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  • Lahore manhole deaths: Court approves 4-day physical remand of suspects
    Dawn - 10:03 Jan 31, 2026
    LAHORE: A judicial magistrate on Saturday approved a four-day physical remand of five officials accused in the case of a mother and her minor daughter who fell into a manhole near Bhatti Gate earlier this week and died. The two had fallen into the sewer at the site of the under-construction Data Darbar expansion project near Bhatti Gate on Wednesday. While the woman’s body was found late at night the same day, the 10-month-old child’s body was recovered on Thursday. Earlier, police presented the arrested officials before the magistrate at district courts and sought their 14-day physical remand. The request was heard by Judicial Magistrate Shafqat Abbas. During the hearing, a counsel for the accused opposed the police plea, arguing that a physical remand was unnecessary. The defence counsel informed the court that Rs10 million had been paid to the aggrieved family in the form of a cheque on humanitarian grounds, producing a photocopy of the cheque issued. He admitted that the incident was tragic. The magistrat...
  • Injured Cummins out of T20 World Cup, Dwarshuis in Australia squad
    Dawn - 09:30 Jan 31, 2026
    Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins was ruled out on Saturday for next month’s Twenty20 World Cup after failing to recover from a nagging back injury, and Ben Dwarshuis will replace him for the global showpiece. Cummins played just one of the five Ashes tests against England, but Australia kept him in the provisional World Cup squad hoping for his availability in the Super Eight stage of the tournament to be played in India and Sri Lanka. Matt Renshaw also replaced fellow batter Matthew Short but veteran Steve Smith could not break into the World Cup squad despite his strong form in the Big Bash League. “With Pat needing more time to recover from his back injury, Ben is a ready replacement who offers a left-arm pace option as well as dynamic fielding and late-order hitting,” selector Tony Dodemaide said. “We believe his ability to swing the ball at good pace along with clever variations will be well suited to the conditions we expect and overall structure of the squad.” The Mitchell Marsh-led side are currently...
    Tags: Australia
  • Imran’s procedure completed ‘smoothly’, vitals remained ‘stable’: Pims executive director
    Dawn - 08:34 Jan 31, 2026
    The executive director of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), Professor Dr Rana Imran Sikander, revealed early on Saturday that the eye procedure of incarcerated former premier Imran Khan was completed “smoothly” and that he remained “stable” during the intervention. The video statement by the hospital’s head comes after the PTI approached the Supreme Court on Friday, seeking its assistance in arranging a meeting between the PTI founder and his personal physicians, with the help of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP). Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had earlier confirmed that Imran underwent a “20-minute” medical procedure for an eye ailment on the night of January 24 at Pims in Islamabad. “It (the procedure) was completed smoothly in approximately 20 minutes. During the treatment, the patient remained vitally stable and was discharged with routine post-procedure care instructions and follow-up advice and documents,” said Sikander. The doctor said the former premier, aged 74, complained of...
    Tags: Pims Imran
  • More than 200 killed in coltan mine collapse in east Congo, official says
    Dawn - 07:50 Jan 31, 2026
    More than 200 people were killed this week in a collapse at the Rubaya coltan mine in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, spokesperson for the rebel-appointed governor of the province where the mine is located, told Reuters on Friday. Rubaya produces around 15pc of the world’s coltan, which is processed into tantalum, a heat-resistant metal that is in high demand by makers of mobile phones, computers, aerospace components and gas turbines. The site, where locals dig manually for a few dollars per day, has been under the control of the AFC/M23 rebel group since 2024. The collapse occurred on Wednesday and the precise toll was still unclear as of Friday evening. “More than 200 people were victims of this landslide, including miners, children and market women. Some people were rescued just in time and have serious injuries,” Muyisa said, adding that about 20 injured people were being treated in health facilities. “We are in the rainy season. The ground is fragile. It was the ground ...
    Tags: More Congo
  • United States approves major arms deals to Saudi Arabia, Israel
    Dawn - 06:31 Jan 31, 2026
    The United States on Friday approved multibillion-dollar weapons sales to both Saudi Arabia and Israel, at a point of high tensions with Iran. The State Department said it green-lighted a $3.8-billion sale of 30 Apache attack helicopters to Israel, which has agreed to a fragile ceasefire in Gaza. “The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,” the State Department said in a statement. “This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives,” it said. Also in the package was a $1.8 billion sale of joint light tactical vehicles. The United States sends billions of dollars worth of military supplies per year to Israel, largely in aid rather than sales. Israel and Hamas reached a US-backed ceasefire in October that largely paused two years of war. Tensions are high elsewhere in the region as the United States deploys a major military contingent in waters near Iran. The State De...
