Dawn
Source:
https://www.dawn.com
Found 10706 news
-
Dawn - 07:00 May 19, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Quetta on Tuesday for a one-day visit, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail received the prime minister upon his arrival, his office said on a post on the social media platform X. During the visit, the premier will hold a meeting with the provincial leadership in Quetta and chair a meeting of the provincial apex committee of the National Action Plan, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. PM Shehbaz had also visited Quetta on Jan 18, where he addressed political leaders and announced several development projects worth billions of rupees for the province’s education and infrastructure sectors. “Be it the soldiers and officials of the army, Rangers personnel, or those of the Levies, and the common man, their sacrifices will be remembered in history,” PM Shehbaz said during his visit. “Balochistan is a beautiful part of Pakistan, and their demand was valid to an extent,” the premier added, noting that it was “obvious that... -
Dawn - 06:34 May 19, 2026
Pakistan and nine other countries on Tuesday issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla. The joint statement by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Turkiye, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Maldives and Spain was shared by the Foreign Office on the social media platform X. It said that the ministers “condemn in the strongest terms the renewed Israeli assaults against the Global Sumud Flotilla, a peaceful civilian humanitarian initiative aimed at drawing international attention to the catastrophic humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people”. “The ministers recall with grave concern the Israeli interventions against previous flotillas in international waters and condemn the continuation of hostile acts targeting civilian vessels and humanitarian activists,” it said. “Such assaults, including attacks against the vessels and the arbitrary detention of activists, constitute blatant violations of international law and international humanitarian... -
Dawn - 05:27 May 19, 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Beijing on Tuesday for talks with his Chinese counterpart and his “long-time good friend” Xi Jinping, intending to show their ties are unshakeable days after a visit by Donald Trump. The confirmation of Putin’s trip came just hours after Trump wrapped up his visit on Friday, the first by a US president to China in nearly a decade and one aimed at stabilising their turbulent relations. Putin and Xi are set to discuss how to “further strengthen” Russia and China’s strategic partnership and “exchange views on key international and regional issues”, according to a Kremlin statement. Their ties have deepened since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Putin visiting Beijing every year since. Setting warm tones for the visit, the two leaders exchanged “congratulatory letters” on Sunday to mark 30 years of their countries’ strategic partnership. Xi said cooperation between Russia and China had “continuously deepened and solidified”, according to Chinese state media. A... -
Dawn - 02:29 May 19, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The federal government asked the provinces on Monday to increase their revenue contribution by at least Rs400 billion, nearly 40 per cent of their existing share, in the coming fiscal year through more effective collection strategies in agriculture, property and services to remain in the good books of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). At a consultative meeting with provincial finance ministers, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb conveyed the IMF’s deep satisfaction over the robust fiscal performance of both the four provinces and the Centre during the current fiscal year. Speaking to provincial ministers via video link, Mr Aurangzeb said the IMF mission currently visiting Islamabad, as well as the federal government, expected the federating units to remain equally prudent in their fiscal operations for the remainder of the current year and to perform even better next year, a senior Ministry of Finance official who attended the meeting told Dawn. The IMF staff mission, led by mission chief I... -
Dawn - 02:12 May 19, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is likely to link its Naya Pakistan Certificates (NPCs) and sovereign bonds to a regulated blockchain via Digitally Native Notes (DNNs) to enable swift settlement for retail investors, particularly overseas Pakistanis. A meeting, presided over by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the newly created Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) on Monday, discussed the tokenisation of sovereign debt instruments and NPCs. It examined potential structures, implementation pathways, regulatory considerations, and next steps for exploring tokenised sovereign instruments within Pakistan’s evolving financial ecosystem. A central element of the discussion was the international precedent for sovereign and quasi-sovereign debt tokenisation and how Pakistan can adopt a structure aligned with established global market infrastructure. “It was agreed that PVARA, Ministry of Finance and SBP will continue to coordinate on the design, governance, and phased ... -
