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Dawn - 10:42 Jun 14, 2025
India’s government is urgently inspecting all Boeing 787s after a devastating Air India crash that claimed at least 279 lives this week, the country’s aviation minister said on Saturday, adding that the authorities were investigating all possible causes. The aviation regulator on Friday ordered Air India to conduct additional maintenance checks on its Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft equipped with GEnx engines, including assessments of certain take-off parameters, electronic engine control tests and engine fuel-related checks. “We have also given the order to do the extended surveillance of the 787 planes. There are 34 in our Indian fleet,” aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu told a media briefing in New Delhi, without saying if the checks will apply to all Indian airlines. “Eight have already been inspected and with immediate urgency, all of them are going to be done.” Air India operates 33 Boeing 787s, while rival airline IndiGo has one, according to data from Flightradar24. The planes, however, have not been grounded... -
Dawn - 09:35 Jun 14, 2025
The residence of Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Tribal Affairs MNA Mubarak Zeb’s residence in Bajaur was targeted with a rocket in the wee hours of Saturday, according to police. Last month, an improvised explosive device (IED) had detonated outside the residence of MNA Zeb, partially damaging the house, police had said. Bajaur District Police Officer Waqas Rafique, told Dawn.com that the rocket was fired at the residence of MNA Mubarak Zeb in Bajaur. “However, it struck the MNA’s neighbour’s house, resulting in damage to the house walls and gate,” he added. The MNA confirmed the attack in a post on X as well, adding that there were no casualties in the attack. DPO Rafique added that there were no human casualties. He said that miscreants had attacked the MNA’s house for the second time in the last two months. He said that a search operation is underway in the area to track down the terrorists who launched the rocket at Zeb’s house. Zeb was one of the PTI-backed independent candidates that the party d... -
Dawn - 09:00 Jun 14, 2025
ISLAMABAD: The prices of petrol and diesel are estimated to increase by about Re1 and Rs5 per litre, respectively, for the next fortnight ending June 30, owing to higher international market prices. Based on existing tax rates, informed sources said the ex-depot price of petrol was estimated to go up by about Re1 per litre depending on final calculation on June 15, followed by Rs5 per litre increase in high-speed diesel (HSD). The ex-depot petrol price currently stands at Rs252.63 per litre. Petrol is mostly used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws and two-wheelers and has a direct bearing on the budget of middle- and lower-middle class. The ex-depot price of HSD stands at Rs254.64 per litre. Most of the transport sector runs on HSD. Its price is considered inflationary, as it is mostly used in heavy transport vehicles, trains, and agricultural engines, such as trucks, buses, tractors, tube wells, and threshers, and particularly adds to the prices of vegetables and other food items. Tran... -
Dawn - 08:57 Jun 14, 2025
• Rs100m allocated for K-IV; S-III gets Rs450m in next budget • Rs8.288bn kept for nine ‘ongoing mega schemes’ in metropolis • Murad mentions plan to bring 500 e-buses to Karachi • Says Sindh govt provided Rs26bn to KMC in outgoing fiscal year KARACHI: Although the Sindh government has been undertaking multiple infrastructure projects in Karachi for years, for the third consecutive year, it has not announced any new “mega development scheme” for the country’s commercial capital in the provincial budget for financial year 2025-26. Budget documents show Karachi gets no new infrastructure development scheme in the head of “Mega Schemes for Karachi City” in the Annual Development Programme for 2025-26. However, unlike the previous budget when the provincial government had allocated just Rs1.389 billion for 11 ongoing “mega schemes”, this time Rs8.288bn has been earmarked for nine “ongoing mega schemes” in the metropolis. Of the Rs8.28bn, the biggest allocation of Rs1.89bn has been made for the construction of a j... -
Dawn - 08:40 Jun 14, 2025
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Friday presented a Rs2.119 trillion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, featuring a record Rs547 billion development outlay, a projected cash surplus of Rs157bn and a hike in the minimum wage to Rs40,000. The budget also includes a 10 per cent increase in salaries of government employees and a 7pc rise in pensions. The budget session, however, was marred by an unusual stand-off between the provincial government and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, who did not return a summary to call the budget session, forcing the government to convene the session through a requisition instead — perhaps for the first time in the province’s parliamentary history. KP’s newly appointed finance minister, Aftab Alam Afridi, presented the tax-free budget, which projects federal receipts as the main revenue source, totalling Rs1.506tr. This includes Rs1.147tr from the federal divisible pool, Rs137.9bn under the one per cent share for the war on terror, Rs57.11bn in straight transfers, Rs... -
