Hindu man burnt alive while sleeping in Bangladesh's Narsingdi amid rising violence against minorities

IANS | January 25, 2026 12:03 PM

Dhaka, Jan 25 (IANS) A horrifying act of violence against a Hindu minority member has shocked Bangladesh, coming just weeks ahead of the national elections as a 23-year-old Hindu man, identified as Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik, was reportedly burned alive while sleeping in a garage in Narsingdi, around 50 km from Dhaka, raising renewed fears over the security of minority communities in the Muslim-majority nation.

Custodial rape of minor in Pakistan exposes grave procedural failure: Report

IANS | January 24, 2026 9:11 PM

Islamabad, Jan 24 (IANS) The recent gang rape of a minor girl by policemen in custody in Jacobabad district of Pakistan’s Sindh province reflects a grave procedural failure that warrants serious institutional accountability. The subsequent arrest of six policemen is being touted as evidence that the system works, but accountability limited to junior officers is not true justice, a report highlighted on Saturday.

Journalists in Pakistan face growing risk amid restrictive press freedom

IANS | January 24, 2026 8:43 PM

Islamabad, Jan 24 (IANS) Pakistani journalists have increasingly been subjected to intimidation in recent years under the country’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act for their online reporting, as well as through criminal defamation cases filed by public officials or private individuals. Journalists covering protests, political movements and sensitive regional issues face threats ranging from harassment to physical violence, a report said on Saturday.

'Pakistan remains one of the world's most dangerous places for journalists'

IANS | January 24, 2026 6:05 PM

Islamabad, Jan 24 (IANS) A new investigation, titled 'Truth denied: How Pakistani authorities built an unsolvable case', has revealed shocking shortcomings in the probe on 2014 killing of Pakistani journalist Shan Dahar, highlighting police misconduct, political inaction and years of impunity.

Pakistan’s NCCIA officers booked in bribery, extortion case

IANS | January 24, 2026 5:28 PM

New Delhi, Jan 24 (IANS) Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Composite Circle booked a case against three of its officers, along with their accomplices over alleged corruption, bribery, extortion and abuse of authority.