ROME: A famine declared in Gaza in August is now over thanks to improved access for humanitarian aid, the United Nations said on Friday, but warned the food situation in the Palestinian territory remained &quot;critical&quot;.&nbsp;&quot;No areas are classified in Famine,&quot; said the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC), a coalition of monitors tasked by the UN to warn of impending crises.&nbsp;But it warned &quot;the situation remains critical: the entire Gaza Strip is classified in Emergency&quot;.&nbsp;A US-sponsored ceasefire has halted the fighting in Gaza that began after Hamas&#39;s deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.&nbsp;But the deal, in effect since October 10, remains fragile as Israel and Hamas accuse each other almost daily of violations.&nbsp;

Middle East

The UN says famine declared in Gaza in August has ended due to increased aid access, but food conditions remain critical, with all areas in emergency status, amid a US-backed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

UN declares famine over in Gaza, says 'situation remains critical'

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Four terrorists were killed and four Pakistani soldiers were martyred on Thursday after security forces foiled a major terrorist attack on a military camp in North Waziristan in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said.&nbsp;According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the attack took place on Dec 19 in the general area of Boya, North Waziristan district, when &ldquo;Khwarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij&rdquo; attempted to breach the perimeter of a security forces camp.&nbsp;Islamabad uses the term &ldquo;Khawarij&rdquo; for the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), invoking a historical label for an extremist sect in early Islam that rejected legitimate authority and declared other Muslims to be apostates.&nbsp;&ldquo;In a heinous and cowardly terrorist act, Khwarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij attacked a security forces camp,&rdquo; the ISPR said.&nbsp;The military said troops responded swiftly and prevented the attackers from entering the camp.&nbsp;After failing to penetrate the perimeter, the terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the outer wall, causing its collapse and damaging nearby civilian infrastructure, including a mosque.&nbsp;&ldquo;This blatant act of barbarism inflicted severe injuries to 15 local civilians including innocent children and women,&rdquo; the statement said, adding that several homes were also damaged in the explosion.&nbsp;Security forces engaged the attackers and killed all four terrorists involved in the assault.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Displaying unwavering courage and professional excellence, own troops engaged the intruders with precision,&rdquo; the ISPR said.&nbsp;During the intense exchange of fire, four soldiers embraced martyrdom. They were identified as Havildar Muhammad Waqas, 42, from Kotli district; Naik Khanwaiz, 38, from Mansehra; Sepoy Sufyan Haider, 25, from Vehari; and Sepoy Riffat, 32, from Leyyah.&nbsp;&ldquo;Having fought gallantly, these brave sons of soil paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat,&rdquo; the military said.&nbsp;The ISPR said the attack was planned and orchestrated by Afghanistan-based Khwarij, contradicting claims by the Afghan interim authorities regarding the absence of militant groups operating from their territory.&nbsp;Pakistan urged the interim Afghan government to fulfil its obligations and prevent the use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan. &ldquo;Pakistan reserves the right to hunt these Khwarij down and eliminate their facilitators and affiliates to ensure the safety of its people,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;Militant violence has increased in Pakistan&rsquo;s northwestern regions in recent years, with Islamabad repeatedly stating that groups such as Fitna al Khwarij operate from cross-border sanctuaries and receive foreign support to carry out attacks inside Pakistan.

Security

ISPR says the attack was planned by Afghanistan-based Khwarij, contradicting Afghan interim authorities’ claims that militant groups do not operate from Afghan territory.

