United News of Bangladesh

The personal physician of former Prime Minister Imran Khan said Monday that while a team of doctors has reported an “improvement” in Khan’s eyesight, he is unable to independently verify the claim because authorities have not allowed him access to the jailed নেতা. Dr. Aasim Yusuf made the comments in a video posted on X, a day after eye specialists examined Khan at Adiala prison in Rawalpindi. The examination was conducted following directives from the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Pakistani ex-PM Imran Khan left with 15% eyesight in jail, Supreme Court intervenes Yusuf said prison medical staff informed him by phone on Sunday that Khan’s eye condition had improved and outlined the treatment provided since late January, when the former premier underwent a procedure at a hospital in Islamabad after reporting partial vision loss. He said he would have been “extremely happy” to confirm the reported progress but stressed that he had neither seen Khan nor been involved in his care. “Because I have not examined him personally or spoken to him, I cannot confirm or reject the accuracy of what we have been told,” he said. Yusuf also recommended that any further medical care be carried out at a hospital in Islamabad. Separately, cabinet minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on X that a comprehensive medical checkup was conducted inside Adiala prison and that doctors concluded Khan’s eyesight had improved, with no major complications detected. Former Pakistani PM Imran Khan, wife receive 17-year sentence in graft case Concerns over Khan’s vision arose after the government disclosed he had undergone a minor eye procedure. The Supreme Court subsequently directed his lawyer, Salman Safdar, to meet him in prison. Safdar later told the court that Khan had lost about 85% of vision in his right eye, triggering protests by supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in Islamabad and other cities. Some PTI lawmakers and allies have staged a sit-in outside parliament, demanding that Khan be transferred to a hospital. Khan, 73, has been imprisoned since 2023 after being convicted in a corruption case. He was removed from office in April 2022 through a parliamentary no-confidence vote. The former premier has claimed his ouster was the result of a U.S.-backed conspiracy involving political rivals and the military — allegations denied by Washington, Pakistan’s armed forces and his opponents, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Despite ongoing legal battles, Khan remains a key political figure with significant public support.

India has stormed into the Super Eight stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup with a commanding 61-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The emphatic win guarantees India the top spot in Group A with three consecutive victories, while leaving Pakistan facing a do-or-die scenario in their final group match. Despite the intense buildup, which saw black-market ticket prices soar to four times their face value and hotels in Colombo fully booked, the on-field contest proved to be surprisingly one-sided. The match was attended by top cricket administrators, including ICC Chairman Jay Shah and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, in what was billed as an opportunity for cricket diplomacy. However, the traditional coldness between the neighbors remained visible as the two captains skipped the customary handshake, keeping the rivalry as tense off the field as it is on it. Put into bat on a sluggish surface, India faced an immediate surprise when Pakistan captain Salman Agha opened the bowling himself, dismissing dangerous opener Abhishek Sharma for a duck in the very first over. However, Ishan Kishan seized control of the innings, smashing a blistering 77 off just 40 balls—the fastest fifty in an India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash. Along with Tilak Varma, he stitched a crucial 87-run partnership. Despite Pakistan deploying a record six spinners in an attempt to utilize the slow conditions, India posted a competitive 175 for 7. In reply, Pakistan’s chase never found momentum against a disciplined Indian bowling attack. Jasprit Bumrah struck early, removing openers Saim Ayub and Salman Agha cheaply, leaving Pakistan reeling at 34 for 4 inside the powerplay. Although Usman Khan offered some resistance with a fighting 44, the rest of the lineup crumbled under pressure from Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Hardik Pandya, who claimed two wickets each. Pakistan were eventually bundled out for 114 in 18 overs. The result has simplified the equation for Group A. Pakistan, currently on 4 points, must defeat Namibia on February 18 to join India in the Super Eight. Pakistan ended boycott because Bangladesh’s demands were met: PCB chief A victory would see them progress ahead of the United States—who have finished their group matches with 4 points—due to a superior Net Run Rate. However, a shock defeat to Namibia would eliminate the former champions and send the Americans through to the next round. For other teams, the pressure is mounting in Group B, where Australia faces a critical test against hosts Sri Lanka today. A loss for the Australians would leave them on the brink of elimination, needing other results to go their way, whereas a win for Sri Lanka would secure their progression.

