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Dawn - 01:46 May 12, 2025
LAHORE: A man dies after being struck by lightning in Sahiwal on Sunday, says the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), while advising people to take precautions given the heavy rainfall and thunderstorm hitting different districts. As per the PDMA, a 36-year-old man, Ramzan, died in Sahiwal when lightning struck him. Punjab witnessed intense weather activity on Sunday, with storms, heavy rainfall and hailstorms reported in the districts, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Murree, Rawalpindi, and Narowal. The PDMA issued a province-wide alert, urging authorities and citizens to take precautionary measures, the forecast of inclement weather till May 12 (tomorrow). According to reports from the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), Madina Town water works recorded the highest rainfall of 25mm, followed by Dogar Basti and Gulistan Colony, 12mm each, in Faisalabad region. In Lahore region, Jail Road received 3.8mm rain, while Lakshmi Chowk and Wasa’s Gulberg Head Office recorded 4mm and 3mm, respectively. The... -
Dawn - 21:42 May 11, 2025
The United States and China on Sunday said that progress had been made after a weekend of talks aimed at de-escalating trade tensions sparked by US President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff rollout. The increasingly ugly trade spat between Washington and Beijing has rocked financial markets and raised fears of a global economic slowdown and an inflationary spike in the United States. “We’ve made substantial progress between the United States and China in the very important trade talks,” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters in Geneva after the second day of discussions. “The talks were productive,” he said, taking no questions but promising a “complete briefing” on the outcome on Monday. In a statement on Sunday, which did not provide any additional details, the White House hailed what it called a new “trade deal” with China. China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng told reporters the meetings had achieved “substantial progress,” echoing Bessent’s remarks, and described the atmosphere as “candid, in-depth... -
Dawn - 17:19 May 11, 2025
Two policemen were martyred and two were injured on Sunday in a suicide attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s capital of Peshawar, according to the police. Faced with increasing attacks by militants, especially in KP and Balochistan, security forces have also intensified counterterrorism operations. “Two policemen, including a sub-inspector, were martyred, and two were injured in a blast,” said Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Qasim Khan. He added that a police mobile was targeted in a suicide attack. The attack took place near the Ring Road Mall Mandi area. Earlier in the day, a policeman was martyred in an exchange of fire after attackers threw a hand grenade near a mosque in Gwadar. In another incident today, Lakki Marwat police thwarted a kidnapping bid by terrorists in the Landewa Gorabai area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with three people rescued, two terrorists killed and a cop injured in the rescue operation. Militant violence and security operations intensified in March, with the number of militant att... -
Dawn - 17:10 May 11, 2025
“If this ceasefire holds, then coming weeks will see a new battle: of narratives.” This is what international security correspondent Jason Burke wrote in an analysis for Guardian, just a few hours after a ceasefire — brokered by the US — was reached between India and Pakistan. As the nuclear-armed neighbours announced the breaking news, international media sifted through a swirl of disinformation and conflicting government statements. The escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbours began following the April 22 attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed 26 people. India, without investigation or evidence, implied “cross-border linkages” of the attackers. Pakistan firmly rejected the claim and called for a neutral probe. Following the allegations, India launched a series of drone strikes on Pakistan, resulting in civilian casualties. Both sides then launched missiles at each other, which stretched over the week before US President Trump announced yesterday that a “full and immediate cea... -
Dawn - 16:29 May 11, 2025
Lakki Marwat police on Sunday thwarted a kidnapping bid by terrorists in the Landewa Gorabai area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with three people rescued, two terrorists killed and a cop injured in the rescue operation, according to a senior police official. Faced with increasing attacks by militants, especially in KP and Balochistan, security forces have also intensified counterterrorism operations. Khanzala Khan, spokesperson to Bannu regional police officer (RPO) Sajjad Khan, told Dawn.com that terrorists attempted to abduct three locals in the Landewa Gorobai area of Lakki Marwat. “Local police immediately launched a search operation after receiving information about the incident,” Khan said. “During the operation, the police had a face-to-face encounter with the terrorists.” The spokesperson added that terrorists opened fire on the police team, with a policeman sustaining a minor injury. “However, the police and the DSP (Deputy Superintendent of Police) present at the scene fought bravely and pushed the terrori... -
