Pakistan

After days of intense heat, several parts of the country, including Lahore and Islamabad, are expected to receive rain accompanied by strong winds on Thursday, according to weather authorities.

Delegations of the PPP and the PML-N met in Gilgit-Baltistan to discuss proposals for forming a government in the region after the recent elections, the parties said on Thursday. The PPP is all set to form a government in the region after it gained 11 out of 24 seats in the Gilgit-Baltistan Legi­slative Assembly, according to unofficial results (Forms-47) of the June 7 elections. Key leaders of the PPP and the PML-N, which secured six seats, met in Gilgit to hold detailed deliberations on proposals related to the formation of the upcoming GB government. In its statement, the PPP claimed a “major breakthrough” in the process, saying that the parties decided to present the proposals for government formation to their respective central leadership. It said the discussions also pertained to political cooperation, along with various national and domestic issues. The PPP delegation asserted that the people of GB had given it the mandate by “making it the largest party”, its statement said. The party leaders stated t...

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad on Thursday stressed the importance of inter-civilisational dialogue in fostering mutual understanding and global peace. He made the remarks during the high-level event marking the International Day of Dialogue among Civilisations organised by the Permanent Mission of China to the UN, according to a press release by Pakistan’s Mission. “… At this critical juncture of history when global peace and harmony is imperiled by myriad challenges, the significance of inter-civilisational dialogue cannot be overemphasised,” Ambassador Ahmad said. He termed “dialogue and diplomacy as the most effective tools to transcend differences and foster mutual understanding and cooperation”. The envoy stated that “it is the spirit of dialogue that enabled human civilisation to forge mutual respect and trust and chart a path of shared progress and development”. The ambassador also highlighted the regional location of Pakistan, describing it as “the meltin...

Islamabad - Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Syed Mustafa Kamal, announced that the Health Facilitation Program, which had remained suspended in the federal capital for several years, has now been reinstated to provide citizens with access to quality and free healthcare services.

The United States launched fresh attacks against Iran on Thursday, prompting Tehran to retaliate, as US leaders accused their counterparts of dragging out negotiations for a deal to end the three-month war. The second straight day of tit-for-tat strikes, with Iran targeting US bases across the Gulf, sent oil prices rising again. US President Donald Trump, who had repeatedly said negotiations with Tehran were close to an end, said on Wednesday that Iran keeps “playing us for suckers” and will now “have to pay the price”. Hours after, US Central Command (Centcom) said American forces began “additional self-defence strikes” at 5:15pm on Wednesday Washington time — early Thursday in Iran — in response to what it called Tehran’s “unwarranted and continued aggression”. Iranian media reported explosions across the south near the Strait of Hormuz, with explosions heard in Bandar Abbas, Qeshm and Minab, and sources reporting hits by “enemy projectiles” in Kargan and Sirik. Centcom said later that it had “completed” it...

LARKANA: Water shortages in Sindh and Balochistan are deepening as Punjab continues to draw excess water, threatening the downstream provinces’ agricultural activities and drinking water supplies. According to data from the Sukkur Barrage Control Room on Wednesday, the total upstream inflow at Sukkur Barrage was recorded at 50,620 cusecs, while the total withdrawal stood at 32,120 cusecs. Irrigation department sources and representatives of growers and millers stated that the combined water allocation for Sindh’s seven canals is 53,200 cusecs. With the actual supply at just 32,120 cusecs, Sindh is facing an overall shortage of 21,080 cusecs, or 39.6 per cent. In contrast, upstream barrages and canal systems in Punjab continue to withdraw water well above their allocated share. Against an allocation of 44,000 cusecs, Punjab is currently drawing 53,394 cusecs — an excess of 9,394 cusecs, or 21.35pc. This continued over-withdrawal is directly reducing water availability downstream. Barrage and canal breakdowns T...

MALE: Pakistan ended a 74-year wait for a football tournament title on Wedn­esday, defeating Afghanistan 2–0 in the final of the Diamond Jubilee Intern­ational Football Tournament in at the National Stadium to claim a historic first stand-alone international crown. Shayek Dost produced a spectacular overhead kick to open the scoring in the first half before substitute Harun Hamid added a second in stoppage time to seal victory, as Pakistan lifted a tournament trophy for the first time since 1952 — when they shared the Asian Quadrangular title on a league basis. The triumph also marks the first time in Pakistan’s history that the men’s national team has won a tournament final outright. Afghanistan started brightly and tested Pakistan early, but the Shaheens gradually settled into rhythm. Otis Khan was influential down the left flank and it was from one of his moves that Pakistan struck in the 24th minute. A loose clearance and a misdirected cross fell kindly for Shayek, who adjusted brilliantly to execute an a...

