On February 6, 2026, a suicide attack rocked the Tarlai Imambargah, located in Islamabad’s Shehzad Town area, during the Friday prayers. At least 31 people were killed, and 169 others sustained injuries in the blast, which targeted a Shia Muslim gathering. The explosion occurred just as worshippers were deep into their prayers at the mosque. Disturbing videos from the site showed severe devastation, with severed limbs and debris scattered across the area. Locals and family members of the vi

Gwadar, a port in Pakistan's Balochistan province, has become a focal point for geopolitical tensions, local unrest, and external influence, especially from China. Originally a fishing settlement on the Arabian Sea, it is now home to Pakistan's third-largest port, which plays a crucial role in the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The strategic location of Gwadar, near the Strait of Hormuz, has made it a highly coveted asset for various powers. What is most remarkable about

Ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav addressed concerns over Pakistan's threat to boycott their scheduled group-stage clash. Yadav firmly stated that India's preparations for the match remain unchanged, regardless of Pakistan's stance on participation. During a captain's meet ahead of the tournament, Suryakumar emphasized that India's focus remains on the game. "Our mindset is very clear. We haven’t said no to playing them; they are the ones who??

India on Monday strongly rejected Pakistan’s allegations of mistreatment of religious minorities, asserting that Islamabad lacks the moral authority to comment on such matters given its own record. Responding to remarks from Pakistan’s Foreign Office, New Delhi said attempts to highlight alleged incidents in India cannot mask Pakistan’s well-documented history of systemic discrimination and persecution of minorities. The response came after Pakistani Foreign Affairs spokespers

China has strongly criticised a recent Pentagon report, calling it irresponsible, misleading, and an attempt to create divisions between Beijing and New Delhi while exaggerating the so-called China threat narrative. Responding sharply, Chinese officials accused the United States of distorting China’s defence policy and interfering in its internal affairs to justify Washington’s continued military dominance. Speaking at a media briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokes

Pakistan’s recent diplomatic and military outreach to Bangladesh has triggered fresh speculation about a potential defence agreement that could significantly reshape regional security dynamics in South Asia. Over the past few months, several senior Pakistani military officials, including the chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the Navy chief, and ISI head Lt General Asim Malik, have made repeated visits to Dhaka. These developments come as Bangladesh’s interim leadership u

Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir issued a direct warning to Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers, urging them to choose between maintaining ties with Islamabad or supporting the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Addressing religious scholars at the National Ulema Conference in Islamabad on December 10, Munir alleged that a large portion of militants entering Pakistan were Afghan nationals. His remarks, shared on local broadcasts over the weekend, highlighted rising tensions b

Pakistan’s request to reduce the 18 percent GST on condoms and other contraceptives has been rejected by the International Monetary Fund, leaving the government unable to make birth-control products cheaper in a period of rising population and financial pressure. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had asked the Federal Board of Revenue to approach the IMF for immediate approval to remove the tax, but the lender made it clear that such changes cannot be made mid-year and may only be considered du

Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has strongly defended the Taliban government's right to maintain political and economic relations with India, pushing back against Pakistan’s criticism over Kabul-Delhi engagement. Speaking at a conference in Kabul, Muttaqi dismissed Islamabad's accusations that India supports anti-Pakistan groups, calling them inconsistent and politically motivated. He reminded that Pakistan itself maintains diplomatic presence in New Delhi with act

In yet another provocative statement, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that his country is fully prepared for a two-front war against India on the eastern border and the Taliban on the western front. Speaking at a public event, Asif said, “We are ready for war on two fronts. Allah helped us in round one and He will help us in round two.” His remarks came just a day after a deadly suicide bombing in Islamabad that killed 12 people and injured 36 others. The Pakis

In a move that has sparked outrage and concern, Pakistani authorities denied entry to 12 Hindu pilgrims who were part of a 1,932-member Sikh Jatha traveling to Pakistan to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The group crossed the Attari–Wagah border on Tuesday for the annual pilgrimage, but the 12 Hindu devotees were stopped at the immigration counters despite being initially cleared for travel. According to reports, their passports even bore immigration stamps before Paki

Pakistan has offered Bangladesh the use of its Karachi port for exporting jute and other goods, marking a significant geopolitical move amid deteriorating India-Bangladesh relations. The offer comes shortly after India banned the import of jute products through land routes, a major blow to Bangladesh’s export sector. The development was formalized during the Pakistan-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting in Dhaka, held after a gap of nearly 20 years, signaling a thaw in relatio

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has sharply criticised the United Nations, saying the global body has become increasingly ineffective and paralysed by internal divisions. Speaking in New Delhi at the release of a commemorative postage stamp marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, Jaishankar said the organisation’s decision-making has failed to reflect the realities of its membership or the priorities of the modern world. He emphasised that meaningful reforms are

In a major geopolitical development, Taliban-ruled Afghanistan has decided to restrict Pakistan’s access to cross-border river water by constructing a dam on the Kunar River. The directive came from Supreme Leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, who ordered the Ministry of Water and Energy to begin construction “as fast as possible.” This move comes just weeks after deadly border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan that claimed hundreds of lives and amid heightened tensions followin

Heavy fighting has erupted once again between Pakistani forces and Taliban fighters along the volatile border separating Pakistan and Afghanistan, leaving dozens dead and escalating one of the most serious confrontations between the two sides since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. The clashes, centered around Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, have plunged relations between Islamabad and Kabul to a new low, with both governments trading accusations over who initiated the latest round

Paul Kapur, a noted American academic and expert on South Asian security, has been appointed as the new Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia in the United States government. Known for his hardline stance against Pakistan’s military establishment, Kapur’s appointment marks a significant shift in Washington’s regional approach, especially amid renewed tensions in South Asia. His selection comes as the US seeks to redefine its engagement with both India and Pakistan whil

The United States has approved the supply of AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) to Pakistan, marking a new phase in defence cooperation between the two countries. The US Department of War announced the inclusion of Pakistan as one of several international buyers under a recently modified arms contract with Raytheon, the American defence manufacturer responsible for producing the missile systems. According to the department’s notification, Raytheon received

Saudi Arabia’s decision to sign a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Pakistan has stirred debates across South Asia and the Middle East. The pact, which promises that an attack on one country will be treated as an attack on both, resembles a NATO-style commitment. For Pakistan, struggling with economic and diplomatic challenges, this deal is seen as a significant political win and a potential deterrence against India. Yet, beneath the surface, exper

At the Doha emergency summit attended by leaders from over 40 Muslim countries, the idea of an Islamic Nato gained momentum, with Pakistan aggressively pitching for an Arab-Islamic task force. The meeting followed Israel’s strike in Qatar and brought together Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and others under one forum. Pakistan, represented by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Is

The emergency Arab-Islamic summit held in Doha on Monday has triggered renewed calls for a NATO-style military alliance of Muslim nations. The push, spearheaded by Egypt, comes in the wake of Israel’s strike in Doha that killed Hamas operatives and a Qatari officer. While leaders differed on concrete action against Israel, the summit may have set in motion the groundwork for an Arab-Islamic defense pact. Egypt,