    Tags: Saudi Arabia United States Israel
  • Karachi Mayor Wahab orders KMC affairs probe after graft allegations surface
    Dawn - 05:53 Jan 31, 2026
    KARACHI: The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has ordered an inquiry after the Karachi Constructors Association (KCA) levelled serious allegations of large-scale corruption against officials of the civic body’s engineering department, claiming that billions of rupees in development funds had been misappropriated through fraudulent practices. The inquiry was announced by Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, who took notice of the concerns raised by the contractors’ body and directed the municipal administration to conduct a comprehensive and impartial examination of the tendering, bidding and procurement processes within the KMC. A couple of days ago, the KCA, which represents contractors working with civic bodies and government organisations, accused senior engineering officials of manipulating tenders, procuring substandard materials and awarding contracts to favoured contractors without competitive bidding. The association also alleged that contractors were subjected to excessive commission demands and blackm...
  • Ruling party lawmakers ‘have no say in Punjab postings’
    Dawn - 03:20 Jan 31, 2026
    LAHORE: All civil, administrative and police postings and transfers in Punjab are now being made purely on merit, with no room for political influence by the ruling party’s lawmakers or others, Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said. In a conversation with Dawn, Ms Bokhari said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had enforced strict adherence to professional standards, ensuring lawmakers from the ruling party had no influence over transfer and posting decisions. “Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has fully ensured that all postings and transfers in Punjab are made purely on merit, thus ending Sifarish [nepotism] culture,” Ms Bokhari said. “She ensured during her two-year tenure that not a single appointment, even that of an SHO, is made on someone’s reference. This thing was hardly witnessed in the past.” The “strict policy” has reportedly caused friction within the party. According to Ms Bokhari, some PML-N lawmakers, frustrated that the bureaucracy no longer obliged their requests, conveyed concerns to party h...
    Tags: Punjab
  • PTI founder wants IHC cases consolidated
    Dawn - 03:05 Jan 31, 2026
    • In letter to chief justice, lawyer requests urgent hearing on £190m, Toshakhana cases • Alleges political victimisation and misuse of criminal law ISLAMABAD: Counsel for PTI founder Imran Khan has written to the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), seeking consolidation of all cases pending against him before the high court and requesting urgent hearings, particularly in the matters relating to the suspension of his sentence in £190 million corruption and Toshakhana cases. In the letter, the counsel submitted that several petitions filed on behalf of Imran Khan are currently pending before different benches of the IHC, arising out of various FIRs and proceedings. He argued that the multiplicity of cases and their fixation before different benches has created serious legal and practical difficulties, not only for the petitioner but also for the court system. The lawyer maintained that most of the cases involve common questions of law and fact, including allegations of political victimisation, mis...
  • SC unhappy with archaic police terms in Sindh
    Dawn - 02:52 Jan 31, 2026
    • Holds that Bakhidmat Janaab SHO has no legal status; also Faryaadi and Muddai should be discontinued as they reflect colonial mindset • Explains SHO is servant of the public, not the other way around • Wants use of legally accurate local language alternatives ISLAMABAD: Taking exception to archaic expressions common in Sindh, such as Bakhidmat Janaab SHO, the Supreme Court ordered on Friday that the term be discouraged, noting that it had no legal sanction and that a simple address as Janaab would suffice. The court observed that applications addressed to police officials using Bakhidmat Janaab SHO incorrectly implied that the citizen was at the service of the station house officer. In fact, the court explained, the SHO was at the service of the citizen. The court added that such terminology reflected a colonial mindset, in which subjects of the state approached authorities as a matter of mercy rather than as a right. Authored by Justice Salahuddin Panwhar, a member of the three-judge SC bench, the court ha...
    Tags: Sindh
  • Centre, KP government deny permitting Tirah operation
    Dawn - 02:42 Jan 31, 2026
    • PHC urged to declare military operation, its order ‘unconstitutional’ • PDMA directed to file report on facilities provided to displaced persons within a week • Representatives of IDPs summoned on Feb 12 PESHAWAR: The federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa authorities on Friday denied that they gave any permission for starting a military operation in the Tirah Valley of Khyber district. The denial from both federal and provincial governments came before a bench of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) comprising Justice Wiqar Ahmad and Justice Mohammad Faheem Wali at the hearing of a petition filed by Barrister Saud Javed Dawar, a member of the National Democratic Movement (NDM). KP Advocate General Shah Faisal Uthmankhel and Addi­tional Atto­rney General Sana­ullah apprised the high court that their respective governments had not given a nod to the military for launching any operation across the valley. While directing the Provincial Disaster Manag­ement Authority (PDMA) to provide all possible reliefs to the people displ...
