Australia defeated Pakistan by 41 runs in the second One Day International at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, leveling the three-match series 1-1. After being sent to bat first, Australia posted 231 for 9 in 50 overs, led by half-centuries from captain Josh Inglis (51) and all-rounder Cameron Green (53). Oliver Peake added a late 31-run cameo. For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi took three wickets for 36 runs, while Arafat Minhas, Abrar Ahmed, and Haris Rauf claimed two each.

Chasing 232, Pakistan suffered an early collapse, losing two wickets for six runs and later slumping to 78 for six under pressure from Australian pacer Nathan Ellis, who took four wickets for 33 runs. Shadab Khan fought back with a resilient 71, supported by Ghazi Ghori (37) and Arafat Minhas (33), but Pakistan were bowled out for 190 in 44 overs. Part-time spinner Matthew Short contributed with three wickets for 36 runs.

The victory brought Australia back into contention in the series, setting up a decisive third ODI. Nathan Ellis was named Player of the Match for his match-winning bowling performance.

Pakistan has signed a two-year lobbying agreement worth $1.3 million with the US-based firm Arwin Graves Strategy Group LLC to improve its image in Washington. According to documents obtained by NDTV, the deal was signed on May 1 at the Pakistani embassy in Washington. The campaign aims to influence US policymakers and strengthen Pakistan’s position in South Asia-related policies. The firm will target key congressional committees, influential caucuses, policy experts, and investors to promote Pakistan as a partner in regional stability and counterterrorism, while also encouraging US investment in mining, IT, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Analysts view this image restoration effort as a major challenge given Pakistan’s deepening internal crises, including economic collapse, inflation, and debt burdens. The country remains under international scrutiny over allegations of enforced disappearances and excessive military force in Balochistan. Human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about extrajudicial killings, suppression of free expression, and misuse of anti-terror laws against dissenters, as well as discrimination against religious minorities such as Hindus, Christians, and Ahmadis.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has claimed that during last year’s conflict, a Pakistani drone flew close to the residence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at a rally in Moro, Sindh province, Zardari said the drone hovered over Modi’s residence for some time and that Pakistan Air Force drones had breached India’s defense lines.

According to reports from Indian media including NDTV, Zardari also asserted that Pakistan’s Air Force had shot down eight Indian aircraft. The remarks come in reference to the 2025 conflict that followed a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, where 25 tourists and a horseman were killed. India launched strikes inside Pakistan in response, prompting retaliatory attacks from Pakistan.

The hostilities were eventually halted after mediation by U.S. President Donald Trampen, leading both sides to agree to end the fighting, according to the same reports.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has described Pakistan as a 'true friend', highlighting the strengthening ties between Washington and Islamabad. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore, Hegseth credited Pakistan’s leadership for playing a key role in peace initiatives aimed at ending the Iran war. His remarks were later published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the event’s organizer.

Hegseth praised Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for their constructive contributions to the peace process. He said an unexpected but genuine friendship is emerging between the two nations. According to Hegseth, this growing partnership was also evident when US President Donald Trump successfully mediated to ease military tensions between India and Pakistan last year.

The comments underscore a shift in US-Pakistan relations, with both sides finding common ground in regional stability and conflict resolution efforts.

A 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck Pakistan’s Punjab province and the capital Islamabad on Tuesday evening, killing one person and injuring eleven others. The tremor caused significant damage to several houses in Pind Dadan Khan tehsil of Jhelum district. According to Jhelum Deputy Commissioner Mir Reza Ozgen, a 13-year-old boy died when a house collapsed in the Jalalpur Sharif area.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department reported that the earthquake occurred at 7:06 p.m. local time, with a depth of 12 kilometers. Its epicenter was located about 58 kilometers southwest of Jhelum. The department confirmed the magnitude and location in an official bulletin released after the event.

Authorities have not yet provided further details on rescue operations or the extent of property damage, but local reports indicate that several homes were severely affected in the impacted areas.

Pakistan has declined former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated in an interview with Samaa TV that Islamabad should not become part of any agreement that contradicts its fundamental principles. He emphasized that Pakistan’s position on the matter is clear and that normalization with Israel is unacceptable.

Trump had earlier urged more countries to join the Abraham Accords as part of a broader peace initiative involving Iran. In a post on Truth Social, he called on all nations to sign the accords immediately, describing it as an opportunity to form a unique global alliance. He listed several countries he had spoken with about ending the war with Iran, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain.

Trump suggested that Saudi Arabia and Qatar should be the first to sign, encouraging others to follow their lead.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has arrived in New York for a two-day official visit. His trip comes as Islamabad continues its mediation efforts to end the ongoing war involving Iran. During the visit, Dar is scheduled to participate in a United Nations Security Council debate focused on maintaining international peace and security.

The visit coincides with heightened diplomatic activity surrounding the Iran conflict. While Dar will attend the UN debate, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will not be present, as he was denied a visa to enter the United States. The situation underscores the complex diplomatic environment in which Pakistan is pursuing its mediation role.

The outcome of Dar’s participation in the UN debate and its potential impact on Pakistan’s mediation efforts remain to be seen.

China and Pakistan celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations on May 21, 2026, highlighting a partnership that began in 1950 when Pakistan became the first Muslim-majority nation to recognize the Communist government in Beijing. The relationship deepened after Pakistan ceded control of the Shaksgam Valley to China in 1963 under a border agreement, a move driven by strategic calculations following China's victory over India in 1962. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed the strength of bilateral ties during a Senate session attended by a visiting Chinese parliamentary delegation, which unanimously adopted a resolution reaffirming friendship and brotherhood. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit Beijing for a four-day state trip as part of the anniversary events.

Analysts note that the China-Pakistan relationship is based more on strategic necessity than ideological alignment. Cooperation has spanned nuclear development, defense technology, and infrastructure, including the $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor launched in 2015. Despite military successes, economic challenges persist, with Pakistan’s debt to China reaching $29 billion and security threats continuing to endanger Chinese nationals and projects.

Experts suggest that while the partnership remains militarily strong, its economic imbalance and security risks could test its long-term sustainability.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing during his official visit to China. The meeting took place at a time when diplomatic efforts to formally end the Iran war are being prolonged. Before meeting Xi, Sharif also held discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

During the talks, Sharif emphasized the importance of Islamabad and Beijing working together to restore peace in the Middle East. He stated that the world is passing through a critical moment and expressed gratitude to China for its support in advancing peace negotiations.

Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who had just concluded a visit to Iran, was also present at the meeting, according to the report sourced from Al Jazeera.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, currently visiting China, stated that peace talks aimed at ending the conflict between the United States and Iran are moving in the right direction. He described the world as being at a critical moment and expressed gratitude to China for its support in promoting peace.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a deal to end the war with Iran could be reached as soon as today, while reaffirming Israel’s right to self-defense. Speaking in New Delhi, Rubio noted that progress might have been expected overnight or today but cautioned against drawing conclusions prematurely.

US President Donald Trump separately announced on his social media platform that the United States would maintain its naval blockade on Iran until any agreement is finalized, certified, and signed. The developments highlight ongoing diplomatic efforts involving multiple nations to de-escalate tensions in the region.

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.