At least 11 people were killed and seven others injured when a speeding van collided with a passenger bus in the Ismaila area of the Swat Expressway in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The incident occurred when the bus was parked on the roadside and the van, reportedly out of control, struck it from behind. The information was reported by local media outlet Samaa TV.

According to motorway police, rescue teams and officers reached the scene immediately after receiving the report and began rescue operations. The bodies of the deceased and the injured were taken to Mardan Medical Complex for treatment. Police sources said the bus was traveling from Karachi to Buner, while the van was en route from Rawalpindi to Dir.

Officials stated that an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the crash, though initial findings suggest driver negligence as the primary reason.

At least 24 people were killed and 82 others injured when a train carrying law enforcement personnel exploded in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, according to police sources. The blast occurred around 8:05 a.m. local time on Sunday in a shuttle of the Jaffar Express that had departed from Quetta Cantonment. The train was transporting security personnel returning home for the Eid holidays.

The explosion caused several carriages to derail and set at least two on fire, damaging nearby vehicles as well. Among the dead and injured were women and children, sources said. Of the wounded, 57 were taken to a military hospital and 25 to Quetta’s civil hospital for treatment.

Preliminary investigations suggest the incident was a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack involving more than 70 kilograms of explosives, according to initial police assessments.

At least 13 people were killed in a security operation conducted by Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) near Quetta on Saturday. According to a CTD spokesperson, four security personnel were among the dead and six others were injured, while nine suspected militants were also killed during the raid in the Panjpai and Nohsar areas on the outskirts of Quetta.

The operation came just hours after another major clash in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where police, peace committee members, and militants engaged in intense fighting in the Barakzai Akhundkhel area of Miryan tehsil. That confrontation left at least 25 militants dead and several others injured, according to police reports.

The two incidents highlight ongoing security challenges in Pakistan’s western regions, where law enforcement agencies continue to conduct counterterrorism operations against armed groups.

At least 25 militants were killed in a fierce clash with security forces in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday. The fighting occurred in the Barakzai Akhundkhel area of Miryan tehsil in Bannu district, involving police, a peace committee, and armed militants. Police confirmed that two officers and two civilians were also killed, while seven police personnel and three civilians sustained injuries.

Authorities launched the operation after receiving reports of a large militant presence in the area. Police from Lakki Marwat and members of a peace committee joined Bannu police in the operation. Despite intense gunfire, police managed to reach the station safely, and reinforcements were deployed to regain control of the situation.

Police officials stated that two key militant commanders, Jamari Noor and Abdullah, were among those killed. Local sources reported that tension remains high in Barakzai as a significant number of militants are still present, and intermittent exchanges of fire continue.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed hope that his country will soon host the next round of talks between Iran and the United States. In a post on social media platform X, he said Islamabad remains committed to mediating between the two nations and will continue its efforts to promote peace.

According to a report by Middle East Eye, Pakistan has been playing a key role in facilitating diplomatic communication between Washington and Tehran. Both sides are reportedly pursuing dialogue to find a peaceful resolution to ongoing tensions. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the U.S.-Israel conflict over Iran was nearing completion.

Trump also mentioned that the potential agreement could lead to the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, though it still awaits final approval from negotiators representing the United States, Iran, and other involved countries.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that Islamabad is hopeful about organizing the next round of talks between the United States and Iran in the near future. He stated that Pakistan continues its mediation efforts between the two countries and remains committed to promoting peace. In a post on social media platform X, Sharif emphasized that Pakistan will pursue its peace initiatives with utmost sincerity and expects to host the upcoming meeting soon.

According to the report, Pakistan has played a central role in facilitating diplomatic communication between Washington and Tehran, as both sides seek a negotiated resolution to their ongoing conflict. Earlier, U.S. President Trump said that Washington and Tehran were very close to finalizing an agreement, which would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The development highlights Islamabad’s continued engagement in regional diplomacy, aiming to ease tensions between the two long-standing adversaries through dialogue and mediation.

Pakistan is playing an active role in facilitating a potential understanding between Iran and the United States amid ongoing diplomatic tensions. Iranian officials confirmed that while some progress has been made, several key issues remain unresolved. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has been in Tehran for the third consecutive day, holding high-level meetings with Iran’s president and foreign minister. Sources indicate that Pakistan is working to develop a basic framework that could later be presented to the United States in Islamabad.

Diplomatic circles suggest that if the talks advance further, Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir may visit Tehran, which would signal a major step forward in the Iran-U.S. negotiation process. Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit China tomorrow and may convey important messages from Tehran to Beijing. Analysts believe Pakistan’s current diplomatic efforts reflect a strategy to balance relations among the United States, Iran, regional powers, and China.

Experts note that Pakistan’s active diplomacy under current Middle Eastern geopolitical conditions could reshape regional alignments.

On May 21, China and Pakistan celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations, highlighting a partnership that began in 1950 when Pakistan became the first Muslim-majority nation to recognize Beijing’s communist government. The anniversary was marked in Islamabad’s Senate, where Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized the countries’ unified vision in the presence of a visiting Chinese parliamentary delegation. A resolution reaffirming their friendship was unanimously adopted, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to begin a four-day state visit to Beijing on May 23.

