PAKISTAN NEWS

MUZAFFARABAD, 12 August, 2026 (Nosheen): Political tensions have escalated in Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s LA-17 Haveli constituency following a dispute over the recent election, with several vehicles allegedly vandalised in Hotar village.According to local sources, vehicle windows were smashed during the incident, while allegations were also made that passports and cash belonging to some individuals were taken.The incident reportedly took place outside the residence of Zahid Hashmi, a senior Pakistan Peoples Party leader and president of the International Kashmir Peace Forum Europe, in his native village of Hotar. Local sources alleged that workers affiliated with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and an independent candidate attacked people present outside the residence. Several vehicles par...

TEL AVIV, 11 August, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Israel has expressed concern over the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, warning that the growing trilateral military cooperation could have significant implications for regional security.Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs described the agreement as a “dangerous” development, noting that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia already maintain defence cooperation and that Türkiye has now joined the expanded security arrangement. The minister said the development reflected a strengthening of military ties among the three countries.The Israeli minister also pointed to Türkiye’s existing disagreements with Israel, saying the growing defence cooperation between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye could have serious implica...

ISLAMABAD, 11 August, 2026 (Ghufran): Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that the United States and Iran are moving closer to reaching an understanding, with recent developments indicating renewed momentum towards a possible peace agreement. Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg News in Islamabad on Tuesday, Asif said, “Things are shaping up again in favour of a peace arrangement or a deal,” adding that signals received over the past two or three days suggested that the two sides were “close to some sort of an arrangement.” The remarks come amid renewed diplomatic efforts to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran, with Oman mediating contacts between the two sides and Pakistan and Qatar also playing roles in efforts to reduce tensions. Khawaja Asif did not disclose detail...

LAHORE, 11 August, 2026 (Nosheen): Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Justice Aalia Neelum has achieved a significant milestone by overseeing the filling of all 23 vacant judge positions in the high court during her tenure.In a ceremony held in Lahore, 10 newly appointed judges of the Lahore High Court took oath of office, with Chief Justice Aalia Neelum administering the oath.The judges who took oath included Justice Syed Farhad Ali Shah, Justice Amjad Pervaiz, Justice Asad Ali Bajwa, Justice Ghulam Sarwar Nahing, Justice Shireen Imran, Justice Usman Ghani Rashid Cheema, Justice Munawar Dogal, Justice Amir Ajmal Malik, Justice Khalid Ibn Aziz and Justice Ajmal Khan. A significant number of appointments against the 23 vacant positions were made during Justice Aalia Neelum’s tenure as c...

Lahore, 11 August, 2026 (Ghufran): At the time of Pakistan’s creation in 1947, members of the country’s first Constituent Assembly were not paid a monthly salary. Instead, they received a daily allowance of Rs21 for the days on which the Assembly met. Including travel allowance, the amount came to Rs45 per day. Nearly eight decades later, the basic monthly salary of a member of the National Assembly has reached Rs600,000, in addition to various allowances, travel facilities and other privileges available to lawmakers.The increase in lawmakers’ salaries and privileges has taken place against an economic backdrop significantly different from that of Pakistan’s early years. Pakistan’s federal budgets have frequently been presented with sizeable fiscal deficits, while the Pakistan Economic Sur...

Islamabad, 11 August, 2026 (Nosheen): Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi arrived in Tehran on Tuesday for an official visit as Pakistan continues its diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue between Iran and the United States amid tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. During his visit, Naqvi is expected to meet senior Iranian officials to discuss the situation surrounding the strategic waterway, Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations and other matters of mutual interest. Iranian media confirmed his arrival, while details of his meeting schedule were not immediately available. The Strait of Hormuz is expected to remain a key subject of discussions during Naqvi’s meetings in Tehran. The strategic waterway is a vital route for global energy shipments, while its security has emerged...

Rawalpindi, 11 August, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Security forces on August 10, 2026, successfully neutralized five terrorists belonging to Fitna Al Hindustan during a high-tempo, intelligence-driven operation in Panjgur district of Balochistan.The operation was conducted as part of the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign aimed at eliminating Indian-sponsored terrorist proxies and restoring lasting peace and stability in the region.During the operation, security forces recovered and destroyed a significant cache of weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at the site. Sanitization operations were subsequently carried out to eliminate any remaining threats and ensure the security of the area.The relentless counter-terrorism campaign being undertaken by Pakistan’s Security For...

Islamabad, August 11, 2026 (Nosheen): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke today with the Foreign Minister of Senegal, H.E. Mr. Cheikh Niang.During the conversation, the two Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Pakistan-Senegal bilateral relations across all areas of mutual interest.The two sides also agreed to enhance ongoing cooperation and coordination at multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations, and to work closely on matters of shared interest.The discussion underscored the desire of both countries to further deepen diplomatic engagement and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in the years ahead.  

Islamabad, 11 August, 2026(Ghufran): The United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan have signed a five-year agreement to expand and support educational exchange programs between the United States and Pakistan, including the prestigious Fulbright scholarship program.The agreement reaffirms the shared commitment of the United States and Pakistan to promoting mutual economic prosperity, security, and scientific and technological development through higher education and academic exchanges.The agreement was signed at the USEFP headquarters in Islamabad by USEFP Executive Director Dr. Peter Moran and HEC Executive Director Professor Dr. Zia Ul Haq.The programs supported under the agreement will contribute to empowering futur...

ISLAMABAD, 11 August, 2026 (Nosheen): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting to review preparations for the 14th South Asian Games, which Pakistan is scheduled to host in March 2027.During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister directed the establishment of subcommittees to oversee key areas related to the Games, including financing, infrastructure development and upgradation, athletes’ training and preparation, and logistical arrangements.Senator Ishaq Dar stressed the need for timely planning and close coordination among all stakeholders to ensure that Pakistan hosts the Games to the highest standards. He said the 14th South Asian Games would provide Pakistan with an important opportunity to showcase its sporting talent, hospitality and o...