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Pakistan and the Taliban-led government of Afghanistan have agreed to a fresh immediate ceasefire, Qatar’s foreign ministry announced early Sunday, October 19, 2025. The breakthrough came during high-stakes talks in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, following over a week of deadly confrontations along the porous and disputed 1,600-mile border shared by the two nations. Image Source: Rafiullah Nizkad The agreement comes amid a surge in violence that had persisted despite previous temporary truces. According to the terms laid out in a statement from Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid, both sides have committed to halting hostilities, refraining from targeting each other’s forces, civilians, and critical infrastructure. Crucially, Kabul has pledged not to allow Afghan territory to be used as a base for groups launching attacks against Pakistan -- a longstanding point of contention between the two neighbours. Fighting had erupted on October 10, when Afghanistan accused Pakistan of ca...

Taliban border forces on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday (October 11 and 12) confirmed that "heavy clashes" had erupted with Pakistani troops along multiple points of the Afghanistan–Pakistan border.  The fighting, reportedly spread across Kunar, Dangam, Birkot, and Paktia provinces, came just after the Taliban government accused Pakistan of conducting cross-border airstrikes, which they claimed targeted a civilian market in Paktika and breached Afghan airspace. Image Source: Visegrad24 “In retaliation for the air strikes by Pakistani forces, Taliban forces engaged in heavy clashes against Pakistani posts in various border areas,” the Taliban’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement quoted by AFP.  Though no specific casualty figures were officially confirmed by either side at the time of reporting, multiple unverified reports suggested casualties on both sides.  Pakistan’s military has yet to issue a statement, though its officials had earlier denied report...

At a time when multiple regional flashpoints are converging -- from violent unrest in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK) to Taliban diplomacy, growing Indo-Russia economic ties, and security tensions with Canada--India has issued a clear, multi-front diplomatic stance, rooted in consistency and assertive strategic positioning. Limited information has so far reached the outside world about the full extent of the protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Image Via: Paul Antonopoulos In a comprehensive weekly briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed sharp questions from the press corps on the most pressing geopolitical developments of the week , underscoring India's principled approach across all theatres--from the subcontinent to West Asia and beyond. PoK Unrest: Natural consequence of Pakistan’s oppression On the ongoing mass protests and internet shutdowns in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Jaiswal pointedly described the si...

India delivered a sharp rebuttal to Pakistan at the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday, accusing Islamabad of misusing the global platform to peddle “baseless and provocative” claims while ignoring its own internal crises. Speaking on behalf of the Indian delegation, Kshitij Tyagi, Counsellor at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, lambasted Pakistan’s human rights record, economic freefall, and military-dominated political system. He called on Islamabad to “vacate Indian territory under its illegal occupation” and redirect its focus inward, toward restoring democratic governance and ending its support for terrorism. Indian Diplomat Kshitij Tyagi “A delegation that epitomises the antithesis of this approach continues to abuse this forum with baseless and provocative statements against India,” Tyagi said. “Instead of coveting our territory, they would do well to vacate the Indian territory under their illegal occupation and focus on rescuin...

✍️ Written by Saket Suman Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on September 17 formally inked a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement , committing that any aggression against one will be treated as aggression against both.  The accord, signed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Riyadh, pledges joint deterrence, enhanced military cooperation, and cemented defense ties. Mohammed bin Salman receives Shehbaz Sharif For India, the deal registers as more than a diplomatic development--it alters the security calculus along its western front. India has long accused Pakistan of supporting terrorist networks whose actions sow violence across India's Kashmir and elsewhere.  Earlier this year, India launched Operation Sindoor , targeting nine terror infrastructure sites across Pakistan and illegally Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including camps of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, following the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians . HRH the Crown Prince and th...

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a formal Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement , pledging to treat any attack on either nation as an attack on both.  The pact, signed in Riyadh by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, represents the most significant military commitment between the two countries to date. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Sign Mutual Defense. Via: Official Diplomatic Channels According to a statement from the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Office, the agreement underscores “a shared commitment to enhance security and achieve peace in the region and the world.”  The accord aims to bolster defense cooperation, joint deterrence capabilities, and military coordination between the two longtime allies. The deal follows a bilateral meeting in Jeddah , during which both leaders emphasized their commitment to expanding cooperation across trade, investment, energy, and regional security.  In a post on social media, Sharif praised the Kingdom’s “...

