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Thursday, May 21, 2026

OPINION | India-Bangladesh Bilateral Relations: No Clear Reset In Sight

On August 5, 2024, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power following violent protests that began with the students of Bangladesh and were eventually taken up by civilians. This event signaled a clear message to the world: Bangladesh is changing, undergoing a significant socio-political transformation, and seeking a new sovereign identity. However, India, as Bangladesh's immediate and closest neighbor, has failed to recognize this shift and continues to misinterpret the emerging realities in the country. Bangladesh went to the polls on February 12. The outcome, as expected, witnessed the comeback of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Tarique Rahman, who returned to the country after living abroad for 17 years, what was being touted as a self-imposed exile. Rahman’s entry into Bangladesh’s evolving political landscape did not come as a surprise either to Dhaka’s neighbours or to other partners like the United States or China. Both the U.S. as well as China did not want the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI), which is in opposition now, to come to power despite its massive resurgence in the country, especially in the rural areas. India, which has been completely aligned with the former Bangladesh Awami League government led by Hasina, started reaching out to Rahman upon his return to the country on December25, 2025. India even dispatched External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to attend Rahman’s mother and former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Khaleda Zia’s funeral despite peak tensions between Delhi and Dhaka. The main cause for the tensions, which gave rise to an acrimonious relationship between the two former friendly countries, was the coming in of the interim government that ruled the country from August 2024 till February 2025, under Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus. During Yunus’ tenure, the relationship between Delhi and Dhaka deteriorated significantly, reaching levels of tension not experienced in the last two decades. India expressed strong disapproval of the interim administration in Bangladesh, referring to its establishment as "illegal and unconstitutional." This discontent was further fuelled by reports of targeted attacks and violence against members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, prompting India to voice its concerns. Also Read: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/blog/brics-foreign-ministers-meet-sparks-optimism-for-a-productive-summit-iran-us-war-live-news-update-1843679">BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meet Sparks Optimism For A Productive Summit</a> In reaction to the escalating situation, both nations took steps to limit diplomatic exchanges, particularly in relation to visa issuance. Each government cited security concerns as the primary reason for these measures. The Bangladeshi interim government went so far as to suspend all non-essential visa categories for Indian citizens, allowing only for business and employment visas to remain operational. This decision was taken, according to the then interim administration, as a precautionary move following a series of threats and acts of vandalism directed at its diplomatic missions, notably in Kolkata and Agartala, as well as violent protests that occurred outside the Bangladeshi High Commission in New Delhi. These actions reflected the growing distrust and volatility between the two nations, underscoring the fragility of diplomatic relations amid internal strife and external pressures. As a consequence, both diplomatic missions saw an increase in security measures, and the safety of diplomatic staff became a pressing concern as tensions persisted. The ongoing unrest not only affected bilateral ties but also raised alarm over the safety and well-being of minority communities within Bangladesh, further complicating an already fraught diplomatic landscape. Meanwhile, the interim government also imposed a ban on the Awami League party disallowing it from participating in the elections. On the other hand, Hasina, who continues to live in a secret location in India, has been granted complete freedom to address her party workers, followers and the media through social media platforms and other backchannels. This also added to the growing tensions as Hasina continued to lambast the Yunus-led caretaker government as well as the BNP after it came to power. She has even accused that after her departure from the country there has been a sharp spike in militancy and terrorism-an allegation that has been vehemently denied by Yunus, BNP as well as BJI. <h2>Distrust Remains</h2> However, it was expected that with the arrival of a democratically elected and stable government in Dhaka, there would be a reset in the bilateral relationship. While the issuance of visas have resumed, some of the recent developments between both countries have given rise to more tensions. Prime Minister Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony on February 17, was attended by Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Subsequently, on March 20, Jaishankar met Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah for the first time since he assumed charge on April 7, 2025. This paved the way for the much-awaited visit of Khalilur Rahman, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, to India, along with Humayun Kabir, the Adviser on Foreign Affairs to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. While India wanted to treat this visit as an “official visit”, Dhaka sought to play it down and called it to be a “goodwill visit”. During his meetings with Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval, Rahman