Dawn
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Dawn - 19:01 Mar 10, 2026
In a letter to Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continue to work “closely” with the Islamic republic, a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. A day earlier, Iran’s Assembly of Experts named Mojtaba Khamenei as the new supreme leader to succeed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in US-Israeli coordinated strikes on Iran days ago. The PMO statement said that the premier congratulated Mojtaba on his appointment as the supreme leader and voiced optimism that he would lead his country towards “peace, stability, and prosperity”. He also offered “condolences on the martyrdom of his revered father, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei”. PM Shehbaz noted that the martyrdom of the former supreme leader had “deeply saddened the people of Pakistan, who stand in solidarity with the leadership and people of Iran during this difficult time”. He expressed fa... -
Dawn - 18:53 Mar 10, 2026
Pakistan on Tuesday called upon the international community to take “urgent” action against Israeli military aggression in Lebanon, the Foreign Office (FO) said. Lebanon was dragged into the US-Israeli war on Iran this month when Lebanese group Hezbollah launched rockets and drones into Israel, which responded with heavy bombardment across the country. A total of 486 people have been killed in the war so far and 1,313 injured, of which 259 are children, according to the World Health Organisation. In a statement, the FO condemned “Israel’s continued military aggression against Lebanon,” which it said has resulted in the “death of hundreds of civilians and the displacement of nearly half a million people”. FO maintained that Israeli actions were in “contravention of international law” and were “undermining the efforts of the government of Lebanon to ensure peace and stability in the country”. It held that Israel’s recent actions “have the potential to further exacerbate the ongoing security and humanitarian cri... -
Dawn - 18:40 Mar 10, 2026
LAKKI MARWAT: Five children were injured in a quadcopter attack in the Takhtikhel area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat district on Tuesday, officials said. Police Sub-Inspector (SI) Akhto Jan told Dawn that the attack, which took place in the limits of the Shaheed Asmatullah Khan Khattak police station, was believed to have been carried out by terrorists. “Explosives dropped from the quadcopter injured five minors,” he said, adding that two of the injured boys were taken to a hospital in Bannu in view of their “serious condition”. Separately, Rescue 1122 official Shadab Khan told Dawn that the three injured girls were taken to the tehsil headquarters hospital in Serai Naurang town. SI Jan said that a police contingent reached the site of the incident and launched a search to locate the perpetrators. He said police were combing the area to search for the suspected terrorists. Today’s attack comes around a month after eight minor boys were injured in a quadcopter strike in Lakki Marwat’s Takhti area. A pol... -
Dawn - 18:08 Mar 10, 2026
India fast bowler Arshdeep Singh was fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday after an incident during the Twenty20 World Cup final when he hurled the ball at New Zealand batsman Daryl Mitchell. In the 11th over of New Zealand’s chase on Sunday, Mitchell played the ball to Arshdeep and the bowler threw it straight back at him, hitting the New Zealand batter on the pads. Mitchell was livid and advanced on Arshdeep, who turned around and walked back without apologising, forcing the umpire to step in. India captain Suryakumar Yadav then came over and apologised. The ICC said Arshdeep breached the ICC Code of Conduct for “throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment) at or near a player in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner”, handing him a fine of 15 per cent of his match fee. Arshdeep, who apologised to Mitchell at the end of the over and again after the match, accepted the sanction. India beat New Zealand by 96 runs to become the first side to lift the men’s T20 World Cup for... -
Dawn - 17:45 Mar 10, 2026
West Indies players are leaving India on commercial flights in batches after their departure was delayed due to international airspace closures amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Caribbean side’s governing body CWI said on Tuesday. Indian media reported that a charter flight for the West Indies and South Africa Twenty20 World Cup teams scheduled to fly to Johannesburg before continuing on to Antigua was cancelled earlier on Tuesday. Some players and staff have departed and others are scheduled to leave on different flights on Tuesday and Wednesday, CWI said in a statement. West Indies were eliminated from the tournament’s Super Eight stage on March 1, but remained in India as their charter flight organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) was repeatedly delayed. “As is customary for both men’s and women’s ICC World Cups, all travel and accommodation arrangements for participating teams are coordinated and managed by the ICC,” CWI said. “Ongoing uncertainty surrounding the ICC-organised ch... -
