Regional diplomacy
Pakistan, Iran & the US Mediation Track
Follow Pakistan's mediation between the US and Iran: Asim Munir's Tehran visits, DPM Dar's regional calls, the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, and the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
The reporting trail
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Pakistan / Politics & GovernanceSuicide bomber kills dozens at Islamabad imambargah during Friday prayers
A suicide bomber struck Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra in Islamabad's Tarlai area during Friday prayers on 6 February 2026, killing worshippers and wounding scores.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernancePakistan, Turkiye army chiefs hold defence cooperation talks
Field Marshal Asim Munir met Turkish General Staff chief Selcuk Bayraktaroglu at GHQ on 30 January 2026 to discuss regional security and defence cooperation.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernancePM Shehbaz pushes expanded Pakistan-Myanmar cooperation in talks
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told Myanmar's foreign minister on 27 January 2026 that Pakistan wants wider trade, education and people-to-people cooperation.
Pakistan / Entertainment & CulturePCB chairman Naqvi briefs PM Shehbaz on T20 World Cup 'ICC matter', decision by Monday
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi briefed PM Shehbaz on 26 January 2026 on the ICC replacing Bangladesh with Scotland at the T20 World Cup, with Pakistan's call due by Monday.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernanceRoadside IED in KP's Tank kills six police, including SHO; second blast in Lakki Marwat wounds three
On 12 January 2026 an IED blast targeting a police APC killed six officers in Tank, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including an SHO, while a second blast wounded three near Lakki Marwat.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernanceIndonesia's defence minister visits GHQ and PAF Air HQ, eyes expanded Pakistan cooperation
On 12 January 2026 Lt Gen (retd) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin held separate meetings with CDF Munir at GHQ and Air Chief Marshal Sidhu at Air Headquarters, signalling wider defence ties.
International — Region / International — RegionIran's authorities signal intensified crackdown as two-week protest toll climbs past 60
On 10 January 2026 Iranian authorities signalled an intensified crackdown on the two-week-old protest movement as HRANA put the death toll at 65.
International — Region / International — RegionIran cuts internet and phone lines as anti-government protests enter a decisive phase
On 8 January 2026 Iran imposed a nationwide internet and telephone blackout during the twelfth day of anti-government protests, leaving 85 million people cut off.
Pakistan / Entertainment & CultureHBL PSL expands to eight teams as Sialkot and Hyderabad sold for record Rs3.6bn
On 8 January 2026 the Pakistan Cricket Board sold two new HBL PSL franchises — Sialkot and Hyderabad — at a record auction in Islamabad totalling Rs3.6bn.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernanceBangladesh air chief meets CDF Munir and naval chief in Rawalpindi, Islamabad
On 8 January 2026 Bangladesh Air Force Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan held separate talks at GHQ and Naval HQ on regional security and defence cooperation.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernanceCDA's Shakarparian tree cutting leaves four patches 'bald and barren' as Islamabad residents demand inquiry
On 5 January 2026 Dawn reported CDA had cleared about 15 acres of trees near Lok Virsa; the authority says only paper mulberry was removed under a Supreme Court order.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernanceDG ISPR says Afghans were behind most major terror incidents in Pakistan in 2025
On 6 January 2026, DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry gave Pakistan's year-end count: 75,175 intelligence-based operations, 5,397 terror incidents and 2,597 militants killed.