Dawn
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Dawn - 04:47 Feb 01, 2026
• Interior minister’s surprise visit to DHA Nadra centre exposes irregularities • Takes notice of delays, long queues; asks staff to ensure people don’t have to visit more than once • Inspects immigration counters in a visit to Karachi airport • Declares professional beggars can’t be permitted to go abroad KARACHI: In a surprise visit to a Mega Centre of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) in Defence Housing Authority on Saturday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi found multiple lapses of serious nature in public service delivery, including a startling case in which a death certificate was issued for a woman who was still alive. The issue came to light when a citizen approached the interior minister during his visit to the facility with a complaint regarding his wife’s death certificate, who was in fact alive. A statement issued after the visit said that Mr Naqvi immediately took notice of the “error” and ordered on-the-spot correction of the documentation, directing officials to ensure acco... -
Dawn - 03:32 Feb 01, 2026
• No permit issued to foreign trekking, expedition group in winters since 2023 • Officials count climate-related disasters among factors affecting tourism industry GILGIT: Adventure tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) has declined over the past three years, with no foreign climber or trekker visiting the region during the winter season. The arrival of climbers, trekkers, and both foreign and domestic tourists during the summer season also fell by 90 per cent last year, severely affecting the local economy. Tour operators blamed the sharp increase in permit fees, delays in the issuance of visas to foreigners, and other factors for the decline in foreign visitors. According to the GB tourism department, no foreign climber or trekker visited GB this winter. No foreign expedition or trekking group was issued a permit during the winter expedition season, which usually lasts from November to February. Five of the world’s 14 eight-thousanders — mountains rising above 8,000 metres above sea level — are located in Pakist... -
Dawn - 03:17 Feb 01, 2026
MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission (AJK-EC) has reiterated that only political parties duly registered under the Elections Act, 2020, will be eligible to contest the forthcoming elections to the region’s Legislative Assembly. It warned parties with incomplete registration that they would neither enjoy statutory privileges nor be allowed to contest polls on an allocated electoral symbol. The clarification follows an AJK High Court judgement dated Oct 5, 2023, which set aside the registration of the AJK chapters of the PPP, PML-N and PTI and other parties on the grounds that the registration process did not conform to the requirements of the law and the Constitution of the region. In its judgement, the court observed that the Elections Act and Rules prescribed mandatory conditions for party registration, including submission of a party constitution, manifesto, audited consolidated accounts, lists of members with proof of identity, and evidence of intra-party elections. The bench furth... -
Dawn - 03:11 Feb 01, 2026
ISLAMABAD: A Supreme Court judge on Saturday said that judges were not supposed to be influenced by appeasement or flattery, nor should they harbour malice or venom against any party while discharging their sacred duty of imparting justice in accordance with the law. “The tolerance and forbearance of judges must not be so fragile or touchy as to make them easily annoyed during the hearing of a case, which is a sacred duty and trust,” observed Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar in his opinion rendered on the long-pending presidential reference seeking an answer to whether the court could revisit the 1979 judgement that sent former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to the gallows — a verdict that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and jurists regard as a historic wrong. On March 6, 2024, after a delay of over 44 years, the SC finally corrected a historic wrong by accepting that the murder trial of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was unfair and lacked due process, both at the trial stage and in the endorsement... -
Dawn - 03:03 Feb 01, 2026
• US commerce chief Lutnick visited private island in 2012 • Musk inquired about ‘parties planned’ • Fed nominee Warsh on guest list for holiday gathering • Epstein ‘helped Bill Gates obtain drugs, facilitated illicit trysts’ • DoJ says papers carry ‘untrue and sensationalist claims’ about President Trump WASHINGTON: A fresh cache of files released on Friday related to the investigation into the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein contains documents that refer to numerous high-profile figures. President Donald Trump, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and SpaceX founder Elon Musk are among some of the people named in the documents. The disclosure offers a sprawling look into the elite circles Epstein inhabited before his death, implicating prominent figures in politics, business and entertainment. The documents were published following a deadline mandated by a bipartisan congressional law requiring the public release of all files related to Epstein. Deputy Attorney Gene... -
