Newspaper - Front Page - May 22, 2026

US ‘hopeful’ as Islamabad tries to prevail on Tehran

Rubio sees progress towards ending war after Pakistani officials’ visit; reports suggest CDF Munir may travel to Iran if Naqvi-led talks lead to breakthrough.

Updated 22 May, 2026 07:21am

Email

Your Name^*

Recipient Email^*

Cancel

Pakistan, IMF agree to tighten monetary policy

• 2pc primary surplus target for FY27 to remain central to budget plan • IMF mission concludes May 13-20 visit; budget

Published 22 May, 2026 07:00am

Dismissed complaints against CJP Afridi made public

Supreme Judicial Council considers and disposes of 23 different complaints, including those against the CJP.

Updated 22 May, 2026 07:30am

Most custodial torture cases from Punjab, LHC told

Punjab alone accounts for 266 inquiries, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa registered 48, Sindh 33, Islamabad 15, and Balochistan two.

Updated 22 May, 2026 07:46am

World cannot move forward without China: PM

• President, PM reaffirm support for One China policy, vow to deepen bilateral ties • Zardari calls relations with China...

Published 22 May, 2026 07:00am

Pakistan races to prevent US-Iran escalation

Naqvi travels to Tehran for 2nd time in a week to break deadlock, meets Iranian president, IRGC chief; Saudi FM backs Pakistani mediation, praises Trump for giving diplomacy a chance.

Published 21 May, 2026 07:19am

US-Israel war on Iran breaks international law: Xi, Putin

BEIJING: In a landmark summit held just days after President Don­ald Trump’s pomp-filled visit, Chinese President...

Published 21 May, 2026 07:17am

President, premier hail China’s role in regional peace

PM Shehbaz appreciates China’s constructive role in promoting peace and stability in South Asia and the Middle East.

Updated 21 May, 2026 07:38am

Situationer: New Energy Vehicle policy plagued by contradictions

Framework places both plug-in hybrids and combustion engines in 1pc sales tax category with e-vehicles.

Updated 21 May, 2026 05:44pm

PTI ready for talks if Imran released, NA told

• Lawmaker claims Achakzai invited for negotiations by PM • ‘Boycotting’ opposition MNAs attend session for sake of Chinese

Published 21 May, 2026 07:01am

PM, CDF vow to crush terror, defend nation’s sovereignty

• Premier terms Pakistan ‘net regional stabiliser’, contributing to peace, stability • Pledges defence of territorial integrity

Published 20 May, 2026 07:01am

Iran warns of new fronts as Trump doubles down

US president says Tehran has days to reach a deal, warns of "another big hit"; Doha says Pakistan-mediated negotiations require "more time".

Updated 20 May, 2026 07:39am

ECC allows NLC to take over shipping corporation

The national carrier handles around 12pc of Pakistan’s sea-route cargo requirements, resulting in foreign exchange outflows on freight payments.

Updated 20 May, 2026 07:29am

Slain mosque guard hailed as hero after US shooting

WASHINGTON: Tribu­tes poured in on Tuesday for Amin Abdullah, the security guard who was among three people killed...

Published 20 May, 2026 07:01am

PTI-led opposition announces agitation plan

• Asad Qaiser says demonstrations will be held on Friday over inflation, fuel price hike, denial of treatment to Imran

Published 20 May, 2026 07:01am

Iran engages with US even as war drums grow louder

After military build-up in Middle East, Trump announces decision to hold off attack "planned for Tuesday" at Gulf states’ request.

Published 19 May, 2026 07:25am

Provinces asked to raise Rs400bn more to meet IMF goals

Speaking to provincial ministers, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb praises fiscal discipline, seeks stronger tax collection in property, services and agriculture.

Published 19 May, 2026 07:16am

Edhi scion among Gaza-bound activists captured by Israel

• Over 100 activists ‘abducted’ after flotilla vessels boarded in eastern Mediterranean • Faisal Edhi appeals for Foreign Office

Published 19 May, 2026 07:22am

Tribal chief among three killed in Wana blast

LOWER SOUTH WAZ­IR­ISTAN: At least three people, including prominent tribal elder and chief of the Ahmadzai Wazir...

Published 19 May, 2026 07:18am

Imran urges SC to order his hospitalisation

Seeks court order to arrange his medical examination by physicians of his choice.

Updated 19 May, 2026 07:54am

In Tehran, Naqvi keeps diplomatic channel open

Meets Iranian president, speaker of parliament as Trump says "clock is ticking" for Iran; Pezeshkian calls on Muslim states to close ranks to counter "aggression by hegemonic powers".

Published 18 May, 2026 06:58am

Situationer: ‘28th’ legislative package by any other name

Insiders from PPP & PML-N do not rule out the possibility of major constitutional changes in the days to come; curriculum, population welfare, mines and minerals may return to Centre.

Updated 18 May, 2026 07:24am

Arbitration limits Delhi’s control over Indus waters

ISLAMABAD: Pak­is­tan on Sunday expressed “utmost satisfaction” over a supplemental award by the Permanent...

Published 18 May, 2026 06:58am

Army rebukes ‘history or geography’ provocation from India

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday reacted sharply to the Indian army chief’s recent provocative rem­arks, terming ...

Published 18 May, 2026 06:58am

Proposal to raise voting age to 25 finds few takers

Rana Sanaullah hints move "under discussion" for 28th Amendment; potential change seen as "exclusion of 23.7pc electorate or 30m youth".

Published 18 May, 2026 06:58am

Pakistan makes fresh bid to revive US-Iran talks

Dar speaks to Uzbek counterpart; Araghchi says Iran does not trust the US at all due to contradictory messages.

Published 17 May, 2026 07:29am

PTI says all united behind Imran as insiders claim internal rifts

Waqas Akram insists difference of opinion part of political process; rejects social media campaign against party.

Updated 17 May, 2026 07:57am

Woman cop, poet killed in Balochistan attacks

PM Shehbaz condemns attack against constable, reiterates government's determination to eradicate terrorism.

Updated 17 May, 2026 08:13am

KP cabinet expands as governor okays summary

Kundi approves summary for induction of 18 new cabinet members.

Published 17 May, 2026 07:25am

Law minister sees no sign of 28th Amendment yet

Azam Tarar says consensus among coalition partners key to constitutional changes

Published 17 May, 2026 07:24am

Situationer: Panda Bond: financial breathing space or catalyst for reform?

The Panda Bond’s real significance is in what it reveals about Pakistan’s evolving external financing strategy.

Updated 17 May, 2026 08:41am

Trump’s sojourn heavy on pomp, short on deals

US president wraps up China visit with no breakthrough on Iran, trade or rare earths

Published 16 May, 2026 05:47am

India, UAE agree on strategic defence ties

DUBAI: India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed the framework for a strategic defe­nce partnership on Friday...

Published 16 May, 2026 05:47am

‘If KP govt is blamed for terror, why not Balochistan?’

PTI MNAs question Centre’s "double standard" over worsening law and order in both provinces ; Tariq Fazal Chaudhry says issues are ‘provincial subjects’, offers to arrange meeting with CM Bugti.

Updated 16 May, 2026 07:23am

Petrol, diesel prices cut by Rs5 per litre

ISLAMABAD: The government on Friday redu­ced prices of petrol and diesel by Rs5 per litre each, with immediate...

Published 16 May, 2026 05:47am