Pakistan | Pakistan

The European Union faces a sobering geopolitical reality: its influence in regions, such as the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, that directly affect its security and economic interests is diminishing. The Iranian dossier serves as the clearest example. Once a primary architect of the Iran nuclear deal, the EU now finds itself marginalised as US-Iran backchannel negotiations and regional security calculations dictate the trajectory of the relations with Iran. Europe neither participated in any combat operations nor did it play any diplomatic role in bringing the conflict to its resolution. Brussels has been reduced to the role of a concerned but impotent bystander. Into this vacuum, Pakistan has moved with strategic intent. Islamabad has close military-to-military relationship with Washington, with Field Marshal Asim Munir having forged a relationship of trust with US President Donald Trump. On the other hand, Pakistan has long historical ties with Iran, as well as deep relationships with China, Saudi Arabia...

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has described Pakistan’s bureaucracy as the country’s “real and permanent rulers”, arguing that politicians and other ruling classes have faced accountability over the past 78 years while the bureaucracy has largely remained beyond scrutiny.

Islamabad - The nation celebrated Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day on Friday with national zeal and fervour, renewing its pledge to uphold the spirit of the Pakistan Movement and work towards making the country a true Islamic welfare state.

ISLAMABAD - Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday told Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide that Pakistan’s effective measures had resulted in a 47 per cent reduction in illegal immigration to Europe during the last over one year.

ISLAMABAD - Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan Chandra Warsenanto Sukotjo has extended warm felicitations and greetings to the government and people of Pakistan on the occasion of the country’s 80th Independence Day, reaffirming the longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two brotherly nations.

Pakistan and France held consultations on multilateral affairs in Paris on Friday.

Celebrations were held across Pakistan on Friday as the nation celebrated 79 years of independence. State-run Radio Pakistan reported that the day dawned with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad and a 21-gun salute at the provincial headquarters. A change of guards ceremony was also held at the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi. Here are some glimpses of Independence Day celebrations from Karachi and Lahore. Attendees gather as Pakistan’s national flag is hoisted during Independence Day celebrations, at the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi on August 14, 2026. — Reuters Attendees wave Pakistani flags during Independence Day celebrations at the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in Karachi on August 14, 2026. — Reuters People participate in a camel carriage rally during Independence Day celebrations in Karachi on August 14, 2026. — AFP People sit in the grass during Independence Day celebrations at Frere Hall in Karachi on Aug 14, 2026. — White Star Children a...

Felicitations poured in from other nations on Friday as Pakistan celebrated 79 years of independence. World leaders and diplomats, from the Iranian president to US State Secretary Marco Rubio, not just wished Pakistan and its people on the country’s 80th Independence Day, but also took the opportunity to hail Islamabad’s ties with their countries. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated President Asif Ali Zardari, wishing the government and people of Pakistan steady progress and prosperity, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). King Salman also praised the “strong relations” between the two countries, highlighting the “shared commitment to advancing cooperation across all fields”, SPA reported. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a message to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, described Pakistan’s Independence Day as a valuable opportunity to honour the achievements of the nation, reaffirming Tehran’s firm resolve to further strengthen its relat...

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan collected Rs1.

Pakistan and Norway have agreed to enhance cooperation in combating terrorism, illegal immigration, police training and mutual legal assistance as the two countries sought to further strengthen bilateral collaboration on security and law enforcement matters.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday met with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, where the two sides discussed counterterrorism cooperation, particularly the use of Afghan soil in terror attacks against Pakistan. Eide arrived in Pakistan a day earlier on a two-day visit — the first by a Norwegian foreign minister in a decade. According to a handout issued by the interior ministry, the two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral relations and the regional situation. Naqvi and Eide also agreed to improve cooperation in counterterrorism, prevention of illegal immigration, police training, and mutual legal assistance. The two sides held discussions on the situation in neighbouring Afghanistan and the activities of proscribed organisations operating from the neighbouring country. During the meeting, Eide lauded Pakistan’s “constructive and active” role in the US-Iran war. The two sides also discussed measures taken against illegal immigration to Europe from Pakistan. “Pakistan’s effective measures ...

Google celebrates Pakistan’s 80th Independence Day with a special Doodle highlighting the national flag

As we celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day, it is worth taking a moment to remember how this country came into being.

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that while Pakistan sincerely desired peace, it would never allow that desire to be mistaken for weakness, de­claring that any future challenge to the country’s sovereignty and security would be crushed with even greater force than the deci­sive victory of.

IN South Asia, the rise of Muslim political consciousness and the creation of Pakistan reflected a prolonged constitutional and political struggle led by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The demand for Pakistan was rooted in the belief that the Muslims of British India constituted a distinct political community whose cultural, religious, and political interests required constitutional protection and effective political representation. Pakistan’s national identity has consequently remained closely associated with the ideas that formed the raison d’être for the Pakistan Movement. Its history offers lessons that can be learnt from significant events, most notably the political crisis of 1971, which culminated in the separation of East Pakistan. The post-1971 period also witnessed continuing debates over the nature of the federation, provincial autonomy, and national identity. These debates underline the importance of learning from history rather than using it to promote narrow political narratives. Pakistan’s p...

On the occasion of Pakistan’s Independence Day, former Sindh Minister for Irrigation and MPA for PS-19, Ghotki, Sardar Nadir Akmal Khan Leghari, has called for renewed efforts to strengthen democracy, uphold the rule of law, empower local governments and invest in the country’s youth.

Pakistan and Norway on Thursday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in defence and security. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, who is on a two-day visit to Pakistan, called on Chief of Defence Forces and the Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, with the two leaders reiterating their resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties and expand engagement in defence and security, according to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The two sides discussed matters of “mutual interest, regional security, and bilateral relations”. During the meeting, Field Marshal Munir highlighted “Pakistan’s perspective on global peace and regional stability” and stressed the “importance of cooperation and collaborative efforts to address common security challenges”. The Norwegian foreign minister appreciated the “professional role” played by the Pakistan Armed Forces “in promoting regional peace and stability”. Earlier in the day, Eide ad...

Pakistan will celebrate Independence Day tomorrow with national zeal and fervour, with people across the country renewing their pledge to uphold the spirit of the Pakistan Movement and work towards making the country a true Islamic welfare state.

Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia will form political and military mechanisms under a defence pact signed between the regional powers last week, Turkiye’s defence ministry said on Thursday, adding the alliance would also deepen defence industry cooperation. The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was signed last week as the Middle East grapples with fallout from the US-Israeli war on Iran, which has dragged in regional players and disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. At a weekly briefing in Ankara, the ministry said the mechanisms would include the three countries’ defence ministers, foreign ministers, and military chiefs. It added that the joint military exercises were also being planned under the pact, while cooperation could include joint production and technology sharing in the defence industry. The remarks come a day after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he hoped more countries would join the agreement. “Our vision for it is not limited to the three countries,” th...

Thomas E Schultze says Pakistan’s future will be shaped not only by its institutions but also by its women