Advertisement
Advertisement
Pakistan
TOPIC
 / location

Pakistan

Related Topics:
Pakistan
Pakistan
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Pakistan. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Capital
Islamabad
Head of State
President Asif Ali Zardari
Head of Government
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
Two Pakistani astronauts have been chosen to train for a Chinese space mission, with one expected to serve as the first foreign astronaut to enter the Tiangong space station. Photo: Xinhua
Science

China names 2 Pakistani astronauts chosen to train for space station mission

Partnership shows Beijing’s attitude to ‘sharing the fruit of its space development’ with international community, state media says.

videocam
US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | How China’s patient diplomacy can help secure peace in Iran

videocam
Food and agriculture

Asia braces for food shortages as ‘super El Nino’ and Iran war collide

US, Israel war on Iran

Shifting Saudi ties: what role could China take after Iran war is over?

Caught between Washington and Tehran, Riyadh may shift towards self-reliance and diversifying partnerships, observers note.

videocam
11
Smoke rises above RIyadh amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Since the war began on February 28, Iranian missiles and drones have targeted key Saudi infrastructure. Photo: Reuters
Middle East

Israel and Hezbollah exchange fire, testing Lebanon truce as talks loom

The incidents are among several that have occurred since a 10-day Lebanon ceasefire came into effect last Thursday.

Taiwan

Trump effect? Taiwan poll reveals deep doubts about US military protection

Results also suggest a more pragmatic public mood on cross-strait relations, with many respondents favouring dialogue over confrontation.

videocam
55
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war latest: Trump’s new threat, IRGC attacks ship, fuel prices hit flights

US president’s ceasefire extension followed by threats to ‘blow up’ rest of Iran, as Tehran refuses to join peace talks while Hormuz blockade continues.

videocam
5
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said the US blockade of Iran’s ports violated the ceasefire and amounted to “an act of war”. Photo: Stringer/dpa
IPO

Victory Giant skyrockets after biggest Hong Kong IPO this year

The Nvidia supplier jumped on its trading debut, underscoring demand for AI hardware stocks and the resilience of Hong Kong IPO demand amid Middle East upheavals.

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump, Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: here’s what happened overnight

A two-week ceasefire is about to expire, and it’s not clear if Tehran will show up for a second round of talks.

videocam
9
US, Israel war on Iran

US and Iran warn they are ready for war as clock ticks on ceasefire end

As talks remain in limbo, a key Iranian figure says the Islamic Republic is ready to ‘show new cards on the battlefield’.

videocam
5
A national flag of Iran hangs from a building in Tehran that was damaged by US-Israeli attacks. Photo: Xinhua
Middle East

Defying Hezbollah, Lebanon’s president seeks end to hostilities with Israel talks

Ambassadors are set to meet in Washington on Thursday as President Aoun hopes to ‘save Lebanon’ amid a fragile ceasefire.

A man kisses an Iranian flag in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

US-Iran talks in the air as high-seas ship seizure reignites Hormuz tensions

Pakistan scrambles to save talks in Islamabad following the US military’s seizure of an Iranian-flagged vessel.

videocam
US, Israel war on Iran

What the US-Iran ‘fight-talk’ dynamic means before their ceasefire ends

Meanwhile, China expresses ‘concern’ over America’s interception of Iranian-flagged cargo ship in Gulf of Oman.

videocam
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war escalates as Houthis threaten to sever Saudi oil exports

Targets reportedly include a Saudi pipeline to the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and a UAE export terminal at Fujairah, outside the Gulf.

8
Armed Houthi loyalists attend a rally in Yemen last month demanding a resumption of attacks against Red Sea shipping. Photo: Xinhua
US, Israel war on Iran

Exclusive | Iran keen on deal with US but has higher ‘pain tolerance’: think tank chief

Mohamed Amersi, who is close to Iranian negotiators, says regime is prepared for long haul and will not give up its missile programme.

videocam
31
Mohamed Amersi, an Iranian based in Britain, says Tehran is keen for a memorandum or framework of understanding with the United States. Photo: WANA via Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Turkey’s Erdogan urges Iran, US to use ceasefire to push for lasting peace

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Erdogan also stressed the importance of acting with ‘prudent understanding’ to end the Iran war.

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran, US say Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial vessels

Move eases oil fears, but US’ Iran blockade remains amid questions over enforcement and China’s role, as Trump claims to have ended 10 wars.

videocam
53
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
US, Israel war on Iran

Lebanon becomes key to Iran-US peace talks amid fears of Israel’s ‘hegemony’

Pakistan is the regional go-between to help maintain the 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon and push for a conclusive deal to end the Iran war.

4
Displaced people make their way back to their home on Friday crossing the bridge in Qasmiyeh linking southern Lebanon to the rest of the country as a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect. Photo: Reuters
Science

China’s space station crew to ‘maximise opportunities’ with extra month in orbit

The Shenzhou-21 astronauts were embroiled in drama last year after their probe was used in an emergency mission for the previous crew.

videocam
4
Energy

Pakistan oil tanker becomes first to exit through Hormuz since US blockade began

Transits through the narrow waterway have been mostly in single digits since US and Israeli strikes began at the end of February.

videocam
US, Israel war on Iran

Will China arm Iran during the ceasefire?

Pentagon says Beijing offered assurances as US tightens blockade and warns Tehran talks could quickly give way to renewed strikes.

videocam
31
An Iranian woman walks past a large-scale billboard referring to the Strait of Hormuz as ‘Forever on Iran’s hand’, at a square in Tehran, Iran, 15 April 2026. Photo: EPA
US-China relations

Trump-Xi summit worries, new fertiliser woes: 7 US-China relations reads

From soybeans and tariffs to Chinese-American plays, here are highlights from our US correspondents in early April 2026.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands before their meeting in South Korea in October 2025. Photo: AP
India

Opinion | Why India feels exposed by Pakistan’s diplomacy in Iran war

Pakistan, with its contested reputation, leapt into diplomatic action while India, despite its heft and concerns, was absent from the frame.

videocam
European Union

Europe running low on jet fuel, stoking fears of flight cancellations

IEA executive director Birol said the Hormuz blockade-induced energy crisis will hit nations including Japan, China and India harder.

videocam
US, Israel war on Iran

Fact-Check | This video of ‘Iran capturing US pilot’ was filmed in Pakistan

The conflict in the Middle East has led to videos being shared out of context by social media users.

A screenshot showing scenes from a video falsely claiming to show a US pilot captured by Iran, with lines drawn through by the SCMP. Photo: Handout/SCMP
US, Israel war on Iran

China’s Wang Yi calls on Iran to ensure freedom and safe passage through strait

In phone call with Iran’s top envoy, China’s foreign minister says situation is at ‘critical stage of transition between conflict and peace’.

videocam
9
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with his Iranian counterpart in a phone call on Wednesday regarding the Iran war and access to the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Xinhua
US, Israel war on Iran

Lebanon’s president refuses talks with Israel amid Trump’s peace push

The Lebanese leader said Beirut’s position is that a ceasefire should ⁠precede negotiations.

Middle East

Letters | Iran war is not just a short-term energy disruption

Readers discuss a possible motivation behind the war, Pakistan’s role as a mediator, and Republican silence in the face of the US president’s actions.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement