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Islamabad, Feb 14 (IANS) The amicus curiae's report submitted to the Pakistan's Supreme Court on former Prime Minister Imran Khan's living conditions in jail is a damning indictment of the government, a leading Pakistani daily has stated.

"It categorically reveals that lawful facilities under the prison manual were denied to the incarcerated former Prime Minister, and especially, his health concerns were not taken care of. This criminal neglect caused a severe infection in the PTI founder's right eye, which is now left with less than 15 per cent of vision," an editorial in The Express Tribune opined.

According to the newspaper, Salman Safdar, whom the top court has assigned the role of 'Friend of Court' to visit Khan and report on how he is being treated during imprisonment, informed a two-member bench under Chief Justice Yahya Afridi that until October 2025, Khan's vision was 6x6, but later it began to blur. It is now documented that the jail superintendent ignored all pleas for a course correction, including access to a qualified ophthalmologist.

"The government now finds itself in the dock, as it failed to go by the book and the high-profile prisoner was apparently made to suffer. That is why the lords have issued orders that Khan be allowed to see personal physicians and establish telephonic contact with his sons living abroad. That the court has sought compliance with its order by February 16 is a good omen, and the government must abide by it," The Express Tribune editorial reckoned.

It added that the minute details of the daily routine of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party chief, his menu and the stunted facilities available to him in prison warrant a comparison with how the "who's who have been treated behind bars" in yesteryears.

"The situation calls for accountability of jail officials and those at the helm, whose criminal neglect is costing the former chief executive his eyesight. It's time to make amends and let justice and fair play be the hallmarks in dealings with imprisoned political inmates," the newspaper stated.

Meanwhile, the newspaper reported on Saturday that a petition has been filed in the Islamabad High Court seeking suspension of Imran Khan's sentence in the Toshakhana-II case and his release on bail on medical grounds.

"The petition was filed through Barrister Salman Safdar and Khalid Yousuf Chaudhry on Saturday. A miscellaneous application has also been filed seeking an early hearing of the case related to the suspension of sentence in the £190 million case," the Express Tribune reported.

"According to the petition, the Toshakhana-II case warrants suspension of sentence both on merit and medical grounds. The former premier is suffering from a serious condition in his right eye, the petition reads, diagnosed by Dr Muhammad Arif of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, who stated that his right eye has been severely affected due to a blood clot," it added.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 14 (IANS) Pakistan’s fragile economy has received temporary relief after the United Arab Emirates rolled over $2 billion of maturing loans for one month at an interest rate of 6.5 per cent.

The extension covers two separate $1 billion loans that matured in mid-January 2026. However, the short tenure of just one month highlights the continuing financial stress faced by Islamabad, as it negotiates for a longer rollover period of up to two years at a lower rate.

The move underlines Pakistan’s heavy dependence on friendly countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and China to avoid default.

In the current fiscal year 2025–26, Pakistan faces external debt repayments of around $23-26 billion.

Despite some progress in achieving primary surplus targets, economic growth remains modest at around 3 per cent, which is not enough to absorb the country’s rapidly growing population.

Unemployment has risen to nearly 7 per cent in 2024–25, with youth unemployment even higher.

Millions of young people enter the job market each year, but the economy struggles to create sufficient opportunities.

Rising energy prices, higher taxes under IMF conditions and past natural disasters have further slowed growth.

In an effort to reduce fiscal pressure, the government has accelerated privatisation. In late 2025, it sold a 75 per cent stake in Pakistan International Airlines to a private consortium.

Other state assets, including banks and power companies, are also being considered for sale or restructuring.

While privatisation aims to cut losses and improve efficiency, concerns remain about long-term public interest and service delivery.

Economists say Pakistan’s crisis is structural and long-standing. High debt servicing costs limit public investment, weak exports restrict foreign exchange earnings and governance challenges continue to hamper reform efforts.

While IMF assistance and bilateral rollovers have helped prevent default, short-term fixes like the UAE’s one-month extension show how vulnerable the economy remains.

With reserves covering only a few months of imports and large repayments ahead, Pakistan’s financial position remains delicate.

Experts argue that deeper reforms, including widening the tax base, improving productivity and strengthening institutions, are essential to put the country on a sustainable path.

--IANS

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Islamabad, Feb 14 (IANS) Raising serious doubts over the freedom of press in Pakistan, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), has condemned the use of legal harassment to prolong detention of digital journalist and YouTube host Sohrab Barkat and called for his immediate release.