expressed Dhaka’s concerns over their national security, with particular focus on river water sharing and border killings, which has been marked by the current dispensation in Dhaka as the topmost priority areas in order to smoothen the tensed bilateral ties. It needs to be noted here that Rahman in his earlier avatar as the National Security Advisor (NSA) of Bangladesh came to New Delhi to meet his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval. Rahman was the NSA under the interim government of Bangladesh. During his visit, the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister has reiterated that renewal of the three-decades old Ganges Water Treaty, which expires in December 2026, is their topmost priority. He also told his Indian counterpart to decisively address the equitable sharing of vital rivers like the Teesta are imperative steps that would transform public perceptions and foster closer ties between the nations. Now that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come to power in West Bengal, the Narendra Modi government will no longer be able to put the blame on the previous state government for not accommodating Bangladesh’s long-standing request on the River Teesta. Water is a state subject under the Constitution of India, therefore, the state government’s consent is key in transboundary river water sharing. The Teesta deal was set to be signed during former PM Manmohan Singh’s visit to Bangladesh in September 2011 but was postponed at the last minute due to objections raised by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The current Chief Minister of West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari is expected to come under pressure to take an opposite stance in this contentious matter. Adhikari had placed the issue of illegal infiltration from Bangladesh at the center of his election campaign. His rhetoric and remarks frequently targeted Bangladesh in connection with border security, demographic concerns, and communal sentiments. The Teesta River flows through Sikkim and then enters West Bengal before finally merging with the Brahmaputra in Assam and the Jamuna in Bangladesh. There are 54 rivers that pass through the Indo-Bangladesh border. On September 6, 2022, India and Bangladesh had signed a key treaty to share the water of a key transboundary river, Kushiyara. When Prime Minister Modi came to power in May 2014, he had promised as part of his ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy that the Teesta matter would be settled. Coming to the issue of border management, India and Bangladesh share a 4,156 km long border which remains heavily militarized in order to curb cross-border crimes and illegal immigration. While India has fenced approximately 3,271 km, ongoing construction in disputed areas remains a source of diplomatic friction. The use of lethal force by the Border Security Force (BSF) continues to cause bilateral tensions. Meanwhile, a recent interview given by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to an Indian media outlet has once again given rise to tensions between both countries. In the interview, Sarma said, “The 4,156 km India-Bangladesh border is heavily militarized to curb cross-border crimes and illegal immigration. While India has fenced approximately 3,271 km, ongoing construction in disputed areas remains a source of diplomatic friction. The use of lethal force by the Border Security Force (BSF) continues to cause bilateral tensions.” He also said, his government “pushed back” illegal immigrants across the border during night time. Bangladesh is also up in arms over recent remarks made by the Ministry of External Affairs over India’s long-pending request to Dhaka to verify the nationality of over 2,860 people whom “we think are Bangladeshi nationals, and they are staying here in India. We are yet to get a response on this particular matter.” On the other hand, Dhaka’s proximity with China and Pakistan has also rattled New Delhi. After Bangladesh Foreign Minister Rahman’s visit to China, Prime Minister Rahman is expected to undertake his first official state visit to Beijing. In an unprecedented move, Dhaka has also decided to send its civil servants for training in Pakistan-a first since Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan in 1971. Therefore, a reset between India and Bangladesh, once considered the closest of neighbours in the region, is still a distant goal. The Modi government is seeking ways to improve diplomatic relations, and a significant step in this direction is the recent appointment of Dinesh Trivedi as New Delhi’s envoy to Bangladesh. By choosing Trivedi, a seasoned politician rather than a traditional career diplomat, India aims to convey to Dhaka that fostering stronger political ties is currently its highest priority. This decision suggests an intent to approach diplomatic relations with a fresh perspective and to engage more directly at the political level. However, despite this hopeful development, the journey towards rebuilding trust and cooperation remains fraught with challenges. Historical grievances, differing political agendas, and growing bilateral tensions continue to complicate the path forward, making the task of establishing a renewed partnership between the two countries a complex and formidable undertaking. Also Read: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/blog/opinion-delhi-must-listen-to-ladakh-s-demands-ignoring-can-prove-costly-1842071">OPINION | Delhi Must Listen To Ladakh's Demands, Ignoring Can Prove Costly</a> Nayanima Basu is a senior independent journalist. [Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs, and views expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this website are personal and do not reflect the opinions, beliefs, and views of ABP News Network Pvt Ltd.]

