Dawn
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Dawn - 03:15 Jun 16, 2026
• Curfew-like restrictions eased • Commercial activity takes a hit as internet outages affect ATMs • AJK Legislative Assembly to meet today MUZAFFARABAD: The standoff between law enforcement personnel and supporters of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Rawalakot seemed to be winding down, with officials claiming on Monday that the days-long protest had visibly shrink. According to officials, who spoke to Dawn on condition of anonymity, the central gathering at the Eidgah Ground is steadily shrinking, with most participants from other areas having quietly left. The majority of those still present are residents of nearby localities who arrive in the afternoon and return home late at night, an official said. The official maintained that law enforcement personnel had only engaged armed activists, and ruled out the possibility of negotiations with the proscribed group, stating that its members would either have to surrender or face strict legal action. Authorities have relaxed curfew-like res... -
Dawn - 02:59 Jun 16, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has the right under international law to defend itself against attacks originating from Afghanistan, British Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan Hamish Falconer said on Monday, while stressing the need for dialogue and regional stability. Speaking during a visit to Islamabad to discuss security concerns with senior Pakistani officials, the British official noted that any country facing cross-border threats was entitled to protect its citizens within the framework of international law. The remarks came amid rising tensions and recent incidents of violence that Pakistani authorities say were linked to terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory. Talking to Dawn, the visiting dignitary expressed condolences over the recent loss of life in Pakistan, describing the security situation as deeply concerning. ‘Sustainable solutions’ “No one wants to see civilian casualties anywhere, whether in Pakistan or Afghanistan,” the official said, adding tha... -
Dawn - 02:31 Jun 16, 2026
• Govt signals gradual end to super tax • State minister says target of bringing 3.5m retailers into tax net in one year ‘unrealistic’ • NA panel seeks detailed estimates of revenue generation, relief measures to assess their overall economic impact ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee on Monday approved a five per cent tax on earnings generated through social media platforms by both local and foreign digital content creators, as lawmakers continued their review of proposals under the Finance Bill 2026. The move reflects the growing significance of social media as a source of income, with digital platforms increasingly serving as lucrative business avenues rather than merely communication tools. Content creators, influencers and online entrepreneurs are now generating millions of rupees annually through platform monetisation, advertising revenue and audience engagement. The Senate Standing Committee on Finance, chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, reviewed the proposed taxation framework and endorsed the m... -
Dawn - 02:30 Jun 16, 2026
• Call for a cut in next MPC meeting to support industrial recovery • OICCI, PBC term SBP decision ‘balanced, prudent’ KARACHI: The business community on Monday expressed disappointment over the State Bank’s decision to keep the policy rate unchanged at 11.5pc, urging monetary easing to support growth, exports and investment amid easing inflation expectations. Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Atif Ikram Sheikh said that a static policy rate in double digits is highly detrimental to the country’s economic survival, adding that failure to ease borrowing costs would accelerate de-industrialisation and severely undermine export targets, which are critical for earning foreign exchange. Expressing concern over what he termed a disconnect between the central bank and the challenges faced by trade and industry, he said the decision to hold the policy rate was unfortunate despite expectations of a downward trend in inflation following the announcement of a US-Iran peace deal f... -
Dawn - 02:23 Jun 16, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Despite the government’s claims of austerity and tight fiscal discipline, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has actually asked the parliament to give post-facto approval for a record Rs3.684 trillion supplementary grants for expenditure overruns and re-appropriation. Budget documents suggest that parliament would be required to approve more than four times higher supplementary grants later this month when compared to Rs895bn it regularised last year. This put a question mark on the processes leading to budget estimates and expenditures. Documents placed before parliament by the finance ministry indicate that debt servicing, subsidies, power sector, water division, defence services, health related expenditures, civil armed forces and related agencies stand out in exceeding budgetary allocations. The ministry said the amounts that it was seeking approval as a fait accompli pertained to May 17 to June 30 of 2024-25 and from July 1 to May 15 for 2025-26 after the conclusion of budgetary processes for... -
