Dawn
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Dawn - 16:59 Jul 16, 2026
LAHORE: A judicial magistrate on Thursday dismissed the post-arrest bail petition of podcast host Rehan Tariq in a case registered under blasphemy laws and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered a first information report (FIR) against the YouTuber on June 25, after he conducted a podcast with a religious scholar and discussed highly sensitive and controversial sectarian issues, sparking controversy among followers of different sects. The NCCIA had arrested the Youtuber from Lahore’s international airport upon his arrival from abroad. On Tuesday, he was sent on judicial remand by a magistrate. Advocate Mian Dawood argued before the magistrate on behalf of the petitioner, saying 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 were constitutionally protected journalistic functions. He furt... -
Dawn - 16:45 Jul 16, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The European Union on Thursday noted “issues” in Pakistan’s compliance with its commitments under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) and cautioned that Islamabad would have to address those shortcomings to qualify under the revised GSP framework. The caution came in the European Commission’s latest report on the implementation of the GSP over the 2023-2025 period, which said Pakistan had “been facing compliance issues with its GSP+ obligations” and had “regressed in a number of areas while positive change was limited”. Looking ahead, the Commission said Pakistan’s continued access to the EU’s preferential trade regime would depend on tangible improvements in areas where concerns persisted. “To ensure further GSP+ eligibility and compliance with international commitments, including in view of the revised GSP rules as of 2027, key priorities for future engagement include: ensuring accountability for human rights violations; increased efforts against torture; in prison and capital punis... -
Dawn - 15:29 Jul 16, 2026
“Sonam sir is not doing so well, and his rib cage has started showing,” said Vijeta Dahiya, spokesperson for the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), speaking from New Delhi, where the educationist, Sonam Wangchuk, is on the 19th day of hunger strike. “He’s nearly 60, has lost muscle mass; the heat and humidity are not helping either and I can see him having dizzy spells,” he added. Wangchuk, a well-known public figure in India and among international water conservation circles, is known for innovations such as the ice stupa, which communities in Pakistan’s Baltistan region have also sought to replicate. He is a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, often referred to as Asia’s Nobel Prize. Last year, he was invited to speak at Dawn’s Breathe conference. “His coming aboard has given our cause a huge boost,” said Dahiya and explained how the online satirical political movement, founded on 16 May 2026, emerged in response to remarks by Justice Surya Kant, a judge of the Supreme Court of India, likening unemployed you... -
Dawn - 15:10 Jul 16, 2026
Security forces on Thursday killed three more terrorists in Balochistan as Operation Shaban continued in the province, state-run Radio Pakistan reported, citing security sources. The latest casualties have taken the total tally of terrorists killed during the operation to 91. State media further reported that 129 terrorists had been killed in Operation Shaban and other intelligence-based operations in the province since July 5. “Security sources say Operation Shaban will continue in Balochistan until the last terrorist is eliminated,” Radio Pakistan reported. The operation was launched after the martyrdom of 27 police personnel in an attack by terrorists at a police post in the Mangi dam area. Nine police personnel were killed on the spot, while 18 others were killed by the terrorists after being kidnapped. Troops from the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and police are participating in the joint operation. Balochistan has been facing terrorism for a long time, with a monthly security assessment released by... -
Dawn - 14:36 Jul 16, 2026
LAHORE: A judicial magistrate on Thursday extended the physical remand of three suspects for another four days in a case of alleged kidnapping and rape of two foreign women. Defence C police presented the suspects before the court on expiry of their previous remand. The police sought an extension of the remand to recover weapons from the suspects allegedly used in the crime. On July 2, police registered a case against five suspects on charges of kidnapping for ransom and sexually assaulting two foreign women. The alleged victims, who are nationals of the Netherlands and Venezuela, had come to Pakistan to visit their ‘friends’. During the hearing today, the magistrate asked the police what recoveries had been made during the earlier remand period. The prosecutor stated that weapons had already been recovered from two of the suspects. However, he said, a weapon still had to be recovered from the third suspect. He also told the court that they were yet to recover cash, jewellery and a watch allegedly connected t... -
Dawn - 14:34 Jul 16, 2026
