FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLI No. 326 | INDORE | SUNDAY | MAY 4, 2025 | Pages 16 ` 4 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: Sports UJJAIN WORLD RCB survive thriller by a whisker P.16 INDORE PUNE Pak test-fires Abdali missile amid strained ties with India BHOPAL NASHIK Cinema Love served gently P.14 Tighter squeeze on Pak Agencies India on Saturday announced a complete ban on imports of all goods from Pakistan with immediate effect, barred Pakistan-flagged ships from entering any of its ports, prohibited Indiaflagged vessels from docking at ports in Pakistan and suspended suspended exchange of all categories of mail and parcels from Pakistan through air and surface routes. Though the 200 per cent import duty imposed on Pakistani goods in 2019 after the Pulwama terror attack had effectively halted direct imports, the latest decision also prohibits the entry of Pakistani goods routed through third countries. "This will prohibit import of goods from Pakistan directly or through any other trade route," the commerce ministry said. After the Pulwama terror attack, besides imposing 200 per cent duty, India had also withdrawn Pakistan's 'Most Favoured Nation' trade status. Bilateral trade dipped to USD 647.2 million in 202324 from USD 2.41 billion in Loan freeze on cards? India will be asking global multilateral agencies, including the IMF, to have a relook at funds and loans provided to Pakistan, PTI reports quoting a government source. The IMF Executive Board is scheduled to meet Pakistan officials on May 9 for first review of the extended funding facility, and request for an arrangement under the resilience and sustainability facility. The IMF Board will evaluate fresh $1.3 billion arrangement for Pakistan under its climate resilience loan programme. It will also assess an ongoing $7 billion bailout package. As of December 31, 2024, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has committed 764 public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance totalling $43.4 billion to Pakistan. ADB’s current sovereign portfolio in Pakistan includes 53 loans and 3 grants worth $9.13 billion 2017-18 and USD 2.27 billion in 2016-17. As per information available on the official website of the High Commission of India in Islamabad, major items of import by India from Pakistan are copper and copper articles, edible fruits and nuts, cotton, salt, Aides scared after main accused injured during escape bid sulphur and earth and stones, organic chemicals, mineral fuels, plastic products, wool, glassware, raw hides & skin, etc. On the other hand, the main items of export from India to Pakistan are cotton, organic chemicals, food products, including prepared animal fodder, edible vegetables, plastic articles, man-made filament, coffee, tea, spices, dyes, oil seeds, dairy products, pharmaceuticals, etc. India's exports to Pakistan in April-January 2024-25 stood at USD 447.65 million, while imports were meagre USD 0.42 million. These imports were limited to niche items like figs (USD 78,000), Basil and Rosemary herbs (USD 18,856), certain chemicals, and Himalayan pink salt. The imports were USD 2.88 million in 2023-24. In April-January 2024-25, exports of organic chemicals and pharmaceutical products accounted for about 60 per cent of the country's total outbound shipments to Pakistan. It was USD 129.55 million and USD 110.06 million, respectively. 4Continued on | P8 Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL PM PLEDGES ACTION ON TERRORISM IANS NEW DELHI Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reaffirmed India's unwavering resolve to act decisively against terrorism and those who support it. Speaking during a joint press conference with Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, Prime Minister Modi stated, "We are firmly united in our stance against terrorism. I expressed my gratitude to President Lourenco and the people of Angola for their sympathies to those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack." "We are committed to taking firm and decisive actions against terrorists and those who support them. We thank Angola for its support in our fight against terrorism," the Prime Minister added. This is the third time after Pahalgam attack that prime minister has vowed action. 4Continued on | P8 Flight from Chennai searched in Colombo Omar Abdullah meets PM Modi Sri Lankan police on Saturday searched a flight arriving here from Chennai after being tipped-off that a suspect linked to the Pahalgam terror attack could be on board, police spokesperson said here. "The search was carried out in coordination with local authorities following an alert from the Chennai Area Control Centre regarding a suspect wanted in India who was believed to be on board", the statement said. The aircraft was thoroughly inspected and subsequently cleared for further operations, it added Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday and discussed various issues, including last week's terror attack in Pahalgam, officials said. The meeting at the prime minister's residence lasted around 30 minutes, they said. This is the first meeting between the two leaders since the April 22 terror attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. The officials said Abdullah briefed the PM about the ground situation, especially the outrage among the people over the deadly attack fp Briefs BENGALURU FIR against Sonu Nigam A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against playback singer Sonu Nigam for allegedly making hurtful