Dawn
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Dawn - 03:09 Jul 09, 2026
IS the fragile US-Iran ceasefire — and the memorandum of understanding that underpins it — collapsing? Unless deconfliction measures kick in, and both sides show restraint, a return to wider hostilities seems very likely. The latest round of violence was sparked by suspected Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz; the ships were apparently targeted because they were not following routes designated by Tehran. The US retaliated by attacking Iranian facilities early on Wednesday, prompting Tehran to hit sites in Kuwait and Bahrain that it claimed were US facilities. But what has raised eyebrows is US President Donald Trump’s comment that the MoU with Iran is over, and that talks with the Islamic Republic were a “waste of time”. It should be remembered that Mr Trump earlier scuttled the Iran nuclear deal during his first presidency, therefore his threats cannot be taken lightly. But while using unparliamentary language to describe the Iranians, the US leader paradoxically also left the door open for d... -
Dawn - 02:52 Jul 09, 2026
• Verdict says land acquired for public purpose must retain ‘original use’ • Upholds PHC ruling against housing scheme on mill land ISLAMABAD: In what has been billed as a verdict that may set a precedent for land use policy nationwide, the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on Wednesday ruled that land acquired for a specific public purpose — such as industrial development — cannot subsequently be converted into residential housing schemes. “We… hold that since the land in question was acquired specifically for the establishment of Paper and Board Mills, the petitioner company cannot claim, as a vested, absolute or indefeasible right, its conversion into a housing scheme,” FCC Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan observed in a judgement he authored. A two-judge FCC bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin and comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, took up an appeal filed by M/s Adil International (Pvt) Ltd against the Sept 11, 2024, judgement of the Peshawar High Court, which had rejected the petitioner company’s plea. “The... -
Dawn - 02:38 Jul 09, 2026
WASHINGTON: Pakistan and the United States will begin two days of trade negotiations in Washington on Thursday, with tariffs expected to dominate the agenda as Islamabad seeks relief from new US import duties while pursuing a broader bilateral trade agreement. The talks, which were held on Wednesday as well, follow extensive negotiations over the tariff regime announced by President Donald Trump on April 2, 2025, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which initially imposed a 29 per cent tariff on Pakistani exports. A Pakistani delegation that visited Washington in July 2025 succeeded in persuading US officials to reduce the proposed tariff to 19pc following discussions with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), officials familiar with the negotiations said. Two-day trade talks with US Trade Representative start today The delegation returning to Washington for the latest round of talks will be led by Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul and includes Foreign Office spok... -
Dawn - 02:29 Jul 09, 2026
• Summons agency’s chief for briefing on online portal, enforcement timelines • Senators seek briefing on revised mechanism for registration of blasphemy FIRs ISLAMABAD: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights expressed concern over the delay in processing of complaints by the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and the technical issues with its online complaint portal. In its meeting chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, the body reviewed the NCCIA performance, delays in cybercrime complaint redressal, the procedure being followed in blasphemy-related cases and progress in the murder case of Lahore resident Ahmed Javed. Senator Quratulain Marri informed the meeting that a sustained online campaign had been launched against her and her family on social media, and that no effective action had been taken despite the filing of a formal complaint through legal counsel. The NCCIA officials told the committee that technical and operational constraints had affected the online complaint system.... -
Dawn - 02:25 Jul 09, 2026
• Report alleges state capture of superior judiciary • Calls for repeal of 26th, 27th amendments • Favouritism, nepotism cited as major concerns LAHORE: A new report by the International Federation for Human Rights and one of its member organisations, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, has pointed out widespread and systemic corruption at all levels of Pakistan’s justice system, with grave consequences for human rights. The 32-page report, titled ‘Under the Bench: Mapping corruption risks in Pakistan’s justice system’, details the multifaceted ways in which corruption, described as endemic throughout Pakistan’s judicial system, has affected the independence and effectiveness of the judiciary and its ability to uphold fair trial rights and protect other fundamental freedoms. The report suggests there are indications that judicial corruption in Pakistan has reached a systemic scale and may amount to grand corruption. “This report shows the extent to which corruption has become entrenched in all aspects of... -
