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Dawn - 07:24 Jul 20, 2025
ISLAMABAD: The World Bank-financed ‘Pakistan Hydromet and Climate Services Project’ has concluded, but without delivering several of its originally planned components, including weather radars, automatic weather stations and observatories, according to the project’s completion report. The report reveals that during in June 2020, the hydro-meteorological and climate change services component was initially scaled back and later dropped. Activities aimed at improving the service delivery capacity of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, private sector engagement and mitigation of seismic and glacial hazards were also removed from the plan. Although the original project financing of $188m, approved in 2018, remained unchanged after the first restructuring, the second restructuring in June 2023 reduced the total budget to $168m due to exchange rate fluctuations. Despite this, the project was completed within the original budget, albeit after an 18-month extension — an outcome the Bank attributes to efficient res... -
Dawn - 07:19 Jul 20, 2025
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf on Saturday walked back a statement that 40,000 religious pilgrims were missing, clarifying that the figure stemmed from a “misunderstanding” of outdated paper records that have not yet been fully digitised. He told reporters that approximately 40,000 pilgrims’ records remain in paper form and have not been transferred to the digital registry system. “It was never said that thousands of Pakistanis are missing,” Mr Yousuf said. “The records of around 40,000 pilgrims were previously maintained in paper form and have not yet been fully transferred to the central digital registry.” The initial report, which said tens of thousands of pilgrims (zaireen) had not returned from trips to Iran and Iraq, was first floated by the minister himself as he announced a travel system overhaul. To prevent future errors and enhance security, the Ministry of Religious Affairs launched a modern online registration system for all pilgrims travelling to Iran, Iraq and S... -
Dawn - 07:15 Jul 20, 2025
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Azerbaijan are expected to launch two freight train services, namely the ‘Pakistan-Azerbaijan Express’ and the ‘Pakistan-Iran-Azerbaijan’, aimed at promoting bilateral trade and economic cooperation. These two pilot cooperation projects were discussed in detail by delegations of both countries during a video conference in Islamabad on Saturday. Minister of State for Railways and Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani and Deputy Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways Closed Joint Stock Company Arif Aghayev led delegations of their respective countries during the talks. The meeting discussed opportunities for cooperation in increasing freight volumes, port integration, joint investment projects, and transport routes that pass through Azerbaijan and Pakistan within the Middle Corridor, according to a press release by the Ministry of Railways. Delegations of both countries agreed to establish joint working groups to finalise freight transport initiatives and advance mutual cooperation in rail and trade secto... -
Dawn - 06:41 Jul 20, 2025
• Punjab Assembly speaker says allegations of constitutional violations need to be first proven in ‘court or tribunal’ • Notices issued to 10 MPAs for payment of damages caused during budget session withdrawn LAHORE: In a significant step towards de-escalation of political tensions in the Punjab Assembly, PA Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has formally rejected the petitions seeking the disqualification of 26 PTI members. This decision followed successful negotiations between the government and the opposition, and is expected to pave the way for the swift reinstatement of these suspended lawmakers. The ruling comes after weeks of parliamentary deadlock, which saw the opposition members suspended for “disorderly conduct” during the budget session on June 27. The suspension for 15 sittings was a direct response to protests that disrupted Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s speech and involved the use of “offensive, abusive, and unparliamentary language and slogans”, as well as alleged physical altercations. In his ... -
Dawn - 06:29 Jul 20, 2025
• IO highlights complex electronic fraud schemes devised by the suspect in interim charge sheet in data theft case • Says Armaghan planned to shift call centre operations to Lahore and Islamabad • Seeks more time to file final report as record from crypto exchanges still awaited KARACHI: The investigating officer (IO) of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has informed a judicial magistrate that the prime suspect in the credit card data theft case, Armaghan Qureshi, had rented two properties to set up call centres in Lahore and Islamabad after the murder of Mustafa Amir. The IO of the case, Ameer Ali Khoso, submitted this information in an interim charge sheet before the judicial magistrate (South), stating that more time was needed to file the final report as records from Binance and Coinbase were still awaited. He added that some documentary and digital evidence also remained to be collected. Regarding the call centre operations, the IO claimed that during interrogation, the suspect reveal... -
