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Pakistan remains ‘positive’ as Iran mulls peace offer

• FO spokesperson expects agreement ‘sooner rather than later’, hopes for ‘sustainable solution’ • Officials say Tehran expected to share response today as optimism prevails • Iranian FM speaks to Dar on ‘importance of continuing’ diplomacy; briefs him about China visit ISLAMABAD: Pak­is­tan and Iran on Thursday agr­eed on continuing dialogue and diplomacy for ending the war in the Persian Gulf as Islamabad expressed growing optimism that the United States and Iran could soon move towards a peace agreement after weeks of conflict and fragile ceasefire. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi amid indications that Washington and Tehran were edging closer to a preliminary understanding on ending hostilities. According to the For­eign Office, the two foreign ministers “exchanged views on recent regional developments and ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability.” ...
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Can Trump’s push for a deal with Iran turn a tactical pause into lasting peace?

WASHINGTON: After weeks of military escalation , economic pressure and threats of a wider regional conflict, the Trump administration now appears to be searching for a diplomatic exit from its confrontation with Iran, even as officials in Washington insist the United States still holds the upper hand. President Donald Trump’s decision this week to pause a planned naval operation aimed at escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz has triggered debate over whether Washington is moving toward a negotiated settlement or simply recalibrating pressure before renewed escalation. The debate has been further intensified by Trump’s assertion that a peace deal with Iran is now likely — a claim that contrasts with the uncertainty still surrounding core disputes over nuclear capability, sanctions and maritime security. Analysts say the latest shift reflects a familiar pattern in US-Iran relations: escalation followed by partial de-escalation, without a clear end state. One of...
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A year ago today: Islamabad turns the tables on New Delhi as de-escalation efforts reach fever pitch

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The week of May 6 - May 10 marks the first anniversary of the brief military conflict between Pakistan and India. The conflict was sparked by the April 22 Pahalgam attack on tourists in India-occupied Kashmir, which New Delhi, without evidence, linked to Pakistan. In a dangerous escalation, New Delhi launched deadly air strikes in Punjab and Azad Kashmir on May 7. Pakistan retaliated by downing five Indian planes in air-to-air combat, later raising the tally to seven . Following tit-for-tat strikes on each other’s airbases, and the launch of Pakistan Army’s Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, both sides agreed to a ceasefire on May 10 after American intervention. The Pakistan Army named the period of conflict from April 22-May 10 “Marka-i-Haq”. Throughout the week, Dawn will be sharing daily headlines from the brief conflict when tensions between both countries reached a boiling point. Here’s a look at Dawn’s front page published on May 8, 2025. from...
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PTI's Raja says there will be no discussion on party's Punjab coordination and monitoring committee

ISLAMABAD: PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja on Wednesday maintained that the formation of the Punjab Coordination and Monitoring Committee would not be discussed, as the party leadership planned to raise the issue in the upcoming party meeting. The composition of the aforementioned committee has been a subject of internal rift within the party, with leaders opposing the nomination of Amjad Khan Niazi as the convenor of the body, as he had parted ways with the party in the wake of May 9, 2023, protests . A senior PTI leader, on condition of anonymity, told Dawn that a number of party leaders believe that the newly formed body was nothing but an attempt to “occupy” the party in Punjab. His claim referred to the committee’s terms of reference , which include the task of coordinating organisational matters between Punjab’s four regions through engagement with their presidents and general secretaries. PTI’s Punjab chapter comprises four regions — Central, West, North and South ...
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Pioneering CNN founder Ted Turner dead at 87

Ted Turner, the flamboyant US entrepreneur who transformed television news with the creation of CNN in 1980, died at the age of 87, the network said on Wednesday. The moustached southerner, yachting enthusiast and philanthropist, whose empire also included sports clubs, had been suffering from the degenerative disease Lewy Body Dementia. Cable News Network upended established broadcasting with its dedication to around-the-clock breaking news and shot to global recognition with its coverage of the Gulf War in 1990-91. The 24-hour network was the first in the United States to run non-stop news and quickly built a worldwide footprint. Correspondents brought live coverage from major events ranging from the collapse of the Soviet Union to the Chinese crackdown on the Tiananmen Square protests. CNN’s decision to keep reporters in Baghdad amid US bombing on the Iraqi capital cemented the network’s reputation as an indispensable source o...
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The May war

A YEAR since India launched unprovoked attacks against Pakistan using the Pahalgam tragedy as an excuse, and this country defended itself with full vigour, the stalemate in South Asia continues. The principal reason for this remains India’s obduracy and its unwillingness for a peaceful settlement with Pakistan. As conflict engulfs the rest of the region, New Delhi should be thinking of ways to bring down the temperature bilaterally. But unfortunately, the Indian leadership remains wedded to bellicosity, with senior figures in the BJP-led government continuing to threaten Pakistan. Last May’s brief Pakistan-India war brought several truths to the fore, and offered lessons for those willing to learn. For one, Pakistan retained the moral high ground by only hitting military targets in India. New Delhi’s forces, on the other hand, had no compunctions about hitting mosques, madressahs and civilian water projects in Pakistan. Moreover, Pakistan’s armed forces, particularly the PAF, rep...
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Players would boycott French Open over prize money dispute, says Sabalenka

Players would ​boycott the French Open if their prize money at the claycourt Grand Slam is not increased, women’s world number ‌one Aryna Sabalenka said on Tuesday, with Coco Gauff also voicing support for the drastic step. The threat deepens a dispute between players and Roland Garros organisers over prize money distribution, even though this year’s tournament offers a 9.5 per cent increase to 61.7 million euros ($72.19 million). Several top players released a statement on Monday saying they were set to receive prize money ​that would likely still be less than 15pc of tournament revenue, well short of the 22pc they demanded to match the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) ​and Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) combined 1000 events. When asked how far players might push their demands, Sabalenka told reporters at the ⁠Italian Open: “I think at some point we will boycott it (the tournament), yeah. I feel like that’s going to be the only way to ​fight for our rights. “Let’s see h...
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