Stories by Anwar Iqbal

Anwar Iqbal is the Washington correspondent for Dawn. During a long journalism career, he has interviewed world leaders and cultural icons, including US Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, poets Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Josh Malihabadi, Bacha Khan, Nobel laureate Abdus Salam, and humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi.

Pakistani, French short films play at Pakistan Embassy event in Washington DC

Films have 'a unique ability to bring people closer together', said Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh. Published 12 Jun, 2026 11:29am

Alarm and scepticism follow Trump’s Kharg Island threat

Analysts and commentators emphasise the logistical and human costs of any attempt to occupy the island. Published 11 Jun, 2026 09:40pm

Iran war fuels political backlash, inflation debate in the US

Economist Heather Long warns that inflation is so high it is "erasing all wage gains". Published 10 Jun, 2026 11:45pm

Afghan Taliban must act against terrorists, Pakistan tells UN Security Council

Ambassador Ahmad says continued militancy from Afghan territory is main obstacle to regional peace and stability Published 10 Jun, 2026 06:37am

US judge blocks Trump’s $100,000 fee for H-1B visas

Judge Leo Sorokin rules that the charge is effectively a tax, and therefore illegal because only the US Congress has the authority to create new taxes. Published 09 Jun, 2026 11:51am

US-Israel defence integration plan heads for House vote despite opposition

WASHINGTON: A controversial proposal to expand military technology cooperation between the United States and Israel... Published 09 Jun, 2026 06:31am

US-Israel defence integration plan heads for House vote despite opposition

Critics contend that the proposal goes much further than existing arrangements and could create an unprecedented level of integration between the American and Israeli defence sectors. Published 09 Jun, 2026 12:16am

Democrats hold early lead ahead of mid-terms

National polls show they have modest edge over Republicans. Updated 08 Jun, 2026 08:01am

Muslim rights group CAIR sues Virginia schools over student suspensions

Plaintiffs argue video contains no threats, weapons or references to any real-world conflict. Published 07 Jun, 2026 01:34pm

UN affirms Kashmir and Palestine are unresolved disputes

Pakistan, India clash over references to Kashmir in Security Council’s report. Updated 07 Jun, 2026 07:53am

Court strikes down Trump immigration freeze

Judge rules the measures unlawfully trapped large numbers of immigrants in prolonged legal uncertainty. Updated 06 Jun, 2026 08:30am

US Congress moves to tighten oversight of military affairs

House Armed Services Committee adopts bipartisan provision that requires Pentagon to notify Congress within five days whenever a senior military officer is dismissed. Published 06 Jun, 2026 12:06am

Democrats seek Senate Republican support to limit Trump’s war powers

Democrats remind Republican lawmakers that the Iran war has now lasted more than 90 days. Published 04 Jun, 2026 11:37pm

Rubio declares US operation against Iran over, claims Washington achieved military objectives

The secretary of state drew the ire of Democratic lawmakers, who lamented the war’s economic impact and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Updated 04 Jun, 2026 01:33am

Bangladesh elected president of UN General Assembly in closely contested vote

WASHINGTON: Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman was elected President of the United Nations General... Published 03 Jun, 2026 07:03am

Bangladesh elected president of UN General Assembly in closely contested vote

Khalilur Rahman secured 99 votes in the 193-member UN General Assembly, while his Cypriot contender received 91 votes. Updated 02 Jun, 2026 11:37pm

Iran willing to negotiate ‘aspects’ of nuclear programme, Rubio says amid escalating scrutiny over war

Trump administration has not proposed sanctions relief in exchange for Iran opening the Strait of Hormuz, US secretary of state says. Updated 03 Jun, 2026 12:06am

'The bridge between confrontation and peace': Pakistan calls for stronger mediation efforts to prevent conflicts

"Mediation must become the guiding principle of prevention, not an instrument of crisis management," Pakistan's UN envoy says. Published 02 Jun, 2026 08:59am

Washington's policy toward Iran — what comes next?

For many analysts, the most important question is whether the economic and political fallout from the conflict will reshape American politics. Published 01 Jun, 2026 11:48am

US House proposal seeks unprecedented military integration with Israel

The National Defence Authorisation Act is the annual legislation through which Congress authorises defence spending and sets policy priorities for the Pentagon. Updated 01 Jun, 2026 08:05am