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Dawn - 13:05 Mar 09, 2026
Sri Lanka and India are providing sanctuary to 434 sailors from three Iranian naval vessels targeted or threatened by the United States, a diplomatic conundrum as the US-Israel attack on Iran and the subsequent war spills into the Indian Ocean. The ships had taken part in a naval exercise organised by India off the coast of Visakhapatnam, when the US and Israel began bombing Iran. For Sri Lanka and India, wary of a US response, the dilemma of what to do with the ships and crew has sent legal officials scouring conventions and the laws of the sea. What happened? IRIS Dena, a frigate, was sunk with a torpedo fired by a US submarine on Wednesday, just outside Sri Lanka’s territorial waters. Between 130 and 180 sailors were on board, and at least 84 were killed. Sri Lanka rescued 32 survivors, many since discharged from hospital to be hosted at the Koggala air force base in the island’s south. IRIS Lavan, an amphibious landing ship, docked in India’s southern port of Kochi on Wednesday. It had 183 sailors aboard,... -
Dawn - 12:43 Mar 09, 2026
Qatari authorities have arrested more than 300 people for sharing images and what they described as “misleading information” during days of attacks by Iran, the interior ministry said on Monday. The arrests echo measures across the Gulf as Iran targets airports, military bases, energy installations and residential areas with daily drones and missiles. Those arrested “filmed and circulated video clips and published misleading information and rumours that could stir public opinion”, a statement said. The people of “various nationalities” were held by the Department for Combating Economic and Cyber Crimes at the ministry’s General Directorate of Criminal Investigations. The announcement follows a spate of arrests elsewhere in the region. In Bahrain, four people were arrested for “filming and broadcasting clips about the effects of Iranian attacks and spreading false news”, the interior ministry said on Friday. And in Kuwait, authorities on Saturday said three people had been arrested over a video showing them mo... -
Dawn - 11:39 Mar 09, 2026
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday maintained its key policy rate at 10.5 per cent. The announcement was posted on the central bank’s X account. A detailed statement by the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was issued later in the day. In its statement, the MPC said that while the incoming data was largely consistent with the macroeconomic projections shared after the January meeting, it was observed that the macroeconomic outlook had become “quite uncertain following the outbreak of the war in the Middle East”. It noted that the conflict had led to a sharp increase in global fuel prices as well as freight and insurance costs, while also affecting cross-border trade and travel. “Given the evolving nature of events, the MPC observed that the intensity and duration of the conflict will both be important determinants of the impact on the domestic economy,” the statement said. The MPC also acknowledged the “important role of the prudent monetary and fiscal policies in increasing the economy’s... -
Dawn - 10:26 Mar 09, 2026
Pakistan’s benchmark KSE-100 index plummeted 11,015.96 points on Monday, closing deep in the red. The decline of 6.99 per cent from the previous close of 157,496.10 points dragged the index down to 146,480.14 points by the closing bell. At close, trading volume stood at 378,012,095 shares, with a total value of Rs33,004,278,586. The market’s heaviest movers were led by K-Electric Limited, which tumbled 7.81pc to Rs7.20 on 127,469,387 shares. First National Equities Limited saw a sharper drop, plunging 12.21pc to Rs1.15 on 33,608,420 shares, while The Bank of Punjab slumped 10.01pc to Rs25.45 on 33,386,862 shares. Trading was temporarily halted around 9:20am after the index dropped 9,780.15 points, prompting a market suspension. A notice from the Pakistan Stock Exchange said the halt was triggered when the KSE-30 index fell 5pc from the previous day’s close. In accordance with PSX regulations, all equity-based markets were suspended. When trading resumed, the index fell further, recording a decline of 13,157.6... -
Dawn - 09:24 Mar 09, 2026
The war in the Middle East has formally landed on Pakistan’s shores. The government’s announcement of an emergency Rs55 per litre oil price adjustment on Friday night could well be the first of more to come. More so, the sheer availability of fuel is now an open question, despite the 28 days of stocks that we were assured the country maintains. Dawn spoke to oil industry executives who say oil markets are now roiled with an uncertainty never seen before. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has taken an estimated 20 million barrels per day (mbd) cumulative off global oil markets in what is being called “the largest oil supply disruption in history”. There is no precedent in the past when a quantity of this magnitude was suddenly removed from the market, not even in the oil embargo of 1973. The impact, according to a note by Goldman Sachs circulated on Friday, is that “oil prices, especially for refined products, would exceed the 2008 and 2022 peaks, if Strait of Hormuz flows were to remain depressed throughout... -
Dawn - 09:05 Mar 09, 2026
