Political

Field Marshal Asim Munir meets US President Donald Trump alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the White House in September 2025, a relationship that would later place Pakistan at the centre of US-Iran peace mediation. — FILE/THE WHITE HOUSE
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wearing an Arsenal kit at Eid al-Adha prayers in the Bronx. — FILE
Field Marshal Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Xi Jinping and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar in Beijing. — FILE
Field Marshal Asim Munir meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on 25 May 2026 where Munir said a US-Iran agreement is close to being reached. — FILE

Indians arrested in Canada, police dismantle extortion network

Canadian police have arrested 17 individuals, majority of Indian origin, linked to the For Brothers criminal network which allegedly extorted South Asian businesses across Canada and the US. 106 charges. FINTRAC confirms Indian crime syndicate links. The Thursday Times reports.

17 individuals, majority of Indian origin, arrested in Canada as police dismantle the For Brothers extortion network targeting South Asian businesses. 106 charges. Indian crime syndicate links confirmed by FINTRAC. — FILE/PEEL REGIONAL POLICE

Xi Jinping praises Pakistan’s role in US-Iran mediation

President Xi Jinping praised Pakistan's constructive mediation role between the US and Iran, welcoming Field Marshal Munir to Beijing alongside PM Shehbaz Sharif. Iran had thanked Pakistan by name earlier the same day. The Thursday Times reports.

Field Marshal Asim Munir shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing on 25 May 2026 as China praised Pakistan's mediation role between the US and Iran. — FILE
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir, the key figures in Pakistan's mediation between the United States and Iran. — MONTAGE/THE THURSDAY TIMES
IMF emblem in Washington DC alongside Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as the IMF board described Pakistan's economic performance as exceptional. — MONTAGE/THE THURSDAY TIMES

Quetta railway blast: BLA’s Majeed Brigade claims responsibility

An explosion near a railway track in Quetta on Sunday injured at least 52 people. The BLA's Majeed Brigade claimed responsibility. The group is designated a terrorist organisation by Pakistan, the US, UK, EU, Canada and Australia. The Thursday Times reports.

An explosion near a railway track in Quetta on 24 May 2026 injured at least 52 people, with the BLA's Majeed Brigade claiming responsibility in a statement cited by international media, as the group remains designated a terrorist organisation by six countries including the US, UK and EU. — FILE

Donald Trump: US-Iran deal “largely negotiated.” Pakistan named.

President Trump says a US-Iran peace agreement is "largely negotiated" and will be announced "shortly." The Strait of Hormuz will be opened. Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir was named personally by Trump alongside heads of state. Pakistan brokered the original ceasefire. Pakistan's army chief flew to Tehran and negotiated through the night. Less than twenty-four hours later, Trump announced the deal is largely done. The Thursday Times reports.

President Donald Trump at the White House podium with the presidential seal. — FILE/THE WHITE HOUSE