Pakistan is witnessing growing unrest following rumors about former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s death in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. His three sisters allege they have been repeatedly denied permission to meet him and were assaulted by police while protesting outside the prison. The Adiala Jail authorities and Defense Minister Khawaja Asif insist that Khan is alive, healthy, and receiving proper care. However, Khan’s youngest son, Qasim Khan, who lives abroad, has intensified the controversy by claiming that the family has received no proof of his father’s survival. In a statement on social media platform X, Qasim said that the government has deliberately kept the family in the dark, denying all contact for over a month despite court orders. He warned that the Pakistani government and its handlers would be held responsible for any harm to Khan and urged international organizations to intervene to confirm his safety and ensure family access. The situation has sparked mass protests by Khan’s supporters across Pakistan.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reportedly suspended issuing visas to Pakistani citizens over alleged involvement in begging and other criminal activities, according to Pakistan’s Senate Human Rights Committee. Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri confirmed that most Pakistani applicants are facing visa rejections or delays, with only a few successfully obtaining visas after significant difficulties. Pakistani employment entrepreneur Asim Baig stated that the UAE’s concerns stem from increasing reports of Pakistanis’ involvement in petty crimes, leading to the suspension. However, a senior UAE diplomat in Islamabad denied any formal visa ban, saying no restrictions exist on Pakistani passports. The UAE remains one of Pakistan’s key trade partners and a major source of remittances, with over 800,000 Pakistanis applying annually for travel and work visas. Islamabad’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has reportedly raised the issue with his UAE counterpart to resolve the growing visa concerns.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, re-elected as the Ameer (chief) of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami for the 2026–2028 term, is set to take his oath of office on Friday evening at the Al-Falah Auditorium in Dhaka’s Moghbazar. According to the party’s constitution, the Ameer is chosen through a secret ballot by members of the national council for a three-year term. This marks Dr. Rahman’s third consecutive tenure as the party’s top leader, following his previous terms. The swearing-in ceremony will coincide with the opening session of Jamaat’s annual Central Majlish-e-Shura meeting, scheduled for November 28–29. Senior leaders from various political parties, along with Jamaat’s central executive, working, and consultative council members, are expected to attend. Previously, former leaders Ghulam Azam and Motiur Rahman Nizami also served three consecutive terms as Ameer, making Dr. Rahman the third in the party’s history to achieve this distinction.

A new International Monetary Fund (IMF) assessment identifies entrenched corruption and elite-driven 'state capture' as the root causes of Pakistan’s ongoing economic crisis. The report highlights how political and business elites manipulate state policies to serve their interests, undermining governance, accountability, and the rule of law. It warns that without dismantling elite privileges, Pakistan’s economic stagnation will persist. The IMF estimates that comprehensive governance reforms could boost Pakistan’s GDP by up to 6.5%, compared to its 2024 level of $340 billion. The report also criticizes weak institutions, judicial inefficiency, and misuse of the National Accountability Bureau for political purposes. Experts from Oxford University and local think tanks agree that corruption and poor governance are deeply intertwined, requiring political will and structural reforms. They call for unified economic planning, procurement modernization, and transparency to rebuild public trust and stabilize the economy.

After two National Guard members were seriously injured in a shooting incident in Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a temporary suspension of immigration from all Third World countries. Trump made this announcement on Thanksgiving night on his Truth Social platform.

“I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover, terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions, including those signed by Sleepy Joe Biden’s Autopen, and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country,” Trump said in his post.

This announcement is being considered one of his toughest immigration policies.

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has announced plans to introduce area-based rent rates and new guidelines for tenants and landlords by early December. During a roundtable discussion on tenant and landlord rights held at the DNCC auditorium on Thursday, the city’s administrator stated that although the House Rent Control Act of 1991 exists, many of its provisions are not being followed. The DNCC aims to prepare a directive ensuring compliance with safety measures such as fire protection and earthquake resistance. Tenants will have the freedom to move in or out of rented houses at their convenience. The city authority will also publish a standard agreement format on its website and take steps to prevent commercial activities in residential areas. Additionally, DNCC will ensure that tenants are informed about landlords’ holding tax payments, and services will be withheld from properties with unpaid taxes.

U.S. President Donald Trump has directed a comprehensive review of asylum approvals and Green Cards issued under former President Joe Biden’s administration following a shooting incident involving an Afghan immigrant in Washington, D.C. The suspect, who allegedly shot two National Guard members, had entered the U.S. in 2021 under a resettlement program and was granted asylum earlier this year. In response, the Department of Homeland Security announced an immediate suspension of immigration requests from Afghan nationals and expanded the review to include all asylum cases approved during Biden’s tenure. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow confirmed that Green Cards issued to citizens from 19 countries under Trump’s travel ban will also be reexamined. The move is part of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown since returning to office, which includes reassessing refugee admissions from the Biden era, potentially affecting over 230,000 individuals.

Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has clarified that he will not contest in the upcoming national parliamentary election and has no intention of entering politics. In a Facebook post on Thursday night, Alam addressed widespread speculation about his possible candidacy, stating unequivocally that he is neither running for parliament nor planning to engage in political activities. His statement comes amid growing rumors in various circles suggesting that he might participate in the election. By publicly denying these claims, Alam sought to put an end to the speculation surrounding his political involvement. The clarification underscores his continued focus on his current role as press secretary rather than pursuing a political career.

