Dawn
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Dawn - 16:42 Jun 14, 2026
ISLAMABAD: As the PPP’s Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) chapter on Sunday urged the region’s election commission to withdraw the election schedule for 12 refugee seats in the Legislative Assembly, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar called for a resolution to differences through democratic and constitutional means. Ahead of the July 27 elections in AJK, the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) had called for widespread protests demanding the abolition of 12 seats in the region’s Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees from Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir who settled in mainland Pakistan after 1947. Elections for these seats are held separately from the 33 general seats in AJK, with refugees registered in 12 constituencies across Pakistan voting for their representatives. The seats have long been politically sensitive due to disputes over voter lists, delimitation, and constitutional amendments. Information Minister Tarar while addressing the media outside Parliament House stressed that elections are the best... -
Dawn - 14:19 Jun 14, 2026
MULTAN: The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Immigration Wing on Sunday foiled an alleged attempt by a government employee to travel abroad from Multan Airport using a fake no-objection certificate (NOC). In a press release, the agency said that a passenger, identified as Mohsin Ali, was travelling to the United Arab Emirates on flight number PA812. It added that the passenger was serving as a ward servant at the District Health Authority, Vehari. “According to initial investigation, the passenger presented an NOC for travelling abroad, which was found to be fake during verification,” the release said. “The passenger had allegedly arranged the forged NOC through an official named Naveed Imran posted at the District Health Authority, Vehari,” it stated, adding, “The passenger has been handed over to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Multan for further legal action.” Meanwhile, FIA Multan Zone Director Attaur Rehman appreciated the performance of the immigration team. “Strict action against elements involve... -
Dawn - 14:18 Jun 14, 2026
For a few hours on Saturday, it appeared that the long diplomatic effort led by Pakistan to end the US-Iran war was approaching its culmination. President Donald Trump spoke of signing an agreement on Sunday, while Pakistani and Qatari mediators echoed the same with high confidence. Interestingly enough, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also remarked that a deal had never been closer. Still, within hours, Tehran publicly pushed back against reports that a signing ceremony was imminent, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei making it clear that no agreement would be signed that day. Still, as these lines were being written, it was not clear whether the delay was temporary or whether the negotiators were struggling to bridge differences that remain unresolved. Such uncertainty, in any case, isn’t unusual in diplomacy especially when it is taking place between arch rivals like the US and Iran. Even so, the broad contours of the proposed arrangement are now sufficiently visible to assess what kin... -
Dawn - 13:50 Jun 14, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Sunday invited the opposition to sign a Charter of Economy (CoE) and defended the federal budget 2026-27. Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly on Sunday, Tarar gave credit to the government for what he called “sagacious” economic policy. “It’s a friendly and relief-oriented budget for all,” he said, noting that the budget has proposed to abolish the super tax, which had been approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The information minister highlighted that revenue and foreign remittances had increased. Tarar urged opposition to appreciate the good decisions made by the government, particularly its efforts for peace in the Middle East. “Today the economy is on the right track,” he asserted. On June 12, the government presented the budget for FY27, announcing relief measures for the salaried, corporate, real estate and export sectors to revive struggling economic activity. While the government has placed greater emphasis on enforcement measures rath... -
Dawn - 13:39 Jun 14, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Twelve years after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa became Pakistan’s first province to enact a Right to Information (RTI) law, the Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) notes the pioneering framework remains “underutilised and vulnerable to disinformation due to weak enforcement and structural gaps”. In a policy brief released Saturday titled “From Pioneer to Performer: Making Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Right to Information Act Work Against Disinformation”, Fafen urged the KP Assembly and provincial government to launch targeted legal and institutional reforms to transform KP’s pioneering right to information framework into an effective mechanism for proactive disclosure and public accountability. KP enacted the law after Article 19A on the “right to information” was added to the Constitution through the 18th Amendment in 2010. But Fafen’s assessment of 190 provincial public bodies’ websites found a stark implementation gap: on average, public bodies proactively disclosed only 57 per cent of the information the law ... -
Dawn - 12:51 Jun 14, 2026
British forces on Sunday intercepted a sanctioned oil tanker belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet in the English Channel, the defence ministry said, in a six-hour operation hailed by Kyiv. Navy commandos boarded the ship under cover of darkness by fast-roping from a helicopter in the dark, according to footage released by the ministry. The interception in the early hours was supported by Chinook, Merlin Mk4 and Wildcat helicopters and a maritime patrol aircraft, a statement said. The frigate HMS Sutherland and the minehunter HMS Ledbury were also involved. “In the first UK-led operation of its kind, the vessel Smyrtos was boarded by Royal Marine Commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency, despite Russia’s best efforts to evade sanctions and continue fuelling its barbaric war with Ukraine,” the ministry statement said. The vessel will now be moved to an anchorage off the south coast of England and monitored, it added. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga welcomed ... -
Dawn - 11:56 Jun 14, 2026
PESHAWAR: At least seven people died, and another 33 were injured in rain-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in a day as rainfall continued to lash parts of the province, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Sunday. The Met Office had forecast dust and windstorms, rain and thunderstorms across upper parts of the country from June 11-13. The KP PDMA said that due to heavy rainfall and strong winds in several districts, including Bannu, Shangla and Mansehra, seven people had died and 33 were injured on Saturday in roof and wall collapse incidents, including two children, four men and one woman. The injured include seven men, 12 women and 14 children. PDMA, Rescue 1122 and the district administration are in close coordination for relief activities, the statement said, directing relevant district administrations to expedite relief efforts. The director general PDMA urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly to sensitive tourist spots, and to follow advisories issued b... -
Dawn - 11:19 Jun 14, 2026
There’s a distinct buzz around Fifa World Cups. After all, it is one of only two truly global events — along with the Olympics — capable of bringing people from across the globe together for some fleeting moments of celebration. This time round though, the buzz is not celebratory. This World Cup feels divided, fragmented, uncertain. Haiti, Iran, Ivory Coast and Senegal fans were unable to travel due to US travel restrictions. The Democratic Republic of Congo fans were unable to travel due to Ebola restrictions. Iran’s players and officials were denied US visas, which meant they had to shift their training base to Mexico, despite having to play all their group stage matches on the US West Coast. A special order granted only Iranian players (and not their officials) permission to enter and leave the US on the same day as their matches. Team Iran arrives at the Tijuana International Airport in Tijuana, Mexico ahead of the World Cup on June 7 after being refused stay in the US | Reuters Delegations from the Middl... -
Dawn - 10:32 Jun 14, 2026
The Punjab government on Sunday decided to expand the Liquid Tree project as part of its efforts to promote an eco-friendly province through modern scientific solutions. The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) runs the initiative. According to it, a liquid tree is “an innovative biotechnology solution that uses microalgae to absorb carbon dioxide and improve urban air quality in areas where traditional tree plantations are limited”. According to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Pakistan’s first EPA-certified liquid tree will be shifted from Faisalabad to Lahore under the expansion plan. She said more than 100 types of micro-algae have been collected from regions spanning Karachi to Khyber for the project. In the initial phase, liquid trees will be installed in major shopping malls as well as indoor and outdoor public spaces to help reduce urban air pollution. CM Maryam said the initiative represented a scientific and effective solution to combat rising levels of carbon dioxide and smog in urban ce... -
Dawn - 09:37 Jun 14, 2026
A World Cup bus was set alight and a teenager suffered a gunshot wound during chaotic scenes in Midtown Manhattan as thousands of basketball fans poured into the streets late on Saturday to celebrate the New York Knicks’ historic win in the NBA Finals. Some fans set off fireworks and fired smoke grenades after spilling out of packed bars and outdoor venues, chanting “Knicks in five!” to mark their team’s victory in the fifth game of a possible seven. The New York Knicks have not won a title since 1973, and this was just their third appearance in the finals after losses in 1994 and 1999 — to the Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs, whom they defeated on Saturday night. World Cup shuttle buses swarmed At about 2am, a 17-year-old was shot in the foot during celebrations in Times Square, a New York police officer told Reuters. Three persons of interest were in custody, he added. As the celebrations ran into the night, hundreds of mostly young people swarmed a convoy of about 15 shuttle buses in Times Square... -
