Political

The Thursday Times’ Pakistani news section dives into the pulse of Pakistani politics, offering sharp analysis and timely updates on the decisions and debates shaping the nation’s future, from the corridors of power to grassroots movements.

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.
Newsroom

وزیراعظم شہباز شریف کا سعودی ولی عہد سے رابطہ، سعودی آئل ٹینکرز پر حوثی حملوں کی شدید مذمت

وزیراعظم شہباز شریف کا سعودی ولی عہد محمد بن سلمان سے ٹیلیفونک رابطہ۔ بحیرۂ احمر میں سعودی آئل ٹینکرز پر حوثی حملوں کی شدید مذمت، پاکستان کا سعودی عرب کے ساتھ مکمل یکجہتی کا اعادہ۔ فیلڈ مارشل سید عاصم منیر اور پوری پاکستانی قوم اس نازک وقت میں سعودی قیادت اور برادر عوام کے ساتھ مضبوطی سے کھڑے ہیں۔
Newsroom

Hegseth calls Pakistan’s mediation “an unexpected development” and “a true friendship”

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said a true friendship is growing between Washington and Pakistan, calling its mediation role an unexpected development and praising Field Marshal Munir and PM Shehbaz Sharif directly.
International

Trump posts US-Iran deal terms from Situation Room as Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar meets Rubio in Washington

Trump posted US-Iran deal terms from the Situation Room on 29 May. Strait of Hormuz to open. Blockade lifted. Nuclear material to be destroyed. Final determination pending. Pakistan's Ishaq Dar was in Washington meeting Rubio at the same moment. The Thursday Times reports.
International

Iran’s news agency signals US-Iran deal may be close, credits Pakistan

Iran's Tasnim News Agency signalled a US-Iran deal may be close, crediting Pakistan's effective efforts. President Pezeshkian also praised Pakistan in an Eid call with PM Shehbaz Sharif.
International

EU Parliament votes to sanction Taliban leaders

The EU Parliament adopted a resolution calling for expanded sanctions against Taliban leaders, condemning gender apartheid and slavery under the Taliban's Criminal Procedure Code, and regretting the EU's decision to invite the Taliban to Brussels. 480 votes in favour, 5 against.
International

Trump: “I gave Iran a chance” because Pakistan asked. “The Field Marshal and Prime Minister have been great.”

Trump said he gave Iran a chance because Pakistan asked him to, praising Field Marshal Munir and PM Shehbaz Sharif as "great." His most personal acknowledgement yet of Pakistan's role in the US-Iran negotiations. The Thursday Times reports
International

New York’s first Muslim mayor Zohran Mamdani prays Eid in the Bronx in an Arsenal thobe

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined Eid al-Adha prayers in the Bronx wearing an Arsenal thobe. The city's first Muslim mayor said he is determined to lead through solidarity. The Thursday Times reports.
International

China formally acknowledges Pakistan’s role in brokering US-Iran ceasefire

China has formally acknowledged Pakistan's role in the US-Iran ceasefire for the first time in a joint statement issued in Beijing. The statement also reaffirms Kashmir UN resolutions, names TTP and announces a Pakistani astronaut for China's Space Station. The Thursday Times reports.
International

US-Iran deal “close to being reached,” Field Marshal Munir tells China’s Wang Yi

Field Marshal Munir told China's Wang Yi in Beijing that a US-Iran agreement is close to being reached and Pakistan will continue all-out efforts. Wang Yi called Pakistan a trustworthy mediator. Source: Xinhua. The Thursday Times reports.
International

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.
International

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.
International

پاکستان کا شکریہ، امریکا و ایران اکثر معاملات میں مفاہمت تک پہنچ چکے ہیں، ترجمان ایرانی وزارتِ خارجہ

ایران وزیراعظم شہباز شریف، وزیرِ خارجہ اسحاق ڈار اور پاکستانی متعلقہ اداروں کی انتھک کوششوں پر شکریہ ادا کرتا ہے۔ فیلڈ مارشل عاصم منیر کا کردار اور دورہ تہران نہایت اہم رہا۔ امریکا کے ساتھ اکثر معاملات میں مفاہمت تک پہنچ چکے ہیں۔ ترجمان ایرانی وزارت خارجہ
International

Iran thanks Pakistan by name as US-Iran understandings reached on “most issues”

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman thanked Pakistan by name, citing PM Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Munir's role, as Tehran said understandings had been reached on most issues with the US. A formal agreement has not yet been signed. The Thursday Times reports.
International