Month: May 2025

Indian Armed Forces launched a strike on May 7, targeting nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor. The operation resulted in the elimination of key terror operatives, including Mohammad Yusuf Azhar, the brother-in-law of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar, according to sources.

According to sources, Yusuf Azhar, a key member of the proscribed terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), was responsible for handling weapons training for JeM operatives and was involved in multiple terrorist attacks in Jammu & Kashmir.

Azhar was also involved in the conspiracy to hijack Indian Airlines aircraft IC-814 from Kathmandu (Nepal) to Delhi. A Red Corner notice number A-565/6-2000 was issued against him.

Judea Pearl, father of Jewish-American Journalist Daniel Pearl, who was beheaded on camera in 2002 by terrorists, clarified reports of Azhar’s death and his connection to his son’s murder.

“I want to thank all of you who reached out to me today in response to the news that India’s military forces have eliminated Abdul Rauf Azhar, a man described as ‘responsible for the kidnapping and murder of my son, Daniel.’ I want to clarify: Azhar was a Pakistani extremist and leader of the terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed. While his group was not directly involved in the plot to abduct Danny, it was indirectly responsible. Azhar orchestrated the hijacking that led to the release of Omar Sheikh, the man who lured Danny into captivity. Sheikh was later sentenced to death but ultimately released from prison and kept in a “Government Safe House”,” Pearl said in a post on X.

Former Journalist and colleague of Daniel Pearl at US-based Wall Street Journal, Asra Nomani, hailed India’s recent Operation Sindoor in Bahawalpur, which she revealed the place used by Pakistan for its “home-grown terrorists”.

In a post on X, Nomani said that when India started its action against Pakistan, she had only one city’s name that was Bahawalpur.

“I still have chills in my heart from when I first heard that town’s name in late January 2002. For the 23 years since, I have reported on how Pakistani intelligence and military leaders have used that city, Bahawalpur, in the southern province of Punjab as a base for its homegrown domestic terrorists. When I heard India bombed training camps in Pakistan this week in Operation Sindoor, in response to a Pakistani terrorist rampage in India’s Kashmir state, I had one city’s name on my lips: Bahawalpur,” she said.

“My friend, WSJ reporter Danny Pearl, went to Bahawalpur in December 2001 with a notebook and a pen. Gen. Pervez Musharraf had just promised he was shutting down Pakistan’s militant groups after a strike by Pakistan’s terrorists against the Parliament in India, and Danny reported on the militant offices in Bahawalpur. He literally knocked on their doors,” Nomani recalled.

Asra Nomani further mentioned that the militant training camps were open for business in Bahawalpur.

“On January 23, 2002, Danny left a home I had rented in Karachi, Pakistan, for an interview. I learned that Danny’s fixer, Asif Farooqi, had arranged an interview for Danny through a man named “Arif.” Danny didn’t know it but Arif was the PR man for a militant group, Harkutul Mujahadeen. What was Arif’s hometown? Bahawalpur. The police launched a manhunt to find Arif in Bahawalpur. We learned Arif’s family faked a funeral for Arif. Police found him trying to board a bus in Muzaffarabad, across the country by Pakistan’s border with Kashmir. It is another town India said it bombed terrorist training facilities,” the Journalist said.

Asra Nomani recalled that Daniel was handed off to Omar Sheikh, a British-Pakistani dropout from the London School of Economics, radicalised in the 1990s in London mosques.

“Omar Sheikh was freed with Pakistani terrorist leader Masood Azhar, whose family was allegedly killed this week by India’s air strike in Bahawalpur. Did Pakistan jail Omar Sheikh and Masood Azhar when they returned to Pakistan with a third terrorist, freed from India’s jails? No. Pakistan’s military and intelligence gave them safe passage. They used them as weapons against India. But in fact these domestic terrorists have waged war against innocents in Pakistan, like civil society activists, Benazir Bhutto, Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, schoolchildren and countless others,” Nomani said.

“Their extremism has ruined Pakistan, and Pakistanis can’t blame America for creating the mujahideen to fight the Soviets in the 1980s,” she asserted.

Hailing Operation Sindoor further, Asra said that India is doing a strategic attack on terrorist bases, which Pakistan itself should have eliminated.

“Pakistan has had a duty to dismantle those terrorist bases, for even the safety of its own people. What India is doing is a strategic attack on terrorist bases ,Pakistani military and intelligence should have eliminated but never did in their obsession to take over Kashmir,” she said.

