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.

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

پاکستان، سعودی عرب اور ترکیہ کے درمیان ریاض میں اہم دفاعی معاہدہ آج متوقع

ریاض (تھرسڈے ٹائمز) — سعودی عرب، پاکستان اور ترکیہ کے درمیان ایک اہم سہ فریقی دفاعی معاہدے پر آج (جمعہ) سعودی عرب میں دستخط متوقع ہیں، جس کے ذریعے تینوں ممالک دفاع، سلامتی، عسکری تعاون اور خطے کے تیزی سے بدلتے ہوئے سکیورٹی منظرنامے میں باہمی اشتراک کو نئی سطح پر لے جائیں گے۔ بین الاقوامی خبر رساں ادارے رائٹرز نے خطے کے دو باخبر...
International

Iran’s Araghchi makes swift return to Islamabad in high-stakes diplomacy

Iran’s Abbas Araghchi is back in Islamabad within around 24 hours of leaving for Muscat, keeping Pakistan at the centre of high-stakes US-Iran diplomacy.
Newsroom

Trump cancels envoys’ Islamabad trip for Iran talks

Trump has cancelled his representatives’ planned trip to Islamabad for talks with Iran, saying too much time was being spent on travel and that Tehran can contact Washington directly if it wants negotiations.
International

ایران کی خارجہ پالیسی میں پاکستان کو خاص مقام حاصل ہے، عباس عراقچی

ایرانی وزیرِ خارجہ عباس عراقچی کی اسلام آباد میں وزیرِ اعظم شہباز شریف، اسحاق ڈار اور فیلڈ مارشل عاصم منیر سے اہم ملاقات۔عراقچی نے کہا کہ پاکستان ایران کی خارجہ پالیسی میں خاص اہمیت رکھتا ہے،مذاکرات میں جنگ بندی، علاقائی امن اور پاک ایران تعاون پر تبادلہ خیال کیا گیا۔
Newsroom

Iran says Pakistan holds a special place in its foreign policy

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, describing Pakistan as holding a significant place in Tehran’s foreign policy outlook while briefing Pakistan’s leadership on ceasefire developments, regional stability and bilateral cooperation.
Newsroom

U.S. adviser commends Shehbaz, Dar for Pakistan’s peace efforts

A senior adviser to President Trump used a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum to publicly praise Pakistan’s role in mediation, regional stability and ongoing peace efforts.
International

Pakistan condemns settler raid at Al-Aqsa after Israeli flags raised

Pakistan has condemned the entry of Israeli settlers into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the raising of Israeli flags inside its courtyard, calling the act a violation of international law and warning that such provocations could further inflame regional tensions.
International

Pakistan’s peace drive finds new backing in Egypt

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty have stressed the importance of dialogue and continued engagement in a high-level call on regional tensions, as Islamabad expands consultations with key Arab powers.
Newsroom

China throws fresh weight behind Pakistan’s US-Iran mediation

China has renewed its backing for Pakistan’s diplomatic role in facilitating engagement between Washington and Tehran, with Ambassador Jiang Zaidong conveying Beijing’s “full support” during a meeting with Ishaq Dar as the next phase of talks approaches a decisive moment.
Newsroom

Pakistan urges the United States to give diplomacy more time

Pakistan’s foreign minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, told the American chargé d’affaires in Islamabad that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only workable path to regional stability, urging Washington and Tehran to consider extending the ceasefire and give negotiations more time.
Newsroom

Pakistan awaits Iran’s decision as ceasefire deadline nears

Pakistan said late Tuesday that it is still awaiting formal confirmation from Iran on whether Tehran will attend the proposed Islamabad peace talks, as the ceasefire nears expiry and Islamabad intensifies last-minute diplomacy to keep negotiations alive.
Newsroom

Imran Khan predicted Islamabad Talks in 2002, claims Sohail Afridi

Sohail Afridi, the Chief Minister for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has claimed that Imran Khan first proposed the peace talks now unfolding in Pakistan as far back as 2002, adding a new burst of controversy to the country’s already charged political landscape.
Newsroom

Trump sends Witkoff and Kushner to Islamabad for US-Iran peace talks

Trump says his representatives Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are travelling to Pakistan for peace negotiations with Iran in Islamabad, after issuing a sharp warning to Tehran, placing Pakistan at the centre of a fast-moving diplomatic showdown.
International