Dawn - 02:54 Feb 01, 2026
• Palestinian territory’s civil defence agency says victims include children • Bloodshed comes after Tel Aviv announced it would reopen Rafah crossing today for ‘limited movement of people’ GAZA CITY: Israeli air strikes killed 32 people including children in Gaza on Saturday, according to the Palestinian territory’s civil defence agency. Despite a US-brokered truce entering its second phase earlier this month, violence in the Palestinian territory has continued, with both Israel and Hamas accusing each other of violating the agreement. The latest bloodshed comes after Israel announced it would reopen the crucial Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Sunday (today) for the “limited movement of people”. “The death toll since dawn today has risen to 32, most of them children and women,” said the civil defence agency, a rescue force operating under the Hamas authority, updating an earlier toll of 28. “Residential apartments, tents, shelters and a police station were targeted, resulting in this humanitarian ca... -
Dawn - 02:47 Feb 01, 2026
UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary General António Guterres has warned member states that the world body is facing an “imminent financial collapse” as unpaid annual dues, rigid financial rules and dwindling liquidity push the organisation towards “a moment of truth”. Dawn has obtained a copy of a letter the UN chief sent this week to all permanent representatives to the United Nations, in which he cautions that unless member states either pay their assessed contributions in full and on time or agree to fundamentally overhaul the UN’s financial rules, the organisation may soon be unable to function. In the unusually stark message, dated Jan 28, the secretary general said the UN’s current financial trajectory is “untenable”, leaving the organisation “exposed to structural risk and forcing a stark choice” between reform and collapse”. He noted that while the UN has weathered periods of unpaid contributions in the past, the present situation “is categorically different” because decisions not to honour assessed contribu... -
Dawn - 02:31 Feb 01, 2026
• Interior minister, Balochistan CM reaffirm resolve against terrorism • Akhtar Mengal says he has ‘never seen such a dangerous situation’ QUETTA: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday held India responsible for a spate of attacks in Balochistan, stressing that authorities would go after every single one of those involved, while an opposition leader warned that the situation in the region had spiralled “completely out of control”. Speaking to the media alongside Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Saturday night, he said: “These were not normal terrorists. India is behind these attacks. I can tell you for sure that India planned these attacks along with these terrorists. “We will expose them in the world — the face with which they meet the world and the face with which they support terrorists.” Mr Naqvi said India was the “main country” behind terrorism, saying that it was not only providing financial support to the terrorists but was also aiding them in planning and devising strategies. CM Bugti... -
Dawn - 02:25 Feb 01, 2026
• President summons National Assembly, Senate sessions; houses to adopt resolutions on Kashmir • Opposition expected to raise concern over Imran’s health, delay in ECP chief appointment ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned separate sessions of both houses of parliament on February 2, which are likely take up an amendment related to the National Accountability Ordinance to allow the incumbent NAB chief to remain in office beyond his term set to expire in the first week of March, said sources. The agenda of these sessions has not been shared but insiders said the NAB amendment would be the sessions’ highlight to pave the way for the incumbent NAB chairman to remain at the helm until the appointment of his successor. Retired Lt Gen Nazir Ahmad became the NAB chairman on March 4, 2023, for three years after his predecessor Aftab Sultan resigned citing “interference” and “pressure” as the reasons for his departure. The opposition PTI had claimed Mr Sultan was being coerced to file corruption referenc... -
Dawn - 02:00 Feb 01, 2026
A recent video showing a Quran that survived the devastating fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza has reignited a centuries-old conversation. Throughout history, accounts of Bibles, Qurans or Buddhist sutras emerging unscathed from catastrophic floods and fires have been celebrated as Divine interventions. While these events offer profound spiritual solace, a closer look reveals a fascinating intersection of material physics and psychological bias. From a physical standpoint, Dougal Drysdale, Professor Emeritus at the University of Edinburgh, suggests that a hardbound book’s survival is often due to the ‘Closed Book Effect.’ When shut, a book functions as a dense, oxygen-starved block of cellulose. Because fire requires a steady flow of oxygen to consume fuel, the tightly packed pages resist ignition by preventing airflow from reaching the interior. In the event of a flood, the surface tension of water against tightly pressed pages creates a natural barrier. This prevents deep seepage for a significant period, often l... -