Dawn - 08:11 Jun 14, 2025
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Friday opposed any move by the federal government to bring the erstwhile provincially and federally administered tribal areas into the tax net and warned his government would “hamper” tax collection by the federal government in ex-Fata and ex-Pata. During the provincial assembly’s budget session with Speaker Babar Saleem Swati in the chair, the chief minister said that he had made it clear in a meeting attended by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir that the provincial government would never accept imposition of tax in ex-Fata and ex-Pata. “We [KP government] are neither imposing any taxes in the erst while provincially and federally administered tribal areas nor will we play any role in tax collection by the Centre. Instead, we’ll act as an obstacle to tax collection there,” he said. Mr Gandapur said that it was the provincial government’s “political and moral” right to discuss budgetary proposals with the... -
Dawn - 07:58 Jun 14, 2025
• Civic body says 181 kanals, and not 510 kanals, in illegal possession of housing society • Spokesperson terms latest demarcation unjust ISLAMABAD: At a time when Bahria Town management is facing tough scrutiny by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), it got some relief from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in the illegal land possession case. The CDA in its new demarcation pointed out that only 181 kanals of land of the civic agency was under illegal possession of Bahria Enclave contrary to the previous report of 2018, which had stated that 510 kanals of CDA land was in its possession. After the demarcation report of 2018, the CDA had conducted an anti-encroachment operation of a few days and retrieved some land. But the operation was stopped as Bahria had contested the demarcation report. The new demarcation report dated May 12, 2025, signed by Naib Tehsildar CDA Azhar Mehmood and Naib Tehsildar ICT, pointed out that 181 kanals and 16 marlas of CDA land was in possession of Bahria Enclave, on wh... -
Dawn - 07:51 Jun 14, 2025
LAHORE: The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf have rejected the proposed Punjab Public Awareness and Dissemination of Information Bill 2025, terming it an attempt to gag journalists by denying them the right to question. Speaking to Dawn, CPNE President Kazam Khan said the proposed law was an attempt to give legal protection to lavish public money spending for personal publicity. “The proposed law, after enactment, will allow the rulers to use public money for political gains and even launch unelected politicians’ advertisement campaigns,” he observed. Mr Khan said the proposed law would be in conflict with the Supreme Court decisions and impact the proceedings of cases in courts. Commenting on the provision of lodging complaint with the Director-General of Public Relations (DGPR) and further appeal before the Punjab information secretary, the CPNE president said how the DGPR, who is the authority to allow launch of any advertisement campaign, can hear a complaint a... -
Dawn - 05:55 Jun 14, 2025
• Urges nations to take ‘all measures necessary’ to exert pressure on Israel • World body says Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has failed in its mission UNITED NATIONS: The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urging nations to take “all measures necessary” to place pressure on Israel. Following the United States’ veto of a similar push in the Security Council last week, the General Assembly on Thursday adopted the non-binding resolution by a vote of 149-12, with 19 abstentions. The text demands “an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners. However, it goes further than the US-vetoed text, taking direct aim at Israel over its impeding aid deliveries into the Gaza Strip. It “demands that Israel, the occupying Power, immediately end the blockade… and ensure that aid reaches the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip,” which after more than 20 months of war is... -
Dawn - 05:45 Jun 14, 2025
ISLAMABAD: Barbs flew in the Senate on Friday with PTI and PML-N accusing each other of being involved in corruption. The two parties also held each other responsible for the economic mess the country was facing. Opening the budget debate in the House, Leader of the Opposition Syed Shibli Faraz said the government had set wrong priorities of public sector development. He said that while an allocation of Rs135 billion was proposed for water it was Rs227bn for roads. He alleged that it was because it was an easy way to make money. He said that the proposed federal budget for the next year had become controversial in the beginning as questions were being raised about the apparently fudged economic figures presented in the budget. “The sanctity of the budget and the numbers in the budget document appear to be compromised,” he said, adding that the budget is a manipulation of figures as serious objections have been raised over it for the first time. He underlined that agriculture contributed 24 per cent to GDP, wh... -
Dawn - 05:25 Jun 14, 2025
