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Dawn - 15:45 Feb 19, 2026
The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) has issued a notification, making a three-credit-hour course on artificial intelligence (AI) mandatory for all undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes across the country, starting from the 2026 academic session. According to the HEC, the directive applies to all public and private sector higher education institutions, and universities have been instructed to incorporate the compulsory AI course into their curricula without any delay. The commission said that every undergraduate and postgraduate degree programme will include a mandatory three-credit-hour course on AI. According to details, the course may be offered as an elective subject, an interdisciplinary course, or as a supporting subject within the programme structure. It further emphasised that integrating AI into academic curricula will not merely be an addition but a necessity in today’s rapidly evolving world. “In the fast-changing landscape of the 21st century, Artificial Intelligence has em... -
Dawn - 15:38 Feb 19, 2026
France and India are entering a new era of defence cooperation with plans to jointly produce Rafale fighter jets as well as helicopters, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday, adding France also hopes to sell more submarines to India. India’s expected order for another 114 Rafales is a “new step forward” in defence ties between the two countries and France hopes to see this replicated with submarines as well, Macron told reporters at the end of a three-day visit to India. “On Rafale, what we want to do is expand. India confirmed a few days ago its willingness to command a new bunch of Rafales … 114 … and to co-produce in India,” Macron said. The Defence Acquisition Council of India’s defence ministry last week gave initial clearance to acquire 114 more Rafale jets for the air force, besides other planes and missiles, months after the worst fighting in decades between India and Pakistan. So far, India has purchased 36 Rafales for its air force and ordered another 26 marine versions of the jet for t... -
Dawn - 14:55 Feb 19, 2026
NORTH WAZIRISTAN: Aina Wazir, a young girl from North Waziristan’s Shewa village, has made waves on social media with her bowling skills, prompting the owner of Pakistan Super League franchise Peshawar Zalmi to select her for his upcoming women’s team. A video of Aina appeared on the social media platform X over the past 24 hours, where she can be seen showcasing both her batting and bowling skills in a street match. The video captured the attention of Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi, who said “talent like this deserves the right platform”. In a post on X, he said that she would be part of the upcoming Zalmi Women League — a platform for girls to “play, inspire, and express their talents”. “We will ensure she is provided with all necessary cricket equipment and proper facilities so she gets the opportunity she truly deserves to grow and shine and become the next Saira Jabeen,” he said. The video had also captured the attention of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, who said on X, “It is truly he... -
Dawn - 14:34 Feb 19, 2026
Ramazan is welcomed by Muslims around the world as a sacred month of fasting, reflection and spiritual renewal, observed by more than 1.9 billion people across different countries. From dawn to sunset, Muslims fast from food and drink, dedicating the month to prayer, charity and community. Mosques fill for nightly Taraweeh prayers, families gather for iftar meals at sunset, and acts of generosity increase as believers seek spiritual growth and closeness to Allah. Beyond the physical fast, Ramazan emphasises patience, self-discipline and compassion for those less fortunate, making it one of the most significant and unifying periods in the Islamic calendar. Here are some glimpses from different countries, including Pakistan, Occupied Kashmir, Palestine, Sudan, Nigeria, Kosovo, Malaysia and Indonesia, capturing how communities welcomed the holy month with prayers, acts of charity, and communal meals. Madrassa students recite the Quran on the first day of Ramazan, in Peshawar on February 19, 2026. — Abdul Majeed ... -
Dawn - 14:17 Feb 19, 2026
KARACHI: At least 15 people, including women and children, were killed, and 18 others were injured after a gas explosion caused part of a residential building to collapse in Karachi’s Soldier Bazaar area, according to officials. The incident occurred at a residence in the Gul Rana Colony area of Soldier Bazaar. The injured and the deceased were shifted to Civil Hospital. Initially, Rescue 1122 put the death toll at 16. However, officials later confirmed that the death toll was 15, while 18 others were injured. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Jamshed Asher said the incident occurred at around 4:15am during Sehri, and that the gas explosion took place on the building’s first floor. East Deputy Commissioner Nasrullah Abbasi told Dawn that the gas explosion occurred at the time of Sehri in a building located in Gul Rana Colony. He said it was a highly congested locality where a ground plus three-storey building was constructed on 40-45 yards with one small room on each floor. He said that the explosion d... -
