Dawn
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Dawn - 03:53 Jul 15, 2026
LAHORE: A resolution has been submitted to the Punjab Assembly, seeking a nationwide ban on social media accounts for children under the age of 16 without parental consent, amid growing concerns over cyberbullying, online sexual abuse and digital addiction among the minors. The resolution, moved by Punjab lawmaker Sarah Ahmad, urges the provincial government to recommend to the federal government to introduce comprehensive legislation to regulate children’s access to social media platforms and strengthen online safety measures. It says the protection of children’s physical, mental, psychological and moral development is both a constitutional and moral responsibility of the state, adding that unrestricted access to social media has exposed minors to cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation, inappropriate content, psychological distress, digital addiction and other serious online threats. The resolution recommends that the federal government enact legislation prohibiting children below the age of 16 from creat... -
Dawn - 03:33 Jul 15, 2026
• Minister Ghani says govt tested 10,500 residents following emergence of HIV cases at health facility in SITE in Oct 2025 • Says 2,000 tested at SESSI-run hospital in Landhi, 10 of whom were found infected with virus • Vows not to suspend screening drive due to fear of more cases emerging • Announces body of leading medical experts for long-term treatment, welfare of 78 infected children KARACHI: Following the HIV outbreak at the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI)-run Valika Hospital, more than 10,500 people living in the vicinity of the health facility in SITE have been screened since October 2025 and 120 of them tested positive for the contagious disease. Speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday, Sindh Labour Minister Saeed Ghani said a separate screening drive was conducted at another SESSI-run hospital in Landhi, where 2,000 people were tested and 10 of them found infected with HIV. Accompanied by Indus Hospital Chief Executive Dr Abdul Bari and Aga Khan University Hospital’s Dr Fa... -
Dawn - 03:24 Jul 15, 2026
WHEN Pakistan assumed the chairmanship of the OIC Ministerial Conference on Women this week, it did so while confronting uncomfortable realities of its own. Only recently, the World Economic Forum ranked Pakistan 148th out of 148 countries in its Global Gender Gap Report, underscoring how much work remains to ensure women enjoy equal opportunities in education, employment and public life. That sobering backdrop lent added significance to repeated calls in Islamabad for the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to move beyond declarations and deliver tangible progress. Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani’s proposal for measurable targets on girls’ education, women’s leadership, workforce participation and protection against gender-based violence was among the conference’s most constructive outcomes. The OIC has, after all, endorsed women’s empowerment on numerous occasions. The challenge has not been a lack of commitments; it has been the failure to translate them into meaningful change. Across parts of the Musli... -
Dawn - 03:14 Jul 15, 2026
FOR a quarter of a century, nearly everything that is supposed to bring women into the workforce has been moving in the right direction in Pakistan. Female university enrolment has grown roughly six-fold since 2000. Fertility has fallen, and families continue to move from villages to cities, where jobs are closer and more varied. In the standard economic playbook, these are the three important engines of women’s employment: education raises the wages a woman can earn, fewer children free her time, and urban labour markets put work within reach. And yet female labour force participation has barely moved. It has sat in the 22-25 per cent range for years, among the lowest in the world, while roughly four out of five working-age men are in the labour force. The engines are running but the vehicle is stationary. This is what makes Pakistan an exception, and a puzzle. In most countries that experienced comparable gains in women’s education and comparable declines in fertility, women’s employment rose. Bangladesh’s ... -
Dawn - 02:57 Jul 15, 2026
THE tentative ceasefire has effectively collapsed even before the US and Iran could begin technical-level talks. Renewed American strikes and Iranian retaliation now threaten the interim deal barely a month after it was signed. The two countries are sliding back towards war: Donald Trump has announced the resumption of the blockade, while Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz. The US president has also notified Congress that the conflict with Iran is on. Trump’s escalatory rhetoric — threatening to seize control of the strategic waterway and charge other countries for guarding it — may be dismissed as one of his usual bombastic flourishes, yet it has added to the tension. America’s escalation, coming a day after the delayed funeral of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the war on Feb 28, has stoked public anger in Iran. Many are calling for revenge. Although a return to full-fledged war may not be imminent, the latest developments have made it far harder to reach a n... -