India captain Suryakumar Yadav said gold in 2028 on cricket’s return to the Olympics was the country’s next big aim after extending their T20 domination with back-to-back World Cup titles. Co-hosts India hammered New Zealand by 96 runs in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday to be the first team to retain the T20 World crown and first to win it three times. It was also the first time a team have won the title on home soil, and they did it with a brand of fearless, attacking cricket. “It has been very special,” Suryakumar told reporters at a celebratory midnight press conference, as fans across the country flooded into the streets. “And definitely the next goal is Olympics, Olympic gold, and also the T20 World Cup that year.” Los Angeles 2028 will see cricket return to the Olympics for the first time since 1900. Led by then-captain Rohit Sharma, India won the T20 World Cup two years ago in Barbados for their first major title since the 2013 Champions Trophy. Rohit and fellow stalwart Virat Kohli retired from the s... -
Dawn - 08:45 Mar 09, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced a reward of Rs1.5 million for each player of the national hockey team following the team’s performance in the FIH Hockey World Cup qualifier, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. The announcement comes after the team secured a place in the upcoming hockey World Cup, marking their return to the tournament after an eight-year absence. It will be hosted jointly by Belgium and the Netherlands in August this year. Quoting a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Radio Pakistan said the team’s performance represented a “significant step towards promoting hockey in Pakistan”. The premier also “acknowledged the team’s hard work and dedication to the sport,” the statement added. As per the statement, the prime minister maintained that the participation of the team in the World Cup qualifiers — held in Egypt — had “generated excitement and enthusiasm among hockey fans”. The premier stressed the monetary reward was a “clear testament” to the team’s “steadfastnes... -
Dawn - 08:41 Mar 09, 2026
TEHRAN: A massive fireball erupts after an oil depot was targeted by US-Israeli bombing. The destruction of refineries and storage facilities in Iran’s capital precipitated a toxic ‘oil rain’ over the city, with skies darkened by thick black smoke.—AFP • Capital plunges into darkness; residents warned of chemical burns, acrid fumes • Lebanon terrorised as Israeli strike targets Beirut hotel • Israel, Trump vow to pursue, kill any successor to Khamenei • Iran unleashes missiles on Gulf neighbours; Pezeshkian says they were ‘forced to respond’ • Arab League condemns ‘reckless’ Iranian attacks as diplomacy falters • Bahrain blames Tehran for attack on water plant TEHRAN: Residents of Iran’s capital awoke on Sunday to a darkened, apocalyptic sky as a black, oily rain fell, a day after Israeli airstrikes targeted refineries and fuel depots, plunging the sprawling metropolis into a toxic gloom. The nine-day-old war launched by a US-Israeli coalition against Iran has now engulfed much of the Middle East, with strike... -
Dawn - 07:44 Mar 09, 2026
WASHINGTON: Tehran has confirmed the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new Supreme Leader, a decision that has drawn contrasting reactions from Washington and Jerusalem, reflecting differing strategies in responding to Iran’s evolving leadership. US response: calculated and cautious So far, President Donald Trump has avoided direct criticism of Mojtaba Khamenei’s succession, instead framing the development in terms of energy markets and US strategic influence. In a post on Truth Social, an hour after the announcement, he highlighted that temporary oil price increases were a minor cost compared with global stability and security. But in an interview with ABC News earlier on Sunday, Trump repeated his suggestion that Iran’s next leader would need “approval” from Washington, implying that the US has a role in shaping acceptable leadership outcomes. While he described Khamenei’s expected appointment as problematic, he refrained from threatening direct military action. This approach underscores the US balanc... -
Dawn - 06:16 Mar 09, 2026
Oil prices surged around 25 per cent on Monday to their highest since mid-2022, with Brent on track for a record one-day gain, while gold fell 2pc as an escalating Iran war squeezed world energy supplies, boosted the dollar and dampened hopes of interest-rate cuts. Agriculture markets, led by edible oils, rose as they took their cue from oil prices due to the extensive use of vegetable oils in making biofuels. Aluminium firmed on supply worries even as other metals faced headwinds from a stronger dollar. “The violent reaction stems from the markets seeing no obvious offramp in the escalating Middle East conflict, now a high-stakes standoff where neither side appears willing to blink first,” Tony Sycamore, IG market analyst, said in a note. “The risk of more lasting economic damage continues to build by the day.” Iran on Monday named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father, Ali Khamenei as Supreme Leader. Soaring oil lift vegoils, grains Brent was on track for its biggest one-day gain ever in both percent... -
Dawn - 06:13 Mar 09, 2026
