Pakistan

Awami Muslim League (AML) chief and former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has warned that the country’s political situation is rapidly deteriorating, urging authorities to address growing unrest.

Dressed in brown, Bakhtawar posed with her husband and sons in matching white shalwar kameez, black waistcoats

Trump's order bars citizens from 12 countries, including Iran and Somalia, starting Monday at 12:01 a.m. EDT

New Delhi: After his name was initially missing from the list of Global South leaders invited to the G7 summit in Canada, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday that he had received the elusive invitation and would be attending the June 15-17 jamboree. Indian opposition had held the absence of the invitation to Modi as yet another sign of India’s isolation after the military escalation with Pakistan last month. The Indian Express said it was a sign of improving ties between India and Canada that Mr Modi was invited by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for the upcoming G7 meeting in Kananaskis later this month. Ties between the two countries had worsened under former PM Justin Trudeau who had levelled several allegations against India. The US has arrested a man allegedly linked to the assassination of a Sikh separatist in Canada’s Surrey district.  Canada and India downgraded diplomatic ties after Mr Trudeau, the then Canadian prime minister, set off a political storm in 2023 when he alleged...

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, during a high-level meeting with Pakistan’s Minister of State for Crypto and Blockchain, Bilal Bin Saqib, on Friday, expressed strong support for Pakistan’s vision for the future of crypto and blockchain.

Eid-ul-Azha is being celebrated today across Pakistan with traditional religious fervour and devotion, commemorating the supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS).

HYDERABAD: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called for an immediate and independent judicial inquiry into events surrounding May 20 protest in Moro, Naushahro Feroze district. Given the incident occurred in the constituency of provincial home minister and political rivals had been named in FIRs as the police-protester confrontation had reportedly resulted in multiple injuries on both sides and fatalities among protesters, the commission questioned impartiality of the police-led investigation announced by Sindh IGP, said a press release issued by HRCP on Saturday. “We therefore urge the Sindh government to announce an independent judicial inquiry without delay to establish the facts, ensure accountability and uphold rights of all citizens involved,” it said. It said that an HRCP fact-finding mission had visited Moro to investigate the events that unfolded after the demonstrations erupted along National Highway against proposed construction of canals on Indus River and allocation of land for c...

KARACHI: Residents have been facing a major water crisis which is bound to aggravate during Eid holidays due to excessive use of water for festivities and sacrifices. Major parts of the metropolis continue to face worsening water shortages as the city that requires over 1,200 million gallons of water daily (MGD) gets only 650MGD. Besides, line losses and theft also affect the water supply, leaving a large number of people with a severe shortage of water. Although the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation announced that water tanker service will continue during the Eid holidays, people relying on the service will have to take extra precautions to minimise the impact as hardly 15MGD water is supplied through tankers across the city. KWSC says round-the-clock tanker service to continue to overcome shortage According to the water utility officials, there are over 3,500 registered water tankers which get water from seven hydrants in as many districts of the city for supply to citizens. The water tankers’ operator...

'Spending Eid on the frontline, away from loved ones, reflects profound commitment to national service'

KARACHI: A series of positive triggers continued to drive bullish momentum at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), which scaled an all-time high in two record-setting sessions, thanks to the improved economic outlook in the outgoing short week, settling for the first time above the 121,000 barrier. The optimism following the government’s finalised agreements for a historic loan package of Rs1.275 trillion with approximately 18 commercial banks to address circular debt sent the benchmark index to new highs. The other key positive development was the approval of $800 million loan by the Asian Development Bank under Pakistan’s public finance programme. In May, inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, saw a significant increase, rising to 3.5pc from a record low of 0.3pc in April. This sudden spike could be a major concern for investors, as it may halt the ongoing trend of interest rate cuts by the State Bank of Pakistan. The current momentum suggests that the KSE-100 index may be poised to test the 125,...

Says party in no position to lead any such movement; calls for dialogue

GILGIT: The World Environment Day remained largely ignored in Gilgit-Baltistan, as no major event was held across the region this year. However, some national and international non-governmental organisations marked the day in various areas, though with limited public attention. Environmentalists expressed reservations over the lack of importance given to the day in this ecologically sensitive region, and called for urgent action to reduce disaster risks stemming from environmental degradation and climate change impacts. An event related to the day was held at Rakaposhi Viewpoint in the Ghulmet area of Nagar district. It was organised by the Mountain Area Development Network (MADN) in collaboration with WWF-Pakistan. The event was attended by students, community members, representatives from various local support organisations and officials from NGOs. Activities included a cleanliness drive at Rakaposhi Viewpoint, an awareness walk to highlight the importance of the day, and an exhibition of eco-friendly produ...

