Pakistan

The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the pre-arrest bail for an accused in a cheque dishonor case.

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet approved a technical supplementary grant of Rs30.216 billion on Thursday to ensure the smooth closure of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) of Pakistan. Established in 1971, USC was a state-owned enterprise tasked with supplying essential commodities at subsidised rates, primarily targeting low-income households, and operated over 4,000 retail outlets nationwide. It formally ceased operations at the end of July. A press release by the government’s finance division today said that the grant represented a “major step in responsibly addressing the longstanding financial burden of USC on the national exchequer”, adding that it also safeguarded the interests of employees affected by the closure. “By approving severance, compensation and payment of outstanding dues, the government is ensuring that workers receive their entitlements, thereby cushioning the social and economic impact of USC’s winding up,” the press release said. The committee was chaired by t...

The Sindh government has expressed concern over a possible high-level flood in the Indus River amid rising water levels from Punjab.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, on Thursday, expressed deep concern over the flood situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, conveyed solidarity with the bereaved families, and assured the Federal Government’s full support for relief and rehabilitation efforts.

The final of this season’s Champions League in Budapest will kick off at 6pm local time (9pm PKT) rather than 9pm (midnight PKT) to “enhance the matchday experience”, UEFA announced on Thursday. The 2026 final will be played at the Puskas Arena on Saturday, May 30. “An earlier kick-off makes day trips more feasible, reduces travel stress, and allows fans to enjoy the occasion without worrying about late-night logistics,” said Ronan Evain, executive director for Football Supporters Europe, which worked on the subject with UEFA. Unlike the Europa League and Conference League finals, which are played in midweek, the Champions League showpiece has been held on Saturdays since 2010. “While a 21:00 CET kick-off is well suited for midweek matches, an earlier kick-off on a Saturday for the final means an earlier finish — regardless of extra time or penalties,” said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. Paris Saint-Germain won their maiden European Cup in last season’s final, beating Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has acquitted a man who had been serving a life sentence for 12 years on charges of sexually assaulting his daughter.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said on Thursday that timely measures helped prevent large-scale destruction from floods, adding that Allah Almighty saved Punjab from massive losses.

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government on Thursday launched an anti-polio drive, aiming to immunise 5.7 million children in the province amid security risks. Pakistan is one of the last two countries in the world, alongside Afghanistan, where polio remains endemic. Challenges such as security issues, vaccine hesitancy, and misinformation have slowed the progress of eradication efforts. The vaccinators, who go door-to-door to inoculate children, are frequently targeted by militants, esp­e­cially in KP and Balochistan. In 2024 alone, 20 people were killed and 53 were injured during anti-polio campaigns in the KP. On August 26, two new cases were reported in the south of the province, taking KP’s total polio cases for this year to 15, while the nationwide tally stands at 23. The immunisation campaign was formally launched today at Peshawar Police Services Hospital, where the KP Adviser on Health Ehtesham Ali, while speaking to the media, said, “We have developed a more organised and strategic approach this time, espe...

The anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday rejected the police’s request for an extension in the physical remand of Sher Shah, son of Aleema Khan, in the Jinnah House attack case.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday visited the Ravi River at Shahdara, where she boarded a boat to personally inspect the worsening flood situation.

KARACHI: As Punjab was severely hit by flooding after heavy rains and excess water released by India from its dams, the Sindh government on Wednesday braced for high flood risk and established ministerial committees comprising elected representatives to deal with the developing situation. Official sources told Dawn that the Pakistan Peoples Party government mobilised its elected representatives in Sindh, appointing provincial ministers as focal persons to oversee the right and left banks of the Indus River within their respective jurisdictions. Fearing mass evacuation, the government also instructed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to arrange necessary logistics such as boats, tents, ration bags, medicines and machinery, the officials said. The health department has been asked to mobilise medical teams to counter potential outbreaks of waterborne diseases. KMC asked to arrange safe shelters in Karachi; Guddu and Sukkur barrages face ‘very high flood’ threat from Sept 4 to 5 Sindh Chief Mini...

The Supreme Court on Thursday acquitted a man who was jailed for 12 years over allegations of raping his daughter, citing contradictions in the prosecution’s evidence. In a court order dated Aug 26, seen by Dawn.com, Justice Ali Baqar Najafi said that the prosecution’s evidence was discarded, noting it was “deficient of trustworthiness”. “The sentence and conviction of the appellant is set aside. He be released forthwith if not required in any other case,” the order read. In 2010, the suspect’s minor daughter informed her mother and maternal uncle that “her own father had committed rape with her”, according to the order. It stated that on October 2, 2010, the victim, aged six or seven, went to her mother in tears and disclosed that her father, the appellant, had committed a “wrong act” with her, after which she felt severe pain. Subsequently, the father was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment under Section 376(1) of the Pakistan Penal Code and a fine of Rs35,000. The sentence was upheld by the Lahore ...

Two men arrested for torturing two brothers in a Rs30 dispute with street vendors in Raiwind were killed in an “encounter” with the Crimes Control Department (CCD), the victims’ lawyer said on Thursday. The incident came to light after a video clip showing street vendors subjecting both brothers to torture went viral on social media. The suspected attackers were spotted holding clubs in their hands and beating the victims at a public place in Raiwind. One brother died of severe torture marks at the spot, while the other succumbed to his injuries on Sunday. Ali Ahmed Awan, the lawyer representing the victims’ father, told Dawn.com a day prior that a total of six suspects were named in the case, out of which three — including the main suspect — had been arrested. “Two of the suspects, Owais and Shahzad, were killed in a police encounter after their accomplices attempted to attack the police,” Awan said today. “The CCD is still searching for the rest of the suspects.” No case has been registered regarding the po...

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar received a phone call from German Foreign Minister Dr.

US President Donald Trump’s administration moved on Thursday to impose stricter limits on how long foreign students and journalists can stay in the United States, the latest bid to tighten legal immigration in the country. Under a proposed change, foreigners would not be allowed to stay for more than four years on student visas in the US. Foreign journalists would be limited to stays of just 240 days, although they could apply to extend by additional 240-day periods — except for Chinese journalists who would get just 90 days. The US, until now, has generally issued visas for the duration of a student’s educational programme or a journalist’s assignment, although no non-immigrant visas are valid for more than 10 years. The proposed changes were published in the Federal Register, initiating a short period for public comment before they can go into effect. Trump’s Department of Homeland Security alleged that an unspecified number of foreigners were indefinitely extending their studies so they could remain in the...

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to enhance the early warning sys-tem and expedite relief operations in the flood-affected areas of Punjab.

High alert sounded after authorities warn of very high floods along Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab rivers At least 210,000 evacuated from flood hit areas, says NDMA Chairman A new spell of rainfall expected between Aug 29 and Sept 9.

ISLAMABAD - Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chauhdry on Wednesday said that on the special directives of Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), one engineer brigade along with 19 infantry and medical units have been de-ployed to carry out relief and rescue operation in flood affected.

NAROWAL - The historic Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara, one of Sikhism’s holiest shrines and believed to be the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev, was partially submerged by floodwaters after India released water from rivers into Sutlej, Ravi and Chenab rivers.

ISLAMABAD - A three-member bench of Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday referred the case related to the recovery of dowry money to a larger bench for further hearing.