Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Pakistani pilgrims decry squalid coronavirus quarantine camp

Hundreds of Pakistanis who returned home from a pilgrimage to Iran are stuck in filthy coronavirus quarantine camps with limited medical care, and fear squalid conditions are helping spread the disease.

Current and former residents of Taftan camp on the border with Iran said the facility lacks running water or flushable toilets, with detainees only able to wash every few days.


Government figures show half of the 241 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in Pakistan are in people who went on pilgrimages to Iran -- one of the countries hardest-hit by the disease.

Pakistan shares a 960-kilometre (600-mile) border with Iran, with the main crossing point at Taftan in Balochistan province.

"I have been using the same mask for over seven days now," one quarantined pilgrim at Taftan, who asked not to be named, said on Tuesday.

"If I didn't have the virus when I first got here, I wouldn't be surprised to find out that I have it now."

Iran has been scrambling to contain COVID-19 since authorities announced the first two deaths last month.

Nearly 1,000 people have since died, making Iran the third-hardest-hit country after China and Italy.

The Taftan border has been closed since March 16, but thousands of Pakistan Shi'ite pilgrims who were visiting religious sites in Iran have been allowed to return subject to two weeks' quarantine.

They are then also expected to undergo a further two weeks quarantine in their home towns.

Taftan was built years ago specifically as a resting station for returning pilgrims, but has been overwhelmed by the crush caused by the virus.

Videos circulating on social media show people sleeping on floors and in corridors of permanent structures, and packed into tents erected in a dirty courtyard.

No attempt has been made to separate sick pilgrims from the healthy.

- 'Worse than animals' -

Officials say about 4,600 people are currently being held in Taftan. About 1,800 others have been transferred to their home districts for a further two-week quarantine.

In Sukkur in southern Sindh province, some 172 people have tested positive for coronavirus since spending time in Taftan.

Witnesses said people confined there staged protests this week to demand better conditions, while others just fled.

Security forces had to fire warning shots to bring things under control.

Ishtiaq Hussain, a university student from Tehran, was one of those who walked out of Taftan. He was never tested for coronavirus.

He said people were treated "worse than animals", often being given "spoilt food" and left in "freezing camps with very few blankets".

Najeeb Qambrani, assistant commissioner in Taftan, said the camp's remote location made it difficult to provide amenities.

"We are providing all the possible facilities," he said.

But former Taftan confinee Naimat Ali Khaki said conditions were unacceptable.

"There was no cleanliness and it was so overcrowded that we were literally walking over each other," Khaki said.

He is still waiting for results of a coronavirus test.

More For You

Spain earthquakes

Almería airport sustained damage in its departures lounge

CSmonitor

Spain earthquakes: What we know about the 5.4-magnitude tremor that shook tourist regions

Highlights:

  • A 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Almería, southern Spain, at 7.13 am on Monday
  • The tremor was felt in over 50 towns, including tourist destinations like Malaga
  • No injuries have been reported, but building damage occurred in airports and showrooms
  • The quake follows a weekend of floods and severe weather in Spain
  • No UK Foreign Office travel warnings have been issued, but travellers are advised to check local alerts

Southern Spain was rocked by a 5.4-magnitude earthquake on the morning of Monda,y 14 July, with tremors felt across several provinces, including popular tourist destinations.

The earthquake struck at 7.13 am off the coast of Almería, nearly two miles below sea level, according to Spain’s National Geographic Institute (IGN). Despite its intensity, there have been no reported injuries, although some structural damage has occurred.

Keep ReadingShow less
BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi

The visit by Dr Yadav marks the latest in a series of high-profile delegations to the Mandir since its inauguration

ANI

Madhya Pradesh chief minister visits BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi

On 13 July 2025, Dr Mohan Yadav, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, visited the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi as part of the Guru Purnima celebrations.

He was received by Swami Brahmaviharidas, Head of the Mandir, who provided an overview of the Mandir’s history, architecture and purpose. The visit took place during a significant spiritual period for the BAPS community, with devotees from around the world gathering to honour their spiritual guide.

Keep ReadingShow less
South Asian mela at Lister Park

inspired by the popular melas of the 1980s and 1990s

RFMP

Bradford welcomes return of South Asian mela at Lister Park with food, fashion and music

Highlights:

  • South Asian celebration returns: The first Bradford Food and Lifestyle Mela will take place at Lister Park on 19–20 July 2025, reviving the city’s historic mela tradition after a 13-year gap.
  •  
  •  Free family event: Open to all, the mela will feature live music, street food, cookery demos, fashion stalls, and a funfair, celebrating Bradford’s cultural diversity.
  •  
  •  Headline performances: Artists including Apache Indian, B21, and Girls Like You will perform alongside community acts and cultural showcases.
  •  
  •  Fashion show with a message: The weekend’s highlight is Threads of Grace: Power of You on 20 July, a ticketed fashion show promoting body positivity and resilience, with proceeds supporting UK charities.
  •  
  •  Part of City of Culture 2025: Organised in partnership with Lala’s Restaurant and local organisations, the mela supports Bradford’s programme as UK City of Culture.

  • Bradford is set to celebrate its cultural heritage with the return of a South Asian mela at Lister Park on 19 and 20 July. The newly launched Bradford Food and Lifestyle Mela will revive the city’s long-standing tradition of melas, combining food, fashion, music and community in a two-day open-air event.

    Keep ReadingShow less
    “Why can’t I just run?”: A south Asian woman’s harrowing harassment story

    Minreet with her mother

    “Why can’t I just run?”: A south Asian woman’s harrowing harassment story

    I was five years old when my parents first signed me up for a mini marathon. They were both keen runners and wanted me to follow in their footsteps. At the time, I hated it. Running felt like punishment — exhausting, uncomfortable, and something I never imagined I’d do by choice.

    But one moment changed everything. I was 12, attending a gymnastics competition, and had gone to the car alone to grab my hula hoop. As I walked back, a group of men started shouting at me. They moved closer. I didn’t wait to hear what they had to say — I ran. Fast. My heart was pounding. It was the first time I felt afraid simply for existing in public as a young girl. I never told anyone. But I remember feeling thankful, strangely, that my parents had taught me how to run.

    Keep ReadingShow less
    Charithra Chandran Wimbledon

    Chandran wore lambskin shorts and a green cashmere sweater for her Wimbledon appearance

    Instagram/charithra17/Twitter/charithra files

    Charithra Chandran brings ‘Bridgerton’ elegance to Wimbledon in timeless Ralph Lauren look

    Highlights:

    • Charithra Chandran attended Wimbledon as a Ralph Lauren ambassador, turning heads in a vintage-inspired ensemble.
    • Her look echoed Bridgerton character Edwina Sharma, with soft curls and a classic summer palette.
    • Fans online praised her poise and outfit, with many saying she outshone stars like Andrew Garfield.
    • The actress wore a green cashmere sweater, tailored lambskin shorts and white Nappa pumps.

    Charithra Chandran’s Wimbledon appearance might have been behind Hollywood stars Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro, but her crisp summer ensemble made sure all eyes found her. Dressed head-to-toe in Ralph Lauren, the British-Indian actress brought understated elegance and old-school charm to Centre Court, and social media took notice.

     Charithra Chandran Wimbledon Charithra Chandran styled her hair in soft curls for the Ralph Lauren outfitInstagram/charithra17/

    Keep ReadingShow less