Friday, October 9th, 2026
PIA temporarily suspends Riyadh flights, confirms PAA
KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has temporarily suspended flights to Riyadh, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed, clarifying that other flight operations to Saudi Arabia continue as usual. “Flight operations to Saudi Arabia are continuing as usual. PIA has temporarily suspended flights only to Riyadh,” the PAA said in a statement. It also rejected speculation circulating on social media, saying such claims were “not true”. The clarification comes amid heightened concerns following attacks on Riyadh airport on Thursday, which Saudi authorities said killed three people and injured several others. TheRead More
Bangladesh accept AHF invitation to replace Pakistan in Champions Trophy
DHAKA, OCT 9 /DNA/ – Bangladesh have accepted an invitation from the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to replace Pakistan in the Men’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2026, scheduled to be held in India from October 27 to November 5. The AHF on Friday announced the revised schedule for the tournament without Pakistan following the country’s decision to withdraw from the event after its request for a neutral venue was rejected. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had formally approached the continental body, seeking either the relocation of the entire tournament orRead More
Holy See-Pakistan Relations
ISLAMABAD, OCT 9 /DNA/ – A special ceremony was held in the federal capital to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The event was attended by Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, H.E. Archbishop Germano Penemote, Apostolic Nuncio to Pakistan, and Allama Tahir Ashrafi, Chairman of the Pakistani Ulema Council, along with other distinguished guests.Read More
D-8 marks historic milestone as all original signatories ratify preferential trade agreement
Egypt’s ratification completes the process for all eight founding Member States, injecting fresh momentum into efforts to boost intra-D-8 trade to USD 500 billion by 2030 ISTANBUL, OCT 9 /DNA/ – The Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) has achieved a landmark milestone with the ratification of the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) by the Arab Republic of Egypt, completing ratification by all eight original signatory Member States. The development underscores the collective commitment of D-8 Member States to deepen economic integration, enhance trade connectivity, and unlock opportunities for sustainableRead More
Pakistan’s participation in the 113th Session of Executive Council of the OPCW
THE HAGUE, OCT 9 /DNA/ – The 113th Session of the Executive Council (EC) of the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was held in The Hague from 06-09 October 2026. Pakistan’s delegation at the session was led by H.E Syed Haider Shah, the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the OPCW. In his statement, Ambassador Shah invited the Council’s attention to the threats being faced by multilateralism, and emphasized that Pakistan was playing its role to give way to diplomacy and dialogue to secure peace and defuse conflicts. HeRead More
Pakistan reaffirms defensive stance in Makkah alliance, rejects reports of fighter jets in Yemen
DNA ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has categorically rejected reports that its fighter jets are participating in airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, clarifying that the Makkah Alliance is a purely defensive arrangement aimed at safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia. Speaking at the weekly press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, the Foreign Office Spokesperson dismissed what he called “speculative news” regarding Pakistani jets conducting cross-border operations, noting that the Minister for Information has also refuted such claims. The spokesperson explained that Pakistan Armed Forces haveRead More