Latest news with #Mir
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress took stand in J&K that it will not join cabinet till statehood is restored: Digvijaya Singh
NEW DELHI: The Congress has taken a stand in Jammu and Kashmir that it will not join the cabinet until statehood is restored there, Rajya Sabha MP said on Wednesday. The party also vowed to intensify its movement demanding restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Congress claimed that even though elections have taken place in Jammu and Kashmir, the elected government has no power, with the lieutenant governor given all kinds of authority. Singh said there is a coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir but the Congress has decided not to join the cabinet until statehood is restored there. "Today, the situation is so bad that the chief minister in Jammu and Kashmir is stopped by police and no government file can move forward without the approval of the LG. In such a scenario, it is very important for Jammu and Kashmir to be granted statehood to fulfil the promises made to the public," Singh said at a press conference here, along with Congress legislature party leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir and AICC general secretary in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir Naseer Hussain. Mir said Prime Minister Narendra Modi called a meeting of the representatives of all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir in June 2021 and suggested delimitation, election and then restoration of statehood -- in that order. He said although most of the political representatives had demanded the restoration of statehood before the assembly polls in the Union territory, PM Modi had insisted on delimitation, followed by the election and then statehood. While the delimitation exercise has been completed, the election has been held and an elected government is in place for 11 months now, the BJP-led Centre is yet to fulfil its promise of restoring statehood, Mir said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He said since day one -- August 5, 2019 -- the Congress has maintained that statehood must be restored in Jammu and Kashmir. Besides, he said, while wrapping up his 4,000-km Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar, Rahul Gandhi, along with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, had also committed that the party will ensure the restoration of statehood. Hussain pointed out that it is unprecedented that the powers of elected representatives are with unelected people like the LG. He said once the powers are restored to the elected government, only then will the people of Jammu and Kashmir come to know what sort of "scams" took place during the regime of unelected people. The Centre abrogated the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution, which had given special powers to Jammu and Kashmir, on August 5, 2019 and bifurcated the erstwhile state into Union territories.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Pakistan Cricket Board could face severe hit in revenue if Asia Cup is cancelled
ANI The Pakistan cricket team The Asia Cup hangs in uncertainty as tension escalated between India and Pakistan following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that took the lives of 26 civilians. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could face a severe hit in its revenue if the tournament stands cancelled. The fresh concerns rise following Indian players' withdrawal from the India vs Pakistan clash in the World Champions League on Sunday. The PCB is expecting to earn approximately PKR 880 crore this year from its share of revenue from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), PTI reported citing Board sources. According to PTI sources, the PCB is expecting $25.9 million (approximately PKR 770 crore) in this fiscal year from its share from the ICC. Further, the board is hopeful of earning PKR 116 crore from the Asia Cup and PKR 77 lakh through other international cricket events."The revenues from these two major sources (ICC and Asia Cup) is very important for the financial health of Pakistan cricket," an insider told PTI. The uncertainty over Asia Cup has increased as PCB and ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi did not travel to Singapore for the ICC meetings last weekend. He took part in the meeting virtually. According to the insider, PCB CEO Sumair Ahmed, who was present in the ICC meeting "didn't get positive responses" from either the BCCI or the boards of Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan over attending the ACC meeting called on July 24 in Dhaka to finalise the Asia Cup arrangements."The PCB met with plenty of resistance to the ACC scheduling the meeting in Dhaka. India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Oman and few other associate member boards were adamant about not travelling to Dhaka," the source said. This year, India is scheduled to host the Asia Cup in September but due to the existing situation, the chances of the regional event being moved to UAE are claimed to have earned about $10 million (PKR 300 crore) from the Champions Trophy held in February and March this year. PCB spokesperson, Aamir Mir and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Javed Murtaza quashed the rumours about the board facing losses by hosting the ODI tournament and spending enormous amounts on upgrading stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi for the event.'All expenses for the tournament were covered by the ICC,' Mir said adding that the PCB generated revenue through gate money and ticket sales. 'Additionally, after the audit, we expect to receive another Rs 3 billion from the ICC,' he further claimed that PCB had initially targeted PKR 200 crore in earnings from the Champions Trophy, but they surpassed this also claimed that the board's total revenue for the 2023-24 fiscal year reached PKR 1,000 crore, which was a 40% increase from the previous year.'With this financial strength, PCB now ranks among the top three richest cricket boards in the world,' Mir add to PCB's financial woes, an audit report found financial irregularities to the tune of more than PKR 6 billion ($21 million) and governance issues dating back two years. The Auditor General of Pakistan's report for the 2023-24 financial year was published in The News and highlighted the non-recovery of outstanding sponsorship worth PKR 530 crore ($18.6 million) as the major discrepancy report also questioned the PKR 6.33 core ($220,000) the board spent on meals for police and law enforcement personnel assigned for the security of foreign teams during international matches in auditors said providing security was the responsibility of governments, and disagreed with the PCB's explanation that visiting international teams were given extra safety guarantees that required heavy police audit report also flagged the hiring of three junior regional coaches who didn't meet the eligibility criteria and the appointment of a media director outside the proper paid to cover utility charges, fuel and accommodation for the PCB chairman between February and June of last year was also highlighted as unauthorized because Navqi received that as part of his government auditors rejected the cricket board's response that the PCB chairman "is authorized for utility expense as per bylaws".
