Pakistan

Pakistan and Kuwait on Thursday signed an agreement to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation, including in areas such as training, capacity building and border management. The 'Protocol Agreement-2026' was signed during a meeting between Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and a high-level Kuwaiti delegation led by Defence Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Al-Sabah at the Ministry of Defence in Rawalpindi. The delegation was accompanied by Kuwait Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces Lt Gen Khalid Al-Shriaan. According to an official statement, the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, with particular focus on bilateral defence relations, security cooperation and further strengthening defence ties. The new agreement significantly enhances the existing military cooperation framework established under the 'Defence Cooperation Agreement-2023', it said. "Under the new agreement, the Armed Forces of Pakistan will extend assistance to the Armed Forces of Kuwait in divers

Kasim and his brother Sulaiman Isa also urged the international community to pressure Pakistan for human rights violations against its former premier

Fourteen infants were killed on Wednesday after a fire broke out in a gynaecology ward of a major hospital in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, authorities said. The fire occurred at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), the largest public hospital in the capital. In a statement, the Islamabad administration said fourteen newborns were killed when the fire broke out on the third floor of the hospital's mother and child ward. PIMS Spokesperson Dr Aneeza Jalil told the Dawn newspaper that 15 babies were in the ward. "At least one baby was saved by a doctor," she said. The administration statement said rescue teams were rushed to the scene, with six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances taking part in the rescue operation. "The fire was immediately brought under control," it said, adding that an inquiry committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner general had been formed to investigate the incident. Earlier, media reports said that 15 infants were killed in t

Bangladesh is open to joining the recently formed defence alliance between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye, two junior ministers have said, while stressing that any decision would be guided by the country's national interests. Signed in Makkah on August 7, the pact establishes a framework for collective deterrence and stipulates that an armed attack on any one of the three countries would be considered an attack on all three. "Bangladesh maintains a positive approach towards the possibility of joining an economic or defence framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye, taking into account its own interests and the changing dynamics of the global economy and trade," newly appointed state minister for foreign affairs Humayun Kobir said. In an interview with the Bangla service of state-run BSS on Friday, Kobir said the government was pursuing a "Bangladesh First" policy and a balanced foreign policy with national interests at its core, which might lead Dhaka to join the ..

Pakistan has taken on a mediator role in negotiations between Iran ‌and the US aimed at ​ending the war which ​began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February

For any relationship to work, it has to meet the test of "mutual interest", External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday in the context of the current state of ties between India and Bangladesh. The external affairs minister also described Pakistan as a "unique" country in the world as there is no other nation that uses "terrorism so systematically" and in a sustained manner to attack and put pressure on a neighbour. Jaishankar made the remarks at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum. "What I can tell you is, for any relationship to work, it has to meet the test of mutual interest. It has to work for us," he said while declining to respond to a question on Dhaka's demand to India to extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Jaishankar's remarks came amid continuing uncertainty over Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's much-anticipated visit to India. It is learnt that both sides are continuing to hold back-channel talks to explore the possibility of the trip

Pakistan government has approved the deployment of the army for six months in Rawalpindi at the request of Punjab's home department for "sensitive security duties". "The federal government, exercising the powers conferred under Article 245 of the Constitution of Pakistan, is pleased to authorise the deployment of three companies of the Pakistan Army for sensitive security duties in Rawalpindi," according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control on Friday. It said that the decision was taken "to avoid any undesirable situation as well as to respond effectively in any unforeseen situation as per the requirement of the district administration". Article 245 of the Constitution pertains to the deployment of armed forces in aid of civil power.

At some point, Pakistani dictators begin to show paranoia. That's the strategic reality most relevant to India since the late '50s. Munir's case is worse, like some sudden acrophobia

Today's opinions examine the Saudi-Turkiye-Pakistan defence pact, leadership challenges at the Tata group, Asim Munir's growing powers and the political potency of negative branding

Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Friday described militants active in Balochistan as "foreign-sponsored proxies" working to destabilise the restive province. Munir made the remarks while interacting with prominent figures and political leaders from Balochistan, according to a statement issued by the army. Balochistan has been facing a long-running separatist insurgency led by groups, including the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which seeks independence for the mineral-rich province. Munir stressed that the present and future of Balochistan and Pakistan are "one and forever". Without naming any country, he alleged that militants active in the province "are foreign-sponsored proxies being employed by hostile elements to destabilise Balochistan, obstruct its development and create a wedge between the state and its people". Munir said the destiny of Balochistan rests only in the hands of its people. Insurgents demanding independence for Balochistan hav

Imran Khan was shifted to Shifa International Hospital early Friday after Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered the same for the treatment of the former PM's health problems

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered Khan, 73, to be transferred to the Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for treatment of several health problems, including an eye condition

The proposed USD 10 billion Exchange Stabilisation Support Facility from the US comes as Pakistan seeks to move away from a financing model that has relied heavily on loans, deposits

Imran Khan's transfer to a private hospital under the Supreme Court's watch has triggered speculation whether this is an early sign that the former prime minister will move out of prison

Pakistan has extended its airspace ban on Indian aircraft until September 24, just days before the previous restriction was due to expire on August 23.

A section of structures outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi was demolished after authorities found them to be beyond the mission's approved boundary, official sources said on Thursday. The action was carried out by the agencies concerned using a JCB machine, which removed the structures and barricades erected along the lane outside the compound, including queue-management installations near the visa section, the sources said. Visuals showed that the demolition left a trail of rubble outside the mission, with broken metal railings and gates, twisted metal frames, roofing sheets, bricks and chunks of concrete and plaster strewn across the paved area. Additionally, visuals from the site showed sections of the outer structures completely pulled down, including corrugated roofing and white metal fencing. The facade around the service windows appeared damaged, with portions of plaster and masonry broken away. The visa section remained visible amid the debris, with service .

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said Tuesday that Khan should be treated at a state-run hospital, arguing that rules don't allow inmates to receive treatment at private facilities

Pakistan on Wednesday extended the closure of its airspace to Indian aircraft until September 24, according to the country's airports authority. Pakistan and India imposed matching airspace restrictions on each other's airlines after the Pahalgam terrorist attack in April 2025. "Pakistan airspace not available for Indian-registered aircraft and aircraft operated or leased by Indian airlines/operators, including military flights," said a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority. The decision comes ahead of the expiry of the previous restriction on August 23. According to the NOTAM, the extension will take effect from 10:15 am on August 23 and will remain in force until 4:59 am on September 24. As per a Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) document from 2022, the country's airspace is divided into two flight information regions (FIRs) - Karachi and Lahore. The NOTAM applies to both the Karachi and Lahore FIRs. The ban has been extended monthly since l

The meeting lasted approximately 15 minutes in which Noreen briefed Imran about the SC's order regarding his transfer to Islamabad's Shifa Hospital and discussed other matters with him

The top court ruled that Khan be moved to a Shifa International Hospitals Ltd. facility in Islamabad for treatment until the next hearing of his appeal