Dawn
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Dawn - 04:04 Jul 19, 2026
THE Islamabad MoU, and the broader US-Iran ceasefire this document is supposed to underpin, is unravelling before our eyes. Following a recent escalation, Washington and Tehran have been trading fire across the Gulf, with each round more intense than the last. The US has struck locations in Iran, while Tehran has responded in kind by hitting targets in the GCC states allied with the US, as well as in Iraq, Jordan and Syria. Both sides have hit civilian sites, including water plants. The immediate trigger for hostilities was Iran’s demand that only its ‘approved’ route be used for transit of the Strait of Hormuz. Its attacks on ships using ‘unauthorised’ routes invited an American military response. Apparently, both sides were reading the MoU’s clause regarding the vital strait differently. Yet beyond Hormuz, Israel’s attacks in Lebanon have also put great strain on the MoU. As of Saturday, the MoU seemed all but dead, as Iran’s deputy foreign minister has said his country is “no longer implementing” its commi... -
Dawn - 03:05 Jul 19, 2026
• Resolution calls for compensation, water royalty, plan for protection of glaciers • Opp leader calls for probe into use of climate funds, alleges corruption GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan lawmakers have asked the federal government to establish a “special green fund” to protect its fast-melting glaciers and preserve its fragile ecosystem from the impacts of global warming, while also calling for a probe into funds allocated for climate change. In a resolution unanimously approved by the house, the lawmakers said the mountainous region faced a serious threat due to climate change, which also posed risks to future generations. The house demanded the federal government provide compensation, water rights, and water royalty through development packages, saying the move would be in accordance with the principles of justice and fairness. “Therefore, we urge the federal government to establish a green fund for preserving its natural environment and water resources, promoting clean water projects, supporting waste man... -
Dawn - 02:53 Jul 19, 2026
• Set to meet Trump after latest round of talks with Israel, seeks US support for ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal • Hezbollah holds mass funeral, stages rally to reject disarmament • Israeli strikes, border violence persist despite truce; US renews travel warning amid regional security tensions BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun left Beirut on Saturday for Washington, where he is expected to meet Donald Trump, his office said, after the latest round of Lebanon-Israel talks wrapped up in Italy. Aoun will hold discussions “with several American officials on the situation in Lebanon and ways to strengthen the ceasefire”, particularly in the south, as well as on “the withdrawal of Israel from the Lebanese regions it occupies”, the presidency said. It will be the first trip to Washington by a Lebanese head of state since Michel Sleiman was received by Barack Obama in 2009. Israel and Lebanon, which do not have formal diplomatic relations, began US-sponsored negotiations in April aimed at reaching a peace deal an... -
Dawn - 02:43 Jul 19, 2026
• Health minister says 16 contracts, 80 MoUs finalised • Agreements include 18 deals related to herbal medicines ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s agreements with Chinese companies reached $850 million on the concluding day of the two-day Pakistan-China Pharmaceutical and Healthcare B2B Investment Conference. During a media briefing on the second day of the event, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said on Saturday said 16 contracts and 80 memoranda of understanding had been finalised. He termed it a key economic milestone for cooperation between the two countries in the pharmaceutical sector. He said an environment had been created for local production of health equipment and investment in the country. Sharing details, Mr Kamal said contracts worth $600m and MoUs worth $250m had been signed. He said these included 18 agreements related to herbal medicines. He acknowledged growing business-to-business ties between Pakistani and Chinese firms and welcomed investment from Chinese companies as an important step towards ... -
Dawn - 02:35 Jul 19, 2026
BANNU / WANA: Five terrorists were killed by security forces and law enforcement agencies in separate operations in Bannu, Lower South Waziristan and Dera Ismail Khan districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Three terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Bakakhel area of Bannu district. According to security sources, the operation was launched after credible intelligence about the presence of terrorists in the area. The security forces raided their hideout, triggering an exchange of fire in which three terrorists were killed. Officials said targeted operations against terrorist networks were continuing across Bannu. Security forces, in coordination with Bannu police, expanded operations in Bakakhel, Janikhel, Miryan, Sarra Dargah and the Wazir sub-division to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and prevent planned attacks. The intensified campaign followed the attempted vehicle-borne bombing of Miryan police station on July 15. Meanwhile, Bannu police confirmed that 28 suspects we... -
