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Dawn - 04:35 Jul 24, 2026
Ameerul Azeem LAHORE: Ameerul Azeem, the secretary general of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Pakistan and one of the party’s most influential leaders, was laid to rest here on Thursday, leaving behind a legacy shaped not only by the positions he held but also by the generations of activists and leaders he influenced during a political career spanning more than five decades. His funeral prayers at Mansoora were led by JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, who paid glowing tribute to the late leader’s services. The widely-attended funeral included senior JI leaders and workers, political and religious figures. Azeem remained a central figure in Jamaat-i-Islami’s leadership for decades. With his passing, the party has lost one of its senior leaders whose political journey extended from student activism to provincial leadership and finally to the national executive level. Born on Oct 3, 1958, in Islampura (Krishan Nagar), Lahore, Azeem’s family had migrated from East Punjab to Pakistan in 1947. He received his early education in l... -
Dawn - 04:28 Jul 24, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Drug dealers in the federal capital have shifted their illegal business online amid a crackdown by the police. Police officials told Dawn that drug dealers had also enlisted beggars as peddlers to sell drugs in public places, besides offering home delivery. During the current year from January 1 to July 22, the capital police arrested 1,002 drug peddlers and registered 966 cases. Besides, the police also recovered 168,337 grams charas, 102,183 grams heroin, 110,110 grams ice, 11 pills and 9,901 wine bottles. Out of the total, the police arrested 102 suspects from around educational institutes and registered 98 cases against drug peddlers around the institutes. The police recovered 20,240 grams charas, 12,164 grams heroin, 18,984 grams ice, four pills and 20 wine bottles from suspects operating around the educational institutes. Since January, over 1,000 peddlers arrested, 102 from outside educational institutions, say officials They said the drug dealers were using messaging apps to sell narcotics ... -
Dawn - 04:20 Jul 24, 2026
GENEVA: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has appointed Lahore-born Saadia Zahidi as its director general in place of Willie Walsh, who will relinquish his duties on July 31. A press release said Saadia Zahidi will take over as the air transport body’s new chief on Nov 1 this year. Sandrine Le Borgne, IATA’s chief financial officer, will serve as acting director general during the intervening period. Ms Zahidi will be IATA’s ninth director general and the first woman to hold the position. She is currently working as managing director at the World Economic Forum (WEF). Ms Zahidi is the author of Fifty Million Rising, a book which traces the rise of working women in the Muslim world. She holds a BA in Economics from Smith College, an MPhil in International Economics from The Graduate Institute, and an MPA from Harvard University. “The board is very pleased to appoint Saadia Zahidi as director general of IATA. Saadia’s long and outstanding experience at the World Economic Forum will enhance and ... -
Dawn - 03:28 Jul 24, 2026
SOME people may have watched Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade starring Harrison Ford as the eponymous swashbuckling archaeologist on a mission to find the holy grail — the cup said to grant eternal life to whoever drinks from it. In common usage, ‘holy grail’ signifies a highly sought-after goal that is extremely difficult or seemingly impossible to achieve. In this sense, economic growth is undoubtedly the holy grail of economics as it remains the most-coveted prize for policymakers everywhere. Globally, countries have reduced poverty and improved living standards through strong and sustained economic growth, not least because economic growth creates more high-quality jobs. China’s breakneck economic growth in the 1990s lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty and built the very foundation for China’s emergence as a global manufacturing powerhouse by the 2000s. At the same time, China’s rapid economic growth generated the necessary fiscal space for Beijing to build infrastructure, expand social security ... -
Dawn - 03:22 Jul 24, 2026
“My job is making windows where there were once walls” — Michel Foucault HIV AIDS is a window to our health system. Instead of erecting mental walls of apathy and ignorance, the spread of HIV among children through our so-called healthcare system, helps us open a window through which the whole system can be revisited. Only if we are for windows and not walls. After the Taunsa outbreak and incriminating BBC Eye documentary, the Punjab government first tried to defend itself and unnecessarily blamed the BBC for being misrepresentative and hyperbolic but then as the pressure mounted in the media by concerned citizens, the prime minister took notice and advised the Federal Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination to set up a ‘Task Force on Reported HIV Mishandling’. This task force, ably chaired by the state minister of health, Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, quickly convened experts and in three meetings (May 6, 8 and 14, 2026) produced a comprehensive report covering many governance, s... -
