Dawn
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Dawn - 02:05 Jul 26, 2026
Large infrastructure projects are often presented as symbols of progress. New transport corridors promise faster mobility, greater regional connectivity and economic growth. Yet, the success of such projects depends not only on engineering but also on the way they transform the lives of the people who occupy the spaces through which they pass. In Karachi, the proposed modernisation of Pakistan Railways’ Main Line-1 (ML-1) and the revival of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) illustrate this contradiction. Both projects promise substantial improvements to the country’s transport network, but both also require extensive clearance of settlements that have existed for decades along the railway corridors. The discussion surrounding these demolitions has largely focused on removing what are considered ‘encroachments’ and reclaiming public land. Far less attention has been paid to the rehabilitation of the displaced population, despite the fact that it is rehabilitation, not demolition, that ultimately determines th... -
Dawn - 19:10 Jul 25, 2026
The government on Saturday kept the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel unchanged for July 26 and 27 due to the non-publication of “Platts prices on weekends”. A day earlier, the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) were increased by Rs3.66 and Rs4.80 per litre, respectively. The current price of petrol stands at Rs335.18 per litre, while HSD is priced at Rs383.46 per litre. The government is charging a total of Rs110 per litre in taxes and duties on petrol and Rs96 on diesel. The Petroleum Division’s notification said the price increase announced for July 25 would also remain applicable on July 26 and 27. 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 ... -
Dawn - 17:50 Jul 25, 2026
Light to moderate rainfall accompanied by high winds was reported in multiple areas across Karachi on Saturday evening, marking the second consecutive day of rain in the current monsoon spell. Rain was reported in Scheme 33, Gulshan-i-Maymar and adjoining areas, while a light drizzle fell in Hassan Square. Heavy rain was reported in Gulistan-i-Jauhar. Video footage also showed commuters travelling through 4K Chowrangi in Surjani Town amid heavy rainfall. Light rainfall was also reported in Saddar, multiple blocks of Clifton and the Defence Housing Authority (DHA). In a meeting held today, the provincial chief secretary directed provincial and district authorities to activate the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and district control rooms immediately, while ordering the submission of 24-hour situation reports every morning throughout the monsoon season for continuous monitoring. Chairing the meeting on monsoon preparedness, the chief secretary stressed that contingency plans must include the ide... -
Dawn - 17:21 Jul 25, 2026
Security forces foiled a suicide bombing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s South Waziristan district and killed four terrorists, including the suicide bomber, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Saturday. According to the military’s media wing, the terrorists attempted to ram an explosives-laden vehicle into a security forces checkpost in the district. However, “their nefarious designs were checked and decisively foiled by the vigilant and resolute response of security forces”. “The attackers explosive-laden vehicle was successfully engaged and destroyed outside the perimeters of post, killing one suicide bomber in it, which failed to cause any damage,” said the ISPR, adding that the objective was to breach the checkpost. The ISPR further said that the troops “engaged the remaining intruders, forcing three khwarij into a nearby compound, where they were later neutralised in a deliberate clearance operation carried out with precision, without any casualties on the security forces’ side”. Fi... -
Dawn - 16:38 Jul 25, 2026
An Israeli airstrike on Saturday killed the head of the police force in the northern Gaza Strip, Brigadier-General Abdel-Nasser Al-Maqadma, the enclave’s interior ministry and medics said. Maqadma, one of at least five Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on Saturday, was also known as the governor of the northern Gaza Strip. He was killed in the Sheikh Radwan area north of Gaza City, medics said. The Israeli military claimed he was part of Hamas’ military wing. Israel has killed dozens of members of the police force, including senior officials, in the past months, accusing many of them of being members of the Hamas armed wing. Hamas says Israeli attacks on the police force and its headquarters are intended to sow chaos and anarchy in the enclave and violate the US-brokered October ceasefire. Medics, high school student among dead Another Israeli strike on Saturday killed a Palestinian medic in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, medics said, adding that a police officer wounded by an Israe... -
Dawn - 15:50 Jul 25, 2026