Dawn - 02:30 Jul 19, 2026
Mourners shower rose petals on a vehicle carrying coffins of the martyred police personnel.—AFP • Thousands attend funeral prayers offered at Quetta’s Ayub Stadium amid strict security arrangements • Koila Phatak, police stations, educational institutions renamed after martyrs • Bugti reaffirms commitment to ensuring timely implementation of accord QUETTA: The policemen who were martyred in the Ziarat terrorist attack were buried in their native towns on Saturday after their funeral prayers were offered at Ayub Stadium, Quetta, attended by thousands of people following the culmination of a 10-day-long sit-in by their relatives. The sit-in committee agreed to call off the protest after a Friday-night agreement with the provincial government, in which all of their demands, including the call for a judicial probe, were accepted. Besides other measures, the government also agreed to constitute a judicial commission to probe the attacks in Ziarat and Hanna Urak, in which a total of 32 people — 27 policemen in Zia... -
Dawn - 02:09 Jul 19, 2026
• Falls to 11,592 containers worth $367m in FY26 • Afghanistan increasingly relies on Iran, Central Asian trade routes • Reverse transit collapses from $454m in FY25 to just $7m ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan-Pakistan transit trade has suffered one of its steepest declines, plunging to just 11,592 containers worth $367 million in the outgoing fiscal year from nearly 89,000 containers valued at $5 billion before the Taliban returned to power, as Kabul’s growing reliance on Iranian routes and Pakistan’s border curbs reshaped the decades-old trade corridor. At first glance, the collapse appears to validate the widely held view that Pakistan’s decision to close its border with Afghanistan in October 2025 over security concerns brought bilateral transit trade to a standstill. However, while the border closure undoubtedly accelerated the decline, data shows that transit trade had already begun losing momentum well before Islamabad adopted its most strict restrictions. Trade analysts say the border closure did not initiate ... -
Dawn - 02:03 Jul 19, 2026
ISLAMABAD: In a case involving the multi-billion-rupee public project of Parliament Lodges extension that has remained unfinished for nearly 15 years, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Saturday mounted an attack on the arbitration award of over Rs643 million in favour of the contractor, alleging that the award was the product of “legal misconduct”, jurisdictional overreach and a complete disregard of contractual obligations. The arguments were concluded before Additional District Judge (West) Amir Zia, who is hearing the CDA’s appeal against an earlier judgement. The matter has now been adjourned until Sept 19. Appearing for the CDA, Advocate Kashif Ali Malik argued that the case illustrated how “the victim has been turned into the accused”, with a public authority allegedly being directed to compensate a contractor whose project, according to the CDA, still stands incomplete years after its contractual completion date. The dispute concerns construction of 104 family suites for members of the parliam... -
Dawn - 02:02 Jul 19, 2026
Bangladeshi vessel unloads steel billets destined for the UAE.—Courtesy GPA GWADAR: Commercial operations at Gwadar Port continue uninterrupted despite the prevailing regional maritime tensions, with another transhipment vessel arriving at the port to handle cargo, underscoring growing international confidence in Pakistan’s deep-sea port. According to official details, the Bangladesh-flagged vessel M/V Jahan Brothers II berthed at Gwadar Port on Saturday after sailing from Singapore. The ship is carrying 53,064.660 tonnes of prime steel billets, which are ultimately destined for Al Hamriyah Port in the United Arab Emirates. The cargo will be temporarily unloaded and stored at Gwadar Port before being reloaded onto another vessel for onward shipment to the UAE as part of a transhipment operation. Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noor-ul-Haq Baloch said the continuation of port and commercial activities despite regional challenges demonstrates that Gwadar is establishing itself as a safe, reliable and efficient... -
Dawn - 02:01 Jul 19, 2026
QUETTA: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said dialogue is the only sustainable solution to Balochistan’s political issues, reaffirming that the party believes in meaningful political engagement with all parties, whether in government or in the opposition. Mr Bhutto-Zardari said lasting peace in Balochistan could only be achieved through political dialogue. “The PPP has always believed in constructive engagement with all political forces, regardless of whether they are in government or the opposition,” he said. The PPP chairman also reaffirmed the party’s unwavering stance against terrorism, stating that his party had maintained a clear and consistent position against terrorism and would continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the state institutions and the people in the fight against militancy. He made these remarks during a meeting with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti at Zardari House in Islamabad on Saturday. CM Sarfraz Bugti says multiparty conference to be convened soon According to t... -
Dawn - 23:19 Jul 18, 2026
