Dawn
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Dawn - 02:53 Jul 08, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) has approached the Federal Shariat Court (FSC), challenging the constitutional validity of the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2025 and seeking a declaration that certain provisions of the law are repugnant to the Holy Quran and Sunnah (PBUH). Filed under Article 203D, read with Article 227 of the Constitution, the petition argued that the law’s definition of a “child” as a person under 18 years of age conflicts with the Islamic concept of puberty (bulugh) as the threshold for marriageability. Senior counsel Kamran Murtaza filed the petition in June, seeking a declaration that the Act is inconsistent with Islamic jurisprudence on multiple grounds. The petition recalled that the FSC had on March 6, 2023 dismissed the Ali Azhar case, in which Section 2(a) of the Sindh Child Marriages Restraint Act, 2013 was challenged. The court rejected the case, holding that fixing the minimum marriage age at 18 is not repugnant to the injunctions of I... -
Dawn - 02:44 Jul 08, 2026
WASHINGTON: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is expected to meet senior US officials in Washington early next week, as Pakistan continues efforts to facilitate US-Iran talks, diplomatic sources told Dawn. Naqvi is currently in New York to represent Pakistan at the Fifth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit 2026 (UNCOPS), being held at the UN headquarters on July 7 and 8. The summit has brought together interior ministers, police chiefs and senior law enforcement officials from across the world to discuss peace, security and enhanced cooperation against transnational crime. The key focus of this year’s summit is developing a new vision for United Nations policing to ensure that peace operations remain agile, effective and people-centred. On the sidelines of the summit, Naqvi is scheduled to meet UN Secretary-General. He is also expected to hold bilateral talks with his counterparts from several participating countries. During his visit, diplomatic sources said, a meeting between Naqvi and New York Mayor Zohran... -
Dawn - 02:29 Jul 08, 2026
BEIJING: The death toll from devastating storms in parts of China rose to 17 on Tuesday, with hundreds more injured and tens of thousands evacuated, as President Xi Jinping urged “all out” rescue efforts. Over 130,000 people were evacuated, but 11 are still missing, regional officials told a news conference, adding that the rain has damaged nearly 13,000 acres of agricultural land. Dramatic video shared by state broadcaster CCTV showed a torrent of muddy water rushing past the crumbled concrete walls of a reservoir dam that had burst in the southern region of Guangxi, the worst-hit area. Rescue workers wearing life vests searched for missing people in inflatable boats, while authorities erected emergency shelters to house those displaced. 40 rivers and waterways overflowing in southern Guangxi region Intense rain and severe flooding from typhoon Maysak killed six people in Guangxi, where authorities raised the flood control emergency response to its highest level in the regional capital, Nanning. The state br... -
Dawn - 02:20 Jul 08, 2026
KARACHI: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Tuesday that human intervention between the tax administration and taxpayers would be reduced to a minimum under a new AI-led engagement model. Addressing a banking summit in Karachi, the minister said parliament had introduced a new tax administration operating model and approved a new structure in which notices would be issued through AI-led systems. The minister discussed several segments of the economy and expressed optimism about the launch of international bonds. He said that although Pakistan was late in entering the financial market of China, the world’s second-largest economy, the Panda Bond remained a significant achievement for the country. Says Pakistan preparing to launch more Eurobonds, sukuk Pakistan had been trying for years to tap the Chinese financial market but could not do so for several reasons. However, the government succeeded in entering the market to raise yuan equivalent to $250 million in mid-May 2026. The bond attracted demand mo... -
Dawn - 02:16 Jul 08, 2026
• Suparco says obstructed floodplain could trigger overbank flooding, debris flows • Satellite imagery shows number of ‘unfrozen lakes’ increased from 24 to 40 in just two weeks ISLAMABAD: With the monsoon season now under way, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has raised concern over the uncontrolled spread of settlements along a natural glacial lake-fed stream near Gilgit city, warning that lives, property and livestock could be at risk. A comparison of satellite images from 2013 and 2023 clearly reveals the rapid and largely uncontrolled expansion of settlements along the natural stream near Gilgit city. The stream is fed by upstream glacial lakes within the catchment, making it highly sensitive to climate-induced hazards such as glacial lake outburst floods (Glofs). Over the past decade, urban growth has progressively encroached into the natural flood conveyance zone and alluvial fan of the stream, significantly reducing its capacity to safely accommodate high-magnitude... -