India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday after mass youth-led protests demanded his ouster in anger over a string of irregularities in potentially life-changing exams. Protesters continuing their sit-in at Jantar Mantar, a key protest site in New Delhi on a road leading to the Parliament House, and other parts of India erupted in joy after Pradhan’s announcement. They shouted “Jai Hind”, a patriotic slogan meaning “Victory to India”, as the national anthem played on loudspeakers and sweets were distributed among the crowd. Dawn takes a look at some of the scenes of joy seen in New Delhi as young CJP supporters celebrated the education minister’s resignation. Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters celebrate the resignation of India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 25, 2026 amid the ongoing protests over alleged NEET exam irregularities. — AFP Supporters of India’s Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) celebrate after India’s Education Minister Dharm... -
Dawn - 15:36 Jul 25, 2026
GILGIT: Road access to several parts of Gilgit-Baltistan remained cut off for the fourth consecutive day on Saturday as flash floods and glacial lake outburst floods (Glofs), triggered by rapid glacier melting, continued to damage highways and hamper restoration efforts. The continued flooding, driven by unusually high temperatures and accelerated glacier melt, disrupted relief operations and delayed the restoration of road links to affected areas. Director General of the GB Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) Ataur Rehman Kakar told Dawn that heavy machinery had been deployed and restoration work was continuing round the clock to reopen blocked roads. He said the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and the Gilgit-Shandur Road had been reopened for traffic, while efforts were underway to restore the Baltistan Road, Astore Valley Road, Naltar Highway and other routes connecting remote areas across the region. Despite progress on some major roads, thousands of residents and tourists remained stranded as road closures sev... -
Dawn - 15:12 Jul 25, 2026
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Saturday warned of rising flood risks across several parts of Pakistan as monsoon rains continued to swell rivers and streams, with medium-level flooding reported at key points along the Chenab River. According to the NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), medium-level flooding was recorded at Khanki, Qadirabad and Chiniot Bridge on the Chenab River, while the Palkhu Nala at Wazirabad was also flowing at medium flood level. Low-level flooding persists at Kalabagh, Chashma and Taunsa on the Indus River, Marala and Trimmu on the Chenab River, Balloki and Sidhnai on the Ravi River, and Nowshera on the Kabul River. Low flood conditions were also reported at Nala Aik and Palkhu Nala Cantonment Bridge. The authority said water flows in the Chenab River were expected to increase further over the next 24 hours at Marala, Khanki, Qadirabad and Chiniot Bridge. Water levels at Trimmu Barrage were also likely to rise to the medium flood level during the s... -
Dawn - 13:31 Jul 25, 2026
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Quetta on Saturday, where he chaired a high-level meeting with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti to review the province’s law and order situation. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior, the chief minister briefed the meeting on the overall security situation, ongoing measures and the provincial government’s future strategy. The statement said the meeting decided to further enhance the professional capacity of the Counter-Terrorism Force and Balochistan police, while expediting the implementation of measures aimed at strengthening the provincial police. It said the interior ministry assured the provincial government of its full cooperation in providing the resources required for the purpose. “The federal government will continue to provide all possible support for sustainable peace in Balochistan,” Naqvi was quoted as saying. He also stressed the need for the immediate and effective implementation of the province’s peace restoration plan and c... -
Dawn - 13:19 Jul 25, 2026
MUZAFFARABAD: E-buses announced by the PML-N as a “gift” arrived in Muzaffarabad on Saturday as the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission warned against violating the code of conduct for election campaigns. The AJK Election Commission warned that it would not allow any individual or institution to violate the code of conduct, a day after former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced development schemes, including the “gift” of 10 e-buses at election rallies in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur. CM Maryam confirmed on Saturday afternoon that the green buses had arrived in the regional capital, sharing a video that showed several of the vehicles bearing posters with her picture. The PML-N’s Friday announcement had not gone well with the PPP, which described it as “political bribery”. It then approached the Election Commission, urging it to take notice of what it termed a violation of the election code of conduct. Subsequently, an Election Commission spokesperson said feder... -
Dawn - 12:20 Jul 25, 2026
