Tuesday, October 20th, 2026
Turkey submits Mecca Defense Alliance agreement to parliament for ratification
ANKARA: Turkey has submitted the Mecca Defense Alliance agreement to parliament for ratification, an Al Arabiya correspondent reported on Tuesday. The move would pave the way for Ankara to implement the provisions of the joint defense agreement signed with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The joint defense agreement, known as the Mecca Defense Alliance, establishes a trilateral defense partnership between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey. The latest development comes amid a sharp escalation in regional tensions, with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia launching a series of missile and drone attacks against SaudiRead More
Death toll from Houthi attack on Yemen training camp rises to 73
SANAA, OCT 20: An attack by Yemen’s Houthi militia on a government security forces training camp in Shabwa province killed 73 people, the provincial media office said, raising the toll from Monday’s strike as fighting intensifies. Fourteen people remained missing, it added. The Iran-aligned Houthis and Yemen’s internationally recognized government have traded attacks since September when the militia advanced towards territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a shipping chokepoint at the Red Sea’s mouth. Local authorities said three ballistic missiles hit security forces on Monday during training. Reuters-verified video showedRead More
PTI rules out Achakzai’s removal, says no talks on making Fazl opposition leader
ISLAMABAD: PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Monday ruled out any “minus” for Mahmood Khan Achakzai, saying there had also been no discussion about replacing him with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman as opposition leader in the National Assembly. Speaking to Geo News at Parliament House, Gohar said PTI founder Imran Khan had complete confidence in Achakzai and that the party had no authority to decide whether to accept the opposition leader or not. “We accept the PTI founder’s decision and will move forward accordingly,” he said. Gohar saidRead More
Mir Raza murder case shows ‘epic failure’ in police investigation: judicial commission
KARACHI: A judicial commission investigating the death of Mir Raza Ali has described the police investigation as an “epic failure”, finding serious lapses ranging from negligence and poor supervision to a failure to preserve evidence and pursue the case professionally. The single-member commission, headed by Sindh High Court judge Justice Omar Sial, said police breached required procedures necessary to withstand judicial scrutiny and support a successful prosecution, according to the executive summary, submitted to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on October 15. The commission was constituted by the SindhRead More
Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas fifties lift Pakistan to 302 against England
RAWALPINDI, OCT 20: Half-centuries from Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas helped Pakistan recover from an early batting wobble to post 302 in the second match of the ODI tri-series against England at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Pakistan endured an early batting collapse as Gus Atkinson struck off the first ball, dismissing opener Fakhar Zaman, while Sonny Baker removed Saim Ayub for eight after a 31-run second-wicket stand. Babar Azam attempted to steady the innings, scoring 34 off 52 balls with four boundaries, but Will Jacks dismissed him to leaveRead More
France and the Enduring Politics of Protest
by Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal Nations are shaped not only by their institutions and constitutions but also by historical experiences that leave a lasting imprint on the collective mind. Some societies develop a particular sensitivity to injustice, while others acquire a deep suspicion of authority. In France, the memory of revolution continues to inform the relationship between the state and its citizens. More than two centuries after the overthrow of the monarchy, the French remain willing to challenge policies they regard as unfair, defend their economic interests and take their grievancesRead More