Political

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

The IMF board called Pakistan's performance "exceptional" in closed-door discussions and India's attempt to block the third review did not prevail. Pakistan receives $1.32 billion. Total disbursements reach $4.8 billion. Officials cited by the Express Tribune. The Thursday Times reports.

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.

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.

Trump is to hold a conference call with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Pakistan to discuss a draft Iran agreement. The FT reports a 60-day ceasefire deal is close. Iran says nuclear issues are excluded from the initial framework. Rubio says Iran could accept today. Trump says it is deal or strikes. The Thursday Times reports.

Field Marshal Asim Munir has concluded his Tehran visit with Pakistan's army reporting "encouraging progress towards a final understanding" on a US-Iran deal. The Financial Times reports mediators are close to a 60-day ceasefire extension. Rubio says there is a "chance" Iran accepts today. The Thursday Times reports.

One year after Operation Sindoor, the Indian rupee has lost nearly 12 per cent against Pakistan's currency, hit a record low of 96.47 against the dollar, and become Asia's worst-performing currency. Pakistan's rupee, once called worthless, has stabilised. The Thursday Times explains what the data means.