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Dawn - 03:57 Aug 15, 2026
EVER since the interior minister called for smaller administrative units to improve governance, the question of new provinces has become the subject of much discussion. The proposal has revived a long-standing debate: does Pakistan need more provinces or greater devolution to the local level? A recent discussion in Islamabad on the topic brought together politicians, policymakers, technocrats and civil society representatives. While some participants supported the creation of new provinces, the broader sentiment appeared to favour, and rightly so, the decentralisation of political, administrative and financial power through effective local governments. The case for smaller provinces rests on the view that large administrative units have become unwieldy due to racing population numbers and the concentration of authority in a few urban centres. Proponents of this view argue that smaller provinces will bring governance closer to citizens and address the challenges. Yet even they recognise that any restructuring ... -
Dawn - 03:54 Aug 15, 2026
ON the night of Aug 13, 2026, Mir Raza Ali’s father was on TV imploring — as he had been doing for some time — for justice. It is now over two weeks since Mir Raza Ali, a 25-year-old businessman, left his home on an ill-fated trip that would be his last. The gruesome nature of his death, questions surrounding the initial police investigation and the inconsistent behaviour of the officials demonstrate why parents in Karachi so fear their children leaving their homes. In this sense, there are at least three dimensions to the death of Mir Raza Ali. First is the immense grief and the individual tragedy faced by the family of the young man. The death of one so young is heartbreaking enough, but the horrific details of this case and the mystery that surrounds those who appeared to have tortured and killed him have deepened the tragedy. Second is the story of lapses in the investigation of his death and the dismissive attitude of Karachi’s police force towards the violent deaths of young people. Third, there is the ... -
Dawn - 03:44 Aug 15, 2026
ON Aug 7, 2026, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye signed the historic Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA) to strengthen collective deterrence against external armed aggression. The agreement provides that an armed attack on one state would be regarded as an attack on all parties to the agreement. Historically, Pakistan has maintained long-standing defence ties with both countries. For example, Turkiye has supplied corvettes to Pakistan, while Pakistan has supplied training aircraft to Turkiye; Saudi Arabia, too, has purchased Turkish drones. Pakistan has also provided training and technical assistance to Saudi forces. Previously, Pakistan has entered into defence and military cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia as well as other GCC countries. MJDA is grounded in international law. Article 51 of the United Nations Charter recognises the inherent right to individual or collective self-defence when an armed attack occurs against a member state. Article 51, located in Chapter VII of the UN Charter, is the... -
Dawn - 03:41 Aug 15, 2026
Polling is currently underway at 23 stations in two constituencies of Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Bagh district. Polling began at 8am and will continue till 5pm. In the third phase of polling on Monday, PPP’s Sardar Ziaul Qamar secured 16,637 votes in LA-15 (Bagh Central), followed by PML-N’s Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas with 15,015 and Jamaat-i-Islami’s retired Brig Dr Muhammad Khan with 12,259. But as polling could not be held at nine stations in the constituency, the commission withheld the result. Similarly, the result of LA-16 (Eastern Bagh) was also withheld after polling could not be held at 14 stations, which have a combined 7,238 registered voters. Results from the remaining polling stations showed that PML-N’s Sardar Mir Akbar, who secured 19,515 votes, was leading his closest rival, PPP’s Sardar Qamaruz Zaman, by 3,225 votes. In both constituencies, all five candidates had accused their opponents of massive rigging. “Since we have more than enough police and other law enforcement personnel available, we have ... -
Dawn - 03:03 Aug 15, 2026
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday approved several summaries sent by the prime minister, including the conferment of military and civil awards and a special remission of sentences for eligible prisoners. According to the Presidency, President Zardari approved military awards for 1,172 personnel of the armed forces and civil armed forces in recognition of their services. In addition, the president approved the conferment of national civil awards on 355 individuals on the occasion of the country’s Independence Day, honouring achievement across science, engineering, education, medicine, the arts, literature, sports, journalism, social welfare, philanthropy and public service, alongside a large slate of gallantry decorations dominated by personnel of the Federal Constabulary who were killed in the line of duty. The awards, announced on August 14, will be formally conferred at an investiture ceremony on Pakistan Day, March 23. Nishan-i-Pakistan The country’s highest civil award for a foreign national... -