Dawn - 02:20 Jul 09, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Amid hot and humid weather, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) has declared force majeure — a legal term that absolves contractual liability — for its inability to supply regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) for three weeks due to renewed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. This may significantly hamper the power supply from over 5,000MW of RLNG-based plants in Punjab and curtail the transmission of power from Sindh to upcountry load centres, resulting in higher loadshedding in the days ahead. Informed officials said while rationing from already imported cargoes could help mitigate shortages, the government would have to increase dependence on the expensive spot market. In separate letters to four RLNG-based power plants in Punjab, the Lahore-based SNGPL said it had been updated by Pakistan State Oil (PSO) that ‘the event of force majeure notified due to ongoing war in the Gulf region remains in effect and continues to prevent the performance of its supplier’s obligations under their LNG S... -
Dawn - 02:15 Jul 09, 2026
• NA panel seeks cheaper financing for Lyari freight corridor • Voices concern over K-IV delays, funding shortfall ISLAMABAD: The Economic Affairs Division (EAD) on Wednesday warned a parliamentary panel that any renewed US-Iran escalation could adversely affect Pakistan’s economy through higher energy costs, inflation, increased external financing needs and slower economic growth. Against this backdrop, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Division, led by Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, advised the government to evaluate all possible cost-effective options for the construction of the multi-billion-rupee Lyari Elevated Freight Corridor (LEFC) before entering into stringent loan conditions with the Korean Exim Bank. The committee also expressed concern over delays and cost overruns in the Karachi Greater Water Supply Project (K-IV). The EAD team, comprising parliamentary secretary Zeb Jaffar and federal secretary Humair Karim, informed the committee that Pakistan entered 2026 with improving macroe... -
Dawn - 18:30 Jul 08, 2026
PESHAWAR: As lawmakers from across the aisle in the KP Assembly joined hands to defend the controversial law granting extended powers and privileges to members, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Wednesday ordered a review of its provisions following media outcry. It was reported yesterday that the KP government had recently approved the enactment of the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, which was passed on April 30 and signed by the governor on May 6. The law expands provincial assembly members’ powers and immunities, including the issuance of lifetime official passports to them and their spouses, blanket immunity from preventive detention, and entitlement to licences for up to eight non-prohibited-bore weapons. The law has faced severe criticism from media persons across Pakistan and the public in the province. “I hope that the amendments made to the Act will be reviewed. Any future steps will be taken in the public interest,” the chief minister said in a statement issued by... -
Dawn - 17:54 Jul 08, 2026
KARACHI: A missing six-year old boy was found raped and murdered near Karachi’s Lea Market on Wednesday, with the police claiming to have arrested a 20-year old suspect who happened to be a neighbour of the victim. Napier police said that the body of the boy was found at Punjab Gali near Spencer’s Eye Hospital, and moved to Karachi’s Civil Hospital for legal formalities. Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed said that the body was “decomposed” and there were “multiple bone injuries”. “All samples have been collected for sexual violence and chemical analysis,” she said, adding that the cause of death was “reserved”. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Syed Asad Raza told Dawn that although doctors had collected samples to ascertain sexual assault, the arrested suspect had confessed during the initial probe to kidnapping the boy for that purpose. After allegedly killing the boy, the suspect kept the body on the rooftop of his house. It was later thrown from the third floor into an empty plot on Tuesday night, wrappe... -
Dawn - 17:34 Jul 08, 2026
Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Wednesday said the armed forces remained fully aware of state-sponsored attempts by hostile intelligence agencies to destabilise Pakistan, adding that terrorism originating from across the border would be crushed with the “full might of the state”. In a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the CDF reiterated that such proxy networks would not be allowed to undermine the country’s internal security or economic prosperity. Earlier today, ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry held a press briefing and said four civilians, 27 policemen and 11 security personnel had been martyred, while 54 terrorists had been killed in attacks and subsequent operations in Balochistan since July 5. “Efforts of such proxies and networks, which operate under the tutelage of hostile intelligence agencies, are futile and will not be allowed to undermine Pakistan’s internal security and economic pro... -