The relationship, analysts note, has been driven by strategic necessity rather than ideological alignment. It began with Pakistan’s 1963 border agreement transferring control of the Shaksgam Valley to China, signaling early trust rooted in mutual rivalry with India. Over the decades, cooperation expanded to nuclear and defense sectors, with China supplying up to 80 percent of Pakistan’s arms imports. Economically, the $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has deepened ties but also increased Pakistan’s debt burden and security challenges.

In May 2026, Pakistan issued its first 250 million dollar “Panda Bond” in China’s domestic market, underscoring Beijing’s continued financial influence and strategic commitment to Islamabad.

Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir is visiting Tehran with the primary goal of reducing ongoing differences between Pakistan and Iran and advancing toward a formal memorandum of understanding, according to Iranian news agency ISNA.

The report states that discussions in Tehran are focusing on the overall framework, detailed issues, and confidence-building measures based on a draft proposed by Iran. The draft has reportedly helped narrow some existing gaps between the two sides. However, the report also notes that further progress would require an end to what it described as Washington’s “temptation of war.”

ISNA added that Munir’s visit aims to resolve remaining disagreements and move the two countries closer to formally announcing the memorandum of understanding.

A military training aircraft crashed during a routine exercise in Pakistan’s Punjab province on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. According to local and international media reports, the plane went down in an open field in Mianwali district. Both pilots managed to eject in time and survived the crash. The Pakistan Air Force has not yet released details about their physical condition.

Initial reports suggest that a mechanical fault in the engine during takeoff caused the aircraft to lose control and crash. No casualties were reported, and because the plane fell in an uninhabited area, major damage was avoided. Videos circulating on social media showed two uniformed personnel being assisted by local residents, while the wreckage burned nearby.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. Some Indian media outlets claimed the aircraft was Chinese-made, but Pakistan has not issued any official statement on that claim.

Pakistan has continued its diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi departing for Tehran to attend an important meeting, according to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency. This marks Naqvi’s second visit to Tehran within a week, underscoring Islamabad’s active role in promoting dialogue between conflicting parties.

Earlier this year, Pakistan facilitated discussions among relevant stakeholders, and diplomatic sources indicate that the country is maintaining contact at various levels to organize a second round of talks. The initiative reflects Islamabad’s ongoing commitment to mediation and conflict resolution in the region.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement could play a significant role in maintaining regional stability, as the country continues to position itself as a mediator in ongoing disputes.

Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar announced that Iranian and Pakistani sailors detained by the United States have returned home. According to Dar, 20 Iranian and 11 Pakistani sailors who were stranded in waters near Singapore were successfully repatriated. Before boarding a flight to Islamabad on Friday, the sailors were flown from Singapore to Bangkok.

In a statement shared on social media, Dar expressed gratitude and confirmed that the sailors had been detained aboard a ship held by the United States in deep sea. He emphasized that all the sailors were in good health and mentally sound. Dar reiterated that the welfare of Pakistanis abroad, especially those facing hardship, remains a top priority for his government.

The report, citing Middle East Eye, did not specify the circumstances of the sailors’ detention or the reasons for their release.

Pakistan, trailing 0–1 in the Test series against Bangladesh, is turning to star batter Babar Azam to strengthen its lineup for the Sylhet Test. Coach Sarfaraz Ahmed confirmed that Babar is fit to play after missing the Dhaka Test due to a knee injury sustained during practice. Pakistan lost that match by 104 runs, leaving the team desperate to level the series.

Babar Azam, who has shown good form in the Pakistan Championship League, has struggled in Test cricket, going 30 innings without a century. Despite this, the coaching staff sees his return as a major boost. Sarfaraz Ahmed said Babar’s technical skill and mental strength would help the team recover. The coach also acknowledged widespread criticism in Pakistan following recent poor performances and urged both batters and bowlers to show more discipline and patience.

The Sylhet Test is seen as a crucial opportunity for Pakistan to avoid a 2–0 series defeat, a result that would mirror Bangladesh’s 2–0 win in Rawalpindi two years earlier.

Pakistan has been fined and penalized following its 104-run defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test of the series held in Mirpur. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that the team bowled eight overs short of the required quota, resulting in a 40 percent fine on the players’ match fees and a deduction of eight points from the World Test Championship standings.

The on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough, Kumar Dharmasena, Alauddin Palekar, and Gazi Sohel reported the slow over rate. Match referee Jeff Crowe called for a hearing, but Pakistan captain Shan Masood accepted the charge, making the hearing unnecessary. The penalties were imposed under ICC Test Championship bylaw 16.11.2 and Code of Conduct clause 2.22, which specify one-point deduction and a five percent fine per over short.

The decision underscores ICC’s strict enforcement of over-rate regulations, directly affecting Pakistan’s standing in the ongoing Test Championship.

Pakistan has successfully carried out a training launch of its domestically developed ground-launched cruise missile, Fatah-4. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the test on Thursday, May 14, 2026, stating that it was conducted under the supervision of the Army Rocket Force Command. The exercise aimed to enhance operational readiness and verify various technical subsystems of the missile. According to ISPR, the Fatah-4 features improved target accuracy and resilience under adverse conditions.

The statement added that the missile system is equipped with advanced avionics and state-of-the-art navigational technology, enabling it to strike long-range targets with high precision. Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and top military officials expressed satisfaction over the successful test and praised the scientists, engineers, and personnel involved for their dedication and technical expertise.

Two weeks earlier, the Army Rocket Force Command had successfully tested the Fatah-2 missile system, also developed with indigenous technology, in the presence of senior officials from the Strategic Plans Division and the Pakistan Army.