Dawn - 18:33 Jun 15, 2026
European champions Spain were held to a shock 0-0 draw by tiny World Cup debutants Cape Verde on Monday. Regarded as one of the strong pre-tournament favourites, Spain had been expected to cruise past Cape Verde in their Group H opener in Atlanta. But despite enjoying 74 per cent possession and laying siege to the Cape Verde goal, the 2010 world champions were unable to find a breakthrough against the underdogs from the volcanic archipelago of just 525,000 people, who are ranked as 2000-1 outsiders to win the World Cup by several betting websites. Cape Verde’s Vozinha applauds fans after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia, the US. — AFP Not even the introduction of Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal off the bench could engineer a goal for Luis de la Fuente’s men. Cape Verde’s players and supporters, meanwhile, celebrated wildly after securing an improbable point in what was their first-ever World Cup match. The underdogs, ni... -
Dawn - 18:15 Jun 15, 2026
UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (Unama) until June 17, 2027, while highlighting concerns over Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis, terrorism threats, human rights situation and regional stability. The resolution, drafted by China and adopted by all 15 UNSC members, reaffirms the UN’s central role in supporting peace and stability in Afghanistan and maintaining engagement with the country’s de facto authorities and other stakeholders. Although Pakistan is not mentioned by name in the text, several provisions of the resolution carry direct implications for Islamabad, particularly on refugee returns, regional security, counterterrorism cooperation and economic connectivity. The Security Council directed Unama to support efforts to create conditions conducive to the “voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return and reintegration of internally displaced persons and refugees,” a... -
Dawn - 18:07 Jun 15, 2026
Pakistan is set to assume the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Council of Heads of State (CHS) in September, while next year’s CHS summit will also be hosted by Pakistan. Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the SCO, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar acknowledged that the group has played an important role in “promoting regional peace, security, stability, economic cooperation, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges among its member states”, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. Dar said that Pakistan’s involvement in the regional bloc has advanced from observer to a proactive full member since 2017, reflecting the country’s “unwavering commitment to multilateralism and confidence in the potential of our region”. Ahead of Pakistan assuming chairmanship of the CHS, Dar added, “This is a reflection of trust and confidence in Pakistan’s leadership role regionally and globally.” “Pakistan will continue to advance a for... -
Dawn - 17:43 Jun 15, 2026
The Ministry of Religious Affairs on Monday announced that the Muharram 1448 AH moon was not sighted in the country. The first of Muharram will fall on Wednesday, June 17, while Ashura will be observed on June 26. In a notification, the ministry said: “In pursuance of the decision of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee in its meeting held today in Lahore, the federal government in the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Islamabad, hereby announces that the moon of Muharram 1448 AH has not been sighted.” “Therefore, the 1st Muharram 1448 AH shall commence from Wednesday, June 17, 2026,” it added. Earlier today, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported that the committee would meet at Iqbal Hall, Badshahi Mosque in Lahore to sight the Muharram moon, the first month of the Islamic calendar. Muharram is a month of mourning, observed in particular by Shia Muslims worldwide. It commemorates the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD, where, amongst many, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Peac... -
Dawn - 17:32 Jun 15, 2026
The State Bank of Pakistan decided to keep the policy rate unchanged at 11.5 per cent on Monday. The decision was made during a meeting for the final policy review of FY26. In a detailed statement, the MPC said that global oil prices had eased in light of recent geopolitical developments; however, it noted that the prices remained elevated compared to pre-conflict levels. “Nonetheless, as anticipated in the last MPC meeting, the impact of the conflict is now reflecting in recent economic indicators,” it said, noting that “headline inflation rose to double digits in April and May, while core inflation also edged up”. The statement continued: “Moreover, economic activity is showing some signs of moderation, reflecting the impact of elevated prices, austerity measures and prevalent economic uncertainty”. It added that the external account pressures remained moderate. As per the statement, the MPC observed that the macroeconomic outlook remained “broadly unchanged” since its previous meeting. “In this context, th... -
Dawn - 17:26 Jun 15, 2026