31-year-old Barkat, an Islamabad-based correspondent for Pakistani news outlet Siasat, was detained at Islamabad International Airport while on his way to a United Nations conference on November 26, last year.

Following his arrest by the Federal Investigation Agency, he was transferred to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Lahore and remains in a pre-trial detention since then.

On January 18, Siasat announced the closure of its Islamabad office, citing increased pressure and operational difficulties stemming from Barkat’s ongoing detention.

"The repeated filing of overlapping FIRs, particularly while the journalist remains in custody, represents a transparent attempt to circumvent due process and weaponise the legal system against the media. This pattern of judicial harassment not only violates the principles of proportionality but also intensifies the chilling effect on independent reporting across Pakistan. The IFJ urges the Pakistani authorities to release Sohrab Barkat immediately and to cease the exploitation of criminal law to silence critical reporting," read a statement issued by the IFJ.

The journalist faces at least three separate First Information Reports (FIRs) under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The first, registered on August 5, 2025, accuses Barkat of spreading ‘derogatory remarks’ and misinformation about state institutions, charges reportedly linked to an interview he conducted with an opposition activist. A second FIR, dated August 26, 2024, includes allegations of ‘hate speech’, ‘defamation’, and ‘cyber harassment’.

A third FIR was registered on December 5, 2025, while Barkat was already in custody, including charges of ‘cyberterrorism’ and spreading ‘false information’, allegedly in relation to his social media coverage of protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and the Nobel Peace Prize nomination of leading human rights activist from Balochistan, Mahrang Baloch.

According to the IFJ, while courts granted bail to Barkat in two of the cases in December 2025, the Lahore High Court denied his third bail application on January 21 after the prosecution labelled him as an ‘absconder’. The journalist’s legal team maintains that Barkat was never informed of the initial complaints prior to his arrest. Most recently, on February 3, the NCCIA moved to challenge and cancel the bail previously granted to the journalist in a related case.

"Unjustly arresting journalists is tantamount to curbing press freedom and is unacceptable in any way. The government should release the journalist immediately," urged the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ).

Earlier, the Human Rights Council (HRC) of Pakistan had expressed serious concern over the continued “arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, and judicial harassment” of Barkat, warning that the case raises troubling questions about respect for press freedom, due process, and constitutional safeguards in the country.

According to the HRC of Pakistan, Barkat was unlawfully transferred to Lahore after his detention, and subsequently implicated in multiple cases, despite official submissions made to the Islamabad High Court stating that no inquiry or case was pending against him and that he was free to travel.

“The contradiction between court submissions and subsequent actions reflects a disturbing disregard for the rule of law,” it stated last December.

“The emergence of successive cases at critical stages of the legal process appears aimed at obstructing bail and prolonging detention, further deepening concerns about misuse of legal mechanisms,” the rights body had stated.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 14 (IANS) The European Union should move quickly to provisionally apply the EU–Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement and expedite provisional application of the EU–India free trade agreement to respond to urgent geopolitical pressures including from United States, a new report has said.

"The agreements with Mercosur and India would create the world’s two largest free trade zones and send a strong statement of enhanced cooperation between democracies in this age of great power rivalry and spheres of influence," the report from EU lawlive said.

It reminded that the United States was threatening its European allies with tariffs and military force.

"Advancing these agreements is exactly the spirit Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney invoked: creating ‘a new order’ based on ‘variable geometry’ but held together by the values of ‘human rights, sustainable development, solidarity, sovereignty and territorial integrity’," it noted.

The report noted that provisional application is legally available to the Council and Commission even as European Parliament referred EU-Mercosur agreements to the Court of Justice on January 21, 2026.

It argued that delaying the agreements with Mercosur and India risks casting doubt on the EU’s ability to engage with partners. The report argued that past precedents show provisional application of CETA and said even if the Court finds issues they could be remedied without halting provisional application.

“It would be a sad irony in history if the EU’s own premier democratic oversight institution were to derail the EU’s bold push to forge stronger ties with some of the world’s largest democracies. This is a time for boldness,” the report said.

The report said swift provisional application would demonstrate the EU’s reliability and agility to partners such as Mercosur and India, the report further said.

"Lastly, even if the Court finds certain problematic issues with the agreements, those might still be remedied without fully unpacking the agreements or discontinuing provisional application," the report said.

—IANS

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Washington, Feb 14 (IANS) The political situation in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB) is deteriorating as, in addition to China, Pakistan is now asking American and Central Asian companies to join the resource exploitation in the region that it illegally occupies, a report highlighted. It revealed that recently, Kazakhstan and Indonesia have expressed interest in investing in gold and copper mining in Gilgit Baltistan.

