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Dawn - 02:43 Jul 22, 2026
WASHINGTON: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Tuesday asked US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to provide Pakistan with $10 billion Exchange Stabilisation Support Facility to help strengthen the national economy. The request, first reported by Reuters, was confirmed by officials at Pakistan’s embassy in Washington. However, they did not provide any details. The US Treasury also declined to comment. An official readout issued by the embassy noted that Aurangzeb had sought US support for Pakistan’s road-to-market, based on improved access to international capital markets, higher foreign exchange reserves, and enhanced sovereign credit ratings. However, the statement made no mention of the $10bn request. According to the news agency, Islamabad is seeking the bilateral stabilisation facility, with a maturity of up to five years. The proposed facility would be a financial mechanism under which the US government, through the Treasury’s Exchange Stabilisation Fund, would provide loans or other backstop facilit... -
Dawn - 02:36 Jul 22, 2026
WASHINGTON: A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced legislation aimed at criminalising efforts by foreign governments to intimidate political opponents and activists living in the United States, amid growing concern in Washington over alleged cases of transnational repression involving India. The Stop Transnational Repression Act of 2026, sponsored by Democratic Senator Adam Schiff and Republican Senator John Curtis, would make transnational repression a specific federal crime for the first time. It would expand the Justice Department and FBI’s authority to investigate and prosecute foreign efforts to suppress dissent on American soil. Under the proposed legislation, individuals convicted of transnational repression could face an additional prison sentence of up to 10 years and fines of up to $100,000, alongside penalties for any underlying offences. The bill would also strengthen the role of the US Justice Department’s National Security Division and the Assistant Attorney General for National Securi... -
Dawn - 18:57 Jul 21, 2026
France’s parliament on Tuesday was set to approve a bill banning social media access for children under 15, making France the first European country to bar children from apps such as TikTok. President Emmanuel Macron has championed the ban as a flagship reform of his final term in office and pledged to enforce it by September. The bill was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate on Tuesday, with 243 votes in favour and two against. The draft law was expected to be adopted by the National Assembly on Tuesday evening, barring surprises. A growing number of countries are taking steps to restrict social media access amid multiplying warnings over its harmful effects on children. “France will become the first country in Europe to introduce a digital age limit to better protect our children online,” French Digital Minister Anne Le Henanff said on X. The ban would be rolled out in two stages, with under-15s blocked from creating new accounts from September 1. The ban would apply to existing accounts from January 2027,... -
Dawn - 18:06 Jul 21, 2026
The government on Tuesday increased the price of petrol by Rs4.93 and that of high-speed diesel by Rs7.15 per litre to pass on the impact of fluctuating global prices following renewed regional hostilities in the Persian Gulf. Following the changes, the price of petrol stands at Rs320.73 per litre and that of HSD at Rs367.21. The Petroleum Division’s notification said the new prices would be applicable on July 22 (Wednesday). The diesel price has come down from a peak of Rs520.35 recorded on April 3. Its price had started rising from Rs281 per litre after the US-Iran war broke out on February 28. The petrol price had peaked at Rs458.41 on April 3 after beginning its upward trajectory from Rs266 in the first week of March. Earlier, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik announced that fuel prices would now be fixed on a daily basis due to fluctuations in international market prices following renewed hostilities between Iran and the US. The government had been announcing weekly revisions to fuel prices since earl... -
Dawn - 17:55 Jul 21, 2026
Delhi Police on Tuesday detained Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and his sister and fellow lawmaker, Priyanka Gandhi, as well as the Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav from a protest site outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, The Press Trust of India reported. The opposition leader, also chief of the Indian National Congress party, demanded that Modi step down over the police crackdown against student protests demanding reforms in the education system. Modi must resign “for destroying the future of India’s youth”, the Congress Party leader said in a post on social media as he led a march with other MPs towards the prime minister’s residence in New Delhi. The Press Trust of India reported that as police swooped down on the site, the opposition leader could be seen lying on the ground and resisting as security personnel attempted to pick him up. He was hurt in the process. “The government doesn’t want to take any accountability, nor does it want to have a debate on it in parliament,” said Ga... -
