United News of Bangladesh

At least seven people were killed and 25 others injured when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest during a wedding ceremony in northwestern Pakistan on Friday, police said. The blast occurred at the home of Noor Alam Mehsud, a pro-government community leader in Dera Ismail Khan, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to local police chief Adnan Khan. Victims were rushed to a hospital, where some of the wounded were reported in critical condition. The attack struck while guests were dancing to drumbeats during the ceremony. No group has yet claimed responsibility, but suspicion may fall on the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has carried out multiple attacks in the country over recent years. The TTP, allied with but distinct from the Afghan Taliban, has gained strength since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces. Many TTP leaders and fighters have reportedly found refuge in Afghanistan since then.

The diplomatic crisis surrounding the T20 World Cup has intensified just hours before a prospective deadline, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) formally intervening to support Bangladesh's refusal to play in India. On Tuesday, as ESPNcrinfo reported, the PCB sent a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its board members, backing the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) stance that the political climate in India poses a security risk. This move comes just a day before the ICC board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to make a final call on Bangladesh's participation in the tournament. The ICC has called an urgent board meeting for Wednesday to resolve the impasse, which threatens to derail the event less than three weeks before it begins. While the timing of the PCB’s email has raised eyebrows, sources suggest it is unlikely to alter the ICC's firm position. Read more: Bangladesh not to accept any illogical ICC conditions under Indian pressure: Sports Adviser The global body has repeatedly conveyed to the BCB that the World Cup schedule will not be changed to move Bangladesh's matches to co-host Sri Lanka. Both sides have remained deadlocked, with the ICC insisting on the original itinerary and the BCB, backed by their government, refusing to travel to India. Speculation regarding Pakistan's involvement has been rife for days, with unverified reports suggesting the PCB might review its own participation contingent on the outcome of the Bangladesh issue. While the PCB has not publicly commented, their email confirms a unified front with Bangladesh. This diplomatic row originated when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL, citing worsening political ties—a move that prompted the Bangladesh government to bar the national team from playing in India. Read more: T20 World Cup: PCB suspends preparations, Pakistan signals Support for Bangladesh

The death toll from a major fire at a shopping plaza in Karachi climbed to 23 on Monday as rescue teams pulled more bodies from the heavily damaged structure, police said, while dozens of people are still unaccounted for. The blaze, which broke out on Sunday, was brought under control late that night—almost 24 hours later—allowing rescuers to begin searching inside the multistory building. City police chief Asad Raza said authorities are concerned the number of fatalities could increase as efforts continue to locate 46 missing individuals. Speaking to The Associated Press, Raza said only six victims have been identified so far. Police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed said most of the bodies were badly burned and unrecognizable, making DNA testing necessary. Doctors are collecting DNA samples from relatives of those reported missing. Local media outlets have reported that at least 26 people may have died in the incident. Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah told reporters that search operations were ongoing for both survivors and victims. He confirmed that a firefighter was among those killed and announced that the provincial government would provide compensation of 10 million rupees ($36,000) to each bereaved family. Read More: At least 25 injured in fireworks storage blast in Karachi Rescue workers continued operating into the night, facing difficulties accessing certain parts of the unstable building where some people were believed to be trapped after losing contact with their families. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said operations would continue until everyone missing was located. According to Karachi’s chief rescue officer, Dr. Abid Jalal Sheikh, the fire spread rapidly because many shops stored flammable items such as cosmetics, clothing and plastic materials. Outside the charred plaza, anxious relatives gathered on Monday, waiting for updates. Qaiser Ali said his wife, daughter-in-law and sister had gone shopping for an upcoming wedding when the fire broke out. He said he was in contact with them by phone on Sunday before communication suddenly stopped. Read More: Death toll rises to 10 in Karachi shopping plaza fire “I don’t know what has happened to them or if they are still alive,” Ali said, adding that the family continued to pray for the safe return of all those missing. Another survivor, Saifur Rehman, said he managed to escape the building when the fire started, but his brother Mohammad Abrar, who owns a shop in the plaza, remained inside. Rehman said he feared the worst. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and police have launched an investigation. Karachi, the capital of Sindh province, has experienced several deadly fires in the past, often linked to weak safety regulations and illegal construction. In November 2023, a shopping mall fire in the city killed 10 people and injured 22. An even deadlier incident occurred in 2012, when a garment factory fire claimed 260 lives.