source https://news.abplive.com/blog/india-bangladesh-bilateral-relations-no-clear-reset-in-sight-1845249

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Trump Delayed Iran Strike After Gulf Allies Warned Against War During Hajj: Report

US President Donald Trump reportedly postponed a planned military strike on Iran this week after Gulf allies and senior officials urged him not to reignite conflict during the Hajj pilgrimage season. According to Trump, the United States was close to launching fresh attacks before he unexpectedly announced on social media Monday that diplomacy would be given more time. Speaking a day later, Trump said US military assets in the region were fully prepared for action. “They’re loaded to the brim,” Trump said Tuesday while referring to US warships deployed in the region. “And we were all set to start.” <h2>Gulf Allies Push for Restraint</h2> Despite the military build-up, officials familiar with the discussions said Trump remains hesitant about returning to war with Iran and would rather pursue a negotiated settlement. The Trump administration held separate conversations with the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates while Trump was preparing to give final approval for military action, reported CNN quoting regional sources. During those discussions, Gulf leaders reportedly pressed Washington to delay any strikes and allow diplomatic efforts to continue. One source told CNN that Gulf nations feared Iran would retaliate against them if the US resumed bombing, similar to Tehran’s response at the beginning of the conflict. Another official said Gulf leaders presented “a unified front” in urging restraint from the Trump administration, with Hajj season being a data point.  ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/KtNSV7s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump Warns Iran: ‘Agree To A Deal Or Face Some Nasty Things’</a> <h2>Hajj Season Became a Key Concern</h2> The timing of any potential military action emerged as a major issue during the discussions. Gulf leaders reportedly highlighted that the region is currently in the middle of the Hajj season, one of the most significant periods in Islam, when hundreds of thousands of pilgrims travel to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. According to two senior Gulf officials cited by UK-based Middle East Eye, Trump was warned that launching attacks on Iran during Hajj could trigger a wider crisis across Gulf states. Officials feared that renewed conflict could leave large numbers of pilgrims stranded in the region. The report also stated that Gulf officials warned the US administration that military action during the holy period leading up to Eid al-Adha could further damage Washington’s standing across the Muslim world. ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/8izLChe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump Says He Could Be Israel PM, Claims Netanyahu ‘Will Do Whatever I Want’</a> <h2>Diplomatic Efforts Continue Behind the Scenes</h2> A senior US official familiar with internal discussions within the Trump administration confirmed to Middle East Eye that the conversations with Gulf leaders had taken place. During the talks, Gulf nations reportedly argued that diplomatic efforts, including Pakistan-led mediation initiatives, were showing “positive momentum” and deserved additional time.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-trump-delayed-iran-strike-after-gulf-allies-warned-against-war-during-hajj-report-1845034

