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Border & counterterrorism

Pakistan–Afghanistan Border Conflict

Pakistan’s open border with Afghanistan has been the country’s most consequential external front since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in August 2021. After the October 2025 ceasefire, the relationship has run on two parallel tracks: an air and ground campaign against militant infrastructure under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, and a diplomatic push through the OIC Contact Group and the Moscow format. This hub follows both, from the February 2026 launch of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq through the September drone exchanges, the 1 October airstrikes in Kunar and Helmand, and the 17 October Kurram and Ghozgarhi firing.

838 reportsLatest 17 October 2026
The State Bank of Pakistan's head office on I.I. Chundrigar Road in Karachi, a multi-storey building seen from the street in daylight.

Latest development

17 October 2026
Newest report

Pakistan's current account deficit widens to $874m in July–September

SBP data show Pakistan's current account deficit widened to $874m in July–September, while the overall balance of payments swung to a $4.39bn deficit in September.

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View from the Khyber Pass looking across the border toward Afghanistan, showing a settled valley of low buildings and cultivated terraces in arid, mountainous terrain.Pakistan / Politics & Governance

Pakistan Army hits Afghan Taliban posts at Kurram and Ghozgarhi after unprovoked firing

Pakistan said on 17 October that its army struck the Shipola base camp and Topser post in Upper Kurram after Afghan Taliban opened fire at Taida and Ghozgarhi.

The gold-capped Dome of the Rock and surrounding stone buildings in Jerusalem's Old City, seen from a distance under a clear sky.International — World / International — World

Pakistan and 18 countries reject Colombia's Jerusalem embassy

Nineteen foreign ministers, in a statement issued by Pakistan's Foreign Office, called Colombia's embassy in Jerusalem null and void and urged Bogotá to reverse the move.

A wide elevated view of Constitution Avenue in Islamabad, looking past tree-lined boulevards toward the federal precinct of Pakistan's capital, with the Presidency, Supreme Court and National Assembly visible in the distance against a clear sky.International — Region / International — Region

Pakistan FO declines to back Saudi's Iran-Houthi accusation while reaffirming Makkah pact

The Foreign Office said it could not comment on Saudi Arabia's accusation that Iran arms the Houthis while reaffirming Pakistan's defence obligations under the Makkah pact.

A daytime view of the Old Muscat waterfront in Oman, showing low-rise traditional buildings in the foreground, the Al Alam palace complex behind a row of stone fortifications, and turquoise water and low rocky hills in the background.Pakistan / Politics & Governance

Pakistan and Oman sign six MoUs and joint working groups at 8th JMC session

Pakistan and Oman signed six agreements on 14 October covering visas, archives, IT, broadcasting and media, and agreed new joint working groups and a Pakistan-Oman business forum.

A crowd gathers at an outdoor food distribution point, with sacks of supplies and staff behind a counter.Pakistan / Business & Finance

Pakistan's hunger score worsens to 25.5 in 2026 Global Hunger Index

Pakistan ranked 106th of 122 countries in the 2026 Global Hunger Index, its score rising to 25.5 from 24.0 in 2018 as food inflation and climate shocks deepened food insecurity.

The exterior of the Grand Mosque of Makkah in Saudi Arabia seen at night, with the clock tower and surrounding buildings lit up.Pakistan / Politics & Governance

PM Shehbaz meets MDA secretary general Mahmood in Islamabad

PM Shehbaz met Makkah Defence Alliance secretary general Nauman Mahmood in Islamabad on 14 October and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to Saudi Arabia under the pact.

A motorway service station in Pakistan with a broad canopy over fuel pumps and a vehicle parked at the forecourt.Pakistan / Business & Finance

Pakistan cuts petrol by Rs2.71 and holds diesel almost flat for October 14

Pakistan cut petrol by Rs2.71 a litre to Rs392.66 and left high-speed diesel almost unchanged at Rs396.82 from 14 October under its daily pricing mechanism.

Riyadh's city skyline at night, with the illuminated Kingdom Centre tower and other high-rise buildings rising over lit roads and trees.International — Region / International — Region

Houthis threaten Saudi Aramco sites after coalition hits Sanaa depot

Yemen's Houthis told civilians near Saudi oil facilities to evacuate and named Aramco's Dhahran base, after the Saudi-led coalition struck a fuel depot near Sanaa on 13 October.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan building in Islamabad, photographed at night from the air, its tiered roofline lit against the dark sky and the surrounding gardens and access roads in shadow.Pakistan / Politics & Governance

FCC dismisses Bushra Bibi's plea to suspend £190m sentence, sends appeal back to IHC

The FCC on 14 October dismissed Bushra Bibi's appeal against the IHC's 30 April rejection of her plea to suspend her £190m Al-Qadir sentence, leaving the main appeal with the IHC.

The view from inside a Pakistan Railways locomotive cab, looking along double railway tracks past a roadside wall, trees and a station signPakistan / Politics & Governance

Rehman Baba Express derailment near Multan kills at least six

At least six passengers were killed and 30 injured when all 14 coaches of the Karachi-to-Peshawar Rehman Baba Express derailed near Multan on 13 October 2026.

A large white VSAT satellite internet dish on a stand against a cloudy sky, with the front aperture and feed horn visible.Pakistan / Technology & Telecom

Pakistan nears satellite internet framework, says IT minister at APT symposium

At the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity symposium in Islamabad, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said Pakistan's fixed satellite service framework is in its final stage.