Bahawalpur is home to the Markaz Subhan Allah, a key Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) facility that has been active since 2015. Serving as the group’s primary hub for training, indoctrination, and operations, it also functions as JeM’s operational headquarters. The centre has been linked to multiple terror plots, including the February 14, 2019, Pulwama attack. It houses the residences of JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar, de facto leader Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar, Maulana Ammar, and other members of Azhar’s family. (ANI)

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, US President Donald Trump announced that both nations had agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire.”

Claiming that US mediation played a key role, Trump praised the leadership of both countries for choosing “common sense and great intelligence” to de-escalate the crisis.

Sharing a post on social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Pakistan Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also endorsed Trump’s claim, “Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect. Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

A day earlier, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, while speaking on US efforts to mediate on the conflict between India and Pakistan, had said that the US intends to de-escalate the tensions between both the countries.

Leavitt said that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been in talks with the leaders of both nations to de-escalate.

“This is something that the secretary of state, and now, our national security adviser as well, Marco Rubio, has been very much involved in. The President wants to see this de-escalate as quickly as possible,” she said.

Leavitt said that the conflict between the nations is an old one, and talks are on to prevent further escalations.

“He understands these are two countries that have been at odds with one another for decades, long before President Trump was here in the Oval Office. However, he has good relationships with the leaders of both countries and the Secretary of State Marco Rubio, I spoke to him just yesterday. He has been in constant communication with the leaders of both countries, trying to bring this conflict to an end,” she said.

When asked if US President Donald Trump will get in touch personally with the leaders of those countries to try and de-escalate this situation, Leavitt had said, “If and when that happens, we will certainly let you know.”

Earlier in the day, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasised that the actions being undertaken by Pakistan against India are being seen as “escalatory” and “provocative” in nature. He made the remarks during a press briefing on Saturday, where proofs of Pakistan’s escalatory and provocative actions were provided alongside exposing the lies being peddled by Pakistan. (ANI)

The Indian Army near Jammu has destroyed Pakistani posts and terrorist launch pads, from where tube-launched drones were also being launched, as per defence sources.

Meanwhile, at least four airbases in Pakistan were hit by Indian strikes in the early hours of Saturday, sources said, as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.

India launched the retaliatory strikes immediately after Pakistan attacked 26 locations across India on Saturday, the sources told ANI. Intermittent firing is still going on at several places along the Line of Control (LoC).

In its statement, the Ministry of Defence said, “Drones have been sighted at 26 locations along the International Border and LoC with Pakistan. These include suspected armed drones. The locations include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala. Regrettably, an armed drone targeted a civilian area in Ferozpur, resulting in injuries to members of a local family. The injured have been provided medical assistance and the area has been sanitised by security forces. The Indian Armed Forces are maintaining a high state of alert, and all such aerial threats are being tracked and engaged using counter-drone systems. The situation is under close and constant watch and prompt action is being taken wherever necessary. Citizens, especially in border areas, are advised to remain indoors, limit unnecessary movement, and strictly follow safety instructions issued by local authorities. While there is no need for panic, heightened vigilance and precaution are essential.”

In Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur, smoke was seen rising after a loud explosion in the Dibber area. In the Rajouri region, houses and other property were damaged after a series of explosions. Loud blasts were also heard in Rajouri and Akhnoor.

Meanwhile, in Punjab, a drone-related explosion damaged a house in Kanganiwal village in rural Jalandhar.

Surjeet Kaur, a local resident, described the moment of the attack: “A red coloured flash came above our house and there was a huge explosion. We got scared. Everything was dark. We came out of our houses after a short while and saw that the water tank above our houses and our neighbours’ houses had exploded. There was a blackout at that time, and all the lights were off.”

On Friday, a day after Indian air defences foiled an attempt by Pakistan to target civilian infrastructure along the LoC and the International Border, Pakistani drones were again spotted in the Jammu, Samba, and Pathankot sectors.

On the night of May 7-8, Indian forces also successfully neutralised Pakistan’s large-scale drone and missile attack aimed at several Indian military bases in northern and western parts of the country. An air defence system in Lahore was also taken out during those operations.

