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Dawn - 19:32 Apr 05, 2026
The Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) on Sunday announced that Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exams in Karachi were being rescheduled and would now commence on April 10. The BSEK had earlier announced that SSC annual examinations would be held from April 7 to May 2 in the Karachi Division. A press release issued by the BSEK on Sunday said citing the board’s controller of examinations that the board was currently transitioning from a manual to a digital system. “Therefore, the software application was overloaded and faced temporary disruption. The IT team is working to resolve the issue,” the press release said. In view of the situation, the SSC examinations were being rescheduled to begin on April 10, 2026 to ensure that they were conducted in an “organised … and transparent manner,” the press release said. It further said that a revised examination schedule would be issued soon, while students were to sit their exams at centres already allotted to them. -
Dawn - 18:40 Apr 05, 2026
KARACHI: Police on Sunday detained 23 PTI leaders and workers, including two former lawmakers, after they clashed with the police near Karachi Press Club (KPC), an official said. PTI workers and supporters had gathered at the spot to hold a demonstration against rising fuel prices. The PTI had announced a protest outside KPC at 4pm today against “rising inflation in the country and the increase in prices of petroleum products to record levels”. But the situation turned violent, with the PTI alleging that police subjected the protesters to violence. The PTI’s Sindh chapter shared a video on X showing policewomen dragging women. “Women participating in the protest against inflation were beaten and arrested,” the party alleged. But, in a video statement, South Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mahzor Ali said “some miscreants” pelted stones at police personnel, who were deployed to “control law and order”. He added that the police responded to the pelting through “shelling and baton-charge”. Responding to a ... -
Dawn - 18:06 Apr 05, 2026
LAKKI MARWAT: Police registered on Sunday a first information report (FIR) against unidentified suspects for the rape and murder of a three-year-old girl in the Langerkhel Hathi Khan area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat district. The FIR, registered on behalf of the girl’s father at the Lakki city police station, invokes Sections 302 (intentional murder), 364-A (kidnapping/abducting a minor) and 376 (punishment for rape) of the Pakistan Penal Code. According to the FIR, the girl had gone missing on April 3 (Friday), following which her family began searching for her. It said that the girl’s body was found in a reed forest located around two kilometres away from her village. It quoted the complainant as saying that the girl’s “half-naked body was found on Sunday”. Aliullah, 32, father of the victim, told police in his preliminary report that during a search, they found the half-naked body of his daughter in the nearby forest on Sunday. The body was taken to the Government City Hospital where a lady doctor... -
Dawn - 17:17 Apr 05, 2026
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Sunday predicted widespread rain and thunderstorms in northeast Balochistan, lower Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and south Punjab on April 6 (Monday). In a statement, the Met Office said, “Widespread rain-windstorm/thunderstorm (with isolated heavyfalls and hailstorm) is expected in northeast Balochistan, lower Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and south Punjab, while partly cloudy weather with rain windstorm/thunderstorm is likely at isolated places in Sindh, upper/central Punjab, south/central Balochistan, upper KP, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during evening/night of Monday.” The Met Office also issued a warning, saying there were chances of flash floods in local nullahs or streams in northeast Balochistan, lower KP and hill torrents of Punjab’s Dera Ghazi Khan on April 6 due to heavy rainfall. It said that landslides and flash flooding could also occur in local nullahs or streams of Kashmir, upper KP, Murree and Galiyat on April 7 and 8. “Windstorm/ hailstorm and lightning may damage wea... -
Dawn - 13:27 Apr 05, 2026
Bangladesh said it suspected measles killed at least 98 children in the past three weeks, official data showed on Sunday, with Dhaka ramping up vaccination efforts in the worst-affected areas. Last week, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directed two senior ministers to travel across the South Asian nation of 170 million people in an effort to assess the scale of the crisis to help coordinate a response. Health ministry data released on Sunday showed that children aged between six months and five years old with suspected measles symptoms soared to 6,476. “Compared with past years, the number of affected children is higher, and the death toll is higher too,” Halimur Rashid, director at the Communicable Disease Control, told AFP, referring to the number in suspected cases. The largest number of suspected cases on record was in 2005 at 25,934, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) data, though that number had significantly declined until this year. Rashid attributed the potential outbreak to “multifactorial c... -
