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Sunday 30 August 2026

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan hold first Makkah pact meeting

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan are holding the first committee meeting under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in Istanbul, with foreign ministers, defence ministers, and chiefs of staff in attendance, even as a separate Regional Four meeting including Egypt converges on the same city.

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan are holding the first committee meeting under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in Istanbul. — FILE

Saturday 29 August 2026

PIMS fire report: Executive Director Imran Sikandar among 8 suspended

Executive Director Imran Sikandar and 7 other officials suspended after an interim inquiry found no evacuation plan existed for the nursery, exits were locked, and 16 minutes passed before emergency services were called. Criminal proceedings ordered. Full report now public.

PIMS Executive Director Imran Sikandar and 7 others suspended after an inquiry found no evacuation plan, locked exits, and a 16-minute delay before emergency services were called. — FILE/THE THURSDAY TIMES

Thursday 27 August 2026

Kuwait signs second defence pact with Pakistan in two months

Kuwait just signed its second defence agreement with Pakistan in two months, part of a Gulf and Middle Eastern network that now spans four countries in under two years: Saudi Arabia, Libya, Türkiye, and now Kuwait twice over. Syria could make it five.

Kuwait signs new defence protocol with Pakistan, the fourth Gulf or Middle Eastern state to expand security ties with Islamabad in under two years. — FILE

How Pakistan overtook India in global diplomacy

What does it take to go from an unanswered White House phone call to a UN Security Council seat in two years? Ask Pakistan. The Makkah Defence Pact. US-Iran mediation. An invite from Damascus. India lost Washington's favor in the same stretch.

Two years ago, Pakistan had little pull in Washington, no place in the Gulf's defense architecture, and no seat at the UN Security Council. Today, it holds all three, and is rewriting the region's balance of power in the process. — MICHAEL MCCALL FOR THE THURSDAY TIMES

Wednesday 26 August 2026

Monday 24 August 2026

Asim Munir returns to Tehran to mediate US-Iran war

Field Marshal Asim Munir traveled to Tehran on Monday for his third visit this year, meeting Iran's newly appointed military leadership as Pakistan works to revive stalled US-Iran talks. Iran's Foreign Ministry says bilateral ties between the two countries have reached one of their strongest stages.

Field Marshal Asim Munir is in Tehran for his third visit this year, as Pakistan works to revive stalled US-Iran talks.. — FILE/IRNA

Sunday 23 August 2026

Friday 21 August 2026

A prisoner in his own inner citadel

Imran Khan’s sister says he is fit, with normal blood pressure and improved eyesight. Official records document specialist treatment and family access. Yet the international narrative remains one of isolation and medical crisis. The record versus the rhetoric.

International coverage has prominently reflected claims of isolation, mistreatment and declining health. But court filings, documented medical treatment and Khan’s sister describing him as physically fit point to a more complex picture that warrants equal attention. — MICHAEL MCCALL FOR THE THURSDAY TIMES

Thursday 20 August 2026

Imran Khan’s close aide quietly retires his defiance myth

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.

A combined file photo shows PTI founder Imran Khan (L) and CDF Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir (R). — FILE/THE THURSDAY TIMES

Tuesday 18 August 2026

Tuesday 11 August 2026

Pakistan’s word is now worth a treaty

Countries do not enter mutual defence commitments with partners whose reliability they doubt, because the cost of misjudging that is measured in soldiers. Riyadh and Ankara have decided Pakistan is a state whose word will hold when it is expensive to hold it.

There is a particular kind of sentence that states write only when they mean it. An armed attack on Saudi Arabia, Turkey or Pakistan will be regarded as an attack on all three.

Friday 7 August 2026

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey expected to sign defence pact on Friday

Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are expected to sign a joint defence agreement in Saudi Arabia on Friday, according to Reuters, citing two regional sources. Erdogan arrives in Riyadh to meet Mohammed bin Salman and Shehbaz Sharif, with Field Marshal Asim Munir already in the Kingdom.

Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan expected to sign a joint defence agreement on Friday, Reuters reports. Erdogan travels to Riyadh to meet MBS and Shehbaz Sharif. — MONTAGE/THE THURSDAY TIMES

Wednesday 5 August 2026

Tuesday 28 July 2026

Sunday 26 July 2026

Kuwait ratifies defense pact with Pakistan

Kuwait's Amir has formally ratified the defence cooperation agreement with Pakistan by decree, published in the official gazette. The agreement covers training, logistics, military intelligence, defence industries and a joint military committee.

Kuwait's Amir has formally ratified the defence cooperation agreement with Pakistan by decree, published in the official gazette. — FILE

Friday 24 July 2026

India’s playbook for dissent has run out of pages

A Chief Justice called unemployed youth cockroaches. An exam sat by 22 lakh students was leaked, and some of them killed themselves. India's government waited, then delegitimised, then used force, then blamed Pakistan. Each step has failed.