Dawn - 02:08 Jul 08, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Russia has lifted restrictions on the import of potatoes from Punjab, allowing 101 exporters to resume shipments from July 7 after reviewing Pakistan’s phytosanitary control system, Pakistan’s trade officer in Moscow said on Tuesday. The decision to lift the ban was formally communicated to Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research. However, the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance has barred two Pakistani exporters from exporting potatoes to Russia, citing their failure to comply with the required phytosanitary standards. According to the trade officer’s letter, the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance had informed Pakistani authorities that potato imports from Punjab would be permitted, subject to guarantees provided by Pakistan’s Department of Plant Protection. The Russian authority said the decision followed a review of the list of Pakistani potato exporters and their planned export volumes from Punjab. However, ... -
Dawn - 02:05 Jul 08, 2026
Switzerland beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw on Tuesday to set up a quarter-final with defending champions Argentina. The two teams cancelled each other out in the final game of the last 16 — the last match to be played at the 2026 tournament outside the United States. Both teams missed spot-kicks before Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel brilliantly saved Cucho Hernandez’s effort and Ruben Vargas scored the decisive penalty. Colombia, once again backed by thousands of passionate fans in Vancouver, had conceded just once in their four games before Tuesday’s match and the Swiss had also proved difficult to break down. The first action of note came in the 21st minute when Kobel was forced into a flying save to keep out Gustavo Puerta’s curling effort from the edge of the penalty area. The Swiss stepped up a gear immediately after the first hydration break, with Camilo Vargas beating away a shot from Fabian Rieder before denying Dan Ndoye. But the match was goalless at half-time, with two we... -
Dawn - 21:01 Jul 07, 2026
RAWALPINDI: A K2 Airways Boeing 737-400 cargo aircraft en route from Sharjah to Karachi disappeared from radar over the Arabian Sea, about 300 kilometres west of Karachi, on Tuesday. According to reports, the aircraft lost contact about 300 kilometres west of Karachi while approaching Pakistani airspace. The pilot reported a navigation problem during the flight and requested assistance from the area control centre. K2 Airways is a private airline based in Karachi. The carrier was established in May 2018 after being granted an airline charter licence by the government. There were five crew members on board the aircraft, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said. The authority added that a K2 Airways Boeing 737 Pakistan Cargo flight en route from Sharjah to Karachi reported a navigational system issue at 9:18pm and was promptly guided by the Karachi Area Control Centre (ACC). However, at 9:21pm, the aircraft was observed on radar “rapidly descending” and making a sharp change in heading. Subsequently, “radar c... -
Dawn - 18:54 Jul 07, 2026
Argentina staged a stunning comeback from 2-0 down to avoid a stunning exit at the hands of Egypt and prolong Lionel Messi’s World Cup career with a 3-2 win to reach the quarter-finals. The holders looked down and out when goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko, either side of Messi having a penalty saved, put the Pharaohs in sight of a historic victory in Atlanta. However, Cristian Romero’s header sparked the comeback as Argentina struck three times in the final 11 minutes plus stoppage time. Messi smashed home the equaliser to score for a ninth consecutive World Cup game and retake the lead for the Golden Boot with eight this tournament. Enzo Fernandez completed the turnaround with a superb header two minutes into stoppage time. At the end, Messi shed tears of joy as he embraced his teammates. Egypt were left furious after a number of controversial calls went against them, including a disallowed goal early in the second half, and a member of their coaching staff was red-carded in the aftermath of the wi... -
Dawn - 17:43 Jul 07, 2026
Three tankers including a Qatari LNG vessel were struck within hours in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime monitors and Qatar said on Tuesday, with peace mediator Doha denouncing an “unacceptable” Iranian attack. An “unknown projectile” hit a tanker overnight, causing a fire, before two more were hit, at least one by a drone, British maritime security agency UKMTO said. The string of attacks after more than a week of respite revived concerns about freedom of navigation after Iran lifted its blockade of the vital waterway following a fragile ceasefire with the United States. All three vessels were struck close to Oman. Oman had proposed a temporary transit corridor hugging its coastline in an initiative opposed by Iran, which wants to charge ships using the narrow waterway. Qatar, which helped broker the truce, blamed Iran for the attack on its tanker and urged Tehran to “cease all practices that undermine regional security or threaten the safety of international maritime navigation”. “The targeting of the Qatari ... -