Dawn - 05:34 Jul 20, 2025
• Over 500 injured nationwide since rains began • NDMA blames climate change, glacier melt for floods • PDMA issues fourth spell alert as rivers swell • Rs5m relief package announced in Punjab ISLAMABAD: As the country grapples with a monsoon season that has intensified by up to 60 per cent over previous years, the national and provincial disaster management authorities have predicted further rains in the coming days. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), at least 180 people have already been killed and more than 500 injured so far since the rains began unusually early in July. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Saturday forecast further rain, wind and thundershowers, with isolated heavy falls, in Sindh over the next 24 hours. Cities and districts likely to be affected include Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Thatta, Badin, Larkana, Jacobabad, Nawabshah, Mirpurkhas and others. The NDMA’s NEOC has also issued alerts for urban flooding in low-lying parts of Sindh. It advised c... -
Dawn - 05:33 Jul 20, 2025
• Business community warns of escalation as govt fails to meet tax reform demands • Islamabad, Rawalpindi and a few other cities remain normal KARACHI/LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Karachi and Lahore — Pakistan’s two largest commercial cities — witnessed a near-complete shutdown on Saturday as traders observed a strike against what they described as harsh and anti-business taxation measures introduced through the Finance Act 2025-26. The strike, called by the Karachi and Lahore Chambers of Commerce and Industry, marked one of the most widespread protests by the business community in recent years. In Karachi, nearly 90 per cent of commercial activity remained suspended, including wholesale markets, retail shops, industries, and fruit and vegetable markets. KCCI President Jawed Bilwani told Dawn that this was the first time in the chamber’s history that the city’s entire business community had voluntarily shut down operations in protest. Mr Bilwani said industrial production had come to a halt in all seven industrial zones... -
Dawn - 04:49 Jul 20, 2025
Chief executive officer (CEO) Andy Baron of American tech company Astronomer resigned on Saturday after a video of him embracing an alleged colleague at a Coldplay concert went viral and fueled relentless memes. “Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met,” New York-based Astronomer said in a statement shared on LinkedIn. “Andy Byron has tendered his resignation,” the firm said, after previously launching an investigation. The company added that Co-founder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy, who was assigned the role of interim CEO, will continue to serve in that position. During a Coldplay concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Wednesday, the jumbotron zoomed in on a man and a woman embracing in the stands. But the canoodling pair appeared shocked and horrified when they spotted themselves on the big screen, with the man ducking out of frame and the woman covering her face with her hands and spinning around. “Uh-oh, what? Either... -
Dawn - 04:25 Jul 20, 2025
ISLAMABAD: The illicit cigarette trade in Pakistan has emerged as a serious economic and public health concern, driven by weak regulatory enforcement and a significant knowledge gap among retailers, according to a new study. The report, titled ‘Tax Stamps and Illicit Cigarette Sales in Pakistan: Understanding Retailers’ Knowledge Gap’, was released by Umeed-i-Sehar, a non-profit organisation focused on public health initiatives. Based on a survey of 2,000 retailers in seven major cities — including Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad — the study paints a troubling picture of regulatory neglect and widespread retailer unawareness. An overwhelming 97pc of retailers said they had never been approached by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials for compliance guidance, while 86pc were unaware of the government-imposed penalties for selling illicit cigarettes. Only 27pc of retailers could differentiate between tax-paid and illicit cigarette packs. Meanwhile, 73pc did not understand the placement or purpose of tax ... -
Dawn - 03:23 Jul 20, 2025
INDIA’S opposition Congress party has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi provide a clear explanation after US President Donald Trump claimed that five fighter jets were shot down during the recent military confrontation between India and Pakistan. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led the charge on Saturday, calling on Modi to address the nation regarding the fate of the jets. “Modi ji, what is the truth about the five [jets]? The country has the right to know!” Mr Gandhi posted on X, as criticism from the opposition mounted over the government’s handling of the brief but intense conflict. The controversy erupted after Trump, speaking at a White House dinner with Republican lawmakers on Friday, said, “In fact, planes were being shot out of the air. Five, five, four or five, but I think five jets were shot down actually,” referring to the hostilities between the nuclear-armed neighbours. Indian premier asked to ‘speak truth’ Trump did not specify which side’s aircraft were downed, nor did he provide furth... -
