Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Telecommunication companies announced on Thursday the launch of 5G services in some parts of the country after they were awarded licences for 5G spectrum at a ceremony in Islamabad, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also spoke. The government completed its spectrum auction in Islamabad last week, in which 480 megahertz (MHz) were sold for $507 million. The three bidders — Zong, Jazz and Ufone — competed heavily for the 2,600MHz band, a key frequency range for 5G services. Zong acquired 110MHz, Ufone 180MHz and Jazz 190MHz during the auction. The licence agreements for the services were signed by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Licensing Director General Brig (retd) Aamir Shahzad and senior management of Jazz, Ufone and Zong. In a press release, Jazz announced that in the first phase of 5G rollout, the services were being provided across 180 sites in Islamabad, all four provincial capitals — Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta — as well as in Rawalpindi, Multan and Faisalabad. “Jazz is deliv...

Preparations for the end of Ramadan were in full swing at a beauty salon in the Punjab, with customers getting haircuts, eyebrow-threading and henna tattoos. In Multan’s markets, crowds of women young and old shopped for colourful bangles, shoes, new clothes, make-up and sweet treats. But in Multan and elsewhere in Pakistan, the ripple effects of the US-Israeli war against Iran were being felt. “It feels very different because inflation has risen so much due to the ongoing war. Every poor person is distressed. It is affecting them deeply,” said make-up artist Rozina Amjad. Chaand Raat — the eve of Eidul Fitr — used to be “lively”, Amjad told AFP, adding: “Now that charm is gone. It’s not like it used to be.” Pakistan is reliant on oil and gas from the Gulf but since war broke out last month, fuel supply pressures have seen prices rise at the pump and government austerity measures. Rising oil prices have pushed up costs across the board, affecting purchasing power before the most important festival in the Musl...

ISLAMABAD: PTI leaders on Thursday were yet again denied a meeting with incarcerated party founder Imran Khan, who is imprisoned in Adiala jail. Speaking to Dawn, Advocate Niazullah Niazi said that as per directions of the court, PTI secretary general Salman Akram Raja had shared a list of six persons with jail authorities for a meeting Imran. “We reached the jail and waited for approval but we did not receive any message from the jail administration that the meeting would be allowed,” he lamented. He said that during Ramazan, jail meetings were allowed till 3pm. “We waited there till 3:15pm and then decided to leave,” he said. “We also asked officials about the medical team, which visited Adiala jail on Wednesday and examined Imran, and demanded a medical report but we were informed that the report will be handed over to the Islamabad Chief Commissioner, who would then submit it to the court. We were told that we should approach the court to get the medical report,” Niazi said. Niazi said that he was the spo...

KARACHI: Twenty people died and eight were injured as a result of a thunderstorm that swept through Karachi on Wednesday night, the city police said on Thursday. Heavy rain and strong winds lashed the city and caused casualties related to falling debris and wall collapses, as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said a westerly wave was affecting most parts of the country. Additional Inspector General of Police Azad Khan told Dawn that, according to police records, 13 of the deaths occurred during a wall collapse in Saeedabad and two more due to a wall collapse in Quaidabad. Two were also injured in a wall collapse in Keamari. Separately, roof collapses killed one and injured three people in Gulistan-i- Jauhar, as well as causing one death and two injuries in the Mominabad area of Orangi Town. One person also died in a roof collapse in Malir’s Sukhan area, while one person died and one was injured in Clifton after being hit by debris from the storm. Additionally, Khan said that one death was caused by...

As Eidul Fitr approaches, marking the end of Ramazan, delivery riders on Karachi’s streets say they’re working longer hours, but earning less, with little left for the new clothes and treats that usually mark the festival. A few weeks ago, 23-year-old Mohammad Mohsin could make around Rs1,500 a day. Now, with the US-Israeli war on Iran choking oil supplies, petrol prices have surged above Rs320 per litre and Mohsin’s earnings have shrunk to around Rs1,100. This July 8, 2020 picture shows Foodpanda riders getting ready for deliveries outside a restaurant during Covid-19 pandemic in Kuala Lumpur. —Reuters/File “Before it was all mine,” he said. “Now, a huge sum goes into petrol.” The rising cost of fuel is hitting some of Pakistan’s lowest-paid urban workers hardest, and many riders are making barely enough to cover the essentials, let alone the Eid celebrations. Reuters spoke to more than half a dozen riders in Karachi, all of whom said the fuel price surge had squeezed earnings ahead of Eid, a time when they ...