Dawn - 03:05 Jul 24, 2026
• Targets halving growth rate by 2035 • PM calls rising population one of country’s biggest national challenges • Welcomes Chinese firm’s investment to modernise Pakistan’s grain storage infrastructure ISLAMABAD: The federal government will soon convene a meeting with the provinces, the administrations of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and other stakeholders to formulate a comprehensive strategy to reduce the country’s population growth rate from the current 2.55 per cent to 1.25pc by 2035. The decision was shared during a meeting on population welfare chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday. Describing the rapidly growing population as one of the country’s biggest challenges, the prime minister said measures for population control and welfare must be treated as a national responsibility. He stressed the need to align population planning with national development, economic stability and human resource development, and called for enhanced coordination among the provinces a... -
Dawn - 03:00 Jul 24, 2026
WITH free transit of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz blocked due to the US-Iran conflict, a new chokepoint has emerged in the region: Bab al-Mandeb on the Red Sea. If free flow of marine traffic is also blocked through this passage, the impact on global commerce would be catastrophic, while the hostilities in and around the Gulf would surely spread to the Red Sea and its environs. Yemen’s pro-Iran Houthi militia had announced a blockade of Saudi ships after Sanaa airport was bombed on July 13, and an aircraft flying in from Iran was diverted to Hodeida. The Houthis have blockaded the Red Sea before, stopping all traffic to and from Israel after the Gaza massacre started, in solidarity with the Palestinians. But the latest closure may have a much wider global impact, considering the situation in Hormuz. It is keeping this in mind, as well as its own dependence on Bab al-Mandeb for energy supplies, that Pakistan on Wednesday condemned the closure, and warned against any attempts to target its vessels. Prim... -
Dawn - 02:57 Jul 24, 2026
• Flood Forecasting Division warns flows may rise further by July 25 amid new monsoon spell • Urban flooding likely in parts of Punjab, KP and Balochistan LAHORE: The Chenab River continued to remain in a high-flood state on Thursday as torrential rains lashed held Kashmir and several parts of Punjab. “The water level in the Chenab River at Marala and Khanki has subsided to medium flood. However, the river is flowing in high flood at Qadirabad and Chiniot Bridge. It is expected to subside by the time it reaches Trimmu Headworks after passing Chiniot Bridge,” a senior irrigation department official told Dawn. “This is according to a fresh report issued on Thursday evening,” he added. However, he warned of a possible rise in the river’s water level again at Marala if rains continued in held Kashmir. “Rains are still continuing in parts of held Kashmir. We will receive Thursday’s report from held Kashmir on Friday (today). Let’s see what happens,” he added. According to the Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) of t... -
Dawn - 02:51 Jul 24, 2026
RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir on Thursday said the consistent efforts of the security forces and law enforcement agencies, backed by the steadfast support of the people, would bring lasting peace to Balochistan. Addressing participants of the 20th National Workshop Balochistan at the General Headquarters, he underscored that foreign-sponsored proxies had persistently sought to fuel violence, undermine stability and disrupt peace in Balochistan, according to a press release issued by Inter-Services Public Relations. “Their nefarious designs, however, will be defeated through the firm and decisive response of the armed forces, supported by the resilience and unity of the people of Pakistan,” he said. He reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering resolve to dismantle terrorist infrastructure wherever it posed a threat to the country and its people. He reaffirmed that targeted operations against Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan would continue with ... -
Dawn - 02:32 Jul 24, 2026
• Justice Minhas rules against enforcement of Dubai decree • Judgement notes criminal findings do not bind civil courts, calls for balance between global and local principles ISLAMABAD: Dismissing a petition filed by the Gulf-based arm of a major technology company, the Islamabad High Court stresses the need to strike a balance between the principle of international comity and the protections afforded by domestic law when enforcing foreign courts’ decrees. The ruling came in a case filed by two Pakistani businessmen, Latif Hakeem and another, through their counsel Kashif Ali Malik, against the execution of a money decree obtained by a technology company from Dubai Court of First Instance in October 2021. The decree was subsequently upheld by the Dubai Court of Appeal in June 2022, and affirmed by the Dubai Court of Cassation in October 2022. The high court set aside the July 2025 order of a local executing court, which had allowed the enforcement of the Dubai decree, while dismissing the execution petition fi... -
