PAKISTAN NEWS

 KARACHI, 17 September, 2026 (Ghufran): First Lady of Pakistan Asifa Bhutto Zardari reaffirmed her support for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)’s efforts to advance the goal of Zero Hunger in Pakistan during a meeting with a WFP delegation led by Representative and Country Director WFP Pakistan Anita Hirsch in Karachi. The meeting was attended by Senator Sherry Rehman, Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab and Director General Ministry of Foreign Affairs Irfan Soomro. The WFP delegation briefed the First Lady on its programmes covering nutrition, food security, school meals and climate resilience, particularly its collaboration under the Benazir Nashonuma Programme, which has reached more than three million women and ...

ISLAMABAD, 17 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation with Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir during his visit to Beijing, according to Iranian media reports. The two officials discussed the latest regional developments and matters of mutual interest. The phone call took place as Araghchi visited China, where he also met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss regional security and efforts to reduce tensions. During his meeting with Wang, Araghchi said Tehran had initiated talks with neighboring countries as part of its efforts to restore peace and stability in the region, adding that his government was seeking to protect what it described as the legitimate rights of the Iranian peop...

RAWALPINDI, 16 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): A delegation of POWERUS, a US-based company specialising in defence and critical infrastructure solutions, led by Mr. Robert Bret Velicovich, called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (COAS & CDF), at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, evolving trends in defence technology, and avenues for cooperation in defence procurement, production and capacity building were discussed. Field Marshal Asim Munir highlighted the importance of technological innovation and advanced solutions in strengthening national security and resilience. Both sides expressed interest in further developing engagement in areas of mutual interest.

 LAHORE, 16 September, 2026 (Ghufran): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has nominated Dr Muhammad Najeeb Naqi Khan for the office of President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with the presidential election scheduled for September 24, 2026. Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said Nawaz Sharif had directed Dr Najeeb Naqi to submit his nomination papers for the AJK president’s office. She congratulated Dr Najeeb Naqi on behalf of the party leadership, saying the PML-N’s top leadership and Nawaz Sharif approved his name following consultations within the party. Dr Najeeb Naqi belongs to the Sudhanoti-Palundri constituency of Poonch Division in AJK and has previously served as a minister in the AJK government, holding several important portfolios. Ear...

ISLAMABAD, 16 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the conferment of the Tamgha-e-Shujaat on Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) staff nurse Razia Noreen in recognition of her bravery during a fire incident at the hospital. According to an official statement, Razia Noreen risked her own life during the emergency and successfully rescued the only child who survived the incident, bringing the child to safety. The award recognizes her courageous actions and dedication to duty during the emergency at PIMS. The president also approved several summaries presented for consideration, including the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) Amendment Bill 2026 and the Standard Time (Interpretation of References) Amendment Bill 2026. T...

 UNITED NATIONS, 16 September, 2026 (Nosheen): Republican US Representative Joe Wilson has urged Türkiye and Pakistan to work with Saudi Arabia against the Houthis following reports that Saudi coalition forces intercepted a Houthi drone over Makkah. In a post on X, Wilson said the Houthis had targeted Muslim holy sites in Saudi Arabia and called on Türkiye and Pakistan to support Saudi Arabia. He said that if the Makkah Alliance was to have significance, Türkiye and Pakistan should work with Saudi Arabia against the Houthis and support efforts concerning Yemen. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar, said Pakistan fully supports Saudi Arabia’s defensive measures against Houthi attacks. Addressing a United Nations Security Council meetin...

 ISLAMABAD, 16 September, 2026 (Ghufran): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the attempted drone attack on the Holy Site of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reaffirming Pakistan’s support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the security of Haramain Sharifain. In a post on X, the prime minister said the people of Pakistan were deeply saddened and perturbed by the incident, describing the attempted attack as a reprehensible act. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the Royal Saudi Armed Forces for their vigilance, courage and professionalism, saying their swift action demonstrated exceptional preparedness. He urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation, stressing that the region...

 RAWALPINDI, 16 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has described the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye as a purely defensive arrangement aimed at promoting regional peace and stability. Speaking in an interview with Al Arabiya, the DG ISPR said the agreement contained no element of aggression or interference and was not directed against any country or alliance, adding that the pact was intended to strengthen collective deterrence among the participating countries. Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that in the event of an attack on any of the three member countries, the decision regarding the response would rest with the respective lea...