England beat France 6-4 in a chaotic World Cup third-place playoff on Saturday as Kylian Mbappe became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. Both teams had higher aspirations at the 2026 tournament but suffered painful semi-final exits — France were outplayed by Spain while England suffered a late collapse against Argentina. Both coaches made multiple changes for the match in the oppressive heat of Miami, with a host of stars on the bench at the start. England boss Thomas Tuchel left out Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham from his starting line-up while Deschamps, stepping down after 14 years at the helm, omitted Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele. Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice put England ahead with a goal from distance in the third minute and Ezri Konsa headed home to make it 2-0. Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise were a threat as France searched for a way back into the game but they found England’s second-choice goalkeeper Dean Henderson in top form. The game threatened to become embarrassing for F... -
Dawn - 18:27 Jul 18, 2026
WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has finalised a sweeping overhaul of US visa rules for foreign journalists, ending the decades-old “duration of status” system and replacing it with fixed-term admissions that will require reporters to undergo periodic government review to continue working in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the changes in a final rule published this week, saying the new policy is intended to strengthen oversight of foreign media representatives and ensure they continue to meet the requirements of their nonimmigrant status. Under the new regulations, journalists holding I visas will generally be admitted for a maximum of 240 days, instead of being allowed to remain in the United States for the duration of their assignment, a practice that in some cases permitted stays lasting several years. Journalists from China will be limited to 90-day admissions. The rule will take effect 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register, with a transition peri... -
Dawn - 17:57 Jul 18, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Lawyers Action Committee (LAC) on Saturday rejected the Judicial Commission of Pakistan’s (JCP) process for appointing judges to the country’s high courts, describing it as “horse trading” and a “horrific” appointment process. “While the adverse fallout of the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments continues to wreak havoc on Pakistan’s justice system, the current process of appointing judges to the high courts is particularly horrific,” the committee said in a resolution adopted at its meeting in Islamabad. The committee also nominated veteran lawyer and former Supreme Court Bar Association president Ali Ahmed Kurd to lead a movement it plans to launch on a range of issues confronting the country. “I have accepted the leadership of the movement with a heavy heart at the insistence of my colleagues, particularly because the people of the country have lost faith in the justice system,” Kurd told reporters at the Supreme Court. He was accompanied by senior lawyers Hamid Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed an... -
Dawn - 17:57 Jul 18, 2026
A 17-year-old Palestinian footballer died on Saturday, a week after he was shot during an attack by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, according to officials and relatives. Dozens of mourners dressed in black carried the body of Fadi Hamdallah al-Nassan — a player for Al-Mughayyir Club and a member of the Palestinian national youth team — from the Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah to his village for burial. The Palestine Football Association accused Israeli forces of shooting Nassan while settlers were attacking the village on July 11. The young player was reportedly shot in the thigh during the attack. His leg was amputated, and he later died from his injuries, the association said. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment Saturday. A relative mourns over the body of 17-year-old Fadi al-Naasan during his funeral in the village of Al-Mughayyir, east of Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on July 18, 2026. — AFP “He loved football,” his father, Hamdall... -
Dawn - 17:30 Jul 18, 2026
New York City (NYC) Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he was in an “active conversation” with the city’s Law Department over whether he had the legal authority to order Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s arrest if he visits the city. Netanyahu is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over allegations of crimes against humanity and war crimes — including starvation as a method of warfare — in Israel’s onslaught on Gaza. “I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in the Hague,” Mamdani said this week on The New York Times’ ‘The Interview’, referring to the United Nations’ International Court of Justice (ICJ). In his interview, which was published on Saturday, the NYC mayor highlighted that Netanyahu was a “war criminal” who has been charged by the ICC. “And what you will find is that is an opinion that is held by many, purely because of what his actions have wrought over these last many years.” However, Mamdani said he was unclear on whether he has the legal authority to order the New York... -
