Dawn
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Dawn - 09:03 Mar 24, 2026
Jamaat-i-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Tuesday once again criticised the government for its major hikes in petroleum prices — following the closure of Hormuz Strait — and termed them a burden on the common citizen. Earlier this month, the government hiked the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel by Rs55 per litre to manage the impact of the US-Israel war on Iran, which has triggered a global oil crisis affecting many countries, including Pakistan. Although Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week said he had twice rejected recommendations for further increasing petrol and HSD prices, they effectively remain unchanged at Rs321.17 and Rs335.86 per litre, respectively. Addressing a press conference in Lahore today, the JI chief said the 20 per cent increase in the petroleum development levy (PDL) had pushed prices to Rs120–125 per litre, affecting journalists, students, workers, and riders. “The government can reduce petrol prices by cutting the levy,” he suggested, adding that thermal power units using ... -
Dawn - 06:57 Mar 24, 2026
When Moninder Singh learned recently of assassination threats against his family in Canada, where a fellow Sikh activist was killed in 2023, he says he remained defiant. “We won’t be silenced,” the chairman of the Sikh Federation of Canada told AFP. Singh was speaking at the United Nations’ European headquarters in Geneva, where he has been appealing for international action against India’s alleged targeting of Sikh activists abroad, and against so-called transnational repression more broadly. Sikh activists accuse India of targeting members of their community around the world, including alleged killings using organised crime groups — charges India denies. The best-known case was the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a friend of Singh’s who was gunned down near the Sikh temple he led in a Vancouver suburb. Canada’s then-prime minister, Justin Trudeau, publicly accused India of involvement in that assassination, a charge later repeated by Canadian intelligence. India denied the allegations, which chilled t... -
Dawn - 05:56 Mar 24, 2026
Pakistan was ranked the world’s smoggiest country in 2025, with concentrations of hazardous small particles known as PM2.5 up to 13 times higher than the recommended World Health Organisation (WHO) level, research showed on Tuesday. Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir said in its annual report that 13 countries and territories kept average PM2.5 levels at the WHO standard of less than 5 microgrammes per cubic metre last year, up from seven in 2024. According to the findings of the report, in total, 130 out of 143 monitored countries and territories failed to meet the WHO guideline. Bangladesh and Tajikistan were second and third on the most polluted list. Screengrab showing a partial map of pollution levels in South Asia’s major cities, with the IQAir levels for Faisalabad displayed. — IQAir website Chad, statistically the smoggiest country of 2024, ranked fourth in 2025, but the decline in PM2.5 concentrations last year is likely to be the result of data gaps. Last March, the United States shut down a gl... -
Dawn - 05:07 Mar 24, 2026
WASHINGTON: Journalists at the US government-funded broadcaster Voice of America (VOA) have filed a lawsuit accusing the Trump administration of undermining the outlet’s independence and turning it into a tool for political messaging. The complaint, filed on Monday in the US District Court in Washington, focuses on VOA transmissions to audiences in Iran, China, North Korea, and Kurdish regions, alleging that coverage now reflects White House talking points rather than objective reporting. VOA, established during World War II to showcase press freedom and provide reliable news to populations with limited access to independent journalism, is facing strict internal control. According to the lawsuit, Trump loyalists placed in key editorial positions have directed what is reported, including limiting coverage of civilian casualties from US military actions and requiring pre-approval for all guest appearances on Persian, Kurdish, and Afghan services. The US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA, defen... -
Dawn - 20:11 Mar 23, 2026
Gold prices in Pakistan slid by Rs43,600 per tola (24 karat) on Monday to Rs447,762 as international prices for the yellow metal fell by more than eight per cent to hit their lowest level in four months. This was after gold logged its biggest weekly loss in about 43 years last week, as an escalating Middle East conflict stoked inflation concerns and raised expectations of higher global interest rates. Spot gold declined 6.3pc to $4,203.21 per ounce by 07:57 GMT (12:57pm PKT), extending losses into a ninth straight session. It had shed more than 8pc to $4,097.99 earlier in the session to its lowest level since November 24. US gold futures eventually settled 3.7pc lower at $4,407.30. The metal dropped more than 10pc last week, its steepest weekly loss since February 1983, and has also retreated about 25pc from its record peak of $5,594.82 an ounce reached on January 29. US gold futures for April delivery dropped 8.1pc to $4,205.10. “With the Iranian conflict into its fourth week, and oil prices hanging around t... -
