Pakistan

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Brent crude jumped 10 per cent to about $80 a barrel over the counter on Sunday, oil traders said, while analysts predicted that prices could climb as high as $100 after US and Israeli strikes on Iran plunged the Middle East into a new war. The global oil benchmark has rallied this year and reached $73 a barrel on Friday for its highest since July, buoyed by growing concern over the potential attacks that arrived a day later. Futures trading is closed over the weekend. “While the military attacks are themselves supportive for oil prices, the key factor here is the closing of the Strait of Hormuz,” said Ajay Parmar, director of energy and refining at ICIS. Most tanker owners, oil majors and trading houses have suspended crude oil, fuel and liquefied natural gas shipments via the Strait of Hormuz, trade sources said, after Tehran warned ships against moving through the waterway. More than 20pc of global oil is moved through the Strait of Hormuz. Middle East leaders have warned Washington that a war on Iran coul...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday chaired a high-level meeting to review the regional situation and the country’s security situation, state-run PTV reported. The development comes as Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against the Afghan Taliban earlier this week after the neighbouring country targeted Pakistani positions along the border. Separately, the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Saturday, assassinating Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran called the strikes unprovoked and illegal and responded with missiles fired at Israel and at least seven other countries, including Gulf states that host US bases. In a post on X, the state broadcaster said that during the meeting, the regional situation was reviewed in detail, while Pakistan’s role in maintaining peace in the region and multiple actions in this regard were also considered. The situation of Afghanistan was also deeply reviewed during the meeting, while the members were also given a briefing on t...

Multiple users and accounts on social media platforms X and Facebook on March 1 were sharing an alleged image of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s body under rubble after he was assassinated in airstrikes by the United States and Israel. However, the image is AI-generated. Khamenei, who ruled the Islamic Republic for over 30 years, was assassinated in a strike in the early hours of Sunday, by the US and Israel — the two countries that had been calling for regime change in Tehran. Iran called the strikes “unprovoked and illegal”, responding with missiles fired at Israel and at least seven other countries, including Gulf states that host US bases, while vowing revenge for Khamenei’s assassination. On March 1, a pro-Iranian user, based on his profile picture and past posts, shared a picture of Khamenei under rubble on X with the following caption: “My leader gave up his life, but the Muslim nation did not compromise or sell out the followers of Imam Hussain.” The post gained 4.8 million views and wa...

With heatwaves, smog and fog intensifying over time, students were away from classrooms far longer than usual

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Integrated system for treatment, landfill management lacking

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New car park, dedicated access roads to ease traffic woes

Officials ordered to ensure arrangements at temporary holding points

KARACHI: Spent casings of tear gas shells littered the road outside the US consulate in Karachi on Sunday, which was sprinkled with charred remains of several motorcycles — including one that belonged to a Dawn photographer. The smell of gunpowder was in the air, regularly punctuated by the deep thumps of tear gas shells being fired. Hundreds of law enforcement personnel, including paramilitary forces, riot police and special units, were in the area — forming security cordons, keeping protesters at bay, and even those taking refuge from the afternoon sun. A burnt motorbike lies on the road after it was burned by protesters as they gathered outside the US Consulate General, following news of US and Israeli strikes on Iran that assassinated supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Karachi on March 1, 2026. — Reuters The protesters, young Shia men, were scattered, their numbers waxing and waning, but not more than a thousand. A couple of hundred angry protesters were crowded at the end of the Mai Kolachi Road, ...

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Minimum city fare fixed at Rs30, goods transport and bike rides become costlier

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Riders question timing, clarity and practical benefits of the policy

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Community tournaments and fitness apps encourage healthy habits

Workers protest, blame lack of official phones and internet for weak reporting