Rooma News : Heatwave conditions persist across the capital; monsoon rain expected in upper regions this week.

 

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Islamabad, Pakistan

Vol. I — No. 1

Islamabad Weather

Heatwave conditions persist across the capital; monsoon rain expected in upper regions this week. CM Maryam Nawaz has urged public preparedness.

Rooma News

Islamabad's Window on a Fractured World

At A Glance

$41.6B — record FY26 remittances

3,800+ — Venezuela quake toll

15+ — dead in Philippine landslides

Editor-in-Chief: Rooma Mehmood

Morning Edition

Nation · Security

42 Dead in Balochistan Attacks, Forces Kill 54 Militants

PM Sharif and Army Chief Munir Chair Apex Committee in Quetta, Declare “Singular Decision” to Eradicate Terrorism

By Rooma Mehmood | Islamabad

Militant attacks across Balochistan killed approximately 42 people, including 38 members of the security forces and civilians, after coordinated assaults on police posts and an army convoy, officials said. Security forces killed 54 militants in the operations that followed.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif traveled to Quetta on Saturday to chair a meeting of the Apex Committee alongside Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. Following the meeting, officials described a “mutual and singular decision” by the civilian and military leadership to eradicate terrorism from the province.

Authorities have accused militants of exploiting sanctuaries across the border in Afghanistan, and some officials have alleged external support linked to India, though such claims have not been independently verified.

By The Numbers

42

Killed in Balochistan attacks

54

Militants killed in response

$41.6B

Record FY26 remittances

48%

Rise in investor accounts

3.7%

ADB's FY27 growth forecast

Economy · Markets

Remittances Hit Record $41.6 Billion

Stock Investor Accounts Jump 48% as ADB Cuts FY27 Growth Forecast to 3.7%

Overseas Pakistani workers sent home a record $41.6 billion in remittances during fiscal year 2026, bolstering the country's foreign exchange position. Investor accounts in the stock market climbed 48 percent over the same period, a sign of strengthening confidence in domestic markets.

The gains come as the Asian Development Bank lowered its growth forecast for Pakistan to 3.7 percent for the coming fiscal year, citing rising energy costs as a continuing drag on output. Gas utilities remain burdened by mounting circular debt, and the government has declined to pursue an IFRS accounting waiver that could have offered relief.

World Desk

Compiled from international dispatches

Iran Ceasefire Strained as Strikes Continue Across Gulf

Middle East

Volatility continues across the Middle East following the killing and funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The United States denied involvement in a series of blasts in southern Iran near Bushehr, even as exchanges of strikes persisted, with American forces carrying out airstrikes while Iran targeted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf states. The ceasefire appeared strained, with some describing it as effectively over, though negotiations were said to continue. President Trump repeated earlier threats even as talks proceeded.

Wildfires, Landslides, Quake Toll Mount Worldwide

Disasters

Wildfires in Almería, southern Spain, have killed at least 11 people, with some reports putting the toll as high as 12. In the Philippines, landslides triggered by Typhoon Bavi have left more than 15 dead, with others still missing. Venezuela's earthquake death toll has climbed past 3,800, and flooding has been reported across parts of China.

Ukraine-Russia Strikes Persist as EU Opens Accession Talks

Conflict & Briefs

Russian attacks on Ukraine killed civilians, while Ukrainian drone strikes hit targets inside Russia. The European Union opened an accession-talks cluster with Ukraine and Moldova. Elsewhere, Nigerian forces rescued a group of kidnapped students, China marked a milestone in rocket-booster recovery, and Apple filed suit against OpenAI.

Nation · In Brief

Heatwave, Monsoon Preparations Underway Nationwide

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz urged preparedness for the ongoing heatwave and the approaching monsoon, with rain forecast across the country's upper regions. In Lahore, police are investigating after a minor girl was found dead this week. Authorities also reported fresh drug seizures, while residents in Rawalpindi raised concerns over unfinished road excavation and related infrastructure disruptions. Separately, a new population-management committee has been formed, with Field Marshal Asim Munir among its members.

Opinion

Resilience Amid Turmoil: Pakistan and a Fractured World

In a world grappling with escalating conflicts, natural calamities, and economic headwinds, Pakistan finds itself at a critical juncture. The recent surge in terrorist incidents in Balochistan is a stark reminder that the fight against extremism demands unwavering resolve. The civil-military leadership's unified stance under PM Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir sends a clear message: terrorism will not be tolerated. Accusations of cross-border sanctuaries highlight the need for stronger regional diplomacy, particularly with Afghanistan, while addressing root causes like governance gaps and socio-economic deprivation in affected areas.

Pakistan's economic bright spots — record remittances from overseas Pakistanis — underscore the diaspora's vital role in stabilizing the economy. Yet challenges persist: rising circular debt, energy costs, and growth downgrades call for prudent fiscal management, investment in infrastructure, and reforms to boost exports and local industry. Monsoon preparedness and population management initiatives are positive steps toward long-term sustainability.

Globally, the Middle East remains a powder keg. The Iran-related escalations, including strikes and Hormuz disruptions, threaten energy security and risk wider conflagration. Ceasefire fragility demands de-escalation and genuine dialogue over confrontation. Disasters in Spain, the Philippines, and Venezuela remind us of climate vulnerabilities that no nation can ignore alone — international cooperation on disaster response and mitigation is essential.

Pakistan, as a responsible regional player, should leverage its strategic position for peace mediation while fortifying internal security and economic resilience. In these testing times, unity, foresight, and people-centric policies will determine success. The path forward requires balancing immediate threats with visionary governance for a stable, prosperous future.

— The Rooma News Editorial Board

Rooma News is compiled and edited in Islamabad · This edition reflects reporting current as of Saturday, July 11, 2026