Dawn - 13:05 Feb 19, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) on Thursday took notice of the alleged death by suicide of a medical student from Lahore’s Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU) and sought a report. Moreover, observing the lack of strengthened student support systems, the council also advised all medical and dental colleges to hire qualified counsellors/psychologists to provide timely guidance, and mental and physical health support to students in distress. On Tuesday night, a 22-year-old female student allegedly died by suicide after jumping from the fourth floor of a hostel at FJMU. The student in question was a resident of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and was living in the varsity’s government hostel in Lahore. On Thursday, a letter from the PMDC registrar to the FJMU principal, available with Dawn, stated that in light of the seriousness of the incident and its impact on the student community, the council was directing the college to share a factual account of the incident so that the medical body ma... -
Dawn - 12:41 Feb 19, 2026
King Charles’ younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office over allegations he sent confidential government documents to Jeffrey Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor, celebrating his 66th birthday on Thursday, was arrested and questioned by detectives from Thames Valley Police, which this month said it was looking into allegations that he had passed documents to the late convicted sex offender while working as a trade envoy. “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,” Thames Valley’s Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said in a statement. “We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.” The former prince, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth, who is in police custody, has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and said he regrets their friendship. But he has not responded to request... -
Dawn - 12:37 Feb 19, 2026
Australian police said on Thursday they had launched an investigation after a threatening letter was sent to the country’s largest mosque, the third such incident in the lead-up to Ramazan. The letter sent to Lakemba Mosque in Sydney’s west on Wednesday contained a drawing of a pig and a threat to kill the “Muslim race”, local media reported. Police said they had taken the letter for forensic testing and would continue to patrol religious sites, including the mosque, as well as community events. The latest letter comes weeks after a similar message was mailed to the mosque, depicting Muslims inside a mosque on fire. Police have also arrested and charged a 70-year-old man in connection with a third threatening letter sent to Lakemba Mosque’s staff in January. The Lebanese Muslim Association, which runs the mosque, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) it had written to the government to request more funding for additional security guards and CCTV cameras. Some 5,000 people are expected to attend the mosq... -
Dawn - 12:35 Feb 19, 2026
The PTI on Thursday once again voiced concerns regarding party founder Imran Khan’s health, taking exception to the government’s alleged “silence and lack of clarity” over the matter. The incarcerated ex-prime minister’s family and party have been raising concerns about his health since his eye ailment — right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) — came to light in late January. In a statement on X, the PTI expressed “profound concern over the growing anxiety spreading among the nation regarding” Imran’s health. “Any ambiguity surrounding the health of a leader who commands the confidence of millions is unacceptable. The government’s silence and lack of clarity have only intensified public unease rather than alleviating it,” the PTI contended. “This is not merely a political matter; it is a test of national trust, human rights, and the government’s responsibility,” the party asserted. Stating that “any uncertainty regarding his health and safety is intolerable”, it stressed that if the government had nothing... -
Dawn - 12:26 Feb 19, 2026
The government is paying compensation totaling more than Rs190 million to the families of 40 people killed in a suicide bombing at an imambargah in Islamabad this month, the Prime Minister’s Office said on Thursday. The February 6 attack, claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group, on the outskirts of the capital was the deadliest in Islamabad since a 2008 truck bombing that killed 60 people at the Marriott Hotel. “Relief cheques have been delivered to the heirs of 36 martyrs belonging to Islamabad,” PMO said in a statement, adding each victim’s family received Rs5m. Cheques will also be delivered to four families of victims living outside Islamabad, the statement said. Although officials have not released a final death toll, the statement marked the first official acknowledgement that 40 people were killed in the blast. On Feb 11, PM Shehbaz had announced compensation for those martyred and injured in the suicide attack while visiting the site of the attack. Speaking on the occasion, he said, “These terrorists ... -
Dawn - 11:30 Feb 19, 2026