Dawn - 02:36 Jul 20, 2025
• Disgruntled leaders say will contest Senate polls in line with Imran’s vision, allege ‘pro-establishment’ candidates being favoured • Insiders claim oath-taking slated for today may get delayed due to ‘quorum’ • PPP leader says opposition alliance intact, will secure five seats PESHAWAR: As the disgruntled PTI workers are adamant on contesting Senate polls despite an understanding between the KP’s ruling party and the opposition, the agreement on seat adjustment, however, seems to remain intact, with both sides now working on the panel of voters for their candidates. The oath-taking of the 25 MPAs-elect, which is scheduled for today (Sunday), has also assumed importance, as non-administration of oaths to them could lead to postponement of Senate polls. One of the ruling party MPAs told Dawn that there was a likelihood that oath-taking would not take place on Sunday, as the session might be adjourned at the outset due to “lack of quorum”. The treasury and the joint opposition alliance had agreed on a seat-sh... -
Dawn - 19:04 Jul 19, 2025
Minister of State for Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani on Saturday said that Pakistan and Azerbaijan had agreed to form joint working groups to further the goals of mutual trade and railway cooperation. Kayani’s announcement followed a high-level meeting he chaired at the Ministry of Railways that brought together key stakeholders to explore avenues for strengthening cross-border linkages and advancing mutual economic interests. “Railway Board Secretary Muhammad Yousaf, briefed the participants on the Pakistan Railways network,” Kayani said. “Discussions were also held on the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan rail agreement, and both sides agreed to form joint working groups to further the goals of mutual trade and railway cooperation,” the minister added. Talking to the media in Jhelum, the state minister said that he led a dialogue with an Azerbaijani delegation headed by Deputy Chairman Arif Aghayev of Railways, who participated in the meeting via video link. Railways Secretary Syed Mazhar Ali Shah, Yousaf, as we... -
Dawn - 18:05 Jul 19, 2025
At least five terrorists were killed, two others were injured and eight were arrested in an operation carried out by police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Malakand district on Saturday evening, according to a local official. Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities over the past year, especially in KP and Balochistan, after the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022. Dargai tehsil Assistant Commissioner Waheedullah Khan told Dawn.com that a major operation was carried out in the Mehrday area of Malakand today. “Police and CTD took part in the successful operation,” the AC said. “Five terrorists were eliminated and two were injured while eight were captured alive.” The AC added that the arrested terrorists were transported to the CTD centre, while the injured were moved to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Dargai. The Dargai AC confirmed to Dawn.com that the terrorists belonged to the TTP and were behind a... -
Dawn - 17:29 Jul 19, 2025
At least 30 people were injured early on Saturday morning when a vehicle drove into a crowd outside a club on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, the city’s fire department and local media reports said. At least seven people were in critical condition and six others were seriously injured, the fire department said in an online statement. The incident occurred just before 2am local time (2pm PKT), the fire department said. Captain Adam VanGerpen, a fire department spokesman, was quoted by ABC News as saying that a paramedic assessing one of the injured found a gunshot wound. The car, he said, apparently first careened into a taco truck outside the venue and then ploughed through a valet stand and into a large group of people. Videos posted on X showed roads being sealed off and patients being taken away in ambulances. The Los Angeles Police Department said on X that it was still investigating why the driver slammed into the crowd. Officers responding to a radio call of an assault with a deadly weapon found ... -
Dawn - 17:21 Jul 19, 2025
An Islamabad district and sessions court on Saturday issued an arrest warrant for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, demanding that he be detained and produced before the court by Monday. Last month, Gandapur appeared before the district and sessions court in a hearing related to the illegal arms and liquor case registered at Bhara Kahu police station. The CM appeared before Judicial Magistrate Mubashir Hassan Chishti along with his counsel, Raja Zahoorul Hassan. The defence argued that the Peshawar High Court (PHC) had already granted Gandapur interim bail until July 3, and requested the suspension of the non-bailable arrest warrant issued earlier. The court ordered that Gandapur submit his response under Section 342 (power to examine the accused) of the Criminal Procedure Code. The CM informed the court that he would file the response after the presentation of the KP budget. Following this assurance and his appearance, the court suspended the arrest warrants and adjourned the case until Ju... -
Dawn - 16:56 Jul 19, 2025
