High-profile absences and early departures cast a shadow over Narendra Modi's showcase BRICS gathering in New Delhi. Brazil's Lula skipped it entirely, Saudi Arabia's crown prince never attended, the UAE's Crown Prince left before dinner, and Xi Jinping disappeared before the evening began.
Zulfikar Bukhari's remarks to Reuters, describing a freed Imran Khan as unwilling to confront army chief Asim Munir, don't just shift PTI's tone. Coming from one of Khan's closest aides, they quietly kill the "dut kar khara hai kaptaan" promise that has held the party's base together for two years.
Pakistan has formally requested a rare $10 billion exchange stabilisation facility from the United States, according to Reuters. The proposed arrangement could strengthen the country's foreign exchange reserves, support the rupee and mark a significant step forward in bilateral economic relations.
Trump reportedly warned Netanyahu against further escalation in Lebanon as US-Iran diplomacy faced renewed pressure, with Pakistan and Qatar involved in efforts to preserve a fragile regional framework.
The New York Times reported that Field Marshal Asim Munir played a central role in US-Iran mediation and his overnight Tehran visit was an intensification of shuttle diplomacy. The Thursday Times traces how Pakistan's army chief built the trust of both Washington and Tehran, one visit at a time.
The State Bank of Pakistan’s Half Year Report shows stronger growth, lower inflation, rising reserves and a rare fiscal surplus, but warns that weak exports, low investment, climate shocks and Middle East instability could still test the recovery.
Pakistan received $3.5 billion in workers’ remittances in April 2026, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading inflows and cumulative FY26 remittances reaching $33.9 billion.
Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam praised Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Pakistan’s career diplomats for their role in facilitating, coordinating and preparing diplomatic talks.
Pakistan is working against a rapidly closing deadline to revive U.S.-Iran diplomacy before the current truce expires. But fresh escalations at sea, conflicting public messages and Iran’s refusal to negotiate under pressure are making Islamabad’s peacemaking effort far more difficult.
Donald Trump has long favoured high-profile diplomacy and may want to fly in himself if Pakistan offers the chance for a final deal or landmark announcement, meaning JD Vance would likely need to stay home in Washington or return from Islamabad first.
