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Dawn - 19:01 Feb 10, 2026
The United States will have to do “something very tough” if a deal is not reached with Iran, President Donald Trump told Israel’s Channel 12 in an interview published online on Tuesday. “Either we reach a deal, or we’ll have to do something very tough,” it quoted Trump as saying. Trump has said he is considering sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East, Axios and Channel 12 reported, amid simmering tensions between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear programme and over its recent crackdown on protesters. “We have an armada that is heading there and another one might be going,” Trump told Axios, though he noted that Iran “wants to make a deal very badly”. Trump initially threatened military action against Tehran over its crackdown on protesters last month. Subsequently, the US said that a naval strike group led by an aircraft carrier was deployed to Middle Eastern waters amid tensions between the two countries. However, the countries held talks in Oman last week, which Iran called a good star... -
Dawn - 17:19 Feb 10, 2026
After Sri Lanka’s win against Ireland on Sunday night in Colombo, Ramiz Raja declared that a win is a win, whether it is against “minnows”, or the “big boys”. The term “minnow”, in the cricketing context especially, refers to a smaller, ‘less serious’ opposition. Despite being a test-playing nation, Ireland tends to often be categorised under this moniker. However, the term is also heavily used to refer to associate cricketing nations – those teams that do not yet have permanent ICC membership or test-playing status. While one could argue that Ramiz Raja meant well, his choice of words came across as patronising and dismissive of the effort associate nations put into cricket. The opening weekend of the ongoing T20 World Cup offered ample evidence to the contrary. T20 opens with edge-of-seat contests The opening days of the tournament featured games across venues in India and Sri Lanka. Notably, many of these games were closely contested — especially the opening weekend fixtures — with the matches ebbing and f... -
Dawn - 17:05 Feb 10, 2026
Norway’s parliamentary oversight committee unanimously agreed on Tuesday to appoint a rare external inquiry into foreign ministry links to Jeffrey Epstein, part of a deepening scandal over friendships with the late US sex offender. The release of a cache of new files in the US has revealed a host of new Epstein connections with politicians, royals and the ultra-rich across Europe. Norway’s white-collar crime police opened an investigation into Thorbjoern Jagland, former prime minister and foreign minister and ex-chair of the Nobel Peace Prize committee, on suspicion of aggravated corruption. On Monday, police announced that Mona Juul, who on Sunday resigned as ambassador to Jordan and Iraq, was also being investigated for corruption. Her husband, former cabinet minister Terje Roed-Larsen, is suspected of complicity. All three will cooperate with the respective investigations and see no merit in the accusations, their lawyers have said. Epstein scandal reverberates across Norway But the police’s actions have n... -
Dawn - 16:53 Feb 10, 2026
ISLAMABAD: There was an outcry in the upper house of Parliament on Tuesday against changes by the power regulator in the contracts for solar consumers, with the government defending the move. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Monday drastically changed the terms of contracts for all existing and future net-metered solar consumers — known as prosumers — to contain rising solar energy penetration and protect an expensive and inefficient state-owned power network. The notification effectively terminated the existing net-metering regime and replaced it with net-billing for all. Speaking on a motion in the Senate on Tuesday, PTI Senator Syed Ali Zafar strongly criticised the government’s decision to withdraw net metering benefits for solar consumers, calling it a grave breach of trust and a cruel act against the people of Pakistan. Senator Zafar stated that a promise, once made, must be honoured and when that promise came from the state, it became sacrosanct. He recalled that the governme... -
Dawn - 16:43 Feb 10, 2026
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Monday completed the ‘Golden Eagle’ training exercise, where artificial intelligence (AI) and the use of new indigenous technology were focused on, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. According to the statement, the exercise took place in “Southern Air Command’s area of responsibility”, to “validate combat readiness and operational agility through the synchronised employment of PAF’s complete combat potential”. “The exercise was executed under unified command and control from the Next-Generation All-Domain Command and Control Centre, [at] Air Headquarters, Islamabad,” the statement said. It added that the exercise was conducted on a two-force construct and particularly focused on AI-enabled and net-centric operations, while integrating indigenous niche, disruptive and smart technologies, in line with evolving regional security dynamics. ISPR said that while operating within a robust integrated air defence system, participants seamlessly combined kinetic,... -
Dawn - 14:56 Feb 10, 2026
Special committee formed to monitor development work, review any security operations in KP districts
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Tuesday decided to establish a special sub-committee to monitor development work and “review any military operations” in certain districts. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting at the Corps Headquarters in Peshawar to review the overall security situation in the province. According to a handout, the meeting was attended by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, the national security adviser, and Peshawar corps commander, along with senior civil and military officials. The press release said that at the outset of the meeting, the attendees paid tribute to the civilians and security personnel martyred in terrorist attacks. The high-level meeting decided that Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches scheduled for this year would be held in Peshawar. According to the statement, the meeting decided to implement a provincial governance model in Malakand Division under the supervision of the police and other provincial institutions. It added that th...
