Islamabad Post

International Desk

At least 22 armed insurgents were killed during a major counter-terrorism operation conducted by the Pakistan Army in the Shewa area of North Waziristan. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces, officially confirmed the fatalities in a statement released on Tuesday (May 19).

According to the ISPR, the military initiated a targeted ‘sanitization operation’ in the region on May 17 following precise intelligence reports confirming the presence of armed combatants. Over the subsequent 24 hours, security forces cordoned off the designated perimeters. A fierce gunbattle ensued after the trapped insurgents opened fire, resulting in the elimination of 22 combatants. A substantial cache of advanced weaponry, logistics, and ammunition was recovered from the hideouts. The military asserted that the deceased individuals were actively involved in executing high-profile sabotage and insurgent activities across the district.

The army management reiterated that under the broader framework of the ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ initiative, counter-insurgency drives will proceed at full throttle. Security and law enforcement agencies remain determined to neutralize foreign-funded networks operating within the borders. The military also strongly condemned the insurgents’ tactics of intimidating local residents and using civilians as human shields for safe passage.

Cross-border militancy and ambushes targeting security posts in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces have spiked sharply since the Taliban returned to power in neighboring Afghanistan in 2021. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Afghan administration of failing to dismantle safe havens used by militant factions executing cross-border raids. Although both nations agreed to a temporary ceasefire following severe border clashes in October 2025, subsequent diplomatic rounds failed to yield a permanent resolution, prompting Pakistan to launch its new military offensive, ‘Ghazab Lil-Haq’, in February this year.

International Desk

The United States has announced the suspension of its participation in the historic joint continental defense board with Canada, a bilateral security platform active since World War II. Washington cited Ottawa’s failure to meet its defense commitments and regional security obligations adequately as the primary reason for this drastic diplomatic shift. The development was highlighted in an Al Jazeera report on Monday (May 18).

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby confirmed via social media that the Pentagon is halting its involvement in the ‘Permanent Joint Board on Defense.’ He explained that the step was taken to re-evaluate the actual efficacy and mutual strategic benefits of the forum in the current geopolitical climate. Established during the Second World War, the board has long served as a cornerstone for North American security coordination. However, ties between the neighbors have grown increasingly strained following Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency for a second term.

Colby remarked that a strong Canada capable of backing rhetoric with hard military capabilities is beneficial to all allies, but argued that Ottawa has failed to show credible progress on its defense spending pledges. This move underscores the ongoing friction between the Trump administration and traditional Western allies, with the US frequently accusing partner nations of over-relying on American military muscle.

The baseline of the dispute traces back to last year’s NATO summit in The Hague, where member nations agreed to raise their defense spending to 5% of their respective GDPs. Under Prime Minister Mark Carney, Canada had committed to this trajectory, planning to allocate 3.5% toward core military upgrades and the rest for strategic port developments and emergency preparedness. Since taking office, Carney has advocated for reducing Canada’s economic and military dependency on the US, urging middle powers to unite independently to navigate superpower rivalries. This philosophical shift has now culminated in a historic diplomatic and defense decoupling between the two North American giants.

Dhaka : The election of the central committee of the Combined Journalists Council (SSP), an organization representing grassroots journalists in Bangladesh, has been completed. Golam Faruk Majnu was elected President with a landslide victory, while Muhammad Abu Abid was elected General Secretary.

The election was held on May 14 at the National Press Club in Dhaka. According to the Election Commission, journalist representatives from SSP district committees across the country participated in the voting process. Each district committee was represented by two to three delegates.

Newly elected President Golam Faruk Majnu has long been active in the field of journalism as the Editor and Publisher of the daily Biplobi Janata. On the other hand, General Secretary Muhammad Abu Abid is currently serving as Chief Editor (Planning, Online & Current Affairs) at Mohona TV.

Leaders of the organization said the new committee would play a stronger role in protecting journalists’ professional rights, ensuring media freedom, and safeguarding the interests of grassroots journalists. The newly elected leaders also pledged to strengthen the organization as a more effective platform against harassment, repression, and obstacles to freedom of expression faced by journalists across the country.

Besides, Md. Nesar Uddin, Md. Fazle Newaz, and Md. Anwaruzzaman Azad were elected as Vice Presidents; Advocate Hasan Alam Sumon and Md. Habibur Rahman as Joint Secretaries; and Md. Kamrul Islam, Md. Miraj Hossain, and Md. Shahidul Islam as Organizing Secretaries.

Shubhankar Sen Shubho was elected Treasurer, Mim Akter as Office Secretary, Abdul Mannan as International Affairs Secretary, Md. Zakir Hossain as Social Welfare Secretary, Nipa Akter as Women Affairs Secretary, R.K. Ripon as Cultural and Sports Secretary, and Abdullah Al Noman as Publicity and Publication Secretary.

The elected Executive Members are Enayet Hossain Khan Rimon, Shariful Islam, Mokammel Hossain Chowdhury, Ranjan Lod Raju, Suma Rani Karmakar, and Md. Faruk Hossain Bappi.

Following the election, the newly elected President and General Secretary expressed gratitude to all members, representatives, and well-wishers of the organization for their support and trust.

International Desk

The United States and Iran are reportedly nearing a preliminary agreement to halt hostilities and establish a 30-day framework for comprehensive negotiations. According to a report by Axios, a one-page Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been proposed to address key issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, the lifting of US sanctions, and the restoration of maritime safety in the Strait of Hormuz.

