'CPEC dragging Pakistan deeper into Chinese debt trap'

IANS | June 18, 2026 3:35 PM

New Delhi, June 18 (IANS) The China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is pitched as a transformative initiative to build big infrastructure projects with the aim of driving economic growth in Pakistan, but the ground reality is that it is sinking deeper into Beijing's debt trap and the targeted economic development is nowhere in sight as the country’s poverty and unemployment levels have been on the rise in recent years, an article said.

Chinese FM Wang Yi to visit India for BRICS NSA meeting

IANS | June 18, 2026 3:08 PM

Beijing, June 18 (IANS) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India to attend the 16th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisors (NSAs) and High Representatives on National Security set to be held from June 22-23.

Pakistan: Balochistan govt employees announce indefinite shutdown of offices after police crackdown

IANS | June 18, 2026 1:23 PM

Quetta, June 18 (IANS) The Balochistan Employees' Grand Alliance have announced an indefinite shutdown of government offices, educational institutions and other public sector departments in Pakistan's Balochistan province. The alliance announced that a hunger strike unto death would begin in Quetta on June 19 and that the movement would be intensified if their demands are not met, local media reported on Thursday.

ISI-linked underworld modules likely to be smokescreen for major J&K attacks, warn agencies

Vicky Nanjappa | June 18, 2026 1:21 PM

New Delhi, June 18 (IANS) Indian security agencies have busted several terror-linked modules over the past few months that were allegedly being operated by the underworld at the behest of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The names of underworld figures Dawood Ibrahim, Shahzad Bhatti, and Ajmal Gujjar have surfaced during investigations following the arrest of several youths recruited through social media platforms.

Sikh couple shot dead in gurdwara in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

IANS | June 18, 2026 1:10 PM

Islamabad, June 18 (IANS) A Sikh couple was shot dead after unidentified assailants opened fire in a gurdwara in Babu Mohalla Khawaja Ganj Bazaar area, in Mardan city of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police officials said; local media reported on Thursday.