A ministerial meeting, hosted by Saudi Arabia, called on Iran to “immediately and unconditionally” halt attacks against Gulf countries in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. The conflict began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. In retaliatory strikes, Iran has targeted US assets and bases in Gulf countries. A day earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar travelled to the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh for the ministerial meeting. In a statement on X, the ministry said that the consultative meeting was attended by Azerbaijan, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Pakistan, Turkiye, Syria, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon and Egypt, where they condemned Iranian “missile and drone attacks” and held Iran “fully responsible”. They called on the country to “immediately and unconditionally cease its aggression and to comply with UN Security Council resolutions”. The ministers maintained that Iran’s actions amount to “violation of sov...

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Thursday dismissed claims regarding a missile attack near Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) involving its flight, terming it “entirely baseless and false”. Several media reports had claimed that a PIA flight on Tuesday had narrowly escaped a missile attack during landing at the Fujairah airport. “PIA clarifies that the news circulating regarding a missile attack near Fujairah involving a PIA flight is entirely baseless and false,” it said on the social media platform X. “No such statement was issued by the airline and its spokesperson. We urge all to refrain from sharing unverified information,” it said. It should also be noted that on Wednesday morning, the national flag carrier had suspended its flights to Fujairah for the next 48 hours in view of the “security situation” amid the war in the Middle East. In a statement, the carrier’s spokesperson said that for the time being, PIA flights to the UAE would only be operated to Al Ain.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister (DPM/FM), Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, held a meeting that day with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, on the sidelines of the Consultative Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh.

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Thursday appointed lawyer and incumbent Islamabad Advocate General Ayaz Shaukat as the first chairman of the newly established Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA). Sources privy to the development revealed that Shaukat is expected to tender his resignation from the office of advocate general soon after Eidul Fitr vacations to assume his new responsibilities. The authority was established under the amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, and will comprise a total of eight members. The federal government also notified 5 members, namely Sohail Iqbal, Adnan Khan, Muhammad Salman Zafar, Fahad Malik, and Muhammad Saad Ali. According to the amendment, the remaining two members are to be a journalist and a software engineer. The chairman and the members will be appointed for a period of five years. SMPRA will function as a corporate body with the power to sue and be sued in its own name. Its principal office will be based in Islamabad, w...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme, Senator Rubina Khalid, to review progress on welfare initiatives and ongoing relief efforts.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast rainfall with thunderstorms in Karachi on Eid ul Fitr, warning of unstable weather conditions in the city and its outskirts on Saturday.

President Asif Ali Zardari has approved a special remission in sentences on the occasions of Eidul Fitr and Pakistan Day 2026, along with a series of legislative measures and civil awards.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed authorities to implement strict security arrangements across the province on the occasion of Chand Raat.

NATIONAL Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard testifies along with FBI, DIA and CIA directors during a Senate intelligence committee hearing on worldwide threats.—AFP • Director of National Intelligence places Pakistan alongside Russia, North Korea; believes their projectiles could reach ‘homeland’ in future • Lawmakers told Iran govt ‘degraded’, but remains capable of attacking US, Gulf allies • South Asian militant groups ‘persistent danger’ to US interests, Gabbard warns WASHINGTON: US Dire­ctor of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has listed Pakistan among states that pose a significant threat to the United States, warning US lawmakers that Islam­abad’s evolving missile capabilities could potentially put the American homeland within range. Presenting the 2026 Ann­ual Threat Assessment before the United States Senate Intelligence Comm­ittee on Wednesday, Ms Gabbard said, “Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and Pakistan have been researching and developing an array of novel, advanced, or traditional missile ...

Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to eliminate terrorists and their infrastructure “wherever they may be” through “precise, intelligence-based operations”, said a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations on Thursday. The CDF, during an interaction with ulema in Rawalpindi, emphasised that the Afghan Taliban must prevent the use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan. Pakistan has decided on a “temporary pause” in the ongoing Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against the Afghan Taliban in view of Eidul Fitr and “at the request of brotherly Islamic countries”. The field marshal, during the interaction, also highlighted Pakistan’s efforts and pro-active diplomacy in seeking regional de-escalation, in reference to the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran, said the military’s media wing. “He emphasised the critical role of Ulema to strengthen unity and counter extremism, reiterating that religious sentiments must not be expl...

Pakistan’s central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is set to meet today (Thursday) to sight the Shawwal 1447 AH moon, which will determine the date of Eid ul Fitr across the country.

KARACHI: Despite 19 days of war in the Middle East, Pakistan’s exchange rate remained stable, encouraging stakeholders, including the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the government. The exchange rate has largely remained stable during the current fiscal year, and predictions of destabilisation proved unfounded despite the prolonged conflict. This stability comes as regional currencies weakened; the Indian rupee depreciated by up to five per cent from Rs88 to Rs92 against the US dollar during the war, while fears of further depreciation persist. Financial sector experts believe the exchange rate is being managed to some extent, though they caution that continued war could still pose risks. Flights to Dubai, Umrah travel continue; airfares surge “This is highly appreciable and extremely supportive for the country that, despite almost three weeks of war, the exchange rate is under control,” said Zafar Paracha, a currency dealer. Exporters, however, fear that the ongoing Middle East conflict could reduce exports...

ISLAMABAD: A medical team on Wednesday visited Adiala Jail to examine former premier Imran Khan on the directives of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). Mr Khan’s eye ailment — right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) — came to light in late January. His first medical procedure, carried out on January 24, was confirmed by the government five days later. According to sources, the medical board incl­uded Dr Mohammad Arif, Professor Akhtar Ali and Dr Ali Arif of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Scie­nces (Pims), as well as Dr Nadeem Qureshi and Dr Arif Khan of Al-Shifa Eye Trust Hospital. Dr Mohammad Arif heads the ophthalmology department at Pims, while Dr Qureshi is a retina specialist at Rawal­pindi’s Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital. Last week, the IHC directed the formation of a medical board in its verdict on a plea seeking the transfer of the PTI founder to Shifa International Hospital for treatment of his eye condition. His lawyer told the court that his client had been complaining of retinal issues since Oct...

• Structural walls, mound formation and scattered remains unearthed • Structures may belong to historic settlement or mosque complex; scientific analysis underway to determine their age and function • Experts regret fragile structures at risk of damage yet to be declared protected THATTA: Archaeologists have discovered submerged ruins, including a mound and structural remains believed to be part of a historic structure, during Sindh’s first marine archaeology exploration in the Indus Delta, officials said. According to the exploration team, the discoveries include submerged structural walls, a mound-like formation and scattered architectural remains located beneath shallow coastal waters near Lahori Bandar in Banbhore, Sindh. Archaeologists said visible stone and brick alignments suggest the remains could belong to a historic structure, possibly part of a settlement or a mosque complex that once existed along the historical port. Detailed scientific analysis and documentation of the site are underway to deter...

• Decision taken on requests from S. Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye • Tarar warns action to resume promptly if attacks occur • DG ISPR insists Afghan soil being used for attacks against Pakistan • FO rejects Indian statement ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Wednesday announced that Pakistan had decided on a “temporary pause” in the ongoing Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against the Afghan Taliban in view of Eidul Fitr and “at the request of brotherly Islamic countries”. In his post on X, Mr Tarar said: “In view of the upcoming Islamic festival of Eidul Fitr, upon its own initiative as well as on the request from the brotherly Islamic countries of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkiye, the government of Pakistan has decided to announce a temporary pause amidst ongoing Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against terrorists and their support infrastructure in Afghanistan.” Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was launched on the night of Feb 26 following cross-border firing by the Afghan Talib...