Dawn - 17:21 Jul 07, 2026
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would lift sanctions on Turkiye and make a decision on a potential sale of F-35 stealth jets to Ankara, as Nato leaders unveiled arms deals worth tens of billions of dollars to drive home the message that they are heeding US calls to spend more to defend Europe. Leaders were convening for a summit in the capital Ankara, hoping to project unity after another bruising year, in which the Iran war once again exposed cracks in the alliance that has underpinned Western security since the end of World War Two. In a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trump announced, “We’re going to be taking the sanctions off,” referring to the measures imposed under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). In 2020, Washington imposed CAATSA sanctions on Turkiye over its acquisition of Russian S-400 air defence systems. It also removed Ankara from the F-35 fighter jet program, a move Turkiye called unjust and illegal. Trump was expected to thr... -
Dawn - 17:01 Jul 07, 2026
Italy will not respond further to US President Donald Trump’s attacks on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, ministers said, pledging to protect bilateral ties that have come under strain in recent weeks after the two leaders traded accusations. Meloni was once seen as a close ally of Trump, but the relationship faltered last month when he told Italian TV channel La7 that she had “begged” him to take a photo with her at a G7 summit in France. She denied the claim and accused him of fabricating the story. With the two leaders due to attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) summit in Ankara on Tuesday and Wednesday, Trump appeared to reignite the dispute when he posted on Truth Social a picture of Meloni looking up at him with the caption “RESTRAINING ORDER NEEDED”. US President Donald Trump shared a doctored picture with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on July 6, 2026. —Truth Social/@realDonaldTrump The latest provocation raised questions about how Meloni would react, potentially raising tensions ... -
Dawn - 16:54 Jul 07, 2026
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Tuesday enacted a law expanding provincial assembly members’ powers and immunities, including the issuance of lifetime official passports to them and their spouses. The KP Assembly passed the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, on April 30. On the same day, it also passed two other laws: the KP Province Speaker and Deputy Speaker (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, and the KP Province (Salaries and Allowances of Members) Act, 2026. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi assented to the laws on May 6. However, the three laws have remained under wraps since the governor’s assent. The Acts and the gazette notifications have yet to be uploaded to the KP Assembly website. Through the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, the government has repealed the 1988 law on the same subject. Although most provisions of the repealed law have been retained in the new legislation, certain changes have been made t... -
Dawn - 15:56 Jul 07, 2026
The federal cabinet on Monday approved a comprehensive Haj Policy for 2027–2030, aimed at providing more facilities to pilgrims and improving operational efficiency. The cabinet commended Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and his ministry’s team for the excellent Haj arrangements made this year. A detailed briefing on the new Haj policy was presented to the cabinet. The meeting was informed that, unlike previous one-year policies, the new framework is the country’s first comprehensive four-year plan aimed at ensuring long-term planning, improving operational efficiency and providing better facilities to pilgrims. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other regulations will be formulated, and they may also be amended whenever necessary to remain aligned with the laws and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The cabinet was informed that, under the new policy, prospective pilgrims will no longer need to register annually. Instead, they will be able to register at any time f... -
Dawn - 14:52 Jul 07, 2026
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Group Captain Asim Tariq, who lost his life saving a woman in distress, was laid to rest with full military honours, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday. Funeral prayers for the group captain were held today, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. He was laid to rest with “full military honours in recognition of his exceptional courage, selfless devotion and unwavering sense of duty”. According to ISPR, PAF Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, along with senior officers, airmen and a large gathering of civil society members, attended the prayers and paid “final respects to the valiant officer and honoured his supreme sacrifice”. ISPR quoted ACM Sidhu as stating that the sacrifice “epitomises the finest traditions of the PAF and the Armed Forces of Pakistan”. ACM Sidhu noted that through his sacrifice, the officer had demonstrated that “men and women of the PAF remain steadfast in their commitment not only to safeguarding the nation’s frontie... -