Dawn - 02:52 Aug 15, 2026
QUETTA: Despite the passage of three days, repair work on the damaged gas pipeline could not begin as several cities and towns in Balochistan, including parts of the provincial capital, remained without gas supply on Friday. The 18-inch-diameter main gas pipeline was blown up by unidentified people using explosives in the Bolan riverbed in Kachhi district on Wednesday night, disrupting gas supplies to several districts of Balochistan. Officials said the relevant security authorities had yet to provide clearance for repair teams to enter the affected area and replace the damaged pipeline. Gas supply was suspended to several towns and cities, including parts of Quetta, after the main pipeline was blown up in the Bolan area of Kachhi district. Officials of the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) confirmed the incident and said the pipeline had been badly damaged, disrupting gas supplies. “The explosion occurred at the KMP-246 valve assembly in the Bolan riverbed area near Gorkat, around 700 to 800 metres from the ma... -
Dawn - 02:49 Aug 15, 2026
LAHORE: The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) of the Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned of possible high flooding in storm-water nullahs linked to the Chenab and Ravi rivers from Aug 15 to 21 as flows in these waterways continue to rise. The FFD said flows at major rim-gauging stations of the Chenab and Ravi were expected to remain at low flood levels during the period, while adjoining nullahs could experience low to medium flooding. However, a significant increase in flows in tributary nullahs could lead to high flood levels. It forecast no significant increase in inflows at major gauging stations of the Indus, Kabul, Jhelum, Ravi and Sutlej over the next 24 hours, although several stations could reach low flood levels. Flows at Taunsa, Marala, Khanki, Qadirabad and Sidhnai are expected to enter the low-flood range, while Tarbela, Kalabagh, Chashma, Guddu and Balloki are likely to remain at low flood levels. The FFD also warned of flash flooding in tributary streams of the Kabul River and hill torr... -
Dawn - 02:35 Aug 15, 2026
• PPDA calls off nationwide strike planned from today • Higher margin to take effect from Sept 1 ISLAMABAD: In a move aimed at averting a nationwide strike by petroleum dealers, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet on Friday approved a 15.5 per cent increase in dealers’ margins on both petrol and high-speed diesel, following which the dealers called off their protest planned from Saturday. The decision raises the dealers’ margin on both fuels by Rs1.34 per litre, from Rs8.64 to Rs9.98 per litre. The revised margin is scheduled to take effect from Sept 1. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired the ECC meeting virtually, while Finance Secretary Imdadullah Bosal attended in person at the Finance Division. The meeting was convened on a public holiday after petroleum dealers announced a nationwide strike from Aug 15, prompting the government to take up the matter on an urgent basis. The Finance Division’s statement did not disclose the exact increase in dealers’ margins. However, ... -
Dawn - 02:33 Aug 15, 2026
• Top govt functionary thinks discussion could be precursor to proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment • Proposals include bringing Karachi, Gwadar under federal control; splitting Punjab into three, KP into two units ISLAMABAD: There is a serious debate underway in power corridors over the most feasible approach to creating new provinces, according to a top government functionary, who thinks the discussion is a precursor to the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment. The government source, who is privy to developments, was reluctant to say when the proposal — still said to be in the initial stages — could materialise. He conceded, however, that turning the idea of new administrative into reality would not be easy, as building a consensus among major political parties, which appear opposed to the idea, would be a major challenge. The functionary said discussions were focused on whether new provinces should be created and, if so, how many would suffice; whether more administrative units should instead be establ... -
Dawn - 02:28 Aug 15, 2026
• Pakistan Transport Council ‘calls off’ wheel-jam after government accepts their eight demands • Oil tankers association also dissociates itself from strike after Ogra agrees to terms ISLAMABAD: A section of goods transporters on Friday called off its nationwide wheel-jam strike after reaching an agreement with the government, but major operators comprising container trailers, trucks and edible oil tankers remained off the roads, prolonging disruption to port operations and the country’s external trade. Meanwhile, fuel oil tankers dissociated themselves from the strike after the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) accepted their key demands. Oil Tankers Contractors Association General Secretary Malik Shoaib Ashraf told Dawn that oil tankers were not part of the strike as their demands had been accepted by Ogra and a notification regarding an increase in freight charges was expected next week. “The freight charges are adjusted after every two years, but it has been delayed for three years this time. An ... -
