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France has permanently closed its consulate in Karachi after citing budget constraints, ending its formal consular presence in Pakistan's largest city. Consular responsibilities are expected to move to other French diplomatic channels, while Pakistan and France continue bilateral cooperation under their 2023 roadmap.
Bangladesh says it would positively consider joining the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement if invited by founding members Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said Dhaka would assess the benefits before deciding, while opposition leaders also defended Bangladesh's right to make an independent decision on possible membership.
At least 95 people have been killed and hundreds remain missing after a devastating flood and landslide struck the Nepal-Tibet border region, leaving rescue teams struggling with damaged roads and difficult mountain terrain. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed Pakistan's solidarity with Nepal as authorities continue searching for missing residents and tourists.
Pakistan and Oman have intensified diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions between Iran and the United States, with recent visits to Tehran reopening channels for negotiations and producing progress on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Islamabad is reportedly relaying proposals between Washington and Tehran as regional mediators seek to revive the earlier Islamabad framework and prevent further escalation.
Pakistan has stepped up mediation efforts in the Iran-US conflict as Field Marshal Asim Munir held high-level talks with Iranian leaders in Tehran. Iran told Pakistan that Washington must first meet commitments under the Islamabad understanding, while discussions also focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and preventing further escalation.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has urged the International Maritime Organisation to intervene for the release of 10 Pakistani sailors held by Somali pirates since their tanker was hijacked off Puntland in April. The crew has reported shortages of food, clean water and medicine as Pakistan seeks stronger international coordination to secure their safe return.
Pakistan and Malaysia have agreed to increase intelligence sharing and security cooperation against terrorism, drug trafficking, cybercrime, illegal immigration and human smuggling. The two countries will also strengthen police training links and establish a Joint Working Group to advance and monitor bilateral law-enforcement cooperation.
A US federal judge has struck down a policy suspending immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries, including Pakistan, ruling that the State Department exceeded its legal authority. The decision could allow affected Pakistani applicants to resume processing under standard immigration procedures, subject to any appeal or further government action.
Pakistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo have signed an MoU aimed at broadening defence and security cooperation following talks between Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Congolese defence chief Lieutenant General Banza Mwilambwe Jules at GHQ. The visiting commander also met Pakistan's naval and air chiefs and praised the professionalism and self-reliance of the country's armed forces.
Pakistan will assume the presidency of the UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, with Tahir Andrabi set to chair proceedings. The agenda includes nuclear arms control, prevention of an arms race in outer space, military AI and strategic stability.
US President Donald Trump has welcomed the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Turkiye defence pact, calling it an important step toward regional coordination. The agreement creates a collective defence framework and could reshape Pakistan’s strategic role in the Middle East.
Former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji has died in Beijing at 97, prompting condolences from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pakistan remembered him as a major Chinese statesman and a friend of the country, while his reform legacy remains central to China’s modern economic story.