remarks about the Kannadiga community during a music event in Bengaluru. The complaint was lodged by Dharmaraj A, President of the Bengaluru City District Unit of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, a pro-Kannada organization. BETUL Tremor in Betul district A mild tremor was felt in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday night, officials said. According to the website of the National Center for Seismology, the tremor, measuring 2.8 on the Richter scale, was experienced at 9.40 pm. There was no report of any damage to property or life in the district, they said. Today in IPL SIX DEAD, 70 INJURED IN GOA TEMPLE STAMPEDE FP News Service Gone are the days of a customer physically visiting an outlet to buy, sell, exchange, lease, digitize and monetize (melt) gold and gold jewellery. There is an ATM ready and waiting to do it. It is AI powered and will melt gold and pay the real time price Albanese wins 2nd term as PM added that nearly 50 people fell in the area where the slope collapsed, confining the stampede to that spot. Devotees from across Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka gather each year for the festival. 4Continued on | P8 MATCH NO. 54 PBKS Vs LSG DHARAMSHALA, 7.30 pm (Detail on Sports Page) Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has become the first Australian prime minister to win a second consecutive three-year term in 21 years. Opposition leader Peter Dutton conceded defeat in Saturday's election. (See World) Tejashwi seeks quota in pvt sector, judiciary Dheeraj Kumar PATNA Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging a series of sweeping measures including reservations in the private sector and judiciary. The letter has sparked a fresh political row in the state, with the NDA launching a scathing counterattack. Tejashwi’s move is widely seen as a strategic effort to reclaim political momentum following the Centre’s announcement of a nationwide caste census, which has the potential to reshape Bihar's electoral landscape ahead of the state assembly elections. In his letter, the RJD leader also demanded proportional reservations based on caste census data, and full MATCH NO. 53 KKR Vs RR KOLKATA, 3.30 PM FP News Service MUMBAI the annual jatra. Shirgao is located about 40 km from Panaji. "Between 30,000 and 40,000 people had gathered, many standing on a slope. A few fell, triggering a chain reaction," said Director General of Police Alok Kumar. He After prime accused Farhan Khan suffered a bullet injury in the leg during an escape bid late Friday night, the other accused in the high-profile rape and blackmailing case are petrified. Farhan, Sahil Khan and Nabeel are in custody of Ashoka Garden police for questioning in the case. While Farhan is now under treatment after receiving a bullet injury in his leg, Sahil and Nabeel are being questioned by police regarding their roles in the racket. Police sources said that the duo was in shock after receiving information about Farhan. They said Sahil and Nabeel were not speaking much and barely ate the food that was given to them in custody. During questioning, they regretted their acts while blaming Farhan for involving them in the rape RAPE AND BLACKMAIL CASE Farhan Khan undergoing treatment at Hamidia Hospital and blackmailing racket. To note, Farhan’s close aide Ali had broken his leg while attempting to flee when cops surrounded him at his hideout in Ashoka Garden some days back. DCP Zone-2 Priyanka Shukla said Farhan and one Abrar lived in Bilkisganj for some time and it was suspected that Abrar may have been hiding there. 4Continued on | P8 implementation of the longpending recommendations of the Mandal Commission. “The private sector, which has been a significant beneficiary of public resources, cannot remain untouched by the imperatives of social justice,” Tejashwi wrote. 4Continued on | P8 offgrid AP Next week's conclave to elect the successor to Pope Francis as leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics is a solemn affair steeped in centuriesold traditions. But far from the Sistine Chapel where cloistered cardinals will cast votes, people are placing bets on who will be chosen as the next pope. From cash bets on websites to online games modelled after fantasy football leagues and casual wagers among friends and families, the popularity of guessing and gambling on the future of the papacy is increasing worldwide, experts and participants say. It's even topped the Europa League soccer tournament and Formula One drivers' championship, said Sam Eaton, UK manager for Oddschecker, a leading online platform analyzing odds across sports, events and Cardinal Peter Turkson A three-member team of the National Commission for Women headed by its president Nirmala Kaur reached Bhopal to conduct an enquiry into the rape and blackmailing case. The NCW had earlier issued notice to the police commissioner demanding a report in the case and progress in the action taken in this regard. Police officials said that the commission would independently conduct an enquiry into the case and it would be provided all assistance and relevant documents. The team may visit the private college where the victims and the accused studied earlier and may record statements of the victims besides examining the available evidence Shoot love jihad accused in full public view, says Minister Sarang Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Reacting to the police encounter of a love jihad accused named Farhan, Minister Vishwas Sarang made a provocative statement, saying