South Asia

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Washington wants a deeper strategic relationship with Pakistan expanding cooperation beyond counterterrorism into trade, economy and regional stability. — FILE/THE WHITE HOUSE
Pakistan’s top military official meets Bangladesh’s chief adviser in Dhaka to discuss trade, investment, defence cooperation and regional security as both nations look to reset ties. — FILE

Asim Munir warns India that escalation would be catastrophic and India will bear full responsibility

Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir warned that there is no room for war in a nuclear environment, asserting that Pakistan will respond decisively to any provocation and that India will bear full responsibility for any escalation. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering stance on the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

A file photo is shown of the Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Hafiz Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah, NI HI. — FILE/THE THURSDAY TIMES
A file photo is shown of DG-ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry. — FILE/THE THURSDAY TIMES

Shehbaz Sharif highlights Pakistan’s military success and offers India peace talks at UN

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the UN General Assembly claimed Pakistan’s military success over India including the downing of seven jets and offered comprehensive peace talks while pledging support for a Palestinian state and calling for recognition of Pakistan’s sacrifices against terrorism presenting Pakistan as both a security bulwark and a bridge for regional peace.

Shehbaz Sharif uses UN speech to claim Pakistan’s military victory over India while pushing peace talks and backing Palestinian statehood.. — FILE/THE THURSDAY TIMES
The visible presence of such a strategic asset on Pakistani soil underscores the durability of the military-to-military channel between the two states. — THE THURSDAY TIMES

The candle in the wind

Benazir Bhutto was not flawless. That would have made her forgettable. She was urgent. She was unfinished. She was fury wrapped in grace. And she walked straight into history with her head high, her voice clear, and her fate already sealed. But she did not flinch.

Benazir does not belong in a glass case. She belongs in the messy, difficult conversations about what it means to lead with both elegance and exhaustion. — MICHAEL MCCALL FOR THE THURSDAY TIMES
Sharif congratulates Trump, aims to strengthen U.S.-Pakistan relations. — Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images | Arif ALI / AFP

SCO Summit 2024: Who’s heading to Islamabad to attend?

The 2024 SCO Summit in Pakistan on October 15-16 will bring together heads of government from member nations like China, Russia, India, and Iran, focusing on security, economic cooperation, and regional connectivity.

The 2024 SCO Summit in Pakistan on October 15-16 will bring together heads of government from member nations like China, Russia, India, and Iran, focusing on security, economic cooperation, and regional connectivity. — ORIGINAL/THE THURSDAY TIMES
An illustration of the Pakistani flag is shown. — FILE/THE THURSDAY TIMES
The Thursday Times is published by Thursday Media International