Dawn - 17:28 Mar 10, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The country’s courts will be observing four-day work weeks while litigants and counsels will be encouraged to participate in proceedings through video-link facilities, where feasible, as part of austerity measures amid the fuel crisis resulting from the Middle East conflict. To this effect, a notification issued by the Supreme Court of Pakistan stated: “In view of likely disruption in the supply of petroleum products resulting in escalating energy costs, it is imperative to adopt prudent and responsible measures to conserve resources. “Accordingly, following austerity and fuel conservation measures, as far as possible, shall be adopted in the Supreme Court of Pakistan with immediate effect until further notice.” The measures outlined in the notification included four-day work weeks, from Monday to Thursday. “The court shall observe holidays from Friday to Sunday,” the notification said. It further stated that the monthly ceiling of Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants (POL) allocated to judges and entitle... -
Dawn - 17:23 Mar 10, 2026
Bahrain’s interior ministry has said that the country’s Anti-Cyber Crime Directorate arrested six Asians, including five Pakistanis, after they “filmed, published and reposted videos related to the effects of the treacherous Iranian aggression”. This was shared in a statement on the police media centre’s website on Monday. The statement also alleged that the suspects expressed “sympathy with and glorified those hostile acts in a manner that harms security and public order”. It added that the videos in question were circulated through the suspects’ social media accounts, “contributing to misleading public opinion and spreading fear among citizens and residents”. “Legal procedures have been taken, and the suspects have been referred to the public prosecution,” the statement added. According to the information available on the website, apart from five Pakistanis, a Bangladeshi has also been arrested for the alleged offence. It said the interior ministry “also urged everyone to obtain information from official so... -
Dawn - 14:47 Mar 10, 2026
On the eleventh day of the war, the conflict in the Middle East is shifting into a phase of sustained attrition — one in which Iran appears determined to exploit endurance, lower operational costs and employ a network of proxies to offset the technological and financial advantages of the United States and Israel. Though the kinetic activity across the main theatre has remained comparatively limited during the past 24 hours, the effects of the operations continue to be strategically significant. Until now, Iran’s striking of Israel’s Haifa refinery complex a couple of days ago with Shahed-136 drones, in retaliation for Israeli attacks on oil depots around Tehran, remains the most consequential single event shaping current Israeli strategic calculus. Firefighting crews have now reportedly contained roughly 95 per cent of the blaze at Haifa, but several primary storage tanks have suffered structural damage and operations at the facility are expected to remain suspended for at least two weeks. On the other side o... -
Dawn - 14:35 Mar 10, 2026
The government completed its 5G spectrum auction in Islamabad on Tuesday, with 480 megahertz sold for $507 million at the end of the third round of bidding. The three bidders — Zong, Jazz and Ufone — competed heavily at 2600 megahertz for the key frequency band needed for the 5G service. Zong acquired 110MHz, Ufone 180MHz and Jazz 190MHz during the auction. Pakistan offered 700 MHz for $32.5m, 1800 MHz for $16.8m, 2100 MHz for $70m, 2300 MHz for $10m, 2600 MHz for $12.50m and 3500 MHz for $6.5m per lot. The bidding process was launched in the presence of Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information Minister Attaullah Tarrar, former IT minister Syed Aminul Haque, and the chairperson of the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, along with some members of the committee. All three telecom companies were required to acquire at least 100 MHz. Among the telcos, Jazz purchased the most spectrum, not only in 5G-compatible bands but also in the frequencies used for long-distance telephone services... -
Dawn - 13:07 Mar 10, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Tuesday assured the National Assembly Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis that there was no situation requiring a mass evacuation of Pakistani nationals from the Middle East. The head of the MoFA’s Crisis Management Cell gave a detailed briefing to the NA committee about the number of Pakistanis stranded in various Middle Eastern countries due to the ongoing conflict and about the efforts being made to repatriate them. In the meeting, presided over by PPP MNA Syed Agha Rafiullah, the committee members expressed their serious concerns over the manifold increase in airline fares, particularly by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). The ministry official informed the committee that Pakistanis were facing fuel shortages and transport problems in various countries, adding that the absence of public transport had created further difficulties for them. “Gulf missions reported large registered populations but comparatively manageable eva... -
Dawn - 13:04 Mar 10, 2026
