Dawn
Source:
https://www.dawn.com
Found 8959 news
-
Dawn - 19:01 Apr 08, 2026
Less than 24 hours after the announcement of a ceasefire, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that delegations from the United States and Iran would visit Pakistan on Friday for talks aimed at a peaceful settlement to the war in the Middle East. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during a conversation with PM Shehbaz, had earlier in the day confirmed Tehran’s participation in Pakistan-offered peace talks, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Addressing the federal cabinet, PM Shehbaz said that the war had been delayed for the time being. “A ceasefire is the first step. But our destination is lasting peace… Day after tomorrow (Friday), at my invitation, a US delegation is coming to Pakistan. In the same way, an Iranian delegation is also coming to Pakistan,” he said. During his address, PM Shehbaz also called the current situation a “shining moment” in Pakistan’s history. He also praised Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir for their role... -
Dawn - 16:51 Apr 08, 2026
Pakistan on Wednesday expressed concern at the storming and vandalism of Kuwait’s consulate in Iraq’s Basra, saying the act was “inconsistent with established diplomatic norms and international law”. In a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO) on X, Pakistan called for a thorough investigation into the incident and bringing those responsible to justice. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has noted with deep concern the reported storming and vandalism of the Consulate General of the State of Kuwait in Basra, and the violation of the sanctity of the consular premises yesterday,” the statement said. “Pakistan strongly condemns such acts, which are inconsistent with established diplomatic norms and international law, particularly the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations,” it added. Pakistan emphasised the importance of ensuring the security and inviolability of diplomatic and consular missions, the FO said, adding the country called for a “thorough investigation into the incident, as well as bringing those ... -
Dawn - 16:51 Apr 08, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council announced on Wednesday that universities may allow a one-time reduction of up to three per cent in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) passing percentage for admissions to medical and dental colleges to fill vacant seats for the academic session 2025–26. A notification issued by the PMDC, which is available with Dawn, said the decision had been made on the recommendation of a parliamentary committee. The notification said: “To address the issue of vacant seats in MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) and BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) programmes fairly and systematically, the matter, after deliberation at the national level, including the Health Standing Committees, has been thoroughly reviewed by the PMDC Council. “Accordingly, it has been decided that any admissions or processes already completed under the Admission Regulations 2025 shall remain valid and shall be treated as properly regulated.” It added that universities that... -
Dawn - 15:59 Apr 08, 2026
“The optics of the [US-Iran] ceasefire are significant for Pakistan on the world stage.” This is what The Independent wrote in its analysis after Islamabad brokered a ceasefire between the United States and Iran in the early morning hours of Wednesday. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump warned that a “whole civilisation will die” and gave Iran an ultimatum to make a deal. Barely an hour before his deadline was set to expire, both Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week pause in hostilities along with a temporary reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The development came after PM Shehbaz urged Trump to extend his deadline for two weeks to allow diplomacy a chance, which was ultimately accepted by the latter. Islamabad will host talks between both the countries in the upcoming days to reach a long-term solution to the conflict. While the ceasefire has brought relief for almost every country on the planet, many say it has also pushed Pakistan into the role of a “peacemaker”. The Independent In its analysis, T... -
Dawn - 15:45 Apr 08, 2026
Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to avoid any escalation in their armed conflict, during talks hosted by China in recent days, Beijing said on Wednesday. “Representatives from China, Afghanistan and Pakistan held a week of informal meetings in Urumqi, Xinjiang, from April 1 to 7,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said. The three delegations “engaged in frank and pragmatic discussions in a positive atmosphere”, she said at a regular news conference in Beijing. According to the spokeswoman, Afghanistan and Pakistan stated “their commitment to resolving their differences as soon as possible and realising a return to normalcy in bilateral relations, agreeing not to take any actions that would escalate or complicate the situation”. The Foreign Office (FO) has not issued any official statement on the matter yet and declined to comment on the development when approached by Dawn. Since Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan in late February, diplomatic co... -
