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Dawn - 04:53 May 16, 2026
• Proposes Rs430bn new budgetary measures • Suggests 18pc hike in petroleum levy target • Asks provinces to mobilise extra Rs430bn • Links power tariff relief to BISP • Sees economic growth at 3.5pc • Estimates average inflation at 8.4pc • Seeks hike in BISP payment to Rs18,000 with 40pc population vulnerable ISLAMABAD: With Rs430 billion in new budgetary measures and an 18 per cent higher petroleum levy, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has targeted Pakistan’s federal revenues at Rs17.145 trillion for 2026-27, along with a series of administrative and policy measures committed by the government for the federal and provincial budgets to be passed by the parliament. In its staff report on completion of third review of $7bn Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and second review of $1.4bn Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), the fund has projected total federal revenues for FY27 at Rs17.144tr — over Rs2.03tr higher than the current fiscal year, up 13.5pc. The report showed that Pakistan had to commit and d... -
Dawn - 03:58 May 16, 2026
BAHAWALPUR: Following the revelations by cocaine trafficker Ms Anmol alias Pinki, who is in Karachi police’s custody, that one of her countrywide drug supply network’s member, Tahir Saleem, belonged to Hasilpur, Bahawalpur district, the district as well as regional police have swung into action to nab the suspect. The district and regional police officials in Bahawalpur confirmed to Dawn that Tahir Saleem hailed from Hasilpur and was allegedly a drug trafficker. District police spokesperson Naeem Ahmed confirmed to Dawn that Tahir Saleem was a resident of Chak No 16-Fordwah in Hasilpur tehsil. Quoting Hasilpur police officials, he said that Tahir later shifted to Chak 62-Fateh in Hasilpur tehsil, but he left the place too. According toHaji Saqib Ajmal, the PRO of the regional police officer, Tahir had moved to Lahore, where on Oct 27, 2019, a drug trafficking case (FIR No.1334/19) was registered against him at Liaquatabad police station of Lahore district, under the relevant sections of the Control of Narcoti... -
Dawn - 03:10 May 16, 2026
QUETTA: Despite the passage of more than 48 hours, no clue has been found regarding the vice chancellor, pro-vice chancellor, and two other employees of Gwadar University who went missing while travelling to Quetta from the port city of Gwadar on Friday. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Abdul Razzaq Sabir (Sitara-i-Imtiaz), Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Syed Manzoor Ahmed; VC’s staff officer Irshad Ahmed; and driver Hatim Ali left Gwadar on Wednesday morning in an official vehicle. They remained in contact with their families until reaching the Mastung area, after which their mobile phones were switched off. After losing contact with them, the vice chancellor’s family informed the police and other authorities about their disappearance in the Mastung area. Police believe the educationists may have been abducted by unidentified individuals. Security forces launched an intelligence-based search operation and raided various suspected locations for the safe recovery of the senior officials of Gwadar University. However, ... -
Dawn - 02:48 May 16, 2026
GILGIT: Preparations for a visit by Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, have reached fever pitch, prompting a large-scale mobilisation of federal and regional resources in Gilgit-Baltistan, officials said on Friday. Authorities have been directed to complete all arrangements for the visit, scheduled for May 21-25. Prince Rahim will be accorded the status of a state guest as he visits GB areas, attends public gatherings, and addresses different ceremonies. The plans were reviewed on Friday at a meeting, where Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Amir Muqam, was briefed on the details. Officials anticipate large gatherings in the Passu Cones area of Hunza; Gilgit City, Gahkuch Bala, and Taus Yasin. The administration is considering holding multiple sessions at certain venues to manage the expected crowds, officials told the minister. For security and travel, the federal government has been requested to provide a bulletproof vehicle. Recommendations were also mad... -
Dawn - 02:45 May 16, 2026
• Araghchi says uranium issue off the table for now • Pezeshkian seeks ‘strategic cooperation’ with Iraq • 11 Pakistanis, 20 Iranians being repatriated from US-seized ships, says Dar • Riyadh floats idea of non-aggression pact between Gulf nations, reports FT IRAN’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Friday hailed the country’s “courageous resistance” as having strengthened Tehran and making it better prepared to confront the United Stated, as Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared the stockpile of enriched uranium was “not under negotiation”. In a statement marking National Persian Language Preservation Day, the supreme leader said Iran “has demonstrated during the recent sacred defence [against the US-Zionist invasion] that Ferdowsi’s legendary tales are a reality of their lives and a reflection of their heroic character,” Al Jazeera reported. Ayatollah Khamenei said, “Valiant, Quranic concepts” in the epic poem Shahnameh by poet Ferdowsi “unite all Iranian ethnicities and social strata in prese... -