An undefeated Pakistan team on Saturday beat Iran 3-2 in the Asian Men’s U-16 Volleyball Championship final to win the tournament that was being held in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand. After being 0-2 down earlier in the match, Pakistan made an incredible comeback by winning three straight sets to win the final 3-2. The scores across the five sets were 22-25, 21-25, 30-28, 25-21, 15-10. Junaid was the top scorer for Pakistan with 28 points joined by Faizan in second place with 22 points. Talha and Muhammad Irfan chipped in with nine and eight points each. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the team on their win in a post on X. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also hailed the victory and commended the Green Shirts on their win. “Proud moment for us all as U-16 volleyball team has won the Asian Championship, defeating defending champions Iran in the final. A moment of pride and inspiration for the entire nation. Well done, champs!”, the interior minister said in a post on X. On Friday, Pakistan beat Ind... -
Dawn - 16:51 Jul 19, 2025
A US tech company placed its chief executive officer on leave after an embrace caught on a big screen at a Coldplay concert — rumoured to involve two of the firm’s employees went viral, multiple news outlets reported on Saturday. In the clip, which initially appeared on a giant screen at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough Massachusetts, two people are seen with their arms wrapped around each other. When their faces appear for thousands to see, the man and woman abruptly duck and hide from the camera. Reports that both are executives at the company Astronomer and rumours of an affair sparked by lead singer Chris Martin’s comment then spread online, BBC News reported on Saturday. On Friday, the company confirmed that its CEO Andy Byron had been placed on leave. Screengrab of Astronomer’s post on LinkedIn According to the BBC, Byron has been with Astronomer since July 2023. He himself has not confirmed himself as being the man seen in the video. The woman was identified online as the company’s chief people officer, ... -
Dawn - 15:34 Jul 19, 2025
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) on Saturday continued its ongoing sit-in on the road leading to the National Press Club in Islamabad, as the route had been blocked by police with barbed wire, preventing its activists from returning to their original protest site. An anti-terrorism court in Quetta on Friday remanded BYC chief Dr Mahrang Baloch and other organisers of the group into police custody for 15 days, in the case of her and other BYC members “attacking” Quetta Civil Hospital and “inciting people to violence” in March. The Islamabad sit-in began on June 16, with BYC leaders and members demanding the release of its activists. Political leaders, journalists and activists have joined the sit-in over the past few days. A Dawn.com correspondent at the scene reported that the demonstrators were not allowed to set up their protest camp outside the press club, so they would leave in the evenings and return to demonstrate in the afternoon. When they arrived today, they found the route to the press club block... -
Dawn - 15:07 Jul 19, 2025
United States President Donald Trump said on Friday that five jets were shot down during the recent India-Pakistan conflict that began after a deadly attack in India-occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam, with the situation calming after a ceasefire in May. Trump, who made his remarks at a dinner with some Republican US lawmakers at the White House, did not specify which side’s jets he was referring to. Pakistan had said it downed six Indian planes after the latter carried out deadly attacks in Punjab and Azad Kashmir, while New Delhi had claimed it had downed “a few planes”. “Something I’m very proud of [is that] we stopped a lot of wars. A lot of wars. And these were serious, serious wars; would have been going on,” Trump said. “You had India-Pakistan that was going, and in fact, planes were being shot out of the air. Five, five, four or five, but I think five jets were shot down actually,” Trump said while talking about the India-Pakistan hostilities, without elaborating or providing further detail. “It was getting ... -
Dawn - 14:49 Jul 19, 2025
Nine terrorists were killed and three security officers injured in an exchange of fire during an operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district, police said on Saturday. Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities over the past year, especially in KP and Balochistan, after the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022. Earlier, a statement by KP Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed said that security forces and police carried out a joint operation in Hangu’s Zargari Shinawari area. “Nine terrorists killed in Hangu operation, District Police Officer (DPO) Khalid Khan is undergoing treatment at the Kohat Combined Military Hospital,” a statement issued later by Kohat Regional Police Officer DIG Abbas Majeed read. “The operation is continuing successfully and full action is being taken against the terrorists,” the statement added. It further read that DPO Khan was out of danger now. Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi tele...
5467 items