Four terrorists killed in North Waziristan attack, four Pakistani soldiers martyred

POISSY: Matvei Safonov probably saved two penalties with a broken hand to win Paris Saint-Germain the Intercontinental Cup win, his coach Luis Enrique said Friday.&nbsp;The Russian stopped four spot kicks in the shootout in Qatar on Wednesday as PSG edged Brazilians Flamengo to lift another trophy.&nbsp;&quot;The player himself doesn&#39;t know how it happened,&quot; said Luis Enrique.&nbsp;&quot;We think it was on the third penalty kick. He made a strange movement and fractured it. He saved the last two shots with the fracture. The adrenaline was so powerful that the player was able to do it without pain. It&#39;s incredible.&quot;&nbsp;The club released a statement saying that &nbsp;&quot;a further update will be provided in three to four weeks&quot;.&nbsp;Luis Enrique, who has had to deal with a string of injuries this season, said he had not spoken to Safonov.&nbsp;&quot;It&#39;s karma,&quot; Luis Enrique added. &quot;Life is telling him he needs to rest, recover, and accept it. With his mentality, he&#39;ll come back stronger.&quot;&nbsp;Luis Enrique was speaking on the eve of the trip to face fifth-tier Vendee Fontenay in the French Cup.&nbsp;The coach could continue his habit of using backups in the domestic cups and pick third-choice Renato Marin will be in goal, but he could also take the opportunity to hand Lucas Chevalier a first game since recovering from an ankle injury.&nbsp;Safonov&#39;s exploits appeared to fuel a bubbling debate over who should start in goal for the European champions.&nbsp;The 26-year-old Russian began the season as the number two, but his match-winning exploits in Qatar followed several impressive displays standing in for the injured Chevalier, who made a shaky start to the season.&nbsp;Chevalier, who turned 24 in November, was acquired in the summer because coach Luis Enrique liked his footwork with the ball but he has sometimes looked less reliable stopping shots.

Football

Matvei Safonov saved four penalties, including two with a broken hand, to give PSG the Intercontinental Cup over Flamengo. Coach Luis Enrique praised his heroics, noting Safonov’s resilience and potential return stronger after recovery.