Dawn - 17:24 Jul 08, 2026
Pakistan on Wednesday expressed deep concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East and called on the US and Iran to exercise restraint following mutual overnight strikes. Efforts to end the Middle East war have suffered a setback following an escalation of hostilities after Iranian attacks on ships in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iran struck at least three ships in recent days, prompting extensive US strikes on Iranian targets on Tuesday, followed by retaliatory attacks by Iran on Gulf countries. In a statement, the Foreign Office (FO) noted that “a renewed conflict is in no one’s interest”. “Pakistan calls on all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from any actions that may further undermine regional peace and stability. There is no alternative to continued engagement, dialogue and diplomacy to achieve [a] shared goal of peace in the region,” the statement added. “Pakistan urges all sides to uphold their respective commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which remain... -
Dawn - 16:50 Jul 08, 2026
President Donald Trump said the United States would hit Iran “hard” on Wednesday as he deemed their ceasefire over after fighting flared, but he left the door open to more talks. Efforts to end the Middle East war have taken a hit following the fighting sparked by Iranian attacks on ships in the vital Strait of Hormuz. The strategic shipping route remains a flashpoint in the conflict, which began in late February with massive US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Tehran insists on controlling the waterway, saying it will charge fees for passage and threatening to hit vessels that deviate from its authorised route. Its military struck at least three ships in recent days, prompting extensive US strikes against Iranian targets on Tuesday followed by retaliatory attacks from Iran on Gulf countries. “We’re gonna hit ’em hard tonight,” Trump said at a Nato summit in Ankara in reference to Iran, adding: “They violate the agreement every day.” When asked if the truce was intact, he had said earlier on Wednesday that “as far as... -
Dawn - 15:42 Jul 08, 2026
The US consulates in Lahore and Karachi are set to resume regular consular services from July 20, 2026, the US Embassy in Islamabad said in a statement on Wednesday. The consulates will provide services to US citizens as well as process non-immigrant visa applications. US consular services in Lahore and Karachi were suspended in March after protests turned deadly at the onset of the US-Israel war with Iran. On March 1, 10 people were killed in Karachi when protesters clashed with law enforcement personnel near the US Consulate on Mai Kolachi Road. Law enforcement personnel resorted to teargas shelling and baton-charge to control the situation, and US Marines were reported to have opened fire on the protestors. Protest against the attacks on Iran also took place in Islamabad, where at least two protesters died and over 30 were injured during clashes with law enforcement personnel near the Diplomatic Enclave. Following the protests, on March 4, the US State Department ordered non-emergency personnel from US con... -
Dawn - 15:18 Jul 08, 2026
LAHORE: A judicial magistrate on Wednesday granted the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) a six-day physical remand of podcast host Rehan Tariq in a case registered under blasphemy and electronic crime laws. The NCCIA registered a first information report (FIR) against YouTuber Tariq 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 FIR was registered under Section 11 (hate speech) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, Section 153-A (spreading hate or promoting enmity between different groups), Section 295-A (outraging religious feelings) and Section 298 (uttering words or making gestures with the deliberate intent to wound religious feelings) of the Pakistan Penal Code. During the hearing, the NCCIA produced Tariq before Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wattoo at the district courts. The investigating officer informed the magistrate that the YouTub... -
Dawn - 15:01 Jul 08, 2026
Lionel Messi once retired from international football after blasting a penalty into the American sky to lose a Copa America final 10 years ago. A decade on, Messi’s problems from the spot persist on US soil, but his magic is more than masking that flaw as he continues to lead the Argentina quest for World Cup glory at the age of 39. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s latest penalty miss left the world champions staring at a shock exit to Egypt in the last 16 on Tuesday. Either side of seeing his spot-kick saved by Mostafa Shobeir, goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko put Egypt into a 2-0 lead with just 11 minutes remaining. It was already the second time Messi had failed to net a penalty at this tournament — he fired wide against Austria in the group stages — becoming the only player to miss more than one in any World Cup. Adding to misses against Iceland in 2018 and Poland four years ago, Messi’s failure to score four World Cup penalties is another record, but an unwanted one. His overall career conve... -