Dawn - 01:59 Feb 01, 2026
ISLAMABAD: While maintaining the price of petrol for the next fortnight, the government has increased the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs11.30 per litre. The announcement by the Petroleum Division said the new prices had been set on the recommendations of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra). The price of HSD for the next fortnight, up to Feb 15, has been fixed at Rs268.38 per litre, compared to Rs257.08 during the previous 15 days. The increase has been made due “to higher crude oil prices over the past week amid regional tensions and an order by the US president to deploy a US Navy strike group to the Persian Gulf”. This development alone pushed up HSD prices in Arab and other international markets. As HSD is a key fuel for the industrial and business sectors and is widely used by trucks, buses and large generators, a strong reaction from the business community is expected over the Rs11.30 per litre increase. The price of petrol, consumed mainly by cars, motorcycles and small generators, has ... -
Dawn - 19:25 Jan 31, 2026
Key developments Interior minister says India behind the attacks; accuses country of providing support to terrorists ISPR says 92 terrorists killed; 18 civilians, 15 security personnel martyred ISPR says attacks were orchestrated and directed by terrorist ring leaders operating from outside Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday held India responsible for a spate of attacks in Balochistan, while the military’s media affairs said that 92 terrorists were killed as security forces responded to the onslaught. Speaking to the media alongside Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Saturday night, he said, “These were not normal terrorists. India is behind these attacks. I can tell you for sure that India planned these attacks along with these terrorists.” He said that authorities would go after every single one of those involved and the “masters behind them”. “We will expose them in the world — the face with which they meet the world and the face with which they support terrorists,” he said. Naqvi... -
Dawn - 19:20 Jan 31, 2026
The government on Saturday hiked the rate for high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs11.30, while leaving the price of petrol unchanged for the coming fortnight. In a late-night notification, the Petroleum Division said the revision followed movements in international markets and recommendations from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra). According to the notification, the ex-depot price of HSD was set at Rs268.38 per litre from Rs257.08 per litre. Most of the transport sector runs on HSD. Its price is considered inflationary as it is mostly used in heavy transport vehicles, trains and agricultural engines like trucks, buses, tractors, tube-wells, threshers, and particularly adds to the prices of vegetables and other eatables. Meanwhile, the ex-depot petrol price was unchanged, remaining Rs253.17 per litre. Petrol is primarily used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws, and two-wheelers, and directly impacts the budgets of the middle and lower-middle classes. The notification said the prices would be ap... -
Dawn - 19:04 Jan 31, 2026
Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry has died aged 71, according to the PPP’s media office. The statement said that he passed away in Islamabad after a prolonged illness. It said that the funeral prayers would be offered tomorrow in his native village of Chichiyan, Mirpur at 3 pm. The statement said that Chaudhry was elected the AJK prime minister in 1996 and the president in 2021. He was also elected nine times as a member of the AJK Assembly from Mirpur. His death comes days before Kashmir Solidarity Day, which the nation observed on Feb 5 to reaffirm unwavering support for the relentless struggle of the Kashmiri people. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief at Chaudhry’s passing. In a statement, the premier said Chaudhry was a “wise and dedicated politician” who spent his entire life serving the people of AJK, Radio Pakistan reported. He said that Chaudhry’s services to the Kashmiri people and his struggle for the Kashmir cause would always be remembered. President Asi... -
Dawn - 17:23 Jan 31, 2026
Pakistan on Saturday clinched the T20I series against Australia, with a 90-run thrashing of the visitors in the second match at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead. Skipper Salman Agha hit his highest score in the shortest format before Pakistan’s spinners routed Australia by 90 runs. Agha hit a 40-ball 76 and Usman Khan smashed a 36-ball 53 as Pakistan made 198-5, their highest-ever T20I total against Australia. This was enough for Pakistan’s spin quintet, who shared all ten wickets between them with Abrar Ahmed returning the best figures of 3-14 and Shadab Khan finishing with 3-26. Australia were routed for 108 in 15.4 overs, giving Pakistan their biggest T20I victory over Australia, eclipsing the 66-run win in Abu Dhabi in 2018. “It has to be a perfect game,” said Agha. “We batted well and then were outstanding with the ball. Fielding was outstanding.” The victory gives Pakistan an unbeatable 2-0 lead after they won the first match by 22 runs, also in Lahore, on Friday. “We want to pl... -