PESHAWAR: The district administration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan has imposed Section 144 in view of the prevailing law and order situation, restricting movement on several roads and in sensitive areas, according to an official notification on Monday. Deputy Commissioner Abdul Nasir Khan said the restrictions would remain in force from 6am to 6pm, during which the movement of passenger vehicles, cargo transport and motorcycles would be completely prohibited in designated areas. According to the notification, Dera-Tank Road from Tariq Shaheed to Bhugowal will remain closed, while several other roads, including Kulachi-Hathala Road, Kot Attal Road and Garah Abdullah Road will also remain shut to traffic. Authorities said a number of link roads, including Tikwarah-Hathala Road, Pota Badh, Kanori-Garah Mohabbat, Chehkan village to Darbari and the Pota–Kot Isa Khan link road, will remain closed during the restriction period. The administration has also ordered the closure of Pota Hathala Bazaar from 6... -
Dawn - 03:00 Mar 09, 2026
• Najafabad ‘double-tap’ airstrike kills 19 civilians seeking municipal services, emergency workers • Bombing of Qeshm Island desalination plant cuts off fresh water to 30 villages THE United States and Israel stand accused of committing “war crimes” in Iran, after a series of recent airstrikes that have killed hundreds of civilians and devastated non-military infrastructure, targeting a water desalination plant, and a park housing emergency responders, hospitals, and schools. The accusations followed a deadly strike on Sunday morning in Najafabad, where local officials reported 19 civilians were killed. Akbar Salehi, the security and law enforcement deputy of the Isfahan Governorate, said fighter jets he linked to the US and Israel struck a local office for traffic and driving services. He added that a second missile targeted the same location minutes later as residents and emergency personnel were attempting to rescue the wounded. The Iranian Red Crescent Society said it has formally requested the Internati... -
Dawn - 02:48 Mar 09, 2026
• Premier stresses ‘sensible use’ of petroleum products during Iran crisis; says burden should be borne ‘judiciously’ by all segments of society • Three fuel shipments expected today, petroleum minister tells Sindh CM; predicts LNG supply disruptions • Finance minister warns monthly oil import bill could rise to $600 million • Punjab CM calls for uninterrupted diesel supply for agricultural use ISLAMABAD / LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to unveil an austerity plan today (Monday) in view of the global fuel crisis, triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran, and the subsequent attacks on oil-producing Gulf states. Last week, the government increased the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel by Rs55 per litre, the highest-ever such hike, as the country felt the first direct economic impacts of the ongoing regional conflict. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier chaired a meeting on Sunday to review the government’s austerity strategy, amid the prevailing situation in the Middle Ea... -
Dawn - 20:16 Mar 08, 2026
Three petroleum shipments are expected to reach Pakistan by tomorrow (Monday), Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik informed a briefing called to discuss rising global oil prices and fuel reserves amid the widening Middle East conflict on Sunday. The meeting attended by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah comes a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the finance and petroleum ministers to work with provincial governments on a strategy to conserve and ensure uninterrupted supply of petroleum products amid fuel shortage concerns sparked by the Israel-Iran war. The federal government delegation offered a detailed briefing to the Sindh CM on the recent price hike and fuel reserves, according to a statement issued by CM House. Finance Minister Aurangzeb told the meeting that Pakistan’s monthly oil import bill could increase to $600 million in the backdrop of the conflict, adding that the government is continuously monitoring global energy markets and preparing alt... -
Dawn - 18:55 Mar 08, 2026
MIRANSHAH: A child was killed and four people were left injured on Sunday after a mortar shell allegedly fired from the Afghan side landed in a residential area during an exchange of fire near the Pak-Afghan border in North Waziristan, police said. According to police sources, the incident occurred at around 7:30pm when heavy firing erupted between both sides of the border in the Ghulam Khan area. During the exchange of fire, a mortar shell fired from across the border fell in the nearby village of Golakhel and exploded in a residential locality, they added. As a result of the explosion, they said a minor died on the spot while four other people sustained injuries. Local residents immediately took the injured to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Miranshah, where they were being provided medical treatment. Hospital sources said some of the injured were in critical condition, while doctors and medical staff remained engaged in emergency treatment. Following the incident, Tehsildar Miranshah Ghani Wazir and Te... -
Dawn - 18:13 Mar 08, 2026