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Dawn - 14:43 Feb 10, 2026
India on Tuesday said it would be “a challenge” to face a “quality” Pakistan team in Colombo after Islamabad decided to play the blockbuster T20 World Cup clash. “It’s great that the game is back on, we kind of never changed the preparation,” said India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate. India will face a second Group A match against Namibia on Thursday in New Delhi before flying to Sri Lanka. It means a quick turnaround for Sunday’s match, the biggest and most lucrative clash in world cricket. “It’s going to be a challenge going to Colombo where Pakistan have been for the last two weeks,” added Ten Doeschate. “We are delighted to have another chance to play against a quality side in the first phase of the tournament. “We are fully focused on just bringing our best game to that fixture.” Sri Lanka, who will host the match that generates multi-millions of dollars in advertising, broadcast rights, sponsorship and tourism, also praised the decision. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in a social med... -
Dawn - 14:36 Feb 10, 2026
ISLAMABAD: PTI lawyer Salman Safdar on Tuesday met ex-premier Imran Khan at Adiala jail, saying that the party founder appeared fine healthwise. The meeting, which lasted nearly three hours, came after the Supreme Court earlier in the day allowed Safdar to meet Imran. Speaking to reporters outside the jail, Safdar said that Imran was fine and was looking healthy. However, he did not share further details about the meeting, saying that he had to submit a report to the court. He said once the report was submitted to the court, he would be able to share the details. SC allows lawyer to meet Imran Earlier in the day, the SC had allowed Safdar to meet Imran, declaring him amicus curiae. The development came a day after a request for an ‘urgent’ meeting — submitted by senior PTI leader Latif Khosa — was rejected by a two-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan. The bench observed that such an order could not be passed without hearing the other side. Hence... -
Dawn - 14:22 Feb 10, 2026
India’s government said on Tuesday social media companies would have to take down unlawful content within three hours of being notified about it, tightening an earlier 36-hour timeline in what could be a compliance challenge for Meta, YouTube and X. The changes amend India’s 2021 IT rules, which have already been a flashpoint between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and global technology companies. The amended rules also relaxed an earlier proposal that would have required platforms to visibly label AI-generated content across 10 per cent of its surface area or duration, instead mandating that such content be “prominently labelled”. The new regulations will take effect from February 20. The tighter timeline marks the latest escalation in India’s efforts to control online speech, with a takedown regime that has drawn criticism from digital rights advocates and prompted clashes with companies including Elon Musks X. Facebook-owner Meta declined to comment on the changes, while X and Alphabet’s Google, ... -
Dawn - 14:08 Feb 10, 2026
ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad court on Tuesday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi in a case pertaining to misleading statements against state institutions and damage to their reputation. The case was registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Authority (NCCIA) under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016, following allegations that the chief minister made false and defamatory claims against state institutions. During the hearing on Tuesday, presided over by Senior Civil Judge Abbas Shah, the court noted that CM Afridi had once again failed to appear despite being summoned multiple times. Subsequently, the judge ordered his immediate arrest and directed law enforcement authorities to ensure his production before the court. The hearing was then adjourned till February 21. This is not the first time the court has taken action over Afridi’s non-appearance. Last month, the same court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant after observing that th... -
Dawn - 13:42 Feb 10, 2026
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday paid a visit to Quetta, where she met with her Balochistan counterpart CM Sarfraz Bugti and assured him of her full support. CM Maryam’s visit comes in the wake of a spate of attacks across Balochistan on January 31, which brought parts of the restive province to a standstill for several days. Security forces had responded by killing a total of 216 terrorists during “Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-1” in the province. “As the chief minister of Punjab, as a Pakistani and as your sister, all services and resources of Punjab, whatever cooperation or support you need — whether in operations against khawarij here or any kind of challenges in the government — we are with you,” Maryam said. She further assured Bugti, “Whatever kind of support you need, I am just a call away. I will be very glad if I can assist you or do something for the people of Balochistan.” Noting that this was her first visit to another province after assuming the office of Punjab CM in February 2024, Marya... -