Dawn - 17:55 Jul 21, 2026
When pent-up youth anger propelled India’s Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to online fame in May, its founder said his supporters were disillusioned with both Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party and the opposition for failing to address their concerns. Yet CJP leaders turned to opposition lawmakers and appealed directly for their support on Monday after police used batons and tear gas to disperse protesters marching on parliament to demonstrate against damaging exam leaks and corruption. Opposition lawmakers were quick to oblige on Tuesday, after many young demonstrators were injured. Police personnel stand guard as India’s opposition party Indian National Congress stages a sit-in protest calling for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation outside the latter’s residence in New Delhi on July 21, 2026. — AFP The show of solidarity with protesters could help opposition parties win valuable young voters and broaden the appeal of the CJP, which has so far focused on demanding the education minister’s resignation o... -
Dawn - 17:30 Jul 21, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Petrol Pumps Owners Association (APPPOA) on Tuesday announced a nationwide strike from Wednesday night after negotiations with the government over daily petroleum pricing failed. Speaking to the media after a meeting with the government’s team, led by Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, APPPOA representatives said their hour-long talks over the daily fuel pricing mechanism had “failed” to reach an agreement and that they were therefore left with no option but to go on an indefinite strike, as it was an issue of survival for them. The APPPOA delegation comprised Chairman Humayun Khan, Vice Chairman Nauman Ali Butt and other officials. Speaking to the media, Butt said the government’s plan to revise petroleum prices on a daily basis was “unacceptable to petrol pump dealers and unworkable”. He said their main demand was that fuel prices should be determined on a monthly basis, adding that their longstanding demand for an increase in dealer commission had also remained pending, as th... -
Dawn - 16:40 Jul 21, 2026
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday issued a detailed judgment confirming the death sentences awarded to two convicts in the high-profile 2020 Lahore-Sialkot Motorway gang-rape case, ruling that the prosecution had established the charges beyond reasonable doubt through overwhelming ocular, medical and forensic evidence. Through a short order, a two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi and Justice Tariq Mahmood Bajwa had on June 3, 2026, dismissed separate criminal appeals filed by convicts Abid Ali alias Malhi and Shafqat Ali alias Bagga. The court today issued its detailed written judgment on the appeal. The bench also confirmed the death sentences through the mandatory capital sentence reference while rejecting the Punjab government’s appeal seeking enhancement of the life imprisonment sentences awarded to the convicts under Section 365-A (kidnapping for ransom) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Gujjarpura police had registered the FIR following the horrific incident that shock... -
Dawn - 16:18 Jul 21, 2026
Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni met Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Tuesday at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional and bilateral security, and effective border management were discussed, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The visiting Iranian dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s consistent efforts and its diplomatic role in easing regional tensions, encouraging de-escalation and serving as an anchor for peace. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the resolve to maintain close coordination and cooperative mechanisms to safeguard regional security and promote mutual prosperity, the ISPR added. Earlier today, Momeni held a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the PM House. The premier expressed concern over the escalation in the Middle East and reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to sincerely mediate in the conflict between the United States and Iran. According ... -
Dawn - 15:32 Jul 21, 2026
Andy Burnham on Tuesday was to hold his first meeting with a dramatically reshaped cabinet of ministers, after removing some key figures and offering others new positions. He handed top jobs to several prominent politicians who helped pave his path to power and ditched senior figures seen as loyal to the previous leader, including finance minister Rachel Reeves. Finance Minister John Healey Britain’s incoming Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey arrives ahead of a cabinet meeting in Downing Street in London on July 21, 2026, a day after Andy Burnham became Britain’s new prime minister. — AFP British political veteran Healey, who quit as defence secretary last month over a funding row, has made a surprise return to run the finance ministry he battled for more money for the military. As defence minister, Healey was a vocal advocate for overhauling existing military infrastructure, upping investment and maintaining tougher responses to Russian aggression. Seen as a trusted and experienced figure, the 66-year-... -
