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  • Karachi Mayor Wahab orders KMC affairs probe after graft allegations surface
    Dawn - 05:53 Jan 31, 2026
    KARACHI: The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has ordered an inquiry after the Karachi Constructors Association (KCA) levelled serious allegations of large-scale corruption against officials of the civic body’s engineering department, claiming that billions of rupees in development funds had been misappropriated through fraudulent practices. The inquiry was announced by Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, who took notice of the concerns raised by the contractors’ body and directed the municipal administration to conduct a comprehensive and impartial examination of the tendering, bidding and procurement processes within the KMC. A couple of days ago, the KCA, which represents contractors working with civic bodies and government organisations, accused senior engineering officials of manipulating tenders, procuring substandard materials and awarding contracts to favoured contractors without competitive bidding. The association also alleged that contractors were subjected to excessive commission demands and blackm...
  • Ruling party lawmakers ‘have no say in Punjab postings’
    Dawn - 03:20 Jan 31, 2026
    LAHORE: All civil, administrative and police postings and transfers in Punjab are now being made purely on merit, with no room for political influence by the ruling party’s lawmakers or others, Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said. In a conversation with Dawn, Ms Bokhari said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had enforced strict adherence to professional standards, ensuring lawmakers from the ruling party had no influence over transfer and posting decisions. “Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has fully ensured that all postings and transfers in Punjab are made purely on merit, thus ending Sifarish [nepotism] culture,” Ms Bokhari said. “She ensured during her two-year tenure that not a single appointment, even that of an SHO, is made on someone’s reference. This thing was hardly witnessed in the past.” The “strict policy” has reportedly caused friction within the party. According to Ms Bokhari, some PML-N lawmakers, frustrated that the bureaucracy no longer obliged their requests, conveyed concerns to party h...
    Tags: Punjab
  • PTI founder wants IHC cases consolidated
    Dawn - 03:05 Jan 31, 2026
    • In letter to chief justice, lawyer requests urgent hearing on £190m, Toshakhana cases • Alleges political victimisation and misuse of criminal law ISLAMABAD: Counsel for PTI founder Imran Khan has written to the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), seeking consolidation of all cases pending against him before the high court and requesting urgent hearings, particularly in the matters relating to the suspension of his sentence in £190 million corruption and Toshakhana cases. In the letter, the counsel submitted that several petitions filed on behalf of Imran Khan are currently pending before different benches of the IHC, arising out of various FIRs and proceedings. He argued that the multiplicity of cases and their fixation before different benches has created serious legal and practical difficulties, not only for the petitioner but also for the court system. The lawyer maintained that most of the cases involve common questions of law and fact, including allegations of political victimisation, mis...
  • SC unhappy with archaic police terms in Sindh
    Dawn - 02:52 Jan 31, 2026
    • Holds that Bakhidmat Janaab SHO has no legal status; also Faryaadi and Muddai should be discontinued as they reflect colonial mindset • Explains SHO is servant of the public, not the other way around • Wants use of legally accurate local language alternatives ISLAMABAD: Taking exception to archaic expressions common in Sindh, such as Bakhidmat Janaab SHO, the Supreme Court ordered on Friday that the term be discouraged, noting that it had no legal sanction and that a simple address as Janaab would suffice. The court observed that applications addressed to police officials using Bakhidmat Janaab SHO incorrectly implied that the citizen was at the service of the station house officer. In fact, the court explained, the SHO was at the service of the citizen. The court added that such terminology reflected a colonial mindset, in which subjects of the state approached authorities as a matter of mercy rather than as a right. Authored by Justice Salahuddin Panwhar, a member of the three-judge SC bench, the court ha...
    Tags: Sindh
  • Centre, KP government deny permitting Tirah operation
    Dawn - 02:42 Jan 31, 2026
    • PHC urged to declare military operation, its order ‘unconstitutional’ • PDMA directed to file report on facilities provided to displaced persons within a week • Representatives of IDPs summoned on Feb 12 PESHAWAR: The federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa authorities on Friday denied that they gave any permission for starting a military operation in the Tirah Valley of Khyber district. The denial from both federal and provincial governments came before a bench of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) comprising Justice Wiqar Ahmad and Justice Mohammad Faheem Wali at the hearing of a petition filed by Barrister Saud Javed Dawar, a member of the National Democratic Movement (NDM). KP Advocate General Shah Faisal Uthmankhel and Addi­tional Atto­rney General Sana­ullah apprised the high court that their respective governments had not given a nod to the military for launching any operation across the valley. While directing the Provincial Disaster Manag­ement Authority (PDMA) to provide all possible reliefs to the people displ...