Dawn - 12:52 Feb 10, 2026
LAHORE: The head of a police checkpost was suspended on Tuesday for illegally detaining a suspect in Kahna area, according to officials. The development came as a video clip of the suspect in chains went viral on social media, prompting Lahore Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran to take notice. The suspect, identified as Mukhtar, was reportedly being kept at the police checkpost for the last four days. Lahore Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mohammad Tauqir told Dawn that the suspect was found in chains, and the Lakhoki checkpost In-charge subinspector Adnan Virk was found guilty of keeping him in illegal custody. The SSP said that, as per the initial police record, no first information report had been lodged against the suspect. However, local residents claimed that the suspect was involved in criminal activities and they had complained to the police to arrest and investigate him. Meanwhile, DIG Kamran said that the official was not authorised to detain the suspect at the checkpost e... -
Dawn - 12:35 Feb 10, 2026
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday said in the context of his recent engagements with Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and International Cricket Council (ICC) officials that the purpose was to “get respect for Bangladesh”. Naqvi said this while speaking to the media in Peshawar, a day after the government announced it was withdrawing its decision to boycott the group-stage match against India in the T20 World Cup, scheduled for February 15. The development followed protracted negotiations between the ICC, the cricket boards of Pakistan and Bangladesh, consultations among national leaders and interventions by friendly nations such as Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates. The now-withdrawn decision to boycott the match against arch-rival India was announced by the government on February 1 after Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland in the tournament, following their refusal to tour India over safety concerns in the wake of soured political relations between the Asian neighbours. The ma... -
Dawn - 12:16 Feb 10, 2026
In a sudden move, the government recently terminated the existing net-metering regime for all existing and future net-metered solar consumers, known as prosumers, and replaced it with a net-billing regime for all. The stated rationale behind this development — which could mean longer payback periods and lower overnight returns — is the need to address the technical, financial and equity concerns that have emerged from the mushrooming growth of solar power in Pakistan over the last couple of years. Under the changes, the buyback rate for electricity exported to the grid by solarised consumers has been reduced from the existing Rs26 per unit to Rs11 per unit. The new export rate broadly reflects the national average energy purchase price at which the government purchases electricity from power plants. At first glance, this price reform appears overdue. Like most electricity tariff interventions, however, it is not merely a technical adjustment but carries significant long-term implications for consumers, electr... -
Dawn - 12:08 Feb 10, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said Pakistan and Kuwait share strong brotherly relations, which were set to further strengthen through bilateral economic, investment and trade cooperation. He made the remarks while addressing a ceremony in Islamabad in connection with the issuance of a digital licence to Raqami Islamic Digital Bank. The prime minister congratulated Raqami Islamic Digital Bank on becoming the third licenced digital retail bank in Pakistan. He expressed hope that the bank would not only be Sharia-compliant but would also offer features that would significantly support and promote the growth of banking in the country. “This development will go a long way in further enhancing bilateral economic relations between Pakistan and Kuwait,” the prime minister said. He also expressed gratitude to the Kuwaiti leadership for their support to Pakistan at various times. Raqami Islamic Digital Bank Limited was awarded a restricted banking license by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in May... -
Dawn - 12:08 Feb 10, 2026