Dawn - 09:02 Jun 14, 2026
PESHAWAR: Four people belonging to the same family were killed in a shooting incident over a property dispute in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Domel in the early hours of Sunday. The incident occurred in the Odeen Kallay area of Domel late at night. According to Rescue 1122, the shooting claimed the lives of a father and his two sons, as well as another victim who was reportedly a close relative. Rescue 1122 medical teams reached the scene immediately upon receiving the report and transported the bodies to the Domel Rural Health Centre (RHC). Sources said the incident was the result of a property dispute. The Domel police have launched an investigation into the incident and have registered a case against two individuals on the complaint of the father of one of the victims. After two consecutive months of improvement, Pakistan’s security situation deteriorated sharply in May 2026, driven primarily by escalating terrorist violence in KP and Balochistan, according to the monthly security assessment released by the Pakist... -
Dawn - 08:38 Jun 14, 2026
Switzerland voted on Sunday on whether to back a proposal to cap the country’s population in a referendum likened to Britain’s Brexit vote, which could have far-reaching consequences for the economy and Bern’s relations with the European Union. Driven by concern about immigration, pressure on public services and housing, the constitutional change pitched by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, or SVP, would mandate that the population must not exceed 10 million by 2050. Official projections put it on track to do so by the early 2040s. The unprecedented scheme to dictate population levels by law sits alongside burgeoning efforts by the political right in Europe to set tougher curbs on immigration, fed by discontent about the cost of living, weak economic growth and crime. “If it goes above 10m, it will become tight, and immigration should be restricted,” said Helen Gulea, a 58-year-old seamstress and part-time kiosk worker in Zurich, originally from Kenya, who voted by post for the cap. Signs stand in fro... -
Dawn - 07:41 Jun 14, 2026
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday appealed to those protesting in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to end their demonstrations, cautioning that the ongoing unrest was “damaging both the Kashmiri cause and Pakistan’s reputation”. In a statement issued on Sunday, Bilawal — whose PPP is in government in AJK — noted that the imminent signing of the Pakistan-mediated peace pact between the United States and Iran “marks a historic moment”. “At a time when the international spotlight is firmly on Pakistan, the ongoing unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir is damaging both the Kashmiri cause and Pakistan’s reputation,” the former foreign minister said. He observed that the unrest was “also creating an unnecessary opportunity for hostile actors and the India-Israel nexus to exploit the situation for their own purposes”. “I therefore appeal to all protestors to bring their demonstrations to a peaceful conclusion. Those individuals who have taken the law into their own hands should surrender themselves to the local a... -
Dawn - 06:29 Jun 14, 2026
CHAKWAL: Two suspects in the Wednesday night robberies and a fatal shoot-out were killed in an encounter with the Crime Control Department (CCD) Chakwal, while an official of the CCD was arrested under the charge of murdering a minor girl and injuring her brother and father, sources told Dawn on Saturday. Adeel Ahmed, 39, his wife Dr Sidra Khan, daughter Hania Ahmed, 9, and son Aafan Ahmed, 10, came under attack during a robbery when CCD cops opened fire on their vehicle mistaking it for that of robbers. As a result, Hania died on the spot while Adeel and Aafan were critically injured. Dr Khan remained unhurt. Meanwhile, the two robbers fled the scene after leaving their motorcycle behind. In the FIR, the CCD official was not booked, but now the FIR has been amended with the addition of section 302, which led to his arrest. On Thursday night, both robbers were killed in an encounter with the CCD. They were identified as Mohammad Abbas, a resident of Shahdara, and Mohammad Feyaz, a resident of Ferozwala. “Both... -
Dawn - 05:47 Jun 14, 2026
Five-time winners Brazil needed a superb Vinicius Junior equaliser to draw 1-1 with Morocco in their opening game at the World Cup on Saturday as Scotland marked their return to the tournament after a 28-year absence with a nervy 1-0 victory over Haiti. On the first day to feature four matches at the 48-team tournament, Qatar won the first World Cup point in their history when Miro Muheim’s own goal earned the 2022 tournament hosts a 1-1 draw with Switzerland. The meeting of Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco at the MetLife Stadium just outside New York City was a clash of the teams ranked sixth and seventh in the world respectively. Ismael Saibari ran through to give Morocco a 21st-minute lead with a clever scoop in the Group C opener, but Vinicius produced a moment of magic to ensure Brazil came away with a point, cutting in from the left and unleashing a thunderous shot to level on 32 minutes. Brazil are chasing a record sixth World Cup title, 24 years after last lifting the trophy, but Saturday’s perf... -
Dawn - 05:21 Jun 14, 2026
