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Dawn - 03:57 Mar 14, 2026
• Says lack of fire safety measures, disconnection of electricity and blocking of exits caused fatalities • Forensic investigation can determine exact origin of fire, commission told KARACHI: Chief Fire Officer Muhammad Humayun Khan has blamed the Gul Plaza administration for the loss of life due to lack of implementation of fire safety protocols, failure to make a prompt announcement about the fire, blocked emergency exits and disconnection of electricity without evacuating people trapped inside. He said this in response to a questionnaire from the single-judge commission, headed by Justice Agha Faisal of the Sindh High Court. In his reply / statement, Mr Khan submitted that information about Jan 17 Gul Plaza fire was received at the central fire station at 10:26pm, first fire tender was dispatched at 10:27pm and it was arrived at the site in around 10 minutes. He maintained that the one-minute response time was consistent with internationally recognised performance benchmarks while travel time was influence... -
Dawn - 03:38 Mar 14, 2026
KARACHI: Petroleum dealers have threatened to stop petrol and diesel sales after Eidul Fitr, in case the government does not revise their profit margins. Addressing a news conference at the Karachi Press Club on Friday, the leadership of Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) gave the government until March 26 to revise petroleum dealers’ margin from 2.59 per cent to 8pc in the wake of a Rs55 per litre hike in diesel and petrol rates. Currently, the dealers’ margin comes to around Rs8.64 per litre on diesel and petrol. The PPDA leaders, including Abdul Sami Khan, Tariq Hasan and Ameer Khan Masood, said the petroleum levy and hike in petroleum prices have severely affected dealers as well as consumers. They blamed oil-marketing companies (OMCs) for capping oil supplies. As a result, retail outlets are facing problems in obtaining the required quantity of oil products, drying up many pumps. They said the petroleum dealers have been urging the government for the last two years to raise their profit margin... -
Dawn - 03:07 Mar 14, 2026
RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast another spell of rain in the northern parts of the country, making it a wet weekend from Saturday night to Monday morning, while the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has asked provincial and district authorities to make necessary arrangements. The department has predicted that a westerly wave was likely to approach the northwestern parts of the country on the evening of March 14 and likely to persist until the morning of March 16. Under the influence of this weather system, partly cloudy to cloudy weather conditions with chances of moderate rain, wind and thunderstorms, along with snowfall over high mountains (with isolated hailstorms), are expected in the districts of Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battgram, Buner, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Khyber, Mohmand, Peshawar, Bannu, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera, Bajaur, Orakzai, Kurram, Kohat, Hangu, D.I. Khan, Zhob, Barkhan, Chaman, Ziarat, Gilgit-Baltis... -
Dawn - 02:59 Mar 14, 2026
• Court orders prompt handover of bodies to Iranian embassy following autopsies in Galle • Chartered flight transports sealed boxes from Mattala airport to Iran • Colombo still holds over 250 crewmen from second ship; faces Washington’s pressure to halt repatriation COLOMBO: Sri Lanka on Friday repatriated the remains of 84 Iranian sailors killed when their warship was sunk by a US submarine nine days earlier, an attack that extended the raging Middle East conflict to the Indian Ocean, officials said. The seamen were killed when the frigate IRIS Dena was torpedoed on March 4 just off Sri Lanka’s coast. The incident occurred while the vessel was returning from a naval exercise in India amid a wider US-Israeli war on Iran. An Iranian-chartered Airbus A340 transported the bodies from Mattala International Airport in the island’s south, according to an airport official who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media. The flight’s destination was not disclosed. “The departure was delaye... -
Dawn - 02:53 Mar 14, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The United Nations refugee agency has said that between 600,000 and one million Iranian households have been temporarily displaced inside Iran as a result of US-Israeli war against the country. The UNHCR’s preliminary assessments represent displacement of up to 3.2 million people, and this figure is likely to continue rising as US-Israeli bombing persists, marking a worrying escalation in humanitarian needs, according to Ayaki Ito, UNHCR Director of Emergency and Programme Support and Cross-Regional Refugee Response Coordinator for the Middle East Emergency. Most of the displaced persons are reportedly fleeing from Tehran and other major urban areas towards the north of the country and rural areas to seek safety. Also affected are Afghan refugee families, who are particularly vulnerable, given their already precarious situation and limited support networks. Families are leaving affected areas amid rising insecurity and limited access to essential services, the UN agency said. With its longstanding ... -