Chatbots were originally designed to answer questions and help with tasks, but an unexpected trend is emerging: many teenagers are treating these systems as companions. What started as curiosity is turning into what experts describe as a form of AI addiction — not in the clinical sense yet, but as a pattern of reliance that can interfere with daily life. This isn’t just about teenagers preferring technology over face-to-face interaction. It’s about the way AI is being used to fill emotional gaps. Teens are spending hours chatting with AI programmes, not just for help with homework but for emotional support, encouragement, and social interaction. Some report talking to AI more than they talk to real friends. The appeal is understandable. AI doesn’t judge, doesn’t interrupt, and is always available. For teens who feel misunderstood, lonely, or socially anxious, a chatbot can feel like a safe space. Providers of these technologies design them to be responsive, engaging, and empathetic, which only strengthens th... -
Dawn - 12:03 Feb 10, 2026
SHC disposes of petitions challenging detention of PTI workers after Sindh govt withdraws MPO orders
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday disposed of over 100 identical petitions filed against the detention of PTI workers under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance, following the provincial government’s decision to withdraw MPO orders. A day earlier, it emerged that the provincial government had decided to release nearly 300 PTI workers. Government sources told Dawn that the “documentary process” had already begun. “So it may take some time, and by Tuesday evening, we may see the workers being released from prison,” said a source. Following the withdrawal of MPO orders by the provincial government, the additional advocate general of Sindh appeared before the court and informed that the MPO notification had been withdrawn. The notification was presented in court, following which the court disposed of over 100 petitions filed challenging the detention of PTI workers. Earlier today, the SHC directed the Sindh government to withdraw the MPO orders, warning that “if the orders are not withdraw... -
Dawn - 11:48 Feb 10, 2026
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Tuesday said overseas workers’ remittances were recorded at $3.5bn in January, increasing by 11.3 per cent during Jul-Jan of the current fiscal year (FY26). “Cumulatively, with an inflow of US$23.2 billion, workers’ remittances increased by 11.3 per cent during Jul-Jan FY26 compared to US$20.9 billion received during the same period last year,” said SBP. “In terms of growth, remittances increased by 15.4pc on a year-to-year basis,” the central bank said. It elaborated that the remittances in January were “mainly sourced” from Saudi Arabia ($739.6 million), the United Arab Emirates ($694.2m), the United Kingdom ($572.1m) and the United States of America ($294.7m). Remittances in December rose to the highest level of FY26, reaching $3.6bn, largely driven by continued incentives for sending money through formal channels and relative stability in the exchange rate. Currency experts believe remittance growth this year is weaker than in FY25. They cite concerns over a “managed” e... -
Dawn - 11:07 Feb 10, 2026
President Asif Ali Zardari welcomed Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s invitation to visit the country and emphasised strengthening ties between Islamabad and Tashkent, the president’s media wing said on Tuesday. According to a press release by the President’s Secretariat, the president met with Uzbek Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr and handed over a letter from the Uzbek president, who had visited Pakistan for two days last week. In his letter, Mirziyoyev thanked President Zardari, the government and the people of Pakistan for the extraordinary hospitality and warm welcome extended to him during his visit. He also expressed gratitude for being conferred the Nishan-e-Pakistan, Pakistan’s highest civil award, as well as the honorary professorship and doctorate, according to the statement. “President Mirziyoyev reiterated his invitation to President Zardari, earlier conveyed during their tête-à-tête,” it added, referring to the Uzbek president’s invitation to President Zard... -
Dawn - 10:37 Feb 10, 2026
Iran on Tuesday warned of “destructive” influence on diplomacy ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington for talks expected to focus on US negotiations with Tehran. “Our negotiating party is America. It is up to America to decide to act independently of the pressures and destructive influences that are detrimental to the region,” said Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei in a weekly press briefing. “The Zionist regime has repeatedly, as a saboteur, shown that it opposes any diplomatic process in our region that leads to peace.” Tehran and Washington resumed talks in Muscat on Friday, months after earlier negotiations collapsed following Israel’s unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran last June, which triggered a 12-day war. During the conflict, Israel targeted senior Iranian military officials, nuclear scientists and nuclear sites, as well as residential areas. The United States later joined the campaign, launching its own strikes on key Iranian nuclear faciliti...
7368 items