Pakistan secured revenge for its upset loss to the United States two years ago with a 32-run win at the T20 World Cup on Tuesday, while New Zealand openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen set a new record for the highest partnership in the tournament’s history. In Colombo, Pakistan registered its second straight victory in Group A by defeating the U.S., which had stunned it in Texas in 2024. The win comes ahead of Pakistan’s much-anticipated clash with India on Sunday, a match set to proceed after Pakistan withdrew its earlier boycott decision. After being sent in to bat, Pakistan posted 190-9, powered by 73 from opener Sahibzada Farhan and 46 from Babar Azam. Despite fast bowler Shadley van Schalwyk claiming four wickets for the second time in the tournament, Pakistan built a strong total. Babar overcame a slow start, scoring 15 off 18 balls before accelerating to finish at a strike rate of 143.75. Pakistan ended boycott because Bangladesh’s demands were met: PCB chief The U.S. struggled against Pakistan’s spin attack under lights at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Mystery spinner Usman Tariq took 3-27, while Shadab Khan claimed 2-26. Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed also picked up wickets as Pakistan used five spinners effectively. Shubham Ranjane scored 51 off 30 balls and Shayan Jahangir made 49 off 34, but the U.S. failed to build momentum. Tariq’s unusual bowling action troubled batters as he dismissed Harmeet Singh and Mohsin Ali off consecutive deliveries. The U.S. finished short, handing Pakistan a comfortable win. Meanwhile in Chennai, New Zealand cruised to a 10-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates after Seifert and Allen shared an unbeaten 175-run opening stand, the highest partnership for any wicket in men’s T20 World Cup history. Seifert struck 89 not out off 42 balls, following up his earlier half-century against Afghanistan. Allen remained unbeaten on 84 from 50 deliveries. New Zealand chased down UAE’s 173-6 in just 15.2 overs, reaching 175-0 for its second successive win in Group D. Earlier, UAE captain Muhammad Waseem made 66 not out off 45 balls and Alishan Sharafu added 55 as the team posted a competitive total. However, New Zealand’s aggressive start, including 78 runs in the power play, put the game beyond UAE’s reach. Seifert hit 12 fours and three sixes, including the winning shot, while Allen contributed five fours and five sixes. The previous tournament record of 170 runs was set by England’s Alex Hales and Jos Buttler against India in 2022. In New Delhi, Bas de Leede delivered an all-round performance to guide the Netherlands to a seven-wicket win over Namibia in Group A. De Leede took 2-20 as Namibia scored 156-8. He then scored an unbeaten 72 off 48 balls, hitting four sixes and five boundaries, to help the Dutch reach 159-3 in 18 overs and secure their first victory of the tournament.

The producer also remarked, “After Sholay, I can’t recall another film that has achieved this level of success.” Starring Ranveer Singh in the lead, Dhurandhar released in theatres on December 5, 2025, and went on to dominate the box office, shattering several records. The film’s producer, Jyoti Deshpande, has now shared her thoughts on its extraordinary performance. What the Dhurandhar producer said In an interview with Fortune India, Jyoti Deshpande said, “This isn’t just a victory for the makers; it equally belongs to the audience. It has been many decades since a film has captured the collective imagination of moviegoers like this. People turned it into a blockbuster by watching it repeatedly and spreading the word. The film has been running in theatres for over 60 days.” Drawing parallels with the legendary Sholay, she added, “After Sholay, I can’t think of any film that has been this successful. As filmmakers, there is no greater recognition than this. It’s not something you can plan or buy with marketing budgets—money alone can’t create this kind of impact.” Talking about Dhurandhar 2, scheduled for a March 19 theatrical release, she said, “If the first part hadn’t worked, the sequel would have remained shelved. But we were confident the first film would succeed, and we put that belief out into the world. We’re thrilled that audiences embraced it.” She further shared, “We truly believe Dhurandhar 2 will surpass the first film. It will be released in five languages.” Music rights of "Dhurandhar 2" shift from Saregama to T-Series Reflecting on the film’s unprecedented reach, Jyoti noted, “The success of Dhurandhar 1 in just one language has been extraordinary. It has outperformed South Indian films, and even for the Hindi version, the contribution from southern states is three times higher than that of another successful Hindi film. It is also the most-watched film in Pakistan. Several respected industry figures have told me that there’s a ‘before Dhurandhar’ and an ‘after Dhurandhar’—that we’ve changed the grammar of storytelling.” Meanwhile, the recently released teaser of Dhurandhar 2 has sparked massive excitement among cinema audiences. NDTV source

