RELIGIOUS extremists in Pakistan stopped members of the Ahmadi community from offering Eid prayers in at least seven cities, the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Pakistan (JAP) said on Tuesday.
In Punjab, police arrested two Ahmadis and booked three others for trying to perform the ritual animal sacrifice during Eid-ul-Azha. According to JAP, members of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) also forced two Ahmadis to renounce their faith.
In recent months, groups led by the TLP have been stopping Ahmadis from offering Friday prayers at their worship places. Ahead of Eid, police summoned several Ahmadis and made them sign written statements agreeing not to offer Eid prayers or perform sacrifices according to their beliefs.
The JAP said Eid prayers were blocked in Khushab, Mirpur Khas, Lodhran, Bhakkar, Rajanpur, Umerkot, Larkana and Karachi. It claimed religious extremists, with support from local administrations, prevented Ahmadis from praying even inside their own worship places.
In Lahore, TLP activists surrounded the community’s oldest worship place in Ghari Shahu on Eid day and demanded police action. The police responded by sealing the site.
In Nazimabad, Karachi, the JAP said that two members, Irfan-ul-Haq and his son, were taken to a police station along with their sacrificial animal by TLP activists. "Fearing for their safety, they recited the Islamic declaration of faith. The TLP activists celebrated by garlanding them and claiming their conversion to Islam," it said.
Punjab police confirmed that two Ahmadis were arrested and three others booked under Section 298-C of the Pakistan Penal Code for attempting to perform Islamic rituals. They said Ahmadis are not allowed to observe such rituals under the law.
The JAP called this treatment discriminatory, unconstitutional and illegal. "Under Article 20 of Pakistan's Constitution, every citizen is guaranteed freedom of religion. However, Ahmadis are routinely denied this right along with other fundamental rights," it said.
The group said such incidents indicate a wider pattern of discrimination against the Ahmadi community. It added that forced conversions are a serious human rights violation and raise questions about religious freedom in Pakistan.
The JAP said the community remains highly vulnerable to attacks by extremist groups like the TLP, which it claimed operate with impunity.
In early May, a senior Ahmadi doctor was allegedly shot dead in Punjab. On May 15, around 100 graves belonging to Ahmadis were desecrated in the same province.
Though Ahmadis consider themselves Muslims, Pakistan’s parliament declared them non-Muslims in 1974. A 1984 ordinance later prohibited them from calling themselves Muslims or practising aspects of Islam. This includes building minarets or domes on mosques, or publicly displaying Quranic verses.
However, the Lahore High Court has ruled that places of worship built before the 1984 ordinance are legal and should not be altered or demolished.
AT LEAST six people died and several others were injured in a stampede at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on Sunday (27) morning. The tragedy occurred around 9am (local time) when panic spread among devotees after a rumour of an electric current near the temple stairs caused chaos.
India's prime minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In a post on social media platform X, he said: “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede on the route to Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected.”
Located over 500 feet above sea level on the Shivalik Hills, the Mansa Devi temple attracts thousands of pilgrims every day, especially on weekends and during festive periods.
According to Haridwar senior superintendent of police Pramendra Singh Dobal, the panic was caused by a false rumour that electric current had spread through the area near the temple entrance.
"Around 35 people were taken to hospital and six of them died. More than 10 are still under treatment,” he said.
Visuals from the site showed anxious family members waiting outside the hospital, seeking information about their loved ones. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and fire services were quickly deployed to assist with rescue efforts.
Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed that a magisterial inquiry had been ordered. "A stampede broke out at the Mansa Devi temple in the morning because of a rumour. We have ordered a magisterial probe into the incident and those responsible for spreading the rumour will face strict action," he said.
Uttarakhand Minister Ganesh Joshi, in red shirt, meets an injured lady undergoing treatment at a hospital after a stampede broke out at Mansa Devi temple, in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, Sunday, July 27, 2025. (PTI Photo)
In a post on Facebook, Dhami also shared his condolences and assured that relief operations were ongoing. “SDRF, local police and other rescue teams have reached the spot and are engaged in relief and rescue operations. I am constantly in touch with the local administration and the situation is being closely monitored. I pray to Mata Rani for the safety of all the devotees,” he said.
Stampedes at religious gatherings are, unfortunately, not uncommon in India. In recent months, similar incidents have claimed lives in Odisha, Goa, and Prayagraj. Experts have often pointed to poor crowd management and lack of infrastructure at pilgrimage sites as major factors behind such accidents.
As investigations begin, officials have urged pilgrims to stay calm and cooperate with the administration. Security and crowd control measures around the temple have since been stepped up to prevent further incidents.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel stand guard at the India-Bangladesh border in Fulbari BOP (Border outpost) on the outskirts of Siliguri, India on May 9, 2025.