"In addition to terrorism, many local activists believe that the strategic location and presence of rare earths is a key source of instability in Gilgit-Baltistan. The Pakistani military wishes to exploit the resources without sharing revenue or compensation with the locals. Pakistan has enforced an illegal and unconstitutional land reform act in Gilgit Baltistan, allowing natural resource abuse to continue. When locals demand a fair share, Pakistan denies royalties, citing the political glitch that the land remains a part of the disputed Jammu-Kashmir and therefore not eligible for constitutional and economic rights," Senge Sering, a native of Pakistan-occupied-Gilgit-Baltistan, wrote in Washington-based Global Strat View.

Sering, who now heads the Washington-based Institute for Gilgit Baltistan Studies (IGBS), elaborated that given that rare earth element processing and supply are concentrated in a few countries, Gilgit Baltistan’s geographical location complements major global economies’ efforts to diversify rare earth supply chains.

He mentioned that Tangir and the surrounding valleys of Gilgit Baltistan are a globally recognised mineralogical hotspot - abundant in monazite, chevkinite, lanthanum, samarium, praseodymium, neodymium, cerium, titanium, thorium, and other rare earth elements - and China's infrastructure upgrade initiatives are helping Pakistan develop the occupied region into a rare-earth hub at the crossroads of Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

"Under the conditions, the people of Gilgit Baltistan should remain united and continue their efforts to expel the occupying Pakistani colonial overlords, who are only interested in exploiting and abusing natural riches and transit routes while denying natives their due political and constitutional rights. The persistence and fortitude will eventually help the inhabitants of Gilgit Baltistan join Ladakh as constitutional citizens of India and protect both territory and identity," he asserted.

On Thursday, Pakistani media reported that one person was killed and three others, including an Army Major, were injured when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded near a vehicle in the Tangir valley of Diamer in PoGB.

Sering, who remains one of the most established scholars from the Pakistani-occupied region, stated that a terrorist cell linked to Commander Maulana Amir Hamza made a statement before the attack, explaining that they are from the Diamer district of Gilgit Baltistan and carry out attacks against Pakistani armed forces, including secret agencies such as ISI and MI, as well as the police.

"They claimed that the Pakistani armed forces use a divide-and-rule strategy to control Gilgit Baltistan. In a statement to Gilgit Baltistan’s Shia and Sunni leaders, including Aga Rahat, the group asserted that if sectarian attacks have occurred on Aga Rahat or Qazi Nisar in the past, it is the handiwork of Pakistan’s military and their agents to sow discord and division among locals. Furthermore, they claimed that Pakistan’s rulers and military collude with Jewish and Christian global powers to undermine peace and stability in Pakistan. According to the spokesperson, Pakistan’s armed forces have exposed themselves and risked their lives by assisting Israel in its fight against Hamas," Sering wrote in the Global Strat View.

--IANS

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Dhaka, Feb 14 (IANS) The European Union (EU) on Saturday welcomed what it described as “genuinely competitive” parliamentary elections and referendum in Bangladesh, terming the exercise a “pivotal step” towards restoring democratic governance and the rule of law in the country.

It further noted that there was “no direct observation” of fraud or bullet stuffing during the polling. However, certain reports suggest that polls were rigged in several constituencies.

The BNP-led alliance claimed a decisive victory in the Bangladesh elections on Friday, securing 210 seats and comfortably surpassing the majority threshold, thus paving the way for the formation of a new government.

In an official statement, the EU said, “The European Union welcomes the holding of genuinely competitive parliamentary elections and referendum in Bangladesh in a peaceful atmosphere. The people of Bangladesh have exercised their democratic rights in large numbers.”

The EU’s Election Observation Mission, which unveiled its preliminary assessment at a press conference in the Bangladeshi capital, noted that the polls were “credible and competently managed”.

It further stated that the elections represented a “pivotal step towards restoring democratic governance and rule of law”.

Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka, EU Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs addressed questions regarding voter turnout and overall participation.

“We are not looking at turnout only as a number in terms of percentage, because you all know that in many democratic countries, including my own, the turnout is shrinking, and, well, in some countries it’s bigger, in some countries it’s lower. This is a great concern for all democracies, I have to say. However, it is not just about numbers but also participation. All parts of the country and its community are participating in this election, which is significant,” he said.

On minority participation, Ijabs indicated that the mission would provide a detailed account in its final findings.