Dawn - 19:27 Mar 23, 2026
Pakistan, along with Turkiye and Egypt, is engaged in “active back-channel diplomacy” to “bridge the gap between” the US and Iran, an official in the administration confirmed to Dawn on Monday. The official said that through “active back-channel diplomacy”, involving US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Pakistan, Turkiye and Egypt were engaged in “quiet communication” to restore peace. The source said a “strategic synergy” between Ankara, Cairo and Islamabad had established a “vital diplomatic conduit, demonstrating that regional cooperation is the most effective antidote to escalation”. This “mediation effort” was more than just crisis management, the source said, adding that there were reports of tangible progress toward resolving outstanding issues and finding a sustainable end to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The development has emerged after US President Donald Trump said he had given orders to postpone any military strikes against Iranian... -
Dawn - 18:55 Mar 23, 2026
US President Donald Trump said on Monday he had given orders to postpone any military strikes against Iranian power plants for five days, hours ahead of a deadline that threatened further escalation in the conflict now in its fourth week. Trump claimed in a post on his Truth Social platform that the US and Iran had had “VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE” conversations over the past two days about a “COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST”. The White House did not respond to questions about the content of the talks, who participated or where they were held. For its part, Iran has denied holding any talks with the US. But, later, when Trump spoke to the media in Florida, he asserted that if talks failed, “we’ll just keep bombing our little hearts out”. He claimed that the Iranian side had initiated contact with the US. “They called, I didn’t call,” he said. “They want to make a deal, and we are very willing to make a deal.” He also claimed that there were already “major points of agreement” with... -
Dawn - 18:51 Mar 23, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf founder Imran Khan underwent a third eye procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) on Monday. In a statement issued by the hospital, the PTI founder was brought to Pims for a third dose of an anti-VEGF intra-vitreal injection. He remained vitally stable before, during and after the procedure. A senior doctor at Pims with knowledge of the matter said that the former premier was brought to the hospital as the third injection was due. After obtaining informed consent, and under standard monitoring, precautionary procedures and protocols in the operation theatre, the injection was administered under the guidance of microscopy by surgeons, Pims said. “The injection was administered and then he was kept there for a while to ensure that he was stable, and then it was allowed to shift him to Adiala Jail,” he said, adding that the injection was administered in the eye chamber. “As usually three injections are administered (in such cases), it is unlikely that a f... -
Dawn - 16:16 Mar 23, 2026
On the 24th day of the US-Israeli war on Iran, President Donald Trump’s decision to defer planned strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure by five days introduced a tactical pause in an otherwise escalating conflict, essentially extending the 48-hour ultimatum into a more uncertain holding phase. The shift from threats of “obliteration” to claims of “productive conversations” appeared less the result of any Iranian concession and more a unilateral recalibration by Washington. Tehran has denied any real engagement and maintained its position that any strike on its energy infrastructure would trigger wide retaliation across US- and Israeli-linked targets in the Gulf, including energy, desalination and critical systems, alongside a potential full closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The pause, therefore, reflects a delay in decision rather than a change in positions. Pressures driving the adjustment Multiple pressures appear to have driven this adjustment. The economic cost of the war is rising sharp... -
Dawn - 15:34 Mar 23, 2026
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday predicted rainfall and thunderstorms across the country from March 24 to March 30 with “occasional gaps”. In a press release, the Met Office said, “A western disturbance is likely to approach southwestern parts of Balochistan on March 24 (evening/night) and likely to intensify from the night of March 27 and may persist till March 31.” Balochistan Under the influence of this weather system, the press release said, in Balochistan, “rain-wind/thunderstorm with few heavy falls (with isolated hailstorm) is expected in Panjgur, Turbat, Kech, Awaran, Makran Coast (Gawadar, Pasni, Ormara) Lasbela, Khuzdar, Kharan, Chaghi, Dalbandin, Kalat, Sibi, Kohlu, Barkhan, Naseerabad, Quetta, Loralai, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Mastung from March 24 (evening) to March 25 (night) and from March 27 (night) to March 29 (morning) with occasional gaps.” Khyber Pakhtunkhwa For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it predicted that “rain-wind... -
