Author: Amjad Qaimkhani

By Amjad Qaimkhani NEW YORK: Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, highlighted the profound and lasting impact of decades of occupation on the daily lives of people in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) during a side-event in New York marking Kashmir Solidarity Day. The event, titled “Leaving No One Behind: Social Development Challenges in Conflict-Affected and Occupied Territories,” brought together diplomats and international representatives to discuss the human cost of prolonged conflict. Speaking before an audience that included permanent representatives from Turkiye, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and Azerbaijan, Asim Iftikhar described how…

By Amjad Qaimkhani NEW YORK: At the United Nations, Pakistan called for urgent international action to tackle  threats emanating from Afghanistan, warning of growing regional and global risks posed by armed groups operating across the border. Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, during a briefing to the UN Security Council on “Threats to International Peace and Security caused by Acts.” He said externally sponsored and foreign-funded proxy groups, including Fitna al Khawarij TTP, Fitna al Hindustan BLA, and its Majeed Brigade, had gained renewed strength in recent years, particularly after the Taliban took control of Kabul. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative added that these organizations…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Donald Trump has said Iran is now engaged in talks and does not want the United States to launch an attack against it. The US president made the remarks while addressing the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, calling the event a long-standing American tradition and saying he was pleased to attend it again. Speaking about Iran, Trump said a large US naval fleet was moving towards the country. He added that Tehran had entered negotiations because it did not want to face a military strike. The comments follow Trump’s statement a day earlier in which he…

By Amjad Qaimkhani NEW YORK: The Permanent Representatives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Core Group on Islamophobia convened at the United Nations Headquarters on Thursday to meet with Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th UN General Assembly, and discuss preparations for the upcoming commemoration of the UN International Day to Combat Islamophobia on 15 March. The meeting provided a platform for diplomats to exchange perspectives on strategies to address rising incidents of Islamophobia globally and to reinforce international cooperation on this pressing issue. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, participated actively in the discussions, underlining…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: American media reports acknowledged that weapons abandoned in Afghanistan following the United States’ withdrawal were being used by militant groups to carry out attacks inside Pakistan, adding fresh weight to long-standing concerns raised by Islamabad about regional security. A report published by CNN said that US-supplied arms left behind in Afghanistan had become a serious obstacle to counter-terrorism efforts, enabling militant organizations to carry out more lethal and sophisticated attacks. According to the report, fighters belonging to groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) were increasingly using US-manufactured rifles, machine…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Indian nationals involved in human trafficking, fake degree schemes, and other criminal networks have increasingly drawn global attention, prompting authorities in multiple countries to take stringent measures, officials said. The activities of certain organized groups have reportedly created significant challenges for law enforcement in the United States, Australia, and several European nations. The US Department of Justice recently highlighted a series of cases exposing the scale of these operations. One high-profile case involved Shivam Lnu, an Indian national accused of orchestrating the illegal entry of dozens of people into the United States. American courts have since…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: In the aftermath of the United States’ capture of Venezuela, India has agreed to purchase oil from Venezuela instead of Iran, US President Donald Trump said on Sunday. Trump said the shift was part of a broader realignment in global energy markets. He also extended an invitation to China to negotiate the purchase of Venezuelan oil, saying: “China is welcome to come in and would make a great deal on oil.” The president suggested that a deal with India had already been struck. He said the arrangement would see the country replace Russian oil imports with…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: The US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, has said the Pentagon stands ready to carry out whatever course of action President Donald Trump chooses in dealing with Iran, as tensions continue to rise in the Middle East.In a statement, Hegseth said Iran had been given an opportunity to reach an agreement but had instead continued to expand its nuclear capabilities. “Iran should not have increased its nuclear capacity,” he said, adding that the Department of Defense would act in line with the president’s expectations.His remarks come amid a visible escalation in military posturing in the region. Following…

By Amjad Qaim Khani HOUSTON: A significant gathering at the Pakistan Center in Houston witnessed the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected executive board members of the Pakistan Association of Greater Houston, one of the most prominent and long-standing Pakistani organizations in the United States. The event drew a diverse audience, reflecting the deep engagement of the Pakistani diaspora in civic and community affairs. Among the elected officials, Sarah Khan made history by becoming the first woman to hold the position of Vice President, a milestone that resonated widely across the community. Khan, who is also contesting for the position…

After a period of diplomatic tension, the South Asian nation restored US confidence, emerging as a pivotal anchor for regional stability BY Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Pakistan has re-established itself in Washington as a key and reliable partner, demonstrating what analysts have called strategic prudence. After a period of strained relations, the South Asian country managed to regain the confidence of the United States, positioning itself as a cornerstone of regional stability. Relations between India and the US, once considered strong allies, have entered a deep freeze. According to The Diplomat, New Delhi is now facing fifty percent tariffs on key…