India had earlier carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), following the Pahalgam terror attack, the response to which prompted the series of escalation by Pakistan. Pakistan has now increased its actions, which are being appropriately countered by the Indian defence forces. (ANI)

At least four airbases in Pakistan were hit by Indian strikes in the early hours of Saturday, sources said, as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.

India launched the retaliatory strikes immediately after Pakistan attacked 26 locations across India on Saturday, the sources told ANI. Intermittent firing is still going on at several places along the Line of Control (LoC).

In its statement the Ministry of Defence said, “Drones have been sighted at 26 locations along the International Border and LoC with Pakistan. These include suspected armed drones. The locations include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala. Regrettably, an armed drone targeted a civilian area in Ferozpur, resulting in injuries to members of a local family. The injured have been provided medical assistance and the area has been sanitised by security forces. The Indian Armed Forces are maintaining a high state of alert, and all such aerial threats are being tracked and engaged using counter-drone systems. The situation is under close and constant watch & prompt action is being taken wherever necessary. Citizens, especially in border areas, are advised to remain indoors, limit unnecessary movement, and strictly follow safety instructions issued by local authorities. While there is no need for panic, heightened vigilance and precaution are essential.”

In Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur, smoke was seen rising after a loud explosion in the Dibber area. In the Rajouri region, houses and other property were damaged after a series of explosions. Loud blasts were also heard in Rajouri and Akhnoor.

Meanwhile, in Punjab, a drone-related explosion damaged a house in Kanganiwal village in rural Jalandhar.

Surjeet Kaur, a local resident, described the moment of the attack: “A red coloured flash came above our house and there was a huge explosion. We got scared. Everything was dark. We came out of our houses after a short while and saw that the water tank above our houses and our neighbours’ houses had exploded. There was a blackout at that time, and all the lights were off.”

On Friday, a day after Indian air defences foiled an attempt by Pakistan to target civilian infrastructure along the LoC and the International Border, Pakistani drones were again spotted in the Jammu, Samba, and Pathankot sectors.

On the night of May 7–8, Indian forces also successfully neutralised Pakistan’s large-scale drone and missile attack aimed at several Indian military bases in northern and western parts of the country. An air defence system in Lahore was also taken out during those operations.

India had earlier carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), following the Pahalgam terror attack, which was the first act of escalation by Pakistan. Pakistan has now increased its actions, which are being appropriately countered by the Indian Defence Forces. (ANI)

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Pakistan carried out cross-border shelling on Saturday, causing significant damage to civilian areas in Jammu’s Rajouri district and heightening fears among residents.

A series of explosions damaged several houses and properties across the region, triggering panic among residents.

According to locals, smoke rose after loud explosions were reported in Rajouri.

“One injured person has been brought here. Doctors and the entire team are ready. His treatment began immediately,” said Farukh Ahmed Wani, the security in-charge at the hospital.

Authorities confirmed that the injured civilian was transported to the hospital shortly after the shelling.

Strikes occurred near the Aap Shambhu Temple in Rajouri, prompting Jammu Police and other agencies to recover projectile fragments from the site.

Meanwhile, in Punjab, a drone-related explosion damaged a house in Kanganiwal village in rural Jalandhar.

Surjeet Kaur, a local resident, described the moment of the attack: “A red coloured flash came above our house and there was a huge explosion. We got scared. Everything was dark. We came out of our houses after a short while and saw that the water tank above our houses and our neighbours’ houses had exploded. There was a blackout at that time, and all the lights were off.”

At least four airbases in Pakistan were hit by Indian strikes in the early hours of Saturday, top government sources said, as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.

India launched the retaliatory strikes immediately after Pakistan attacked 26 locations across India on Saturday, the sources told ANI. Intermittent firing is still going on at several places along the Line of Control (LoC).

“Drones have been sighted at 26 locations along the International Border and LoC with Pakistan. These include suspected armed drones. The locations include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala. Regrettably, an armed drone targeted a civilian area in Ferozpur, resulting in injuries to members of a local family. The injured have been provided medical assistance, and security forces have sanitised the area. The Indian Armed Forces are maintaining a high state of alert, and all such aerial threats are being tracked and engaged using counter-drone systems. The situation is under close and constant watch & prompt action is being taken wherever necessary. Citizens, especially in border areas, are advised to remain indoors, limit unnecessary movement, and strictly follow safety instructions issued by local authorities. While there is no need for panic, heightened vigilance and precaution are essential,” the Ministry of Defence said in its statement.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief on the demise of J&K Administration Services officer Raj Kumar Thappa. The J-K CM offered his condolences to Thappa who lost his life aftern his home was targeted due to shelling from Pakistan in Rajouri.