An affiliate of the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a deadly suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque on the outskirts of Pakistan’s capital that killed at least 31 people and injured 169 others. The claim was made overnight by Islamic State in Pakistan through a statement on its Amaq News Agency. Authorities said the bomber has been identified, his facilitators traced and the alleged mastermind arrested. According to the claim, the attacker opened fire on security guards at the mosque’s main gate before detonating his explosive vest inside the mosque compound. The group again described Pakistan’s Shiite community as a target, using sectarian language to justify the attack. Saturday, heavy security was deployed as funerals were held at the same mosque for several victims. More than 2,000 mourners attended, including Shiite leaders and senior government officials. Other victims were buried in their home towns. The attack was the deadliest in Islamabad since the 2008 suicide bombing at the Marriott Hotel. It comes amid a sharp rise in militant violence across Pakistan. Authorities said the attacker was a Pakistani national who had recently traveled to Afghanistan. Several suspects, including close relatives of the bomber, were arrested during overnight raids in Islamabad and northwestern Pakistan. A police officer was killed during one of the operations. State-run Pakistan Television reported the arrest of an alleged Afghan national linked to Islamic State, who is suspected of planning the attack. It said the bombing was coordinated from Afghanistan. Kabul has not commented on the claim. Islamic State, a Sunni militant group, has repeatedly targeted Pakistan’s Shiite minority in past attacks aimed at fueling sectarian tensions. In 2022, the group claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in Peshawar that killed dozens. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif said the attack showed that militants based in Afghanistan could strike even in the capital. His comments were strongly rejected by Afghanistan’s Taliban government, which condemned the attack but accused Pakistan of making irresponsible claims. Kabul has consistently denied sheltering militants. The bombing drew condemnation from the United States, Russia and the European Union. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked the international community for messages of support and said those responsible would be brought to justice. He stressed that global cooperation remains vital for Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts. Although Islamabad has seen fewer attacks than other parts of the country, Pakistan has recently faced growing militant violence, much of it linked to separatist groups and the Pakistani Taliban, which is allied with Afghanistan’s Taliban.

An affiliate of the Islamic State group said overnight it was behind a deadly suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque on the outskirts of Pakistan’s capital, which killed 31 people and injured 169 others. On Saturday, mourners gathered at the same mosque under heavy security to attend funeral prayers for the victims. The regional affiliate of the Islamic State, identifying itself as Islamic State in Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement released through its Amaq News Agency. According to the group, the bomber opened fire on security personnel who attempted to stop him at the main entrance before detonating his explosive vest near the mosque’s inner gate. The group described Pakistan’s Shiite population as a legitimate target, using inflammatory language to justify attacks by alleging they support Shiite militias fighting Islamic State in Syria. Friday’s bombing marked the deadliest attack in Islamabad since the 2008 suicide blast at the Marriott Hotel that killed 63 people. In November, another suicide attack outside a court in the capital left 12 people dead. Read More: 145 'Indian-backed terrorists' killed in Balochistan, says Pakistan The assault comes amid a surge in militant violence across Pakistan that has posed a major challenge for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government. Authorities said the attacker was a Pakistani national who had recently traveled to Afghanistan. Several relatives, including his brother and mother, were arrested during overnight raids in Islamabad and northwestern Pakistan, during which a police officer was killed. More than 2,000 mourners attended funeral prayers at the mosque, joined by senior officials and Shiite community leaders. Other victims were buried in their hometowns. The attack drew condemnation from Afghanistan’s Taliban government and the international community, including the United States, Russia and the European Union. Prime Minister Sharif thanked countries worldwide for their support and vowed those responsible would be brought to justice.