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
PCB responds to Sana Mir's remarks on Pakistan women's cricket team scheduling
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has addressed former women's cricket captain Sana Mir's recent remarks on social media, calling her statements "factually inaccurate" and urging her to verify information before sharing it publicly. Mir raised concerns about the timing of Pakistan's domestic 50-over tournament, questioning its value after the World Cup, when the team would only play three ODIs in the build-up. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), she criticised the scheduling and urged for "constructive criticism" rather than praising inefficiency. So you are ruling out Pakistan to go past group stage before the start of their campaign? What's the point of 50 over National Championship after the WC when you are only playing 3 ODI in the build up? Important to do constructive criticism for the betterment of the country… — Sana Mir ثناء میر (@mir_sana05) July 18, 2025 A senior official from the PCB Women's Wing clarified that the National Women's One-Day Tournament, which is part of the 2025-26 domestic calendar, marks the beginning of the new season for Pakistan's women cricketers. The official dismissed Mir's remarks as "hasty" and explained that the one-day cycle will conclude with the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka. The PCB stressed that player welfare is a priority, detailing an intensive programme from July to November 2025, which includes two training camps, an away T20I series, a home ODI series, and the World Cup. PCB clarifies misleading social media post by @mir_sana05 Read more⤵️ — PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) July 18, 2025 Refuting Mir's claim, the PCB official confirmed that the National Women's One-Day Tournament would run from November 10 to 23, 2025, in Karachi, starting after the World Cup finishes. Preparations for the World Cup are already underway with a 25-day skills and fitness camp, including 50-over practice games. The board also noted that Pakistan remained unbeaten in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier in April and participated in the National Women's T20 Tournament in May. In response to the PCB, Mir again posted on X, clarifying her earlier comments. With due respect, the womens cricket calendar presented on the PCB social media handle shows the overlap, which in reality is not the case, hence causing the confusion. Moving on, I'll definitely verify my facts from reliable sources and social media publications.@TheRealPCB — Sana Mir ثناء میر (@mir_sana05) July 18, 2025
Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
On Russia-India trade, the West's predictable hypocrisy
As murmurs grow in Washington and Brussels about targeting India with secondary sanctions for its purchase of discounted Russian oil, one thing becomes clear: The West is at risk of missing the forest for the trees. Yes, India buys Russian crude. But here's the inconvenient truth: Much of that oil is not for Indian consumption — it's being refined in India and then sold to Europe and the United States as diesel, jet fuel, and other products. In effect, the West is punishing India for solving a problem the West created — its own energy dependence on cheap Russian hydrocarbons, even after 2022. The Netherlands is the largest buyer, using the Rotterdam port as a major hub to redistribute Indian-refined diesel across Germany, France, and Belgium. Italy follows, importing significant quantities of diesel and jet fuel, often directly from Reliance and Nayara refineries. Greece and Spain also rank high, sourcing diesel and other middle distillates. Turkey, while technically straddling Europe and Asia, imports both for domestic use and re-export. Notably, the United States purchases Indian-refined jet fuel, diesel, and fuel oil, particularly for the Gulf Coast and East Coast markets. Other buyers include South Africa, Brazil, and Singapore. This hypocrisy does not go unnoticed. Worse, it threatens to drive away one of the most critical swing powers in the new global order, at a time when countering authoritarian aggression requires alignment, not alienation. Let's be clear: India did not invade Ukraine. Russia did. But trying to shift the costs of that war onto New Delhi is not only morally lazy — it's strategically self-defeating. India's increased imports of Russian crude are a result of cold economics, not ideological alignment. It buys deeply discounted oil, refines it efficiently, and resells it into global markets. This arbitrage has not only stabilised global energy prices but helped prevent runaway inflation in Europe and beyond. Moreover, oil revenues to Russia are already capped by the G7's own price mechanisms. To now sanction Indian banks, insurers, or energy traders for legally operating in this framework would signal a Western double standard: When it suits us, trade with Russia is tolerable; when others do it, it's punishable. This isn't diplomacy — it's coercion dressed up as morality. Want to help Ukraine? Go after Russia's real lifelines Cripple the Russian defense-industrial complex: Sanction third-party suppliers in China, the Gulf, and Central Asia who help Russia procure semiconductors, drones, and dual-use goods. Disrupt the military supply chain — not just the fuel tank. Cut off Russian payment systems: Crack down on Mir card networks, shadow banking through the UAE, and crypto-based circumvention