“In our final report we will report on that, that we were distributed, just as it was said, all across the country, and we were talking also to indigenous communities, to other religious and ethnic communities, and they, of course, sometimes expressed their concerns regarding this procedure, but this is going to be mentioned in our final report,” he stated.

The mission’s comprehensive final report is scheduled to be released later this year.

Responding to allegations and reports of poll irregularities, the EU chief observer said there was no direct evidence of large-scale fraud.

“I say to you with full responsibility that there was no direct observation of fraud or bullet stuffing. Of course, we observed some irregularities taking place... I think that the things you mentioned about certain polling stations and certain constituencies, I think that right now all of us should pay attention to the appeal process and whether these appeals and complaints are being handled in a legal and transparent way,” he said.

In its official statement, the EU also urged all stakeholders to collaborate in carrying forward reform measures endorsed by voters through the referendum.

It called upon political actors to “work together to deliver on the constitutional, judicial and other important reforms for which popular support has been expressed in the referendum and note the vital role of the new Parliament in this regard”.

“The EU looks forward to working with the new government of Bangladesh to intensify relations and stands ready to support reforms that are underpinned by respect for democratic principles, human rights and the rule of law,” the statement added.

--IANS

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Dhaka, Feb 14 (IANS) A bomb explosion and a clash claimed three lives in Bangladesh on Friday and Saturday following the country's national parliament election on Thursday, said the police.

At least two people were killed and three others injured in an explosion that occurred early Saturday morning in Bangladesh's Chapainawabganj district, some 302 km northwest of the capital Dhaka.

Md Nure Alam, a local police official, told journalists that the blast happened around 5 am local time while crude bombs, locally known as "cocktails," were being made at a village house, Xinhua news agency reported. The blast caused the brick walls of the house to collapse and blew off its tin roof, he said, adding that authorities were identifying the deceased and injured.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is set to form the next government in Bangladesh following a decisive victory in the 13th Parliamentary election.

Local media reported that at least one person was killed and 36 others injured in post-election violence across Bangladesh between Thursday night and Friday evening, amid allegations of clashes within parties, attacks by rival groups, and vandalism.

During the clash between rival factions affiliated with the BNP in Sadar Upazila of Munshiganj district, a young man was beaten to death, Bangladesh's leading newspaper, The Daily Star, reported.

The deceased, 30-year-old Md Jasim Nayeb, a supporter of an independent candidate and expelled BNP district member secretary Md Mohiuddin, was critically injured in the violence on Friday afternoon and succumbed to his injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital in the evening.

According to police, previous disputes between rival groups in the area flared into a violent confrontation over election-related issues, during which Jasim was hit on the head with a sharp weapon, leaving him gravely injured.

With BNP's chairperson Tarique Rahman now set to lead Bangladesh -- experts warn that the nation faces a massive challenge of overcoming the unrest and rising Islamist extremism that marked the 18-month tenure of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 14 (IANS) The US Department of Defence has decided to add several major Chinese companies, including Alibaba and BYD, to a list of firms it believes have links to China’s military, a report has said.

The move comes just weeks before US President Donald Trump is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, raising the possibility of fresh tensions between the two countries, as per Financial Times report.

The Pentagon submitted its updated “Chinese Military Companies” list, also known as the 1260H list, to the Federal Register on Friday.

However, the document was suddenly removed from the website at the Pentagon’s request without any explanation, as per the report.

A defence official later said the revised list would be released next week. Along with Alibaba and BYD, the Pentagon plans to add search engine giant Baidu.

The list, mandated by the US Congress, names companies that Washington believes have direct ties to the People’s Liberation Army or are involved in China’s military-civil fusion programme, which requires firms to share technology with the military.

Although being placed on the list does not automatically trigger legal penalties for most companies, it can damage their reputation and signal possible future restrictions.

However, the inclusion of biotechnology company WuXi AppTec could have more serious consequences, the report stated.

Under the Biosecure Act passed in December, the US federal government is barred from doing business with biotechnology companies of concern, including those on the 1260H list.

The Pentagon also added RoboSense, an AI-driven robotics firm, and BOE Technology, a display panel maker.

At the same time, it unexpectedly removed memory chipmakers CXMT and YMTC from the list, a move that surprised some experts who questioned why the companies were cleared.

The decision to include Alibaba follows earlier reports that US intelligence agencies believed the company posed a national security risk.

A White House memo reportedly alleged that Alibaba provided technical support for Chinese military operations and gave the Chinese government access to customer data. Alibaba strongly denied the claims, saying it is not a military company and has no role in any military-civil fusion strategy.