The death toll from a devastating fire at a shopping plaza in Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, rose to at least 23 on Monday as rescue teams recovered more bodies from the severely damaged building, police said, while dozens of people remain unaccounted for. Firefighters brought the blaze under control late Sunday, nearly 24 hours after it broke out at the multistory plaza, allowing rescuers to begin searching inside. Authorities warned that the number of fatalities could increase as efforts continue to locate 46 missing people, according to Karachi Police Chief Asad Raza. Raza told The Associated Press that only six of the recovered bodies have been identified so far. Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Sye said the remaining bodies were badly charred and beyond recognition, making DNA testing necessary for identification. Read More: Death toll rises to 10 in Karachi shopping plaza fire Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said rescue teams were continuing operations to find survivors and recover bodies. He confirmed that a firefighter was among those killed and announced that the provincial government would provide compensation of 10 million rupees (about $36,000) to the family of each victim. Karachi’s Chief Rescue Officer Dr Abid Jalal Sheikh said the fire spread rapidly through shops storing highly flammable materials, including cosmetics, garments and plastic products. Relatives of the missing gathered outside the gutted building on Monday, anxiously awaiting information. Qaiser Ali said his daughter, daughter-in-law and sister were inside the plaza when the fire broke out on Saturday. He said he remained in contact with them by phone until Sunday, after which communication ceased. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Police said an investigation is underway.

While headlines over the weekend suggested a sudden shift in the venue drama of Bangladesh’s matches in the upcoming T20 World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) recent overture regarding Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches is more of a strategic contingency than a confirmed relocation plan. Contrary to rumors of an immediate venue swap, PCB sources clarified that Pakistan is positioning itself as a “Plan B.” The offer to host the Liton Das-led side is specifically on the table as an alternative “if Sri Lankan venues are unavailable”, as Pakistani media reported.  Pakistan’s venues are described as “ready and fully equipped,” with the board leveraging its recent experience hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 to showcase operational readiness. This offer arrives at a critical juncture in the deepening rift between the BCB and BCCI. Read More: Women’s World Cup Cricket: Bangladesh to start gearing up from Thursday The standoff began with the abrupt removal of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad— which Bangladesh’s Information Ministry termed “illogical” before banning the IPL broadcast in protest. Since then, the situation has hardened into a matter of principle. Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul has explicitly stated that the team will not compromise on “national honor” or security by traveling to India. Under the original schedule, Bangladesh was set to play three group matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. By offering its stadiums, the PCB is attempting to capitalize on the “strained relations” between its neighbors, presenting Lahore or Karachi as viable neutral grounds. Ultimately, while Pakistan has signaled it can host the games, the final decision remains with the ICC, which must now weigh this new option against the BCB's primary preference for Sri Lanka. According to the latest development, a decision may arrive on Monday from the ICC.

Pakistan Navy ship ‘PNS Saif’ (FFG-253) arrived at Chittagong Port on Saturday (8th November 2025) on a four-day goodwill visit to Bangladesh, as both countries seem to rebuild ties after decades of cold relations. Chief Staff Officer of Commander Chattogram Naval Area received the vessel on behalf of the Commander, Chattogram Naval Area. A well-decorated naval band of the Bangladesh Navy performed ceremonial tunes in keeping with naval tradition. Officials from the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka and senior officers of the Bangladesh Navy were also present to welcome the visiting ship and its team. Dhaka eyes new horizons in partnership with Kathmandu Earlier, upon entering Bangladesh’s maritime boundary, the ship was welcomed at sea by Bangladesh Navy ship BNS Shadhinota. During the visit, the commanding officer of ‘PNS Saif’ and other members of the delegation are scheduled to pay courtesy calls on Commander Chattogram Naval Area, Commander BN Fleet, and Area Superintendent Dockyard. Officers, sailors, and trainees from the visiting ship will also visit various historic and tourist sites, naval ships and establishments in Chattogram. In turn, officers and sailors of the Bangladesh Navy will visit PNS Saif. The ship is scheduled to depart Bangladesh on November 12, 2025. Read more: Pakistan keen to deepen cooperation with Bangladesh: Visiting CJCSC