India's government waited out its students, then used force, then blamed Pakistan. Each step came off the same shelf. Each one has failed. — MICHAEL MCCALL FOR THE THURSDAY TIMES

Security forces launch Mastung operation, 15 terrorists killed

Security forces launched Operation Al Azm in Mastung's Tehsil Khad Kucha, killing 15 terrorists and wounding 12, according to security sources. Eight suspects were detained, one hideout destroyed and a large cache of weapons seized. No casualties were reported among security forces.

Security forces have launched Operation Al Azm in Tehsil Khad Kucha, Mastung, killing several terrorists and detaining a number of suspects, according to security sources. — FILE

Thursday 23 July 2026

Pakistan backs Saudi Arabia after Houthi attacks on Red Sea oil tankers

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers and reaffirmed Pakistan's full support for the Kingdom during a call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Both leaders pledged closer cooperation to protect regional stability and vital maritime trade routes.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif share an embrace after signing a landmark defence agreement. — FILE

Wednesday 22 July 2026

Pakistan requests $10bn US exchange stabilisation facility, Reuters

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.

Pakistan has requested a rare $10 billion US exchange stabilisation facility that could bolster foreign exchange reserves, reduce pressure on the rupee and deepen economic cooperation between Islamabad and Washington. — FILE/THE WHITE HOUSE

Monday 20 July 2026

Andy Burnham becomes UK Prime Minister as Starmer resigns

Andy Burnham has become the United Kingdom's 59th Prime Minister, succeeding Keir Starmer after being invited by King Charles III to form a government. The former Manchester mayor, Britain's seventh PM in a decade, promised "a circuit breaker for Britain."

Andy Burnham has become the UK's 59th Prime Minister, succeeding Keir Starmer and becoming Britain's seventh premier in a decade. — PHOTO/UK PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

Saturday 18 July 2026

FBI captures Indian national wanted over crime network links

The FBI has confirmed the capture of Nitish Kaushal, a 26-year-old Indian national wanted over his alleged role as an enforcer for the Bhagwanpuria crime network. He was arrested in Vermont near the US-Canada border, the first confirmed capture among the fugitives named under Operation Hard Ball.

Nitish Kaushal, an alleged Bhagwanpuria enforcer, was captured by the FBI on a racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations conspiracy charge, days after being added to the bureau's most wanted list amid Washington's crackdown on Punjab-origin organised crime networks. — FILE/FBI/THE THURSDAY TIMES

Thursday 16 July 2026

China now viewed more positively than the US in most countries, Pew finds

For the first time, more people view China favourably than the US across most of 36 countries surveyed, Pew Research Center finds, with more expressing confidence in Xi than Trump. The US leads China in just six countries. In Pakistan, 84% call China a reliable partner against 36% for the US.

For the first time, more people view China favourably than the United States across most of 36 countries surveyed, Pew finds, with more expressing confidence in Xi than Trump. — FILE/THE WHITE HOUSE

Wednesday 15 July 2026

FBI issues wanted notice for Indian national linked to crime network

The FBI has issued a wanted notice for Nitish Kaushal, a 26-year-old Indian national alleged to be an enforcer for the Bhagwanpuria crime network, one of three India-based groups named in Operation Hard Ball. He is wanted on racketeering charges and considered armed and dangerous.

Nitish Kaushal, FBI wanted poster for racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations conspiracy. Alleged Bhagwanpuria enforcer now on the FBI's most wanted list as Washington intensifies its crackdown on Punjab-origin organised crime networks. — FILE/FBI

Spain beat France 2-0 to reach the World Cup final

Spain beat France 2-0 to reach the 2026 World Cup final, scoring in the 22nd and 58th minutes behind a clean sheet from Unai Simón. France had more shots but no way through. Spain play the final on 19 July.

Spain beat France 2-0 to reach the World Cup final, with goals in each half and a clean sheet from goal keepr Unai Simón. Unbeaten in the tournament, Spain will play the final on 19 July. — FILE/THE THURSDAY TIMES

Tuesday 14 July 2026

Monday 13 July 2026

Sunday 12 July 2026

Friday 10 July 2026

Wednesday 8 July 2026

U.S. charges Bishnoi, Goldy Brar for Nijjar assassination

The US has charged Lawrence Bishnoi, imprisoned in India, and Goldy Brar with directing the 2023 murder of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. 37 defendants charged, 24 arrested. The charges renew scrutiny of India-linked transnational repression.

The US has charged Lawrence Bishnoi, and Goldy Brar with directing the 2023 murder of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. — COLLAGE/THE THURSDAY TIMES

Tuesday 7 July 2026

Monday 6 July 2026

Published by Thursday Media International thursday.media