PSG penalty hero Safonov ended Intercontinental win with broken hand

Pakistan TV Satellite

ISLAMABAD: Bangladeshi activists and journalists have accused India of providing safe havens to terrorists involved in killings as Bangladesh once again erupts in protests after leader of 2024 student-led uprising Sharif Osman Bin Hadi succumbed to his injuries in Singapore. Hadi, who was expected to contest the February elections, was shot in the head on December 12 in Dhaka. He was evacuated to Singapore but could not survive. Pakistan TV talked to a number of journalists and civil society activists who agreed that anti-India sentiments had risen sharply in Bangladesh. Civil society activist and entrepreneur Fahim Mashroor told Pakistan TV that following Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s ouster and the installation of Dr Muhammad Yunus&rsquo;s interim administration, relations between Dhaka and New Delhi have deteriorated sharply. &ldquo;For the last 15 months, right after Sheikh Hasina was ousted and the new administration under Dr Yunus took over, diplomatic relations have been extremely thorny. The key issue has been Sheikh Hasina being sheltered in India,&rdquo; Fahim Mashroor said. <div class="fr-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sharif Osman bin Hadi was a very strong voice against Indian hegemony; the person who shot Hadi was a leader of the student union of Awami League and is now in India; anti-India sentiment is rising in Bangladesh. - Journalist from Dhaka Kamaruzzaman<a href="https://twitter.com/mkbablu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mkbablu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MoIB_Official?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoIB_Official</a>&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/GjZu7lAIoK">pic.twitter.com/GjZu7lAIoK</a>&mdash; Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakTVGlobal/status/2001933630294364180?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2025</a></blockquote></div> He said public anger escalated after the assassination of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent youth and cultural activist, who was reportedly targeted for his vocal opposition to Indian influence and the Awami League. &ldquo;His cultural activism strongly opposed Indian cultural hegemony, leading many to believe he was targeted because of his views, and that Indian active support cannot be ruled out. This is why public sentiment has taken a strongly anti-Indian turn,&rdquo; he said. Fahim Mashroor further said the assassin&rsquo;s known links to Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s party and subsequent flight to India, confirmed through CCTV footage, have intensified anti-India sentiment. &ldquo;People in Bangladesh remain extremely angry and firmly believe there is support for such activities through the Awami League and its operatives. There is a widespread perception that not only was the planning done on Indian soil, but that India is also providing safe haven to terrorists after such heinous acts,&rdquo; the civil society activist said. He said this perception of the Bangladeshi society is drawn from India&rsquo;s history of patronage toward Sheikh Hasina during her 15-year rule, when New Delhi was seen as supporting her authoritarian governance for strategic gain. Talking to Pakistan TV, senior journalist from Dhaka MD Kamruzzaman said protests have intensified across Dhaka following the death of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, particularly among students and young activists. <div class="fr-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sheikh Hasina and her political associates, hiding in India, have threatened to kill people, especially youth, who are opposed to Awami League. - Civil society activist from Dhaka Fahim Mashroor<a href="https://twitter.com/fahimmashroor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fahimmashroor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MoIB_Official?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoIB_Official</a><a href="https://twitter.com/MoIBBdoffical?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoIBBdoffical</a><a href="https://twitter.com/PakinBangladesh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PakinBangladesh</a><a href="https://twitter.com/bdhcpk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bdhcpk</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangladesh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bangladesh</a>&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/KW2ltsp65k">pic.twitter.com/KW2ltsp65k</a>&mdash; Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakTVGlobal/status/2001943390834077924?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2025</a></blockquote></div> He said Hadi had been a prominent figure in the movement that challenged nearly 16 years of authoritarian rule of Sheikh Hasina, adding that protesters claim that Hadi had been receiving multiple death threats. &ldquo;His popularity was rising rapidly, and people from all walks of life viewed Hadi as an icon of protest. Unfortunately, he had earlier warned that he had received multiple threats from different unknown numbers,&rdquo; the senior journalist said. He said a key source of public anger stems from reports that the gunman had fled to India. <div class="fr-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The assassins were traced through CCTV footage; police say they fled to India which has made people extremely angry as they believe India is harbouring those responsible. - Civil society activist from Dhaka Fahim Mashroor<a href="https://twitter.com/fahimmashroor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fahimmashroor</a><a href="https://twitter.com/MoIB_Official?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoIB_Official</a><a href="https://twitter.com/MoIBBdoffical?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoIBBdoffical</a>&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/0X0VYv2Yme">pic.twitter.com/0X0VYv2Yme</a>&mdash; Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakTVGlobal/status/2001944238800703585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2025</a></blockquote></div> Kamruzzaman said this has fuelled growing anti-India sentiment, with demonstrators accusing New Delhi of sheltering individuals responsible for political violence in Bangladesh. &ldquo;According to protesters, he [Hadi] was targeted primarily because of his stance against the ousted regime and neighbouring India,&rdquo; the Bangladeshi journalist said. He further added that the unrest highlights deepening frustration over external interference and the country&rsquo;s ongoing struggle for democratic sovereignty. Another journalist from Bangladesh Muktadir Rashid told Pakistan TV that the demonstrators accuse India of involvement in Hadi&rsquo;s assassination and harbouring suspects linked to unrest in Bangladesh. He said anti-India sentiment is not new, fuelled over the years by public anger toward Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s government, which was backed by New Delhi. &ldquo;Anti-Indian sentiment is not new in Bangladesh at all, especially due to Sheikh Hasina&#39;s misrule, which was backed by the Indian government starting from 2014,&rdquo; he said. He said Hadi, a former teacher known for his calls for justice and youth empowerment, enjoyed strong grassroots popularity and was preparing to contest the upcoming elections. Muktadir Rashid said Hadi was shot last Friday, and reports suggest the prime suspect fled across the border into India, an area long associated with organised crime. His death has further ignited resentment against perceived Indian interference in Bangladesh&rsquo;s domestic politics, he added.

SAT News Desk

Bangladeshi activists state that India is sheltering terrorists after protest leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi died from gunshot wounds, with the suspect fleeing to India.

