US President Donald Trump said the US-Iran ceasefire, meant to open diplomacy toward ending hostilities in West Asia, was agreed “as a favour to Pakistan” because the country has mediated talks between Washington and Tehran. Trump also credited broader international pressure for influencing the pause. While he dismissed needing any “favours” from Xi Jinping over the Strait of Hormuz, he suggested China could still pressure Iran. Trump warned the US may carry out “cleanup work” after the month-long truce amid internal doubts about Pakistan’s messaging.
Militants in Pakistan’s northwest stormed a security outpost in Bajaur district, ramming an explosives-laden vehicle into the camp and then launching a gun battle. Officials said at least eight troops were killed and 35 injured after the Thursday night attack, which followed several militant incidents in recent days. Pakistan blamed Afghanistan for allegedly harboring militant groups, while Kabul rejected the accusation. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility.
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The NIA chargesheet says Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind has evolved from a forest insurgency model into a technology driven urban terror network. Intelligence cited in the document attributes the shift to Pakistan-based handlers who replaced the Zakir Musa era’s visual propaganda with a pan-India digital system built to link Kashmir militancy to wider global jihadist goals. Investigators also describe a doctor terror module tied to Umer Un Nabi and allege encrypted recruitment bypassed traditional command structures, with AQIS and ISI influence.
Pakistan held a special parliamentary session to sell its version of the 2025 confrontation with India, branded ‘Marka-e-Haq’, but the meeting was marred by unusually low attendance, embarrassing the government. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif called the session to back the administration’s account of its response operation ‘Bunyanum Marsoos’ on May 10, following India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ strikes. Pakistan described the wider conflict as lasting from April 22 to May 10 and again called for dialogue despite escalation.
A suicide attack hit an army camp in Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing at least 15 Pakistani soldiers, according to initial reports. The incident reportedly began with a powerful explosion near the camp perimeter, followed by an armed assault in which terrorists used heavy weapons to storm the facility. Security forces responded, but details of the attackers’ casualties remain unconfirmed. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility, citing its Special Istishhadi Force, its first official suicide claim since October 2025.
India’s petrol and diesel prices rose by Rs 3 per litre, reigniting commuter anxiety over costs. But comparisons with nearby markets show a sharp divide. Pakistan’s petrol and diesel translate to roughly Rs 141 per litre in Indian currency, making it far costlier than India. Nepal is also pricier, while Bhutan is closest to Indian levels. Bangladesh skews slightly cheaper on diesel but costlier on petrol. Sri Lanka remains elevated after its crisis.
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Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif says an “Islamic NATO” is moving from speculation to planning, with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan already in, and Qatar potentially joining as talks with Turkey advance. The proposed alliance is framed as reducing reliance on outside powers while creating a coordinated deterrent across the Gulf and beyond. The concept draws from a prior Saudi–Pakistan pact signed last year that mirrors NATO’s Article 5 collective response, potentially adding Turkey’s military depth and Qatar’s strategic logistics.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed that Iranian aircraft had arrived at Nur Khan Airbase near Rawalpindi during the US-Iran ceasefire, following reports that multiple planes remained there after Islamabad talks. Pakistan rejected claims of any connection to military “contingency” or “preservation,” calling such coverage misleading. It said flights were tied to the first round of talks for moving diplomatic personnel, security teams, and administrative staff, with some aircraft and personnel staying for expected later rounds. The disclosure drew US backlash, including scrutiny of Pakistan’s mediator role.
Pakistan has been trying to mediate an end to the US-Iran conflict, but CBS News citing US officials alleges it let Iranian aircraft use Pakistani airbases to reduce the risk of American strikes. The report says Iran moved both military and civilian planes for safety, including to Nur Khan airbase in April. Pakistan’s senior official rejected the claims, arguing Nur Khan is too public to conceal activity. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham urged a complete re-evaluation of Pakistan’s mediator role.
Pakistan’s bid to present itself as a neutral go-between in the US-Iran standoff is being challenged after reports claimed Iranian military aircraft were quietly hosted at Nur Khan Airbase near Rawalpindi. CBS News, citing US officials, said the aircraft transfer followed shortly after Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran in early April. Analysts argue the timing and the base’s sensitivity undercut Pakistan’s mediator narrative, especially as reports also point to separate Iranian air activity involving Mahan Air. Pakistan and Taliban officials denied claims.
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Pakistan commissioned PNS Hangor on 30 April 2026 in Sanya, China, a first operational milestone for a submarine programme built with Chinese collaboration. Designed to extend underwater endurance and complicate India’s calculus in the Arabian Sea, the project still faces repeated delays and lingering doubts, raising questions about timelines and reliance on external support.
Pakistan says it has successfully test-fired its indigenously developed Fatah-4 ground-launched cruise missile. The military described the system as an advanced weapon built for long-range, precision strikes, marking another milestone in Pakistan’s missile development efforts. Details on range, accuracy, and trial parameters were not provided in the brief report, but the test signals continued progress.
Clashes in Pakistan’s Balochistan province left five soldiers and seven militants dead after an improvised explosive device hit a paramilitary convoy. The blast triggered a confrontation, and the Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack. The incident underscores persistent violence in the region amid continued militant activity and security operations.
Pakistani dancer and women’s rights activist Sheema Kermani, known worldwide from the hit song Pasoori, was briefly detained in Karachi while seeking permission for an upcoming Aurat March. Police held her as she tried to obtain the permit, but she is also widely recognized for decades of advocacy for women and for promoting classical dance across Pakistan.
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Pakistan has commissioned its first Chinese-built Hangor-class submarine, PNS Hangor, raising its AIP-equipped fleet to four and extending underwater endurance. The deal signals the first of eight submarines China will deliver by 2028. The move intensifies pressure on India, where delays in the P-75I program persist as it aims to develop its own AIP capability.
Pakistan has received a USD 1.3 billion IMF disbursement through two funding streams: the Extended Fund Facility and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility. The central bank said the package is meant to support economic stabilization while also tackling climate-related challenges as part of the IMF’s broader resilience agenda.
Pakistan confirmed Iranian military aircraft landed at Nur Khan airbase during the US Iran standoff, reigniting memories of the 1971 war era. Islamabad insists the planes arrived during a ceasefire for diplomatic support and denies any contingency or military use. The move has drawn sharper US scrutiny of Pakistan’s mediation role and sparked fresh calls to reassess its neutrality.
China is urging Pakistan to play a bigger role in mediating between Iran and the United States, as both sides weigh stability in the Strait of Hormuz. The push is gaining scrutiny after a US senator questioned Pakistan’s neutrality, citing reports that Iranian military aircraft were allowed to park on Pakistani airfields.
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US Senator Lindsey Graham sharply attacked Pakistan’s role as a broker between the US and Iran, amid reports that Islamabad may have allowed Iranian military aircraft to use its airbases. The remarks come as the Pentagon said the Iran war has already cost about $29 billion, raising fresh questions over regional loyalties and intelligence cooperation.
India has warned that countries supporting terrorist-linked alliances can suffer reputational damage on the world stage. The message intensified after reports surfaced that Chinese engineers have been involved in Pakistan’s military aircraft initiatives under Operation Sindoor. The Ministry of External Affairs said such partnerships can erode trust and prestige internationally, raising fresh diplomatic pressure.
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