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Thursday approved the release of Rs19 billion for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Ramazan package. On February 12, PM Shehbaz had announced a Rs38bn Ramazan relief package, which would benefit more than 12 million families — around 36m people — through direct digital payments. In a post on X, the finance ministry said Finance Minister Muhammad Aurengzeb remotely chaired a meeting of the ECC. The post said that the ECC approved the “immediate release” of Rs19bn for the prime minister’s package to “ensure timely disbursement of assistance to vulnerable families”. “The remaining requirement out of the proposed Rs25bn will be released as and when necessary, in line with fiscal space,” the ministry said. “The prime minister’s Ramazan relief package 2026 is designed to provide targeted cash assistance to low-income households during the holy month, using National Socio-Economic Registry data to ensure transparency and objective beneficiary selection,” the finance ministr... -
Dawn - 10:44 Feb 19, 2026
ISLAMABAD: In a dramatic development in the narcotics and terrorism case against senior journalist Matiullah Jan, a forensic report submitted to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday revealed that the substance allegedly recovered from him was not a prohibited drug. The case — registered at Margalla Police Station on Nov 28, 2024 — had accused the journalist of snatching a government-issued rifle, hitting a vehicle at a police barrier and possessing narcotics. Initiation of legal proceedings against Jan drew strong criticism from journalist bodies and rights groups, who maintained that he was being targeted for investigating reports of alleged deaths during law enforcement action against PTI protesters in November 2024. On Thursday, a division bench comprising Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas heard the matter in a packed IHC courtroom. During the hearing, the Islamabad police placed on record a laboratory report prepared by the Punjab Forensic Science Agency. According to ... -
Dawn - 09:56 Feb 19, 2026
Pakistan issued a demarche to the Taliban regime over the use of Afghan soil for a terrorist attack on security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur that martyred 11 soldiers, it emerged on Thursday. According to a press release by the Foreign Office (FO), the demarche was issued on Wednesday afternoon when the FO summoned the Afghan deputy head of mission. “Pakistan condemned in the strongest possible terms the vehicle-borne suicide terrorist attack followed by a fire raid on Pakistan military and law enforcement agencies’ posts in Bajaur, carried out by Fitna al Khawarij [or] the TTP,” the statement said. Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The FO expressed concern that the group, whose entire leadership is based in Afghanistan, “operates with impunity from Afghan soil”. It re-emphasised that Pakistan had received repeated assurances from the Afghan Taliban regime, “but, regrettably, with no visible or concrete actions”. “The A... -
Dawn - 08:40 Feb 19, 2026
Bill Gates pulled out of India’s AI Impact Summit hours before his scheduled keynote address on Thursday, dealing another blow to a flagship event already marred by organisational lapses, a robot row and complaints of traffic chaos. Gates’ absence, followed by another high-profile cancellation by Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, adds to a difficult opening for a summit billed as the first major artificial intelligence forum in the Global South, where India has sought to position itself as a leading voice in worldwide AI governance. The Gates Foundation said the billionaire will not deliver his address “to ensure the focus remains on the AI Summit’s key priorities”. Only days ago, the foundation had dismissed rumours of his absence and insisted he was on track to attend. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for children’s safety on AI platforms as he addressed the gathering on Thursday, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei. “We must be ... -
Dawn - 08:02 Feb 19, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday issued notices to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on appeals filed by Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, against their conviction in the controversial tweets case. Justice Muhammad Asif, who heard the appeals, also issued notices on the couple’s applications seeking suspension of their sentence and called for a response from the agency. The IHC then adjourned further proceedings, observing that a date for the next hearing would be fixed. On January 24, Imaan and Hadi were handed a total of 17 years in jail on multiple charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) by a sessions court in Islamabad, sparking outrage among rights groups, opposition parties, and other segments of society. The lawyer duo was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment under Peca’s Section 10 (cyberterrorism), five years’ jail under Section 9 (glorification of an offence) and two years in prison under Section 26-A (false and... -
Dawn - 07:57 Feb 19, 2026
