News

Shaukat Dar
Hounslow, the largest borough in West London, recently held a ceremony in honour of its new mayor-elect, councillor Ranjeet Gill,
following a prestigious ceremony at Hounslow Civic Centre. Newly elected Labour Party members formally assumed charge of the council administration.
Councillor Rajwant Shanto took over as Leader of the House, while Councillor Ranjeet Gill was elected Mayor and Councillor Sahiba Hussain assumed the role of Deputy Mayor. Councillor Samia Chaudhry was also appointed as a Cabinet Member.
During the election of council office bearers, members of the Green Party also supported Labour Party candidates.
Speaking exclusively to DM, the newly elected members said it was a matter of great pride and honour for them that the public had placed their trust in them to serve the community.

City reporter
A court has sentenced 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of 18-year-old university student Henry Nowak in Southampton. Nowak, a first-year accountancy and finance student at the University of Southampton, was fatally stabbed during an incident in December 2025 after a night out with friends. Prosecutors said Digwa stabbed him multiple times with a large blade and then falsely claimed to police that he had been the victim of a racist attack.
The case drew national attention after police body-camera footage showed officers handcuffing Nowak while he repeatedly stated that he had been stabbed. Hampshire Police later apologised for its handling of the incident, and an independent investigation into police conduct is ongoing. The murder has sparked public debate about policing, knife crime, and community relations, with government officials and Nowak’s family urging the public not to allow the tragedy to fuel division. Nowak’s family described him as a talented and well-liked young man whose loss has left a lasting impact on relatives, friends, and the wider university community.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has criticised comments made by Elon Musk regarding the public debate surrounding the murder of Henry Nowak, accusing the billionaire of attempting to deepen divisions within British society and interfere in domestic political affairs.

Speaking in Westminster, Starmer said that discussions surrounding a tragic criminal case should be guided by facts, evidence, and the legal process rather than by commentary from influential figures outside the country.
“The United Kingdom’s justice system must be allowed to operate independently. Attempts by overseas figures to inflame tensions or influence political debate are not helpful and risk undermining social cohesion,” the Prime Minister said.
The dispute emerged after Musk used his social media platform to comment on issues related to the case, prompting strong reactions across the political spectrum. Supporters argued that Musk was exercising his right to free expression, while critics claimed his remarks amplified political tensions and encouraged polarization.
Government ministers echoed concerns about the growing influence of social media personalities in shaping national political conversations. Several MPs argued that highly followed online figures can have a significant impact on public opinion despite having no democratic mandate in the UK. Musk’s supporters rejected the criticism, maintaining that public debate should remain open and that international figures are entitled to comment on major global events and political issues.
Political analysts said the row reflects a broader challenge facing modern democracies: balancing free speech with concerns about misinformation, foreign influence, and the role of social media in public life. The exchange is likely to intensify debate over how governments should respond when influential international figures become involved in domestic political controversies.

Waseem Kazmi
London, during the debate in the House of Lords on the free trade agreement between the UK and India, Lord Qurban Hussain expressed concern over the absence of a specific clause on human rights in the agreement, while pointing out that the agreement includes provisions on animal welfare.
Speaking during the debate, Lord Qurban Hussain raised the question of whether the agreement includes any clause on the protection of human rights. He also inquired whether the British government considers human rights issues in India to be less important than animal protection.
Lord Qurban Hussain said “I understand that our free trade agreement with India includes a specific animal welfare clause, which is certainly a good thing. But does it also include a human rights clause? If not, does the British government really believe that human rights in India are less important than animal rights?”
Responding on behalf of the government, Lord Leung reiterated the UK’s commitment to human rights and said that human rights are important everywhere, be it in India or elsewhere, and the British government will continue to uphold its obligations under international human rights treaties.
Lord Qurban Hussain’s observation reflects long-standing concerns expressed by MPs, human rights organisations and international observers about the human rights situation in India. These concerns include the rights of religious minorities, freedom of expression, civil liberties and the situation in the Indian-occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
His remarks during the debate highlight the importance of ensuring that economic and trade partnerships are aligned with India’s commitment to fundamental human rights and international legal obligations.
It should be recalled that the UK and India signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in July 2025. However, the agreement has not yet entered into force.

Staff reporter
London
The Home Office has come under scrutiny after reports emerged that children as young as five have received official letters informing them that they must leave the United Kingdom.
The correspondence, addressed directly to young children, reportedly warns recipients that they no longer have the right to remain in the country and may be required to depart unless their immigration status is resolved. The letters have sparked criticism from refugee advocates, legal experts, and opposition politicians, who argue that such communications can cause unnecessary distress to children and their families.
Campaign groups said the wording of the notices appeared inappropriate for young recipients, raising questions about whether sufficient safeguards are in place when immigration enforcement procedures involve minors. Several organizations have called on the government to review its practices and ensure that communications concerning immigration matters are directed primarily to parents, guardians, or legal representatives.
A spokesperson for the Home Office defended the department’s procedures, stating that letters are issued as part of standard administrative processes and are intended to inform individuals of their immigration status and available options. Officials stressed that each case is assessed individually and that families may have routes to appeal decisions or seek further legal advice.
Immigration lawyers noted that children are often included in family immigration applications and may therefore be listed as individual recipients in official correspondence. However, they argued that the language used should be carefully tailored to reflect the age and circumstances of the recipient.
The reports have reignited debate over the government’s immigration policies, particularly regarding the treatment of children within the system. Critics say enforcement measures must balance immigration control with the welfare and best interests of minors, while supporters argue that clear communication is necessary to maintain the integrity of immigration rules.
Calls for greater transparency are expected to continue as lawmakers seek further information on how many children have received such notices and what measures are in place to protect vulnerable families.
(The Home Office has not indicated whether it plans to revise the format or wording of the letters)

Tajammul Gurmani
Manchester
Consul General of Pakistan in Manchester, Imtiaz Feroz Gondal, has stressed the need for unity among all unions of journalists (UJs) and the formation of a common platform for journalists in Northwest England.
Imtiaz Feroz Gondal called an important meeting of journalists at the Pakistan Consulate office, which was attended by representatives of different journalist organisations. Prominent participants included Community Welfare Attaché Misbah Noreen, Commercial Attaché Awais Farooqi, Mahboob Elahi Butt, Allama Azeem Jee, Altaf Shahid Sidhu, Pervaiz Masih, Syed Mazhar Bokhari, Mahmood Khan, Mahmood Asghar, Farzana Afzal, Mustafa Mughal, Zahid Noor, Rana Toufeeq, Arif Pandheer, Mian Aamir Ali, Haroon Mirza, Aitzaz Asim, and others. During the meeting, it was unanimously decided that journalist organisations would set aside their differences and establish a common platform in Northwest England. All press clubs and journalist organisations will be represented in the new body. The new journalists’ body will promote Pakistani culture and project a positive image of the country. Imtiaz Feroz Gondal said that Pakistan is a beautiful country and its tourism opportunities need to be promoted. He added that the Pakistan Consulate would facilitate and strengthen relations with youth, community and journalist organisations for this purpose. The representatives of the journalist organisations agreed to fully cooperate in promoting Pakistan’s tourist destinations. They also expressed their commitment to strengthening national unity among the Pakistani community in the UK.