Under the proposed terms, Iran may temporarily suspend its uranium enrichment activities and allow enhanced international monitoring in exchange for a phased lifting of economic sanctions and the release of frozen Iranian assets. While both nations have made significant progress, the duration of the enrichment freeze remains a point of contention. Negotiators are currently working toward a 12-to-15-year compromise, bridging the gap between the US’s initial 20-year demand and Iran’s 5-year offer.

US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are spearheading the diplomatic efforts, with potential follow-up meetings slated for Islamabad or Geneva. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the progress, expressing hope for long-term regional stability. However, senior Israeli military officials have expressed skepticism, noting that ensuring total maritime security in the narrow and volatile corridors of the Strait of Hormuz remains a complex logistical challenge for the US.

International Desk

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has asserted that military action cannot resolve the ongoing political crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, warning both the United States and the United Arab Emirates against further escalation. In a statement shared on social media on Tuesday (May 5), Araghchi dismissed the US naval escort initiative, “Project Freedom,” labeling it a strategic deadlock that would only worsen regional instability.

The Iranian Foreign Minister emphasized that while diplomatic talks mediated by Pakistan are showing signs of progress, the US should be cautious not to be lured into a new conflict by regional provocateurs. This warning comes amidst a resurgence of hostilities, with reports of renewed missile and drone exchanges between Iran and the UAE starting Monday. These incidents mark the first significant breach of the ceasefire that was established last month. While UAE air defenses reportedly intercepted several projectiles, a drone strike caused a fire at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, a critical energy hub.

Tensions in the region have been high since late February, leading to the temporary closure of the strategic waterway. Although a ceasefire was brokered in early April through Pakistani mediation, a permanent agreement remains elusive despite an indefinite extension of the truce by US President Donald Trump. The current military build-up and the exchange of threats have raised fresh concerns about the safety of international maritime trade in one of the world’s most vital energy corridors.

International Desk

The United States has officially commenced a new maritime security initiative titled “Project Freedom” to ensure the safe passage of neutral commercial vessels through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Effective from Monday, May 4, American naval assets have been tasked with escorting foreign ships out of the waterway, a move the Trump administration describes as a humanitarian effort to assist vessels currently stranded with dwindling essential supplies.

To facilitate this large-scale operation, the US Central Command has deployed a formidable force, including guided-missile destroyers, approximately 15,000 personnel, and over 100 aircraft. Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of CENTCOM, noted that the mission is focused on maintaining regional security and restoring the freedom of navigation. Despite this new escort protocol, US officials clarified that the existing naval blockade in the region continues to remain operational.

The announcement has met with immediate resistance from Tehran. Iranian security officials have warned that any American naval intervention within the Hormuz waterway constitutes a breach of the standing ceasefire. Ibrahim Azizi of Iran’s National Security Commission dismissed the American plan, asserting that maritime management in the region would not be influenced by unilateral directives from Washington.

This military escalation follows the rejection of Iran’s latest peace proposal by the White House, which deemed the terms insufficient. While the US has presented a revised draft agreement to Tehran, the situation on the water remains volatile. Reports recently surfaced of an unidentified projectile hitting a tanker north of Fujairah, further complicating the security landscape as both nations remain deadlocked over the future of the maritime corridor.

China has reaffirmed its long-standing alliance with Myanmar, pledging comprehensive support for the country’s stability and national revitalization. During a recent high-level meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Myanmar counterpart, Tin Maung Swe, Beijing expressed its readiness to assist Naypyidaw in overcoming its current internal challenges and accelerating economic development.

In the meeting, Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted China’s commitment to maintaining frequent diplomatic exchanges to strengthen mutual trust. He emphasized that China is prepared to deepen practical cooperation, particularly in infrastructure reconstruction and industrial growth. The focus of this strategic partnership is to build a “shared future” that directly benefits the people of Myanmar through sustainable development and increased investment in key sectors.

Myanmar’s leadership welcomed China’s continuous support, acknowledging it as a crucial factor in navigating the country’s current socio-economic landscape. Experts suggest that China’s proactive role as a neighboring ally is vital for maintaining geopolitical stability in Southeast Asia. Beyond financial aid, both nations have agreed to collaborate more closely on border security and the implementation of large-scale joint projects to ensure regional prosperity.

International Desk

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives has announced that his administration has generated more than 23,000 jobs across both the public and private sectors during its two-year tenure. In a message marking International Workers’ Day, the President detailed the government’s strategic efforts to bolster the national workforce, with a significant emphasis on vocational education.

The President highlighted the establishment of the nation’s first vocational high school as a key achievement in developing skilled labor. Furthermore, the government has introduced specialized training programs in vital development sectors and expanded access to grants and concessional loans to nurture local talent. He also emphasized that the administration maintains an equitable policy to protect the rights of both local and expatriate workers while facilitating international market access for Maldivian products via e-commerce platforms.

During this term, the administration has introduced targeted employment initiatives for persons with disabilities and amended laws to allow individuals to continue working beyond the age of 65. Despite these reports of job creation, the government has faced scrutiny regarding the number of political appointees. Critics argue that the number of such appointments far exceeds the President’s initial pledge of 700. In response to recent administrative reforms, President Muizzu announced plans to dismiss several political appointees based on performance evaluations to streamline government operations.