Dawn - 02:56 Jul 15, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Confirming that they are ready to hold talks with the government, an opposition leader claimed on Tuesday the alliance had sought a ‘neutral venue’ for the proposed dialogue. Speaking to DawnNewsTV, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, chief of the PTI-allied Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM), confirmed that the government had invited opposition leaders for talks at the PM’s Office. However, he maintained that they have sought to hold the meeting in Parliament House. When asked by host Nadir Guramani about recent statements made by ministers — such as Tariq Fazal Chaudhry — about an offer for talks extended to the PTI-led opposition, Abbas said that while they were willing to sit with the prime minister and any other ministers, they did not want to attend any meetings held at the PM’s Office or the National Assembly speaker’s chambers. However, he said, they were ready to sit with the prime minister and any other government representatives in the Constitution Room of Parliament House, adding that they wer... -
Dawn - 02:50 Jul 15, 2026
• Committee asks Privatisation Commission to approach railways to issue NOC to purchaser; officials say matter is ‘subject to litigation’ • Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad airports to be outsourced to improve efficiency, body told • Officials say 33 PIA properties transferred to holding company, 11 to remain with airline ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel on Tuesday expressed serious displeasure that Karachi’s landmark Hyatt Regency Hotel building could not be transferred to the purchaser in more than two decades and ordered settlement of the issue at the earliest. A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Privatisation, presided over by Senator Afnanullah, was reviewing the matter relating to the abandoned building of the hotel. The Privatisation Division officials reported that the property was privatised in 2004 for Rs530 million, while a decision was taken in 2003 to convert the building into a National Commodity Exchange. “The committee was informed that despite full payment by the purchaser, the transfer o... -
Dawn - 02:35 Jul 15, 2026
The government has planned to bring 3.5 million small shopkeepers and traders with annual turnover of Rs200m into tax net during 2026-27.—PPI/file ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has proposed a simplified and voluntary income tax regime for small shopkeepers, offering exemption from routine audit, withholding tax obligations and mandatory digital invoicing in a fresh attempt to broaden the country’s narrow tax base. The draft Special Procedure for Small Shopkeepers, issued on Tuesday, will be finalised within one week after objections and suggestions from the public. Under the proposal, individual retailers with an annual turnover of up to Rs200 million will have the option of paying income tax equal to one per cent of their gross turnover instead of filing returns under the normal taxation regime. However, participating retailers will have to pay a minimum cash tax of Rs25,000 even if taxes already deducted at source exceed their liability. Any excess withholding tax will not be refundable. The... -
Dawn - 02:30 Jul 15, 2026
• Poonch DC says two security personnel martyred in separate incidents • Seven protesters lose their lives • Home secy vows to remove all hurdles to free movement of people, supplies created by JAAC MUZAFFARABAD: As the government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) vowed to clear all obstacles that were preventing the free movement of people and goods in the region, at least two law enforcers were martyred, while seven activists of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) lost their lives in separate clashes on Tuesday. The clashes took place in Poonch division, a day before the JAAC’s planned “long march” towards Muzaffarabad. Last week, the outfit had given the government until July 14 to address their demands, failing which, they had announced plans to march on the AJK capital today (Wednesday). The first clash occurred on Tuesday morning when law enforcement personnel raided Mutyalmera, on the outskirts of Rawalakot, following what officials described as intelligence about a large cache of weapons ... -
Dawn - 02:24 Jul 15, 2026
• IT committee notes power outages affecting mobile towers, telecom services • PTA claims 92pc smartphones in Pakistan locally manufactured or assembled • Panel asks IT ministry to encourage Apple, other brands to assemble locally • Electronic Transactions amendment bill deferred ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the unsatisfactory state of internet services in the country, noting that poor connectivity was affecting not only remote areas but also major cities such as Karachi. Committee Chairman Syed Aminul Haque observed that users frequently experienced slow internet speeds and repeated call connection failures despite multiple attempts. PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman briefed the committee that the total available spectrum in the country previously stood at 274MHz but had increased to 754MHz after the 5G spectrum auction. He said telecom operators had launched 5G services in 22 cities. However, he said ... -
Dawn - 02:18 Jul 15, 2026