Putting an end to all speculation, the highly popular subcontinental 'Jal The Band' is once again coming to Bangladesh to rock the Dhaka stage. The year's best open-air musical event, the 'Sound of Soul' concert, will be held on November 28, 2025, at the 'Shodesh Arena' grounds near Dhaka's 300 Feet Road. Sharing the stage with Jal will be the pioneer of the country's rock music, Warfaze, and the popular contemporary band, Level Five. Read more: Top Pakistani Dramas in 2025 Showcasing Strong Female Leads The organizers promise this will be the biggest and most musically rich open-air concert of the season. Attendees will experience Jal's emotional melodies and live performance, along with the electrifying rock performances of Warfaze and Level Five. After a long one-year hiatus, 'Stage Co.' is primarily responsible for organizing this international-standard concert for music lovers. Interested audience members can purchase tickets online by visiting the link: getsetrock.com/buy-ticket/sound-of-soul-2km

Visiting Chairman of Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza has expressed his country’s willingness to deepen cooperation with Bangladesh across various sectors, highlighting the untapped potential for enhancing trade, connectivity and investment between the two nations. "Our two countries will support each other,” General Mirza said, adding that a two-way shipping route between Karachi and Chittagong has already begun operations, while a Dhaka–Karachi air route is expected to open within months. He paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna late Saturday. During the meeting, they discussed a wide range of issues concerning Bangladesh–Pakistan relations, including the growing importance of bilateral trade, investment and defence cooperation. First US wheat shipment arrives at Ctg port Both sides also underscored the need for deescalating tensions in the Middle East and Europe, said the Chief Adviser's press wing on Sunday. They exchanged views on the growing challenge of misinformation and the misuse of social media by non-state actors to undermine peace and stability across various regions. “Fake news and disinformation have flooded social media. It is being used to sow chaos. There must be a concerted global effort to combat this menace,” the Chief Adviser said. National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Senior Secretary and SDGs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, and Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider were present during the meeting.  

Afghanistan and Pakistan, which have been engaged in over a week of fierce border clashes that left dozens dead and hundreds wounded, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday. It marks the worst confrontation between the two neighbours in years. According to a Qatari statement, both sides also agreed to form mechanisms to promote lasting peace and stability and will hold follow-up talks in the coming days to ensure the truce endures. The negotiations were mediated by Qatar and Turkey. Tensions flared earlier this month, with each country accusing the other of cross-border aggression. Afghanistan has rejected Pakistan’s claim that it shelters militants who stage attacks along the frontier. Pakistan has been facing a growing wave of militancy since 2021, when the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan. The recent fighting raised fears of further instability in a region where extremist groups such as the Islamic State and al-Qaida have been attempting to reemerge. A temporary 48-hour ceasefire expired Friday evening, and hours later Pakistan launched strikes across the border. Afghan, Pakistani officials meet in Doha to address border violence Pakistani security officials told the Associated Press that the military targeted militant hideouts in two districts of Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province, identifying them as bases of the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group. The strikes were described as retaliation for a suicide bombing at a security compound in Mir Ali, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the day before. Officials said the air raids killed dozens of militants without civilian casualties. However, Afghan authorities reported at least 10 civilian deaths, including women, children, and several young cricketers who had been playing nearby. In response, Afghanistan’s cricket board announced a boycott of its upcoming series in Pakistan. The International Cricket Council said it was “saddened and appalled by the tragic deaths of three young and promising Afghan players.” Thousands of people attended funeral prayers for the victims in Paktika on Saturday, where clerics denounced the attacks over loudspeakers. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned what he called Pakistan’s “repeated crimes and violations of Afghanistan’s sovereignty,” describing them as deliberate provocations aimed at prolonging hostilities. The two nations share a 2,611-kilometer (1,622-mile) frontier known as the Durand Line, which Afghanistan has never officially recognized. Pakistan, meanwhile, has accused India of supporting armed groups inside its territory — a charge New Delhi denies. Afghan police accuse Pakistan of cross-border strikes after ceasefire ends Addressing cadets at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir urged Afghanistan to choose “mutual security over perpetual violence and progress over hardline obscurantism,” while calling on the Taliban to rein in militants operating from Afghan soil. High-level delegations from both countries took part in the Doha negotiations that led to Sunday’s ceasefire announcement. Source: AP 