Dawn - 13:37 Apr 08, 2026
Cricket New South Wales (NSW) on Wednesday said that it would support David Warner after he was charged with drink-driving, adding that the former Australian opener was aware of the “seriousness” of the incident. The 39-year-old is due to appear in court on May 7 after allegedly blowing more than twice the legal limit in a random breath test in Sydney over the weekend. Cricket NSW, which has a long-term partnership with government agency Transport for NSW, said it was committed to educating Warner “on the importance of safe driving”. “Cricket NSW is a strong advocate of safe driving, including avoiding drink-driving, and takes incidents of this nature very seriously,” chief executive Lee Germon told cricket.com.au. “David is aware of the seriousness of these allegations. We will support him through the upcoming process”. The Sydney Daily Telegraph said Warner allegedly told police he had three glasses of wine at a friend’s house before attempting to drive back to his home. Warner, who retired from internation... -
Dawn - 12:49 Apr 08, 2026
Bangladesh’s foreign minister met his Indian counterpart in New Delhi on Wednesday, the most senior visit by a Dhaka envoy since the 2024 revolution toppled India’s old ally, Sheikh Hasina. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is taking part in a “goodwill visit”, Bangladesh’s state news agency BSS said, but added that issues of “extradition, trade, water sharing and border security” would be discussed. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar visited Dhaka in December to attend the funeral of former leader Khaleda Zia, the mother of the prime minister elected in February, Tarique Rahman. Jaishankar said he had been “pleased to host” Khalilur Rahman, saying in a statement that they had discussed “strengthening our bilateral relationship”, without giving further details. Relations have improved since Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, won a landslide election victory, taking over from the interim administration that had led the country of 170 million people since Hasina was ousted. ... -
Dawn - 12:45 Apr 08, 2026
Diplomacy does its best work when no one is looking. In calls that stretch for hours, in proposals dismissed publicly but refined privately, in capitals that deny mediation even as they pass messages. Over the past two weeks, as missiles crossed the Gulf and ultimatums replaced rhetoric, Pakistan tactfully slipped into that space: not loud enough to claim the stage, but persistent enough to keep the curtains from closing. After nearly two weeks of sustained, largely unseen engagement, those quiet efforts culminated in a breakthrough Pakistan could no longer keep in the background. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced, early on Wednesday morning, that Pakistan had helped secure an “immediate ceasefire” between Iran and the United States, alongside their respective allies across the region, including in Lebanon, bringing a sudden halt to a conflict that had edged dangerously close to wider war. The agreement, shaped through a series of proposals, relayed positions, and last-minute interventions, reflected Pa...
-
Dawn - 12:02 Apr 08, 2026
The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark index KSE-100 surged by more than 14,000 points on Wednesday as investors reacted to the positive developments of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The KSE-100 index surged by 12,362.38 points, or 8.15 per cent, to stand at 164,035.83 shortly after opening. Subsequently, trading was temporarily suspended in accordance with PSX regulations. As of 3:08pm, the market had gained 13,925.47 points, or 9.18 per cent, from the previous close of 151,673.45 to stand at 165,598.92. The index closed at 165,811.00, up 14137.55 points or 9.32pc. The gains marked the highest single-day rally in absolute terms in PSX history, surpassing the previous highest-ever gain of 10,123 (9.45pc) on May 12, 2025, after Pakistan shot down seven Indian fighter planes. On Tuesday, the PSX had closed up by 465.64 points after witnessing extreme volatility as investors had remained highly nervous ahead of the expiry of a US deadline for Iran to agree to a deal. Analysts believe tha... -
Dawn - 11:55 Apr 08, 2026
Pakistan on Wednesday announced that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, had agreed to an immediate ceasefire, including in Lebanon, effective immediately, and invited their delegations to Islamabad on April 10 for talks aimed at reaching a lasting settlement of disputes. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the ceasefire in an early-morning post on X, welcoming the move and extending his “deepest gratitude” to the leadership of both countries. Both sides have displayed “remarkable wisdom and understanding” and remained constructively engaged in furthering the cause of peace and stability, the prime minister said, expressing hope that the ‘Islamabad Talks’ would succeed in achieving sustainable peace and that more positive developments would follow in the coming days. The prime minister, who helped mediate the ceasefire, also invited delegations from both countries to Islamabad on April 10 to “hold further negotiations towards a conclusive agreement to se... -