Dawn - 13:21 Apr 05, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday urged provinces to release their funds for the fuel subsidies to facilitate motorcyslists, and public and goods transport amid the unprecedented energy crisis in the country. The federal government on Thursday announced the targeted relief measures to provide subsidised fuel, ending the blanket subsidy for all economic classes. The provinces are taking the lead in administering subsidised fuel quotas. Altogether, the provinces are pooling around Rs200bn for three months on the pattern of their National Finance Commission (NFC) shares – Rs100bn or so from Punjab, Rs51-52bn from Sindh, Rs15bn from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and about Rs8-9bn from Balochistan. Presiding over a meeting to review austerity measures, the PM Shehbaz lauded Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti for disbursing the provincial share in the PM’s austerity package. A press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), quoted the prime minister as saying: “Balochistan’s government has a... -
Dawn - 12:51 Apr 05, 2026
The Supreme Court will host a high-level delegation of Turkiye’s Constitutional Court from April 6 to 9, during which a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on judicial cooperation will be signed. According to a press release issued by the apex court on Sunday, the Turkish delegation will be led by Kadir Özkaya, the president of the Constitutional Court, and will also comprise judges and other senior officials. “A key highlight of the visit will be the signing of a MoU on judicial cooperation at the Supreme Court of Pakistan on April 6 (Monday),” the press release said. It added that the signing would be witnessed by judges from the SC and Federal Constitutional Court, the chief justices of the high courts, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and others officials. It added that the agreement was expected to establish a structured and forward-looking framework for collaboration, focusing on judicial exchange, capacity building and sharing of best practices in adjudication. “The initiative reflects the shared commitmen... -
Dawn - 12:13 Apr 05, 2026
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Sunday announced that the government had secured a province-wide fare freeze after successful negotiations with transporters. Following increases in petroleum prices due to the ongoing global oil crisis, provinces have announced a host of relief measures for the public. In Sindh and Punjab, these steps include subsidies for motorcyclists, transporters and small-scale farmers. Addressing a high-level press conference at CM House, CM Murad said that following a series of consultations, transporters operating both inter-city and intra-city routes have agreed not to increase fares and to maintain rates as of Feb 28, 2026. The Sindh CM was flanked by provincial ministers, transporters’ representatives and top government officers. A press release issued by CM House quoted Murad as saying that the government had worked out a comprehensive strategy to protect citizens — particularly low-income commuters — from rising transportation costs triggered by global fuel price increases.... -
Dawn - 11:04 Apr 05, 2026
United States President Donald Trump said on Sunday that US forces had safely recovered a second airman downed in Iran, calling it “one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history”. The announcement came as Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel and Kuwait earlier on Sunday, and a day after Trump warned the Islamic republic it had 48 hours to cut a deal or face “all Hell”. “This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies,” Trump said on Truth Social. “He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine,” he added. “This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday, which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardise our second rescue operation. “This is the first time in military memory that two US Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory. WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!” Trump asserted. He repeated his clai... -
Dawn - 10:30 Apr 05, 2026
Before war erupted in the Middle East, fisherman Peter Bruce spent about £5,000 ($6,600) on diesel to trawl the North Sea for haddock and cod, the main species used in fish and chips. “Now, the last trip we spent about £10,000,” he told AFP, despite his crew reducing the speed of the boat to save fuel. Bruce, whose boat, Budding Rose, is based in the Scottish port of Peterhead, estimates the extra costs over a year could exceed £100,000. It was not yet clear whether the rise in energy prices would have an immediate effect on the price of fish, Bruce said. But he is worried that the hike in fuel prices will hit customer demand for the classic British meal that was already facing challenges on numerous fronts. Bruce’s catch is sold at auction in Peterhead before being transported around Britain and abroad. He fears that customers “will stop buying so much fish and chips and they’ll stop going out for meals so much”. Classic dish The classic recipe for fish and chips — white fish deep-fried in batter, chips, and... -