Although Pakistan became an independent state in 1947, the land it occupies has long been a crossroads of civilisations. From Mehrgarh to the Indus Valley Civilisation, this region has linked and integrated South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East through trade, culture, and ideas. That historical role is again shaping Pakistan’s economic thinking as it seeks deeper ties with Afghanistan, Central Asian Republics (CARs), Russia, China, and broader regional connectivity. At the centre of these efforts is the Pakistan-Russia Business Council (PRBC), operating under the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI). With the FPCCI acting as a bridge between the private sector and government institutions, its Council has worked to expand commercial, educational, technological, and investment cooperation between Pakistan and Russia. Over the last few decades, the PRBC has helped facilitate MoUs with regional chambers of commerce across Russia, encouraging collaboration in trade, technology, ed... -
Dawn - 14:20 Jul 16, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday reserved its ruling on a thorny jurisdictional dispute over whether it retains the authority to hear bail applications in pending National Accountability Bureau (NAB) appeals, or if such pleas must be transferred to the newly established Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) under the 27th Amendment of the Constitution. Headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, a three-judge SC bench —also consisting of Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan — hinted while closing the case that the court’s determination would be announced in a day or two. The bench is seized with the dispute over whether bail applications in pending NAB appeals fall within the category requiring transfer to the FCC — now a top court constituted under the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The federal government has taken the position before the SC that both appeals and bail applications in pending NAB cases will now be heard by the FCC. Senior counsel Ibadur Rehman Lodhi, while representing... -
Dawn - 14:16 Jul 16, 2026
The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark index staged a “strong recovery” on Thursday as it surged by around 2,800 points to cross 178,000 points. The KSE-100 index opened in the green and had already surpassed the 177,000-point level by 10:02am. From 11am onwards, it maintained a gain of over 2,000 points compared to the previous close. Finally, the index gained 2,837.78 points (1.62 per cent) to close at 178,123.56 points from the previous close of 175,285.78. Topline Securities Ltd said the market “staged a strong recovery, extending Wednesday’s rebound as broad-based buying returned to the market”. “Improved investor sentiment, easing concerns over geopolitical tensions, and renewed interest in blue-chip stocks helped the index recover a significant portion of the losses recorded earlier this week,” the brokerage house noted. Heavyweight stocks Engro Holdings, United Bank Limited, Meezan Bank Limited, Hub Power Company, and Lucky Cement emerged as the top contributors, collectively adding approximate... -
Dawn - 13:57 Jul 16, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday warned that the adverse impact of fresh tensions in the Middle East, triggered by the recent US-Iran attacks, could hit the country’s economy again. The prime minister made these remarks while presiding over a meeting to review the impact of regional tensions on Pakistan’s economy and reports on austerity and cost-saving measures. According to the PM Office, the prime minister observed that uncertainty in the region persists and directed all relevant authorities to remain fully prepared to address any potential challenges. He appreciated the public for their wholehearted support during the previous national austerity and conservation campaign, expressing his sincere gratitude. The prime minister further stated that Pakistan’s economy was currently stable. He directed that a comprehensive contingency plan be prepared to enable timely action. The premier also commended the nation’s active participation in the government’s fuel and energy conservation campaign... -
Dawn - 13:37 Jul 16, 2026
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has introduced a new Transport Monetisation Policy allowing judicial officers across Punjab’s district judiciary to purchase their officially allotted vehicles at depreciated prices. According to a notification issued by the LHC registrar, the policy was approved by Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum in pursuance of the decisions of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) and the Punjab cabinet. The policy has taken effect retrospectively from July 1, 2026. Under the new policy, judicial officers will no longer receive official fuel, maintenance, or driver facilities for personal use. Instead, they will be paid a monthly transport monetisation allowance — the rates of which will be determined by the competent authority and revised periodically in line with fuel prices and economic conditions. A key feature of the policy is that judicial officers have been given the option to purchase the official vehicles currently allotted to them at a depreciated... -
Dawn - 13:09 Jul 16, 2026
