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Monday, February 23, 2026
TopicIslamabad

Topic: Islamabad

Pakistan crackdown on manhole cover thefts. ‘Full blown emergency’

According to Dawn, Islamabad has 30,000 manholes, of which 1,657 are bare. In 2025, uncovered sewers led to the death of 24 people in Karachi, five of them children.

At least 31 killed, over 160 injured as blast rips through Islamabad mosque during Friday prayers

Blast comes at a time when Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is on a two-day official visit. Role of suicide bomber under probe.

Pakistan court’s 17-yr jail term to human rights lawyers over social media posts sparks global backlash

EU spokesperson condemned the conviction of Imaan Zainab Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, saying convictions over social media violate free expression and lawyers’ independence.

Pakistan Foreign Office says it’s ‘unaware’ of any JF-17 deal with Saudi Arabia

A media report earlier cited 2 Pakistani sources as saying the 2 countries were discussing a plan to convert 2-bn dollars Saudi loan into a purchase of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets. 

Hasina govt was anti-Pakistan, will proactively engage with ‘brother’ Bangladesh post polls—Pakistan FM

Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar says 2025 was major icebreaker after yrs of diplomatic chill. He visited Bangladesh in August, 1st foreign ministerial visit to the country in 13 yrs.

Chaos in Lahore as anti-Israel protest turns violent; 4 killed in far-Right TLP’s clash with cops

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif called TLP protest 'insult to religion’. Clashes occurred even as Pakistan PM Sharif is in Egypt to attend signing of Trump-brokered Gaza peace plan.

Afghanistan says it killed 58 Pakistan soldiers in ‘retaliation’, warns firm response to future ‘violation’

Clashes mark one of most serious escalations between 2 countries since Taliban takeover, with Afghanistan accusing Pakistan of violating its sovereignty through airstrikes.

IMF seeks clarity from Pakistan on $11-billion worth discrepancies in its import data

Pakistan is currently receiving assistance from at least two IMF programmes, one of which was approved right after Operation Sindoor in May.

More rhetoric than reality? What are ‘massive’ Pakistani oil reserves Trump has promised to develop

Remains to be seen whether US promise is more rhetoric than reality, Pakistani economist Javed Hassan tells ThePrint. He says Trump’s posts suggest desperation to get India deal. 

‘My only crime is reporting truth’—Pakistan bans 27 YouTube channels over ‘anti-state content’

The request to block the channels came from the recently established National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), a body created under the Interior Division to monitor illegal activity on social media platforms.

On Camera

Nick Jonas wearing a mangalsutra is validation for many Indians. He’s our favourite jiju

Nick Jonas is not trying to modernise the mangalsutra, but his gesture shows that choices can be equal. If commitment must be flaunted, it need not be gendered.

In the West, there’s anxiety. In India, optimism—Rishi Sunak says India poised to be leader in AI

On Wednesday, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was speaking in New Delhi at a Carnegie & Observer Research Foundation event on AI.

Suspected brake failure leads to Tejas accident after landing, airframe likely to be written off

The IAF, so far, remains mum on this accident which has led to grounding of the fleet for safety checks.

No country is ever fully sovereign. Cold War era taught India its real meaning

India’s fraught neighbourhood places multiple constraints on its strategic choices. It leaves no time to take a deep breath, lean back and reset.