attend, promote or support any public meeting, rally, procession or gathering within the relevant constituency during this period, the statement added. “In this regard, a complete ban on all election activities will come into effect from 12 midnight on June 5, 2026,” the press release said. It further said that, following the enforcement of the ban, “holding or participating in election rallies, corner meetings, processions, campaign activities, the use of loudspeakers, or any form of canvassing” aimed at influencing voters would be “strictly prohibited”. “The commission has directed all political parties, candidates, election agents and workers to ensure full compliance with election laws and the code of conduct. In case of violations, action will be taken under the Elections Act 2017 and other relevant laws,” it cautioned. The statement further said that the election commission was making all necessary arrangements for the conduct of “peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections” and had appealed to the public to play a positive role in ensuring compliance with the law. ‘All arrangements finalised’ Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan on Friday assured that all arrangements had been finalised for the June 7 elections, with strict security measures in place to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling. Speaking to PTV News, Khan said the entire region was under strict security arrangements ahead of Sunday’s elections, adding that all necessary measures had been taken to ensure peaceful and smooth polling across constituencies. He added that election campaigning had ended peacefully. “Strict action will be taken against any violation of the election code of conduct,” he warned, urging political parties and candidates to strictly adhere to the code to maintain discipline and ensure free, fair and transparent elections. Meanwhile, returning officer for constituency GBA-12 (Shigar), Faisal Hayat, said voters were actively participating in the electoral process, reflecting strong public engagement across the constituency. “Transport facilities have been arranged for polling day, while sensitive locations have been clearly identified to ensure effective monitoring and response,” Hayat said. He added that the security deployment had been divided across three key points in the constituency, with around 120 personnel assigned to maintain order and safeguard the electoral process in Shigar. “A policy of zero tolerance will be enforced to ensure peaceful elections,” he said, urging all stakeholders to extend their cooperation for the smooth conduct of the polling process. Soon after the announcement of the election schedule, political parties, including the PML-N, PPP and PTI, began their election campaigns, holding public rallies, corner meetings and region-wide engagements. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari led their party’s campaign, vowing to ensure the constitutional rights of the region and to bring wide-ranging development projects based on public-private partnerships. Former prime minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif also paid a one-day visit to the region, along with several party leaders, to address a public gathering and meet ticket-holders. Meanwhile, the PTI, the main opposition party at the Centre, alleged unlawful and discriminatory treatment by the administration, claiming that several of its leaders had been expelled from the region, while others were denied entry. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, along with several other leaders, has been leading the campaign while also complaining about an “uneven playing field”.
Justice V. Lakshminarayanan, however, desists from declaring the establishment of the bus terminus as illegal since the law permits ex post facto approval too
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday “categorically rejected” India’s remarks regarding upcoming elections in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), calling them “baseless” and part of a “carefully choreographed attempt to conflate fact with fiction”. General elections in GB are scheduled for Sunday (June 7), after a four-month delay attributed to harsh winter weather. The PPP and other political parties have staged a series of rallies across the region and ramped up efforts to garner support ahead of the polls. In a statement, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Tahir Andarabi said India remained in “illegal occupation of the internationally recognised disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” and termed New Delhi a “global leader in propagating fake narratives and tendentious propaganda”. “We unequivocally reject this latest Indian rhetoric with the contempt it deserves,” the statement said. New Delhi, in a statement issued by its foreign ministry earlier on Friday, objected to the upcoming elections in GB, claiming that “the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the so-called ‘Gilgit-Baltistan’, are integral and inalienable parts of India”. Reiterating Islamabad’s position, the FO said the Jammu and Kashmir dispute was the longest unresolved item on the UN Security Council agenda and originated from India’s “forcible and unlawful occupation” of the state in 1947. The only just and durable settlement, it added, lay in implementing relevant UNSC resolutions guaranteeing the Kashmiri people their “inalienable right to self-determination through a free and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices”. The statement further said that said India’s “unfounded assertions” on GB could not divert attention from “grave and systematic human rights violations” in India-occupied Kashmir. The FO elaborated that Indian forces enjoy impunity under “draconian laws” and termed it “state terrorism” against unarmed Kashmiris. Pakistan called on India to vacate all occupied territories, reverse “all illegal and unilateral actions” taken in occupied Kashmir since August 5, 2019, and repeal draconian laws. Islamabad also urged New Delhi to allow access to neutral observers, international human rights and humanitarian organisations, and the international media to ascertain the situation on the ground. “India must also enable the Kashmiri people to exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” the statement read. Earlier this year, a minister of the caretaker setup in the region, Ghulam Abbas, rejected what he termed Indian propaganda, saying the people of GB have always been loyal to Pakistan and have consistently struggled to become a formal part of the country. Speaking at the ‘Meet the Press’ programme at the National Press Club, it was highlighted that Gilgit-Baltistan separated from India without major violence, as the people of the region voluntarily chose to hoist the Pakistani flag. “The Indian propaganda and the statements of Narendra Modi claiming that the people of GB are protesting against Pakistan to join India have become a laughing stock in the region,” Abbas said, adding that “this narrative is not even being accepted by the international community.”