Dawn - 02:39 Mar 14, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Warning the federal government against what it described as “criminal negligence” in former prime minister Imran Khan’s medical care, the PTI has hinted at launching a massive movement for his release after Eid. At a press conference on Friday, PTI leaders reiterated their demand for Mr Khan’s immediate transfer to Shifa International Hospital, saying that any further delay could have serious consequences. They said the party had made every possible effort to secure appropriate medical care for the PTI founder, but the government had repeatedly rejected these requests. Flanked by senior party leaders, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi warned that the party would not tolerate such behaviour, adding that the PTI was fully prepared to launch a massive movement for its founder’s release. He reminded the PML-N-led ruling coalition in the Centre that his party had “temporarily slowed its political activities out of respect for the holy month of Ramazan”. He declared that the party’s pre... -
Dawn - 00:36 Mar 14, 2026
KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) raised on Friday an urgent national alarm over the severe and persistent shortage of essential paediatric tuberculosis (TB) medications, warning that the situation could lead to a “catastrophic surge” in drug-resistant tuberculosis in the most vulnerable population. Citing reports from healthcare facilities across the country, the association stated that they indicate “a near-total depletion” of first-line paediatric TB drugs, signalling a complete breakdown in the mandate of National TB Programme (NTP) in ensuring the availability of life-saving treatment. “As the country with the fifth-highest TB burden globally, Pakistan stands on the precipice of a man-made disaster. The systematic collapse of TB control programme is not merely an administrative issue. It’s a staggering failure of the programme and a medical emergency, threatening the lives of our children,” stated the association. Highlighting the adverse effects of persistent shortage of TB medicines, the ... -
Dawn - 20:09 Mar 13, 2026
BAJAUR: A policeman was found dead in the War Mamund tehsil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district on Friday, a day after he was abducted near the Dama Dola area, officials said. Bajaur district police spokesperson Israr Khan told Dawn that the 54-year-old Shah Munir Khan, who was on leave, was heading home with his family to the Badan locality on Thursday evening when unidentified armed men approached his vehicle, pulled him out, and took him to an unknown location, where he was later shot dead. He also dismissed reports that Munir was abducted from the Badan police station. Later, Bajaur Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Niaz Muhammad also confirmed while speaking to the media that a police team, which included senior officers, had found Munir’s body. Law enforcement personnel have increasingly come under attack in KP in recent weeks. Last week, a police officer was martyred after unidentified terrorists opened fire on a police post in War Mamund. In February, four cops were martyred, and two others we... -
Dawn - 19:57 Mar 13, 2026
PESHAWAR: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) killed six terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat on Friday, according to a press release issued by the CTD. The press release said the operation was carried out in the Shagai area within the limits of the Gambila police station on the reported presence of terrorists there. It added that the terrorists opened fire on the CTD team as they approached their location, following which the law enforcers fired in retaliation. The firing continued for around 40 minutes, the press release said, adding that six terrorists were found dead in the ensuing search operation. The press release said the process of identifying the slain terrorists was under way, following which action would be taken against their facilitators and associates. Four Kalashnikovs with magazines and ammunition, two 9mm pistols, eight hand grenades and an improvised explosive device was found in the possession of the terrorist, the press release ad... -
Dawn - 19:55 Mar 13, 2026
KARACHI/ ISLAMABAD: Several routes in Karachi and Islamabad were closed on Friday as part of security arrangements for Al-Quds Day rallies. Al-Quds Day is observed globally every year since it was first announced by Iranian revolutionary leader Ayatollah Khomeini. The day is observed on the last Friday of Ramazan to highlight the “atrocities of Israel against Palestinians”. However, with the possibility of Eidul Fitr falling on next Friday if the Shawwal moon is sighted on March 19, the Al-Quds Day is being observed today. Karachi In a statement issued by the Office of the Karachi traffic deputy inspector general of police, citizens were informed that a religious group would organise a “Youm-i-Quds Rally” after Friday prayers, marching from Numaish to Aman Tower. Accordingly, the road from Boat Basin towards Jinnah Bridge remained during the day closed. The road from PIDC going towards Jinnah Bridge on M.T. Khan Road was closed in both directions. Traffic police said, “the closures were being implemented as p... -
