Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A delegation of 16 Pakistani entrepreneurs and business leaders is participating in the ‘SelectUSA Investment Summit’ that has opened in National Harbour, Maryland, to establish new connections and opportunities to grow through investing in the United States. The four-day Investment Summit, which opened on Sunday, is the highest-profile event in the United States to facilitate business investment by connecting thousands of investors, companies, economic development organisations (EDOs), and industry experts to make deals happen. US Charge d’ Affaires Natalie A. Baker, in a video statement issued on Monday, welcomed the Pakistani delegation’s participation in the summit, stating that strong economic ties are the heart of the US-Pakistan relationship. “I look forward to helping Pakistani investors expand their global footprint in the United States,” the acting US envoy said. “This is the premier event to promote foreign direct investment in the United States. By facilitating investment, innovation, a...

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Monday issued a nationwide alert, warning that thunderstorms with rain and possible hail are expected across several regions within the next 12 to 24 hours, particularly in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, in line with forecasts issued earlier by the National.

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday issued a detailed judgment in the One Constitution Avenue case, upholding the cancellation of the lease of the multi-billion-rupee project. It ruled that buyers of luxury apartments in the development do not have ownership rights and may instead pursue legal remedies against the builder for recovery of their investment. In a detailed judgment, IHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar dismissed a set of petitions filed by M/s BNP (Pvt) Limited — the developer of the project — along with investors and other stakeholders, challenging the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) decision to terminate the lease. The court held that the impugned action was in accordance with law and consistent with the framework laid down earlier by the Supreme Court (SC). In the case, leading lawyers, including former SC judge Ijazul Ahsan, represented the BNP, while advocate Kashif Ali Malik represented the CDA. The dispute concerns a 2005 lease agreement between the CDA and...

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Monday received the Deputy Foreign Minister of Norway Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, and both sides discussed the evolving regional situation.

ISLAMABAD: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s (HRCP) on Monday launched its annual report for 2025, observing a severe contraction of civic space, the erosion of judicial independence and deepening insecurity over the past year. The report, titled “State of Human Rights in 2025”, was launched in Islamabad, with HRCP Chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt, former chairperson Hina Jilani, co-chair Munizae Jahangir, vice-chair Nasreen Azhar and Secretary General Harris Khalique present. Butt, while speaking to reporters, said it was a fact that human rights in Pakistan were in their worst state. “It is not a report, it is a charge sheet. In 2025, as many as 273 persons faced enforced disappearance. Around 13 were traced from state agencies’ centres, but others are unknown,” he said. Butt added that thousands of people have been missing for years and that if anyone has committed a crime, they should be produced in a court of law. Khalique said that multiple constitutional and human rights-related violations were part...

Karachi is experiencing an intense heatwave as temperatures climb to 44°C, causing widespread discomfort across the city.

Italian prosecutors have opened an unlawful detention investigation following a raid by Israeli forces on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, Italian media reported on Monday. The probe was opened following complaints received over the detention last week of Spanish citizen Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avila, who were on an Italian-flagged vessel. An Israeli court on Sunday extended for two days the detention of the two activists who were taken to Israel for questioning. The two were on a flotilla of more than 50 vessels that left France, Spain and Italy, aiming to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and bring supplies to the devastated Palestinian territory. They were intercepted in international waters off Greece on Thursday, with Israel saying it had removed some 175 activists. Avila and Abu Keshek were taken to Israel for questioning, while the other activists were released. The Israeli operation was widely criticised, particularly by Italy and Spain. The Rome prosecutor’s office opened a similar investigation...

Bulls took control of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday as the benchmark index recovered over 900 points. The KSE-100 index gained 954.77 points (0.59 per cent) to close at 163,948.94 points from the previous close of 162,994.17 points. The index had begun the day on a positive note, reaching an intraday high of 167,245.54 at 10:39am after gaining 4251.37 points from the previous close. According to Mettis Global, the initial sharp rally came as investors reacted positively to developments surrounding rising tensions between Iran and the United States, alongside efforts to stabilise the situation in key global energy routes. However, the market witnessed a sharp fall after 3pm, reaching an intraday low of 163,417.84 points. Among the most actively traded stocks today: Hascol Petroleum Limited: up 0.76pc to Rs21.33 on a volume of 51,509,056 shares Cnergyico PK Limited: up 1.85pc to Rs8.27 on a volume of 50,165,739 Sui Southern Gas Company Limited: up 7.37pc to Rs26.52 on a volume of 49,675,264 The to...

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday described ‘Marka-e-Haq’ as a “golden chapter” in the country’s history, saying the nation had demonstrated unity, determination and resolve during the conflict.