KARACHI: Two bureaucrats have been booked over an advance payment of Rs8.5 billion to contractors of the Yellow Line BRT project in an alleged case of misuse of authority, it emerged on Monday. The Yellow Line is planned to connect Quaidabad’s Dawood Chowrangi with Numaish and will exclusively use electric buses to ensure it remains environmentally friendly. The advance payment, which caused significant financial losses to the Sindh government, violated the contract, as the contractors were required to arrange financing from the commercial market. The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has registered a first information report (FIR) against the then project director (PD) of the Karachi Mobility Project (KMP), Zameer Abbasi, its then director of procurement, Jhaman Das, and others on behalf of the state. The FIR was lodged by Inspector Mohammed Sher Zaman Awan of ACE District South. The FIR was registered under Sections 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), 409 (criminal breach... -
Dawn - 17:16 Jun 15, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday that while the signing ceremony of an agreement reached between the US and Iran — aimed at ending a war that began three months ago — would be held in Geneva, it would be hosted by Pakistan. “The official [signing] ceremony of this historic agreement will be held on Friday, June 19, in Geneva, and by the grace of God, it will be hosted by Pakistan,” he said while addressing a National Assembly session after he announced the agreement past midnight on Monday. Under the agreement, the US and Iran have agreed on a framework to end the war, halt the US blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The war began in late February, with the US and Israel launching strikes on Iran. Throughout the conflict, Pakistan has remained actively involved in mediating for peace and also hosted the first round of talks between the two sides in Islamabad in April. The historic direct US-Iran talks had ended without an agreement, but also without a breakdown. This was after Pakista... -
Dawn - 16:16 Jun 15, 2026
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday unveiled a new framework for awarding central contracts to players from the next fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, while making no changes to either the national selection committee or the coaching staff. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, at a press conference held at a local hotel, made the announcements. He was accompanied by the High Performance Centre Director Aaqib Javed, white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, PCB Chief Medical Officer Dr Javed Mughal and other officials. Earlier, the PCB chairman also met all 49 players of Pakistan’s red- and white-ball squads, who are currently attending training camps in Lahore, and briefed them on the new central contract system. Interestingly, Naqvi had hinted during a media briefing on Saturday that several changes could be made within the PCB set-up. However, Monday’s announcement focused primarily on reforms to the central contracts system. Under the new structure, players will be placed in five categories instead of the ... -
Dawn - 15:45 Jun 15, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Members of the Senate from both sides of the aisle on Monday raised alarm over the burgeoning debt of Pakistan, sans a roadmap for economic stability. On June 12, the government presented the budget for FY27, allocating Rs8,054bn for interest payments. Speaking on the floor, PPP vice president and parliamentary leader in the Senate, Senator Sherry Rehman, pointed out that approximately 42.8 per cent of the federal budget was being absorbed by debt servicing, including both interest and principal repayments. “When nearly half of the federal budget is consumed by debt obligations, the space available for development, social protection and public investment becomes severely constrained,” she noted during the budget discussion. She said that state-owned enterprises continue to place a heavy burden on public finances. “Losses of state-owned enterprises reached Rs832.848 billion in FY2025, with cumulative losses now standing at Rs6.563 trillion. Yet another Rs451 billion has been allocated to SOEs in thi... -
Dawn - 15:11 Jun 15, 2026
The British government’s decision to ban the pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation is lawful because of its support for violence, London’s Court of Appeal ruled on Monday. Palestine Action, which had increasingly targeted Israel-linked defence companies in Britain, with a particular focus on Israel’s largest defence firm Elbit Systems, was proscribed under terrorism laws last year. London’s High Court ruled in February, after a legal challenge by the group’s co-founder, that the ban unlawfully interfered with freedom of expression, although it remained proscribed pending the government’s appeal. People attend a demonstration opposing the government’s decision to ban Palestine Action as a terror organisation, following a Court of Appeal ruling on the lawfulness of proscribing the pro-Palestinian group under terrorism laws, outside the Royal Courts of Justice, in London, Britain, June 15, 2026. —Reuters Judges rule ban is proportionate Huda Ammori, who co-founded Palestine ... -
Dawn - 14:29 Jun 15, 2026