Dawn - 14:02 Jul 21, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday launched a new artificial intelligence (AI)-based digitisation platform for the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), designed to replace paper-based working in governance. According to a statement by the PMO on social media, the premier described the Prime Minister Office System (PMOS) as a transformative digital platform that would “modernise governance” by “recording, communicating, monitoring and tracking every directive issued by the prime minister from issuance through implementation, verified completion and post-completion monitoring”. During the launch ceremony of the system at the PMO — attended by Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and other senior officials — the prime minister was given a comprehensive briefing on the AI-powered platform and its objectives. Addressing the ceremony, the prime minister directed all relevant authorities to ensure the immediate and full implementation of the new digital sy... -
Dawn - 13:52 Jul 21, 2026
The PML-N on Tuesday formally kicked off its election campaign in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with party supremo Nawaz Sharif addressing supporters in the regional capital. Elections in AJK, previously set for July 27, are now to be held in three division-wise stages, beginning on July 27 and concluding on August 10. Flanked by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the ex-premier began his address by noting that he was among the people of Muzaffarabad after several years. He expressed his affection for the people of Kashmir and highlighted the absence of a motorway between Kohala and Muzaffarabad. “A most beautiful motorway should be constructed along the Jhelum River from Mansehra to Muzaffarabad, and from Muzaffarabad to Mirpur,” the PML-N supremo said. He recalled that he had approved a plan for the region’s development when his party’s Raja Farooq Haider was the AJK PM in his last tenure. Nawaz said that he had never differentiated between AJK and the provinces of Pakistan. “AJK is as dear to me as Punjab... -
Dawn - 13:30 Jul 21, 2026
LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan (JI) emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Tuesday announced a nationwide highway blockade and sit-ins on Aug 7 as part of the second phase of the party’s anti-petroleum levy and anti-inflation campaign. The government had announced a petroleum and carbon levy on June 14, 2025, under an iron-clad commitment with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The JI campaign demands the immediate abolition of the petroleum levy, cancellation of costly agreements with independent power producers (IPPs), and measures to curb inflation and power outages. Addressing a press conference at Mansoorah, Rehman said that JI workers and supporters would stage sit-ins on roads connecting all districts across the country, adding that only ambulances would be allowed to pass. To mobilise public support ahead of the protest, the JI would hold 20,000 nationwide corner meetings before Aug 7, he announced. The JI emir warned the government against using undemocratic tactics to suppress the protest movement, sayi... -
Dawn - 13:28 Jul 21, 2026
A Singapore court sentenced an Indian tourist to more than two years in jail over a failed bid to steal a diamond by hiding it in his accomplice’s mouth. Mangroliya Manojkumar Kurjibhai, 41, and his accomplice visited a jewellery store in Singapore’s Chinatown on June 19 with their eyes on a 4.95-carat diamond worth $154,000, according to court documents seen by AFP on Tuesday. Mangroliya distracted the shop manager while his partner, 30-year-old Serasiya Milan Ramnikbhai, allegedly swapped the diamond with a fake hidden in his mouth, local media reported. The two men then left the store without buying anything, with Serasiya now carrying the real stone in his mouth. The theft was caught on surveillance camera, and the pair were arrested at the airport later that day – with the stolen gem recovered from one of their bags. Mangroliya was sentenced to two years, two months and two weeks in jail after pleading guilty last week, court papers said. Serasiya is in remand and scheduled for a hearing on Friday. The p... -
Dawn - 12:56 Jul 21, 2026
The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark index on Tuesday made marginal gains as investor sentiment remained cautious over uncertainty surrounding global energy markets. The KSE-100 index opened in the green, soaring by 2,442.72 points to reach an intraday high of 178,370.45 at 10:09am. However, the market dipped sharply from 12pm onwards, dropping below the 177,000-point level at 1:56pm. It then finally closed at 176,133.56 points, up by mere 205.83 points (0.12 per cent) from the previous close. Topline Securities Ltd noted that the “strong start proved short-lived, as participants opted to lock in gains at elevated levels, triggering broad-based profit-taking during the latter half of the session”. “The subdued close reflected cautious investor sentiment amid lingering geopolitical tensions and persistent uncertainty surrounding global energy markets, prompting market participants to remain selective despite the early optimism,” it added. Topline further observed that refinery stocks bore the brunt of... -