Dawn - 02:18 Aug 15, 2026
• Urges Americans to accept higher gas prices to stop Iran going nuclear • UAE accuses Tehran of attacking two vessels; shipping in the strait comes to near standstill • Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Doha condemn strikes, demand unconditional return to free navigation • Houthis strike Saudi oil site, Yemen’s Mocha port; eight killed • JD Vance confirms keeping US energy prices down is ‘goal number one’; Bessent vows sanctions ‘world has never seen’ against Tehran GARDEN CITY: US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he would “soon” declare the strategic Strait of Hormuz a US territory once Iran is defeated, even as fresh attacks on Emirati oil tankers brought maritime traffic in the vital waterway to a near standstill. Trump’s remarks at a New York rally underscored the escalating international struggle over the narrow corridor, where a grinding stalemate of retaliatory blockades has shifted Washington’s immediate wartime focus from containing Iran’s nuclear programme to preventing an energy crisis that could hit A... -
Dawn - 00:01 Aug 15, 2026
LONDON: Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam was advised to take no further part in the team’s three-day practice match against the Professional County Club (PCC) Select XI on Friday after being struck on the right hand, the Pakistan Cricket Board said. According to the PCB, Babar was hit while batting on the second day of the match at the Kent County Cricket Ground, Beckenham. Following an assessment by the team doctor, he was advised to rest for the remainder of the fixture as a precautionary measure. The PCB said Babar would participate in Pakistan’s practice session at Headingley Cricket Ground on Monday, two days before the first Test against England begins at the same venue. The development came as Pakistan were bowled out for 238 in their first innings on the second day, having resumed at 44 without loss in reply to the PCC Select XI’s 305. Pakistan’s innings followed a strong opening day for the hosts, who were dismissed for 305 despite four half-centuries, with Saif Zaib top-scoring with 65, Matt Fisher ... -
Dawn - 00:01 Aug 15, 2026
Sunny (Rahiman Ma) in the front joins in a Mongolian folk dance during a visit to the Xianghe community in Urumqi. —Photo by the writer “ASSALAM-o-Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah-i-Wa Barakatuh.” This is how our tour guide greets us soon after landing at Urumqi Airport. She introduces herself as ‘Sunny’, and then tells us that her given name is Rahiman Ma. “You are Muslim?” I ask. “Alhamdolillah yes,” she smiles and nods. Urumqi, the capital and largest city in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in Northwestern China, has an estimated population of 4.4 million people including a robust Muslim population of Uyghur, Hui, Mongols, Kazakh and Kyrgyz Muslims, that amounts to around 12 per cent of the city’s total number of people. Over the course of the next three days, I encounter many more Muslims in the city, as well as several others with Muslim-sounding names who said that they don’t follow any religion. I also notice some Arabic writing along with the Chinese Hanzi script on banners and boards, only to be informed... -
Dawn - 18:19 Aug 14, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) on Wednesday launched a new chipless National Identity Card (NIC) built around a secure QR code, replacing the imported microchip used for the past 14 years. The card has been manufactured domestically by the National Security Printing Company (NSPC) in Karachi in line with Nadra’s technical and security specifications, a statement issued by the authority on Friday said. Instead of a chip, the card will carry a secure QR code that can be scanned and verified on a smartphone through Nadra’s Pak Identity (PakID) mobile application, it added. The federal government approved the issuance of the new card on February 23 this year. The code will contain the cardholder’s information and photograph. According to Nadra, this will allow institutions to enter individuals’ names, addresses and other identity details more easily and consistently in their systems while reducing data entry errors. The card will also display a family number and symbols to den... -
Dawn - 18:17 Aug 14, 2026
LAHORE: Two men who allegedly shot dead three police officials in Lahore on Thursday were killed during an exchange of fire with law enforcers at a house in Muridke where they had held a family hostage, police sources told Dawn. Police officials identified the suspects as a father-son duo, Fayyaz Butt and Rehan Butt, saying that they were killed in a joint operation by Lahore police, Counter-Terrrorism Department (CTD) personnel, Sheikhpura police and Elite Force personnel on Friday morning after an hours-long chase from Lahore to Muridke. The suspects held the driver of a Lahore Waste Management Company vehicle at gunpoint and forced him to keep on driving to reach Muridke, the officials said. According to police, they allegedly shot dead two policemen in Lahore’s Badami Bagh area and one at Yateem Khana Chowk, Multan Road, besides injuring three on Thursday night. Initial police inquiries showed that the first armed attack was carried out by Rehan and his accomplices in Badami Bagh. The martyred officials w... -
Dawn - 17:00 Aug 14, 2026