Bangladeshi activists, journalists accuse India of providing safe havens to terrorists

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held an urgent briefing for the diplomatic corps on Thursday evening, raising concerns about India&rsquo;s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty that Islamabad says threatens peace, stability, and the livelihoods of millions in South Asia. The foreign minister highlighted India&rsquo;s &ldquo;unilateral abeyance&rdquo; in April 2025&nbsp;of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) between the two countries, calling it a gross contravention of international law, including Article 26 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, according to a press release issued by Pakistan&rsquo;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2001919279214793215&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=d7d005dc982602002ec7dd57b9c25405b8db01e2&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 673px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>He said that India&rsquo;s actions have escalated to material breaches of the treaty, citing abrupt variations in the flow of the River Chenab during April-May 2025 and December 7-15, 2025, which Pakistan attributes to unilateral water releases by India without prior notification or data sharing, as required under the treaty. The briefing noted that Pakistan&rsquo;s Indus Water Commissioner had written to his Indian counterpart seeking clarification on these recent variations.&nbsp; &lsquo;Weaponization of water&rsquo;The foreign minister emphasized that these actions exemplify what Pakistan considers the &ldquo;weaponization of water,&rdquo; threatening agriculture, food security, economic stability, and the livelihoods of Pakistani citizens.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2001911420137673190&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=d7d005dc982602002ec7dd57b9c25405b8db01e2&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>According to the minister, India has repeatedly sought to undermine the IWT, including by constructing hydropower projects such as Kishanganga and Ratle, which Pakistan says violate the treaty&rsquo;s technical specifications.&nbsp; India is also accused of halting the sharing of hydrological data and joint oversight, increasing risks of floods and droughts in Pakistan. The minister warned that India&rsquo;s conduct contravenes international human rights and humanitarian law and could trigger a humanitarian crisis, while undermining progress on the Sustainable Development Goals on poverty and hunger.&nbsp; He also criticized India for refusing to participate in the treaty&rsquo;s dispute resolution mechanisms, including proceedings before the Court of Arbitration and Neutral Expert. Pakistan reiterated that the IWT is a binding legal instrument vital to regional peace and stability.&nbsp; The minister cited recent rulings by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in June and August 2025, which reaffirmed the treaty&rsquo;s validity and binding dispute-resolution mechanisms.&nbsp; He also referenced communications from UN Special Procedures and Mandate Holders expressing concerns about India&rsquo;s actions, which were made public on Dec. 15. The briefing further noted India&rsquo;s June 21 declaration by its Home Minister, stating that India would &ldquo;never&rdquo; restore the treaty and intended to divert waters to Rajasthan via a new canal.&nbsp; &lsquo;Water is life&rsquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s National Security Committee has reportedly declared that any attempt to block or divert water under the treaty would be considered an &ldquo;Act of War.&rdquo; The foreign minister underscored the potential human rights impact of India&rsquo;s actions, including threats to the rights to work, livelihood, water, food, adequate living standards, and a clean environment.&nbsp; He called on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to address the situation and urged diplomats to advocate for the restoration of the treaty, an end to the &ldquo;weaponization of water,&rdquo; and adherence to international law. &ldquo;Water is life and cannot be weaponized,&rdquo; he concluded, reaffirming Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to peaceful dispute resolution while insisting that it will not compromise on the water rights of its people.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held an urgent briefing for the diplomatic corps, raising concerns over India’s actions that Islamabad says are threatening peace, stability, and the livelihoods of millions in South Asia.

Pakistan urges international community to advocate for restoration of Indus Waters Treaty

GAZA CITY: A top Hamas official said talks in Miami on Friday to advance the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire must aim to end Israeli truce &ldquo;violations&rdquo; in the Palestinian territory. &ldquo;Our people expect these talks to result in an agreement to put an end to ongoing Israeli lawlessness, halt all violations, and compel the occupation to abide by the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement,&rdquo; Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim told AFP. The United States is hosting the discussions, with President Donald Trump&rsquo;s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, expected to meet senior officials from mediator countries Qatar, Egypt and Turkey in Florida to push for the second stage of the ceasefire deal.