Dawn - 02:24 May 16, 2026
KARACHI: State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad on Friday revealed that the designs of new currency notes have been finalised and forwarded to the federal cabinet for approval. The SBP governor disclosed this while responding to a question about the delay in the introduction of new currency notes during his meeting with members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Friday. In January 2024, the SBP had invited the general public to submit designs for new currency notes as it initiated the process of replacing the existing banknotes. According to the central bank, the new notes would have advanced security features and address the issue of counterfeit notes. The SBP had said that it was an “established practice” to introduce new banknotes every 15 to 20 years for security purposes. At the KCCI meeting, Jameel Ahmad clarified that exchange company rates are fully determined by market forces, and the State Bank has no direct role in setting exchange rates. He said progress was underway on the licens... -
Dawn - 19:01 May 15, 2026
The federal government on Friday reduced petrol and diesel prices by Rs5, according to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division. According to the notification, the revised prices will take effect from May 16. Following the decrease, the price of petrol stands at Rs409.78 per litre and that of HSD at Rs409.58. Petrol is mostly used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws and two-wheelers and has a direct bearing on the budget of the middle and lower-middle class. High-speed diesel is mainly used in the heavy transport sector and for large generators. The government has been revising petroleum prices every week on Friday night following the now-paused US-Israeli war on Iran, which began on February 28. The war also led to a global fuel crunch caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s supply of oil and gas used to pass in peacetime. Last week, the government approved a hike of Rs14.92 per litre in petrol and Rs15 on HSD prices. After the US-Israeli war o... -
Dawn - 18:31 May 15, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Friday witnessed a war of words over the health and treatment of PTI founder Imran Khan and the conditions of political prisoners, with opposition members demanding an independent committee to visit jails and the government advising legal recourse for any relief. PTI Senator Azam Swati said the PTI founder had “lost sight in one eye” and called on the state to grant him and his wife their basic human rights as Pakistani citizens. “We need to unite at this time. Inhumane treatment is never justified,” Swati said, urging the government to “change its decisions and try to improve the situation.” Imran — imprisoned since Aug 5, 2023, for concealing details of Toshakhana gifts — is serving a 14-year sentence at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail in the £190m case, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case. Senate Opposition leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said denying someone their rights was oppression, and that “one who is satisfied with the oppressor’s cruelty is also an oppressor.” “By jailing politi... -
Dawn - 18:09 May 15, 2026
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed the framework for a strategic defence partnership on Friday during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Gulf nation, the Indian foreign ministry said, as they seek to deepen ties amid the Iran war. India and the UAE also signed pacts on strategic petroleum reserves and supply of liquefied petroleum gas, the ministry said in a statement. Under the strategic defence partnership, “the two sides have agreed on deepening defence industrial collaboration and cooperation on innovation and advanced technology, training, exercises, maritime security, cyber defence, secure communications and information exchange,” it said. The oil pact announced on Friday includes a potential increase of ADNOC’s crude oil storage in India for up to 30 million barrels, Abu Dhabi’s state oil firm said in a separate statement, adding the deal also explores potential crude storage in the UAE’s Fujairah as part of India’s strategic reserve. ADNOC said that it would explore expanded LPG ... -
Dawn - 18:00 May 15, 2026
The United States has canceled the planned deployment of 4,000 soldiers to Poland, US officials said Friday, as Washington reorganises its forces in Europe after announcing it would withdraw thousands of troops from Germany. The head of US European Command “received the instructions on the force reduction,” General Christopher LaNeve, the acting chief of staff of the US Army, said during a congressional hearing when asked about the canceled deployment. “I’ve worked with him in close consultation on what that force unit would be, and it… made the most sense for that brigade to not do its deployment in theater,” LaNeve said, referring to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team. Some elements of the unit had already been sent overseas and its equipment was in transit, the general said. Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, testifying alongside LaNeve, said the unit’s planned deployment was canceled “a couple days ago.” At the beginning of this month, the Pentagon announced that Washington would pull 5,000 troops from ... -