Dawn - 09:25 Apr 05, 2026
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the Christian community for its “admirable services” and invaluable role in Pakistan’s development. The president and the premier made the remarks in their separate messages issued on the occasion of Easter. The Christian community across Pakistan is celebrating Easter with religious devotion and joy, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Pastor Stephen John of The Fellowship United Pakistan Church in Islamabad told APP that Easter is the most important festival for Christians, as it reminds them that after every hardship, there is ease and a new start. He said that churches begin special worship before 12am on Saturday, so that believers enter Sunday in a state of prayer and devotion. In his message extending Easter greetings, President Zardari commended the Pakistani Christian community for its “continued role in national development, particularly in education, healthcare, national defence and social services”. He said the day “carri... -
Dawn - 09:23 Apr 05, 2026
The Artemis astronauts have taken in sights of the Moon never before seen by human eyes, crew members reported on Sunday as their spacecraft crossed the two-thirds mark on their journey to a long-anticipated lunar flyby. As the astronauts went to bed in the early hours of Sunday, closing out the fourth day of their 10-day mission, they were nearly 200,000 miles (321,869 kilometres) from Earth and 82,000 miles from the Moon, according to Nasa’s online dashboard. The US space agency published on Sunday an image taken by the Artemis crew, showing a distant Moon with the Orientale basin visible. “This mission marks the first time the entire basin has been seen with human eyes,” Nasa said. The massive crater, which resembles a bullseye, had been photographed before by orbiting cameras. Speaking to Canadian children live from space, astronaut Christina Koch said the crew was most excited to see the basin — sometimes known as the Moon’s “Grand Canyon”. “It’s very distinctive and no human eyes previously had seen thi... -
Dawn - 08:43 Apr 05, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) based system to track down criminals by visualising their appearance in real time, it emerged on Sunday. Speaking to Dawn, FIA Director General (DG) Dr Usmar Anwar said that the agency’s red book, containing details of most wanted criminals, was being updated with features, employing AI-based tools to generate a set of fresh visuals of their appearance based on old photographs. Even if the criminal has gone bald by now or sports a beard, the agency will now be able to track their identity. DG Anwar told Dawn that under the new system, it would be “impossible” for criminals to hide their identity by changing physical appearance. The other features of the modern red book to be available online to all FIA officers concerned — as well as the general public — also include details about family members and known associates of the accused; CNIC, passport and cellular phone numbers; distinguishing marks, bank account detail... -
Dawn - 07:51 Apr 05, 2026
The Federal Investigation Agency said on Sunday it has arrested an official of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) for his alleged “involvement” in issuing fake identity cards to Afghan nationals in Karachi. As per a statement by an FIA spokesperson, the agency’s officials conducted a raid in the Metroville SITE area, where two Afghan nationals were arrested and found to be possessing “illegal Pakistani identity documents”. The statement added that upon further investigation, it surfaced that a Nadra official, identified as Furqan Ahmed Khan Durrani, was “involved” in approving Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) issued to the two Afghan nationals. Durrani was arrested in a subsequent raid carried out in Karachi’s Nursery area. The FIA statement said that action has been taken against the suspects under the Foreigners Act, 1946 and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947. It added that FIA has obtained a three-day physical remand of the “arrested suspects” and further investigation wa... -
Dawn - 06:28 Apr 05, 2026
Taiwan’s main opposition leader will make a rare trip to China on Tuesday, weeks before US President Donald Trump, with Beijing expected to use the visit to increase its influence over the democratic island. Cheng Li-wun, who will become the first sitting chairperson of the Kuomintang (KMT) to travel to China in a decade, said she wants to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping to build cross-strait “peace”. Taiwanese officials and experts, however, say Xi sees an opportunity to reinforce Cheng’s standing in the KMT and stymie further US weapons sales to Taiwan. The KMT has long advocated for closer relations with China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory and has threatened to use force to seize it. But Cheng, whose unexpected rise to the top of the KMT drew congratulations from Xi in October, has been accused by critics, including inside the party, of being too pro-China. Cheng’s visit comes as the United States — Taiwan’s most important security backer — intensifies pressure on Taiwanese opposition law... -
Dawn - 05:30 Apr 05, 2026