Dawn - 12:34 Jul 21, 2026
LAHORE: A sessions court on Tuesday granted post-arrest bail to podcast host Rehan Tariq in a case registered under the blasphemy laws and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (Peca). The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had registered the case and arrested the YouTuber at Lahore’s international airport upon his arrival from abroad. Advocate Mian Dawood, representing the petitioner, argued that the prosecution had failed to produce any evidence linking his client to the alleged social media uploads. He argued that conducting an interview and asking questions on historical or religious matters was a constitutionally protected journalistic function. The counsel further said the FIR did not specify which questions were allegedly objectionable. He also submitted that opinions obtained from prominent religious scholars stated that the questions did not amount to disrespecting any revered Islamic personality. The counsel argued that the petitioner was entitled to bail because the prosecuti... -
Dawn - 11:25 Jul 21, 2026
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission on Tuesday announced that elections in the region, which were originally slated for July 27, would now be held in three phases ending on August 10. AJK Election Commissioner retired Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal made the announcement at a press conference, citing the unavailability of security forces due to ongoing operations in the provinces. He said that polls will be held in three phases: July 27: 13 constituencies of Mirpur division August 2: nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies August 10: 11 constituencies of Poonch division Addressing the media, Mughal said the changes in the election schedule were made keeping in view the ongoing situation in AJK. He explained that the decision was made so that contingents of the army could be “available in all divisions in sufficient numbers” to ensure peaceful polling. “You know the conditions in Balochistan, KP and other places where incidents take place, and where our arm... -
Dawn - 11:19 Jul 21, 2026
KARACHI: The family of a missing National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) official approached police on Tuesday with an application for his recovery. The application, seen by Dawn, addressed Sindh Inspector General of Police (IG) Javed Alam Odho and stated that applicant Sohail Sangi’s younger son, Fayyaz Ahmed Janjhi, who is an assistant director at Nadra, had been missing since 6:30pm on July 20. The application further stated that the missing official’s family had tried to contact him continuously, but his phone was switched off. The family also contacted his colleagues, who said he had left his office at Ayesha Manzil at around 6pm on Monday. “But he did not reach home,” the application said. Urging authorities to register a complaint of him going missing and locate him, the applicant said his son or the rest of the family had no enmity with anyone. Janjhi’s elder brother, Riaz Sohail, told Dawn that the family had approached the Sindh IG with the application, and the provincial police chief h... -
Dawn - 11:10 Jul 21, 2026
The Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah has launched a multiple-entry Umrah visa with one-year validity from the date of issuance, through which pilgrims will be able to enter the kingdom multiple times, with a cumulative stay of up to 90 days each year, state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Monday. As per the conditions of the visa, each visit would require the purchase of a service package from an approved provider on the Nusuk platform — a digital platform that lists several Umrah packages for various economic tiers. The report added that the packages’ durations should not exceed the “remaining days available on the visa”. “Entry is also contingent on issuing an Umrah permit via the Nusuk application prior to arrival,” the report added. It further detailed that the visa would be deactivated after each departure and reactivated upon meeting regulatory requirements for the next visit. However, the report said, the visa cannot be availed during the Haj season, from the first of Ziqad to the 13th of Zilha... -
Dawn - 11:05 Jul 21, 2026
ISLAMABAD: As the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday adjourned the hearing in the controversial social media posts case against Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha, senior lawyers and well-wishers celebrated incarcerated Imaan’s birthday outside court premises. On January 24, rights lawyers Imaan and Hadi were sentenced by an Islamabad sessions court to a total of 17 years in jail on multiple charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca). Imaan and Hadi last month sought an early hearing of their challenge to a February 19 Islamabad High Court (IHC) decision in the social media posts case. In that order, the court had denied their plea for the suspension of their sentences while issuing notices on it. After the SC on July 6 issued notices on the couple’s pleas for an early hearing, a three-judge SC bench led by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar took up the applications on Tuesday. The SC postponed further hearing of the petitions since IHC had fixed Imaan and Hadi’s case on July 24....
12392 items