Residents of Gaza, south Lebanon, northern Israel and Kuwait were all under fire this week despite United States-arranged ceasefires supposedly in force in their regions. Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza and Lebanon, with Israeli forces still actively deployed in both places. Hezbollah rockets struck northern Israel, and Iranian attacks hit Kuwait’s international airport. The continued violence prompted US President Donald Trump to comment on Wednesday that ceasefires in the Middle East involved “shooting in a more moderate manner” rather than a total halt in fighting. Three truces his administration has negotiated were meant to have stopped the warfare. But while major fighting has greatly reduced, munitions are still falling and people still dying. This is how the ceasefires — and ongoing fighting — are playing out: What’s happening with the ceasefire in Gaza? The US brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on October 10, 2025, ending major warfare. The ceasefire deal involved a halt to all fighting, Hamas releasing all its remaining hostages in Gaza, Israel freeing Palestinian prisoners, a phased Israeli withdrawal, ramped-up aid and the opening of a crossing into Egypt. A Trump plan to build out the ceasefire was meant to involve agreements on disarming Hamas, a new Gaza government without the group’s involvement, reconstruction of Gaza and a complete Israeli withdrawal. Palestinians clear debris at the site of an Israeli strike on a house whose residents were warned to evacuate before the attack, in Zawaida, central Gaza Strip on June 5, 2026. — AFP However, while all hostages were released, the amount of aid reaching Gaza has not substantially increased. Hamas has not agreed to disarm. Reconstruction has not begun, and Israel has expanded its control of the territory. Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have continued, killing more than 900 Palestinians since the truce, including nine on Thursday. Sporadic Palestinian attacks have killed four Israeli soldiers in Gaza. Why is there still warfare in Lebanon? After fighting in 2024, a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah was only partially implemented, with both sides accusing the other of violations. Open warfare began again in March after war against Iran erupted, with Hezbollah firing into Israel and Israeli forces seizing swathes of southern Lebanon and pounding other areas with airstrikes. Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon on April 16 after rare contacts between representatives of the Israeli and Lebanese governments. Intense fighting continued in the south, but Israel mainly refrained from striking Beirut. Black smoke billows at a strike scene following an Israeli strike on a car as seen from Nabatieh, Lebanon on June 5, 2026. — Reuters Since April 16, Israeli strikes have killed hundreds of people, bringing the total toll to more than 3,500 since March 2, according to Lebanese authorities, whose data does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel says 26 of its soldiers and four civilians have been killed in Hezbollah attacks since March. Iran wants a ceasefire in Lebanon to be part of any deal to end its war with the United States and Israel and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. On Wednesday, Trump announced that Lebanon and Israel had agreed to implement a new ceasefire contingent on Hezbollah leaving southern areas. Israel says it can still carry out military operations despite the ceasefire and Hezbollah has rejected the truce. Fighting continues. Will the US and Iran cement their ceasefire? The US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, seeking to destroy its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Both countries voiced hope the ruling theocratic system would be overthrown. That followed a 12-day war last year in which Israel, later joined by the United States, struck many of Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leaders. Despite many of Iran’s senior figures being killed, it has managed to close off the Strait of Hormuz, throttling Gulf energy exports and hitting the global economy. The US announced a ceasefire with Iran in early April, with talks to follow on a lasting end to hostilities, the reopening of Hormuz, the end of a US blockade on Iranian ports and a pathway to negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme. Iranians stand next to a symbol of a Kheibar missile as they take part during a rally in support of the country’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei and commemorate Eid al-Ghadir in Tehran on June 4, 2026. — AFP However, despite repeated rounds of indirect talks mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, there has been no fuller agreement yet. A deal would likely put off negotiation on the nuclear issue to a later stage. Meanwhile, the sides have repeatedly exchanged fire, with Iran also attacking Gulf states including Kuwait this week. Why haven’t the ceasefires been effective? All three deals have come unstuck in their first phase, with interim arrangements failing to move towards more lasting ceasefires. In each case, the combatants have been unwilling to accept painful concessions required to move beyond the first phase of transitional ceasefires. At times, they have turned to military action to try to advance goals they had to set aside when the truces were agreed or to test the boundaries of the agreements. “When there’s no movement and there’s no political horizon, it’s very difficult for a ceasefire to hold, because there’s no real incentive for the parties to that ceasefire to continue abiding by it if it doesn’t actually lead to any changes,” said Urban Coningham, research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London. The diminishing influence of international bodies like the United Nations and the growing assertiveness of regional powers have also made it harder for long-term agreements to stick, he said.
International law sets rules for ceasefires, but who enforces them when violations continue? Three experts explain.