INDIA has expelled hundreds of ethnic Bengali-speaking Muslims to Bangladesh without following due process, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Thursday, accusing the government of violating rules and targeting Muslims.
The government of prime minister Narendra Modi has maintained a strict stance on immigration, particularly from neighbouring Bangladesh. Top authorities have previously referred to migrants as "termites" and "infiltrators".
Critics say these policies have increased fear among India's estimated 200 million Muslims, especially Bengali speakers, a language spoken widely in eastern India and Bangladesh.
According to HRW, over 1,500 Muslim men, women and children were forcibly expelled to Bangladesh between May 7 and June 15, citing data from Bangladeshi authorities.
"India's ruling BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is fuelling discrimination by arbitrarily expelling Bengali Muslims from the country, including Indian citizens," said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at HRW.
"The Indian government is putting thousands of vulnerable people at risk in apparent pursuit of unauthorised immigrants, but their actions reflect broader discriminatory policies against Muslims," Pearson added.
New Delhi has said those deported are undocumented migrants.
However, Pearson said claims by authorities that the expulsions were aimed at tackling illegal immigration were "unconvincing" due to "their disregard for due process rights, domestic guarantees, and international human rights standards".
‘They were holding guns’
HRW said it had sent its findings and questions to India’s home ministry but had not received a response.
The report documented the experiences of 18 people.
A 51-year-old daily wage worker told HRW that he "walked into Bangladesh like a dead body" after India's Border Security Force (BSF) took him to the border after midnight.
"I thought they (the BSF) would kill me because they were holding guns and no one from my family would know," the worker said in the report.
Bangladesh, mostly surrounded by India, has seen ties with New Delhi deteriorate since a mass uprising in 2024 overthrew Dhaka's pro-India government.
India intensified its operations against migrants after an April attack in Indian-administered Kashmir killed 26 people, mainly Hindu tourists. New Delhi accused Pakistan of supporting the attack, a claim Islamabad denied.
In a nationwide security drive, authorities detained thousands, with many eventually sent across the border to Bangladesh.
"The government is undercutting India's long history of providing refuge to the persecuted as it tries to generate political support," Pearson said.
India has also been accused of deporting Rohingya Muslim refugees to Myanmar, with navy ships leaving them off the coast of the conflict-hit country.
(With inputs from agencies)
Keep ReadingShow less
Prime minister Keir Starmer welcomes Indian prime minister Narendra Modi at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday, July 24, 2025.
INDIA's trade agreement with the UK marks a shift towards opening its markets while protecting key sectors, and could serve as a model for future deals, government officials and analysts said on Friday.
The deal, signed on Thursday and described by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi as "a blueprint for our shared prosperity", is India’s largest strategic partnership with an advanced economy.
It comes amid rising global trade tensions and signals a change in India's traditionally protectionist approach, as the country seeks agreements with the EU, US, and New Zealand.
Under the pact, India agreed to cut tariffs on imported British vehicles, increasing competition for the domestic auto industry, which accounts for nearly 7 per cent of the economy.
"This is a policy shift, especially as India has long used high tariffs to protect domestic manufacturers," Ajay Srivastava, founder of Global Trade Research Initiative and a former trade negotiator, told Reuters.
The shift also covers government procurement and pharmaceuticals and is expected to be reflected in future deals with Brussels and Washington, Srivastava said.
However, the move remains cautious.
Under the UK deal, auto imports will be limited by a quota to protect local manufacturers, and tariff reductions will be gradual. India will reduce auto tariffs from over 100 per cent to 10 per cent over 15 years, with annual quotas starting at 10,000 units and increasing to 19,000 in the fifth year.
Tariff cuts on whisky and other products will also be phased in over several years to allow domestic industries time to adjust.
Red lines
India has maintained its stance on sensitive areas, making no concessions on agricultural products such as apples and walnuts or dairy products including cheese and whey.
"There is no question of opening up the agriculture or dairy sector in any trade negotiation — be it with the EU, Australia, or even the US," a senior Indian official said.
The strategy is designed to use trade to boost economic growth while continuing to protect millions of Indians dependent on farming and low-margin work, the official added.
Indian farmers expect expanded access to the UK’s $37.5 billion agriculture market. Indian exporters will gain from zero tariffs on goods such as textiles, footwear, gems, furniture, auto parts, machinery, and chemicals.
"With zero tariffs, India's garment exports to the UK could double in three years," said N Thirukkumaran, general secretary of the Tiruppur Exporters Association. "This also paves the way for the EU agreement, which could bring even bigger gains," he added.