Dawn - 02:27 Jul 24, 2026
• Association calls off strike for 15 days in late-night development after govt assurances • Most fuel stations remain open as rival group decides to stay away from protest LAHORE: A split among petroleum dealers blunted the impact of Thursday’s nationwide shutdown call, with petrol pumps remaining open in most urban and semi-urban areas across the country. However, late on Thursday night, the All Pakistan Petroleum Pump Owners Association (APPPOA) called off the shutdown for 15 days. In a video message, APPPOA Vice Chairman Noman Butt said the government had agreed to move a summary within 15 days for implementing the increase in dealers’ commission approved in December last year. It had also agreed to review the issue of daily fuel pricing within the same period. APPPOA Chairman Humayun Khan also announced an end to the shutdown call. In December, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) had approved an increase in dealers’ commission from Rs8.64 to Rs9.98 per litre in two phases by June 2026. However, the... -
Dawn - 02:24 Jul 24, 2026
• Says armed forces vigilant about situation in Bab el-Mandab; will give swift response if Islamabad’s assets come under attack • PM reassures Saudi crown prince of full support, condemns Yemeni rebels’ attacks on oil tankers • Dar meets Omani FM on sidelines of Asean moot; FO says efforts on to secure de-escalation ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday doubled down on its warning to Yemen’s Houthi rebels, describing any attack on its maritime interests as a “red line” and declaring that such a strike would be treated as an attack on the country, while simultaneously reassuring Saudi Arabia of its support and pledging to work with Riyadh to ensure the uninterrupted flow of ships through the Bab el-Mandab chokepoint. At his weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi left little room for ambiguity about Islamabad’s position. “I do not think that there is a thin line when it comes to defending our national security and our assets. This is not a thin line; this is a red line. This red line is stri... -
Dawn - 18:48 Jul 23, 2026
UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday praised Pakistan’s initiative at the UN Security Council (UNSC) to strengthen mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes, saying the move was particularly important at a time when conflicts were escalating across the Middle East and beyond. Addressing an UNSC open debate held pursuant to Pakistan-sponsored Resolution 2788 (2025), the UN chief presented recommendations aimed at making diplomacy, mediation and conflict prevention more effective tools for maintaining international peace and security. The resolution, which was presented by Pakistan during its presidency of the UNSC last year and adopted unanimously by the Council, seeks to strengthen the use of peaceful means available under the UN Charter, including negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration and judicial settlement. Pakistan had argued that diplomacy should not be used only after conflicts erupt but should serve as a means to prevent crises from escalating. “As conf... -
Dawn - 18:26 Jul 23, 2026
The government on Thursday increased the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs4.40 and Rs3.62 per litre, respectively, passing on the impact of fluctuating global oil prices following renewed hostilities in the Persian Gulf. Following the changes, the price of petrol stands at Rs331.52 per litre, while that of HSD stands at Rs378.66 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 new prices would be applicable on July 24 (Friday). 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 daily basis due to fluctuations in international market prices ... -
Dawn - 18:04 Jul 23, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has recorded a significant decline in the detection of poliovirus in environmental samples during the first six months of 2026, with the positivity rate dropping from 48.1 per cent during the same period last year to 13.1pc this year. Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq told Dawn that the improvement was the result of a new strategy involving external audits, better team selection, enhanced training and the support of law enforcement agencies. However, a polio expert cautioned that unchecked cross-border movement from Afghanistan remained a major concern, as poliovirus strains linked to Kandahar and Nangarhar had been detected in environmental samples collected from Quetta and Peshawar, respectively. According to data released by the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) for Polio Eradication, 127 environmental samples were collected across the country during June 2026 as part of routine poliovirus surveillance. Of these, 117 tested negative, while ... -
Dawn - 17:53 Jul 23, 2026
Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir led hundreds of Israeli Jews into Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque compound on Thursday, breaching the site’s decades-old status quo as he marked a Jewish day of mourning. The visit coincided with Tisha B’Av, the Jewish fasting day commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples, which is being observed from Wednesday night through Thursday this year. AFP footage showed Ben Gvir and hundreds of fellow worshippers at the Al-Aqsa compound, including Jewish settlers who lined up from the early morning hours to enter the site, where many performed prayers. “Look at what’s happening here: Jews are praying and feel that they are the rightful owners here,” Ben Gvir said in a video filmed at the compound and posted on his Telegram channel. “Everywhere, people understand that the State of Israel is the sovereign authority. There is still more to do, and with God’s help, we will continue to move forward.” Located in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem, the... -
Dawn - 17:36 Jul 23, 2026
The Republican-led US House of Representatives backed a resolution on Thursday directing President Donald Trump to halt military action against Iran unless he obtains Congress’ approval, but the Senate voted hours later to block a separate, similar measure. The House vote, the latest rebuke of Trump from Congress, was 214-208 in favour of the war powers resolution as four Republicans joined Democrats in voting for it. But the Senate voted 49 to 47 to block its own war powers measure within hours of the House vote. The House resolution, introduced by Representative Pramila Jayapal, a Washington Democrat, directed Trump “to remove the use of United States Armed Forces from hostilities” against Iran unless Congress authorises it. However, it was largely symbolic. Lawmakers have passed similar resolutions repeatedly in recent months, but they have not led to a cessation of the war. US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is followed by reporters as he walks back to his office in the US Capitol Building on July 23, 2... -
Dawn - 16:38 Jul 23, 2026
KARACHI: The police on Thursday killed the alleged abductor and murderer of a six-year-old girl in a shootout after the suspect allegedly opened fire on law enforcers during a raid in Karachi’s Keamari area. According to a statement issued by the Keamari police spokesperson, a first information report (No. 265/2026) under Sections 364-A and 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code was registered at Jackson Police Station regarding the abduction and murder of a six-year-old girl. The spokesperson stated that police obtained CCTV footage from various locations along with other available evidence, which was thoroughly examined during the investigation. “Based on the CCTV footage and information gathered during the investigation, police received credible information regarding the whereabouts of a suspect,” the spokesperson said. Acting on this information, he said, a police party reached the Mubarak Mosque area, within the jurisdiction of Jackson Police Station. “However, upon seeing the police party, the suspect opened fi... -
Dawn - 16:30 Jul 23, 2026
Torrential rains in Gilgit-Baltistan caused widespread travel disruptions in the mountainous region as flash floods and landslides washed away roads and bridges, leaving thousands, including tourists, stranded. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast rain and warned of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in GB until July 26. Floods blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH), Babusar Road, Baltistan Road, Naltar Highway, Ghizer-Shandur Road, Astore Valley Road and other routes connecting various remote areas, leaving thousands, including tourists, stranded at multiple locations. The GB Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) said the KKH was blocked at multiple sections from Dassu to Hunza and Nagar districts. Picture taken on July 23, 2026 shows a tractor stranded after landslides and floods were caused by torrential rainfall in Gilgit-Baltistan. —Photo via author Continuous flooding at multiple locations caused difficulties for relief and rehabilitation activities. Many areas remained disconnected from... -
Dawn - 15:55 Jul 23, 2026
During its war with the United States, Iran has targeted Middle East bases where American troops are stationed, turning assets once seen as a bulwark against Tehran into targets. Below, AFP examines some of the major concentrations of US forces in the region, which fall under the US military’s Central Command (Centcom). Elizabeth Dent, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said Middle East bases housing US troops “can support a wide range of missions from logistics, pre-positioning assets, refuelling, and of course combat operations”. Iran, in justifying its own retaliatory strikes, has accused Gulf states of allowing the US to use the bases to launch attacks, which Dent said was likely, though Tehran’s “perennial argument that all of these bases are inherently offensive is not accurate”. Bahrain The small kingdom hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet and US Naval Forces Central Command headquarters. Bahrain’s deep-water port can accommodate the largest US military vessels, such as aircr...
12682 items