Dawn - 11:43 Apr 08, 2026
Two ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since Iran agreed to reopen the waterway as part of a ceasefire deal, maritime monitor Marine Traffic said on Wednesday. “The Greek-owned bulk carrier NJ Earth crossed the Strait at 08:44 UTC, while the Liberia-flagged Daytona Beach transited earlier at 06:59 UTC, shortly after departing Bandar Abbas at 05:28 UTC”, MarineTraffic said on X. The United States and Iran agreed overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday to a two-week ceasefire, during which passage through the Strait of Hormuz “will be possible via coordination with Iran’s armed forces”, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X. “NJ Earth’s transit may be an early sign of movement, but it is still too soon to tell whether this reflects a broader ceasefire-driven reopening or a previously approved exception,” Ana Subasic, analyst at MarineTraffic owner Kpler told AFP. The Greek-owned ship kept its transponder signal on as it transited the strait via an Iranian-approved route near Larak Island, use... -
Dawn - 10:35 Apr 08, 2026
ISLAMABAD: In the middle of oil supply challenges and pricing controversies, the government on Wednesday removed acting chairman of the Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and appointed an officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), formerly District Management Group (DMG), on an interim basis. In a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, Nabeel Ahmed Awan, a BS-22 officer of PAS, presently posted as secretary, Establishment Division, has been given the additional charge of Ogra chairman with immediate effect and for a period of three months or till the appointment of a regular Ogra chairperson. The incumbent, Shahzad Iqbal, who had also been serving as the regulator’s top official on a look-after basis, will continue in his position as Member Gas. He had earlier come under criticism during a meeting of the finance minister–led Cabinet Committee on Oil Products Monitoring for poor progress on the automation and integration of the supply chain and petroleum pricing. Participants noted that he ... -
Dawn - 09:51 Apr 08, 2026
North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles in two rounds on Wednesday, South Korea’s military said, after reporting an “unidentified projectile” was launched from the Pyongyang area the previous day. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has sought to repair ties with the North since taking office last year, criticising his predecessor for allegedly sending drones to scatter propaganda over Pyongyang. On Monday Seoul expressed regret over civilian drone incursions into the North in January, with President Lee calling it “irresponsible” and noting that government officials had been involved in the operation. The launches — the North’s fourth and fifth known ballistic missile tests this year — are seen as North Korea’s latest rebuff of Seoul’s peace overtures, according to analysts. The South Korean military said early Wednesday it had detected “an unidentified projectile” launched from the area of the North’s capital a day earlier. About an hour later, the military said it also detected “multiple... -
Dawn - 08:53 Apr 08, 2026
Backchannel diplomatic efforts by Pakistan appear to have finally paid off, as the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire after weeks of escalating hostilities triggered by US-Israeli strikes on February 28 that quickly spiralled into a wider regional conflict. During this time, the crisis has unfolded through a mix of military escalations, retaliatory attacks, and behind-the-scenes negotiations, with failed ceasefire proposals and last-minute mediation all shaping the path to this vital breakthrough. Here is a timeline of the key events and statements that defined the conflict: February 28 The US and Israel launched an attack on Iran via air and sea: a series of blasts in Tehran, including near the residence of the supreme leader. A US-Israel airstrike on an elementary school in southern Iran killed more than 170 people, most of them schoolgirls. In retaliation, Iran attacked at least seven Gulf states, striking civilian infrastructure, damaging airports in the UAE and Kuwait, deploying a dron... -
Dawn - 08:30 Apr 08, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has restrained the Capital Development Authority (CDA) from cutting trees along Ataturk Avenue, from Express Chowk to Aga Khan Road, while seeking responses from the civic agency and other parties. Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Ayesha Muzaffar challenging the ongoing tree cutting for a road expansion project. Advocate Mudassar Latif Abbasi appeared on behalf of the petitioner and argued that the CDA was acting in clear violation of a prior court order, issued on January 15, 2026, in Writ Petition No. 153/2026, which restrained the authority from cutting trees in the federal capital. The counsel contended that the authority had adopted an “unsustainable approach” to traffic management by resorting to cutting trees and widening roads. “Opening roads by eliminating green cover is not a solution to traffic issues,” Advocate Abbasi argued, adding that the project involved the removal of more than 55 large trees and dozens ... -