  • Iran rules out defence curbs amid mediation push
    Dawn - 02:36 Jan 31, 2026
    • Erdogan offers to help ease Tehran-Washington tensions • Trump softens threats, suggests openness to dialogue • UK PM Starmer, allies working to block Iran’s nuclear ambitions ISTANBUL: Turkiye intensified a diplomatic push to mediate between Tehran and Washington on Friday as US President Donald Trump appeared to cool his threats of a strike, though Iran warned that its missile capabilities would “never” be on the negotiating table. Turkish President Re­cep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan led regional efforts to de-escalate tensions that have soared since the US moved military assets to the Middle East following a deadly crackdown on protests in Iran. While the Pentagon said the military remained ready, Trump lowered the temperature late on Thursday, stating he hoped to avoid conflict and that talks were possible. Speaking during a visit to Turkiye, Iranian For­eign Minister Abbas Araghchi welcomed the potential for dialogue but drew a hard line regarding national defence. “I want to state ...
    Tags: Iran
  • Local gold plunges by Rs35,500 per tola
    Dawn - 02:30 Jan 31, 2026
    KARACHI: The 10-gram and one-tola gold (24kt) on Friday recorded the highest ever single day drop of Rs30,435 and Rs35,500 to Rs 460,701 and Rs537,362, respectively. The 10-gram and one-tola silver (24kt) also fell to Rs9,489 and Rs11,069, showing a drop of Rs949 and Rs1,106. As per rates announced by All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA), world gold rates recorded a massive single day record fall in world price to $5,150 per ounce, down by a record $355 per ounce. APSGJA President Mr Skikarpuri said “this is the biggest ever plunge in my entire career in the gold trade spanning over over five decades. In 1974, the per tola gold rate was Rs240.” He recalled that the world gold rate had fallen slowly to $245 per ounce from $852 in the entire 1980 period but it cannot match the abrupt single day drop of $355 per ounce on Friday. Spot gold and silver record worst single-day drop of 8.9pc and 21.92pc to $4,915.17 and $90.66 an ounce “The gold price is still unaffordable for many jewellery bu...
    Tags: Rs35
  • After day-long sit-in outside SC, PTI says Imran’s family to be provided ex-premier’s medical report
    Dawn - 18:49 Jan 30, 2026
    After staging a day-long protest outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad, the PTI said on Friday that the family of incarcerated premier Imran Khan would be provided a copy of his medical report. PTI’s Salman Akram Raja made the remarks while speaking to the media outside the SC building, where the party, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, staged a day-long sit-in in an effort to facilitate a meeting between Imran and his personal physicians. The development comes a day after Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that Imran underwent a medical procedure for an eye ailment last week at a hospital in Islamabad. According to the minister, the former premier was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad for a “20-minute” medical procedure on the night of January 24. Speaking outside the SC premises on Friday evening, Raja said, “As you know, we have been outside the SC building all day.” Afridi and Senate opposition leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas were ...
    Tags: After Imran
  • Trump says Iran wants deal, US ‘armada’ larger than in Venezuela raid
    Dawn - 18:12 Jan 30, 2026
    United States President Donald Trump said on Friday that he believed Tehran wanted to make a deal to avoid military action, adding that the US “armada” near Iran was bigger than the one he dispatched to topple Venezuela’s leader. The development came hours after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is prepared to resume talks with Washington, but they should be fair and not include Iran’s defence capabilities. Trump made these remarks while addressing reporters in the Oval Office of the White House. “We have a large armada, flotilla, you can call it whatever you want, heading to Iran right now. Even larger than what we had in Venezuela,” the president stated. “Hopefully, we’ll make a deal. If we do make a deal, that’s good; if we don’t make a deal, we’ll see what happens,” Trump added. Asked if Iran had been given any deadline for a deal on its nuclear programme, ballistic missiles and other issues, Trump replied, “Only they know for sure.” He added that he had communicated that directly. “We’ll...
    Tags: Venezuela Iran Trump
  • US Justice Dept to release new batch of Epstein files
    Dawn - 17:15 Jan 30, 2026
    The US Justice Department announced Friday it was releasing more than three million pages from the Jeffrey Epstein files, along with photos and videos, adding fuel to a political drama putting pressure on President Donald Trump. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said all images of women were redacted from the documents being released, aside from those of Ghislaine Maxwell, the accomplice of the convicted sex offender. The latest release is expected to contain previously unseen material from the investigation into Epstein, a wealthy US financier who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking underage girls. Previous releases have shed light on Epstein’s ties to leading business executives, celebrities, academics and politicians, including Trump and former president Bill Clinton. Perhaps the most significant documents published so far are two FBI emails from July 2019, which mention 10 “co-conspirators” of Epstein. Only one person — Epstein’s former girlfriend Maxwell — has ever...