Negotiations with the US may prove more challenging. The US administration has used threats of high tariffs to secure concessions from partners.
Trade minister Piyush Goyal told Reuters on Thursday that India hopes to reach a trade deal with Washington that includes "special and preferred treatment". However, the US is pressing for more access to India’s agricultural and dairy markets.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Keep ReadingShow less
Goyal described the agreement as a personally fulfilling moment and said it was concluded with a good rapport with his UK counterpart.
INDIA's commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will be a game changer in the areas of trade, investment and services.
Speaking to PTI after signing the agreement with UK secretary of state for business and trade Jonathan Reynolds, Goyal said it was “remarkable” that talks which began over 20 years ago have now led to a “fair, equitable and balanced agreement”. The signing was witnessed by prime ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer at Chequers in Buckinghamshire.
“Truly this is going to be a game changer, in trade, in investments, in the services sector and help both India and the UK grow and our people benefit,” Goyal said. He said the agreement has the potential to double India-UK trade to USD 120 billion in the next five years.
He said the FTA will create new opportunities for farmers, MSMEs, and various sectors. “Our farmers will get a lot of opportunities, because we can process those farm products and market them in the UK. Our MSME sector will get a plethora of opportunities in aircraft parts and auto components, various engineering products. Our textiles will see a massive spurt in demand, because now on a competitive basis, we will be right on top with zero duties,” he said.
He added that other sectors such as leather, footwear, toys, furniture and pharma products will also benefit. “A very wide range of India's own strengths, which we are currently exporting in big measure across the world, will find markets in the United Kingdom,” Goyal said.
The minister also spoke about the Double Contribution Convention (DCC), which will be enforced along with the FTA.
“Our people who come and serve in UK for short term, two years or three years, who today land up losing almost 25 per cent of their earnings in Social Security, which never gives them any benefit, will now have an opportunity under the DCC to pay this money into their provident fund account in India, and that money will be secure. That money will be giving them an over 8 per cent tax-free return and will become their pension and Social Security in the long run,” he said.
He said that although parliamentary ratification in the UK will take time, the agreement already brings clarity to businesses, given the bipartisan support in Britain.
“The UK parliamentary process will take a few months. The good part is that it has always had bipartisan support. It was largely negotiated when the Conservatives were in power, and today, with the Labor government, it has culminated into a robust and very fair and balanced agreement, and therefore, I think this will get cleared pretty quickly,” Goyal said.
“Businesses will be already planning, because there's a stable and predictable environment. The Free Trade Agreement will be known to everybody, and businesses can start integrating their supply chains and can start planning the benefits of this agreement, planning their business growth because of this agreement. So, I think the work will start right away. The benefits will start accruing in a few months,” he added.
Goyal described the agreement as a personally fulfilling moment and said it was concluded with a good rapport with his UK counterpart.
“I feel very humbled that prime minister Modi reposed confidence and faith in me to be able to conclude this agreement, which has been quite complicated,” he said.
“Many, many years have gone by. Talks have been on and off, but I feel very humbled by the experience. I feel very, very satisfied with the outcome, and I'm sure what started as a very difficult negotiation, but has concluded in a very friendly and very amiable relationship, will continue in the years to come to be a torch bearer for the progress and development of both countries,” Goyal said.
(With inputs from PTI)
Keep ReadingShow less
At Chequers, Starmer and Modi interacted with players from Buckinghamshire Street Cricket Hubs. (Photo: X/@narendramodi)
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi used a cricketing reference to describe India’s ties with the UK during his meeting with British prime minister Keir Starmer on Thursday.
“There may be a swing and a miss at times, but we always play with a straight bat!” Modi said in a media statement after the talks, referring to the India-UK relationship.
He added that both countries are committed to building a strong and productive partnership. “For both of us, cricket is not just a game, but a passion. And also, a great metaphor for our partnership. There may be a swing and a miss at times, but we always play with a straight bat! We are committed to building a high-scoring, solid partnership.”
Modi said the agreements concluded on Thursday, along with the Vision 2035 roadmap, were important steps in that direction.
India and the UK signed a landmark free trade agreement during the bilateral meeting.
Modi and Starmer also met players from the Buckinghamshire Street Cricket Hub at Chequers in London. “India and the UK are connected by a shared passion for cricket. At Chequers, PM Keir Starmer and I interacted with players from Buckinghamshire Street Cricket Hubs. Great to see sport fostering people-to-people ties between our nations,” Modi wrote on X.
Modi also presented the players with a cricket bat signed by the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup.
Cricket, which originated in the UK, is the most followed sport in India.
The Indian cricket team, led by captain Shubman Gill, is currently touring England for a five-match Test series. The fourth Test is being played in Manchester.