Unidentified gunmen kill 3 under-custody bank robbers in Pak's Peshawar

Peshawar, May 21 (PTI): Three under-custody suspected bank robbers have been shot dead after unidentified armed men opened fire on a police team escorting them in northwest Pakistan’s Peshawar, police said.The incident occurred within the limits of Machni Gate Police Station when unknown assailants attacked an investigation team escorting the suspects during the course of interrogation and identification of crime scenes, a police official said late on Wednesday. According to police, the deceased suspects were identified as Muhammad Shoaib, Muhammad Umar alias Wajahat and Muhammad Imad and were allegedly involved in bank robberies and the killing of a police personnel.Police said the suspects had been taken to Allied Bank in the Pir Bala area on Warsak Road to complete legal formalities and identify the scene of a previous robbery.During the operation, three pistols allegedly used in the bank robbery were recovered from a nearby location after being identified by the suspects.Officials said the police team was later transporting the suspects to another alleged planning site when unidentified motorcyclists opened indiscriminate fire near Northern Bypass in an apparent attempt to free their accomplices.The station house officer (SHO) and another policeman survived after bullets struck their bulletproof jackets and helmets, while the official police vehicle sustained damage in the attack.Police said the three under-custody suspects were fatally hit during the exchange of fire, while the attackers managed to flee the scene.Following the incident, SP Warsak Division Muhammad Arshad Khan reached the site along with a heavy police contingent, and investigators collected evidence from the area.Authorities said a search operation has been launched across the Warsak Division to arrest the fleeing attackers, while security and snap-checking at entry and exit points have been intensified.According to police, the deceased suspects were wanted in multiple cases, including the killing of a security guard during a bank robbery on Kohat Road on January 20, 2026, and the killing of Additional SHO Bahar Ali during an attempted bank robbery in Pir Bala on Warsak Road on March 6, 2026. PTI AYZ RD RD RD(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/unidentified-gunmen-kill-3-under-custody-bank-robbers-in-pak-s-peshawar-1845032

Iran: Internet Access Becoming A Costly Privilege Reserved For Few

Iran's National Security Council recently approved a plan to grant certain groups paid internet access, albeit with a daily usage limit on foreign websites and international data traffic. The internet in Iran has been shut down since the US and Israel launched attacks on February 28. The so-called "Internet Pro" does not refer to a technical upgrade but allows users standard internet access that bypasses the block. According to journalist and internet researcher Solmaz Eikder, major platforms like Instagram, X, and YouTube—which have long been blocked in Iran—still cannot be used even by many Internet Pro users without using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Eikder has been living in exile in Europe for five years. She works for "Filterban," a research initiative focusing on internet censorship, digital repression and surveillance in Iran. The initiative is frequently used by journalists, activists and researchers who study digital repression in Iran. <h2>Iran's longest internet shutdown in history</h2> The internet in Iran has been shut down since the US-Israeli attacks on February 28. The shutdown, which has now lasted for more than 80 days, is thelongest yet in Iran, but not the first of its kind. For years, the Iranian security apparatus has used this method primarily to disrupt communication between Iranians while cutting off the outside world. This most recently occurred during the nationwide protests in January, which the regime brutally suppressed. Millions of people are now once again cut off from the digital economy and communication. According to government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohadscherani, Internet Pro is intended to "prevent disruptions to economic activity and ensure business communication in times of crisis." <h2>What is 'Internet Pro'?</h2> The plan is offered to certain professional groups, such as members of the Chamber of Commerce, startups, technology companies and retailers. They receive an initial package of 50 gigabytes of data, which costs about $11. "That's a lot of money in Iran," said Eikder. Since the war began, many households have been under growing economic pressure. Inflation has risen to over 50%, while the rial has lost significant value against the dollar, which has sharply increased prices for basic necessities. Destroyed industrial facilities and massive production losses have hit the economy hard. Tens of thousands of jobs have been lost. But not captured in the statistics are millions of small income opportunities that have been wiped out by internet blocks. "Many women from small towns and villages had been selling products such as dried fruit, handmade clothing or food online," said Eikder. "This income played an important role for their families, but this opportunity has now been taken away from them." <h2>Internet access becomes a luxury in Iran</h2> Within Iran, there has been widespread criticism of the new system. The newspaper Shargh and other media outlets have criticized the introduction of Internet Pro, which transforms access to communication and information from a public and civil right into a privilege. Women who serve as their families' primary breadwinners and who previously earned income online, along with students, are not included among the groups who can access Internet Pro. One 19-year-old engineering student told DW under condition of anonymity that she isn't sure she would accept any offer to access Internet Pro. In the system, every user is identified via their national ID number and registered mobile number. The student continues to buy a VPN configuration on the black market that allows her to access the internet. However, many of her friends and acquaintances can no longer afford VPNs. "It has become extremely difficult for people in Iran to access independent news and reliable information," said Oliver Linow, an internet freedom specialist at DW, which has been blocked online in Iran since 2009. "Since then, we have provided people in the country with censorship circumvention tools that allow access to independent journalism. However, these tools are often no longer effective during a near-total internet shutdown," Linow said. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has promised in recent weeks that internet service will soon be restored. In Iran, a number of agencies — ranging from the National Security Council to the Supreme Council for Cyberspace — are involved in decisions regarding the state's approach to digital control. A new crisis management team led by Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has been established to put an end to the "multiplicity of voices" and overlapping jurisdictions in Iran's internet policy. No one knows what the new crisis management team actually is. According to information from the newspaper Sharq, government officials have been expressly prohibited from publicly explaining the details or responsibilities of the new body or discussing it with the media. Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/in-iran-internet-access-becomes-a-luxury-for-the-few-1845006

