International

The Thursday Times brings the globe into focus, delivering clear, comprehensive reporting on pivotal events shaping nations and communities. With The Thursday Times‘ on-the-ground insights and expert analysis, we connect readers to the stories that matter across borders, helping make sense of our fast-changing world.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan sign Makkah Joint Defence Agreement

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement at Al-Safa Palace, a trilateral pact under which an armed attack against any one of the three states will be regarded as an attack against them all.
International

سعودی عرب، پاکستان اور ترکیہ نے مکہ مکرمہ میں تاریخی ”مکہ مشترکہ دفاعی معاہدہ“ پر دستخط کر دیئے

سعودی عرب، پاکستان اور ترکیہ نے مکہ مکرمہ میں تاریخی مشترکہ دفاعی معاہدے پر دستخط کر دیئے ہیں۔ معاہدے کے تحت کسی ایک رکن ملک پر مسلح حملہ تینوں ممالک پر حملہ تصور ہوگا، جبکہ دفاعی، عسکری اور تزویراتی تعاون کو مزید مضبوط بنایا جائے گا۔
International

IRGC gun boats open fire on tanker off Oman, crew reported safe

Two Iranian IRGC gun boats opened fire without warning on a tanker 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman. The vessel and its crew were reported safe, while authorities investigate, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre.
International

Polymarket bets on whether Trump will visit Pakistan by May 31

Polymarket now gives Trump roughly a one-in-three chance of visiting Pakistan by May 31, reflecting how Islamabad’s growing role in U.S.-Iran diplomacy has moved from back-channel intrigue to public speculation.
International

Trump signals Pakistan visit as Islamabad emerges as hub for US-Iran deal

Trump signals visit Pakistan if a US–Iran deal is signed in Islamabad, praising Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while placing Pakistan firmly at the heart of the diplomatic drive.
International

Pakistan says an Iran nuclear breakthrough may be close

Pakistan is pushing to convert its ceasefire mediation into something larger: progress on the nuclear issue at the centre of the Iran crisis. But while optimism has grown, key disputes remain unresolved and officials say a second round of talks has not yet been formally dated.
International

وائٹ ہاؤس نے پاکستان کو امریکا ایران سفارتی عمل کا مرکزی کردار قرار دے دیا

وائٹ ہاؤس نے پاکستان کو امریکا ایران سفارتی عمل کا مرکزی کردار قرار دیتے ہوئے کہا ہے کہ دنیا کے کئی ممالک نے مدد کی پیشکش کی تاہم مذاکراتی عمل میں ’’اسلام آباد ہی واحد ثالث ہے‘‘ جبکہ صدر ڈونلڈ ٹرمپ کی ترجیح ہے کہ رابطہ پاکستان کے ذریعہ ہی جاری رکھا جائے۔
International

White House puts Pakistan at centre of Iran talks

The White House has publicly declared Pakistan the sole mediator in the current United States-Iran negotiations, a striking statement that formalises Islamabad’s role as the main diplomatic channel in a volatile and unfinished process.
International

Trump pushes for new round of Islamabad Talks within two days

Donald Trump has said fresh US-Iran talks in Islamabad could take place within days, reinforcing Pakistan’s growing role as a mediator. Why, he says? "Because the Field Marshal is doing a great job."
International

Japan’s leader backs Pakistan’s mediation push after US-Iran talks

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi backed Pakistan’s role in the US-Iran Islamabad Talks during a call with Shehbaz Sharif. She emphasised de-escalation and the urgent need to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
International

China praises Pakistan for mediating US-Iran talks in Islamabad

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed the US-Iran negotiations held in Islamabad, with Beijing praising Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional stability.
International

Sharif says full effort continues as Pakistan salvages US-Iran peace track

Pakistan said it was still making a full diplomatic push to ease tensions between the United States and Iran after marathon talks in Islamabad ended without agreement, underscoring Islamabad’s bid to keep a fragile mediation effort from unravelling.
International

Trump lauds Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir as ‘extraordinary men’ after Islamabad Talks

Donald Trump praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir as “very extraordinary men” after being briefed on the marathon U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad, placing Pakistan’s leadership at the centre of a major diplomatic moment.
International

Trump says Iran will return for negotiations as Islamabad Talks end without a deal

Donald Trump has said that he expects Iran to return to the negotiating table and “give us everything we want,” reinforcing a maximalist U.S. position after high-level talks in Islamabad ended without a deal.
International