The United Nations General Assembly voted on Friday to renew Volker Turk’s mandate as high commissioner for human rights for four years despite strong opposition from the United States, Russia and Israel. By a vote of 144 in favour, 10 against, and 13 abstentions, the assembly approved the renewal, beginning October 12, 2026, as proposed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. An alternative proposal from Russia to extend the mandate by only a few months, until December 31, 2026, was overwhelmingly rejected, as was the US request to postpone the vote. Ambassador Jeff Bartos, US representative for UN management and reform, criticised the four-year renewal on both procedural and substantive grounds, accusing Guterres of having rushed the process. “Make no mistake: If this assembly tolerates procedural overreach, backroom deals, and the misuse of UN posts, there will be consequences. “The United States will immediately reassess our engagement, participation, and funding,” he warned just before the vote, accusi... -
Dawn - 11:51 Jul 25, 2026
US President Donald Trump lashed out at “fake news media” and talked about serving a banned third term as he addressed a rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Friday, three months after an assassination attempt disrupted the event. “This place is really the largest group of Trump derangement syndrome people ever put together at one time,” Trump told the media gala at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, DC. The 80-year-old started with a relatively conciliatory tone, reflecting on the attack by a gunman that forced him to be evacuated from the dinner in April. “The show must go on,” Trump said. But he quickly pivoted to attacking a wide range of perceived enemies in an often rambling speech, starting with journalists before training his fire on Democratic opponents. Trump had earlier thrown up his hands and laughed as he shook hands with a Wall Street Journal team that broke stories on his ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. But he later joked that “this has not been an easy evening, ... -
Dawn - 11:50 Jul 25, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has set up a dedicated dark web investigation unit to track and prosecute criminals operating in the shadowy realm, to effectively counter threats to the country’s interests emanating from encrypted online platforms, officials said on Saturday. Housed in the state-of-the-art National Command and Control Centre (NC3) at FIA headquarters, the unit will use modern technology to overcome obfuscation techniques employed by criminals to identify them, track dubious transactions usually carried out through cryptocurrency, and execute enforcement actions, FIA Director General Dr Usman Anwar told Dawn. He said the unit will focus on tracing criminal networks involved in creating illegal documents that facilitate human trafficking and illegal migrant smuggling and other similar subjects within the ambit of the FIA. The dark web refers to websites that are not indexed by search engines, and are usually encrypted, only accessible through specialised browsers. It can be ... -
Dawn - 11:09 Jul 25, 2026
India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Saturday he has resigned from his position, handing a major victory to youth protesters nationwide who demanded that he quit to take responsibility for examination paper leaks. India’s biggest street protests of recent years had become a political flashpoint, posing one of the biggest challenges to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as opposition politicians joined youngsters’ calls to demand action and disrupted parliament. The minister announced his resignation on X just as police fired tear gas to scatter young protesters in Delhi, hours before their leaders were set to hold another round of talks with ministers to push for the move. In a two-page statement shared on X, Pradhan said he has sent his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Considering the situation that has developed at Jantar Mantar and across the country — that anti-national forces should not take advantage of this situation, that the unity of the country should be preserved, tha... -
Dawn - 09:32 Jul 25, 2026
Security forces have killed three more terrorists in an ongoing intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Khad Kocha area of Balochistan’s Mastung district, state-run Radio Pakistan reported on Saturday, citing security sources. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in a statement commending the security forces, also confirmed the development. The security operation, conducted under an indefinite curfew, was launched after a shooting on a Karachi-bound coach coming from Quetta claimed three lives and injured five others on Wednesday. On Saturday, Radio Pakistan quoted security sources as saying that “Fitna al-Hindustan has suffered further losses” in the IBO, which has been dubbed Operation Al-Azm. The government uses the term “Fitna al-Hindustan” for Balochistan-based groups to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan. “The number of terrorists killed so far during Operation Al-Azm has reached 13,” Radio Pakistan reported. Six of these had been killed on Thursday and another ... -