Multiple X users have been sharing a video on the social media platform since July 14, claiming that it shows the Iranian Navy destroying a ship in the Strait of Hormuz amid renewed hostilities in the Middle East. However, the video is old and shows the US Navy destroying an Iranian Soleimani-class corvette vessel in the Persian Gulf. Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted once again after Iranian forces shut down the vital maritime route after exchanging heavy missile and drone assaults with US forces, with multiple US facilities in the Gulf states coming under fire on July 12, 2026. The United States military has concluded a fourth consecutive night of strikes against Iran, as Washington and Tehran both stake claims for control of the Strait of Hormuz. On July 14, a pro-Iranian account, based on its display profile and past posts, shared a video on X, showing a ship engulfed in flames in the sea, claiming to have been attacked by the Iranian Navy in the Strait of Hormuz. The post was captioned: “This... -
Dawn - 12:46 Jul 16, 2026
South Air’s inaugural flights from Karachi to Quetta, via Turbat, and to Islamabad, via Bahawalpur, departed from Jinnah International Airport on Thursday morning, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said in a statement. The authority added that the new carrier’s flight operations have “ further strengthened Pakistan’s domestic air connectivity”. “The new services represent an important addition to the domestic flight network at Jinnah International Airport, providing passengers with enhanced travel options and improved connectivity.” Initially, South Air will operate one weekly flight on the Karachi-Quetta route via Turbat and three weekly flights on the Karachi-Islamabad route via Bahawalpur. The airline plans to expand its operations with additional flights from Karachi to Peshawar, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur and Gwadar, according to the PAA. “These new air services are expected to promote tourism, facilitate trade and improve travel convenience by strengthening regional connectivity across Pakistan,” PAA sa... -
Dawn - 12:28 Jul 16, 2026
An Indian court directed authorities on Thursday to monitor the health of an activist who is on the 19th day of a hunger strike on a stage in central Delhi to demand the education minister quits, and to intervene if his condition deteriorates. It is the first time that a court has intervened in the protest, as concern over Sonam Wangchuk’s condition grows among his supporters. The instruction means he could be moved to a hospital if his health worsens. Wangchuk has been fasting in solidarity with India’s youth Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is staging a sit-in demanding minister Dharmendra Pradhan step down over exam paper leaks that affected millions of students. The 59-year-old, who has said he will continue his strike until their demands are met, has lost more than 9 kilograms since he began his fast but remains mentally alert, a doctor attending to him told news agency ANI. Acting on a petition for authorities to force-feed Wangchuk before his condition worsens, a two-judge bench of the Delhi High Cou... -
Dawn - 12:14 Jul 16, 2026
Junaid Rashid was five when his father vanished from military custody nearly three decades ago, one of the thousands who disappeared in Indian-occupied Kashmir during the 90s. But after years of the family searching for him and fighting court battles, a judge in the contested Himalayan territory declared what Rashid already believed: his father Abdul Rashid Wani was dead. It was the first such ruling among thousands of petitions for the disappeared, marking a rare recognition that many other families still don’t have of their loss. The judgement ordered the issuance of a “death certificate”, but also acknowledged a police probe that identified the army officer who took Wani into custody in July 1997. Wani, a timber trader, was stopped near his home in the city of Srinagar while carrying “a good amount of cash” on his way to pay suppliers, according to his family and the police probe. That evening, his wife and two children sat “all dressed up” waiting for him to return and take them to a wedding reception. “H... -
Dawn - 11:48 Jul 16, 2026
US Vice President JD Vance has said that late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein “seemed to be connected” to elements of the “Israeli deep state” as well as the “highest levels of American intelligence”, while also acknowledging the Trump administration mishandled its response to the case. He made these remarks in a podcast episode with host Joe Rogan that was published on Wednesday. During the episode, Rogan brought up that most people thought Epstein was linked to Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, to which Vance replied, “Yeah, Mossad or CIA or some other deep state, whether in America, Israel, or another country.” “He clearly had connections to the upper, the highest levels of American intelligence. He clearly had connections to the highest levels of Israeli intelligence,” he said. He added that he found the Epstein case “interesting” because, “as much as I know, [Israeli] Prime Minister Netanyahu, not a particularly popular person in the United States of America right now, Epstein seemed to be connected to t... -
Dawn - 11:10 Jul 16, 2026