ISLAMABAD: In line with an apparant government’s commitment with the IMF, the Islamabad High Court has cleared stay orders in 270 cases in a couple of months, enabling tax authorities to recover over Rs600bn. According to the details obtained from the IHC, three division benches decided these tax-related matters. A few of the restraining orders issued in these cases incapacitated Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to collect taxes for over two decades. The division bench of Justice Mohammad Azam Khan and Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas decided an overwhelming majority of 173 of tax cases involving Rs424bn. Another bench comprising Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan cleared 94 cases in which over Rs150bn recoveries were stalled. A bench comprising acting IHC Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas lifted the stay orders and decided three petitions that had in 2023 restrained the FBR to collect Rs36bn. Judicial policy body had advised high courts to const...

QUETTA: Justice Rozi Khan Barrech of the Balochistan High Court took the oath of acting chief justice of the BHC, after the retirement of Chief Justice Ejaz Ahmed Swati on Friday. Balochistan Governor Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail administered the oath to the acting chief justice at a simple ceremony held at Governor House. The oath-taking ceremony was attended by retired Justice Amir-ul-Mulk Mengal, retired Justice Amanullah Khan Yasinzai, judges of Balochistan High Court, President of Supreme Court Bar Association Mian Rauf Atta, President of the High Court Bar Association Advocate Attaullah Langove, Inspector General of Police Moazzam Jah Ansari and a large number of senior lawyers and government officials. The notification about Justice Rozi Khan’s appointment as the acting chief justice was issued on May 5. Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2025

DHAKA: Bangladesh will hold elections in early April 2026 for the first time since a mass uprising overthrew the government last year, interim leader Muhammad Yunus said on Friday. The South Asian nation of around 170 million people has been in political turmoil since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted by a student-led revolt in August 2024, ending her iron-fisted rule of 15 years. “I am announcing to the citizens of the country that the election will be held on any day in the first half of April 2026,” said Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner who leads the caretaker government. Political parties jostling for power have been repeatedly demanding that Yunus fix an election timetable, while he has said time is needed as the country requires an overhaul of its democratic institutions after Hasina’s tenure. Interim leader Yunus says his govt’s major responsibility is to ensure ‘transparent, participatory election’ “The government has been doing everything necessary to create an environment...

JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that Israel is supporting an armed group in Gaza that opposes Hamas, following comments by a former minister that Israel had transferred weapons to it. Israeli and Palestinian media have reported that the group Israel has been working with is part of a local Bedouin tribe led by Yasser Abu Shabab. The European Council on Foreign Relations (EFCR) think tank describes Abu Shabab as the leader of a “criminal gang operating in the Rafah area that is widely accused of looting aid trucks”. Knesset member and former defence minister Avigdor Liberman had told the Kan public broadcaster that the government, at Netanyahu’s direction, was “giving weapons to a group of criminals and felons”. Popular Forces outfit denies being ‘a tool of the occupation’ “What did Liberman leak? That security sources activated a clan in Gaza that opposes Hamas? What is bad about that?” Netanyahu said in a video posted to social media on Thursday. Michael Milshtein, an expert on Palestin...

ISLAMABAD: The minister of state for crypto and blockchain, Bilal Bin Saqib, met with top US lawmakers and the New York City mayor this week to strengthen cooperation on digital assets, blockchain regulation and financial innovation. The minister held discussions with Senator Cynthia Lummis, a key architect of US crypto legislation, as well as senators Bill Hagerty, Rick Scott, Tim Sheehy and Jim Justice in Washington, DC. Mr Saqib also engaged with members of the House Financial Services Committee and White House advisers, according to a press release issued on Friday. He said Pakistan is “here to lead” the world of crypto and blockchain. “From Capitol Hill to the White House, I shared a new face of Pakistan: one driven by youth, innovation, and global partnerships.” Mr Saqib’s discussions with US officials focused on Pakistan’s recent initiatives, including plans for a strategic bitcoin reserve, a virtual asset regulatory framework and stablecoin adoption to streamline remittances. With $36 billion in annua...

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has thanked the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman, for his role in ending the conflict between Pakistan and India last month. The prime minister, acco­mpanied by his delegation, including the army chief, deputy PM and federal ministers, also performed Umrah on Friday when pilgrims performed the last major ritual of Haj — the “stoning of the devil”. The PM, who is on a two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia, met the Saudi crown prince in Makkah, according to an official press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. “The prime minister expressed appreciation for the kingdom’s proactive role during recent tensions between Pakistan and India, and its steadfast commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region and beyond.” Performs Umrah alongside army chief; Haj winds down with pilgrims ‘stoning the devil’ in Mina PM Shehbaz also underscored Pakistan’s policy of responsible restraint in the face of Indian aggression, emphasising that “sustain...

Climate change poses a risk to Balochistan’s marine fisheries and resources and coastal livelihoods

As development continues along the Indus, reduced water flow & fertility plague locals’ survival in Sindh’s delta