• Jacobabad becomes hottest place with 49.5°C • Weatherman expects some relief after tomorrow • Expert says staying hydrated key to coping with heat-related illnesses KARACHI: While the maximum temperature recorded in Karachi on Wednesday was 37.4 degrees Celsius, the feels-like temperature surged to 54°C, the Met Office data showed. According to the data, the feels-like temperature gradually soared from 49°C at around 1pm to 54°C at 3pm. It showed relative humidity was 79pc and 65pc in the morning and evening, respectively. The minimum temperature was 30°C. Other districts of Sindh also experienced harsher weather conditions with mercury soaring to 49.5°C in Jacobabad followed by Dadu 49°C, Paddidan and Sukkur 47°C, Mohenjo Daro, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad 46.5°C, Rohri 46°C, Khairpur 45.5°C and Sakrand 45°C. “We are expecting relief after Friday (tomorrow). The high pressure area developed over the region will gradually subside and the temperature will drop to 36°C to 34°C. But, there are no chances of ra...

• Overall development outlay slashed by 25pc to Rs3.218tr • Federal PSDP reduced to Rs1tr, provincial ADPs to Rs2.218tr • No new projects except for interior, defence ministries • PM says strengthening defence is country’s biggest challenge • Ahsan says Pakistan lagged behind region due to weak investment in education, skills ISLAMABAD: Freezing provincial development plans at their actual utilisation this year, the National Economic Council (NEC) on Wednesday cut the federal and provincial development budget by one-fourth to Rs3.218 trillion for the next fiscal year from Rs4.264tr cleared by the Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC) last week. Of the Rs1.046tr total cut, the combined annual development plans (ADPs) of the four provinces were slashed by almost one-third (29.3pc) to Rs2.218tr — roughly their actual utilisation so far in the current fiscal year — compared to the Rs3.138tr provincial portfolio finalised by the APCC on June 1. Punjab’s development plan was chopped by almost half, or 49pc, the...

• Sanaullah says 12 reserved seats represent families displaced from held Kashmir • Opposition alleges ‘massive rigging’ in GB elections; PTI stages walkout • Minister tells lawmakers Rs5.4bn disbursed in fuel subsidy • House unanimously passes five bills ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday told the Senate that 12 reserved seats for refugees in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly would not be abolished, saying they represented families displaced from India-occupied Kashmir. Responding to a point raised by the upper house’s opposition leader, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Sanaullah said the seats could not be abolished through executive orders. He added that all political parties in AJK, its parliament and other constitutional for­ums supported retaining refugee representation within the constitutional framework. The adviser said the government had accepted 37 of the 38 demands put forward by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Comm...

• Those earning between Rs230,000-Rs341,000 per month likely to get some relief; maximum tax rate expected to be lowered from 35pc to 30pc • Rs660bn to Rs700bn in fresh tax measures planned, including enforcement and new levies • Govt targets Rs15.3tr FBR revenue in FY2026-27 ISLAMABAD: Significant relief is planned for salaried individuals earning between Rs230,000 and Rs341,000 a month in the upcoming budget, but a large segment of those making between Rs100,000 and Rs183,000 per month may not see any change, official sources told Dawn. Facing limited fiscal space, the Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government is set to unveil fresh tax measures worth Rs660 billion to Rs700bn in the 2026-27 budget. The fiscal policies align with commitments under an International Monetary Fund programme aimed at achieving an ambitious revenue collection target. In contrast to the broader revenue measures, the budget carries highly targeted good news for mid- and upper-level income earners. Individuals earning between Rs230,00...

ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan Wednesday acquitted Abdul Rehman alias Bhola and Zubair alias Chariya in the Baldia Town factory fire case, setting aside the death sentences awarded to them by the trial court and subsequently upheld by the Sindh High Court.

PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron Wednesday said his Ukrainian counterpart would attend the G7 summit next week in France to “rebuild consensus” on support for Ukraine, while leaders of four Arab states would be invited for talks on the Middle East conflict.

ISLAMABAD - The National Assembly was informed on Wednesday that around 3,500 Pakistanis were deported from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for violating social media laws during the Iran–US conflict.

ISLAMABAD - The incumbent government will present the budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 in the Parliament on June 12 (Friday), with a focus on developing a comprehensive roadmap to foster economic stability, promote growth, and respond to the socio-economic expectations of the public.

NEW YORK - A former Afghan Taliban commander charged by the United States with abducting a journalist and killing American troops in 2008 was sentenced Tuesday to 42 years in prison.

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed satisfaction over sending of record four point three billion dollars remittances by overseas Pakistanis during the month of May this year.

LAHORE - The Punjab government has intensified efforts to enhance women’s economic empowerment through the “She Threads” initiative, a skills development programme designed to equip rural women with industry-relevant expertise and improve their employment prospects in the textile sector.

ISLAMABAD - At least 10 people were killed and 13 injured as a van caught fire near Khajut on the Islamabad-Murree Expressway on Wednesday, according to the National Highways & Motorway Police (NHMP).

ISLAMABAD - The Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Pakistan, Syed Mustafa Kamal, has inaugurated the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Health Services Academy (HSA), Islamabad, marking a milestone in strengthening pharmaceutical education, public health research, and health workforce development in.