Rooma News; World Pauses to Remember, 25 Years After September 11 Ceremonies at Ground Zero, the Pentagon and Shanksville mark a quarter century since the attacks, even as tensions build from the Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea.

 

Rooma News

Compiled & reported by Rooma Mehmood · Islamabad Bureau

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

DAILY EDITION

World

World Pauses to Remember, 25 Years After September 11

Ceremonies at Ground Zero, the Pentagon and Shanksville mark a quarter century since the attacks, even as tensions build from the Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea.

By Rooma Mehmood | Islamabad

Twenty-five years have passed since the September 11, 2001 attacks, and memorial ceremonies are underway today at the World Trade Center site in New York, at the Pentagon in Washington, and on a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Families of the victims are reading aloud the names of the nearly three thousand people killed, pausing for moments of silence at the exact times the attacks unfolded a quarter century ago.

President Donald Trump is attending the ceremony at the Pentagon, while Vice President JD Vance is representing the administration at the New York site. Several former U.S. presidents are also expected to attend the anniversary events in New York.

Beyond the anniversary, tensions continue to build around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, keeping oil prices elevated. In Yemen, Houthi forces have seized control of a strategic port on the Red Sea, deepening concerns over the safety of shipping routes through the region. Pakistan has issued a statement condemning Houthi-linked attacks on Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan

Security Forces Strike Militants in Peshawar and Kurram Operations

Fuel prices climb and markets stay under pressure, as officials confirm a new polio case in Bannu and question cricketers over alleged leaks.

By Rooma Mehmood | Islamabad

Security forces killed several militants, including a high-value commander, during an operation in the Peshawar area. A police constable was killed in a separate attack in Mastung, while another operation in Kurram left a number of militants dead. In Rawalpindi and Islamabad, authorities are finalising security arrangements ahead of a planned PTI protest later this month.

On the economic front, petrol and diesel prices were revised upward, and the stock market remained under pressure amid regional and global uncertainty. A shipment of liquefied natural gas from Qatar arrived at Port Qasim, while the country's foreign exchange reserves showed an increase.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to eradicating polio during a meeting with an international foundation, even as a new case was confirmed in Bannu. Separately, cricket players were questioned in connection with alleged leaks of team information.

Editorial

25 Years After 9/11

Twenty-five years have passed since the attacks of September 11, 2001, that claimed nearly 3,000 lives. Today's ceremonies at the sites of the attacks serve as a moment of national and international remembrance.

The reading of names and the periods of silence honour the victims and the first responders who lost their lives or later suffered lasting health effects. The events of that day changed global security policies, international relations, and domestic laws in many countries. Prolonged military campaigns followed, alliances were tested, and societies grappled with both the threat of terrorism and the challenges of responding to it.

While the original organisation behind the attacks has been significantly weakened, new forms of instability and regional conflicts continue to pose risks, including those affecting energy routes and maritime security. For Pakistan, which has itself faced sustained challenges from terrorism, the anniversary is a reminder of the continuing need for effective counter-terrorism measures, strong institutions, and efforts to address the conditions that allow extremism to take root.

Remembrance is important, but it should also encourage practical lessons: the value of international cooperation, the importance of protecting both security and civil liberties, and the need for long-term strategies that reduce the appeal of violence. The families of those killed deserve more than annual ceremonies — they deserve a sustained commitment to preventing such tragedies in the future. On this anniversary, tribute and reflection remain necessary. So does the resolve to build greater stability and justice so that history does not repeat itself.

— Rooma Mehmood, Islamabad

ROOMA NEWS · ISLAMABAD · FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2026 · PAGE 1