Dawn - 16:05 May 11, 2025
Talks between US and Chinese officials continued into their second day in Geneva on Sunday, as both sides discussed how to de-escalate the trade war that threatens to inflict major damage on the world economy. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in their first face-to-face meetings since the world’s two largest economies imposed tariffs well above 100 per cent on each other’s goods. Talks were still underway after 3-1/2 hours on Sunday on the outskirts of Geneva, following eight hours of discussions on Saturday. Bessent declined to comment to reporters at his hotel before setting off for the talks on Sunday. But White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said the Chinese were “very, very eager” to engage in discussions and rebalance trade relations with the United States. Hassett also told Fox News that more foreign trade deals could be coming with other countries as soon as this week. Overnight, US President Donald Trump gave ... -
Dawn - 15:29 May 11, 2025
The Supreme Court of Pakistan is set to hear the appeal against Zahir Jaffer’s death sentence in the Noor Mukadam murder case on May 13, according to its latest cause list, it emerged on Sunday. Noor, 27, was found murdered at a residence in Islamabad’s upscale Sector F-7/4 on July 20, 2021. A first information report (FIR) was registered later the same day against Zahir Jaffer, who was arrested from the site of the murder. In February 2022, a district and sessions judge convicted Jaffer of murdering Mukadam, handing him the death penalty along with 25 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs200,000. His household staff, Iftikhar and Jameel — co-accused in the case — were each sentenced to 10 years in prison, while all other suspects, including Jaffer’s parents and TherapyWorks employees, were acquitted. According to the cause list available on the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s website, “the hearing on the appeal against Jaffer’s death sentence will be held on May 13.” Justice Hashim Kakar will head a th... -
Dawn - 14:29 May 11, 2025
Polish cyclist Paweł Małaszko, aiming to be the first person to cycle to the K2 base camp from Karachi, started the final leg of his journey on Sunday. Małaszko, Aged 46, is cycling to the base camp as part of his adventure to cycle across Pakistan — from the shores of the Arabian Sea to the K2 base camp, the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court provided a permit to the Polish cyclist to complete his adventure earlier this month. The legal battle between tour operators and GB tourism departments had stopped the issuance of mountaineering and trekking permits for foreigners. Talking to Dawn, the cyclist said he started his final adventure on Sunday morning from Skardu. “It is a challenging expedition, my goal is to cover this whole route on a bike. without additional support. If I succeed, I will be the first man in history to do so,” Małaszko said. Earlier, the Polish cyclist reached Skardu, travelling 3,250 kilometres from Karachi on a bicycle. “I am an athlete and an avid traveller, deeply engaged in challenging cy... -
Dawn - 13:44 May 11, 2025
The Afghan government under the Taliban has called for “mutual respect and constructive engagement” with Pakistan and China, according to a statement issued by its interior ministry. The statement was issued after special envoys of Pakistan and China, Mohammad Sadiq and Yue Xiaoyong, met Afghan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani in Kabul. The trilateral forum was established in 2017, with earlier meetings held in Beijing and the Afghan capital. “Minister of Interior Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani emphasised the importance of strengthening regional ties, stating that, from the Islamic Emirate’s perspective, the advancement of economic and political relations, as well as regional understanding, can be achieved through mutual respect and constructive engagement,” the Afghan interior ministry said. It added that the special envoys of China and Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening good neighbourly relations and fostering cooperation with Afghanistan based on mutual engagement. They also agreed that ... -
Dawn - 12:48 May 11, 2025
Renowned Pakistani climber Sajid Ali Sadpara on Saturday summited the world’s seventh highest peak — Dhaulagiri at 8,167 metres — without oxygen or porter support. On May 4, four Pakistani climbers began their expedition to climb Dhaulagiri, located in Nepal. Sadpara had reached the base camp of the peak on April 6 and had begun his rotation and climbed up to the Camp 3 and descended to the base camp. The feat, confirmed by the Alpine Club of Pakistan, marks Sadpara’s ninth 8,000m peak, all of which were climbed without bottled oxygen and were completely unsupported. View this post on Instagram In a statement, Seven Summit Treks said the team successfully reached the summit starting at 9:35am on Saturday, marking the first confirmed ascent of Dhaulagiri in the Spring 2025 season. The expedition team had previously fixed ropes up to 8,050m and launched their final summit push during a favourable weather window. The team began their summit push from Camp IV at 6:15pm on Friday, making relentless efforts to reac... -
