In 2024, the United Kingdom received the highest number of asylum applications from Pakistan, with Afghanistan in second place—displacing Syria and Iran, which topped the list in previous years. British Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated that the newly elected Labour government is committed to reducing asylum processing delays and ending the costly practice of housing applicants in hotels. This move is expected to save the UK approximately £1 billion annually. Between 2011 and 2020, the UK received an average of 27,500 asylum applications per year. However, by 2024, the number has tripled to 84,200, prompting the government to declare the situation a crisis and prioritize reform.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday for a one-day official visit. During the trip, he is scheduled to meet with the President of the UAE, accompanied by his delegation. The prime minister is joined by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has termed the visit as significant, highlighting its importance in strengthening bilateral ties.

Alima Khan, sister of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, stated, “We stand in solidarity with the judges, but it seems that is no longer enough. It appears there is a plan to keep the PTI founder behind bars for several more months.”
She added, “The hearing on the appeal to suspend Imran's sentence is now scheduled for June 26. Authorities kept telling us we would receive a new date next week, but we made it clear that we won’t appear until a date is officially announced.”
Alima further noted that Imran is fully prepared for a nationwide movement. “This movement cannot be stopped,” she said. “Imran will not call the people to Islamabad. The PTI founder has made it clear that the movement will spread across all of Pakistan.”

Former Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has warned that the risk of full-scale war with India is now greater than ever. In an interview, he blamed India's recent unilateral actions for escalating regional tensions, especially after the deadly Pahalgam attack. Bilawal claimed a U.S.-brokered ceasefire prevented further conflict but stressed the need for lasting peace. He also warned against India’s threats to cut water supplies and called for international investigation into the attack, asserting Pakistan’s non-involvement.

Despite India blaming Pakistan for inciting the deadly April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir has been formally invited to the United States. The invitation was extended for him to attend U.S. Army Day celebrations on June 14. Meanwhile, a top U.S. military official praised Pakistan as an “exceptional partner” in operations against ISIS-Khorasan. The U.S. has also signaled a possible mediation role between India and Pakistan regarding Kashmir during the upcoming G7 summit.

Recent skirmishes and diplomatic strains between India and Pakistan have spotlighted the strategic role of their navies. Following military operations and missile strikes, both countries’ navies are actively preparing for potential future clashes. India aims to develop a blue-water navy capable of deep-sea operations, while Pakistan focuses on coastal defense. Analysts warn that naval confrontations could escalate risks, including nuclear threats. Historical conflicts, such as the 1971 naval attack on Karachi, underscore the high stakes involved in any naval warfare between the two nations.

Speculation is rising that PTI founder Imran Khan may be released on bail on Wednesday in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said his party will not oppose any court decision to grant Khan bail, stating it is his legal right. PTI senior leader Gohar Ali Khan confirmed that the Islamabad High Court will hear the appeals of Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi on June 11, which could be a decisive day for both.

Pakistan has increased its defence budget by 20 percent, allocating 2.55 trillion rupees ($9bn) for the 2025-26 fiscal year, despite cutting overall government spending by 7 percent. The move follows recent clashes with India, marking the most serious conflict between the two nuclear powers in decades. The fighting, triggered by an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, saw both sides exchange heavy fire before agreeing to a ceasefire. Analysts say Pakistan’s defence hike will likely come at the cost of development spending.

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, stated that his party will not oppose the court’s decision if Imran Khan is granted bail in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case. He emphasized that bail is a legal right and all cases should follow due legal process. The Islamabad High Court is scheduled to hear the appeal and bail petition for Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi on June 11, marking an important day for both.

Pakistan targeted 20 Indian fighter jets during recent hostilities but managed to shoot down only six, claimed PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Speaking at a public event, Bilawal emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to peace, stating, “The world has seen that Pakistan is not only capable of resistance but is also a responsible advocate for peace. We want all disputes, starting with Kashmir, to be resolved through dialogue. But talks remain stalled because of India’s reluctance.”

He further warned that any attempt to cut off Pakistan’s water supply would be considered an act of war and condemned the attempts to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack.

Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari compared Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a “cheap version” of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, dubbing him the “Temu edition”—a reference to the low-cost Chinese marketplace often associated with inferior products.

Bhutto accused India of emulating Israel’s oppressive policies and labeled Modi the “Butcher of Kashmir.” He warned that Modi is attempting similar repression in Pakistan’s Sindh province. He further stated that collaboration between Pakistan’s ISI and India’s RAW could significantly reduce terrorism in South Asia.

Afghanistan has elevated its diplomatic mission in Islamabad to the ambassadorial level, a day after Pakistan upgraded its own mission in Kabul. Analysts believe this development is a result of recent Chinese-led talks where the foreign minister of China hosted officials from both countries. During the meeting, both Afghanistan and Pakistan expressed a clear interest in enhancing diplomatic ties to ambassador level.

After Army Chief Asim Munir became only the second person in Pakistan’s history to be promoted to Field Marshal, jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan commented, “It would have been more fitting to declare him king, as the country is now ruled by jungle law.” Speaking from court during a trial, Khan condemned drone strikes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that killed civilians. He also denied rumors of any deal with the establishment, calling such reports false and misleading.

Amir Hamza, a top leader of the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, has been hospitalized in Lahore under ISI protection after sustaining serious injuries in an attack at his residence. The identity of the attackers and the motive behind the incident remain unclear. Hamza hails from Gujranwala in Punjab province and is known to have close ties with Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed and Abdul Rehman Makki.

Amid India’s threats to cut water supplies to Pakistan, China is fast-tracking the construction of the Mohmand Dam in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to secure Pakistan’s water future. Since 2019, the state-owned China Energy Engineering Corporation has been working on the Mohmand Hydropower Project. The company has now started concrete filling to expedite completion. This multipurpose project aims to generate 800 MW of electricity, control flooding, irrigate agricultural land, and supply 300 million gallons of water daily to Peshawar.