A civilian was killed, and a police constable was injured when armed men on motorcycles opened fire on a police patrol in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat district, officials said. A police official confirmed that the attack occurred in the Serai Naurang town, adding that “a gun battle between the police and the assailants erupted after the firing attack.” The official said the bodies of the civilian and the injured cop were taken to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in the Serai Naurang town. The attack comes amid a worsening security situation in Lakki Marwat district, which has witnessed repeated militant assaults on police and security forces in recent years. The area, along with neighbouring Bannu and North Waziristan, has experienced a surge in attacks attributed largely to the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), with patrols, checkpoints and police stations frequently targeted. A day ago, two people were killed, and 10 were injured in a bomb explosion in the same area. Last month, terrorists mar... -
Dawn - 17:57 Mar 08, 2026
India won a record third T20 World Cup title and became the first team to defend their crown with a 96-run thumping of New Zealand in a lop-sided final on Sunday. Suryakumar Yadav’s India were also the first team to lift the trophy on home soil as over 86,000 fans celebrated at the Narendra Modi Stadium. England and the West Indies have won two titles each. Sanju Samson’s blistering 89 off 46 balls guided the co-hosts to 255-5 and Jasprit Bumrah starred as New Zealand were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs. Part-time spinner Abhishek Sharma claimed the final wicket of Jacob Duffy, securing a dominant victory. Axar Patel struck two early blows, including the dangerous Finn Allen for nine, with his left-arm spin. Bumrah was again at his mesmerising best, delivering a succession of brilliant slower-ball yorkers to finish with figures of 4-15. Opener Tim Seifert hit 52 off 26 balls but his departure in the ninth over off struggling spinner Varun Chakravarthy effectively ended the Black Caps’ slim hopes. Wickets kept... -
Dawn - 17:17 Mar 08, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would unveil an austerity plan of the government on Monday in view of the prevailing global fuel crisis due to the US/Israel-Iran war, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. On Friday, the government announced an increase in the petroleum product prices by up to Rs55 in the wake of the regional energy crisis. In a press release, the PMO said the PM Shehbaz chaired a meeting on Sunday and reviewed the austerity plan. “The meeting was apprised that the final plan regarding austerity and savings will be announced tomorrow (Monday),” it confirmed. The meeting was, however, informed that the country had adequate reserves of petrol and diesel, and the government had already taken precautionary measures to meet any awkward situation, it said. It added that the government had already prepared a contingency plan under which work from home and distance learning had been proposed till the situation returns to normal. However, the PM had halted the plan on Friday and decided to r... -
Dawn - 17:08 Mar 08, 2026
In a war already redrawing the region’s red lines, with the death toll from the US-Israeli attacks on Iran reportedly having surpassed 1,000, Tehran has brought one of the Middle East’s most sensitive strategic sites into the escalation equation: Israel’s Dimona nuclear site. A senior Iranian military official told the Iranian website Iran Nuances, later reported by Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency, that if the US and Israel pursue a “regime change” scenario in practice, Tehran’s “final effective missiles will target the Dimona nuclear reactor and all regional energy infrastructure,” adding: “This is a scenario we have already prepared for.” Iran has retaliated with waves of drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Gulf countries hosting US military assets, raising fears of a wider regional war. The warning has reignited questions that often remain muted in regional crises: what is Dimona, why is it seen as the backbone of Israel’s nuclear capability, and how does its secrecy shape the polit... -
Dawn - 16:57 Mar 08, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Several women’s rights activists, including Aurat March members, were detained by police in Islamabad ahead of a rally they planned to hold on the occasion of International Women’s Day on Sunday. Police sources told Dawn that they were detained near Super Market in Sector F-6. They had planned to reach the National Press Club, but a huge contingent of police was already present there, which arrested the marchers and took them to the Women’s Police Station. The Women’s Police Station released a list of 19 women activists of Aurat March. Those detained include prominent activist Dr Farzana Bari, two of her daughters, and human rights defender Tahira Abdullah, along with other Aurat March organisers and participants, police sources confirmed. Aside from women activists, several participants, including men, were also detained by the police for participating in the march. Zoya Rehman, a participant of the march, wrote on X that her husband, along with 20 other men, was taken into custody by police. “No ...
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