Dawn
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Dawn - 17:00 Apr 22, 2026
Islamabad’s Red Zone remained sealed to the general public on Wednesday, but other routes in the twin cities, sealed earlier for the security of foreign delegations visiting the capital, were opened to the public, easing some hardship faced by the residents. US Vice President JD Vance and his team had been expected to arrive on Wednesday morning, but the White House abruptly changed plans, with Iran’s negotiating delegation also delaying a decision on attending talks. Major roads have been closed in recent days to facilitate the arrival of foreign delegations and advance teams. Markets were quiet, government officials worked from home, children attended classes online and security forces enforced strict curbs on entering the vast Red Zone. The security in the Red Zone, where government buildings and offices are located, remained high. There was a heavy deployment of law enforcement personnel and the army was patrolling the area. Public entry to the Red Zone has remained sealed since Sunday, with access restri... -
Dawn - 16:58 Apr 22, 2026
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday investigated Mohammad Nawaz for the alleged use of recreational drugs. The development came after ESPNcricinfo reported that the player had tested positive for recreational drug use. “ESPNcricinfo has learned that the positive result comes from testing during the T20 World Cup earlier this year,” the report added. It further added that Nawaz’s deal to join Surrey for the T20 Blast — set to run from May 26 to July 18 — in England had fallen through as a result. The report added that Surrey and the International Cricket Council (ICC) declined to comment on the matter. A spokesperson for the PCB said that the ICC had asked for Nawaz’s medical history to further investigate the incident, which the cricket board had complied with. The PCB spokesperson said that until the ICC issued a final decision, Nawaz would continue to play for the Multan Sultans in the ongoing Pakistan Super League. In the past, two pacers — Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif — had faced two-... -
Dawn - 14:50 Apr 22, 2026
KARACHI: The Sindh government has cancelled the construction contract for the long-delayed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line project on University Road and will re-award it on an “emergency basis”, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon confirmed on Wednesday. The government cancelled the contract for the Mosamiyat–Numaish section of the project. The stalled construction on the Red Line resumed in November after the removal of several bottlenecks following the chief minister’s intervention, but there is still no clear timeline in sight for the project’s completion as thousands of University Road commuters continue to face daily hardships. Speaking to Dawn, Memon confirmed that the contract had been terminated due to delays in the project’s execution by the contractor. He said the contractor was issued several warnings to complete the work within the stipulated time, but failed to comply. The government, he added, tried its level best to accommodate the contractor by resolving issues related to rate escalation. M... -
Dawn - 14:36 Apr 22, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Amid public outcry over expensive power and excessive loadshedding, the government on Wednesday announced that it had unearthed expensive power purchases by distribution companies (Discos) outside the national grid at exorbitant rates in violation of the economic merit order. According to an official statement, the Discos were purchasing electricity from small power producers (SPPs) and captive power plants (CPPs) through bilateral contracts at higher rates than the national tariff, bypassing the national grid and the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO). It added that the names of the Discos and the quantum of power purchasing were not disclosed to allow an independent inquiry to take its course. The statement said that Power Minister Awais Leghari took notice regarding the off-take of power from SPPs by Discos, exceeding the national merit order and ordered the initiation of an independent probe. “The matter was revealed during the stock-taking of Discos and ISMO,” it said. Per the state... -
Dawn - 14:07 Apr 22, 2026
ISLAMABAD: In an apparent push to modernise border control and cut wait time for travellers, Pakistan appears to be moving towards a “one-window” airport clearance system using e-gates and smart scanners, with a joint strategy by the Ministries of Defence and Interior coming under detailed discussion on Wednesday. The plan comes amid growing international passenger traffic and repeated complaints of congestion at major airports. In 2025, Pakistan handled 25.4 million domestic and international passengers, up 12 per cent year-on-year, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data. On Wednesday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi chaired a high-level meeting to address the dual challenge of facilitating outbound passengers while strengthening checks against human smuggling. The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry, Interior Secretary Muhammad Khurram Agha, Defence Secretary Lt Gen (Retd) Muhammad Ali, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) DG Dr Usman Anwar and other officials. ... -
