The government of Finland has announced plans to shut down its diplomatic mission in Pakistan—including the embassy in Islamabad—as part of a broader closure of embassies in multiple countries, including Afghanistan and Myanmar. According to Finland’s Foreign Ministry, the decision is driven by limited economic and trade ties, along with shifting priorities in foreign-policy strategy....
The United States has paused immigration from many “third-world” countries after a recent attack on National Guard personnel. Still, citizens of Pakistan remain spared from the worst of the new restrictions. Under the directive from Donald Trump, green-card holders from 19 “countries of concern” will undergo a full security audit — yet Pakistan is not listed...
Pakistani students secured a decisive victory at Oxford University, winning the highly anticipated Pakistan–India debate with a strong two-thirds majority. The event, organised by the Oxford Union—one of the world’s most prestigious debating platforms—featured students from both countries presenting arguments on regional politics, diplomacy, and future relations. According to organisers, the Pakistani team impressed judges...
In a daring overnight escape, two inmates broke out of a jail in Dijon prison, France, by sawing through cell bars and lowering themselves with bedsheets, prosecutors said Thursday. The fugitives—a 19-year-old held since October 2024 on attempted-murder charges and a 32-year-old imprisoned for violence—slipped out shortly before dawn. Prison staff warned that overcrowding and...
According to a recent briefing to the Senate’s Human Rights Committee, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is no longer granting visas to Pakistani citizens; only holders of “blue” (official) and diplomatic passports are being accepted. Officials warned that if full visa restrictions are imposed, reversing them could prove difficult. They also disclosed that a neighbouring...
The Indian delegation abruptly withdrew from a scheduled debate at the Oxford Union, handing a no-contest victory to the Pakistani side, the Pakistan High Commission in London said. With prominent Pakistani figures, including ex-foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar and retired general Zubair Mahmood Hayat, present, the exit of Indian speakers before the debate revealed what...
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has reassured the public that ash from a rare eruption of Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano is not expected to significantly affect coastal areas like Karachi. The volcano, located in Ethiopia’s Afar region, sent smoke and ash plumes as high as 14 km into the sky. PMD spokesperson Anjum Nazeer Zaighum explained the ash...
In a major step to simplify travel, the Australian High Commission in Pakistan has unveiled a digital visa route via its Immi App, allowing eligible Pakistanis to submit their passport information and facial biometrics through their smartphones. High Commissioner Tim Kane said this measure is particularly helpful for students, professionals, and travelers, saving both time...
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has officially announced the schedule for the 2025 Men’s U-19 Asia Cup, set to take place in the United Arab Emirates from December 12 to 21. Eight teams are competing, divided into two groups: Group A comprises India, Pakistan, Qualifier 1, and Qualifier 3, while Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh,...
Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder made a major splash at the Dubai Airshow 2025, drawing crowds and high-level attention both on the ground and during aerial demonstrations. Pilots from the Pakistan Air Force performed precision aerobatics with the Block-III variant, while the static display allowed visitors to get a close-up view of its advanced avionics and weapons...