Latest news with #IqbalHussain
India Today
01-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Congress rules out leadership change in Karnataka, S Jaishankar slams terrorism at Quad meet
The Congress party in Karnataka is experiencing internal tensions regarding the chief ministership. MLA Iqbal Hussain claims that over 100 of 136 Congress legislators support Deputy CM DK Shivakumar taking over as CM. He alleges that the party high command had agreed to a 2.5-year term each for current CM Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. However, the party's state in-charge Randeep Surjewala has dismissed any talk of leadership change. Siddaramaiah's supporters insist he will complete his full 5-year term until 2028. This situation raises questions about Congress' ability to balance its OBC and Vokkaliga vote bases ahead of future elections. While the party maintains a united front publicly, political analysts suggest underlying differences remain. In other news, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made a strong statement on terrorism at the Quad Foreign Ministers meeting in Washington DC. He emphasized that the world must display zero tolerance towards terrorism and victims should never be equated with perpetrators. Jaishankar asserted India's right to defend its people against terrorism and expects Quad partners to understand this position. His remarks come in the context of recent experiences and amid reports of Pakistan's army chief being hosted at the White House. The minister also mentioned India's plans to host the next Quad Summit and proposals to make it productive. This statement underscores India's consistent stance on terrorism and sends a clear message to Quad partners, especially the United States, on India's expectations regarding counterterrorism efforts.
Express Tribune
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
FIA probes futsal team trafficking scandal
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has opened a formal probe into allegations that members of Pakistan's national futsal team were involved in an organized human smuggling operation. The investigation centers on claims that individuals traveling as players, officials, and support staff used the cover of participation in the 2024 Colombia Futsal Championship to illegally cross into the United States via Mexico. Deputy Director Saadullah Mehsud of the FIA's Anti-Human Trafficking Circle (AHTC) in Peshawar told the Express Tribune that credible evidence has emerged showing several team members exploited the tournament as a pretext to escape abroad. "We have begun collecting detailed evidence in this case," he confirmed. The championship, organized by the International Federation of Futsal (FIFUSA), took place from September 12 to 23, 2024, in Bucaramanga, Colombia, with Pakistan's national team invited to compete. Sources revealed that at least six individuals — Abdullah, Masood Khan, Iqbal Hussain, Wali Muhammad, Haseebullah, and Muhammad Mustafa - all reportedly from District Khyber, traveled as players, technical officials, a media coordinator, and a physiotherapist. These individuals are believed to have crossed illegally into US territory after arriving in Colombia. The number of those involved may be higher, as the official squad reportedly included 21 members. The probe was launched following a complaint by professional futsal player Nematullah, who accused the team's head coach, Muhammad Arshad, of fraud. Nematullah alleged the coach promised him a visa to Brazil in exchange for money, which was neither arranged nor refunded. He further claimed he was unfairly dropped from the Colombia tournament, while non-athletes were included after making substantial payments. FIA investigators also disclosed that two suspects, Iqbal Hussain and Wali Muhammad, reportedly Afghan nationals, obtained Pakistani identity cards and passports illegally to participate in the scheme. Three primary suspects have been identified: the futsal coach at Qayyum Sports Complex Peshawar, a karate and futsal coach from Landi Kotal, and the President of the Pakistan Soccer Futsal Federation. These individuals traveled with the team to Colombia but returned without several of the purported players. The FIA is expanding its inquiry to clarify their role in facilitating the trafficking operation. An insider from the futsal federation claimed each individual paid between Rs3.5 to 4 million to secure Colombian visas, indicating a well-organized and financially motivated smuggling ring operating for months.