routes. Russia's economy floats not just on oil, but on loopholes. Support energy transition, not energy tantrums: Instead of blaming India for refining Russian oil, invest in India's clean energy infrastructure. That's how you reduce global dependence on petro-states like Russia in the long run. India is a democracy. It's not perfect. No country is. But it is a pluralistic, rules-based society that is managing poverty, population, and polarisation at a scale unprecedented in human history. Pushing it toward an economic or diplomatic corner will not bring it closer to the West — it will push it toward strategic neutrality, or worse, estrangement. Ukraine's survival depends on strategic clarity, not performative pressure. Sanctioning India may score headlines, but will do little to hurt Putin. A smarter coalition would align on real choke points: Arms, tech, finance. Additionally, the West should give Ukraine the edge it needs through capabilities that cripple Russia's logistics and infrastructure. It should isolate Russia diplomatically by engaging swing states like Brazil, India, Indonesia, and South Africa with economic and climate partnerships that make alignment with Moscow costlier. This is how you defang Russia — not by punishing energy middlemen. Let's stop the reflexive finger-pointing and start asking the harder question: What will actually change Putin's calculus? Not more Western outrage — but a tighter, targeted strategy that unites rather than divides. India should be a partner in that effort — not its scapegoat. The writer serves as the Global Goodwill Ambassador for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office
India Gazette
11-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Conspiracy to prevent crores of voters from voting": Ghulam Ahmad Mir on SIR exercise in Bihar
Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 11 (ANI): Targeting the Election Commission over voter list revision exercise in Bihar, All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Friday alleged a conspiracy to prevent crores of citizens from practising their right to vote. He said that no 'poor person or labourer' can complete the formalities that the EC demands in such a short time. 'Just before the upcoming assembly elections, the Election Commission's proactive approach demands documentation that cannot be completed in such a short time in a democratic country. No poor person or labourer can complete the formalities. This suggests there must be a conspiracy through the EC to prevent crores of voters from voting,' Mir told ANI. However, he welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to consider Aadhar, EPIC and Ration cards as Identification proof amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. 'The Supreme Court took a thankful step yesterday. SC asked the Election Commission to consider voter ID, Aadhar Card and Ration Card,' he added. Mir questioned the relevance of the SIR drive in Bihar, saying, 'Another question is that a year ago, people voted in the Lok Sabha through this procedure, forming governments, and the current government secured 30-35 seats from Bihar. If those votes were valid, then why consider invalidating them now after 8-9 months? SC has given guidance on this, which I believe should be adopted for the EC's better functioning.' On Thursday, the Supreme Court allowed the Election Commission to continue with its exercise of conducting a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar. A bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi did not stay the SIR process but asked the ECI to consider allowing Aadhaar, ration cards, and electoral photo identity cards as admissible documents to prove voter identity during the SIR of electoral rolls being undertaken in Bihar. 'We are of the prima facie opinion that in the interest of justice, the Election Commission will also include documents like Aadhaar, Ration Card, Voter ID card, etc. It is for the ECI to decide whether it wants to accept the documents or not, and if it does not, then provide reasons for its decision, which shall be sufficient to satisfy the petitioners. Meanwhile, petitioners are not pressing for an interim stay,' the bench stated in its order. In its order, the top court noted that the timeline for the process is very short since elections in Bihar are due in November. The apex court posted for hearing on July 28 the pleas challenging ECI's move to conduct SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar and asked the poll panel to file its affidavit within one week. During the hearing, the bench opined that Aadhaar should be included within the list of documents permissible as an ID proof. The apex court was hearing a batch of pleas challenging the Election Commission of India's move to conduct the SIR of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar. The petitions challenging the ECI decision were filed by RJD MP Manoj Jha, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), PUCL, activist Yogendra Yadav, Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra, and former Bihar MLA Mujahid Alam. The petitions sought a direction to quash the ECI's June 24 directive, which requires large sections of voters in Bihar to submit proof of citizenship to remain on the electoral rolls. The petition also raised concerns over the exclusion of widely held documents like Aadhaar and ration cards, stating that this would disproportionately affect the poor and marginalised voters, especially in rural Bihar. (ANI)