Dawn - 11:14 May 11, 2025
An overcrowded bus carrying dozens of Buddhist pilgrims plummeted into a precipice in Sri Lanka on Sunday, killing at least 21 and injuring 24, a senior transport official said. The island nation’s winding roads are among the most dangerous in the world, and the crash off a cliffside road on Sunday was among the deadliest recorded in Sri Lanka in decades. The roof and side panels of the bus were sheared off, and more than half the seats were ripped from the floor of the vehicle, which landed wheels up into a tea plantation, photos of the wreckage showed. The state-owned bus was carrying around 70 passengers — about 20 more than its capacity — through the central hilly region of Kotmale when the driver lost control and it veered off the road before dawn, police said. “We are trying to establish whether it was a mechanical failure or if the driver fell asleep at the wheel,” a local police official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to media. Deputy Transport Mini... -
Dawn - 10:20 May 11, 2025
Talks between top US and Chinese officials resumed for a second day on Sunday, after US President Donald Trump voiced optimism over the negotiations aimed at de-escalating trade tensions sparked by his aggressive tariff rollout. In a Truth Social post following the first day of talks in Geneva on Saturday, Trump praised the “very good” discussions and deemed them “a total reset negotiated in a friendly, but constructive, manner”. Earlier, the Chinese state news agency Xinhua also described the talks in Switzerland as “an important step in promoting the resolution of the issue”. The second day of closed-door meetings between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng resumed shortly after 10am (1pm PKT) on Sunday. As of Saturday, the talks were taking place at the residence of the Swiss ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, a discrete villa with sky-blue shutters near a large park on the left bank of Lake Geneva. “These talks reflect that t... -
Dawn - 08:39 May 11, 2025
KARACHI: The local auto industry and its suppliers are facing uncertainty ahead of the FY26 budget as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is reportedly pressuring the government to rationalise auto tariffs and permit the commercial import of used cars. The IMF believes the auto sector is highly protective, and there is a need to rationalise tariffs to improve competitiveness and efficiency to benefit consumers. There are over 40 per cent taxes and duties on locally produced vehicles. On May 6, auto assemblers and part vendors met Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAMP) Haroon Akhtar Khan in Islamabad and conveyed their concerns that the local industry would collapse if commercial imports of used cars are allowed and tariffs on CBU are lowered below a certain threshold. The SAPM assured them that the government did not intend to jeopardise the industry and the investments. On the contrary, the ministry will protect the local industry and try to achieve balanced tariffs with industry consultation. The old ... -
Dawn - 08:04 May 11, 2025
A policeman was martyred in an exchange of fire after attackers threw a hand grenade near a masjid in Gwadar, according to police. According to Gwadar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Zia Mandokhail, a residential quarter of people belonging to Punjab was targeted with a hand grenade near Bilal Mosque located on Syed Hashmi Avenue. The attackers fired in the air and fled the scene. As the attackers attempted to flee, the police constable present at the scene took immediate action and chased one of the attackers. The timely police action led to one attacker, Shah Jahan, being killed, while the other, Shahzad, was seriously injured. In the exchange of fire, however, policeman Muhammad Khamari was martyred. Three others were also injured in the attack, according to SSP Mandokhail. Militant violence and security operations intensified in the country in March 2025, with the number of militant attacks surpassing 100 for the first time since November 2014, according to data released by the Pakistan Institute fo... -
Dawn - 07:07 May 11, 2025
• India, Pakistan agree to stop all fighting after days of missile, drone attacks • Trump announces surprise ceasefire, congratulates two nations on using ‘common sense’ • State secretary, vice president also actively involved in mediation • Dar engages with Chinese, Saudi and Turkish FMs, receives appreciation for restraint • Indian foreign secretary says two DGMOs spoke to each other; conflicting statements by Indian ministries on their next talk • Reports of ceasefire violations from both sides of LoC • Indian officials say ‘punitive measures’ announced after Pahalgam attack remain in place • PM calls for dialogue, urges peace talks on Kashmir, water issues ISLAMABAD: Normality returns to the Subcontinent after Pakistan and India agreed on Saturday to a full and immediate ceasefire after days of deadly jet fighter, missile, drone and artillery attacks — news surprisingly announced by US President Donald Trump, who congratulated them on using “common sense”. Officials from Islamabad and New Delhi confirm... -