Residents of Media Town, a housing society for journalists near Hawkes Bay, have reported the theft of two electric poles equipped with solar lights that were installed on the directives of the Sindh government.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday hailed Pakistan’s “victory” against India during last year’s military conflict, affirming that the country was “not a nation that bows”. He was addressing an event in Karachi organised by the Sindh government to commemorate Marka-i-Haq, where Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also spoke. The term “Marka-i-Haq” is used by the state to refer to the 2025 conflict with India, starting from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the end of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos with a ceasefire on May 10. “This victory was not the victory of weapons alone. It was a triumph of resolve. It was a triumph of unity and of people who refused to kneel,” said Bilawal, who is also the former foreign minister and had led a delegation abroad to convey Pakistan’s stance on the conflict. “From the mountains of the north to the shores of the Arabian Sea, from the fields of Punjab to the deserts of Sindh and Balochistan, Pakistan stood as one,” he affirmed. “We are not a nation that bows before pressure. W...

Mild to moderate earthquake tremors were felt in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Monday, causing brief panic among residents, though no loss of life or property was reported.

The United Arab Emirates’ shocking decision to leave Saudi-dominated Opec was not targeted at anyone, the UAE minister who heads the state oil giant said on Monday. The move aimed at focusing on national priorities and the UAE economy, said Sultan Al Jaber, who is CEO of state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) and the country’s industry and advanced technology minister. The decision, which took effect on Friday, followed months of tensions with neighbouring Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter and de facto leader of Opec, over foreign policy, oil output and the Middle East war, which has strained Gulf economies. A close partnership between the Gulf nations has turned into an open rivalry since a public falling out in December over Yemen, but the minister said the decision to withdraw from the oil cartel was not aimed at any nation. “The UAE’s sovereign decision to reposition itself within the global energy landscape, and to exit Opec and Opec+, is not a decision directed against anyone,” he t...

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Monday rejected the petitions of former prime minister Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi seeking the suspension of their sentences in the £190 million corruption case, observing that their main appeals were already fixed for hearing. A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar will take up the central appeals on May 7. In view of this, the court declared the suspension applications infructuous. During the hearing on April 30, Justice Dogar had emphasised that the best course would be an early disposal of the main appeal. Imran — imprisoned since Aug 5, 2023, for concealing details of Toshakhana gifts — is serving a 14-year sentence at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail in the £190m case, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case. An accountability court in Islamabad had sentenced Imran and Bushra to 14 and seven years in prison, respectively, on Jan 17, 2025, in the case. Subsequently, both had challenged their convictions before the IHC. The case alle...

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday held separate telephonic conversations with his Iranian and Jordanian counterparts, focusing on the regional situation and Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote peace and stability.

Hot and dry weather is expected to prevail across most parts of the country on Monday, while several upper and northern regions may receive rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

Tremors were felt in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Monday after a 5.2-magnitude earthquake was reported. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the earthquake was recorded at 10:56am. It added that the epicentre was located near the Tajikistan–Xinjiang border region and had a depth of 128 kilometres. According to state-run PTV, the tremors were felt in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Pakistan falls on three major tectonic plates — the Arabian, Euro-Asian and Indian — which create five seismic zones under the country. The intersection of multiple fault lines means that tectonic movements remain a frequent occurrence in the region. Last week, a 5.7-magnitude earthquake jolted parts of Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Residents of Islamabad and KP also felt tremors on April 3, when a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck the Hindu Kush region in Afghanistan.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with the regional situation and Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts coming under discussion, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Monday. “Discussion focused on the regional situation and Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts for peace and stability in the region,” the FO said, adding that the call took place late Sunday night. It added that the Iranian foreign minister appreciated Pakistan for its “constructive role and sincere mediation efforts between the parties”. The FO said that Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued commitment to promoting constructive engagement and underscored that “dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path toward the peaceful resolution of issues and achieving lasting peace and stability in the region and beyond”. The development comes after Tehran said on Sunday that the United States had responded to its new peace proposal. Iranian state media said Washington had conveyed it...

• Establishment Division transfers ‘encadred’ officers, many of whom are close to retirement, to KP and Balochistan • Under rotation policy, these postings were supposed to go to younger officers • IGP says matter will be taken up with Islamabad • Estab secretary claims rotation policy ‘suspended’ at provinces’ request LAHORE: The Establish­ment Division has transferred 10 police officers from Punjab to ‘hard areas’ in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan for a mandatory period of one year, despite concerns about their advanced age and health, Dawn has learnt. The term ‘hard areas’ refers to designated regions in the country that are recognised for being challenging to live or work in due to factors like rem­oteness, lack of infrastructure, harsh terrain, or security thr­eats. Officers posted to these areas are usually given incentives, such as a special allowance. A senior police officer told Dawn that in line with the policy announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, younger officers were previously posted t...

QUETTA: Federal Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal has convened a meeting of the authorities concerned on Monday in Islamabad to review the situation created by a Chinese company’s sudden announcement of closing all its operations in Pakistan and China as well as a factory in Gwadar. The management of the company, Han Geng Group, issued a statement on Friday citing administrative, policy and other hurdles in running its business. However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the planning minister took notice of the company’s announcement and immediately directed the authorities concerned to review its grievances and ensure their immediate resolution. Mr Iqbal sent a clear message that all operational and bureaucratic hurdles faced by companies investing under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be removed on a priority basis to maintain investor confidence. Ahsan Iqbal calls meeting after Chinese firm’s shutdown announcement After the assurance and swift action, the Chinese company withd...