Dawn - 13:27 Apr 22, 2026
Schools in India’s capital must ring regular bells to remind schoolchildren to drink water as the megacity gears up to face heatwave conditions, a new city order has said. Summer heat in the world’s most populous nation can be brutal — putting millions of people at risk, with nearly 11,000 people dying due to heat stroke between 2012 and 2021, according to government data. A heatwave in May 2024 in New Delhi saw temperatures match the capital’s previous record high: 49.2 degree Celsius clocked in 2022. That year was India’s hottest year since thorough records began in 1901, with sizzling temperatures following a global pattern of extreme weather driven by climate change. The temperature on Wednesday morning in New Delhi and the wider sprawling metropolitan region of 30 million residents was a relatively balmy 29.4 degree Celsius. But weather forecasters predict temperatures will hit 41-43 degree Celsius later on Wednesday, and rise to 42-44 degree Celsius later in the week. The India Meteorological Department... -
Dawn - 13:20 Apr 22, 2026
China has selected two Pakistani astronauts as candidates for its manned space programme, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Wednesday. Both will travel to China for training, and one will participate in a flight mission as a payload specialist and become the first foreign astronaut in China’s space station, CCTV said. Meanwhile, China Daily reported on Wednesday that the astronauts were identified as Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud. The report said the two had passed multiple rounds of selection procedures and will soon come to China to take part in spaceflight training. It quoted the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) as saying that the selection and training of Pakistani astronauts was a “landmark event in the history of China’s space industry”. Separately, in a statement issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) said the astronauts were set to depart for China to “begin advanced astronaut training at the Astronaut Centre... -
Dawn - 12:24 Apr 22, 2026
Since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran, colourful murals have sprung up across Tehran and other major cities, rich in symbolism and themes of resistance and defiance. Murals and banners have long been a defining feature of Iran’s urban landscape, particularly in Tehran, where such paintings in central squares mirror the state’s political messaging and foreign policy. This photo taken on April 8, 2026 shows a woman walking past an anti-USA and anti-Israel mural, in Tehran. — AFP/File Since the 1979 revolution, which established the Islamic republic, such imagery has served as a medium to reflect ideology and collective memory. This photo taken on April 11, 2026 shows women walking past a wall mural along the roadside in Tehran. — AFP/File This photo taken on April 12, 2026 shows people walking past a wall mural along the roadside in Tehran. — AFP/File In recent days, a mural in Tehran showed a US aircraft carrier carrying rows of coffins draped in American flags, surrounded by small Iranian-flagged b... -
Dawn - 11:54 Apr 22, 2026
Indonesia on Wednesday accused Israel of flying a “propaganda” banner over the ruins of a hospital that had been built in Gaza with Indonesian funding. The Indonesia Hospital, in the north of the Gaza Strip near the fortified border with Israel, was opened in late 2015 after Indonesia’s Medical Emergency Rescue Committee, a humanitarian NGO, raised approximately $7.3 million in donations for its construction, according to state news agency Antara. It has since been destroyed, and Jakarta on Wednesday objected to the raising of a banner over the ruins that alluded to Israel’s 12-day “Rising Lion” military operation against Iran last year. “The use of military symbols and propaganda over the ruins of a destroyed hospital, especially when linked to a specific military operation, is a highly provocative act and cannot be justified,” the foreign ministry said in a statement posted on X. “This act is an insult to a humanitarian facility built from the solidarity of the Indonesian people for the Palestinian people.”... -
Dawn - 11:17 Apr 22, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed that efforts for promoting electric vehicles (EVs) in the country be accelerated. He expressed these views while chairing a review meeting on promoting electric vehicles in the country, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement. “In view of the prevailing regional situation and the requirements of the future, the promotion of EVs will not only reduce the fuel import bill, but it is also extremely important for protecting the environment and energy security,” the prime minister was quoted as saying. According to the statement, the prime minister directed that transparency be ensured in the subsidy provided on electric motorcycles for low-income individuals under the National Electric Vehicle Policy. It added that the meeting was also briefed on ongoing steps to promote EVs nationwide. The meeting was told that 72 certificates were issued for the manufacturing electric motorcycles and rickshaws, while four certificates were issued for the manufactu... -
