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Dawn - 12:53 Mar 27, 2026
In a phone call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah “fully endorsed” Pakistan’s efforts for mediation between Iran and the US, according to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The statement said that PM Shehbaz held a phone call with the crown prince and “apprised the Kuwaiti leadership of Pakistan’s sincere diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the war in the Middle East”. During the conversation, PM Shehbaz reiterated “strong condemnation” of the attacks on Kuwait and expressed solidarity and support for the people of the Gulf country in these challenging times, the statement said. PM Shehbaz also offered condolences on the loss of precious lives and prayed for the recovery of the injured, it added. “While expressing deep appreciation of the prime minister’s leadership, the crown prince of Kuwait fully endorsed Pakistan’s efforts for mediation between Iran and the US,” the statement said. The crown prince thanked the prim... -
Dawn - 12:46 Mar 27, 2026
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Friday condemned statements against Pakistan’s status under the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+). The remarks come a day after as government officials bitterly criticised ex-premier Imran Khan’s son Kasim and party leader Zulfi Bukhari for allegedly attempting to derail the country’s GSP+ status in a speech he made at the sidelines of a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) moot. It should be mentioned that, according to a fact check by iVerify, the claim that Kasim demanded the suspension of Pakistan’s GSP+ status at the UNHRC summit was found to be false. Addressing a press conference in Lahore, FPCCI officials, including Vice Chairman Zaki Aijaz and United Business Group Patron-in-Chief S.M. Tanveer condemned statements against the country’s GSP+ status. In his remarks, Aijaz said that “ensuring the protection of the GSP+ status is a national responsibility”. “FPCCI and the business community con... -
Dawn - 12:19 Mar 27, 2026
After a month of US-Israel war on Iran with no clear end in sight, Iranians tell AFP about how life has changed, about watching missiles fall, and how security forces have tightened their grip. Here is a collection of interviews conducted with Iranians, mostly people in Tehran, who shared their experiences with AFP journalists outside the country. Their names have been changed to protect their identities. Iran has been arresting and warning citizens about speaking to journalists or sending images outside the country amid an internet blackout and severe phone network restrictions. Economic pressure Iran was already suffering economically before the war, but the conflict has sparked even higher inflation and brought many industries to a standstill. “My income comes from my online shop, but for the past two months I’ve had no income at all,” Golnar from Tehran told AFP. “In our family, everyone is working and we don’t even pay rent, yet we still can’t think about things like going to restaurants or any kind of l... -
Dawn - 12:14 Mar 27, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday fixed the hearing for PTI founder Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi’s petitions against their conviction in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust corruption case on March 31. According to the cause list issued by the IHC registrar’s office, a division bench — comprising IHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif — will hear the pleas seeking suspension of Imran and his spouse’s sentences on March 31. An accountability court in Islamabad had sentenced Imran and Bushra to 14 and seven years in prison, respectively, on Jan 17, 2025, in the £190m graft case, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case. At the last hearing of the case, held on March 11, the IHC imposed a fine of Rs100,000 on the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for employing “delaying tactics” in the case. However, a later written order did not include any direction regarding the imposition of a fine. The court had directed the anti-graft body to come prepared on the ne... -
Dawn - 11:29 Mar 27, 2026
China’s foreign ministry accused the media of publishing “false information” on Friday following a report that said the country’s top semiconductor firm has sent chipmaking tools to Iran. The report, which cited information from two unidentified senior officials in US President Donald Trump’s administration, said contract chipmaker SMIC “began sending the tools to Iran roughly a year ago”. A US official was quoted in the report as saying they had “no reason to believe that any of this has stopped”. China is a key partner of Iran but has not announced military assistance to Tehran in the war triggered by US-Israeli strikes on February 28, repeatedly calling for a ceasefire. The chipmaker, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), did not respond to an AFP request for comment on Friday. Asked about the report at a regular news conference in Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said he was “not familiar with the situation”. “What I can tell you is that recently, some media have been k... -
Dawn - 10:19 Mar 27, 2026
Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday approved the surrender of the Rs265 million to the national exchequer in efforts to support the government’s austerity drive. On March 9, the government announced a host of austerity measures to conserve fuel in view of the global fuel crisis triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran. In a post on its X account, the Senate said that the chairman has approved the surrender of Rs265m as an “immediate measure” to the Finance Division, adding that efforts were also underway to “identify additional savings by curtailing expenses in the coming weeks to deposit in the national exchequer”. According to the statement, he directed the Senate Secretariat to ensure the implementation of the austerity measures in accordance with the austerity drive announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Gilani emphasised that “the Senate, as a key constitutional institution, fully recognises the importance of fiscal discipline in the current economic circumstances and remains committed to sup... -
Dawn - 10:04 Mar 27, 2026
Ukraine and Saudi Arabia have signed an air defence agreement during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the kingdom, which is facing Iranian drone attacks, two senior officials told AFP on Friday. Kyiv has sought to leverage its expertise in downing Russian drones to help Gulf nations, which are being attacked with the same kind of Iranian-designed Shahed drones that Russia fires on Ukraine. “The point of the agreement is that Ukraine will support them in developing all the necessary components of air defence, which they currently lack,” one official said of the document which, according to another was signed on Thursday. Both spoke to AFP on the condition of anonymity. Kyiv has been using a mix of cheap drone interceptors, electronic jamming tools and anti-aircraft guns to down Russian drones fired at its cities on a nightly basis for four years. It touts its anti-drone defences as the best in the world. Ukraine has proposed swapping its interceptors for vastly more expensive air-defence missiles that G... -
Dawn - 10:01 Mar 27, 2026
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast chances of rain and thunderstorms in Karachi and across Sindh on Saturday, as a westerly wave continues to affect the country. According to its three-day weather outlook issued on Friday, the PMD said that Saturday would likely bring thunderstorms or rain “of light to moderate intensity” to the province due to a westerly wave entering the country from southwestern Balochistan. Mostly sunny weather is expected in Karachi today, with a maximum temperature of 32-34 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 24°C. Humidity will reach 76 per cent before dropping to 45-55pc in the evening as a northwesterly wind is expected to turn west/southwesterly. On Saturday, the PMD forecast “partly cloudy” weather with “chances of isolated wind [or] thunderstorms/rain”. Temperatures will stay similar, at around 31-33°C highs and 22-24°C lows. Humidity is predicted between 75-85pc in the daytime and 55-65pc in the evenings. Sunday is not expected to be rainy, but the maximum tem... -
Dawn - 09:49 Mar 27, 2026
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zedong at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad on Friday, where the two discussed matters pertaining to counter-terrorism, security cooperation and the Police Exchange Programme. The interior ministry posted on social media that Naqvi arrived at the embassy in Islamabad’s Diplomatic Enclave earlier today, where he was welcomed by the ambassador. It also shared a video of him being received by Jiang at the entrance. “Discussion on the overall situation of the region also took place in the meeting,” the ministry said. The interior ministry said it was decided to hold a business conference to address security issues faced by Chinese investors in Pakistan, according to the ministry. It elaborated that in the first phase, meetings will be held with the Chinese business community present in Pakistan; the second phase will involve meetings with those who are interested in investing in Pakistan. The interior minister also said that a Special Protection Unit... -
Dawn - 09:40 Mar 27, 2026
Heavy rainfall has lashed large parts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, as well as northern emirates, Gulf News reported on Friday. As per the UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), “unstable conditions driven by a low-pressure system have brought repeated waves of rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms across the country”. Gulf News said that flashes of “lightning, booming thunder, and heavy downpours” were reported by residents in major cities across the Gulf state, from Thursday night into Friday early morning. The unstable weather also brought “thunderstorms, dust-raising winds, and reduced visibility”. Heavy rainfall also flooded the streets in some locations, according to the report. In Sharjah, heavy rain caused wadis to flow, “temporarily disrupting traffic on roads”. According to Gulf News, residents said the “skies put on a full-blown light-and-sound show — booming thunderclaps and electric streaks of lightning flashing overhead, all at the height of raging storm clouds... -
