PAKISTAN NEWS

 ISLAMABAD, 10 September, 2026 (Ghufran): President Asif Ali Zardari returned to Pakistan on Thursday after completing his private visit to the United Kingdom, where he spent more than a week. The president had departed Pakistan on August 27 for a private visit and left London for Pakistan on Wednesday. Speaking briefly before his departure, President Zardari said he was well by the grace of Allah when asked about his health, and described his stay in London as a good experience. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Tipu Usman, saw the president off at the airport. According to sources, President Zardari underwent several medical examinations during his stay in London but did not participate in any political activities. The visit marked his first trip to the United ...

 LAHORE, 10 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hammad Azhar, authorities have decided to expedite the enforcement of existing court warrants against PTI leaders wanted in various cases, including the November 2024 D-Chowk protest. According to sources, PTI leaders facing court-issued warrants in different cases are likely to be arrested as authorities move to enforce previously issued warrants. Sources said warrants against Junaid Akbar and Abdul Ghani in cases related to the D-Chowk protest will be enforced, while court warrants issued against Shibli Faraz, Murad Saeed and Hammad Azhar in Judicial Complex cases will also be acted upon. Zartaj Gul, Aamir Masood Mughal, Dr Amjad Ali and Meena Khan Afridi are also among PTI l...

ISLAMABAD, 9 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Pakistan has welcomed the United Kingdom’s decision to restrict imports of goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, describing the measure as an important step against violations of international law. The Foreign Office said Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had jointly welcomed the UK restrictions on imports, as well as measures targeting services linked to illegal Israeli settlements. In a joint statement, the eight countries called on the international community to adopt similar measures and take concrete steps to restrict trade with Israeli settlements. They also urged accountability for organisations and individuals involved in settlement activit...

 ISLAMABAD, September 9, 2026 (Ghufran): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met newly elected Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani and discussed the overall situation in AJK, law and order, development priorities and ongoing public welfare projects. Shehbaz congratulated Gilani on his election and assumption of office and extended his best wishes for his tenure. During the meeting, the two leaders held detailed discussions on peace and security, development matters and welfare initiatives across the region. The prime minister assured the AJK leadership that the federal government would continue extending full cooperation to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir government for the welfare of its people and the region’s development. He reaffirmed the federal g...

ISLAMABAD, 9 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Pakistan has welcomed the United Kingdom’s decision to restrict imports of goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, describing the measure as an important step against violations of international law. The Foreign Office said Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had jointly welcomed the UK restrictions on imports, as well as measures targeting services linked to illegal Israeli settlements. In a joint statement, the eight countries called on the international community to adopt similar measures and take concrete steps to restrict trade with Israeli settlements. They also urged accountability for organisations and individuals involved in settlement activit...

 ISLAMABAD, 9 September, 2026 (Nosheen): Asim Iftikhar has been appointed as Pakistan’s new Foreign Secretary, replacing Amina Baloch, whose tenure is set to conclude later this month. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved Iftikhar’s appointment, according to official sources. Iftikhar is currently serving as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York and is expected to return to Islamabad to assume charge as Foreign Secretary after completing his current diplomatic assignment. A senior career diplomat, Iftikhar has held several key positions during his diplomatic career. His appointment comes as the Foreign Office prepares for a change at the top following the completion of Amina Baloch’s tenure in the third week of September.

 ISLAMABAD, 9 September, 2026 (Ghufran): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran. According to the Foreign Office, the two ministers reviewed bilateral relations and reaffirmed the close and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Egypt. They also discussed regional developments and emphasized the need for close consultations on regional matters, including through the Regional Four (R4) Foreign Ministers’ mechanism with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. The two foreign ministers also agreed to meet on the sidelines of the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)...

 MUZAFFARABAD, 9 September, 2026(Kamran Raja): The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has decided to launch the “Suthra Kashmir” programme as part of its 100-day reform agenda, aiming to modernise and improve the waste management system across the territory. The initiative has been modelled on Punjab’s “Suthra Punjab” programme and will involve outsourcing solid waste management services to the private sector. Under the new system, private companies will be responsible for cleaning operations, while the government and relevant institutions will perform regulatory and supervisory functions. The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Local Government and Rural Development Secretary Irshad Ahmed Qureshi, where officials discussed and finalised key measures for implementi...

KARACHI, 8 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): A fire broke out at the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) headquarters on M.A. Jinnah Road, completely burning down the office of the Karachi mayor. According to fire brigade officials, the blaze erupted in a kitchen adjacent to the mayor’s office and was brought under control by three fire tenders. The fire caused extensive damage to the mayor’s office, while no loss of life was reported in the incident. Officials said the exact cause of the fire could not immediately be determined. The incident comes a day after a major fire broke out at a garment factory in the Landhi Processing Zone, destroying goods and equipment, while rescue authorities declared the affected building unsafe.

 ISLAMABAD, 8 September, 2026 (Nosheen): Three inmates of Adiala Jail — Owais Altaf, Ilyas Khan and Muhammad Ismail — have approached the Federal Constitutional Court, challenging an Islamabad High Court (IHC) ruling and seeking medical facilities and communication rights similar to those available to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan. In their petitions, the prisoners requested that the IHC decision be set aside and that they be allowed access to the same medical treatment and facilities available to Imran Khan, arguing that Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees equal treatment of citizens and that the Supreme Court’s order concerning Imran Khan remains applicable. They also referred to the Supreme Court’s August 18 order directing authorities to transfer Imra...