Dawn - 18:45 Mar 13, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Security sources said on Friday that two rudimentary drones were intercepted at different locations adjacent to Rawalpindi but were successfully brought down through electronic countermeasures. Security sources said that no damage or casualties were reported and the airspace, which was temporarily closed as a precaution, had now been reopened. Separately, the Ministry of Information posted on X that “two rudimentary drones of terrorist Fitna-al-Khawarij, nurtured by the Afghan Taliban regime, were successfully intercepted by the Pakistan security forces using electronic countermeasures”. It added that “no military or other infrastructure was hit, other than minor damage due to debris of the forced crashing of drones”, dismissing claims made in a post by the Afghan defence ministry on X. It was claimed in the post that a centre of Pakistan’s military had been targeted at Faizabad, resulting in the loss of human lives, as well as material losses. The information ministry said: “The Taliban regime’s c... -
Dawn - 18:07 Mar 13, 2026
All six crew members aboard a US military KC-135 refuelling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq are confirmed to have been killed, the US military said on Friday. The refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, in an incident the military said involved another aircraft but was not the result of hostile or friendly fire. The deaths add to the seven US service members who have been killed as part of US attacks on Iran, which began on February 28. “The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” a statement from US Central Command said. Speaking with reporters at the Pentagon on Friday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said operations against Iran would continue. “War is hell. War is chaos, and as we saw yesterday with the tragic crash of our KC-135 tanker, bad things can happen,” Hegseth said. A US official told Reuters that the second aircraft involved in the crash, which landed safely, was also ... -
Dawn - 17:39 Mar 13, 2026
Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 128 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in the rain-affected second ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday. Maaz Sadaqat was the stand-out performer of the game, blasting a rapid 75 for Pakistan before picking up three wickets. Chasing a revised target of 243 in 32 overs after a two-hour rain and hailstorm delay, Bangladesh collapsed for 114 in 23.3 overs despite a brief counterattack from Litton Das. Bangladesh had already been in trouble before the weather halted play. Tanzid Hasan fell early for one, caught at backward square leg off Shaheen Shah Afridi, while Saif Hassan departed for 12 after offering a catch to short mid-off off Mohammad Wasim Jr. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was bowled by Shaheen for a duck, leaving the hosts reeling at 27 for 3 in 6.3 overs when a sudden thunderstorm accompanied by hail forced the players off the field. When play resumed, Litton attempted to revive the chase with a series of boundaries, including two six... -
Dawn - 17:21 Mar 13, 2026
The Foreign Office (FO) said on Friday that Pakistan strongly condemned the continued closure of the historic Jama Masjid in occupied Kashmir’s Srinagar on the last Friday of Ramazan, calling on the international community to take notice. In a statement, the FO said, “Pakistan strongly condemns the continued closure of the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramazan. “Preventing worshippers from offering congregational prayers at one of the most revered mosques in the valley constitutes a serious violation of religious freedom and fundamental human rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” it said. The FO said that for the seventh consecutive year since India had revoked the region’s special autonomy, occupation authorities had “sealed the mosque and barred Kashmiri Muslims from gathering for prayers on this spiritually significant day”. “Such restrictions on religious practice, particularly during the sacred month of Ramzan, are deeply concerning,” it stated... -
Dawn - 16:05 Mar 13, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The PTI on Friday expressed grave concern over the deteriorating health of its founder Imran Khan and reiterated its demand for his immediate transfer to Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital for specialised medical treatment, saying that he was a former prime minister and the most popular leader. In a press conference, party stalwarts condemned what they described as the government’s “criminal negligence” with regard to Imran’s health and demanded the immediate transfer of the PTI founder to Shifa International Hospital for specialised medical treatment. They also called for his personal physicians to be provided immediate access to him and for unhindered meetings with his family members and the party leadership, warning that any further delay could have “serious consequences”. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, flanked by senior party leaders, criticised the federal government’s conduct on the matter, as well as what he called politically motivated cases against him. “The PTI fou... -
Dawn - 14:34 Mar 13, 2026