    Tags: Epstein
  • Shahid Afridi’s ‘all-round excellence’ against South Africa makes it on ICC’s list of ‘iconic’ T20 World Cup performances
    Dawn - 17:11 Jan 30, 2026
    Cricket’s governing body on Friday released a list of “iconic performances” at the T20 World Cup, with Shahid Afridi’s 2009 performance in the semi-final against South Africa included among the feats. “Between India winning both the inaugural ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007 and the most recent offering two years ago, there have been many iconic performances that have left their mark on T20’s biggest stage,” the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in its press release. On Afridi, the ICC noted that after being named the player of the tournament in 2007, he had come back “with the bit firmly between his teeth”. “In the semi-finals against South Africa, Afridi came to the fore in devastating fashion, starring with a crucial all-round performance that took Pakistan into a second successive final,” the ICC said. It added that Afridi scored 51 off 34 with the bat, before claiming the key wickets of Herschelle Gibbs and AB de Villiers, finishing with 2-16. It is worth mentioning that Pakistan had won the tourna...
    Tags: T20 World Cup South Africa Shahid Afridi
  • Public, private schools in Sindh to remain closed on Feb 4 on account of Shab-i-Barat
    Dawn - 17:06 Jan 30, 2026
    The Sindh government on Friday announced that all schools and colleges in the province would be closed on February 4 on account of Shab-i-Barat. The Sindh Information Department shared a notification by the Sindh School Education and Literacy Department on the social media platform X. “All public and private educational institutions under the Administrative Control of School Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh, shall remain closed on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, on account of Shab-i-Barat (15th Shaban-1447),” the notification read. Muslims mark Shab-i-Barat, or the night of forgiveness, by visiting mosques and the graves of family members.
    Tags: Sindh Shab-i-Barat
  • PTI cannot ‘dictate’ meetings with Imran by staging sit-ins: Tallal Chaudhry
    Dawn - 16:26 Jan 30, 2026
    State Minister for Interior Affairs Tallal Chaudhry on Friday said that the PTI could not “dictate” meetings with incarcerated party leader Imran Khan by staging sit-ins. The statement came as the party camped outside Adiala jai, where he is imprisoned, and the Supreme Court after the government confirmed Imran underwent a medical procedure for an eye ailment last week at a hospital in Islamabad. Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, the state minister replied to a question about the secrecy of Imran’s treatment, stating that there was nothing secret about it. “Their (the PTI) problem is that the glass is always half-empty to them; they cannot be realistic or positive,” Chaudhry said. “They previously said that there were no health facilities and nobody was paying attention,” he explained. “If there has been a health issue, then he (Imran) was immediately taken to the best hospital nearest to the prison. He was taken, examined and then left after everything was fine.” Chaudhry noted that upholding t...
    Tags: Imran
  • Probe initiated into alleged torture of man whose wife, daughter died after falling into sewer in Lahore
    Dawn - 16:17 Jan 30, 2026
    LAHORE: A “high-powered committee” of police officials launched a fact-finding inquiry on Friday into the alleged torture of the husband of a woman, who, along with her 10-month-old daughter, died earlier this week after falling into an open sewer in Lahore, a source told Dawn. The two had fallen into the sewer at the site of under-construction Data Darbar expansion project near Bhati Gate on Wednesday. While the woman’s body was found late night the same day, the 10-month-old child’s body was recovered on Thursday. A first information report (FIR) of the incident has been registered on the complaint of the woman’s father at the Bhatti Gate police station under Section 322 (manslaughter) of the Pakistan Penal Code. Three suspects have been nominated in the FIR and all three of them were arrested a day ago. Meanwhile, the victims’ family alleged police had tortured the woman’s husband, accusing him of committing his wife’s murder. They also arrested him and released him after around six hours. A police officia...
    Tags: Lahore
  • Security forces kill 41 terrorists during IBOs in Balochistan’s Harnai and Panjgur districts: ISPR
    Dawn - 14:39 Jan 30, 2026
    Security forces killed 41 terrorists in intelligence-based operations (IBOs) carried out in Balochistan’s Harnai and Panjgur districts, said the military’s media wing on Friday. According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were carried out on January 29 (Thursday), in which terrorists belonging to Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan were killed. Fitna-al-Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and the term Fitna-al-Hindustan has been designated by the state for Balochistan-based groups to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan. The military’s media wing said the presence of Fitna-al-Khawarij was reported on the outskirts of Harnai district, following which an IBO was conducted in the area. “During the conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged the hideout, and after an intense fire exchange, 30 India-sponsored khawarij were sent to hell,” t...
    Tags: Harnai Balochistan Security ISPR IBOs Panjgur

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