India walk into the Asia Cup final with two convincing wins over Pakistan already in the bag. Pakistan managed a ticket for the final with something rarer: momentum salvaged when things looked shaky. Strip away the noise about handshakes, hearings and history, and tonight looks like a test of temperament — how each side copes with the first six overs and just as crucially, the last five. Start with the Powerplay: India have often sprinted to 50 inside five overs, with opening batter Abhishek Sharma throwing punches early and Shubman Gill timing his strokes. That cushion has spared a middle order that hasn’t always been fluent. Pakistan know the calculation: If Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf don’t crack India’s top two in the first 18 balls, they’re left chasing angles for the next dozen overs. Shaheen looks closer to his old self — tailing the ball in, hitting the deck hard, and finding wickets in the first over. Rauf, sometimes criticised in the longer format, is better suited to T20 bursts: one over in the Powerplay, another around the 12th, just to jolt rhythm. If Pakistan can take out one opener and push Suryakumar Yadav’s entry into the spinners’ stretch, they tilt the tempo their way. ICC warns Indian cricketer Suryakumar to steer clear of politics after Pakistan complaint Flip it around, and India’s start with Jasprit Bumrah is all about control. He doesn’t always blast doors open; more often he keeps them locked. His 18-for-2 the other night showed how quickly he can put a chase on hold. That sets up the Kuldeep–Varun combination to operate without chasing wickets. Dot balls early, and Pakistan’s middle order is forced to gamble against turn. The closing overs bring a different kind of strain. India have generally finished better — either because they’re ahead by the 15th over, or by nailing their yorker-and-slower-ball routines. When they slip, it’s often around the 17th, when a chase suddenly breathes again. Pakistan have lived the reverse: scraping to par scores, then defending them by clamping the final five overs. Shaheen tends to return clear-eyed, Rauf unleashes the bouncer, and a third option — maybe Abrar or a seamer — cleans up the margins. Selection calls feed into that temperament test. India are likely to bring back Bumrah and Shivam Dube after a rest. Dube didn’t click in his last tactical move but still offers a seam option and reach at the finish. Pakistan, settled for three games now, look likely to stick. Captain Salman Agha put it plainly: don’t muzzle the quicks — let them impose themselves, as long as they don’t cross the line. And then there are the small things that finals often swing on: a relay throw cut off cleanly, a sharp take at 130 kph, running the first hard to stretch singles into twos. Bangladesh crash out after batting collapse hands Pakistan Asia Cup final spot India’s fielding against Bangladesh was patchy; they can’t afford repeats. Pakistan’s calling has been jittery; one misjudged single in Dubai can flip momentum. Yes, match-ups matter — Abhishek vs Shaheen, Kuldeep vs Fakhar, Abrar vs Tilak. But finals tend to punish panic and reward clarity. The side that breathes through the Powerplay and keeps its nerve in the last five overs will be the one lifting the cup.