Pakistan

Key developments: US-Iran agree to a roadmap toward a final deal within 60 days; technical-level talks to continue for the rest of the week in Switzerland US-Iran agree to set up a communication line” to avoid incidents in the Strait of Hormuz; agree to a mechanism to end war in Lebanon Iran’s foreign minister says “tireless” efforts by Pakistan Qatar has delivered “major progress” to end Lebanon war; says Iran has secured waivers for oil and petrochemical exports, the release of some frozen assets and the launch of a reconstruction and development plan After hours-long negotiations in the Swiss resort of Burgenstock, the United States and Iran agreed on a roadmap towards reaching a final peace deal in 60 days, a joint statement issued by mediators Pakistan and Qatar early on Monday said. The talks, which began on Sunday and stretched into Monday, were held under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed between the two sides on Thursday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ha...

Amid vocal criticism of a bill aimed at advancing fibreisation across the country, PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman said on Monday that the party would not support any such legislation in the Senate unless it was “thoroughly discussed threadbare” in the relevant standing committee and the party’s proposed deletions were ensured in the final bill. Concerns about the intentions behind the Pakistan Telecommunication (Amendment) Bill 2026 have intensified due to the timing of the government’s attempt to secure its passage through both houses of Parliament and criticism against its clause to allow telecommunication companies to use public land without a fee. The bill was approved by the National Assembly (NA) on June 11, a day before the presentation of the federal budget 2026-27, and was presented in the Senate on June 15. It was referred to the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunication on June 15, before being deferred. On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also formed a committee to revie...

ISLAMABAD - The foreign ministers of Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye yesterday welcomed the signing of the historic Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran, describing it as a significant breakthrough for regional diplomacy and a constructive step toward de-escalation in the Middle East.

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s extraordinary diplomatic intervention in the Middle East has emerged as one of the most consequential peace efforts in recent history, earning widespread international acclaim and reinforcing Islamabad’s stature as a pivotal force for regional and global stability.

MULTAN - Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Sunday visited the families of victims who lost their lives in the Murree Express tragedy and expressed heartfelt condolences over the loss of 11 people, here at Mohalla Sotriwat.

ISLAMABAD: The government on Sunday withdrew its decision to temporarily reduce speed limits on motorways and national highways, restoring the previously prescribed limits. The speed limit for cars and light transport vehicles (LTVs) on motorways has been restored to 120km per hour, while the speed limit for public service vehicles (PSVs) and heavy transport vehicles (HTVs) has also been reinstated to 110 km per hour, according to the National Highways and Motorway Police. Similarly, the previously prescribed speed limits for cars, LTVs, PSVs, and HTVs on national highways have also been restored. Road users have been advised to strictly observe the prescribed speed limits, follow traffic laws, and ensure safe driving practices at all times. The speed limits on motorways and national highways had earlier been reduced “in order to promote austerity measures and fuel conservation”. The development had come as the government announced a series of austerity measures to conserve fuel in view of the global fuel cri...

ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will resume hearing on Tuesday (tomorrow) a petition challenging the federal government’s failure to appoint a permanent Commissioner for Indus Waters.

ISLAMABAD - A photograph showcasing the top tier of the banned Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group lounging at the luxury InterContinental Hotel in Kabul has provided undeniable, concrete proof of Pakistan’s longstanding stance that anti-Pakistan militant groups are not only operating from Afghan soil but are enjoying premium, high level.

KARACHI: Fourteen people, mostly women, were injured when a fast-moving vehicle rammed into a tent erected by mourners outside an imambargah in Defence Housing Authority, police and rescue services officials said. Darakshan SHO Rashid Ali said that a Suzuki pick-up went out of the driver’s control and entered a tent outside Masjid-o-Imam Bargah Baqiyatullah on Saba Avenue in Phase VI, where mourners were attending a majlis, injuring several people. He said the police had taken the driver and two other occupants of the vehicle into custody. During grilling, the driver claimed that the vehicle had gone out of control after its brakes failed. However, the official said the police were further investigating the incident. The injured were shifted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, where 11 of them were identified as Shazia, 45, Maheem Akram, 30, Mehnaz Shahbaz, Zunaira Akram, five-year-old Iman, Mumtaz Zafar, 40, Kausar Perween, 30, Shaherbano, 22, Irshah Bibi, Ayat Majid and Sumaira Tariq. Videos circulat...

LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has paid rich tribute to fathers for their unconditional love, protection and dedication towards their children.

ISLAMABAD - Cairo hosted high-level regional diplomacy on Sunday as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign MinisterIshaq Dar visited Egypt to participate in the R4 Ministerial Meeting at the invitation of Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdellaty.