HYDERABAD: While industrialists noted some positive budgetary proposals, leaders of the farming community complained that the agriculture sector was largely ignored. Sindh Chamber of Agriculture Senior Vice President Nabi Bux Sathio said Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb had not given adequate attention to the agriculture sector in his budget speech. “No incentive or noteworthy step is seen in the speech,” he added. He pointed out that Rs4.18 billion had been allocated for research, but without clarity on targeted areas. He said the agriculture sector was increasingly vulnerable to climate change and stressed the need for climate-resilient, high-yield seeds for major crops such as wheat, cotton, rice and sugarcane. He warned that reliance on hybrid seeds in crops like rice, onion and chilli could be unsustainable in the long run. Mr Sathio said even the Rs4.18bn research allocation was insufficient, as the sector required much greater funding. He also referred to Rs7.3bn allocated for cold storage facilitie... -
Dawn - 05:14 Jun 14, 2026
Courtesy: FCCU LAHORE: The Forman Christian College University (FCCU), heritage conservationists and human rights activists have raised a voice against the alleged forcible takeover of the Ewing Hall, a historical building associated with the Forman Christian College, by the Punjab government. They urged the government to halt any move that would threaten the century-old structure and engage all stakeholders in a meaningful consultation. In a statement, FCC Rector Dr Jonathan Addleton said the university had witnessed with mounting concern the forcible takeover of Ewing Hall, located in the Anarkali area. He said the building had been a part of the institution’s historic campus for decades, with the initial lease signed in 1915 and subsequently renewed several times, most recently extending into the 2040s. According to Mr Addleton, the university officials were informed by telephone on Wednesday that the building would be taken over the following day. On Thursday, the university was allegedly given 24 hours t... -
Dawn - 05:14 Jun 14, 2026
KARACHI: The grounds for an increase in the policy rate have largely disappeared ahead of the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) upcoming monetary policy announcement, as global oil prices have either remained stable or eased despite heightened tensions in the Gulf, market participants said. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is scheduled to meet on June 15 for what will be the final policy review of FY26. The only increase in the policy rate during the current fiscal year came in the previous review on April 27, when the SBP raised the benchmark rate by 100 basis points to 11.5 per cent. The increase was attributed to geopolitical tensions following the conflict in April, which pushed oil prices higher and disrupted global supply chains. However, analysts said developments over the past month have reduced concerns over a prolonged conflict. Prospects for a deal between the US and Iran have improved, while a ceasefire remains in place despite sporadic attacks by both sides. Iran also targeted US bases in several... -
Dawn - 05:05 Jun 14, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The government has substantially increased penalties for late filing of income tax returns, restoration to the active taxpayers list, and deficiencies in document accessibility and formatting, apparently an effort to strengthen tax compliance. The increases, introduced through the Finance Bill FY27, apply across federal taxes, including income tax, sales tax and federal excise duty. In some cases, penalties have more than doubled and are widely seen as providing the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) with an additional tool for revenue mobilisation. Under the proposed changes, the cost of returning to the active taxpayers list (ATL) has been raised fivefold for companies to Rs100,000 from Rs20,000, while it will increase to Rs50,000 for associations of persons from Rs10,000 and Rs25,000 for individuals from Rs1,000. The substantial increase is intended to improve tax compliance, but it will be punitive for small taxpayers. Finance bill expands FBR’s enforcement powers; ATL restoration costs jump fivefo... -
Dawn - 04:56 Jun 14, 2026
KARACHI: The grieving families of the Baldia Town factory fire victims walked into the Karachi Press Club on Saturday along with labour organisations, wanting to know who they should hold responsible for the death of their loved ones. Holding tightly to the framed photographs of their dear father, son, husband, brother, sister or daughter, the families wanted to know why they had been fed lies for the past 14 years. The recent decision of the three-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan has reopened old wounds as the bench acquitted two Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) activists Abdul Rehman Bhola and Zubair alias Chariya of starting the fire in the factory on September 11, 2012. Both men were given the benefit of doubt by the court as out of approximately 400 witnesses, only one claimed to have seen one of the accused with a chemical bag, while none actually saw the fire being ignited. “It means that what the affected families and labour organisations have been saying from the very beginning, that the t...
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