KARACHI: A judicial magistrate on Thursday granted police week-long physical remand of three suspects in the murder case of a young doctor that drew widespread condemnation. Dr Akash Kumar, a doctor at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), was killed on Monday after robbers intercepted his vehicle near Teen Talwar and escaped with around Rs2 million that he was carrying after withdrawing cash from a private bank. Three suspects were later arrested in connection with the murder and robbery. The three men were presented before South Judicial Magistrate Zahid Ali on Thursday. Prosecutor Abdul Latif appeared on behalf of the state and supported the investigating officer’s (IO) request for the suspects’ physical remand. Seeking the suspects’ 14-day physical remand, the IO contended that more accomplices of those arrested, including a woman, needed to be traced. He added that the motorcycles and car used in the incident were yet to be recovered, as well as the stolen money. Police on Wednesday said they ha... -
Dawn - 11:06 Jul 16, 2026
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reached China’s Shanghai on two-day visit on Thursday to sign an agreement for Pakistan to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) as a founding member, the Foreign Office (FO) said. China proposed the creation of WAICO last year for AI governance. Upon his arrival in China, Dar was received by Shanghai Vice Mayor Wu Wei, Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires to China Aizaz Khan and Consul General of Pakistan in Shanghai Shahzad Ahmad Khan, the FO said on X. It added that apart from attending the signing ceremony of WAICO, Dar will also participate in the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026 during the visit and engage with other leaders to advance international AI cooperation and promote inclusive, equitable AI governance. An earlier statement by the FO said that Dar would also hold a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart, as well as meetings with other officials to discuss matters of mutual interest during t... -
Dawn - 10:49 Jul 16, 2026
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday mandatory annual testosterone screening for troops 30 years old or above, an initiative he said was aimed at combating testosterone deficiency that can undermine health. Hegseth said the screening could lead to troops being offered testosterone replacement therapy aimed at “ensuring you have the right testosterone levels to operate at your absolute best”. “Because it’s well-established science that as we age, testosterone levels often naturally drop,” he said in a video message. The screening would become part of annual testing for troops aged 30 and above, and troops could voluntarily decide whether to accept any recommended hormone replacement treatment if they were diagnosed with low testosterone levels. Troops below the age of 30 could request to be tested. The move comes as the US Department of Health and Human Services has moved to ease some restrictions on testosterone replacement therapies, including announcing last month it would seek to remove... -
Dawn - 09:42 Jul 16, 2026
PESHAWAR: A house fire in the Tehkal Payan area of Peshawar killed a couple and their four children on Thursday, Rescue 1122 said. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmed Faizi told Dawn that the rescue service received the report of the fire at around 2:30am. After reaching the site of the incident, it took the rescue team 45 minutes to bring the fire under control. The team recovered the bodies of six people from a room during its search operation. These included a husband, wife and their four children — three girls aged 11, nine, and three years, and a four-year-old boy. The man was a local worker of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Fazl (JUI-F), according to a statement issued by the party about the incident. According to Faizi, the fire apparently started in a storage area, where furniture and mattresses were kept and spread to other parts of the residential house. However, he said that the blaze was so intense that the family was likely unable to leave the single room they were staying in. The spoke... -
Dawn - 09:40 Jul 16, 2026
BANNU: A police official was martyred while six security personnel and four civilians were injured after terrorists attacked a police station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district last night, police said on Thursday. On Wednesday night, attackers had attempted to ram a vehicle loaded with explosives into Miryan Police Station, triggering a powerful blast, which was followed by a prolonged exchange of fire between the terrorists and police personnel. According to police, the terrorists attempted to storm the police station immediately after the attack. However, police and security forces responded promptly, successfully foiling their plans. Police official Noor Jamal Khan, who was critically injured in the attack, succumbed to his injuries, Bannu police said in an official statement on Thursday. Six security personnel and four civilians remain under treatment for their injuries, the statement added. The statement said the intense exchange of fire following the attempted attack had resulted in several casualti...
12392 items