“Devastating news from Rajouri. We have lost a dedicated officer of the J&K Administration Services. Just yesterday he was accompanying the Deputy CM around the district & attended the online meeting I chaired. Today the residence of the officer was hit by Pak shelling as they targeted Rajouri town killing our Additional District Development Commissioner Sh Raj Kumar Thappa. I’ve no words to express my shock & sadness at this terrible loss of life. May his soul rest in peace”, Omar Abdiullah’s official ‘X’ post read.

Pakistan carried out cross-border shelling on Saturday, causing significant damage to civilian areas in Jammu’s Rajouri district and heightening fears among residents.

A series of explosions damaged several houses and properties across the region, triggering panic among residents.

According to locals, smoke rose after loud explosions were reported in Rajouri. “One injured person has been brought here. Doctors and the entire team are ready. His treatment began immediately,” said Farukh Ahmed Wani, the security in-charge at the hospital.

Authorities confirmed that the injured civilian was transported to the hospital shortly after the shelling. Strikes occurred near the Aap Shambhu Temple in Rajouri, prompting Jammu Police and other agencies to recover projectile fragments from the site.

Meanwhile, in Punjab, a drone-related explosion damaged a house in Kanganiwal village in rural Jalandhar.Surjeet Kaur, a local resident, described the moment of the attack:

“A red coloured flash came above our house and there was a huge explosion. We got scared. Everything was dark. We came out of our houses after a short while and saw that the water tank above our houses and our neighbours’ houses had exploded. There was a blackout at that time, and all the lights were off.”

At least four airbases in Pakistan were hit by Indian strikes in the early hours of Saturday, top government sources said, as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.

India launched the retaliatory strikes immediately after Pakistan attacked 26 locations across India on Saturday, the sources told ANI. Intermittent firing is still going on at several places along the Line of Control (LoC).

Drones have been sighted at 26 locations along the International Border and LoC with Pakistan. These include suspected armed drones. The locations include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala. Regrettably, an armed drone targeted a civilian area in Ferozpur, resulting in injuries to members of a local family. The injured have been provided medical assistance, and security forces have sanitised the area. The Indian Armed Forces are maintaining a high state of alert, and all such aerial threats are being tracked and engaged using counter-drone systems. The situation is under close and constant watch & prompt action is being taken wherever necessary. Citizens, especially in border areas, are advised to remain indoors, limit unnecessary movement, and strictly follow safety instructions issued by local authorities. While there is no need for panic, heightened vigilance and precaution are essential,” the Ministry of Defence said in its statement.

On the night of May 7-8, Indian forces also successfully neutralised Pakistan’s large-scale drone and missile attack aimed at several Indian military bases in northern and western parts of the country. An air defence system in Lahore was also taken out during those operations. (ANI)

In an immediate response to Pakistan’s attack on 26 Indian locations on Saturday, India launched retaliatory strikes, sources told ANI.

Intermittent firing is still underway at multiple places along the Line of Control (LoC).

Meanwhile, smoke was seen rising after a loud explosion in the Dibber area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur.

Houses and property were damaged in the Rajouri region following a continuous series of explosions.

Loud explosions were also heard in Rajouri and Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier, a day after its attempt to target civilian infrastructure along the Line of Control and the International Border was foiled by Indian air defence, Pakistan’s drones were again sighted in the Jammu, Samba, and Pathankot sectors on Friday.

India had earlier responded with precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), following the initial escalation triggered by Pakistan through the Pahalgam terror attack.

Pakistan has now resorted to further escalation, which is being appropriately countered by the Indian Defence Forces.

Following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22 that killed 26 people, the Indian Armed Forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ on Wednesday, targeting and destroying nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoJK.

Earlier, during the night of May 7-8, Indian Armed Forces successfully neutralised Pakistan military’s attempts at a large-scale drone and missile attack on multiple Indian military installations across Northern and Western India. An air defence system in Lahore was also neutralised. (ANI)

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and relevant aviation authorities have issued a series of notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) announcing the temporary closure of 32 airports across Northern and Western India for all civil flight operations.

The NOTAM is effective from May 9, 2025, to May 14, 2025(which corresponds to 0529 IST on 15th May 2025), due to operational reasons.

