PAKISTAN'S army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, was handed a three-year extension on Monday (19) as tension with neighbouring India flared this month over Kashmir, the prime minister's office said.
The two countries have exchanged fire along the line of control (LoC) that separates Pakistani and India following India's decision to revoke special status for its portion of Kashmir.
"The decision has been taken in view of the regional security environment," the prime minister's office said in a statement announcing the decision.
Bajwa's tenure was due to end in November but analysts have long predicted the extension.
Relations between Pakistan and India had already been strained after a suicide car bombing in February that killed at least 40 Indian paramilitary police in Kashmir and led to an aerial dogfight between Pakistani and Indian jets.
Pakistan observed a 'Black Day' on Thursday (15) to coincide with India's Independence Day celebrations. Newspaper issues had black borders and politicians, including prime minister Imran Khan, replaced their social media pictures with black squares. Flags on government buildings flew at half-mast.
Since Saturday (17) there has been a series of protests against the decision by prime minister Narendra Modi's government to revoke the autonomy of India's only Muslim-majority region.
Officials said security forces had been pelted with stones on 47 occasions on Saturday night in the Kashmir Valley, and more than 20 on Sunday (18). One said the protests were growing more intense.
During Bajwa's tenure, the military has been accused by opposition politicians of electoral manipulation to bring prime minister Imran Khan to power.
Media outlets have also complained about strong restrictions on free speech.
The military, which has ruled Pakistan for nearly half its 72-year history, has denied interfering in politics or muzzling the media.
(Reuters)
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)