Dawn - 17:05 Jan 31, 2026
The tech world has been left amazed and concerned by the emergence of Moltbook, a social networking platform where artificial intelligence (AI) agents can communicate without human involvement, US-based tech outlet The Verge reported on Saturday. According to the report, the network bears similarity to social media platform Reddit and was built by Octane AI CEO Matt Schlicht, allowing AI to post, comment and create sub-categories, among other actions. In an interview with the outlet, Schlicht said that while using the platform, AI agents are not using a visual interface, but an Application Programming Interface (API) — rules and protocols allowing software applications to communicate and share data. “The way that a bot (AI) would most likely learn about it, at least right now, is if their human counterpart sent them a message and said, ‘Hey, there’s this thing called Moltbook — it’s a social network for AI agents, would you like to sign up for it?’” he was quoted as saying. Schlicht added that Moltbook is ope... -
Dawn - 16:09 Jan 31, 2026
At least one person was killed and 14 were injured in an explosion in the southern Iranian port of Bandar Abbas on Saturday, a local official told Iranian news agencies, but the cause of the blast was not known. State television said the explosion occurred at an eight-storey building, “destroying two floors, several vehicles, and shops” in the area of Moallem Boulevard in the city. Rescue and firefighting teams were on site to provide assistance, it added. Local fire chief Mohammad Amin Lyaghat said that the explosion was caused by a gas leak. “The initial cause of the building accident in Bandar Abbas was a gas leak and buildup, leading to an explosion. This is the initial theory,” said, in comments broadcast on state television. The official IRNA news agency quoted the Director General of Crisis Management in Hormozgan province, Mehrdad Hassanzadeh, as saying, “Those injured in the incident are being transferred to hospital by emergency responders.” Two Israeli officials told Reuters that Israel was not inv... -
Dawn - 15:31 Jan 31, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The National Dialogue Committee (NDC) on Saturday expressed concern about the health of incarcerated PTI founder and ex-premier Imran Khan, demanding that he be allowed to meet his personal physician. The development two days after the government confirmed Imran underwent a medical procedure for an eye ailment last week at a hospital in Islamabad, drawing outrage from the PTI that claimed that neither the party nor his family were informed about the procedure. On Saturday, the NDC — set up by ex-PTI leaders, including Fawad Chaudhry, Dr Shahzad Waseem and former Sindh governor Imran Ismail — met in Islamabad. Chaudhry, Ismail, former Karachi mayor Waseem Akhtar and veteran politician Munir Ahmad Khan were among those who attended. In a statement released after the meeting, the NDC expressed serious concern over the PTI founder’s health as well as the government’s confirmation that Imran underwent an eye procedure last week. It demanded that a meeting be arranged between Imran and his personal physi... -
Dawn - 13:01 Jan 31, 2026
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday the government would not allow anyone to malign the country while travelling abroad, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. According to the report, he made the remarks during a visit to Jinnah International Airport. “Passengers with unverified and illegal documents will not be allowed to travel abroad,” the report quoted him as saying. He also said professional beggars disguised as passengers would not only be offloaded but would also face legal action, the report said. The minister asserted that those in possession of valid travel documents had neither been stopped in the past nor would they be stopped in the future. He said facilitating passengers was the government’s priority. He lauded the officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for ensuring travellers had valid documents and ensuring an effective checking process, the report added. Earlier this month, while chairing a meeting to review the performance of the Immigration Wing of the FIA, Naqvi had... -
Dawn - 12:59 Jan 31, 2026
Elena Rybakina took revenge over world number one Aryna Sabalenka to win a nail-biting Australian Open final on Saturday and clinch her second Grand Slam title. The big-serving Kazakh fifth seed held her nerve to pull through 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne in 2hrs 18mins. It was payback after the Belarusian Sabalenka won the 2023 final between two of the hardest hitters in women’s tennis. The ice-cool Rybakina, 26, who was born in Moscow, adds her Melbourne triumph to her Wimbledon win in 2022. “Hard to find the words now,” said Rybakina, and then addressed her beaten opponent to add: “I know it is tough, but I hope we play many more finals together.” Turning to some Kazakh fans in the crowd, she said: “Thank you so much to Kazakhstan. I felt the support from that corner a lot.” This was more disappointment in a major final for Sabalenka, who won the US Open last year for the second time but lost the French Open and Melbourne title deciders. She was into her fourth Australian Open final in a ro...
9012 items