• All local, international regulatory approvals completed, adviser says • Islamabad airport privatisation planned during FY27 • Karachi, Lahore airport outsourcing process to begin immediately • Five Discos targeted for sale or concession ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines will be fully and formally handed over to its new owners before the end of the current month, completing a privatisation transaction that had been delayed for months after bidding in December last year because of global regulatory requirements. “It will be handed over to the new buyers by the end of this month,” Prime Minister’s Adviser on Privatisation Muhammad Ali told Dawn over the weekend, adding that all local and international regulatory approvals had now been completed. Ali said the national flag carrier’s operating rights in various countries had to be transferred to the privatised operator, requiring several regulatory processes, which had now been completed. The local law relating to PIA’s conversion into a public limited ...

• Committee finalises Finance Bill 2026 recommendations • Lawmakers seek relief for entry-level, mid-range phone users • FBR says mobile imports generate Rs37bn annually • Apple devices account for Rs21bn in mobile import revenue • Aircraft lease, spare parts tax relief extended beyond PIA • MNAs insist airline relief should reflect in ticket prices ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee on Sunday raised questions over the government’s mobile phone taxation policy and proposed taxes on high-end electric vehicles, while also extending relief to airlines beyond Pakistan International Airlines. The National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance, chaired by MNA Naveed Qamar, concluded its series of meetings held for a clause-by-clause review of the Finance Bill 2026. The committee finalised its recommendations and forwarded them to the National Assembly. During the proceedings, Sharmila Faruqui and Muhammad Javed Hanif submitted dissenting notes on the government’s electric vehicle policy and the existing tax stru...

After hours-long negotiations in the Swiss resort of Burgenstock, the US and Iran agreed on a roadmap towards reaching a final peace deal in 60 days, a joint statement issued by mediators Pakistan and Qatar said on Monday. The talks began on Sunday and stretched into Monday, being held under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between the two sides on Thursday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also signed the breakthrough interim peace deal as a mediator, marking a significant step towards end a war that began in late February. The joint statement issued by Pakistan and Qatar after the second round of direct talks between the two sides — the first having been held in Islamabad in April — said the first session of high level talks under the framework of the Islamabad MoU had concluded with the participation of representatives from Iran, the US and the mediators. “The Lake Lucerne Summit was conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere. Encouraging progress has been ma...

Qatar’s interior ministry said an explosion resulting from a “technical accident” occurred on Sunday at a factory in Ras Laffan, an industrial city north of the capital Doha and site of the country’s core LNG processing operations. It said several injuries were reported but no leak that “threatens safety”. The ministry did not give the exact location of the explosion. But, QatarEnergy confirmed that the operational incident during the start-up of operations at Ras Laffan Industrial City, saying it resulted in an explosion at its Barzan gas supply facility. QatarEnergy said fire at the factory was under control after the deployment of emergency response teams to contain the blaze. From 20 kilometres south of Ras Laffan on Qatar’s north coast, an AFP journalist saw flames illuminating the night sky and a plume of smoke rising from the area, home to the world’s largest liquefied natural gas hub. Pakistan’s embassy in Qatar expressed concern over the incident, saying it “stands in solidarity with Qatar”.

Belgium were held to a scoreless draw by Iran in a frustrating encounter Sunday that saw the Red Devils reduced to 10 men and facing the possibility of group-stage elimination for a second straight World Cup. A star-studded though ageing lineup including Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku was if anything fortunate to leave Los Angeles with a point, controlling possession yet ceding the game’s best chances to a resolute Iran team. Iran’s Mehdi Taremi had the ball in the net from a well-worked first-half free kick that was overturned for offside by VAR, while Nathan Ngoy was sent off after the break for hauling down the striker after a badly mis-hit backpass. The result means all three games so far in Group G have ended in draws. Stuck on two points, Belgium at least have the comfort of playing the tournament’s lowest-ranked team, New Zealand, in their final group game. Iran will also need at least a point against Egypt next Friday. Having been frustrated by visa issues as they travel from their base camp in Mex...

FAISALABAD - Serious concerns have been raised over inadequate security arrangements and the lack of basic facilities at the Public Prosecution Department located within the District Kachahry premises.

SIALKOT - In view of the intense heat and rising temperatures, the District Police Of-ficer (DPO) Sialkot, Captain (R) Dost Muhammad provided umbrellas and water bottles for traffic personnel, a police spokesperson said on Sunday.

MULTAN - Horticulture Agency Multan has decided to undertake the rehabilitation of Ba-hawalpur Bypass as part of ongoing efforts to improve the city’s green infra-structure and beautification.

SARGODHA - Deputy Commissioner Hussain Ahmed Raza Chaudhry and District Police Officer Suhaib Ashraf visited Tehsil Bhera and Bhalwal late where they reviewed in de-tail the ongoing Majalis, security arrangements, cleanliness, lighting and other facilities in Imambargahs.