The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 index gained over 4,000 points on Monday as the US and Iran reached a preliminary agreement aimed at ending a war that began over three months ago and upended the global economy. The KSE-100 index rose by 4,639.92 points (2.69 per cent) to close at 177,039.82 from the previous close of 172,399.90. The market marked an intraday low of 175,085 at 11am, eventually reaching an intraday high of 177,176.72 at 3:25pm. Yousuf M. Farooq, director of research at Chase Securities, said the market opened higher today as sentiment improved following the announcement of a deal between the US and Iran, along with expectations that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open. Oil prices also opened lower, easing concerns over inflationary pressures going forward, he noted. He said that investors were awaiting today’s monetary policy announcement. Later in the day, the State Bank of Pakistan announced that it would keep the policy rate unchanged at 11.5pc. The market continues ... -
Dawn - 14:07 Jun 15, 2026
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday called for a transparent inquiry into the shooting of Hania Ahmad by the Punjab Crime Control Department (CCD) earlier this week, according to The Guardian. Adeel Ahmed, 39, his wife Dr Sidra Khan, their daughter Hania Ahmed, 9, and son Aafan Ahmed, 10, were shot at during a robbery when CCD personnel 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. Australian media have reported on the case, as the family were Australian nationals based in Perth. The incident was covered by ABC, The Guardian, and SBS, which highlighted that the family was on holiday in Pakistan at the time of the incident. In its report, The Guardian quoted Albanese as saying that the incident needed to be properly examined by authorities. “These circumstances do need to be examined. They need to be examined in a transparent way, so that everyone can know, the family,... -
Dawn - 13:55 Jun 15, 2026
GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan on Monday announced the postponement of local bodies polls in the region — scheduled for August 2 — to September 27. Earlier this month, the GB Election Commission had announced conducting the local bodies elections across the region on August 02. Addressing a press conference, the GB chief election commissioner said several religious organisations had approached the election commission, requesting that the local bodies elections not be held during Muharram and the Chehlum of Imam Hussain (RA). “Today (Monday) was the last day for filing nomination papers; however, in view of Muharram, the scrutiny date for nomination papers has been extended to August 10, 2026,” he stated. He further said polling for the local body elections would be held on September 27, 2026, and that a total of 1,343 wards would be covered in the elections. Khan emphasised that local government elections were a long-standing demand of the people and that their holding ... -
Dawn - 12:28 Jun 15, 2026
SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: The district administrations of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Upper South Waziristan and Lower South Waziristan imposed Section 144 in several areas on Monday due to security concerns and the movement of security forces, officials said. According to separate notifications issued by the deputy commissioners of both districts, restrictions have been enforced on public movement in designated areas, while several key roads have been temporarily closed to ensure the smooth movement of security personnel and logistical convoys. Lower South Waziristan Deputy Commissioner Musarrat Zaman said Section 144 would remain in force from 6am to 6pm on Monday. The restrictions were imposed as a precautionary measure in view of prevailing security concerns in and around Wana and adjoining localities. The district administration announced the temporary closure of several key routes, including Wana-Tiarza Road, Karab Kot, Azizabad Chowk, Dargai and the route leading to Toi Khula Gul Kach. Authorities said all forms of m... -
Dawn - 11:52 Jun 15, 2026
A trainer aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force crashed near Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Mardan city on Monday, resulting in the martyrdom of both pilots onboard the aircraft, the military’s media affairs wing said. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that the aircraft was on a routine training sortie when it crashed. As a result, Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Qasim Abdullah from the PAF and Lieutenant Taha Abbasi from the Pakistan Navy embraced martyrdom. It added that “a board of inquiry has been constituted by Air Headquarters to ascertain the cause of the accident.” The statement said Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, other services chiefs and “all ranks of the Pakistan Armed Forces express deep grief over the tragic loss of precious lives and extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families”. President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his grief over the pilots’ martyrdom and said, “The nation will always remember the sacrifices of its brave sons who la...
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