Targeting Energy
In retaliation to Israel striking the South Pars gas field, Tehran overnight targeted oil and gas targets across the Gulf, firing missiles at Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The escalation risks further disrupting global energy supplies, with prices shooting up in early morning trade. State-run QatarEnergy has reported “extensive damage” while Saudi Arabia has said it intercepted and destroyed four ballistic missiles.
‘Significant Threat’
U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has listed Pakistan among states posing a significant threat to the United States, warning lawmakers Islamabad’s evolving missile capabilities may eventually put the American homeland within range. Apart from Pakistan, Gabbard also listed Russia, China, North Korea and Iran in a continuation of past U.S. policy communications.
Pak-Afghan Ceasefire
Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to a temporary pause in hostilities for the upcoming Eidul Fitr festival, with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar saying the “goodwill gesture” stems from requests of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye. However, he made clear, Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq would resume in case of any cross-border attack, drone strike or terrorist incident inside Pakistan.
‘Ridiculous’ Claim
Inter-Services Public Relations Director-General Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has outright rejected the interim Afghan government’s claim that Pakistan targeted a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul, asserting this was a continuation of misinformation aimed at distorting facts. He maintained Pakistan hit ammunition storage, adding secondary detonations had caused a fire that damaged nearby buildings.
More Loans
The Asian Development Bank has launched a new country partnership strategy for Pakistan, 2026-2030, setting out a roadmap to support the country’s transition to sustainable and inclusive growth through private sector-led development. As part of this, it has approved an indicative lending strategy of $10-12 billion, including allocations for financing minerals exploration and railways reform.
Conditional Rights
A division bench of the Lahore High Court has ruled that freedom of movement under Article 15 of the Constitution is not an absolute right, and is subject to “reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the public interest.” The order was issued against a single bench order that had permitted politician Sheikh Rashid Ahmed to travel abroad for Umrah while facing criminal proceedings.
No Visa Needed
Responding to an appeal from Jemima Goldsmith, the ex-wife of PTI founder Imran Khan, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has said her sons do not need a visa to travel to Pakistan to meet their incarcerated father, as they can use their NICOP cards as Pakistani citizens. He further said both Kasim and Sulaiman would be granted a phone call with their father on Eid day, as per past practice.
Terrorism Averted
Balochistan Chief Minister Safraz Bugti has praised security forces for arresting a would-be female suicide bomber in Khuzdar, preventing a potentially devastating attack. He said the detained woman had confessed a terrorist commander had recruited her and trained her for a suicide bombing, lamenting the “alarming trend” of certain elements misleading Baloch youth, especially women.
Another Medical
A reconstituted medical board has completed a fresh examination of incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan on directions of the Islamabad High Court. The board would now submit a comprehensive report to the chief commissioner with recommendations for further treatment, with the court ordering Khan’s transfer to hospital if the board proposes the same.
Deadly Rain
At least 19 people have died while seven others were left injured in Karachi due to rain-related incidents caused by a thunderstorm and gale force winds, primarily roof and wall collapses, and at least one victim of a lightning strike. The storm also damaged infrastructure and uprooted trees, with the Met Office saying wind speeds reached 97km/hour in parts of the Sindh capital.