that the bullet should have been fired into his chest instead of his leg. "Such people have no right to live; they are a burden on earth," Sarang said, referring to those accused of Love Jihad. He said, “Those who indulge in such acts should not be allowed to live in the state or country.” Visibly agitated w h i l e speaking to rep o r te rs, the minister said, “It was wrong to shoot him in the leg. A bullet should have been pumped into his chest instead.” Sarang called for public executions in such cases. “They should be shot in full public view to send a clear message that such perpetrators will not within 30 minutes. Once regulatory approvals are through of course. Once that happens the company will launch it. India’s ‘Goldsikka” on Saturday unveiled an AI-powered gold melting ATM in Hyderabad. The ATM will soon offer the facility to buy, sell, exchange, lease, digitize and monetize gold and gold jewellery at one’s be spared. Shoot them publicly and eliminate them,” he said. Seize book that mentions ‘Sabab’ for outraging modesty: MLA BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma also reacted strongly to the incident, claiming that the accused had cited a religious justification, “Sabab”,for his alleged actions against Hindu girls. 4Continued on | P8 convenience. At the present, customers have no choice but to trust the outlet staff while melting and selling gold. In the process of selling gold, when the customer deposits gold in the ATM, it will be melted, purity will be tested, and the value of the pure gold will be displayed on the screen. 4Continued on | P8 Tiger mauls farmer to death in Balaghat Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL/BALAGHAT A farmer was killed by a tiger in Goreghat Kudwa village, Balaghat, on Saturday morning, sparking angry protests from villagers who accused forest department of ignoring their prior warnings about the animal's presence. Prakash Pane, 50, was reportedly guarding his crop in a field adjacent to his home and was asleep in a makeshift hut when the tiger attacked him around 6 am. The animal is said to have emerged unexpectedly and pounced on the farmer, dragging him a considerable distance before he could raise an alarm. Following the tiger roars, villagers rushed to the scene and discovered the horrific sight. The tiger had killed the victim and partially consumed his thigh and waist areas. Upon seeing the large gathering of villagers, the tiger fled deep into the jungle. The incident has ignited anger among local community. Villagers reportedly thrashed a forest beat guard, alleging that they had informed him about a tiger moving in the fields a week earlier, but he had dismissed their concern. They also staged a demonstration at the local forest outpost to protest the incident. The forest department has provided an immediate financial relief of Rs 5000 to the victim's family and stated that full compensation applicable in wild animal attack cases will be provided later. Cardinal Pietro Parolin Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle other betting markets. The New York Post reported that odds on the next pope have been available since the beginning of the year and grew in popularity following Francis’ illness. But betting has increased. Vatican Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin is the 15to-8 favorite — slightly better than 2-1 odds — to become the next pontiff, according to the latestreported by OLBG, online sports betting community. Tailpiece Trump’s No 1 choice for Pope FP News Service MUMBAI Parolin, 70, a native of Italy, is the man Pope Francis chose to lead the conclave, where cardinals from all all over the world vote for the next pope in isolation from the outside world — with no access to phones, the internet or newspapers. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, of the Philippines, dubbed “Asian Francis,” is second with 5-2 odds. If elected he would make history as the first Asian pope. Three days after American President Donald Trump joked he would be his own “number one choice” to be the next leader of the Catholic Church, and a couple of days before the conclave began to select the next Pope, Trump posted an AI generated picture of himself dressed in papal robes. He posted the image without any text or context. “I’d like to be pope,” Trump who is a billionnaire and has been married three times told a reporter recently. When asked who should succeed Francis, Trump told a reporter on Tuesday: “I have no preference,” after joking that “I'd like to be pope”, he declared. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 Betting fever: What are the odds on the next Pope? ROME NCW team in Bhopal This ATM will melt gold and pay in real time MUMBAI Six persons, including two women, were killed and over 70 sustained injuries after a stampede broke out during a temple festival in North Goa’s Shirgao village in the early hours of Saturday, officials said. The Goa government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the tragedy and transferred five senior officials, including the North Goa district collector and superintendent of police, to ensure an impartial probe. The stampede occurred around 3 am as thousands of devotees thronged the narrow lanes leading to the temple of Goddess Sree Lairai Devi for E-paper Readers’ Corner Preparing for the Unpredictable P.6 PRESSURE TACTIC | India bans all direct and indirect imports, stops exports, denies entry for Pakistan-flagged ships, and disallows all categories of mails and parcels NEW DELHI MUMBAI