The White House warned on Wednesday that Iran would be “wise” to do a deal with the United States as President Donald Trump once again hinted at military action. The two sides recently resumed indirect talks, mediated by Oman, after Trump repeatedly threatened military action against Iran over a deadly crackdown on protesters last month. A previous attempt at negotiations collapsed when Israel launched surprise strikes on Iran last June, beginning a 12-day war that Washington briefly joined to bomb Iranian nuclear sites. “Iran would be very wise to make a deal with President Trump and with his administration,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. On Wednesday, Trump again suggested the United States might strike Iran in a post on his Truth Social site, with a US military buildup underway in the Middle East. He warned Britain against giving up sovereignty over the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean, saying that the archipelago’s Diego Garcia airbase might be needed were Iran not to agre... -
Dawn - 07:22 Feb 19, 2026
KARACHI: The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Wednesday extended the airspace restrictions on Indian aircraft till March 23. The airspace will remain closed for all Indian civil and military registered aircraft till March 23, the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) said in a new notice to airmen (Notam) issued today. Pakistan’s airspace is divided into two flight information regions (FIRs) — Karachi and Lahore, according to a Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) document from 2022. The Notam applies to both the Karachi (OPKR) and Lahore (OPLR) FIRs. India and Pakistan have closed their airspaces to each other’s airlines since tensions between them escalated in late April 2025 in the wake of an attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26 people. New Delhi, without evidence, had alleged that Islamabad backed the attack. Pakistan strongly denied any involvement and offered a neutral probe. Then, in early May, the nuclear-armed nations fought their fiercest military conflict in decades. Pakistan say... -
Dawn - 07:16 Feb 19, 2026
Eight backcountry skiers were confirmed killed and a ninth was presumed to have perished when their tour group was overtaken by a football-pitch-sized avalanche in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains on Tuesday, in the deadliest US avalanche in 45 years, authorities said. Six survivors were rescued after search teams on skis fought through blinding snow, darkness, treacherous terrain and gale-force winds to reach them in the rugged Castle Peak area near Truckee, California, about 10 miles (16km) north-west of Lake Tahoe. A rescue team departs to the site of an avalanche in a backcountry slope of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, where a group of skiers were stranded, in Nevada County, California, U.S. February 17, 2026. —Reuters The group of 15 skiers, including four guides from outfitter Blackbird Mountain Guides, was heading back to a trailhead in heavy snow after a three-day excursion when the avalanche struck around 11:30am PT on Tuesday. The surviving skiers, who took refuge in a makeshift shelter c... -
Dawn - 06:29 Feb 19, 2026
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Thursday strongly rejected media speculations regarding any “deal” between the government and incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan. In a statement shared on X, Tarar said, “There is neither any deal nor any leniency for Imran.” He added that any impression of the government granting the ex-premier concessions was “entirely false and misleading”. “Imran Khan is a criminal convicted by courts, and the reports about leniency for him are baseless,” Tarar asserted. “There is no truth in these reports.” Imran, imprisoned since August 2023, is serving a 14-year sentence at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail in a £190 million corruption case and was months ago convicted in another case regarding state gifts. He also faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the protests of May 9, 2023. Tarar’s clarification follows recent statements made by Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, wherein he said efforts were made to reach a solution, but Imran was ... -
Dawn - 05:26 Feb 19, 2026
KARACHI: The traffic police on Wednesday informed the Sindh High Court that e-challan system had only been initiated on the corridors of the city where road infrastructure, lane marking and signage were fully operational. It also submitted that the under-construction thoroughfares were excluded from e-ticketing system till the completion of development work and installation/upgradation of road infrastructure. The comments were filed on the behalf of deputy inspector general of police (traffic) in one of several identical petitions filed against implementation of e-challan system in Karachi. It further said that the provincial government had already provided relief by allowing 50 per cent discount if the challan was paid within 14 days and traffic courts were also being set up to ensure transparency. After taking the comments on record, a two-judge constitutional bench of the SHC headed by Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed adjourned the hearing till March 12 as a provincial law officer sought more time to file comment...
10444 items