The list of 32 airports include Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise and Uttarlai

A senior Ministry of Civil Aviation official informed that all civil flight activities at these airports will remain suspended during this period.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has also extended the temporary closure of 25 segments of Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes within the Delhi and Mumbai Flight Information Regions (FIRs) due to operational reasons.

As per NOTAM G0555/25 (which replaces G0525/25), the 25 route segments will remain unavailable from ground level to unlimited altitude until 2359 UTC on 14th May 2025 (which corresponds to 0529 IST on 15th May 2025).

Airlines and flight operators are advised to plan alternate routings as per current air traffic advisories. The temporary closure is being managed in coordination with relevant ATC units to ensure safety and minimise disruption, said MoCA in a statement.

Meanwhile, amid escalating tensions with Pakistan, drones were spotted at 26 locations ranging from Baramulla in the north to Bhuj in the south, along both the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC), defence sources said on Friday.

The drones are suspected to be armed and pose potential threats to both civilian and military targets.

The locations where drones were spotted include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet, and Lakhi Nala.(ANI)

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport resumed normal operations in the early hours of Saturday and issued an advisory to passengers amid heightened security preparedness due to ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.

In its latest travel advisory, the airport said, “Delhi Airport operations are normal at present. However, due to changing airspace conditions and increased security measures as per orders from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, some flight schedules might be impacted, and security checkpoint processing times could be longer.”

The airport operator issued the advisory to passengers, which includes, “Stay informed with updates from their airlines. Follow hand baggage and check-in luggage rules. Arrive early to allow for potential delays at security checks. Cooperate with airline and security staff for smooth processing. Check flight status via their airline or the official Delhi Airport website.”

“We encourage all passengers to rely on official sources for accurate information and avoid sharing unverified content,” the advisory added.

Earlier, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and relevant aviation authorities have issued a series of notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) announcing the temporary closure of 32 airports across Northern and Western India for all civil flight operations.

The NOTAM is effective from May 9, 2025, to May 14, 2025(which corresponds to 0529 IST on 15th May 2025), due to operational reasons.

The list of 32 airports include Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise and Uttarlai.

Amid escalating tensions with Pakistan, drones were spotted at 26 locations ranging from Baramulla in the north to Bhuj in the south, along both the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC), defence sources said on Friday.

The drones are suspected to be armed and pose potential threats to both civilian and military targets.

The locations where drones were spotted include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet, and Lakhi Nala. (ANI)

The International Monetary Fund approved the first review of Pakistan’s economic reform program under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), enabling a disbursement of approximately USD 1 billion.

India, however, firmly opposed providing funds to a country that continues to sponsor cross-border terrorism, warning that such support carries reputational risks for global institutions and undermines international norms.

In a post on X, the IMF said, “IMF Board approved the first review of Pakistan’s economic reform program under the EFF, enabling a disbursement of ~ $1 billion, reflecting strong program implementation which has contributed to continuing economic recovery.”

This stand was taken during the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) review of a USD 1 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and consideration of a fresh USD 1.3 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) for Pakistan, sources within the Government of India said.

India abstained from the recent IMF vote on approving a loan to Pakistan, not due to a lack of opposition, but because IMF rules do not permit a formal “no” vote, sources added.

Further, New Delhi conveyed its strong dissent within the constraints of the IMF’s voting system and used the opportunity to record its objections formally. India’s key objections included: India also questioned the effectiveness of ongoing IMF assistance, noting that Pakistan has received support in 28 of the past 35 years including four programs in just the last five without meaningful or lasting reform and highlighted the Pakistani military’s continued dominance in economic affairs, which undermines transparency, civilian oversight, and sustainable reform.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday reviewed the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) lending program (USD 1 billion) and also considered a fresh Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) lending program (USD 1.3 billion) for Pakistan.

In its official statement, India raised significant concerns regarding Pakistan’s track record with previous IMF loans and the potential misuse of funds for “state-sponsored cross-border terrorism.”

India’s concerns extended beyond economic considerations to governance issues, particularly the role of Pakistan’s military in economic affairs. The statement pointed out that “Pakistan military’s deeply entrenched interference in economic affairs poses significant risks of policy slippages and reversal of reforms.” It referenced a 2021 UN report that described military-linked businesses as the “largest conglomerate in Pakistan” and noted the army’s current leading role in Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council. (ANI)