Official sources dismissed on Tuesday reports that a three-member delegation sent by the government was holding talks with the Afghan Taliban in Kabul amid border tensions. The sources noted that “Afghan propaganda accounts” had been making such claims on social media. Afghanistan-based Tolo News also reported the same, citing an anonymous source. But, official sources in Pakistan said there was no truth to these reports and Pakistan had not sent any such delegation to Kabul. The sources asserted that Pakistan’s position was very clear that the Afghan Taliban would have to stop facilitating Fitna-al-Khawarij and take decisive action against them. There would be no talks with the Afghan Taliban until then, Pakistan would continue actions against the hideouts of Fitna-al-Khawarij in Afghanistan, the sources said. Fitna-al-Khawarij is a term that the state uses for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The reports of alleged talks and the subsequent dismissal by the official sources have come against the ... -
Dawn - 12:38 Mar 10, 2026
Partab Shivani, a Hindu in Pakistan, has fasted on and off during Ramazan for years, but this time is different as he practices abstinence for the entire holy month. Every year, he and his friends in Mithi arrange Iftar to foster peace and solidarity between the two religions. “I believe we need to promote interfaith harmony. First, we are humans — religions came later,” Shivani, a 48-year-old social activist, told AFP, adding that he also reads the teachings of the Buddha. “His message is about peace and ending war. Peace can spread through solidarity and by standing with one another. Distance only widens the gap between people,” he added. This photograph taken on February 26, 2026 shows Mohan Lal Malhi (2L), a Hindu caretaker of a Sufi shrine, breaking his fast during Ramazan at Mithi in the Tharparkar district of Sindh. — AFP Most of the country’s Hindu population, which comprises two per cent population, lives in rural areas of Sindh. In Mithi itself, most of the 60,000 inhabitants are Hindu. Many of the ... -
Dawn - 12:30 Mar 10, 2026
Let’s face it — half the joy of Eid shopping is buying for the kids. Tiny kurtas. Mini kameezes. Pocket-sized waistcoats. Dresses that twirl dramatically for no reason at all. Children in festive wear just feel like Eid. But somewhere between “Awww” and “Let’s take a thousand photos,” we sometimes forget one important thing: Kids do not care about structure, layering, or perfect pleats. They care about running around, eating less, climbing furniture, and running again. So, when it comes to dressing children for Eid, the golden rule is simple — comfort first, everything else after. The non-negotiable Adults can tolerate a slightly tight sleeve or a heavy dupatta for a few hours. Children cannot. And they shouldn’t have to. Eid mornings are long. There are guests, hugs, food, visits, and photos. If an outfit is itchy, stiff, too layered, or difficult to move in, it won’t survive the day — and neither will your patience. Choose breathable fabrics. Soft cotton blends, lightweight silk-cotton mixes, airy lawn, or ... -
Dawn - 12:21 Mar 10, 2026
The Sindh government on Tuesday announced its own set of austerity measures to curtail the economic impact of the ongoing regional tensions, stating that schools will observe a spring vacation and government offices will work from home on Fridays. Addressing a press conference, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said schools across the province will have a “spring vacation from March 16 to 31, while colleges and universities will switch to online classes”. However, he noted, no ongoing exams will be postponed. The minister also clarified that, contrary to some media reports, government functioning will not stop on Fridays. Instead, government officials will work from home (WFH). “Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday — you have to work. On Friday, you have to work from home,” he said. The Sindh minister affirmed that the province endorsed all the decisions announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday. “The Sindh government has launched its austerity campaign,” he added. He declared that the prov... -
Dawn - 10:55 Mar 10, 2026
Oil prices fall after topping $119 a barrel on Monday Trump predicted the war in the Middle East could be over soon G7 ready to act on oil surge but holds off tapping reserves Oil prices plummeted 7 per cent on Tuesday after soaring to a more than three-year high in the previous session as US President Donald Trump predicted the war in the Middle East could end soon, easing concerns about prolonged disruptions to oil supplies. Brent futures were down $6.75, or 6.8pc, to $92.21 a barrel at 10:12 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was down $6.41, or 6.8pc, to $88.36 a barrel. Both contracts fell as much as 11pc earlier. Volumes in Brent dropped to about 213,000 contracts, the lowest amount since February 27, just before the start of the conflict. Volumes in WTI fell to 212,000, the lowest since February 20. Oil surged to more than $119 barrel on Monday to its highest since mid-2022 as supply cuts by Saudi Arabia and other producers stoked fears of major disruptions to global supplies. Prices late... -
Dawn - 10:01 Mar 10, 2026