• Antiterrorism experts join investigation process • Govt considers ‘grounding’ Boeing-787 fleet; regulator orders safety checks • One black box found from building’s rooftop • New Delhi-bound flight makes emergency landing in Thailand after bomb threat AHMEDABAD: The investigation into the Air India plane crash that killed more than 240 people is focusing on the engine, flaps and landing gear, a source said on Friday, as the aviation regulator ordered safety checks on the airline’s entire Boeing-787 fleet. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with 242 people on board bound for Gatwick Airport south of London began losing height moments after take-off over a residential area of the western city of Ahmedabad and erupted in a huge fireball as it hit buildings below. Only one passenger survived and local media reported that as many as 24 people on the ground were also killed as the plane crashed onto a medical college hostel during the lunch hour. It was the world’s worst aviation disaster in a decade. On Friday, a sou... -
Dawn - 05:02 Jun 14, 2025
• Tax relief for low-income salaried individuals reversed by cabinet, says FBR chief • PIA re-enters privatisation process, confirms finance minister • Tax on Google, YouTube services increased from 10pc to 15pc • 4pc tax on commercial rental income deferred ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue has approved an increase in the minimum threshold for daily cash withdrawals, raising it from Rs50,000 to Rs75,000 while rejected a separate proposal to impose an additional 2 per cent sales tax on online purchases, signalling resistance to new digital levies amid growing e-commerce activity. Chaired by MNA Naveed Qamar, the committee also gave its nod to increasing the withholding tax rate on cash withdrawals — from 0.6pc to 0.8pc. However, the committee struck down a parallel proposal to raise the tax from 15pc to 20pc on loan profits earned by banks. Among other decisions, the committee endorsed the government’s proposal to increase the tax on services provided by digital pla... -
Dawn - 04:26 Jun 14, 2025
• 12pc salary hike for BS-1 to BS-16 employees • 10pc raise for BS-17 to BS-22 officers; 8pc jump in pensions • Education sector allocation increased to Rs523.7bn KARACHI: Amid noisy protests by opposition lawmakers, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday presented a deficit budget of Rs3.451 trillion for the fiscal year 2025-26 in the provincial assembly — a 12.9 per cent increase over last year’s budget of Rs3.056tr. The chief minister announced a 12pc salary increase for provincial government employees in grades BS-1 to BS-16, and a 10pc raise for officers in grades BS-17 to BS-22, alongside an 8pc increase in pensions. He also revealed that the salaries of Sindh Assembly members would be brought in line with those of legislators in other provinces starting in July. “We are introducing a Finance Bill that abolishes and reduces certain taxes and levies rather than increasing them,” Mr Shah said. Taxes that will be abolished include professional tax, entertainment duty, drainage cess, cotton fees... -
Dawn - 04:13 Jun 14, 2025
• Ayaz Sadiq distances himself from unprecedented increase in salaries of speaker, Senate chairman • NA’s sound system develops fault ‘due to PTI’s protest’ • Opposition continues to face ‘censorship’ as budget debate begins ISLAMABAD: A key government minister on Friday announced that a decision to award an unprecedented and massive increase in the salaries and allowances of the National Assembly speaker, Senate chairman and their deputies as well as federal ministers, could be reviewed and potentially even withdrawn in the wake of widespread and ‘somewhat justified’ criticism. The announcement was made by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on the floor of the National Assembly during a debate on the federal budget, after Speaker Ayaz Sadiq distanced himself from the ongoing controversy, clarifying that neither he nor the finance committee of the house had any role in this decision. The speaker even declared that he would have no objection, if the decision to increase the sala... -
Dawn - 19:55 Jun 13, 2025
Hundreds of ballistic missiles were launched from Iran towards Israel in Tehran’s response to intensive Israeli strikes as part of “Operation True Promise 3” on Friday after a day of attacks on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear and missile facilities. Iranian media outlet Tehran Times reported that 100 missiles were fired at Israel from Shiraz in the initial phase. “TV footages show that Israel’s capital Tel Aviv is in disarray and people seeking shelter as ballistic missiles are raining down on the occupied territories. The legitimate retaliatory attacks by Iran’s military is called ‘Operation True Promise 3’,” the report added. It said the attack was launched as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was addressing the nation. Khamenei said that Israel initiated a war and said it will not be allowed to do “hit and run” attacks without grave consequences. “The Zionist regime (Israel) will not remain unscathed from the consequences of its crime. The Iranian nation must be guaranteed that our response will not be ... -
Dawn - 17:31 Jun 13, 2025