Dawn - 17:30 May 15, 2026
While Donald Trump and Xi Jinping were hailing their friendship for the cameras, it was less amicable for the rival Chinese and US security services. From a standoff over a US Secret Service agent’s weapon to a US staffer trampled during a melee, tensions bubbled to the surface throughout Trump’s visit to Beijing. The mutual distrust was underscored when US officials made the staffers and media, including an AFP reporter, board Air Force One, hand over all badges and pins given to them by the Chinese side. Surveillance cameras are seen near a portrait of former Chairman Mao Zedong at Tiananmen Gate into the Forbidden City on May 15, 2026, in Beijing, China. — AFP Along with “burner” phones from the US delegation, the confiscated items were tossed in a trash can at the bottom of the stairs of the presidential jet. For all Xi’s warm words about being “partners not rivals,” this was always a summit between two superpowers with a long history of suspicion. As they vie for supremacy without tipping over into confl... -
Dawn - 16:36 May 15, 2026
Karachi Additional Inspector General (AIG) Azad Khan shared details on Friday of the probe into alleged drug queenpin Anmol alias Pinky, saying investigators had come across information suggesting the involvement of foreigners in running the drug network. Anmol was arrested earlier this week from her apartment in Karachi in a joint raid conducted by police and a civilian intelligence agency in connection with two cases pertaining to the possession of narcotics and an unlicenced weapon. On Wednesday, a Karachi court granted police a three-day physical remand of her. The Karachi AIG on Friday shared details at a press conference of the investigation into Anmol thus far, saying the case could turn out to be transnational as investigators had come across information about the involvement of foreigners in drug networks allegedly run by the suspect. “We have come across information that some foreigners from African countries are involved in this network who are in Lahore. They may be six to eight in number. “Simila... -
Dawn - 16:22 May 15, 2026
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday fined Pakistan 40 per cent of their match fee and docked them eight points in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) for maintaining a slow over rate during the first Test against Bangladesh. In a press release, the ICC said, “Pakistan have been fined 40pc of their match fee and penalised eight points in the ongoing WTC 2025-27 cycle after being ruled eight overs short of the target once time allowances were taken into account”. With this penalty, Pakistan is now on four points in the WTC standings, placing them eighth, just above the West Indies. The sanction was imposed by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, it added. “Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which deals with minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 5pc of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl within the allotted time,” the release said. “As per Article 16.11.2 of the WTC playing conditions, te... -
Dawn - 15:23 May 15, 2026
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday that 11 Pakistanis and 20 Iranians, aboard vessels seized by the United States on the high seas, were successfully repatriated. Last week, Pakistan reached out to Singaporean authorities for their support in facilitating the “welfare and repatriation” of the crew members. Dar noted that the vessels were near Singaporean waters at the time. “All individuals are in good health and high spirits,” Dar wrote in a post on X, adding that the welfare of Pakistanis abroad, particularly those in distress, remains the government’s highest priority. “All individuals have reached Bangkok from Singapore and already boarded the flight scheduled to reach Islamabad later tonight,” he added. “Our [Iranian] brothers will then be facilitated to return to their homeland.” In the post, Dar extended his gratitude to Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Bala, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak ... -
Dawn - 14:55 May 15, 2026
LAHORE: Responding to traders’ protests and appeals by the shopping malls association and general public to revise 8pm business closure timings, the Punjab government has granted partial relief and lifted the restriction on market timings until June 1. The implementation and coordination wing of the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD), the Punjab government on Friday notified that “all the shops, markets, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants and food outlets are exempted from the prescribed closure timings till June 1, 2026”. On April 6, the federal government had announced that all markets across the country, barring Sindh, would close by 8pm throughout the week as part of energy conservation measures amid a global fuel crisis triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran. Complying with the federal government’s decision, Punjab notified that all shops, markets and shopping malls shall be closed at 8pm, including Saturday and Sunday. However, the government had exempted pharmacies, medical stores... -
Dawn - 14:45 May 15, 2026
