The Latest Breaking News from Islamabad

Pakistani government challenges Imran Khan hospital move

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s ‌government will challenge a Supreme Court decision that ordered authorities to move jailed former prime minister Imran Khan to a private hospital, according to Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar.

Bangkok Post · Aug 19

Why Pakistan is boosting defence ties with a nation known for its pirates

Pakistan is expanding its defense engagement through a new security pact with Somalia. This agreement covers counter-terrorism, military training, and capacity building efforts. Days later, Pakistan joined Saudi Arabia and Turkey in a Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. This pact commits members to mutual defense and military coordination. These developments highlight…

The Economic Times · Aug 18

Pakistani court orders ex-PM Khan moved from jail to hospital

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered on Tuesday that jailed former prime minister Imran Khan be moved to hospital for medical checks, after a petition by his lawyers over claims of poor health.

Bangkok Post · Aug 18

Saudi defence pact with Turkey and Pakistan is a verdict on the reliability of US security guarantees

Commentators predictably reacted to the news of the signing of a mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan on August 7 by reaching for the label “Islamic Nato”. The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement stipulates that an armed attack on any one of them would be treated as an…

The Conversation · Aug 11

After weeks of violent protests, PoK votes in final election phase amid PTI, JAAC boycott calls

Polling for Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir's so called assembly elections entered its final phase on Monday amid heightened security and reports of Islamabad-backed crackdown in the region.

The Times of India · Aug 10

LeT man dies in Pakistan after meal, speculation of poisoning

In a puzzling incident, a prominent Lashkar-e-Taiba member, Qari Saeed Abdul Aziz, was found dead in Islamabad on August 8. Known for his role in orchestrating the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Aziz collapsed near a mosque after a meal at an unfamiliar restaurant. While the exact cause of death is still…

The Times of India · Aug 9

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif arrives in Saudi Arabia, pushes defence ties amid West Asia escalation

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday for a three-day official visit, accompanied by Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and a high-level delegation, as Islamabad seeks to reinforce its strategic partnership with Riyadh amid escalating tensions across West Asia and the Gulf…

The Times of India · Aug 6

Pakistan issues foreign media guidelines, drawing criticism from press freedom groups

Pakistan's government has issued new guidelines for foreign media organizations operating within the country. These rules require registration and accreditation for reporting outside major cities. Critics argue these measures create bureaucratic hurdles and discourage independent reporting. The government states the guidelines provide a transparent framework for foreign media operations. Media…

The Economic Times · Aug 6

Pakistan's crackdown in PoK: How Islamabad is tightening information chokehold amid global scrutiny

Pakistan's widening crackdown in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has drawn international attention, with members of the Kashmiri diaspora, rights groups and global watchdogs raising concerns over restrictions on journalists and media freedom.

The Times of India · Aug 6

Pakistan imposes sweeping curbs on foreign media amid poll violence in its Kashmir territory

Foreign journalists risk losing accreditation over reporting deemed ‘against ideology, sovereignty, and security of Pakistan’

The Independent UK · Aug 5