Dawn - 17:28 Jul 18, 2026
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik on Saturday said the introduction of daily fuel price adjustments would help curb market abuse, eliminate opportunities for windfall gains and ensure greater transparency and fair pricing for consumers. The minister made the remarks during a meeting with key petroleum sector stakeholders. He added that the reform would promote transparency, strengthen competition and ensure fair, market-based prices for consumers. A day earlier, the minister announced that fuel prices would now be fixed on a daily basis due to fluctuations in international market prices following renewed hostilities between Iran and the US. Under the new mechanism, retail petroleum prices will be determined through a transparent, formula-based system driven by market fundamentals, reducing the scope for political intervention and shielding consumers from abrupt price distortions. Among others, the meeting was attended by representatives of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), the Oil Companies Advi... -
Dawn - 16:50 Jul 18, 2026
Heavy, acrid smoke blanketed the eastern United States on Saturday, marring preparations for the weekend’s highly awaited World Cup final to be held in an open stadium in New Jersey. Wildfires burning in Canada have sent the noxious smog billowing across the border, with residents in New York, Washington and the US Midwest urged to stay indoors due to dangerously low air quality. At one point on Saturday, the smoke made New York City the most polluted city in the world, followed closely by Toronto and Washington, according to air tracker IQAir. The marquee World Cup match, pitting Argentina against Spain, will be played Sunday in an open stadium in New Jersey, right across the river from New York City, where the city skyline was obscured by dense smoke and people wore masks outdoors. Members of the media try to record adverse weather conditions after an Argentina’s training session was postponed in Morristown, New Jersey, on July 18, 2026. — AFP Tournament organisers are “monitoring closely,” White House Worl... -
Dawn - 15:23 Jul 18, 2026
Iran launched more attacks on Washington’s Gulf allies and Jordan on Saturday after a seventh straight night of US strikes on Iranian military targets, escalating the war one week after a ceasefire collapsed. Kuwait came under sustained attack, with a desalination plant hit and operations at Kuwait International Airport suspended due to repeated missile and drone threats. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had struck a US military support centre at Camp Arifjan and destroyed a radar facility at Ali Al Salem Air Base. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation later said one of its oil facilities had been hit in “repeated Iranian attacks”, causing significant damage and some injuries, according to the state news agency. Kuwait’s armed forces said they had intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles and drones early on Saturday, adding that a number of firefighters and oil sector workers had been injured while responding to the attacks. Iran was responding to US attacks on bridges, power facilities and other infrast... -
Dawn - 13:24 Jul 18, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has extended its airspace ban on Indian civilian and military aircraft for another month, until Aug 23, according to a Notice to Airmen (Notam) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Saturday. The previous restriction was due to expire on July 24. “Pakistan airspace not available for Indian-registered aircraft and aircraft operated or leased by Indian airlines/operators, including military flights,” the Notam said. According to the Notam, the restriction will remain in force until 11:59pm on Aug 23, 2026. The country’s airspace is divided into two flight information regions (FIRs) — Karachi and Lahore, according to a Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) document from 2022. The Notam applies to both the Karachi (OPKR) and Lahore (OPLR) FIRs. India and Pakistan closed their airspaces to each other’s airlines since late April 2025, when tensions between them escalated in the wake of a deadly attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam. On April 24, Pakistan’s top brass had an... -
Dawn - 12:50 Jul 18, 2026
Anthropic said on Saturday that it will reintroduce its most advanced AI model, Fable 5, in the paid Max and Team Premium plans from July 20. After its redeployment, Fable 5 had been included in the Pro, Max, Team and select Enterprise plans from July 1 to 7 for up to 50pc of weekly usage limits, after which it was available via usage credits. In a post on Saturday, Claude said, “Beginning July 20, Claude Fable 5 will be included in all Max and Team Premium plans, at 50 per cent of limits.” However, Pro and Team Standard users “will continue to have access to Fable via usage credits” — rather than as part of weekly usage limits — though they will receive a one-time $100 credit. Usage credits allow individuals subscribed to paid Claude plans (Pro, Max 5x, and Max 20x) to continue using Claude after reaching their included usage limits. “Demand for Fable has been challenging to predict, which is why we rolled it out to subscription plans in stages, extending access several times as we secured additional capacit...
12682 items