Saturday, May 30th, 2026
165 Pakistani pilgrims arrive in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD, MAY 30: The return of Pakistani pilgrims from Saudi Arabia after performing Hajj has begun. 165 pilgrims arrived in Islamabad on the first Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Madinah. Flight PK-742 landed at Islamabad International Airport at 7:15pm. Chief Operating Officer of Islamabad International Airport Aftab Gilani welcomed the pilgrims on arrival. The airport manager presented flower garlands to the pilgrims. The first PIA flight carrying 165 Pakistani pilgrims arrived in Islamabad from Madinah as the post-Hajj repatriation operation got under way.
KP CM Afridi urges GB chief justice to ensure transparency amid ‘alarming’ electoral environment
PESHAWAR, MAY 30: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Saturday wrote to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Appellate Court of Gilgit-Baltistan, urging immediate judicial intervention to ensure transparency in the upcoming GB elections amid what he described as an “alarming” deterioration in the electoral environment. The move came amid a series of reported incidents involving PTI leaders during the ongoing election campaign in the mountainous region. PTI senior leader Asad Qaiser on Saturday claimed he was prevented from reaching Islamabad airport, resulting in him missing his flight toRead More
Pakistan, US developing ‘true friendship’, says Hegseth amid Islamabad’s mediation in Mideast conflict
WASHINGTON, MAY 30: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday said that a “true friendship” was growing between his country and Pakistan, hailing Islamabad’s efforts to bring a permanent end to the Middle East conflict. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth heaped praise on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their crucial role in Washington’s peace negotiations with Tehran, Bloomberg reported. “Pakistan is a true friend of the US,” he said, adding that PM Shehbaz and Field MarshalRead More
Pakistan and the Abraham Accords: A Question of Principle
by Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal In the turbulent theatre of modern diplomacy, nations are often compelled to choose between expediency and principle. Some surrender their convictions upon the altar of temporary political advantage, while others, though tested by storms and isolation, remain steadfast to the moral compass that defines their national soul. Pakistan belongs to the latter category. Despite persistent speculation and recurring whispers in diplomatic corridors, Pakistan is neither likely nor morally prepared to become part of the Abraham Accords. The reasons are neither emotional nor reactionary. They are rootedRead More
First ODI: Pakistan win toss, opt to bowl first against Australia
RAWALPINDI, MAY 30: Pakistan won the toss and decided to bowl first in the first one-day international (ODI) of the three-match series against Australia at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Youngster Arafat Minhas is making his ODI debut for Pakistan. Australia: Matt Short, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis (c & wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Ollie Peake, Nathan Ellis, Tanveer Sangha, Billy Stanlake, and Matt Kuhnemann. Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Babar Azam, Ghazi Ghori (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Abdul Samad, Shadab Khan, Arafat Minhas, Shaheen Shah AfridiRead More
Hegseth sounds ‘alarm’ over China’s buildup, urges allies to boost defense spend
WASWHINGTON, MAY 30: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday urged Asian allies to ramp up military spending to counter China’s growing power and prevent its dominance in the region, warning of “rightful alarm” over its rapid military buildup. Hegseth, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s premier forum for defense leaders, militaries and diplomats, said a stronger, more self-reliant network of allies is essential to deter aggression and preserve the balance of power. “There is rightful alarm regarding China’s historic military buildup and the expansion of its militaryRead More