  • Iran rules out defence curbs amid mediation push
    Dawn - 02:36 Jan 31, 2026
    • Erdogan offers to help ease Tehran-Washington tensions • Trump softens threats, suggests openness to dialogue • UK PM Starmer, allies working to block Iran’s nuclear ambitions ISTANBUL: Turkiye intensified a diplomatic push to mediate between Tehran and Washington on Friday as US President Donald Trump appeared to cool his threats of a strike, though Iran warned that its missile capabilities would “never” be on the negotiating table. Turkish President Re­cep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan led regional efforts to de-escalate tensions that have soared since the US moved military assets to the Middle East following a deadly crackdown on protests in Iran. While the Pentagon said the military remained ready, Trump lowered the temperature late on Thursday, stating he hoped to avoid conflict and that talks were possible. Speaking during a visit to Turkiye, Iranian For­eign Minister Abbas Araghchi welcomed the potential for dialogue but drew a hard line regarding national defence. “I want to state ...
    Tags: Iran
  • Local gold plunges by Rs35,500 per tola
    Dawn - 02:30 Jan 31, 2026
    KARACHI: The 10-gram and one-tola gold (24kt) on Friday recorded the highest ever single day drop of Rs30,435 and Rs35,500 to Rs 460,701 and Rs537,362, respectively. The 10-gram and one-tola silver (24kt) also fell to Rs9,489 and Rs11,069, showing a drop of Rs949 and Rs1,106. As per rates announced by All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA), world gold rates recorded a massive single day record fall in world price to $5,150 per ounce, down by a record $355 per ounce. APSGJA President Mr Skikarpuri said “this is the biggest ever plunge in my entire career in the gold trade spanning over over five decades. In 1974, the per tola gold rate was Rs240.” He recalled that the world gold rate had fallen slowly to $245 per ounce from $852 in the entire 1980 period but it cannot match the abrupt single day drop of $355 per ounce on Friday. Spot gold and silver record worst single-day drop of 8.9pc and 21.92pc to $4,915.17 and $90.66 an ounce “The gold price is still unaffordable for many jewellery bu...
    Tags: Rs35
  • After day-long sit-in outside SC, PTI says Imran’s family to be provided ex-premier’s medical report
    Dawn - 18:49 Jan 30, 2026
    After staging a day-long protest outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad, the PTI said on Friday that the family of incarcerated premier Imran Khan would be provided a copy of his medical report. PTI’s Salman Akram Raja made the remarks while speaking to the media outside the SC building, where the party, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, staged a day-long sit-in in an effort to facilitate a meeting between Imran and his personal physicians. The development comes a day after Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that Imran underwent a medical procedure for an eye ailment last week at a hospital in Islamabad. According to the minister, the former premier was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad for a “20-minute” medical procedure on the night of January 24. Speaking outside the SC premises on Friday evening, Raja said, “As you know, we have been outside the SC building all day.” Afridi and Senate opposition leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas were ...
    Tags: After Imran
  • Trump says Iran wants deal, US ‘armada’ larger than in Venezuela raid
    Dawn - 18:12 Jan 30, 2026
    United States President Donald Trump said on Friday that he believed Tehran wanted to make a deal to avoid military action, adding that the US “armada” near Iran was bigger than the one he dispatched to topple Venezuela’s leader. The development came hours after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is prepared to resume talks with Washington, but they should be fair and not include Iran’s defence capabilities. Trump made these remarks while addressing reporters in the Oval Office of the White House. “We have a large armada, flotilla, you can call it whatever you want, heading to Iran right now. Even larger than what we had in Venezuela,” the president stated. “Hopefully, we’ll make a deal. If we do make a deal, that’s good; if we don’t make a deal, we’ll see what happens,” Trump added. Asked if Iran had been given any deadline for a deal on its nuclear programme, ballistic missiles and other issues, Trump replied, “Only they know for sure.” He added that he had communicated that directly. “We’ll...
    Tags: Venezuela Iran Trump
  • US Justice Dept to release new batch of Epstein files
    Dawn - 17:15 Jan 30, 2026
    The US Justice Department announced Friday it was releasing more than three million pages from the Jeffrey Epstein files, along with photos and videos, adding fuel to a political drama putting pressure on President Donald Trump. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said all images of women were redacted from the documents being released, aside from those of Ghislaine Maxwell, the accomplice of the convicted sex offender. The latest release is expected to contain previously unseen material from the investigation into Epstein, a wealthy US financier who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking underage girls. Previous releases have shed light on Epstein’s ties to leading business executives, celebrities, academics and politicians, including Trump and former president Bill Clinton. Perhaps the most significant documents published so far are two FBI emails from July 2019, which mention 10 “co-conspirators” of Epstein. Only one person — Epstein’s former girlfriend Maxwell — has ever...