Dawn - 15:22 Mar 23, 2026
Israel should extend its border with Lebanon up to the Litani River deep inside the country’s south, Israel’s finance minister said on Monday as Israeli troops bombed bridges and destroyed homes in the area in an escalating military assault. The comments by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich were the most explicit yet by a senior Israeli official on seizing Lebanese territory in a fight that Israel claims targets Hezbollah. Lebanon was pulled into the regional war on March 2 when Hezbollah fired missiles into Israel. Since then, Israel has ordered all residents to leave the area south of the Litani River as it pummels the area with air strikes, terming it a Hezbollah stronghold. Lebanese authorities say the Israeli air and ground assault has killed more than 1,000 people, and more than a million have been driven from their homes, with Israel having ordered residents to flee swathes of the country. ‘The new Israeli border must be the Litani’ Smotrich told an Israeli radio programme that the military campaig... -
Dawn - 13:26 Mar 23, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone call with Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday, during which he stressed the “urgent need” for collective efforts for de-escalation in the Middle East and a return to dialogue and diplomacy. The phone call took place as the ongoing war in the Middle East entered its fourth week. It began on February 28, with the US and Israel launching strikes on Iran, which also resulted in the assassination of then-supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. During the war, Gulf countries have also come under attack, and while Tehran accepts responsibility for some of the retaliatory attacks targeting US bases and assets, it denies having a role in others. Nevertheless, the developments have strained ties between Iran and Gulf nations. According to the statement issued by the PM’s Office (PMO), the premier conveyed his “serious concern” to Pezeshkian over the “dangerous ongoing hostilities in the Gulf region” during Monday’s phone call. “In view of this grave situation, the pr... -
Dawn - 13:19 Mar 23, 2026
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday declared Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan as ICC Men’s Player of the Month for February after his “stellar display with the bat” at the recent T20 World Cup. In a press release, the global cricket body said, “Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan has grabbed the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for February 2026 owing to a stunning ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign in Sri Lanka.” “The highest run-getter of the marquee event finished with 383 runs in seven matches (six innings) at an average of 76.60, which included two hundreds and as many half tons. “The hard-hitting right-hander had a superb run at the global event, boasting a strike rate of 160.25 while breaking a longstanding Virat Kohli’s record of most runs at the T20 World Cup in a single edition,” the ICC said. Farhan has become the first male Pakistani player to achieve this title since pacer Haris Rauf in November 2024. He was also the only Pakistani player included in the 12-member Team of the Tournamen... -
Dawn - 11:18 Mar 23, 2026
LARKANA: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday directed the government to prioritise public relief, minimise the burden of petroleum prices and ease economic pressure on citizens during a high-level meeting at Bhutto House, according to the press release. The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, along with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Faryal Talpur and Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah. According to officials, the participants reviewed the overall law and order situation, the country’s economic outlook, and developments in the energy sector, including petroleum product pricing. The interior minister briefed the president on ongoing counterterrorism operations and border security. The meeting also discussed tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as a detailed overview of broader regional security challenges. The finance and petroleum ministers... -
Dawn - 11:01 Mar 23, 2026
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a congratulatory message to President Asif Ali Zardari on the occasion of Pakistan Day, saying he is ready to work with the president to build an even closer Sino-Pak community with a shared future in the new era. President Xi highlighted the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan this year, as well as the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan. He expressed hope that both sides would carry forward their traditional friendship, enhance strategic communication and alignment of development strategies, and move forward together on their respective paths to modernisation. He lauded the Pakistani government on steadfastly safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national dignity, overcoming various risks and challenges, and advancing national development, as well as making contributions to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity. As a close friend, China is sincerely pleased with Pakistan’s development... -