Palestinians stand outside a 'tent city' housing displaced Palestinians who lost their homes in the Gaza war, following heavy rains in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, on December 13, 2025.

Americas

A top Hamas official said talks in Miami on Friday to advance the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire must aim to end Israeli truce “violations” in the Palestinian territory.

Hamas official says Miami talks must end Israel's Gaza truce 'violations'

Afghanistan

The total number of Afghans facing acute food insecurity reached 12.7 million this year, as extreme weather conditions slashed crop production across the country.

Afghanistan hunger crisis deepens as 4.7 million face emergency food shortages: WFP 

ISLAMABAD: The Asian Football Confederation banned Indian club Mohun Bagan Super Giant from all its competitions and fined it more than $100,000 for refusing to play a match in Iran. Mohun Bagan did not travel for an Asian Champions League Two group match against Sepahan in Iran in September, citing lack of security assurances and medical insurance coverage. The AFC disciplinary and ethics committee banned Mohun Bagan from the next edition of the continental second-tier tournament, up to the 2027-28 season, it said in a statement on Wednesday. One of the oldest football clubs in Asia, Mohun Bagan were also handed a $50,000 fine and told to pay $50,729 for damages and losses incurred by the AFC and Sepahan. Mohun Bagan were withdrawn from the competition after their no-show and their matches were declared null and void by the AFC. The club had earlier asked the Court Arbitration for Sport to move the match to a neutral venue, but the request was rejected. The club also did not travel to Iran last year for a match against Tractor SC, a day after Iran launched missiles towards Israel.

India

Mohun Bagan did not travel for an Asian Champions League Two group match against Sepahan in Iran in September, citing lack of security assurances and medical insurance coverage.

Indian football club banned, fined for refusing to play in Iran

ISLAMABAD: In a communication,&nbsp;UN experts have said that India violated the prohibition on the use of force under the UN Charter&nbsp;by taking military action inside Pakistan in May, and sought a response regarding India&#39;s potential human rights violations and its unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. UN Special Rapporteurs and an independent expert, under the Human Rights Council&#39;s mandate, in a Special Procedures communication dated Oct. 16 but released recently, had sought the Indian government&rsquo;s response within 60 days. No such response has been made public so far. &nbsp; Pakistan&rsquo;s call for independent investigationIn their communication, the UN officials strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack and emphasized that those responsible must be brought to justice in accordance with the law.&nbsp; They highlighted that Pakistan had denied any involvement in the incident and consistently called for an independent, transparent, and impartial investigation. They stated that&nbsp;on May 7, India used force within Pakistan&rsquo;s territory under Operation Sindoor and that &ldquo;India did not ... notify the Security Council that its operation was in the exercise of the right of self-defense under article 51 of the United Nations Charter, under the procedures required by that article.&rdquo; In the communication, the experts stated: &quot;We are equally concerned that India did not notify the Security Council of any claim of self-defense under Article 51 of the Charter.&rdquo; Lack of credible evidence&nbsp;They further stated: &ldquo;We are concerned that India has not disclosed credible evidence that the militants who committed the Pahalgam attack were sent to attack India by the Government of Pakistan.&rdquo; They highlighted in the communication that, &ldquo;According to Pakistan, civilian areas were struck, including mosques, and a number of civilians were killed and injured.&rdquo; They added: &ldquo;We are concerned that India&rsquo;s response &hellip; appears to have violated the rights to life and security of person, as a result of the unlawful use of force on Pakistan&rsquo;s territory.&rdquo; The experts stated that, &ldquo;As such, it appears that India has violated the prohibition on the use of force under article 2(4) of the Charter&hellip;&rdquo; &ldquo;The unlawful use of force would consequently constitute a violation of the right to life under article 6 of the ICCPR [International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights],&rdquo; they added. The experts stated: &ldquo;There is no separate right to unilaterally use military force in foreign territory in order to counter terrorism.&rdquo; The communication highlights that &ldquo;&hellip;India may itself have committed an armed attack on Pakistan, entitling Pakistan to exercise self-defense under article 51 of the Charter&hellip;&rdquo; &ldquo;The illegal use of force on foreign territory would also constitute a violation of the foreign State&rsquo;s sovereignty and the duty of non-intervention in a foreign State,&rdquo; it says. On the Indus Waters TreatyOn the issue of the Indus Waters Treaty and arbitration, the communication states: &ldquo;India challenged the Court&rsquo;s jurisdiction &hellip; and has refused to participate in the proceedings.&rdquo; The communication states, &ldquo;We are deeply concerned that any disruption of the flow of water to Pakistan &hellip; could severely affect the human rights of millions of people in Pakistan&hellip;&rdquo; The experts ask the Indian government to respond to several questions.&nbsp; They request India to provide additional information on the allegations and clarify whether it will offer reparations and an apology for violations of the right to life from unlawful use of force in Pakistan.&nbsp; It also asks India to explain its commitment to fulfilling obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty without interfering with Pakistan&#39;s rights and the human rights of affected populations.&nbsp; The text seeks clarification on measures to prevent harm to rights related to water, environment, food, and development resulting from Treaty disruptions.&nbsp; It also inquires whether India will peacefully settle Treaty disputes through proper provisions and pursue the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir territorial dispute in accordance with international law and the right of self-determination.&nbsp;The UN experts added: &ldquo;This communication and any response received from your Excellency&rsquo;s Government will be made public via the communications reporting website within 60 days. They will also subsequently be made available in the usual report to be presented to the Human Rights Council.&rdquo;