Some sailors have reportedly tried throwing themselves into the sea, basic supplies can run short and sanitation is going awry: life on America’s giant Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier is increasingly difficult as the Iran war drags on. The ship — now in its ninth month of deployment — is expected to be replaced in the Middle East by another carrier, the George Washington, in a move sure to be welcomed by the Lincoln’s crew and their loved ones. But concerns about conditions on the Lincoln have prompted lawmakers to demand answers from Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, who insists the situation has been “misrepresented”. Jonathan Schroden, chief research officer at the Centre for Naval Analyses, said the warship’s sailors face significant challenges from their long time at sea. “Even in peacetime conditions, the quarters are cramped, the workdays are long, the food is not great, and it’s difficult to get fresh air, exercise and even a decent night’s sleep,” Schroden said. “Add to that the stress that comes with be... -
Dawn - 16:47 Aug 14, 2026
Celebrations were held across Pakistan on Friday as the nation celebrated 79 years of independence. State-run Radio Pakistan reported that the day dawned with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad and a 21-gun salute at the provincial headquarters. A change of guards ceremony was also held at the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi. Here are some glimpses of Independence Day celebrations from Karachi and Lahore. Attendees gather as Pakistan’s national flag is hoisted during Independence Day celebrations, at the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi on August 14, 2026. — Reuters Attendees wave Pakistani flags during Independence Day celebrations at the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in Karachi on August 14, 2026. — Reuters People participate in a camel carriage rally during Independence Day celebrations in Karachi on August 14, 2026. — AFP People sit in the grass during Independence Day celebrations at Frere Hall in Karachi on Aug 14, 2026. — White Star Children a... -
Dawn - 16:35 Aug 14, 2026
The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers’ Association (PPDA) on Friday called off its plans to begin a strike on Saturday after the government approved a proposed revision in the dealers’ margins. The nod for the revision was also confirmed by the finance ministry in a statement, which did not specify the amount. The Economic Coordination Committee had “deliberated on the matter regarding revision of dealers’ margins on motor spirit and high-speed diesel” during a meeting chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the statement said, adding that a revision of the margin had been approved. Meanwhile, the PPDA said the government had increased the petroleum dealers’ margin by Rs1.34 per litre, bringing the total margin to Rs10 per litre. The PPDA had threatened the strike, demanding an eight per cent increase in the petroleum dealers’ margin. Currently, the dealers’ margins are Rs8.64 per litre. As the PPDA Chairman Bakhsh announced during a press conference in Karachi that they were calling off the strike, he also ... -
Dawn - 15:08 Aug 14, 2026
India’s Reliance Industries and Britain’s Rolls-Royce announced on Friday plans to jointly design and manufacture engines for New Delhi’s multirole indigenous fighter jet programme. Reliance Industries Limited, India’s largest private sector company, has been expanding into defence production in military aerospace and advanced munitions to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. India, one of the world’s largest arms importers, has made the modernisation of its defence forces a top priority, with repeated pushes to boost domestic production. Rolls-Royce builds engines for commercial use by the world’s biggest aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing, as well as for fighter jets. The pair of industry giants issued a joint statement announcing “their strategic intent to partner and offer capabilities for the design, development, manufacturing and delivery of a sovereign indigenous combat engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme”. The statement did not reveal... -
Dawn - 14:42 Aug 14, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on President Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad on Friday and briefed him on a recently signed defence pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, according to a statement issued by the Presidency. For his part, President Zardari “expressed his best wishes for the effective implementation of the tripartite agreement with regard to defence cooperation, regional peace and stability and promotion of the security of the Muslim ummah”, the Presidency’s statement on its X account said. He also appreciated PM Shehbaz’s and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir’s efforts for “further strengthening the longstanding fraternal relations between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan into a robust strategic partnership”, the statement added. The joint defence agreement, signed on August 7 in Makkah, aims to strengthen collective deterrence and empowers its signatory states to treat an attack against one of them as an attack against all of them. Pakistan...
12682 items