• AGP argues both appeals and bails in pending NAB cases will now be heard by FCC • Imran, Bushra file chamber appeals seeking SC jurisdiction in Al-Qadir case ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dropped hints that it would thrash out in detail a jurisdictional controversy over whether it retains the authority to hear bail applications in pending National Accountability Bureau (NAB) appeals, or if such pleas must be transferred to the newly established Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) under the Constitution (27th Amendment). Headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, a three-judge SC bench, also consisting of Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan, is seized with the issue of whether pending appeals and bail applications in NAB cases fall within the category that must be shifted to the FCC for final determination. On Tuesday, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan argued that both appeals and bails in pending NAB cases will now be heard by the FCC. It is legally inappropriat... -
Dawn - 02:03 Jul 15, 2026
Spain stunned tournament favourites France 2-0 to reach the World Cup final on Tuesday, producing a tactical masterpiece to shatter Les Bleus’ dreams of winning the title for the third time. A first-half penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a 58th-minute Pedro Porro goal sealed an utterly clinical victory for the European champions at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Spain, World Cup winners in 2010, will now face either Argentina or England in Sunday’s final in New Jersey. France had entered the showdown as the overwhelming favourites for the tournament after a dazzling, goal-laden run to the semi-finals. But France’s vaunted front four of captain Kylian Mbappe, Ballon D’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and Michael Olise were snuffed out by a combination of Spanish poise and power. Spain, who had beaten France in their previous two competitive meetings, had vowed to go on the front foot in the pre-match build-up and they proved as good as their word. A commanding performance by Spain’s midfield le... -
Dawn - 19:05 Jul 14, 2026
Lab-confirmed cases linked to a US outbreak of cyclosporiasis have risen to 1,645, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday, up by more than 800 cases from its last update a week ago. Cases have now been reported across 34 states, and have resulted in 141 hospitalisations as of July 13, according to the health agency. No deaths have been reported. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection that can be contracted by consuming food typically raw fruits and vegetables or water contaminated with feces, according to the US CDC. While the United States has experienced outbreaks of the gastrointestinal illness before, the scale and geographic spread of this year’s outbreak are significantly larger, prompting concern among health officials. The agency cautioned that there is a roughly six-week lag between the onset of illness and the reporting of cases, which means more infections are likely to be identified as additional data is received. The CDC said it is also aware of more than 5,100 addition... -
Dawn - 18:36 Jul 14, 2026
PESHAWAR: A member of the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police was martyred on Tuesday while defusing an improvised explosive device (IED) inside an abandoned police post in Peshawar’s Hassan Khel subdivision, police said. According to the police, the post in the Faqeeri Banr area of Hassan Khel had been abandoned and was lying vacant. Terrorists had detonated one IED inside the post and left another unexploded. “It was a vacant post and terrorists had already detonated one IED inside it, but they left another unexploded. A BDU member, Khaisat Rehman, who had travelled from the provincial capital, was attempting to defuse the second IED when it exploded,” a senior police official told Dawn. He said the area was immediately cordoned off and a search operation was launched. Hassan Khel, located about 50 miles south of the provincial capital, has witnessed a surge in terrorist attacks on law enforcement agencies over the past four years. On July 1, a woman was killed and six others of t... -
Dawn - 18:30 Jul 14, 2026
US cases of an intestinal infection from the cyclospora parasite that causes diarrhoea, nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms have surged in recent days, with 34 states reporting infections, according to the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Michigan, which reported its outbreak in May, recorded 3,309 cases on Tuesday. What is it? Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection that can be contracted by consuming food, typically raw fruits and vegetables, or water contaminated with faeces, that transmit the cyclospora parasite, according to the CDC. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, with children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems facing a higher risk of serious illness. A crate of iceberg lettuce. — Reuters/File While cyclosporiasis is rarely life-threatening, untreated infections can persist for weeks and may lead to hospitalisation, particularly because of dehydration. The US has had previous outbreaks of the disease. Michigan, for instance, said it typically re... -
