Pakistan

• Four missiles struck Jamia Masjid Ummul Qura in Muridke, killing three civilians • 13 people, including two girls, martyred in Subhan mosque strike • Funeral of Bahawalpur victims held at Dring Stadium LAHORE: Tensions between India and Pakistan have intensified after a series of Indian air and drone strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 31 Pakistani civilians, with many others injured, including 16 martyred only in Muridke and Bahawalpur. As many as three civilians were kil­led when four Indian missiles struck Jamia Masjid Ummul Qura and an ad­­joining house in Muridke, some 40 kilometres from Lahore. The decea­sed were identified as Abdul Malik (from Jhang), Mohammad Alam (Samundri), and Midasar (Chunian). Two others were injured and shif­ted to local hospitals. Sources said that the area had reportedly been evacuated earlier due to warnings of a possible strike, which helped reduce further casualties. The mosque was des­troyed and local authorities later arr­a­­­nged visits for both international an...

PESHAWAR - Like other parts of the country, massive protest demonstrations were held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to condemn the aggression of Indian forces.

Peshawar - An emergency meeting of the provincial cabinet was held on Wednesday in response to India’s unprovoked aggression against Pakistan, with Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, in the chair.

ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad Electric Supply Company IESCO on Wednesday cancelled leaves of officers and staff, as the company announced that it fully stands in full solidarity with Pakistan Army and law enforcement agencies.

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Italy on Wednesday agreed to expand cooperation in trade, security, and labour mobility during talks between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for showing solidarity and support with Pakistan at this “critical time” following the Indian missile strikes in Pakistan.

Ongoing security concerns in the country have begun to impact flight operations across Pakistan, according to official sources.

Amid rapidly escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and reiterated its support for Pakistan’s economic reform agenda.

In a significant move to enhance emergency preparedness, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has initiated mock drills by Civil Defense and Rescue 1122 teams across the province.

Gujranwala Cantt air defense system shot down an Indian drone which entered the Pakistan airspace in the wee hours of Thursday.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has called for restraint between India and Pakistan upon landing in New Delhi, state media reported, a day after India targeted what it says are “terrorist camps” in Pakistan in retaliation for a deadly attack on tourists in occupied Kashmir last month, Reuters reports.

The Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) said on Thursday that flight operations at Lahore and Sialkot airports have been temporarily suspended, in light of the current tension between Pakistan and India.

ISLAMABAD: Against high hopes, the government has sought revision in the base electricity tariff for next fiscal year, proposing only 30 paise to a maximum of Rs2.25 per unit reduction in consumer rates under seven different scenarios. Only in one unlikely case of normal circumstances and stable exchange rate at Rs280, the average base tariff would reduce by Rs2.25 per unit in fiscal year 2025-26 to Rs24.75 from prevailing rate of about Rs27 per unit. In case of local currency depreciation to Rs300, the base tariff reduction would be around 30 paise per unit. The reduction mainly stems from lower capacity payments. The average Power Purchase Price (PPP) would be on top of about Rs8.16 to Rs9.52 per unit fuel cost, taking the total electricity price to range between Rs34 and Rs35 per unit excluding taxes, fees, duties and surcharges. 30 paise to Rs2.25 reduction depends on rupee-dollar parity The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) of the Power Division has formally submitted a request for projected PPP for...

KARACHI: The foreign players participating in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) will continue their stay in the country despite the ongoing military stand-off between Pakistan and India, an official of the country’s cricket board has said. India launched a devious attack on Pakistan late on Tuesday night before the latter’s retaliation escalated the situation. But while things got serious along the border, the foreign players had a meeting with the PSL leadership. “The foreign players met PSL chief Salman Naseer at a dinner last night and they had a ‘gup shup’ [informal chat],” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson Amir Mir told Dawn on Wednesday. “Naturally the current scenario may have come under discussion. “There is no chance of the foreign players leaving the country anyway with airspace issues, but they are living under a heavy security blanket of Pakistan Army. “There have been surgical strikes on both sides of the border but we don’t expect that affecting the PSL. But if, God forbid, things do e...