Dawn - 06:54 May 11, 2025
Bangladesh’s interim government has banned all activities of the Awami League, the political party of deposed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, under the country’s Anti-Terrorism Act, citing national security concerns. The decision, announced late Saturday, follows days of street protests led by the student-driven National Citizen Party, which emerged from last year’s uprising that toppled Hasina. Several Islamist and right-wing parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and other opposition groups, joined the demonstrations, demanding that the Awami League be designated a terrorist organisation. The ban would remain in place until the trial of the party and its leadership over the deaths of hundreds of protesters at the International Crimes Tribunal is completed, the government said in a statement. The government also announced an amendment to the ICT Act, allowing the tribunal to prosecute not only individuals but also political parties and organisations. The change clears the way for the Awami League to be trie... -
Dawn - 06:51 May 11, 2025
LAHORE: People burst into celebrations after the armed forces early on Saturday responded to Indian war hysteria in a befitting manner and brought India to its knees. They celebrated the victory of the army after the ceasefire was announced in the wake of the US intervention. Earlier in the day, Lahore also faced the first missile attack on Saturday that struck the Sundar Industrial Estate and, according to law enforcement agencies, sank into the ground. No loss of life or injury was reported. People, however, were skeptical over Pakistan’s delayed response to India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ and aggressively asked for a befitting response. All the skepticism, however, evaporated when the army announced the launch of Bunyan-um-Marsoos and launched a powerful and well-coordinated military operation, targeting Indian military infrastructure. As the Pakistan Army came out, saying it had avenged the blood of the innocent kids martyred in missile and drone attacks, the people shared the pictures of army artillery truck... -
Dawn - 06:43 May 11, 2025
TOBA TEK SINGH:A recklessly driven car struck a motorcycle on Canal Road in Faisalabad on Friday night, killing all three members of a family riding the motorcycle. Waris Ali (40) of Dhudhi Wala was riding the bike with his wife Sonia Bibi and their five-year-old son Subhan Ali as pillion riders when the collision occurred near the FCCI Secretariat bridge. The high-speed car collided with the bike head-on. Waris died on the spot, while his wife succumbed to her injuries at Allied Hospital. Their child is feared to have fallen into the canal, as only his shoes were found on the roadside. Rescue 1122 divers have been searching the canal since the night of the accident. Relatives blocked Canal Road for several hours, demanding the arrest of the underage driver, who is the son of a textile mill owner. Madina Town SP later assured protesters that the driver would be arrested soon, after which the protest was called off. In another accident occurred near Chak 396-GB, Rorranwali, in Tandlianwala tehsil, a motorcycle... -
Dawn - 06:34 May 11, 2025
• Launches retaliation attack at military targets after three days of restraint • Brahmos, S-400 missile sites hit • Indian missiles fired at Shorkot, Rawalpindi, Chakwal shot down: ISPR • Six martyred in Gujrat amid shelling on LoC ISLAMABAD: After demonstrating restraint in the face of blatant Indian aggression since Wednesday, Pakistan launched strikes early Saturday morning targeting military installations in India and India-held Kashmir. The strikes were launched under operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos at 5:16am. “Bunyan-um-Marsoos” translates as a concrete structure or firm foundation. The missiles, launched by aircraft and ground-based systems, targeted multiple strategic and military sites of India, security sources and state media reported. According to the military’s media wing and Radio Pakistan, the targeted locations included S-400 missile system in Adampur; military intelligence’s training centre in Rajouri and brigade headquarters in Uri; Adampur, Udhampur, Pathankot, Suratgarh, Sirsa, Bathin... -
Dawn - 05:58 May 11, 2025
LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs and Chairman of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora has strongly condemned the Indian drone attack near the revered Sikh holy site of Nankana Sahib, calling it a blatant violation of international laws, religious freedom, and human rights. Speaking at a press conference along with Lahore Press Club (LPC) President Arshad Ansari and prominent Sikh personalities including Sardar Bishan Singh, Satwant Kaur, Sardar Jaskaran Singh, and Kalyan Singh Kalyan, here at LPC on Saturday, the minister decried recent missile attacks on mosques and drone strikes on minority worship places, declaring these actions as part of a wider Indian conspiracy to malign Pakistan’s image and ignite religious tensions in the region. Sardar Arora said that Pakistan could never even imagine of targeting Sikh religious sites, and emphasised that the country’s bond with the Sikh community is founded on sincerity, reverence, and mutual respect. He categorically re...
12682 items