At least 31 people were killed and 169 others injured in an explosion at a Shia mosque in the Tarlai Kalan area of Islamabad during Friday prayers, officials said. Islamabad’s deputy commissioner Irfan Memon confirmed the casualty figures, adding that emergency measures have been imposed at major hospitals in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Security forces cordoned off the site as investigators gathered evidence from the scene. Police indicated that the blast was carried out by a suicide bomber who detonated explosives after being stopped at the mosque entrance. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire as two attackers approached the mosque, with a brief exchange between mosque guards and the assailants before the explosion. One attacker was reportedly hit by gunfire before detonating his vest. Eyewitnesses described chaos at the scene, with injured worshippers lying across the mosque compound and locals rushing victims to hospitals. Mosque caretaker Syed Ashfaq said, “Bodies were lying everywhere, some missing arms or legs. We transported the most critically injured in our own vehicles.” The Pakistani president, Asif Ali Zardari, condemned the attack, calling it “a crime against humanity” and expressing solidarity with the victims’ families. In response to the attack, 25 ambulances were dispatched to Islamabad, and all hospitals across Rawalpindi District were placed on high alert, with specialist surgical teams on standby, according to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The blast occurred amid ongoing discussions of a potential military operation in Pakistan’s Tirah Valley along the Afghan border, though the government has not officially confirmed the operation. Relations with the Afghan Taliban have been tense, and Pakistan recently reported returning over one million Afghan nationals across the border in the past year. Last year saw a sharp rise in militant-related deaths across Pakistan, with militants accounting for more than half of the fatalities, according to an independent think tank report. The attack in Islamabad follows a series of high-profile militant incidents, including a suicide attack in November last year at district courts that killed 12 people, and coordinated assaults in Balochistan in which security forces said they killed more than 200 militants. Authorities are continuing the investigation into the cause and perpetrators of Friday’s blast.   With inputs from BBC

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has cautioned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that it could face legal action from the T20 World Cup’s official broadcasters, JioStar, over Pakistan’s decision to boycott its February 15 match against India, a PCB source said on Tuesday. Pakistan decided not to play the high-profile match in Colombo following instructions from its government, but the PCB has yet to formally convey the reasons for the boycott to the ICC. According to a PTI report, the ICC is considering withholding Pakistan’s entire annual revenue share, estimated at around USD 35 million, and using that amount to compensate the broadcasters. A PCB source said chairman Mohsin Naqvi had consulted the board’s legal team before briefing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the matter last week, but the board is now preparing for serious repercussions. “If Pakistan does not back down and play against India, they could face heavy financial penalties, a possible lawsuit from broadcasters, and even an appeal to the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee is unlikely to succeed,” the source told PTI. Prove you are fair: Pakistan legend Afridi tells ICC supporting Pakistan’s boycott The ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee is an internal body that does not entertain appeals against decisions taken by the ICC Board itself. Another PCB source pointed out that Pakistan’s position could be further weakened because the team is already playing all its matches at a neutral venue in Sri Lanka, a condition it had sought instead of playing in India. The source also noted that while the Indian government has not allowed its team to tour Pakistan, it has not prevented India from playing Pakistan at neutral venues in Asia Cup or ICC tournaments, even after the conflict in May. The PCB has not yet sent a written communication to the ICC, though the boycott is reportedly being viewed as an act of solidarity with Bangladesh following their ouster. India to show up at stadium as Pakistan confirms boycott of Feb 15 clash “When the ICC signed a four-year broadcasting deal for its events, India-Pakistan matches were a key component of that contract, and payments were made accordingly,” the source said. “As a result, the broadcaster would be well within its rights to take both the PCB and the ICC to court over what it sees as a major breach of contract.” #With inputs from NDTV

