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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International — Region / International — RegionUS pulls all B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford after security scare
The Pentagon says every B-1 bomber based at Britain's RAF Fairford has returned to the US after a suspicious incident near the base, which Washington uses for strikes on Iran.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernanceUN chief António Guterres to make official visit to Pakistan on 6-8 October
UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrives in Pakistan on 6 October for a three-day visit to meet its leadership and discuss US-Iran mediation and disaster preparedness.
International — Region / International — RegionMiddle East crude exports rebound past pre-war levels despite Hormuz tanker attacks
Kpler shows Middle East crude flows averaged 19.5–22.5 million barrels a day in late September, even as Iranian-linked tanker attacks keep pushing up Pakistan's fuel bill.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernanceLast three Pakistani crew members of MT Honour 25 flown to Addis Ababa: Dar
Deputy PM Ishaq Dar says Imran Ali, Muhammad Yasin and Syed Husain Yousuf have been rescued from hijacked tanker MT Honour 25 and flown to Addis Ababa with a Djibouti embassy team.
International — Region / International — RegionIran ties Strait of Hormuz reopening to seven Islamabad MoU conditions
Iran's parliament speaker says the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed until seven conditions in the June Islamabad MoU are met, as US-Iran talks stall.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernancePakistan names retired Lt Gen Nauman Mahmood as Makkah pact's first secretary general
DPM Ishaq Dar said on 2 October that more than six countries want to join the Makkah defence pact and announced retired Lt Gen Nauman Mahmood as its first secretary general.
International — Region / International — RegionFour Pakistani crew from hijacked tanker Honour 25 to return home 3 October: Dar
Deputy PM Ishaq Dar says Yasir Khan, Aqeel Khan, Amin bin Shams and Usman Ghani will reach Karachi on 3 October, while remains of three dead Pakistanis are being repatriated.
Pakistan / Technology & TelecomPakistan's science ministry asks cabinet to drop auto standards rivals from ministries
Pakistan's Ministry of Science and Technology has asked the ECC to drop auto standards rules that duplicate PSQCA's mandate.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernanceIndia's SCO envoy warmly greets Pakistan's FM in Islamabad amid UNGA barbs
India's Alok Dimri visited Islamabad for the SCO National Coordinators meeting under Pakistan's 2026-27 chairmanship, shaking hands with Ishaq Dar.
International — Region / International — RegionUS-led coalition ends Iraq mission as Baghdad declares Sovereignty Day
The last US-led coalition troops left Iraq on 30 September 2026, closing a 12-year anti-ISIL mission as Baghdad marked the withdrawal and weighed the security risks that follow.
International — Region / International — RegionThree Pakistani sailors killed as pirates open fire during Somali rescue of MT Honour 25
Somali pirates killed three Pakistani crew and two others on 29 September while fleeing the hijacked oil tanker Honour 25 during a Somali–Puntland rescue operation.
International — Region / International — RegionSaudi FM tells UN that Gulf security is inseparable from global stability
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told the UN General Assembly on 26 September Gulf security is inseparable from global stability, backing Pakistani de-escalation.