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Iran could trigger ‘nuclear arms race’ in Gulf: Vance

Washington, May 20 (PTI): US Vice President J D Vance has said Iran having an atomic weapon would trigger a “nuclear arms race” worldwide and asserted that the US was “locked and loaded” to restart military operations if Tehran failed to reach a peace deal.Vance’s remarks at a press conference at the White House on Tuesday came a day after President Donald Trump put off the decision to resume strikes on Iran at the request of Arab nations, including Qatar and the UAE, who said that Tehran was being “reasonable” in peace talks."We think the Iranians want to make a deal. The president of the United States has asked us to negotiate in good faith. And that’s exactly what we’ve done," the vice president said.But Vance warned that diplomacy will not come at the cost of Trump’s key demand that Iran never obtain a nuclear weapon."So as the president just told me, we're locked and loaded," Vance said, adding that he had a meeting with Trump before coming to the press briefing. "We don't want to go down that pathway. But the president is willing and able to go down that pathway if we have to," the vice president said. Vance said the US has a “simple proposition” and there are “two paths to go down”.“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” he said, adding that if Tehran acquired one, it would send other nations “scrambling” to get their own, setting off a “nuclear arms race”.“Iran would really be the first domino in what would set off a nuclear arms race all over the world,” he said.“If the Iranians did get a nuclear weapon, we know that a lot of nations all across the Gulf would then want their own nuclear weapon, and then a lot of nations all across the world,” Vance said.“As the father of three young kids, I don't want them to inherit a world where 20 additional regimes—half of them very dangerous and very sympathetic to terrorists—have nuclear weapons,” Vance said.“We want to keep the number of countries that have nuclear weapons small, and that's why Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. On top of all the other things that we might be worried about, that they themselves could use it, that they could use it as leverage in economic control or economic negotiations. We just don't want them to have a nuclear weapon,” Vance said."There’s an option B, and the option B is that we could restart the military campaign to continue to prosecute the case, to continue to try to achieve America’s objectives," Vance said. "But that’s not what the president wants. And I don’t think it’s what the Iranians want either," he said.He says there’s an opportunity to reset the Washington-Tehran relationship, “but it takes two to tango”. PTI SKU RD RD RD(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-could-trigger-nuclear-arms-race-in-gulf-vance-1844791

New permanent members in reformed UNSC should have same responsibilities, obligations as current ones: G4