A rodent-borne virus with a scary name. A mid-ocean cruise ship in quarantine. Several people dead and more falling sick. It is no wonder that an outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus on a luxury liner in the Atlantic has revived some Covid-era trauma and panic online. That has presented a dilemma to health officials: how to communicate quickly and clearly about a virus which is not new and unlikely to cause a pandemic, but where knowledge gaps remain — without inadvertently fomenting fear. “Hantavirus thread incoming,” posted the health department of Illinois state in the US earlier this week about a risk-free case unrelated to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak. “But you have to promise to read this whole thread before panic-texting your group chat. Deal?” In interviews with Reuters, half a dozen health officials said they were trying to learn from mistakes around Covid, providing information on hantavirus with more empathy while addressing uncertainties and tackling falsehoods. “We spend half of our ... -
Dawn - 12:52 May 15, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Friday blamed provincial governments for delays in the completion of various highway projects. Presiding over a National Highway Authority (NHA) review meeting, the minister issued a decisive mandate to accelerate the completion of critical infrastructure, signalling a shift toward federal intervention where provincial commitments have faltered. Expressing formal dissatisfaction with the progress of projects involving the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments, Khan noted that delays would no longer be tolerated, as these delays were impeding progress on many vital projects. He specifically highlighted that after waiting for over five months for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to fund the Peshawar Northern Bypass, the NHA decided to complete the project independently if provincial funds were not released. Khan also observed that the Punjab government had remained unable to deliver its promised share for the Rawalpindi-Kahuta project, prom... -
Dawn - 09:49 May 15, 2026
PPP MNA and spokesperson Shazia Marri said on Friday that one instance of interaction between two people who had worked closely for several years “cannot be viewed in isolation”, after a video clip of PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari curtness with her went viral on social. The incident took place at a press conference after the PPP’s parliamentary party meeting at the Parliament House in Islamabad on Thursday. During the press briefing, a journalist asked Bilawal for his views on ministers in the federal government suggesting that education, health and other subjects, particularly the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) be given back to the Centre under a proposed 28th constitutional amendment. Several subjects, including education and health, were devolved to the provinces under the 18th Constitutional Amendment in 2010. Bilawal began his reply by stating that he was not aware which federal minister the journalist was referring to. At that point, Marri, who was also present at the press conference,... -
Dawn - 08:17 May 15, 2026
Indian billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani has agreed to pay a multi-million-dollar settlement in a US civil court case linked to corruption without admitting guilt, his company said on Friday. The November 2024 indictment in New York accused the industrialist and multiple subordinates of deliberately misleading international investors as part of a vast bribery scheme. Adani was accused of having participated in an estimated $250 million scheme to bribe Indian officials for lucrative solar energy supply contracts. Adani, along with his nephew Sagar Adani, agreed to the “payment of a civil penalty” totalling $18 million, while noting that it came “without admitting or denying the allegations made in the civil complaint,” a letter from Adani Green Energy to the Mumbai stock exchange read. The penalty payment comes as US prosecutors are reported to be set to drop charges against Adani, The New York Times reported on Thursday. The Adani letter, which noted that the final judgement of the US court is still awai... -
Dawn - 07:53 May 15, 2026
US President Donald Trump’s summit with China’s leader Xi Jinping in Beijing this week was the latest in decades of high-level diplomatic encounters between the two countries marked by drama, tension and surprising breakthroughs. Here are some of the most notable visits by US presidents to China: Cold War summit The US cut ties with China when the Communist Party (CCP) took over the country in 1949. Over two decades later, in February 1972, then-US president Richard Nixon flew to China to break the ice. Nixon met with Chairman Mao Zedong as well as premier Zhou Enlai, with whom he famously raised glasses of the fiery Chinese spirit baijiu. At a banquet in the Great Hall of the People, Nixon declared “there is no reason for us to be enemies”. A secret visit by national security adviser Henry Kissinger the year before laid the groundwork for the presidential trip, alongside reciprocal visits of table tennis teams termed “ping-pong diplomacy”. Nixon’s visit kicked off formal contacts that led to full diplomatic ...
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