Shishir Monir, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Sunamganj-2 constituency, has pledged to hold a 'public parliament' every month if elected as a Member of Parliament in the upcoming 13th National Election. Speaking to journalists in Sunamganj, Monir said the initiative would ensure that local officials, including UNOs and police officers, are directly accountable to citizens. The Supreme Court lawyer emphasized that he himself would face the public to hear their problems and admit any shortcomings. Monir also expressed his belief that the upcoming referendum would likely favor the 'Yes' vote, arguing that campaigning for 'No' would be politically difficult and counterproductive. He added that the 'Yes' side represents reform and progress, while 'No' symbolizes regression. Other Jamaat leaders, including Advocate Muhammad Shams Uddin and Professor Mohammad Abdullah, were present at the event held in Sunamganj town.

The five-day Jor Ijtema, a preparatory congregation ahead of the annual Bishwa Ijtema, will begin on Friday after the Fajr sermon at the Turag River bank in Tongi. Organized by the Shura-e-Nezam faction of Tablighi Jamaat, led by followers of Maulana Zubair, the event will conclude on December 2 with a final prayer. The Jor Ijtema is held about 40 days before the main Bishwa Ijtema to review annual activities and receive guidance from senior scholars. Devotees and elders from both home and abroad are expected to attend. Tongi West Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Harun-or-Rashid stated that additional police forces have been deployed around the venue to ensure security and maintain order during the gathering.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has initiated the formation of constituency-based election monitoring cells to enhance its organizational presence ahead of the upcoming national elections. Dhaka South BNP has already established its cell, assigning 62 leaders as coordinators across seven constituencies, while Dhaka North and other affiliated bodies are in the process of forming their own. The cells are tasked with coordinating campaign activities, building voter trust, monitoring rival parties, and reporting local political developments to the central leadership. Senior BNP leaders, including Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, stated that such structures are essential for strategic decision-making and effective field operations. Youth, volunteer, and student wings are also preparing to launch their respective monitoring cells soon. The initiative aims to ensure stronger grassroots mobilization, timely information flow, and rapid response to evolving political dynamics, reflecting BNP’s efforts to intensify its election preparedness and strengthen its organizational control at the constituency level.

Nur Mohammad Abu Taher, the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Bogura-3 (Adamdighi-Dupchanchia) constituency and chairman of Gunahar Union Parishad, announced that he will refrain from criticizing any political party during his election campaign. Speaking at a press conference at the Jamaat office in Adamdighi, he emphasized that criticizing others does not make them bad and that political discourse should remain respectful. Abu Taher also praised journalism as an independent and courageous profession, describing journalists as defenders against corruption. He criticized political parties that expect only praise from the media and urged for press freedom. The meeting was presided over by Upazila Jamaat Ameer Hafez Ataur Hossain and attended by several local leaders and journalists from Adamdighi and Santahar press clubs.

High-speed broadband internet has reached remote coastal areas of Bangladesh’s southwest, including Mongla in Bagerhat district, under the government’s ‘Establishing Digital Connectivity (EDC)’ project. Over 50,000 broadband connections have been installed nationwide, with 2,382 in Khulna and Bagerhat districts. Schools, colleges, madrasas, land offices, and community clinics in these areas now benefit from improved connectivity, enhancing education, healthcare, and administrative efficiency. Teachers report that multimedia classes and online communication with education offices have become easier, while students can now access online resources more effectively. The initiative, funded by the government, aims to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural regions. Implemented by Circle Network, the project faced challenges due to the region’s waterways and difficult terrain. Officials say the expansion of broadband in these coastal zones is accelerating digital services and improving the quality of life for residents in one of the country’s most remote areas.

Brazil has become the first country to approve a single-dose dengue vaccine, marking a major milestone in the global fight against the mosquito-borne disease. The vaccine, named Butantan-DV, was developed by the Butantan Institute in São Paulo and approved by the national health regulator Anvisa for individuals aged 12 to 59. Clinical trials involving 16,000 volunteers showed 91.6% efficacy against severe dengue. The approval follows eight months of nationwide testing and is expected to accelerate immunization efforts across Brazil, which has been severely affected by dengue outbreaks. The Butantan Institute has partnered with China’s company Wuxi Biologics to produce around 30 million doses by the second half of 2026. According to the World Health Organization, dengue infects over 14.6 million people annually, causing about 12,000 deaths, half of which occurred in Brazil last year. Experts link the surge in dengue cases to global warming, which expands mosquito habitats and transmission rates.

Twelve Bangladeshi fishermen from two trawlers were reportedly abducted by members of Myanmar’s armed rebel group, the Arakan Army (AA), early Thursday near the eastern side of St. Martin’s Island in the Bay of Bengal. The fishermen, led by boatmen from St. Martin’s, were fishing when one trawler’s engine failed, leaving them vulnerable. Local trawler owners confirmed the incident, saying the fishermen were taken away at dawn. The Arakan Army has recently intensified coastal patrols, claiming to intercept Bangladeshi boats entering Myanmar’s waters. Reports indicate that since January, the group has detained around 188 Bangladeshi fishermen and 30 boats, later releasing some. Local fishing communities are in fear, as over a hundred fishermen remain missing from previous abductions. Bangladeshi authorities have acknowledged the latest incident and stated that law enforcement agencies are investigating the matter and coordinating with relevant authorities for the fishermen’s safe return.