Dawn - 14:48 Jul 07, 2026
Investor thinking on Chinese assets is changing, as steady returns through the turbulence of the Iran war and AI frenzy show how China has broken step with global markets, carving it a niche as a sandbag against volatility. The shift has brought money into the bond market and encouraged investors to seek out stocks with drivers distinct from global trends. “The role of China in portfolios is evolving from a simple emerging-market growth allocation toward a more nuanced source of diversification,” said Christopher Hamilton, head of client investment solutions for Asia Pacific ex-Japan at Invesco, a manager of about $2.2 trillion in global assets. “Diversification is ultimately about combining exposures that respond differently to economic and market conditions, and China is increasingly being assessed through that lens.” Since the Middle East conflict began at the end of February, China’s bond market has been the world’s strongest, and the yuan is the only major currency to have climbed against the dollar. The... -
Dawn - 13:11 Jul 07, 2026
The current El Nino weather phenomenon is expected to break records for its overall strength, a top expert said Tuesday, as regions face the risk of droughts, floods and other extremes linked to the event. El Nino warms surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, bringing worldwide changes in winds, pressure and rainfall patterns. It typically takes place every two to seven years and lasts around nine to 12 months, and it can lead to droughts in some parts of the world and flooding in others. This year’s El Nino is unlike anything seen in more than three decades of tracking the phenomenon, with forecast models pointing to an “extreme” event, said Tim Stockdale, an El Nino expert at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), an intergovernmental organisation. “I think it’s absolutely true to say we’ve never had a forecast of an El Nino that was so strong and so consistent across (forecast) models,” he said in a media briefing. Stockdale said it would be “a ver... -
Dawn - 12:59 Jul 07, 2026
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) snapped a five-day bullish streak on Tuesday, falling by over 1,100 points to settle below the 187,000-point mark as investors resorted to profit-taking following the market’s recent record-breaking rally. The reversal came after economic optimism — driven by falling energy prices and a likely cut in the interest rate — propelled the KSE-100 index above 187,000 points on Monday, leading analysts to believe it might surpass its all-time high of 189,167 in January. Despite hitting a high of 188,126.67 points early in today’s session, the index then plunged by nearly 1,500 points before 10am, and remained volatile before declining further later in the session. It hit a low of 186,189.21 points at 3:12pm before closing at 186,255.55 points, down by 1,199.14 (0.64 per cent) from its previous close of 187,454.69. According to Topline Securities Ltd, the decline was driven by selling pressure emerging across key sectors during the latter half of the session. It noted that investor s... -
Dawn - 12:44 Jul 07, 2026
LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Tuesday announced nationwide protests and sit-ins on Friday, July 10, against what he described as the government’s “extortionary” petroleum levy. Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Rehman said the petroleum levy had become an “unbearable burden” on ordinary Pakistanis, claiming that the government was collecting Rs118 per litre in taxes and levies on petrol. “Nearly Rs8.5 trillion has been collected through the levy to meet revenue targets rather than improving petroleum infrastructure,” he alleged. He also criticised the collection of around Rs60 billion under the Climate Support Levy, alleging that the funds were not being spent on environmental protection or climate-related projects. Under IMF conditions, the government doubled the climate support levy to Rs5 per litre with effect from July 1, while correspondingly reducing the petroleum levy. As a result, the petroleum levy on diesel currently stands at about Rs80 per litre. Petrole... -
Dawn - 11:57 Jul 07, 2026
A trust that runs India’s grand Ram temple, built on the site of the demolished Babri Masjid and consecrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2024 after decades of controversy, has overhauled its leadership after people involved in counting donations were accused of stealing millions of rupees in offerings. The construction of the temple dedicated fulfilled one of the biggest promises of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which derives its support mainly from the Hindu majority. The alleged theft at the temple has provided the opposition with ammunition ahead of an election due early next year in bellwether Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, where the temple is located in the city of Ayodhya. The temple site was bitterly contested for decades, sparking nationwide riots in 1992 that killed 2,000 people, mainly Muslims, after a Hindu mob destroyed the 16th-century mosque there. ‘Shameful incident’ Trustees of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, set up by Modi’s government to build the temple, ...
12400 items