Dawn - 11:12 Apr 22, 2026
A senior New Zealand minister has sparked outrage by deriding a planned free trade deal with India as a “butter chicken tsunami”. Wellington is poised to sign a free trade agreement with India in New Delhi next week. The New Zealand government has hailed it as a “once in a generation” deal that will give its businesses access to the world’s most populated country’s vast domestic market. But its ruling coalition partner, the right-wing populist NZ First party, has pulled support over fears it will open the country’s borders to thousands of Indian nationals. The split will mean the government will need the opposition Labour Party to vote in favour when legislation goes before parliament in the coming months. On Monday, the party’s deputy leader and Minister for Regional Development, Shane Jones, said his party would “never accept” the deal. “I don’t care how much criticism we get, I am just never going to agree with a butter chicken tsunami coming to New Zealand,” Jones told Reality Check Radio. The comments we... -
Dawn - 11:09 Apr 22, 2026
Last year, my plans to celebrate Eid in Iran were dismantled by the sudden escalation of regional aggression. What was meant to be a personal pilgrimage became a casualty of geopolitics. Yet, in a twist of fate this past September, I found myself touching down at Tehran’s IKA Airport, not for a holiday, but as an invitee to the “Nobel of the Muslim World” or the Mustafa (PBUH) Prize granted to top science and technology researchers from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation member states. The September 6 to 10, 2025, award week is organised by the Mustafa (PBUH) Science and Technology Foundation, which stands as a testament to the enduring power of human inquiry. I had expected it to be a sombre affair. The mystics of Qom I was keen to visit the holy city of Qom before the events kicked off and so the organisers assigned me guides, two cheerful women, who led me through its striking salt ranges and mineral-dense rainbow rocks. Qom greets you with pristine air and radiance. It was a Friday so the city was mo... -
Dawn - 10:34 Apr 22, 2026
Nasa unveiled a new telescope on Wednesday to scan vast swathes of the universe for planets outside our solar system and probe the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy. The Roman space telescope is expected to discover tens of thousands of planets, possibly offering clarity about how many could be out there. “Roman will give the Earth a new atlas of the universe,” Nasa administrator Jared Isaacman told a news conference at the Goddard Space Flight Centre in Maryland, where the telescope went on display. The 12-metre (39-feet) silvery contraption with massive solar panels will be transported to Florida ahead of a launch into space aboard a SpaceX rocket planned for September at the earliest. Roman, which took more than $4 billion and over a decade to build, is named after astronomer Nancy Grace Roman, nicknamed the “Mother of Hubble” for her role in developing the landmark space telescope. Thirty-six years after Hubble launched into space, revolutionising astronomical observations, Nasa hopes Roman will he... -
Dawn - 08:23 Apr 22, 2026
The Supreme Court (SC) said on Wednesday it has successfully integrated cutting-edge technology into its judicial processes, redefining how justice is delivered across the country. The move is a decisive step toward a more transparent, accessible, and citizen-centric justice system, according to a court handout. Harnessing digital innovation, the SC operationalised seamless multi-location hearings — bringing together benches, counsel and litigants from across Pakistan without geographical constraints. In a recent landmark hearing, the bench convened at the Principal Seat in Islamabad, while counsels joined simultaneously from Quetta, Hyderabad and Karachi, ensuring smooth proceedings and equal participation. Demonstrating institutional agility, the SC swiftly adapted to an emergent change in bench composition earlier this week. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi presided over the proceedings from Islamabad, while Justice Ayesha A. Malik joined the bench from Lahore, ensuring seamless continuity with... -
Dawn - 08:21 Apr 22, 2026
ISLAMABAD: In a major setback, Attock Refinery Limited (ARL) — the only oil refinery in the north of the country — has been forced to shut down until restoration of ongoing road closures taken under security measures ahead of the possible US-Iran talks. The refinery is the only such facility catering to the fuel requirements of almost all of central and northern Punjab, as well as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. In a mandatory regulatory filing to Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) and Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), ARL reported that its main crude distillation plant with 32,0000 barrels of daily refining capacity has been shut down. It said it could not send out refined products or receive crude oil coming from oil fields. “We wish to inform you that due to the expected arrival of foreign delegates in Islamabad, there has been an abrupt suspension of oil tank lorry movement to and from ARL. This situation has adversely impacted crude oil receipts as well as p... -
Dawn - 08:14 Apr 22, 2026
