Page 2 - Pakistan

Munir, power, and paranoia

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

Best of BS Opinion: Asim Munir, power, and paranoia

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 says Balochistan militants are foreign proxies

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

Pak ex-PM Imran Khan sent back to jail after SC-ordered hospital checkup

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

Pakistan's ex-PM Imran Khan moved to hospital following court order

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

Pakistan seeks $10 billion facility from US to bolster forex stability

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

Will Imran Khan walk free? Why his hospital transfer is fuelling buzz

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 extends airspace ban: How is the ban affecting Indian airlines?

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.

Unauthorised structures outside Pak High Commission in Delhi demolished

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 .

Pakistan govt to fight court order moving jailed Imran Khan to hospital

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 extends airspace ban for Indian aircraft till September 24

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

Former Pak PM Imran Khan's sister meets him at Adiala Jail after 9 months

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

Pakistan top court orders former PM Imran Khan to be shifted to hospital

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

Big, bold step: Trump welcomes Saudi-Turkey-Pak defence pact amid Iran war

US President Donald Trump has termed the Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan defence agreement a "big, bold and important first step" towards defending themselves in a "more meaningful way". Trump's remarks on Sunday came days after the three nations signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement -- holding any armed offensive against any of the three countries an attack against all of them. "Very happy to see that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have recently, and finally, signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. It shows how the Middle East is coming together, and how countries will finally be able to defend themselves in a more meaningful way," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "Congratulations to the Great Leadership of the three Nations mentioned. THIS IS A BIG, BOLD, AND IMPORTANT FIRST STEP - WOW," Trump wrote. The agreement was signed August 7 by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. India said

Turkey lays out plans for defence pact with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia

The three Sunni Muslim US allies, ​alarmed by a regional conflagration that ​has brought Iranian missile fire onto Gulf oil exporters, signed the "Mecca Joint Defence ​Agreement" on August 7.

Pakistan minister meets Iran leaders to revive stalled US-Iran peace talks

Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held talks with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran to follow up on the stalled US-Iran peace negotiations, according to media reports. An interim agreement, which Pakistan had signed as a guarantor, derailed last month as tensions escalated in West Asia with the US and Iran resuming military strikes. Islamabad is actively pushing to revive its mediation efforts to end the conflict. Naqvi departed for the Iranian capital early Tuesday for talks on bilateral ties and issues of mutual interest, according to diplomatic sources cited by Iran's official news agency, IRNA. He was received in the airport by his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni, and later held talks with Araghchi. IRNA posted photographs of Naqvi's meeting with Araghchi on X. Naqvi and Araghchi are also expected to hold detailed bilateral discussions during this visit, according to a diplomatic source. In his meeting with the Iranian

6 killed in Houthi strikes on Red Sea ship, missile strike reported in Gulf

Four crew members and two rescuers were killed in a Houthi attack on a cargo ship in the Bab el-Mandeb strait

West Asia's 'Nato': Why New Delhi faces a new diplomatic challenge

Turkiye has a geographical and institutional foothold in Europe and West Asia. It is a founding member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, but it is also the largest Nato member after the US

Explained: The Mecca Joint Deterrence Agreement and its key provisions

Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a defence pact that treats an attack on one as an attack on all, with Egypt and other countries seen as possible future members

IAF officer held for 'leaking' military info after being honey-trapped by Pakistani operative

A serving Indian Air Force officer has been arrested following a complaint by the IAF that he allegedly shared information concerning the military after being honey-trapped by a Pakistani intelligence operative via social media, police said on Saturday. A case was registered under provisions of the Official Secrets Act against the officer and arrested on May 30. The chargesheet was filed before the competent court on July 30 after completion of the investigation, police said in a statement. "Based upon a complaint by the Indian Air Force authorities, a serving air force officer was arrested on May 30 on allegations of being honey-trapped by a Pakistani intelligence operative," it said. Police sources said that the officer allegedly shared information concerning military-related activities. The investigation is linked to a suspected espionage network in which the accused officer was allegedly contacted through social media by a woman. The woman allegedly established contact with th