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Today’s news: Globally, updates from the Middle East, France, and Trump’s new tariffs. Plus, the story of the day. Locally, Pakistan seeks ASEAN-level market access from China, PTA denies firewall slowdown, and Imaan Mazari challenges inaction against the IHC chief justice. 

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Around The World

Arabian days. Israel’s massacre in Gaza continues with 27 Palestinians killed and others wounded, with rescue teams combing through the debris attempting to save those buried, as US President Donald Trump told reporters ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the UN GA that he will not allow Netanyahu to annex the Israeli-occupied West Bank. 

Additionally, the Israeli military has launched air strikes on the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, as plumes of smoke were seen rising over the city following the attacks. Thursday’s strikes were confirmed by an Israeli army spokesperson, who said forces used dozens of warplanes and air support units to target the alleged headquarters of the Houthi General Staff. 

Tax season. Trump said on Thursday that he will impose import taxes of 100% on pharmaceutical drugs, 50% on home renovation goods, and 25% on heavy trucks, starting on October 1. While Trump did not provide a legal justification for the tariffs, he stated on Truth Social that the taxes on imported kitchen cabinets and sofas were needed “for National Security and other reasons.” Asian shares fell after Trump announced the tariffs, as US oil prices edged higher. Most Asian indexes were in the red, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 down nearly 0.9%.

In and out. Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in jail after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a case related to millions of euros of illicit funds from the late Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi. The Paris criminal court acquitted him of all other charges, including passive corruption and illegal campaign financing. The ruling means he will spend time in jail even if he launches an appeal, which Sarkozy says he intends to do.

Story Of The Day - PM Shehbaz, COAS Munir Meet Trump

What happened? Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met US President Donald Trump at the White House, joined by Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. The landmark meeting — their first formal bilateral engagement — focused on regional security, counter-terrorism, and economic cooperation. PM Shehbaz praised Trump as a “man of peace,” crediting him with helping avert conflict with India, while Trump lauded both Sharif and Munir as “very great guys.” 

What does it mean? The Oval Office meeting shows a visible reset in US-Pakistan relations after years of drift. Trump’s embrace of our duo signals Washington’s renewed recognition of Pakistan’s geostrategic role, even as US-India ties face friction over trade and Russia. Plus, the joint optics, i.e., the inclusion of Field Marshal Munir, is a firm nod towards the centrality of our military in shaping bilateral ties.

What’s next? Both sides project optimism that negotiations on a trade and investment framework, particularly in our mineral and oil sectors, are underway. Security cooperation may deepen, but longstanding US concerns about Pakistan’s ties with China and internal stability remain. For now, Islamabad will leverage this opening to balance strained relations with India and attract much-needed foreign investment.

Read more here and here. 

Pakistan

Friends in need. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal urged China to grant Pakistan the same market access as ASEAN countries, aiming to boost exports and drive the second phase of the $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. This shift in focus would prioritize industrial, technological, and business-to-business cooperation. Speaking at the 14th JCC meeting in Beijing, he proposed special economic zones, an industrial relocation fund, and a “Digital Silk Road” with investments in 5G, AI, quantum computing, and data centres.

Denial is a river in Egypt. A senior Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) official denied that a national firewall was causing slow 4G speeds and WhatsApp disruptions, instead blaming outdated infrastructure, insufficient spectrum, and rising data demand. With 198 million SIM users and only 15% of towers fiber-connected, Pakistan’s network struggles with congestion as average monthly data use rises from 6GB to 8GB. The PTA plans to expand the spectrum from 274 MHz to 600 MHz and incentivize fiber installation, promising better speeds within 10 months.

Powerplay. Rights activist and lawyer Imaan Mazari has filed a grievance letter over the lack of action on her workplace harassment complaint against IHC Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar, accusing him of threatening her with contempt and retaliating after she filed the complaint. Mazari said legal timelines under the 2010 harassment law were not being followed, as Dogar had yet to be formally charged or submit a defense. She also called Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz’s removal as inquiry authority unlawful, alleging Dogar used his position to influence the process, and urged the preservation of CCTV footage from Sept 11, when the incident occurred.

What Else Is Happening?

🏏Pakistan has reached the cricket Asia Cup final against India for the first time after defeating Bangladesh by 11 runs in their last Super Four match on Thursday. 

👁️‍🗨️Microsoft terminated a set of services for the Israeli military after an investigation suggested Israel was using the company’s cloud computing technology for mass surveillance of Palestinians.

😓China's Cyberspace Administration has launched a campaign to curb social media posts that excessively exaggerate pessimistic sentiments. The goal is to create a more civilised and rational online environment and reduce world-weariness.