KARACHI: Pakistan women’s team head coach Adeel Rizki has called for regular camps and increased international fixtures as the only path to sustained progress, days after his side finished third in their maiden FIFA Series campaign in Ivory Coast. “The most important thing is continuity — regular camps and international matches,” Adeel said. “The players need consistent time together to build understanding, improve fitness levels and develop cohesion as a team. Without that continuity, progress becomes very difficult. If we can ensure that, you’ll see clear and measurable improvement.” His words echoed those of forwards Nadia Khan and Aqsa Mushtaq, who earlier pointed to the same fundamental obstacle: Pakistan women play too few games. Aqsa noted it had been “a whole year” since the team last played Indonesia before this tournament, while Nadia called for regular mini-camps for local players to bridge the gap with diaspora team-mates who have club training abroad. When asked what he had learned about the squa... -
Dawn - 07:55 Apr 22, 2026
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Wednesday said that even a year on, India has failed to provide evidence for its allegations against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack. The April 22, 2025 attack in Pahalgam saw 26 people, mostly tourists, killed in what is being described as the deadliest armed attack in the disputed Himalayan region since the year 2000. “To this day, India has not presented any solid evidence or proof regarding the Pahalgam incident, nor has it offered satisfactory explanations,” Tarar said in a televised statement issued on the incident’s anniversary. He recalled India’s refusal to accept Pakistan’s offer for a neutral and transparent investigation into the Pahalgam attack, adding that it “raises serious questions and suggests that the incident may have been a false flag operation”. “The false flag operation in Pahalgam reflects a mindset that is hollow — driven by false pride, arrogance and greed,” he contended. “Let me make it very clear that this was the last false flag operation ... -
Dawn - 05:59 Apr 22, 2026
Australia’s internet watchdog raised fears on Wednesday that popular online gaming platforms such as Roblox and Minecraft were being used by “predatory adults” to target children. The nation’s eSafety Commission has sent legal notices to a host of the world’s most popular gaming platforms, demanding they explain how they are working to stamp out dangerous content. Australia is at the forefront of global efforts to protect children from online harm, enacting laws last year that ban teenagers under 16 from social media. eSafety boss Julie Inman Grant said research had shown the vast majority of Australian children played some sort of online game. “Predatory adults know this and target children through grooming or embedding terrorist and violent extremist narrative in gameplay,” she said. Online gaming platforms Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite and Steam will be required to show how they are identifying and eliminating online harms, Inman Grant said. “We’ve seen numerous media reports about grooming taking place on a... -
Dawn - 04:35 Apr 22, 2026
• Officials say hundreds of students caught cheating • Board claims 95pc exam centres ‘completely secure’ • Videos of cheating, copying go viral • Political parties concerned over mismanagement KARACHI: As the ongoing matric examinations continue under the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK), multiple incidents of cheating, paper leaks and other irregularities have surfaced in the city, exposing the incompetence of the board which had been claiming a “zero tolerance” against such practices. Videos circulating on social media showed students using mobile phones during examinations at various centres. In Orangi Town, some private schools did not even send their candidates to officially designated centres and instead arranged unauthorised venues with fake permits to facilitate cheating. Footage on social media showed students using mobile phones openly in the presence of invigilators at various centres, with little to no apparent enforcement of examination rules. At several centres, candidates were also ... -
Dawn - 04:07 Apr 22, 2026
LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has booked seven persons, including directors of a biscuit company and a bank official, on charges of money laundering, fraud and tax evasion. According to the FIR, during the course of inquiry conducted by the FIA, CBC Lahore, it transpired that benami bank accounts were opened to evade taxes on sale transactions of billions of rupees and money laundering was also committed. “The benami accounts were opened on the CNICs of Abdullah Maqsood, Arsalan Ahmad and Maqsood Ahmad by banker Mazhar Ejaz and other bank officials. After opening the accounts, sale proceeds worth billions of rupees of M/s Innovative Biscuits Pvt. Ltd. (the company) Lahore, having proprietors Sheikh Munir Hussain and Amir Raza, CEO and directors of the company, were parked initially in a different bank and later on transferred to benami accounts from where cash amounts were withdrawn,” it says. During the probe, the genuine signatures of the account holders were found to be similar with their ...
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