Dawn - 08:47 Mar 27, 2026
WASHINGTON: As tensions surrounding Iran once again test regional diplomacy, Pakistan is emerging in Washington’s policy conversations as a potential intermediary — a shift that signals a broader reassessment of its strategic utility beyond the traditional security framework. At an hour-long virtual briefing held on Thursday evening by the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, Congressman Tom Suozzi suggested that Islamabad’s geographic position, demographic weight and cross-regional ties give it space to play a more active mediatory role. “And we see from this negotiation with Iran right now, and the role that it’s playing, Pakistan can play more and more of a role in international affairs as a mediator,” said Suozzi, the Democratic co-chair of the caucus. He described Pakistan as “a very, very important neutral party, with friends on both sides.” The remarks come amid renewed diplomatic maneuvering around Iran, where Washington has relied on regional actors to maintain communication channels. Pakistan’s leadership... -
Dawn - 07:28 Mar 27, 2026
PESHAWAR: Repatriation of undocumented Afghan nationals was abruptly suspended on Friday after a border security official was injured in a late evening cross-border attack from the Afghan side on Thursday. The Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan was reopened on Thursday for the return of stranded and illegal Afghan nationals, after having remained closed since February 26 with the launch of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq. However, security officials at Torkham said local paramilitary forces went on high alert due to the injury of an FC official at the Awal Khan post near the border. The incident took place around 9:30pm on Thursday evening. Sources at Torkham and the Hamza Baba transit point said that although the entire staff of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Logistics Corporation (NLC), police and other government departments was present at the transit point and Torkham, they were directed to immediately stop the regi... -
Dawn - 06:33 Mar 27, 2026
North Korea and Belarus’s strongmen leaders signed a “friendship and cooperation” treaty after Kim Jong Un gave a lavish welcome to President Alexander Lukashenko on his maiden visit. Besides supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine — around 2,000 North Korean soldiers are thought to have died — both nations are under Western sanctions and are accused of gross human rights violations. The two men met last year in China. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, attend a banquet for Lukashenko in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this picture released by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency on March 27, 2026. —AFP “In the modern realities of global transformation — at a time when the world’s major powers openly ignore and violate the norms of international law — independent countries must cooperate more closely and consolidate their efforts aimed at protecting their sovereignty and improving the well-being of their citizens,” Belarusian state news agency Belta quoted Lukashe... -
Dawn - 06:23 Mar 27, 2026
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported a magnitude 5.3 earthquake felt in the northern regions of the country on Friday morning. According to a statement issued by the PMD, the earthquake was recorded at 9:53am at latitude 36.71° north and longitude 74.44° east. Its epicentre was recorded in northwestern Kashmir, 84 kilometres northeast of Gilgit, at a depth of 12km. The statement said that tremors were reported to be felt in Gilgit, Skardu, Pattan, Balakot and surrounding areas. Pakistan falls on three major tectonic plates — the Arabian, Euro-Asian and Indian — which create five seismic zones under the country. The intersection of multiple fault lines means that tectonic movements remain a frequent occurrence in the region. A 5.6-magnitude earthquake jolted Islamabad and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in late February. Earlier that month, a 4.5-magnitude earthquake jolted parts of northern Pakistan, a day after another earthquake of magnitude 5.9 that jolted parts of KP. -
Dawn - 02:21 Mar 27, 2026
• Dar confirms facilitating indirect talks between Washington and Tehran • Chances of face-to-face meeting over the weekend remain low, but both sides continue to engage on proposals • Diplomats involved in the process say Araghchi in constant contact with Pakistani officials • Ankara and Cairo also among venue options, but Tehran maintains preference for Islamabad ISLAMABAD: Chances of negotiations between the United States and Iran opening up at the end of President Donald Trump’s five-day pause remain limited, but a Pakistan-led initiative — in coordination with Turkey and Egypt — has created a narrow de-escalation window. Islamabad, meanwhile, has emerged as the preferred venue for any initial engagement, even as the gap between the two sides remains wide, diplomats from the region told Dawn. Pakistan has taken centre-stage in a process being carried out in collaboration with Ankara and Cairo, with officials confirming that indirect exchanges between Washington and Tehran are continuing through structur... -
Dawn - 21:28 Mar 26, 2026