Dawn - 08:54 Jul 25, 2026
A viral video of a Thai woman confronting a group of noisy Italian teenagers who exchange vulgar words and gestures on a Bangkok train prompted online backlash and an apology from Italy’s embassy on Saturday. The TikTok video, posted on Friday, was shared more than 28,000 times with the caption: “What nationality are they?? Is it time for Thailand to stop free visas yet?” In the clip, a Thai woman off-camera is heard repeatedly telling the Italian group to be quiet. “In Thailand, we don’t scream,” she says, before a woman from the group replies: “Sorry for bringing money to your country.” One boy was filmed waving and then gesturing to the camera with only his middle finger raised. The dispute escalated as the Thai woman accused the Italians of having “no manners” — and then also used vulgar language and gestures. The incident has divided opinion online, with some internet users criticising the teenagers for impropriety and disrespecting local customs, while others said the Thai woman reacted too harshly. The... -
Dawn - 07:59 Jul 25, 2026
MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission on Saturday warned that it would not allow any individual or institution to violate the code of conduct, amid a controversy over development pledges made by the PML-N during the ongoing election campaign. The warning came after former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced development schemes, including the ‘gift’ of 10 e-buses at election rallies in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur. The announcement did not go over well with the PPP, which described it as “political bribery”. It subsequently approached the Election Commission, urging it to take notice of what it termed a violation of the election code of conduct. An Election Commission spokesperson said federal and provincial ministers were free to participate in electioneering in AJK but could not use official protocol, government resources or the state machinery for electoral purposes. The spokesperson warned that the announcement of any new development scheme, ... -
Dawn - 07:44 Jul 25, 2026
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Mustafa Kamal on Saturday announced that the party would take to the streets against the injustice being meted out to Karachi. Kamal, who is also the federal health minister, made the announcement while addressing a press conference in Karachi, where he railed against the Sindh government’s indifference towards the metropolis and its people. “MQM-P has decided that it will no longer stay quiet. We will adopt all the ways listed in the Constitution. We spoke in assemblies, they do not agree. We presented a constitutional amendment, they do not agree. Now, we will make use of the streets while staying within the law and the Constitution. We will come onto the streets with the people,” he said. “The law and the Constitution give us the right to come out onto the streets. Pakistan is at a point where it cannot function under the same system any longer,” he said. This system, he said, was the one with four provinces and a federating unit. Referring to the distributi... -
Dawn - 07:35 Jul 25, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday declared the petitions filed by human rights activist and lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha seeking the suspension of their sentences in the controversial tweets case as admissible. Justice Muhammad Azam Khan announced the verdict, that was reserved on Friday, and rejected the prosecution’s miscellaneous application seeking the dismissal of the petitions on grounds of premature filing. During the proceedings, the prosecution had maintained that the petitions filed by Imaan and Hadi were premature and therefore not maintainable at this stage. However, after hearing arguments from both sides, the IHC rejected the prosecution’s objection and declared the petitions admissible for hearing. The verdict now clears the way for the please seeking the suspension of the sentences to proceed for hearing. 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... -
Dawn - 07:16 Jul 25, 2026
Growing up with a chronically ill mother in a remote village in India, Rema Begum aspired to become a doctor until her dream was cut short by her own tragic death. After years of studying and costly coaching classes, the 20-year-old believed she had finally done enough to win a coveted seat at a government medical school. Then came news that the question paper of the medical entrance examination she sat for had been leaked, and a retest was ordered. Days later, Begum was dead. She was among at least 20 students who reportedly took their own lives after the incident, according to local media and activists. The exam paper leak, alongside a string of other irregularities, has fuelled nationwide protests and public anger over an education system many students say is stacked against them. A month after her death, Begum’s father Rajaul Islam is still struggling to understand how his “gem” of a daughter lost hope. But he believes the retest announcement changed everything. “After the exam, she was absolutely confide...
12682 items