Dawn - 10:42 Mar 23, 2026
MUMBAI: The fundamentals of the Indian economy are strong and the country has adequate availability of petroleum, fertilisers and coal to weather trade and energy disruptions caused by the US-Israel war on Iran, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told parliament’s lower house on Monday. The conflict, which began last month, has disrupted sectors from air travel to shipping and gas supplies, including by the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which serves as a conduit for 40 per cent of India’s crude oil imports. His statements comes as the Indian rupee fell to a record low of 93.84 against the US Dollar, eclipsing its previous low of 93.7350 hit on Friday. The rupee, among the currencies most exposed to sustained oil price increases, has weakened about 3pc on the back of the escalating conflict, stoking worries over sustained disruption of energy supplies, threatening the outlook for Asia’s third-largest economy. Modi told the Lower House of Parliament that India has sufficient petroleum availability, wit... -
Dawn - 10:01 Mar 23, 2026
The world faces an energy crisis worse than both 1970s oil shocks combined if the Middle East war drags on, the head of the International Energy Agency warned on Monday, as Israel launched fresh strikes on Tehran and threatened weeks more fighting. As the war grinds into its fourth week, United States President Donald Trump threatened to “obliterate” Iranian power plants if Iran failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours — setting an effective deadline of 23:44 GMT on Monday (4:44am PKT on Tuesday). Tehran has retaliated against US-Israeli assaults by throttling traffic in the vital waterway, conduit for a fifth of global crude oil, hitting energy sites and US embassies across the Gulf as well as firing missiles and drones at Israel. The Islamic republic issued a firm response to the new ultimatum, with powerful parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf vowing vital infrastructure across the region will be “irreversibly destroyed” if Trump acts on his threat. In a stark warning over what lies ahe... -
Dawn - 09:55 Mar 23, 2026
KARACHI: A police officer who sustained bullet wounds during a ‘poorly planned’ raid on the house of the main suspect in the Mustafa Amir murder case succumbed to his injuries on Monday. Deputy Inspector General Syed Asad Raza told Dawn that Deputy Superintendent Police Ahsan Zulfiqar was injured during a raid jointly carried out by the Anti-Violent Crime Cell and the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) to arrest the main accused, Armaghan Qureshi, at his home located on Khayaban-i-Momin in DHA on Feb 8, 2025. He recalled that DSP Zulfiqar was shot and injured in firing allegedly carried out by the accused, Armaghan. “The injured DSP Ahsan Zulfiqar had been fighting for his life for several months,” said the DIG. Police sources told Dawn that the operation was poorly planned by senior police officers. Local police were not informed beforehand and arrived to assist when the firing started. The wounded officer had been receiving treatment at a private hospital. His condition deteriorated as an infection sp... -
Dawn - 09:53 Mar 23, 2026
Four ambulances belonging to a Jewish community organisation in north London were set ablaze overnight in what British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called “a deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack”. The London Fire Brigade, which sent six fire engines and 40 firefighters to the scene, said multiple cylinders on the vehicles exploded, causing windows to shatter in an adjacent apartment block. No injuries were reported. The SITE Intelligence website said an Iran-aligned multinational militant collective called Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand had claimed responsibility for the attack near a synagogue in Golders Green. It said the group had been behind similar fires in Belgium, Greece and the Netherlands. Starmer condemns antisemitism Starmer described the incident as deeply shocking. “My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news,” he said on X. “Antisemitism has no place in our society.” Israel’s embassy in Britain said antisemitism was rampant ... -
Dawn - 09:52 Mar 23, 2026
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have paid tribute to the national heroes and to the martyrs and ghazis who sacrificed for the creation and stability of Pakistan, according to Radio Pakistan. In their messages on Pakistan Day, they said undoubtedly, with the blessing of freedom, Pakistan stands as a testament to the wisdom, determination, perseverance, and sacrifices of our ancestors. The President and Prime Minister said the entire nation stands resolute in upholding its proud traditions and remains ever ready to face any challenge. “Despite numerous challenges, the government has steered Pakistan’s economy towards sustainable growth,” PM Shehbaz said, emphasising that sustainable peace in South Asia is linked to the just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue. He added that “Pakistan will continue to extend moral, political, and diplomatic support to its brothers and sisters in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir”. President Zardari, reflecting on t...
10418 items