Dawn - 18:25 Jul 14, 2026
Lab-confirmed cases linked to a US outbreak of cyclosporiasis have risen to 1,645, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday, up by more than 800 cases from its last update a week ago. Cases have now been reported across 34 states, and have resulted in 141 hospitalisations as of July 13, according to the health agency. No deaths have been reported. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection that can be contracted by consuming food typically raw fruits and vegetables or water contaminated with feces, according to the US CDC. While the United States has experienced outbreaks of the gastrointestinal illness before, the scale and geographic spread of this year’s outbreak are significantly larger, prompting concern among health officials. The agency cautioned that there is a roughly six-week lag between the onset of illness and the reporting of cases, which means more infections are likely to be identified as additional data is received. The CDC said it is also aware of more than 5,100 addition... -
Dawn - 17:55 Jul 14, 2026
US President Donald Trump stepped back from a proposal to charge a 20 per cent transit fee to guard the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway as part of the conflict with Iran, saying on Tuesday he would instead seek investment deals with Gulf states. US forces had carried out waves of attacks for the third night in a row after Tehran said it had closed the strait, prompting Trump on Monday to reinstate a blockade of Iranian shipping and propose the fee. But just a little under five hours before the fee had been due to come into effect at 2000 GMT, Trump said the strait was open to all shipping traffic except that of Iran. “Based on highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership, I have decided to replace the 20% United States Reimbursement Fee with Trade and Investment Deals that the various Gulf States will be making into the United States,” he said in a post on Truth Social. Iran reports new strikes, sirens in Kuwait The governor’s office of Iran’s Qeshm Island, on the Strait of Hormuz, said it was ... -
Dawn - 17:32 Jul 14, 2026
Andy Burnham was on Tuesday striding towards becoming the UK’s next prime minister, winning the backing of the country’s largest union, adding to an already unassailable lead in Labour’s leadership contest. The former Manchester mayor, so far the only candidate to be the party’s new leader, had notched up 349 nominations from fellow MPs late on Monday — making it mathematically impossible for any challenger to defeat him. The 56-year-old is bidding to replace Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation last month, bowing to months of internal pressure to step down after a series of scandals, missteps and policy U-turns in his two-year tenure. The Unison trade union, the largest in Britain with more than 1.3 million members, said on Tuesday it was throwing its weight behind Burnham. “He has a tough task ahead, but he is a strong, powerful voice who commands respect,” said Unison chairwoman Linda Hobson. Under party rules, Burnham, once dubbed the “King of the North” for his staunch backing of Manchester, must ... -
Dawn - 17:07 Jul 14, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) on Tuesday sought representation in the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, noting that the inclusion of all political parties in the panel was essential to effectively highlight the issue. The Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir is a parliamentary body dedicated to raising the Kashmir issue on national and international forums. During a meeting with Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir Chairman Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon in Islamabad, MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar proposed the inclusion of all political parties in the panel. Qasim endorsed the proposal, saying that “national unity and broader political consensus on Kashmir were a pressing need of the time”. Dr Sattar added that a durable solution to the Kashmir issue was possible only through political and diplomatic means. Qasim proposed a “National Conference on Kashmir” to build broader political consensus and highlight the Kashmir issue more effectively at the international level. He also paid tribute t... -
Dawn - 16:12 Jul 14, 2026
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) process during a meeting with the association’s Secretary-General Golam Sarwar in Islamabad on Tuesday, according to the Foreign Office (FO). A statement posted by the FO on social media said that Sarwar called on FM Dar at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad. The foreign minister commended Sarwar’s efforts to promote regional cooperation and “reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to the Saarc process”, the statement said. Dar underscored the need for a “revitalised Saarc, guided by the principles of its charter, to advance regional connectivity, sustainable development, and the collective well-being” of South Asia, while highlighting the region’s demographic and economic potential. Meanwhile, the secretary general thanked the foreign minister for Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional and global peace and appreciated the country’s consistent supp...
12682 items