Baidu and BYD also rejected the Pentagon’s allegations, calling them baseless and unfounded.

Both companies said they would consider legal options to challenge the decision, the report said.

--IANS

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Dhaka, Feb 14 (IANS) The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Saturday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his wishes on the party's historic victory in the general elections, adding that it looks forward to engaging "constructively" with India to advance the "multifaceted relationship" and shared commitment to peace in the region.

In a post on X, the BNP said, "Thank you very much, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We greatly appreciate your kind acknowledgement of Mr Tarique Rahman's leadership in securing the BNP's decisive win in the national elections. This outcome reflects the trust and confidence the people of Bangladesh have placed in our leadership and in the democratic process."

"Bangladesh remains committed to upholding democratic values, inclusivity, and progressive development for all its citizens," the party said.

The BNP further expressed hopes of strengthening bilateral ties with India.

"We look forward to engaging constructively with India to advance our multifaceted relationship, guided by mutual respect, sensitivity to each other's concerns, and a shared commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity in our region," it added.

PM Modi on Friday held a telephonic conversation with BNP chairman Tarique Rahman, congratulating him on his party's triumph in the Bangladesh elections. PM Modi also expressed India's support for Rahman's endeavour to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh.

"Delighted to speak with Mr Tarique Rahman. I congratulated him on the remarkable victory in the Bangladesh elections. I conveyed my best wishes and support in his endeavour to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. As two close neighbours with deep-rooted historical and cultural ties, I reaffirmed India's continued commitment to the peace, progress, and prosperity of both our peoples," PM Modi posted on X after the phone call.

The conversation between PM Modi and Tarique Rahman came after the BNP-led alliance claimed a decisive victory in the elections, securing 210 seats and comfortably surpassing the majority threshold, thus paving the way for the formation of a new government.

PM Modi also extended warm wishes to Tarique Rahman for leading his party to a decisive victory.

Tarique Rahman is set to take oath as the Bangladesh Prime Minister soon, marking the return of a male PM to Bangladesh after nearly 35 years.

Tarique Rahman assumed leadership of the BNP following the death of his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, last December. Tarique is also the son of former President Ziaur Rahman, founder of BNP.

--IANS

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Dhaka, Feb 14 (IANS) With the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) set to form the next government in Bangladesh following a decisive victory in the 13th Parliamentary election, the radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami alleged that the results in some constituencies were rigged, local media reported.

Addressing a press conference at the party office in Dhaka, Jamaat Chief Shafiqur Rahman claimed that since Friday night, residences of leaders and workers of the Jamaat-led 11-party electoral alliance have come under attack in several parts of the country.

He warned of taking tough measures if these issues are not addressed within a specified time, Bangladesh's leading Bengali daily Prothom Alo reported.

Commenting on the election outcome, Rahman said, "If the result of elections occurs normally, there are usually no major objections. Everyone generally accepts it. But if there is any major discrimination or irregularities, then naturally it raises questions. Despite our positive view yesterday, today, in different parts of Bangladesh, the houses of the workers, supporters, agents and voters of the 11-party electoral alliance are being attacked, individuals are assaulted, houses are being set on fire."

"We have enough observations and objections regarding those who got the majority of seats in the elections; no matter how they got them, they will have to take the responsibility. Peace and order in the country will be maintained - if they form the government, it is their responsibility. But what are these signs now? They have to be stopped now. If they are not stopped yet, we will be forced to make a decision," he added.

At least one person was killed and 36 others injured in post-election violence across Bangladesh between Thursday night and Friday evening, amid allegations of clashes within parties, attacks by rival groups, and vandalism.

During the clash between rival factions affiliated with the BNP in Sadar Upazila of Munshiganj district, a young man was beaten to death, Bangladesh's leading newspaper, The Daily Star, reported.

The deceased, 30-year-old Md Jasim Nayeb, a supporter of an independent candidate and expelled BNP district member secretary Md Mohiuddin, was critically injured in the violence on Friday afternoon and succumbed to his injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital in the evening.

According to police, previous disputes between rival groups in the area flared into a violent confrontation over election-related issues, during which Jasim was hit on the head with a sharp weapon, leaving him gravely injured.

With BNP's chairperson Tarique Rahman now set to lead Bangladesh -- experts warn that the nation faces a massive challenge of overcoming the unrest and rising Islamist extremism that marked the 18-month tenure of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.

--IANS

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