ISLAMABAD: In an attempt to combat disinformation in the wake of hostilities with India, Pakistan on Wednes­day blocked over a dozen Indian YouTube channels, 31 video links, and 32 websites for disseminating “false info­rmation and anti-Pakistan propaganda”. “This action has been taken in light of the prevailing regional situation to safeguard national security and protect Pak­istan’s digital ecosystem,” the Pakistan Telecommuni­ca­tion Authority said, adding that the content it blocked was spre­ading misleading and harmful narratives aimed at manipulating public perception and undermining national unity. On the other hand, IT minister Shaza Fatima said that the government foiled several cyberattacks, which she blamed on India, while an advisory by a cybersecurity body asked citizens to remain vigilant against possible cyberattacks in light of tensions with India. Amid all this, the social media platform X, which was blocked in Feb last year, came back to life without any official word from the government, ac...

LAHORE: In response to India’s brazen pre-dawn attack, the Punjab government has mobilised all departments, directing them to maintain maximum preparedness in accordance with the ‘War Book’ protocols. Rescue services have been put on high alert and a central control room established to ensure seamless monitoring and coordination. While the armed forces ferociously responded to the attack, the Punjab government swiftly took measures to ensure public safety, announcing the immediate closure of public and private sector universities, colleges, and schools, as well as the suspension of ongoing examinations at various academic levels. As 26 civilians have been martyred and 46 sustained injuries in Indian missile attacks, the Punjab government cancelled staff holidays and called all law-enforcement agencies officials to handle any eventuality. Despite high alert, educational institutes allowed to function normally; social media flooded with memes after damages to India In line with the `War Book’ protocols, the Pun...

• Educational institutions remain open, exams underway • Security beefed up across province • Rescue-1122 ready to meet any eventuality KARACHI: Although routine life in Karachi and other parts of the province remained unaffected by the Indian strikes in Azad Kashmir and Punjab, the provincial authorities on Wednesday prepared a contingency plan and beefed up security across Sindh to tackle any situation. Almost all educational institutions remained opened on Wednesday and intermediate exams were held as per their schedule in Karachi and other parts of the province. The director general of Rescue-1122, retired Brigadier Wajid Sibghatullah Mahar, told Dawn that the Sindh Emergency Rescue Service had prepared an emergency plan, outlining preparedness and resource allocation in anticipation of the situation. “Rescue-1122 (Sindh) is on high alert and prepared with manpower, resources and coordination protocols to deal with any emergency efficiently,” according to the content of the plan reviewed by Dawn. “Rescue ...

Panic gripped residents of Walton Road and surrounding localities on Thursday after three back-to-back explosions were heard, prompting people to rush out of their homes in fear.

• Dar briefs Islamabad-based ambassadors on unprovoked Indian attacks • Discusses security situation with Chinese, Turkish and Italian reps ISLAMABAD: Amid escalating tensions, the Indian chargé d’affaires was summoned to the foreign ministry on Wednesday to receive a strong protest over the unprovoked Indian strikes at multiple locations across Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. These strikes resulted in the deaths and injuries of several civilians, including women and children. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Pakistan conveyed to the envoy that India’s blatant act of aggression constitutes a clear violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty. The statement emphasised that such actions contravene the UN Charter, international law, and established norms governing inter-state relations. Pakistan firmly rejected India’s baseless justifications for its hostile actions. The Indian side was warned that such reckless behaviour poses a serious threat to regional peace and stability, the statement add...

• PM offers to meet political leaders, including PTI’s, to offer joint front against Indian aggression • Barrister Gohar welcomes premier’s offer • Lawmakers laud forces on successful defence of the realm ISLAMABAD: Lawmakers in the National Assembly on Wednesday stro­ngly condemned the brutal aggression demonstrated by India resulting in loss of civilian lives in Pakistan. In an impassioned speech on the floor of the lower house of parliament, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said: “Only thieves and cowards attack at night. If they had even an ounce of courage, they would have announced their attack during the day.” Mr Bhutto-Zardari said that India has become barbaric and blind due to its arrogance, but the valiant people of Pakistan will make them see. “We do not condone war and never have, but India should brace itself because Pakistan is yet to respond, and it will not do so during the night, or on the basis of lies, but as per international laws and UN Charter.” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his ...