Dawn - 07:25 Apr 08, 2026
Oil prices slid, stocks and bonds surged, while the safe-haven dollar was knocked back on Wednesday, as a two-week Middle East ceasefire brought some relief to markets on hopes for a resumption of oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz. The news capped weeks of market volatility and geopolitical upheaval after US and Israeli strikes on Iran at the end of February pushed tensions to the brink, with Tehran effectively choking off the strategic waterway that typically carries about 20 per cent of the world’s energy supplies. US President Donald Trump agreed to the ceasefire less than two hours before his deadline for Iran to reopen the strait or face devastating attacks on its civilian infrastructure. Market reaction was swift and dramatic, with US crude futures down around 15pc to $96.31 a barrel, while Brent futures also slid 13pc to $94.71 per barrel. S&P 500 futures rose 2.5pc, while European futures leapt more than 5pc. US Treasuries rallied while futures for German Bunds and French OATs surged... -
Dawn - 05:05 Apr 08, 2026
• Excise minister says system restored after being secured • 3,000 bikers applied for Rs2,000 each subsidy; amount transferred to 1,500 individuals via their Sindh Bank accounts • Sharjeel, Chawla announce seizure of half tonne of crystal meth in joint operation at sea KARACHI: Sindh Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla said on Tuesday that the online fuel subsidy system for motorcyclists was “temporarily shut down due to repeated hacking attempts”. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had on Monday launched a portal for registered motorcyclists to avail a Rs2,000 each fuel subsidy by entering their computerised national identity card (CNIC) and bank account details at (taxportal.excise.gos.pk) after which they receive an automated confirmation. However, thousands of motorcyclists, who had tried to log onto the portal for hours, complained that they could not get themselves registered because it was not available for hours. On Tuesday, responding to questions regarding motorcycle registration under the Peoples ... -
Dawn - 02:38 Apr 08, 2026
• Orders fast-tracking of Battery Energy Storage System project • Says demand for Pakistani products rising in Gulf markets • In a meeting with top Turkish judge Kadir Ozkaya, premier highlights growing judicial cooperation with Ankara ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that no electricity crisis had occurred and no disruption to the country’s exports had been witnessed despite disruptions in oil supply due to the Gulf war. “Despite disruptions in oil supply caused by regional tensions, no electricity crisis has emerged in the country owing to a significant share of renewable energy in electricity generation,” the prime minister said while presiding over a meeting on long-term energy planning and export strategy amid the current international situation. He also directed authorities to expedite work on the Battery Energy Storage System project. “Solar energy and other renewable energy sources are the future of the power sector,” he said, directing the formulation of a comprehensive nation... -
Dawn - 02:28 Apr 08, 2026
• Families say victims hailed from Gujrat, Gujranwala regions; one survives • Over 80 migrants went missing after boat carrying 120 people sank in Mediterranean GUJRAT: After a boat carrying more than 100 migrants capsized off the coast of Italy on Sunday, at least 20 Pakistani nationals, hailing from Gujranwala and Gujrat regions, were said to be among dozens of victims who were lost at sea. According to the UN’s International Organisation for Migration, more than 80 migrants had gone missing when their boat capsized in the Central Mediterranean after departing from Tajoura Libya, with around 120 people onboard. 32 people were rescued and two bodies were found. Local sources said that at least 20 of the missing Pakistanis had been from Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad and Sialkot districts. At least six victims were from the Phalia tehsil of Mandi Bahauddin. About 11 people hailed from the Pindi Bhattian and Hafizabad tehsils of Hafizabad district, and one each from Gujranwala’s Noshehran Virkan and... -
Dawn - 02:21 Apr 08, 2026
ISLAMABAD: In the first batch, Rs1.2 billion has been disbursed digitally to over 32,000 beneficiaries, including operators of buses, trucks, long-haul vehicles, and delivery vans under the PM Fuel Package 2026. The disbursement has been made through easypaisa digital bank, enabling fast, secure, and transparent transfer of financial assistance to millions of eligible citizens nationwide. Easypaisa is the first digital wallet to facilitate transfers to truck operators, and it will soon cover tank lorries, buses, and motorcycles. The initiative aims to provide relief amid rising fuel costs. Through the mobile wallet ecosystem, easypaisa enables real-time transfers directly to beneficiaries, enhancing financial inclusion and reducing dependency on traditional cash-based systems. “We are honored to partner with the Government of Pakistan in delivering timely financial relief to citizens,” said Jahanzeb Khan, President and Chief Executive Officer of easypaisa digital bank, in a statement. Meanwhile, Shaza Fatima,...
8959 items