Dawn - 01:47 May 19, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Shariat Court on Monday declared the decriminalisation of suicide attempts repugnant to the injunctions of Islam and struck down a 2022 legislation through which that act had been omitted its as an offence from the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). A three-member bench comprising Chief Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman, Justice Syed Muhammad Anwar and Justice Amir Khan announced the reserved verdict on two separate petitions challenging the amendments introduced through the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act, 2022. One of the petitions was filed by Advocate Hammad Saeed Dar in 2023 and the other by Advocates Muhammad Azam Malik and Muhammad Kashif Sulehri in 2025. Giving its ruling on the pleas, the court declared relevant provisions of the 2022 law repugnant to injunctions of Islam and consequently void. Moreover, it restored Section 325 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Prior to the 2022 amendment, Section 325 prescribed simple imprisonment or a fine or both for a person who attempted suicide. The provisio... -
Dawn - 19:02 May 18, 2026
A US jury on Monday ruled against Elon Musk in his lawsuit against OpenAI, finding the artificial intelligence company not liable to the world’s richest person for having allegedly strayed from its original mission to benefit humanity. In a unanimous verdict, the jury in Oakland, California federal court said Musk had brought his case too late. The jury deliberated less than two hours. The trial had widely been seen as a critical moment for the future of OpenAI and artificial intelligence generally, both in how it should be used and who should benefit from it. Following the verdict, Musk’s lawyer said he reserved the right to appeal, but the judge suggested he may have an uphill battle because whether the statute of limitations ran out before Musk sued was a factual issue. “There’s a substantial amount of evidence to support the jury’s finding, which is why I was prepared to dismiss on the spot,” US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers said. In his 2024 lawsuit, Musk accused OpenAI, its Chief Executive Sam A... -
Dawn - 18:51 May 18, 2026
Pakistan on Monday strongly condemned drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and expressed solidarity with the kingdom, a statement from the Foreign Office (FO) said. In a post on X, Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry reported that three drones were intercepted and destroyed on Monday morning, having originated from Iraqi airspace. The United Arab Emirates condemned the incident earlier today, while Iraq said it is investigating the incident. In its statement, the FO condemned in the strongest possible terms the drone attacks carried out against Riyadh, noting: “Such attacks constitute a serious violation of the kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and appear to be an attempt to further undermine regional peace and stability.” It added that the government and the people of Pakistan stand in solidarity with the Saudi government and people, reaffirming their “full and unwavering support for the kingdom’s security, peace and prosperity.” The incident occurred after strikes on the Barakah nuclear plant in the UAE... -
Dawn - 18:41 May 18, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Opposition lawmakers on Monday staged a protest on the National Assembly floor, demanding proper medical care for incarcerated PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan. During today’s session, PTI members did not point out a lack of quorum as the session commenced, which was chaired by Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah. As soon as the session progressed, the leader of the opposition in the lower house, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, stood at his seat and said that the deadline had expired and the government was not providing the required medical care to the former prime minister. “We had given the government time until Monday to mend its ways in this regard and had announced that we would not be part of the proceedings,” he said, adding that the opposition would also boycott the budget session. However, as he spoke, his voice was cut off and his speech was not broadcast on any official channel. PTI lawmakers also gathered around the Speaker’s seat and raised slogans in favour of their leaders. The... -
Dawn - 17:56 May 18, 2026
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday said that India would be “relegated to history” and its geography “changed” if it attempted any future misadventure against Pakistan. In an interview on the Geo News programme ‘Capital Talk’, Asif said, “As a nation, India thinks that its esteem has been damaged.” The defence minister was referring to last year’s confrontation with India, beginning with the April 22 Pahalgam attack and the subsequent military conflict — which resulted in a resounding victory for Pakistan — until the ceasefire on May 10. Reflecting on last year’s standoff with India, Asif said that Pakistan’s armed forces had given India a “devastating” response. “If India attempts any misadventure against Pakistan, it would be relegated to history and its geography would be changed,” the defence minister asserted. The defence minister also criticised the recent remarks made by Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, in which he said that Pakistan had “to decide whether they want to be part of geograp... -