PML-N stalwart Nehal Hashmi on Friday was sworn in as the new governor of Sindh, following his surprise appointment a day earlier. Sindh High Court Chief Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput administered the oath at a ceremony held in Karachi. Senior leaders were present at the televised ceremony, including PPP leader Saeed Ghani and Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah. The newly-appointed governor spoke to the media after the oath-taking ceremony, where he said, “I want to give a message to the people of Karachi [..] that we will move forward with political struggle, faithfulness and honesty.” Hashmi reiterated that his party’s message was that of peace, love, and development. “We have an entire department for laptops for youth, programmes for their training, loan schemes, and other facilities,” he said. “All the federal institutions here will become functional and work for progress in Sindh,” he said. He said the provincial government would “follow in the footsteps of our sister, Punjab Chief Minister ... -
Dawn - 13:50 Mar 13, 2026
Deadly explosions rocked Tehran close to a pro-government rally attended by top officials on Friday, as Israel and Iran unleashed fresh strikes in a war that has ignited the Middle East and threatens to torpedo the world economy. Since erupting on February 28 with US-Israeli attacks on Iran, the war has cascaded throughout the region, drawn in global powers, and sparked a major oil shock. AFP journalists in Tehran reported loud blasts over the city skies, as Israel’s military said it had hit more than 200 targets in western and central Iran in the past day. Black smoke rises following an airstrike, as Iranians take part in the Al-Quds Day rally, a commemoration in support of the Palestinian people on the last Friday of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, in Tehran on March 13, 2026. — AFP Iran’s state media said at least one woman was killed when blasts hit an area near a demonstration, where large crowds had gathered waving flags and brandishing banners reading “Death to America” and “Death to Israel”. “These... -
Dawn - 13:27 Mar 13, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Data from Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Programme shows that a majority of the environmental samples for poliovirus, which causes the crippling disease, collected during the first two months of 2026 have tested negative. Moreover, a comparison of the first two months of 2025 with the current year shows a more than threefold reduction in positive environmental samples. However, ongoing Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions could create an opportunity for the virus to rebound during the upcoming high-transmission season, which may begin next month. According to a document from the Polio Eradication Programme, available with Dawn, 111 environmental samples out of 126 tested negative across the country in February. It is worth noting that sewage samples are a key indicator of whether polio vaccination campaigns are being carried out successfully. After samples are detected, polio campaigns are launched in the area to eradicate the virus. A polio case can be reported in any city due to the frequent movement of p... -
Dawn - 13:13 Mar 13, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday decided that the prices of petroleum products would not be increased this time despite the uptick in the global oil market. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Shehbaz was quoted as saying that prices were not being increased to reduce the burden on the common man. He said that as per his “promise”, he would provide relief to the people as much as possible. “The global economy is currently under pressure due to regional tensions, which is likely to have a profound impact on Pakistan’s economy,” the premier said. He said that because of timely policy-making, austerity measures by the government and financial discipline, efforts were being made to deal with this situation effectively. The premier further added that provincial governments were also supporting the Centre in its austerity measures, which was welcome. He said that due to the efforts of the diplomatic and economic teams, adequate quantities of crude oil were available for t... -
Dawn - 12:41 Mar 13, 2026
On March 10, as the US-Israel war with Iran entered its second week, the Bahrain government announced the arrest of six persons hailing from Asian countries — five of them Pakistanis — on charges of filming, publishing and reposting “videos related to the effects of the treacherous Iranian aggression”. The Iran conflict — which broke out on February 28 after the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on the Islamic Republic and assassinated then-supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with other top security officials and hundreds of civilians — has now spiralled into a Middle East war. Today, the entire region is on fire as Tehran continues to retaliate with attacks on Israel and at least seven Gulf states, including Bahrain, which has reported intercepting 114 missiles and 190 drones since the beginning of the war. In an X post on March 8, Bahrain had issued a warning against the photographing of “vital sites and facilities” and publishing them on social media. Two days later, a statement issu...
8986 items