Dawn - 14:30 Jul 08, 2026
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Wednesday said four civilians, 27 policemen and 11 security personnel had been martyred, while 54 terrorists had been killed in terrorist attacks and subsequent operations in Balochistan since July 5. Highlights: 4 citizens die in armed attack in Hanna Urak on outskirts of Quetta on July 4/5 9 policemen martyred, 15 terrorists killed in July 6 attack on Ziarat checkpost 18 policemen martyred, 11 terrorists killed so far in ongoing Ziarat clearance operation 11 soldiers lose lives, 14 terrorists eliminated in today’s attack on army convoy in Bela-Winder 6 terrorists killed in Kharan operation, 8 in Dalbandin “We will hunt you, and we will hurt you everywhere,” DG ISPR declares Addressing a press briefing in Rawalpindi, the DG ISPR noted that there have been “three major terrorist incidents” in the past four days. He provided details of each of those incidents — an armed attack on the outskirts of Quetta on July ... -
Dawn - 14:19 Jul 08, 2026
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Wednesday said the Pakistan Navy (PN) and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), after 12 hours of search and rescue operations in the deep sea, had successfully located and identified the wreckage of K2 Airways’ cargo Boeing 737 aircraft, which was reported missing last night. The wreckage was recovered from 53 nautical miles south of Ormara, the PAA said. The authority added that various air and sea-borne assets were used by the navy and the maritime agency to locate the wreckage of the ill-fated cargo plane. The bodies of the crew members have not been found yet, and “efforts are underway”. The PAA also said that further details will be released as the search operation continues. A K2 Airways Boeing 737-400 cargo aircraft disappeared from radar over the Arabian Sea, about 300 kilometres west of Karachi, late on Tuesday night. K2 Airways is a private airline based in Karachi. The carrier was established in May 2018 after being granted an airline charter licence by... -
Dawn - 13:26 Jul 08, 2026
A strategic compact between Pakistan and the US is a real possibility, and it needs to be viewed through the lens of American security and geopolitical interests at a time when multilateralism and international law are in retreat. Washington’s stake in the stability of South Asia — particularly Pakistan and its volatile neighbour, Afghanistan — is shaped by broader great-power competition. Instead of a wasteful rivalry, Professor Stephen Walt’s theory of offshore balancing offers a more pragmatic, cooperative alternative. Walt argues that the US should maintain a light offshore presence, backed by regional bases that reassure allies rather than provoke rivals, while avoiding a dangerous head-on military build-up against China. Pakistan’s own alliance-building reflects a similar logic. Walt’s ‘balance of threats’ theory holds that India’s aggressive posture, geographic proximity and growing power push Pakistan to carefully balance its ties with both China and the US. This dynamic opens space for a degree of US... -
Dawn - 12:27 Jul 08, 2026
A Qatari tanker loaded with liquefied natural gas (LNG) was at risk of exploding, one source said, after it sustained significant damage in an attack on the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. While the LNG industry has experienced a few accidents at onshore facilities, there has never been a catastrophic LNG cargo-tank explosion on a commercial LNG carrier at sea. Recent targeting of energy shipping vessels by belligerents in both the Ukraine and Iran wars has raised concerns, however. Tuesday’s incident involving the tanker Al Rekayyat marks the second case this year of an LNG vessel being caught up in a war-related attack. In March, the Russian LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz caught fire in the Mediterranean after it was struck by Ukrainian naval drones, forcing its crew to abandon ship, according to Russia’s transport ministry. What is LNG and how is it stored and transported? LNG is natural gas that has been cooled to around minus 162 degrees Celsius. Cooling turns the gas into a liquid and shrinks ... -
Dawn - 11:59 Jul 08, 2026
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry is currently addressing a press conference. The press briefing comes amid persisting security concerns in the country, particularly Balochistan. The DG ISPR said he would provide details of the recent terrorist incidents in Balochistan and inform about the background of those. He noted that there have been “three major terrorist incidents” in the past four days. The first took place on July 4/July 5 when “Fitna al Khawarij terrorists attacked the innocent local population” in Hanna Urak, he said, adding that the residents fought back very valiantly and “forced those terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Fitna Al Khwarij to flee”. The Pakistani government uses the term “Fitna al-Khawarij” to refer to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates. “During that, four brave innocent citizens were martyred and six were injured,” Lt Gen Chaudhry said. Detailing the second incident, he recalled that FAK terrorists ca...
12400 items