The writer is Head of News at Pakistan Today. He has a special focus on current affairs, regional and global connectivity, and counterterrorism. He tweets as @mian_abrar and also can be reached at [email protected]
Youm-e-Ashura was observed peacefully across Pakistan with large-scale police deployment, mobile phone suspensions in sensitive areas, drone and Safe City monitoring, and strict traffic and entry controls.
Pakistan says the US-Iran peace process is a major diplomatic win, citing the Islamabad MoU signed with Washington and follow-up talks in Switzerland that set committees, a 60-day roadmap, and deconfliction measures.
The National Assembly approved Pakistan’s federal budget for 2026-27 after sharp treasury-opposition clashes and a walkout by opposition lawmakers. Finance Minister pushed the bill while Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and PM Shehbaz Sharif responded.
PM Shehbaz Sharif hailed “encouraging progress” from Bürgenstock talks, where the US and Iran backed a 60-day roadmap under Pakistan-Qatar mediation toward a final peace agreement.
An Anti-Terrorism Court acquitted former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the May 9 riots case and sentenced four senior PTI leaders to 10 years each for attacks on police vehicles in Lahore.
Xi Jinping’s Pyongyang visit and talks with Kim Jong Un reaffirm robust China–North Korea strategic coordination, boosting political trust, economic cooperation, and regional stability amid shifting security dynamics.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar warns India is pursuing at least 17 projects that could drastically alter the Indus River System, enabling “hydro-hegemony.” He calls for disputes to be resolved under the Indus Waters Treaty.
Top HeadlinesPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and PML-N women parliamentarians to discuss Budget 2026-27, federal development in Sindh and the need for regional peace to drive economic growth.
Pakistan and China hailed the Iran-US peace understanding as a major step toward lasting regional stability and economic security, urging sustained diplomacy and noting the Strait of Hormuz’s importance.
Aurangzeb says Pakistan’s Budget 2026-27 moves from stabilisation to sustainable growth, prioritising export support (Rs71bn at 4.5% financing), reduced duties, and AI-driven tax reforms to broaden the net and cut human intervention.
Top HeadlinesPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif orders provinces, especially Balochistan, to draft plans to boost cotton output, reconstitutes the Cotton Board, accelerates PARC and climate-resilient farming reforms, and pushes transparent DISCO privatization.
Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong urged accelerated CPEC implementation and outlined “CPEC 2.0” focused on agriculture, industry and mining. He also called for closer global governance coordination and regional peace efforts with Pakistan.