Dawn - 17:54 May 18, 2026
Iran’s top security body announced on Monday the formation of a new body to manage the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has effectively closed and wants to charge ships to traverse. On its official X account, the Supreme National Security Council shared a post for the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) saying it would provide “real-time updates on the #Hormuz_Strait operations and latest developments”. The account of the Revolutionary Guards’ navy shared the same post. It was not immediately clear what the new body would do but earlier this month Iranian English-speaking broadcaster Press TV said it constituted a “system to exercise sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz” and that ships passing through the strait were sent “regulations” from the email info@pgsa.ir. Iran has largely blocked shipping through the vital strait since the outbreak of war with the United States and Israel on February 28. A fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 8. Iran’s grip over the waterway has rattled global markets and ... -
Dawn - 16:43 May 18, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday reviewed the proposed Rs1.51 trillion Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for fiscal year 2026–27, with an emphasis on fully utilising development funds, especially by sectors that were performing satisfactorily. According to an official from the Planning Division, it was an initial meeting on the PSDP ahead of the forthcoming federal budget, and further meetings will also be held on the matter. The PSDP will be finalised in an upcoming meeting on the Annual Development Programme (ADP). The official told Dawn that the prime minister has directed that more funds be allocated to ministries and divisions performing well, while funding for those lagging behind be reduced. According to an official press release, PM Shehbaz emphasised that public money should be invested in development projects that ensure tangible results. The premier reviewed the current fiscal year’s development budget and proposed projects under the upcoming PSDP for the next fiscal year... -
Dawn - 16:11 May 18, 2026
By the time health officials confirmed new Ebola infections in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo last week, the total number of suspected cases meant the outbreak was already one of the largest on record. A series of challenges and missteps delayed detection, two Congolese officials familiar with the response told Reuters, allowing the disease to spread undetected into rebel-held territory in the east and across the border to the capital of Uganda. Local funeral practices helped the virus spread before any alarm was raised, diagnostic tests in a local laboratory were calibrated for the wrong strain of Ebola, and samples sent to Kinshasa were not stored or shipped properly, the officials said. Experts say the resulting delays risk hobbling efforts to contain the outbreak, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) at the weekend declared a public health emergency of international concern. “It’s just a scattered mess right now. I don’t think we have anything close to a real idea of how many cases there are,” ... -
Dawn - 15:44 May 18, 2026
LAHORE: Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a weather alert forecasting dust-thunderstorms and rain in several districts of the province from Monday night to Saturday. According to a PDMA advisory issued on Monday, a westerly weather system is expected to affect the upper parts of the country from the night of May 18 and is likely to persist till May 23. The authority predicted rain, windstorms and isolated hailstorms in Murree, Galiyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Bhakkar, Layyah, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot and Narowal with occasional gaps during the forecast period. PDMA Director General Umar Javed said that alerts had been issued to all commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province to ensure a timely response to any untoward situation. The advisory warned that strong winds and lightning could damage vulnerable structures, including electricity poles, billboa... -
Dawn - 15:10 May 18, 2026
Saad Edhi, son of prominent social worker Faisal Edhi, was reportedly detained by Israeli forces on Monday along with other members of the Global Sumud Flotilla after at least 10 boats were intercepted in the eastern Mediterranean. The organisers of the flotilla said Israeli forces had intercepted 10 of their boats and that contact had been lost with a total 23 vessels in the eastern Mediterranean. Earlier on Monday, Israel’s foreign ministry posted on X that it “will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza”. In a video posted on Edhi’s official Facebook handle, Faisal said that at around 1pm today, “the Gaza aid flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces near Cyprus and its members have been arrested, including Saad Edhi”. He also appealed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take action following his son’s detention by Israeli forces. “They were arrested in international waters and Israeli forces have no right to do so. Israel has arrested them illegally and their whereabouts are unknown... -
Dawn - 14:17 May 18, 2026
Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim hit a glittering century as Bangladesh set Pakistan an imposing target of 427 to win the second Test after another commanding day for the hosts on Monday. Bangladesh posted 390 all out in their second innings on day three with Mushfiqur, who made 137, and Litton Das, who hit 69, putting together 123 runs for the fifth wicket. The 39-year-old Mushfiqur rolled back the years as he scored his 14th Test century, surpassing Mominul Haque’s record of 13 for Bangladesh. Pakistan openers Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal survived the last two overs of the day without scoring before bad light ended play. The visitors will need a record chase to level the two-match series after Bangladesh won the opener. Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam plays a shot during the third day of the second Test match between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet, Bangladesh on May 18, 2026. — AFP West Indies currently hold the record for the 418 they scored to beat Australia in Anti... -
Dawn - 14:17 May 18, 2026
LOWER SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: At least three people, including prominent tribal elder and chief of the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe Malik Tariq Wazir, were killed while four others sustained injuries in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast that struck the busy Rustam Bazaar area of Wana on Monday morning, officials said. According to District Police Officer (DPO) Mohammad Tahir Shah Wazir, the explosion occurred near Gulshan Plaza when a vehicle with Tariq on board was passing through the market. The powerful blast resulted in the deaths of three individuals on the spot, while four others were wounded, the official said. The DPO said unidentified militants had allegedly planted explosive material near Gulshan Plaza during the night, which was detonated in the morning. Soon after the incident, police personnel cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace those involved in the attack. Residents and rescue workers shifted the bodies and injured persons to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Wan... -
Dawn - 14:13 May 18, 2026
The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark index extended its losing streak to a seventh straight session on Monday as the market plunged by nearly 3,800 points. The KSE-100 index declined by 3,791.05 points or 2.29 per cent to close at 161,805.02 points from the previous close of 165,596.07. The market traded in red the entire day, recording an intraday high of 164,939.08 points at around 10am, before witnessing a steady decline to reach an intraday low of 161,613.51 points shortly before close. Investor sentiment has remained depressed amid a lack of tangible progress in the US-Iran negotiations, while concerns over the fragile situation in the Strait of Hormuz fuelled fears of further disruption to global oil supplies. Topline Securities Limited noted that KSE-100 “traded under sustained pressure throughout a highly volatile session”. It highlighted that “investor sentiment remained cautious amid the lack of meaningful progress in ongoing negotiations and continued uncertainty surrounding developments b... -
Dawn - 13:45 May 18, 2026
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is standardising the deadline for paying private-sector salaries to regulate wage payments across the country, Khaleej Times reported on Monday. According to a new rule introduced under the UAE’s Wage Protection System (WPS), salaries must be paid on the first day of each month for the previous month, while payments made after the first will be considered delayed. The rule is scheduled to come into effect on June 1. According to Khaleej Times, the decision was issued on May 12 following a ministerial resolution issued earlier in the month by the UAE’s minister of human resources and emiratisation. The resolution aims to strengthen compliance and ensure timely wage payments across private sector establishments. Under the new regulation, all companies registered with the ministry are required to distribute wages through the approved system or other authorised payment channels. Employers must also provide documents and data confirming salary payments. The UAE also outlined clear th... -
Dawn - 13:18 May 18, 2026
KARACHI: Alleged drug queenpin Anmol alias Pinky on Monday alleged she was facing pressure “to take names” as she was remanded into police custody for another four days in connection with a murder case. Anmol was arrested last week from her apartment in Karachi in connection with two cases pertaining to the possession of narcotics and an unlicenced weapon. She was already booked in multiple criminal cases prior to her arrest, taking the number of cases active against her to at least 15. On Monday, on the completion of her two-day physical remand in the murder case, Anmol was presented before South Judicial Magistrate Kalsoom Mustafa at the Judicial Complex inside Central Prison Karachi. It may be mentioned that the alleged drug peddler was already on physical remand in a separate narcotics case till May 22, while her judicial remand in 13 other cases extends till May 30. The magistrate directed the investigation officer (IO) to ensure that Anmol was interrogated in the presence of female police personnel and ...
10706 items