India today repatriated 48 Pakistani fishermen and 19 civilian prisoners via the Attari–Wagah border, all of whom had completed their sentences.  The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the release and said it expects reciprocity from Islamabad in ensuring the swift return of Indian nationals still in Pakistani custody. Image Source: PakinIndia “The Government of India attaches high priority to the issue of Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners in Pakistan’s custody,” the MEA stated, adding that it has urged Pakistan to expedite the repatriation of all remaining detainees, including fishermen. #AttariWagah - 48 Pakistani fishermen & 19 civilian prisoners, who completed their sentences, were repatriated today via Attari/Wagah border. The Govt of India prioritizes Indian fishermen & civilian prisoners in Pakistan’s custody, urging Pakistan to expedite their release &… pic.twitter.com/P9R0OEQD2I — Ravinder Singh Robin ਰਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਰੌਬਿਨ (@rsrobin1) Septemb...

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday pressed Pakistan to step up security for Chinese nationals and projects in the country, warning that the safety of personnel and institutions was essential to sustaining bilateral cooperation. Image Source: Pak PM Meeting Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit , Xi said Beijing backed Islamabad’s counterterrorism efforts but expected “solid and effective measures” to prevent further attacks.  The appeal comes after a series of assaults on Chinese workers linked to Belt and Road projects, including the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The two leaders announced plans to launch CPEC 2.0 and upgrade the China–Pakistan Free Trade Agreement, expanding collaboration into industry, agriculture, and mining.  Xi described the bilateral relationship as an “ironclad friendship” that had endured decades of regional turbulence, and urged...

Incarcerated former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday launched a blistering attack from behind bars, squarely blaming Army Chief General Asim Munir for what he described as deteriorating conditions and threats to his life while in custody. Image Source: Iman on X In a statement shared via X, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader held Munir “personally responsible” if any harm were to come to him during his imprisonment.  The 72-year-old also alleged that both he and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were facing harsh and degrading treatment, including solitary confinement, restrictions on communication, and the removal of basic amenities. Khan accused a jail superintendent and an army colonel of carrying out retaliatory actions on direct orders from Munir.  “Even terrorists are being treated better,” he said, adding that a convicted military officer was allegedly enjoying “VIP protocol” behind bars while he faced "relentless abuse." The former PM reignited old tensi...

The United Kingdom has lifted its four-year ban on Pakistani airlines, citing improved air safety standards following sustained oversight and reforms.  The decision, confirmed by the British High Commission in Islamabad on Wednesday, follows similar action by the European Union earlier this year. Image Source: Airways Magazine on X The ban was initially imposed in 2020 after Pakistan’s former aviation minister publicly revealed that a large number of pilots had obtained licenses fraudulently, shortly after a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) crash killed 97 people in Karachi.  That disclosure led to widespread scrutiny and an international freeze on Pakistani carriers' access to key routes. UK authorities now acknowledge that Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority has taken steps to align with international protocols.  The Air Safety Committee, which oversees airline safety within the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority, confirmed that Pakistani airlines are no longer subject...

Indian Ministry of External Affairs has strongly rejected Pakistan Army’s accusation that India was behind the June 28 attack in Waziristan.  India dismissed the charge as baseless and provocative, firmly asserted that  the claim is contempt-worthy.  A suicide bomber drove an explosive-laden vehicle into a Pakistani military convoy in Mir Ali, North Waziristan, near the Afghan border, killing at least 13 soldiers, verified sources attributed the Pakistan Army as saying on Saturday. #BreakingNews #India #Pakistan #MEA #Waziristan #SouthAsia #Diplomacy #Security

US President Donald Trump has complained he won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize for his claimed role in defusing the recent India-Pakistan crisis.  In a post on Truth Social, Trump listed conflicts he says he helped resolve — including India-Pakistan, Russia-Ukraine, and Israel-Iran — but lamented: “No matter what I do, I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize.” Trump asserted he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio secured an India-Pakistan ceasefire after the Pahalgam terror attack, calling his efforts “decisive diplomacy.”  Pakistan has now formally recommended Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, crediting him for averting a nuclear conflict. Image Source: Incognito on X However, India has firmly rejected any claims of external mediation.  Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reiterated that the ceasefire resulted from direct military-level talks, initiated by Pakistan. Prime Minister Modi reportedly told Trump that India will never accept foreign mediation on matters of its sovereignty. ...

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday stated his government’s readiness to engage in talks with India on all unresolved matters, including Jammu and Kashmir, the Indus Water Treaty, trade, and counter-terrorism. Sharif conveyed this during a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a statement by Pakistan Television.  During what was described as a “warm and cordial” exchange, the Prime Minister also extended his best wishes to US President Donald Trump.  He praised his leadership and commending Secretary Rubio’s diplomatic efforts in facilitating the recent ceasefire understanding between Pakistan and India.

