National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq says PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Khan has tried to facilitate dialogue with the government but lacks authority to make decisions, leaving talks stalled. Sadiq says social-media criticism has also discouraged PTI lawmakers from meeting officials or pursuing contact with Imran Khan. He recounts unsuccessful proposals for meetings involving Khan’s relative, Gohar, and the opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate. Sadiq says his office and the government have supported dialogue, but progress depends on political actors being willing to engage. The account comes as PTI calls for a September 27 march to Islamabad and ministers warn of consequences.

FBR documents presented to a Senate committee show that 1,256 companies received Rs216 billion in tax concessions between 2018 and 2026, while importing goods worth about Rs1.12 trillion. The records account for consumption certificates covering only Rs389 billion of those imports, leaving roughly Rs750 billion unaccounted for, and indicate that some firms registered in tax-exempt areas may have operated elsewhere. FBR officials argued that security instruments protected the national exchequer, but the committee rejected treating these instruments as equivalent to collected tax and requested details on outstanding guarantees. The concessions, originally intended to support industry in former FATA and PATA, continued after their merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and are now ending as the areas move into the broader tax system.

The Federal Board of Revenue issued a final, urgent directive to 16 senior officers who had not submitted declarations of foreign citizenship or permanent residency by the July 8 deadline. The officers comprise ten members of the Inland Revenue Service and six of the Pakistan Customs Service. Rules notified in June 2026 require civil servants to disclose foreign nationality or residency status within 90 days. The FBR warned that non-disclosure or false information could constitute misconduct, exposing officers to departmental penalties, suspension or dismissal.

Rescue teams in Nepal are working to reach at least 933 hydropower workers feared trapped in tunnels blocked by mud, rocks and debris after catastrophic floods along the Nepal-Tibet border. The disaster has killed nearly 800 people in Nepal, left thousands missing and affected more than 90,000 people, with deaths and missing persons also reported in Tibet. Nepal has deployed nearly 21,000 security personnel and is receiving tunnel-rescue assistance from India and China. Operations have been repeatedly disrupted by bad weather and fears that an overflowing disaster-created lake could cause further flooding. China has linked the event to glacier instability and global warming, while Nepali officials say limited Chinese sharing of glacier and water-level data could hinder future disaster preparedness.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Bishkek for a three-day visit to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, the SCO Plus summit and the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games. He is expected to address regional and global issues, hold meetings with participating leaders and conduct bilateral talks with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov on trade, investment, energy, connectivity, education and tourism. Pakistan will also assume the SCO Council of Heads of State chairmanship for 2026–27.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Imran Khan’s medical examination took place at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), not Shifa International Hospital as initially reported. He attributed the change to security concerns linked to PTI supporters near Shifa and said doctors found Khan medically fit. Khan was taken from Adiala Jail for the examination under an August 18 Supreme Court order and returned early on August 21; his sister, Uzma Khan, was present. The government had challenged the order, but its review petition was initially returned on procedural grounds. PTI leaders had welcomed the expected transfer, while the wider debate included demands for healthcare access for other detained political leaders.

Hossam Hassan prepares Egypt for a decisive World Cup match against defending champions Argentina after leading the team to improved results, including their first World Cup win since 1934 and progression to the last 32. Despite a history of managerial controversies, he has strengthened Egypt’s defensive structure and guided them through an unbeaten qualifying run. Egypt currently sit second in their group after drawing with Belgium and defeating Australia.

Argentina added Marcos Kremer, Efrain Elias and Justo Piccardo to their squad for the upcoming Nations Championship match against Wales after a high-scoring loss to Scotland. Head coach Felipe Contepomi called for improvements in urgency, intensity and maul defence. Mateo Soler and Luciano Asevedo were dropped, and Argentina will later host England in their third fixture of the tournament.

The inaugural 2026 World Rugby Nations Championship schedule is confirmed, outlining three rounds of major international matchups in July, culminating in high‑profile clashes such as New Zealand vs Ireland and Argentina vs England.

US agencies have seized more than 600 drones violating restricted airspace around FIFA World Cup venues in 11 host cities. Miami and Dallas saw the highest numbers of intercepted devices. Temporary flight restrictions prohibit drone use around stadiums and fan zones, with violators facing severe penalties. The FBI has deployed detection teams, and recent charges were filed against a Mexican national for flying a drone near Dallas Stadium. The crackdown follows a 2025 executive order aimed at boosting defences against hostile drones, alongside expanded Homeland Security counter-drone systems along the US-Mexico border. Similar incidents have occurred at other major sporting events.