    Tags: Epstein
  • Shahid Afridi’s ‘all-round excellence’ against South Africa makes it on ICC’s list of ‘iconic’ T20 World Cup performances
    Dawn - 17:11 Jan 30, 2026
    Cricket’s governing body on Friday released a list of “iconic performances” at the T20 World Cup, with Shahid Afridi’s 2009 performance in the semi-final against South Africa included among the feats. “Between India winning both the inaugural ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007 and the most recent offering two years ago, there have been many iconic performances that have left their mark on T20’s biggest stage,” the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in its press release. On Afridi, the ICC noted that after being named the player of the tournament in 2007, he had come back “with the bit firmly between his teeth”. “In the semi-finals against South Africa, Afridi came to the fore in devastating fashion, starring with a crucial all-round performance that took Pakistan into a second successive final,” the ICC said. It added that Afridi scored 51 off 34 with the bat, before claiming the key wickets of Herschelle Gibbs and AB de Villiers, finishing with 2-16. It is worth mentioning that Pakistan had won the tourna...
    Tags: T20 World Cup South Africa Shahid Afridi
  • Public, private schools in Sindh to remain closed on Feb 4 on account of Shab-i-Barat
    Dawn - 17:06 Jan 30, 2026
    The Sindh government on Friday announced that all schools and colleges in the province would be closed on February 4 on account of Shab-i-Barat. The Sindh Information Department shared a notification by the Sindh School Education and Literacy Department on the social media platform X. “All public and private educational institutions under the Administrative Control of School Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh, shall remain closed on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, on account of Shab-i-Barat (15th Shaban-1447),” the notification read. Muslims mark Shab-i-Barat, or the night of forgiveness, by visiting mosques and the graves of family members.
    Tags: Sindh Shab-i-Barat
  • PTI cannot ‘dictate’ meetings with Imran by staging sit-ins: Tallal Chaudhry
    Dawn - 16:26 Jan 30, 2026
    State Minister for Interior Affairs Tallal Chaudhry on Friday said that the PTI could not “dictate” meetings with incarcerated party leader Imran Khan by staging sit-ins. The statement came as the party camped outside Adiala jai, where he is imprisoned, and the Supreme Court after the government confirmed Imran underwent a medical procedure for an eye ailment last week at a hospital in Islamabad. Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, the state minister replied to a question about the secrecy of Imran’s treatment, stating that there was nothing secret about it. “Their (the PTI) problem is that the glass is always half-empty to them; they cannot be realistic or positive,” Chaudhry said. “They previously said that there were no health facilities and nobody was paying attention,” he explained. “If there has been a health issue, then he (Imran) was immediately taken to the best hospital nearest to the prison. He was taken, examined and then left after everything was fine.” Chaudhry noted that upholding t...
    Tags: Imran
  • Probe initiated into alleged torture of man whose wife, daughter died after falling into sewer in Lahore
    Dawn - 16:17 Jan 30, 2026
    LAHORE: A “high-powered committee” of police officials launched a fact-finding inquiry on Friday into the alleged torture of the husband of a woman, who, along with her 10-month-old daughter, died earlier this week after falling into an open sewer in Lahore, a source told Dawn. The two had fallen into the sewer at the site of under-construction Data Darbar expansion project near Bhati Gate on Wednesday. While the woman’s body was found late night the same day, the 10-month-old child’s body was recovered on Thursday. A first information report (FIR) of the incident has been registered on the complaint of the woman’s father at the Bhatti Gate police station under Section 322 (manslaughter) of the Pakistan Penal Code. Three suspects have been nominated in the FIR and all three of them were arrested a day ago. Meanwhile, the victims’ family alleged police had tortured the woman’s husband, accusing him of committing his wife’s murder. They also arrested him and released him after around six hours. A police officia...
    Tags: Lahore
  • Security forces kill 41 terrorists during IBOs in Balochistan’s Harnai and Panjgur districts: ISPR
    Dawn - 14:39 Jan 30, 2026
    Security forces killed 41 terrorists in intelligence-based operations (IBOs) carried out in Balochistan’s Harnai and Panjgur districts, said the military’s media wing on Friday. According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were carried out on January 29 (Thursday), in which terrorists belonging to Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan were killed. Fitna-al-Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and the term Fitna-al-Hindustan has been designated by the state for Balochistan-based groups to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan. The military’s media wing said the presence of Fitna-al-Khawarij was reported on the outskirts of Harnai district, following which an IBO was conducted in the area. “During the conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged the hideout, and after an intense fire exchange, 30 India-sponsored khawarij were sent to hell,” t...