United Nations, May 20 (PTI): Offering a “realistic” way forward on UN Security Council reforms, the G4 nations of India, Brazil, Germany and Japan have proposed that new permanent members in an expanded Council would not exercise veto pending decision during a review period.“The world has waited far too long for real reform of the UNSC, and we witness the consequences thereof,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni said, as he delivered a statement on behalf of the G4 nations Tuesday on the Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) meeting on Security Council reforms.He highlighted that the discussion is a good platform for a comprehensive stock-taking of the IGN process, including an objective assessment of progress achieved, if any, and charting a realistic way forward to implement meaningful reforms of the UN Security Council.Reiterating the G4’s flexibility with regard to the Question of Veto, he said the grouping "emphasizes that there cannot be a sub-category within the permanent category." “For this reason, G4 takes the position that new permanent members should, as a principle, have the same responsibilities and obligations as current ones,” Parvathaneni said.He emphasised that in order to show “openness and flexibility” on this issue to foster constructive negotiations, “the G4 proposes that new permanent members would not exercise veto until a decision on the matter is reached during a 15-year review.” India has maintained that the existing UNSC architecture hails from a different era and does not reflect current geopolitical realities.The broad contours of the G4 model for UNSC reform propose increasing the Security Council membership from the current 15 to 25 or 26, with a reformed Council comprising 11 permanent members and 14 or 15 non-permanent members. Currently, the powerful UN organ consists of five veto-wielding permanent members- China, France, Russia, the UK and the US. The remaining 10 members are elected to sit at the horseshoe table for two-year terms as non-permanent members. India last sat in the Council as a non-permanent member in 2021-22. Parvathaneni further said that the G4 has “clearly articulated” that a consolidated model must lead to text-based negotiations on UNSC reforms. “Such a model must be drawn up in an objective manner and solely in accordance with the views expressed by various groups and member states in IGN discussions. A consolidated model is a starting point for discussion, not an end point designed for consensus or the lowest common denominator,” he said.The G4 strongly emphasised that the IGN runs the “obvious risk” of not achieving any real progress till the commencement of text-based negotiations. “As a reform-centric group, G4 once again underscores that the IGN must start negotiations on the basis of a text without any further delay,” he said.The grouping underscored the imperative to avoid procedural hurdles, saying there is a long-standing practice on UN negotiations, as well as a clear mandate before the membership. “We cannot stress enough that possible bridging proposals and hybrid ideas must evolve from discussions among groups and member states on the basis of text negotiation," he said "Efforts to consider such proposals and ideas before the formulation of, and discussion on, a text would be an instance of placing the cart before the horse. Furthermore, it would mean discarding views and proposals even before the start of a negotiation process,” he added.The G4 also stressed that it is "positively disposed” towards adequate and continuing representation of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Aspects such as the treatment of member states with membership in cross-regional groups, in addition to their respective regional groups, need to be fleshed out."Representation, on the basis of faith, runs counter to time-tested UN practices,” the group said. PTI YAS RD RD RD(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/there-cannot-be-a-sub-category-within-the-permanent-category-g4-nations-on-veto-in-reformed-unsc-1844790

Lahore Restores Pre-Partition Names: Islampura Becomes Krishnanagar Again

Several prominent localities and landmarks in Lahore have reportedly had their old pre-Partition names restored, triggering a fresh debate in Pakistan over history, identity and cultural heritage. The move has drawn widespread attention after names linked to Lahore’s Hindu and Sikh past began reappearing in official and public usage. Supporters say the changes are aimed at reviving the city’s original historical identity, while critics view them as politically sensitive in a country where place names have long reflected ideological and religious shifts. Many of the names being restored were changed after Partition, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s. <h2>Old Names Return</h2> Authorities and local reports suggest that several well-known roads, neighbourhoods and intersections in Lahore are now reverting to their historical names. The reported changes include: <ul> <li>Islampura → Krishnanagar</li> <li>Sunnatnagar → Santnagar</li> <li>Maulana Zafar Chowk → Lakshmi Chowk</li> <li>Babri Masjid Chowk → Jain Mandir Chowk</li> <li>Mustafaabad → Dharampura</li> <li>Sir Aga Khan Chowk → Davis Road</li> <li>Allama Iqbal Road → Jail Road</li> <li>Fatima Jinnah Road → Queens Road</li> <li>Bagh-e-Jinnah → Lawrence Road</li> </ul> <h2>Debate Over Heritage</h2> The restoration of these names has sparked intense discussions online and in political circles. Supporters argue that Lahore’s multicultural and pre-Partition heritage should be preserved and recognised rather than erased. According to them, the original names represent the city’s layered historical identity and architectural legacy. Critics, however, believe the changes may reignite debates around religion, nationalism and Partition-era memory. Some questioned why authorities chose to revive only select historical names, while others accused officials of politicising cultural heritage. The controversy highlights how names of roads, chowks and neighbourhoods in South Asia continue to carry strong emotional and political significance. In cities like Lahore, where history is deeply intertwined with Partition and shifting national identities, even symbolic changes to public spaces often become part of a larger cultural and political conversation.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/lahore-restores-pre-partition-names-islampura-becomes-krishnanagar-again-1844776