Pakistan has secured a five-year syndicated financing facility worth USD 1 billion, marking a significant financial transaction amid its ongoing economic crisis. The Dubai Islamic Bank served as the Sole Islamic Global Coordinator, while Standard Chartered Bank acted as the Mandated Lead Arranger and Book-runner.  Other key financiers included Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Sharjah Islamic Bank, Ajman Bank, and HBL. According to the Ministry of Finance, the facility includes both Islamic and conventional tranches, with 89% structured in compliance with AAOIFI (Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions) standards and the remaining 11% through conventional financing.  The deal is partially backed by an Asian Development Bank (ADB) policy-based guarantee under its "Improved Resource Mobilisation and Utilisation Reform" programme. This marks Pakistan's first re-entry into the Middle Eastern financial markets in nearly two and a half years, reflecting ...

Pakistan has closed all its border crossings with Iran indefinitely as tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, provincial officials confirmed on Monday.  Border facilities in Chaghi, Washuk, Panjgur, Kech, and Gwadar districts of Balochistan province have been suspended, said senior provincial official Qadir Bakhsh Pirkani.  Crossing into Iran has been halted “until further notice,” added Atta ul Munim, an official at the Chaghi crossing. Despite the closure, trade activities at the border continue, and Pakistani nationals returning from Iran are being allowed entry. Officials expect around 200 Pakistani students to arrive from Iran on Monday. Last week, as Israel and Iran exchanged heavy strikes, Pakistan declared its solidarity with Iran, reaffirming its longstanding non-recognition of Israel alongside Tehran.

✍️ Written by Saket Suman Pakistan has inserted itself into the escalating crisis of the Iran-Israel conflict. It has issued nuclear threats that underscore its growing role as a destabilizing force in South Asia.  In a televised interview on Iranian state media, senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps general and National Security Council member Mohsen Rezaei claimed that Islamabad has assured Tehran it would retaliate with nuclear weapons against Israel should Tel Aviv deploy its own nuclear arsenal on Iranian soil.  File Photo: 26/11 Pak Orchestrated Terror Attack  “Pakistan has told us that if Israel uses nuclear missiles, we will also attack it with nuclear weapons,” Rezaei said, according to Turkiye Today. While no Pakistani official has publicly confirmed such a commitment, the statement aligns with Islamabad’s long-standing practice of using nuclear blackmail to project influence far beyond its conventional military capacity.  Pakistan’s vow to ...

Pakistan has announced a 20% increase in its defense budget following last month’s deadly escalation with India. The new allocation was presented as part of the fiscal year 2025-26 budget by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government. The total budget expenditure has been set at 17.57 trillion rupees (approximately $62 billion), marking a 7% reduction from the previous year. However, defense spending will rise to 2.55 trillion rupees ($9 billion), up from 2.12 trillion rupees allocated in the previous fiscal cycle, according to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The budget announcement comes on the heels of heightened tensions earlier this year when relations between India and Pakistan sharply deteriorated after a terror attack targeting tourists in India's  Kashmir. The incident triggered weeks of cross-border hostilities, including missile and drone strikes that resulted in the most serious flare-up since 2019. Prime Minister Sharif, addressing his Cabinet, asserted that whi...

UK High Commissioner Jane Marriott met with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Islamabad on Wednesday. The meeting, as reported by Radio Pakistan, provided an opportunity to review the state of Pakistan-UK bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest. Both sides also discussed avenues for cooperation at multilateral platforms, with particular focus on matters related to the United Nations Security Council. The engagement showed ongoing diplomatic efforts by both countries to strengthen bilateral ties and collaborate on shared global challenges at a time when the Indian government has launched a global diplomatic outreach to point out how terrorists find a safe heaven in Pakistan and how they are funded, trained and sent to bring mayhem on Indian soil, reflected as recently as the brutal Pahalgam terrorist attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to embark on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday, according to Radio Pakistan .  The Prime Minister will be joined by a high-level delegation, which includes Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, several federal ministers, and senior government officials. During the visit, Prime Minister Sharif is expected to hold high-level discussions with UAE leadership, including a bilateral meeting with the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The agenda will cover a broad spectrum of bilateral, regional, and global matters of shared interest. As reported by Radio Pakistan , Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated that the visit aims to deepen the historic ties between Pakistan and the UAE, strengthen economic cooperation, and expand collaboration across multiple sectors.  

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has urged the United Kingdom to play its constructive role in promoting dialogue and easing tensions between Pakistan and India, amid growing regional unrest. According to Radio Pakistan , the call came during Bilawal's meeting in London with Hamish Falconer, the UK’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The former foreign minister is currently heading a high-level parliamentary delegation from Pakistan. Discussions centered on the recent escalation in regional tensions. Bilawal praised the UK's consistent advocacy for restraint and diplomacy. He acknowledged what Radio Pakistan described as the UK leadership’s encouraging stance on de-escalation and dialogue. He criticized India’s reaction to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, rejecting what he called premature and unfounded accusations leveled against Pakistan without any credible evidence. He underscored that India’s military actions — including target...