On 27th day of the US-Israeli war on Iran, the conflict has continued to be fully kinetic with no sign of de-escalation, even as US President Donald Trump’s five-day pause expires on Friday. Meanwhile, the overall trajectory of the conflict points towards an imminent widening of hostilities across multiple theatres. Over the past 24 hours, direct strikes inside Iran intensified. Multiple explosions were reported across central, southern and eastern Tehran, with air defence systems activated across the capital, while additional strikes hit Khorramabad, triggering blackouts and being followed by rescue operations. Reports also indicated damage in areas where residences and infrastructure are located in Mashhad. Iran’s response, both directly and through its regional network of allies, showed a marked escalation in tempo and scale. Missile and drone strikes continued against Israeli targets, with reports suggesting improved penetration rates against air defences and expanded targeting of defence, industrial and ... -
Dawn - 20:25 Mar 26, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met a delegation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) in Karachi on Thursday and commended the services of former Sindh governor Kamran Tessori, who has been replaced by the PML-N’s Nehal Hashmi, a statement issued by the PM’s Office (PMO) said. Both Tessori and Hashmi also attended the meeting. During the meeting, views were also exchanged on the country’s political situation, the statement said, adding that the PM informed the delegation about Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts and initiatives for establishing peace in the region. The meeting also discussed matters related to the situation in Sindh, including Karachi, and development projects, the statement said. According to the statement, the MQM-P delegation was led by party Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and included Tessori, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, Farooq Sattar and others. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahsan Iqbal, Attaullah Tarar, Minister of St... -
Dawn - 19:16 Mar 26, 2026
A US judge questioned on Thursday whether the US can bar Venezuela from funding Nicolas Maduro’s legal defence without violating his US constitutional rights, but stopped short of dismissing drug-trafficking charges against the ousted Venezuelan president facing trial in New York. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, wore beige prison garb to the hearing in Manhattan federal court over two months after US military forces captured them in a surprise raid on Caracas and ferried them to American soil. Maduro, 63, and Flores, 69, have pleaded not guilty to charges including narcoterrorism conspiracy and have been jailed in Brooklyn pending trial. They had asked US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein to dismiss the charges, saying their inability to rely on Venezuelan public funds due to US sanctions on Venezuela was interfering with their right to have a lawyer of their choosing under the Sixth Amendment of the US Constitution. All criminal defendants in the US have constitutional rights regardless of whether they are... -
Dawn - 18:08 Mar 26, 2026
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday for an unannounced visit, as the war in Iran spurs interest among Gulf countries in Ukrainian arms technology. The two countries are set to sign an agreement on “security cooperation — in particular, the protection of the skies”, later on Thursday, a senior official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. They did not provide further details of what was set to be in the accord. Kyiv has sought to leverage its expertise in downing Russian drones to help Gulf nations, which are being attacked with the same Iranian-designed Shahed drones that Russia fires on Ukraine. Zelensky has said that more than 200 Ukrainian anti-drone experts have been deployed to several countries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, since the US-Israel strikes on Iran spurred retaliatory drone and missile attacks targetting US assets and bases from Tehran. While Tehran accepts responsibility for some of the attacks, it denies having a role in others, ... -
Dawn - 17:11 Mar 26, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Thursday approved a Rs100 billion supplementary grant for the prime minister’s austerity fund created to finance the petroleum pricing subsidy. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presided over the ECC meeting, which approved a summary submitted by the Ministry of Finance, seeking a Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) of Rs100bn for onward transfer to the austerity fund. “The committee was informed that, in light of evolving developments in the Gulf region and their potential impact on international petroleum prices, the prime minister had directed the mobilisation of Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) resources to meet price differential requirements on petroleum products and to cushion consumers from price volatility,” an official statement said. During the discussion, the ECC noted that the proposed allocation was being met through rationalisation and surrender of PSDP funds by various ministries and divisions, as coordinated by the Ministry o...
8986 items