    Tags: Harnai Balochistan Security ISPR IBOs Panjgur
  • CDF Munir, Turkiye’s chief of general staff discuss regional security landscape and defence cooperation
    Dawn - 14:31 Jan 30, 2026
    Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir on Friday discussed the regional security landscape and bilateral defence cooperation with Turkiye’s Chief of General Staff General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, according to the military’s media affairs wing. In a statement, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said General Bayraktaroglu called on CDF Munir at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. “Upon his arrival at the General Headquarters, he was presented with the guard of honour by a smartly turned contingent of the Pakistan armed forces,” the statement said. “During the meeting, besides dilating upon matters of mutual interest, prevailing regional and global security landscape, and prospects for strengthening bilateral defence and military cooperation were also discussed,” the statement said. It added that the two also expressed satisfaction with the current trajectory of Pakistan-Turkiye relations, while underscoring the need for maintaining close coordination and enhan...
    Tags: Turkiye CDF Munir
  • PM Shehbaz announces Rs4.4 cut in electricity rates for industries
    Dawn - 14:19 Jan 30, 2026
    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced a Rs4.4 reduction in the per unit rate of electricity for the industrial sector in a bid to improve productivity and exports. The premier stated this during an address to the country’s major exporters and business figures at a ceremony in Islamabad, which was held to honour their contributions. “A Rs4.4 reduction is being made in the electricity unit rate for industries,” said the premier, adding that “if it were in his control, he would reduce it by another Rs10.” “However, my hands are tied, as you all know well,” he said. PM Shehbaz also announced a reduction in wheeling charges for industries, stating that “it will be less than Rs9”. He hoped that the move would help “industries sell their power to neighbouring industries”. To provide additional relief, the premier said that “with the cooperation and support of Pakistan’s banks, we are announcing a reduction in the export refinance rate from earlier 7.5pc to 4.5pc”. At the outset of his address, the premie...
    Tags: Shehbaz
  • ‘Absolutely false’: Info minister dismisses reports of govt deciding to give ‘firm, final’ offer to PTI
    Dawn - 12:30 Jan 30, 2026
    Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has dismissed reports about the government deciding to make a “firm and final” offer to the PTI of reconstituting the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and holding general elections a year earlier in exchange for the opposition party rejoining parliamentary committees, it emerged on Friday. The alleged development was reported by journalist Muhammad Malick in his programme on ARY News, ‘Khabar Muhammad Malick Kay Saath’ on Thursday. In the programme, Malick alleged “one or two important meetings” were held a few days ago, following which it had been decided at the “high-level” that a “final and firm offer” would be made to the PTI. According to him, the government had decided to ask the PTI to “return to Parliament, rejoin [parliamentary] committees and participate in the parliamentary process”. “In return, two things will happen: the entire ECP will be reconstituted and the law will be amended so that the next elections are free and fair. And more importantly, the gov...
  • Trump brands Minneapolis nurse killed by federal agents an ‘agitator’
    Dawn - 12:16 Jan 30, 2026
    US President Donald Trump walked back his conciliatory tone on Friday after outrage over the killings of two American citizens in Minneapolis by federal agents, branding one of them, Alex Pretti, an “agitator.” Footage shared online this week reportedly showed intensive care nurse Pretti in a scuffle with federal agents 11 days before he was shot dead on Saturday by officers enforcing an immigration crackdown. The White House has scrambled to stem widespread outrage over Pretti’s killing, which came weeks after Renee Good, another US citizen and mother of three, was fatally shot by agents in the same city. Trump claimed he wanted to “de-escalate a little bit” in the fallout of the killings and appointed a new point man in Minneapolis, border chief Tom Homan, who said on Thursday that some federal agents could be withdrawn from the city after weeks of protests against immigration raids. On Friday, the US president said Pretti, 37, was an “agitator and, perhaps, insurrectionist,” on his Truth Social platform. “...
    Tags: Minneapolis Trump
  • KSE-100 closes in the green at 184,174.48 points on Friday
    Dawn - 12:10 Jan 30, 2026
    Pakistan’s benchmark index, KSE-100, rebounded slightly on Friday by 1836.36 points after shedding 6131.53 points on the previous day. The benchmark index closed at 184,174.48 points, 1.01 per cent higher than its previous close of 182,338.12. Trading was relatively volatile, with the benchmark hitting an intraday high of 186,619.51 points and a low of 182,347.47. Trading activity remained healthy, with volumes of 344.196 million shares and a total traded value of Rs37.47 billion, indicating active participation despite intraday swings. K-Electric Limited was the top active stock with a volume of 81,415,506, followed by Hascol Petroleum Limited at 66,471,778, Worldcall Telecom Limited at 53,707,694, and Bank of Punjab at 28,310,030. Chenab Limited (Pref) led the top advancers, gaining 18.34pc to Rs4.71, followed by Apna Microfinance Bank gaining 10.01pc to Rs17.92, Kohinoor Industries Limited gaining 10.01pc to Rs69.37, and First Tri-Star Modaraba gaining 10pc to Rs44.21. According to Shoaib Memon, executive ...
    Tags: Friday KSE-100

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