At least 10 members of Pakistan’s security forces were killed and dozens of insurgents died as armed groups launched nearly a dozen coordinated attacks across the country’s southern Balochistan province early Saturday, targeting prisons, police stations and paramilitary facilities, officials said. Authorities said gunmen armed with firearms and grenades struck multiple high-security sites almost simultaneously, triggering fierce gunbattles. Security forces killed at least 37 attackers while repelling most of the assaults. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the deaths of 10 security personnel in a statement, while praising the response by law enforcement agencies. He said forces came under attack at several locations but managed to eliminate dozens of militants. Naqvi alleged the violence was carried out by Indian-backed “Fitna al-Hindustan,” a term the government uses to describe the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army, or BLA, along with other separatist groups. Shahid Rind, a spokesman for the Balochistan government, said the majority of the attacks were thwarted. The assaults came a day after the military announced that security forces had raided two militant hideouts elsewhere in the southwest this week, killing 41 insurgents in separate operations. Police and government officials said attackers also sabotaged railway tracks, forcing Pakistan Railways to suspend train services linking Balochistan with other parts of the country. Provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar said the attacks began almost at the same time across the province. In Quetta, the provincial capital, two police officers were killed when militants hurled a grenade at a police vehicle. Following the violence, the government declared an emergency at all hospitals. In Mastung district, dozens of insurgents stormed a prison and freed more than 30 inmates, police said. In Nushki district, militants attempted to overrun the provincial headquarters of paramilitary forces, but the attack was repelled. Local officials said attackers also threw grenades at the office of a government administrator in Dalbandin district, though security forces responded swiftly and forced them to retreat. Assaults on security posts in Balincha, Tump and Kharan districts were foiled, while in Pasni and Gwadar, militants attempted to abduct passengers from buses traveling along highways. Kakar blamed the wave of violence on the BLA, which is banned in Pakistan and designated a terrorist organization by the United States. Islamabad has long accused the group of receiving backing from India, a charge New Delhi has denied. Pakistan has also repeatedly said that Baloch separatists, the Pakistani Taliban and other militants operate from Afghan soil to carry out attacks inside the country, an allegation Kabul rejects. Attacks by Baloch separatist groups and the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, have surged in recent months. The TTP is a separate organization but maintains close ties with Afghanistan’s Taliban, who returned to power in August 2021. Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, has for decades been plagued by an insurgency led by separatist groups seeking independence from the central government in Islamabad.

Pakistan’s security forces carried out coordinated raids on two militant hideouts in the country’s southwestern Balochistan province, killing 41 insurgents in separate gunfights, the military said on Friday. According to a military statement, 30 militants were killed during the first operation in Panjgur district, while another 11 died in a second raid in Harnai district. Both operations were conducted on Thursday and no security personnel were reported killed. The military alleged that the slain militants were backed by neighboring India, though it did not provide evidence to support the claim. It said those killed had been involved in a series of attacks on security forces as well as bank robberies in the region. The statement said sanitization operations were continuing in both districts to track down and eliminate any remaining militants. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in separate statements, praised the security forces for what they described as successful counterterrorism operations. Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in militant violence in recent months, which authorities largely attribute to Baloch separatist groups and the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. The TTP is a separate organization but maintains links with Afghanistan’s Taliban, who returned to power in August 2021. Balochistan, which shares a long border with Afghanistan, has for decades faced an insurgency led by separatist groups seeking independence from Pakistan’s central government. The province has also seen attacks by the Pakistani Taliban, the banned Baloch Liberation Army and other militant groups, including the Islamic State group. While officials claim the insurgency has been largely brought under control, violence continues to persist across parts of the province.