Pakistan

Shehbaz Sharif Clarifies Pakistan’s Nuclear Policy, Dismisses Rumours of Zardari’s Exit

Shehbaz Sharif Clarifies Pakistan’s Nuclear Policy, Dismisses Rumours of Zardari’s Exit

Islamabad (National Times): Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has firmly rejected the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons during the recent military standoff with India, stressing that the country’s nuclear arsenal is intended solely for self-defence and peaceful purposes. Speaking to a group of students in Islamabad, Sharif addressed the concerns that arose following a four-day military confrontation between India and Pakistan, which resulted in the deaths of 55 Pakistani citizens. While affirming that Pakistan had responded "with full might" to Indian airstrikes, Sharif emphasized that nuclear weapons are “not for aggression.” “Pakistan’s nuclear programme exists for national security and peace.…
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Instagram Profiles of Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar Become Visible in India Amid Diljit-Hania Row; YouTube Channels Also Accessible Again

Instagram Profiles of Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar Become Visible in India Amid Diljit-Hania Row; YouTube Channels Also Accessible Again

New Delhi (National Times): In a surprising turn of events amid ongoing tensions over cross-border cultural exchanges, the Instagram accounts of prominent Pakistani actresses Mawra Hocane and Saba Qamar have reportedly become visible again to Indian users. This development comes weeks after a government-imposed digital blackout on Pakistani artists following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 Indian nationals. Several Indian social media users took to X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday to report that they could access the Instagram profiles of Mawra Hocane and Saba Qamar. The sudden reappearance of their accounts has sparked curiosity online, leading users to check…
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India Dismisses Pakistan’s Allegation Over Deadly Waziristan Suicide Attack

India Dismisses Pakistan’s Allegation Over Deadly Waziristan Suicide Attack

New Delhi/Islamabad (National Times): India on Sunday strongly rejected accusations from Pakistan linking it to a deadly suicide car bombing that struck North Waziristan, calling the claims baseless and made “with contempt.” The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi issued a stern statement in response to remarks from the Pakistan Army, which blamed India for the June 28 blast that killed at least 14 soldiers and injured over two dozen others. “We have seen an official statement by the Pakistan Army seeking to blame India for the attack in Waziristan on 28 June. We reject this statement with…
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Iran-Israel War Sends Shockwaves Through Pakistan’s Balochistan Border

Iran-Israel War Sends Shockwaves Through Pakistan’s Balochistan Border

Quetta (National Times): As the dust settles on the Iran-Israel conflict following a ceasefire agreement, the fallout continues to ripple across Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan, which shares a 900-kilometer border with Iran. While Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) met on June 23 to assess the strategic implications of the war, the human cost is unfolding in real-time for communities living along the border. Home to a population that straddles both sides of the frontier, the Baloch region is facing a crisis of livelihood and essential supplies. Border crossings at key transit points such as Gwadar, Kech, Panjgur, and Washuk…
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India Extends Airspace Ban on Pakistan Airlines Till July 24

India Extends Airspace Ban on Pakistan Airlines Till July 24

New Delhi (National Times): In a continuing escalation of tensions between the two countries, India on Monday extended its airspace ban for Pakistan-operated aircraft until July 24, 2025. The decision comes nearly two months after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, prompting a series of retaliatory measures from New Delhi. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) today, extending the airspace restrictions that have been in place since April 30. As per the NOTAM, the ban applies to all Pakistan-registered aircraft and any planes operated, owned, or leased by…
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India Stands Firm as Pakistan Seeks Dialogue on Indus Waters Treaty

India Stands Firm as Pakistan Seeks Dialogue on Indus Waters Treaty

New Delhi (National Times): In a notable geopolitical development, Pakistan has reached out multiple times to India in recent weeks, expressing willingness to resume talks on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). However, India has refused to engage, maintaining that the treaty will stay in abeyance following the brutal Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, lost their lives to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. According to reports from The Indian Express, Pakistan's Water Resources Secretary Syed Ali Murtaza initially responded to India’s suspension notice in May, offering to “discuss specific provisions of the treaty” that India finds objectionable.…
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India-Pakistan Delegations Set to Cross Paths in Washington DC; Tharoor Confident of Driving India’s Message on Terrorism

India-Pakistan Delegations Set to Cross Paths in Washington DC; Tharoor Confident of Driving India’s Message on Terrorism

New Delhi (National Times): In a significant diplomatic development following Operation Sindoor, India's All-Party Delegation is set to visit Washington, DC, as part of its international outreach campaign. Coinciding with this visit, a Pakistani delegation led by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will also be in the U.S. capital, setting the stage for a diplomatic face-off between the two neighbouring nations on the global stage. The Indian delegation is led by Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor. Speaking to ANI ahead of the visit, Tharoor acknowledged the complexity…
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Pakistan Views India as an Existential Threat, Says US Defence Intelligence Agency Report

Pakistan Views India as an Existential Threat, Says US Defence Intelligence Agency Report

Washington, DC: Pakistan continues to perceive India as an existential threat and is actively modernising its military capabilities, including its nuclear arsenal, to counterbalance India's conventional military superiority, according to the latest World Threat Assessment released by the US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) on Sunday. The report underscores Islamabad’s unwavering focus on military modernisation, stating that "Pakistan regards India as an existential threat and will continue to pursue its military modernisation effort, including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons, to offset India’s conventional military advantage." The assessment further reveals that China is playing a key role in aiding Pakistan’s military…
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UAE and Japan Express Solidarity with India in Global Anti-Terrorism Outreach

UAE and Japan Express Solidarity with India in Global Anti-Terrorism Outreach

Abu Dhabi/Tokyo, May 22, 2025: In a significant diplomatic initiative, the United Arab Emirates and Japan have expressed strong solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism. This comes as part of India's global outreach following Operation Sindoor, aimed at garnering international support against cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.A multi-party Indian delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha met with Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya in Tokyo. Iwaya conveyed Japan's unwavering stance against terrorism, stating that it cannot be justified in any form, and extended condolences to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.Simultaneously, another delegation headed by Shiv…
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Suicide Car Bomb Targets School Bus in Balochistan, 4 Children Killed, Dozens Injured

Suicide Car Bomb Targets School Bus in Balochistan, 4 Children Killed, Dozens Injured

Khuzdar, Pakistan (National Times): A suicide car bomber rammed into a school bus in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan on Wednesday morning, killing at least four schoolchildren and injuring 38 others, according to officials. The tragedy occurred in Khuzdar district as the bus was en route to a military-run school. Deputy Commissioner Yasir Iqbal confirmed the attack and said the blast caused widespread panic and devastation. “The children were on their way to school when the suicide bomber struck. Emergency services rushed to the scene, and the injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals,” Iqbal told reporters. The area…
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