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Tuesday called on the media to exercise caution when discussing matters related to Pakistan’s foreign policy amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, citing “unease” voiced by “friendly countries”. He made the remarks while addressing a press conference alongside Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudry. The press conference came against the backdrop of conflict in Iran, which has been embroiled in a war with the United States and Israel since the latter’s February 28 strikes, prompting retaliatory strikes from Iran on neighbouring countries, which house US bases. Taking note of the recent escalation in the Middle East following US-Israeli attacks on Iran, the minister stressed the need for caution in the “narrative on these matters on social media, electronic media, and print media”. “As a nation, we must keep in mind that when expressing our views, we have to keep the constitution and Pakistan’s foreign policy under considera... -
Dawn - 09:27 Mar 10, 2026
Pakistan’s benchmark KSE-100 index advanced 9,696.98 points on Tuesday, closing in the green, up 6.62 per cent from its previous close. Shortly after opening, the index gained 9,303.75 points, or 6.35pc, in early trading before a temporary market halt was enacted following the sharp rally. Trading was temporarily suspended in accordance with regulations of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), according to an official notice issued by the exchange. The notification stated that the halt was triggered after the KSE-30 index recorded a 5pc increase from the previous trading day’s close, activating the exchange’s market suspension mechanism. Trading resumed at 10:27am. After the resumption of trade, the index rose to the intraday high of 11,846 points, after which it dipped to 10,085.15 points by 12:55pm. It later pared some gains before closing in the green at 2pm. This rally is in sharp contrast to the market’s previous close. On Monday, the KSE-100 index closed the session at 146,480 points, marking a decline of ... -
Dawn - 08:07 Mar 10, 2026
WASHINGTON: During a heated debate on Afghanistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday, Pakistan lambasted India’s criticism of cross-border strikes, accusing Delhi of complicity in the terror threat at the western border. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad exchanged strong words with his Indian and Afghan counterparts after the former accused Islamabad of “flagrant violations of international law” during the Pak-Afghan conflict. During the session, India’s Permanent Representative Parvathaneni Harish said his country “reiterates UNSG’s deep concern at civilian casualties caused by cross-border violence and strongly condemns airstrikes which are flagrant violations of international law, UN Charter and state sovereignty”. India also expressed “grave concern on ‘trade and transit terrorism’” and said “these vulnerabilities of Land-Locked Developing Countries should not be weaponised”. India a ‘spoiler’ in Afghanistan: Pak envoy Ambassador Ahmad, following the r... -
Dawn - 07:54 Mar 10, 2026
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, on Tuesday, in a phone call with his Bahraini counterpart, reiterated Pakistan’s call for de-escalation and dialogue for stability in the Middle East amid escalating tensions in the region. Iran, Pakistan’s western neighbour, has been embroiled in a war with the United States and Israel since the latter’s February 28 strikes that assassinated its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In retaliation for the strikes, Iran resorted to targeting neighbouring countries, which house US bases, including Bahrain. According to a statement by the Foreign Office (FO), Dar spoke with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif Bin Rashid Al Zayani last night, and the two “exchanged views on the developments in the Middle East and the wider region, conveying grave concern over recent attacks, including in Bahrain”. FO added that during the call, Dar “reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Bahrain and its people”. He also underscored the need for “de‑escalation, dialogue,... -
Dawn - 06:43 Mar 10, 2026
WASHINGTON: The United States on Monday designated Afghanistan as a ‘State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention’, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio accusing the Taliban of using hostage-taking as leverage against Washington. Earlier, in February, Iran was also designated a ‘State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention’. The announcement came as Washington sharpened its criticism of Taliban policies at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), where US Ambassador Mike Waltz questioned continued international engagement and funding provided to Afghanistan. Rubio, in a statement issued on Monday evening, said: “Today, I am designating Afghanistan as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention.” He warned Americans against travel to Afghanistan, saying: “It is not safe for Americans to travel to Afghanistan because the Taliban continues to unjustly detain our fellow Americans and other foreign nationals.” He alleged that the Taliban “continue to use terrorist tactics, kidnapping individuals for ransom or to seek policy concessions...
10418 items