UN Special Rapporteurs and an independent expert under the Human Rights Council's mandate in a Special Procedures communication sought a response from the Indian government.

UN demands India explain use of force on Pakistan, Indus Treaty suspension

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), during its 80th session on Friday, adopted by consensus a Pakistan-sponsored resolution titled &ldquo;Universal Realization of the Right of the Peoples to Self-Determination.&rdquo; The resolution was passed with broad international support, reflecting widespread recognition of the inalienable right of peoples subjected to colonialism, alien domination, and foreign occupation. In a post on X, Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Mission to the UN highlighted that the adoption of the resolution underscores global backing for the rights of the people in regions facing such circumstances.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2001767063044657306&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=9931d0af7fe44e535101499368c84e8164829e2c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 369px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>It emphasizes the situations of the people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and Palestine explicitly, reinforcing international attention to their struggle for freedom, dignity, and self-determination in line with UN Security Council resolutions. &lsquo;Enduring obligation&rsquo;&nbsp;In a related development, Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, addressing the Assembly on the occasion of the International Day against Colonialism in All Its Forms and Manifestations, said self-determination was &ldquo;not merely a historical aspiration, but an enduring obligation&rdquo; of the international community.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2001768111645823124&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=9931d0af7fe44e535101499368c84e8164829e2c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&ldquo;Recent developments in the Middle East demonstrate that lasting peace cannot be achieved through the continued denial and suppression of the legitimate right to self-determination of the Palestinian people,&ldquo; he said. On Indian-occupied Kashmir, the Pakistani envoy reminded the UNGA that the issue was not a bilateral dispute but an internationally recognized one. &ldquo;The UNSC, through several resolutions, has recognized the legitimate right of self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;A just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains central to the establishment of durable peace in South Asia,&rdquo; Ambassador Jadoon added, warning that continued inaction risked further instability in an already volatile region.

Pakistan mission says ‘consensual adoption of the resolution manifests broad international support for the inalienable right of the peoples facing colonialism, alien domination and foreign occupation.’

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