Israel sent Mossad commandos deep into Iran to destroy Iranian weapons systems during Israel’s attack on nuclear and military targets, an Israeli security source said, while another official said Israel used a ploy to suggest the strike was not imminent. The Israeli officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the clandestine nature of the operations, described secret and lengthy preparations that went into an attack that sent oil prices sharply higher on fears of regional escalation. Reuters could not independently verify the accounts. Iranian officials who spoke to Reuters shortly before the attack had been dismissive about any imminent action and repeatedly said talk of strikes was just “psychological pressure” to influence US-Iranian nuclear negotiations that were due on Sunday. Iran has not given a detailed account of what its Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called “unlawful and cowardly attacks”, but it has promised a harsh response. Iran’s mission at the United Nations did not immediately r... -
Dawn - 16:43 Jun 13, 2025
Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday distanced himself from the massive hike in the salaries of senior parliamentarians including himself, saying he was not consulted before the raise was approved. The government recently approved a fivefold increase in the salaries of the Senate chairman and National Assembly speaker, taking it to Rs1.3 million a month. A May 29 notification revealed that the Senate chairman and NA speaker’s salaries have been raised from Rs205,000 to Rs1.3m, besides 50pc of the revised salary (Rs650,000) as the sumptuary allowance. The hike will take effect from January 2025. “I have full respect for the defence minister. I have nothing to do with my salary increase,” Gilani told reporters at the Senate building when asked about the hike amid an economic crisis and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s criticism of the move. The PPP stalwart said the decision regarding the raise will be made by the government. When asked if he would refuse the salary hike, he replied, “I didn’t say about ... -
Dawn - 14:20 Jun 13, 2025
Pakistan has condemned the shooting incident in the Austrian city of Graz earlier this week, where a gunman shot dead 10 people at his former high school before killing himself. A former student killed ten people and himself at a secondary school in Graz on Tuesday in the worst school shooting in Austria’s modern history, sending shockwaves through the country which declared three days of national mourning. In a statement, the Foreign Office said it was “deeply saddened by the tragic shooting at the secondary school in Graz that resulted in several casualties with many injured.” The foreign office extended “deepest condolences to the families and loved ones and wish a swift and full recovery for the injured.” “Pakistan stands with the people and government of Austria in this hour,” the statement added. Introvert, online shooting games Austrian police described the shooter as an introvert who had largely withdrawn from the outside world before he carefully planned the attack, Reuters reported. Police found dis... -
Dawn - 13:54 Jun 13, 2025
A US appeals court on Thursday allowed President Donald Trump to maintain his deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles amid protests over stepped-up immigration enforcement, temporarily pausing a lower court ruling that blocked the mobilisation. The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision does not mean that the court will ultimately agree with Trump, but it does leave the command of the Guard with the president for now. Earlier on Thursday, San Francisco-based US District Judge Charles Breyer found that Trump’s deployment of the Guard was unlawful. Breyer’s 36-page ruling had ordered the National Guard to return to the control of California Governor Gavin Newsom, who had brought the case. It was a short-lived victory for Newsom, as Breyer’s order was paused about two and a half hours later. Asked for a comment, Newsom’s press office referred to the governor’s statement after the initial ruling and noted that the appeals court put a temporary pause on the ruling but did not reverse it. “I’m confide... -
Dawn - 12:46 Jun 13, 2025
Israel’s recent strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites — including the uranium enrichment facility at Natanz — have marked a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries and the Middle East. This is not the first time Israel has taken pre-emptive action against Iranian nuclear infrastructure. For years, the two states have been engaged in a complex and often covert conflict involving cyber operations, proxy engagements, and targeted killings. Disputes over Iran’s nuclear activities — which Tehran maintains are for peaceful purposes — have long shaped the relationship. Israel has consistently called for international pressure on Iran, while the latter has rejected allegations of seeking to develop nuclear weapons. A satellite image shows the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran in this handout image dated January 24, 2025. — Reuters From deadly bombings in Buenos Aires in the early 1990s, to the cyberattack on Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility using the Stuxnet virus, assassinations of key Irani...
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