KARACHI: Police have launched an investigation after registering a terrorism case when a civil judge, who has also served as a judge of an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in the past, received an envelope containing a bullet in his chamber on Friday, officials said on Saturday. South DIG Syed Asad Raza said that Aram Bagh police have registered an FIR on a complaint of the private secretary of Judge Suhail Jabbar Malik, chairman of the Appellate Tribunal, Local Council Secretariat Karachi. According to the complainant, Javed Iqbal, on April 3 he found an envelope on the table inside the judge’s chamber. The envelope contained a 9mm pistol bullet and a note stating: “Suhail judge, your gift.” The FIR said the judge had also served in the ATC for over five years. The police have invoked Section 506-B (criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code and relevant sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997. The investigation has been tasked to the in-charge of the Crime Investigation Cell (CIC), Preedy Division. As p... -
Dawn - 04:55 Apr 05, 2026
LAHORE: The Punjab Enforcement Regulatory Authority (Pera) teams are allegedly harassing and forcing the people, involved in sports activities and the businesses exempt from the 10pm closure time restrictions, to close businesses till 10pm in the wake of ongoing fuel crisis lockdown. In recent raids, the Pera teams working under command of the assistant commissioners (ACs) threatened the young people with dire consequences in case of not stopping playing at a locality near Pine Avenue. In another raid, a team led by a female assistant commissioner visited a bakery at 10pm or so, advising its management to close business. The team returned when the [bakery] staff told the officials that the bakeries and some other businesses are exempt from the closure time. On the other hand, the Lahore administration has allegedly failed to explain about restrictions and exemptions to ACs and Pera teams through any fresh notification, as it continues to implement an earlier notification related to businesses’ closure timings... -
Dawn - 04:52 Apr 05, 2026
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has expressed serious resentment over the police for killing a suspect in a suspicious encounter and said that if police were allowed to continue with such actions, the very purpose of the courts would be undermined and public confidence in the judicial system would be eroded. The SHC also noted that the police, being a responsible force, were required to exercise reasonable restraint and discipline, as they were saddled with a responsibility rather than a sacred duty to the prosecution of offenders, and were expected to discharge that duty in accordance with law. A two-judge constitutional bench of the SHC, headed by Justice Mohammad Saleem Jessar, further observed that the suspect in question was said to be a proclaimed offender with a heavy criminal record, yet such stigma against an alleged offender will not grant an open license to the police to kill him in such a manner. It ruled that custodial killings are tantamount to perturbing the judicial system and cannot be al... -
Dawn - 04:33 Apr 05, 2026
• Health dept confirms four of seven children who died last month in Khairpur hospitals had mpox • Claims deaths not directly linked to zoonotic viral infection • Sukkur commissioner asks DHO to initiate ‘comprehensive contact tracing’ • Babies seemed to have infected from unsterilized hospital equipment: sources • Many ‘chickenpox-like’ cases reported from other districts KARACHI / SUKKUR: An outbreak of mpox, the first local outbreak of the zoonotic viral infection in the country, has claimed the lives of at least four newborns in Khairpur, it emerged on Saturday. The worrisome child health situation involving death of seven newborns in two Khairpur hospitals took an alarming turn when the provincial health department confirmed that “initial findings showed that four of the seven children [who died] were affected by mpox”. Sources said the seven babies affected by mpox were under treatment in intensive care units at public and private hospitals in Khairpur and seemed to have acquired the infection from unst... -
Dawn - 03:25 Apr 05, 2026
KARACHI: The Gulf War has begun to affect the Pakistani economy as hopes for an early recovery diminish with the conflict’s increasing intensity each day. The latest data from the State Bank showed that 90 per cent of foreign investment in domestic bonds had been withdrawn. Local investments in treasury bills are increasing as returns have risen to 11.5 per cent compared to the SBP’s policy rate of 10.5pc. This makes them very attractive to foreign investors, but a war ongoing for more than 35 days has undermined their confidence. The data showed total inflows in the first nine months of FY26 were Rs886.7 million, while the outflows were $794m (almost 90pc), leaving a meagre $93m invested. Analysts said that outflows from domestic bonds would have limited impact, but the withdrawal of deposits from the State Bank account by friendly countries could pose a serious threat to Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves. Reports indicate that the UAE government is hesitant to rollover $2 billion maturing this month. Chi...
8959 items